Roberta_Bride of Wisconsin

by Kirsten Osbourne

  While they ate, the puppy sat in Bobbie's lap, so she could keep him warm. They gave the cat a big serving of the meat Bobbie had cooked. "She needs to keep her strength up for the puppy," Bobbie explained as Jakob looked at her curiously.

  "This house is not to become an animal hospital," he announced as he ate his food.

  Bobbie shrugged, refusing to answer that. She knew there would be more animals over the years, but she would make sure there were never too many at a time.

  Lukas took a big drink of his milk and looked over at Jakob. "I'm not going to quit school and work with you when I'm twelve, Vater."

  Everyone stopped eating and looked at the boy. Bobbie was secretly thrilled, but she'd said nothing else about the boys staying in school since the day she'd arrived. "I want to be a doctor. I want to help sick people and animals."

  Jakob smiled and nodded. "That's your choice, son. You may do whatever you choose."

  Trying to take the focus off Lukas, Bobbie smiled. "I think I can leave the animals alone for long enough to go help you at work in the morning if you still need me."

  "Ja, I do. Are you sure you can leave your new babies?"

  She grinned. "I think so." She looked down at the puppy sleeping in her lap. The mother cat had laid down at her feet. "Speaking of which, we need names for these two. What shall we name them?"

  "The mother cat must be Dog-mutter," Lukas announced, his eyes filled with mischief again, now that he knew his puppy would live.

  "I expected nothing less," she said with a sigh. "You are a silly boy, Lukas."

  He just grinned at that.

  Konrad spoke up. "Can we call the puppy Squirt?"

  Lukas nodded. "I like that name. Do you like it?" He looked at Roberta, obviously wanting her opinion more than anyone else's. She knew then he'd truly accepted her, and she wanted to cry again. There was something about being loved that made her tear up.

  Bobbie nodded. "It's sweet." She stroked him softly. "He is a little squirt."

  "Vater? Do you like Squirt?"

  Jakob smiled. "It's a fine name."

  After she'd finished the dishes, Bobbie made up a small bed for the cat and dog in the parlor. When she placed the puppy on it, Dog-mutter immediately curled herself around him, and he latched on quickly, nursing immediately.

  Jakob sat on the couch and she curled up beside him, not bothering with her knitting. "You did a good thing for the boys today. Danke."

  "I love the boys. I do want to be a good mother to them."

  He waited a moment for her to tell him she loved him too, but realized it wasn't going to come yet. Soon, he hoped.

  Chapter Ten

  Going to work with Jakob the following day was both exciting and difficult for Bobbie. He had her go to his office and showed her the books, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm a little behind," he admitted, putting several ledgers on the desk in front of her. "Do you need me to show you what to do?"

  Bobbie shook her head, looking at all the work. "I might need to do a couple half days a week until I can catch you up."

  He frowned. "Just do what you can, and we'll talk about it all later."

  As she was working later that morning, she heard a commotion out in the main area. She put her pencil down and listened more closely to see what was going on.

  "I demand to see Jakob. I know he's here! That evil wife of his needs to be punished for what she did to me." Dagmar's voice came through the closed door loud and clear.

  Bobbie got to her feet and went to the door, opening it wide. "Isn't it me you want to talk to then, Dagmar? I'm happy to discuss what I did."

  Dagmar backed up a few steps. "Why are you here? Jakob doesn't like women to be here!"

  "He doesn't? He asked me to help him with the books, because I have experience. If you know he doesn't like women here, what are you doing here?" Bobbie did her best to look genuinely perplexed. Truthfully, though, she wanted to shove the woman out into the snow again.

  "It's different for me. He was supposed to marry me!"

  Bobbie laughed softly. "He was supposed to marry you, but he did marry me. Does that tell you anything?"

  "I know for a fact he cares nothing for you. Why would you be sleeping in the spare bedroom otherwise?"

  Bobbie took a deep breath, fighting down the anger. Why couldn't this woman keep her nose out of her business? "I'm not sure where you get your information from, Dagmar, but I do sleep in my husband's bed every night. Why wouldn't I? I love him." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she wanted to kick herself. The first time she admitted she loved her husband should not be in anger to someone other than her husband.

  "I know that's not true! You don't know him like I do. You can't love him!"

  Bobbie walked toward the shorter woman, determined to push her out again. She ignored the two men in the office she had met briefly that morning. She ignored everything but the shrew in front of her who was determined to treat her so poorly. "I agree. I don't know him like you do. Because you don't know what it's like to be kissed by him, do you? You don't know what it's like to spend your nights held close to his body. You know nothing about the man and who he really is. Get out. I have no problem throwing you out into the snow again, and that's just what I'll do if you don't leave." She waited a moment, making eye contact with the other woman. "Now!"

  Dagmar rushed toward the door. "I'm going because I want to, not because you say to!"

  As soon as the door closed behind her, the men in the office looked at Bobbie for a moment, and then the laughter started.

  Bobbie blushed, turning back toward Jakob's office where she'd been working.

  She heard a kerfuffle from outside the door, and she stopped in her tracks. "Why are you here? You need to leave my new wife alone."

  "You were supposed to marry me, Jakob. Why would you marry her?"

  "Does it matter why I married her? I love her. It's easier for me to give you a list of reasons I would never consider marrying you. Do you want to hear them?"

  Bobbie could see Dagmar's face out the window, but Jakob had his back to her. Dagmar put her mittened hand to her mouth and took a step back. "No, Jakob."

  "I don't care if you want to hear them, because I'm going to tell you anyway. I would never marry you because you're jealous and mean-spirited. You tried to come between me and your own sister. I would never marry you because you tried to take your sister's place within a week of her death, coming over and telling me you would cook and clean, and that we should start courting. Your sister was not yet cold in her grave!" Jakob's voice grew louder and angrier. It was obvious he was just warming up to the topic. "I would never marry you because you make it very clear to both of my boys that you don't think they are good enough to be your children. I would never marry you, because you came into my home and insulted my new wife. You are a gossiping witch of a woman, and not only will I not marry you, I want nothing else to do with you. Stay away from my wife, my children and my home! I never want to see you again!"

  He turned away from her and stormed into the office building, bellowing for Bobbie. "Get over here!" he said as soon as he caught sight of her. He was still angry, but not with her. He needed to make sure Dagmar had said nothing else to upset her.

  Bobbie wouldn't normally have obeyed such a harshly spoken order from him, but just that minute, she was afraid to do anything else. And after the way he'd just defended her, she wanted to speak with him, see if he really meant everything he'd said. "Yes?" she asked when she was standing right in front of him.

  "Did she say ugly things to you again?" he asked, his hands going to her shoulders, stroking her upper arms.

  Bobbie nodded. "She did. But she didn't say anything near as ugly as I said to her. I told her if she ever comes back I'll throw her out in the snow again."

  He looked at her for a moment, and the anger quickly faded from his face, replaced with a grin. "You did?"

  She nodded. "I also told her that I love you, and I shouldn't have."r />
  He frowned at that. "You don't love me?" Was she really saying she didn't love him with his employees standing there listening?

  "Oh, yes, I love you a great deal. But you should have been the first person I said those words to, and I certainly shouldn't have said them in anger the first time I said them aloud. Declarations of love made in anger shouldn't happen. So instead, I'll say it to you. I love you, Jakob Muller. I'm so glad I came here to marry you."

  Jakob's face was transformed from a frown to a grin. He picked her up and spun her around in his arms. "My Bobbie. I love you so much. I'm glad you don't give up on me, even when evil sisters-in-law come after you."

  "That crazy woman needs to stay away from me. I'm done with her." Bobbie had never been so upset with anyone in her life. Even her father hadn't made her this angry. He'd kicked her out, but he hadn't followed after her when she'd left trying to continually ruin her life.

  "I'll talk to her parents. She does need to stay away from all of us. I'll call the sheriff if she bothers you again." He stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. "Do you need to leave early?"

  She shook her head. "I'm stronger than you think I am. Those ledgers are in awful shape. I'll get a couple more done before I head home."

  He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "I'll be a little late for supper, so I can talk to them."

  "That's fine."

  She went back into the office while he went outside. As soon as he'd left, one of the men who had observed her confrontation with Dagmar came into the office. "I heard Jakob met you because you answered an ad as a mail-order bride. I need to find me a woman just like you."

  Roberta laughed. "Trust me. I have a hot temper. You don't want a woman like me."

  "What's not to want?" he asked. "You're smart, and you can take care of yourself. A man wouldn't have to worry about a wife like you." He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a pair of the gloves she'd made. "These are smart. I'll wear them every day. Thank you, Mrs. Muller. You really are something else."

  Bobbie sat and looked at the door he'd closed for a minute. She'd never been courted in her life, preferring to stay clear of men. The ones here made her feel like a cross between a genius and an Amazon. She wasn't sure if she was more embarrassed or flattered.

  *****

  Bobbie stopped at the post office on her way home from the lumber camp, checking to see if she'd received any more letters. She missed her friends terribly, and any news would make her happy. When she saw she had a letter from her former roommate, Gabrielle, she hurried home so she could read it.

  She wanted everything to be perfect for when she read it, so she set it on the counter while she made a pot of tea and poured herself a cup. Then she made a plate of the cookies she'd baked the day before for the boys' snack when they arrived home from school.

  Once everything was ready, she opened the letter, smiling when she saw it was long and newsy.

  Dear Roberta,

  I miss you so and want to know that you’re all right. Have you found your new home? I do hope you’re safe and well. When I arrived in Vermont, Mama was terribly ill. It was as though she’d just been waiting for me to get there. My dear mother passed on a few hours after I arrived. No words can express how hard that was for me.

  I spent nearly all I had to take care of the necessary arrangements. There was no work for me to do in Vermont, so I planned to move on. Remember that I told you about my step-father, George? The snake took everything and left Mama when she got sick. I thought I couldn’t hate him more, but I do!

  I know I said I’d never marry, but what else is there for me to do? I have no one in this world. Eventually, I contacted and then met with Elizabeth Miller. She has found a suitable mate, one who won’t expect the usual duties from a wife. I told her if she could find a man like that, I’d leave right away. And she did!

  I’m leaving for Texas this very day. Miss Miller will have my address. Please write and let me know all is well and where you are. I don’t want to lose you.

  Your friend,

  Gabrielle Peterson

  She closed the letter with a smile, saying a quick prayer that Gabrielle would find a man she could love like she had.

  She fixed soup for supper that night, and cooked up some scraps she'd gotten at the butcher for Dog-mutter. The cat seemed to enjoy the food, and the puppy seemed to be doing very well now that he had someone caring for him. He followed the cat around everywhere, not seeming to realize that she wasn't his mother or even his species. She was glad that had worked out for the best.

  When Lukas and Konrad got home from school, they immediately went to check on the puppy, who was sleeping on the bed Bobbie had fashioned for the pets. "Is he doing all right?" Lukas asked.

  She nodded. "Dog-mutter is a very good mother to him. She's making sure he has everything he needs."

  Konrad watched the two animals together. "Since Squirt is Lukas's pet, can I have Dog-mutter? I think she should be mine."

  "Can't they both belong to the whole family?"

  He shook his head. "I want Dog-mutter to be my cat."

  She thought about it for a moment before nodding. "I don't see where that would be a problem. She can be yours."

  The boys hurried to eat their snack before going upstairs to play.

  Bobbie was pulling a loaf of bread from the oven when she heard the front door. She rushed into the parlor to welcome Jakob home, hurrying into his arms. "How did the talk with Erna's parents go?"

  He sighed. "They didn't realize how out of control Dagmar's gotten. They're going to send her to go live with her brother near Madison. She needs to get away for a while."

  "I'm glad."

  "I am too. They'll put her on a train first thing tomorrow, so we don't need to worry about her any longer."

  After the dishes were done, and the boys were in bed, they sat in the parlor again. They were on the couch and he had her cuddled up beside him. "Did you mean what you said today?" he asked.

  She nodded. "Which thing?" she asked, knowing perfectly well what he meant.

  He frowned at her. "Did you mean that you love me?"

  Pulling his head down for a kiss, she whispered, "Do you think I would have gone to your bed if I didn't?"

  Jakob nibbled softly at her lips. "I love you too, you know."

  "I do know. You've finally opened up all parts of your life to me and not just the part that includes cooking and cleaning for you."

  "I have. I think that's how things should be." He struggled to find the right words to tell her what he needed to say. "I was in love with Erna for so long, it became a habit in my life. She wasn't a particularly good wife, but she did love me and my boys a great deal. I shouldn't have clung so tightly to her memory for so long. I'm sorry I wasn't more welcoming when you arrived."

  "You were just what I needed when I got here. I wasn't ready for a sexual relationship with you. I still thought I was too strong to need to be married. No, I'm glad we started as we did."

  "You are? I guess I could go back to telling you that you'll never be as good as Erna—"

  "I needed that then. You know what I need now?" she asked softly. She was sure he knew, but equally sure he'd make her say it all anyway.

  "What?"

  "I need you. I need your love, and I need your caring. You are everything I'm looking for, and everything I need. Thank you for sharing your boys, your home and your life with me. More importantly, thank you for sharing your love."

  Epilogue

  Roberta fussed with the ham before putting it into the oven, wiping her sweaty palms on her apron over and over. "What if she thinks my cooking is terrible? What's she like?"

  Jakob sighed. "I've told you, I met her for only five minutes. My brother thinks a lot of her though. He says she's beautiful, smart, and a wonderful cook. I swear if the woman were any more perfect he would suggest that she be declared a saint."

  "I'm intimidated, and I haven't even met her yet. Oh, I hope the boys are on th
eir best behavior."

  Squirt chose that moment to come bounding into the kitchen to attack Roberta's shoe. He apparently thought she should always be barefoot, so he attacked her shoes whenever she wore them in the house.

  "And what will we do about Squirt? Should I lock him in the spare bedroom? Or should I let him run around and offend everyone?"

  Jakob shrugged. "You need to calm down, Bobbie. I'm sure she's not as perfect as my knucklehead of a brother claims she is. No one could be." He grabbed her into his arms and kissed her madly. "What does her opinion matter anyway? You have two boys that love you and a man who thinks you are the most wonderful thing to ever walk into his life. So what if the puppy misbehaves? We'll just tell the story of how you wandered out into the night to find a stray cat who had lost a litter of kittens to nurse him—Why, that story will tell her that you are not to be messed with!"

  She laughed. "You make me sound like I'm so much more than I really am. I'm just a woman who loves her family."

  "Who has made so many shirts the local store can't take any more, and you have donated every dime of that money to the orphans' home the next town over. You, Roberta Muller, are a very special woman, and you'll never convince me otherwise. If my brother starts bragging on his wife, I'll just tell him how wonderful my wife is. How perfect she is." He bit the side of her neck softly. "How delicious she is."

  Lukas chose that moment to wander into the kitchen, and he immediately started making retching sounds. "Do you two ever stop kissing? If you keep it up, pretty soon your lips will fall off."

  Bobbie laughed, chasing Lukas around the kitchen and smothering his face with kisses. "And now you have frog-mutter germs all over your face! Your uncle will know you've been kissed, and he will think you are girl-crazy!"