Thundering Meadows by Nicole Neiswanger

Author:Nicole Neiswanger
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Calico Publications, LLC

Twenty-One

Rose woke with a start.

“Tommy.” She abruptly sat up in bed, the blankets tangled around her legs, her body disoriented from sleep. Where was her little boy? Had he fallen sick again? She had to find him. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she shivered. She wasn’t wearing a stitch of clothing. Memories of the night before came flooding back, including the fact that Tommy’s fever and congestion had been relieved.

She had slept like a rock once she had fallen asleep. After James brought her to her room, she had pulled on him like a crazed woman, desperate for the touch of his body and the comfort of his kisses. She looked over her shoulder and saw she was alone.

Remembering every moment of the night before and the desire James brought out of her, she was embarrassed at her insatiable need for him and hoped he didn’t think ill of her. They had agreed early on this was to be a marriage in name only, but she had broken that promise and had taken advantage of his kindness both while in Helena and again last night. She had hurt him with her words, but he still came to her willingly and lovingly. What had she done to deserve him?

She contemplated her behavior and was ashamed of herself. She knew she fought against those who loved her, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. Doing it with Joseph when they first were married, and now she was repeating it with James. What was wrong with her? Why did she do this? If she wanted to stay married to James, she had to stop blaming him for things that were not his fault. He hadn’t made Tommy sick, and he certainly hadn’t forced her to go to Helena. All that had happened was unfortunate, but the good news was Tommy had recovered. It was time for a new beginning.

Brushing her hair away from her face, she saw her nightgown lying in a heap on the floor and slid it on. She was surprised it hadn’t been torn to pieces from their actions.

An hour later, Rose left her room, her stomach rumbling with hunger. Before she could fill her belly, she had to look in on her children. Opening the nursery door, she peered inside and found an empty room.

Trying not to let fear guide her, it was all she could do to not tear through the house looking for Tommy. She went down the stairs, peering into each room, her heart beating fast inside her chest when she heard it. Giggles and laughter coming from the parlor. Wrenching open the door, her heart fairly burst from her skin. Tommy played happily on the floor with Vicky, his eyes bright, his skin pink, acting as though nothing untoward had occurred over the last week.

Sarah and Jimmy were in matching cradles nestled against the wide windows, their heads covered with knitted caps, cooing and kicking their legs and arms as they each held wooden toy rattles in their tiny hands.

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