Page 34 of Her Gentle Protector
“It’s about us. And Peter.”
A flash of anger crossed Midge’s face. “Peter? Baxter, you need--”
Before she could finish, there was a sudden commotion from the opposite side of the barn.
Baxter’s eyes suddenly flickered towards the front of the barn, his brow furrowing as he spotted someone in the crowd. “I gotta take care of something, Midge,” he snapped, his voice tense. “I’ll be right back.”
“Is everything alright?”
“It will be. I need to deal with the man who made my Annie cry.”
She watched him leave and meet Rex at the door. Rex leaned over and said something in Baxter’s ear, and they disappeared into the darkness.
“Fine,” she muttered, her arms still crossed and feeling slightly abandoned. Unsure what to do, she made her way back to the table where her siblings were enjoying their dinner. Ma Hartman had placed small slices of cake in front of each child, along with glasses of milk.
“I made you a plate,” Ma Hartman said, pointing to the end of the bench. “I saw you talking to Baxter. Is everything alright?”
“I don’t know.” Midge slid onto the bench. “Something happened, and he took off with Rex. Mentioned a woman named Annie?”
“That would be Annamae. They are very protective of her. She’s my youngest daughter.”
“I wonder if they found Sawyer,” Marmee mused.
“Who is that?” Midge asked, taking a small bit of the pork from her plate.
“He was the cowboy with scarlet fever. The one that Annamae was taking care of for a bit,” Ma explained. “He came back here a few weeks ago.”
“I guess that was the same time that Baxter left my house.”
“You know what you need, Miriam?” Marmee asked, as she shoveled mashed potatoes into Olive’s mouth.
“I can’t imagine,” Midge murmured.
“What was that, dear?” Marmee said, cupping her ear. “I must be hard of hearing.”
“I said this dinner is delicious.” Midge took another bite of pork and chewed so she wouldn’t have to speak.
“You need a husband.” Midge nearly choked as Marmee continued. “Someone who can help you with all these children and provide some income for your household. Perhaps one of the hardworking men on either ranch. What are your thoughts, Verna?”
“That long-haired cowboy who was in here earlier might be a good choice. He is like butter on salt pork.”
“Verna Hartman,” Marmee laughed, pretending to be mortified.
“Well, he is rather handsome.”
“Ranger is not ready to get married, and he is not ready to take on the trappings of a family. Open up, Olive,” Marmee said, picking up another spoonful of potatoes. When the spoon was clean, she pointed it at Midge. “There are plenty of men in this town who are looking for a wife. Perhaps we can place some children with other families.”
“I won’t separate any of us. I’d rather become a spinster than risk one child going to a bad home.”
Marmee gave a little smile. “Families should stay together. Just remember that, Midge. Because sometimes change is a good thing. Oh, look, it’s Reverend Billings. He just arrived in town. I think you’d like him.”
Midge looked over her shoulder at the older man in the black frock. “I wouldn’t want to marry him. He could be my grandfather.”
Giving a light laugh, Marmee went back to feeding Olive. “He’s married. That’s his daughter, Ethel. I was just thinking if you came to church, you’d find that he’s easy to talk to.”
Embarrassment flooded her cheeks as she realized she’d misunderstood Marmee, thinking of the reverend as a potential suitor. “I don’t know if there is anyone I’d want to marry.”
“May we go?” Ira asked. “I want to go see the puppies.”
