Free Gabrielle: Bride of Vermont (American Mail-Order Bride 14) by Emily Claire Page B

voice was pained. It wasn’t easy for him to talk about Amanda, even though so many years had passed since her death.
    “When I got the idea to look for a wife, I really thought hard on it. I realized I had no interest in romance. I wanted a friend, but more than just a part-time friend. I wanted someone to share my life and, to be honest, I really didn’t think I’d find a woman who’d accept a marriage in name only. I prayed about it for a bit and then I felt compelled to talk to Clyde Williamson. He said he’d write to Elizabeth Miller on my behalf. Neither one of us really expected she’d find someone willing to marry under those circumstances. Did you know that Clyde’s letter and your letter arrived in her mail on the very same day? She believed it wasn’t a coincidence. She believed we were supposed to find each other.”
    A feeling of relief washed over Gabrielle. “I think I believe it, too.”
    Boone was content with their conversation. They understood one another, as far as he was concerned.
    They watched the sunset. Gabrielle marveled at the darkness of the clear night sky and the brightness of the stars.
    She shivered as she felt a chill in the air. Folding her arms across her chest, she rubbed her arms.
    Boone stood. “I’ll be right back.” A minute later he returned with a lap quilt in his hands. “I think you could use this,” he said, gently laying it across her neck and shoulders. 
    “And I think I could get used to watching sunsets with you,” she said softly.
    I sure hope so. I’m sort of counting on it, thought Boone.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER EIGHT
     
     
    After breakfast the following morning, Boone let Gabrielle know the buggy was hitched up and he was ready to go. She hurried outside, clearly excited. Boone gave her a hand up onto the platform.
    She was invigorated by the countryside and the cold wind on her face. “It’s strange getting used to living out here in the middle of nowhere. It’s so quiet! I guess I’m not used to hearing myself think. After having had roommates for so many years, and working in a noisy mill, I sort of miss the constant activity and chatter.”
    “That’s sure different from your new life here. How many roommates did you have?” Boone showed genuine interest.
    “I lived with three wonderful girls. Roberta, Sarah, and Poppy. The letter I got was from Sarah, but Poppy is my closest friend… probably because we have more in common.”
    “How so?” asked Boone.
    “Well, we both intended never to marry.” She looked at him and chuckled. “I guess we’re not alike in that regard now!”
    “How else are you alike?”
    “We both ended up becoming mail-order brides,” she laughed. “And, there was the way we both felt about things.” Gabrielle knew her response was vague and debated on whether or not she should mention any other similarities. Wanting her marriage to work, she decided she should be honest with her new husband.
    “Poppy’s father was terrible to her. He beat her and her mother whenever the mood struck him. If he lost money gambling, he’d take it out on them. And when he got drunk, he was impossible and dangerous to live with. When she was fifteen, Poppy decided she’d had enough and ran away. I don’t blame her at all.” Gabrielle looked at the horizon. Wide and a little hilly, it seemed so safe.
    Boone looked at her pale face, her dark blue scarf framing it perfectly. She suddenly seemed distant, despite the fact that she was close enough to brush against him when the wagon took them over bumps in the road.
    “Did you have to run away from home as well?” he asked, gently.
    She nodded slowly, wondering how much she was willing for him to know about her past. “I wish I’d had the courage to do it earlier than I did. My mother was a hard-working, lonely widow who could barely support us. I think she would have married any man in the world who asked her, and she did. The one she got was always very jovial and