What was she to do? Her eyes slid shut. I must keep my wits about me and not allow myself to fall for him like a dang fool, that’s what I should do. Don’t stare at him thinking how handsome he is. Don’t take his attention and gentle affection seriously. Remember it’s all an act. This marriage is temporary. Do you hear that, heart? Temporary! Keep that pot off the fire so you don’t get scorched!
“Mary? Are you all right?” Pauline whispered, having leaned over to ask her question privately, one hand resting lightly on Mary’s arm.
Mary’s eyes flew open and she blinked rapidly, before gulping down air as she reined in her careening emotions. In her peripheral vision, she saw Dwight lay down his cup and lean a bit toward her as if also concerned. Lord, help me! Don’t let me fall apart and make a spectacle of myself, here at the table…in front of him…
Taking in a deep, shuddering breath, she sliced her friend a look, and then managed a nod and mumbled, “Yes. I’m fine. Just…just a bit of indigestion,” she offered, thinking it wasn’t too far from the truth. The soup she’d managed to get down seemed to be trying to decide if it was going to remain where it was or not.
Suddenly, she realized that every eye at the table was trained on her. Looking directly across at her new sister-in-law, Livvy, Mary noticed the girl was looking back and forth between herself and Dwight, grinning at her knowingly…as if she’d just read her mind. Oh no, I didn’t mean to…
“Mary, is everything all right?” Doc asked from his place at the other end. Mary looked past Pauline and managed a small smile and nod for the dear man. As his eyes held hers, she had the distinct impression he had a good idea what she’d been contemplating. That thought made her cheeks heat up. Never one to enjoy being the center of attention, she squirmed uncomfortably and wished someone would start up a conversation.
Then Pearl, her mother-in-law, stood and, skirts swishing, came around the table to her side. As she bent close, her head obscured Mary’s line of sight with the man at the end, thankfully.
“Honey, do you want me to take you upstairs to maybe lie down for a few minutes? Sometimes that’s all it takes to get one’s equilibrium back.” Before Mary could formulate an answer, Pearl had put an arm around her back and was solicitously encouraging her to rise. Other than causing a scene by insisting not to go, there wasn’t much else Mary could do but comply. As the thought occurred, it did seem like a good idea. Get alone and get herself composed.
She allowed Pearl to help her up, and the older woman’s arm felt natural around her, supporting her, as she guided her out the doorway of the dining room, saying over her shoulder, “She’s all right, just a bit weary. I’ll just get her upstairs and I’ll be right back down.”
Acutely embarrassed, Mary didn’t dare look toward her new husband.
Once in Mary’s room, Pearl turned back the quilt on the bed and encouraged her to lie down, even going so far as to help her remove her shoes. Mary felt like the biggest hypocrite…but even as that thought cycled through her mind, she realized she did feel fatigued and her eyes felt heavy. It had been a tension-filled day.
She lay back on her pillow and Pearl covered her with the light quilt, then actually perched on the edge of the bed. Reaching to smooth strands of Mary’s hair from her forehead, she smiled down at her kindly, much like Mary used to imagine her mother would have done…had she lived.
Not for the first time, Mary thought Pearl a lovely woman, still retaining a good portion of her beauty into her late forties. Her rich, brown hair, the same warm shade as Pauline and Dwight’s, was only just starting to show a tiny smattering of gray. Her face, for the most part, remained unlined.
Mary returned the warm smile, feeling a sudden rush of affection for her new mother-in-law, and thinking how lucky Dwight, Pauline, Livvy and the twins were to have her.
“How far along are you, honey?” Pearl asked sympathetically.
The question normally would have made Mary feel deeply ashamed, but somehow, the understanding compassion tenderly glowing in the woman’s caring blue eyes negated any embarrassment.
“Almost three months,” Mary whispered, unconsciously not wanting anyone who could be nearby to overhear.
The older woman nodded wisely. “I was always so very tired, all the time, during the first several months of each of my pregnancies. Seemed I couldn’t get enough rest! But, that’s normal, dear. Your body is concentrating all of its efforts on allowing your baby to get a good start. And, remember you’re eating for two now. I noticed you didn’t eat much of Wanda Mae’s delicious soup…” she added gently.
Mary felt no reproof from the woman’s words. She knew Pearl merely wanted to help and the knowledge did funny things to her emotions. Was this what it felt like to benefit from a mother’s love and wisdom?
She opened her mouth to try and formulate an answer. “I…I was nervous, I guess. I usually have a good appetite—well, except in the mornings…”
Pearl inclined her head understandingly and gave a nod. “The dreaded morning sickness?” she asked, eyebrows raised.
Mary couldn’t stop herself from rolling her eyes. “Yes. I hate it. Every darn morning. Will…will it ever stop?”
Pearl pressed her lips together and thought for a moment. “You should be coming to the end of that. I had terrible morning sickness the first three months with each of my babies—and with Dwight the worst!” Pearl chuckled. “And heartburn? Oh, my
