The Texan's Twin Blessings

The elderly woman did have a point. He’d need someone to help him take care of the girls but didn’t think the woman had to be his wife. Surely he could pay someone to watch Ruby and Rose.

Thanks to his visit to the bank, William now knew that his grandmother’s house belonged to him and his sister, Mary. A lump formed in his throat as he thought of Mary. Now that she was gone, William would make sure that the girls would own the other half of the house. He’d made arrangements for his money from the sale of the mercantile to be transferred from the bank in Denver to the Granite bank. Then he’d walked over to the general store and asked about the job Miss Leland had mentioned the night before.

Mr. Moore had eyed the girls and then agreed to give William the job. He’d asked William if he could work from ten in the morning until four in the afternoon, and William had agreed.

“You ladies wouldn’t happen to know of any young ladies who would be willing to watch the girls while I work, would you?” He hoped the change of subject would sidetrack them enough to drop the idea of him marrying Miss Rodgers.

Mrs. Orson sighed. “You got a job?”

“Why, yes, ma’am, I did.” He looked directly at the sour-faced woman.

She shook her head. “I see. The only lady I know of who is home during the day and able to keep up with two small children would be Miss Rodgers.” Mrs. Orson looked to the other women for agreement. “Emily Jane gets home around eight thirty every morning. Isn’t that right, ladies?”

The group nodded. He could see the spark of joy and scheming in their eyes. William couldn’t believe he’d walked right into their plans for him and Emily Jane. Well, hiring the woman to watch the girls and marrying her to watch the girls were two very different things.

Rose began to fuss at standing in place too long. Ruby decided it was time to join her sister in the protest, and she too began whining and trying to push out of his arms.

“If you will excuse me, ladies, I need to get these wiggle worms home.”

William took a step but stopped when Mrs. Green called to him.

“Mr. Barns, you will check with Emily Jane about watching the girls, won’t you?” she inquired.

“She is really good with young children. After all, she has had lots of practice,” Mrs. Harvey prompted.

They were an insistent bunch, he’d give them that. He grinned at Mrs. Harvey. “I’ll ask her, and thank you for the recommendation.” William hurried down the sidewalk toward home but could still hear them as he walked away.

“He really seems like a nice young man.”

“I think he and Emily Jane would make a nice couple, don’t you, Lois?”

“I do hope those girls settle down soon. I need my sleep,” another grumbled.

“Well, after a woman gets her hands on them, I’m sure they will become little darlings, and Emily Jane is just the woman for the job,” Mrs. Orson said in a no-nonsense tone.

Their voices faded as William hurried toward the house. As soon as he started walking again, the girls quieted down. They were already little darlings. He really didn’t see that having a woman in their lives would change them that much.

Each girl laid her little head on his shoulder. It was a short walk to his grandmother’s house, now his and the girls’ new home. He reached for the doorknob and found a small cloth bag hanging on it.

William ignored it; even though his curiosity was stirred, his hands were full. He carried the girls inside for a morning nap. After changing their diapers, he put them in their cradles. Thankfully, they curled up and went to sleep almost immediately.

Tiptoeing from the bedroom, William sighed and closed the door. His gaze moved about the sitting room. Thanks to Miss Leland and Miss Rodgers, the house now looked and smelled fresh. Once they’d started cleaning the night before, they hadn’t stopped until the whole house shone.

He remembered the bag on the front doorknob and went to retrieve it. The sweet scent of sugar and spice filled his nostrils. William pulled it open and saw two cookies inside. Had Emily Jane brought them over? Or perhaps another neighbor. Until he found out, William decided not to give them to the girls.

After the racket the girls had made last night, it wouldn’t surprise him if one of the neighbors put a sleeping draft in the cookies. He grinned at the silliness of his thoughts. Still, he’d wait on giving them to the girls until he was sure they were safe.

He walked over to a big chair and sank into its cushions, laying the cookie-filled bag on the side table. A yawn stretched his mouth wide. Nap time for the girls was one of his favorite times of the day. Often at night, one or both of them would wake up fussy. When was the last time he’d gotten a full night’s sleep? As his eyes drifted shut, William’s thoughts went to Emily Jane Rodgers. Would she watch the children? If so, he silently prayed she could get the girls into a regular sleeping routine.

* * *

Emily Jane pulled a fresh batch of oatmeal raisin cookies from the oven. She never tired of the baking smells that filled the kitchen. This recipe was no exception. She’d played with the ingredients a bit and liked the results. A pinch of this and a pinch of that had been her mother’s motto, but Emily Jane liked the results of being precise with her measurements. She wrote everything down as she went, and if the dessert turned out well, she could fix it over and over again without adjusting anything.

She put the cookies on a cooling rack and sat at the table to sip her coffee. All morning she’d been thinking about the neighbor ladies. How could they be so mean? Yes, children were noisy, yes, they cried, and, yes, the twins’ voices did carry on the night breezes, but that was still no reason to wish them gone. A smile teased her lips as she thought about how they would have reacted if they’d lived near her family. Her five brothers and six sisters were far from quiet.

Living out in the middle of nowhere pretty much explained why she and her sisters Sarah and Elsie had never married. There were no boys nearby to marry. Anxiety spurted through her. Had twenty-two-year-old Sarah and twenty-one-year-old Elsie been forced to answer mail-order-bride ads, too? Emily Jane hoped not, but then again, if it worked out as well for them as it had for her, maybe it would be the best thing for her sisters.

She thought over her own experience as a mail-order bride. Thanks to her father’s decision to lessen the mouths he had to feed, Emily Jane had answered an ad. She’d arrived in Granite, Texas, expecting to be courted by Levi Westland. His mother had written to Emily Jane and two other women telling them to come to Granite. She’d promised Emily Jane that if Levi didn’t choose her as his bride, then she’d help her find a husband.

Emily Jane shook her head as memories flooded her mind. She hadn’t wanted a husband then but wanted to be obedient to her father’s wishes and had come to Granite. It had been a relief when Levi had chosen Millie Hamilton as his new wife.

After Levi and Millie’s wedding, Bonnie Westland had offered to make good on her promise of a husband, but Emily Jane had assured her she was happy without one right now. Thankfully, Bonnie had understood but still assured Emily Jane that, should she change her mind, she’d be willing to help her find the perfect man. As if there were such a thing as a perfect man.

Emily Jane walked to the sink and placed her coffee cup in the hot soapy water. She hadn’t written her family since she’d arrived in Granite. The last thing she wanted was for Pa to tell her to come home and start the husband hunt all over again.

Still, she often thought about her siblings. Her sense of loss was beyond tears. She missed their laughter; she missed her sisters whispering in bed at night so as not to wake their parents. She found herself listening sometimes for their voices. And the little ones—tears welled within her eyes—how she missed cuddling their bodies close, burying her nose in their necks and smelling the powdery softness. Her lips pressed shut, so no sound would burst out. It had been a long time since she’d felt such a strong urge to cry. She straightened her shoulders and dared the tears to fall. Yes, Ruby and Rose made her homesick to see her family again, but her time of grieving the loss of her siblings was over. She’d proved adept at handling herself without any help from others and couldn’t afford to be distracted by homesickness.

Emily Jane placed the cooled cookies into the metal cookie bin and decided to work on a new batch. Cookies that were different, plus a new recipe would take her mind off family. She’d wanted to try her hand at making lemon cookies and had gotten the ingredients to try them.

A knock at the front door pulled her away from the bowl of flour. Emily Jane wiped her hands on her apron. She’d had more company in the past two days than she’d had in a month. A chuckle escaped her as she realized that that really wasn’t much company, just Mr. Barns and his nieces. Very seldom did anyone come calling during the day.

She pulled the door open and found them standing on the porch as if just by thinking their names they’d appeared. “Hello, Mr. Barns. Please come in.”

He stepped inside and inhaled. “Something sure smells good in here.”

Emily Jane grinned at the two girls looking over their uncle’s shoulder. “I just baked a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies. Would you like to try them?” Heat filled the room, making it warmer than it had been a few moments earlier, so Emily Jane left the front door open.

“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, we’d love to try them. Wouldn’t we, girls?” He followed Emily Jane into the kitchen.

“No trouble at all. I’ve been experimenting, so you’ll be the first to taste my new creation.” She took Rose from him and set her on the floor.

He set Ruby down beside her sister and frowned. “Experimenting?” William placed the girls’ bag on the floor at his feet.

Emily Jane saw the worry on his face and laughed. “Yes, experimenting. I do it all the time with cookies, cakes, bread and different kinds of pastries.” She picked up a cookie and handed it to him.

She scooped two sugar cookies from a plate on the sideboard and handed one to each of the girls. “Here you go,” Emily Jane said as their chubby little hands wrapped around the sweet treats.

Emily Jane watched William take a big bite and then close his eyes. “Well, what do you think?” The lines of concentration deepened along his brows. She waited for his reply, surprised at her feelings of uncertainty.

He swallowed and then opened eyes that brimmed with appreciation. “I think you can test your cookies out on me anytime. These are delicious.” William popped the rest of the cookie into his mouth and looked to the sideboard, where more cookies rested on various plates.

“How about some coffee to go with a small plate of cookies?” Emily Jane moved to the coffeepot and poured him a generous cup.

“Both sound wonderful.” He sat down at the table.

Emily Jane’s gaze moved to the girls, who happily nibbled at their sugar cookies. She should have set them at the table but no matter; the crumbs could be swept up after they left.

“Did you leave a couple of cookies on my door this morning for the girls?” William asked.

She nodded. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. I just wanted to make sure it was you before I let them have them.” His grin brightened his face.

Emily Jane decided not to focus on his good looks and placed several cookies onto a dessert plate. She carried them to the table and set them in front of William. “So, what brings you over? Surely it wasn’t the cookies I left for the girls.” She sat down across from him.

“Straight to the point. I like that in a woman.” He set his coffee cup down. “This morning I had a chat with the neighbor ladies.”

She looked down at the angelic faces covered in cookie crumbs. Oh, please, Lord, don’t let him be here to ask me to marry him and take care of the girls.

“And they suggested you might be interested in watching the girls while I work.” He searched her face, his eyes curiously observing. She wondered briefly what he expected her face to reveal. Emily Jane had no idea. His voice was calm and steady and gave nothing away. “This morning Mr. Moore offered me a job working in his store from ten to four every day. He suggested I find someone to watch the girls and start work this afternoon. I sort of hoped you’d be able to watch them today.”

She wanted to help him, she really did, but the thought of growing attached to the girls worried her. And how much time would they take from her experimental cooking?

“What hours did you say you would have to work?” Something in his eyes beseeched her to help.

“From ten to four.”

She found herself nodding. “I’ll help, but only until you can find someone else.”

A sweet grin split his lips, revealing straight white teeth.

“That’s all I’m asking. Thank you. I’ll be back a few minutes after four to pick them up. Thank you again.”

William hurried from the house as if he suspected she might change her mind at any moment.

As the door closed behind him, Emily Jane asked herself the hard questions. Had she done the right thing by agreeing to help him? Emily Jane knew it was the right thing to do, but was it the right thing for her? Was it possible she’d lose her heart to these darling little girls and William?

Chapter Four

Emily Jane didn’t have time to think any more about the choice she’d made in watching the girls. Rose began to cry almost as soon as the door closed behind William. She scooped down and picked up the little girl. “Now what are you fussing about? He’ll be back soon.” She patted the little girl’s back.

Thankfully, even with a wet diaper, Rose stopped her complaining and nestled close to Emily Jane. She looked down at Ruby and saw the little girl crawling toward the sitting room.

First thing she’d need to do was find a way to confine the twins to one area. Unlike their uncle, Emily Jane couldn’t hold them both at once, at least not all the time, and strapping them to a chair all afternoon wasn’t an option. “You two are lucky I have little brothers and sisters and know how to build a fun pen for you to play in.”

She set Rose down and snatched up Ruby before she could crawl from the room. Someone knocked at the front door. “Now, who do you suppose that is?” Emily Jane asked Ruby, who wiggled in her arms, trying to get down.

“Who is it?” Emily Jane called.

“Elsie Matthews, dear.”

Mrs. Matthews was a sweet woman who lived two houses down. In her late sixties, she was the least of the busybodies who lived in the neighborhood. “Come in, Mrs. Matthews. We’re in the kitchen.”

The door opened, and the older woman stepped inside. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

Emily Jane motioned her in. “Not at all. I was just figuring out how I would manage these two this afternoon. Can you stay long?”

“Long enough. What can I help you with?” She pulled her shawl from around her slight shoulders and hung it on the nearest kitchen chair.

Rose crawled over to the older woman and pulled on her skirt. “Up,” said the little girl, smiling.

Emily Jane watched as Mrs. Matthews scooped the child into her arms and tickled her belly. “So you were one of the wee folk making all that noise last night, weren’t you?”

In reply, Rose giggled.

Emily Jane carried Ruby to the center of the kitchen and set her down again. “They both need baths. Would you mind keeping an eye on them for just a second while I step out back and get the washtub?”

“Be happy to, but are you going to drag in that big tub just to give these two a bath? Wouldn’t it be easier to just wash them one at a time in the washbasin?” Mrs. Matthews placed Rose beside her sister.

Emily Jane laughed. “Yes, but the washtub will hold them both. I’m going to use it as a pen so that I can get some work done.”

“That’s an excellent idea.” Mrs. Matthews’s light auburn hair streaked with gray bobbed on the top of her head as she nodded her approval.

Emily Jane hurried to where their washtub sat by the back door. Normally they did their laundry on Saturday, so the tub would be available for the girls to play in for a couple of days yet. William should have someone else lined up to watch the girls by then.

Rose and Ruby giggled and crawled after Emily Jane. Mrs. Matthews laughed. “Oh, no, you don’t. You two have to stay and play with me for a few minutes.” She knelt down, offering her apron strings for them to pull on.

Emily Jane lugged the big tub inside. It was wooden with metal rings around the top, middle and bottom of it, the perfect size to hold two little girls. Normally Anna Mae helped her carry it inside, but since she wasn’t available and Mrs. Matthews had her hands full with the girls, Emily Jane tugged on it until she got it into the kitchen.

Mrs. Matthews hurried over. “Here, let me help you with that.”

Together they set it against the wall by the back door. “I think you might need something soft inside for them to sit and play on.”

“I’ll go get a blanket, be right back.” She hurried to her bedroom and grabbed a small nine-patch quilt from the foot of her bed. It was her reading quilt. She enjoyed curling up in it and reading her Bible before going to sleep each night.

When she returned to the kitchen, she saw that Mrs. Matthews stood holding Rose with Ruby sitting at her feet pulling at the buttons on her black shoes. “This should do it.” Emily Jane spread the quilt out in the bottom of the tub and then reached for Ruby. Mrs. Matthews added Rose.

The girls grinned up at them. They really were sweet little things. Emily Jane went to the cupboard and pulled out spoons and pans for the girls to play with.

“Would you like a cup of tea?” Emily Jane asked.

Mrs. Matthews sat down in a chair at the table. “I’d love one. And while you are making it, I’ll keep an eye on the girls. Maybe you could tell me how you ended up with these two this afternoon?”

Emily Jane nodded. “Mr. Barns, Mabel’s grandson, started work this afternoon at the general store. Some of our neighbors suggested I’d be a good person to watch them.” She poured water into a large pail for the girls’ bath and also filled the teapot.

“Oh, I’m sure they did.” Mrs. Matthews laughed. “They came over to the house this morning, complaining about the girls crying last night. You’d think they were all a hundred years old the way they gripe.”

Trying to hide a smile, Emily Jane nodded. “Yes, they came by the bakery this morning, too.”

“Meddling old hens.” Mrs. Matthews’s hazel eyes met hers. “I’m sure they had a lot to say.”

Warmth filled Emily Jane’s cheeks as she remembered them suggesting she marry William Barns and give the girls a mother. She shook her head at the memory. “Can you believe they suggested I marry him?”

“Why?” Mrs. Matthews tilted her head to the side and scrunched up her brow. “I mean, for goodness’ sake, you just met the man.”

Her expression was comical, and Emily Jane giggled. “To give his nieces a mother. They seem to think a mother would be able to stop them from crying at night.”

“That’s preposterous.” Mrs. Matthews cooed down at the twins. Emily Jane gazed at the girls, who looked so much like William. Where are their parents? she wondered. And why aren’t they taking care of the girls?

* * *

A few minutes after four that afternoon, William knocked on Emily Jane’s front door. Weariness seeped through his bones like honey from a leaky jug. Working with Mr. Moore hadn’t been hard. It was the sleepless night up with the girls. His energy level was zero and his nerves stretched tight.

She opened the door with a smile and stepped back to allow him inside. The aroma of fried ham drifted to William, reminding him he still needed to feed the girls. His stomach growled, so to cover his embarrassment, William said, “Something sure smells good in here.”

“I’m glad you think so. We saved a plate for you.” Emily Jane motioned for him to follow her.

He didn’t need to be asked twice. William shut the door and did as she bade. His gaze took in the clean kitchen and the girls.

Surrounded by blankets, they were playing in a large washtub. Their hair and faces looked freshly washed, only neither wore their ribbons. Shock filled him. How was he going to tell them apart? “Miss Rodgers, what happened to the girls’ hair ribbons?” He knew the question came out tight and sounding angry, but he couldn’t stop the feelings of confusion and fear coursing through him.

Ruby and Rose squealed with happiness at the sound of his voice. They scrambled to pull themselves up on the side of the tub. He knelt and gave them both hugs. They smelled of soft, clean powder.

“Oh, they were horrible, so I threw them out.” She pulled a covered plate from the back of the stove and turned to face him.

“I remember specifically telling you that those ribbons were the only way I could identify them. Did you forget?” As he looked into the identical faces, he felt robbed. Something important had been taken from him. How was he going to know which girl was Rose and which one was Ruby?

She set the plate down on the table. “No, I remember. But since Rose has a birthmark behind her right knee, I didn’t think you’d mind me throwing out the ribbons. They were pretty ragged, and I plan to replace them. I just haven’t had time yet.”

William picked up the little girl closest to him and looked at her leg. How had he missed the small brown mark that looked like an ant behind her knee? He should have seen it. Maybe the girls did need a woman’s care. He kissed Rose on the cheek and then put her back into the tub. “No, that won’t be necessary.”

Ruby extended her arms, reaching for William to give her a cuddle and kiss, too. He obliged by picking her up and kissing her soft cheek. She giggled.

When William set her back down, he noticed two colorful cloth balls in the tub with them. Picking one up, he said, “These are pretty.”

Emily Jane poured a glass of water and set it beside his plate. “Mrs. Matthews, another one of our neighbors, brought those by earlier for the girls. You should come eat this before it gets cold.”

William gave the ball to Rose and stood. “I appreciate all you’ve done for the girls today.”

“It wasn’t much.”

He laughed. “You gave them a bath. That’s huge. I put off doing that until I can’t stand the smell anymore. They are a handful at bath time.” William sat down and lifted the cover from his plate of fried ham, mashed potatoes and green beans.

Her gentle laugh had his gaze moving to her face. “Well, that explains a lot.”

William laughed with her and then offered a quick grace before forking a chunk of ham and chomping into it. “You know, if you keep feeding us, I’m going to have to pay for my meals here, too.”

Rose chose that moment to fuss. She was tired of being in the tub. Emily Jane walked over and picked her up. “Shhhh, little one, Anna Mae has a headache. We don’t want to wake her, do we?” She leaned the little girl against her shoulder and rubbed her back.

“I’m awake,” Anna Mae said as she entered the room. She smiled at William and the girls on her way to the coffeepot. “I think my headache has about run its course.” She poured a cup of the fragrant liquid.

Emily Jane smiled. “I’m glad.”

Anna Mae returned to the table and sat down. “How was your first day at work, Mr. Barns?” She took a sip and studied him over the rim of her cup.

William sat up a little straighter in his chair. He cleared his throat before saying, “I believe it went well. Wilson says I’m a natural.”

Anna Mae nodded. “I’m sure you are. Isn’t today the day that supplies arrive from Austin?” she asked, still keeping her gaze locked on him.

“Yes, ma’am. It is.”

Anna Mae grinned across at him. “Please, there are no ma’ams here. Call me Miss Anna Mae, and you may address Emily Jane as Miss Emily Jane. I believe that is formal enough for around town and here at home. Don’t you, Emily Jane?”