Sarah: Bride of Minnesota (American Mail-Order Bride 32) by Katie Crabapple Page A

eat four dozen cookies." He would get no sympathy from her. "How long have you been up?"
    He shrugged. "Just an hour or two."
    She sighed. "Let me make you some scrambled eggs. They should calm your stomach."
    "I couldn't eat another bite."
    "Toast?"
    He nodded. "Toast with butter might work."
    She hurriedly sliced off a couple pieces of bread and put them in the oven, before starting her own breakfast of bacon and eggs. When everything was finished, she sat down with him. "I'll have to go to the store this morning to get more ingredients for cookies. Do you have a favorite kind you'd like me to bake for you?"
    He shook his head. "The mere thought of cookies is turning my stomach."
    With great effort, she held her tongue. "All right. Is there anything in particular you'd enjoy for dinner?"
    He shook his head, taking a small bite of the toast and a sip of coffee. "I really don't want to think about eating right now."
    "I'll figure it out then."
    "I'm sorry I ate all your cookies," he said. And he was now that his stomach hurt.
    "It's all right. I know you didn't do it just to make my day harder."
    He didn't say anything, because in a way, he had. He wanted to show her she couldn't keep up and still do everything she wanted with the ladies of the church. It simply wasn't possible. Of course, now he regretted his childish way of proving it to her.
    As soon as he left, Sarah did the dishes as quickly as she could and bundled up to hurry to the store. She had everything delivered, taking the opportunity to pick out a couple of other colors of yarn for socks for him. She wanted to make him red socks, because she liked the idea of him having special Christmas socks.
    She sat at the kitchen table and knitted while she waited for each pan of cookies to finish baking. Making a first impression was very important to her.
    She had just finished getting dinner on the stove when she heard a knock at the door. She rushed over to see who it could be and opened the door wide to Mrs. Norman and a woman who looked very old and frail.
    Sarah wondered if it was later than she realized, but a glance at the clock on the mantle told her it was only just past noon. "Come in!"
    Mrs. Norman smiled at her. "I'm sorry we're early. I wanted to see if you needed help getting anything ready, but it looks as if you have things firmly in hand."
    "I think I do," Sarah said with a smile. "I've gotten dinner started, made a snack, beverages will be ready in a moment." Her eyes met Mrs. Norman's. "Have I forgotten anything?"
    "I don't think so. Everything looks perfect." Mrs. Norman indicated her friend. "This is Nancy Billings. She moved into town a few weeks ago to take care of her ailing daughter."
    "And how is your daughter doing?" Sarah asked with concern, wondering if she could pray for her.
    Mrs. Billings shook her head sadly. "She didn't make it."
    "I'm so sorry to hear that!"
    Mrs. Billings frowned. "I am too. I'm too old to be caring for a teenage boy."
    "Of course you are!" Sarah led her to the sofa. "Please sit down. May I get you something to drink? A snack?"
    Mrs. Billings shook her head, looking down at her hands desolately. Mrs. Norman sat close beside her, her hand covering her friend's. "The whole community will help if you need it." Her eyes met Sarah's. "I'd like a cup of tea if you don't mind."
    "Oh, not at all. Let me hurry and get it for you." Sarah rushed from the room and got a cup of tea for Mrs. Norman and a glass of lemonade for herself. She was thankful she'd worked so hard that morning to have everything ready before they arrived so she could now sit and visit.
    "How old is your grandson?" Sarah asked Mrs. Billings.
    "He's thirteen. Simon's a good boy, but I just don't know how I'm going to properly care for him." Mrs. Billings turned her hands over. "He lost both of his parents when he was small, so my daughter, his grandmother, was raising him. She became ill and died last week, so I'm the only person he has left."
    Sarah's heart