Mail Order Beatrice by Caroline Clemmons

Author:Caroline Clemmons [Clemmons, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-05-08T05:00:00+00:00

The next morning, Attie was up early to feed Wade before Tate woke. She’d had to feed him during the night, of course, but only once. That was a blessing. She’d sure been tired. After she’d fed and burped her boy, she laid him back in his fancy bed.

“We landed in high cotton, Wade. You be a good boy while Mama goes down and helps with your new Papa’s breakfast.”

When she turned, Tate stood in the doorway. She couldn’t help feeling a bit embarrassed in daylight after coming together with him last night. When they’d gone to bed she’d been so scared she shook but knew he had his rights and she’d abide by her vows.

Wasn’t she lucky he was nothing like the man who’d forced himself on her? Tate had been gentle and loving. She thanked the good Lord she’d found a better life here in every way.

He leaned against the door jamb. “You aren’t expected to help with cooking. Like we said yesterday Dorcas has been running things for over twenty years.”

“With Wade and me here, there’s more to do. Since she has a big family, I reckon she knows more about raising babies than I do. I planned to get a book in Atlanta but there wasn’t time. I did get more diapers and a few baby clothes.”

That reminded her she hadn’t unpacked her trunk. In fact, she hadn’t even opened it. She’d need the rest of Wade’s diapers soon if she didn’t do laundry this afternoon.

“That’s nice. Now that you’ve fed the kid, let’s go eat.”

“Tate, his name is Wade. Only four letters so it shouldn’t be hard for you to remember.”

“I know his name. Since it’s a sore point with you, I’ll call him Wade from now on. For now, I work hard and have to eat when I can. I’ll probably be gone most of the day.”

“I expected as much. Does Grandpa go with you?”

“Usually, unless the weather’s bad.” He leaned near. “If it’s bad I find something that needs doing in the barn or house.”

“That’s thoughtful of you. I’ll help keep him busy in bad weather.”

At breakfast, she met the three ranch hands. Jim Hamilton looked at least thirty in spite of being the newest hand. He had sandy hair with mutton chops and brown eyes. He was tall, at least six feet, and looked real strong. He smiled at Dorcas a lot but she didn’t appear to notice.

Duffy Kelly had red hair, blue eyes, and a bushy beard. Under all that hair he appeared about Tate’s age. From the way they talked it was obvious he and Tate had been friends a long time. His hair was too long in back to be in style but it looked all right on him.

Hector Gonzales might be thirty but she wasn’t certain. He had dark hair and large brown eyes and was about her height. The men laughed and joked with the easy camaraderie of men who are comfortable with one another and with their boss.

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