Page 19 of Her Gentle Protector
“Oh, my word,” Ma Hartman finally said. “This is terrible. They can’t stay here. Look at this filth.”
“What do you suggest?” Marmee asked her.
“This house will never survive the winter.” Ma started walking around the small house, peering inside doors. “How many children do you have in each room?”
“W-we make do.”
Smiling at each of the children, Ma Hartman went around the table and patted them on the heads as they ate their sandwiches. “Does it get cold in here at night?”
“It’s terribly cold. I don’t know what we are gonna do for winter,” Josiah said.
“Children, hush.” Midge said. “I think you should leave,” she said to Marmee and Ma.
“I think you should leave too,” Marmee agreed. “This is no place for your family to be.”
Midge’s eyes stung and her lips quivered as she looked around the crowded room. “We have nowhere to go.” Her voice rising in frustration, fingers curling into tight fists at her sides. Her breathing became shallow as panic set in. She felt Baxter’s soft, warm hands grasp her shoulders and then envelop her in an embrace. His muscular arms were firm but gentle as they held her tightly against his chest.
“Everything will be all right, Midge.” His breath tickled her ear, sending shivers down her spine. She closed her eyes, feeling safe in his arms.
“Perhaps we could help,” Ma Hartman said softly. “Remember that young widow that used to live between our properties, Ingrid?”
“The one that moved back east?”
“Yes. That house has more room. Why don’t they stay there?”
“I think the bank owns that property,” Baxter said. “We can’t check until someone can get to town.”
Ma walked up and patted his cheek. “Well, then you’ll just have to check on it.”
“I can’t leave this place,” Midge said. “What if Pa comes back?”
“Well, we’ll just address that when it comes.” Ma moved to the table and made conversation with the smaller children.
Baxter stepped away from her, and Midge’s chest tightened painfully. She felt the warmth of his body replaced with a cold void and yearned to fill it. Panic welled in her throat, leaving her breathless at the thought of being abandoned in their small, drafty home with her siblings.
“In the meantime, we can work on making this place habitable,” Baxter said, moving towards the door. “Ma and Marmee can help with the little ones while the boys and I unload the wagon. Eat your sandwich, Midge.”
The children scampered after Baxter to help unload the wagon, leaving Midge alone with the two older women.
“Midge,” Ingrid began hesitantly, her voice low with concern. “I know Baxter will be here to help you, but it isn’t just about the supplies or fixing holes in the roof.”
“The children need stability and care,” Ma Hartman added, her voice gentle but firm. “We need to work together to ensure they’re looked after properly. Let us help.”
A flicker of hope ignited within Midge as she watched the exchange between Marmee and Ma. Their unwavering support meant more to her than she could express in words. For the first time in a long while, she felt as though her family wasn’t alone in their fight.
“Thank you,” Midge whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “I don’t know what to say.”
Marmee pulled a small notebook from her reticule. “How about we take an inventory of what you have, and we can go from there?”
“The most important thing is that the children have hot meals and clean clothes,” Ma said.
“And a bath. Did you see a bathtub?”
Midge sat at the table and ate her sandwich, listening to the two women talk as Marmee scribbled down notes. For the first time, she allowed herself to believe that she might just have a chance at keeping her family whole.
Chapter Six
The sound of tiny footsteps reverberated through the dimly lit barn, and Baxter turned to see several of Midge’s siblings emerge from the shadows. They crept closer, eyes aglow with wonder as they peered up at him from under a mop of tousled hair. Their small bodies huddled together, forming a protective circle as they watched his every move.
