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“Do you take it plain, or would you like cream and sugar with it?”
“Ain’t never had cream nor sugar in it before. I reckon I’ll just take it plain.”
Rainee handed her a cup and started to put a biscuit on another plate.
“No need to dirty another dish. I can put it right here.” She took it from Rainee and before she set it on the side of her cup, she took a bite. “This is right tasty. What is it?”
“A strawberry scone. Would you like some cream on it?”
“Thank you kindly, but it tastes mighty fine the way it is. Real buttery-like.”
“Do you miss home?” Rainee asked.
“I sure do. I miss my family and the easy way of life back home. Here everythin’ is rush, rush, rush. Why, you’d think a person was on fire with all that scurryin’ about.”
“They do keep rather busy, do they not?” If Selina wasn’t mistaken that was sadness she saw in her sister-in-law’s eyes.
“Do ya ever get lonely out here?” Steam rose toward Selina’s nose as she raised the cup and took a sip of the strong brew and another bite of the scone.
“Only for my husband. He takes his leave early in the morning and does not arrive home until after the sun has set. So I scarcely see him. Before I became pregnant, the children and I went with him a lot, but as soon as he found I was with child again, he would not allow me to go with him anymore.” Rainee set her cup back in the saucer and turned toward her. “Have you met Kitty yet?”
“I sure have. She introduced herself by buttin’ the back of my legs.”
Rainee laughed. “That sounds like Kitty. She was a bridesmaid at my wedding, you know.”
“Did I just hear you say you had a pig as your bridesmaid?”
“Yes, you did.”
Selina slapped her knee and guffawed. “I knew I liked you. I love animals, too. Why, Michael thinks I’m stubborn as an old mountain goat ’cause I’m always bringin’ critters home. Last night I was fixin’ to bed down in the barn ’cause…”
“The barn?” Rainee interrupted her.
“I brought home an injured wolf and you’d have thought it was a grizzly bear or somethin’ worse with the way Michael carried on.”
“A wolf.” Rainee’s delicate brows rose. “You brought home a wolf?”
“Yeah.”
“May I see it?”
Selina smiled. The woman didn’t make her feel crazy at all because she’d brought the animal home. She reckoned not everyone here was as set in their ways as Michael.
“If you do not have any plans for today, perhaps we could have a lesson and then go see that wolf of yours.”
“I’d like that. Thank you kindly, Rainee.”
“No, thank you. You have quite rescued me from boredom. Haydon has Abby take the children to the neighbors with her so they do not overtax me. I assure you they do not, but he thinks they do. I rather enjoy them and miss them when they are gone.” Love for her children lit up her eyes. “Sometimes I feel as if I shall go mad cooped up inside all the time. I am used to keeping busy and not sitting around knitting all day.”
“I ain’t one for sittin’ myself. Let’s get that lesson done then I’ll break ya outta here and take you to my place.” Her place. Sure didn’t feel like her place and she wondered if it ever would.
Exhausted, sore and ready to fall into bed, Michael dragged his body home, terrified at what he might come home to this time. Another animal? Or something worse? He really didn’t want to find out, but he had no choice unless he wanted to sleep in the barn. Therefore, he forced one leg in front of the other and climbed the steps. Something smelled good. He opened the door and stepped inside.
Selina stood in front of the stove, flipping something over in the large black skillet. She turned and smiled. “Evenin’, Michael.”
“Good evening.” Now, if this had been a real marriage, he would have stepped up behind his wife, turned her around, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her thoroughly.
But this wasn’t a real marriage. Legally it was, but not emotionally. Disappointment sighed through him.
“Sit yourself down and I’ll fetch you some vittles.”
Michael removed his hat and hung it on a peg. “Thank you. I’ll wash up.”
Selina buzzed around, smiling and humming, a real bundle of energy. Did the woman ever tire?
He finished washing and sat down. As usual, Selina set the pans on the table, except for the one she’d fried the meat in. She put its contents on a platter.
She sat down and settled her hand close to his plate. He no longer had to ask for her hand—she now offered it. That small gesture pleased him. Why, he had no idea, but it did.
