Page 22 of Colorado Bride
She jutted her chin toward the sacks of grain.
“Are you finished?”
“No, I need to um…relax.I’ll unhitch the horses and then take you in to meet my mother.”
Emily watched as he cared for the horses.
When he was done he held out a hand to her.
She took a deep breath and then let it out slowly.
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Don’t worry.She doesn’t bite.”
He lifted an eyebrow and smiled.
“At least not that I’m aware of.”
“It’s not funny.I really want your mother to like me, but it sounds like she won’t no matter what I do.”
He sobered.
“That’s about the size of it.So, are you ready?”
“I guess so.”
They walked in the side door which opened into a small room for coats and boots.Ben took off his coat and hung it on a peg, then turned to Emily, and helped her off with her coat.
“Benjamin?Is that you?”
The scratchy voice came from the kitchen.
“Yes, it’s me, Mother.I have a surprise for you.”
Oh yes, quite a surprise,thought Emily.
Ben took her hand and led her into the kitchen.
“Mother, I’d like you to meet Emily…my wife.”
“Your what?”
Emily had thought the woman’s voice couldn’t get any more irritating.She was wrong.
Mrs.Logan practically screeched.
“Your wife?What about Melissa?”
Ben’s voice deepened as he spoke to his mother and Emily heard anger behind each word.
“I’ve told you, not to mention her name.I wouldn’t marry her even if she was the last woman on earth.Emily is my wife and you will show her the respect that position deserves.Have I made myself clear,Mother?”
The woman with steel gray hair and Ben’s blue eyes stood at the stove.She wore a crisp white apron over her flowered cotton dress and held a large wooden spoon that now dripped something akin to gravy onto the floor.
Clearly, she’d been stirring whatever was in the pot on the stove behind her.
Emily’s first impression of her new mother-in-law was not a good one, but she was determined to try and get along with her.
