The Rancher's Bride by Dina Chapel

Author:Dina Chapel [Chapel, Dina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stormy Night Publications
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

After supper, Marie was at the sink washing the dishes while Frank and Sarah lingered over their coffee at the table. The boys had gone up to their room to play and Emme was already down for the night. She had missed her nap that day due to Sarah’s visit and was a bit cranky earlier than normal. Marie hoped she slept through the night. Sometimes something like that could throw a baby off and then they didn’t sleep well. They heard a crash from upstairs.

Marie immediately turned to head for the stairs when Frank stopped her.

“I’ll go,” he said, and smiled at her. “You’ve got all those dishes.” He headed from the kitchen and the pleasant expression almost immediately left Sarah’s face. It was just as Marie suspected; she was a phony, putting on an act for Frank. Marie sincerely hoped that he could see through her behavior.

She turned back to the sink, anxious to be done with the kitchen chores so she could leave the room.

“So, how long have you been working here—Marie? It’s Marie, right?” Sarah knew good and well what her name was. Marie knew that Sarah was just trying to make her feel she was only the help and her name just wasn’t important enough to remember.

“It’s been about one month now,” Marie answered politely. She was washing as fast as she could. Marie was afraid that she would say something she’d regret if she spent too much longer in Sarah’s presence.

“And how old are you?”

Marie turned to look and Sarah had a big smile on her face—a big ol’ phony smile. She was up to no good. Marie could feel it and was liking her less and less by the minute.

“I’m twenty-two.”

Marie studied the dishwater. She considered just leaving the rest of the dirty dishes soaking until later, when Mr. Carter had taken Sarah home. Marie did not want to be in the kitchen alone with her.

“I’m twenty-two also.” Sarah sounded too happy about that fact. “We’re the same age. We probably have a lot in common.”

At Sarah’s tone, Marie felt her stomach drop.

“Where did you go to school? Where do you get your hair done?”

Marie didn’t like where this was going.

“Have you considered getting it done in the latest style? Mine is. What do you think?” Sarah moved her head from side to side for Marie to get the full effect. “Have you seen some of the latest fashions at the dressmakers in town? They’re to die for!”

Marie knew what Sarah was doing and it was downright nasty. They were of a different class. Marie was of the working class. In fact, Marie was glad to be able to say that she was of the working class. She was grateful to have the job she had here.

But Sarah didn’t have to work and she was rubbing it in Marie’s face. Sarah could have her hair done and buy new dresses and spend the day reading the latest periodicals. She wasn’t nice, of that Marie was certain.

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