Gabrielle: Bride of Vermont (American Mail-Order Bride 14) by Emily Claire

charming in public, and everyone thought he was a fine, upstanding citizen.” She paused. “He was different at home, though.” Quietly, she added, “I was never comfortable being alone with him.”
    Gabrielle looked down at her gloved hands, a familiar feeling of shame rising up within her. After a few seconds of silence, she forced herself to look at the trees not far from the road.
    “How much longer until we get to Coltonville?” she asked, ready to change the subject.
    Boone wanted to know more but sensed she’d told him all she could for now. “It won’t be long. Look over in that direction.” He pointed for her to see. “See those trees? It just around that bend.”
    Gabrielle’s pained look transformed into one of excitement as she leaned as far to one side as she could, trying to catch a glimpse of her new hometown. “I can’t wait!” She all but bounced in anticipation.
    Boone laughed at her exuberance.
    Throughout the day he found he enjoyed her company and looked forward to her responses. The mercantile was amply supplied with the material she’d need for her sewing. It wasn’t lost on him that she’d noted the condition of his shirts and trousers, for she added cloth for him as well.
    “Are you sure I’m not buying too many things?” she asked, unused to spending so much at one time.
    Boone leaned toward her and said quietly. “There’s plenty of money for what we need. As you’ve probably noticed from the look of things at the house, I haven’t sunk much money into it.”
    “But there’s so much here!” she countered, her eyes wide.
    Reassuringly, he said, “It’s my pleasure to make our house comfortable for you.”
    “Thank you! I can hardly wait to get started. Is this everything? Can we head back now?”
    “I don’t know. How’d you like to buy some thimbles? They have three different kinds!”
    She shook her head. “I don’t need a thimble collection, and neither do you!”
    He looked at the supplies stacked on the counter. Pleased to see some of his favorite food staples, he was grateful she’d been paying attention to his preferences even this early in their marriage.
    “I’m done if you’re done,” he said to Gabrielle, and indicated to the young woman working behind the counter that they were finished.
    As they were riding back to the house, Gabrielle tentatively asked if Boone would teach her how to drive the wagon. “We always walked in the city or used rail cars when necessary, so I haven’t had much experience.”
    “It’s hard to believe that anyone living in these times wouldn’t know how to handle a wagon. I guess we adapt to whatever culture we’re living in. I lived in Topeka for many years and got used to seeing lots of activity there. I preferred our cabin outside of town, though. It was a good place raise our boy.”
    “Where is he now? Your boy, I mean?” she asked.
    “His name’s Buck, and I couldn’t tell you where he is, not for sure anyway. He’s a musician. He travels with a small band of various people who try to make their living entertaining others. He moved out a while back. I got a postcard from New York City last month, and he said he was having a great time, but not much of anything else. I guess he’s too busy exploring the world to write.”
    Boone put the reins into Gabrielle’s hands, showing her just how to hold them. She had a hard time getting used to the feel of the leather in her hands. After several minutes, she looked over at Boone and said, “I’m not doing a very good job of this. How long before they get rail cars out here in the West?”
    Boone laughed loudly. “Out in the country? Never, I hope! I love it out here. Wouldn’t change a thing.”
    She moved her arms to hand the reins back over to him.
    “Oh, no you don’t. You can’t give up yet. I expect to get fully back to working on my saddles come Monday morning. You need to know how to get around on your own. I’ve got over a week’s worth of work