Free Hannah: Bride of Iowa (American Mail Order Bride 29) by P.A. Estelle

saw his expression turn from panic to the realization he was being teased, she ran for the house. She had only taken a few steps when he grabbed her from behind and swung her up in the air. “You can’t give me a heart attack and get away with it.” He tickled her sides and she doubled over in laughter.
    Lizzy and Mr. Wiggles were not to be left out. The pup barked and jumped with excitement, while Lizzy yelled, “My turn. My turn.”
    Samuel picked his daughter up and threw her in the air, making her squeal with excitement. When the fun was over, they walked toward the house, Lizzy and Mr. Wiggles running ahead. Maddie put her hand on his arm to stop him. “I do want to be your wife, Samuel…and Lizzy’s mother.” Samuel lowered his head to kiss her, but she ducked her head. “But, I need a dress and your sister was kind enough to offer me one of hers.”
    “We can go into town whenever you’d like so you can look through them.” Samuel started lowering his head again, but again, her hand stopped him.
    “We will need to alter it, which will take some time. I’ll probably be there for a while.”
    “I understand.” Again, he started down for a kiss, but was stopped.
    “I would like to take one of the horses, or the wagon, and go by myself. That way I won’t feel rushed. Would that be possible?”
    “Since it’s a straight road into town, I’m sure that will be fine.” When Maddie didn’t respond, Samuel said, “Can I have that kiss, now?”
    “You certainly can.” Holding her face up, Samuel wasted no more time.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter TEN
     
    The next week was a busy one. Maddie stood by Samuel’s side and they tilled the dirt for the garden. As it hadn’t been done for three years, it turned out to be an arduous job that took several days.
    Each night Maddie fell into bed, exhausted, but not before receiving a passionate kiss from Samuel. “Our wedding day better get here soon,” he would tell her and she whole-heartedly agreed.
     
    * * * *
     
    Samuel had saved two pigs out of his sounder of swine for his own family. Maddie told Samuel how she had helped with the butchering when her father fell ill, but he thought it would be better if she stayed in the house with Lizzy, thinking she was still a bit young to watch the proceedings. Luckily, for Samuel, Charles Page showed up. “Hey Doc, who better to help me butcher these two hogs then a man with a scalpel?”
    Samuel promised him dinner if he’d lend a hand, which the good doctor jumped at. It did take most of the morning to finish and clean up. Samuel gave his friend several pieces of meat and stored his down in the root cellar.
    Dinner consisted of slices of ham with sweet potatoes, and carrots. “Best I’ve ever had, Hannah. I thank you.”
    “No, Charles, we thank you for your help. It was very kind of you.” Maddie scooped out some more carrots.
    “Has a day been decided on for this upcoming marriage?” Charles asked, spooning more food in his mouth.
    “Our thinking is,” Samuel said, drinking some coffee, “since Ma and Pa will be here for Thanksgiving, we would get hitched the Sunday before, on November twenty-third, and it’ll be at Kate and Frank’s place. Their place is a might bigger than mine and the folks can stay there, along with Lizzy, for a few days and give us some time alone.”
    Charles thanked Maddie for a wonderful meal and started outside to go home. “Blast me for an idiot. I forgot the reason I stopped by. Old man Skinner died. Between you and me, I think he just couldn’t sit there anymore and watch those two, no good sons of his. I’d have known nothing about it but I ran into Garst.”
    Charles climbed on his horse. “You won’t believe what he told me. He said he was just checking on things and happened by their place. He saw something in the front yard. There was Ray Skinner, just lying out there — dead!