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

Garst demanded to know when this happened and the younger boy said the night before. Garst was so fired up he told those boys they had three days to get out. The next day Garst saw smoke coming from the direction of the Skinner house and turned out the place was burnt to the ground. Of course he reported it to the marshal, but nobody has seen any sign of those boys since.”
    Samuel told the doctor what happened with Chad Skinner and Maddie. The men exchanged glances. “Since then we’ve had a few lessons with a gun.”
    “If they have a lick of sense, they would have high-tailed it out of this area, but from what I’ve seen, they don’t have any sense at all.” The doctor looked at Maddie, his expression solemn, “You watch yourself, Hannah. You do the same, Sam.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Maddie tsked her tongue as Samuel put Lizzy on his horse and hopped up behind her. “This is just silly, Samuel. I will be perfectly fine riding by myself to Kate’s. Like Charles said yesterday, those men are no doubt miles from here.”
    Calmly, he brought his horse next to hers. “You are probably right, but I haven’t seen you ride yet, and I wanted to make sure the horse is gentle enough for you and, well…Lizzy has been pestering me to take her for a ride.”
    Maddie cocked her head, her look telling him exactly what she thought of his answer.
    “We’ll just accompany you to the edge of town and then we’ll head home,” he explained. “We ready?” His dimple appeared and she chuckled, giving her horse a small kick.
    “I will never be able to be upset with you when you smile. That dimple is absolutely disarming!”
    “I’ll have to remember that, future wife.”
    The day was glorious. Blue sky as far as one could see and just enough chill to keep a coat on. Maddie wore a light brown riding habit that had belonged to Martha. An ivory blouse was tucked in and buttoned to the neck.
    Samuel’s eyes were trained on his future bride as he watched her body move back and forth with the gate of the horse. 
    “Samuel?” He smiled sheepishly at being caught staring. “I said, Martha had some very nice clothes. This seems like an expensive habit I’m wearing.”
    “Truth is, Martha was raised by her wealthy aunt and uncle in Des Moines. Her aunt disapproved of me and told Martha she would disown her if we married, over her husband’s objections. He and I got along quite well. Anyway, we were married six months or so and a few big boxes were delivered with all her clothes that she had left behind. It seems her aunt had died and Martha’s uncle was then able to send Martha her things.”
    “That’s so sad, Samuel.”
    “She didn’t seem upset. Martha said it wasn’t a happy childhood. She was just happy to get some of her clothes.”
    The edge of West Liberty came into view and Maddie pulled up. “Here we are. I can go in the rest of the way by myself.”
    He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. “Please be careful on your way home.”
    Lizzy was smacking her lips for a kiss, too. Maddie reached over to give her a peck on the lips. “You be a good girl for Daddy and I’ll be very careful coming home.” She gave her horse a nudge and went on her way.
     
    * * * *
     
    Kate Evans had more clothes than anybody Maddie had ever known. Several summer and winter day dresses, a few evening gowns, riding habits, and skirts and blouses. The women laughed and giggled like two young girls, while trying on several of Kate’s gowns. Finally, the decision was made to alter a lavender silk gown, trimmed with satin. It had a Queen Ann neckline, showing only a hint of cleavage and a Basque waistline, coming to a point in the front, just below the waistline. The sleeves were puffy from the shoulder to the elbow, then fit tightly to the wrist.
    “Oh my,” Maddie said breathlessly. “I’ve never had anything on this luxurious. It is beautiful.” She looked at Kate, eyes watering. “Are you sure you don’t mind me borrowing