man for approximately an hour, she felt he was a friend.
Chapter 2
John had a difficult time concentrating on his way back to the farm. God had surely blessed him when he sent him Jenny. She was beautiful, with the softest loo king golden hair he had ever seen. Although clothed modestly in a simple, muslin dress, he could see her trim waist with gentle curves a man could appreciate. He’d never paid much attention to a woman’s body before, trying to be a gentleman, but he knew his wife’s pleased him. But more than an outer beauty, she seemed to possess an even more vibrant inner beauty and strength.
By this point, m ost people in town knew he had ordered a bride. Some joshed with him, but most understood the loneliness of life on the prairie. And goodness knew there weren’t many single ladies in town who piqued his interest. When he sent away his advertisement, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He’d had five responses, but only Jenny’s caught his attention. Something in her letters spoke to his heart, and he’d half fallen in love with her before he ever met her. When he saw her sitting on the bench outside the depot, he fell the other half.
She hadn’t expressed any disdain over his appearance, something he was likely doing the most berating of himself for. The embarrassment of showing up to meet his intended covered in dirt would surely bring him humiliating memories for some time, but it was one of those things that just couldn’t be helped. The mild anxiety she had exhibited over marrying a stranger was to be expected, but she was strong and determined. Yes, he surely was a blessed man today.
Conversation flowed freely between them. They spoke briefly of their families; he did not linger long on the subject for fear of bringing negative memories for his new bride. They spoke of their favorite things, what they liked and enjoyed and even expectations of their future.
Jenny smiled easily, and every time she did, John couldn’t shake the feeling he’d seen that smile before. It completely transformed her face, giving her an ethereal quality that swelled his heart. As they approached his farm, the house came into view. He watched her closely, in hopes of catching her first reaction to her new home.
“That’s our house up yonder,” he said nodding his head in the direction of the house.
“Why, it’s beautiful John. I was half expecting a soddie,” she exclaimed. “I mean, not that I would have been disappointed with a soddie, but this was a pleasant surprise,” she added.
John chuckled as his wife tried to cover up her response. There were quite a few soddies around outside of town. Lumber in the prairies was at a premium, but his father had insisted on a wooden structure for his mother. When they passed away, the house had become his, but lacked a woman’s touch after so many years of only men living there.
“To be honest, the inside needs a bit of work. I’m afraid it’s become rather drab and you are free to spruce it up however you see fit. Since I lost my father, I’ve not done much to it , and even then, it’s been over ten years since a woman has lived there.”
“I’m sure it is just fine, John,” his wife assured him.
For the first time since leaving town, they became silent. Jenny seemed at a loss for words and he allowed her the space to think. He pulled up in front of the house and quickly jumped out to assist her down. Leading her into the house, he showed her around. The first floor was largely open with a kitchen area, living area and a walled off bedroom to one side. A ladder led to a loft area upstairs that could serve as a second bedroom.
“That was my bedroom as a child, ” he told her. “Now it’s fairly except for some trunks used as storage.”
He saw her blush at the mention of a bedroom. They hadn’t yet discussed those arrangement and he wasn’t keen on starting that conversation right at this moment.
“I’m going
Chapter 2
John had a difficult time concentrating on his way back to the farm. God had surely blessed him when he sent him Jenny. She was beautiful, with the softest loo king golden hair he had ever seen. Although clothed modestly in a simple, muslin dress, he could see her trim waist with gentle curves a man could appreciate. He’d never paid much attention to a woman’s body before, trying to be a gentleman, but he knew his wife’s pleased him. But more than an outer beauty, she seemed to possess an even more vibrant inner beauty and strength.
By this point, m ost people in town knew he had ordered a bride. Some joshed with him, but most understood the loneliness of life on the prairie. And goodness knew there weren’t many single ladies in town who piqued his interest. When he sent away his advertisement, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He’d had five responses, but only Jenny’s caught his attention. Something in her letters spoke to his heart, and he’d half fallen in love with her before he ever met her. When he saw her sitting on the bench outside the depot, he fell the other half.
She hadn’t expressed any disdain over his appearance, something he was likely doing the most berating of himself for. The embarrassment of showing up to meet his intended covered in dirt would surely bring him humiliating memories for some time, but it was one of those things that just couldn’t be helped. The mild anxiety she had exhibited over marrying a stranger was to be expected, but she was strong and determined. Yes, he surely was a blessed man today.
Conversation flowed freely between them. They spoke briefly of their families; he did not linger long on the subject for fear of bringing negative memories for his new bride. They spoke of their favorite things, what they liked and enjoyed and even expectations of their future.
Jenny smiled easily, and every time she did, John couldn’t shake the feeling he’d seen that smile before. It completely transformed her face, giving her an ethereal quality that swelled his heart. As they approached his farm, the house came into view. He watched her closely, in hopes of catching her first reaction to her new home.
“That’s our house up yonder,” he said nodding his head in the direction of the house.
“Why, it’s beautiful John. I was half expecting a soddie,” she exclaimed. “I mean, not that I would have been disappointed with a soddie, but this was a pleasant surprise,” she added.
John chuckled as his wife tried to cover up her response. There were quite a few soddies around outside of town. Lumber in the prairies was at a premium, but his father had insisted on a wooden structure for his mother. When they passed away, the house had become his, but lacked a woman’s touch after so many years of only men living there.
“To be honest, the inside needs a bit of work. I’m afraid it’s become rather drab and you are free to spruce it up however you see fit. Since I lost my father, I’ve not done much to it , and even then, it’s been over ten years since a woman has lived there.”
“I’m sure it is just fine, John,” his wife assured him.
For the first time since leaving town, they became silent. Jenny seemed at a loss for words and he allowed her the space to think. He pulled up in front of the house and quickly jumped out to assist her down. Leading her into the house, he showed her around. The first floor was largely open with a kitchen area, living area and a walled off bedroom to one side. A ladder led to a loft area upstairs that could serve as a second bedroom.
“That was my bedroom as a child, ” he told her. “Now it’s fairly except for some trunks used as storage.”
He saw her blush at the mention of a bedroom. They hadn’t yet discussed those arrangement and he wasn’t keen on starting that conversation right at this moment.
“I’m going
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