Читать книгу The Texan's Twin Blessings - Rhonda Gibson - Страница 12

Chapter Four

Emily Jane didn’t have time to think any more about the choice she’d made in watching the girls. Rose began to cry almost as soon as the door closed behind William. She scooped down and picked up the little girl. “Now what are you fussing about? He’ll be back soon.” She patted the little girl’s back.

Thankfully, even with a wet diaper, Rose stopped her complaining and nestled close to Emily Jane. She looked down at Ruby and saw the little girl crawling toward the sitting room.

First thing she’d need to do was find a way to confine the twins to one area. Unlike their uncle, Emily Jane couldn’t hold them both at once, at least not all the time, and strapping them to a chair all afternoon wasn’t an option. “You two are lucky I have little brothers and sisters and know how to build a fun pen for you to play in.”

She set Rose down and snatched up Ruby before she could crawl from the room. Someone knocked at the front door. “Now, who do you suppose that is?” Emily Jane asked Ruby, who wiggled in her arms, trying to get down.

“Who is it?” Emily Jane called.

“Elsie Matthews, dear.”

Mrs. Matthews was a sweet woman who lived two houses down. In her late sixties, she was the least of the busybodies who lived in the neighborhood. “Come in, Mrs. Matthews. We’re in the kitchen.”

The door opened, and the older woman stepped inside. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

Emily Jane motioned her in. “Not at all. I was just figuring out how I would manage these two this afternoon. Can you stay long?”

“Long enough. What can I help you with?” She pulled her shawl from around her slight shoulders and hung it on the nearest kitchen chair.

Rose crawled over to the older woman and pulled on her skirt. “Up,” said the little girl, smiling.

Emily Jane watched as Mrs. Matthews scooped the child into her arms and tickled her belly. “So you were one of the wee folk making all that noise last night, weren’t you?”

In reply, Rose giggled.

Emily Jane carried Ruby to the center of the kitchen and set her down again. “They both need baths. Would you mind keeping an eye on them for just a second while I step out back and get the washtub?”

“Be happy to, but are you going to drag in that big tub just to give these two a bath? Wouldn’t it be easier to just wash them one at a time in the washbasin?” Mrs. Matthews placed Rose beside her sister.

Emily Jane laughed. “Yes, but the washtub will hold them both. I’m going to use it as a pen so that I can get some work done.”

“That’s an excellent idea.” Mrs. Matthews’s light auburn hair streaked with gray bobbed on the top of her head as she nodded her approval.

Emily Jane hurried to where their washtub sat by the back door. Normally they did their laundry on Saturday, so the tub would be available for the girls to play in for a couple of days yet. William should have someone else lined up to watch the girls by then.

Rose and Ruby giggled and crawled after Emily Jane. Mrs. Matthews laughed. “Oh, no, you don’t. You two have to stay and play with me for a few minutes.” She knelt down, offering her apron strings for them to pull on.

Emily Jane lugged the big tub inside. It was wooden with metal rings around the top, middle and bottom of it, the perfect size to hold two little girls. Normally Anna Mae helped her carry it inside, but since she wasn’t available and Mrs. Matthews had her hands full with the girls, Emily Jane tugged on it until she got it into the kitchen.

Mrs. Matthews hurried over. “Here, let me help you with that.”

Together they set it against the wall by the back door. “I think you might need something soft inside for them to sit and play on.”

“I’ll go get a blanket, be right back.” She hurried to her bedroom and grabbed a small nine-patch quilt from the foot of her bed. It was her reading quilt. She enjoyed curling up in it and reading her Bible before going to sleep each night.

When she returned to the kitchen, she saw that Mrs. Matthews stood holding Rose with Ruby sitting at her feet pulling at the buttons on her black shoes. “This should do it.” Emily Jane spread the quilt out in the bottom of the tub and then reached for Ruby. Mrs. Matthews added Rose.

The girls grinned up at them. They really were sweet little things. Emily Jane went to the cupboard and pulled out spoons and pans for the girls to play with.

“Would you like a cup of tea?” Emily Jane asked.

Mrs. Matthews sat down in a chair at the table. “I’d love one. And while you are making it, I’ll keep an eye on the girls. Maybe you could tell me how you ended up with these two this afternoon?”

Emily Jane nodded. “Mr. Barns, Mabel’s grandson, started work this afternoon at the general store. Some of our neighbors suggested I’d be a good person to watch them.” She poured water into a large pail for the girls’ bath and also filled the teapot.

“Oh, I’m sure they did.” Mrs. Matthews laughed. “They came over to the house this morning, complaining about the girls crying last night. You’d think they were all a hundred years old the way they gripe.”

Trying to hide a smile, Emily Jane nodded. “Yes, they came by the bakery this morning, too.”

“Meddling old hens.” Mrs. Matthews’s hazel eyes met hers. “I’m sure they had a lot to say.”

Warmth filled Emily Jane’s cheeks as she remembered them suggesting she marry William Barns and give the girls a mother. She shook her head at the memory. “Can you believe they suggested I marry him?”

“Why?” Mrs. Matthews tilted her head to the side and scrunched up her brow. “I mean, for goodness’ sake, you just met the man.”

Her expression was comical, and Emily Jane giggled. “To give his nieces a mother. They seem to think a mother would be able to stop them from crying at night.”

“That’s preposterous.” Mrs. Matthews cooed down at the twins. Emily Jane gazed at the girls, who looked so much like William. Where are their parents? she wondered. And why aren’t they taking care of the girls?

* * *

A few minutes after four that afternoon, William knocked on Emily Jane’s front door. Weariness seeped through his bones like honey from a leaky jug. Working with Mr. Moore hadn’t been hard. It was the sleepless night up with the girls. His energy level was zero and his nerves stretched tight.

She opened the door with a smile and stepped back to allow him inside. The aroma of fried ham drifted to William, reminding him he still needed to feed the girls. His stomach growled, so to cover his embarrassment, William said, “Something sure smells good in here.”

“I’m glad you think so. We saved a plate for you.” Emily Jane motioned for him to follow her.

He didn’t need to be asked twice. William shut the door and did as she bade. His gaze took in the clean kitchen and the girls.

Surrounded by blankets, they were playing in a large washtub. Their hair and faces looked freshly washed, only neither wore their ribbons. Shock filled him. How was he going to tell them apart? “Miss Rodgers, what happened to the girls’ hair ribbons?” He knew the question came out tight and sounding angry, but he couldn’t stop the feelings of confusion and fear coursing through him.

Ruby and Rose squealed with happiness at the sound of his voice. They scrambled to pull themselves up on the side of the tub. He knelt and gave them both hugs. They smelled of soft, clean powder.

“Oh, they were horrible, so I threw them out.” She pulled a covered plate from the back of the stove and turned to face him.

“I remember specifically telling you that those ribbons were the only way I could identify them. Did you forget?” As he looked into the identical faces, he felt robbed. Something important had been taken from him. How was he going to know which girl was Rose and which one was Ruby?

She set the plate down on the table. “No, I remember. But since Rose has a birthmark behind her right knee, I didn’t think you’d mind me throwing out the ribbons. They were pretty ragged, and I plan to replace them. I just haven’t had time yet.”

William picked up the little girl closest to him and looked at her leg. How had he missed the small brown mark that looked like an ant behind her knee? He should have seen it. Maybe the girls did need a woman’s care. He kissed Rose on the cheek and then put her back into the tub. “No, that won’t be necessary.”

Ruby extended her arms, reaching for William to give her a cuddle and kiss, too. He obliged by picking her up and kissing her soft cheek. She giggled.

When William set her back down, he noticed two colorful cloth balls in the tub with them. Picking one up, he said, “These are pretty.”

Emily Jane poured a glass of water and set it beside his plate. “Mrs. Matthews, another one of our neighbors, brought those by earlier for the girls. You should come eat this before it gets cold.”

William gave the ball to Rose and stood. “I appreciate all you’ve done for the girls today.”

“It wasn’t much.”

He laughed. “You gave them a bath. That’s huge. I put off doing that until I can’t stand the smell anymore. They are a handful at bath time.” William sat down and lifted the cover from his plate of fried ham, mashed potatoes and green beans.

Her gentle laugh had his gaze moving to her face. “Well, that explains a lot.”

William laughed with her and then offered a quick grace before forking a chunk of ham and chomping into it. “You know, if you keep feeding us, I’m going to have to pay for my meals here, too.”

Rose chose that moment to fuss. She was tired of being in the tub. Emily Jane walked over and picked her up. “Shhhh, little one, Anna Mae has a headache. We don’t want to wake her, do we?” She leaned the little girl against her shoulder and rubbed her back.

“I’m awake,” Anna Mae said as she entered the room. She smiled at William and the girls on her way to the coffeepot. “I think my headache has about run its course.” She poured a cup of the fragrant liquid.

Emily Jane smiled. “I’m glad.”

Anna Mae returned to the table and sat down. “How was your first day at work, Mr. Barns?” She took a sip and studied him over the rim of her cup.

William sat up a little straighter in his chair. He cleared his throat before saying, “I believe it went well. Wilson says I’m a natural.”

Anna Mae nodded. “I’m sure you are. Isn’t today the day that supplies arrive from Austin?” she asked, still keeping her gaze locked on him.

“Yes, ma’am. It is.”

Anna Mae grinned across at him. “Please, there are no ma’ams here. Call me Miss Anna Mae, and you may address Emily Jane as Miss Emily Jane. I believe that is formal enough for around town and here at home. Don’t you, Emily Jane?”

“That will be fine.”

William nodded his agreement. He could tell by the stiffness in her voice that Emily Jane wasn’t pleased with him calling her by her given name but that she’d complied out of politeness.

“Now that that is settled, would you mind telling us what arrived from Austin today?” Anna Mae asked, setting her cup down.

Ruby had been left out of the conversation long enough. She squealed, letting them know she too wanted out of the tub.

William rose to get her.

Anna Mae waved him back into his seat. “I’ll get her. Please, continue eating and tell us all about your day.”

William did as Anna Mae requested. He found the schoolteacher to be a delight. She seemed truly interested in his everyday goings-on, and Ruby cuddled close to her as if they were meant to be together. Of the two ladies, Anna Mae might be a better choice for the girls as a new mother. Even so, he didn’t feel the same attraction toward her as he did with Emily Jane. That line of thinking was dangerous. William focused on his food.

He finished his meal as quickly as possible and then stood to leave. “Thank you for dinner and taking care of the girls today, Miss Emily Jane.” William picked up the girls’ bag. “Tomorrow Mr. Moore and I are going to put up a poster announcing that I need someone to watch the girls. Do you mind taking care of them one more day?” While he talked, William dug around the blankets in the tub.

Emily Jane handed Rose to Anna Mae and then picked up his dirty dishes. “That will be fine.” She stopped and watched him for a moment. “What are you looking for?”

He straightened and said, “The girls’ stuffed animals.”

She carried the plate, silverware and cup to the dish tub. “They are still in your bag.” Emily Jane poured more hot water over the dishes.

William turned with a frown on his face. “Then how did you get them to take their afternoon nap? They can’t sleep without their toys.”

Emily Jane turned with a sweet smile. “They didn’t take an afternoon nap.”

As if to confirm her words, Rose yawned. Ruby followed suit. The little girl snuggled closer to Anna Mae.

“No nap?” William couldn’t believe it. Over the past few weeks, he’d taken to putting the girls down for an hour or more every morning and again in the afternoon so that he could get some much-needed rest, too.

She shook her head. “No nap.”

“Why not?” William asked.

Anna Mae answered. “So that they will sleep tonight.” She stood and handed a very sleepy Ruby to William and Rose over to Emily Jane.

“And they didn’t fuss?” he asked as Ruby cuddled up against his shoulder.

Emily Jane wiped her free hand off on her apron. “No, they were too busy playing with Mrs. Matthews and sampling cookies. Tomorrow we’ll start with a short nap in the afternoon and then see how well they sleep. But for tonight you should have no trouble whatsoever getting them to sleep the night through.” She smiled at Rose, who stared back at her with big blue eyes.

Baffled at how easily Emily Jane seemed to have taken care of his nieces, William patted Ruby on the back. He did like the idea of them sleeping all night.

Anna Mae shook her head. “My head is beginning to ache again. Emily Jane will help you get home.”

“That isn’t necessary.” William walked to Emily Jane with the idea of taking Rose into his free arm.

Rose curled up against Emily Jane’s chest. “Nonsense. It won’t take me a minute to walk over and lay her down.” Emily Jane’s face softened as the little girl closed her eyes and stuck her thumb into her mouth.

He nodded. “All right.” William followed her as she led the way across the kitchen, through the sitting room and outside. Her light blue skirt swished against the wooden porch steps as she descended.

“It’s a lovely evening.” Her soft voice floated back to him much like the fireflies that buzzed about the yard.

A cool breeze brushed across his cheeks, bringing with it the ever-present scents of cinnamon and sugar. He inhaled. “It sure is.”

They walked side by side to his house. His house. Six months ago, William wouldn’t have thought he’d be in Granite, Texas. Sorrow hit him full in the chest. If he’d known six months ago that both his sister and his grandmother would be gone, he’d have spent more time with them and less time trying to build a business.

“So far, spring is my favorite season in Texas.” Emily Jane pulled him from his sad thoughts.

He slipped around her and opened the door. “I take it you aren’t from around here?” William stepped back so that she could slip past him.

“No, I grew up in Kansas.” She walked back to the bedroom and laid Rose down in one of the cradles.

William placed Ruby into the other. Both girls curled up and closed their eyes. He was amazed at how quickly they went down.

William asked, “When was the last time they were changed?” William hated asking such a delicate question, but the thought of them, their bedding and their toys being wet in the morning didn’t appeal to him. He’d rather change them now and not have to deal with the mess later.

A dimple in her right cheek winked up at him as she grinned. “Right before you arrived. They should stay dry for the rest of the night. I doubled their diapers just in case they fell asleep before you got them home.” She walked toward the bedroom door.

Why hadn’t he thought of doing that at night? Emily Jane truly was a woman who knew how to take care of children. He followed her from the room and then gently shut the door behind them.

Emily Jane continued toward the front door. She stepped out on the porch. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thank you again.” William leaned against the doorjamb and watched her hurry back to her house. She really was a pretty little thing, red hair, green eyes and that cute dimple that had made its appearance tonight. Given enough time, would Miss Emily Jane change her mind and be interested in taking on a more permanent position watching his nieces?