To Honor and Trust by Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller

Author:Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller [Peterson, Tracie & Miller, Judith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: C429, Extratorrents, Kat
ISBN: 9781441261007
Publisher: Baker Books
Published: 2013-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

Mrs. Bridgeport had insisted upon buying several new gowns for Callie before they’d departed Indianapolis. Callie had protested the purchases, but Mrs. Bridgeport had prevailed. Callie disliked the fancy parties and balls, but Mrs. Bridgeport counted it her moral obligation and duty to find a suitable man for Callie—whether she wanted a suitable man or not. For the Valentine’s ball, Mrs. Bridgeport had selected a fabric the seamstress referred to as peony red. Mrs. Bridgeport declared the color pure perfection. Callie thought quite the opposite. It would be impossible to hide in the bright red confection. At least the older woman’s attempts to arrange an escort had proved unsuccessful. For that, Callie was thankful.

Callie looked over her shoulder when Mrs. Bridgeport tapped on the door and entered. “Your dress looks lovely, dear.” The older woman rubbed her forehead. “Of all days for sickness to overtake the household. I cannot believe both Lottie and Maude are ill.” Mrs. Bridgeport rubbed her forehead. “Next it will be Daisy and Thomas.”

Callie smiled at the woman’s exaggeration.

Mrs. Bridgeport sighed. “I wonder if I could convince Lula or Jane to stay until we return from the ball.”

“There’s no need for either of them to remain. I’m more than happy to stay here and take care of Maude and Lottie as well as Thomas and Daisy. Lula and Jane aren’t accustomed to caring for the children. It will be much easier for me to stay at home.” Callie didn’t add that it would also be much more to her liking. She would have been willing to care for an entire household of sick family members if it meant she didn’t have to attend the Valentine’s ball.

Mrs. Bridgeport clasped her hands together. “I am so disappointed. If only I could think of some other solution.”

Callie shook her head with such zeal a hairpin dropped to the floor. “This is where I am needed. Please don’t worry yourself any further.”

“Much as I dislike the idea of having you miss the ball, I suppose you’re right. I must get dressed and there’s not time to make any other arrangements.” The older woman’s shoulders drooped in defeat as she departed the room, but Callie sighed with relief. In no time, she’d changed out of the dress and hurried down the hallway to check on Lottie.

Once Mr. and Mrs. Bridgeport said their good-byes, Callie returned upstairs. By bedtime, Lottie was feeling much better, and after preparing the children for bed and listening to their prayers, Callie went to check on Maude.

She tapped lightly on the door and waited. “Maude, are you awake?”

“That you, Callie? Come on in.”

Maude’s voice sounded weak. Callie opened the door and stepped inside. Maude was lying down, her complexion as white as the bedsheet.

Callie studied the woman. “Lottie’s feeling much better, so I was hoping you’d regained some strength, too.” Callie saw a tray sitting atop the chest of drawers and went over to examine it. “You haven’t touched your food. You’ll not regain your strength if you don’t eat.

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