Katie: Bride of Virginia (American Mail-Order Brides 10) by Sylvia McDaniel Page B

Katie. She glanced at his mother and couldn't take the old hag cackling at her husband any longer. “It's time for bed.”
    “She's going to leave you,” his mother called out.
    Daniel's face was ashen as she walked out of the parlor. With a heavy heart, Katie pushed his mother down the hallway to her room.
    “Why do you have to be so mean? Can't you see you upset him?” Katie asked wanting to roll her into her room and leave her.
    “Eloise cheated on him. You'll cheat on him too,” she whispered. “People cheat.”
    “How do you know she cheated on him?”
    What if Eloise had been innocent? She wasn't here to defend herself and until Katie had proof, she refused to believe it about the woman she'd never met. Maybe she was naive.
    “I saw the two of them.”
    “Who was she with?”
    “It was dark, I couldn't see, but I have my suspicions.”
    “How do you know it was her?”
    She laughed. “You really don't want to believe that Eloise had an affair.”
    “No, I don't. The woman is dead. I didn't know her and I'm not talking bad about a dead person. And for your information, I will never cheat on my husband.”
    The thought of Daniel being with another woman, left her heart aching. No, their marriage had its problems, but that could never be solved by being with someone else.
    His mother threw up her hands. “That's what everyone says in the beginning, but then temptation lures them away,” she whispered. “Temptation is an evil mistress that makes promises she never intends to keep.”
    “Did you cheat on your husband?”
    The older woman swirled around in her chair and pointed her finger at her. “Don't get sassy with me, young miss.”
    “You didn't answer the question? Did you cheat on your husband? Did your husband have an affair?”
    Katie stared at her mother-in-law and saw the answer on her face. She didn't have to tell her yes or no. The pain was in her expression and in her eyes. She didn't know which one had committed adultery, but just seeing the result was enough to convince her, she would never dishonor her marriage.
    “Just leave me. I can get into bed by myself,” she said.
    “If you can get into bed by yourself, then why do you need a chair?”
    “I need a chair because my legs don't work?”
    Katie felt bad for her mother-in-law, but she also knew it was time to stop her from being so mean and spiteful.
    “You know, I feel sorry for you up to a point, but there comes a time, when you're so mean and nasty that I don't care if you need my help. I warn you that I am not letting you berate and mistreat me. Or you could find yourself ringing your bell and no one responding.”
    “You wouldn't dare. I'll tell my son.”
    Threats strengthened Katie's resolve to stand up to the woman.
    “I'll tell him the truth that while he's gone during the day, you walk alone.”
    “You hussy,” she screeched, her eyes growing large. “Leave.”
    “Gladly. Rest peacefully,” Katie said and walked out the door.
    Now all she had left to do was talk to Daniel about his first wife. She wanted to know what happened to the woman. Had she cheated on him? And why did her death certificate list exposure?
    Walking back into the parlor, he wasn't there. She hurried up the stairs. She hadn't been gone that long and she wanted this secret between them exposed. It was time he told her the truth.
    Opening the bedroom door, she heard his soft even breathing. The man was sound asleep. While she'd been taking care of his mother, he'd gone to bed. This morning he'd avoided her at breakfast and now he was snoring. Yet his kiss had been filled with passion and something more she still didn't understand.
    The day had been draining. Her first week here had exhausted her and now she was beginning to doubt why she agreed to marry a man she knew nothing about. Who hadn't told her about his first wife. Who had left out so much about his mother.
    And yet she couldn't help but remember how hopeful she'd felt when they pulled up