Hannah: Bride of Iowa (American Mail Order Bride 29) Read Online Free Page A

noise. Yes sir, I am Hannah Brown.” Maddie looked everywhere but at the man. She was afraid he would see the lie in her eyes.
    “My name is Augustus Morrison, but most folks call me Gus. I am Sam’s father.” He bent over and picked up her bag and guitar. “He’s just about fit to be tied ‘cause he wanted to be here himself, but he’s a finishing up the sale of the rest of his crop so I told him I would meet up with you.”
    He adjusted his load so he could offer Maddie his arm. She smiled and tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow. As they walked to meet her future husband, Gus calmed her nerves by pointing out businesses and the names of the proprietors. He seemed to know every person they passed, stopping to introduce her to them all. “This is Hannah Brown,” he would say, “an afore long, this pretty little peach will be me and Bessie’s daughter-in-law.” Everyone smiled widely and extended their good wishes.
    “You are certainly familiar with all these people,” Maddie said.
    “I should be! Me and Bessie have lived a mile west of here for pert near six years.”
    Maddie cast a surprised look his way. “Oh! Do you also own a farm?”
    “Not any more. My sweet Bess married me in eighteen fifty-five. I was a few years older than her and I’d been putting money away. Six months after our marriage we got us a wagon and a couple horses, packed up our meager belongings and bought some land about fifteen miles from here. The land and lumber to put a roof over our heads took about everything we had to our names. The first few years was right hard on both of us.”
    Maddie was intrigued with Gus’s story and listened closely, leaning in to hear every word. “Bessie worked right by my side from early mornings till long after the sun went down. By the time Samuel came along, we had bought more acres and our farm was bigger. Four years after that, Katie, our daughter was born. The years went by and when Sam told us he was getting married, Bessie said it was time to let him take over running the farm and for us to take it easy. That’s when we moved here to Iowa City.  Bessie’s—”
    “Pa!” Coming toward them was a taller and stronger version of Gus. He wore a pair of tan pants, a white shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, black suspenders, and boots. His hair was black as night, cut short on the sides and the back curled just above his collar. His smile was genuine and warm with a deep dimple on the right side, but it was his eyes that caught her attention. They were a blue-gray, almost translucent, fringed with long dark lashes.
    “Sam,” Gus said, “this here’s Hannah.”
    Samuel never took his eyes off her. Maddie had to bend her head back as he moved closer. The top of her head barely reached his shoulders. He didn’t say anything, only stared.
    He knows! Somehow he knows I’m not Hannah! For a fleeting moment Maddie thought of turning and running as fast as she could to escape those eyes.
    “If that don’t beat all.” Gus guffawed, “Gal, in five seconds you’ve been able to do something none of the rest of the family has been able to do since he was in cut off britches. He’s speechless! Normally none of us can get a word in because he just keeps jawing.”
    Samuel’s face burned red, but still, he didn’t take his eyes off her. “Hannah Brown,” he finally spoke, his voice deep and smooth, “you’re as pretty as new filly playing in a field of wild prairie roses.”
    Maddie’s eyes widened and she held her breath when Samuel’s face drew closer. His lips closed in and she parted hers, waiting.  She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed when he only kissed her cheek.
    Gus cleared his throat. “I think I’m done here. I’ll take Hannah’s things to the house and we will expect you both before supper.”
    “Future wife,” Samuel teased, his crevice of a dimple appearing on his cheek, “would you like to get some lemonade?”
    Maddie grinned at him