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

by Ball, Kathleen

  Kent nodded and hurried out the door, while Teddy crawled to her. He pulled himself up and stood next to the bed.

  “My what a big boy you are Teddy!”

  “Teddy big boy,” he said. Then he tried to climb on the bed. She helped him with her good arm and then lay next to him. Tears filled her eyes. Partly from the bites but also because Teddy was making huge strides every day.

  He lay there and smiled at her. Then he put his head on her stomach and fell asleep as she stroked his hair.

  Kent came home and quietly looked into the bedroom. He smiled. “Georgia has basil growing behind her house. She planted it I guess. Anyway I have to grind up the leaves and add a bit of water. I’ll be right back.”

  The poor children. It was a bit strange that there were so many ants suddenly.

  Kent walked back in with a bowl in his hand. He set it down on the table next to the bed. “Since you’re occupied, I’ll put it on you. You don’t need to turn so red. I’ve already seen you.”

  “It’s embarrassing. That is why I turn red.”

  “You’ve never been with a man that’s why.” He lifted her gown and worked from her thighs to her feet. It felt good going on.

  “How are the children?” she whispered.

  “Letty and Georgie are tending to them. Letty grows basil too. Lots of unhappy kids though.”

  “I figured as much. I don’t know anything about those vicious red ants. They weren’t there yesterday.”

  “I know. From what Sondra said, someone dug up an ant colony and set it by the tree and then sprinkled sugar all around. We have a rat around here and we need to figure out who it is.”

  “Kent, do you think the rat shot at the house?”

  “I wouldn’t rule it out. We don’t know where every man is, though we’re going to start taking note of who is with what group and who seems to be missing. The ranch is huge and we split up into groups to get everything done. We’ll figure it out. I’m just mad that you and the children had to suffer.”

  “I’m surprised that none of the mothers were there today.”

  “Sadie is in labor and from what I hear the first one can take a while.”

  “I’m glad she has so much help.”

  “That’s why Georgie went to Joy. She’s tending to the children whose mothers are helping with the birth. Most have been bitten before but not to the magnitude of today.”

  “Someone really doesn’t want me to teach the children. I’ll have to think about it. It might be better if I just stayed home with Teddy.” Her heart ached. She promised Madam Wigg she’d teach.

  “I need to post a few letters. Can we go into town tomorrow?” She met his gaze and saw his uncertainty.

  “I can’t teach you to shoot with that shoulder of yours. I’ll talk to Parker and make sure they can spare me tomorrow. He leaned down and kissed her lips. It started as a light kiss but then it progressed into a kiss that made her feel things she’d never felt before.

  He stood up and stared into her eyes. “Are you all right?”

  “I, well, I, hmm, I never felt this way before. I’m pretty sure what I felt was desire. It’s unsettling yet I enjoyed the kiss.”

  Kent gave her a wide grin. “Desire huh? Then it was very good kiss indeed. Get some rest. I’m going back to work.”

  She couldn’t hide her smile, even after he left. Her stomach fluttered and she wanted him to keep kissing her. It was a good thing he’d explained some of this to her or she’d be feeling shamed but there wasn’t anything to be ashamed of.

  She began to fall asleep when she remembered the door was unlocked. Carefully she shifted Teddy and eased out of bed. Then she padded across the floor and locked the door. She glanced at the boarded window in the main room and shook her head. They’d have no windows if the outlaws had their way. No that wasn’t right they weren’t exactly outlaws they were called Pale Faces. Did they think they were whiter than most? Kent wouldn’t be allowed. He sometimes took his shirt off when he worked and the sun had darkened his skin to a golden color.

  She couldn’t and wouldn’t let Madam Wigg down. She’d taken such good care of them all from the very first. Glory had been an infant when she was left at the orphanage. Madam Wigg had been like a mother to her and Glory missed her. She’d probably say Glory there is nothing to be afraid of. Stand up straight with your shoulders back and remember you are a wonderful girl. Then she’d say- Off with you now. Join the other girls.

  Glory sighed as she climbed back into bed. The bites still hurt but they didn’t burn as much.

  Before she knew it, Teddy was tapping her head and saying Mama.

  Glory smiled. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Door, Mama.”

  For a moment she was confused until she heard the knocking. She helped Teddy out of the bed as best she could and went to open the door.

  “Heavy sleeper,” Kent remarked. He walked into the house and locked the door behind him.

  “Just how long have you been out there?”

  He shook his head. “You don’t want to know.”

  “That long? Teddy just woke me.”

  “I could hear Teddy calling you but it took a while for you to wake up.” Kent wrapped his arms around her and kissed her lips again.

  It wasn’t as good as the kiss before. This time she had Teddy tugging on her skirt. Glory laughed. “He really needs to be changed if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course I don’t mind.” Kent bent over and lifted Teddy up. “I know what you mean Teddy. Women always want a man to be clean and fresh.”

  Glory laughed. She was grateful that her husband was someone she could love. Love? Where had that thought come from? No she wouldn’t risk her heart she was too sensitive and it would lead to no good.

  She wished she could make bread. Kneading the dough was good for getting out her frustrations. She hated her bandage on her shoulder. When was it going to heal up? She sat on the sofa and almost laughed at herself. She already knew the answer. Not any time soon if she kept tearing the stitches.

  “Kent, do you think I can shake out my clothes from earlier? I hate leaving them on the porch.”

  Kent came out of the bedroom with a smiling Teddy in his arms. “They aren’t out there anymore. Sondra and Veronica have a big tub over a fire and they’re boiling the clothes to make sure the ants are dead.”

  “They had to go to so much trouble just because of those pesky ants?”

  “Yes and when they change the water they pour the hot water where the ants were.”

  “Could you make me a cup of willow bark tea?”

  “Of course I can.”

  She started to laugh. “Look at me ordering you around.”

  “You’d do the same for me.”

  “Of course,” she said without hesitation.

  “Once I get you situated I’m going to see about going into town tomorrow.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Chapter Ten

  The sun was out and there was a nice cooling breeze as Kent drove the wagon. He glanced over his shoulder. “You two all right back there?”

  “It’s a bit bumpy but I think we’ll survive.” Glory responded.

  Kent chuckled to himself. Glory had tried to climb up onto the wagon seat by herself with one arm. He’d put his hands on her waist and lifted her down. She started to protest but he kissed her speechless. Then Teddy wanted a kiss from her.

  Kent then showed her the back with the quilts rolled up to keep them from hitting the sides of the wooden wagon. He had to admit he hadn’t smiled much before Glory. How did she really think she’d be able to hold on to her seat and Teddy with one good arm?

  He found his desire for her growing quickly. At first he thought he could wait forever, it made no difference to him but as he got to know her, well, his heart quickened whenever he was near her and kissing her made him yearn for her something fierce. It was a great sign the way she reacted to his kisses. Now with her shoulder he’d have to wait even l
onger. Maybe he could make the anticipation of the wedding night grow in Glory as it had inside of him.

  He halted the team and jumped down. “Need to hide my gun, I’ll be right back.” He went behind a big bolder where they all their firearms from the Yankees. They didn’t allow guns in town. He wanted the Yankees gone in the worst way but he might have need of them after all.

  He hopped back up and drove to the checkpoint at the edge of town. Just his luck Sergeant Hollanda was there. He was a big windbag and a pain in the neck.

  “Sandler, who is in the wagon?” Sergeant Hollanda walked to the back and stared at Glory and Teddy and then frowned.

  “I have my wife and son with me. We’d like to go shopping.”

  Hollanda narrowed his eyes at Kent. “Don’t cause any of your Jonny Reb trouble.”

  Kent clenched his jaw and urged the horses forward. He parked the wagon right outside the general store. He set the brake and hurried to help Glory and his son down. Carrying Teddy, he noticed that Glory wore the same dress she’d arrived in. Perhaps he needed to help with the laundry when they got home. He suddenly realized Glory had gotten blood on some of her new dresses.

  He held the door open for Glory and followed her inside. “Morning, Stack,” he called out to the young man behind the counter. Kent always wondered why Anson Stack never married.

  “Morning, Sandler.” Anson came out into the store.

  “This is my wife Glory and my son Teddy.”

  Anson smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you ma’am and you too Teddy.”

  Glory gave him a regal nod. “It’s nice to meet you too and please call me Glory.”

  “Glory it is. Teddy looks so normal you’d never know that he had something wrong with his brain. Poor kid but at least he has you two.”

  Kent glared for a moment and then took a deep breath. “Where’d you hear that from?”

  “The whole town knows. Don’t worry no one will tease him.”

  Glory’s hand went to her chest as an expression of worry crossed her face.

  “Teddy do you like the store?”

  Teddy nodded and pointed at a small toy wagon. “For me Dada.” Teddy smiled proudly.

  There was joy on Glory’s face. “He talks more and more every day. I’m just amazed at how quickly he learns.”

  Anson’s face reddened. “I must have heard the wrong story.”

  “Seems to happen often in towns and Spring Water is no exception. Teddy is my and my late wife’s son. He lived with his grandmother who fed him but left him in the crib most of the time. I was never informed that I had a son until my former mother-in-law dropped him off at the wedding. He didn’t know how to talk or crawl. He’s catching on fast.” Kent ruffled Teddy’s hair. “Yes, you can have the wagon.” He squatted down with Teddy in his arms and allowed Teddy to pick out the wagon. The joy on his son’s face made everything worth it.

  “I like the truth much better. Now how can I help you?”

  “I have a few letters to post,” Glory said. She reached into her pocket and pulled the letters out.

  “Come on back to the counter with me and I can take care of it for you.”

  They all followed Anson to the back counter and Glory handed him the letters.

  “Is there anything else?” Kent asked her.

  “No I just wanted to mail these.”

  “We’ll take the wagon and however much the postage is.”

  Glory wandered away looking at the goods. When she was out of earshot Kent asked Anson to also include three peppermint sticks.

  When he finished paying they said good bye to Anson and left the store.

  “It’s a pretty town. It’s very quiet. Is there a place where the freedmen live? I want to see if anyone had any knowledge of Lucy and Anthony’s two boys.”

  Kent hesitated. It might just make them bigger targets. There was so much hope in her eyes he couldn’t deny her. “It’s this way.”

  They walked to the opposite end of the town where shacks stood. They looked as though a good wind could knock them all over. There was an elderly woman in a rocking chair who smiled at them.

  “So young miss, I hear you’re a rabble rouser. I say good for you. It gladdens my heart to know those children are learning.”

  Glory smiled. “Thank you. I enjoy it. I wanted to ask if anyone here knew anything about James and his brother Manor. They might have taken the last name Roebuck. Their parents live on the ranch – Anthony and Lucy Harkins.”

  “Their children was sold away from them.” The older woman shook her head. “I do know a few Roebucks. Of course, I’ll have to wait until the end of the work day to ask but I’ll pass the information on. There are so many people looking for their families. It breaks my heart. But you go on now and I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Thank you…”

  “Adell is my name.”

  “I’m Glory.”

  “We know your name. You’ve given people hope that we’ll all have a future someday.”

  “It was nice to meet you.” Glory said as she tucked her good hand into the crook of Kent’s bent elbow.

  They walked a bit and Kent could feel people watching them. It was uncomfortable. “One more stop, then we can go.”

  He stopped in front of the sheriff’s office and went in. It was filled with Union Soldiers sitting around. Everything went silent when they entered.

  “Major Cooke, I’d like a moment of your time.”

  “What do you want, Sandler?” The major took his feet off the desk and sat up straight.

  “We’ve had a lot happen at the ranch. Shooting at my wife and child is high on the list.”

  “Did you see who did it?” The major crossed his arms in front of him.

  “No and we have doubled our guards but it hasn’t deterred whoever is causing the problems.”

  Out of the corner of his eye he saw Glory walk to the wall and read the wanted poster. She turned pale and looked as though she was ready to pass out.

  “I just wanted you to know. Come, Glory we need to get back home.”

  She seemed scared. “Yes, I’d like that.” She flung open the door and hurried outside. Her gait was fast as she walked to the wagon.

  Kent had to hurry to catch up with her. “Glory, what happened in there.”

  “There’s a wanted poster and the picture looks just like my friend Xenia. The name was different but it sure did look like her. She’s wanted for robbing a train. They called the thief Mad Mary. Kent I’m afraid for her.”

  “There’s nothing you can do. I’m sure if she was in trouble she’d go back to the school and get help.”

  “Yes, of course you’re right.” She waited while he lifted Teddy into the wagon and then he lifted her. Somehow she didn’t seem at all convinced. Glory said a silent prayer for all the girls that went on to become mail order brides and teachers.

  He jumped up onto the seat and turned the wagon toward the way they came. No one bothered him when they left and then he stopped to collect his gun.

  “We’ll be home soon.”

  * * *

  Home it was such a simple word but it filled her with emotion. It was nice to have a home to go to and the joy of having a family. Teddy played with his wagon with a big smile on his face. He was so different from the boy they’d gotten not long ago.

  As soon as her shoulder healed she was going to learn to shoot. She needed to be able to protect her child.

  “What’s put that delightful smile on your face?” Kent asked as he glanced back at her.

  “Everything. Having a home to go to. Being married to such a kind man and of course being a mother. My life is nothing like I’d imagined but it’s much better than what I thought.”

  “Don’t forget good looking, strong, hard worker, good father and the best kisser in all of Texas.” He chuckled.

  “Maybe some of that is true,” she conceded.

  He glanced over his shoulder again. “I know which one you mean and I plan to pro
ve it to you as soon as we get a private moment.”

  She swore he hit every bump on the trail. She’d be one sore woman when she got home. That was another thing that had changed. She’d always thought of herself as a girl but she was a woman.

  “We probably should see about a trundle bed for the little one,” she said loudly.

  “On it.”

  She waited but he didn’t elaborate. She’d find out later. They still needed to figure out what to do about school. She wanted to continue but only if they had a safe place. Out in the pasture with the cattle would be the best place. She smiled. The children would probably want to ride them.

  “That’s a great wagon, Teddy.”

  He glanced up and nodded. “Dada give me it.” He showed her how the wheels really worked. “Me like Dada.” He pointed to the wagon and then at Kent.

  “Yes, you’ll grow up to be big and strong and smart like your dada. Your brain seems to be at the right level for your age. It’s the communication and few other things.”

  Teddy slid over and crawled into her lap. “My mama.”

  Her heart squeezed as she stroked his dark hair. He was the very image of Kent. They had Teddy now and that was all that mattered.

  They arrived home and Kent helped them both down. “I have to take care of the horses and the wagon and I think I should put in some time working with the quarter horses. I earn my keep.”

  She nodded and Kent stood toe to toe with her. He swooped down and kissed her enough to leave her shaky. “I told you my kisses were the best.” He grinned and walked toward the horses.

  He sure did know how to make her heart flutter. She wished she could go and let Lucy know that Adelle was going to put the word out about James and Manor but there wasn’t any way for her to carry Teddy. She’d get a message to her somehow.

  They went into the house and she locked the door behind her. Then she grabbed the shotgun, made sure it was loaded and put it in the middle of the table where Teddy couldn’t reach it. After that she took her bloodstained gowns and and sighed. The blood didn’t come out. She wasn’t left with many dresses to wear. She stared at the pile of cut out material and actually wished she could sew but not with the way her shoulder was.