Page 31 of Her Gentle Protector
“Take care of that girl,” Whit called after him.
With a wave, Baxter pushed Knickers into a gallop, directing him around the ranch to the Callaghan home.Soon to be the Hartman home.
As the house appeared in the distance, he felt a renewed sense of determination well up inside him. He knew that there would be obstacles in his path, but he was determined to confront them head-on. For Midge, her siblings, and the potential future they could have together, Baxter would do whatever it took to guarantee their happiness and safety.
Chapter Nine
“Come on!” Midge called as she slid her feet into her boots. As much as she hated shoes, she knew she needed to wear them today. “We need to leave shortly if we want to get to the harvest dance.”
“I can’t button my dress,” Jenny said, coming into the bedroom.
“Turn around, bunny.” Midge finished buttoning Jenny’s dress and sent her out of the room with a gentle pat on her backside.
When Marmee extended the invitation, Midge was hesitant about going. Her siblings hadn’t been around crowds before, and although she wasn’t concerned about their behavior at home, who knew how seven children might act surrounded by strangers, barn animals and a table filled with food.
Peter had disappeared, and she’d only caught glimpses of him when he came to the house to eat or sleep. When she tried to talk to him, he shut her down and then disappeared for another few days. She thought he might sleep at the Pickett’s, but she wasn’t sure and there was no time to go down and find out. Whatever he was going through, he’d have to work through it on his own.
“This thing itches,” Petunia complained, coming from the bedroom. She stepped out in a dated yet still fashionable dark blue dress with white cuffs and collar. Marmee insisted that everyone have dresses to wear, so she brought over several selections from her daughter’s closets for Midge and Petunia to choose from.
Midge didn’t even recognize her sister. Her light blue eyes shone through the dusty layers that once obscured them, and her rosy cheeks were now clean and vibrant. Her mud-encrusted locks had been washed and dried into soft fluffy curls. They even scrubbed her fingers clean. Midge could see the marks of a brush where Marmee or Ma Hartman removed every speck of dirt. Though Midge didn’t know how the two women had persuaded Petunia to take a bath, she was very grateful that they had.
“You look funny,” Josiah said, coming into the room.
“That’s it!” Petunia tugged at the collar. “I’m going to go put my buckskins back on.”
Midge sighed. She knew it was a lost cause to convince Petunia not to change, so she didn’t bother trying. “Stop fidgeting with the collar,” she said, gesturing toward the door. “We must go. You can change later.”
“I still don’t like this,” Petunia groaned.
“I think you look just like Mama,” Jenny said, taking Petunia’s hand. “She was beautiful and so are you.”
Petunia kneeled in front of her sister and kissed her forehead. “Thank you, Jen. I’ll keep the dress on.” She looked over her shoulder at Midge. “Even though I hate it.”
“You look beautiful.” Midge started pushing everyone towards the door, grabbing her wrap on the way out. “Everyone out.”
Ira carried Olive, and Petunia picked up Abilene. The sun glowed in the sky, and a light breeze rustled through the trees. It was still comfortable for October, but Midge knew she had to get the children to the ranch before the sun set and the temperatures dropped. Marmee assured Midge that they would have transportation back to the homestead.
She led her siblings down the dirt road that headed toward the Chapman and Hartman ranches. The last time she’d walked down this path, it had been under the cover of darkness to steal chickens for her family’s survival. Now, they were invited guests, and the thought left her uneasy.
“Be sure to be on your best behavior while we are there. We don’t want to cause any trouble,” Midge reminded her siblings as they walked along. Truthfully, she didn’t want to give the town any ammunition to use against them.Sins of the father...
Berry ran up and tugged her hand. “Is it true, Midge? Will there be dancing and music?”
“Sure is,” Midge replied, forcing a smile onto her face.
“Marmee said she was making apple pies, and they were cooking a whole hog!” Josiah licked his lips at the thought of a full belly. “Can you imagine a whole hog?”
“I can’t wait to see it.”
As they made their way down the road, the laughter and lively music of the harvest dance grew louder. Midge felt her heart race, a mixture of excitement and apprehension swirling within her chest. She couldn’t help but think about Ingrid Chapman, the town matriarch, who had invited them. Ingrid was a kind, nurturing woman, but her presence always intimidated Midge. Ma Hartman, however, reminded Midge of her own Ma.
Every time Ma Hartman came over to visit, it reminded Midge that Baxter wasn’t coming back. When she tried to ask Ma Hartman about it, the woman would simply respond with a smile and then change the subject. She wondered if Baxter would be at the dance.
“Look!” Ira shouted, using Olive’s hand to point. Midge’s stomach tightened. There was no turning back now.
As they approached the ranch, she couldn’t help but be in awe of the sight before her. The fields were golden with cornstalks, and the pumpkins glistened in the setting sun. Children ran around and played games, and the smell of food filled the air. The barn, which had been cleaned out and set up for dancing, was filled with couples twirling around with smiles on their faces. The sounds of fiddles and banjos filled the air, intertwining with the chatter of townsfolk and the stomping of boots on the wooden dance floor. Her siblings bounded ahead, eager to join the festivities, leaving Midge trailing behind.
Lanterns hung in the trees, looking like fireflies from the distance.
