Her shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry about Timmy. I didn’t know what else to do.” She wiped away a tear that trickled from her eye.
“You did the best thing you knew how to do. I have to accept that.”
Ruby sighed. How different she’d always dreamed her wedding day would be.
“I’ll let you get settled in. Why don’t you rest while Timmy takes a nap?” Seth was standing by the door that led out onto the porch.
Ruby nodded and watched as the handsome man stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him.
Ruby carried Timmy to the crib and lay him down on the soft blanket Seth had placed inside. His eyes shut immediately as if he’d been waiting for this very moment of full relaxation. Ruby leaned over and pressed a kiss on his forehead. “Sleep, precious one,” she whispered and stayed watching him for a few minutes.
He was an angelic boy and Ruby could only hope and pray his new father would cherish him as she did.
After a few minutes, Ruby straightened then moved to the bed. She pulled the quilt back and lay down. She took a deep, calming breath and closed her eyes.
Chapter Eight
Seth stirred a bowl of stew, his mind drifting. He was married now and had no idea what to do. It wasn’t like when he got married the first time; not for love. What had that love gotten him? Heartbreak. He set some bowls on the wooden table. The house wasn’t much for any woman, but it was all he could afford. Obviously his first wife hadn’t thought it was good enough.
Seth sat down and placed his fingers on his temple, allowing them to draw small circles on his head.
What have I done? A woman I don’t know as a wife, a child who doesn’t even belong to her as a son? Seth shook his head back and forth.
A few moments later, the door opened and Ruby stepped into the room.
Seth gave her a questioning look. “The boy?”
“Timmy’s asleep. He’ll probably stay asleep another hour. The journey here was exhausting for him and he didn’t get to sleep in a real bed for several days.”
Seth stood up. “I’ve got some stew warming. I’m not a great cook, but it’s filling.”
“Thank you, I am hungry.” Ruth glided into the room. Her calico dress allowed her to move easily. Thank you for bringing our things in. I’m not sure what I’ll do with the dresses…” Her voice faded at his frown.
“Sit here.” Seth pulled out the chair and Ruby sat.
Seth returned to the small black stove and scooped some stew into the two bowls. He placed one in front of her then sat down with his bowl in front of himself.
He looked at her, slightly hesitant. “Shall we pray?”
He thought he noticed a light in her eyes as she nodded.
They both bowed their heads.
“Lord, we thank You for this food. May our lives reflect Your love and may we serve You always. Amen.”
Seth was afraid to look at her. He wondered what she thought of his prayer, having been raised around a mother who was a saloon dancer. Maybe he should have just blessed the food and forgotten the rest of the prayer, but this was his home and, in his home, he was going to serve the Lord.
Seth began to eat, then lifted his eyes. She was smiling.
“Thank you, for that prayer, Seth. I learned about Jesus in school, and of course have been taught to bless my food, but I’ve never had the opportunity to sit with someone I know and actually hear a blessing. That means so much to me to know you talk to God.”
Ruby picked up her spoon and began to eat. She did it in a dainty fashion, which made Seth feel as if his big work hands were clumsy. He was pleased with her reaction to his prayer. Maybe, if they both had the same faith, this marriage could work.
He’d wanted a wife of high morals to help clean up the town. Having Ruby arrive looking like a saloon girl wasn’t going to do any good for her reputation. But, if she were as sweet and kind at church as she seemed to be, the town folk would soon forget about today. Within a month or so, she’d be a cherished member of the community and he could run for mayor.
Seth frowned into the soup bowl. Was that right? To have asked a woman to marry him just so he could clean up a town? Would God approve of his well-meaning plan?
After a few more bites, Seth slammed down his spoon.
Ruby flinched back; her eyes open wide.
“This just isn’t right.” Seth bellowed.
Ruby tilted her head. “The stew? I think it’s very good.”
Seth ran a hand through his hair. “No, not the stew. This, us. I should never have sent for a wife.”
Ruby lowered her spoon. “Do you want us to leave?” Her voice trembled.
“No! Yes… no.” Seth sputtered. “It just that I didn’t want a real wife. At least not in the sense of love. I was so concerned with the town, wanting to clean it up and knowing the only way I could do that was to become mayor. And, the only way I can become mayor is to have a wife.”
Ruby sat back. Her face was expressionless.
“I didn’t expect you to love me. I needed a safe place to get away from my mother and the life she wanted for me. Your letter was clear that you wanted a wife to help you clean up your town, I assumed it was something like what you are telling me. I may not have been aware
