Free Mail-Order Bride Ink: Dear Mr. Weaver by Kit Morgan Page B

face tells me it was,” he said slyly. “Ma must be in the kitchen. Ya want some coffee?”
    “Thank you, I’d love some. It was a long ride out here.”
    “Don’t I know! I’ve done that trip all my life.”
    She followed him into the kitchen and found Ma already putting things away. She glanced around, wondering where Daniel was. She hadn’t seen him come in through the front door.
    Then he walked in from the back, his arms loaded with packages. “Howdy, Benjamin,” he said with a grin. “Have ya met my bride?”
    “Sure have – and I must say, ya got yerself a pretty one!”
    Ebba felt herself blush once again – this was getting to be a habit! She really didn’t know what to say, but thankfully no one was expecting her to say anything.
    “Let me get ya that coffee.” Benjamin went to the stove, picked up the pot and shook it to make sure it wasn’t empty. “Good, Calvin didn’t drink it all.” He went to a hutch, took out a cup and saucer, set them on the table, poured her a cup and motioned to a chair. “Make yerself at home. Daniel and I’ll bring yer things in from the wagon.”
    She did as he suggested and sat. Considering the state of her derrière, she would rather have stood, but thought it would be impolite. She sipped her coffee and let the hot brew warm her. Even though it was June, the nights were still chilly. Another hour of riding in the wagon and she’d have been frozen to the bone. She didn’t have a coat anymore; the only outer garment she owned was that shawl.
    It didn’t take long for Daniel and Benjamin to bring in the rest of her luggage and the supplies. Soon they had them put away and were sitting at the table with her. “I can’t think what might be keepin’ Charity,” Benjamin finally said. “I’d best go upstairs and check on her. I know she’s anxious to meet ya – she’s been talkin’ ‘bout it all day.”
    “She has?” Ebba said. “But … I am a stranger to her.”
    “Stranger?” Ma said in surprise. “You’re no stranger, child. In a couple of days you’re going to be family. Stop thinking like that.”
    Ebba glanced at each of them. “I’m afraid I’m not used to the idea yet. I haven’t had any family for a long time. You’ll pardon me if it takes time for me to adjust.”
    “Shucks, sweetie, we understand,” Daniel said sympathetically. “Don’t ya worry, before ya know it you’ll be actin’ just like the rest of us. A Weaver through and through.”
    Benjamin coughed into his hand in an attempt to stifle a chuckle. One escaped anyway.
    “Benjamin,” Ma said. “Mind your manners!”
    “Sure, Ma,” he said with a smile. He looked at Ebba. “I’m only laughin’ because I know ya ain’t sure what ‘bein’ a Weaver through and through’ means. If ya did, ya’d be laughin’ too.”
    Ebba could only stare for a moment before her face broke into a smile. “I think I’m looking forward to finding out. I think.”
    “Think what?” a woman asked as she entered the kitchen.
    “There ya are!” Benjamin declared. “Ebba, this is my wife Charity. Charity, meet Ebba.”
    “Aww,” Daniel said with a frown. “I was gonna introduce her.”
    “Well, then be quicker next time, li’l brother.” Benjamin smacked him on the back of the head.
    “Boys …,” Ma warned. “Try to behave like gentlemen. Just because we’re home doesn’t mean you have to act like a bunch of miscreants.”
    Ebba did her best to suppress a giggle.
    “Don’t laugh,” Daniel said with as much seriousness as he could muster. “Even though we’re grown, she can still take a switch to us.”
    “He’s right,” Charity agreed. “I’ve seen her do it myself.”
    Ebba blanched and quickly looked the petite Mrs. Weaver up and down in awe. “You mean you’ve … struck them?”
    “Land sakes, child, I can’t count how many times I’ve given them a good hiding. Somebody’s gotta do it, even if they don’t seem to take the hint. Is there any