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“May twenty-ninth. Mateo’s battalion is training while waiting for orders.
“June fifth. Too soon to tell, but I think I’m pregnant.” I shared a look with Luke while I sipped my coffee.
“June fifteenth. Received Mateo’s letter. He and Ramon were ordered to Jacksonville, Florida, before sailing to Cuba.
“July first. Received Mateo’s note. They were in a train accident. Five of his troop were killed, and fifteen were wounded, but he’s safe.
“July tenth. Received Mateo’s letter. They arrived in Jacksonville.
“July thirtieth. It’s true. I’m pregnant, but I want to surprise Mateo when he comes home.
“August ninth. Received Mateo’s letter. Fifty men of their unit died from typhoid while waiting to ship out. I pray Mateo’s safe and comes home soon.
“Look at this.” I nibbled at my bacon before unfolding a yellowed newspaper clipping dated August thirteenth. “Hostilities Have Been Suspended. After three months and twenty-two days, the war that raged between Spain and the United States was quietly terminated.”
Then I opened a letter from the War Department dated August eighteenth. “It is with profound sorrow that the United States government regrets to announce that Mateo Ramirez, Jr. has gallantly sacrificed his life in the line of duty.”
I glanced up from reading. “That poor girl.
“August thirtieth. I don’t believe Mateo’s dead, but I’m sick with worry. I can’t keep food down, and I can’t sleep. Instead, I doze in the rocking chair.
“September fourteenth. Ramon returned home today. I begged him for news of Mateo, but he said they were separated several weeks ago, and he knew nothing.
“September fifteenth. Cadence visited. When I told her about Mateo and the baby, she invited me to live with her and Ben, but I said no. This is Mateo’s and my home, and I want to be here WHEN he returns.
“September sixteenth. Ramon proposed.”
****
“Marianna, be reasonable. You’re a widow with a baby on the way.” Hat still in hand, Ramon twisted the rim between his fingers.
“I’m not Mateo’s widow.” Refusing to listen, she tossed her chin. “I’m his wife.”
He spoke gently, as if to a child. “After a month, it’s time to let go false hopes.” He clenched and unclenched his hat as he curled its rim first one way and then the other. “I’ve loved you since the day we met. Marry me”—he swallowed—“if for no other reason than to give your baby a father.”
****
“September seventeenth. Mateo’s brothers ordered me to leave.”
****
“Get out.” Mateo’s brothers surrounded her on the front portico.
“No.” Marianna stopped sweeping, straightened her back, and stood her ground. “Your parents deeded this land to Mateo and me as a wedding gif—”
“Mateo’s dead. The land returns to the family.” Mateo’s oldest brother Fernando pressed closer. “And you’re not family, so leave.”
“Mateo’s not dead.” Her senses reeling, she retreated to the door’s threshold. “Even if he were, as his wife, this land belongs to me.”
“Our parents deeded this land to Mateo—not you.” Fernando pointed at her belly. “Despite your trying to pass off that bastard as our brother’s, he never married you, you puta.”
“Get out!” Broom in hand, she swung at them, slammed the door, and collapsed on the rocking chair.
****
“September eighteenth. The birth pains began just after midnight. Too late to go for help, I delivered the baby myself. He’s a beautiful baby boy but so very tiny.
“September nineteenth. I baptized the baby and named him Kenneth. He eats, but his breathing is so shallow, he pants. Rocking him seems to comfort him, but his little heart beats faster than a bird’s.
