Malachite (The Jewels of Texas Historical Romance Series Book 5) by Ruth Ryan Langan Read Free Book Online

salt pork, scrambled eggs and fried potatoes, as well as steaming biscuits and a crock of honey. Then, at a look from Millie, they bowed their heads.
    “We thank Thee for this food,” little June said aloud.
    “Amen,” the others responded, before digging in to their meal.
    “Mrs. Potter.” Birdie buttered a biscuit, then popped it in her mouth. “Deputy Spitz said he thinks the only reason Beau Baskin gets drunk every week is so he can enjoy your good cooking in jail.”
    “Is that so? If Beau didn’t spend all his money over at Buck’s saloon, he could afford to buy his meals here.” Millie took a seat at the opposite end of the table. But when she looked up, Malachite was staring at her in a way that had her ducking her head.
    “You cook for the jail?” he asked.
    She nodded. “The town pays me. I used to send over the marshal’s meals, too. But now that he’s married to Ruby, it isn’t necessary. I just supply a meal whenever there’s a prisoner, which isn’t often in this town. Except for Beau Baskin, who gets drunk once or twice a week and spends the night in a cell sobering up.”
    Birdie said over a mouthful of biscuit, “Deputy Spitz says he asks to work whenever Beau spends the night, just so he can enjoy your good cooking, too.”
    Millie laughed. “Well, we won’t bother to repeat that to Deputy Spitz’s wife, or he may end up having to take all his meals at the jail.”
    “Why?” June asked innocently.
    “Because,” Birdie said in the tone of an older friend who is accustomed to answering youthful questions, “Mrs. Spitz would be jealous if she knew that her husband liked your mama’s cooking better’n her own.”
    “But why?” June persisted. “Everybody knows Mama’s the best cook in Hanging Tree. Why should Mrs. Spitz mind?”
    “She just would.” Birdie turned to Millie. “Are you going to take us to school today, Mrs. Potter?”
    Millie nodded. “I guess I have no choice. Amos Durfee sent word that he needs his boys to help in the mercantile today. And since Travis Worthing is taking his father’s place on the ranch until his return from Abeline, that just leaves me. Are you sure your mama can spare you today?”
    “Yes’m.” Birdie glanced at the stranger, then explained. “My pa got thrown from a horse more’n two years ago. Doc Prentice fixed most of his broken bones, but there’s nothing to be done for his back. Doc says he’ll never walk again. So Ma has to stay close, to run and fetch for him. And I do what I can to help earn my keep. I help Mrs. Potter here, and then I help Miss Jade at the church.” While she spoke she got to her feet and started to clear the table. “But mostly I help my ma.”
    Millie filled a basin with hot water from the stove. While April washed the dishes, May and June dried, and Birdie reached over their heads, putting the clean dishes away.
    Malachite sipped a second cup of coffee and watched as Millie filled a basket with cold chicken, hard-boiled eggs, biscuits and fruit.
    Then his gaze slipped to the neighbor girl, laughing and chatting, and all the while working diligently. It occurred to him that when he’d first left the village of his mother’s people, he’d expected the life of the white man to be somehow easier than that of the Comanche. What he’d learned was that life everywhere was difficult and demanding. But it wasn’t only the Comanche who looked out for the aged, infirm, widowed or orphaned. Despite the fact that Millie Potter was obviously struggling to raise three little girls alone, she was willing to help a neighbor, as well. He wondered just how many chores Millie Potter took on to keep her family in food and clothes. He’d spotted a cow and chickens in the shed. All the rest of their food would have to be bought or bartered. From the size of her brood, it would take some doing. The house was sturdy, but in obvious need of repair. And the furnishings, though clean and comfortable, were showing