The Unlikely Wife

“I’m a big eater. I want you to know that we have more than enough food. So you can make plenty all the time. And…”

She watched him swallow and draw a breath.

“I want you to eat more, too. What you ate this morning wouldn’t keep a baby chick alive.”

She pulled her eyes away from his intense stare. It hurt to be so close to him, to feel he might care and yet know he didn’t.

His finger dropped from her chin and rested in front her.

She wanted to snatch back his hand and cradle it against her cheek.

To hold it.

To feel its strength.

To enjoy the small pleasures a married woman like her ma had enjoyed.

But that would likely never happen, except in her dreams. And dream she would. No one could steal them from her. So when her head hit the pillow tonight, she’d dream of holding his hand.

Of him wrapping his arms about her and kissing her.

But until then, he was waiting for her answer. “Don’t rightly know iffen I’d be able to. Food was mighty scarce back home. Always made sure my brothers and Pa had enough to eat first. Then I ate what was left. Which was never much. So, I’m used to not eatin’ much. Even with you sayin’ we have plenty, I still can’t help but be scared that iffen I do eat too much more we might not have enough come winter time.”

His eyes trailed over her face, her arms and her body. Well, what he could see of it with her sitting in a chair. Still, his studying her like that made her uncomfortable.

His attention ended on her eyes, and if she weren’t mistaken, pity filled his. And she didn’t like it. Not one little bit. She didn’t want him feeling sorry for her and she’d let him know that. But before she had a chance to tell him so, he hitched his chair back and headed to the pantry.

When he came back he had a copper container with him, sat the thing down in front of her and raised the lid. He reached inside the jar and pulled out a handful of cookies and laid them on her plate and his.

He filled their coffee cups, something she should have thought to do, and then sat down. “Eat,” he ordered with a smile. His face turned serious as he looked at her. “I don’t want you ever worrying about food again, okay, Selina? We have ten dairy cows, a large herd of cattle and hogs, and plenty of chickens and eggs. We grow our own wheat so flour isn’t a shortage, either. Plus, Mother, my sisters, and sisters-in-law all grow large gardens every year. And if something happens to any of the food or gardens, we can go to town and buy some. If worse comes to worst, we’ll have it shipped in by train if necessary. Money is not an object.”

Selina didn’t know what to think. She’d never had such a mess of food before. She glanced at her plate and stared at the sandwiched cookies with the preserves in the middle. They looked mighty good and mighty tempting, too. Putting her fears aside, she decided that for once in her life her belly would take its fill.

Michael took a bite of one of his mother’s syltkakor cookies. He thought about Selina not having enough to eat and how she had given her food to her brothers and her father first and then to some stranger on the train. A woman she’d just met. The very idea of that stirred something deep inside him. He wanted to provide for her and protect her from ever going hungry again.

As she continued to enjoy her cookie Michael used the opportunity to study her. Dark-brown eyelashes, long and full, almost touched the top of her high cheekbones. Her nose had a slight bump in the middle, and her lips were pink, with a few cookie crumbs sprinkled on them.

He reached over to wipe them off. The moment his thumb made contact with her lips, her eyes flew open and she jumped back. “What ya doin’?”

“You had crumbs on your lips.” He flashed her a sheepish smile. “I was just wiping them off for you.”

She swiped her mouth with her hands and then with her sleeve. With one eye slit, she tilted to the side. “Much obliged, I’m sure.” She sat as far back into her kitchen chair as possible as if to get away from him. “What kind a cookies are them anyways? They sure are good.”

“They’re syltkakors.”

“Silt a whats?”

“Swedish sandwich cookies.”

“Oh.” That was all she said before taking another bite.

Watching her enjoy every morsel made him realize just how much he had taken for granted. He had always had plenty to eat, a roof over his head and an abundance of clothes. Never had he lacked for anything. But Selina had. And yet she didn’t seem bitter, nor did she complain about her lack. He wondered just how many times in her life she had gone without so another would not. Knowing how poor she was, he was surprised by her generosity. And if he was willing to admit it even to himself, that generosity endeared her to him. Just how he felt about that, he wasn’t sure. But he was sure about one thing. He would definitely find out. That thought both frightened and intrigued him.

Chapter Four

Five cookies later, Selina laid her hand against her gut. This was the first time she’d had a belly full of anything and it felt mighty nice. And scary. Her fears of running out of food stuck to her like caked-on mud. Would she ever get over that fear even after all Michael had said about having plenty?

Michael’s eyes trailed to her mouth. Last time he’d touched her lips her belly and heart fluttered as if someone had released a thousand fireflies into them. So before he could brush the crumbs from off her lips again, she hurried up and did it herself.

“Well, I’d better go.” He stood. “Thank you for breakfast, Selina.” He headed to the front door and put on his jacket and hat.

Knowing he was heading out to do chores, she swigged down the last of her coffee and rushed to where he stood. She pushed her arms into her jacket and shoved her hat onto her head.

With his hand on the doorknob, Michael asked, “Where are you going?” He glanced at the breakfast mess on the table and stove.

“I’m goin’ to help you with chores.”

“Selina, we’ve been over this already. I know you want to help and I appreciate it, but it would help me a great deal for you to keep the house clean and have meals ready for me when I come in.”

“I can do both. After I help you with the chores, I’ll come back here and clean up this mess and get lunch ready for ya, too.”

Michael rolled his eyes, swung the door open and stepped outside. His boots clunked on the steps as he tromped down them. That noise was meant to discourage her, but it wasn’t going to work. Regardless of what he’d said about her being his wife and not having to earn her keep, she didn’t want to be beholden to anyone, especially a man who didn’t want her. She’d feel differently if Michael did want her, if he loved her, but he didn’t. So, to her way of thinking that meant she was nothing more than a hired hand and a maid.

Selina struggled to stay alongside Michael, even though he paid her no mind. They rounded the bend that hid their house from the rest of the houses, into the main yard where the party had been the night before, and ended up at the barn.

Horses whinnied when they stepped inside. She breathed deeply the scent of horse and fresh-cut hay. Dust twirled in the sunlight and danced its way up her nose, tickling it. She sneezed loud and hard, not once but twice.

The horses snorted.

Michael whirled toward her.

“You sure you didn’t blow your insides out, woman? Those are the loudest sneezes I’ve ever heard. Who would have thought something that noisy could come from someone as tiny as you.”

She giggled. “Pa always told me I had the loudest sneezes ever. Said he never had to worry about my whereabouts ’cause my sneezes could be heard all over the mountain. And as long as he heard them, he knew right where I was at.”

“I believe it.” Michael chuckled.

She looked over at him. That was the first time she’d heard him laugh and she found it mighty pleasant. Something she could get used to.

She even got a glimpse of a little dip near one side of his mouth. Something she’d always been a sucker for.

Michael turned his back to her. He grabbed a pitchfork off of a nearby hook, rammed the fork into a mound of hay under the loft and tossed it into the first stall.

“I’m glad I caught you.”

Selina twisted toward the voice and saw Abby.

“Mother saw you heading into the barn, Selina. She asked me to see if you would like to stop by this morning.” Abby was a beautiful girl with her blond hair and blue eyes. She looked a lot like her handsome brother.

“That’s mighty nice of her, but will you tell her I’m gonna help Michael with chores first, and that I’ll stop by sometime today?”

“Sure will.” Abby skittered off.

“You don’t have to do chores. You can go visit with my mother.”

“We done had this discussion. After chores I will.” Selina searched for another hay fork and saw one hanging on a peg near the haystack. She filled it with hay and carried it to one of the stalls. The pretty chestnut mare with the white forehead and spotted rump dipped her head and swung it back and forth before diving into the pile.

“That’s Macy’s way of saying thanks,” Michael spoke over Selina’s shoulder.

“She sure is purty. Is she yours?” She tilted her head back so she could see his face.

He looked down at her and she forgot all about breathing.

He stared into Selina’s eyes. He couldn’t pull his attention away from them and the long lashes that framed them. Her irises were large, surrounded by a black ring. Their color was nothing like the solid brown he’d thought they were when he’d first met her. Instead they resembled a reddish-brown sorrel horse he once had.

All of a sudden she ripped her gaze away from him and onto something behind him.

“Why, hello there.” Selina scurried over to Miss Piggy and scooped the gray-and-white barn cat into her arms. “Aren’t you the purtiest little thing ever?” She stroked the feline’s fur and stopped, then examined her hand. “Oh, no. You’re bleedin’. You poor baby. Selina’ll take care of you and make it all better.”

Her words were long and drawn out in the same type of Southern drawl Rainee had. He had loved listening to Rainee talk and he had to admit, he enjoyed the Southern accent in Selina, too. And that surprised him.

Selina helped Michael feed and water the animals then gathered up Miss Piggy and headed for home. Did she really think of the Idaho Territory as her home? Not yet, but hopefully someday she would. Inside the house, she searched everywhere until she found what she needed. When she finished doctoring the cat, she placed the exhausted critter on Michael’s bed and headed back into the kitchen.

With one glance at the breakfast mess, she rolled up her sleeves and washed the dishes and set things to right. Michael would have the chores done by now, so she decided to go visit Katherine. She stepped out onto the porch and stopped.

“Good morning, Selina.” The very pregnant Rainee stood only a few yards away from her. Other than her belly, she was a tiny thing. Beautiful, too, with her honey-colored hair and matching eyes.

“Mornin’, Rainee.”

“I brought you some bread and cookies.”

“Well, that’s right neighborly of you.” Selina rushed down the steps and took the basket from Rainee. “You didn’t need to do that.”

“I know. I wanted to.” Rainee smiled.

“Can you come in and sit a spell?”

“I would love to.”

As they made their way into the house, Selina said, “Would you like some tea or coffee?”

“Tea would be lovely. Thank you.”

“Why don’t you take a load off while I fetch ya some?”

“If you do not mind, I believe I shall.” Rainee sat down while Selina commenced to making tea.

“Who would have ever thought having a baby would take so much out of a person?” Rainee spoke from the living room.

“Is this your first?”

“No. I have a nine-year-old daughter, Emilia, who we call Emily, and a seven-year-old daughter, Rosella, who we call Rosie. They are visiting their grandmother.”

“When’s your baby due?” Selina asked as she came into the living room.

“In a few weeks.” Concern skipped across the woman’s face. “I hope and pray this baby survives.”

Startled, Selina handed her a cup of tea and a small plate with a couple of cookies on the side, then sat down across from her. “What do ya mean?”

“In the eleven years Haydon and I have been married, I have been with child five times. The girls came along just fine, but after them, I lost the next two.” Sadness filled her eyes.

Selina laid her hand on Rainee’s. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Do you know why they didn’t make it?”

“No. And neither did Doctor Berg.” She took a sip of her tea. “Since I am being so honest with you I will also tell you I am quite scared to have this one. When Rosie was born, she almost did not make it.”

“How come?” Selina hoped Rainee didn’t mind her asking so many questions.

“I do not know. Haydon would never tell me. He did not want me worrying.”

“I see. Well, don’t you be worrin’ none about this baby. I can help. I’ve birthed many a youngin’. Even troublesome ones. You just let me know when your time comes and I’ll be there. Iffen you want me to, that is.”

Rainee’s eyes, the color of a fawn, brightened. “I would love to have you there. Thank you, Selina. I must admit, when I heard you telling our neighbors that you helped many a child into the world, I was quite relieved. Doctor Berg is our local doctor, but he is always so busy that I feared he would not be available when my time came.”

“Well, I’ll be here. You just let me know.”

They sipped their tea, ate their cookies and visited as if they were old friends.

Rainee glanced at the clock. “Where did the time go? I have bread to bake and desserts to make to get lunch ready for Haydon and my girls.”

She rose and put her tea cup and empty plate in the sink. “Thank you, Selina. I had a lovely time.”

“I did, too. Come back again anytime.”

Rainee grabbed Selina’s hands. “You must come see me, too. I get quite bored sitting all day. Haydon will not let me do anything. I had to beg him to let me help with the cooking and care for my girls.”

Selina’s eyes widened. “What do ya mean, he won’t let you?”

“Can you believe he hired me a maid?” Rainee rolled her eyes and sighed. “I sent her packing straightaway. But my husband brought her right back. I feel quite ill at ease with a maid. No one else has one and they have survived and I can, as well. But Haydon would hear nothing of it, so we finally came to an understanding. She could stay, but I would be allowed to help her some.”

“Why’d ya let him tell you what you could or couldn’t do?”

“Oh, I assure you, I do not. I just let him think he does.” Rainee winked.

Selina smiled. “I knew I liked you.” In the very next second a plan worked through Selina’s mind. “Rainee, could I ask you somethin’?”

“Yes, you may.”

“Do you think…” Selina looked down at the floor. “Do you think you could…” She pulled in her bottom lip and chewed on it. This was a might harder than she’d thought it would be.

“Selina, do not make yourself uneasy. Just ask.”

Selina slowly raised her head. Seeing the sincerity in Rainee’s eyes, she plucked up her courage. “I was wonderin’ iffen you could teach me to talk good. And to read and to write. Iffen you have the time, that is.”

“Sure I have time. But I see nothing wrong with the way you talk. I rather like it. Why do you want to change?”

“I have my reasons.” Never before had she wanted to change for anyone, but now that she was married to Michael and loved him, she wanted to make him proud. If somehow she could do that, maybe he would come to love her, too.

“Please forgive me for asking, but if you cannot read nor write, how did you answer Michael’s advertisement?”

“My friend Aimee did it for me.” Boy did she ever. Selina still couldn’t believe what Aimee had done to her and Michael. She had thought Aimee was different than the rest of those rich folks. Turned out she was just like them after all.

“I see.”

No, she didn’t see, but Selina didn’t want to talk about that.

“I would be happy to help you. If you want to, come by after lunch, and we will start then.”

“I’ll be there.” Selina walked her visitor to the door. “Thank you kindly, Rainee. That’s mighty nice of you.”

“You are most welcome. I am looking forward to it.”

“Iffen you don’t mind, I’ll walk with you. Katherine invited me for a visit.”

“I do not mind at all. I would love it.”

They headed down the stairs. Rainee looped arms with Selina as they disappeared down the path in the trees.

In two shakes of a squirrel’s tail, Selina climbed the steps to Michael’s ma’s house. Her ma now, too. That put a smile on her face. She raised her hand to knock on the door just before it swung open.

“Selina, I’m so happy you came. Please, come on in.” For having money, everyone around here was sure friendly. Maybe Michael was right. She shouldn’t clump all rich folks together.

Katherine stepped back and motioned Selina inside.

Two girls stood next to the kitchen table staring at her.

“Girls, stop that staring.”

“Sorry, Grandmother,” they both said.

The taller girl had blue eyes and blond hair and looked just like her pa. The shortest one had doe-colored hair and eyes like her ma. She glanced up at Selina. “You sure are pretty.”

Selina squatted down to her eye level and smiled. “So are you. Anyone ever tell you ya look just like your mama?”

She tilted her head and lowered her eyelids. “Yes, ma’am, they have. Thank you.”

Selina rose and turned her attention to the older one. “You look like your papa. And you’re every bit as purty as your sister.”

“Thank you.” Her face brightened like the morning sun.

Katherine went and stood between the girls and faced Selina. “Selina, this is my granddaughter Emily.” The oldest one squatted and rose. “And this one is Rosie.”

The younger girl squatted like the older had. Selina wondered what that was all about.

“Nice to meet y’all.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” Emily said. Her sister repeated it.

“Okay, girls. Why don’t you go back to working on your quilts now.”

As the girls headed into the living room, Katherine asked, “Can I get you something to drink?”

“No, ma’am. But thank you anyway.”

“Very well. Let’s head to the living room where we can get comfortable.”

Selina followed Katherine and sat down in one of the chairs.

“Don’t mind the mess. I’m keeping the girls occupied by teaching them how to quilt.”

Selina looked down at the girls sitting on the floor and the squares of material between them.

“I’ve never made a quilt before. Always wanted to learn, though.”

“How come you didn’t?” Rosie asked.

“My ma took sick when I was a youngin, and she died when I was ten, so I never got a chance.”

“We’ll teach you.” Emily looked up at her grandma. “Won’t we, Grandmother?”

“We sure will.” Katherine smiled at Selina.

“Really? You’d do that?”

“Sure will. In fact,” Katherine rose, “I’ll be right back.” She left the room.

“Are you making quilts for your beds?” Selina asked the girls.

“No, we’re making them for our dollies,” Rosie, the bubbly one of the two answered.

“What color you gonna make them?”

“Mine’s going to be pink and yellow.” Rosie puffed out her little chest.

“I’m making mine in two different shades of blue.” Emily picked up the squares and showed them to Selina.

“Blue is my favorite color.” Selina ran her fingers over the dark and light blue squares.

“I could make mine blue, too.” The sad look on Rosie’s face made Selina wonder what that was all about until she realized she’d made a big to-do over blue and Rosie’s was pink.

Selina placed herself in a circle on the floor with them and looked at Rosie. “Rosie, I like pink and yellow right fine, too. Purple, orange, red—you name it and I like it. So don’t you be changin’ your mind ’cause someone else likes somethin’ different. You just be yourself because the good Lord made you just the way you are. Perfect and just right.”

With a big smile Rosie picked up the pink and yellow squares and got right back to work on her quilt.

Sitting with the girls, watching their faces, settled a longing deep inside her to have children of her own.

Katherine came into the room, carrying tied stacks of squared material. Selina leaped up and took part of them from her.

Her mother-in-law set her stack down. “Here you go, Selina. Take your pick of colors.”

“Thank you kindly, Katherine.”

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