Brides of Iowa by Connie; Stevens Read Free Book Online

to do things with one hand. But we can help, can’t we, Tillie?”
    Tillie shrugged. “Sure. I’ll help wherever I can.”
    Tessa gave Flossie an encouraging smile. “Tillie can lend a hand cutting up the vegetables and preparing the meat. I’ll come in early, the same time you do, but I’ll do the baking, and you can get started on the day’s menu.”
    Flossie stared at Tessa while she cradled her injured hand. “You would do that for me?”
    It felt good to smile. “Yes. I don’t want you to lose your job, Flossie. And besides, I really enjoy baking.”
    Flossie grunted. “And I hate to bake. I only did it because I had to.”
    Tillie glanced toward the door. “What if Mr. Kilgore finds out?”
    “He never comes into the kitchen, and as long as the work gets done, why should he care?”
    Flossie hesitated then nodded her head. “I don’t know why you’re doin’ this for me, but I appreciate it.”
    “C’mon, let’s get the kitchen cleaned up and ready for tomorrow.” Tessa plunged her hands into the soapy water and made short work of the dishes. In less than an hour, she slipped out the side door and made her way to the shed.
    The ramshackle, lean-to structure constructed partially of sod blocks and partially of irregular widths of boards wasn’t much to look at, but at least it had a roof. Unexpectedly, Gideon came to mind. She wasn’t sure why it mattered to her, but she was glad he hadn’t seen the place the night he helped her carry her things.
    She pushed open the door. “In a few months I’ll have enough saved to afford a room at Mrs. Dunnigan’s place for the winter.”
    She pulled the much-mended quilt from the trunk and spread it on the earthen floor. Flossie had given her a leftover biscuit and a spoonful of cold gravy to take home. She added the last bit of cheese and a few crackers to finish out her meager meal. As she nibbled, she pretended the biscuit was still hot and fresh and the gravy warm and savory instead of cold.
    She wrapped the last two crackers in the paper to save for her breakfast, but when she started to return the bundle to the cabinet, something caught her eye. She stared hard through the shadows, trying to determine what it was. Then it moved—no, it scurried. She bit back a scream.

Chapter 5
    S cat!” Tessa banged her hand on the trunk lid to scare the mouse away. She wasn’t inclined to share either her quarters or her food with rodents. A shiver sent gooseflesh up her arms.
    If she planned to read Mama’s Bible, she’d best hurry. Night shadows loomed, driving the rays of sun behind the horizon.
    Tessa took a seat in the doorway with the book angled to catch every bit of available light. She flipped pages until she came to Psalm 27. Her eyes scanned the verses she’d previously read, and she turned the page. Her lips formed the words as she read the rest of the psalm in the dusk. Her finger traced the last verse.
    “
Wait on the L ORD : be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart.
”
    She closed the book carefully and laid it in her lap. The last bit of light faded, but the words she’d read echoed in her mind.
    “It sounds like a promise. God, Mama always told me I could trust the words of this book. It says You will take me up since Mama and Papa are both gone. Does that mean You’ll take care of me? Is that what I’m supposed to wait for?”
    She leaned against the doorframe. “And what about Gideon? He says he wants to be my friend. But what if he goes away, too?”
    God’s answer didn’t echo from heaven.
    Fatigue draped around her like a heavy cloak. She scooted aside and started to close the door only to realize she’d be closing the mice in with her.
    A shudder rippled through her. Which was better—sleeping with mice or leaving the door open so anyone could enter? She shrugged at the obvious. The mice could come and go as they pleased whether she shut the door or not, and a closed door didn’t offer security since there was