Glory’s Groom: The Alphabet Mail Order Brides Book 7 Page 4

  “You certainly do talk a lot.” She gestured to a bench right outside her house. “Let’s sit a spell. I’m Letty and these three children are mine. Hannah is eight years old. Daryl is seven and Betsy is six. We ain’t had no learning but I prayed that we could get some. Darrius told me no one wanted us educated. But I kept prayin’.”

  “It’s nice to meet all of you. I’m Glory Sandler. Oh and this is Teddy.”

  Letty cocked her head to the side. “What’s wrong with him? Don’t his legs work?”

  “My husband didn’t know he had a child. His first wife died and no one told him. Teddy was dropped off yesterday.”

  “Left him to rot,” Letty said as she touched the back of his head. “Not your husband. Whoever’s been taking care of him. He’ll be fine. I’ve seen this before when the masters thought tending to the crop was more important than tending to a baby. You just keep talking to him and letting him watch you and he’ll start walking in no time. See his eyes? They are nice and bright. That means he has some smarts.”

  “Thank you for your words of wisdom, Letty.”

  Letty laughed. “Imagine that, I have wisdom. So when does this school start and where is it?”

  “Well, I have to talk to Mrs. Eastman but I do know they’ve been planning to build a school on the ranch. I haven’t actually ever taught before but I have the necessary training.” If they didn’t expect her to teach cooking and sewing she’d be fine. “What do you think? Is it a good idea and should I try to get the school built?”

  “Will you teach the adults too? I want to read so bad.” Letty’s voice touched Glory’s heart.

  “I’m from the North. Is it true you weren’t allowed to learn to read?”

  “That’s the truth, the awful truth.”

  “I’ll find time to teach anyone who wants to learn. It’ll take a bit of time to get the school up and running.”

  “Oh honey, everything takes time.” Letty stood up and walked toward the road. She nodded her head and people came back out of their houses.

  “I’ll tell the rest but I know they hunger for learning too. Tell Georgie that Letty said it’s a fine idea. You best get on home now. It’s not that we don’t want no white people, we just don’t want any trouble.”

  “It was nice to meet you and your family, Letty. Good day.” Glory shifted Teddy to the other hip. She wasn’t used to carrying a child.

  She nodded at each person as she walked by, feeling proud of herself for asserting herself instead of being so shy that she couldn’t talk. Maybe a person could get over being shy. She was almost to the end of the road when Kent rode up.

  “What are you doing down here? I’ve been looking for you.” His face grew red as his frown got bigger.

  She deflated inside. “I just want to see if they wanted a teacher.”

  He jumped down and lifted Glory and Teddy onto the horse. Then he swung up behind them. The feel of his strong arms around her made her feel a bit warm.

  “I’m sorry I worried you, Kent.

  He kissed the side of her neck and she shivered. “Leave a note or tell someone next time. Did you meet Letty? Nothing goes on without Letty’s approval it seems. Did she want you to teach the children?”

  “Yes,” she answered excitedly. “And she asked if I could teach adults as well. Did you know it was illegal for them to learn to read? That is so wrong. You fought for the south so you must have believed it just that they not learn.”

  “Many of us didn’t even own slaves. We were tired of the North thinking they could tell us how to run our states.”

  “Oh. I guess I need a bit of learning myself.”

  “When we found out you were a teacher we were all pleased. You are so good with Teddy.”

  “Letty said she’s seen Teddy’s condition before and to talk to him lots and let him watch what we do and she can tell he’s smart.”

  “Of course he’s smart. He takes after me.” He chuckled as he reined in the horse. He got down first and then helped Glory down.

  For a moment she thought he wasn’t going to let her go. He gazed into her eyes and grinned. What did he see that made him so happy? She couldn’t imagine unless it was Teddy.

  * * *

  Kent took Teddy from her. “Georgie invited us over for tea or whatever women do. I’m only going to stay for a brief time. It would be good for you and Georgie to get to know one another.”

  Glory nodded but she looked decidedly uncomfortable.

  “Is something wrong? Are you not up for the visit? I could tell Georgie—.”

  She put her hand on his arm. “I’m fine. I’m not very good at small talk and it’s always been hard for me to make friends. But my life is here now and I need friends. It’s just uncomfortable.”

  He gave her a warm smile. He thought her shyness to be part of her charm. It had never occurred to him that it made her life harder. “Georgie is very nice.”

  “Yes, I know. I just get nervous is all.”

  He walked up the steps to the Eastman’s front porch and Georgie opened the door before he could knock. She had Douglas in her arms and the infant stared at Teddy and smiled.

  “Come on in. I’m so glad you came.” She took Glory’s hand. “I thought we could have Kent move the table in front of the sofa out of the way and we could put the boys on the rug.”

  “I’m game,” Kent agreed before handing Teddy to Glory. He moved the table and was surprised at how much room there was. “Do you think they’ll play together?”

  Georgie chuckled. “I have no idea.” She set Douglas down on the floor and for a moment he looked as though he was going to cry until he saw Teddy sitting next to him. “Have a seat.”

  Kent took the large upholstered chair, leaving the sofa for the two women. It would be so nice if Glory did have a friend. He watched Glory and she was practically wringing her hands. “The doc came by.”

  Georgie’s eyes lit up. “Good news I hope.”

  “We think so,” Georgie shared. “Apparently Teddy was left in the crib most of the time. The back of his head is flat. But the doctor thinks he’ll catch up just fine. He’s too thin so we’ll have to work on that too. We’re hoping that by watching Douglas, he’ll learn a few things.”

  A wide smile spread across Georgie’s face. “I’m so happy for all three of you.”

  Teddy cried out as Douglas tried to put Teddy’s nose in his mouth. Kent gently picked up Douglas and set him back on the floor.

  “I hope he doesn’t learn everything Douglas does.”

  They all chuckled and Kent noticed that Glory seemed to have relaxed a bit. New situations were hard. “Well Ladies, I have to get to work. Have a nice visit.” He got up and then kissed Glory on the cheek. He was delighted by her blush. He reached down and ruffled Teddy’s hair and left.

  * * *

  “You got yourself a good man. He’s equally as lucky. Not all women would have welcomed Teddy. So, tell me what did you think of Joy? Aren’t the houses nice?”

  “You know that I was there already?”

  “The grapevine is quick around here. Sondra saw you walking to it. Did you meet Letty?”

  “Yes, it was strange at first. No one would talk to me and they all went into their houses and closed the doors. I knocked but no one answered except for Letty. I take it she’s in charge?”

  “Yes, she and her husband Darrius. So, tell me more.”

  “You know that Madam Wigg planned for each of us girls to provide education where ever we ended up. I wondered if there was a need for a teacher so I asked. I was touched by Letty’s eagerness for all the children to learn and even the adults. Things are vastly different here than in New York. There was mention that you were thinking about building a school?” Glory clutched Georgie’s arm. “Look.”

  Douglas was crawling quickly and Teddy was crawling after him.

  “I thought it would take weeks for him to crawl.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry to be so emotional. I was so worried for him a
nd yesterday it seemed as though it was one disaster after another.”

  Georgie put her arms around her. “It’s a big change and you married a man you didn’t know. He’s a good man. Then you became an instant mother. I think you’ve earned a good cry.”

  “I never expected to leave the orphanage. You see I planned to stay and teach there my whole life. I felt safe there and now I’m feeling a bit lost. I don’t even know the rules of polite society. Well, we were taught all that but I never had to draw from my knowledge to use it in real situations. I’m just plain awkward.”

  “You’ll get the hang of it I promise. Tomorrow Veronica and I are going berry picking. Would you like to join us? Sondra will watch the children.”

  Glory sniffled. “I’d like that very much but I’ll have to see what Kent thinks.”

  Teddy crawled to her and lifted his arms up. Glory instantly picked him up and told him how proud she was of him. She stood. “I’ll let you know right after breakfast tomorrow if that’s fine with you.”

  “Perfectly fine.” Georgie stood and walked them to the door. She opened it and smiled. “I enjoyed our visit.”

  Glory smiled back. “I did too. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She walked across the yard feeling buoyant. She actually had a friend. Her emotions ran from relief to happiness.

  When she got to the kitchen she put Teddy down. “I wonder if I cut chicken into tiny pieces if you’ll eat it?” Teddy stared at her blankly. “Chicken it is!” She prepared the chicken and cut a small piece of bread. Then she put the plate on the table and picked up Teddy. She hand fed him one small bite at a time and it worked. She stopped for a moment and he pointed to the food. His grandmother must have been a real witch!

  Finally it was naptime and he didn’t fuss at all. Glory laid him on the bed with pillows on either side of him and he went fast to sleep. She opened the window to the bedroom so she could hear Teddy if he woke up and then grabbed a basket and went outside.

  The woods behind the house would be filled with healing plant. Her heart thumped in anticipation.

  She scanned the area. There were many plants she wasn’t familiar with in Texas yet. She walked in a bit deeper and smiled when she spotted honey locust. She could make teas from the pods for indigestion and measles and the bark was good for sore throats. She picked some pods and with a knife she stripped off some of the bark. She started to head back when she saw palmetto. She gathered some of the fruit. It was good for inflammation, colds, coughs and headaches. She had a start.

  She was almost out of the woods when someone grabbed her from behind. She tried to scream and kick but he cover her mouth with his forceful hand and held her still with the other hand. “Be quiet and I’ll let the boy live.”

  Glory stopped struggling. Fear coursed through her.

  “I saw you with the negroes. You don’t know your place. You’re white and you stick to your own race. You hear me? Things could go very wrong for you and the boy if you go down there again.” He pushed her down to the ground and held her face into the dirt. “I’m going now. Don’t try to look at me or I’ll shoot you dead.”

  Glory’s whole body shook as she lay there. She heard him walk away and she waited a few minutes to be sure he was out of sight. Hesitantly she stood up and grabbed her basket. She couldn’t quite catch her breath. Finally she calmed enough to get back to the house. She was filthy from head to toe.

  Quietly she opened the door and walked in.

  “Where have you been?” Kent asked a hint of coldness was in his voice.

  Before she could answer he strode toward her and his gave wandered up and down her body. “What the heck happened to you?” He took the basket from her and placed it on the table.

  “I was warned to stay out of Joy and stay with white people.” Her body trembled. “I was gathering a few plants and such for medicine. He grabbed me from behind and threw me to the ground. It happened within site of the house and he threatened Teddy too. What is going on?”

  Kent pulled her to him and held her close, stroking her back. “You’re safe now.”

  “Why would anyone make a threat like that?”

  “There’s still some people down here who don’t take kindly to white people helping the freedmen.”

  “Why?” she whispered, enjoying the feel of his arms around her.

  “Near as I can tell, some think they’re superior to them.”

  “Oh, I saw a group of Germans once who were being treated badly. It’s not right.”

  “No it’s not. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure the men know to keep an eye on you and the house. Now look over at the sofa.”

  She eased out of his strong arms and turned. There were packages all wrapped in brown paper stacked up the whole length of the sofa. Her eyes went wide. “What’s all that?”

  “You needed new clothes and so did Teddy and I also had Max buy material so you can sew some clothes.” He took her hand and led her to the packages.

  “I’ve never seen so many before. Kent, you shouldn’t have spent your hard earned money on me. I’m not worth fussing over.”

  He framed her face with his hands and leaned down. He touched his lips against hers. It was a better kiss than she’d gotten yesterday. Then he pressed his lips to hers harder and as a groan come from her he put his tongue in her mouth. She stilled, not knowing what to do. Finally she copied him and this time he groaned.

  * * *

  It felt like a slice of heaven. Kent put his hands in her hair and ended up with a handful of dirt. Slowly he stopped kissing her. “I think a bath might be in order,” he teased.

  She looked at the dirt and covered her mouth with her hand as her eyes grew wide. “I must look a fright.”

  “Well, I’ve seen you looking better,” he said with a grin. “I need to find Parker and let him know what happened to you.”

  She nodded. “I’ll get cleaned up so I don’t leave dirt on the new things you bought.”

  “I just checked on Teddy he’d still sleeping.”

  “He crawled and he ate chicken.”

  He sighed in relief and his heart filled. “That’s wonderful news. I’ll be right back.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck as he made his way to the barn. They’d need to search the woods. Glory didn’t know how close she came to real harm. They could have taken Teddy too. He couldn’t blame her, she didn’t know to stay close. Well, actually she was close.

  Parker looked up when Kent came into the barn. “What’s wrong?”

  “Glory wanted to look for herbs for healing or something. She was grabbed and thrown to the ground and told she shouldn’t mix with the people in Joy. He threatened Teddy too.” His anger began to bubble over.

  “Where was she?”

  “Right behind the house. She had the bedroom window open so she could hear Teddy when he woke. There is a spy on the ranch. You can’t even see Joy if you’re not on the ranch. We need to do something!”

  “Get Max ad Willis. We’ll make a sweep of the woods. Then we’ll need a plan to ferret out the traitor. I’m glad she wasn’t hurt. I bet she’s upset though. Maybe you should stay with her.”

  “She’s safe. I want to go. Besides she has all the packages from town to open.”

  Parker nodded. “Max and Willis should be near the corral. I’ll finish up with my horse, Mine, and meet you out front.”

  Kent quickly found Max and Willis at the corral. They both stared at him as he approached. He told them what happened.

  “Our women need to be safe,” Max ground out.

  “She went to Joy today? How’d word get to the hooded men so fast?” Willis asked.

  “That’s a question I want the answer to. Come on we’ll meet Parker at the barn.”

  They all met at the barn and checked their guns. “I reckon we’re ready,” Kent said.

  “Men spread out and stay low. I doubt he’s still there but you never know. We’ll need extra guards on duty tonight. I don’t like this one bit.” Parker said befor
e he led the men into the woods.

  They spread out and made their way slowly. Kent found the spot where his wife had been on the ground. He could usually keep his anger in check but he’d love to punch the man in the face. He studied the spot looking for clues. There was a defect or something on the bottom of the man’s boots. It showed up in his footprints. The man’s feet were larger than Kent’s. He stayed low and continued on. He found a few half smoked cigarettes on the ground. Had the man been here before or was this his watching place for today?

  Kent stood near the cigarettes and turned toward the house. The foliage was thin enough to allow for a good view of the back of his house, Part of the front of Parker’s house, the back of the barn and the corral. It might be best to clear the land so there was no place to hide.

  Kent showed the other men what he’d discovered. “What should we do?”

  Parker shifted from one foot to another as he took in the view the man had. “Your suggestion of clearing the woods is a good one but we don’t have the man power right now. Willian Cabot reported that most of the freedmen were up to speed on cowboying. We’ll need about half of our men to pull guard duty. I’ll get Walter Green on making a schedule and taking charge of that. We need eyes everywhere. Someone is spying and we need to get rid of him. If anyone thinks of a good plan let me know. Kent, does Glory know how to use a rifle?”

  “I doubt it. I don’t think the school she was at in New York thought it an important subject.”

  Willis laughed. “It’s a funny thing to imagine a school full of women shooting.”

  “They wouldn’t need to shoot in New York City. They won the war, or so they say,” Max commented with a frown.

  “Keep vigilant. You know how it goes, no clue is too small.” Parker turned to walk back to the compound when he stopped. “Max was anything out of the ordinary in town today?”

  “There were less Yankees guarding the entrance to Spring Water. Anson Stack at the general store said he heard that they might be leaving for good. But it was a rumor. Now Nancy Mathers at the dress shop heard they’d be extending their stay. One of their officers keeps asking her out. And Kelly Kingsman at the restaurant wants us to all rise up and shoot the Yankees. So, besides having fewer men at the entrance everything else was the same.” Max grinned.