Mail Order Mama (Brides of Beckham Book 2) (14 page)

Emily hid her smile.  “I enjoy your cooking.” 

Abbie smiled her whole face lighting up as she watched her grandmother finally being nice to her new mama.  “My mama is the best cook in the whole wide world.”

Sven smiled at Abbie.  “You may just be right about that, Abbie.”

Georgie looked at Ingrid.  “
Farmor
, we’re having a baby!”

Ingrid’s hand went to her throat in surprise.  “A baby?”  She looked at Benjamin who gave a quick nod.  “Another grandchild?  And I’ve been causing you stress?”  She jumped up from her chair and began clearing the table.  “If there’s anything you need to help you, just let me know.  I can start coming into town a couple days per week to help with the housework.”

Emily laughed.  “I’m pregnant, not an invalid.  I’m perfectly capable of taking care of my family.”

“Have you been sick in the mornings?”

“Just a little, but I’m sure it’s coming.”

“When I got to the worst of my morning sickness, I’d always bake up muffins the night before and let everyone have cold muffins in the mornings.  I had a hard time even thinking about cooking my stomach was so upset.”

Emily nodded.  “That’s how it was for my employer in Massachusetts as well.  She couldn’t even come into the room when I cooked breakfast.  Most of the time I’d take her some dry toast and some tea.”  Emily got to her feet and worked side by side with her mother-in-law doing the dishes and cleaning up. 

Georgie and Abbie helped them with the clearing, and then Abbie swept out from under the table.  Ingrid looked over her shoulders and watched the girls work.  “You’ve got the girls working so much harder than I’ve ever seen them.  They always complained when Anna or I told them to work.  What’s your secret?”

Emily shrugged.  “I’ve just always asked nicely and shown them how to do it properly.  They both seem to like being useful.”  She quickly dried the dishes as her mother-in-law washed them.  Within minutes they were finished and the girls were sitting at the table with the men. 

Ingrid hugged Emily tightly.  “I’m really sorry for never giving you a chance.  I promise to do better.”  She looked over at Sven sitting at the table talking to Benjamin.  “Let’s go!  I need to get home and start making a quilt for my new grandbaby.”  Ingrid shrugged into her coat and wrapped her scarf around her head as Sven got to his feet.  “I know just the colors I want to use.”  She looked at Benjamin.  “You’re going to need to add onto this house.  It’s not going to be nearly big enough if she has babies this quickly.”  Ingrid was practically bouncing up and down at the idea of lots more grandchildren.  “I’ll never have enough grandbabies!”  She hurried down the stairs with her husband watching after her.

Sven went to follow but turned to Emily at the last minute.  “We’re thankful you’re the one who married Benjamin.  We couldn’t ask for a better daughter in law.”  He didn’t wait for her reply, but headed down the stairs after his wife.

Emily turned to Benjamin with a surprised look on her face.  He grinned.  “That’s the mama I know and love.  I really am sorry I didn’t believe you when you said how she was treating you.  It just didn’t make sense to me.”

They went into the parlor to spend a quiet evening.  Emily worked on sewing a dress for Abbie, while Benjamin read the paper.  Abbie and Georgie sat in the corner on the floor playing with their baby dolls.  Emily noted the frayed condition of the dolls’ clothes and promised herself she’d make them new doll clothes for Christmas.  They could use a couple of doll quilts as well.  She smiled as she thought of the looks on their faces when they opened them.

She couldn’t help but look forward to next Christmas when there would be another child to make gifts for.  How had she been so blessed?  Just months before when her mother had told her she had two months to find a new home, she’d never imagined her life could take such a turn.  She needed to write to her mother and let her know how happy she was.

In bed that night, she snuggled close against Benjamin’s side after making love.  He’d been gentler than ever, obviously thinking about the baby growing inside her.   “Are you happy about the baby?” he asked in a low tone.

She lifted her head from his shoulder to look down at him in the darkness.  “How can you even ask that?  Of course, I’m happy about the baby.  I can think of nothing that would make me happier!”

“Are you sure?”  Benjamin’s voice was worried.

“I’m positive.  I love children.  I can’t wait to hold one in my arms.”

“You’re so young.  I hate that you’re giving up your freedom to be tied down with a baby.”

She laughed.  “You had Abbie at my age.”

“But I’d had years of courtship and loving my wife.  You’re just starting a new marriage, and already you’re having a baby.  We had two years with no children before Anna got pregnant.”  He stroked her cheek as she lay propped above him on the bed.

“We started this marriage with children, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.  I knew I was going to be an instant mother when I married you, and I’m happy I was.  I love the girls and I love you.  I’m very happy to be having a baby.  I’ve always wanted one.  I wish I hadn’t missed those early years with the girls, but I can’t go back and change that now.”

He pulled her back down so her head was pillowed on his shoulder.  “I’m glad.  When you told me about the baby, all I could think about was how happy I was and how glad the girls would be.  I never thought to wonder how it would make you feel to have another child.”

She rubbed her cheek against his smooth shoulder.  “There was no need to wonder how I’d feel about it.  I’m thrilled.  I can’t wait to see its little face.”

He held her close in the darkness.  “I do love you, Emily.  I’m sorry that I made you feel bad.”

She shook her head.  “I’m fine.  I guess I just feel like I’m constantly in competition with Anna, which is silly, but I can’t get it out of my head that you chose her, but you found me by chance.”

“Never feel like you’re less than Anna.  In some ways, you’re a much better wife and mother.  For our first year of marriage, she couldn’t cook anything without burning it, and she’d cry if I didn’t eat all of it.”

Emily grinned.  “Well, I certainly don’t do that!”

“No, you’re a great cook.  Georgie hasn’t had to eat one bacon sandwich since you got here.”  He smiled thinking about the letter they’d sent that had brought her to them.  “You’re a more natural mother than Anna was, too.  Anna was unsure of everything.  She loved the girls, but she was constantly running to her mother or mine when anything went a little bit wrong.  She’d have had no idea how to handle Abbie this evening, but you acted as if it was something you’ve dealt with every day.”

“I think Abbie is so easy for me because she’s just so much like I was.  I don’t know what to do with Georgie except love her.  I’m good at loving her.”

He chuckled and her head shook on his shoulder.  “No worries.  Your love will get us all through.”  He stroked his fingers through her hair.  “I wonder if the baby will be a boy or a girl.  I love my girls, but the idea of having a boy really excites me.  Of course, I wouldn’t know what to do with a boy after having two girls.”

She smiled stroking his chest.  “We’ll figure it out together if it happens.  I’d be thrilled either way.  Just so I have a baby in my arms, I’ll be happy.”

Epilogue

One year later

“Hurry and finish dressing girls.  They’ll be here any minute!”  Emily had waited until the last minute before having the girls change from their play clothes.

She checked on baby Clarence in his cradle before she made the last minute preparations.  There was hot coffee on the stove, and a batch of freshly baked cookies cooling on the work table.  She had a huge pot of stew on the stove in case they were hungry when they arrived. 

She couldn’t believe they were finally coming out to see her and meet her family.  She heard the door open and flew down the stairs flinging herself into her mother’s arms.  “Mama!  You really made it!”

“I promised I’d be here, and I’m here!”  Jane pulled back from her daughter.  “Where are my grandchildren?”

Emily smiled and swiped the tears from her eyes before sliding her hand through her mother’s arm and walking up the steps with her.  “The girls are changing into clean clothes and Clarence is asleep.”

Abbie and Georgie were waiting for them in the kitchen.  They’d changed into clean dresses and Abbie had brushed her sister’s hair until it hung in an untangled heap down her back.  Abbie’s own hair was still in the two braids Emily had put it into that morning.  “These are my girls, Mama.  The older one is Abbie, and the younger is Georgie.”

Georgie barreled across the kitchen to hug her new grandmother, not at all worried about her reception.  Abbie held back, but soon followed and hugged Jane as well.

Abbie had become more confident in the year Emily had been with them, but her personality was still as quiet and shy as ever.  Georgie was as boisterous as she had always been. 

Jane smiled at the two girls.  “It’s hard to believe I have granddaughters who are half grown already.”  She turned to Emily.  “I know you said Clarence is sleeping, but can we peek in on him?”

Emily led the way into the parlor where a cradle was kept for Clarence’s naps.  Jane put her hand over her mouth as the tears filled her eyes at the sight of her grandson.  He was sleeping on his stomach with his fist firmly in his mouth.  “He’s beautiful, Emily.”

Emily nodded.  “He’s as blond as everyone else.  I’m going to have to keep having babies until I have one with dark hair.”

Jane laughed.  “I’ll take as many grandbabies as you want to give me.”

“Let’s go have some cookies in the kitchen.  I made a big pot of coffee to go with them.”

“That sounds heavenly.”

Benjamin came up the stairs with William at his side.  Emily smiled at her stepfather.  “It’s good to see you, William.”

“You have a beautiful home.”

“Thank you.”  Emily was unsure what to say to him.  She didn’t harbor any bad feelings toward him, because her life had turned out so well and she was truly happy.  “Have a seat.  I made coffee and the girls helped me bake some cookies.”

Benjamin had made the long drive into St. Paul that morning to pick the couple up from the train station there.  Emily had never really expected to see her mother again, so she was thrilled they were able to make the long journey.

Clarence began to wail from the other room, and her mother jumped up.  “May I get him?”

“Of course!”  Emily continued pouring out the coffee and readying the snack she’d prepared.

Within a minute, Jane was back in the kitchen cradling her grandson to her.  “He’s just so beautiful,” she whispered with tears in her eyes.

William stood and walked over to stroke the baby’s cheek.  “He’s not going to be much older than his aunt or uncle.”

Emily turned her eyes lit with excitement.  “You’re having a baby, Mama?”

Jane laughed and nodded blushing slightly.  “I thought I was too old, but apparently God disagrees with me.  I’m due in six months.”

“I can’t believe I’m going to have a little brother or sister.”

Georgie and Abbie stood staring at Jane with awe.  “We’re getting an aunt or uncle?  And he’ll be younger than us?” Abbie asked.

William squatted down in front of the girls.  “That’s right.  Is that okay with you?”

Both girls nodded happily.  Emily was happy to see how good he was with them.  They were staying for a week, and if the girls hadn’t liked her mother and stepfather, things would have been harder for her.

Later that evening, her mother slipped her a letter.  “Harriett Long asked me to give you this.  She and I have formed a friendship.”

Emily took the letter and went to her bedroom to read it while she nursed Clarence.  “Dear Emily, I’m so happy you’ve found love through my service.  Your mother told me you have a son now.  I’m still doing my best to match up young ladies with suitable men out west.  I seem to be running out of ladies who need husbands, so if you know of someone, even out there, I’ll do my best to broker a marriage for them.  I’d love to hear from you when you get a chance, but I understand you’re busy with your girls and new baby.  I hope to hear from you soon.  My best, Harriett.”

Emily read the letter once more, and thought back to how frightened she’d been when she’d first knocked on Harriett’s door.  She hoped soon Harriett would find a love of her own, and not have to spend her time matching up women with men out west to keep herself occupied.  She was a lovely woman and deserved the best.

Looking down at her baby suckling at her breast, she knew becoming a mail order bride and finding Benjamin had been the best thing to ever happen to her.  She just wished she could share her happiness with the world.

Continue reading for a quick excerpt of
Mail Order Madness
, the next story, a full length novel, in the Brides of Beckham series.

Chapter One

June 1884

Outside of Beckham, Massachusetts

Susan breathed a sigh of relief as her day with the neighbor children was finally over.  It wasn’t that the Jacobs’ kids were bad, because her own siblings made them look like angels, but she was just tired of being around children all the time.  Everywhere she looked were kids getting into everything.  She thought, not for the first time, that she needed to get married and escape everyone else’s children.  She knew without a doubt, that she could make sure her own kids, if God cursed her with them, behaved well.

She wandered along the dirt road, breathing deeply of the warm summer air.  There were flowers in bloom all around her and the trees overhead made a perfect covering protecting her from the hot sun.  Summer was her favorite season of the year.  She wondered if she’d have time to go for a quick dip in the family’s pond after dinner.

She walked the quarter of a mile to her family’s farm and went inside, knowing it was time for her to help with dinner.  Her sister who was two years younger than her at sixteen had been home with their younger siblings all day, and since there were ten younger siblings, she knew the job would be overwhelming for her sister. 

Their mother worked in town for one of the women there cleaning and doing odd jobs around the house.  Ever since her youngest brother had broken his arm the previous month, her mother had needed to work to help make ends meet.  Their small dairy farm just wasn’t enough to support all fourteen of them and pay any doctor bills that came along.

Susan walked through the kitchen and noted the absence of anything cooking.  There were egg shells and smashed egg yolks all over the walls and floor.  Where was Elizabeth?

She found her in the small parlor with her head in her hands crying.  Sitting beside Elizabeth on the sofa, Susan asked, “What’d they do now?”

Elizabeth rubbed her eyes.  She was small for her age, and not much bigger than some of their younger brothers.  She had the same blond hair and green eyes Susan did, but at that moment, her eyes were red-rimmed and her hair was sticking up in every direction.  Susan thought she detected a piece of egg shell in her sister’s hair, but didn’t say anything about it. “I can
not
do this anymore!  They’re hellions!”  She threw her hands up in the air in defeat.

“Egg fight?”  Susan knew there’d been a pretty major egg fight in the kitchen, but that was nothing new in their house.  Why would Elizabeth be so upset over something like that?

Elizabeth nodded.  “To start with.”  She took a deep breath.  “Have you seen the outhouse?  Or been in the barn yet?”

“No….”  What had the monsters done this time? 

“Well, first they had the egg fight in the kitchen.  I walked in and yelled for them to stop before one of the twins beaned me in the side of the head with an egg.  I was about to clean it up, but I had to answer nature’s call first.”  Susan nodded, waiting for her sister to get to what the kids had done.  “They tipped over the outhouse…with me in it!”

Susan pressed her hand to her mouth to hide the grin that wanted to pop out.  It wasn’t funny, and she’d be furious if it had been her, but she couldn’t help the laughter that was trying to bubble up and out of her.  In retrospect the things their siblings did were funny, but it took a while to find enough distance to laugh when you’d been the victim of their mischief.

“Then, when I finally got out and was coming back in the house, I saw Mary’s hands were covered with paint.  Lavender paint.  You know the paint Ma said we could use to paint our room?”  Mary was their ten year old sister.  She was the next-oldest girl after Elizabeth and the three of them shared a room. 

“Yes?”

“Well, she didn’t want a purple room, so she used the paint on Mabel.” 

“Mabel?  She actually stood still for that?”

“She wasn’t happy.  I could hear her mooing from across the yard.  Apparently, Mary pulled her in from the field where she was grazing and put her in her stall, before painting her lavender.”  Elizabeth sighed.  “So no pretty room for us.  We have to put up with the tic tac toe game on the walls forever.”

Susan sighed heavily.  “I’ve got to get out of here.  I’m eighteen.  I should be married by now and I wouldn’t have to put up with this nonsense anymore.”  She stared off into space for a moment while she thought about it.  “Or I guess I could find a job where I could live in.  But no kids!”

Elizabeth shook her head.  “Then I’d have to deal with them all without you.  Ma doesn’t much care what they do, and I can’t do it alone.”  Susan’s eyes looked fearful at the very idea of Susan leaving her there with the monsters.

“I hate to leave you in this situation by yourself, but honestly?  I’m doing it the first chance I get.”  She looked around.  “What happened to the newspaper Pa brought home yesterday?”

“Mary had Mabel stand on it so she wouldn’t get paint on the floor of the barn.”

That was finally too much for Susan and she felt the laugh rumble up from inside her.  “So it’s okay to paint the cow, but not to paint the barn floor?  Did she get dropped on her
head
when she was a baby?”

“It’s not funny!  You don’t have to stay here with them all day every day.  At least you get to go to the Jacobs’ farm three days a week.  I want to go to the Jacob’s farm.”  Elizabeth’s voice was usually calm and serene, but it had deteriorated to a whine.

“We should walk into town together after supper and get a newspaper.  Maybe we can find you a job, too.”  Susan had made up her mind during her conversation with her sister.  She was going to get out no matter what she had to do.

“Okay.  But what are we going to fix for supper?  It’ll be time to eat in an hour.”

Susan stood up and held her hand out for her sister.  “We’ll figure something out.  And then we’ll figure out how to get out of here!”

As they walked into town two hours later, the two sisters talked about their dreams for the future.  “I want to be a teacher,” Elizabeth admitted.  “I don’t think I ever want to get married.”

Susan grinned.  “Just so you don’t have to teach our brothers and sisters!”  Not getting married was a good idea, in a way, because then she would never be saddled with children, but Susan wanted to find a man to love her.

Elizabeth finally saw the humor in her day and giggled a little.  “I want to be a teacher in Oregon.  Or California.  I hear California is beautiful this time of year.”  She stopped walking and looked at Susan with fear in her eyes.  “You don’t think Ma and Pa would ever move to California, do you?”

Susan shook her head, pulling her sister along with her.  “That’s a better plan.”  She kicked at a clump of dirt along her path as she walked.  They were almost to Beckham.  “I really wish I could just get married, but where am I going to meet a man?  We go to the same country church we’ve gone to our whole lives, and the most eligible bachelor is old James Duncan.”

Elizabeth wrinkled her nose.  “He does seem interested in you.”  James Duncan was seventy if he was a day, and he’d already buried four wives.  He was on the prowl for number five, and Susan seemed to be the object of his affections. 

Susan let out a shudder.  “I don’t think so.”  They’d reached town and turned to the general store, which was closed, but always set out the “old” newspapers at the end of the day.