Spring for Susannah Read Online Free Page A

the fire. Finally she had copied samples from a correspondence book, using the fancy pen and stationery she’d received for graduation. “I’m sorry.”
    He groaned. “All right, back to talking about my brother.”
    Ah, a safe topic of conversation. “He’s well. The Reverend preached my parents’ funerals. Ellen packed for me.”
    The prairie dissolved. Back in Michigan, Ellen and her husband tucked their children into bed. She could see Reverend Mason, with his Lincolnesque stature, bent almost double under the rafters. The two oldest girls had given up their bed for Susannah and were curled on a pallet, covered with quilts. The Reverend listened to their prayers, which included entreaties for traveling mercies for Susannah. Smoothing their hair, he kissed them good night. Ellen sat by the stove, rocking the baby’s cradle with her foot, hemming a shirt for the older boy.
    â€œWhere did you go?” Jesse broke into her reverie.
    â€œI’m sorry. I was thinking about the children.” And wondering if she’d ever have a family.
    â€œHow many nieces and nephews do I have these days?”
    â€œFour and one on the way. They may have to change churches if the congregation doesn’t add on to the parsonage. It’s only four rooms, same as ours. I mean, same as Father’s.”
    â€œFive children! We’ve got some catching up to do.” He winked.
    Susannah swallowed and looked away. This couldn’t be real. Not this man. Not this place. The wagon lurched and a splinter dug into her finger. It was real. She had better get used to it.
    â€œSusannah.” He touched her chin, bringing her to face him. His stare dissected her, cutting to the core. She focused on the brim of his hat, fighting the urge to put space between them.
    â€œYour eyes are the same color as the sky right now,” he said. “Best part of the day. Time to stop work, look over all you got done.”
    He let go. She inhaled, her breath sounding like a gasp, and turned away from him. A gray animal darted out of the draw ahead. “Wolf!” Susannah tightened her grip on the seat.
    â€œIt’s a dog. Norwegian elkhound. From Ivar’s first litter.”
    The animal bounded into the wagon box. He hopped over the luggage and stuck his wet nose into Susannah’s neck. His frame was more compact, with shorter legs and a wider chest than the wolf specimen mounted in her father’s office. Unlike his wild counterpart, the dog’s tail curled tightly over his back.
    â€œHandsome boy.” Susannah rubbed his soft fur.
    â€œSit, Jake.”
    The dog complied.
    â€œYou’ve trained him well.”
    â€œHe’s all I’ve had to talk to until you.”
    â€œWell, please don’t stop talking to him on my account. I don’t want him mad at me.”
    Jesse grinned. “Jake, let’s give Susannah the grand tour. On your left is the spring.” Sunlight reflected off a narrow band of water edged by saplings. “On your right, the barn, then our mansion.”
    A stovepipe and black barrel marked the roof of the sod house. A plank door was set deep in walls over two feet thick, centered between a pair of six-pane windows. A sod stable with a woven willow enclosure abutted the east side. To the west a sapling vibrated in the wind, red knobs decorating its branches.
    â€œYou have an apple tree.”
    â€œYou didn’t know Johnny Appleseed made it this far west?” Jesse leaped down. “Brought it out on the wagon with me. Thought it’d died by the time I got here, but it’s growing good now.”
    Susannah gathered her skirts.
    â€œWait.” He held up a palm. “We may not live in a castle, but I’ll treat my bride like a queen.” He put an arm under her legs and another around her back. Before she could figure out what to do, he lifted her off the seat and carried her inside. “Welcome