Page 9 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
She would not blink nor show any upset at his blunt words. She understood he was disappointed and struggling to know how to handle this situation. It was time to take things into her own hands and she stepped forward with a smile on her lips. At least it was a relief to notice that the women wore plain dresses, and the men were in clothes similar to Riley’s—dark trousers and faded cotton shirts. “Please, call me Olivia. After all, I’m to be a sister-in-law.”
Behind her, Riley grunted. Well, let him. She was here to stay.
“I’ve already met the men, but I think I recognize the rest of you from Riley’s letters.” She stopped in front of Matt and his wife. “You’re Gwen, if I may call you by your Christian name.” As Riley’s letters said, she had brown hair, pale brown eyes, and a serene bearing.
“By all means and welcome.” Gwen clasped Olivia’s hand between both of hers. “If there is anything I can do to help, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you.” She moved on to the little girl beside Gwen, mentally reviewing what she knew about her. Four years old. Orphaned and adopted by Matt and Gwen. A child who liked to run free and at times pretend to be a bird. “And you are Lindy. Your Uncle Riley says you have lots of cats. I hope I can meet them.”
Lindy almost burst with excitement. “Momma cat is going to have another batch of kittens. You want one of them?”
“Thank you. I like cats.” She straightened and moved down the row. “And you are Honor.”
Honor chuckled. “I can’t imagine what Riley said about me. Oh wait—I can. He said I was the freckle-faced one.”
He had mentioned the freckles which were as thick as he said. He’d also mentioned her very blonde hair and indicated she was outspoken. “He said you were brave and –” She stopped herself.
“And?” Honor prompted. “Ya might as well tell me.”
Olivia ducked her head and whispered, “Stubborn.”
Luke hooted with laughter and Honor grinned. “It’s a good thing to be around here, isn’t that right, Gwen?”
“It is indeed.”
Olivia nodded. “Good to know.” She’d later discovered she had a wagonload of that trait. She moved on to the boy. “And you’d be Kit. I’m pleased to meet you.” Kit. Another orphan. This one was adopted by Luke and Honor after a mountain man had abandoned him on their doorstep. The six-year-old was thin and wiry.
Kit shook her hand solemnly. “What’d Uncle Riley say about me?”
“He said you were growing like a weed. He figured you’d soon catch up to him.”
Kit glowed with the thought.
“I haven’t forgotten this special lady.” She turned back to the woman at the stove who was pleasantly round with gray hair wound into a loose bun. Her smile was gentle as Riley had described it. “Mrs. Bennet, thank you for inviting us over. Riley says you are responsible for keeping Andy fed and his letters led me to believe that’s an endless task.”
The men chuckled and the women grinned. Andy shuffled his feet. “Aww, I don’t eat that much.”
Olivia indicated her traveling companion standing by the door. “Everyone, this is Alfred Black.”
Alfred gave a courtly bow.
Mrs. Bennet shooed them all toward the table. “Come now, sit and let’s eat before the food is cold.”
Alfred moved to the stove. “I’ll help you serve.”
Mrs. Bennet’s smile widened. “Thanks. Don’t mind a bit of help.”
Olivia found herself seated with Riley on her left, Gwen on her other side. Honor faced her across the table. She glanced around the room. It was larger than Riley’s kitchen. The walls above the dark wood wainscotting were bright with rose and ivy wallpaper. Three pictures hung in a row behind the table. All scenes of the mountains. Her gaze lingered on each a moment. Guardians, she thought again then continued her examination of the room. The stove and work area were set back on one side leaving plenty of space for the large table
Alfred and Mrs. Bennet carried bowls of creamy mashed potatoes, bright orange carrots, and peas the color of grass. They brought a heaping platter of rich-brown meat, another holding slices of golden-crusted bread. A smaller bowl held paler green relish. A jug held brown gravy. The aroma of roast meat and spicy relish brought a flood of saliva. Olivia had never seen so much food except at banquets.
Alfred stepped back, ready to wait on them. Mrs. Bennet saw his intent and pointed at an empty chair. “We eat with the others.” He sat gingerly as if expecting to be scolded. Mrs. Bennet sat beside him and patted his arm.
Olivia understood he found this situation as awkward as did she. Like a fish out of water. But they would soon learn how to fit in and more than that, be appreciated and even wanted.
Andy asked the blessing. Food was passed from hand to hand. Olivia hadn’t experienced food served family style. Back at Kellom servants attended her. She wasn’t sure how to conduct herself but followed the example of the others. The men talked about ranch things. She listened keenly. Some cows had been turned back…whatever that meant. A stream had been cleaned out. She understood that was so the animals could get water to drink. There were comments about horses that were being trained and were, it seemed, now ready to sell.
Gwen leaned forward. “Enough talk about work. Have you all forgotten we have newcomers in our presence who might want to hear something else? I, for one, want to hear more about them.” She turned to Olivia. “Tell us about yourself.”
