Page 35 of Her Gentle Protector
“I want to go to see the puppies,” the rest of the children chorused.
“Take Abilene with you. And just look, we aren’t taking any home.” Midge watched as the children scampered away.
“They are delightful children,” Ma Hartman said. “What would you be looking for in a husband?” Midge opened her eyes wide, looking at the older woman. “I mean, if you were looking.” Ma Hartman gave her a little wink.
“I bet he’d be handsome,” Marmee said.
“And kind. But not put up with anything,” Ma Hartman quipped.
“A gentle heart. Ever watchful, with a keen eye for people in need. Patience beyond compare.”
“Can fix up a chicken coop lickety-split.”
“Might be quick to anger, but he’s even quicker to forgive.”
Midge dropped her fork. They were describing Baxter. Unless there was another man that they knew with those qualities.
The object of her thoughts walked through the barn along with his brother and they were escorting a rather pale looking man between them. They disappeared through the crowd towards the back of the barn where the animals were kept.
“May I have your attention, please,” Reverend Billings said. “If we can all make our way outside, we are going to have a surprise.”
The crowd buzzed with anticipation as they headed towards the barnyard.
“Should I go find the children?” Midge asked.
“They’ll be fine with the puppies,” Marmee said, handing over Olive. “I know you’ll want to go home soon. Let’s go see what this is all about.”
As she made her way to the front of the barn, Midge spied the brothers, along with the blonde woman and the pale man, walking towards them. A few moments later, the woman stood underneath the canopy of a large tree. Lanterns hung from the branches, illuminating the ground where their family and friends gathered. The reverend pronounced them man and wife, and the groom leaned down to brush his lips against hers. The gesture was so tender that Midge felt a lump rise in her throat as she wiped away tears.
“That’s Annamae,” Baxter’s voice said from behind her, causing Midge to startle.
“Your sister?” Midge repeated, turning to face him. His eyes were filled with warmth, and there was no trace of the tension that had been there moments before.
“Yep,” he confirmed, a proud smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “She finally found herself a good man. I reckon it’s about time, too.”
Midge bit her lip, jealously washing over her for a moment. She wondered what it would be like to exchange vows with Baxter under that tree.
“Congratulations,” Midge said softly, trying to conceal the churning jealousy that threatened to overwhelm her. Annamae appeared to be only a few years older than Midge and now she was starting on the next steps in her life. Midge spied her brothers and sisters chasing the puppies in the barn and winced, the sound of barking and laughter echoing in her ears.Olive was only two.This was going to be her life for the next sixteen years.
She couldn’t ask anyone to take on that type of responsibility. Maybe Marmee was right, and she should think about splitting up the family. A round of applause went through the crowd and someone pulled Ma Hartman towards the tree where the reverend stood. Midge recognized the handsome man Ma Hartman danced with earlier.
“Is your ma getting married?” she asked Baxter.
“Seems so. I know she’s been waiting for him for over thirty-four years.”
“But you’re only...”
“Thirty-two. They were sweethearts before she married my pa. I guess you never forget your first love.”
“That’s so romantic.”
Baxter looked at her. “I guess it is. I know I’ll never forget mine.”
When the ceremony was over, he led her back to the barn and turned her to face him under the lanterns. His eyes searched hers for a moment before he looked away. “Now, how ‘bout that dance?”
“Maybe just one,” Midge conceded, her heart pounding in her chest as she placed her hand in his.
The mournful notes of the fiddle reverberated through the hall, and Baxter swept Midge up in his arms. As they moved gracefully around the room, her earlier feelings of awkwardness and embarrassment melted away with each step. She felt protected in the warmth of his embrace, and for a moment she let herself believe that maybe—just maybe—she could find happiness again. With each step, Midge felt an increasing sense of belonging, like she had finally found her place in this world.
