Battered Soul: Mail Order Brides of Spring Water Book Three, page 6
Parker nodded. “Makes sense, and she’s suffered for it. No one else needs to know. I want her to feel welcome since she’ll be part of the family. I must order the wood for your house.”
Sandler walked by at the last. “A house? I must have heard wrong. Hey Max! Willis is getting married. His carefree days will soon be over!” He slapped Willis on the back. “Congratulations, old man.”
Max hurried out of the barn. “Well, it’s about time! Just don’t let her near the other three in there. What they have seems to be contagious.” He smiled mysteriously.
* * *
“All three of you?” Iris asked. “Oh my, that’s wonderfully strange and congratulations to you all. Now I see why Parker wants you all to take it easy. How about I go make tea for you? I’m sure there’s plenty to be done. I’d best start making booties tonight.”
“Thank you, Iris,” Georgie said. “I want you to feel welcome here.”
“I do. Thank you.” Iris shook her head as she walked into the kitchen. She shouldn’t have been surprised to see Sondra eavesdropping. “Hello, Sondra.”
“So… you got what you wanted,” Sondra said in a bitter voice.
Iris put the water on to a boil. “What would that be?”
“You’re the center of attention. And you are so selfish leaving me with all the work.”
Iris crossed her arms in front of her. “All the work? Oh, did you have to do something? From now on I’m taking credit for my work. Things such as my cooking. I’ve met no one like you before. Why lie? Why try to make yourself look better? You’ll end up the fool when the truth comes out.” She finished brewing the tea and purposefully added only three cups to the tray.
She carried it into the main room and set out the cups then gave the teapot to Georgie to pour. “Enjoy ladies.” She left before they could say thank you. It would have been awkward if Sondra had tea with them. They hadn’t invited Sondra or her either, which was how it should be. They worked for Georgie.
Upon Iris’ return to the kitchen, Sondra pushed her against the wall. “You ever do that again and you’ll regret it. I have tea with the ladies, and you only put three cups on the tray.”
Iris narrowed her eyes. “I didn’t hear them ask where you were.”
“Do you think Willis wants a woman with a scarred face? You mind your own business or you might find yourself on the wrong end of a knife.” Sondra squeezed Iris’ arms so hard that Iris knew she’d left bruises.
“Where’s that man who follows you around? I haven’t seen him.”
Sondra stiffened. “Not that’s any of your business, but Walter went back to Alabama.”
“Why? Does he have family there?”
“Like I said, it’s not your business, but he has obligations he could no longer put off.” Sondra walked outside with her back stiffened.
Obligations could mean anything. Iris hoped he came back soon, or she’d feel the brunt Sondra’s unhappiness. She probably could be much worse than she’d been. Sighing, Iris rolled up her sleeves and cleaned the kitchen. Sondra seemed to do only the bare minimum when she cleaned.
She scuffed her feet on the floor. That would need a good scrubbing too; it was caked with a layer of grime with a bit of tracked-in mud near the door.
As she worked, her thoughts drifted to her missing belongings. What was she going to do about her lack of clothes? A sigh slipped past her lips. Her mother’s shawl had been in with her things, and she considered that her greatest loss.
Iris finished the dishes and grabbed a bucket and scrub brush. After she filled the bucket with warm water from the water reserve, she added lye soap flakes. Next she kneeled down with the brush and bucket and began a vigorous cleaning of the wooden floors.
As long as she was above ground, she didn’t care what work she had to do. She had so many reasons to be grateful. She prayed as she scrubbed, and she even added Sondra to her prayers. The combination of honest work and talking with the Lord filled her with a sense of peace. Her thoughts drifted to the women she had met earlier. Soon there would be three little babies to take care of. She smiled. What a blessing.
The back door opened, and Sondra tromped across the floor with her mud-caked shoes. Iris didn’t say a word, but under her calm veneer she seethed. There wasn’t anything to do about it, so she scrubbed even harder and said another prayer.
Sondra took her shoes off and dropped them at the back door and then she went up the stairs. Iris was just as glad she’d left. She was nearly done; all she had left was Sondra’s mess. She put the brush on the counter and poured the water down the drain. The door opened again and Lex peeked his head in. “I’ll come in the front since the floor is wet.”
That stunned Iris. She’d never known a man who cared about getting the floor dirty before. She went to the front door and opened it. Lex smiled.
“It appears I haven’t seen you in a long time.” He walked into the house.
The other women hid their smiles behind their hands.
“It’s only been a few hours.”
Crimson seeped into Lex’s face. “I know. I wanted to be sure you were safe is all.”
“You wanted to know if I was still here,” she corrected as she put her hand on his arm.
“You caught me. I wanted to be sure you were still here. I was thinking, and if it’s fine with Georgie I’d like to take you into town and get you some new clothes and whatever else you need.”
It was her turn to blush. She had no money for clothing or anything else. She’d have to wash her one dress daily. There was no help for it; she’d have to allow Lex buy her a dress. A body did what a body had to and kept ongoing.
Georgie nodded. “That’s a fine idea, and we all need yarn. You wouldn’t mind picking some up would you?”
“As long as you don’t invite me to any knitting party, it’ll be my pleasure. I have horses to break.” He turned to Iris. “I just wanted to say hello.” He grinned as he left.
“He’s smitten,” Veronica said.
“Oh, he has fallen for you hard,” Glory added.
“Weddings are such fun,” Georgie chimed in.
“We just started courting. How long are engagements these days? A year?”
The other three women laughed. “I thought you came as a mail-order bride,” Glory said.
Iris tilted her head and nodded. “I did, but—”
“You’ll know when the time is right. Don’t take too long or some other woman might try to steal his attentions,” Veronica warned.
“Good point.”
“Take tomorrow off and go with Willis to town. It must have been hard to learn all your possessions were gone. Make sure you stop by the dress shop. Nancy has remade dresses. Are you any good with a needle?” Georgie asked.
“Fair enough, but I could use a bit of instruction.”
“Well, Georgie is the one you want. She’s very talented,” Glory told her.
Georgie laughed. “It’s easy to be talented when neither of you knew how.”
All three of the women laughed, and Iris longed to be part of their little group. She hadn’t had many friends after the war began, and now she realized her mother had discouraged her from forming relationships. She’d only had her family and then she had been alone the last year.
“I’d best get supper ready to cook. I’ll look forward to going into town tomorrow, thank you.” She turned and walked to the kitchen. Maybe someday they’d be friends.
“What? You’re going to town tomorrow? Just when do you think you’ll ever find time to work around here?” Sondra folded her arms in front of her and glared.
Iris refused to take the bait. Instead, she peeled carrots, sliced onions, seasoned the roast with rosemary, and made sure the oven was at a good temperature. She then put the heavy pan into the oven. Next she got all the ingredients for biscuits.
“Is that all you’re making? The men will be hungry.”
Iris ignored Sondra as she peeled apples. Eventually Sondra got bored and left. Iris shook her head. She’d have thought Sondra would be happy to have someone share the chores, but she didn’t have time to dwell on the quarrelsome woman. She would make fried apple pies for dessert, and in the meantime, she needed to get the potatoes boiling.
Finally, everything was well in hand. She’d seen a butter churn hanging on the wall in the barn. She had more than enough time to make some.
When she got to the barn, she realized she wasn’t tall enough to reach it. Before she even had time to think of a plan, Lex was behind her.
“Need something?” he asked as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. He nuzzled her neck causing her to shiver.
He made her feel things she’d never even known about. “I need the butter churn.”
Lex let go of her and grabbed the churn for her. “I’ll carry it for you.”
“You will not. Sondra is already out of sorts with me, and I don’t want to give her any reason to complain.”
Lex laughed.
“It’s not funny. How would you like it if Max criticized everything you did and glared at you constantly?”
“He’d just keep working after he punched me in the nose,” Max called out from the other end of the barn.
Her jaw dropped open, and she narrowed her eyes on Lex. “I will see you for dinner, won’t I?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She gave him a quick nod, lifted the churn, and left. Now she’d embarrassed both Lex and herself. She didn’t know how to act in polite society anymore. She sighed.
Sondra was in the kitchen looking happy. She sure was a moody one. Iris ignored her as she poured the milk into the churn and added a dash of salt.
“You don’t add salt,” Sondra chastised.
“I’m sure there are many ways to do something.” Iris went out back and sat on the porch churning away.
* * *
Willis couldn’t keep his gaze from Iris as she brought the food to the table. Both she and the food looked wonderful.
When everyone was seated, Parker said grace. Then they passed the platters and bowls of food around.
“Iris made dinner tonight,” Sondra announced.
Iris looked pleased, but Willis grew suspicious. His suspicions were confirmed as he put a piece of meat in his mouth. It sure was peppery. Grabbing his glass of water, he took a healthy drink from it. He eyed the vegetables and saw no pepper. He took a bite of the carrot and almost spit it out. She’d been heavy-handed with the salt too.
He filled his glass with more water. Iris smiled at him from across the table, and he tried to smile back.
“I seasoned the roast with rosemary. Do you like it?” Her eyes sparkled at him.
“Darling, I think you to be an excellent cook, but…”
She took a bite of the meat and her eyes filled with horror as she reached for her water. “Oh, my, I’m so sorry. I thought it would be wonderful. Funny, but I don’t remember seeing pepper in the kitchen.” She sampled the vegetables and coughed. “How? I…” Her distress was so clear on her face. “What about the biscuits?”
“They’re extra chewy, that is, if you can break off a piece to chew. And the butter seems to have spoiled.” He tried to be gentle telling her.
“I’m so sorry. I don’t know how that could have happened, any of it. I could understand one mistake, but everything I made? It—I—I’ll make us something else.”
Sondra stood. “I’ll do it.” She gathered the plates and made a couple trips to the kitchen to clear the whole table.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Iris said before a sob came out, and then she rushed upstairs.
Willis watched helplessly. There was no way he could go to her bedroom. He longed to comfort her, and he didn’t believe for one moment Iris had managed the mishap. But it wasn’t his place to accuse Sondra of sabotaging the meal. What a waste of food.
He leaned back and closed his eyes for a moment. “I don’t know what to say.”
Parker stood up. “Go on up and give her a hug. I need to have a word with Sondra.” With his long strides, he was in the kitchen before Willis stood up.
“Go on, Willis. She didn’t do this,” Georgie urged.
He practically ran up the stairs and followed the sound of crying. His heart ached for Iris. He entered her room and walked to the bed. Then he sat on the bed and lifted her into his arms, drawing her onto his lap. He pulled her close, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Gently he rocked her.
“I didn’t do all that. My biscuits are always soft and flakey, and how does butter I made turn sour in a matter of hours? I will get fired, Lex.” His shirt grew damp with her tears.
“Shh, it wasn’t you. I know it, and so do Parker and Georgie. I have to admit I thought you were heavy-handed with the pepper, but when I tried a carrot I knew. There are enough enemies in life that there shouldn’t be one where you live. I’m sorry this happened to you.”
She nodded against his chest. “Is Sondra cooking a new meal?”
“She went into the kitchen to do just that, but Parker went in after her. He wasn’t happy.”
He felt her swallow hard. “There is enough meat pie from the other night to feed us. I must test the fried apple pies I was going to have for dessert to see if I can salvage them. Why would she go so far? There are people who are starving, and she ruins a whole meal? Willis, I don’t understand.”
“She’s jealous of you and your talents.” He chuckled. “Not to mention the most handsome man on the ranch is courting you.”
She laughed. “That must be it. I don’t know if I can go back down and face anyone.”
“You did nothing wrong.”
“My eyes are probably all red and puffy.”
“Chicken, are you?” he teased.
“Never!” She stood and went to the washbasin, wet a cloth and held it against her eyes. “I’ll be ready in a minute. What are you doing in my bedroom, anyway?”
“Showing you I believe in you.” He stood close and snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her back against him. “I think Sondra’s acting crazy because Walter left.”
“Why did he leave?” She leaned back against him.
It felt heavenly with her in his arms. “From what I gather, he grew tired of her acting as though she owned him. She warns any female within miles to stay away. It a shame because when I first met her she was a sweet woman.”
“I… I can’t.” Standing at her bedroom door, Iris balked. “I’m too embarrassed to go back downstairs.”
He spun her around until she faced him. Grinning, he put his hand under her chin, lifting her face toward him. “You did nothing wrong. There is no embarrassment to be had. It’s Sondra that bears the responsibility of what she did to the meal. We can rustle up the meat pie to eat.”
“How did I last a whole year alone, without you? You’re the best friend I ever had.”
“It’s not only friendship I’m hoping for. I’m courting you.”
“Courting is supposed to be a fun time in a woman’s life.” She stood up straighter and squared her shoulders. “You’re right, I can’t allow Sondra to steal my happiness. We might as well go back down.”
Willis led the way and took her hand as soon as they were on the main floor. He could feel her hesitation, so he gave her a gentle squeeze.
Georgie was in Parker’s arms crying while Parker seemed to be doing his best to soothe her.
Willis wanted to ask, but he didn’t. Iris tugged on his hand and led him to the kitchen.
“I wonder where Sondra went.” he mused.
“Who knows? The pie is gone, and it doesn’t look as though anything else was made. I’ll whip up pancakes. That’ll be quick to do.”
He nodded shot her another grin. “I’ll slice up bacon.”
Before they knew it, they had pancakes piled high with enough bacon to feed ten hungry cowboys. Iris set out a clean set of dishes and put syrup on the table.
Georgie sniffled as Parker led her to the table. “You didn’t have to do this, Iris. You already cooked what looked like a wonderful meal before…”
Parker held out Georgie’s chair for her and kissed her cheek after she was settled.
“Where is Sondra?” Willis found himself too curious not to ask.
Parker cleared his throat. “I’m not sure. We had words. With Georgie expecting, it wasn’t right that Sondra did who knows what to the food. I fired her, and if I hadn’t been so angry I would have arranged a ride into town for her. She ran out the front door. I don’t know what to do. I know she’s beyond upset about Walter going back home. I always thought they had an understanding to get married.”
Willis took his share of pancakes when the platter was passed to him. “I’ll look for her after we eat. If I find her where should I take her?”
Georgie raised her head and glanced at each of them. “I’ve known her for a long time, and mostly she has been kind. There were a few instances, but overall she’s my friend. If you find her, I’d like to talk to her. Willis, after we eat would you take Iris to Glory’s house? Sondra will need her privacy for tonight. What she was thinking, I can’t even guess.” She sighed. “Her treatment of you, Iris, has been unacceptable.”
Iris’ face was full of compassion. “I’m sure things will work out and don’t worry about me; I’m fine. I wouldn’t want her out there without a place to go. If we can’t work together, I can find something else.”
Willis was about to put his fork in his mouth but he put it down on his plate instead. Would Iris really leave? His heart pounded at the thought. He was in deeper than he’d realized. He needed to do something, but what? Impulsively, he reached out and took Iris’ hand. “Will you marry me?”
Iris gasped in surprise as her eyes widened. “Maybe, eventually?”
“I mean as soon as we can get it arranged? It would solve the problem.” He stared at her silently beseeching her to say yes.
Iris looked around the table. She hesitated for a long while. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Willis leaned over and kissed her lips. She didn’t look glowing or anything. In fact, she looked bewildered. Had he been too rash?
