Page 553 of Conveniently Wed
He hoped she’d say more to him, but she turned back toward her patient and ignored him. They had been having comfortable conversations when he came to the house after work. He wanted that to continue.Lord, please don’t let Miriam come between Lorinda and me.
He heard Michael and Mrs. Oleson laughing in the kitchen, and he headed down the hallway toward them.
Mrs. Oleson had supper ready for Franklin. While he played with his son, he ate the delicious beef stew and hot biscuits, sneaking Michael pinches of the bread and bits of the soft potatoes from the rich broth. When he finished, he gave the baby back to Mrs. Oleson. He couldn’t let things stand like they were this evening. He had to let Lorinda know he didn’t want anyone but her for his wife, but he wasn’t sure how to do that.
“I’m going to check on Lorinda.” With a nod to Mrs. Oleson, he headed toward the baby’s room.
His wife sat with her back to the door, reading a book by the light of the oil lamp on the table by the bed. He stared at her, his heart beating double-time as it often did when he saw her. Her blonde curls were caught up and pinned at the top of her head,looking like a golden crown. His gaze slid toward her exposed neck above the top edge of her dress.
He had the strongest urge to tiptoe over and kiss the tender milk-white skin. In his imagination, she turned and welcomed his caresses. Her arms went around his neck, she pressed her soft body against his, and every curve fit at just the right place. Desire rose in him, and his palms began to sweat. He brushed them against his shirt.
“Franklin?” Her soft word brought his eyes to her again. Lorinda must have heard him, and she studied him intensely. “Is something wrong?”
“No.”Liar.Everything was wrong, and it was all his fault. “I wanted to check on Miriam...and you.”
She put a ribbon in the book and placed it on the table.
As Lorinda arose, he tried to discipline his features so she wouldn’t know what he had been thinking. She came over beside him and leaned close. Her feminine fragrance almost made him lose control. He wondered what she would do if he clasped her against his chest as he had imagined.
“Mrs. Oleson and I were able to clean up Miriam and dress her in one of Mrs. Oleson’s warm flannel night shifts. After giving her broth and the medicines the doctor left, she settled down and went right to sleep. I think she’s completely exhausted.”
He could stare into her blue eyes for just one more minute. “How are you holding up?”
“We’ve taken turns caring for Michael and staying with Miriam, so I’m fine.” She glanced toward the book on the table. “I’ve even started a new book that’s quite interesting.”
“I’m glad.” Not that she was reading the book, but that she was fine.
Franklin could never have imagined something happening like the events of today. He hoped Miriam would get betterquickly, so they could find out why she was riding Mike Sullivan’s horse, where Marvin was, why he wasn’t with her, and even if he was the father of the baby. If he wasn’t, that could open another Pandora’s box, and the ramifications could be far-reaching. He hoped Lorinda wouldn’t get hurt by having Miriam in their household. He needed to treat his wife with great respect and special tenderness until they were out of this situation.
As he dressed for bed, he heard Lorinda and Mrs. Oleson as they awakened Miriam and gave her more medicine. The two women left the bedroom before he was ready to lie down. He heard the housekeeper start up the stairs before Lorinda quietly entered her bedroom. She didn’t notice him standing in the doorway to the dressing room, so he cleared his throat.
She glanced toward him, then over at the sleeping baby. “You startled me, Franklin.”
Her soft whisper warmed his heart. He loved the way she pronounced his name. “I wanted to see if you were all right before I went to bed.”
“Yes, I am.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“You look tired.”
She nodded. “I am, a little. But Mrs. Oleson and I agreed that since Miriam was sleeping normally now, we could spend the night in our own beds.”
“I’m glad.” Reluctantly, he turned away before he made her more uncomfortable.
As he closed the door, her whispered, “Thank you,” followed him.
Three different times during the night, he heard Lorinda tiptoe into the hallway to check on Miriam. After a few minutes, she would return to her room. His wife shouldn’t have to be taking care of his former fiancée, but if he tried to take her place, she might misunderstand.
He hoped Miriam would quickly recover, so she could be on her way.
Lorinda took care of Miriam for the next full day and night. By then, the woman had been asleep for almost two days and nights. Because she was sleeping so much, Lorinda had plenty of time to take care of Michael and clean the house. Mrs. Oleson cooked the meals.
When Lorinda went into the bedroom with the morning medicine on the third day, Miriam’s eyes were open, and she was much more alert.
“Good morning, Mrs. Vine.” Even the woman’s voice sounded cheery.
“And a good morning to you, Miriam.” Lorinda set the tray on the bedside table and sat in the chair. “Are you hungry?”
“Yes, for the first time in days.” She flashed a sweet smile toward Lorinda. “Thank you so much for taking care of me.”
