Lorraine Heath by Sweet Lullaby

Author:Sweet Lullaby
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-04-25T14:01:04+00:00

Chapter Twelve

JOHN IRELAND, THE governor of Texas, called the legislature together for a special session. In January, shortly after the fire that took Zach’s life, they passed a law making it illegal to cut a barbed-wire fence.

The Rocking R had experienced less trouble, although Jake was certain that Ethan stopping his troublemaking had nothing to do with the law. He felt the man was simply biding his time and would make one last bid for ownership of his land.

But Jake had more on his mind than worrying about when Ethan would make his move. He set his horse into a gallop, eager to reach the Reading ranch. He was hoping to avoid Carrie’s embrace, but he was willing to endure it if the woman would help him. He had caught Rebecca crying too many times lately not to know something was wrong. But when he’d asked her what was the matter, she’d said she didn’t know. He thought it more likely she didn’t want to admit the truth to him: she regretted marrying him now that the baby was born.

He reined in his horse as Carrie came out the door.

“Land O’Goshen, boy. Did you finally come to your senses and want a hug?”

Blushing, Jake tipped his hat. “No, ma’am. But I was wondering if I might have a word with you.”

“Sure. Come on in.”

Jake dismounted and followed her into the house.

“Pour you some coffee?” Carrie asked, watching as Jake waited for her to sit down. “No, thank you.”

She plopped down in the unvarnished wooden chair. He sat down at a right angle to her, laying his hat on the table.

Jake’s eyes left hers as he contemplated how much to say. He decided to begin with as little as possible.

Carrie reached over, placing her plump hand over Jake’s forearm. “Tell me what’s bothering you,” she said warmly.

Jake returned his gaze to her. “It’s Reb. Lately … lately she’s been crying a lot. I ask her what’s wrong, and she says she don’t know. How can a woman not know why she’s crying?”

“How old’s that boy of yours?”

“Little over two months.”

“Then that’s the problem,” Carrie said confidently, leaning back in the chair, her arms crossed under her full bosom.

Jake eyed her warily, wondering what he was missing. It couldn’t be that simple, whatever the hell it was. “What’s the problem?”

“It’s natural for a woman to cry after a baby is born, to get all sad and not know why. A woman’s body spends nine months changing to make a baby and then bam!”—she slammed her hand down on the table and Jake jumped—“All of a sudden she’s done making the baby and her body says what the hell do I do now. And it gets confused trying to be like it was before.”

“What do I do to help her? I don’t like to see her crying.”

Carrie leaned forward, conspiratorially. “Do something special. Take her on a picnic.” “A picnic?”

“Certainly. Tomorrow’s Sunday. Do it then. Give her a change of scenery. A beautiful spring day, flowers in bloom, bees a-buzzin’.

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