Katie: Bride of Virginia (American Mail-Order Brides 10) by Sylvia McDaniel Page A

responsible for how people perceive me. It was her idea for the party and we have reason to celebrate this morning.”
    Warmth rushed through her clear down to her center. Last night her husband had held her gently in his arms and this morning he was defending her to his mother.
    Were his words last night true? She hoped so, because she could still see so much potential here and she felt so much hope that maybe they were finally coming together as a couple. Maybe they could put the past behind them.
    “I'll finish breakfast,” she said moving towards the stove. “No, I'm cooking this morning and then I'd like to take you for a buggy ride around the property. I want to show you what you're a part of,” he said gazing at her, his blue eyes sparkling with warmth.
    “Yes,” she said breathlessly. “I'd love to spend some time seeing the vineyard and be with you.”
    “But I wanted you to read to me this afternoon. We haven't finished Tom Sawyer. I have to know if they found him.”
    Daniel raised his brows and gave his mother a hard look. “Mother.”
    Katie smiled at her husband, her heart in her throat. While she didn't want the two of them fighting over her, it felt good when her husband put his mother in her place.
    “Fine, but I get her later. She's going to read to me.”
    Katie smiled. Suddenly she felt like things were different between all of them. Even his mother seemed to have accepted Katie into their family. “We'll read later this afternoon.”
    His mother sighed, but when Daniel turned his back, she frowned at Katie. Well, maybe things weren't perfect, but at least they'd made progress and now if only she could help her husband be accepted by the community.
    Later that morning as Daniel tucked a blanket around her legs to keep her warm, she gazed at her husband and smiled. “What a wonderful day to get out of the house for a while. I feel like I've been inside for weeks.”
    And she had. She'd spent the days since she'd arrived, cleaning the house, organizing the rooms, and becoming the lady of the house. Even when some people didn't want her to take on that role. Daniel frowned. “You know you can take the buggy into town any time you want to go.”
    “No, I didn't know. I would like to get involved with the women from church. I think I'll host a tea for them before the holidays. A sort of come out and get to know me, event,” she said gazing at her husband.
    “We just had the Christmas party? Are you sure you want to do this so soon?”
    She smiled and patted him on the arm. “This would just be for the ladies of the church. No one else.”
    He clicked to the horses and the buggy lurched forward. “All right. I guess I can see how women would enjoy that.”
    Katie wanted to belong to the community. Daniel needed her help once again be a part of the society of Charlottesville.
    “I also think it would be good for you mother. I think one of the reasons she can be trying is that she's bored. What does she do all day but think about her troubles. We need to give her things to do. Even if it's just small things. What if you asked her to embroider you some handkerchief's or dishtowels.”
    Daniel started laughing. “You want her to yell at me?”
    “No, I just thought if you asked her, she would feel needed. You're her son. You no longer require her help, but she loves you and wants to be a part of your life,” Katie said softly. “Think of how you'll feel when our children are grown and leave us.”
    She could see the years rolling by and she wanted to make certain she was here for it all. Unlike the way hers had been cut short with her family.
    Glancing at her, he smiled. “I can't wait to have children with you.”
    Katie grinned. “Me, too.”
    Urging the horses forward, he said, “Let me show you the vineyard you're a partner in, Mrs. O'Malley.”
    The feel of his hand laying on her thigh and the words warmed her enough the blanket covering her legs felt hot, but she didn't remove it for