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

camps. Sometimes their sweethearts join them before they're quite ready. Some of the women here decided to stay when their families moved West. I only have three ladies here now, but that's low for me."
    "Do you make enough money with just three?"
    Mrs. Norman laughed. "I don't really need the money. My second husband left me with this house and a small fortune. I just take in boarders so I won't be lonely."
    "Well, my children won't have any grandparents. Maybe you could be a special grandmother."
    "You're not already thinking you're carrying, are you? You've not been here a week!"
    Sarah laughed. "No, not yet, but Karl wants fourteen sons and one daughter."
    "Fourteen..." Mrs. Norman trailed off. "That boy doesn't have a lick of sense!"
    "I don't understand it myself, but that's what he told me. I just laughed. I can't imagine having that many to fuss with."
    "I'll tell you what — if you have anywhere near that many children, I'll help you out."
    "There are eight empty bedrooms upstairs. I suppose it's time to start filling them."
    "You want a little time alone first," Mrs. Norman said in response to her jest. "The children will come soon enough, and as much as you think you want them now, when you realize how little alone time you have after they come along, you'll miss the early months or years of your marriage."
    Sarah nodded. "My mother told me that once as well."
    They continued chatting for about an hour before Sarah finally stood. "I should get home, but I thank you so much for your hospitality."
    "I'm glad you stopped by," Mrs. Norman said. "You should do it more often. Any afternoon around this time, I'm free. Come on over, and we'll talk."
    "Thank you," Sarah said. "It's nice to have a friend here." She hurried home to start the stew for dinner and for lunch after church. She also wanted to make sure their clothes were pressed nicely.
    When Karl came home two hours later, she had the stew ready to serve. "How was your day?" she asked, quickly serving them each a bowl.
    "It was good. Much better than yesterday. No one was out sick. Although, John, the man who was sick yesterday, is still not up to full speed. It was enough that he was there, so I was able to catch up the ledgers."
    "Oh good. I'm glad it was better." She put the stew in front of him and poured them each a glass of milk.
    After the prayer he took a bite. "I have never tasted cooking like yours, Sarah. This is delicious."
    She smiled. "One of my papa's favorite meals, so Mama made sure it was the first thing all of us girls learned to cook. I'm glad you like it."
    "Oh, I really do!" He took another bite of his bread, dipping it into his stew. "I thank you for cooking today."
    "And I thank you for working hard to provide for us today." She wanted to talk to him about getting out and doing things with the ladies of the relief society, but decided that would wait. Surely he wouldn't mind if she was helping out the church ladies.
     
    *****
     
    Sarah woke up excited on Sunday morning, ready to go to her new church and meet people. She was still uncertain about the pastor, but Karl thought a great deal of him, and she trusted Karl, so she'd trust his judgment. She was worried about getting strange glances from people who thought she should be ugly, but she was certain she would make it through.
    She had breakfast ready before she knocked on Karl's door, calling out to him. "Karl? Breakfast is ready!"
    She poured them each a cup of coffee and put Karl's beside his plate, adding milk like she knew he preferred.
    He came out of his room yawning and moved to the table to sit down. She put his French toast and bacon in front of his plate and he took a big drink of the coffee. "I need that this morning."
    "Didn't you sleep well?" she asked, leaning down to kiss his forehead on her way to her spot at the table.
    He shrugged. "I had a lot of strange dreams," he said with a frown.
    "Anything you want to talk about?"
    "Let's pray first." He took her hand, bowing