Julia: Bride of New York (Amercan Mail-Order Bride 11) by Callie Hutton

been very helpful in putting together a nice party at the church hall, complete with decorations and food.
    Julia smiled when Fletcher set her on her feet as she remembered the part of the service when the pastor announced, “You may kiss your bride.” Fletcher had stared at her upturned face and said, “I guess I finally got it right.”
    “Indeed,” was her response before he took her lips in a gentle kiss.
    “I plan for us to take the five-ten train this evening to New Jersey to collect Patty Ann.” Fletcher pulled the string tie from around his collar and tossed it on a table near the sofa.
    “So soon?”
    “Yes. The next train to New Jersey isn’t for another three days. I miss her and want her here with us.”
    Julia removed her coat, glancing around for a place to hang it. “Does your sister-in-law know we’re coming?
    He gestured toward the hook by the door, then walked to the window and stared out at the late afternoon sun casting long shadows on the street. “Yes. I sent her a wire yesterday morning. I want to go as quickly as possible since Catherine has always discouraged me from taking her back, saying Patty Ann was better off with her.” He ran his fingers through his hair “Perhaps she is right.”
    Julia hung her coat on the hook and moved to stand behind him, her hand wrapped around his muscular arm. Tears burned at the back of her eyes at the thought of a little girl away from the father who obviously loved her very much. “No, Catherine isn’t right. You’re right. You are her father, and Patty Ann belongs with you.”
    “I know. As I mentioned before, Patty Ann is one very important reason why I needed a wife.” He turned and rested his hands on her shoulders, his eyes searching hers. “I’m sure the last thing you want to do is take on a seven-year-old daughter.”
    Julia thought for a moment of all that had happened to her since she’d left Lawrence. “Fletcher, I came to Wickerton to get married. Luckily, the man who sent for me didn’t deem me worthy, and since I don’t believe Mr. Johnson deserves any woman as a wife, I can only thank God he rejected me.
    “I would love to be a mother to your daughter. I have eight brothers and sisters. And I miss them dreadfully.”
    Relief loosened the tight muscles of his face, and he pulled her into his arms and lowered his head to take her mouth in a kiss that left her with no air in her lungs.
    She blinked rapidly when he released her. “Oh, my.”
    He cleared his throat. “One other thing I should have mentioned before you accepted my proposal.”
    She raised her eyebrows. Now what? Did he have several other children scattered about the countryside?
    “What?”
    He glanced away, not meeting her eyes. “There will be no more children.”
    Julia was a virginal miss, but after living in tight quarters with her parents and the numerous children they’d produced, she had a good idea of where the little ones came from. Why Fletcher would want to deny himself that confused her. He seemed to be a very virile man. She chewed her lip and studied him. Unless he found her so unappealing?
    Fletcher pulled her stiffened body back into his arms. “I can see where your thoughts are going, and no, I don’t find you unattractive. In fact, I find you very attractive. However, I watched Laura die a painful death, with me unable to do anything for her. I can’t put myself through that again.”
    “My mother delivered nine healthy babies and lives this day to finish raising them all. Not all childbirth ends in tragedy, Fletcher.”
    “You can’t imagine what it’s like to watch someone die that way.” His lips tightened and he shook his head. “No.”
    “You’re right.” She pulled out of his arms and untied her bonnet. “This is definitely something you should have mentioned before now.”
    No children. At one time she would have jumped for joy after spending so many years taking care of younger brothers and sisters. But since she’d