Page 43 of Her Gentle Protector
“Let’s get everyone fed and warmed up, and then we can talk. Can you help me serve the soup, Petunia?”
“I’ll help,” Peter offered.
Baxter lifted an eyebrow but nodded. “I don’t have enough bowls, so we’ll use mugs instead.” As he pulled the mugs from the pegs in the wall, Peter moved closer.
“I wanted to talk to you,” Peter said in a low voice.
Baxter paused for a minute, then resumed his task. “Talk. I’m listening.”
“Mr. Hartman, I...” he started, hesitating. “I mean, Baxter... I wanted to apologize for my actions. I know I’ve made things difficult for you and Midge. The way Pa talked in his letters, I thought he had changed.”
“I understand where you’re coming from. It’s difficult to come to terms with the fact that the person you love may not be who you believed them to be.”
“You really love Midge, don’t you?”
Baxter started ladling soup into the mugs. “I do. I also realize that she comes with all of you. And that means I love everyone else as well. It doesn’t mean that I must agree with your behavior, but I’ll still love you.” Handing Peter two mugs, Baxter tilted his head. “Take those to the table and be careful because they are warm.”
Peter fetched the mugs in silence and returned for his soup. “Baxter?” he finally said.
“Yes?”
“I’m glad you love Midge, and I love you, too.”
Placing his hand on Peter’s shoulder, Baxter smiled. “Let’s have a fresh start, then. Just remember, I’m here to help, not fight y’all.”
“Thank you, Baxter,” Peter replied, relief washing over his face. They shook hands, sealing their newfound understanding.
Baxter nodded, picking up his own mug and the plate of bread. Placing both on the table, he sat down and lifted Petunia’s and Berry’s hand to say a blessing over their simple meal.
“And Father, bless Midge and let her know how much she’s missed and needed. Amen.”
“Amen!” a loud voice boomed through the room. “Looks like I’m just in time.”
“Rex!” Petunia raced from her bench to hug him. “Are you going hunting? Can I go with you?”
“You’ll have to talk to Baxter. I think he was going to go hunting in the next week.”
“Can I go with you?” she asked. “I was hoping to get a turkey for Thanksgiving.”
“That’s Midge’s birthday,” Ira piped up between bites of soup.
“We’ll see what we can do. I might have an old rifle hanging around here somewhere.”
Petunia whooped and raced back to the table to finish her soup. “Let’s go right now.”
“We have a week,” Baxter said. “Soup’s on the stove, Rex.” He finished his soup and placed his spoon on a napkin before he asked what had been weighing on his mind. “What’s going on with Midge?”
“She’s sad,” Jenny said. Berry nodded her agreement.
“She refuses to get out of bed,” Petunia added.
Baxter’s eyebrows knitted together in worry. He was concerned Midge wasn’t looking after the children. “Who is taking care of Abilene and Olive?”
“Your Ma and Marmee came to visit, so that is why we walked over,” Peter said.
“I think Midge should come here for Thanksgiving,” Rex said.
“Rex,” Baxter warned.
