Page 540 of Conveniently Wed
“Since the railroads came to Frisco, the men don’t have to drive the cattle very far.” Mrs. Oleson spread a baby quilt on the floor on the side of the kitchen away from the stove.
She placed Michael on the blanket and put a few wooden blocks around him. He started reaching for one. As his grasping fingers stretched toward it, he flopped over, but the other arm was caught under his body.
“Look at that. He almost turned all the way over.” Mrs. Oleson clapped her hands and laughed. “It won’t be long until he can scoot across the floor. Before we know it, he’ll be crawling.”
Oh, my goodness. Lorinda didn’t realize babies did things like that so early. For a moment, she felt overwhelmed with being a mother. What would she have done if nothing had happened to Mike? She didn’t know what to do with a baby. Would her son have been neglected because of her inexperience? At least, Mrs. Oleson was helping her learn to be a mother the same way she taught her to cook and knit and sew.Thank you, God, for putting me here in this family.
After Lorinda cleaned up the dishes, she took Michael and put him down for a nap. As she went through all the housecleaning she planned for the day, her mind was in a whirl.
Both she and her son anticipated the time Franklin would come to the house. When he arrived, his presence lit up every room. Michael wouldn’t go to sleep at night until after his daddy played with him. She never fell asleep until he was in the dressing room and she could hear his breathing relax into the slower rhythm of sleep.
What would they do the four nights he’d be gone?
Fear grabbed her heart and squeezed it so tight she caught her breath.What if he doesn’t come home?Even though nothing had happened the last few years, that didn’t guarantee it wouldn’t this year.
Mike hadn’t thought anything would happen to him...or to her while he was gone. And look what happened. He was killed. Franklin and his men buried him on her property.
The thought of her new husband being carried to the ranch slung across the back of a horse made her stomach roil enough to cause her breakfast to try to come up. She swallowed and tears flooded her eyes.Please God, don’t let anything happen to Franklin, too.
Yes, she wanted more from their marriage, but if it was the only way she could have him near, then this sham marriage would have to be enough. She couldn’t face losing him altogether.
And neither could her son.
The night before other cattle drives, Franklin had slept under the stars near the herd with the other cowboys. As he rode toward the homestead, the bright moonlight cast a pearly sheen over everything. All he could think about was seeing his son one last time before he left...and his wife, no matter how hard he had to fight himself to keep from sweeping her up in his arms.
Hope I’m not too late to see them both.As he approached the house, light poured from the kitchen windows. At least, someone was up. Was it Mrs. Oleson...or Lorinda? He went through the mudroom and peeked in the kitchen door. “Is Lorinda still up?”
His housekeeper looked up from where she sat at the table. “Yes. I know you said you’d try to get home tonight, but I really didn’t think you would.”
“I’ve still got to clean up. I’ll be in as soon as I can.”
As he walked Major to the barn, he whistled all the way. He would get to see his wife one more time before he left. That put a spring in his step. Now to get all this mess off him...and quickly.
When he returned to the kitchen, Mrs. Oleson held his son, all cleaned up and ready for bed. Franklin crossed the room and watched the baby’s eyes light up. Mrs. Oleson released Michael into his arms.
“Are you glad to see Daddy?”
Sweet baby laughter followed his question, and the baby became a kicking, punching machine. The exuberance arrowed straight to his heart. His chest almost burst with all the love captured there.
“Daddy couldn’t leave without seeing his boy one more time.” He bestowed kisses along the baby’s neck, and the laughing increased.
Mrs. Oleson stood near the hall doorway, smiling.
Tiny fists grasped the collar of his shirt. The little guy had quite a grip.
“Where’s Lorinda?” He couldn’t take his eyes off his son when he asked the housekeeper the question.
“She’s getting ready for bed. I told her I’d watch the baby while she did.”
That brought all kinds of thoughts to his head, almost taking his mind off his son...but not quite.
“So...do you want to take a ride?” He pulled the baby down toward his waist, then swung him as high as he could reach.
Peals of laughter trilled around the room. The next time he swung him up, he let him go just for a second, easily catchinghim with both hands. Michael loved it, so he tossed him a little higher...then even higher...and higher still.
“What are you doing to my son?”
The shrill shriek startled Franklin, but he never took his eyes off the baby. Quickly, he grabbed him and held him close to his chest.
