Free Katie: Bride of Virginia (American Mail-Order Brides 10) by Sylvia McDaniel

also hope that this reaches you and finds you both well and happy.
    My new husband, Stuart MacDonnell, is kind and very handsome. I couldn't figure out why a man like him would send for a mail-order bride. He said he needed someone quickly and didn't want to have to court someone for two years and pretend to be in love. I suppose that makes sense, but it seems to do so to him.
    I don't know if I believe him or not. But he didn't waste any time marrying me. It happened in a judges office about thirty minutes after I arrived.
    Stuart told me he doesn't want any more children. Had I known before I wouldn't have come, but he does have two beautiful children that I've fallen completely in love with. Three-year old Billy is a rascal and adorable. He has blond hair like his mother and his father's gorgeous blue eyes.
    Lucy is six-months old and the most wonderful baby I've ever known. She took my heart as soon as I saw her. She has brown hair that's in soft curls all over her head and again her father's blue eyes. She's so funny. Babbles all the time and laughs like she's just told you a funny story.
    And that's my new family. I already adore them, including I'm afraid, their father. If he would just let me in, we'd have such a wonderful marriage and a good life. I don't know what I'm going to do if he won't let me in. I don't know if I can live in a situation without love or at least the possibility of gaining it someday.
    I keep telling myself that it's all right. I don't need love. But it's a lie. I do need it to survive. I need it for my very soul to be nourished and happy.
    Thank you both for letting me carry-on so, though I know you didn't have any say about it. I miss you both so much and hope you have found the loves of your life and that they love you back.
    I guess that's the problem. I have found the love of my life and he doesn't love me back.
    I hope to hear from you both soon.
    My love to you both,
    Genny
    After Katie had read the first one, she sighed and ripped open the second letter, from Julia.
    Dear Katie and Genny,
    My dearest friends, I already miss both of you so much. I have arrived safely in Wickerton, New York. I wish I could tell you it went smoothly, but unfortunately, my intended groom took an issue with my limp.
    I was mortified to have him leave me at the train station, with the poor sheriff stuck having to tell me Mr. Johnson didn't wish to marry me, after all.
    Since that time I have come to be rather grateful the man didn't want to marry me. The sheriff has been kind enough to give me a job at the jailhouse until I can find other employment.
    Please know that my love and thoughts are with you both.
    Love,
    Julia
    Katie choked up as tears pricked her lids. Poor Julia had suffered so much due to an unfortunate accident that left her with a limp. She worried about the poor girl and if she could, she would immediately send for her and find some type of work for her here.
    But that was impossible, given the state of her marriage to Mr. O'Malley. Hopefully it would soon improve and then she would invite her friend to come to Charlottesville. But if not, she could be joining her in the near future.
     

Chapter Six
     
    K atie sat next to her husband at the dinner table that night, her mother-in-law across from her. She'd been civil all day and Katie hoped they could get through one meal without her starting something new or revealing another of Daniel's secrets.
    She was tired from cleaning, though in the last two weeks she had worked until the house sparkled from top to bottom. Now she was going to start on going through the linens.
    “When do you think you'll start selling the cabernet?” his mother asked.
    She seemed better today. There was a calmness that had been missing before and Katie wondered about her. What had changed besides Katie talking to her?
    “Anytime. I think the first batch of wine is ready. Katie and I had part of a bottle the other night.”
    “Who will be your customers,” Katie