suppose you’re right, but none of those women have been carrying my child.”
All of her frustration at his overprotective nature swept away when he referred to the baby as his child. Daniel could never be replaced, but she and this baby were fortunate to have Rand step in and take full responsibility. She couldn’t fault him for caring about this new life inside of her.
“I’ll make sure to take several breaks throughout the day to rest. And no more crouching into positions I can’t get myself up from.” She cast a wink toward him. “Is that a fair compromise?”
“Yes. I can’t promise I won’t still worry, but I’ll try my best not to be domineering in my concern. Now, about those sugar cookies, do I have to wait for them or are they ready now?”
“Give me an hour, and I’ll have some ready with your noon meal.”
“If they’re not already made, you don’t have to add to your workload.”
She sent him a warning glance.
“Unless you want to make them,” he amended.
“Baking is relaxing for me. I enjoy the work.”
“An hour you say?”
“Give or take a few minutes.”
“I’ll finish up this segment and then come in to wash up. The new corral should be finished by tomorrow.” He bent over and picked up the basket of eggs, then held out his other arm, its elbow bent. “First, I’ll walk you inside.”
Lettie slipped her arm through his, enjoying the brief contact. Their friendship was deepening every day, catalyzed by being stuck indoors together for extended periods of time. The strong bond between them had come as a surprise, but a serendipitous one. They reached the house, and he released her arm to open the door.
“I’ll be back shortly,” he told her, handing over the basket of eggs. He bent over and placed a quick kiss on her cheek.
Taken off-guard, Lettie scurried into the kitchen. She set the eggs down and placed her palm against her cheek in the spot Rand had kissed. It was a brief and innocent contact, but her skin burned and heart raced. What was happening to her? Must be the silly pregnancy emotions, she thought, remembering that Daniel’s two sisters had become overly emotional while with child.
She opened the icebox and pulled out a bowl of dough she had mixed yesterday afternoon. After flouring the surface of her work space, she broke the dough in half and rolled each lump into a cylindrical shape before slicing them into individual cookie sizes. She placed the cookies onto a tin sheet then put them in the oven.
On top of the stove, she had a chicken stew simmering. Lifting the lid, she checked on its progress and deciding it was too watery still, tossed in a pinch of flour. She’d have preferred cornstarch, but supplies were limited. They hadn’t been to town since her arrival, and a trip was overdue. There were certain staples she liked to keep in her pantry, and while Rand had done a good job of stocking basics, she’d like to supplement it. Not much as she knew money was a concern but enough to make the meals have a little more flavor and variety.
When Rand came in to eat, she broached the subject. “Do you plan on making a trip to town soon?”
“Actually, I was planning one for Saturday if the weather holds up. Was there something in particular you wished for?”
“I’d like a few things to add to the pantry if there’s money for that.” She only wished to be respectful of his finances, but he blanched, as though the words hurt him.
“Make a list of everything you need and want. There’s not money to spend on frivolities, but I can give my wife a stocked pantry,” he said in a clipped voice.
Upset at his tone, she silently served him his meal. She didn’t understand how a simple question had upset him so badly, especially when they’d shared such a lively, but tender, moment outside earlier. Rand also appeared to lose any desire for conversation. He ate his meal and left the house, not even waiting for one of the coveted cookies.
Biting
All of her frustration at his overprotective nature swept away when he referred to the baby as his child. Daniel could never be replaced, but she and this baby were fortunate to have Rand step in and take full responsibility. She couldn’t fault him for caring about this new life inside of her.
“I’ll make sure to take several breaks throughout the day to rest. And no more crouching into positions I can’t get myself up from.” She cast a wink toward him. “Is that a fair compromise?”
“Yes. I can’t promise I won’t still worry, but I’ll try my best not to be domineering in my concern. Now, about those sugar cookies, do I have to wait for them or are they ready now?”
“Give me an hour, and I’ll have some ready with your noon meal.”
“If they’re not already made, you don’t have to add to your workload.”
She sent him a warning glance.
“Unless you want to make them,” he amended.
“Baking is relaxing for me. I enjoy the work.”
“An hour you say?”
“Give or take a few minutes.”
“I’ll finish up this segment and then come in to wash up. The new corral should be finished by tomorrow.” He bent over and picked up the basket of eggs, then held out his other arm, its elbow bent. “First, I’ll walk you inside.”
Lettie slipped her arm through his, enjoying the brief contact. Their friendship was deepening every day, catalyzed by being stuck indoors together for extended periods of time. The strong bond between them had come as a surprise, but a serendipitous one. They reached the house, and he released her arm to open the door.
“I’ll be back shortly,” he told her, handing over the basket of eggs. He bent over and placed a quick kiss on her cheek.
Taken off-guard, Lettie scurried into the kitchen. She set the eggs down and placed her palm against her cheek in the spot Rand had kissed. It was a brief and innocent contact, but her skin burned and heart raced. What was happening to her? Must be the silly pregnancy emotions, she thought, remembering that Daniel’s two sisters had become overly emotional while with child.
She opened the icebox and pulled out a bowl of dough she had mixed yesterday afternoon. After flouring the surface of her work space, she broke the dough in half and rolled each lump into a cylindrical shape before slicing them into individual cookie sizes. She placed the cookies onto a tin sheet then put them in the oven.
On top of the stove, she had a chicken stew simmering. Lifting the lid, she checked on its progress and deciding it was too watery still, tossed in a pinch of flour. She’d have preferred cornstarch, but supplies were limited. They hadn’t been to town since her arrival, and a trip was overdue. There were certain staples she liked to keep in her pantry, and while Rand had done a good job of stocking basics, she’d like to supplement it. Not much as she knew money was a concern but enough to make the meals have a little more flavor and variety.
When Rand came in to eat, she broached the subject. “Do you plan on making a trip to town soon?”
“Actually, I was planning one for Saturday if the weather holds up. Was there something in particular you wished for?”
“I’d like a few things to add to the pantry if there’s money for that.” She only wished to be respectful of his finances, but he blanched, as though the words hurt him.
“Make a list of everything you need and want. There’s not money to spend on frivolities, but I can give my wife a stocked pantry,” he said in a clipped voice.
Upset at his tone, she silently served him his meal. She didn’t understand how a simple question had upset him so badly, especially when they’d shared such a lively, but tender, moment outside earlier. Rand also appeared to lose any desire for conversation. He ate his meal and left the house, not even waiting for one of the coveted cookies.
Biting
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