Free Montana Sky: Mail Order Machinations (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Kirsten Osbourne Page B

time?"
    "Six.  I'll see you then!"  Brody left the building before the man had time to change his mind.

Chapter Nine
     
     
    Esther and Coral worked side by side throughout the following day.  Coral was obviously distracted.
    "How can I make you feel better?" Esther asked.
    Coral shrugged.  "I don't think there's any way.  I'm doing my best to find someone, and I don't want you to think that I'm not.  I just wish there was an easier way."
    "Like having them send you letters, so you can choose from them?  Like the mail order bride process?"
    Coral laughed.  "I wonder how men would feel about being chosen that way!"
    "I have no idea, but I don't think you'll get anyone to agree to it."
    "Oh, I know.  I just wish I could."
    They had supper in the oven, a cake cooling on the work table, and were sitting at the table darning socks.  "I hate darning socks," Esther said staring down at the object in her hand.
    "You hate all housework.  How did you expect to be a wife and never do any housework?"
    "Have you seen Jeremiah's house?  And Mother never did any housework.  She was too busy sitting around staring out the window." Esther looked at Coral.  "Do you know why she did that?"
    Coral made a face.  "I have an idea, but I'm not sure you really want to know."
    Esther frowned.  "Tell me!"
    "You know we're only nine months apart."
    "Well, of course. Mother told me you were born early."
    "Father had an affair while Mother was pregnant with you.  When his mistress became pregnant, he talked Mother into pretending the baby was hers. She refused to leave the house during the entire time, not wanting to pretend to be pregnant.  When I was born, she accepted me, and truly seemed to love me just as she loved you, but she never wanted to leave the house after that."
    "I can see that."  Esther looked at her sister.  "I always wondered why we look nothing alike."
    "That's why.  According to Mother, I look just like the mistress.  She was a short, stout, red-head, and she was full of vinegar. She said every time she saw me, she was reminded that Father had strayed."
    "And she still loved you?"
    Coral laughed.  "Oh yes.  Because she never liked Father to begin with.  It was a marriage that her parents insisted on, but then they were unhappy with him after they found out about me."
    "But they insisted!"
    "They're unreasonable people.  I'm so glad we didn't have to move in with them.  Neither of us would have been happy there."
    Esther frowned.  "But you're not happy here."
    Coral sighed.  "No, I'm not.  How could I be?  You don't need your younger sister living here while you're trying to get to know your new husband.  You haven't even consummated because of me."
    "No, but really?  I think that's a good thing.  I've had time to get to know him better than I would have if we'd had the opportunity to consummate immediately.  This is better for us in the long run, whether he realizes it or not."
    "I'm glad you think so."  Coral set down the sock she was mending and pulled out a shirt with a missing button.  "What do you know about this Jackson Smythe?"
    "Little more than you do.  I suggested last night that we have a party for the neighbors so you could meet the eligible men, rather than him just randomly inviting cowboys over hoping you'd like one.  He agreed, but thought we should try the local schoolmaster first.  So we are."
    "What does he look like?"
    "Brody had never met him when we talked about it.  He went to the school today.  I do know the schoolhouse and the teacher's house are both on Brody's property, because he donated the land.  That means you'll be close." Esther reached out across the table to squeeze Coral's hand.  "I want you to be close."
    Coral smiled, her eyes sad.  "I want to be close as well. Who else will teach you how to preserve berries and make jam?"
    Esther laughed.  "I could certainly buy a book and teach myself to do those things, you know.  I do know how to read."
    "I