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They rode through the Bowen’s ranch yard to the barn. After taking care of her horse, Selina turned to Michael. “You want me to bring you some lunch out here or you wanna come home and eat?”
“It would be great if you brought it here today. I have lots to do.”
“I can do that. I’ll be back quicker than it takes to cook frog legs.”
“Frog legs? You eat frog legs?” Michael’s eyes were wider than a purple ironweed bloom.
She wondered if they had any ironweed around here. Sure helped a lot of stomach ailments and the pain after birthing a baby. “Sure do. They’re mighty tasty. Ain’t you had any before?”
Michael’s hand shot up. “No. And I don’t ever plan on it, either. So don’t get any ideas about ever fixing me any, okay? Promise.”
Selina giggled.
“I don’t like the sound of that laugh.”
He really looked worried now. She giggled harder.
“Se-li-na. You said once you promised you wouldn’t go back on your word, so I’m pleading with you to promise me you won’t ever fix me frog legs.” He scrunched his handsome face as if that was the worst thing that could happen to him.
Selina burst out laughing while Michael continued to look like a coon caught in a live trap.
“I need to get busy. When you’re done laughing, would you bring me something to eat, please? And no frog legs, either.” He whirled, mumbling something about eating at his mother’s house from now on.
She chuckled all the way to the house.
While she threw together two roast beef sandwiches, she imagined what Michael’s face would look like if she really did serve him a helping of frog legs. For pure orneriness, she’d do it just to see. Nah. That would be too cruel.
She wondered if he liked crawdad tails. Were there even any around here? She’d have to find out and fix him a plate of those. After all, he didn’t say anything about crawdad tails.
Chapter Nine
Selina stood on Rainee’s porch and knocked on the door.
Footsteps drew nearer and it swung open. Selina blinked. A woman with red hair answered the door.
“Is Rainee home?”
“Yes, ma’am, she is. Won’t you please come in?”
Selina stepped inside and looked around.
“Excuse me. I’ll be right back.” The tall woman who looked to be in her early twenties disappeared through the back door.
The woman must be the maid Haydon had hired to help Rainee. She didn’t need a maid. Selina would be glad to help her.
Voices drifted from the direction the woman had gone.
Within minutes Rainee appeared, hair all sweaty, her calico sleeves rolled up and the front of her white apron soaked. “Hi, Selina.” Rainee waddled up to her and gave her a hug but was careful not to get too close. “Forgive my appearance. I have been helping Esther with the laundry.” Rainee pressed her finger to her lips. “Shhh. Must not tell Haydon, okay?” She giggled.
“Should you be a doin’ that in your condition?”
Rainee waved her off. “I feel fine. Truth is, I feel better when I am working than when I am not. Sometimes it is most vexing having a husband who will not allow me to do these things myself. But—” she sighed “—he loves me and is worried about me.”
“You’re mighty lucky.”
Rainee frowned, then turned toward Esther. “Esther, would you please fix us some tea and bring a few of the cookies we baked this morning?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And, Esther. There are only a few pieces of laundry left. Would you mind finishing them? And while you are outside hanging them, would you please keep an eye on the children? When you finish, please send the girls in and then you may go home, and I will pay you for the whole day.” Rainee smiled.
The pretty woman’s big green eyes lit up. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“You are most welcome. And thank you, Esther, for all your hard work.”
Esther’s face glowed. She turned and headed into the kitchen.
Rainee motioned for them to head into the living room. As they sat across from each other, Rainee lowered her voice. “Is something wrong between you and Michael?”
Selina didn’t know what to say. She didn’t want to disgrace her husband, but it sure would be nice to have someone to talk to about it. Then Michael’s words from earlier came to mind. “Michael told me when you got here Haydon didn’t want you. Do you mind iffen I ask why?”
Esther brought their drinks and cookies. It felt strange being waited on.
As Esther left, they both took a drink of their tea. Rainee set her small plate with the cup on it on her lap so Selina did the same.
