She suddenly spied the bucket on the table. “You’ve already milked?”
“Yeah. Hank and the men are all up and about.”
“It’s so early.”
“There’s a lot to be done.”
“Oh?”
“A wedding to get through. There are a lot of horses needing attention. Hank and Dave will have to get the stage ready and take the Reverend Egan on the last leg of his journey. There’s a stage coming in here tomorrow. We only need to give them a midday meal as they aren’t doing a long haul. Later, I can show you my timetable. It rarely changes from week to week.”
He scooped the baby out of her arms. “You get her bottle ready. She’ll probably go down for a sleep after that.” The fact Brodie knew so much about babies and her so little, was rather unnerving.
“Did this little gal sleep well,” she heard him say as she stepped over to the stove to get the water for the bottle. She glanced over at the washing up dish. It was empty. The dishes had been done and put away except for the baby bottle, filled with water and left standing on the bench.
“You did the dishes.”
“Yeah, me and Hank. We didn’t want you to do too much on your wedding day.”
“That was kind.”
“You put on a good meal for us last night, especially under the circumstances, so it was the least we could do.”
She shuddered. “I still can’t believe I shot a man.”
“Don’t worry about it, the varmint deserved it. If they had overrun the stage, they would have murdered all of you, even the baby or left her to die out there all alone.”
“My goodness, I didn’t think of it that way.” Her hands trembled.
“You did what you had to do.”
While he fed the baby her bottle, Tilly hurried to the bedroom for a clean diaper. She would have to do some washing tomorrow. At least in the warm weather it would dry quickly. She was a competent sewer and would need to provide Daisy with nightgowns and outer clothing. The baby had almost finished the bottle by the time she returned.
“That was quick,” she said. “I won’t do it now, but I’ll need to bath her later.”
“There’s a hip bath in the washroom.”
“I know, I saw it. I need something smaller. A large dish maybe, or something similar.”
“If you can make do today we’ll go into Eldorado tomorrow and get whatever you need for her and stock up on supplies as well. Save me going in next week like I planned. Reverend Egan told me last night he always has breakfast at eight o’clock. Gives you time to see to the baby and get dressed ready for him.” Brodie grinned. “He says he never ever conducts a wedding on an empty stomach.”
“He’s a lovely old man.”
“Yeah, never met a preacher like him before. Now, he’s the kind of man I wouldn’t mind going to Sunday service for.”
“You’re not a regular church goer?”
“No. Although I do believe in the good book and what it says.”
“I used to love going to church in Coyote Crossing, then after they found out about me, some of the church ladies were horrible.”
“Hypocrites.” He muttered something else, probably unsavory as he handed the baby over.
When Tilly took off the wet diaper, she was pleased to find the baby’s bottom was less reddened. “Your salve seems to have worked.”
“Put some more on. When we go into town, I’ll buy another tin.”
“There’s a lot to learn about babies,” she said.
“Yeah, if you look after them properly there is.” His expression hardened and she realized he was thinking of his own childhood.
“Did you ever wonder what happened to your brothers and sisters?”
“Not really, probably grew up and left like I did. They would be spread out all over the West by now.”
“It’s sad really.”
“I guess so. I’ll leave you to it, I’ve got a few things to do. I’ll be back in time for the wedding.” He ran a finger across Daisy’s cheek. “Put her to bed and she will probably sleep for a couple of hours.”
He flicked his hat off the hook, caught it and placed it on his head before leaving the room.
By the time Reverend Egan appeared Tilly was dressed, with her hair pinned up in its usual style.
“Good morning, my dear,” he greeted her cheerfully.
“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
“Very well thank you. Brodie is….”
“He was here for a while earlier but had a few things to do. Said you weren’t to worry he wouldn’t be late for the wedding.”
He chuckled. “He’s a good man, if a little troubled. A bad childhood can do that to people. Leave them scarred. He will make you a good husband.”
“I know. I’m becoming fond of him. I had a terrible experience with a man I thought I loved. Last night I realized it had only been infatuation.”
“Tell me about it.”
She poured out coffee for them both and piled a plate up with pancakes. “I could cook you ham and eggs.”
“No, no, this looks delicious. Tell me what happened.”
“I don’t know if I can, I’d hate for you to think badly of me.”
“I could never do that, my dear.”
Starting off haltingly, her voice became stronger as she realized there was no condemnation in his eyes. Finally, when it was finished, she felt light-headed with relief. “And that is my sordid story.”
“Nothing sordid on your part. That man now, he was a disgrace. Such abominable behavior is more common than you think. You were lucky no child was involved.”
She wrung her hands. “Maybe something like that happened to Daisy’s mother.”
“It could have done, some women are left in tragic predicaments, sometimes of their own making, most times not. Society isn’t forgiving enough, that’s why there are so many abandoned babies.”
Brodie strode in. “Good morning. I can see Tilly has been spoiling you. Pancakes.” He sat down and took one.
“Would you like a coffee?”
“Thanks, I’ll get it.”
As he stood the door opened and Hank strode in. “Morning all. Something smells mighty good. My nose was twitching as I walked up the back path.”
Tilly poured out coffee for the two men and topped up the old man’s cup.
“What’s the wedding plans?” Hank asked, his mouth half full of pancake.
“After we finish up here,” Brodie said. “Okay with you, Reverend Egan?”
“Excellent.”
“A soon as it’s finished, we’ll have to head off. I don’t want to be too late getting you into Four Winds and with the detour to Eldorado to see the sheriff, it will take a little longer than normal.”
“Maybe the sheriff might need to see me as a witness,” Tilly said.
“No, with Dave, the reverend and me I reckon it will be enough.”
“We can call in and see him when we go to town,” Brodie said.
“I thought you planned on going into town next week, boss.”
“I did, but we need things for the baby, and can get our usual supplies at the same time. I want to see Joe at the livery stable too. I need him to come out and check on the horses.”
“Is he a Vet?”
“No, darlin’, the blacksmith. He owns the livery as well with his sons. He regularly comes and checks the horse’s shoes. They travel a lot of miles and need to be kept in good condition.”
“Ask him about those horses Heath McKinlay is training,” Hank said. “That man is an expert with horses.”
“He ought to be, he’s ex-cavalry,” Brodie said.
“Is he one of our neighbors?” Tilly asked.
“He lives about fifteen miles away, got a wife and a couple of kids. He was the one who blasted through the cliff to open a huge stretch of prairie land behind it. He owns the land, always lets me go through it because we buy horses from him. It cuts about twenty miles off the trip into Four Winds. That i
s what made the route so viable for me.”
Chapter Nine
After everyone finished breakfast, they adjourned to the guest sitting room. Dave had joined them as well as a couple of cow hands who grinned at her. That they were surprised their boss was getting married was obvious.
“Do you have a ring?” Reverend Egan asked.
“No. Do we need one?”
“You can borrow this.” Hank pulled aside his shirt collar to reveal a gold chain around his neck with a slim gold wedding band hanging from it. “It was my mother’s wedding ring. I’d be mighty proud to loan it to you.” He smiled at Tilly. “I told Brodie last night if he didn’t marry you, I would.”
“That was nice of you. Thank you, Hank.” She kissed his cheek. “If Brodie hadn’t wanted me, I might have accepted.”
“Oh, let’s get this marrying done,” Dave growled. “I’m anxious to be off.”
“Only because you have a lady friend in Four Winds,” Hank jeered good naturedly. “Dave is in love.”
“Oh, shut up, will you.”
Brodie grinned. “Dave, you sly old dog.”
“I can perform a marriage ceremony for you.”
“She’s a nice woman, but I’m not ready to get hitched.”
“Place the ring on the bible so I can bless it.”
Almost on cue a wail came from the bedroom. Tilly glanced around.
“Go and get her. Would you like me to baptize her?”
“Would you? Um, what will we call her?”
“Daisy Matilda Miller has a nice ring to it,” Brodie said.
Tilly felt tears well in her eyes. “Thank you, Brodie.” She darted off to get the baby whose wails were growing in volume. She got to the bedroom just in time to see the baby rolling toward the edge of the bed. She dashed up and snatched her up. “You could have fallen, sweetheart. I should have pushed the bed up to the wall.”
Out in the sitting room the men waited. Brodie took the baby and their marriage ceremony proceeded in an abbreviated form as Hank was anxious to be off.
“Do you Brodie Miller take Matilda Freeman to be your lawfully wedded wife in sickness and in health until death do you part?”
“I do.”
“And do you Matilda Freeman take Brodie Miller to be your lawfully wedded husband in sickness and in health until death you do part?”
“Yes, I do.”
Reverend Egan blessed the ring and Brodie slid it on to her finger. After reading a passage from the bible, he pronounced them husband and wife. “You may now kiss your bride.”
Brodie’s lips were firm and warm against hers and she wanted the kiss to go on forever.
They signed the marriage certificate, then Reverend Egan made a note in the bible under several other names. Hank and Dave signed as witnesses.
“Now, the baptism. I’ll need water, Mrs. Miller.” His eyes twinkled.
“How much?” Brodie grinned.
“Only a small amount, I just need to sprinkle a few drops on her forehead and make the sign of the cross.”
“You have obviously never been to a christening before, my son?”
“No.”
“Get the pretty dish. You know, the one Liz used to put those funny looking little flower things in,” Hank suggested.
Brodie dashed off.
“I wish I could have had a pretty dress for Daisy to wear.”
“My dear, she looks perfect just the way she is. And she’s a lucky little girl to be getting such good parents. God has smiled upon her.”
“Oh, Reverend Egan, you say the nicest things. I hope you will keep in touch with us once you leave here. I would love for you to have a part in our lives. You restored my faith in mankind.”
“I’m sure if God wishes it as much as I do, it will come to pass.”
Brodie strode in with the dish half full of water. “Is this enough?”
“Plenty.”
Reverend Egan blessed the water then held the baby in the crook of one arm, used the other to dip his fingers into the water. “Daisy Matilda Miller, I baptize these in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.”
They all recited the Lord’s prayer, and the cowhands left.
“I don’t like to rush things, but Hank really needs to get going.”
“Of course, I’m packed and ready.”
“Thank you for all you’ve done for us Reverend Egan, we are in your debt,” Brodie said.
“Goodbye.” Tears pricked Tilly’s eyes as she gave the kindly old man a kiss on the cheek.
“Goodbye Tilly and little Daisy, and you Brodie. I’ll never forget you.”
“See you in a day or so,” Hank said.
Reverend Egan climbed on board and the stage left, leaving them standing and waving until it disappeared from their sight.
There goes a real man of God,” Brodie said.
“I know and I feel so sad, well I mean, I’m glad we got married and Daisy has been baptized, but sad because Reverend Egan has left. Does that make sense?”
“No, darlin’, it doesn’t, but I know what you mean.”
He walked up on to the porch with her. “I’ll see you inside then I have a few chores to do.”
Tilly let out a surprised shriek as he picked her and Daisy up and carried them across the threshold. Once inside he let her slide down the length of his body until her feet touched the floor. Then he kissed her so passionately her heart pounded.
“We need to talk when I get back,” he said.
“Talk?”
“Yes. About making this a real marriage.”
She gasped in surprise.
“I’ve got strong feelings for you, my love.”
“I’ve got strong feelings for you too, Brodie. It doesn’t make sense as we hardly know each other.”
“Maybe it was meant to be, like Reverend Egan told me. And I think he was right.”
“I think he was too. The Lord does work in strange ways.”
“Oh, before you go, could you help me shift my bed up against the wall?”
“Your bed? I was hoping….”
“Daisy nearly rolled off it before. If I hadn’t got to her when I did, she might have fallen on to the floor.”
“Okay.” His look of relief made her heart pitter-patter. She felt ashamed of her wanton feelings for this man who was now her husband.
Daisy was trying to poke her eyes out with her chubby little fingers when Brodie scooped her out of her arms. “Come on.” He stared Tilly straight in the eye his gaze so intent she wondered whether he was trying to look inside her head. And if he could. Her whole body heated just thinking about it.
“Here we are little lady.” He placed the baby in the middle of the bed and together they pushed it against the wall. “I will see if Dave can make her a crib to sleep in, he’s good at carpentry.”
He kissed Tilly on the mouth. “I’ll be back for supper. Babies eat oatmeal, make it thin though or you could try runny egg yolks. Most things that are soft she could eat, not spicy though.”
“Thanks, I’m glad you know so much about babies.”
“I never thought I’d ever use what I learned.” With a wave he stepped across the room and stopped. “After supper I’m going to ask you something and I hope the answer will be yes.”
She watched desire darken his eyes and knew what his question would be. Knew her answer would be a resounding yes.
Epilogue
Two years later
Tilly stood staring out the back window and watched Brodie, stripped to the waist, wielding the axe near the wood heap, and her love overflowed for him.
Daisy was having an afternoon nap and two-month old Ethan was asleep also.
The muscles rippled in Brodie’s shoulders. She could not help but admire his physique.
Hamish and Liz with their twin sons had moved to Houston to take over Liz’s father’s business. They didn’t see much of them, although Hamish occasionally drove his family over and they stayed for a few da
ys.
The stage line was flourishing although Brodie had no plans to expand it any further. It was enough for them to make a comfortable living. They still had passengers stay overnight, but he had organized their timetable so there were never more than five guests staying at any one time, more often it was four.
They had rearranged the house, so their living quarters were at the back of the house as it gave them more privacy.
She was feeling well now, completely recovered from Ethan’s birth. All was good now, but she shuddered on remembering how close she and the baby had come to dying on the day he was born.
The doctor had been delayed and she had been almost out of her mind with pain and fear. While Hank had kept the stove going and the hot water coming, Brodie had delivered their son.
He had seemed so calm and controlled, although he later told her he had been a bundle of nerves. Instinct had kicked in and he had also, as it turned out, not forgotten what he had seen helping his father deliver his two youngest siblings. It would have been a terrible thing for a boy to have had to do, a life saver for her and Ethan as it turned out. God certainly had ridden on his shoulders that day. It was all over by the time the doctor arrived.
Brodie strode toward the house carrying an armful of logs. She hurried over to open the door for him. “How are you feeling, darlin’?” He kissed her.
“I’m fine. I keep telling you, I’m not a little hot house flower that needs to be pampered all the time.”
“Are the babies asleep?”
“Yes, so we can share a coffee in peace.” She smiled at him. “I was just thinking about the day Ethan was born.”
“Don’t think about it, I don’t.” He dropped the logs into the wood box.
“You don’t?” She couldn’t keep the shock out of her voice.
A tremor shook his body. “It was the best day of my life my son being born, yet I wish I hadn’t been the one to deliver him.”
She put her arms around his neck and rested her head against his chest. “You were so calm and brave.”
“I was scared witless.”
“You were wonderful, and one day I’ll tell Ethan how much he really owes his father.”
Mail Order Matilda (Widows, Brides, and Secret Babies Book 18) Page 6