Page 18 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
Lindy’s eyes lit. “Can I? Uncle Wally won’t let me. He says I make a mess. But Mama always let me.”
“Maybe Uncle Wally is so efficient he doesn’t need assistance, but I sure do. Why don’t you find me a bowl for the batter?”
Lindy was off her chair and rooting through the cupboards before Gwen finished.
“I might have seen bowls in the pantry.” Gwen followed Lindy to the shelves.
Lindy chose a suitable dish and held it toward Gwen, but Gwen waved it away. “Put it on the table.” A worktable stood beneath a long narrow window. “Now measure out the flour.”
Lindy dipped a cup into the flour and dumped the contents into the bowl. A bit fell to the floor and Lindy stopped, looking to Gwen for her reaction.
“It’s just flour. We can sweep it up when we’re done.”
Lindy ducked her head but not before Gwen saw the surprised and pleased smile on her face. She guided the little girl in measuring more flour and helped her add the baking powder. Her hand over Lindy’s, they beat eggs and added them along with milk. It was nice to have a good supply of both. The batter ready, they moved to the stove where Gwen put a griddle to heat. Under her careful assistance, she allowed Lindy to turn the first batch of pancakes then suggested the child set the table while Gwen broke eggs into a frying pan.
Lindy put out plates. The cutlery was haphazard, but she’d done it by herself and returned to the chair by the stove. “Can I cook some more pancakes?”
“Surely.”
The child chattered as she worked. “Papa said Mama made the best pancakes in the whole world. Do you think Uncle Matt will say that about mine? Didcha know Uncle Luke uses syrup and jam both even though Uncle Wally says it’s a waste? Uncle Wally pretends he’s annoyed but I don’t think he is. Do you?”
“Probably not.” Gwen chuckled at Lindy’s chatter.
The door opened and Matt stepped into the room. He studied them, his eyebrows twitching. Gwen lifted the child down and handed her a plate of pancakes.
“Look what I made for you, Uncle Matt.” Lindy carefully placed the plate on the table.
Gwen took over carrying the rest of the food. She filled two cups with coffee. There was milk for Lindy. Gwen sat beside Lindy with Matt across the corner. His troubled eyes rested on her for several seconds before he cleared his throat.
“I’ll ask the blessing.” He bowed his head.
Gwen did so as well, slowly, and thoughtfully. She wasn’t sure what she’d done to displease him and hoped he wouldn’t tell her in front of Lindy. The words of his prayer didn’t register with her. But at hisamen, she sprang to action and held the platter of eggs toward him.
He took three and then helped himself to the pancakes Lindy offered. The child waited while he slathered on butter, poured on thick syrup, and cut a generous forkful. He chewed the portion and nodded. “These are good, Lindy.”
She beamed. “As good as Mama’s?”
“I’d say so.”
Lindy sat back. “Mama was a good cook, wasn’t she?”
Matt’s look was warm as he answered her. “She was the best.”
Gwen smiled as she turned her attention to the food. It was good to see the child happy.
A few minutes later, Matt took the last pancake and wiped his plate clean with it. “Is everyone done?” he asked.
Lindy nodded and he addressed her. “Then you can run out and play while I talk to Auntie Gwen.”
Lindy was gone in a flash, her arms outspread like wings.
Something about Matt’s tone warned her he had orders for her. She pulled her shoulders back and lifted her chin. Whatever he wanted, she would do her best to obey. She had to prove she could live up to his standards and would make a worthy wife…someone he couldn’t manage without. No changing his mind when he discovered her failings. She grinned to herself. Not that she was going to admit to any.
Matt cleared his throat. “We didn’t get around to talking about a routine.”
Routine? That wasn’t so bad. She nodded. “Tell me what you expect.”
“First off. I don’t think a four-year-old should be working at the stove.”
