Sitting on the edge of her bed, she waited for the morning ritual to begin.
Charity could hear Ben and Annie whispering outside her door. She bit back a laugh because she knew they were discussing ways to try and wake her up.
The soft knock came along with Ben’s voice asking, “Mama, are you awake?”
Charity remained silent.
The next knock was lower and softer. Annie asked, “Mama, you awake?”
Silence.
Ben tried again, pounding his small fist on the door and calling out, “Mama, can you hear us. Are you awake?”
Giggling, Charity lay back down and covered herself with her quilt, knowing what would come next.
She heard the doorknob turn, door open, and two pairs of small feet creep across her floor. They stopped at the edge of her bed and whispered about what to do. They made the same decision they did every morning. They slowly climbed onto Charity’s bed.
Charity did her best to remain quiet and still while the children sat and looked at her until Ben finally asked again, “Mama, are you awake?”
Charity’s eyes popped open, and she quickly reached out and pulled the children to her saying, “No, I’m still asleep.”
The three lay there giggling and talking until Ben said, “Mama, it’s cold this morning. You know that I’m five now and old enough to start the fire in the fireplace and even in the stove for breakfast.”
Annie nodded her head and added, “And I can mix eggs for you, Mama.”
Charity smiled at her children as they warmed her heart, wanting to help her as much as they were able.
“I think maybe next winter after you’ve started school that we’ll have you start the morning fire, Ben. You’ll be six then and a big boy,” Charity suggested.
“But,” Ben argued. “Uncle Joseph says I’m the man in the family and should do more to help you.”
“I’m sure he did,” Charity answered. “That sounds like your uncle, but you’re doing a lot to help me. I just think we’ll wait a little while before you start the fires, all right.”
“All right, Mama,” Ben agreed. “Can you get up now and make breakfast? Annie can mix eggs, but she can’t cook them if I can’t light the fire in the stove.”
Ben stared straight into his mother’s eyes, and Charity knew this was a serious question. “Yes, I’ll get up right now, and you both can help.”
Annie and Ben jumped off the bed before Charity could get out of bed and pull on her robe to begin her day. She stopped for a moment and wondered how life would change if she allowed herself to get closer to Jason. Would the children still feel free to wake her in the mornings if she shared Jason’s bed? Shaking her head and deciding it was too early to think about that and hurried to start the fire in the fireplace where she knew Ben would watch her every move.
The children chattered all through breakfast about how big they were and what they could do to help Charity. When Charity suggested they could start by keeping their rooms clean and making their beds each morning, both children scowled.
Ben insisted he could chop firewood if Charity allowed him to touch the ax, and Annie wanted to bake a cake on her own.
Charity let her mind wander to what life would be like if she could stay home with the children and bake a cake instead of working in the café. Joseph told her she didn’t need to work that he would give her whatever funds she needed, but she didn’t feel that was the way she wanted to live. Besides, she still had enough money left from the sale of the ranch after Charles died. The funds Charles had put away for the children’s’ futures from the inheritance he received from his grandfather would ensure they had a good start as adults. But she needed to feel as if she was useful, and helping in the family business brought her peace and self-respect.
If she allowed Jason to see her regularly, could it lead to something more? Would the mayor have time to teach her son to chop wood when he was old enough? Would she be able to remain at home and bake, or would Jason expect her to allow a maid or cook to do all the work? Their lives were different but oh, he did make her heart flutter.
Annie drew her from her musings when she asked, “Mama, can we bake a cake today?”
“No, sweetheart, I have to work at the café today.”
Annie pouted, and Ben said, “You always work, Mama. Uncle Joseph said you should stay home with us. Why don’t you?”
Charity felt her anger build, and she did her best not to let her children see it. Her brother stepped over the line by telling her children she should stay home. She’d deal with him later, but first, she smiled at Ben and said, “Everyone has a job to do, and mine is working at the café. You and Annie can do yours by making your beds now before we leave for Miss Barber’s.”
“Yes, Mama,” Ben mumbled and headed for his room with Annie following.
Charity shook her head. She had too much to think about, and Jason would come into the café for lunch, expecting an answer to his question.
Chapter 3
Charity arrived at the café mid-morning for her shift. As she removed her coat, she noticed Joseph was sweeping the floors and wiping tables in the dining room, which meant, at least for a few more minutes, he wouldn’t question her about leaving early yesterday.
Charity wasn’t exactly sure how she would explain what she was feeling or whether he would understand. As she turned toward the
