Read Online Marrying Minda by Tanya Hanson - Free Book Online

from the wagon. She scrambled through her meager collection of clothes and pulled out her most serviceable, well-worn frock. After all, if she were a nursemaid, she might as well look the part.
    The scent of coffee hit her nose when she left the small sleeping chamber, and her stomach growled. Yesterday had been so tumultuous that she hadn't eaten much at her wedding dinner.
    Her wedding dinner. Her jaws clenched tight around her teeth. What in the world was going to happen next? Her anger, for one thing. Where on earth was her husband? Had he left Priscilla all alone? She found Katie at the rough-hewn dining table, stirring some kind of mush for Neddie-boy, who looked glumly at the pasty mess in the bowl.
    In her little trundle, Priscilla at least appeared to be sleeping soundly. Minda breathed deep in relief.
    Or had she died in the night ? Minda's skin danced with dread, and her bile rose. Where was Brixton? And how in heaven had she allowed herself to fall asleep? She ran to the child's bed and barely heard Katie's good morning.
    Thank God. Priscilla's body gave off normal heat, and her little chest rose and fell naturally. Brixton's washtub remedy had worked. Then it hit her. He'd gone like he said he would.
    Of course. If the baby was well, he had no reason to stay. He had that trail boss to meet up with in Kansas somewhere. Yesterday, he had explained leaving his horse in Ellsworth and would catch a train to get there. Now that he'd made her his wife and the children's mother, he could go on with his life. Like he'd said right off, what did it matter? She'd come to Paradise to become Mrs. Haynes, and she had.
    Disconsolate, she poured a cup of coffee. His leaving wasn't a surprise, yet she was staggered at how bereft she felt. But he'd surprised her last night, too. His worry for Priscilla had seemed genuine. So how could he leave his own kin? As she forced her mind to recall all his disagreeable qualities, she reminded herself that she didn't want him either.
    “Where's your uncle? Why has he left you alone?” she asked dully, not sure what she felt or why.
    Katie shrugged as she shoved a spoon in her brother's mouth. “I don't know. I found these grits hot on the stove. And a fresh pail of milk.”
    “I can eat all by myself.” Ned wiped the gray goop from his mouth with his sleeve.
    “Then do it.” Katie said.
    Minda almost smiled. The children bantered in just the way she remembered her little sisters doing all those years ago. Even with Minda standing here for the first time, the children behaved like the morning was a normal one. Obviously, they had no idea their baby sister had taken desperately ill in the night. And she wouldn't tell them, not just now. Not ever, if Priscilla was on the mend. She couldn't worry their little hearts so soon so soon after they'd lost their father.
    And their wayward uncle. If he had even a tiny bit of concern for them, why didn't he stay at least a little while?
    Or at least say good-bye?
    She picked up Priscilla, who cuddled for a moment, then seemed to writhe against Minda's body heat. Maybe she ought to try giving the baby something to eat, although memories of that little rebellious stomach last night didn't encourage her.
    Still, it would give her something to do instead of thinking about Brixton's abandonment. She had a ton of fouled laundry to keep her occupied as well. But after a peek in the corner, she realized the pile was missing.
    “Oh, there he is. There's Uncle Brix,” Neddie pointed out the window. “He's been out using the privy.”
    Minda warmed at the thought, and she didn't know why. She had a lot to get used to, living with a man. For a breathless minute, she watched him from behind, the bare muscles of his back bronzed and sculpted. Then he hunkered over a tinny mirror on a fence post to shave. At his feet, Priscilla's washtub foamed with suds.
    At least Brixton hadn't left her. Yet.
    After he wiped his face with a towel, she went out to him. Katie