His Convenient Wife

by Ruth Ann Nordin

She opened her mouth to reason with the girl but remembered her age. Maggie was in no condition to understand logic. She had to be older for that. Right now, she was focused on what was convenient, and for her, wearing a hat wasn’t convenient. But she was going to wear it anyway.

  “I’m your mother, and you’re going to do what I say.”

  “No, you’re not. Ma hates me.”

  Harriett remained still for a moment as she thought over how to respond. Finally, she asked, “Who told you that your ma hates you?”

  “My pa.”

  “Your pa?”

  “The real one. He died.”

  Oh, she meant Stan’s friend, Randy. She was surprised the girl could remember something like that. “Well,” she slowly began, not sure how to best proceed, “your pa had a good friend, and this friend adopted you. He’s your real pa now. And since I married him, I’m your ma.”

  “Not real one.”

  She hesitated and placed the hat on the girl’s head. This girl was smart for her age, and she suspected the girl was hoping she’d forget about the hat. “It doesn’t matter if I gave birth to you or not. Since yesterday, I became your ma.” She wiggled the hat over her ears then set her on the floor. “You’re coming with me to meet my mother. She’s now your grandma.”

  “She’s not.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  Done with the argument, she took the girl’s hand and led her to the barn. The brisk wind made her shiver, and she was especially grateful she’d held her ground and made the girl wear a hat. Glancing at the cloudy sky, she hoped it’d be sunny later on. It’d go a long way to warming things up. But the important thing was there was no snow falling.

  “Don’t wanna go,” Maggie said.

  “It doesn’t matter if you want to go or not. You’re going.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m the adult, and you’re the child.”

  “You’re not my ma.”

  Harriett resisted the urge to groan. The girl was just as determined to get her way as Rose was. But unlike Rose, the girl had to do what she said. It was the only thing that gave her comfort as they stepped into the barn.

  “Do you want me to get the buggy ready?” came a voice from behind her.

  With a slight jerk, Harriett turned around in time to see Stan enter the barn.

  “I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said, offering her another one of those heart-melting smiles.

  How could Rose see him and not go weak in the knees? She should probably ask Rose for the secret. Being vulnerable wasn’t going to do her any favors.

  Despite the heat in her face, Harriett nodded. “I’d appreciate it, if you don’t mind.”

  “No!” Maggie struggled to get away from her. “Don’t wanna go.”

  She tried to lift the girl who insisted on falling to the ground and crying. Here, she’d come to help Stan, and it seemed like she was doing a lousy job of it.

  “I can help,” he said and picked Maggie up.

  “I’m sorry,” Harriett told him. How she wished Maggie would at least behave while he was around.

  Facing Harriett, he gave her an understanding smile. “You have nothing to be sorry about. She does this to me, too.” He carried the crying girl to the buggy and sat her in the seat. “I know she can be a handful.”

  Maybe, but he was a man, and men were allowed to be overwhelmed when it came to taking care of children. She, however, was a woman, and she was a woman who had experience with a younger brother, nieces, and nephews. She should be able to handle a three-year-old girl, temper tantrum and all.

  “Your ma is only going to take you to see your grandma, and when you come back, you can have a cookie,” Stan told Maggie.

  Harriett bit her tongue. The last thing she felt like doing was giving the girl a cookie. She didn’t deserve one for behaving this way. But she didn’t want to say anything while the girl was listening. That would make things worse because then she’d know she could divide Harriett and Stan, and if that happened, she’d only get worse.

  So whether she wanted to or not, she’d make sure to give the girl a cookie when they got back if she behaved while he got the buggy ready. And as it turned out, she did. Perhaps the promise of a cookie wasn’t so bad after all, but Harriett was still determined to find a way to make the child behave without having to resort to promises of treats. Maggie needed to go somewhere willingly. Otherwise, it was going to be chaos every time Harriett or Stan needed to take her somewhere.

  While Stan led the horse over to the buggy, Harriett went over to him, making sure to keep her voice low while she talked to him. “Are you aware Randy told Maggie that her mother hates her?”

  Glancing over at Maggie, he whispered, “Yes, I’m aware of it.”

  “Did you tell her that it wasn’t the truth?”

  He backed the horse to the buggy. “Why would I tell her that?”

  “Maggie shouldn’t go through life thinking the woman who gave birth to her doesn’t like her.”

  As he continued hooking the horse to the buggy, he shook his head and kept his voice low. “Look, I grew up with an older sister who went through something similar. Her ma left and didn’t come back except one time, and that was only because she hoped to make money off of her.”

  “But we’re not talking about Emily,” Harriett argued. “We’re talking about Maggie and what’s best for her.”

  “And what’s best for her is to know upfront there are people in this world who aren’t going to care about her. It’s reality.”

  “Well, fine. Then tell her this after she’s old enough to fully understand what’s going on.”

  He paused as he was slipping the reins on the horse and glanced at her. “There is no good time to do that. My pa hid the truth from Emily as long as he could, and she found out when she was eight. It wasn’t easy for her. Even if Emily had been an adult, it wouldn’t have been easy, but one thing Emily always said was that she’d wished she’d known right away because then she wouldn’t have wasted so much of her childhood believing a lie.”

  Harriett stepped around him, so she was out of Maggie’s view. The girl was watching them, and judging by how smart she was, she’d pick up on what they were discussing if Harriett wasn’t careful. “Do you go around telling her that her ma hates her?”

  “No, but I’m not going to tell her something that contradicts what her pa told her either.”

  “When she asks you if it’s true, do you tell her it is?”

  He groaned and placed the bridle in the horse’s mouth. “She hasn’t asked, but,” he turned to face her, “when she does ask, I’m going to tell her the facts. Her ma left her on her pa’s doorstep then left. She accepted a mail-order bride ad and left. No one knows where she went. It’s up to Maggie to figure out what to do with the information.”

  “I still think it’s wrong to put such a burden on a child.”

  “Lying to her isn’t going to be any better.”

  “Are you also planning to tell her you wanted to marry my sister but got stuck with me?” The words came out before she could stop them, and as soon as she said them, she wished she hadn’t. And by the way he winced, she knew he didn’t like hearing it. “Just how much of the truth do you plan to tell her?” she finally asked.

  After a moment, he said, “I’m not secretly pining for Rose.”

  He wasn’t? She wanted to ask if he really meant it or if he was saying it to spare her feelings, but she didn’t dare ask.

  He finished getting the buggy ready then led her to the seat. “Maggie, you did good. I’m proud of you.”

  “I get cookie?” the girl asked, perking up in the seat.

  “Yes, you do.”

  He turned to help Harriett into the buggy, an action which startled her. He was only being polite. It was what all men did for their wives, sisters, mothers, or daughters, but she still didn’t expect it. As much as she didn’t want to take his hand because it meant she had to touch him, she knew she couldn’t get
out of it.

  Despite her shaky hand, she accepted his offer and quickly stepped into the buggy. But instead of going in gracefully like she planned, she tripped on the hem of her skirt and fell backward.

  He caught her in his arms. “It’s alright. I got you.”

  “Um, t-thanks,” she stammered and struggled to get into the buggy so he wouldn’t keep holding her.

  Goodness, but no one could fluster her as much as Stan Craftsman. She’d been completely daft to think this would ever work, that she could be near him and not get weak in the knees. And being in his arms… Well, that was nearly her undoing. If she didn’t get in the buggy fast, she just might do something to embarrass herself, like snuggle up to him. This was only a marriage of convenience. That was all.

  With as much grace as she could muster, she managed to wobble into the buggy.

  Maggie giggled and pointed to her. “You’re funny.”

  “I tripped,” Harriett said, glancing at Stan and praying he believed her. She’d die if he thought otherwise.

  He handed her the reins. “I hope you have a good visit with your ma.”

  She muttered a quick thank you and snapped the reins, breathing a huge sigh of relief when the horse led them out of the barn. Yes, she definitely needed some time away from him, even if it was only going to be for the rest of the morning and early afternoon. Maybe by the time she came back, she’d have better control over her emotions.

  Chapter Six

  “I hope it’s alright that I came by with Maggie,” Harriett said as her pa helped her down from the buggy.

  “It’s always a good time for you to come by,” her pa replied, his tone soft. “How are you doing this morning?”

  “I’m fine,” she assured him.

  “Want cookie,” Maggie blurted out.

  “No, you won’t get one until you get home,” Harriett told her.

  Her pa turned to the girl and held his arms out to her. “Let’s see how far you can jump.”

  Maggie, with a wide smile on her face, leapt out of the buggy and into his arms.

  Harriett couldn’t believe it. “You must have a way with children,” she muttered.

  “She’s probably used to a man taking care of her,” her pa replied and carried the girl to the house, Harriett walking beside him. “It makes sense when you think of everything that’s happened.”

  “Maybe.” Harriett used to be confident in her ability to take care of children, but Maggie was beginning to make her question it. She followed him into the house. “Is Ma in the kitchen?”

  He grinned at her as he took his boots off by the door. “Where else would she be?”

  “She could be in the parlor sewing.”

  “You know she prefers the kitchen, especially this time of day.” He rubbed Maggie’s back and added, “I’m now your grandpa, you know. And you’re about to meet your new grandma.”

  Harriett removed her boots, hat and coat. Then she helped Maggie out of her things.

  “Smell cookie,” Maggie said, looking up at Harriett’s pa instead of her.

  “No, your grandma isn’t making cookies. She’s making tarts.”

  “What’s tart?” the girl asked.

  “It’s a pastry with fruit in it. In this case, she’s using some preserved strawberries.”

  “She didn’t use apples?” Harriett asked, surprised since her pa preferred apple treats to just about any other dessert.

  “Not this time.”

  She tried to take the girl’s hand, but the girl ran over to her pa and took his hand. After a moment, Harriett overcame her shock and asked her pa, “Where’s Adam and Eli?”

  “In town helping your brother at the mercantile.”

  “That’s why it’s so quiet in the house.”

  “No, it’s been quiet ever since Rose got married.”

  Amused at his joke, she smiled as they headed down the hall. “I meant there was no one playing the piano.”

  “Between you and me, I think Eli’s getting real good at it.”

  “He practices every chance he gets.”

  “That’s what will work in his favor.”

  They reached the kitchen, and her pa called out a greeting to her mother, who was reading a book at the small round table. Harriett couldn’t believe it’d only been yesterday that she was still living here and helping her ma with the meals. And now she had a home with her own kitchen waiting for her. She’d often fancied the idea of having a daughter to cook with, but she didn’t know if Maggie would ever be willing to do anything with her. As it was, Harriett had done good to put Maggie to bed last night, and she suspected the only reason Maggie let her do that was because she was too tired to protest.

  “You two came just in time,” her mother said as she put her book down and stood up. “The tarts will be done in five minutes.”

  “They smell good, don’t they?” her pa asked Maggie.

  Maggie gave him an enthusiastic nod. “Want one.”

  “You’re certainly welcome to one,” her mother said and pulled out a highchair. “You can set her in here.”

  After her pa did, he left to look for some toys.

  Her ma chuckled and glanced at Harriett. “This is why you should save all of Maggie’s things. One day, you’ll need them again.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  She’d watched her mother dote on her grandchildren often enough. She turned her gaze to Maggie, wondering if the girl would respond just as eagerly to her mother as she did to her father.

  “So, you’re Maggie, hmm?” her mother asked the girl, sitting in the chair next to the highchair.

  “Yes,” the girl replied.

  “Since my daughter is now your ma, that makes me your grandma.”

  The girl nodded.

  “Here are some things I think she’ll like,” Harriett’s pa said as he returned with an armful of toys.

  Maggie cheered as he set them on the tray of the highchair. Harriett peered forward to see the familiar doll she had once played with and the wooden blocks her brothers used to build things with. The girl threw the doll to the floor but started stacking the blocks, and Harriett couldn’t help but think it was the girl’s way of rejecting her.

  Which was silly of course. The girl wasn’t trying to send her a message. She was much too young to think that deeply about her actions, but Harriett still felt rejected all the same. She never should have been so hard on Stan. He was only doing his best to help the girl. It wasn’t his fault she was so stubborn.

  “I’ll leave you ladies to talk,” her pa said then tapped Maggie’s nose, making Maggie giggle.

  After her pa left the room, Harriett checked the clock. “How much longer till the tarts are done?”

  “About three minutes,” her ma said. “Sit down, Harriett. I’ll get them.”

  “No, I want to do something.” She retrieved the doll from the floor and smoothed out its dress. She placed it gently on the table then sat down.

  “How have things been for you?” her ma asked, a sympathetic look on her face.

  Harriett shrugged. “About as good as I expected.”

  Her ma hesitated for a moment then proceeded with, “What did you expect?”

  “I thought it would be harder to adjust to being married,” she hedged, not really wanting to divulge everything to her while Maggie was listening. Who knew what the girl would remember?

  “I understand,” her mother replied then turned her attention back to Maggie.

  For the next half hour, they fed Maggie the tart and let her play. Afterwards, Harriett’s mother put her down for a nap and returned to the kitchen.

  Harriett set the cups of hot chocolate on the table. “Did Maggie give you any trouble when you put her down?” she asked, settling into her chair.

  “No. Should she have?” her ma asked, sitting next to her.

  “Maybe not when she’s sleepy.” Harriett took a sip of the hot chocolate and sighed. “I don’t think she likes me. She fought me on letting m
e put her hat on and bringing her out here to see you and Pa.”

  “Well, you only married Stan yesterday. You can’t expect her to accept the change right away. She might resist you for a while before she comes around.”

  “At first, I thought it was me. Because I’m a woman, and her mother was a woman. But then she was acting fine with you.”

  “I gave her toys and something to eat. I wasn’t being a mother.” She leaned forward and put her hand over Harriett’s. “Give her time. She’s not used to having a mother take care of her. It’s been her pa, and now it’s Stan.”

  “Today she told me her real mother hates her. Since she believes that, I think she hates me because I’m in her mother’s place.”

  “She doesn’t understand what hate is. She’s only three.”

  Harriett considered her ma’s words. “You’re probably right. She doesn’t understand what hate is all about, but Randy actually told her that her real mother hates her. It wasn’t right of him to place that kind of burden on her.” Because whether anyone wanted to admit it or not, she’d grow up to understand it.

  “No, it wasn’t right of Randy to say that,” her mother allowed, leaning toward her. “But she’s only known her father. She never knew her mother. It stands to reason she’ll accept whatever he told her.”

  “He wasn’t willing to marry her mother. If the mother had no way to support the child, then what else was she supposed to do but leave Maggie with him?”

  “Harriett,” her mother began in a soft tone, “we don’t know the circumstances. All you know is what Stan told you, and all he knows is what Randy told him. I’m sure whatever the truth is, it’s not pleasant for anyone.”

  “Do you think Maggie should know that her parents weren’t married and that her mother left her with her father to raise all by himself?”

  “I can’t make that kind of judgment.”

  Harriett groaned. “I’m just asking for your opinion.”

  “Everyone has to decide how much to tell or not tell their children. It’s not for others to decide for them.”

  “But Stan already went along with what Randy told her.”

  Her mother’s eyebrows furrowed. “Then I don’t understand why you’re even asking the question. Unless…you want me to say Stan supporting what Randy told her is wrong?”