Winning The Blacksmith's Heart (Mail-Order Brides of Salvation 5) by Faith Parsons

Author:Faith Parsons [Parsons, Faith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sweet & Clean, Texas, Frontier, Small Town, 1890s, Western, Romance, Christian, Historical, Mail-Order Bride, Marriage Of Convenience, Salvation, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Series, Blacksmith, Orphanage, Garment Factory, Sixteen, Spinsterhood, Christmas, Seasonal, Miracle, Weather, Tenacity
Publisher: Faith Persons
Published: 2015-12-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

What was she going to have for dinner? The near-empty cupboards yielded cornmeal, a couple of eggs, salt, and butter, but no sugar, no flour, and no baking soda. Even at the orphanage, they’d usually been able to make bread. Was there so little because Walter seldom cooked for himself? Or because he couldn’t afford more than a few basics?

She settled on a fried egg for dinner, reserving the last egg in case Walter arrived home hungry. Then she made a list of things she’d buy tomorrow with the few remaining dollars from her last week at the factory. There’d be nothing extravagant, but they could eat frugally for a few weeks, at least.

She prayed that Walter’s trip to Austin would be successful, and that none of this scrimping would be necessary.

But when he came through the door close to midnight, she knew from the expression on his face and the tension in his shoulders that his plan hadn’t worked.

He gave a glum poke to the egg she’d fried for him. “I make the best knives in East Texas, and everyone wants a factory-made blade that’ll break on you in a year or two.”

“Then we’ll have to think of something else.”

“I’m not good for anything else.” He glared at the egg, as if it was the egg’s fault that no one wanted his knives. “I’m a terrible husband, Ida.”

“I’ve got a few dollars—”

“I’m supposed to be supporting you.”

“A husband and wife support each other.”

He still wouldn’t look at her. “Ida, I’m sorry.”

What could she say that would make him feel better? If she were in his position, what would make her feel better?

Nothing, she realized. She would need to sleep on it before she’d be ready to tackle the problem from another direction.

“I’m not worried, Walter. We’ll think of something.”

Walter wolfed down his egg, but instead of getting ready for bed, he retreated to his workshop.

Ida waited a bit, figuring he might prefer some time alone. When she went to check on him later, she found him staring at the wood block he’d been carving yesterday, which was on its way to becoming an intricately-carved train car.

She sat on the stool beside him, saying nothing.

Eventually, he spoke. “I should have told you before I brought you out here.”

“We’ve already discussed this. I understand.”

“I thought I’d be doing better by now. But I can barely support myself. Never mind…”

Never mind her. Never mind any children the Lord blessed them with.

“What must you think of me, Ida?” He shook his head, then whispered slowly, “Now that you’ve met my father, do you wonder what kind of man you married?”

“I believe in judging people for their own actions,” she said. “You can’t help who your family is. All you can help is what you choose to do, who you choose to be.”

She picked up a miniature rocking horse from the workbench and placed it in his hands. “You’ve chosen to be a good man, someone who gives of himself to help others. Like these orphans who you’re making toys for.

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