Mail Order Motherhood (Brides of Beckham Book 8) by Kirsten Osbourne Read Free Book Online Page B

berries with the children in the morning.  Then we’ll spend the next couple of days canning everything to have it ready for the winter.”  She didn’t know why she was explaining it to him when he obviously didn’t care, but she needed to talk to someone.  “Do you know if there are other vegetables or fruits that would be ripe about now that I could can for the winter?”
    He shrugged again.  “My wife did all that.”
    “Okay.”  She asked something she’d been worried about for a while.  “Do you think we could head into town and buy more supplies before the snows start?  I’m worried we’ll be stuck here.”
    “I’ll make another trip into town at the end of this week or beginning of next.  If you’ll make me a list of what you need, I’ll take Clarence, and we’ll get enough for the winter.  Usually, we can get through on the sleigh, but I can’t make any promises.  Some winters are worse than others.”
    She nodded.  “I’ll make the list.  I’d like more food and some fabric so I can make the girls some more clothes.  Both need a couple more.”  She looked down at her dress.  “This is the only work dress I have that isn’t old and patched over and over.  I need to make some more for me as well.  Clarence needs shirts.  I’m sure Robert does also.  Sewing is a good way for me to keep the girls occupied in the winter.  They need to be able to keep their hands busy, so their minds won’t be idle.”
    “Just write it all down, and I’ll take care of it.” 
    “I have some money from selling my things before I left Massachusetts.  I’ll give it to you before you go.”
    He shook his head.  “I don’t need your money.  I make more than enough to support this family.  Save it for when Natalie marries, and she needs things to set up a household.”  He hated the idea of using the money she’d made before coming there.  If they were destitute, he wouldn’t hesitate, but he made good money, and there was just no need.
    Clara nodded, not liking his answer, but agreeing to do as he said.  “I’ll do that then.”  She stood up, taking her glass to the sink and rinsing it out.  “Good night.”
    He seemed lost in thought as she left the room, and she didn’t feel his eyes watching her as she climbed the stairs. 
    Albert sighed as soon as she was out of sight.  He rested his elbows on the table and put his face in his hands.  He’d never dreamed that having a woman around the house would wake up the old desires in him.  He’d truly thought he was immune and would never feel passion again without Sally.  Now here was this new wife of his, working hard for his family, and doing it so prettily.
    He liked that she worked so hard, but why couldn’t she have a wart on the end of her nose, or be unattractive in some other way?  How was he going to be able to resist her forever?  He needed to be able to help his children remember his wife forever.  Why was it that it was so hard to remember Sally when Clara was in the room?
     
    *****
     
    She stumbled into the kitchen at the same time as he did the following morning.  He started the fire in the stove for her, while she ground the coffee beans.  She rubbed her hands over her arms, trying to warm them.  “Would you like anything special for breakfast?” she asked.
    “No, just something to fill my stomach.  Anything will do.”  He hated that she was such a good cook.  Sally had tried, but she’d never enjoyed cooking, and had been unable to come up with creative ways to fix food.  He hated comparing the two women, but couldn’t stop himself.  “I’ll get the eggs and milk.”  He left without another word.
    Clara stared after him, wondering what she’d done wrong.  She felt like she constantly fell short of what he wanted from her.  She wished she knew how to make him happy, but with the way things were going, she was certain he’d never be happy with anything she did.
    She stirred the batter