Free Anna: Bride of Alabama (American Mail-Order Bride 22) by Lily Graison Page A

Evelyn bestowed upon them burned anew. As lovely as Anna was, he just wasn’t ready. Not yet.
    He heard Julia’s tinkling laughter and turned to find her and Anna walking his way. He tried not to stare but failed miserably. When she met his gaze and smiled he cursed himself for the fool he was. Would it be so awful to marry her? No, but if she followed in Evelyn’s footsteps he wasn’t sure he’d survive.
    “Father, did you hear me?”
    He blinked and looked down at his daughter. She was staring at him wide-eyed. “What was that?”
    “I asked if we could picnic by the river? We could pick up a basket at the hotel restaurant like we used to.”
    He could see Anna out of the corner of his eye and wanted to say no just to avoid spending time with her but the look on Julia’s face did him in. “It has been a while, hasn’t it?”
    “Is that a yes?”
    He grabbed her around the waist and lifted her into the Surrey. “That's a yes.”
    She clapped happily and bounced into her seat. “You’ll love the river, Anna. Just wait until you see it.”
    Gabriel turned and held out his hand. Anna took it but wouldn’t meet his gaze. She looked uncomfortable. Had something been said inside the shop he wasn’t aware of?
    She slid into the seat beside Julia and busied herself straightening her skirts and avoided eye contact. He wasn’t sure what was wrong but he didn’t like the look on her face. He preferred her happy and smiling, that dimple in her cheek greeting his hungry gaze. This worried look on her face would never do. He had to find out what was wrong and fix it any way he could.

 
     
    Chapter Seven
     
     
    Julia had been right. She loved the river. Anna stood on the bank watching the water as it swirled by the rocks near the bank. The river stretched for miles along the northern edge of the plantation.
    They’d stopped and picked up a basket of food and Anna had been confused when they went all the way back to Laurel Haven, except they didn’t stop at the house. Gabriel had guided the horse down the road in front of the tenant cabins and kept going. The road ended at the river.
    “Isn’t it wonderful?”
    Anna smiled as Julia stopped beside her. “It is.”
    “Papa used to bring me swimming here once a week but this is the first time we’ve been here since my mother left.” Julia grinned up at her. “Come on, kick your boots off. Neither of us are dressed for swimming but we can wade in the shallows.”
    “You go ahead. I’ll join you in a little bit.”
    “Suit yourself.”
    Julia shucked her shoes and jumped in, the hem of her skirts getting wet in the process. Anna turned back to the Surrey. Gabriel released the horse from the carriage and was hobbling him close by. She grabbed the basket the restaurant had made for them and turned to find a nice spot to set out their picnic. A grassy area under a large shade tree was perfect.
    She turned to Gabriel. “Do you have anything we can sit on?”
    “Yes. I’ll get it.”
    He dug around the back of the surrey and carried a quilt to where she stood, then spread it out on the ground.
    “Thank you.” Anna set the basket down, then sat on her knees and began pulling things out. The restaurant had packed an assortment of cheeses and fruits, fresh rolls and even a bit of fried chicken that was still warm. “Looks good.”
    Gabriel called Julia from the water and they shared the meal while Julia tried to convince her father they should put a swing in one of the trees closest to the river. Anna listened to them while she ate and couldn’t help but feel a bit melancholy. She’d been a guest at Laurel Haven long enough for Gabriel to change his mind about marrying her but she was no closer to a proposal than she was the day she arrived. The man proved to be as stubborn as his daughter.
    Julia was the first to finish eating and excused herself to head back to the water. Anna put away the rest of the food and repacked it in the basket.
    “How did you get