Genevieve: Bride of Nevada (American Mail-Order Bride 36) Read Online Free

with strangers sometimes. It won’t be long before he’s talking your ear off.”
    Genny smiled at the little boy. “I’m sure we’ll be great friends soon.” She turned to the woman behind her. “And you must be Nettie. I’m pleased to meet you.”
    Nettie took Genny’s hand with both of hers.
    “We’re mighty glad to have you here. Welcome. Come in now. I’ve baked a batch of cookies and a fresh pot of coffee is on the stove.”
    Her stomach rumbled at just the thought of cookies and coffee. She placed her hands on her stomach. “Forgive me. That sounds wonderful. I haven’t eaten since I got on the train in Salt Lake City yesterday.”
    “Why didn’t you say something?” Stuart shook his head with a sigh. “We could have had dinner before we set off from town.”
    She looked over at her new husband. “You seemed like you were in kind of a hurry, and I was too nervous to eat anyway. Salt Lake City was the last time my stomach didn’t tie itself in knots just at the thought of food.”
    Nettie put her arm around Genny’s shoulders.
    “You come inside now, and I’ll make you a sandwich. That’ll hold you until supper. I made a special pork roast just for the occasion.”
    “Well, you must be special,” said Joe. He leaned his shoulder against the side of the wagon. “She doesn’t make pork roast for just anybody.”
    Genny laughed. She liked her new brother-in-law. He was friendly where her husband was stoic. Genny looked over at Stuart and something about his gaze, its intensity, gave her the feeling he wasn’t immune to her at all.
    *****
    When Genny met Lucy, she saw the baby sitting up playing in her crib. A prettier baby girl Genny had never seen. Her heart melted at the sight of the sweet baby. Lucy had soft brown curls covering her little head and the same deep blue eyes as her father and uncle.
    “Well, hello Lucy.”
    The baby looked up at Genny and grinned, revealing the cutest dimples.
    “She’s just learned to sit up by herself,” Nettie said as she stood beside Genny.
    No sooner had Nettie spoken than Lucy fell over.
    Genny gasped.
    “She’s still wobbly and can’t sit up for long but when she falls over, she just gets back up and sits again. She’s a very good baby. Aren’t you my sweet, Lucy?”
    At the sound of her name the baby rolled on to her back and kicked and grinned.
    Genny couldn’t stand it any longer. She had to have this baby in her arms. She reached over the top of the crib and picked her up.
    “You are the sweetest little thing.”
    She cuddled the baby and kissed her soft curls.
    When she looked up she was surprised to see Stuart leaning against the door jamb, arms crossed over his chest. She hadn’t heard him come to the door. A soft expression covered his face as he watched Genny with Lucy. Was he thinking about how his wife would have looked holding their baby?
    When his gaze connected with hers he straightened, the hard planes of his face returned. He pushed away from the door to stand with his thumbs hooked in his pockets.
    “I’ve just met Lucy.” Genny walked his way, hugging the baby to her chest. “She’s absolutely the sweetest baby I’ve ever seen.”
    His eyes softened again.
    “She really is, isn’t she? I sometimes think it’s just because I’m her father that I think she’s so special.”
    “No, you’re not the only one.” Genny glanced down at Lucy who caught sight of her father and started bouncing in Genny’s arms. “Looks like she wants you.”
    Stuart met Genny halfway and Lucy put out her arms toward her father. He lifted her from Genny.
    “Hello, sweet baby girl. How’s my Lucy today?”
    “Babababa,” said Lucy, then she grinned and laughed like she’d just told him a funny story. Which, in her language, maybe she had.
    Stuart lifted her away from him.
    “She needs a dry diaper.” He held with his arms straight out in front of his body.
    “Where are the diapers? I’ll change her.”
    “Top drawer of that