Angel glanced worriedly at the clock. Nate should be home any minute and she could not find Julia-Rose. The baby had been sound asleep in her cot when Angel took the time to wash up and change her dress. When she went to fetch the child, the bed was empty. She had checked all her usual hiding places, to no avail.
“John, can you and Luke come here, please?” Her voice trembled as she called from the door to the boys who played in the yard.
“You need to do me a favor.” Both boys looked at her excitedly, ready to help the only adult who always seemed to need them.
“Um, Julia-Rose was taking a nap, and now she’s gone. I’ve looked everywhere, but I can’t find her.” She twisted her hands and tried to calm her heart. I can’t believe I’m telling my problem to five-year-olds. Worse, I’m hoping they can solve it. I’ve sunk so low.
“Oh, I know where she is,” Luke said, smiling. “She likes to hide in the cabinet in the washroom.”
Angel flew to the back of the house, and, sure enough, a giggling Julia-Rose had wedged herself in the corner of the cabinet. In her frantic search, Angel had only quickly checked the room. Of course, if the laundry hadn’t been piled so high, I might have thought to look there.
Feeling lightheaded at finally finding the child, she sat on the floor to put her head between her knees.
“But how did she get here?” Her voice rasped.
“She can crawl.”
“Oh.” Angel let out a breath. Nathan may excuse a lot of her shortcomings, but losing one of his children was most likely not one of them.
Julia-Rose giggled and crawled to her. “Mama.” Angel burst into tears and hugged the soft body. She buried her head in the little girl’s sweet smelling hair. How she’d grown to love this little one. The twins stood together, as always clutching each other’s hands, their eyes wide. Angel put her arm out and they ran to her, settled on her lap, along with Julia-Rose.
Luke patted her back. “Don’t cry, Angel, Julia-Rose’s here.”
She cried harder, and hugged them all to her chest, smothering their soft hair with kisses.
She had the three children cleaned, and ready to go, when a buggy stopped out front. A quick glance at the window assured her it was Nate, so she hustled them all out the door. She still didn’t understand why Nate felt it was necessary to drive her to the doctor. Even though it was a bit of a walk, with the lovely weather, and the children at the neighbor’s house, walking by herself would have been pleasant.
Nate jumped from the buggy, took Julia-Rose out of her arms, and grasping Angel’s hand, led them all down the street to Mrs. Murphy’s house. The green and white clapboard house reminded Angel of the little dollhouse she’d discovered in the attic. Mrs. Murphy had planted beautiful rows of wildflowers along the front of the porch. Two wooden rocking chairs with green cushions sat on either side of the door. White lace curtains fluttered from the open windows. I would love to make my house look like this.
Mrs. Murphy greeted them with a warm smile. She appeared to be much younger than Angel had expected, maybe only a few years her senior. She seemed happy to see the family.
She reached for Julia-Rose, her eyes bright. “Come here, sweet pea, I’m so happy to have you today.”
Nate put his arm around Angel’s shoulder. “This is my wife, Angel.”
“It’s so nice to meet you, Mrs. Hale.” Mrs. Murphy was diminutive. Tiny hands, feet, and body. But her smile filled her face.
“Oh, you make me sound old. Call me Angel, please.”
“And you must call me Alice.” She kissed Julia-Rose on the head. “I love taking care of her.” She tickled the baby under her chin, who giggled, and then drooled on her dress. “It gives me practice.” She smiled and patted her belly.
There was nothing showing there, but since Angel assumed the woman meant she was expecting, she murmured, “Congratulations.”
“Thank you. We’re very excited.” Alice stepped back so the boys could enter the house. “We’ll all be fine. I’ll see you later.”
Nate remained quiet on the ride to Dr. Penrose’s office. Angel sat back and enjoyed the sun and light breeze. As they approached the town, the bustle of businesses came into view. Storekeepers loaded packages and boxes into wagons. Women, with shopping bags over their arms and small children trailing behind them, hurried from store to store. It seemed so long ago that she rode on this very street in the stagecoach, scared to death. Now she felt quite comfortable in this small town.
Even though her ribs had still been wrapped, the whole family made it to church last Sunday, and she had been introduced to several people in the congregation. She really enjoyed the service, and Pastor Dunn was warmly welcoming. Although he’d married them, she’d been so tired and sick at the time, she hadn’t really noticed what a pleasant man he was. Mrs. Dunn stood alongside him when they left the church, and also greeted her kindly.
Her attention returned to Nate as he stopped the buggy in front of a small house.
“This is Dr. Penrose’s home and office.” He swung down and helped Angel out. “Many times I made a late night race here when one of the kids was sick.” He chuckled. “The doc’s wife is always welcoming. No matter what time of the day or night.”
After helping her down, they took the few steps to the porch. Apparently Mrs. Penrose had seen them arrive, because she already had the door open when they reached the top of the stairs.
“Nate, is this your new wife?” The older woman beamed at them.
“Yes, Mrs. Penrose. This is my wife, Angel.”