Mail Order Bride: Westward Winds by - (book club books TXT) 📕

things and headed downstairs. As she reached the landing, Sadie and Jack met her there. Sadie took her hand and led her to the kitchen.

“Aunt Lydia is here to meet you. She helped make supper, too,” the girl explained.

“Splendid!” Tessa was happy to have another woman to talk to.

As Lydia watched Tessa walk into the kitchen hand in hand with Sadie, she thought that some kind of an angel was coming her way. The girl was certainly beautiful and Dean and Marcus and the children seemed to like her, but Lydia was going to test her right away. She was protective of these people who had quickly become her family and she wasn’t going to put up with any funny business.

“Hello, Theresa. I’m Lydia Benson, neighbor to the Samuels, and adopted family. It’s good to finally meet you,” Lydia said formally.

“Please, Lydia, you must call me Tessa. All of my close family and friends do, and I certainly hope we quickly become friends. It’s so good to meet you, as well. Dean has told me many good things about you and your husband, Charlie,” Tessa said. She understood that Lydia’s words were meant as a warning and wanted to put the older woman at ease.

Tessa extended her hand and gave Lydia a warm smile. Lydia looked closely at Tessa, searching for any sign of falsity or malice. Finding none, she took Tessa’s hand and shook it.

“Likewise. I like your dress and you have beautiful hair,” Lydia observed.

“Thank you. Something smells good,” Tessa said.

“Aunt Lydia made fried chicken and mashed potatoes,” Jack told her. “That’s my favorite.”

Dean laughed. “Almost everything is his favorite.”

He had finally been able to speak again after watching Tessa come into the room. Although she’d been very pretty in her refined clothing, he thought her infinitely more beautiful in the simple clothing she now wore. It had been a long time since he’d felt the stirrings of desire and it was disconcerting. Dean shoved those thoughts aside.

“C’mon and sit down. We’re almost ready to eat,” Lydia said. To Jack, she said, “Go find your Uncle Seth and let him know to get his rear to supper.”

Jack tore out the door, intent on his mission.

“Is there something I can do to help?” Tessa asked.

“No, no, dear. Please sit. You traveled a long way and need to rest yourself,” Lydia replied.

Tessa smiled. “All right, but I intend to earn my keep, you know.”

Lydia laughed. “Don’t worry, you will.”

Jack soon returned with Seth, who was a slightly larger version of Dean. Seth’s eyes were a slightly flintier blue than Dean’s. He grinned disarmingly at Tessa.

“Well, ain’t you a fine lookin’ thing,” he said.

Tessa blushed at his direct compliment and returned his smile. “Thank you, Seth,” she said with a little laugh.

“Welcome to our crazy life,” Seth said. “We’ll try not to scare you away right away.”

“Behave yourself, Seth,” Lydia said in a motherly fashion.

Seth said, “Yes, ma’am,” but his eyes said otherwise.

Dean didn’t like Seth’s forward behavior and he decided he was going to talk to his brother about it.

Supper was delicious. Tessa had never eaten fried chicken before and marveled at how tasty it was. The mashed potatoes were creamy and flavored well with butter. There was also canned corn from the last season. Between her empty stomach and the stress of meeting Dean and his family, Tessa’s appetite was great and she cleaned her plate quickly.

She’d always eaten with decorum but wasn’t shy about eating her fill, even at social events. Women had remarked how jealous they were that she could eat like that and still retain her figure. Tessa told them it was all of the horseback riding and a lot of walking, both of which were true.

Finally, she put her fork on her plate and dabbed her mouth with a napkin. She leaned back with a contented sigh. “That was incredible.”

Dean smiled at her. “It’s always nice to see a woman eat well and I’m glad you enjoyed it. Not surprised, though. Lydia’s a wonderful cook.”

“Yes, she is,” Tessa agreed.

“Now go on with you both,” Lydia said, but Tessa could tell she was pleased by the praise.

Seth said, “Quit acting so shy about it, Lydia. If your cooking stunk, we wouldn’t want you to make stuff.” He winked at Lydia.

Tessa smiled. Seth and Dean looked a lot alike but had different personalities. Marcus and Seth had similar attitudes. Dean was more serious than the two of them and Tessa wondered if it had always been that way or if it was only since Sarah and their baby had passed. She became lost in her musings for a few moments.

“Tessa?”

It was Sadie who brought her back. “Yes?”

“Will you show me how to braid my hair like that? I can braid, but yours is different,” the girl said.

“Of course. I’ll show you tomorrow,” Tessa promised.

“Thank you.”

Tessa looked down into her eager little face and felt something inside her tilt a little. She had a sudden feeling that it would be hard for her to deny Sadie anything. “You’re welcome.”

“I don’t need my hair braided,” Jack stated. “What do I get?”

“Jack!” Dean said. “Mind your manners.”

“Yes, Pa,” Jack said, but didn’t seem very sorry.

Tessa had a hard time not smiling. She looked at Lydia to distract herself but the other woman seemed to be having the same problem. “Well, actually, I have a little something for each of you. I’ll be right back.”

She rose from the table and hurried upstairs.

Dean watched her go, her skirts swishing as she went. He couldn’t help appreciating her fine figure. He turned back to the table and saw that both of his brothers were watching her as well. “Knock it off,” he said.

“C’mon, Dean. You can’t blame us,” Seth said with a smile. “You say she has sisters?”

“Don’t get any bright ideas,” Dean warned. “Not unless you’re suddenly serious about settling down?”

Seth snorted and finished his iced tea.

“Didn’t think so.”

Marcus chuckled. “Let’s see, she’s beautiful, cultured, educated, and brings presents? If you don’t take her, I will.”

Lydia smacked his arm. “Be serious for once, Marcus. This isn’t a game.”

“Sheesh! I was just kidding,” Marcus rubbed his arm but sobered.

Dean silently applauded Lydia’s reprimand of his little brother. It surprised him how possessive he felt of Tessa already.

Tessa came back into the room, carrying one of her suitcases. Dean rose and took it from her. “You should have told me what you were up to. I’d have carried it for you.”

She laid a hand on his arm briefly. “You are quite the gentleman, but I was quite capable.”

“All right.” Her touch was pleasant and Dean could have stood for longer contact with her.

Tessa pulled her chair out a little more and then sat down with the suitcase in front of her.

“I didn’t wrap them in fancy paper because I was afraid it would get ripped, so I hope you’ll pardon the wrapping. Sadie, this is for you.”

She handed a package to her. Sadie took it carefully and opened it. It was a little white jewelry box done in white satin with a pink bow on the top. She opened it and inside stood a tiny ballerina. Tessa showed her the winding key on the bottom and soon, the ballerina began to spin, dancing to pretty music.

“It’s beautiful!” Sadie said. “Thank you!”

“You’re welcome.” Tessa turned to Jack. “And now for the young master.” She reached into her suitcase and pulled out another package.

Jack pounced on it and ripped it open. He stopped when he saw the little tin train and train tracks. His mouth hung open and everyone laughed.

Dean said, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him speechless except when he’s sleeping.”

“Thanks, Tessa. It’s great,” Jack said finally. He promptly began playing with it on the kitchen floor.

Lydia was shocked when Tessa handed her a present. “For me? Why?”

“Because I know that you are family and I was not about to leave you out. Besides, as one woman to another, you can never have too much of this,” Tessa answered.

Lydia opened the package and gasped. It was a fine French perfume. Delicately, she sniffed at the bottle and closed her eyes. It was glorious. “You didn’t have to, but I’m sure glad you did. You’re right. I haven’t ever smelled anything like it. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Marcus. You’re next.”

“Me?” Marcus’ eyebrows rose in surprise.

“Yes, you. Here.”

He took the gift, which turned out to be a set of leather bound journals. He gave her a questioning