Page 22 of The Rancher's Bride
“Tessa’s not like other girls. She’s still child-like. I don’t want anyone taking advantage of her.”
As he watched her shoulders rise and fall, she ran her fingers through her hair, allowing it to fall back into place.
“She seems very much like other girls, apart from having a lamb in the house. I’m afraid I don’t know anyone who has one of those.”
“Ever heard of Mad Hatter’s Disease?” When Bethany shook her head, Ben continued. “It comes from mercury. It comes from the compounds hat makers use during the felting process.”
“Tessa was a hatmaker?”
“No. Mercury is found in other things, like medicines. Ma used some of those medicines and Tessa ended up being exposed to the medicine and it poisoned her. The doctor said she’d be feeble-minded, never amount to anything.”
“Did the doctor tell Tessa that?” Bethany’s eyes flashed with anger at the thought of anyone calling this sweet girl feeble-minded. “The doctor said that directly to her? That’s horrible!”
Ben nodded, his jaw tight. “He didn’t mince words. Saidshe’d amount to nothing but a soiled dove, and I would not let that happen.” He didn’t want to tell Bethany it was the solution Ma used between customers which made Tessa sick when she had to clean the bowls. It was the same solution that ultimately caused Ma’s death as it fatally poisoned her. Tessa was fortunate her little body survived.
“Maybe she’ll find someone who just wants to take care of her.”
“I guess I’ve never given it much thought.” Ben shifted uncomfortably at Bethany’s line of questioning. The future weighed heavily on his mind, especially for Tessa. She was so pure and trusting, and the thought of her facing the world alone filled him with fear. The idea of anyone trying to take advantage of her innocence ignited a fiery anger within him. “Tessa will always have a home here,” he said firmly.
“Hmm.” She popped up from the chair and moved in front of him. “You’re a good big brother. You know that?”
“I guess?”
“You are.” Bethany wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her head on his shoulder, giving him a quick squeeze. “My brother says I give the best hugs when he’s worried or upset.”
Benjamin felt his breath catch in his throat as Bethany’s soft form pressed against him. Despite his initial unease, he gradually became more at ease in her embrace, gently placing his hands on her back. Her lavender scent told him she had used Tessa’s bath soap. It was calming, conjuring images of a sunny meadow.
He didn’t want the embrace to end, but she pulled away to look at him, confusion clear on her face. “It doesn’t feel like that when I hug Tommy.”
Bethany’s words hung in the air between them as Benjamin struggled to form a response. His heart was racing, his mind spinning. He had not expected her casual hug to affect him so profoundly.
Clearing his throat, he took a small step back, needing to put space between them. “Maybe that’s because I’m not your brother.”
Bethany blinked in surprise at Benjamin’s words, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. “No, I suppose you’re not,” she murmured. “I should go back inside and help Tessa with supper.”
“Can you let her know her goats came back?”
“I can do that.” She moved to the barn door and waited for a slight break in the rain before racing towards the house.
Ben watched her as she darted between the drops and around puddles. “I am definitely not your brother, Bethany Moore,” he said out loud before turning back to his work.
Chapter Seven
“One. Two. Three. Four. Now back, two, three, four.” Bethany clapped her hands in time to the rain hitting the glass windows. “Once more forward, three, four. Back again, two, three, four. Now turn your partner by your right hand. Right hand, Ben.” Tessa laughed at her brother’s misstep.
“Not funny, Tessa,” Ben laughed. “You try to keep all the steps right in your head.”
Bethany pushed up from where she was leaning against the settee. “You’re doing just fine, Ben. Try it again. Turn Tess by your right hand and go back to where you originally were.”
“What’s this dance called again, Bethany?” Tessa asked, taking Ben’s hand.
“It’s the Virginia Reel. They dance it every year at theChapman’s harvest dance. They also do it at barn-raisings and church socials.”
“What if we can’t get there because of the rain?”
“Then you’ll just have more time to practice.”
“Do you think we’ll be able to go, Ben?”
