“If she isn’t certain, there’s a reason. And there are a sight more decent gentlemen in this town who would take a liking to her.”
Eleanor grinned. “Merrick Benton, are you offering to be a matchmaker for my sister?”
He nearly choked on his own breath. “No,” he managed to sputter. “I’m only saying she ought to listen to her gut.”
Laying a hand on his bare arm where his shirt sleeves were rolled up, she said, “I agree wholeheartedly. Thank you for caring about Rebecca and the children.” She paused. “And I’m glad to see you’ve found your voice around me, Merrick.”
And before he could respond, she was gone.
Chapter Nine
EDIE WRIGHT’S TEA WORKEDwonders. It didn’t alleviate the nausea entirely, but there were no more incidents that involved running for the door. And every once in a while, Eleanor could even stomach a few bites of breakfast.
As November changed to December, the weather turned colder, and Eleanor busied herself with everyday chores and preparing for the baby. Rebecca was a great help, as were Clara and Deirdre. Rebecca had just told her the news that she finally agreed to marry Mr. Whiteside’s brother as she helped Eleanor piece together the fabric for one of her new skirts.
“That’s wonderful news! I’m happy for you, even if it means I won’t see you as often,” Eleanor said.
“Thank you,” Rebecca said. She smiled, but there was still something missing. Eleanor’s heart went out to her sister, and she hoped Mr. Whiteside would be a good husband to her.
“Please let me know when the ceremony will happen. Merrick and I can be your witnesses.”
They worked together until Emmy and Johnnie, Rebecca’s two youngest, grew antsy and bored with their siblings’ games. Eleanor saw them out, waving as she leaned against the doorframe. From the door, she had a partial view of the street beyond Merrick’s shop. It was a busy part of town, on the main road. She watched the people, horses, and occasional wagon for a few minutes.
As the sun sank below the towering mountains to the west, she realized how much she looked forward to this time of day. The fading light drenched the little mountain valley in shades of gold and orange and made the snow on the mountaintops glow. Folks seemed to walk with more purpose. Behind her, the house was cozy and warm, filled with the scent of supper cooking. And best of all, Merrick appeared after closing up his forge for the evening.
“Hello,” Eleanor said warmly as he approached the house.
“What are you doing? It’s too cold out here.” He looked at her as if she might instantly freeze and shatter into a million pieces.
Eleanor wrapped her shawl around herself. It was certainly cold, but she hadn’t noticed it until he’d mentioned the temperature. “I’m fine,” she said, rubbing her hands over her arms. “Rebecca and the children left a few minutes ago, and I enjoy watching the sun go down over the mountains.”
Merrick glanced up at the mountains and nodded. “It’s a spectacle each evening. But it’s no excuse to stand out here and freeze.” He held the door open until she went inside.
Eleanor smiled at his protectiveness. There was something reassuring about the way he looked out for her that made her know he’d be a good father. She went to the stove and tended to their supper while he washed up.
Once they were seated with pork, cooked apples, and potatoes, Merrick told her about the work he’d done that afternoon and the people who had come by for horseshoes, repairs, and other sundry requests. “One fellow brought in a necklace he’d purchased for his wife, but the pendant had been lost.”
“Can you work with something that fine?” Eleanor asked, genuinely curious. Merrick was such a large man, and everything she’d seen him do in the forge was much bigger than creating a pendant for a necklace.
“I can, very carefully,” he said with a laugh.
