RNWMP_Bride for Peter by Amelia C. Adams

Author:Amelia C. Adams [Adams, Amelia C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-03-07T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Callie felt a little conspicuous walking into church the next morning on Peter’s arm. Everyone nudged each other and whispered, but after a moment, she realized that the expressions on their faces were friendly, and they were curious about her as a newcomer in town. This was shown to be true when an older woman approached her after the services and took her hand warmly.

“Welcome to White Fox, Mrs. Murray,” she said, her voice thin and reedy. “We’re so glad to have you here. We’ve left you alone for a few days to give you time to settle in, but don’t be surprised if you get a lot of visitors this week. We’re all quite curious to get to know you, considering that we don’t often have people move to our little community, and now we’re getting four at once. It’s quite a treat.”

“You’re more than welcome to pay a visit. What was your name?”

“I’m Mrs. Frederick, Mrs. Gladys Frederick. You can bet I’ll be by.” She gave Callie’s hand another squeeze before moving off to meet the next bride, probably giving her much the same welcome and the same speech.

Peter took Callie’s arm and steered her around a mud puddle as they walked back home. “Bert gave a fine sermon today,” Callie said, grateful for her husband’s assistance. She hadn’t thought to bring along sturdier boots. “Do the Mounties always preach?”

“Almost always. Sometimes the pastor will take a turn when he’s around, but we take turns. It’s good for us. Keeps us humble.”

She laughed. “Is humility something you’re lacking?”

“Oh, in spades. You might put that on your list of my faults. And underline it a few times.”

“I have to see it in action before it can go on the list. I need a demonstration.”

He looked thoughtful. “Okay, I’ll get right on that.”

She laughed again, and they wiped their feet carefully before entering the cabin.

She served up chicken and dumplings for lunch, which Peter said he adored, and then he said something else that simply flabbergasted her. “Why don’t we take a Sunday afternoon nap?”

She blinked, not sure she’d heard right. “A nap?”

“Yes. It’s this strange thing people do where they lie down, close their eyes, and go to sleep in the middle of the day. Most find it quite refreshing.”

She shook her head. “Of course I know what a nap is. I’m just . . . well, no one’s ever suggested I take one before. They usually have tasks for me instead.”

“It’s Sunday. You’d do tasks on Sunday?”

“Depending on where I was . . .” She didn’t want to tell him that she hadn’t been allowed a proper Sunday in years. It would only perturb him—she’d learned quickly that he was easily perturbed by hearing how she’d been treated in the past. It was endearing, but she didn’t want to add to his burdens.

He stood up and held out his hands. “Come with me.”

She wasn’t sure about this, but she took his hands and let him pull her up.

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