finger.
“ So am I.”
“ Why are you going to Denver?”
Rosalie averted her eyes. Should she tell Trina the truth? She might not take kindly to knowing her baby had been midwifed by a resident of the Acre. Trina's soft gaze convinced Rosalie she'd understand.
“ I live in Hell's Half Acre.”
Trina 's eyes rounded. “Why?”
An interesting response. “Because my father owns a dance hall there. I assure you, I’m not one of the girls.”
“ I never suspected you were. You aren't that type of woman.”
“ No, but I see them every day, and nurse them when they're hurt.”
“ You mean when a cowboy hurts one of them?”
Such knowledge surprised Rosalie. “Yes. How could you know what happens in the Acre?”
“ Gabriel and I talk about everything under the sun. He learned a long time ago how eager I am to know everything about anything. And, when he comes from town, he brings me books. See that shelf over there? I've read every last one.”
Rosalie examined the shelf next to Trina's chiffonier. There were at least three dozen volumes. Return Of The Native, A Doll’s House, Ben Hur, Portrait Of A Lady . “You've read them all?”
“ At least twice. When I've read the new ones, I reread old ones. I never get tired of them. The newest are by my chair, in the front room. Some I like more than others. Like Treasure Island . I've read it at least four times this past year. I love adventure stories.”
Rosalie could see where Trina's open-mindedness came from. For years, Rosalie's only escape from the Acre had come through the books she read.
“ I've read all of these,” she said quietly.
“ You have! We'll have to discuss them.” Interrupted by a yawn, she waved one hand. “After I've had a nap.”
“ Why don't I take Hannah for a while so you can sleep.”
Trina peered at the tiny face. “I'd hate to move her now. She's sleeping so soundly.”
“ When she wakes up, then. If you need me, I'll be close by.”
Trina extended her hand, and Rosalie took it.
“ Thank you, dear friend. I have to confess, I was hoping Tom had brought his girl to meet us.”
Rosalie felt her cheeks warming. “I'll be working in Denver for a well-to-do family. If Tom doesn't mind my working, I certainly would not mind his coming to visit from time to time.”
Trina 's eyes flashed. “I'll make sure he knows that. In a roundabout way, of course.”
“ Of course. You rest now.”
Back in the front room, Rosalie reported mother and daughter doing well and resting. Gabriel seemed to have regained some of his former energy and enthusiasm for company.
“ Tom, I'd consider it a favor if you and Miss Kincannon—”
“ Rosalie. After all, I delivered your daughter.” She grinned at him.
“ All right. If you and Rosalie could stay a couple more days. Trina is going to need help with the baby and the cooking. I can cook, but Trina says it isn't fit to eat. I'd be much obliged if you'd stay.”
Tom glanced at Rosalie, who nodded. He could see the request pleased her. He'd also noticed the way she and his sister had taken to one another. “Of course we'll stay. I wanted to offer, but I didn't know if maybe the three of you might like to be alone.”
“ There'll be plenty of time for that. I want Trina to rest until she's feeling up to snuff again. With Rosalie to help in the kitchen, Trina will have time to spend with Hannah.” His eyes moistened again when he said the name. “Has Tom told you about the name Trina chose for our daughter?”
“ Yes. I think your wife is an extraordinary woman.” Rosalie swiped at her own moist eyes. Incredibly lucky, that's what Gabriel and Trina were. Lucky to find each other, overcome all the obstacles, and make a life for themselves and their daughter. Every woman dreamed of marrying the man she loved and having his babies. Perhaps, someday, that dream would come true for Rosalie, too.
She smiled at Tom, and found him smiling back at her.
Chapter 5
Trina,
“ So am I.”
“ Why are you going to Denver?”
Rosalie averted her eyes. Should she tell Trina the truth? She might not take kindly to knowing her baby had been midwifed by a resident of the Acre. Trina's soft gaze convinced Rosalie she'd understand.
“ I live in Hell's Half Acre.”
Trina 's eyes rounded. “Why?”
An interesting response. “Because my father owns a dance hall there. I assure you, I’m not one of the girls.”
“ I never suspected you were. You aren't that type of woman.”
“ No, but I see them every day, and nurse them when they're hurt.”
“ You mean when a cowboy hurts one of them?”
Such knowledge surprised Rosalie. “Yes. How could you know what happens in the Acre?”
“ Gabriel and I talk about everything under the sun. He learned a long time ago how eager I am to know everything about anything. And, when he comes from town, he brings me books. See that shelf over there? I've read every last one.”
Rosalie examined the shelf next to Trina's chiffonier. There were at least three dozen volumes. Return Of The Native, A Doll’s House, Ben Hur, Portrait Of A Lady . “You've read them all?”
“ At least twice. When I've read the new ones, I reread old ones. I never get tired of them. The newest are by my chair, in the front room. Some I like more than others. Like Treasure Island . I've read it at least four times this past year. I love adventure stories.”
Rosalie could see where Trina's open-mindedness came from. For years, Rosalie's only escape from the Acre had come through the books she read.
“ I've read all of these,” she said quietly.
“ You have! We'll have to discuss them.” Interrupted by a yawn, she waved one hand. “After I've had a nap.”
“ Why don't I take Hannah for a while so you can sleep.”
Trina peered at the tiny face. “I'd hate to move her now. She's sleeping so soundly.”
“ When she wakes up, then. If you need me, I'll be close by.”
Trina extended her hand, and Rosalie took it.
“ Thank you, dear friend. I have to confess, I was hoping Tom had brought his girl to meet us.”
Rosalie felt her cheeks warming. “I'll be working in Denver for a well-to-do family. If Tom doesn't mind my working, I certainly would not mind his coming to visit from time to time.”
Trina 's eyes flashed. “I'll make sure he knows that. In a roundabout way, of course.”
“ Of course. You rest now.”
Back in the front room, Rosalie reported mother and daughter doing well and resting. Gabriel seemed to have regained some of his former energy and enthusiasm for company.
“ Tom, I'd consider it a favor if you and Miss Kincannon—”
“ Rosalie. After all, I delivered your daughter.” She grinned at him.
“ All right. If you and Rosalie could stay a couple more days. Trina is going to need help with the baby and the cooking. I can cook, but Trina says it isn't fit to eat. I'd be much obliged if you'd stay.”
Tom glanced at Rosalie, who nodded. He could see the request pleased her. He'd also noticed the way she and his sister had taken to one another. “Of course we'll stay. I wanted to offer, but I didn't know if maybe the three of you might like to be alone.”
“ There'll be plenty of time for that. I want Trina to rest until she's feeling up to snuff again. With Rosalie to help in the kitchen, Trina will have time to spend with Hannah.” His eyes moistened again when he said the name. “Has Tom told you about the name Trina chose for our daughter?”
“ Yes. I think your wife is an extraordinary woman.” Rosalie swiped at her own moist eyes. Incredibly lucky, that's what Gabriel and Trina were. Lucky to find each other, overcome all the obstacles, and make a life for themselves and their daughter. Every woman dreamed of marrying the man she loved and having his babies. Perhaps, someday, that dream would come true for Rosalie, too.
She smiled at Tom, and found him smiling back at her.
Chapter 5
Trina,
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