Glory’s Groom: The Alphabet Mail Order Brides Book 7

by Ball, Kathleen

  She took him into her arms. “You little dickens, you.” She rubbed his back and he immediately put his head on her shoulder.

  Kent touched both of his ears to make sure they weren’t bleeding. “I’d best go get that milk now and ask about the cradle.” He stood rubbing his right ears. Teddy had a strong grip.

  * * *

  Glory yawned. What a long day! She was used to the structure and routine of the orphanage and school. It had been nothing but utter chaos all day. She still had to feed Teddy and get him to bed. Kent said they would postpone the wedding night and she hoped he’d keep to that. Marriage sounded nice except for that part. She didn’t know much about the whole subject. Did they talk about it at school?

  Perhaps she should have paid attention more. All she wanted to do was find plants that helped to heal. It fascinated her. You could grind up one plant and a pinch of another plant and it could help someone. The biggest loss of her bag was the notes and drawings of each plant. She read everything about the art of healing that she could find.

  Sometimes she’d hide in her spot and read. There was a window seat in a storage room no one used. She’d found it early on when she was just a child and little by little she’d made it hers. She’d sewn pillows to make it more comfortable. Madam Wigg had been horrified by the crooked seams Glory has sewn.

  Glory smiled. Madam Wigg had frowned at Glory’s first attempt and kindly told her to try again. Glory tried again. Madam Wigg asked her who had taught her to sew. When Glory told her that it was her, her mentor’s eyes grew wide. Madam Wigg wasn’t one for punishment but Glory wasn’t to go to supper until she sewed a straight seam.

  While everyone left to eat, Glory’s friend Faye snuck back in and quickly sewed the seam for her. Glory missed her and all the girls. She had a lot of good memories though.

  It was dark outside and Glory’s nerves started tighten. Normally she didn’t talk much to people. In fact if she was invisible it would suit her just fine. Faye, and Imogene did enough talking and she rarely had to talk to a stranger. She never knew what to say, certain she’d say the wrong thing.

  So far today she’d done surprisingly well meeting her husband and the others on the ranch. Hopefully she’ll be able to keep to herself much of the time.

  The door opened. “I got milk but no cradle.” Kent set the milk on the table.

  “Teddy is almost asleep but I don’t think we should let him sleep without eating. He’s sure to wake up in the middle of the night screaming. I’d just as soon make the porridge now then later. What do you think?”

  “It makes sense to me. I don’t know much about children. There are some on the ranch but I just say howdy. I hold Parker’s little one on occasion and Veronica and Max have little Bridey. Cradles do tend to be the same size.”

  She handed Teddy to Kent who looked a bit wary.

  “Now no pulling my ears this time,” he told his son.

  She laughed as began the porridge.

  “Georgie agrees with you about the doctor.”

  “Oh? Good.” He obviously didn’t have any confidence in her. It was fine she supposed. She didn’t have any confidence in herself either.

  When the porridge was cooked and then cooled she put some in a small bowl. “Do you want to feed him or would you rather I do it?”

  “I think he’d eat sitting on your lap better,” Kent said. He stood and waited for Glory to sit. He then handed her the quiet child.

  Teddy ate the first spoonful and smiled. It was a relief. She put the second spoonful in his mouth and instead of swallowing it he spit it out all over her. Glory could feel it in her hair.

  “You need to swallow it, Teddy.” She tried again and he ate until it was all gone. He even had a bit of milk.

  Kent’s gaze was upon her and she didn’t enjoy the merriment in his eyes. Well, he’d seen her at her worst and he hadn’t run. It’s a good sign.

  “I’m going to clean up here. Can you get Teddy ready for bed?”

  “I have a better idea. Why don’t I clean the dishes and bring you in some warm water so you can get the food out of your hair. Did you know if you leave porridge overnight it hardens and it’s near impossible to get off?”

  “I’m well aware of it. I’d be happy to change you, Little Teddy,” she kissed his cheek. She stood and turned. “Thank you, Kent. I’ve heard many men don’t help their wives and well, I appreciate it.” She hurried into the bedroom.

  * * *

  Kent grinned as soon as the door was shut. She seemed a mite nervous. He’ll go in after a while. He wanted to be sure she was changed into her night gown. He had no intention of bedding her. Glory certainly knew what to do with a child and he was thankful.

  He became a husband and a father all in one day. How would it all play out? Would they get along together? He sure hoped so.

  Tammy really left him a mess. He knew when she didn’t write back to him that she was stepping out on him. It was easy to guess. He didn’t know what he’d done to make her hate him. He’d put a stop to her outrageous teasing of any man she came across. She’d become an embarrassment and he didn’t like the looks he got whenever he was in town.

  As far as he knew she hadn’t strayed but they’d been together such a short time before he was called up to join the army. Her hidden meanness had come out then. She lit into him saying he wasn’t a good husband, provider or lover. She laughed at his confusion and taunted him even more. By the time he had to go he was eager to get away from her.

  Poor Teddy, it was strange that he didn’t talk or walk. He seemed bright eyed and alert. They had a new doctor in town. The last doctor liked his whiskey better than his patients. Kent would ask Max if he could go and get clothes for Glory and for Teddy and then summon the doctor. His heart pained him trying to imagine what happened to Teddy. Whatever was the matter, Kent would help his son in any way he could. Poor little boy, Kent was all he had. He had Glory too.

  At least she could ease into her new role as mother and wife. There was so much food she wouldn’t need to cook for a while. Since they didn’t have many clothes the washing should go quickly. Did he ask her if she could ride? She’d need to know how to shoot too.

  The section of the ranch Parker had allowed the freedmen to build on, as long as they worked for him, was growing. The houses were well built and Parker had made sure they wouldn’t need to go into Spring Water. He was afraid they’d be strung up if they did.

  Tensions were building but the men of Eastman ranch had shown the Ku Klux Klan that they could protect the ranch against them. There were plenty of guesses as to who these men were but none could be substantiated.

  He stretched his arms overhead. Long day! He got up and walked to the closed door. He put his ear against it trying to figure if Glory had gone to bed already. There wasn’t a sound so he opened the door.

  Teddy lay sleeping in the middle of the bed while Glory was awake with a pinched look on her face. She held the sheet up to her chin and watched him with big eyes.

  He nodded. “I’m going to get undressed if you want to look away.”

  She quickly turned away and he smiled. He could see the redness of her blush on her neck and cheek. He didn’t wear pajamas, he just wore his underwear. He took off his pants and shirt and socks and climbed in next to his son.

  He turned on his side facing them and was warmed by the smile Glory gave him when she turned toward him.

  “Relieved?” he asked as he cocked a brow.

  “Yes, I’m relieved that the day is finally over. Tomorrow will be a better day,” she whispered back.

  She missed the point. She was as innocent as they come. “We won’t be able to have our wedding night for a few days at least,” he said in a low voice.

  Glory swallowed hard and nodded. “Thank you for all of your thoughtfulness today. I’m thinking another man wouldn’t have had the patience for me.”

  He leaned inward. He’d just been himself. There were probably some men who would have been a
bit put off by her clumsiness. “It’s me who should thank you. You didn’t have to immediately take to Teddy. You took both of us in stride and showed great kindness. I’m glad I ended up with you as my wife.”

  Her smile was radiant. “You sure are a charmer. Good night, Kent.” She snuggled into her pillow and closed her eyes.

  “Good night,” he said softly.

  He’d thought it would be a peaceful night but he was dead wrong. Teddy cried out in his sleep as he thrashed around hitting them both. Glory jumped out of bed with a stunned look on her face.

  “Teddy, wake up,” Kent said. He said it again only louder.

  When Teddy didn’t open his eyes, Glory sat on the bed and pulled Teddy onto her lap and wrapped her arms around him. “It’s all right. You’re safe here with your father and I.” She continued to croon to him until he settled down and fell back into a peaceful sleep.

  Her gaze met Kent’s and he could see how upsetting it had been for her.

  “I sometimes have nightmares from my time in the Army. It scares me to think of what his nightmares are about,” he confessed.

  Her forehead wrinkled. “Was it so awfully bad? I mean being in New York City in the orphanage, things didn’t change much for us. We didn’t have family to lose.”

  “We saw things no person should ever have to see. Most of us lost our families and land. Some of our soldiers didn’t have shoes or coats. We had to take what we could from our dead friends so we could survive. I dream about battles and how people died and were wounded.” He closed his eyes. He hated remembering it all.

  “Did you get injured?”

  He frowned. “I have scars.” He didn’t want to talk about it.

  She gazed at him in the moonlit room and nodded. “Good night then.”

  He turned so his back was facing her and Teddy. His leg acted up at times. He hated to look at it and he didn’t know how he’d allow himself to let Glory see it. He’d have to have the lights off if they ever got a wedding night. He wouldn’t want to scare her.

  Finally he drifted off.

  Chapter Four

  The next morning it was decided that Max would go into town alone. Glory caught up to him and asked him if he could find a few small toys for Teddy. Max smiled and agreed.

  That had been almost four hours ago. Kent was outside working with the horses while she checked the front window every few minutes for the doctor. She’d already made bread and cookies. She only knew how to cook those two items. Thankfully there was plenty of food left over from the wedding. She’d have a few days yet before she’d have to confess her inadequacy as a wife. Madam Wigg would be horrified if she knew just how many thing Glory failed to learn.

  She was looking forward to walking the woods and seeing what plants and roots she could find in order to make healing powders, plasters and tinctures. She was good at that. It was upsetting to have lost her book of healing but she knew most of it by heart.

  She’d given Teddy a wooden spoon and a wooden bowl to play with. He enjoyed the loud noise it made. She’d gotten on the floor and tried to show him how to crawl. He just laughed and clapped his hands. It was probably hard to see what she was doing with her skirt and petticoats on.

  Finally she heard the sound of horses and the unoiled springs of a buggy outside. She peeked out the window and it looked to be the doctor. She watched as Kent quickly crossed the yard and shook the doctor’s hand. They spoke briefly and turned toward the house. She quickly stepped away from the window, not wanting them to know she’d been watching.

  She smiled when the door opened and happily greeted the doctor.

  “So this is the boy?” he asked looking at Teddy.

  “Yes, Dr. Bennett. We know nothing about him,” Kent answered.

  “I’ll examine the child and see.”

  She observed as the doctor made friends with Teddy by giving him a wolf whittled out of wood. Teddy immediately warmed up to him. Next he was able to get Teddy to sit on the kitchen table while he looked him over.

  The doctor stood behind Teddy and clapped his hands and seemed pleased when Teddy turned toward him.

  “He’s not deaf. The back of his head is flat. It is my opinion that he’d been left to lay in his cradle or crib without anyone picking him up, for great lengths of time. I think no one interacted with him. They fed him, changed him but they probably never talked to him.”

  Kent took her hand in his. “What does all that mean, doctor?”

  “In my opinion, Teddy has a lot of catching up to do but eventually he’ll be running, playing and talking by school age. It’ll take a bit of patience on your part. Sometimes when we perceive a child to be as old as Teddy we have certain expectations. He might benefit from interacting with Parker’s son. Keep a good watch on him. He’s much bigger than Douglas and could hurt him. Douglas just learned to crawl and is mumbling getting ready to talk. Kids learn quickly and I don’t see any reason why Teddy shouldn’t. He also seems a bit underweight.”

  He turned to her. “Good meals with vegetables and meat would be what he needs. You might need to chop everything into tiny pieces at first. Oh and plenty of milk too.” He set Teddy back on the floor and took Glory’s hand. “Take it slow and it’ll be worth it.”

  “Thank you Dr. Bennett. You’ve eased my mind greatly.”

  Dr. Bennett grabbed his bag and placed his hand on Kent’s shoulder before he left. “I’m optimistic, Kent.”

  Kent went outside with the doctor, probably to pay him.

  She sighed and tears fell. Quickly she wiped them away. How cruel to leave a child in a crib. She could only imagine how much he cried and no one came to see what was wrong. Perhaps he learned to be quiet. If Sharon was here she’d actually strike her.

  Glory sat on the floor and took Teddy into her arms and then set him on her lap. She felt the back of his head. It was flat. Her stomach churned. She began to hum and rock the little boy and he turned his head and smiled at her.

  Kent came back in and he smiled as he watched them. “I’m just so grateful. I didn’t know what to think.”

  “I feel the same way. His head is flat on the back. How cruel that Sharon must have been. I think if we keep working with him, it’ll be fine.”

  “You sure know what to do with a child.”

  “It was one of the things I was good at. I tried to connect with the new orphans. It’s rewarding to see them come out of their shells. I would have spent all my time with the little ones if I could. Madam Wigg expected all of us to have a well-rounded education so we could maintain a house and teach others.”

  He squatted down and kissed Teddy on the head, and then he kissed her cheek. He looked into her eyes and smiled. “That reminds me. Georgie wants to open a school for the children of the freedmen. I don’t know if you have any interest in teaching them. I don’t know if you interacted with people of different races at the orphanage but I only want you to do it if you feel you can feel kindly toward them. If you say no, I won’t judge you.”

  “I’d love to. And you’re right, children can feel if someone pretends to like them. They wouldn’t trust that person and they wouldn’t end up learning much. I’ve been around all types of people. I never knew why some groups of people were considered inferior.”

  Kent put his hands on her cheeks and turned her head enough that he could kiss her on the lips.

  It was a wonderful kiss that started so slow and ended up burning fires inside of her. When he pulled away she was dazed.

  He stood and grinned. “I have to get back to work. I’ll let Georgie know about the school.”

  Her heart felt lighter than it had since arriving in Texas. It would be an honor to teach children who hadn’t had access to an education before. She knew the freedmen lived on the ranch in an area they call Joy. It would probably be a good idea to introduce herself to the children and get an idea of what they needed.

  On the way down from New York she’d heard that school books were hard to find in Texas since they
were printed in the North. She could write to the orphanage and see if they could send something. She had the money for a school and hopefully all the supplies.

  “Teddy how would you like to take a walk with me? We’ll meet new people.” Her heart skipped a beat. New people? More new people? Sometimes her shyness overwhelmed her. She paced back and forth and came to the conclusion that she had no other choice. If she wanted the school she needed to meet the students.

  Scooping up Teddy she went outside and walked down a hill to Joy. It wasn’t far from her home. There looked to be about twenty well-built houses. Ten on each side of the road facing the house across from it. Children played in the street and women were hanging laundry, churning butter and sewing. It felt very calming.

  As soon as she stepped onto their street everyone went into their houses and shut the door. She furrowed her brow. Why would they do that? She stopped at the first house on the right and knocked. No one answered and she knew people were in there. Her shoulders began to slump as she walked to the next house and the next. No one answered.

  She got to the end of the street and knocked on the last house on the right side. The door opened surprising Glory. The woman was petite with dark skin, hair and eyes. There were three little ones hanging on her skirt.

  “Well what is it? You’ve already knocked and knocked on people’s door. Where are from?”

  “I just married Kent Sandler.” She shifted Teddy to the other hip and realized that the dress she wore, her only dress was horribly wrinkled and stained. “Forgive my appearance. I only have the one dress for now.”

  The woman stared at her.

  “I grew up in an orphanage and was trained to teach. I would like to be your teacher if that would be acceptable to you. Of course everyone would have a say. I just wanted to introduce myself and see if schooling was important. I know in some places they’d rather the children help out at home. I—”