The Barefoot Bride Read Online Free
Author: Joan Johnston
for herself.
Molly hadn't minded nursing Aunt Hattie because she had truly loved the old woman. But Rupert's mother was another matter altogether. Sadie Gallagher was the worst sort ofharridan, and the old woman didn't much care for children.
Thus, Rupert's ultimatum had left Molly feeling panic-stricken. James had been a good whaler, and a wonderful husband and father. But two of his three whaling ships had been sunk by the rebel cruiser
Alabama
during the war. That financial loss had been compounded by the increasing use of fuel substitutes for whale oil, causing a drop in the price of each hard-won barrel. They had continued to live well, but it had taken a toll on their savings. When Aunt Hattie died, Molly had finally realized how very little she had been left with at James's death.
Alone, she would have managed somehow. But Whit was ten, and already growing tall like James. His wrists and ankles seemed to sprout from his clothes. As for Nessie, Molly dreaded the thought of her four-year-old being regularly hushed to accommodate a crotchety old woman.
So on the day Molly got Rupert's letter, the words BRIDE WANTED had fairly leaped at her from the month-old Boston newspaper. She had carefully unwrapped the dampened paper from around the codfish she had bought for supper and read the rest. The ad was short and to the point.
BRIDE WANTED. Thirty-five-year-old doctor seeks educated woman to work as nurse and manage household. Must be lady of good character. Also must like animals. Reply to S.K. General Delivery Fort Benton, Montana.
It had taken her a while to find Fort Ben-ton on the atlas she had used to track James's whaling adventures. It seemed like the other side of the world. Because she'd had nothing to lose, Molly had immediately sat down to compose a letter to the mysterious S.K. And because she didn't think it would ever come to anything, she hadn't mentioned the existence of Whit and Nessie.
Molly had been sure the doctor would have so many replies that hers would be lost in the confusion. She had been surprised, if not pleased, when he responded.
Dear Miss Gallagher,
I'm a country doctor and live a very simple life. It's good to hear you have nursing experience. That will be important here, where a real nurse is desperately needed. My home is a sturdy pine structure suited to the harsh elements. It is set along a creek bordered by cottonwoods.
Out here, the sky is endless and the prairies roll on until they meet the mountainsto the south. No one who sees this part of Montana can deny its beauty.
However, it's frigid in winter, scorching in summer, and the wind almost always blows.
It can be a lonely place.
You asked me to say a bit about myself. I try to be patient and understand the other fellow's point of view. Mostly, I succeed.
I can offer you my name and my protection. That may not sound like much. But out here, where there isn't much law and order, it's a lot.
Your servant,
Seth Kendrick
Molly had been disappointed that there wasn't a single word in the letter describing his appearance. She tried to imagine any man being as handsome as James and failed. But then, she wouldn't be marrying the mysterious S.K. for his good looks.
She felt a little guilty that her “nursing experience” amounted to no more than putting a cool cloth on Aunt Hattie's brow until she died of old age. But she didn't correct Seth Kendrick's mistaken impression when she wrote to him a second time. Instead, she explained that she was a widow, that she had loved James with her whole heart and soul, and that she didn't expect to find love in asecond marriage. Molly also wrote that Montana sounded beautiful and that someday she would love to see it. For reasons she didn't wish to examine too closely, Molly still made no mention of Whit or Nessie.
Seth Kendrick's second letter intrigued her.
Dear Mrs. Gallagher,
I must say I was relieved to read from your most recent letter that you do not expect love as part
Molly hadn't minded nursing Aunt Hattie because she had truly loved the old woman. But Rupert's mother was another matter altogether. Sadie Gallagher was the worst sort ofharridan, and the old woman didn't much care for children.
Thus, Rupert's ultimatum had left Molly feeling panic-stricken. James had been a good whaler, and a wonderful husband and father. But two of his three whaling ships had been sunk by the rebel cruiser
Alabama
during the war. That financial loss had been compounded by the increasing use of fuel substitutes for whale oil, causing a drop in the price of each hard-won barrel. They had continued to live well, but it had taken a toll on their savings. When Aunt Hattie died, Molly had finally realized how very little she had been left with at James's death.
Alone, she would have managed somehow. But Whit was ten, and already growing tall like James. His wrists and ankles seemed to sprout from his clothes. As for Nessie, Molly dreaded the thought of her four-year-old being regularly hushed to accommodate a crotchety old woman.
So on the day Molly got Rupert's letter, the words BRIDE WANTED had fairly leaped at her from the month-old Boston newspaper. She had carefully unwrapped the dampened paper from around the codfish she had bought for supper and read the rest. The ad was short and to the point.
BRIDE WANTED. Thirty-five-year-old doctor seeks educated woman to work as nurse and manage household. Must be lady of good character. Also must like animals. Reply to S.K. General Delivery Fort Benton, Montana.
It had taken her a while to find Fort Ben-ton on the atlas she had used to track James's whaling adventures. It seemed like the other side of the world. Because she'd had nothing to lose, Molly had immediately sat down to compose a letter to the mysterious S.K. And because she didn't think it would ever come to anything, she hadn't mentioned the existence of Whit and Nessie.
Molly had been sure the doctor would have so many replies that hers would be lost in the confusion. She had been surprised, if not pleased, when he responded.
Dear Miss Gallagher,
I'm a country doctor and live a very simple life. It's good to hear you have nursing experience. That will be important here, where a real nurse is desperately needed. My home is a sturdy pine structure suited to the harsh elements. It is set along a creek bordered by cottonwoods.
Out here, the sky is endless and the prairies roll on until they meet the mountainsto the south. No one who sees this part of Montana can deny its beauty.
However, it's frigid in winter, scorching in summer, and the wind almost always blows.
It can be a lonely place.
You asked me to say a bit about myself. I try to be patient and understand the other fellow's point of view. Mostly, I succeed.
I can offer you my name and my protection. That may not sound like much. But out here, where there isn't much law and order, it's a lot.
Your servant,
Seth Kendrick
Molly had been disappointed that there wasn't a single word in the letter describing his appearance. She tried to imagine any man being as handsome as James and failed. But then, she wouldn't be marrying the mysterious S.K. for his good looks.
She felt a little guilty that her “nursing experience” amounted to no more than putting a cool cloth on Aunt Hattie's brow until she died of old age. But she didn't correct Seth Kendrick's mistaken impression when she wrote to him a second time. Instead, she explained that she was a widow, that she had loved James with her whole heart and soul, and that she didn't expect to find love in asecond marriage. Molly also wrote that Montana sounded beautiful and that someday she would love to see it. For reasons she didn't wish to examine too closely, Molly still made no mention of Whit or Nessie.
Seth Kendrick's second letter intrigued her.
Dear Mrs. Gallagher,
I must say I was relieved to read from your most recent letter that you do not expect love as part
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