He reached for the mugs hanging on pegs by the window. “The others will be in soon. They’ll be glad for a hot meal.”
Mandie nodded, focusing on the steady rhythm of her knife against the cutting board. “I hope this will do. I’m afraid my culinary skills are a bit lacking compared to Bea’s.”
Enoch’s low chuckle sent a shiver down her spine. “I reckon anything you make will be a sight better than what we’d rustle up on our own.”
She glanced over her shoulder, a smile tugging at her lips. “I’ll bet the four of you could handle things.” They likely possessed any number of skills the dandies back east couldn’t manage.
“You’d be surprised. Thomas once tried to make hoecakes and nearly set the kitchen ablaze.”
Mandie laughed, the sound feeling rusty and unfamiliar in her throat. “I’ll do my best to keep from a similar fate.”
Enoch’s gaze warmed, a glint of humor softening the blue. “Thank you for saving us from ourselves.”
At last, he turned and left the room, steaming cup in hand.
She let out a long breath. When would her body stop reacting to his every word and look?
Soon the scent of frying ham and eggs filled the kitchen, and she could hear the men’s voices drifting in from the other room as they gathered for the morning meal.
She arranged the food on platters, then gathered her courage and carried them and the coffeepot out to the dining room. Thebrothers were all seated around the table, their conversation halting as she entered.
“Good morning.” She set the platters in the center of the table, trying not to feel self-conscious under their gazes. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“Famished.” Thomas eyed the ham with undisguised eagerness. “This looks a right sight better than what Enoch would have made.”
Enoch shot his brother a glare as he took the coffeepot from her with one hand and pulled out her chair for her with the other. “You’re not wrong about that, but at least I haven’t set fire to the kitchen yet.”
It didn’t feel right letting Enoch pour the coffee while she sat, but it felt less proper to argue with him for the task. So she lowered herself and allowed him to push in her chair.
Robert cleared his throat. “We’re most grateful for the meal, Mrs. Beaumont. Your efforts are appreciated.” He shot Thomas a quelling look.
Mandie smiled, relaxing a bit as she smoothed her napkin in her lap. “It’s the least I can do after all your kindness. And please, call me Mandie.Mrs. Beaumontfeels far too formal.”
After Enoch poured the coffee and took his seat, they all bowed for James to say a prayer. As he asked God’s blessing on the food, she sent up her own petition.Help me know what to do, Lord. Send guidance.
As soon as they spoke theamen, the men filled their plates and tucked in. Mandie nibbled at her food, her stomach still unsettled. She had no idea now if it was from all the unrest in her spirit, or from the effects of the new life growing inside her.
A child.
She still couldn’t fathom that fact. But she was coming to think of the babe as part of herself.
Conversation flowed around her, the brothers discussing the day’s tasks.
“We need to get the order in for the barn wood soon.” Robert glanced around at Enoch.
“You want to go do that today while we cut new poles for the supports?” Enoch took a drink of his coffee. “You can check the telegraph office again while you’re there, see if a reply came for Mandie.”
“And then swing by the Jenkins place on your way back,” Thomas added. “Check if Bea’s ready to come home.”
Robert gave a quick nod. “I’ll take care of it.”
Mandie’s heart skipped at the mention of a possible reply from her parents. She’d nearly forgotten about the telegram in the upheaval of yesterday’s revelations. What would they say? How much did they know? Would they be worried sick over her disappearance? Her injury?
She needed to tell them about the babe, but she couldn’t bear the thought of them learning the truth of her situation through an impersonal wire. She should compose a proper letter, break the news gently, and in full sentences. But what could she possibly say to explain all that had transpired?
What would they do when they learned Clayton had done the unthinkable? Her parents had always thought so highly of him, approving of his intentions toward her even before she came out of mourning. The scandal would be devastating, especially with Papa’s bid for mayor coming up.
Enoch’s deep voice pulled her from her spiraling thoughts. “We’ll fell the logs for the poles this morning, then haul and peel them.” He glanced at James and Thomas. “If we push, we might get them set today too.”
