Gabrielle: Bride of Vermont (American Mail-Order Bride 14) Read Online Free

for a roof over my head and food on the table. I doubt you can find a man who’d take a woman who has no need of affection, but that is who I seek. I would prefer something more like a business arrangement than a marriage. 
     
    I have dark hair and blue eyes. I am tall and maybe a bit thin, but I am a strong woman, nearly thirty years old. I would be able to travel with little or no advance notice.
     
    Respectfully,
    Gabrielle Petersen
     
     
    Boone quickly glanced over the rest, which was more about contact details. Next, he read the letter aloud for his friend’s benefit. When he was done, he looked at Clyde with raised eyebrows and a smile. “What do you make of that?” he asked slowly.
    Clyde stared at him and grinned, astonished at what the letter had said.  “More importantly, what do you make of it?”
    Boone stood up quietly and walked to the edge of his porch, staring out across his land at the horses running playfully in the corral. He pointed.  “Would you call that a prairie?”
    Clyde joined him, reaching over and placing a hand on the younger man’s shoulder. “I’d call it pretty darn close.”
     
    *******
     
    Dear Miss Petersen,
     
    I’m Daniel Boone Dillingham. Folks call me Boone. I live a few hours, by stagecoach, southwest of Dallas, Texas. I own several acres of land, where I raise and sell horses, outside of town. That’s Coltonville, by the way. I also make saddles, which is my primary livelihood.
    I’ve been a widower for a long time and have decided that I’d like a woman to come and live out here with me. I’m willing to take care of a wife, providing food, shelter, and a safe haven. I have plenty of room in my house, though it’s probably not as clean as a woman would appreciate, so I could use some help there.
    I want someone to enjoy life with, maybe passing the time watching the sun set from my front porch from time to time. I need someone to work alongside me on my ranch, occasionally. I won’t lie. I’ve been a bachelor for a long time and I’m just plain wanting someone to talk with now and then. I’m not interested in romance so I’ll just say that right now and be clear about it. I know it’s an unusual request, but that’s what I’m committed to. A companion partnership. Nothing more, and nothing less.
    I’m respected in the community and I guess I’m not too bad to look at, if it matters any to you. With a marriage based on the commitment to work side-by-side, I don’t reckon looks are too important, anyway. It’s who we are on the inside that matters, isn’t it?
    From what I read in your letter, it sounds like we might have a mutual understanding between us.  If you’re willing to join me on the terms I’ve mentioned, then I’ll look forward to meeting you in Wiggieville when Elizabeth Miller says you’ll be here.
     
    Best wishes,
    Boone Dillingham
     
    Boone hurriedly rode to the post office in town and mailed the letter before he lost his nerve. He was fairly certain that once Gabrielle Petersen it, she’d probably reconsider, seeing as how he wanted a marriage in name only. Thankful that Elizabeth Miller would decide whether or not the woman should join him, he felt a sense of relief. If Preacher Clyde trusted Elizabeth’s judgement, then so would he. Boone determined to put it out of his mind and trust in the Lord for the outcome. That’s what he’d been doing for the last eight years, and things had worked out all right.

 
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER THREE
     
     
    Beckham, Massachusetts
     
     
    Gabrielle’s palms were sweaty in spite of the frigid air. She stared at the closed door in front of her. Could she do it? Would she be able to step through the doorway and start a life that would be completely different from what she’d ever imagined? Thoughts and misgivings swirled through her mind. Even though she knew the answer, she still wondered with dismay how it had actually come to this.
    Once she knocked on Elizabeth Miller’s door,