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“We do, but we’ll let you,” said Sadie Elder, who came out West four years before to marry Tom Elder, a widower with nine boys. She took Selina’s hands in hers. “You’re just what we needed around here, Selina. It’s a real pleasure meeting you. When you get settled, you must come by for a visit. Michael can show you where we live.” Sadie looked at Michael seeking his permission.
He nodded.
“Oh, yes, you must come by my house for a visit, too,” Mrs. Hawkins chimed in, and the other married ladies put in their requests, too.
Selina had obviously made a good impression on them. They not only seemed to accept her, outfit and all, but liked her well enough to invite her to their homes. That was a good sign. Wasn’t it?
“It’s right neighborly of y’all to invite me to y’alls homes. Iffen any of you need help, you let me know, and I’ll be there quicker than a frog snatchin’ a fly.”
They all laughed.
“Oh, Selina. You say the funniest things,” Sadie said through a chuckle.
Selina looked surprised by Sadie’s comment, then she wagged her finger at Sadie and said, “Don’t you go hurtin’ yourself liftin’ that cannin’ kettle. I’ll come by in a couple days and do it for you.” Selina glanced up at Michael and smiled. Her teeth were as white as freshly fallen snow and not a crooked one to be found. The woman really was beautiful. Judging from the way she was willing to help everyone, she must be beautiful on the inside, too. Only time would tell.
“And when that baby is ready to be birthed, I can help you. Iffen you want me to, that is. Like I told you, I helped birth many a baby.”
“Thank you so much, Selina. I feel better just knowing you’re here. I’ll see you soon then.” Sadie turned and waddled toward her husband.
Sadie, who was twenty years younger than her husband, was carrying Tom’s tenth child. Michael wondered if it would be another boy. For Sadie’s sake, he hoped it was a girl.
The loud ringing of the dinner bell jarred his attention.
“Everyone, it’s time to eat,” his mother hollered.
Each woman took a turn shaking Selina’s hand before they left in search of their husbands. Not one of them seemed to mind how heartily she returned their handshakes.
When the crowd quieted down, his mother turned her attention to him and Selina. “Michael and Selina, you get your plates first.”
Michael glanced down at his wife. “You ready?”
“Yes, sir. Ain’t had nothin’ to eat since last night. I’m so hungry I could eat a herd of lizards—skin and all.”
Lizards? The thought of eating lizards turned his stomach inside out. He hoped she was kidding. “Why haven’t you had anything to eat since last night?” He placed his hand on her back and led her toward the long food table.
“I ran outta money. Couldn’t afford none.”
Michael instantly felt horrible. “I’m sorry, Selina. I thought I sent you plenty of money to take care of everything.”
“Oh, you did. You did. But I couldn’t sit by and watch that poor widow woman strugglin’ to feed her three youngins.”
“What poor widow woman?”
“Mrs. Morrow. Her husband died and she was comin’ out West to marry up with a Mr. Clemens. From the way she tells it, he has four youngins himself. His wife died two years ago and he couldn’t keep up with them and his chores, so he placed an ad and she answered it. Mr. Clemens sent her enough money for the trip, but some polecat stole it from her. Can you believe some snake would do such an evil thing? And to a widow woman with three youngins no less. Why, iffen I’d caught him, I would have put a load of buckshot into his sorry hide to make sure he never did it again. I’m just so glad you sent me plenty enough that I was able to help poor Mrs. Morrow.”
She stopped and looked at him. Concern dotted her eyes. “Don’t worry. I’ll find some way to repay you. But I ain’t sorry I did it. Ain’t no way I was gonna sit by and listen to them youngins beg their mama for somethin’ to eat when I had plenty.”
What an unselfish thing she had done. To go without food so that another woman, a complete stranger and her children, could eat.
Maybe getting to know her wouldn’t be such a bad thing after all.
Chapter Three
Back at the house, Selina picked up her bag to ready herself for bed. She had a good time meeting all her new neighbors. Some of them were friendly, too. But all that visiting had tuckered her out. All she wanted to do was find some place to curl up and go to sleep. She wasn’t sure where that place was, though. The barn would suit her just fine, but she knew if someone saw her there, Michael would be shamed and she didn’t want that for him.
