Heidi Vanlandingham - Lucie: Bride of Tennessee (American Mail-Order Bride 16) by Heidi Vanlandingham Page A

knew she was bright red. She’d never met anyone who would talk so casually about the lavatory, especially in front of a lady. He was now her husband, so maybe this was one of the things she would have to get used to.
    Turning back into the kitchen, she walked through the dining room, running her fingertips across the wooden back of the closest chair, and cleared her throat. “And the bedrooms?”
    He moved beside her. “Stella’s is the first room on the right.”
    She jumped, not expecting him to have moved quite so quickly and quietly. “May I see it?”
    He shrugged and opened the door. “Typical little girl’s room, I think.”
    She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when she peered inside the room. There were clothes scattered all around the room, even draping over the end of the bed, which hadn’t been made. Instead of dolls and books, her new daughter had a pistol on her pillow and a small rifle propped against the wall beside the small cherry wood dresser. “That is definitely not a little girl’s room. My brother would love that room.”
    He stared down at her a moment with a thoughtful frown on his face but instead of saying anything, he only turned and opened the door behind them. “This will be Alex’s room.”
    She peeked in to see a normal, tidy room with a single bed, one small nightstand, and an armoire, thankful their mess hadn’t made its way into this room as well. “He will love this. The light blue on the walls is his favorite color.”
    “Our room is at the end of the hall.”
    Her feet rooted to the floor. Our? He’d said their marriage would be platonic—that she wouldn’t have to meet the normal wifely duties. So why were they sharing a room? Before he turned around and noticed her absence, she forced herself to walk toward him, following him into the larger room.
    Her eyes widened when she saw the spindle-post bed. The covers looked as if they’d been kicked off the bed. She’d never seen a bed so large. The dark brown, almost black stain on the tall spindle corner posts and massive hardboard was intimidating to say the least. On either side stood matching nightstands, a plain glass lamp adorning each.
    The double window had a cushioned window seat, which would be perfect to sit in and read…after she cleared off the enormous pile of clothes. Along the wall opposite the window stood a monstrous mahogany armoire with a matching dressing mirror tucked into the corner next to it. “Are there any clothes left in the armoire?”
    He ignored her barb and picked an imaginary piece of dust off his jacket sleeve. “I’m afraid I don’t have another room.” His steady gaze met hers. “I will keep my word—I will wait until you are ready.”
    His eyes burned into hers and her stomach fluttered at the thought of him touching her. She had lied to herself before—she was falling for Sebastian and had no clue what to do about it.
    “Hello?” Martha’s voice echoed through the empty house. “Where are you two hiding? Your guests are almost here and you haven’t even started! Good thing I’m such a wonderful mother—I’ve arranged for McCord’s to cater tonight’s little party.”
    Lucie couldn’t help the smile spreading over her face. “She’s amazing.”
    Sebastian groaned. “Wait until the newness has worn off. You might rethink your opinion of my mother.”        
    She watched his wide shoulders as he walked toward the kitchen, Martha’s commanding tone echoing around the room. “I will always think she’s amazing,” she whispered then followed the sound of her mother-in-law’s voice.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Ten
     
    Lucie slumped down in the dining room chair, her eyes glued to the stove. She’d been married for a week and a half and nothing good had happened since the ceremony, other than people bringing by food so she wouldn’t have to cook. She dreaded the next day because she would actually have to begin cooking.
    Sebastian had been spending