Mail Order Devastation (Montana Mail Order Brides, Book 4) by Julianna Blake

for you.”
    “ I don’t mind helping, Noah.  Really.”  Mollie turned away and picked up more plates, stacking them as she went.
    Noah sighed.  “Alright.”  He kissed her on the cheek.  “I’ll fetch your bag.  I left it in the buggy when I parked it out back in the carriage barn and put the horse up.  I suppose I can feed and water the horse while I’m out there as well, so I won’t have to do it later.”
    An hour later, the house was tidied up, the floors swept, and they were finishing the last of the dishes.  Fortunately it was a short luncheon, and the mess hadn ’t been too great.  When Mollie came out of the kitchen, she was surprised to find Noah sitting and reading a newspaper.  She would have thought that he’d have helped a little bit—not because she expected him to be doing women’s work, but just so he could hurry things along so they could get back to their new house and be alone.
    He looked up from the paper, a wide grin spreading across his face.  “You’re done, finally!  I’m glad.”  He set down the newspaper and stood, taking her hands.  “Let’s go, Mrs. Jamison .”
    It was a little strange to be called by that name —especially since she connected the name with her new mother-in-law.  She looked down at the newspaper, casually tossed on the chair.  “Wait—shouldn’t we fold that up neatly before we go?”
    Noah cast a glance at the table.  “Naw, Mother will get it.  Come, I want to show you the house.”
    He led her to the door as Mrs. Jamison emerged from the kitchen.
    “You’re going?”
    “ Yes, Mother.  I’d like to show Mollie her new home.  You didn’t want us to stay any longer, did you?”
    “ No, I suppose I’ve kept you long enough.  You’ll be in the shop by noon, won’t you?”
    “ Yes, I told you I would.  I won’t lose track of time.”
    Mrs. Jamison pursed her lips.  “Mm-hmm.”
    As they closed the door behind them, Mollie thought she heard Mrs. Jamison mutter something along the lines of “no, please, let me get that paper for you…”
    The afternoon sun was bright, glinting off the ice and snow.  Noah helped her around the icy patches on the flagstone walkway, then down the sidewalk. 
    “How far is it?”  She realized it must be within a block or two, since he had said he was fetching her bag and taking care of the horse.  He must have hitched up and brought the buggy over to their home, then walked back after the horse was put up and cared for.
    “ We’re here!” He grinned broadly and gestured up a walkway, to the house they stood in front of…right next to his mother’s home.
    “ You…you bought a home right beside your mother’s?”  Mollie was stunned.
    “ I know, can you believe the luck?  I had been ready to sign on a house around the corner, when I found out that the Xaviers next door were putting their house up for sale.”
    “ Oh…yes.  That’s very…lucky.”
    His grin faded.  “You don’t like it?”
    Mollie looked up at the house, a small, white, single-level clapboard home with a small front porch accented by decorative trim.  “No, no, it’s wonderful.  It’s a perfect little house for us.”
    He took both of her hands in his.  “Then what is it?  Is it the color?  Because we can paint it, if you find white too drab.”
    “ No, the color is fine.”
    “ Please tell me.  I can see you’re not happy.”
    “ Noah, I’m very happy to be married to you.  You’ve made me happier than you know.”
    “ But you’re not happy with the house .”
    “ I…it’s just that…it’s right next door to your mother’s home.  Won’t that be…awkward?”
    “ Why would it?”
    “ I…that is…we…we’ll be newlyweds…living right next door…to your mother…”
    “ And?”  He looked confused.
    Mollie blushed.  She had no words to convey her meaning any clearer.
    “It won’t be a problem, Mollie.”  He waved away her concerns, oblivious to her meaning.