Chapter Four
It was dark as Amy and Tim made their way to the ranch. The house was still with all the children in bed. Amy’s heart fluttered, her hand finding Tim’s in the dark. They shared a look, one brimming with promises and secret smiles.
“Seems the little ones are all dreaming,” Tim whispered, his voice low and warm against her ear.
Amy nodded, her cheeks flushed with anticipation. In the quiet privacy of his bedroom, they came together with urgency. Tim’s hands were gentle, his touch reverent, as if he understood the significance of the moment. For Amy, it was a whirlwind of sensation, a connection that rooted deep within her soul. She clung to Tim as if he were her anchor in the storm of emotions that swept through her.
And when it was over, when the tremors of new intimacy had subsided, there lay a serene excitement for what the next day would bring. Amy couldn’t wait to meet his children.
AMY WOKE BEFORE ANYONEelse and after dressing in the dark, she went to the kitchen to start breakfast. She hoped to meet his children that morning, and she wanted the first meal she cooked for the family to be perfect. Beatrice sat at the table, her expression sour as Amy hummed a tune and moved around with ease.
“You must be Beatrice,” Amy said, casting a warm smile toward the girl. “How about we bake some cookies later? It’s something I’ve always loved doing.”
“Cookies?” Beatrice mumbled, eyeing the flour-dusted counter with skepticism.
“Yep! We could make a whole batch, just for us and your sisters.” Amy’s eyes sparkled with thought. “I think it would be a fun way for us to get to know each other.”
“Fun...” Beatrice repeated, her voice trailing off. Finally, she shrugged. “I guess I like cookies.”
Amy laughed. “Of course you like cookies!”
Tim’s son walked into the room then, and Amy searched her mind for his name.George. He’d said the boy was George.“Good morning, George. I hope you’re hungry!” Amy flipped some pancakes onto a plate, added bacon, and told him to sit, putting the plate on the table in front of him. Amy paused. “I didn’t think to ask. Do you usually have breakfast in the kitchen or the dining room?”
George quickly swallowed a bite of bacon so he could respond. “Kitchen.”
“Oh, good. I guessed right!”
Two small heads popped around the corner, staring at her. “I’m your new stepmother, Amy.”
Priscilla stared at Amy for a moment. “Are you evil like Cinderella’s stepmother?”
Amy laughed. “I am not. I’m happy to have the four of you in my life. I always wanted at least a dozen children.”
Beatrice frowned, pushing the plate away. “You’re not our mother.”
Amy nodded. “No, I’m not. But I will try my best to treat you like you are my children.”
“Try all you want, but Ma will always be our mother!” Beatrice said, running from the room.
Amy stared after her for a moment. She thought about going after her, but that didn’t seem like it would be helpful. Instead, she put pancakes and bacon on plates for Ruby and Priscilla.
“Have you seen your pa this morning?” Amy asked.
George shook his head. “He gets the milking done before he eats breakfast.” He stuck another piece of bacon into his mouth. “Probably getting the eggs too.”
“Perfect, then I can bake a cake and make cookies today. I thought we’d have to choose one or the other.”
“Cake?” Ruby asked. “You’re going to bake a cake?”
“I sure am. And I’ll make some frosting for it. We’ll call it a celebration.” Amy could see there was a lot of work to be done around the house that didn’t involve baking, but that was fine with her. She felt useful and needed, and it was good to feel that way. “If you have dirty clothes or something that needs to be mended, please bring it into the kitchen for me. I’ll need to tackle laundry when I finish with the breakfast dishes.”
Priscilla smiled. “Can I help with the dishes? Ma always told me I wasn’t quite old enough.”
Amy smiled, nodding. “I’d love to have you as my dish apprentice.”
Ruby frowned. “I could help too.”
“Yes, of course. We’ll all do it together. Many hands make for light work!”
