Page 17 of Her Gentle Protector
“Y-yes. How did you know?”
“Baxter said you were as pretty as a picture, and my son doesn’t lie.”
Midge furrowed her brow in confusion at the mention of a “son.” She looked closely at Verna Hartman, trying to make out any resemblance to Baxter. Verna had deep wrinkles around her eyes, and she wore a simple cotton dress with an apron. She pulled her white hair into a loose chignon that had fallen out of its pins from the buggy ride over.
“I’m Verna Hartman, but you can call me Ma. Everyone does.” Verna gestured to the woman beside her. “This is my oldest friend, Ingrid Chapman, or Marmee.”
Midge looked between the two women, confusion written across her face. “Marmee,” Midge repeated. “I’m familiar with Mrs. Chapman. You have the ranch on this side of the creek.”
“And the only chicken coop that hasn’t been touched.” Marmee’s dark eyes watched as Midge reached into the corner of the porch. “You don’t need that, darling. We are here to help.”
“What kind of help?”
Ma Hartman stepped forward and offered the basket. “This is just some sandwiches. I thought you and the young’uns might be hungry. Baxter told us what happened with your pa.”
Midge only hesitated a moment before reaching out to take the basket. “Thank you. You’re Baxter’s ma?”
“I am. I’ve not seen him since the fever broke.” She peered around Midge’s shoulder to the children peering out the dirty windows. “You don’t have it here, do you?”
“No. None of us have a fever. Should we?”
Marmee tossed her gloves on the buggy bench. “Scarlatina has hit the town. The marshal is limiting who can go in or out.”
A sudden wave of worry surged through Midge for the man she had only just met. “Does Baxter have the fever?” Her thoughts raced as she tried to warn herself against jumping to conclusions. “He isn’t ill, is he?”
“No,” Ma Hartman said. “But I can’t return home now, because...” She looked at Marmee. “Well, you can tell her.”
“One of Weston’s hands came down with it. Annamae is the only one outside of town who had the fever and survived. She’s taking care of him. It just means Verna can’t go back home, as she has never had the fever.”
“So can we get it?” Midge put the basket down on the porch. “We have a baby inside. Pet has gone hunting. I need to get her home.” Her voice rose an octave as panic filled her chest and she tried to run for the yard, but Marmee’s firm grip held her in place. Tears welled up in her eyes as she faced the older woman, desperately searching for a way to find her sister.
“She’ll be fine. If she doesn’t get to town or visit any houses where people have been sick, then you’ll be alright.”
Midge yanked her arm away, the pain of Marmee’s grasp still there. Rubbing the tender spots, she glared at the older woman. “Is that why you stopped by? To scare us?”
“Midge?” The door creaked open, and Josiah popped his head out. “Are you alright?”
Still rubbing her arm, she gave her brother a half smile. “I’m alright, sweets. Mrs. Chapman just gave me some news that scared me. That’s all.”
“Which one are you?” Marmee asked.
“That’s Josiah.” Midge stepped back on the porch. “Mrs. Hartman and Mrs. Chapman brought us some sandwiches. Why don’t you take those inside and pass them out? Be sure to save one for Pet.”
“What about you?” the little boy asked, taking the basket.
“Put one aside for me, as well.” Ruffing his hair, she turned him back towards the door. “Bring me back the basket when it’s empty.”
“Baxter said you have eight siblings?” Ma inquired.
“Yes.”
“We aren’t here to cause any issues, child,” Marmee said. “We did not know your pa ran off and left you to fend for yourselves.”
Midge felt the pressure of a sob and fought with all her might to keep it inside. But before she knew it, thick hot tears were rolling down her flushed cheeks, leaving salty trails behind as they dripped onto her shirt.
“Shush now, dear,” Marmee soothed, her dark brown eyes brimming with compassion as she hugged Midge close. “We’re here to help in any way we can. And it looks like you’ve got some powerful hands that want to help already.” Her gaze flicked to another wagon coming up the road.
It was Baxter!
