Page 32 of Colorado Bride

“I tell you she just got the days mixed up.She planned on being back.That explains it.If you’d just give her another chance.”

“Mother!Stop!I forbade you to say Melissa’s name.Is this how you respect me?”

Doris visibly shrank away from him.

“I’ve warned you twice before.This is the last warning you get.I’ll not have you speaking of her again or Iwillfind you another place to live.Do you understand me?”

Doris nodded and kept her gaze directed at the floor.

“Emily, you go unpack.Mother and I need to have a private conversation.”

“Yes.I think I will.Come get me when you’re done.”

“All right.”

Emily scurried from the kitchen torn between wanting to stay and listen and fear of getting caught.Her better nature won and she decided if he’d wanted her to know he’d have had her stay.She went upstairs to the bedroom.

She’d emptied the items from the trunk into the dresser and the bureau with her dresses on the bed.

“I thought I left you enough room in the closet.”

Emily turned toward him.

“Oh, I’m sure you did, I’m just trying to get rid of some of the wrinkles by laying them out for a while.”She grinned.“I’m hoping to avoid the iron.I hate to iron more than any other chore.”

“Good.We’ll have Mother iron.”

“I’d be afraid she’d burn my clothes.No, thank you.I’ll do our ironing.She can do hers.”

He walked over, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him.

“I’m truly sorry about my mother.I’ve explained to her that if she doesn’t straighten up, I’ll get her a room somewhere.”

She put her arms around his neck and looked up at him.“I hope you’re not mad at me but I told her you’d build her a house and ban her from this one.”

“Naw.I’m not mad.She’s a mean old bitty and always has been.I don’t think she’s had a happy day in her life.I’m amazed that Jane and I came out so well.”

“Why is she so unhappy?Haven’t you ever wondered?”

“Of course, and I’ve asked her.She says there’s nothing wrong with her and that she’s perfectly happy.”

“Good grief.If that’s happy I’d hate to see her sad or angry.”

Ben laughed.Then he lowered his head and kissed her.

“You seem to do that a lot,” she observed when they broke apart.

“I seem to like to kiss you.”

“I’m glad.”She beamed at him.“I like kissing you, too, but we better get back down to help with breakfast.”

“All right, but later I plan on taking advantage of you.”

“Later, I might just let you.”

Saturday, September 18, 1875

Emily was getting used to rising in the early mornings, though she wasn’t actually getting much sleep.Ben liked to make love to her a lot.Every night when they went to bed and usually in the morning before they got up for the day.Not that she minded, really, but she’d like to get a full night’s sleep now and again.