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Lord, I want a real marriage. I’d be much obliged to You iffen You would work that out. Thank You kindly, Lord.
When she finished tending to the pup’s needs, she pressed her ear against Michael’s door, listening for any noise. Not hearing any, she went to the pantry and removed the books, the writing slate and the chalk from behind the canned food. She sat in one of the living room chairs and lit the lantern that was on the table between the chairs. She pulled her sewing basket closer so she could hide her learning stuff down in the material if Michael got up.
For a long time, she practiced writing her letters and silently pronouncing them.
Wood squeaking and feet padding across the floor snagged her attention. She shoved her things to the bottom of her sewing basket, picked up the nightgown she’d been making and commenced to sewing.
Michael stepped into the living room with his hair all rumpled, with nothing on his feet and wearing only a nightshirt that came just past his knees.
“You still up?”
“Nah. You’re just dreamin’.” She sent him a silly grin.
“It’s kind of late for you to still be up, isn’t it?”
She glanced over at the tall pendulum clock. A grandfather clock, Michael had called it. “I can’t believe it’s ten after midnight already.” Telling time was one thing she had learned to do. She laid her sewing in her basket and rose. “I’d best get to bed so I can get up in the mornin’.” She stopped in front of him. “How come you’re up? Can I get you somethin’?”
“No. I just got up to get a drink and then I’m going right back to bed.”
“Oh. All righty then.” Selina turned to leave, but his arm reached out and snagged hers.
“Selina, thank you for getting the kinks out earlier. I wouldn’t have been able to sleep at all if it hadn’t been for you.”
“You’re welcome.” Him saying that made her insides feel good.
Neither one moved.
His eyes roamed her face, stopping at her lips. She pulled in her bottom lip with her teeth.
The pup gave a short howl, yanking her attention away from Michael. She stepped past him and retrieved the pup from his pen. “I’d better take her outside for a spell.”
From across the dimly lit room, Michael was still staring at her. She pulled the pup closer to her chest and made her way to the door. “G’night, Michael.”
“Good night, Selina.” His voice sounded deeper, broken even.
When she stepped outside out of earshot of Michael, she whispered, I love you, Michael. And I’m praying that one day I’ll be deservin’ of you and that you’ll love me back.
Chapter Seven
Michael woke to banging on his door. He jumped up, pulled on his pants and headed to the front door, swinging it open. Dan, Tom Elder’s seventeen-year-old son, stood there looking skittish. His shirt was untucked in several places and his red hair stood straight up.
“Dan, what are you doing here? What’s all the ruckus about?”
“Ma’s having her baby,” Dan said between gasping breaths. “I went to Doc’s house first, but he wasn’t home. Ma told me to fetch your wife. Hurry. She said it won’t be long now.”
“I’ll get her. Come in.” Michael turned and almost bumped into Selina.
“Sadie havin’ that baby now?”
“Yes, ma’am. She asked me to come fetch you.”
“I’ll get dressed and be right there.”
“If you don’t mind, ma’am, I’ll wait. You can ride on the back of my horse.”
“No need.” Michael jumped in, not about to let his wife run all over the country in the dark with Dan, a boy who was known to get into mischief. “I’ll get a couple horses ready and have them here by the time Selina gets dressed.”
Selina laid her hand on his arm. “No need for you to do that, Michael. You need your rest. I’ll be fine. Just go back to bed and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“No.” He gently removed her hand. “I’m going with you.”
She shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
“I’ll help,” Dan said to Michael. The two of them ran to the barn and readied the horses.
Michael’s intent had been to go back and get her, but Selina met them halfway. They mounted the horses and raced into the night.
When they arrived at Tom’s place, Selina jumped down and ran to the house. Michael followed. Neither bothered to knock.
“Selina, am I glad to see you.” Sadie stood in the main room with one hand on her stomach and the other on her back.
Tom paced the floor and stopped when he saw them. He rushed to Selina. “Do something, please.”
