“Are you sure? The water’s hot and it wouldn’t be any trouble at all,” Aundy said, making a cup to prove her point.
“I’m fine, but I do thank you for the offer.” Marnie looked around the spacious, airy kitchen. Although Ilsa didn’t cook, she had a well-appointed kitchen with every tool and modern convenience available.
Aundy seemed to detect her discomfort and decided to make her feel more at home. “Lars, you should have left her things at the hall tree. She’ll want to take off her hat and gloves before she settles in for a visit.”
“Sorry. Didn’t think about it,” he said, swallowing a bite of muffin so he could speak.
“I’m sure you didn’t.” Aundy tapped him on the arm before turning another smile on Marnie. “Would you like to see the baby?”
“Honestly, I just asked Lars to bring this gift, but he insisted I deliver it in person. I’m sure Ilsa is worn out and I don’t want to disturb her.” Marnie looked from Lars to his sister.
“She would want you to say hello,” Tony reassured her. “Ilsa will be thrilled you came to see her and Laila. Go on up with Aundy.”
“I… I really don’t mean to intrude.” Marnie could beat Lars with her pocketbook for making her barge in on what was obviously family time. She didn’t belong here any more than one of Kade’s prisoners.
“No intrusion.” Tony smiled at her kindly. “Go on up and visit for a minute or two.”
“I’ll go with you,” Aundy said, leading the way down the hall to the front door where Aundy insisted Marnie leave her hat, gloves and pocketbook. They walked together up the grand staircase to the second floor and down the hallway to Ilsa’s bedroom door. Aundy cracked it open and looked inside, then pushed the door back toward the wall. “You’ve got a visitor, Ilsa.”
“As long as they don’t mind me looking like I’ve been dragged backwards through a knothole, come on in,” Ilsa said. Her small smile turned into a broad grin when she saw who joined Aundy in the doorway. “Marnie! I’m so happy you came.”
Walking across the soft carpeting, Marnie thought Ilsa looked like a beautiful doll sitting in the big bed propped up on a pile of pillows covered in crisp white linens embroidered with yellow roses.
Taking the hand her friend held out to her, Marnie glanced down at the baby sleeping cradled in Ilsa’s other arm.
“Oh, she’s beautiful,” Marnie whispered, carefully holding the gift she carried, afraid if she set it down she’d give in to the temptation to touch the baby. The last baby she could remember holding had been her infant brother right before he died of a fever when she was eight.
“We all think so, but then we may be biased,” Ilsa said, smiling first at Marnie then Aundy.
Aundy took the gift from Marnie’s hands then Ilsa handed her the baby.
“There, now you can cuddle Laila while I open this lovely gift.”
“But Ilsa, I really…” Marnie fell immediately in love with the adorable bundle in her arms. The protest she began to utter died before she gave it voice as she gazed down at the newborn. Bringing the baby closer to her face, Marnie breathed in the fragrance of heaven and closed her eyes, wanting to savor every moment of holding a baby close to her heart.
Aundy and Ilsa gave each other a knowing glance then Ilsa returned her attention to the gift on her lap. Removing the pink ribbon, she set it on the table next to the bed then began folding back the material.
She and Aundy both gasped in surprise and delight as they lifted out a baby gown every bit as beautiful as anything Ilsa could create. The same pale shade of pink as the gown Marnie wore, the gown had tiny little rosebuds embroidered across the yoke with pintucks along the front. Delicate lace that looked like Marnie had somehow spun air into a floral design bordered the sleeves and hem.
“That is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.” Ilsa held it up to be able to see it better.
“It’s exquisite, Marnie.” Aundy reached out and ran a finger across the neck of the gown. “You must have spent hours making this.”
Marnie ducked her head and felt warmth fill her cheeks. Not much made her blush, but hearing two women she greatly admired praise her efforts pleased her greatly although she felt unworthy of their kind words.
“I’m glad you like it.” Marnie spoke quietly as she stood slowly rocking the baby from side to side in a motion most women knew instinctively when it came to soothing and comforting little ones.
“Oh! Look at this!” Ilsa held up the white fabric that wrapped the baby’s gift. It wasn’t just a piece of material, but a beautiful shawl embroidered with the same roses as the baby’s gown. “Marnie, this is too much, but I love it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Marnie lifted her gaze to Ilsa’s and saw her genuine pleasure in the gift. “I just wanted to do something to say thank you for your friendship. It’s something I treasure.”
“We both treasure yours, as well,” Ilsa said, glancing at Aundy, who quickly nodded in agreement. The two sisters had chatted about Marnie that very morning, wondering if she would pay a visit. They both knew the town gossips would wag their tongues that they not only befriended one of the soiled doves, but also welcomed her into their homes and allowed her to hold baby Laila.
Seeing the look of love on Marnie’s face as she held the baby, Ilsa knew they had done the right thing by opening their homes and hearts to the woman. She needed their friendship as much as they appreciated hers.
“You ladies are going to love all the sweetness right off my little angel,” Lars said from the doorway, startling the baby and making her cry.
“Keep your voice down,” Ilsa and Aundy both cautioned, giving him dark looks. Prepared to take the baby back since she’d started fussing, Ilsa tried to hide her surprise as Marnie murmured softly and continued rocking Laila in her arms. In no time at all, the baby fell asleep.
“Sorry,” Lars whispered, walking behind Marnie so he could look over her shoulder at his niece. “She’s sure a pretty little thing.”
“That is an indisputable fact, Mr. Thorsen.” Marnie lifted her gaze to his and the look in her eyes set his heart pounding at an accelerated pace.
The shutters to those blue eyes were wide open and he could see the longing and love she kept hidden deep in her heart. She needed to be a mother and a wife, to live a normal life.
As much as he wanted that for her, he wouldn’t and couldn’t be the man to give it to her. Not when his entire world revolved around his work as a U.S. Marshal.
Without a doubt, though, Marnie didn’t belong at Miss Clementine’s place. She belonged in a home of her own with a husband and babies to love.
Schooling his features to remain neutral, he smiled at Ilsa as she held out Marnie’s gifts for his inspection.
“You made these, sweet thing?” he asked, holding Laila’s little gown in his big, rough hands. The pale, delicate fabric contrasted sharply to the tan of his skin as he brushed a finger over the rosebuds.
“Yes, I did. Ilsa taught me any number of her tips and tricks for stitching.” Marnie returned her gaze to the baby. The sight of Lars, all rugged man, holding that tiny little gown did crazy things to her heart. She thought it might pool at her feet in a moment if he kept rubbing his fingers so tenderly across the yoke. She could picture him holding his own child with even more tender loving care.
Voices from downstairs floated into the room and Marnie looked over her shoulder in a panic. Dropping a kiss on top of the baby’s head, she handed her back to Ilsa then focused a narrowed gaze on Lars.
She begged for his help, desperate to escape unseen by Ilsa’s company, even though she’d not uttered a word.
Taking her hand in his, he kissed Ilsa’s cheek and nodded to Aundy. “I better escort Miss Marnie back to her place and then get to work.”
“Thank you for coming, Marnie.” Ilsa smiled at her friend. “Please come anytime. I love having you here and I want you to see Laila all you like.”
“I appreciate the invitation, Ilsa, but w
e’ll see.” Marnie followed Lars into the hall and down the back stairs to the kitchen.
Garrett was gone and voices from the front hall confirmed Tony welcomed the first of many guests who would appear throughout the day.
Lars opened the back door and Marnie put a hand to her head, remembering her hat. Placing a hand on Lars’ arm to stop him, she glanced in the direction of the hallway.
“Aundy left my hat and things on the hall tree. Would it be okay to leave them and have someone bring them to me later?” Marnie asked in a whisper.
“Just wait here,” Lars said, striding down the hall. Marnie waited to hear his deep voice but he remained silent and soon appeared in the kitchen carrying her hat along with her gloves and pocketbook.
Accepting them from him, she fastened the hat on her head and jammed her fingers in her gloves. In her haste to leave, she ended up with her thumb and index finger shoved into the thumb of the glove and yanked it back off.
“Take a deep breath.” Lars put a calming hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. “Whoever came is upstairs with Ilsa. No one saw me pick up your things and no one will see us leave.”
“Good,” Marnie said, righting her glove and picking up her pocketbook. “I knew this was a bad idea.”
“No it wasn’t. Ilsa was thrilled to see you and I know you enjoyed meeting Laila.” Lars motioned for her to walk ahead of him. He took his time shutting the door and following her down the steps to the driveway that ran down to the street from the barn. Lingering behind her, he gave himself ample opportunity to watch that little sway she put in her walk. Considering the brisk pace she set, he was certain she had no idea she even did it, making it infinitely more appealing.
Lengthening his stride, he easily caught up to her and placed her hand on his arm.
“What’s the hurry?”
“You need to get to work. I didn’t realize this little jaunt was keeping you.” Marnie barely stopped to wait for a wagon to pass before rushing across the street. The honking of a horn made them both turn and wave at Doc Reed as he drove in the direction of Tony and Ilsa’s house in his bright red automobile.
“This jaunt, as you so put it, isn’t keeping me from work and I’m glad you went with me. What do you think of our baby?”
“Our baby? You had some involvement in her arrival, did you?” Marnie felt a smile kick up the corners of her mouth despite the turmoil churning inside her.
“I kept Tony company for a while until Ilsa begged him to stay with her. Does that count?”
“I suppose you’ve earned a slight modicum of credit for your efforts.”
Lars glanced down at Marnie with a cocky grin. “Full of big words this morning, aren’t you?”
“At least I’m not full of hot air and hogwash.”
Laughing at her teasing, Lars walked her up the stairs to the back door of Miss Clementine’s.
“Have a good day, sweet thing.” He hated to tell her goodbye, but knew he needed to get back to his job of hunting down the Bowman Gang. Fingering a curl that fell over her shoulder, he savored the feel of the soft, silky tresses between his fingers. “I’m glad you’re speaking to me again.”
“Me, too. Enjoy your day, Lars.” Marnie hurried inside and closed the door behind her before he could give her another kiss and throw her world completely out of balance.
Chapter Eleven
Staring through a pair of field glasses toward the Webster cabin from his hiding spot in the trees across the road, Lars wondered if Chad Webster had abandoned both his farm and his children.
In the weeks he’d been keeping an eye on the place, he had yet to see the outlaw there. Sadie claimed he was keeping an eye on them, but Lars was convinced Webster hadn’t put in an appearance in quite a while.
Concluding the two Webster kids were still on their own, he rode back around the trees to the road, so it would look like he approached from town.
Between the kids, Marnie, and his newly found family, he was turning into a sappy, sentimental fool. Instead of a singular focus set on bringing in the gang, thoughts of a harlot who shouldn’t be, two children without a visible parent, and his sisters filled his head.
As he swung down from Viking, Noah burst out of the cabin, running to Lars and throwing his thin arms around one of his muscular legs.
“Hello, little man. What’s wrong?” Lars swung the boy up in one arm while looping Viking’s reins around a hitching rail.
“Sadie’s sick. I don’t want her to die, Lars!” Noah wailed, burying his face against the front of Lars’ vest. He’d removed his jacket earlier and tied it behind his saddle. As the day warmed, he wished he could remove his vest and unbutton his shirt, but didn’t want to discard all propriety.
“She’s not going to die. Now, let’s go see what’s wrong with her.” Lars carried Noah inside the cabin.
Sadie’s moans followed by the sound of her retching reached Lars’ ears and everything in him wanted to turn around and ride back down the road. His training encompassed any number of things, but handling vomiting children was not on the list.
“How long has she been like this?”
“Not too long after we had lunch.” Noah looked at Lars expectantly, convinced he could make Sadie well.
Since it was mid-afternoon, Lars surmised she’d been sick for an hour or two. Removing his hat and vest, he left them on a kitchen chair. Rolling up his sleeves, he dreaded what he’d find when he stepped into the cabin’s one bedroom, but he needed to tend to the little girl.
Pumping a glass full of water, he glanced at Noah. “What did you eat for lunch?”
“Sadie fried us a couple eggs and the last piece of that ham you brung last time you was here. She tried to make me drink some milk but it smelled funny, so I had a glass of water.” Noah anxiously hopped off one foot to the other.
“The milk smelled funny? Like it was sour?” Lars asked as he walked to the bedroom door and braced himself for whatever waited inside.
“Yep. Told Sadie not to drink it but she’s so stubborn she glugged it down like Pa does with his special bottles I’m not s’posed to drink from.”
“Is that right?” Lars walked inside the room. Sadie half hung off the bed with her pale face over a tin pail.
Glancing up, she frowned at her brother and the giant standing beside him. “I done told him I’d be fine. I ain’t gonna die on you, Noah.”
“Lars will fix you right up, won’t you?” Noah turned to look at the towering man with a mixture of awe and admiration.
“I don’t think there’s much I can do to help Miss Sadie, Noah, until nature runs its course.” Lars stepped next to the narrow cot where she rested and handed her the glass of water. She took a sip, handed it back then moaned again as she rested against a thin little pillow.
Although he’d briefly been in the room before, Lars took his time looking around. A large bed with fluffy pillows caught his attention, along with another tiny little cot against the far wall that served as Noah’s bed.
“First thing we’re going to do is make you comfortable, Miss Sadie,” Lars said, turning back the covers on the big bed and finding them clean.
“No, sir. I ain’t sleeping in that bed. Pa would whip me into next week.” Sadie looked aghast at the very idea of climbing into her father’s bed. No doubt, Webster clearly warned her to stay out of it with no exceptions to his rule.
Lars couldn’t care less what Chad Webster had told his daughter. The girl was sick and the pathetic little cot she was on wouldn’t do at all. How the two kids managed to sleep on the skimpy mattresses and nearly nonexistent pillows, he didn’t know.
Taking a step closer to pick up the girl, she lurched over the side of the bed and buried her head in the pail. Lars had to turn away and gather his composure. He’d never been good around anyone who was sick. Swallowing hard, he looked at Noah.
“Run outside and find another bucket, Noah.”
“Yes, sir!” Noah’s footsteps thudded as he raced through the ca
bin to the door.
Lars handed Sadie the glass of water again and she took another sip then handed it back to him. A light sheen of perspiration covered her forehead and she stared at him as she tried to get comfortable. He could see relief and gratitude in her eyes, even if she’d never admit she was glad he was there.
Setting the glass on a dresser near the door, he returned to the kitchen and found a clean rag. Holding it beneath the pump, he soaked it with cool water before wringing it out. Going back to Sadie, he bent over and brushed it across her face.
“How’s that feel?” He wiped it along her neck and then swiped it over her hands. She suddenly pushed against him and reared up, turning to the pail.
When she finished, he handed her the water and she drained the glass.
“Don’t know why I bother drinking anything. It just comes right back up.”
“You don’t want to get dehydrated.” He took the glass from her and set it back on the dresser.
“What’s dehydrated?”
“It means your body uses up too much liquid. It can make you really sick.” He held the back of his hand to her forehead. She seemed a little warm, but not overly so. Studying the little girl, he noticed she still wore her dress and shoes as she rested on top of the covers of her bed.
“Here’s a bucket,” Noah ran in the room and plunked it down at the foot of Sadie’s bed.
“Good job, Noah. Can you keep an eye on your sister while I take this bucket out?” Lars picked up the pail and carried it out to the outhouse where he emptied it.
Trying not to gag from the stench, he rinsed it out at the pump outside and took a moment to breathe in clean, fresh air before returning to the cabin.
Washing his hands at the kitchen sink, he retrieved the empty water glass and rag. Filling the glass and rinsing out the rag, he went back to the bedroom. He thought Sadie looked a little better than she had when he first arrived.
He returned to the kitchen and filled a basin with warm water from the reservoir on the stove then dug out another clean rag.
Marnie: Page 13
