Please Love Me. Kimberly Tanner GordonЧитать онлайн книгу.
Margaret waited as other passengers went about their way. At last, she was the only woman left standing on the platform. Where was Russell Chadwick? Had he changed his mind? A bead of sweat slid down her back. Margaret was not only nervous, but also very hot.
“Are you Miss Roe?” a male voice asked from behind.
Margaret spun around. A young man in his early twenties stood before her, hat in hand. He was tall and thin with blond hair and tan skin from working hours in the sun. A light brown mustache topped his upper lip.
Margaret nodded nervously. “Yes. Are you Mister Chadwick?” she replied.
He extended his hand in greeting. “Yes. How do you do?”
Margaret smiled, noticing his green eyes and attractive build. He was more handsome than all her daydreams had envisioned. “I am well, thank you.”
He looked a little nervous and shifted from foot to foot. Russell searched his mind for something to say. He had rehearsed the entire morning. How surprised he was to see such a healthy young beauty waiting to be his wife. He had expected her to be grossly unattractive. Why else would she be willing to become a mail order bride? It would have to mean that her prospects at home were either slim or non-existent.
“Uh, did you have a nice trip?” he managed to say.
“It was pleasant. Thank you.” Margaret wondered why such a good looking man would send for a mail order bride. Surely he could find a nice young lady in town. He was so young too. Most men didn’t want to be married at twenty-two. And it was so much more socially acceptable for a man to be single at that age than it was for a woman.
After an awkward moment of silence, Russell asked, “Is that your bag?”
Margaret nodded. “It is.”
“How many trunks do you have?”
“None.”
The man seemed genuinely surprised. This woman, covered with volumes of yellow material and lace, appeared as though she would come complete with trunks full of fancy dresses. He was a bit thankful at the news though, for there was little need for pretty clothes on a farm. It required hard work from sun up to sun down.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked, grabbing her single baggage.
“Ready as ever,” she tried to answer lightly.
Margaret followed as Russell led the way to his wagon. After placing her bag inside, he assisted her onto the seat. Climbing up, he said, “We’ll go straight to the Reverend first.”
She was surprised and said so. “So quickly?”
He looked at her frankly. Margaret was slightly uncomfortable staring into the depths of his green eyes. “If we’re sleeping under the same roof tonight, we’ll do it right. I’ll have no one snickering behind our backs,” he explained, flicking the reins.
Margaret blushed to the tops of her ears. Of course they would have to get married right away. She had heard about what happened on the wedding night, but honestly, he didn’t have to put it so bluntly. They had only just met. At least he was a moral man…
As they rode through town, Russell tipped his hat to everyone they passed. Each person stared in wonder. Margaret surveyed the community; it was larger than she had expected. There were dozens of official business looking buildings, and dozens of homes. She could smell suppers cooking from kitchens. It made her hungry. Past the town, Margaret could see fields of grasses and oak trees that dotted the landscape.
“How far is it to your home?” she asked, making small talk.
He pointed south. “About five miles that way, along the Iowa River.”
“What’s your place like?”
“Run down right now,” he confessed with a sigh. “I just bought it back in April. All I’ve had time to do is work in the field.”
Margaret said nothing, waiting for more information.
“There’s about twenty-five square miles in all. The house overlooks the river.”
“It sounds lovely,” Margaret answered with a smile. After this information, she grew more excited about her new home.
Russell brought the buggy to a stop in front of a small pretty cottage. Flowers reached for the sun beside a short picket fence. “This is Reverend Grady’s place. You’ll like his wife,” he assumed with confidence.
Russell reached for Margaret’s waist, assisting her from the wagon. They walked up to the door and knocked. Margaret’s knees were practically knocking too. She was so nervous, not only about the marriage, but also about tonight.
“You’re here!” a pretty woman exclaimed as she opened the door. “Jack, Mister Chadwick is here with his bride,” she hollered back into the house. “Come in, come in. Welcome!” she greeted them. “How do you do?” she asked and extended her hand to Margaret. “I’m Susan Grady.”
Margaret extended her hand. Susan Grady seemed very kind. Her abdomen stuck out heavy with child. “I’m Margaret Roe,” she returned. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
Susan returned her smile and looked at Russell. “Mister Chadwick, what a beauty you’ve captured.”
Margaret was very embarrassed by having this said in front of Russell. She was not at all used to kind words or compliments. She looked toward the floor quickly and noticed Susan’s bare toes sticking out from beneath her skirt. She soon forgot her embarrassment at the amusement.
Another man entered the room. “Good to see you, Russell. Right on time too,” he said looking at the clock on the wall.
“Hello Jack,” Russell greeted, obviously friends with this man. They shook hands. “Jack, I’d like to introduce you to Miss Margaret Roe, my intended.”
“How do you do, miss?” the Reverend asked in a friendly tone.
With a shaky voice, Margaret answered, “Very well, thank you.”
Reverend Grady cleared his throat. “Are you ready?” he asked the couple. He then grabbed a Bible resting on a nearby table. He opened the well-worn pages and began reading from Ephesians, chapter five. When the verses were complete, he began the wedding vows.
Margaret felt like she was in a dream. She spoke her vows when instructed. Russell spoke his in return. It was over quickly and efficiently. There were no rings involved.
“I now pronounce you man and wife,” the Reverend announced. He gave Russell a wide grin. “You may kiss your bride now.”
Margaret gulped. She looked at Russell. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder. His touch was very light. Margaret closed her eyes as his face came near. This was the moment she had thought of a thousand times. Her first real kiss.
Russell leaned forward and placed a respectable kiss on Margaret’s cheek. After the brief touch, Margaret opened her eyes. Was that it? She was greatly disappointed that he had not given her a real bridal kiss. Maybe he was just too shy to kiss her in front of the Revered and his wife. That had to be it.
Susan Grady giggled with delight. As best as she was able with her large stomach, she gave Margaret a warm hug. “Congratulations!” she spoke lively. “You’ve got the best bachelor in the county.”
Forgetting her disappointment, Margaret smiled. “Thank you, Missus Grady.”
“Oh, call me Susan. I hope we will be good friends,” the kind wife said happily. Susan brought her hands up to her mouth. “I almost forgot. Wait here.”
Russell and Jack chatted freely while Margaret waited for Susan to return. The wait was brief. Susan emerged from the adjacent kitchen carrying a large basket. “I have supper all ready for you. I knew you wouldn’t have time to fix anything,” she explained.
Margaret took