Susie drank part of her milk and set down her glass. “Mama, you don’t pray for Papa now. Don’t you miss him?”
Startled to have her loyalty questioned, she looked at her daughter. “Of course I do, but he’s gone to heaven and no longer needs our prayers. I expect he’s watching over us and praying for us.”
Susie started to say something but closed her mouth and stared at her plate.
Charlotte looked at her daughter. “What is it, Susie. Is something bothering you?”
“Well… did you love Papa?”
Heavens, she’d walked into that one. “That’s a complicated question, dear. Of course I loved him. If you mean was I in love with him, then I have to be honest and say no. Your father and I were fond of one another and respected each other. He sent for me because he needed a wife after your mother died. I became a mail-order bride because I needed a home.”
Susie met her gaze. “Were the two of you happy?”
“I was happy with him and he said he was happy with me. In time we might have fallen in love.”
She shouldn’t have said that. While she’d respected her husband he was not the sort of man she’d dreamed of meeting. She had no idea what he’d expected or wanted in a wife. As far as she could discern, the ranch consumed his thoughts.
Jimmy didn’t let a mouthful of food stop him. “I’m glad you came, Mama. I’m glad you’re not sending us to the orphanage, either.”
She was so tired she didn’t even tell him not to talk with his mouth full. After they’d eaten, she cleaned up the kitchen while the children got ready for bed. Once she’d tucked the young ones into bed, she turned in. She sure hoped every day wasn’t going to be like this one.
***
The next morning Charlotte was certain she could have slept another twenty-four hours. She was out of bed only a little past the normal time and today donned a dress. She was preparing coffee when Davie came into the kitchen.
“Do I have time to milk before breakfast?”
“Yes, I won’t start the eggs frying until you come in. Susie’s still sound asleep. Is Jimmy?” Cautious not to violate Davie’s privacy in case he was dressing, she hadn’t looked into the boys’ room.
He nodded. “Sleeping like a rock. For once he didn’t flop around half the night.” He crammed his hat on his head and grabbed the milk pails.
She wished they had two beds instead of one for the boys. What a silly thought to wish for more when she was trying hard to hold on to what they had. Once she had meat frying, Jimmy came into the kitchen, carrying his boots.
She smiled at the boy. “I thought the smell of bacon frying would wake you. Would you tiptoe and see if Susie’s awake? If she’s still asleep, let her rest a few more minutes while your brother milks the cows.”
He crept toward his sister’s room but raced back. “She’s getting dressed. Can I go help milk?” Sitting on the floor, he tugged on his boots.
“Don’t pester Davie. Remember, we can’t eat until he’s finished.”
A few minutes later, Jimmy burst in when Davie returned with the filled pails of milk. Davie poured the milk into the jars they used to store liquid in the cool space to chill. What they called the cool space was formed by diverting water from a spring through a pipe. The cold water flowed through the concrete walled space before being piped into a creek. Davie brought out butter and the last of yesterday’s cooled milk.
Meanwhile Susie set the table and set out a jar of grape jam she’d helped Charlotte make last summer. She added a can of the syrup Jimmy liked on his biscuits.
After the blessing, Davie asked, “Can us kids go ride for fun today?”
“Can we, Mama?” Jimmy bounced on his chair.
“You may when your chores are finished. Take Buster and Billy and remember not to go too far from home.” They needed to play after such hard work yesterday.
Looking glum, Susie shook her head. “I don’t want to go riding again today.”
Charlotte smiled at her daughter. “Would you like to make clothes for your doll?”
Susie’s doldrums disappeared. “Can we?”
“We’ll have to clean up from breakfast, spread up the beds, and weed a little on the garden. Then we can.”
Once again, Charlotte wondered how pioneers had settled this area when they had to battle Comanche and Kiowa, clear farms, and build their homes and barns. They’d had to do without a lot of necessities because there were no stores with other than the most basic items. Thank goodness she lived in a more modern time.
Later in the morning, she was helping Susie learn to sew by making doll clothes when she heard someone ride in. The dogs had gone with the boys and there was no barking so they hadn’t returned. She took the pistol from the cupboard and slipped it inside her pocket.
“Susie, stay here. If there’s trouble, hide under your bed.”
Charlotte opened the door and saw Elwood Winfield dismounting. Wishing she had one of the dogs here, she stepped onto the porch and pulled the door closed behind her.
He smiled broadly but it reminded her of a drawing of a wolf she’d seen in a book. “Good day, Mrs. Dunn. I stopped by to see how things are going.”
“They’re going well, thank you for asking.”
He coughed into his hand. “Do you suppose I could get a glass of water? I had a dusty ride.”
She opened the door a crack. “Susie, would you bring Mr. Winfield a glass of water?” She didn’t want him inside her home.
“I noticed you and the children out moving cattle yesterday. I’m
