put-offish anyway isn’t he?”
“Actually, he’s been friendly, though I’ll have to agree he is a little odd.”
Sadie nodded her agreement as she glanced around the room. “Oh my …”
“Indeed,” Constance sighed. “But Ryde r told me just this morning he plans to build me a proper house. I believe when it’s done, he’ll feel more comfortable about starting a family.”
There was a sadness in her voice, and Sadie caught it. “I know it sounds bad, your husband waiting to build a house before you have children, but he’s trying to be practical. He wants to provide for you and your children properly, and you can’t fault him for that.”
“I know, it’s just that it makes me feel a though I’m not capable of taking care of a child in what’s afforded us now. A part of me feels like he doesn’t trust me.”
“I think he’s just afraid, that’s all. Men are like that when it comes to taking care of their families. They want the best for them, and if it means waiting a little longer to make sure that happens, then they’re willing to do it.”
“I’m being silly then.”
Sadie laughed. “No, you’re being a woman who married a man she’s only just met. Every mail order bride probably feels the uncertainty you’re feeling right now. I’m sure Penelope felt the same way to some extent. As you and your sisters are from England, all the more so.”
Constance held Honoria close and kissed the top of her head. “I do so want children, but if Ryder wants to wait until he’s sure he can afford to build us another house, then I guess I can wait too.”
Sadie smiled in answer, then put her hands on her hips and studied the room. “I can sew you some curtains if you like.”
“I would love it.”
“And a table cloth would be in order as well …” she began to walk around and look at everything. “Lace doilies, a proper clothesline outside, a new quilt for …” she stopped and stared at the cot. “… better make that a new bed.”
Co nstance laughed. “We’ll get along until the new house is built.”
“Yes, we can help you fix the place up and you’ll be nice and cozy until that time comes. And who knows? Maybe you and Ryder will be right behind Belle and Colin when it comes to starting a family.”
“Or Penelope and August.” Constance sat at the table. “I think it would be wonderful for all of us to be together during Christmas and birthdays, our babies growing up together…”
“And the annual Clear Creek picnic,” Sadie added.
“Picnic?”
“Yes, we started it several years ago, just before Colin and Belle got married, the summer of 58. Lot’s of things changed that year. The Mulligan’s lost their saloon, Belle met Colin, Mr. and Mrs. Dunnigan’s mercantile burned down, Duncan found out he was a duke and had to get married to procure the title. That was a fiasco.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“You have?”
“Yes, from Duncan himself.”
“Of course, you were in England with him before we ever met you. Anyway, it’s a lovely picnic involving the whole town. You’ll love it.”
“I can’t wait.”
They were both silent for a time, each gazing around the cabin, imagining what it could be, when Ryder burst through the door. “Hey there, Sugar! Look what I got!” He held up a handful of cash, reached her in two strides, and kissed her on the cheek. “Gotta put this somewhere safe.” He went to the cot, reached underneath and began to feel around. “Dagnabbit, I know I put … ah ha! Here it is!” He pulled out a worn leather pouch, stuffed the money inside, and tossed it back under the bed. “You be sure to keep an eye on that. There’s enough money there to buy you a new stove. Somethin’ a lot bigger than this ol thing.” He kicked their stove for emphasis, kissed her again, and ran out the door.
“My, is he always this exuberant?” asked Sadie.
“Yes, he is.”
“No wonder you’d like a bigger house. I can’t
“Actually, he’s been friendly, though I’ll have to agree he is a little odd.”
Sadie nodded her agreement as she glanced around the room. “Oh my …”
“Indeed,” Constance sighed. “But Ryde r told me just this morning he plans to build me a proper house. I believe when it’s done, he’ll feel more comfortable about starting a family.”
There was a sadness in her voice, and Sadie caught it. “I know it sounds bad, your husband waiting to build a house before you have children, but he’s trying to be practical. He wants to provide for you and your children properly, and you can’t fault him for that.”
“I know, it’s just that it makes me feel a though I’m not capable of taking care of a child in what’s afforded us now. A part of me feels like he doesn’t trust me.”
“I think he’s just afraid, that’s all. Men are like that when it comes to taking care of their families. They want the best for them, and if it means waiting a little longer to make sure that happens, then they’re willing to do it.”
“I’m being silly then.”
Sadie laughed. “No, you’re being a woman who married a man she’s only just met. Every mail order bride probably feels the uncertainty you’re feeling right now. I’m sure Penelope felt the same way to some extent. As you and your sisters are from England, all the more so.”
Constance held Honoria close and kissed the top of her head. “I do so want children, but if Ryder wants to wait until he’s sure he can afford to build us another house, then I guess I can wait too.”
Sadie smiled in answer, then put her hands on her hips and studied the room. “I can sew you some curtains if you like.”
“I would love it.”
“And a table cloth would be in order as well …” she began to walk around and look at everything. “Lace doilies, a proper clothesline outside, a new quilt for …” she stopped and stared at the cot. “… better make that a new bed.”
Co nstance laughed. “We’ll get along until the new house is built.”
“Yes, we can help you fix the place up and you’ll be nice and cozy until that time comes. And who knows? Maybe you and Ryder will be right behind Belle and Colin when it comes to starting a family.”
“Or Penelope and August.” Constance sat at the table. “I think it would be wonderful for all of us to be together during Christmas and birthdays, our babies growing up together…”
“And the annual Clear Creek picnic,” Sadie added.
“Picnic?”
“Yes, we started it several years ago, just before Colin and Belle got married, the summer of 58. Lot’s of things changed that year. The Mulligan’s lost their saloon, Belle met Colin, Mr. and Mrs. Dunnigan’s mercantile burned down, Duncan found out he was a duke and had to get married to procure the title. That was a fiasco.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“You have?”
“Yes, from Duncan himself.”
“Of course, you were in England with him before we ever met you. Anyway, it’s a lovely picnic involving the whole town. You’ll love it.”
“I can’t wait.”
They were both silent for a time, each gazing around the cabin, imagining what it could be, when Ryder burst through the door. “Hey there, Sugar! Look what I got!” He held up a handful of cash, reached her in two strides, and kissed her on the cheek. “Gotta put this somewhere safe.” He went to the cot, reached underneath and began to feel around. “Dagnabbit, I know I put … ah ha! Here it is!” He pulled out a worn leather pouch, stuffed the money inside, and tossed it back under the bed. “You be sure to keep an eye on that. There’s enough money there to buy you a new stove. Somethin’ a lot bigger than this ol thing.” He kicked their stove for emphasis, kissed her again, and ran out the door.
“My, is he always this exuberant?” asked Sadie.
“Yes, he is.”
“No wonder you’d like a bigger house. I can’t
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