Glory’s Groom: The Alphabet Mail Order Brides Book 7 Read online

  “Did something happen?” Kent asked.

  “No, it’s just that I couldn’t get anything done. Bridey and Teddy are both very fast and the never went in the same direction. They both refused to nap. They wore me out.” She smiled. “ I hope Glory is feeling better.”

  Kent snuggled Teddy to him. “We need to go see Mama. I don’t know what to say to her.”

  Teddy nodded. “Mama.”

  Kent smiled widely. “That’s right. We’re going to see Mama.” He walked faster. Glory was going to love hearing Teddy call her mama.

  The door was locked so he knocked. He heard it being unlatched but the door didn’t open. Frowning, he opened the door and there sat Glory sewing. She didn’t look up when they entered the house.

  There was material all over the table and the floor. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”

  She glanced up at him. “Yes.” She said and went back to sewing.

  He grew irritated and put Teddy down on the floor. “Is supper ready?”

  “I made bread. Help yourself.”

  He went to the counter by the stove and there was a loaf of bread there. “I meant where is the meal you made for us to eat?” His voice grew louder.

  Glory started picking up the scraps of material and set it all in one pile while she set other sewing in another. Teddy crawled toward her and she smiled at him but turned and walked in the other direction.

  What was she doing? “Didn’t you make anything for Teddy to eat?” He was at his wits end.

  She picked up all the piles. “He’s your son. You said so last night.” She went into the spare room and closed the door.

  Kent felt crushed. He wanted to talk to her and work it out but she’d already made up her mind about him and Teddy. So that was it? He never should have gotten married. Winning a bet and getting a house wasn’t worth it. He watched Teddy play with his blocks. Kent was glad he had the house for Teddy’s sake.

  “Well, I can make porridge for us.” He might as well have been talking to the air. No one seemed to care.

  He got busy cooking and reined in his temper for Teddy’s sake. He didn’t want his son scared. What did Glory mean by saying Teddy was his son? Didn’t she want to be his mother anymore? His heart cracked as he gazed upon his son. Teddy had had enough bad things in his life already. He didn’t deserve Glory’s irrational anger. He didn’t deserve it one bit.

  After Teddy went to sleep Kent planned to have a chat with his so called wife.

  Chapter Seven

  Glory sat on her pallet for a long while but when Teddy started to cry she flew out of the room to comfort him. He was just an innocent child. She sat down on the floor next to him and lifted him into her arms and held him to her.

  “Mama.” Teddy hiccupped.

  Did she hear him correctly? Did he just call her mama? She turned toward Kent and he nodded.

  “I love you, Teddy and I’m sorry I was out of sorts when you came home.” She kissed his cheek and rubbed his back. Her heart expanded even more as she held him to her. Her resolve to just be a servant vanished.

  “He’s only been here a few days. I’m surprised he called me Mama.”

  Kent gave her a slight smile. “He can feel how much you love him. It’s a nice feeling until it ends.” His smile soured.

  She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, let it out slowly and gazed at him. It would be so easy to say nothing and hope for the best but even as shy as she could be she fought for what she wanted. He had to know how she felt or nothing would ever be fixed.

  “Kent, you broke my heart. I didn’t take my feelings away, they were pushed away. I’ve always been a trusted, wanted, friend. I never should have come here. If I hadn’t, none of what befell Walter would have happened. I know I’m the one at fault for all the trouble but to make me feel like an unwanted stranger and calling this child yours. The hurt still pierces me. I guess it hurts so much because I thought we were going to be a family. I should have realized you never invited me to be Teddy’s mother. I’m not totally convinced you ever wanted a wife.” She had no words left. Tears trailed down her face and Teddy traced them with his little finger.

  She watched as Kent quietly left.

  “Teddy, when I was a little girl I wished and wished for a family. I had my heart set on a mother and father. I’d also hoped for a brother or sister. Then as I grew older, I grew shyer and I didn’t want to leave the orphanage. I eventually became a teacher there.”

  Teddy smiled and waved his hands around. “Mama.”

  Glory kissed him. “You honor me, Teddy. I never imagined I’d be a mother. I am your mother and I’ll always be your mother. Callous words can’t change the bond we are building. I love you, little one.”

  She stood up with Teddy in her arms and locked the door like Kent had told her. It was dark outside. The window in their bedroom had been boarded over and reinforced. Kent had also insisted on closing the curtains when it was dark outside. As she closed them a chill rampaged through her body. She had a bad feeling and it wasn’t just about her relationship with Kent.

  She went into the bedroom and changed Teddy into a sleeping gown. Then she placed the two pillows on the bed and put him in the center of them. Turning the lamp low she sat and sang to him. He fell right to sleep.

  Her shoulders slumped after she left the bedroom. It was too quiet in the house. She loved the fresh wood scent of it. Normally she’d be laughing and talking with Harriet, Faye and Imogene. She said a silent prayer for their happiness. Finally she grabbed more diapers that needed hemming. She still had to admit to Kent that she couldn’t cook.

  Maybe she was a fraud. She couldn’t sew correctly or make a meal. Kent most likely assumed she did both. She knew she would be a good teacher and she’d talk to Kent about starting school soon. They needed to start working together and trying to understand each other. Otherwise her life would be as silent and empty as she felt at the moment.

  There was a loud thud against the back of the house. Fear filled her as she checked on Teddy. He slept peacefully.

  Someone was outside and she wasn’t sure if there were guns in the house. Even if she had one, unless it was loaded she wouldn’t be able to shoot it and she most certainly wouldn’t hit anything she aimed at. She grabbed a sharp cooking knife and put it in her apron pocket. It didn’t make her feel any safer.

  Where was Kent? Was he checking on Walter and listening to Sondra’s reason for not liking her? That could probably take a while even though Sondra hardly knew her. Glory thought to make friends here but it didn’t look that way.

  There was another thump on the side of the house. She grabbed her knife and started to walk toward the window. The next thing she knew she went flying to the floor. Stunned for a moment she didn’t realize the extent of her injury. The pain in her shoulder excruciating and she knew she’d stabbed herself but she was afraid to look to see how bad it was.

  Slowly she sat up and pulled the knife out of the front of her. Blood gushed and she felt faint. She could doctor other’s but her own blood made her woozy. The knife clattered to the floor. She walked on her knees to a chair and used it to left herself up. Another dress with blood on it.

  Did they have any whiskey? She didn’t even know where to look. It was hard to unbutton her dress with one hand but she did it. Then she took off her chemise. She stood up and grabbed a few unhemmed diapers and her needle and thread. It wasn’t going to go well without something to lessen her pain.

  While applying pressure to her knife wound she put water on to boil. It exhausted her. Next she put the palmetto fruits she’d picked and put them in a jar. She poured boiling water on them and shook her head. It would take hours before she could use it. She needed comfrey leaves. She should have gathered the leaves when she saw them.

  She could hardly stand but she managed to put a knife, a needle and thread into the water. Feeling lightheaded she sat down on a wooden chair and changed out the cloth. Maybe she should go outside and pick a few of t
he leaves. The plant was by the back corner of the house.

  It would be stupid to go outside just about as stupid as stabbing yourself. Her shoulder and arm were throbbing and it took everything she had not to cry. After a bit she fished the items out of the water and put them on a clean towel on the table. At least she staunched the bleeding enough for her to stitch it.

  Her stomach churned but it had to be done. She got up one more time and found a piece of wood she could bite down on to keep from screaming. With needle threaded she put it through her skin. Oh no, how will I do this? One stitch meant going through two places with the needle.

  It would have been better if she could have done it quickly but the angle made it too hard. She’d probably have to be stitched again by someone who could see the cut better. After every stitch she took a deep breath and let it out. At one point she mopped her forehead with a clean cloth. Thank goodness Teddy had slept through it. Finally she was able to tie it off. It even hurt to try to cut the thread.

  Just a little more time and she’d be done. Her hands shook as she bandaged herself. All she wanted was to lay down but she’d have to unlock the door for Kent. She could at least put her chemise back on. As hard as she tried she couldn’t get her arm through it. The pain was bad but not as bad as when she was stitching it. Finally she took the piece of wood out of her mouth.

  * * *

  If only he could ride to town and drink at the saloon. Maybe he’d feel better. Kent’s chest hurt when he thought about Glory’s pain. He never meant to hurt her, never and he had to make it right. He’d spent the two hours brushing down the horses and thinking. He’d have to ask for her forgiveness. Part of him rejected the idea. He wasn’t good at saying he was sorry but another part knew that he had to so they could grow toward each other.

  He sighed heavily as he rubbed the back of his neck. He’d best get it over with. He walked the distance from the barn to the house at a slower pace than usual. He knocked on the door and for a minute he was certain she wasn’t going to let him in.

  The door opened and he’d never seen anyone so pale. His jaw dropped and he scooped her up into his arms and put her on the sofa.

  “What happened? Were you attacked? I told you to keep the door locked. Where’s Teddy?” He didn’t wait for an answer he checked on Teddy and was relieved he was sleeping. He came back and sat on the table in front of the sofa.

  He took her chemise from her and saw the ugly stitches right under her shoulder bone. He looked lower and saw her lovely breasts. But now wasn’t the time. “How did this happen and who stitched you up?”

  “It was me. There was a loud thud against the bedroom wall and I was scared so I put a sharp knife in my pocket. Then the thud was at the side of the house. I took out the knife and was going to peek out the window when I tripped and fell. I stabbed myself.”

  Kent pushed the hair back from her forehead. There was so much pain in her eyes. “Who stitched you?”

  Her breathing was shaky. “I did it. There was no one else.” Tears leaked out and ran down her face.

  “It looks deep. It must have been hard to stitch yourself. There are big gaps between the stitches.”

  She nodded and groaned. “I thought that might be the case. I had nothing for the pain and no way to clean it. There is a comfrey bush out back and if I could only get some of the leaves it’ll help with the healing.”

  Kent stroked her wet cheek with the back of his hand. “I’ve got some whiskey.” He went to the cupboard and reached high and deep. “I guess you couldn’t find it.”

  “I don’t know if I could keep it down at this point. My stomach wants to empty itself.”

  He grabbed some of the paper that had been wrapped around the items from the store. Then he found his pencil. “Here, draw the leaves for me.”

  “I’m so sorry, Kent. I’m clumsy. I’ve always been this way.” Her voice was sorrowful.

  “It’s not your fault. I should have been here. It was an unfortunate incident.”

  She nodded slowly and drew a picture of the leaves.

  “Should I get Georgie? What about the bark tea?”

  “I don’t want anyone to know. It’ll just be something else for them to talk about.”

  He was trying to be patient but he wasn’t sure how much longer he’d be able to keep calm. “They are our friends. I know it’s been a rough couple of days and things were said but no one meant them, including me.” He kissed her cheek and took the drawing. After lighting a lamp he opened the front door. “Leave it unlocked. I don’t want you to move.”

  He sprinted across the way to Parker’s house and knocked on the door. Sondra opened it and let him in without a word.

  Parker jumped up from his chair. “What happened?”

  “I need Georgie and her bark tea. My wife fell and stabbed herself. I also need her to show me which leaves are comfrey leaves. I know where the shrub is supposed to be but Glory was shaking so badly I can’t tell a thing from her drawing.”

  Parker poured him some whiskey as Georgie gathered the tea. Kent downed it all in one swig and followed Georgie out the door.

  “Parker, come by after a while so you can walk me home,” Georgie said as Parker held the door watching them leave.

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Now, Kent where is the bush?”

  “Here, follow me. It’s at the back corner of the house.” He was surprised to find it right where Glory said it was. And it was growing without anything near it.

  Georgie quickly stripped off a big handful of the leaves. “She must be in pain.” She hurried to the front door.

  Kent took long strides to keep up with Georgie and was right behind her when she went inside.

  She handed him a jar with willow tree bark. “Steep this in some hot water while I check her out.”

  Kent did it right away.

  “You poor dear,” Georgie was saying when he joined them.

  “Kent it looks deep. It’s a good thing we got the comfrey otherwise she probably wouldn’t heal properly. We need to take the stitches back out. Glory why didn’t you just wait for Kent to come back?”

  Tears filled Glory’s eyes again. “We had words and I didn’t know if he’d be back.”

  Her words jolted through him. “Of course I’d be back. I’m sorry if you thought that.”

  She gave him a wavering smile. “I don’t know what to think anymore.”

  “Kent, can you help me with the tea?” Georgie asked.

  He followed her until she stopped at the table. “Look at all that blood. She’s going to be weak for some time. How she was able to take care of herself is beyond me. Most people would have had to lay down, unable to find the strength. She’s quite a woman. Now go back and hold her hand while I get the tea ready then I’ll make a paste out of the leaves. I’ll need those stitches out too but we’ll wait until the tea takes effect and helps with the pain.”

  He nodded and picked up a pair of scissors from the side table where Glory had her sewing.

  “Let’s do this in the kitchen. I don’t want blood on the sofa.” Glory suggested. She sounded exhausted.

  “Darlin’ I think you might be right.” He put the scissors in his pocket and gently lifted her. She lay her head on his chest and he hugged her tighter to his body. He could have lost her. Life in Texas could be dangerous. He needed to be more grateful for what he had. Georgie was right, Glory was a very strong woman.

  He set her down on a chair and gently kissed her cheek. “It’s not fair you have to go through the pain again.”

  She weakly smiled at him. “I’ll have something to help with the pain. Why hide the whiskey? Did you think me to be a drinker?”

  “I know this sounds stupid now but I wanted it out of Teddy’s reach.” He put up his hand. “I know before you say anything that he isn’t even walking and it would be years before he could reach for anything on the lowest shelf. I guess I didn’t think we’ll have much use for it.”

  “I should
have gathered more leaves and roots and had some of them steeping. I wasn’t prepared for an emergency and I should have been.” Glory leaned back against the chair.

  Georgie placed a steaming mug in front of Glory. “You sip on this while I make the comfrey into a paste. I’m glad you knew where to find it. It’s very dark outside.”

  Kent felt a bit better knowing Glory was in good hands.

  * * *

  Glory took small sips of the willow bark tea. She felt its soothing effect begin to take place. As she finished the beverage, Georgie was busy grinding up the leaves using a wooden bowl and the handle from a large wooden spoon. The she added a splash of water to it and made a healing paste.

  “Are you ready?” Georgie picked up the scissors and cut the stitches. As soon as she picked all of the thread off she turned to Kent. “I’ll need that whiskey now.”

  Kent handed it to her and she poured some onto the gash. Glory reached out her hand trying to find something to hold on to. Finally she found Kent’s hand. Taking hold she squeezed it as the pain traveled through her.

  “You’ve quite the grip,” Kent said through gritted teeth. “How did you not scream when you did it without a pain reliever?”

  “I bit on a piece of wood you had in a pile for whittling.” She gripped his hand again. “It’s not as bad this time.” She stared into his eyes as she winced. He cared. She could tell that he cared.

  “I have good news for you, Glory,” Georgie said as she stitched. “We’re going to have the school built!”

  “That is good news,” Glory said through gritted teeth.

  “It’s going to be just like a barn raising. Everyone will help and we’ll feed them. Did that hurt? I’m almost done. It’ll be next Saturday. I’m so excited. Education will make such a difference to the people of Joy.”

  “I heard there was another teacher. What happened?” Glory asked as she squeezed Kent’s hand.

  “I hate to speak bad about someone but he wasn’t up to teaching. He explained to me he expected them to all sit down and pay attention or he’d paddle them or hit them with a ruler. Those poor children have been through enough violence in their lives. You’re not the ruler type are you?”