Johanna: Bride of Michigan (American Mail-Order Bride 26) by Clara Kincaid Page A

terrible.” Johanna gasped. “And she kept her dresses all this time?”
    “Just this one, since she was making it at the time of her death. Anna had planned to surprise her sister, but never had the chance.”
    “Thank Anna for me. It’s lovely.”
    Sara helped Johanna don the dress and fasten the small buttons in the back. “Thank you, Sara.”
    “Don’t forget to wear boots today. I’d hate for you to lose your footing at the mill. It can be downright dangerous.”
    “I’ll be careful, I promise,” Johanna said as she put on her boots, buttoning them up. “I had better hurry downstairs. I’d hate to be left behind.”
    Johanna flew out the door and nearly fell as she skipped down the stairs. Halfway down, Paul stood there, looking up at her disapprovingly. Only then did she slow her pace.
    “Good morning, Paul. I’m so excited about visiting the mill today.”
    “I can see, but next time, take more care on the stairs. I’d hate for you to take a nasty fall.”
    “Do I have time for breakfast?”
    He handed her an apple. “I hope this is enough. I have them waiting until we show up to begin for the day. I’d hate to lose half a day by not arriving on time.”
    Johanna wanted to apologize for the previous night, but he apparently was unscathed from the slap he received. She only wished she hadn’t acted like she had, as she most certainly enjoyed the kiss.
    She took the apple from him. “This will be fine.”
    “Not to worry, I planned a nice picnic for lunch.”
    The kitchen maid came forward and handed off the picnic basket to Paul, and he led the way to the door. He helped her aboard the buggy and then with a slap of the reins, the horses trotted off and up the cobblestone street.
    They passed row after row of businesses, and the smell of moisture and wood clung to the air as they neared the river. A large structure loomed in the distance, and the river was packed with logs.
    “Is that the mill?” Johanna asked excitedly.
    “Yes.” He then pointed out the cabins behind the mill. “That’s where the men live with their families.”
    “The men who work the mill, or the lumberjacks?”
    “Both, but the lumberjacks are currently off for a few weeks. They’ve been working all summer with the railroad in place now. We’ll be going out to a lumberjack camp tomorrow.”
    Johanna smiled. “Really, a real lumberjack camp. I’m so excited to see that. Is anyone there at this time of year?”
    “No. The repairs should be finished by now. I like to keep the buildings maintained. It’s quite cold in the winter.”
    Johanna was impressed at how much he cared for his workers, even though he had to fire the bookkeeper only the day before. Men were milling around as the buggy came to a halt, and a man gave Johanna assistance off the buggy. Paul jumped down and the same man hopped up and drove it off, presumably to a nearby corral that Johanna saw on their way in.
    She stared up at the mill that was a few stories tall. A water wheel was spinning, and Johanna was amazed at how powerful it looked. “What does that do?” she asked.
    “It’s creating all the power we need to run the mill.”
    “That water wheel helps run the mill?” she asked in surprise. “I had wondered how you did it.”
    Johanna carefully went up the stairs with Paul close behind her, the planks of the floor clattering as they made their way. It was an open area with a roof overhead. The mill was right on the river that was packed with logs. A man stood nearby with a hook and was pulling logs in, staring at the ends and pushing them back out.
    “What is he doing?”
    “Each of the lumber companies marks the end of their logs, and we process one company together at a time.”
    “It must be easier to organize that way. How is the cut lumber sent out?”
    “It’s dried and sent by ship.”
    “I’d love to see a log cut, if I could.”
    “Of course, but watch your step,” Paul said. “If you tumble into the river, the logs