Read Online Deeply Devoted by Maggie Brendan - Free Book Online Page B

There were several serviceable, heavy dresses in various drab colors for each of them, complete with aprons. The sight of heavy-duty brogans brought a frown to Greta’s face, making Catharine and Anna giggle.
    “What in the world . . . ?” Catharine shook her head.
    “Are these really for us? Is this what that clerk wrapped up?”
    “Oh, look, there’s overalls like our stable boy wore back home.” Anna grinned. “I might like these.”
    Catharine held up the overalls in disbelief. “I’m not really sure why we would need these.”
    “Peter did say that we would be doing outdoor work, and working in a dress would be difficult in the wheat fields,” Greta said. “These dresses are made of such rough material that I can only guess that’s why they’re for work—they won’t tear easily.”
    Anna stripped off her skirt to don her new overalls. “Cath, could you manage the hooks, please?”
    Catharine obliged and stood back with approval. “You look adorable in them, Anna!”
    Anna slipped on the brogans and spun around. “I think I like these,” she said, then turned to Greta. “Would you mind taking my skirt upstairs when you go? I’ll be back early, Catharine.”
    “You know, I can see how it would be easier to do gardening in this than in a skirt with a lot of petticoats, can’t you?” Catharine asked Greta, who was holding a dress up to see if it was the right fit.
    “Well . . . you could be right. They seem to be the right sizes. But those shoes are hideous. I can’t see myself in those.” Greta groaned.
    Catharine slipped off her shoes and put on one of the brogans. “They’re really not that bad, honestly.” She twisted sideways, hiked up her petticoats, and looked down at her feet. “They’ll give me sure footing while I’m planting a garden. I intend to have a flower garden and a vegetable garden.” She bent down and put the other shoe on and laced them both up. Straightening up, she decided that the shoes would serve their purpose.
    “Greta, could you finish the dishes? I’m going to take a walk around the place, unless you’d like to come with me. Fresh air would do us both some good.”
    “Maybe another time. You go on ahead and see if you can locate a vegetable garden.” Greta started stacking dishes in the heavy sink. “Guess there’s no time like the present to get my hands wet!” She held up her slender hands, admiring them. “I have a feeling my hands won’t look this good as long as I’m at this farm.”
    “Oh, don’t be so self-centered. Your hands will survive.” Catharine tsked. As she slipped out the door and down the porch steps into the warm afternoon sun, guilt pressed in about how she’d chided Greta, but she wondered how she herself would survive this complete change of lifestyle. Would the love between her and Peter grow to be enough?

 
    Peter climbed down from the buckboard and tied his horse to the hitching post in front of Mario’s Ristorante. On his drive to town for necessary supplies, he’d thought constantly about Catharine. The beautiful image of her face kept floating in and out of his mind like the moving clouds across the Wyoming prairie. He was beginning to like the tumble of auburn hair that had a mind of its own. It was hard for him to resist touching the silky curls, which surprised him because he never thought he’d be attracted to a redhead. I’m such a lucky man!
    “Peter! You’re back so soon.” Mario gave Peter a puzzled look when he strode through the door of the restaurant. Delicious garlic and onion smells wafted throughout, reminding Peter of his meager lunch, and his stomach rumbled. The lunch crowd had already dispersed, and Mario and Angelina were cleaning the tables for the dinner hour.
    “Have you had lunch yet?” Mario said, clapping Peter on the back.
    “I have, such as it was. I wanted to stop in and thank you for standing up for me at the wedding ceremony. I’m sorry about the way my mother acted.”