Bride For Gilbert

by Kirsten Osbourne

  Once supper was on the stove cooking, she lifted each of the girls down and untied the towels she’d used for aprons for them. “I think you’re both going to need a real grown-up apron. Is it okay if I make them for you?”

  The girls nodded excitedly, their braids bobbing. “Yes, please!” Millie said, speaking for both of them. Madelyn hadn’t taken long to learn that Millie was the voice for both of them more often than not.

  “Like yours?” Mary asked, her eyes bright.

  “Just like mine. But prettier. Maybe I could put your names on them?”

  Bert was pleased with the way she treated his girls and smiled to himself. “I’m sure you’ll need some things to make clothes for the girls and to cook with. I’ll give you an allowance every week for just that purpose.” Money was tight with all he’d had to pay out for child care, but he could see already that she had his daughter’s best interests at heart.

  “I have some I saved from my job in Ottawa. I’ll let you know when I need more.” Madelyn was fully aware that he couldn’t completely trust her yet. They’d only met a few hours before, even if she was his wife.

  He frowned at that but decided to let it go. Maybe he could replenish his own meager savings if she used a bit of the money she’d earned. “I leave for work early and sometimes come home late. It’ll be nice to have someone the girls really like watching them.”

  She frowned at that. “They didn’t like the girl who’s been watching them?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t think they disliked her, but they didn’t take to her as they have to you. I’m hoping that is a sign of good fortune.”

  She dug around in a cabinet until she found everything she needed to bake a cake. “Would you girls like to have a cake for dessert?” she asked.

  Mary clapped her hands together as Millie said, “Oh, yes!”

  “Do you know how to bake a cake?”

  Both girls shook their heads.

  “Well, you’re about to learn.” She pulled down a mixing bowl and carefully added each ingredient, explaining what she was doing to the girls as she went along. “Then we use a little lard to keep the cake from sticking to the pan . . . and we pour the batter into the pan and stick it in the oven. Wasn’t that easy?”

  Millie nodded. “Now Mary and me lick the bowl?”

  Madelyn laughed. “You have done this before, haven’t you?” She got them each a spoon and handed it to them, inviting them to go at it. When she looked up, Gilbert’s eyes were on her once again. She wanted to demand why he was staring at her because he made her uncomfortable, but he was her husband, which meant he had the right to stare at her all he wanted.

  “You’ve spent a lot of time around children,” he said. It wasn’t a question, just an observation.

  She nodded. “I was the daughter born of my mother’s first marriage. My father died when I was still an infant, and Mother remarried soon after. I have six younger siblings. It was always my job to watch out for them.”

  “They’re still in Ottawa?” he asked.

  “No, sir. They’re in a small town a few hours north of Ottawa. I left in the fall. My step-father wanted me to marry right away, and there was no one in the area I was interested in marrying. So I left to go to the city and make my own way. It made things easier for my mother.”

  He frowned. “I wouldn’t have treated a child that way if you’d had one to bring to the marriage.”

  She shrugged. “I was happy to move away.” And she had been until Mr. Humphreys came along. Then she was happy to leave the city and come here. Hopefully she’d made the right decision for herself and the precious children with her.

  She stood and checked the potatoes, realizing they’d need another few minutes. Peeking into the oven, she saw that the pork chops were ready and the cake was rising nicely. It wasn’t the meal she’d have chosen to make if she’d gotten to shop and purchase whatever she wanted, but she would soon be allowed to do just that. “Is there a store in town?” When they’d walked through it to her new home, she’d been so nervous walking beside him, she hadn’t noticed.

  “On the other end of town. Just past the train station. Open Monday through Saturday.”

  So I didn’t miss it by being distracted. We didn’t walk past it. “Thank you. I’ll go there and see what I can find.”

  “The girls love walking to the store, but don’t buy them every little thing they ask for. They’re rather greedy when they think they can get something.” His eyes met Millie’s, and she looked down. She obviously knew he meant her.

  “I won’t get them everything.” But she certainly wasn’t above buying her new step-daughters some treats. Getting along well with them was extremely important to her.

  When supper was finished, she got the meat from the oven and mashed the potatoes. “Would you like gravy with this? Or do you prefer your potatoes without?” She felt badly that she hadn’t had time to bake a loaf of bread. She promised herself she’d do it tomorrow. Along with a million other things that needed to be taken care of around the house. There was laundry to be done and so much cleaning. She was certain the floors and walls hadn’t had a proper scrubbing since his wife died . . . if then. Being pregnant made scrubbing the floors difficult.

  As soon as they were all seated around the table, Gilbert bowed his head and the girls followed suit. Madelyn smiled to herself, pleased that her new family would be people of prayer. That was very important to her.

  While they ate, Gilbert talked to her about what the following day would be like. It was Thursday evening, so just one more day before the weekend, though she didn’t know if he’d work Saturday as well. “The girls will be entirely your responsibility. From the sounds of it, you know how to take care of them, so I won’t tell you how to do it.”

  Madelyn nodded. “I’m well-aware of how to care for children.” She mentally went over her to-do list for the next few days, wishing she had a piece of paper. It was so satisfying to cross something off a list, knowing that she’d done her best to do a good job of it.

  “The girls still nap in the afternoons, so you’ll want to make sure any errands are run before lunchtime. They’ll tell you they’re not tired, but they will fall asleep sitting up if you don’t make them go to their bed.”

  Madelyn smiled at the picture that made in her mind. “I’ll make sure they nap.”

  “Good. I’ll try to be home by six every evening. If I’m not, don’t wait supper on me. A Mountie’s life can be unpredictable.” He rubbed the back of his neck, thinking about the train robbers that had been plaguing trains all across the west. They hadn’t hit White Fox . . . yet. All of the Mounties agreed it was just a matter of time, though. They were certainly on the lookout for any dangerous activity.

  “All right. I’ll keep things warm for you if I can. If not, I’ll put it into the ice box and reheat it when you get home.”

  “That’s perfect.” And so were her pork chops. He’d never tasted any quite so moist and tender. “Supper’s good. Thank you.”

  She smiled at that. It was the first compliment he’d given her, but she hoped for many more. When she’d first gone to the city, she’d wanted to be a cook, but everyone had considered her too young. Now she would have her wish of raising children and cooking for them. She couldn’t be happier. “I’m so glad you like it!” She stood up and checked on the cake, which was done. “There’s nothing to use for frosting, but I’m sure it’ll be good as it is.”

  She carefully cut four pieces of the hot cake, which should have had time to cool before she served it. It didn’t matter too much, though, because she knew it would taste wonderful. She’d always loved to bake. Putting a plate in front of each of them, she sat down and picked up her fork, taking a bite. She smiled. It was perfect. Good. She didn’t want him to be able to find fault with her.

  Millie took a bite of her cake and smiled happily. “Good cake, Mama.”

  Madelyn felt tears pop into her eyes. It was the first time one of the girls had called
her mama, and it was music to her ears. “Don’t burn your mouth,” she cautioned.

  Mary said nothing as she tucked into the cake, polishing it off in moments. “Yummy. More?”

  Madelyn’s eyes met Gilbert’s. “How do you feel about sweets so late in the day?”

  Gilbert smiled. “I would usually be against it, but the girls haven’t really had anything sweet since their mother died. I’m sure it won’t hurt them to have another piece.”

  She jumped up and got them each another piece. “Would you like more, Gilbert?”

  “I would. And most people just call me Bert.”

  She nodded. “All right. Bert.” She set the second piece of cake in front of him. “Are you a coffee drinker? Should I have some ready in the morning?”

  “Show me a Mountie who doesn’t drink coffee, and I’ll show you a man who will be asleep in his saddle before noon.”

  “Coffee first thing in the morning. I think I can handle that.”

  After supper, she quickly did the dishes while he told the twins a story. At first she didn’t listen, and then she realized he was talking about Sally. The story he told was about how important the twins had been to his first wife. She wiped away a tear when she was sure no one was watching. He still loved his dead wife with all his heart, and he was going to do his best to keep her memory alive for his girls. It was both good and bad. She knew she’d never measure up, but she was pleased that they would have good memories of her.

  When the dishes were done, she turned around to see him sitting with a girl on each knee. “Would you like me to put them to bed?” she asked softly. She was happy to do it, but she didn’t want to usurp his position if he was happy to do it himself.

  “Go ahead.” He watched her every move with them as she led them into their bedroom and carefully dressed them both in their nightgowns.

  “These are getting too tight, too. I’ll make some more. I think I’m going to have to buy out all the white fabric the store has tomorrow. I want you to have aprons and nightgowns that fit.” She tucked them into bed, a smile on her face. “I’m glad I came here to be your new mama. Thank you for letting me.” She kissed each cheek and went to the curtain. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  As she lifted the curtain to go out, she heard one little voice say, “She’s a good new mama. We’ll have to be good so she won’t want to go away.”

  Madelyn’s heart went out to them. They’d been hurt by their mother’s death in a way she wasn’t sure Bert was even aware of.

  Going out into the main room, she saw him sitting quietly in a chair, a book on the table in front of him. “Thanks for being good to them.”

  “It’s not a problem. I care about both of them already. So much.” She walked toward the curtain. “I’ve been traveling for several days, so if you don’t mind, I’m going to go to bed. I’m exhausted.”

  He nodded. “I’ll be in shortly.” He didn’t want to think about lying beside her in the dark as he had with his Sally. There shouldn’t be other women in his life after he lost his true love. How was that fair to anyone?

  He waited as long as he could before joining her behind the curtain. He undressed in the dark as quietly as he could. He could hear her even breathing and knew she was already asleep. She’d worked hard after a very long train ride. He needed to respect her sleep.

  Slipping into the bed beside her, his arm automatically reached for her, but he pulled it back just before he touched her. What was he thinking? She was there to take care of his children. Nothing more.

  * * *

  The sun wasn’t up yet when Madelyn woke the following morning. She felt something heavy across her waist and looked down to find Bert’s arm stretched across her. She eased out from under it and grabbed clean clothes, taking them into the kitchen to dress. It was cold in the pre-dawn hours of the morning, but she did her best not to make a sound. She didn’t want anyone joining her until she was fully dressed.

  She lit the fire and looked in the ice box once again, finding bacon, eggs, and some milk. She could start her baking for the day, and then she’d make scrambled eggs once her family began waking.

  While she kneaded the bread she’d bake that day, she couldn’t help but think about what it meant to her to have a family of her own. She wouldn’t be asked to leave if she didn’t marry fast enough. Oh, her mother had said she could stay, but her step-father had made it very clear he didn’t want her around any longer than absolutely necessary.

  By the time she heard someone else stirring in the quiet cabin, the sun was rising and shining in through the windows, and she had a huge bowl of bread dough rising. She started the bacon, wanting to have breakfast ready before her new family even had a chance to even say they were hungry.

  She was just serving the first plate of bacon and eggs when Bert joined her in the main room of the house. “Something smells good!”

  Madelyn grinned at him, handing him is plate. “I’m limited by what you have on hand, but after I go to the store today, I’ll be able to cook better meals.”

  “I don’t need better than this.” He sat down and looked at her. “Where’s yours?”

  “It’s just about done. You can start without me. I don’t want yours to get cold.”

  “I’ll wait.” It was only polite. He still didn’t feel comfortable around her. There was something about the woman that made him forget for a moment just how much he missed Sally.

  She scooped her eggs onto her plate and sat down across from him. “Should we wait for the girls?”

  He shook his head. “They’re late sleepers. They won’t be up until at least seven.”

  “All right.”

  He bowed his head and prayed for them, and she picked up her fork, taking a bite of her eggs. They were good, but she usually added just a tiny bit of seasoning to her eggs. She couldn’t do that here. All he had on hand were salt and pepper. She’d find something while she was at the store.

  “What are your plans for the day?” he asked.

  She reached for the piece of paper she’d made a list on while everyone slept. “Lots of things. Do you want to read my list?”

  He glanced at the list, seeing it filled a page. “I have a feeling I’d get tired just reading it. Don’t wear yourself out. I want you to remember the girls are more important than any housework. I want them happy.”

  “I’ll do my best. I plan to start our day with a trip to the store.”

  “They’ll both enjoy that.” He finished his breakfast and drank down the last of his coffee, wiping his mouth with the napkin beside his plate. “I hope to be back before supper, but I can’t make any promises.”

  She nodded. “I understand. I’ll make sure the girls are taken care of.”

  “Thank you. That’s all I can ask.” With that, he pulled on his red serge jacket and buttoned it up. “Have a good day.”

  “You too.” She briefly fantasized that he would come over and kiss her goodbye, but the sound of the front door closing told her that he had no intention of getting that close to her. With a sigh, she carried their breakfast dishes to the basin and heated some water for the dishes. She had to keep herself from falling in love with her handsome husband . . . even though it might be too late.

  4

  Madelyn’s day with the girls was more fun than she’d imagined it would be. Sure there was a lot of work to do, but the girls were enthusiastic about helping, and Madelyn had always enjoyed hard work. She was not one to sit around being idle.

  They walked to the store together, and she chose enough food to make it through the weekend. She also bought white linen for nightgowns and aprons for the girls. She couldn’t wait to have them both wearing tiny aprons like hers, and she knew they were both excited by the prospect.

  As they walked home from the store—the proprietor had promised to have everything delivered by noon—the girls skipped and jabbered back and forth the whole way. As soon as they got home, Madelyn slipped the bread that had been rising all morn
ing into the oven.

  Then she fixed a huge pot of soapy water so she could scrub the walls of the cabin. The girls each took a cloth and they worked on the floor while she did the walls. She taught them a fun song as they worked, and it was an enjoyable time. The girls liked helping her, and she liked having them beside her. She would have to go back over what they’d cleaned after they were in bed, but she really didn’t mind.

  After lunch, she saw that Bert was right. The girls were practically sleeping as they sat up. She got them into their bed and started on the laundry. She should have done it early, but her morning had been full of other tasks.

  For supper, she made one of her favorite meals as a child—chicken and dumplings. She was dropping the dumplings into the broth when the girls woke up from their nap, and they came over to watch her. “Stay back now. I don’t want either of you getting burnt.” Madelyn could just imagine Bert’s reaction if she burned one of his girls on her first day alone with them.

  The girls asked for bread, and she buttered them each a piece. “Now we’re just going to hope that your daddy will be home in time to eat supper with us.”

  It was already five-thirty, and if he wasn’t there, she would need to feed the girls without him. The bread would tide them over for a little while, but not for long.

  “I’m going to go check the clothes on the line to see if they’re dry.” Madelyn had only managed to do the clothes that day. Monday would be her day to start on all the bed linens. The cabin needed a good spring cleaning, and with her two little helpers, she knew it would all take at least a week.

  “I come!” Millie jumped down and carried her bread with her to the door, looking back at her sister, who followed, carrying her own piece.

  “All right. Do you think it’s ready?” Madelyn asked.

  Millie shrugged. “No.”

  “No? Well, what will we do if all of our clothes are wet, and we can’t wear any?”