Marnie:

by Shanna Hatfield

  “I started thinking about Sadie. She’ll need help getting dressed and she might like her hair styled. Would you mind if I ride along with you? You can drop me off down the street from Miss Clementine’s when we get back to town.” Marnie accepted Lars’ hand as he helped her into the surrey.

  “I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have keep me company,” he said, inordinately pleased Marnie wanted to go with him to get the Webster youngsters. It was a little more than an hour to their place in the surrey. He figured they’d need at least an hour to force the kids to have a bath if they hadn’t taken one the night before and feed them some breakfast, then another hour back to town. Church services would begin at eleven sharp that morning, so even if it took longer than he planned to get the kids ready, they should still have plenty of time to get back to Pendleton before then.

  Glancing over at her, he didn’t think Marnie had plans to go to church with him judging by the plain, somewhat wrinkled dress she had on and the long braid hanging down her back. Tendrils escaped and flew off every direction, making him smile.

  Whether she knew it or not, she was going to church and spending the afternoon with his family out at Dogwood Corners.

  Smiling to himself, he liked that Marnie didn’t feel a need to fill the silence with chatter. She sat quietly unless she had something to say. They’d ridden a few miles out of town when he noticed she huddled into her shawl. The morning air was cool, although the day promised to be warm.

  “Are you cold, sweet thing?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Sure you are.” Lars removed his coat and settled it around her shoulders despite her protests. He still had on his suit jacket and vest. Growing up in Chicago, he was used to cold temperatures, although the time he spent in the South thinned his blood considerably.

  Marnie snuggled into the warmth of Lars’ coat and breathed in his wonderful masculine scent. It was almost like having his arms wrapped around her.

  Content and happy, she settled back against the seat and watched light fill the morning sky as the sun popped over the horizon. Recalling Easter Sundays spent with her parents, sometimes attending sunrise services, she thought the morning couldn’t be any prettier for such a special day.

  Voicing her thoughts on the matter, though, would no doubt encourage Lars that she would accompany him and the children to church and that was not going to happen.

  Nearing the Webster cabin, they grinned at each other, anticipating how excited the two children would be to see them. Stopping the surrey far enough away he could survey the place, Lars took his field glasses from a box beneath the seat and studied the cabin. Sadie trooped out the door, heading toward the barn followed by Noah who made a beeline for the outhouse.

  “What are we waiting for?” Marnie whispered, wondering what Lars was hoping to see.

  “I want to make sure their father isn’t home.”

  “Oh, I forgot about him.” Marnie held her breath, waiting quietly.

  “I don’t think he’s there, but I can’t tell. I guess we’ll go on up and see. If he’s home, just follow my lead.” Lars looked at Marnie and she nodded her head in agreement. Returning the field glasses to the box, he picked up the reins and urged the horse off the road and up the lane to the cabin.

  They’d barely come to a stop when both Sadie and Noah ran over to greet them.

  “Happy Easter!” Marnie and Lars said in unison. She shed Lars’ coat and her shawl then jumped down, pulling Sadie into a motherly hug while Lars picked up Noah and tossed him in the air.

  “Easter? Today’s Easter?” Sadie asked, looking from Marnie to Lars.

  “It sure is. We want to take you to church and a picnic today,” Lars said, putting a hand on Sadie’s head while holding Noah in his other arm. “What do you say? Will you come?”

  “Yep!” Noah said, bouncing with excitement.

  “Now, just hold your horses. Pa could be home anytime and he ain’t gonna like it if we ain’t here.” Sadie planted her hands on her hips. “I don’t think we better go.”

  “We can leave him a note,” Marnie suggested, putting her hands on Sadie’s shoulders and giving her an encouraging squeeze.

  “That’d be dandy, but Pa can’t read.” Sadie shook her head. “I think we best stay home.”

  “What about your Uncle Ed? Will he be with your Pa? Can he read?” Lars asked.

  Sadie glared at Noah, wondering what all her brother told the man when she was sick. “Most likely they’ll be together and Uncle Ed can read some.”

  “Well, there we are then. Let’s eat breakfast then you two can get dressed.” Marnie gave Sadie a nudge toward the cabin door.

  “We are dressed.” Noah plucked at the leg of his worn overalls.

  “We brought you some new clothes, for church.” Lars grinned at the boy as his eyes lit with excitement. “After that, we’re going to have a picnic with my sisters and their families. There’ll be kids to play with and lots of good food to eat. What do you say?”

  “Can we leave right now?” Noah asked, putting his hands on Lars cheeks and nodding his head enthusiastically.

  Marnie laughed as she hugged Sadie around her shoulders. “After breakfast and after you change your clothes.”

  “Come on, Sadie, let’s hurry and do the chores.” Noah wiggled for Lars to set him down and ran toward the henhouse. Sadie returned to the barn to finish milking the cow.

  Lars carried in a basket with muffins Caterina set out for him the previous evening along with a box containing the shoes and underclothes they’d purchased for the youngsters. Marnie picked up the sheet-covered clothes and the basket with Sadie’s hat, stockings, and ribbons.

  “Do you think you could fry up some eggs to go with the muffins?” Lars asked as Marnie placed the clothes in the bedroom and returned to the main room of the cabin.

  “Certainly,” she said, sliding a skillet to the front of the stove and finding the butter. Adding a generous glob to the skillet, it began melting and popping. “Anything else?”

  “I think that will do for now. If we get back to town early enough, the kids can have a snack before church services begin.” Lars glanced around the cabin, glad to see the supplies he’d brought a few days ago were lasting. He’d snuck the photo he’d borrowed back in the trunk while the kids were outside. Since Tony was so talented with a camera, he’d asked him to take a photo of the photograph, so he and Kade could each have a copy. Considering what he had to work with, Tony did a good job.

  “Here’s the eggs!” Noah rushed in the door, carrying the egg basket.

  Marnie took it from him, giving him a big smile. “Thank you, Noah. Do you like scrambled or fried?”

  “Fried, please.” Noah tugged a chair closer to the stove so he could watch Marnie cook the eggs.

  “I’ll go help Sadie.” Lars backed toward the door. The sight of Marnie at the stove, with one arm wrapped around Noah as he leaned against her side, did strange things to his heart. It thumped crazily in his chest, making him think thoughts no man in his line of work had any business thinking.

  Wives and children were for men who could be home more than a handful of days a year. Once he caught the Bowman Gang, he’d go back to his office in Portland and receive his next assignment. He’d visit Pendleton as often as possible, now that he’d found his sisters and made friends in town, but he wouldn’t live there.

  Stepping out into the bright morning sunshine, Lars heard Sadie talking to the cow. Walking quietly to the barn door, he listened to her conversation.

  “Can you believe it, Lulu? We get to wear new clothes and go to town and see something besides this ugly ol’ farm. Mr. Lars sure takes good care of us, don’t he?”

  Her answer was a soft moo.

  “Miss Marnie, too. She’s such a pretty lady. I wish I could grow up to be just like her.”

  Lars sucked in a gulp of air and almost choked.

  “I wonder if my mama was nice like Miss Marnie. I bet she would be if Pa hadn’t
gone and made her try to have another baby.”

  Lars took a few steps back and whistled, letting Sadie know he was approaching. He had an idea she wouldn’t appreciate being caught talking to the cow.

  “You need some help?” he asked, stepping into the barn.

  “Nope. I’m just about done.” Sadie stripped the last of the milk from the cow and got up from her little stool. “You can carry the bucket if you want.”

  “That I can do.”

  “You look nice today,” Sadie said, glancing at Lars’ suit. He usually wore denims with a shirt and vest, but today he wore a dark gray suit. She couldn’t help thinking that he was a handsome man. Regardless of age, any female with eyes in her head could see he was very attractive.

  “Why, thank you, Sadie. I appreciate you noticing.” Lars smiled at her as they walked inside the cabin and he set the milk on the counter. Sadie got out a pitcher and he helped her strain the milk through a thin piece of cloth.

  “Noticing what?” Marnie asked as she finished frying the last egg and set a plate of them next to the muffins while Noah placed forks on the table.

  “How handsome Mr. Lars looks today.” Sadie glanced from Marnie to Lars. She giggled when Lars wiggled his eyebrows at Marnie, making her blush.

  “I suppose he does.” Marnie said, turning away from his teasing to place the butter on the table.

  The children ate their meal so fast, Lars wasn’t sure they bothered to chew. Sadie assured them they’d taken baths the previous evening, “because we ain’t complete heathens.”

  Marnie bit her cheek to keep from laughing at that statement as she washed the dishes and Sadie dried.

  Lars made Noah wash his hands and face before taking him in the bedroom to help him get dressed.

  Marnie wiped the crumbs from the table while Sadie scrubbed her own hands and face.

  Noah raced into the room, followed by Lars. “Look, Sadie! I gots new shoes and everything!” He held out one foot toward his sister.

  Sadie spun around from the sink, flinging droplets of water from her hands as she gaped at the boy.

  “Holy smoke, Noah! Look at you!” Sadie swiped her hands at a dishtowel then stood in front of her brother, admiring his dapper suit and new shoes.

  “Yep. I even gots new underwear!” Noah started to unfasten his knee pants. “Wanna see?”

  “That won’t be necessary.” Marnie smiled at Noah as Lars grabbed his hands. “I think we better get Sadie ready.”

  “I can get myself ready,” Sadie said, marching to the bedroom.

  “I’m sure you can, but I’d love to offer my assistance styling your hair.” Marnie followed the girl to the bedroom and quietly shut the door.

  Lars and Noah sat down at the table and Lars played a guessing game with the boy to keep him occupied. It seemed like Marnie and Sadie were taking forever. Pulling his watch from his pocket, he glanced at it, glad to discover they still had plenty of time. It was a good thing he’d decided to leave early this morning.

  He’d gone out to Nash’s Folly after leaving Marnie the previous afternoon to see if he could borrow Aundy and Garrett’s canopy-topped surrey. With two rows of seats, it would work well to transport the children and Marnie, because regardless of what she said, Lars intended to have her sitting beside him all day.

  When he’d glanced up and saw her standing in front of the restaurant in the dim morning light, his heart skipped a beat. He’d hoped she would go with him, particularly to smooth the way with Sadie, but he didn’t anticipate just how much he’d enjoy her company.

  “What’s taking so long?” Noah asked, climbing onto his lap.

  “You might as well learn right now, son, that there is no rushing a woman when she’s getting ready.”

  “Not at all?” Noah tipped his head, giving him a questioning look.

  “Not at all.” Lars grinned and tweaked Noah’s nose. He recalled all the times he and his father had impatiently waited for his mother, Aundy, and Ilsa to get ready to go to church or the few occasions they went out somewhere. It always seemed to take half of forever for them to get ready. Wishing his parents could see his happy, beautiful sisters now, he sent up a prayer of gratitude for finding them after all those years apart.

  “Isn’t she beautiful?” Marnie asked as she walked Sadie into the room.

  Lars set Noah on his feet and stood, letting out a whistle. “Aren’t you a vision, Miss Sadie?”

  The little girl’s cheeks turned pink and she glanced down at her dress. The salmon color was perfect for her complexion. White stockings encased her legs and the new black shoes were just a little big, giving her growing room. Marnie stuffed a handkerchief into each toe, making them fit.

  Wearing new clothes from the skin out, Sadie struggled to hold back her tears. “I ain’t never had nothing like this before.”

  “Well, you look like a princess.” Lars said, kissing her cheek. “I like your hat.”

  “Me, too!” Sadie ran up a hand to the brim of her flat straw hat. Salmon and cream ribbon roses nestled on one side, matching her dress. Marnie pulled her hair back and tied it with a cream ribbon at the nape, then settled the hat on her head. It was lovelier than anything Sadie had ever dreamed of owning.

  “And I get to keep everything?” Sadie asked Marnie for the third time.

  Marnie nodded her head, fighting back her own tears. Sadie was so grateful for the clothes, it saddened her that the little girl had owned so few nice things in her lifetime. Marnie recalled all the pretty dresses she had as a young girl along with toys and treats. Life had been so different then.

  “You and Noah both get to keep your clothes, but it would probably be best if you put his suit and your dress away and save them for when you go to town. The shoes and other things you can wear all you want.” Lars picked up the empty baskets and motioned for everyone to go out the door. “If we want to arrive at church on time, we need to get going.”

  “Hooray!” Noah exclaimed, running outside.

  “We forgot Pa’s note.” Sadie came to a hasty stop halfway out the door.

  “Do you want to write it?” Marnie asked, stepping aside as Sadie charged back into the room.

  “You probably better. I barely know the alphabet,” the little girl mumbled, pulling a tablet and a pencil out of a drawer and handing it to Marnie.

  Quickly writing a message, Marnie handed it to Lars. He nodded his head and ripped the sheet of paper from the notebook, setting it on the table.

  “What’s it say?” Sadie asked after returning the tablet and pencil to the drawer.

  “It says, ‘Pa, we went to town with friends for Easter. We’ll be back before nightfall. Love, Sadie and Noah.’ Is that okay?”

  “Yep.” Sadie hurried outside, anxious to leave.

  “Do you think he’ll come back today?” Marnie whispered to Lars as they walked out the door and he closed it behind them.

  “No, I don’t.”

  Marnie nodded then pasted on a bright smile as they approached the surrey. Noah had already climbed up to the back seat. Lars lifted up Sadie then gave Marnie a hand as she stepped into the conveyance.

  Lively chatter filled the morning air on the way back to town. Apparently, the children hadn’t been off the place since sometime last fall when their father let them accompany him to town to purchase supplies.

  Marnie gave Lars a concerned look and he shrugged his shoulders. He knew Webster wasn’t taking care of his kids, but he didn’t know what to do about it. Other than the lack of education, the kids did pretty well on their own, although Lars hated to think of the two little ones spending so much time unsupervised.

  Nearing town, Marnie put a hand on his arm, drawing his attention. “Go to the restaurant. I’ll walk home from there.” She spoke quietly, so the children wouldn’t hear.

  “That isn’t going to happen.” Lars gave her a charming smile. “You’re going to church with us. End of discussion.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  �
�Yes, you are.”

  “I won’t.”

  “You will.”

  “You can’t make me.”

  “Yes, I can.”

  “What in thunderation are you two fighting about?” Sadie leaned forward and stared at them.

  “Oh, it’s, um…” Marnie glowered at Lars.

  “We were just…” Lars didn’t know what to say.

  “Arguing. You sounded worse than me and Noah and you two are the grown-ups.” Sadie sat back and crossed her arms over her chest.

  Marnie didn’t want to spoil the day for the youngsters. “Mr. Lars and I were just discussing that I need to go home and change before church.”

  “That’s right. I think she looks perfectly lovely just the way she is,” Lars said, shooting Marnie a cocky grin.

  “She’s bee-yoo-tee-ful!” Noah said with all the boyish charm a six-year-old could muster.

  “Thank you, Noah, but I must insist on having the opportunity to change my dress and repair my hair.” Marnie knew if she could get away from Lars, he wouldn’t bring the children to Miss Clementine’s and she could pretend to have taken ill or concoct some excuse not to go to church with them.

  Just because it was Easter Sunday didn’t mean Marnie and the Lord were suddenly on speaking terms. She’d given up sending her prayers heavenward when she was fourteen and as far as she could tell, her heartfelt requests hadn’t been missed.

  On top of that, she was sure the church would collapse when everyone shifted to one side of the building to avoid sitting with her on the other side, should she somehow give in to Lars’ demands and attend.

  Driving into town, Marnie grasped his arm and whispered in a frantic voice. “For goodness sakes, don’t drop me off at work. Leave me outside Ilsa’s place or at the end of the block.”

  Lars nodded his head, knowing Marnie had no intention of attending church with him, but she’d be there if he had to carry her every step of the way. He had no problem reverting to the behavior of a cavedweller and tossing her over his shoulder if necessary.

  Stopping the surrey outside Ilsa’s shop, he set the brake and started to get down to help Marnie alight, but she’d already jumped out, turning to smile at the children. “I’ll see you both later.”