An Angel in the Mail by Callie Hutton Read Free Book Online

places.
    Aside from his concerns about her mental condition, he was pleased with what he saw. Perhaps a bit too pleased. He hadn’t wanted the temptation of a pretty wife, but it seemed to be exactly what he got. Hopefully, once she’d recovered and was on her feet, she’d handle the household chores. That was the main reason for taking a bride, he reminded himself.
    The sound of a heavy piece of furniture hitting the floor downstairs jerked him from his thoughts. He closed the door and joined his family for supper.
    Sunlight streamed through the east window, blinding Nate as he awoke from a fitful sleep. He laid the back of his hand over his eyes and darted a glance at his wife. Still sound asleep, from her position she appeared to have not stirred all night. His long legs swung over the side of the bed and he sat up. He leaned his elbows on his knees and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands.
    What had this poor girl gone through to get here? No doubt the trip had not been a pleasant one. Better yet, why would a beautiful young woman put herself through that for a husband? She must have had other offers. He shrugged at the lack of answers. Something wasn’t right, and it left an uncomfortable feeling. God, I hope she isn’t running from the law.
    He quietly washed and dressed and then checked once more on his sleeping wife before he left the bedroom.
    Chaos reigned in the kitchen. Julia-Rose sat in the middle of the floor in a soaked nightgown, chewing on the strap hanging from her chair. “Mama.” She reached up with both chubby arms as he approached.
    Apparently, the twins had decided to set the table for breakfast. Every place had a knife, and they’d added a spoon to Nate’s. A long trail of milk ran from the door to the table where the milk pitcher sat precariously on the edge. The jar of apple jelly Mrs. Darby had left for them lay smashed on the floor only a foot away from Julia-Rose. Mark and Matt rolled on the floor, punching each other. A bowl of eggs sat on Nate’s chair, and the twins crawled around in circles under the table, barking like dogs.
    Nate put his thumb and pinky to his mouth and whistled. Five sets of eyes looked at him.
    “Matt and Mark, shake hands. Luke, you and your brother get a cloth from the sink and wipe up the milk from the floor. Matt, clean up the broken jar of jelly, and be careful not to cut your hand. Mark, get that nightgown off your sister and wash her down.”
    Without giving them a second glance, Nate retrieved the bowl of eggs and returned it to the pantry. He took out a container and measured oats, salt, and water into a pan and set it on the stove. With a long iron rod, he stirred the coals in the stove from the night before, and added a few pieces of wood.
    “Where’s our new mama?” Luke wanted to know as he smeared the milk around.
    “Sleeping.”
    “Why’s she still sleepin’?”
    Nate turned to four curious faces. “She had a long trip. At the moment she’s not feeling too good, and needs extra sleep. Can I count on all of you to behave and be quiet?”
    Mark snorted, picked up the baby, and holding her at arm’s length, left the room.
    “We’ll be good, Papa.” John and Luke held hands and studied him, their little faces serious.
    “Thanks, boys. I appreciate all the help I can get. And remember to help Angel when she’s up and about, okay?”
    Two identical heads nodded agreement.
    After cleaning up from breakfast, he dropped Julia-Rose off with Mrs. Darby and headed to town. Lord, I sure hope I didn’t just make the biggest mistake of my life.

Chapter 4
    Angel turned her battered, sore body, and pulled the covers up further on her shoulders. A door squeaked, and whispers caught her attention.
    “Ya think she’s dead?”
    “Don’t know. Should we poke her?”
    “No.” The whisper got louder. “Papa said let her rest, ‘cause she’s tired from her trip.”
    “She looks dead. If she’s dead, Papa would wanna know.”
    “No, see