Free Sarah: Bride of Minnesota (American Mail-Order Bride 32) by Katie Crabapple

laughed. "I don't think so. He's a good man."
    They talked well into the night, and Sarah didn't realize how late it was until she stifled a yawn. "It's past ten! We need to sleep!"
    He nodded, getting up and taking her hand. He stopped outside her bedroom door, kissing her. "Sleep sweet, my dear."
    "You too." Sarah went into her room with a smile on her face, closing the door with a loud click. He'd called her dear. That was sweet of him, but she hoped he meant it. She so wanted what her parents had, a marriage full of love. Hopefully Karl was going to provide that for her.
     
    *****
     
    On Saturday, Sarah didn't have extra housework to do, so she mended his clothes. After four hours of mending, she was ready to scream. She hated to sit still. She knew it was unladylike to admit it, but if she sat in that same spot for another hour, she would lose her mind. She thought about scrubbing her perfectly clean kitchen floor, just so she'd have something to do, but quickly dismissed the idea.
    Instead, she baked some cookies and took a plateful next door to visit Mrs. Norman.
    The woman was thrilled to see her, opening the door wide. "I brought you cookies to thank you for your hospitality on Monday night."
    Mrs. Norman took them straight into the kitchen with Sarah trailing behind. "I'll make a nice pot of tea and we'll chat."
    Sarah was thrilled. That was the answer she'd hoped for. She couldn't stand another day home alone now that her chores were caught up. She still had to make curtains, but she had to get out of the house first. She was not one who enjoyed being home all the time. "That sounds nice."
    Once they were seated in the parlor, Mrs. Norman asked, "How's that crazy German treating you?"
    Sarah smiled a bit dreamily. "Very well actually. He brought me flowers and a bag of candy."
    "Karl? I'm surprised you were able to teach him to do that so quickly. I know it wasn't his idea."
    "No, sadly he thought cleaning supplies were appropriate courting gifts, but I've taught him differently. Now he knows that I'm like every other woman in the world, and I want candy or flowers or jewelry. Something nice."
    "I'm impressed that he's figured it out so fast. I bet he still messes up gifts from time to time."
    "I'm certain he will. I like him, though. I think I'm going to have a good marriage with him."
    Mrs. Norman smiled. "I'm so glad to hear that. He needed a good woman in his life."
    "I appreciate you keeping up with his laundry and cooking for him. It made my life much easier not to have to do six weeks' worth of laundry when I arrived."
    "Do you feel like you're caught up on the cleaning now?"
    Sarah nodded. "I am. I even gave the upstairs a thorough cleaning. I'm working on mending his clothes now, and I don't know what I'll do after that. Probably go quietly insane."
    Mrs. Norman laughed. "We have a good relief society at church. The women get together and make food for the sick and quilts for the families who have just moved here. I think you should join, and help out. At least until you start having babies."
    "That sounds wonderful. Do I talk to someone at church about it tomorrow?"
    "Yes, in fact, I'll introduce you. We'll get you all set up and ready to go."
    "Oh, thank you. I'm so glad Karl had the sense to bring me to you as soon as I arrived. I don't know what I would do without you!"
    Mrs. Norman laughed. "You'd find a friend closer to your own age, and you'll do just that at church tomorrow. I'll make sure you meet all the young ladies."
    "Oh, that would be wonderful. Thank you." Even as she said the words, she knew she would never let anyone take the place of Bobbie. How could she have another lifelong friend of that caliber? It couldn't happen. She couldn't be so blessed with friendship more than once in her life. "What about the women who stay here?"
    Mrs. Norman shrugged. "Most of them are here while they wait for their man to be able to build a house. So many men come here from the East and work in the lumber