Mail-Order Marriage Promise by Regina Scott

Author:Regina Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Love Inspired Historicals
Published: 2017-11-23T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

The strangest feeling came over Dottie as she sat at the table talking about things with John and the Wallin women. It took her a moment to recognize the feeling as joy. After all, she still had no real lead on employment other than helping Nora. She wasn’t any too sure about Harry’s, Tom’s and Dickie’s potential as husbands, and the Wallin ladies had ruled out every other eligible man of their acquaintance. But for the first time in a long time, she felt like part of a family.

She didn’t know what they would all do next. They had said the day was for contemplation, so she was surprised when James ushered in an older man with salt-and-pepper hair and a grizzled chin. At the sight of the ladies, he yanked off his tweed cap.

“You’re needed, John,” James announced. “And better you than me.”

John cast Dottie a smile before sliding off the bench. “Mr. Blaycock, how can I help?”

The man turned his cap in his hands as if well aware he was imposing. “My anchor’s snarled on the dock again. I told your brother that wasn’t the best place to build the dock. Too many water lilies.” He scowled at James.

James held up a hand. “I can’t stop them from growing. Believe me, I’ve tried.”

“It’s just a matter of pulling them up from the roots,” John told them. “If you cut off the stalks, they just grow faster.”

Had he read that in a book? Peter, who had gone willingly to Rina a few moments ago, nodded as if he quite agreed with John’s assessment.

“Well, something’s snagged the anchor chain,” Mr. Blaycock complained. “I can’t mind the boat and fix the anchor at the same time, and my boy’s still too young to help.” He looked around the room as if seeking someone to take his son’s place, and Harry, Tom and Dickie quickly made themselves scarce.

“I’ll help you,” John said. “It shouldn’t take long. Just give me a moment.”

She thought surely he’d go up the stairs and change out of his suit, but he returned to her side instead. “Will you be all right, Dottie?”

His family and neighbors relied on him, and yet he thought of her first. She didn’t remember anyone treating her that way.

She smiled at him. “I’ll be fine, John. Go where you’re needed.”

His face tightened, as if her words had somehow hurt him, but he nodded and headed for the stairs at last.

Beth slapped her hands down on the table, gaining her everyone’s attention. “Dinner in two hours. I have the venison simmering for stew.”

Nora rose as well. “I still have carrots and turnips.”

“I made an apple cobbler for dessert,” Catherine said.

The need to contribute was strong, yet what could she give? Everything she had John had given her.

“Dottie makes lovely biscuits,” Beth said as if she knew Dottie’s thoughts. “Almost as good as Levi’s.”

The other women sighed, as if that was high praise indeed.

“I’ll be happy to make some,” Dottie told them.

The plan agreed, Rina returned Peter to Dottie, and the women separated for their own homes.

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