Marybeth had never really worked with Carrie to call her anything in particular. Pa had always called her darlin’ girl or my gal. Marybeth’s name was rarely used. Now Carrie had decided for herself to call Marybeth Mama. No doubt she’d heard the boys calling Eve Mama. It made perfect sense.
“Well, this solves a lot of issues, doesn’t it?” she said, sniffing back her tears. “Yes, I am your mama. And someday you’llhear the entire story and know the complicated truth of our relationship, but for now, I’m just Mama.”
“Mymama,” Carrie stressed.
Marybeth laughed and wiped at her eyes. “You’ve given me the best Christmas present ever.” She kissed Carrie again, then went for her bonnet.
“I guess we’re Papa and Mama now,” Edward said, his tone soft ... tender.
Marybeth didn’t look at him as she tied her bonnet on. “Yes, that’s what we are. I’m glad she made the decision for me on what she should call me.” She glanced up and met his gaze. “Now I know my place.”
She said it more for herself but knew Edward would take it as affirmation for what he’d said. She smiled and reached for her cloak. Carrie had redeemed the day, and Marybeth wasn’t going to let Edward’s actions and comments cause her pain. She had made an agreement with him. It wasn’t his fault that her feelings had gotten out of control. Marybeth was determined not to cause trouble for their arrangement. She needed him. Carrie needed him.
I can do this. I can live withoutlove.
“We want you to come over for Christmas dinner,” Eve told Marybeth after the church service. “Fred and I want to show you our appreciation.”
“We’re the ones who should be showing you appreciation. We are so much better off than we were before. You have blessed us by letting us live in the workshop until spring. I can’t imagine anything more giving and loving. You two are really precious people.”
Eve hugged her and then stood back. “I needed a friend,Marybeth. Another woman with a child and household to keep. Someone who could understand the woes of life out here. Someone who knew what we’d left behind in Indiana. And someone who loved God more than anything.”
“I do love Him,” Marybeth replied. “He’s all that’s getting me through some days.” She didn’t bother to add that this was one of those days.
Edward and Fred soon joined them. “Did Eve invite you to Christmas dinner?” Fred asked.
“She did.” Marybeth looked to Edward. “Is that all right with you?”
“Sure. I’m always happy when someone wants to cook for me, and Fred assures me that Eve has made quite a few desserts. You know my sweet tooth.”
Marybeth smiled. She did. In fact, she knew almost everything about Edward Vogel.
“It’s settled, then. Let’s go to our house and break bread,” Fred said, smiling.
Just then, the boys and Carrie came running. The boys threw themselves against Eve, laughing.
“My mama,” Samuel said, looking at Carrie. “Not yours.”
Carrie was unconcerned. She wrapped her arms around Marybeth’s legs and hugged her tightly. “My mama.”
Marybeth would have lost her balance, but Edward took hold of her arm and steadied her. They exchanged a look and began to laugh.
“Well, at least we know where that came from,” Edward said, reaching down to lift Carrie in his arms.
She put her cheek against his and wrapped her little arms around his neck. “My papa,” she proclaimed.
“Well, there you have it,” Fred said, laughing. “She’s put her claim on you both. There’s no getting out of it now.”
14
Carrie turned two on the thirtieth of December. It was hard to believe she was growing so fast. Already it seemed she had taken a huge leap in her talking skills. Marybeth credited it to playing with the Henderson boys. Back in Indiana, the only time Marybeth had let Carrie play with other children much was when she’d left her with the next-door neighbor. Those times were few and far between, however, and Mrs. Parker’s children were usually in school.
Marybeth made Carrie a cake, and Edward presented her with a little wooden bed that he and Fred had made. Marybeth was impressed with the quality despite Edward’s declaration that it had been made with scrap lumber.
“I think it’s wonderful that you helped to make this,” Marybeth declared as she looked the bed over.
“I’m glad you and Eve were able to make the little mattress for it,” Edward replied.
Carrie climbed into the bed and back out several times. Laughing, she gave it a pat. “Tanks for my bed.”
