Page 29 of Colorado Bride

Begrudgingly she complied with his ultimatum.

“Good morning, Emily.”

“Good morning, Doris.”

Ben put his arm around Emily’s shoulders.

“It may take a while but she’ll come around,” he said softly.

Emily looked up at her husband and rolled her eyes.

“I doubt it but am willing to give her the chance.This is after all, new to her and I’m willing to try if she is,” she whispered.

He nodded.“That’s all I can ask.Let’s get our coats.It’s cold outside.”

They retrieved their coats from the little room off the kitchen.Ben reached up to the shelf above the coats and pulled down two of several lanterns stored there.

He lit the lamps, handed one to Emily and headed out the door with her following.When they reached the open yard, he took her hand with his right one and held the light with his left and she her right.

“I know you won’t believe me, but she’s really not a bad person.You should see her with her grandchildren.She dotes on them though Jane doesn’t let her see them very often.She doesn’t want to give mother the chance to treat them as she treated us.”

“Will she dote on our children?We could have made a baby last night.Will she accept that child since I’m not Melissa?”

Emily was mad at herself.She was close to tears and couldn’t tell why other than the fact that her mother-in-law hated her.It wasn’t even just dislike, she full blown hated her.

She looked up at Ben and he saw the tear that escaped.

“Ah, come here.”

He held his arms wide for her.

She rushed into them.

“Don’t worry.She’ll dote on our kids, too.Things will get better when she sees what a nice woman you really are.”

“I hope you’re right.Sally said patience was one of my qualities and one that you had requested.Now I see why.”

He squeezed her a little.

“Yes, now you know my secret.I have the mother from hell.But, regardless, she is still my mother.”

“I don’t have much experience with mothers.”

“Sure you do.Every one of the matrons at the orphanage where you grew up was your mother, and taken all together, they were probably a great one.They sure did well with you.”

“Thank you.I’m all right now.You can let me go.”

“I don’t know.I kind of like holding you.”

She’d raised her head but hadn’t let go of him either.

They walked to the barn where he began to show her how to milk the black and white cow.

“You forget I know how to milk a cow.What’s her name?”

“We call her Bessie.She’s a good old cow.I need to put her out to pasture and get another milk cow.”

“Can’t you just go get a cow from your herd?”