Cindy Lou peeked around the corner and asked, “Do you need any help?”
“Yes,” the babies are hungry, and Rosie and Ivy need to get back to their lessons. Could you take one of the babies?”
“Of course, they are so sweet,” Cindy Lou gushed. “Makes me want one of my own.”
“That could happen if the sparks I see flying between you and Peter Bunyan continue unless Miss Ethel shoots him for getting sawdust on your clothes and in your hair again.”
Cindy Lou blushed, “He works hard all day, and that sawdust is impossible to get off, and it ends up on me. I can’t help it. You don’t suppose Miss Ethel will really shoot him, do you?”
Katie did her best to assure Cindy Lou that Miss Ethel wouldn’t actually shoot anyone. At least, she didn’t think she would. Cindy Lou’s crinkled brow brought a smile to Katie’s face. “Try not to worry about it and tell Peter to shake off more of that sawdust before he calls on you again. It might help.”
Cindy Lou nodded and followed Katie to the kitchen carrying one of the sweet bundles of joy in her arms.
~ * ~
Humming while she strolled toward home, Miss Edie couldn’t help but stifle a giggle when she remembered the look on Widow Wallace’s face when she handed her two letters addressed to the Grooms’ Gazette. The widow’s eyebrows rose, but she knew better than to question Miss Edie. After Miss Edie paid the postage, the two women discussed the weather, the town’s rebuilding, and the tiny twins newly arrived at Howard House. She was also pleased that Michael listened to her without interrupting. He had a lot to learn about women and babies, and she was just the person who could educate him.
Ella Grace could see Miss Edie heading toward Adam’s Street as she quickly walked to the side door of the Inn and slipped inside. Mrs. Donlinson heard Ella Grace’s voice wishing her good morning before she saw her.
“Goodness, I didn’t expect to see you here today. Michael told us not to expect you often since you needed to stay home and rest. I was going to stop by and see if you and the baby were doing all right. You look beautiful. Would you like some fresh cherry cobbler?” Mrs. Donlinson spoke without taking a breath.
Shaking her head, Ella Grace said, “The baby and I are fine. Michael thinks I might break if I do more than sit and knit. The cobbler smells wonderful, but I already had a large slice of pie and six cookies this morning. I’m here to see Michael.”
Mrs. Donlinson’s eyebrows rose. “He may not be in the best of moods. Miss Edie stopped to talk to him, and he’s been scowling since she left.”
“I understand. I know why Miss Edie was here and what she told Michael, but I have something else to speak to him about, and I’m not sure it will make him any happier,” Ella Grace answered walking toward the door that led to the lobby. She stopped and looked over her shoulder, “I’ll come back to take a piece of the cobbler home if that’s okay. I may need it after I talk to Michael.”
Ella Grace could see Michael’s scowl as she walked toward the front desk. “Good morning, darling, why do you look so unhappy?”
She heard him release a huge sigh before he smiled at her. “Good morning, dear. I just had an enlightening conversation with Miss Edie.”
“I know, and I need to speak to you about something else. Can we go to your office?” Ella Grace said and bit her lip wondering how she would explain about the letters for Miss Edie and Miss Ethel.
“Yes, let me get Mr. Donlinson to watch the desk. Go ahead and sit down and rest. I’ll be there soon.”
Ella Grace blew out a breath. He still wanted her to sit whenever possible. Maybe Miss Edie’s talk didn’t help. She ran over all the reasons she could give him for helping her guardians as she walked to his office and took a seat on one of the large chairs. By the time he walked into the office, Ella Grace had convinced herself that she should have stayed home.
Michael closed the door and walked over to his wife. He kissed her and sat in the chair next to her.
“We should talk about what Miss Edie said to me. I’m not sure I agree with her,” Michael said.
“I need to tell you something first,” Ella Grace blurted out then told him about the letters to the Grooms’ Gazette for both of her guardians, how she was sworn to secrecy, and all the smaller details. She took a deep breath and leaned back in the chair happy she shared the information and waited for Michael’s eruption.
Instead of anger, he laughed. “I suppose I can do my part by receiving letters here for Miss Ethel or is it Miss Edie? Doesn’t matter. If they are busy getting a husband for each other maybe they will leave me alone. I’m not sure I can take another one of Miss Edie’s lectures, and Miss Ethel might try to emphasize the facts with her rifle.”
“They aren’t that bad. They love me and want what’s best for me,” Ella Grace insisted.
“I care for you, too and want what’s best for you,” Michael countered.
“I know, and I love you for it.”
Michael added, “We could meet on middle ground. I will keep your
