Page 33 of The Rancher's Bride
Chuckling, Bethany laughed when she thought about the lamb. She wondered what Ben would do once the lamb became too big to live inside.
Perhaps she could take Lucy and go on a visit. She promised Tessa she’d stop by, and the waters were low enough to cross safely now. She reached for the silver hairbrush on her dresser and ran it through her long, tangle-prone hair. With each stroke, she carefully twisted small sections into tight curls against her scalp, creating a beautifully intricate hairstyle. She had just pinned the last curl when a knock at the door jolted her from her thoughts of Ben.
The doorknob turned, and her mother popped her head inside the room. She wore her Sunday best, even though it was only Friday.
“You look pretty,” Bethany said, taking in the blue dress with black trim and a white collar. “Why are you dressed up?”
“Get dressed, Bethany,” her mother commanded, her voice firm but gentle. “We’re going out.” She eyed her daughter from head to toe. “You did your hair already. Hmmm. Wear anything, but the buckskins.”
“Out? Where?” Bethany asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Never you mind,” Ma replied evasively, a small knowing smile playing at the corners of her lips. “Just make yourself presentable and meet me in the kitchen. “Doc’s coming to check on Tommy. Grandma Moore will remain here until we return.”
Pa and Uncle Devin had fetched Tommy from the Chapmans and brought him back home, where he had been resting in bed ever since.
“Grandma Moore? Where’s Pa? Why not Seth or Millie?”
“Millie is coming with us, and Seth is too young to be left alone to nurse Tommy.”
“Where’s Pa?” Bethany inquired, her eyebrows knitting together in concern.
“Your father had some business with one of the local farmers, and Uncle Devin went along with him,” Ma replied, her tone casual. “Wear the blue dress. It brings out your eyes.”
“All right, Ma,” Bethany answered, watching as her mother disappeared down the hallway. A spark of excitement ignited within her, momentarily overpowering the swirling doubts that had consumed her minutes before.
“Maybe this outing is just what I need,” she thought to herself, her spirits lifting as she looked through her wardrobe for the blue dress.
Once dressed, she headed to the kitchen, where Millie was placing an apple pie in a basket and several jars of assorted jams and pickles in another.
“You look pretty, Bethy,” Millie said, as she tucked a gingham napkin around the jars.
Bethany ruffled Millie’s hair. “So do you, bug. Who are these for?”
“Bethany,” Ma interrupted, tucking a jar of summer honey beneath the checkered cloth, “please get the buckboard hitched up? We’ll be leaving shortly.”
“Yes, Ma. I’m going to check on Tommy first.” She grabbed a biscuit and broke it into small pieces as she walked towards Tommy’s room. Bethany gingerly pushed the half-open door and poked her head into the room.
He lay in bed, his eyes closed, and he was slightly snoring. The sight of him tugged at her heart, and she whispered a silent prayer for his recovery. As she backed out of the room, Tommylifted his hand, his eyes still closed.
“Hey, sis. I’m awake.”
“Then why are your eyes closed?” Bethany moved into the room and sat on the edge of the bed.
“It takes too much effort to open them.”
“I’ll share my biscuit with you.”
Tommy opened one eye and reached out his hand. “I’ll take it.” She put half the biscuit in his hand, and he popped it in his mouth in one bite before pushing himself into a sitting position.
“How’s your leg?”
“Still swollen. I’m hoping Doc will let me walk on it soon.”
“You are lucky you didn’t break it.”
“I moved my leg forward towards Thunder’s neck.” A lone tear rolled down his cheek. “I-I should have been looking. We could have avoided—”
Bethany felt her throat thicken as she leaned over and wrapped her arms around her brother’s shoulders. “It’s not your fault, Tommy. Pet said she could see where Thunder slid in the mud.”
