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

asked.
    There was so much about Daniel's business she wanted to know. She wanted to understand what her husband loved about creating his own wine. They’d been married less than a month and she was still learning about her husband, both the good and the bad.
    “Restaurants, clients, and liquor stores.  I'd really like to get a distribution deal that would ship our wines across the country.”
    “Have you named the wine?”
    “O'Malley's,” he said quietly. “This way I can just name the type of wine and people will know it came from our vineyard.”
    “Well, Mr. O'Malley, I think you have overlooked one big possible client.”
    “Who?”
    “The Catholic church. Wine is used every Sunday at mass. You might want to see who supplies their wine. It seems to me that supporting a local vineyard would certainly be better than hauling the stuff from the liquor store.”
    “That's a great suggestion.”
    An idea begin to form in her mind and she could barely sit still from the excitement. From what she could see, Daniel had very little interaction with the people of Charlottesville and that had to change.
    “I think that we need a party to debut our wine. We could not only serve it, but give everyone a small taste of what we're doing here at O'Malley's Vineyards.”
    His mother made a hrrmphing sound that she couldn't tell was for or against her idea.
    “No one would attend and you know why,” she said glancing at her son, her brows raised.
    Daniel, cut his meat and placed a bite in his mouth. While he chewed, Katie could see the wheels turning in his head. “You don't know that, Mother. They may come out of curiosity.”
    What were they discussing? It was like they were talking a secret language only they understood. This probably had to do with Eloise.
    “They may attend because they heard you have a new wife,” Katie said. She knew what she was doing. She was urging her husband to come and talk to her, let her know his past. But so far that had not happened. And with each passing day, she grew more curious.
    She watched her husband contemplating her idea. “The holidays will soon be here. We could make it a Christmas party. Decorate the house, food, company and introduce my beautiful wife to the community.”
    “And launch your new wine,” she said. “We could give our guests a gift when they left, a bottle of Chardonnay.”
    Katie didn't know if the Chardonnay was ready, but it was a suggestion. A taste of their wine. A chance for the vineyard to finally start to be profitable in the coming year.
    His mother sat back watching the two of them shaking her head. “If you'll excuse me. I'm going to bed. Just the thought of a party, tires me.”
    While Katie cleared the table, she thought of all the preparation and how much time she would need. For their first big social event, she wanted everything to be just right.
    Her husband came into the kitchen carrying dishes. “You don't have to do that. I know you're tired.”
    “I know.”
    After he helped her clear off the table, he pulled her to the parlor and sat her down. “Are you certain you want to hold a party? I mean the house is looking better than ever, but I know it's a lot of work.”
    “It's all right. I can't wait to meet other people in the community. I want to be your partner and help your business. I want to be a good wife to you,” she said reaching out and taking his hand. “But you have to help me. You have to be honest with me.”
    Maybe tonight he would finally tell her about Eloise's death. She'd given him time, she'd been patient. But her resolve not to badger him was beginning to wane. He would do well to tell her. Now. Tonight.
    He pulled his hand from her, stood and walked away. “You don't understand.”
    “I'm trying, help me.”
    “Eloise's death was shocking. It's in the past. I don't want to talk about it.”
    Katie stood and went to her husband. She laid her palm on his arm. “I have high hopes for this marriage. When I came