When he reached the hotel, he ducked inside. Light streamed through the front windows, which were much cleaner than the ones on the mercantile. No one was behind the registration desk.
“Caroline?” He took off his hat and walked into the dining room. “Got lunch ready for the workers up at Philip’s house?”
The pretty woman came through the swinging doors, wiping her hands on the voluminous apron that almost swallowed her. “Sure do. I was about to go down to the livery and get the wagon.”
“I can do that.” He settled his hat back on his curls. “Just get everything ready. I’ll bring the wagon to the back door.”
“Thanks, Jeremiah. I really appreciate it.”
He didn’t want to consider what Philip would find in that pile of mail. So he passed the half a mile hike to the livery by forcing himself to think about his ranch. So far, the last group of hands he’d hired had stayed on. Two of the men were clever with tools. They’d almost caught up on all the repairs that had been neglected by their predecessors. Maybe he’d put them to work on making his ranch house more like a home. He hadn’t made any changes from what the previous owners left. Looking at Philip’s house made him realize just how inadequate the older house had become. He could even add on to what was there, expanding the size of the main area and adding a couple more bedrooms. Now why would a bachelor need all that room?
Maybe he’d want to have a community supper out there sometime. Not until changes had been made, though. The place looked more like a shack. Since he could afford a better house, he’d get the workers started on changing that as soon as they finished repairing the fences and outbuildings. Maybe even hire a few of the men working on Philip’s house.
Jeremiah strode through the large open doorway of the livery stable. “Hey, Swede.”
“Back here, ja.” The older man’s white-blond hair was easy to spot in the darkened building. He stepped from one of the stalls and leaned a pitchfork against the nearby wall. “So what can I do for you?”
Jeremiah met him halfway down the corridor between the two long rows of stalls. “I came to get the wagon for Caroline. I’m helping her take lunch up to Philip and the workers.”
Swede led the way out the back door. “I haf the horses already hitched to the vagn.”
Jeremiah went to the oddly matched pair—one a paint and one a sorrel. He patted each horse on the neck and whispered into its ear. Then he hopped up on the wagon and lifted the reins. “I’ll bring it back when we’re finished. I’ll pay you then.”
“Naw.” The livery owner waved him away. “No one else usin’ the vagn right now. No charge. Tell Philip hello for me.”
Jeremiah nodded. “Sure thing.”
He flicked the reins and clicked his tongue at the horses. They took off at a leisurely pace. He wasn’t in a hurry. He’d just enjoy the pleasant spring day.
Caroline met him at the door. “Cyrus had some ham shipped in, and I bought one. The men should like the sandwiches I made.”
She led the way toward the large worktable in the kitchen. Three platters held mounds of thick-sliced brown bread piled high with slices of meat. The men would welcome them. Her bread was some of the best Jeremiah had ever tasted.
Caroline covered each platter with a large tea towel, tucking the fabric tight under them. “I’ll start carrying these out to the wagon. Could you get the lemonade?” She pointed toward the five-gallon earthenware crock with the handle of a tin dipper crooked over the top.
He hefted it to his shoulder, headed outdoors, and wedged the crock into a corner of the wagon. “Do you want to cover this so no dust will get into it?”
She brought another large piece of cloth and spread it over the crock. “You can cover the sawhorse table with this and the tea towels. That way the men won’t get any splinters in their food or fingers.”
Jeremiah drove the wagon carefully up the uneven street so he wouldn’t dump any of the vittles. The men already had the table set up, and they made quick work of putting the cloths down and setting the food out. Each man had his own tin cup for the lemonade.
After enjoying one of the hearty sandwiches, Jeremiah grabbed another and headed inside to see Philip. “I brought you a ham sandwich. This tastes like it’s been cured with honey, instead of sugar. Really tasty.”
His friend looked up from the letters on the table, and his eyes took a moment to focus on Jeremiah. “Jerry, that sounds good.” Philip eased back down into his rocker and took the proffered food.
Jeremiah carried one of Philip’s glasses back outside to get him some lemonade. When he returned, pensiveness clouded Philip’s usually sunny smile.
“What’s the problem?” Jeremiah set the glass on the table beside the older man.
“None a-these are from the right woman.” Philip took a bite from the sandwich.
“What do you mean? Have you read them all?”
Philip slowly finished chewing the bite before he answered. “Didn’t havta.”
“That’s why we wrote the ad. Remember? You won’t know about these women until you read every one of the letters.”
Philip took a long drink from his glass of lemonade. “Didn’t havta, I said. God done told me her letter ain’t here yet.” He took another bite from the sandwich.
Jeremiah blew out a long breath. Back to that God thing again. Surely the old man wasn’t losing his marbles…or was he?
Boston, Massachusetts
Things were going better than Maddy had hoped. Since moving Loraine to the third floor of the mansion, she’d perked up a lot. Maddy had gone through her own clothing and given Mrs. Maguire several night dresses for Loraine. Every day the midwife bathed Loraine and dressed her in a soft, warm gown. Today, Maddy told Mrs. Maguire to take a few hours off.
Hurrying up the back stairs, Maddy planned out their day. She and Loraine could visit and maybe sew a few things for the baby. She had sent Frank and Sarah to the Jordan Marsh Store yesterday for fabric to make diapers, gowns, and blankets. And plenty of embroidery floss.
She knocked on the door and waited for Loraine’s answer.
“Come in.” The words sounded stronger than yesterday.
Maddy set the bundle she carried on the table, approached the bed, and hugged Loraine. “What can I do to help you?”
“I want to sit by the fireplace and visit, please.” The frail woman swung her legs over the side of the tall bed and slid her feet to the floor.
Maddy offered her arm, and Loraine took it before they walked the few steps to the two chairs set close together on the braided rug beside the fire.
After pulling the bundle into her lap, Maddy unwrapped the fabric and notions.
“What do you have there?” Loraine leaned forward, an eager sparkle in her eyes.
“I thought we could work on things for the baby.” Maddy held up some white birdseye-woven fabric. “This is for making the diapers. We also have some cambric and dimity for infant gowns.” She held up two more large cuts of fabric. “And this flannel will make nice receiving blankets. We could even embroider the borders.”
Tears tracked down Loraine’s cheeks. “I was so worried about getting well, I hadn’t even thought about what the baby needs.”
Maddy patted her arm. “I know you’ve had enough on your mind.” She leaned back and smiled. “And you’re so much better than you were when you arrived. You look absolutely lovely with color in your cheeks and more meat on your bones.”
When she laughed, Loraine joined in. “Madeline, you’ve been so good to me.”
With a finger to her own lips, Maddy shushed her. “Don’t start that again. I’m blessed to have you in my home. Now which do you want to work on—the diapers, a blanket, or a gown?”
Loraine sat silent so long, Maddy was afraid she’d hurt her feelings somehow. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to work on any of this. We can just sit and visit until Mrs. Maguire gets back.”
Loraine took a deep breath and slowly sighed. “I really must talk to yo
u about something.”
Maddy laid the fabric back on the table and concentrated on her friend. “What’s on your mind?”
“I have an important request to make.”
Maddy laughed. “You can ask me anything, and if it’s within my power, I’ll be glad to do it for you.”
After another moment’s hesitation, Loraine closed her eyes. “Please Madeline, promise me you’ll take care of my baby—if something happens to me.” She opened her eyes and stared straight into Maddy’s.
“Don’t you think your parents will want to know about their grandchild? They’ll want to help you when they find out.”
“No!” Loraine’s vehemence sliced through Maddy’s heart. “I don’t want them to have my baby if I’m not here.”
Maddy jumped up. “Don’t talk like that. You’re going to be all right.”
Loraine clutched the arms of the chair until her knuckles blanched. “My parents rejected my husband, and they rejected me. I wouldn’t want my child raised in their home. Their poisonous hate would damage a tender soul.” She struggled to stand, succeeding before Maddy got there to help her. “Please, promise me. I can’t rest easy until you do.”
Throwing her arms around Loraine, Maddy drew her into an embrace. “Don’t worry. I promise. If anything happens to you, I’ll raise your child.”
But nothing’s going to happen to you. I won’t let it.
Chapter Eight
Darkness fluttered around Maddy’s heart and spirit. Agitated, she stalked across the floor, carrying Loraine’s baby. Wails from the infant rent the air, stiffening Madeline’s spine and arms with every heart-wrenching cry. She rested the swaddled bundle against her shoulder while her own tears dripped onto the flannel blanket she’d finished hemming just yesterday. How much more can I take, Lord?
Mrs. McGuire had warned her that Loraine’s body was so weak she probably wouldn’t be able to survive labor and delivery of her child. Maddy wouldn’t let herself believe those discouraging words. She’d held out hope until the very end.
The last twenty-four hours had been agony, watching Loraine’s labor drain so much from her already too-frail body. The widowed mother heroically carried on, no matter the toll on her. After the baby girl was laid in her arms, she gazed upon her adoringly while tears streamed down her face. Finally, she turned her gaze toward Maddy, her eyes already losing their luster.
“Take her.” The words were like a soft wind soughing in the trees.
At the slight nod toward the newborn, Maddy leaned over and lifted the tiny child, who felt as light as a goose feather.
“Please name her Pearl.” Loraine’s last words rasped out, then she closed her eyes and slipped away from them, peace descending on her features as she lay in repose, a half-smile on her lips.
The memory of that moment still seared Maddy’s heart. “Oh, Pearl, I wish I knew what to do.” Never had she felt so inadequate. Confusion and fear clawed at her restless mind. Like a deluge, all the ramifications flooded over her. She barely had enough money to provide for herself and the Sneeds. How would she be able to pay for all the things a baby needed?
And what would other people think about a woman who had never been married with a baby? What if every man thought of her as damaged goods?
Maddy shook her head vehemently. She wished she’d never let that thought enter her mind. Pearl was a gift from God. No matter what other people thought of her, Maddy would be proud to claim the baby as her daughter.
Mrs. Maguire had hurried to the Shale’s Mercantile to get Nestle’s Infant Food and nursing bottles so they could take care of Pearl. Maddy hoped she would soon return. Maybe feeding the baby would calm her. Or maybe the child also sensed the loss of her mother, in some indefinable way.
Why had Loraine wanted her to take Pearl? Even though Maddy had been kind to the mother, she was the least qualified person to care for a newborn. Having no brothers or sisters, the only place she’d been around infants was at church, and their mothers took care of them. She’d held some, but only for a few minutes before placing them back into their mothers’ loving arms. They were happy and cooing when she did, not upset and fighting. But the soft warm bundle struggling against her chest reached all the way to her heart, touching a depth she’d never felt before.
Oh, Lord, please help me. I need You now more than I ever have before.
Even though Pearl continued to whimper, the peace that passeth understanding descended on Maddy’s spirit, slowly at first, then like a down comforter enveloping her. If God was in control, and she believed He was, then He would help her learn. A tiny bud awakened inside her and slowly unfurled, like the petals of one of her mother’s tea roses, into an unfamiliar, maternal instinct. This tiny scrap of wriggling humanity needed her. The tension in her spine drained away, leaving the warmth of summer sunshine in its place. She cuddled the baby closer as her inadequacies miraculously receded like waves from the shoreline.
Her hand on Pearl’s back made lazy circles as she whispered words of comfort and love. The whimpers became an occasional snubbing, then finally the baby slept. The weight of the child’s trust added fuel to her maternal feelings. No one had ever depended on her before. With God’s help, she could do this. She pressed a kiss to the top of Pearl’s head, the downy white hair tickling her lips in a most pleasurable way.
Golden, New Mexico
Jeremiah walked through the two newly constructed rooms with Philip. Solid and well-built, they would be more than adequate for most anyone. Caroline and some of the women in the church had completed hanging the wallpaper yesterday. Wallpaper. Here in Golden. Jeremiah didn’t know of another house that had anything fancier than painted walls.
“It’s finished, Jerry.” Philip had more of a spring in his step than Jeremiah had seen for a long time. “I done ordered the basic furniture, but Miz Oldman give me ideas ’bout other things fer the rooms. Doodads and such. See if Cyrus’ll let ya bring the Sears and Roebuck up here. Or maybe that Montgomery Wards’ un.”
Doodads and such? Will it never end? “I’ll head on down there. See what I can do.” Another walk might help him work out some of his frustrations, what with all this folderol. “I’ll be back as soon as can.”
Striding down the hill didn’t do as much good as usual. The pounding of the stamping machine added a dimension to the headache that had hovered near the whole day. All he could think about was the complete waste of time and money this whole project had been. Even though letters arrived almost daily, Philip hadn’t read a single one. He just prayed over them, then put them away, saying the right one hadn’t come yet. Jeremiah was beginning to wonder if Philip was edging toward senile. If so, hiring a caretaker made a lot more sense than a mail-order bride. Why was the old man so stubborn about this?
If the right letter ever came and Philip invited the woman here, she’d better be worth all this effort. Jeremiah would know the first time he laid eyes on her if she was going to cause trouble for Philip. And he’d take care of her before she could. Even if he had to hogtie her to get her on the train out of here.
Boston, Massachusetts
Maddy sat in the rocker they’d brought into the kitchen. Pearl hadn’t taken to the bottle right away, but Mrs. Maguire’s expertise had helped both the baby and Maddy. She rocked the infant while Pearl sucked on the burgundy-colored rubber nipple. The teardrop-shaped nursing bottle lay flat on the baby’s stomach with tubing connecting it to the nipple. Maddy moved the chair with a gentle motion and stared down at the blessing in her arms. One week old today. Her love for the tiny girl had grown so large that she could hardly remember not loving her.
Up until this time in her life, everyone had taken care of Maddy. She’d floated through the days almost oblivious to the real world around her. Oh, she did benevolent work, but it never really touched her heart. She gave out of her own bounty, bestowing it on the more needy, like some kind of fairy godmother.
Now her life had taken on new meaning. A deeper meaning. She w
ould do everything she could to see that this child was loved and cared for. If it took all her time, if it took all her money—what little she evidently had left—she didn’t care. Nothing was too much for this tiny gift from heaven. She’d give up everything she had, even her own life, for this child.
“Oh, she’s a sweet one, that Pearl is.” Sarah left off stirring the gravy long enough to lean over Maddy’s shoulder and coo. “It’s so nice to have a baby in the house again.”
Maddy chuckled. “Since I don’t remember when one was here, I’ll take your word for it. But Pearl has taken my heart and awakened it. And turned my whole outlook on life topsy-turvy.” She smiled as Pearl’s mouth went slack and the nipple slipped out from between her lips, leaving a dribble of milk behind.
After moving the bottle onto the table, she tenderly patted Pearl’s lips before lifting the infant to her shoulder to get her to burp the way Mrs. Maguire had shown her. Maddy started humming a lullaby and patting the baby’s back in rhythm to the tune.
Sarah went to the stove to stir her pot of stew. “Not wanting to bring a cloud on your happiness, but did you remember that Mr. Johnstone is supposed to come to dinner tonight?”
Even though she tried to remain still, a shudder rippled through Maddy. At least it didn’t disturb Pearl. “Why won’t the man listen to what I’ve been telling him?” She gritted her teeth and forced the words through them. “I will never…and I mean never…ever consider marrying him. Nothing about him is appealing to me. I don’t even like the man.” She whooshed out a breath. “I know I should have Christian love for all mankind, and I can do my best to muster Christian love, yes, but I cannot…I cannot imagine myself being his wife. Not ever.”
Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico Page 7