The older man looked even more like a bear than usual, with his gray-streaked beard, fur coat and hat. It was no wonder the man had never married, in spite of his good heart.
“Miss Breckinridge,” he said nodding his head toward her after Luke pulled to a stop. “What can I do for you, Hamblin?”
“Did I hear right that your sister has some experience with birthing babies?” Luke asked. “It seems Mary Teague is having hers, and both her husband and the doctor are out of town.”
The sheriff glanced at the children in the back of the sleigh. “My sister has delivered many babies. She’s over at the bakery placing an order. Where are you headed with the kids?” When Judith explained, he said, “Babies take their time getting here. You could be there a long time. You have much experience with little ones?”
She shook her head, and he chuckled.
“I’m cold,” little Clarence cried.
“I’ll get my sister,” the sheriff said, already moving away.
As Luke drove the remaining distance to the hotel, doubts began to assail Judith. She had no younger siblings. With the exception of her nieces, whom Judith had really only come to know since the summer and were quite self-sufficient, she had no experience with young children—or little boys who had always seemed like a different kind of creature altogether. Already Clarence’s howls coming from the back of the sleigh were setting her nerves on edge, while Luke seemed completely unaffected.
When he pulled to a stop, she didn’t wait for him to help her down. She could feel the eyes of everyone around them staring at her, blaming her for the wailing child.There’s that useless Judith Breckinridge.
“It’s all right. Let’s get you inside where it’s warm.” She reached out her arms for the child, but he pulled away from her, continuing to sob. Back home, there would have been a nanny to pass a fussy child to. Judith had no idea what to do.
“Hey, little man,” Luke cried coming around to stand beside her. He rubbed his stomach, his voice taking on a teasing tone. “Aren’t you hungry for a cookie? Miss Judith isn’t going to buy one for someone who’s crying.” Luke arched his brows. “That means there will be more cookies forme.”
The little boy’s tears stopped, his little face turning defiant. “You can’t have my cookie.”
“Then we best get inside before they sell them all, hadn’t we?”
The child raised his arms, and Luke lifted him from the sleigh. Matthew followed and helped Devon down. Feeling completely inadequate, Judith helped Ruth down. By the time they got into the hotel, Luke was already settling the children at a table.
“Let’s have hot chocolate for everyone and a platter of cookies,” he called to a waitress. Luke turned to Judith and said, “Did Mary happen to say where Steve was planning to stay in Worland?” Judith explained, and Luke shrugged, adding, “With her due so soon, that wasn’t good planning, but what do I know? We’ll handle the children together.”
“You’re going to stay?” she asked, both relieved and worried. It would be lovely to spend time with him, but if he remained, he’d see for himself how incompetent she was.
Luke, suddenly still, met her gaze. “Don’t you want me here?”
Judith sensed that, if she told him she didn’t want him to stay, he’d be hurt.
“I was merely concerned about taking you away from your work,” she said. “We’d enjoy your company.”
At least she hadn’t lied. The youngsters would certainly prefer him to her. How did she explain without appearing pathetic? A man courted a woman because he was at least considering marriage. Luke especially would need more than a society wife such as she’d been trained to be. He’d have no use for a woman whose knowledge of children was little more than handing them off to servants.
“I can tell something is bothering you,” Luke said, taking her by the shoulders and staring into her eyes as though he could read her mind, “and we don’t have time right this moment. Please promise me you’ll tell me what it is.”
Judith’s eyes suddenly filled with tears. When she tried to speak, her lips trembled. Why was it she seemed unable to control her emotions around him? Before she could turn away, Luke pulled her into his arms in spite of all the people watching. She allowed herself only a moment of the comfort. Blinking her eyes, Judith steeled herself and clutched at her usual rigid self-control. She stepped back.
“Thank you, but you’d best hurry before someone steals your sleigh.” She tried to make it sound like a joke, but based upon his wary expression, she’d been unsuccessful.
He leaned closer to kiss the tip of her nose and hurried from the hotel restaurant. Taking a deep breath, aware of the eyes on her, Judith turned and joined the children at the table. Clarence and Ruth were already fighting with each other, while Matthew and Devon valiantly attempted to pull them away from each other.
Before entering the fracas, Judith reviewed in her mind the way Doris calmed Florence and Lydia. As Judith settled the children, she wondered how Mary controlled the energetic youngsters while helping in the store. It must be doubly difficult when it was too cold to play outside.
By the time Luke returned, the children were calmly eating their cookies and sipping hot chocolate. He took the empty seat beside Judith and reached over to cover her hand with his cold one.
“A hot chocolate will warm you up,” she said, catching the attention of one of the waitresses, who hurried over.
“I’ll have coffee and a piece of your apple pie.” He said to Judith, “You got this herd whipped into shape just fine.”
“I can’t take credit for it.” Judith was sure Mary or Doris would have found a better way than bribery to control children. “The treats worked the miracle.”
“As they always do.” He leaned back in his chair, his expression reminiscent. “When Maude was born, I had no experience around babies. She fascinated me. So tiny and fragile. She was fussy too. Nurse was an older woman and had a hard time keeping the little thing calmed down. Lancaster didn’t have much patience with crying babies. He got a little better when they could talk, and I’m sure he truly cared for the girls.” Luke smiled, his expression smug. “It irked him no end that baby Maude preferred me.”
