The Springtime Mail Order Bride Read Online Free Page B

already met Matthew, and Mr. Quinn is … hmmm, where is Mr. Quinn?”  She glanced around the mercantile, then shrugged. “Well, you’ll meet him eventually. We’re going to be part of your new family!”
    Another shiver. Samantha rubbed her arms with her hands.  Mrs. Quinn stepped over and put her hands over her own. “Good Heaven’s child! You’re freezing! Matthew, fetch some tea for this poor girl.”
    “Right away,” he said before he dashed back down the hall.
    She turned to her nephew. “Arlan, introduce your bride.”
    He looked down at her, and for the second time since her arrival, she grew warm inside. “Her name is Samantha Carter. You’ve already introduced everyone to her, so I guess I can skip that part.”
    “Samantha Carter,” his aunt said. “I think I’m going to like Samantha Weaver better.”
    Samantha felt herself blush at the woman’s heartfelt remark.  Coming to a place where people were happy and excited to meet her was a new experience.  She hardly knew anyone back in New Orleans, and those that she did, were people like Mrs. Daggert , the laundress.  The sudden elation at making new friends made her head swim and her face broke out in a smile. “It’s so nice meeting all of you,” she said as a chill took her.  She hunched her shoulders and shivered.
    Arlan put an arm around her and steered her toward the stove.
    “Arlan Weaver!” his aunt cried. “What are you doing holding her like that?”
    He stopped and glanced at her. “She’s freezing. I’ve got to get her warmed up or she’ll have a hard time of it on the way back to the farm.”
    His aunt watched as he placed his future bride near the stove, then fetched a chair to her so she could sit. About this time, Matthew came back with a cup of tea. “I’m sorry,” she said as she went to stand in front of Samantha’s chair. “I should have realized he was only trying to help. I’m a silly old woman sometimes.”
    “You’ll get used to her, trust me,” Matthew said as he handed her the teacup.”
    Samantha took it, grateful for its warmth, and held it for a moment b efore taking a sip.  The hot brew was like Heaven, and she began to relax. “Thank you.”
    Arlan took his coat off and put it around her shoulders. “She’s not used to this cold. She’s goin g to need a good coat for the farm. Can you take care of it, Aunt Betsy?  I need to go speak with Sheriff Riley before Miss Carter and I see the preacher.”
    “Sheriff Riley isn’t in town,” Matthew said. “He and a posse left yesterday .
    “A posse?” Arlan said as he took a step away from Samantha’s chair. “What happened?”
    “There’s been trouble down near Clear Creek,” his aunt told him. “An outlaw escaped a prison wagon when it got ambushed. You remember the trouble we were having around these parts last Thanksgiving?”
    Arlan thought a moment. “We came to town in October for supplies, then again for the Valentine’s dance. I don’t remember talk of any outlaw on the loose.”
    “Well, he’s trouble,” said his aunt with a curt nod of her head.  “So you keep an eye out. In fact he’s easy to spot being as how he’s missing one. Goes by the name of Red Ned.”
    “Red Ned?” Samantha repeated. “What does the ‘red’ stand for?”
    Arlan’s eyes narrowed. “I can only imagine.” He looked down at her. “You keep warm and let Aunt Betsy help you get what you need. If Sheriff Riley isn’t around, I still need to go to the livery. I’ll be back.”
    He left without another word. Samantha stared after him until the door to the mercantile shut.  She then gave her attention back to her tea and took a long sip. “Is the weather always this cold?”
    “You’ll get used to it,” said Matthew. “Now if you ladies don’t mind, I need to start counting the inventory.”
    “While he’s doing that, let’s get what you need,” said Mrs. Quinn. “First things first. From now one, call me Aunt