The Rancher's Bride (2 page)

“Actually, I was wondering if you might know of anyone around here that might be lookin’ for help.” Marie started to busy herself with serving the boys. The food sure did smell good. “I need a job.”

Dot stopped mid-turn and turned back. “Y’know, I think one of the ranchers outside town was lookin’ for help—a housekeeper, I think. Not sure if it’s a live-in position or not.” She turned toward the counter. “Bert!”

Marie smiled as the boys cringed at Dot’s shrill shout across the small diner.

“Who was it was lookin’ for help—was it that rancher—what’s his name?”

A man at the counter turned then. “Frank Carter’s lookin’ for help. Live-in nanny and housekeeper.”

Marie smiled expectantly at the man. “Can you give me directions to his place?”

“Ma’am, if you wait until I’m finished eatin’, I’ll take you and your boys out there myself. I work for the man.”

“Earl, I coulda sworn last time you was in here you said you’d never do ranch work again.” Dot winked at Marie, who quickly caught on to the fact that Dot knew this man well and was having some fun with him.

“You know how things is, Dot.” Earl gave Dot a dirty look. “A man’s gotta eat. And Carter pays pretty well too. Just works a body real hard.”

Dot smiled at Marie and lowered her voice. “Earl’s good for the ride and you’re safe with him, doll,” Dot assured Marie. “Same goes for Frank Carter. He’s a serious man, but from everything I’ve heard and know of him, he’s a good and fair man also. If you stay on for the job, you come back and see me, let me know how ya’ll are doin’.” Dot winked at the boys. “Now eat that food before it gets cold.”

* * *

“Afternoon.” A pleasant looking young woman, who was clearly with child, answered the door to Frank Carter’s house. She smiled at Marie and the boys. “What can I do for y’all?”

“My name’s Marie and I’m here to inquire after the housekeeper job.” Marie smiled back. “This is Frank Carter’s place, right? Is he still lookin’ for help or has the position been filled?”

The young woman stepped aside and motioned for them to enter the house. “Come in, please. I’m sorry to make y’all stand out in that heat for a second longer.”

The three stepped into the cool house and the screen door slammed behind them.

“My name is Josephine. Pleased to meet you. And the position is most definitely still available. Why, we ain’t had any one ask after it yet. Mr. Carter’ll be pleased for sure.” Josephine leaned in to whisper conspiratorially to Marie. “There ain’t that many women folk around these parts to take a job like this. I think the boss was starting to worry.”

Josephine turned then and headed for the kitchen. “Come on inside and I’ll fetch you and the young’uns a cold drink. Then I’ll go get Mr. Carter.”

“Excuse me, Josephine?”

Josephine turned toward Marie.

“Is this a live-in position? And I’ve got the two boys too. Do you think that’ll be a problem?”

Josephine smiled at her. “It is a live-in hire. As to the boys, you’ll have to ask Mr. Carter that question. I really can’t answer that for sure. I live with my husband in the foreman’s quarters.” She continued excitedly. “We’re moving to California, which is why Mr. Carter needs someone else. And I’m expecting a child come the fall.”

She looked so excited and happy, Marie couldn’t help but smile back. “That’s wonderful.”

“Thank you. Ben—that’s my husband—Ben and I are real happy to be starting our family.” Josephine pulled a pitcher of lemonade from the icebox and reached for three glasses. “And we’re moving to be closer to family. I will miss Emmeline, though. She’s the sweetest baby, that’s Mr. Carter’s daughter, the one you’ll be caring for if’n you take the job, that is.” Josephine handed them each a cold glass of lemonade as she poured them and invited them to sit at the large kitchen table. “I’ve chewed your ear enough, I suppose. My Ben says sometimes I do go on.” Josephine giggled at this admission. “It’s just, like I said, there ain’t that many women around here. It’s nice to have someone to talk to.” She smiled at the boys. “You boys sure are handsome. What are your names?”

“I’m Jack,” Jack answered politely. He motioned to his brother. “And this here’s my brother, Henry.”

Henry smiled at Josephine, but let Jack do the talking for the both of them.

Josephine reached out and shook both their hands in turn. “Pleased to meet the both of you.” She turned back to Marie. “I’ll go fetch Mr. Carter.”

Josephine disappeared into the mudroom at the back of the kitchen and Marie heard a screen door slam. She looked around the large, comfortable, and clean kitchen, complete with all the modern conveniences.
This Mr. Carter must be well-off,
she thought. She certainly wouldn’t mind working in this kitchen. Marie smiled at the boys who both sat quietly drinking their lemonade.

The screen door slammed again a few minutes later and Mr. Frank Carter walked through the mudroom and into the kitchen.

Marie’s mouth went dry at the sight of him. He was a very large and imposing man, with dark hair, piercing black eyes, and a strong dark brow.

“Mr. Carter?”

“Yes. Marie is it?”

She nodded as Josephine came back into the kitchen.

“If it’s alright with you, I’ve asked Josephine to keep your boys company in another room while we talk.”

Marie nodded. “That’s fine.” Marie smiled at the boys as Josephine led them from the kitchen.

“I do believe that we have some playing cards in the front parlor here and we could play a game or two if…”

Josephine’s voice trailed off as they moved farther from the kitchen and Marie turned back to give Frank Carter her full attention. She was so nervous that her stomach was in knots. What if she didn’t get the job? What if the boys couldn’t stay here? How would they get back to town? Where would they sleep tonight?

* * *

The young woman that sat at the table in front of him looked to Frank like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. The second he’d entered the kitchen and met her, he knew he was in trouble. She was sweet, soft-spoken, and pretty, and she caused every protective instinct within him to come racing to the surface.

Earl Mannings had already told him a bit about her, having delivered her to Frank’s doorstep himself, but Earl couldn’t always be relied upon to be completely accurate about much of anything, so Frank had taken his description of her with a grain of salt. Earl did mention the boys, though, so Frank already knew about them. He didn’t really mind that so much, as long as they were well-behaved. He was just so glad to have someone come for the job.

Frank leaned against the kitchen sink, facing Marie, to talk to her. With his arms crossed and his legs straight, feet planted firmly apart and flat on the floor, he assumed the stance he always took when he was about to discuss business.

“Why don’t you tell me what kind of experience you have and then I’ll tell you what will be expected of you, if’n you decide that you’d like to take the job.” Frank noticed Marie did not make eye contact with him, preferring instead to stare at the hands she had folded neatly in her lap.

“I grew up the oldest of seven children, so I’ve been around babies my whole life, feeding, changing, playing, soothing—whatever the need be. I’ve also been in the kitchen most of my life and can make most anything you have a taste for. I grew up on a farm, so I’m accustomed to farm chores, milkin’, gatherin’, and what-not. Making cheese and churning butter.” Marie paused and glanced up at Frank. “I’m a hard worker, Mr. Carter, and I’d do my best to fill Josephine’s shoes.” She quickly looked back down at her hands.

Figuring Marie was done, Frank spoke then. “You’ll be expected to do a few early morning chores, such as gathering the eggs and milking the cows—we have two milk cows. Also, making the cheese and butter. Preparing the meals and cleaning up after. Just for the members of the household; I provide the hands with food, but they’re responsible for cooking for themselves. Then, doing the laundry, and keeping the house clean and neat, and caring for my daughter Emmeline all day. I’m working the ranch all day and most times into the early evening—as long as there’s daylight—so I need you to do for her from morning till night. I’ll pitch in with any of these things whenever I’m able, but you can’t rely on me for anything. I can’t guarantee my help.” Frank paused to try to gauge Marie’s reaction. She didn’t appear to be fazed by any of it. “Does this sound like something you would be able to do?”

Marie looked directly at him then. “Yes sir. I’m sure I could manage it.” A quizzical look came over Marie’s face then. “Where is your daughter, Mr. Carter?”

“I believe she’s down for a nap. This is her usual nap time. I’ll offer you the position then, Marie. The job is yours if’n you want it.” Frank didn’t miss Marie’s hesitation at accepting his offer, and her next words helped him understand why.

“Mr. Carter, sir, those two boys are my boys. They have to stay with me. I know this is a live-in position, but I’m guessing that you weren’t counting on more’n one person.”

“I have a room that would suit them two boys just fine and then one for you. Of course your boys will stay with you.” Frank had softened his tone of voice as he spoke about Jack and Henry and how they were welcome. Frank had a soft spot for children. But then he got right back to business. “Josephine will be here for another week and she can show you everything you need to know. Do you want the job, then?”

“Yes sir, thank you.”

“It’s settled. One of my men can give ya’ll a ride back to town to gather your things and Josephine can help you get settled in.” When Marie spoke next, her voice was so soft that Frank had trouble hearing her.

“We have everything that’s ours with us already,” Marie stated. “We don’t need to go back to town for anything.”

Frank was about to ask how she managed to bring all their things with her, or why she had maybe assumed she would get or even want the job once she got here, then thought better of it. He realized she could mean that they had so little it was easy enough to bring it along. He would find out soon enough how true that was.

Marie was in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on dinner, singing softly as she flitted from one part of the kitchen to another, enjoying the security of routine. She and the boys had settled in nicely in Frank Carter’s home and, as far as Marie could tell, he was satisfied with her skills as a nanny and housekeeper. The boys’ presence wasn’t any issue at all, either. Frank seemed to enjoy them, taking a little time every now and then to show them things around his ranch.

Marie hadn’t really been too concerned about them in the first place, since she already knew that they were good boys, well behaved and respectful of their elders. She had worried a bit that maybe he wouldn’t like her cooking or Emmeline would not take to her. Neither of those things happened. Mr. Carter thanked her for every meal that she prepared and more often than not told her that it was “very tasty.” He definitely was a man of few words, but Marie thought that meant she was doing okay.

And Emmeline was the sweetest baby Marie had ever had the pleasure to care for. She had an easy disposition and was a pretty good sleeper too.

Overall, things seemed to be working out so far, and Marie was grateful that they had a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs. She looked at Jack, Henry, and Emme and sent a small prayer up to God, giving thanks for her blessings.

The three children all played on the kitchen floor, which, thanks to Marie, was now so clean that you could probably eat off it. Still, she had put a small blanket under Emme, who was banging away on a pot with a spoon. The boys were pretending they were horses and chasing each other around the table on all fours. Marie was keeping a close eye to be sure they steered clear of the baby. It was noisy and busy and, Marie thought, just wonderful. It reminded her of home, always someone about, always the smells of good food being prepared, always a few children playing.

At least, home before things changed. Home before the money was gone and the food was scarce and tensions ran high. Marie could remember her mother crying when she thought no one was in earshot.

The boys suddenly stopped their play and Henry piped up. “Marie, are we going to eat soon? I’m awful hungry.”

His brother turned on him angrily before Marie had a chance to say anything. “We’re not supposed to call her that, remember?” Jack glared at his little brother. “We have to always call her ‘mama.’”

“Why wouldn’t you both always call your mother ‘mama?’”

None of them had heard Frank enter the room. It must’ve been Emme’s pot and spoon music that drowned out the sound of the back mudroom door opening. Frank did not look happy, although he never really looked happy. Marie was frozen to the spot. She tried to find her voice—and quickly.

“I think that Henry just sometimes—” Marie started but Frank cut her off immediately.

“I’m talking to the boys. Don’t interrupt.” Frank held up a hand at her. He pulled out a chair from the kitchen table and sat down, motioning the boys to come over to him.

Henry was already crying, probably because he thought he did something really wrong.

“Come here, boys.” Frank motioned for them to stand in front of him and they obeyed. “You both know that this is my house and I make the rules in this house.” Frank paused as both boys nodded. “One of my most important rules is that there will be no lying in this house. Do you both understand that?”

The boys nodded again and Emme banged the pot loudly. It would have been amusing if the mood in the room had not been so tense.

Marie grabbed Emme’s rag doll from her high chair, handed it to her, and used the distraction to remove the pot. Much quieter.

“I’m going to ask you boys a question and when you answer me, I want you to both remember my rule. No lying. If you tell the truth, you will not be punished. Is that clear?”

Both boys nodded again at Frank, while Marie’s stomach flip-flopped. She knew that the boys should tell the truth, but would that truth put them all back out on the street?