Callie Mae agreed to give up The Duchess when she married Morgan, a promise she had no intention of keeping. Honestly, none of this was his problem. Laurie would never be so underhanded. Even in refusing him, she’d been honest about her reasons. Callie Mae and the girls should be ashamed of the shenanigans at The Duchess. He had more important matters on his mind.
Straightening in the saddle, Matt heeled his mount into a good clip. He intended to have a long conversation with Ma. She had a good head on her shoulders and had never steered him wrong when he asked for advice. It might just be she had some ideas on how to change Laurie’s mind.
Feeling a bit better he looked forward to supper. He had a feeling there would be a peach cobbler for dessert. Suddenly, Mead and Morgan raced past him on the road. Oh hell. Glancing up, the sky was clear as a bell. He briefly wondered why the Lord hadn’t arranged a storm so he could send a streak of lightning to strike those two liars right out of their saddles. Oh, he didn’t want them dead; just a little smack down for being so ridiculous and thinking he would ever believe the crock of bull they’d tried to sell him. Thinking they were going to get to supper first, he spurred his horse on. Morgan typically got the lion’s share, well not tonight!
They were washingup at the pump in the yard when Matt raced up the drive.
“Take care of my horse, will you?” Matthew said, elbowing his older brother out of the way and sticking his hands under the stream of water.
“Why should I?”
“Because ain’t either of you done shit around here for the last two weeks,” Matt replied. “I figure you owe me.”
“Is that so?” Mead calmly responded.
“Yeah, it is, and it’s the least you can do after this morning. I’m going on into the house and see what Ma’s got for supper.” Grinning, he strode up to the back porch and into the kitchen, letting the screen door slam behind him.
All of Emma’sboys ate like they hadn’t had a decent meal in days, even arguing over the last biscuit. There was a tension between them she hadn’t sensed since Morgan came back, and she wondered what caused it.
After dinner, they sat in the parlor, eyeing each other warily.
“Ain’t it about time you two got back to town?” Matthew said, breaking the silence.
“I’ll go when I’m good and ready,” Morgan replied.
“Even with Callie Mae so sick?” Matt asked.
“What? Who said anything about Callie Mae feeling poorly?” Emma Whittaker asked, setting her work in her lap and glaring at her sons.
“Didn’t Morgan tell you? He had her at Doc Brubaker’s the better part of the day,” Matt informed her with a smug glance at his oldest brother. “I guess she fainted dead away this morning. Ain’t that right, Morgan?”
“Yes, that’s right. I didn’t want to say anything about it and get you all upset.”
“Well, I am upset. How could you keep this from me? Is she all right? What did the doctor say?” she asked worriedly.
“He didn’t say much,” Morgan answered, “but he seemed to think Callie Mae might be expecting a baby.”
“A baby!” Emma crowed in delight. “My, that’s wonderful news. A baby! Land sakes, and so quickly, too.”
“Now he’s not sure yet, Ma. No sense in getting all excited until we’re certain.” Glancing at her smiling face, he noticed her picking up her work, her fingers quick and nimble despite their swollen knuckles. “What are you making?” he asked, trying to change the subject.
Emma held up a tiny white sock.
“Booties, we’ll need them to keep the baby’s feet warm,” she replied smoothly.
“You knew?” he gasped.
“No, of course not, but it stands to reason,” she replied. “You and Callie Mae are like water and oil a good deal of the time, but there’s another side to that and I’m not so old I don’t see it. Mead and Marilee will marry soon, and with patience Laurie Dixon will realize what a good husband Matthew here will make,” she continued, smiling at her sons. “I figure my hands will need to be busy all winter making booties and such. Aren’t you happy about the baby, son?”
“I am, well, I will be once I know for sure, but…”
“Go on,” she encouraged.
“Women die in childbirth,” he finally blurted out, running a hand through his hair. “I figured we’d have more time for ourselves.”
Emma chuckled.
“What did you think would happen when you took her to your bed?” she teased.
