The Escape by Susannah Calloway

Author:Susannah Calloway [Calloway, Susannah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B0141XBGTU
Publisher: Tica House Publishing
Published: 2015-08-16T16:00:00+00:00

Four

Betty was quiet on the trip back to Lou’s farm. Her mind kept dwelling on the satisfied look in Cole’s eyes when he’d handed her the present. He’d seemed so pleased, which of course made little sense. Why would he want to give her a present anyway? And why would he be surprised when she didn’t accept it with open arms?

As if she would! After the way things had gone with him.

But how had they gone, really? She could hardly blame him for being gun-shy in taking on a pregnant wife.

He’d lost someone, just like she had. How willing would she be if the situation were reversed? She shivered, forcing her mind to stop. She was too tired to think about any of it. All she wanted now was to rest.

But she did wish she’d had a chance to see Eve. The image of her solemn little face captured Betty’s heart and imagination. She’d love to make the girl smile and laugh. She wondered whether Eve liked to play games or splash in a stream or feed the chickens.

As the wagon continued jolting over the roads, Betty’s eyes closed and she dreamed of herself running through an open field with Eve, both of them giggling right out loud. She saw herself bending down and plucking a wildflower to tuck behind Eve’s ear. She saw Eve look up at her with love and trust.

She awoke to Lou shaking her. “Betty, we’re home.”

Betty blinked. “Oh my. I must have dozed off.”

“That’s saying something on this bumpy drive.” Lou studied her. “Are you okay? Did we overdo it?”

Betty shook her head. “I’m fine. A bit tired. But let’s go get some food on the table. I expect Jude will be starving by now.”

“I’ll get food on the table. You go on in and lie down for a while.”

Betty tried to argue with her, but Lou wouldn’t hear of it. “It’s my niece or nephew you’re carrying, and I mean to take care of them. Now get in there and lie down.”

“But, Lou, you might be with child, too.”

“Until we know for sure, you’re the only one getting special treatment. Now git!”

Betty did as she was told, grateful for her sister’s care. She lay on her firm bed and stared out the side window. A smattering of fluffy clouds dotted the sky, and she saw a bird swoosh by with a long piece of grass hanging from its beak. In the distance, a young red maple tree swayed in the breeze.

The very atmosphere was harmonious and serene, and Betty found herself settling into the covers with an unexpected feeling of contentment. She was safe there. And her baby would come into the world surrounded by love.

Her thoughts flitted to Boston and her sisters and her grandfather. When she’d first learned of her pregnancy, she’d thought they would all be deeply involved in the raising of her child. How things had changed. Unless Grandfather softened, her two younger sisters might not even know her baby.

Edmund wouldn’t know his son or daughter.

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