Laurel: Bride of Arkansas (American Mail-Order Bride 25) Read Free Page A

looking for her. She’d been careful not to leave a forwarding address with anyone but Violet and she’d already left to meet her groom in North Dakota.
    She knew, though, in her heart her father wouldn’t give up. She also knew he loved her and wanted the best for her. It was just that they had very different ideas as to what was best for her future. What she missed the most was having communication with her mother.
    Adelaide Weidner possessed a sweet, gentle soul, but had been under the complete domination of her husband for the last twenty-five years. She hadn’t ever been mistreated or physically abused, for Peter had given her the best money could buy along with a perfect standing in Philadelphia society. Laurel knew her mother had strength and determination. She’d seen her in action with their staff and had watched her deal with merchants in various situations. The fact that she wouldn’t speak against her husband baffled the imagination. It seemed she allowed her husband to tell her what she really needed or wanted.
    Laurel had decided, as a young girl, she would never surrender that much control to a man. Griffin Benning seemed nice enough now, but she found herself wondering how long it would take for him to show his true colors.
    She suddenly realized he was speaking. She’d been so wrapped up in her own thoughts she’d lost track. Her father had lectured her since childhood about having her head in the clouds.
    “I apologize for not paying attention to the conversation. I’m afraid I was wool gathering.” She smiled and rearranged the napkin in her lap. “What did you say?”
    “I said I’m sorry you’ve lost someone close to you. I know what it’s like.”
    “Thank you, I’m sure you do, being a widower. But hopefully we’ll be able to help each other with those feelings of loss.” She sipped her tea and savored the robust flavor. Quite a nice surprise, since she had no idea what to expect from this part of the country. The books she’d read before boarding the train talked about Indians and outdoor privies. What she’d seen so far had been a pleasant surprise. “Is your home in town?”
    “No, I live alongside the river a few miles south. It isn’t far, though. The location allows for frequent trips into town to get supplies.”
    Griffin tried to read the look on her face, but she wasn’t giving anything away. He flagged down the waitress to place their order and to get a refill for his coffee. He’d been watching her since they’d sat down. The way she carried herself, her table manners, her clothes, her speech . . . everything about Laurel Weidner supported his first impression of her at the train station. Quality. Too nice, maybe, for Flat Rock Point.
    He should probably give her an easy way to back out of their deal and not hold her to their verbal agreement. But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He had to have a wife. His in-laws would be here with his daughters for Thanksgiving in about three weeks. No, he had to have a wife, no matter what.
    He continued to mull their situation over, and when their food came, he knew what he had to do regardless of what was right or wrong. While Laurel deserved to understand living here wasn’t what she was used to, he needed her to stay to cook, clean, and take care of his girls.
    Half-way through their meal, he started up the conversation again. “You said you’re from Philadelphia?”
    “Yes, I am. Why?”
    “No reason other than you didn’t strike me as the small-town type.” He picked up his cup and drank the last of his coffee. “Our little town may be a few steps below what you’re accustomed to and I can’t have you backing out of our agreement because you can’t handle the differences.”
    She placed her fork on the table beside her plate, squared her shoulders, and folded her hands. “Have you lied about the requirements you placed in your ad?”
    “I have not.”
    “On the surface, have I misrepresented myself or