Quakers of New Garden by Claire Sanders

Author:Claire Sanders [SANDERS, CLAIRE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-60742-824-4
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2012-08-24T04:00:00+00:00

Aunt Cynthia drew Leah into a tight embrace. “Thee will be a blessing to Caleb and his children, the same as thee has been to us.”

Uncle Abram cleared his throat, a sound that signaled it was time for Leah and Caleb to leave. “If thee doesn’t get moving, it will be dark by the time thee get to Caleb’s farm. Matthew will drive thee.”

Caleb offered his hand to help Leah into the buggy. She moved to the seat’s far side, expecting Caleb to join her as he had on the trip from the church to her uncle’s farm, but he swung onto his horse instead.

It was natural, Leah thought. Of course he’d be more comfortable on his horse. He’d tethered the animal to the buggy after the ceremony at the church, but now he probably felt the desire to be mounted rather than squeeze his long legs into the cramped buggy.

Matthew flicked the reins, and the buggy pulled away from the place she’d called home for the last seven years. She turned to give a last wave, but her eyes filled with tears at the sight of her dear aunt crying into her apron.

Leah’s heart yearned to jump from the buggy and run to her aunt, but one thought stilled her: Perhaps Aunt Cynthia’s tears were tears of joy. She’d been excited about Leah’s marriage, extolling Caleb’s virtues, and already planning for a spring baby.

A baby. Leah’s body grew warm at the thought. Tonight she’d finally discover the secret that bonded a man to a woman. Tonight would be the first of many nights she’d share a bed with her husband.

She watched Caleb as his horse cantered beside the buggy. How wonderful he looked atop his chestnut stallion. With his dark features and straight back, he reminded her of a knight, bent on accomplishing some noble deed. He held the reins loosely, confident in his equestrian skills, and kept his gaze fixed to the roadway.

How blessed she was to be married to Caleb. Uncle Abram had done her few favors since he’d grudgingly taken her in, but she’d find it easy to forget her uncle’s callous remarks, now that he’d arranged a union with such a beautiful man.

Matthew turned the buggy onto a drive that bordered a small stream. How odd Leah had never come this way before. Since she’d come to live with her aunt and uncle, she’d only gone to First Day meetings and the general store.

“Here’s they new home, Leah,” Matthew called over his shoulder.

Leah leaned forward to get her first look at Caleb’s house. Her hand flew to her open mouth as the building came into view. Two stories tall and painted a pristine white, the house sat among a cluster of towering oaks. It was double the size of other farmhouses and had one feature she’d never seen before—a wall full of windows. Glass was so expensive, no one built a house with more windows than were absolutely necessary. Caleb Whitaker certainly wasn’t a poor farmer, struggling to feed his family.

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