Amanda placed her delicate hand in Teddy’s rough one, and he felt a swoosh of energy run through him as he bowed his head in prayer.
***
“Ellen, would you mind helping me with my dress?” Amanda asked as the dinner dishes were cleared away.
Teddy had left shortly after dessert had been served, and Amanda couldn’t’ stop thinking about him or the conversation they had shared. Theodore Lewis, though not wealthy, seemed a good man.
“I’d be glad to help,” Ellen smiled, leaning over to whisper in her husband’s ear and giving a hard look to her two children. “Joe can see that the children finish their schoolwork and their chores.”
Joseph Hampton grinned, offering his wife a wink. “I’ll see to it, my dear,” he said, leaning in and placing a kiss on her cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
Ellen blushed, but her face was passive as she watched her small family walk away. “Come on, then.”
Amanda was thankful for the help as Ellen unbuttoned each tiny pearl down her spine. “I had to button all but the top few and shimmy into it this morning,” she sighed as the dress came off. “I’m sorry to be such trouble.”
“You’re no trouble,” Ellen grinned. “You had a need, and I was able to help.”
Amanda turned, meeting Ellen’s eyes. “Ellen, what do you think of Mr. Lewis?”
“He’s a fine man,” Ellen said without hesitation. “I know Mayor Dan trusts him, and he’s a hard worker.”
“Do you think he would make a good husband?” Amanda’s face flamed, and she turned back to the bureau, pulling out her nightdress.
“Yes, I do.” Ellen’s straight forward answer caught Amanda by surprise. “But Olive and Peri think I need a man with a comfortable home and means to provide for me.”
“Is that what you think?”
“I don’t know,” Amanda slipped the nightdress over her head and then reached behind her to undo her corset. “I think I like him, though.”
Ellen grinned. “I can’t say I felt the same the first time I met Joe,” she laughed.
“Really?” Amanda’s eyes grew wide,
“No. Here stand up and let me help you with that.” The other woman indicated the undergarment. “The first time I met Joe, there was just something about him that rubbed me the wrong way.”
“What?”
“I don’t know. The man bothered me. He was persistent, though, and soon I came to love the man I learned to know.”
Amanda grinned, wondering if she could learn to love Theodore Lewis. “He is a good man, isn’t he?”
“Yes,” Ellen answered without hesitation. Joe was a wonderful husband and father.
“Ellen?” Amanda stepped out of the corset, letting her soft linen nightgown slip over her slight form. “If I were to marry Mr. Lewis, do you think I could come to love him?”
“I don’t see why not,” Ellen grinned. “It seems to me that love is not only a feeling but a decision. Each day we wake up, we have to decide to love that person we chose, or who chose us. Not every day is sunshine and roses, but if you choose to love each day, you’ll muddle through.”
“Is that how it is for you?” Amanda looked at her new friend with concern.
“Some days.” Ellen met Amanda’s eyes. “Some days, you don’t feel like loving, or even very lovable, but that doesn’t change the fact that you made a commitment and need to make it last. Today, Joe knew I wanted to help you, so he took the children. Another day he might want to go fishing with his brothers, and I’ll see to things at home. There’s a give and take to the rhythm of life.”
“But, you’re happy?”
“Oh, yes, I’m happy. I have moments when I’m not happy. I left my home and family to come here with Joe, but this is my place, and I know he loves me. Joe looks out for me, provides, and helps. I do the same for him. Sometimes he has to help me more and sometimes I have to help him. That builds strength and devotion.”
“It doesn’t sound very romantic.”
“Sometimes it isn’t,” Ellen admitted. “Other times,” she blushed brightly and grinned. “Other times it’s romantic in a way that sweeps you off of your feet. Usually when you least expect it.”
Amanda grinned, trying to imagine what it would be like to have a man romance her. “Mr. Lewis did bring pretty flowers,” she said, walking to the old crock that held the colorful offering on her nightstand. “That was rather thoughtful.”
“I think, given half the chance, Teddy would be just that. Thoughtful.” Ellen squeezed Amanda’s arm. “Take your time and pray about it all,” she said. “God will direct you in the path that you should go.”
“Thank you,” Amanda grabbed Ellen, hugging the other woman on impulse. “I can’t tell you how helpful you’ve been. I’ll take my time and think on all of this until the next time Mr. Lewis calls.”
Ellen hugged the girl back. She seemed so small, frail, and unprepared for a place like Needful, but she had come here with her own needs, and Ellen wouldn’t pry.
“We’ll keep you in our prayers as well,” Ellen smiled. “You’re here now, and we’ll believe this is just where God wants you.”
Amanda blinked at Ellen for several seconds. She hadn’t thought about God’s will in this matter. When she had answered the ad and booked her passage, she had only one thought in mind, escape.
“I hope you’re right,” she spoke, her words soft as Ellen slipped through the door.
Amanda sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the flowers on the stand. They were simple, unlike the flowers she had seen almost daily in her mother’s home, but they seemed more precious than all the hothouse roses money could buy.
Chapter 6
Teddy pulled the old harmonica from his breast pocket and blew through it, settling back in the saddle as Pepper made his way home. As his lips once more became familiar with the instrument, a soft
