Anna: Bride of Alabama (American Mail-Order Bride 22) Read Free

porch spanned the entire front and both sides and repeated on the second floor. Huge columns held up the roof and protected both porches from the harsh rays of the sun. Chairs in pristine white were arranged in small groupings along the porches and she could imagine the lady of the house entertaining her friends while sipping a cool beverage.
    Another structure sat off to the left of the main house, its circular shape making it nearly as interesting as the house itself. A few other buildings dotted the landscape and she wondered which of them would be her new home.
    Franklin rounded a row of trees and instead of staying on the road, veered off to the right and guided the horse to the main house. The road was lined with trees on either side, their branches curving and protecting the road from the sun. Shafts of dappled sunlight shined through some of the branches and just like the pond, it seemed magical.
    Franklin guided the horse around a circular drive and pulled on the reins once they reached the platform made for passengers in the carriage to get in and out. When he pressed the foot break on the Surrey, she stared at him, confused. “Am I to meet the owners of the main house first?”
    For a man so old, Franklin was swift of foot. He jumped to the platform, then down to the ground, and held up a hand to help her from the Surrey, the smile on his face one of mischief.
    “This way, Miss Anna. All will be clear in a few moments.”
    Anna let him help her to the ground and stood staring at the massive home in front of her as Franklin grabbed her bag. Her curiosity was getting the better of her and her desire to see what lay behind those double doors led her up the steps with little complaint.
    She would be the first to admit her new adventure hadn’t thrilled her to begin with. The arrangement was made out of necessity. The thought of trusting her life with a complete stranger was terrifying but she’d had little choice given the circumstances. Her initial fear had diminished somewhat. Franklin had put her at ease on the trip from town by telling her of the homes they passed and a bit of the history in this region of the country. She’d seen very little of this strange place she’d be living but so far it had been one small surprise after another.
    Franklin escorted her up the steps leading to the porch. She soon realized looks were deceiving. What had appeared so pristine from the road was anything but. The yellow paint on the house was chipping. The shutters were broken in places and the white chairs were covered in dirt. Grass and leaves littered the porch and those images she’d had of a southern lady entertaining guests died in an instant.
    The double doors opened with a creak and Anna stopped on the top step as a woman nearly as old as Franklin appeared, her apron covered in bits of flour and dough. “Well come on in. I ain’t got all day.”
    Franklin laughed under his breath. “Don’t pay her no mind. She was born cranky and age has only exasperated her ill mood.”
    “I can hear you, old man.”
    “I know you can, Ruthie.” Franklin laid a hand on her elbow. “This way, Miss Anna.” He shut the door behind them. “That there is Ruth, my wife,” he said as they followed her down a long corridor deeper into the house. “You need anything she’ll be the one to get it for you.”
    Ruth stopped at a door halfway down the hall and turned to look at her, arms crossed over her stomach. Her gaze ran the length of her from head to toe then back up again. She gave a series of slow nods, a look of concentration on her face before standing her full height. “I think she’ll do nicely.” She put a hand on the doorknob but paused before opening it. “Miss Julia stepped out but she’ll be along shortly. You can wait here in the parlor. I’ll brew up some tea for ya.”
    Anna stepped threw the doorway and stopped once she made it to the center of the room. Like the outside of the house, the opulence she was