Free A Bride for Tom by Ruth Ann Nordin Page B

this is a cordial arrangement.” There. She said
it.
    Connie gasped and motioned for Peter to catch
her before she fell back.
    He dutifully did as prompted and looked at
Jessica. “I don’t understand. We are a good match.”
    “No, not really.” She glanced at the way he
helped his mother sit down and fanned her. She bit back the urge to
insist he was already married to his mother and said, “I fancy Tom
Larson.”
    “Tom Larson?” he repeated, dumbfounded.
    “The farmer’s son?” Connie asked.
    “Yes. Tom Larson.” She fingered her shawl,
wondering if this was a good time to make her exit. She certainly
wasn’t going to be popular with these two anymore. “I thank you
both for your kindness and hope you well in life.”
    As she made her way out of the kitchen,
Connie called out, “Peter, stop her!”
    Jessica rolled her eyes as he obeyed. Getting
out of this trap of a marriage to Peter James was the best thing
she ever did for herself. Tom might be clumsy, but at least he
could think for himself!
    Peter caught up to her as she reached the
front door. “I’m sure we can work things out. Maybe we could meet
tomorrow and further discuss this.”
    “No, Peter, there’s nothing to discuss.”
    “But Mother worked so hard on putting this
wedding together. You will disappoint her.”
    Her face flushed in anger. “Your mother is
exactly why this will never work. You don’t love me, nor do I love
you. You need to find a woman you want instead of letting your
mother pick her for you. Now, please, let me go home.”
    He looked as if he were going to protest but
nodded. “Very well.” He opened the door just in time for Connie to
run out of the kitchen.
    Connie grabbed Jessica’s arm and, with big
tears forming in her eyes, said, “Surely, you want a life better
than what a farmer can give you. Peter’s going places. He’s already
gotten a fine promotion at work.”
    “Mother—” Peter began.
    “You can’t do this to us, Jessica.” The woman
choked on a sob and brought a handkerchief to her mouth. “However
will I find another daughter-in-law who my friends will approve
of?”
    Jessica rolled her eyes, though the woman was
too busy sobbing to notice. “Ma wants me home.” Then she quickly
slipped out the door before Connie could grab her again.
     
    ***
     
    Tom whistled all the way home. Jessica was
going to actually let him court her! She even kissed him. Did life
get any better than this?
    As soon as he got home, he figured he should
talk to his father. If he was going to be taking a bride, he needed
a home to bring her to. There was no way he was going to stick
around this place. Not with his irritating little brothers hovering
around to cause trouble or embarrass him.
    Once he unsaddled the horse and put him in
the stall for the night, he ran into the kitchen where his mother
and sister were washing dishes.
    “You’re late,” his mother said. “I got a
plate of leftovers on the table if you’re still hungry.”
    “Oh well, I ate at Jessica’s,” he
replied.
    Jenny stopped drying a plate. “So the evening
went well then?”
    “It sure did. I’m courting her now!” His
chest puffed up with pride. Imagine...someone like him courting
someone like Jessica.
    “Good,” Jenny said. “I think she’d be a fun
sister-in-law.”
    Their mother groaned. “No one is married yet.
Don’t go jumping the gun.”
    “Who’s jumping the gun? If she agreed to let
him court her, then it’s a done deal.”
    “Jenny.”
    Noting the warning tone in their mother’s
voice, Tom asked, “Where’s Pa? I want to talk to him about getting
my own house.”
    “He’s in the parlor playing cards with your
brothers.”
    “Great!” He hurried down the hall and stopped
as soon as he reached the threshold of the entertainment room where
his pa, Dave, and Joel studied their cards in silence. “Pa, can I
talk to you?”
    Joel looked up from his hand. “How rude, Tom.
You can see we’re in the middle of a