“I think that’s smart. If there are no kids this week, at least you’ll have it for next week. We’ll freeze anything perishable, just in case.”
“We’ll go to town in the morning, but in the afternoon, I’d like to sit down and plan activities. I will want there to be a well-scheduled day.” Hope looked at Linda. “I saw an old swing set out behind the house. Do you think it’s safe for children?”
“Definitely. Especially with supervision, which we’ll be sure they always have.”
Karlan walked over to Hope, taking her hand. “You ready to go home?”
Hope nodded. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning. I think we’ll leave for town around nine? Does that work?”
Joy and Faith nodded, before returning to their men. Hope hugged Linda. “See you tomorrow.”
As they walked home, Karlan asked what her plans were for the next day. “I need to go into town to see about getting a daycare license and do some grocery shopping. Faith and Joy want to check out Culpepper as well. See if there are any shops that will help us. How far is it to Culpepper anyway?”
“It’ll take you about twenty minutes to get there. It’s a small town, and you might get some looks. There’s a lot to do for the for childcare license, but I’ll pull some strings and get you pushed through faster. Why be mayor if I can’t help out my wife with little things like that?”
“Why would I get looks?”
Karlan laughed. “It’s a small town made up of mostly men. You’re pretty girls no one knows. Trust me. You’ll get looks.”
Hope blushed. “It’s a good thing I’m already married.”
He squeezed her hand. “Yes, it is.” He frowned as he thought of something. “We’d talked about getting rings after the wedding. I’m not sure about that now. We need to sink every dime into savings, so we can buy Travis out.”
“I understand. The ranch is a lot more important than a ring.”
He let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you understand.”
“Just so I get a ring someday.”
“Absolutely!”
When they got back to the house, she piled up her fabric pieces she’d left out and put them into the craft room. It wasn’t late enough to sleep, but Karlan seemed very distracted to her, so she wanted to stay out of his way. When his phone rang, she got out the red and white fabrics and started cutting out the Santa outfits for Christmas for the babies. Why not? He was too busy for her anyway.
He made phone calls on and off all night, and finally put his phone down at nine. “I have an emergency city council meeting tomorrow night.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “What are you making now?”
She grinned. “These are little Santa outfits for the babies.”
He shrugged. She certainly knew how to keep busy and stay out of trouble. Those were good qualities in a wife. “I’m going to have to go into town right after work tomorrow. You can either spend the evening with your sisters and Mom and probably my brothers as well, or you can stay here. Up to you.”
Hope smiled. “You know, I like the idea of having some time to myself. I haven’t really been alone in my life. I’ve always shared a bedroom with a sister. I’ve always had someone with me, because our parents figured if we traveled in pairs, we wouldn’t get into trouble. A night alone sounds good.”
Karlan made a face. “Married for less than two days, and my wife is already glad to get rid of me.”
Hope laughed. “Not glad to get rid of you at all. But happy to savor the time I’ve been given to be alone.”
He grabbed her and pulled her to him, kissing her madly. “Okay, you go off to your lonely bed, and I’ll go to mine. You sure you don’t want to play a game of slap and tickle?”
“Slap and tickle?”
“Do you prefer getting frisky? Bumping uglies? Aggressive cuddling? Assault with a friendly weapon? Bedroom rodeo? Boinking? The pickle tickle?”
She just stared at him for a moment. “Are you finished?”
He shrugged. “For now. I’ll save some for later.”
She stood on tiptoe and brushed her lips against his. “Good night, Karlan.”
As she wandered off to her solitary bedroom, he watched her with a grin. She was something, that wife of his. He didn’t necessarily believe she and her sisters could raise any money, but he sure did think a lot of her for trying. She was a good woman.
* * *
Hope woke up to her alarm at five, rubbing her eyes. Wandering into the kitchen, she put bacon on to fry as she whipped up the egg and milk mixture she needed to coat the bread for French toast.
By the time Karlan made it into the kitchen, she had breakfast on the table and was pouring them both a cup of coffee. He didn’t say a word, but simply picked up his coffee and took a big sip.
“Do you want milk as well?”
He nodded, obviously still tired. “That’d be great.”
“What do you do for lunch while you’re working?” she asked.
He shrugged. “I usually go to Mom’s. She’ll fix me a sandwich.”
“Oh, all right. I’ll probably still be in town at lunchtime today, and since I’ll be working there, that sounds like it’s something that should continue.”
“Sounds good to me.” He sat down at the table, liberally buttering and adding syrup to his French toast. He took a bite of the bacon and smiled at her. “Perfectly crisp. Is there anything you can’t do?”
“Ride a horse. Someday, I’ll learn to do that too, though.”
He smiled, grabbing her hand and pressing it to his lips. “Yes, you will.”
After she kissed him goodbye, he walked toward the stable, which was situated between the houses. She immediately made the beds and cleaned the kitchen. Then she started on her sewing. She sat in the room she’d dubbed the craft room with the tiny little pumpkin outfit pieces.
By the time she needed to leave for the big house, Hope had finished three of the tiny little outfits. She wanted to giggle at how cute they’d turned out. She carried them with her to show her sisters, hoping that Faith had one of the babies with her to try them on.
She went in the back door, understanding Linda didn’t want her to knock. She saw Faith sitting at the table knitting away at something with Chastity. “Why are you knitting?” Hope asked with surprise. They all knew how to do each other’s crafts, of course, but Faith’s time was much better spent with her doll sculpting. None of the others were at her level of expertise.
“My clay hasn’t arrived yet,” Faith said with a frown. “And even if it had, my kiln won’t be here for a while yet.”
“That’s true,” Hope said. “You have to see what I did this morning.” She pulled the tiny outfits from behind her back and held them out for Faith to see.
“Oh, those are darling! I didn’t quite understand what you meant until right this second.” Faith jumped up from her chair. “I have Sara with me. Let me try it on her.” She rushed off down the hall, while Linda came out of the kitchen to see what Hope held.
“Oh, those are cute! Are they for the dolls Faith makes?”
“Yes, what do you think?” Hope wasn’t sure how much Linda knew about Faith’s business, so she kept the whole tone casual.
“They’re so cute! I want a doll, and I want one of those cute outfits. I love decorating for Halloween.”
Hope smiled as Faith ran back into the room with Sara. She put the life-like doll on the table and stripped the clothes off.
Linda stared at the doll for a moment. “That looks so real! It’s amazing! Where do you get the heads?”
“I sculpt them,” Faith said with a smile. She held her hand out for the outfit, and Hope handed it to her. A minute later, she held the baby up with the orange pumpkin outfit on.
The little orange and green stem hat made Hope giggle. “That’s exactly how I pictured it!”
“Oh, it’s wonderful, Hope! How long did it take you to make these?”
“I cut them out yesterday, and that took about three hours,
but I managed to cut twenty-two out of fabric that was supposed to be for twenty. And then I’ve been sewing since six. So about six hours, so far, but I’m getting faster. I think I’ll be able to sew the others in under thirty minutes each, now that they’re all cut out.”
“So you could conceivably do a whole set every day, even with the daycare.”
“I absolutely think I could.”
Faith nodded, obviously excited. “That’s awesome! I think we can charge even more than I was thinking for them.”
Joy walked in, looking at the baby. “Oh, that outfit is adorable. You did great, Hope!”
Hope grinned. “Thanks!” She looked at Linda. “Did you think of anything else you need?”
Linda thought for a minute before shaking her head. “No. I think I’m all set.”
“All right. We’ll be back in a few hours. We’ll probably eat lunch in town.”
Linda nodded. “Have a good time.”
As they were walking toward the door, Hope hissed at Chastity, “Behave yourself!”
“I always do!” Chastity said with a sweet smile.
Hope frowned, but walked back toward the house she shared with Karlan, her sisters at her sides. “If I’d been thinking, I’d have driven over this morning. Sorry you have to walk.”
“Oh, no big deal,” Faith said. “It’s good for us.”
“How’s married life?” Joy asked, a twinkle in her eye. “I’ve been afraid to ask with Chastity there, because she’d want to ask about the size of his pickle.”
Hope shook her head. “Karlan’s a good man. I’m glad we’re married.” She didn’t add anything, not wanting to accidentally give something away. She’d promised Karlan she wouldn’t tell her sisters about their arrangement, and she’d never been able to keep a secret from them.
The town was just as small as the one they’d grown up in, but the doll store there was unique. Faith talked to the owner about her business, showing her the website on her phone. The owner agreed that if she ever caught up with orders and had an inventory, she’d be happy to sell them.
There was a small yarn store in town which thrilled Joy to no end. “This will be perfect for getting the little things I need. I mean, they don’t have the canvas, but I’ll buy that in bulk anyway.”
Next they stopped at City Hall to apply for a childcare license. The process was quite easy, and the girl they spoke to seemed excited. “My mom is sick of keeping my son while I work. Do you take two year olds?”
“We’ll take any age up until they start school.”
“Oh, that’s awesome! I’m Tiffany, and I’ll be bringing Sebastian out tomorrow. Mom is going to be so happy!” Tiffany couldn’t have been much older than twenty, and she bounced as she spoke to them.
“I’ll look forward to that. What time will you bring him?” Hope asked.
“Seven-thirty or so. I need to be here at eight.”
“That’s perfect. You know where the ranch is?”
Tiffany laughed. “Oh, every girl for miles around knows where the Culpepper Ranch is. Those men are too handsome to go unnoticed.”
Hope frowned at that. She didn’t like the idea of all the girls in town checking out her husband. “I’m married to Karlan.”
“Congratulations. That one is a real catch.” Tiffany winked at her, making Hope feel better about the whole thing.
After they left there, it was off to the grocery store. “We have our first kid. I’d better buy food for twelve. I don’t think we can handle more than that.”
“Sounds good to me,” Joy said. She didn’t care much about the childcare, because she had her own work to do, but she’d help out whenever she needed to. They all would. Hope hadn’t asked, but the answer was unspoken. Sisters help sisters.
Despite their financial troubles, Hope knew she was where she needed to be. She was finally happy. If only she could get over her fear of making love with her husband.
7
After putting away the groceries, Hope, Joy, and Faith all returned to the big house to talk strategy. Hope carried her iPad with her, knowing it would be the easiest way for her to take notes on what they discussed.
Joy spread her arms wide as they walked. “I love Wyoming! This air is so fresh and the people are so nice! And there’s a sexy cowboy kissing me every evening.”
“Oh? Kissing? Kolby?” Hope asked. She felt like she’d been a bad sister since they’d arrived in Culpepper, not paying as much attention to her sisters’ lives as she should.
“Yes, Kolby. He’s incredible.”
“You’re not mad at me for snatching Karlan up before anyone else got a shot at him?” Hope asked.
Joy and Faith both laughed. “Not at all!” Faith said. “I wouldn’t have Karlan on a bet! He seems so boring.”
Hope grinned. “Really? Karlan?” His kisses set her on fire, but her sisters thought he was boring? What was wrong with them? Or was something wrong with her?
“Yes!” Joy said. “I’ve spent time with all three of the other brothers, but Kolby is the man for me. I wouldn’t want Karlan.”
Hope linked her arm with Joy’s. “I’m so glad. Sisters before misters!”
Joy laughed. “We’ve always said that, but it never mattered before now. Of course, we all knew Chastity was lying when she said it.”
“God love Chastity,” Faith said. “I love her, but she’s nuts. She says she and Chris haven’t done the deed yet, but they sneak off when they think no one is looking.”
“I’m not going to think about it!” Hope declared. “I’m going to set up a business plan for Culpepper Care today.” She paused for a moment before looking at Faith. “Do you think you could up your production at all? I know you don’t have your stuff yet, but when it gets here? Your business is established, so I think you’ll have a better chance to make more than the rest of us.”
Faith nodded. “As soon as my clay and kiln are here, I’ll be working like a madwoman. We’re all as determined to make the finances work out as you are, Hope.”
“Good. If you can make even twenty-five percent more, that would be awesome.” Hope had no idea how much they needed to earn, so she wanted to maximize every minute of time to make as much as they could. She’d always been the numbers girl, so it was up to her to make it happen.
“I think I can do that. I’ll do my best. I wonder if Chastity could make little socks.” Faith looked contemplative at the idea.
“I bet we could talk Linda into making baby quilts for them if we explained why!” Joy suggested.
“We could even just tell her that we’re hoping to sell them. She knows we’re doing an Etsy store and eBay. I bet she’d make doll quilts for that.” Hope didn’t want to turn Faith off of any idea that might help them make money. As long as she didn’t have to tell her secret, Hope was sure Faith would be agreeable.
“We could do that,” Faith said. “Are you going to make notes about everything and tell us how much to charge to make it worth our while?”
“Is the Pope Catholic?” Hope asked.
They walked in the back door of the big house, finding Linda and Chastity at the table together. Linda was cutting out quilt blocks, and Chastity’s knitting needles were flying as she worked on a pair of socks.
“What are you making, Linda?” Hope asked, putting her iPad down on the other end of the table from where Linda was set up with a cutting mat and a rotary cutter.
“I thought I’d try my hand at making a doll quilt. If we make them an add-on for your dolls, I think we could make some money from them.” Linda looked at Faith. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“I think it’s brilliant! The more we can add on for the dolls, the more money we’ll make.”
“Oh, good!” Linda said with a smile. “I was afraid you’d think I was being presumptuous.”
Hope shook her head. “We’re all doing everything we can to make money to help out. I appreciate you thinking of it and being willing to work with us.”
F
aith sat down at the table. “I loved the doll shop in town. They said that they would take any extra dolls we end up with.”
“That’s wonderful! Do you have any idea what you’ll sell them for?”
Faith shrugged. “Hope is in charge of all that. She’s our money person.”
Hope turned her iPad on and looked at the others expectantly. “We’ll have at least one child starting tomorrow. He’s two and his name is Sebastian.”
“Oh, sure. Tiffany Snow’s little boy. Her mother is so sick of having to run after a toddler all day.” Linda shook her head. “I’d love to be privileged enough to run after my grandbaby.”
The phone rang then, startling Hope. “You have a home phone? I didn’t think they even existed anymore!”
Linda laughed, walking over to answer the phone. “Hello? Oh, sure. Yes, we’re planning on starting tomorrow. Stacy and Bob? Yes, we’ll be ready for them. Thanks!” She looked at Hope. “Stacy is four and Bob is two. We’re going to start out with three, I guess.”
The phone rang pretty consistently after that as word spread through the small town that someone was opening a childcare. By the end of the afternoon, they had eleven children signed up to come the following day. Hope did some quick math, working out the profit for each child.
“I’ll need some help with meals and watching the kids. Is everyone on board with this?” Hope looked at Faith. “You’ll be the last I ask for help once your supplies are in, but I will still need to ask some.”
“Of course. We’re all in this together.”
Hope smiled, continuing with the menu planning she’d started before the phone calls. “Chastity, would you prefer to watch the kids in the morning while I cook lunch? Or do you want to cook lunch while I watch the midgets?”
“I’ll watch the kids with Linda. They’re more fun than standing around in the kitchen surrounded by pots and pans.”
“That works for me. We’ll all have craft time in the evenings and during nap time. Most of us should be able to get some craft time in during the day as well.” Hope turned to Linda. “I’ll do crockpot meals for us every day for supper, unless I can cook whatever we’re having quickly. Could you plan to do breakfast for the children? Sounds like the earliest will be here at seven.”
Wyoming Wedding (Culpepper Cowboys Book 1) Page 7
