Free Cora: Bride of South Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 40) by Susan Horsnell Page B

trouble. It’s not the place for a lady to be alone when they’re here.”
     
    That’s why there were no other women or children on the streets. How could I have been so foolish?
     
    John’s eyes searched her face. “Why did you go out? I thought you were going to nap before tonight?”
     
    “I was weary but I couldn’t sleep.” She chewed at her bottom lip.
     
    “Are you anxious about meeting my family?”
     
    Very perceptive. “Terrified.” She clutched his hands. “What if they don’t like me? Father always said I’m so fat and plain I’d never attract a man. He said I would only ever be good for being a whore, no man would want me otherwise. I guess that’s the reason he wanted me to marry, Ernest. He knew I’d end up an old maid.” Tears streamed over her cheeks. Her voice cracked with emotion. She gazed into John’s eyes. “I promise I’ll be an obedient wife. I’ll cook, clean rub your aching muscles after your hard day’s work and do whatever else you tell me to. Please don’t send me away. I can’t go back.” Her chest heaved as she sobbed.
     
    What in God’s name has her father done to her? He lifted her from the bed and onto his lap. She buried her head in his chest as he stroked her back and attempted to soothe her. He was far too angry to speak. For a man who was known for his docile temperament, he was shocked at how easily his temper spiked when it came to this little gal in his arms. He waited until her sobs lessened, giving himself time to regain his calm. When she had quieted, he eased her head up so he could speak with her. He brushed at her tears with his handkerchief. The look of desolation in her eyes wrenched at his heart.
     
    “First of all, your father is a pig. Not all men are like him. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever clapped eyes on. You have the perfect curves in all the right places from what I can feel with you sitting on my lap.”
     
    Cora felt her face heat as she blushed.
     
    “Secondly, I am going to marry you tomorrow. You are not going anywhere except to my ranch. I’m sure we’ll have our disagreements, but you ain’t going anywhere. Thirdly, I would love you to cook and tend our home but you’re not my slave. You’ll be my wife. We’ll work together inside and outside the house. On the subject of massages, that sounds right nice and I won’t be sayin’ no to those. Lastly, my family are gonna love you. I can already tell you are sweet and caring. But, even if one of ‘em happens to be plumb loco and they don’t like you then, it doesn’t matter. We like each other and that’s all that counts. Are we clear now?”
     
    Cora nodded as more tears trickled from her eyes. Not only a baby but a crybaby too! She liked this man a whole lot. He was even better than she’d hoped for and she’d only known him for a few hours.
     
    “Cora?”
     
    “Yes?”
     
    “Why do you say your father hates you?’
     
    “Because he does. He’s told me over and over he hates me because my mother died giving birth to me. He said I took away the love of his life, denied my brother the love and nurturing of his mother and, took away his chance of having more sons.”
     
    Hell and damnation! What kind of man treats his child that way? John hugged her close. “I’m sorry for the life you’ve had up until now. I promise you, I will never, ever treat you in such a manner. I can’t begin to understand how unhappy you must have been.”
     
    “I was unhappy but I had my best friend, Millie and her family. At least I had them until they moved to Sioux City a year ago. Her parents tried to protect me. They even asked father to let me live with them but he refused. He said I had no right to be happy after the way I’d destroyed his life. I didn’t have any other close friends I could turn to after Millie left so I had to put up with whatever he dished out.”
     
    “Is that why you were in Sioux City? Did your brother help you to go to