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

by Ball, Kathleen

  “Glory? Glory it’s me!” Kent called out.

  She wanted to answer but she was frozen right where she was. Teddy continued to cry. She had to protect Teddy. She put her finger on the trigger and she shot aiming for the window again. She heard the bullet hit wood again.

  “Glory! Stop shooting!” Kent rounded the sofa.

  She knew she was safe but she couldn’t let go of the gun but she didn’t cock it either. Kent approached her slowly on his knees and took the gun from her. He kissed her cheek and left to get Teddy.

  This house wasn’t safe. It was cursed. She couldn’t stay in it. “Are they gone?”

  “By the time we got there they were gone. They used rifles so they could have been a good distance away when they shot.”

  She stared at Kent and Teddy as she stood up. Willis and Max startled a yell out of her when they came into view. She had to get out of there. With a strangled cry she rushed to the door and went outside.

  She gulped in the fresh air feeling unable to get enough to breathe. Leaning against the house she wrapped her arm around herself and slightly rocked back and forth. How could she live and raise children here? There was too much violence. She’d used up all her bravery now she was scared witless.

  She turned away from others who came onto the porch. She wasn’t up to much more than crying and she was doing her best not to. She felt someone touch her arm and she jumped before she turned her head.

  “I’m so sorry about all the trouble you’ve been having,” Veronica said.

  Glory nodded but it wasn’t Veronica that piqued her interest it was her baby girl.

  “Her name is Bridey.”

  “Can I hold her?” Glory asked shyly. When Veronica nodded, Glory sat down on the bench and held out her arm. “She’s so beautiful.”

  Glory examined her little nose and smile and then held her up against her shoulder. Holding the baby calmed Glory a bit even if it was a bit awkward with one arm. “Her features are all so petite. It makes me miss the orphanage. There were always so many babies and when I wasn’t hiding out and reading, I was rocking the babies. I’ve seen many but none as beautiful as this little angel.”

  “She is a pretty baby,” Veronica agreed. “Mind if I sit down?”

  “Please do.”

  Veronica sat next to her on the bench. “I admire you and the work you are doing. I grew up poorer than poor and it was a daily struggle to get my Pa to let me go to school. He thought education was wasted on a girl. I’m glad I fought to go now that I have Bridey it’s important to share my knowledge and when she goes to school I can look over her homework or help her if needed.”

  “That’s admirable. I never thought there was an attitude that education is wasted on a girl. I suppose with so much work that needs to be done around homesteads it might be a common attitude.”

  “It was. I was determined to be someone and to make something out of my life. It was a long, long road but I’m here with Max who is so sweet and kind and of course Bridey.”

  “There she goes again telling people I’m sweet again. I used to be able to get people to back down with just a look but not anymore. They all think I’m sweet,” Max said in mock distress.

  Veronica laughed. “Would you rather I tell people you are rattlesnake mean?”

  “It might help my reputation a bit if you told a few people.” He smiled widely at Veronica. Their love was there for all to see.

  Max suddenly grew somber. “Glory are you all right? It must have been scary as h… very scary. Hear tell you had a pistol and you were shooting back. Good for you.”

  Glory’s face heated. “I’ve never held a gun before. I think I hit every wall in our house.”

  “It was enough to scare them away. Kent will teach you to shoot. Do you know how to ride?” Max said.

  “A horse?”

  He chuckled. “Yes a horse. It’s the form of transportation around here and everyone should know how to saddle one and ride one.”

  “That is worthy advice, Max, thank you.”

  Kent approached them with Teddy in his arms. “I see you’ve met the fair Bridey. And Max is right. Tomorrow after school we’ll start our lessons on shooting and riding.”

  “What will we do with Teddy while we do that?” She asked quietly.

  “I’ll be happy to have him at my house,” Veronica offered. “It’ll be easy as long as they both crawl in the same direction.”

  Glory laughed. Veronica was a nice woman after all. Kent must have been right about how she was treated after Walter was shot. They were in a panic and they didn’t know her. Glory had always been supersensitive to what anyone said or did.

  There would be no shooting or riding with the way her shoulder hurt but she’d let Kent know later.

  She studied Teddy as he lay his head on Kent’s strong shoulders. She caught Kent’s gaze and cocked her right brow. Kent slowly shook his head and stroked Teddy’s back.

  “I probably should take Teddy inside and make sure he feels safe. It was a nightmare for us both but I had to put Teddy in the bedroom and close the door. His cries pierced my heart but I didn’t have any other choice. I was afraid with the window shattered that the shooter could get into the house.” She handed Bridey back to Veronica and stood.

  “Thanks for coming by to check on me. We’ll bring Teddy by tomorrow before my cowgirl lessons,” she smiled. She saw Georgie coming across but Glory was too weary to visit anymore. “Tell Georgie I’ll visit with her in a while.”

  She took Teddy from Kent and headed inside the house. The sight of the shattered window was too much. She hurried into the bedroom, closed the door and sat Teddy on her lap facing her.

  “You are the bravest boy I know. You know Mama loves you don’t you? I’m sorry I had to leave you in the room alone.”

  He grasped the material of her dress near her aching shoulder and pulled himself closer to her. She pulled him closer and held him just as tight. His tears soaked through her dress. It occurred to her that he wasn’t making a sound, tears were just pouring out of his eyes. Before she knew it she was doing the same.

  She lay on the bed with him in her arms. It killed her he was crying like that but she also knew there wasn’t anything she could do but make him feel safe again.

  The bedroom door opened and Kent came in. He got on the bed and spooned her and wrapped his arms around them both. “It’s going to be fine. I’m so sorry I left you defenseless. I’m not sure I’d be able to go on if I lost either of you.”

  Teddy instantly calmed and she felt safer in Kent’s arms.

  He kissed the side of her neck sending delicious chills through her. “I’ve decided that I like you,” she teased.

  “Oh? I wasn’t aware that you were deciding. After all everyone likes me. But I’m glad you decided in my favor.” There was humor in his voice.

  “There has been a moment here and there when I didn’t know if I should stay. But I don’t want to leave. So much has happened since I got here. I’m used to a well ordered life where I know where I’m supposed to be at any given time. It can be chaotic here at times and I feel overwhelmed. I’m used to Imogene, Harriet and Faye being by my side. The most danger I was ever in, was being caught reading my botany books when I was supposed to be in cooking class. I need to go into town. I have a few letters to post and I’d like to see Spring Water. I know you have your work to do but maybe sometime we could go.”

  He kissed her neck again. “I’ll always find time for you. I have to confess I like you too. I also wondered if you were going to cut and run. It can be violent in Texas but I think most of the southern states are experiencing the same if not worse. The West is full of hardship and danger too. There are outlaws and Indians. I know there is always work that needs to be done but we’ll never be in danger of starving. But there is plenty to look forward to. The new school, watching Teddy to learn to walk and maybe someday we can have a baby of our own.”

  She stiffened at the last part.

&n
bsp; “You don’t want to have children?”

  Too bad she couldn’t turn and look him in the eye. “I do want children. Your children, Kent. I’m afraid of making them is all.” Closing her eyes she waited for him to pull away.

  “Perhaps we’ve let postponing our wedding night go on too long. It’s a beautiful expression of love if you have the right person.”

  “Is that what the key is, the right person? I’ve heard it was a duty and it hurt and women dreaded it and only certain types of women like it.”

  He kissed the back of her neck this time. “First of all, pleasure does not make one a soiled dove. It makes for an extra happy husband. I suppose it could be looked as a duty if it’s a chore to you. I think I can make it so you’ll want to do it again and again.” He ran his hand from her waist to her thigh and up again and she trembled.

  “I think it’s the wanting that makes a woman wanton. A good pious woman would not have desires.”

  “Is that what you want to be, Glory? I wonder if a pious woman has a lick of fun? I feel you tremble under my touch. That’s part of wanting. Does that make you a bad person?”

  “Maybe. It makes me wish we were alone so I could have one of your kisses. I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t know what I’m supposed to say or not say or how to act. I think we should just do it and get it over with and that will be the end of it.” She felt him laughing silently. “What’s so funny?”

  He stroked her side again and it was making so she could hardly think.

  “It’s not a onetime thing. It’s something that is done throughout a marriage. Tell you what, let’s keep working on our kissing and we’ll get there.”

  She relaxed against him. “I do like kissing.” She yawned.

  “Teddy’s already asleep. Why don’t you sleep for a bit. I want to get the window boarded up and talk to Parker and the men.”

  “I do like you, Glory Sandler.” He kissed her cheek before he got up and left.

  His warmth was missed.

  Chapter Nine

  Kent was the first to wake the next morning and the first thought in his mind was of Glory and her odd notions about making love. He smiled, she sure was something! They really need a night alone so he could put all of her worries to rest. He’d just kiss her every chance he got.

  He got the stove going and put on the coffee. Glory hadn’t had a chance to show off her cooking skills and now with her shoulder he’d have to wait. He should have checked her injury last night.

  He was going to find out who was trying to kill his family. It didn’t sit well with him that they were able to get close enough to his house. Who was on guard duty yesterday? He really wanted to tell Glory no more teaching but that wouldn’t be fair to anyone. It wasn’t right when a man’s family wasn’t safe in their own house.

  In the military they would have hunted the man or men down. Those tactics aren’t allowed in a civilized world. Perhaps they all needed to spend more time in town to try to figure out who the Pale Faces were. The hooded men actually had a name.

  He went into the bedroom and there was Teddy smiling at him. “Dada! Eat?” Kent’s heart wanted to explode with each new word. “Yes eat. First we’ll get you changed and dressed.”

  “Mama! Mama!”

  “Shhh. Let your mama sleep.”

  “Mama is already awake.” Glory sat up in bed with her long dark hair cascading all around her. “I can’t believe I slept in my dress.”

  “I want to look at your shoulder before you get dressed.”

  Guilt crossed her face. “What happened?”

  “I tore the stitches yesterday.” She unbuttoned the top of her dress and looked at her shoulder. “Looks like I’ll need to have it stitched up again.”

  “I think you’ve set a record here on the ranch. I don’t remember anyone having to have the same wound stiches up three times. I’m going to make breakfast and then tend to you.”

  She nodded and he swooped down and kissed her. It was a light kiss but there would be plenty more. He liked the light blush that covered her skin. This kissing thing might be fun. He changed Teddy and then dressed him.

  “Come on, little man. I think we’ll see if you like eggs and bacon. Glory the coffee is ready. You might as well wait to get cleaned up until after I fix those stitches.”

  She sighed and then studied him. “Just how many people have you stitched up?”

  “A few.”

  “Enough to know what you’re doing?” Her brows furrowed as she frowned.

  “You’re in good hands.” He handed her a mug. “Drink some of that bark tree.”

  She snickered. “It’s willow bark tea.”

  “Like I said good hands.” He began to gather what was needed trying not to laugh at the worried expression on her face. He’d stitched up plenty of men in the army. He’d even take his time so she didn’t end up with a jagged scar.

  Finally he was ready. He put everything on the table and made sure Teddy was busy with his blocks. “You’ll need to unbutton your gown and pull your arm out of your sleeve.”

  She hesitated for a moment and then did it. Her eyes widened when he got closer. Her stomach fluttered and fear clung to her at the same time. “It’s going to hurt,” she whispered.

  “That’s why I made you that willow tree tea.” Isn’t it working?”

  “Just be gentle.”

  He smiled and kissed her cheek. “I will always be gentle.” He caught her gaze and held it as she fussed with her gown making sure she was as covered as possible. Finally she nodded.

  He took the scissors and made sure that all of the thread from last time was gone. He poured whiskey on a cloth and held it against her shoulder. She didn’t flinch but she hissed. Next he started to stitch her up. Sewing wasn’t easy. He was trying to be neat so her scar wouldn’t be hideous. She grimaced a few times. Finally he was done.

  “Do you want some of the comfy paste?”

  “Comfrey,” she corrected.

  “That’s what I said.” He reached into a cupboard and pulled the jar down. “I can put it on you if it’ll make it easier for you.”

  Glory nodded. “Yes, please then a bandage to cover it. I have children to teach in a bit.”

  He opened the jar expecting it to smell bad but it didn’t. After he spread it all over he made sure it was nicely covered with a bandage.

  “Thank you. I appreciate all you’ve done.”

  “I’d say anytime but I really don’t want to stitch you up again. No lifting, no chasing outlaws.” He tried to make light of the situation but from the look on her face he didn’t succeed.

  “You’ll be fine. Crumb and Monty will be guarding you and the children today.”

  “I don’t remember Monty. Have I met him?”

  “You’d remember if you’d met him. He is string bean thin with red hair and freckles. You can’t miss him.”

  “I’ll get dressed and then we can go.” She stood and gingerly touched her bandage and winced.”

  “We can cancel if you like?”

  Glory shook her head. “I’ll be fine.”

  * * *

  Glory was so pleased to see the children all coming to join her under the tree. They all looked eager to learn, mostly. There were a few of the older boys that never looked happy.

  “Good Morning. Sit down so we can get started.” She paused to let the get comfortable on the grass. “Let’s see how much we remember about the alphabet. What’s the first letter?”

  “A,” most of the class said.

  Glory smiled. Her leg itched something bad and she tried to pretend to fix her skirt so she could lean over and scratch it. Looking down she saw an enormous amount of tiny ants that looked to be red in color. She’d never seen them before. They were all over her shoes.

  Next she heard a few of the children scream and saw red ants everywhere including on the children. They jumped up and tried to brush the ants off but from the noise they weren’t making much headway.

  “Chil
dren come away from there.” She hurried to an open spot where she didn’t see any ants. “Try to help each other and get the ants off you.”

  The itching and burning was traveling up her thigh. Oh my! “Do these ants bite?”

  “They sure do, Miss Glory. It’s best we go on home,” Hannah said. “They are under our clothes too.”

  “Yes, yes go and get those ants off you. We’ll figure something out for tomorrow.” She stood in her spot until each child was on the trail home.

  Then she made a run for it. She ran right into Kent. “Red ants. They are biting my thighs.”

  “Stay here.” He ran inside and came back with a towel. Kneeling he took the towel and began to wipe the ants off of her shoes and ankles. “I’m going to have to lift your skirt.”

  “I don’t care, if they go any higher…”

  Kent started to slowly lift her skirts but she jerked her skirt up showing her platelets covered thighs. The ants were swarming.

  “Darling I’m going to have to pull these off you.”

  “Do it!”

  Kent untied the ribbon that held the pantalets up and quickly had them off of her. He threw her under garment onto the porch and grabbed the towel, wiping away the ants. Finally he took her hand and led her into the house.

  “Stay next to the door. I need to get everything off you starting with your shoes.”

  Her face had paled but she nodded. He took off one item at a time, threw it out the doors and used the towel to get rid of the ants. He made sure he killed them as they fell. Finally he took off her chemise.

  She quickly used her one arm to try to cover herself.

  Stand still so I can see if I got them all. If the circumstances had been different he would have enjoyed the view. He got all the remaining ants off of her and told her to put on a nightgown. He’d have to put something on all the bites.

  She ran into the bedroom and quickly covered herself. Oh the bites stung something awful. Hopefully her students fared better.

  “Basil leaves! Kent, ask Georgie for the leaves. I can make the paste. I bet Letty is taking care of the children. I hope there are enough leaves for everyone.”