A Niece for Christmas by Margaret Tanner

Author:Margaret Tanner [Tanner, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-11-21T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Clemmie had been at the ranch for three weeks. Winter was closing in, the nights growing cold. Sometimes amongst the grey days there was an odd one where the sky was blue, almost cloudless, and this was when she would rug herself and Jessica up and push the wheelchair around in the garden.

This one particular day, she decided to have a picnic by the creek.

“A picnic.” The little girl clapped her hands. “Ma and Pa used to take me on them lots of times.”

“We can’t go far. I’ll put a rug out on the ground if I can find somewhere dry and if not, we can think of something else. The housekeeper gave them buttered biscuits and a bottle of cold tea before waving them off.

“When it’s warmer we can have lots of picnics,” Clemmie promised. “It will do you good to be out in the fresh air. A gentle breeze blowing in your face is good for a lady’s complexion and constitution.”

Since arriving here, she had discarded her corset as it was far too restrictive for lifting and maneuvering the little girl. Fortunately, she was naturally slim with a small waist, not that there was anyone to notice. Ethan certainly didn’t. He barely glanced at her at all, although she had caught him staring when he thought himself unobserved, otherwise he treated her in a similar manner as he did his niece.

She was developing feelings for the man, heaven alone knew why.

“Oops,” she said as she pushed the chair over a corrugated section of ground. “Hang on tight.”

Jessie giggled and she was pleased. The child laughed a lot these days. She was such a sweet-natured little soul.

They found a dry spot close to the bend in the creek, hidden behind the trees, about a hundred yards or so from the house. “This is the perfect place for us.”

She spread a piece of canvas out on the ground and placed the blanket over it before lifting Jessie out. “I’ll put you near the edge so you can run your fingers over the grass and feel how soft and fresh it is to touch.

Jessie wrapped her arms around Clemmie’s neck. “I love you.” The child’s simple declaration brought tears to her eyes.

“I love you, too, sweetheart.” How empty life had been before she came to the ranch. If only Ethan would…. Are you crazy or what? Thinking like this. You’re only here for Jessica’s sake, friendship and respect was all she could expect from him. I want more.

A few birds fluttered around and the soft lowing of distant cattle broke the silence. Jessie used to wear dresses, but Clemmie found it easier for her to wear pretty blouses and a skirt. The little girl could slip on a blouse and button it up herself which gave her some independence, and the skirt was easy to get her into as well.

“I was thinking,” Clemmie said. “Do you want to try and see if you can stand up?” She had noticed leg movement as the child slept.

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