Chapter 11

Mia

Mia shook her head as she walked toward the bedroom. "Now, let's get some clothes on you, young man." She rummaged through the chest of drawers and pulled out a matching outfit. To her surprise, Shane didn't try to run away this time, and he didn't give her a hard time.

Mia slipped his shirt over his head. "I'm sorry… Mia."

She looked into his eyes. "What for? I know running into the kitchen in your underwear wasn't the best choice, but—"

"No, I meant… I'm sorry." A worried look appeared in his eyes.

Mia wrapped her arm around his shoulder as her heart swelled, touched by the admission. "It's okay. I understand." She stroked the hair away from his face. "Hey! I have an idea. You want to help me make pancakes?"

Shane nodded vigorously, smiling. "Let's go!"

Hailey stirred and then sat up. When she opened her eyes and saw Mia and Shane sitting on the bed, she immediately held her arms out to Mia. When she scooped her up, Hailey laid her head on her shoulder. "Not quite awake yet, baby girl?"

She shook her head.

"Hailey! Guess what? We're going to make pancakes with Mia!" Shane's eyes were wide. "Wanna help?"

Hailey's face brightened as she nodded. Then, she shoved her thumb into her mouth and laid her head on Mia's shoulder.

"Shane, why don't you go play and we can make pancakes in a bit?" She stood while she rubbed Hailey's back. "Is that okay?"

Shane let out a deep breath. "Will you let me know when you're ready?"

"Of course." Mia smiled as she ruffled his hair. "Thanks, buddy. It won't be long."

He nodded, and then started playing with his soldiers on the bedroom floor.

Mia carried Hailey into the living room and sat with her on the rocking chair. Hailey curled up on her lap, and Mia rocked her back and forth as she stroked her hair.

"Sing," Hailey said.

"What?"

"Sing me a song," she said, looking up at her with hopeful eyes.

"All right," she said, and then began singing the Cradle Song, Brahms' Lullaby, as she rocked her back and forth.

Mia rocked her for a while, and soon, Hailey struggled to get down.

"Let's get you dressed now."

Mia picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. Then she dressed her in a pretty blue dress and brushed her long dark blonde hair. She also checked her cuts, and they were healing nicely. She only had two—one on her arm and another on her leg. Relief washed over Mia as guilt filled her chest about the incident.

After Hailey scampered off, Mia turned to Shane, still playing quietly on the floor. "Okay, Shane. Would you and Hailey like to help me make pancakes?"

"Yippee!" Shane ran out the door toward the kitchen as quickly as his little feet could carry him.

"Want to help?" Mia asked Hailey.

She nodded, and Mia took her hand and led her into the kitchen.

Mia pulled a chair up to the counter and stood Hailey on it. "Now, hold on and be careful," she instructed.

The little girl nodded, holding onto the back of the chair. Mia got out a bowl, the flour, and the other ingredients needed to make pancakes. Before he went outside, Caleb had brought up some milk from the root cellar for the children, so she used some for the pancakes.

She let the children stir the batter, but when it came time to pour it onto the hot cast-iron skillet, Mia did that. A few minutes later, a few of the pancakes were finished and laying on a plate.

A few minutes later, Mia heard a carriage pull up outside, and voices coming from the back. Mrs. Jenkins was talking to Caleb. A few minutes later, she walked in the back door, carrying a small recipe book.

"Hello, Mrs. Jenkins," Mia said, flanked by the children who were a safe distance from the stove. "You're just in time. We're making pancakes. Would you like some?"

"Well, maybe just one." Mrs. Jenkins sat down and laid the recipe book on the table. "It looks like you have some great helpers this morning."

Mia smiled. "Yes, they wanted to help."

"We're making pancakes!" Shane announced excitedly.

Mrs. Jenkins laughed. "I see that! And you seem to be doing a good job of it, too."

Shane smiled, and then went back to supervising the pancake making.

When the last pancake was laid on the plate, Mia helped Hailey down from the chair and then carried the plate of pancakes to the table. The children helped, and together, they set the table. Then, she set the children in their chairs, and called for Caleb.

"Well, it smells great in here," he said as he walked in. The children were beaming.

Caleb headed into the bedroom and came out cleaned up and wearing a clean shirt. Then he sat at the head of the table.

He said a wonderful blessing over the meal, and thanked God for the good company of Mrs. Jenkins, as well.

As Mia listened, she smiled as pride welled up in her chest. When Caleb finished, she placed a pancake on each of the children's plates and passed the rest around.

"Wow! Everything looks wonderful!" Caleb stabbed a pancake and slid it onto his plate, and then poured maple syrup over the top. "Thank you, Mia."

Mia smiled proudly. "It wasn't just me. The children helped."

"Really?" he asked as he looked at the children.

Shane nodded vigorously. "I dumped everything in, and Hailey and I took turns stirring."

Caleb nodded his approval as he took a bite. "Well, you all did a wonderful job. It's delicious." Then, he turned to Mia. "We haven't had pancakes for a while."

Mia grinned, happy that she had done at least one thing right.

"I agree," Mrs. Jenkins added. "You all make a great team."

"Thank you." Mia reached over and gave Shane's hand a squeeze. "The children really are great helpers."

"I can't stay long today, and I won't be over tomorrow." Mrs. Jenkins took another bite of her pancake. "Ella Hill isn't feeling well, so I thought I'd go over and lend a hand."

Mia's face fell. "How is she doing?"

Mrs. Jenkins sighed. "She's fine, but it's difficult caring for twins while she's still healing. Colton is doing all he can, but he has work to do."

Mia set down her fork as her stomach tightened. "If there's anything I can do—"

Mrs. Jenkins laughed. "Well, it looks as if you have your hands full here with these little ones."

Caleb gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'll watch the children later so you can go over and visit."

Mia nodded her thanks.

Then, Caleb turned to Mrs. Jenkins. "I'll stop by to check on her, too." As the town preacher, Mia was sure he was often called upon in times of need.

Mrs. Jenkins took another bite. "I'll tell her you're both coming. I'm sure she'll appreciate that."

"I feel bad for not going over to visit until now." Mia sighed, leaving her pancakes untouched. "I'm sure Ella has her hands full and can use all the help she can get."

"One thing about this community is that we all pull together and help one another in times of need." Mrs. Jenkins finished her last bite of pancake and took a sip of her coffee.

"Would you like more?" Mia asked, already reaching for the pancakes.

Mrs. Jenkins patted her plump belly. "Oh, heavens no! But that was delicious!" Then, she turned to the children. "If you keep this up, you'll be able to open your own restaurant and give Harrison Curry some competition!"

Mia chuckled. "Well, before you start naming our restaurant, I think we have enough on our plate for now."

"Oh!" Shane said. "That would be fun!"

"But next year, you're going to start school," Caleb interjected. "So, I think that might be a bit more important."

"School? Yuk!" Shane grimaced as he took another bite of his pancake.

Mrs. Jenkins laughed. "How do you know? I hear that Madison Nash is doing wonders with the school." Then she turned to Mia and added, "She's the town schoolteacher."

"Whiskey River has just one teacher?" Mia asked, surprised.

The elder woman nodded. "Here in the country, we're lucky to have her. There are some towns that don't even have one. They have to go miles to get an education or be schooled at home by their mothers."

"Then, we're lucky indeed." Mia finished off the last of her pancake.

Caleb had cleaned his plate and dabbed his lips with a napkin. "Mia, thank you. That was delicious." He slid the chair back and rose to his feet. "I hate to leave good company, but the farm waits for no man. I'll be right outside if you need me."

"We have everything under control," Mrs. Jenkins added as she started collecting the dishes. "Don't worry."

After they finished, Mia cleaned up the children and they scampered off to play in their bedroom.

"If you need me, let me know," Mia yelled after them. She and Mrs. Jenkins gathered the dishes but set them aside when she remembered the chicken in the sink.

Mia pinched a leg in her fingers and lifted it, but then set it back down. "I have no idea where to even begin."

Mrs. Jenkins laughed. "Come on. I'll show you what to do with it."

They spent the morning pulling feathers from the chicken, and then she washed it well. When the chicken was clean and feather free, Mrs. Jenkins showed her how to cut it up, and then taught her the fine points of frying it.

Mia really enjoyed having the camaraderie with the elder woman. But after the chicken was frying in the pan, Mrs. Jenkins announced, "Well, I really must go see Ella."

"Please give her my best and tell her I'll be by to see her soon," Mia said as she turned a piece of chicken over in the pan. "Please tell her that I'm sorry that I haven't been by yet."

Mrs. Jenkins smiled. "Well, you haven't even been here but a few days." She gave her a motherly pat on the arm. "But I'll tell her you'll be by to visit soon."

Mia nodded. "Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins."

"Oh! I almost forgot," she said, slipping into her coat. "I'll leave my recipe book here. You can look through them and copy down whatever you want."

Mia's eyebrows lifted in concern. "Are you sure you won't need them?"

Mrs. Jenkins smiled. "Not right now. You can give them back to me when you're finished."

"Thanks, again." Mia dried her hands and gave her a quick hug. "So, I'll see you when I see you?"

"If not anything else, I'll see you Sunday at church." Mrs. Jenkins bit her lower lip and released it. "I hate to tell you this, but the preacher's wife is responsible for organizing the after-service potluck dinner."

"What?" Mia asked, panic rushing through her.

"Now, don't you worry." She gave her a motherly pat on the hand. "Each week, the ladies bring their specialties. The only thing that the preacher's wife is expected to do is to organize—tell everyone where to put everything. In the spring and summer, the men of the church bring the tables outside, and we hold it there. But in the winter when it's cold, we set everything up in the recreation hall." She tied a scarf around her neck. "But don't worry. I can help until you get the hang of it."

Mia smiled, giving her arm a gentle squeeze. "Thank you. I'll never be able to thank you enough for all your help."

Mrs. Jenkins leaned in and gave her an air kiss over her cheek. "It's my pleasure." She shrugged. "We all can use a little help when we're starting out. If you need anything, just let me know." Then, she looked down at the chicken frying on the stove. "Well, I have to go, and it looks as if you have some chicken to fry."

"Please forgive me if I don't show you out."

She smiled. "Don't worry. I know the way."

Mia laughed. "Thanks, again. I'll bring you some chicken on Sunday."

A broad smile spread across the elder woman's face. "Be careful what you offer."

Mia chuckled and watched as Mrs. Jenkins headed out the back door. Mia heard her say a muffled goodbye to Caleb, and a few minutes later, her carriage pulled away.

Mia turned a piece of chicken over in the pan. It was funny. As a child, she had wanted a fairy godmother, but instead, she got one as an adult. Mrs. Jenkins was amazing. Mia wondered what her story was, where her husband was or if he had died. Mia felt that she would find out eventually, but now, the elder woman enjoyed spending her time helping others—especially the new brides and new mothers.

Mia finished frying the last of the chicken, and then covered it over with a dishtowel and set it on the counter until dinner. She checked on the children, and Shane waved at her from the floor where he and Hailey were playing. Mia waved back, happy with the change in Shane. She knew they had a long way to go yet, but she was happy that at least the children were accepting her into the family. She had a feeling that it would take a while longer for Caleb.

After cleaning the kitchen until it sparkled, she sat down to look through Mrs. Jenkins's recipes. There were cookie recipes of all kinds, cakes, brownies, and meal recipes, a biscuit recipe, and then she came to what she had been looking for… a bread recipe. It was a simple recipe, similar to the one that her mother used when she was a child. Mia looked through the drawer of the writing desk in the living room and found some parchment paper and a writing quill.

Careful not to smudge the recipe, she copied it down and then set it aside to let it dry. As she waited, she started gathering the ingredients, and before long, she had kneaded the dough, formed it into a loaf in a bread pan, and then popped it into the oven. Soon, the sweet aroma of bread baking in the oven filled the house.

In the meantime, she made some sandwiches for lunch, along with fresh milk for the children and hot tea for her and Caleb in a pretty tea set. When everything was ready, she opened the back door and called for Caleb.

He walked out of the barn, wiping his hands on a small work towel, his muscles flexing under his shirt. "Be right there." He glanced up at her and smiled, waving his hand.

A thrill ran through her at the simple gesture. She waved back and headed inside and into the children's bedroom. "Hungry?"

"Yes!" Shane yelled as he ran out of the bedroom and into the kitchen.

Hailey looked up at her from the floor.

"Ready for lunch, baby girl?" Mia asked, holding her hand out to her.

A smile spread across Hailey's face as she got up and ran to her. Mia scooped her up, and Hailey laid her head on her shoulder. Then, she raised up and wrapped her arms around Mia's neck.

"That's a good girl," Mia cooed, carrying her into the kitchen.

Caleb watched her expressionless as she walked into the room carrying his child.

Mia sat her on a chair, and then she set the loaf of bread and some country ham on the table. When she sat down, Hailey hopped off her chair and ran over to Mia and slid onto her lap.

Caleb watched as Mia slid Hailey's plate over to her and started feeding her.

"You need to eat." Mia nodded to Caleb as she made a ham sandwich. "It's getting cold."

Caleb nodded, and then made a sandwich and started eating.

"So, how's it going out there?" Mia asked, nodding toward the barn.

Caleb shrugged. "It's going well. One of the cows just foaled. I was just finishing up when you called me in for lunch."

Mia looked up from feeding Hailey with alarm in her eyes. "Did everything go okay?"

Caleb smiled. "Yes, both mother and baby are doing just fine."

"Glad to hear it." Mia gave Hailey another slice of bread. "You know, I could help out on the farm, too, if you like."

"Thanks." Caleb sighed. "But for now, I think you have enough to worry about."

Mia shrugged. "I could at least gather the eggs before the children wake."

"I appreciate the sentiment." He downed his cup of tea. "But if you don't mind, why don't you concentrate on the children and the house? When you get into a routine, then we can talk about it."

Mia nodded, giving him a small smile. "As I said before, I'm not used to being told what to do."

Caleb set down his glass of tea and nodded. "I respect that. By the way, it was just a request."

"Okay, then I'll think about it."

Caleb laughed. "I can't imagine you out there birthing calves."

"No, I draw the line there." Mia chuckled. "I'll leave the ‘birthing calves' up to you."

Caleb smiled, shaking his head. "You drive a hard bargain."

They talked and laughed throughout the meal. A welcome change, Mia thought. After they were finished, Caleb went back outside to finish up, the children went to the bedroom to play, and Mia cleaned up and started fixing dinner. It seemed that the majority of what she did was cooking and cleaning. She made a mental note to get herself on a schedule and cook some things ahead when she could.

Mia had a few minutes, so she snooped around, looking for Jessica's sewing things. In a way, she felt as if she was snooping into another woman's territory. And, in a way, she was. Over time, she vowed to make everything her own.

She found a small sewing basket. So, she went into her bedroom and pulled out her sewing things. She carried them into the living room and set them in the small cabinet to the right of the writing desk. When she had time, Mia vowed to set up everything she had, make the children some new clothes, and make a sewing box for Hailey out of her mother's things to use when she's older.

Mrs. Jenkins had told her that the general store had bolts of fabric. The next time she went to town, she vowed to buy some fabric—enough for some shirts for Shane and Caleb, and enough for a few dresses for Hailey. She also needed a few work dresses for herself. Most of her dresses were a bit too fancy for farm life. Moving to Whiskey River was definitely a lifestyle change, but a welcome one.

Before she came, she had given her hair feathers to Carlita, a friend she worked with, and the few boas she had to another friend. Her dancehall days were over, and she was glad for it. It was nice to be in a respectable position now. Even though she wasn't technically getting paid for it, it was definitely hard work.

"Mia!" Hailey screamed bloody murder as she ran from the bedroom with tears streaming down her face. "Shane has my dolly!" Big crocodile tears rolled down her cheeks as if it was the worst thing in the world.

"Shane!" Mia picked up Hailey and headed into the bedroom. Shane was hiding in the closet. "Come out here right now!"

He let out a deep breath, and then stepped out, looking down at his feet.

Mia studied his posture and knew there was more to the story. "Shane, do you know where Hailey's doll is?"

Shane's eyes opened wide as he shook his head vigorously back and forth.

Mia let out a deep breath. "Okay. Then, help me find it, please."

Shane ran out of the room.

"Shane! Come back here!"

A moment later, she heard the back door slam shut. She just hoped he put on his coat before he ran out.

"Okay, baby girl," Mia cooed, kneeling beside her. "Let's find your dolly. Okay?"

Hailey nodded slowly, and then pointed toward the closet as huge tears poured down her cheeks. "She's dead!"

Mia's heart sank. "What do you mean ‘she's dead'?" For a moment, she wondered if Hailey remembered her mother and understood that she was gone. She bit her lower lip, wondering if she should explain it to her or if she should tell Caleb.

"Shane killed Dolly!" Hailey screamed, pointing toward the closet.

"Now, now," Mia said as she rubbed the little girl's back. "I'm sure it can't be that bad." Mia went into the closet, and lying on the floor was the headless body of a ragdoll and, near it, the head. She picked it up and tried to hold the head on so that it wouldn't scare Hailey any more than necessary.

But when Hailey saw it, she screamed and a fresh wave of tears washed over her face.

"Hailey…." Mia hid the doll behind her back. "I can fix it. I promise."

"R-real… really?" Hailey's eyebrows raised almost into her hairline.

Mia smiled. "Yes, really." Then, she knelt on the floor in front of her. "I'm a very good seamstress, remember?" Mia rubbed her back in soothing circles. "I can fix it. I promise."

Hailey reached out to her, and Mia scooped her up into her arms and carried her out to the living room. She set in the rocking chair and hid the doll under a doily on the side table. Mia started rocking her back and forth, and she was almost asleep when Shane walked in and headed toward the bedroom.

"Shane?"

He stopped, looking at her sheepishly.

"Shane, come here for a minute," she said, and he stepped closer. "Did you rip Dolly's head off?"

He didn't say anything at first, looking only at his feet. Hailey sat up and watched. Shane glanced over at Hailey and then at Mia. "Yes, I did."

Mia let out a deep breath. "Shane, you owe Hailey an apology."

He nodded as he bit his lower lip, fighting back tears. "I'm sorry, Hailey." Hailey scooted down, scampered across the room toward her brother, and gave him a hug.

"Shane, I'm proud of you for telling the truth," Mia said. "But you know not to do it again, right?"

Shane nodded. "You really are… proud of me?"

Mia nodded, a smile lighting her lips. "Yes, for telling the truth. But promise me that you won't rip off your sister's doll's head anymore. Okay?"

He nodded. "I promise."

"Okay." Mia pulled Hailey back into her lap on the rocking chair and started rocking. She glanced over at Shane, who was standing in the middle of the floor, watching. "Would you like to rock with us?"

A broad smile spread across his face as he climbed onto her lap. Within minutes, they were both asleep.

It felt great to be a part of a family again. Mia had been alone for so long that she almost forgot what it was like. The time that she and Ella were roommates had been the closest that she had come to having a family as an adult. Now, her family with Caleb was the real thing… if only he could come to accept her.

As she rocked the children, she was glad that at least they had accepted her. But she knew it wasn't going to be so easy for Caleb. Would he be able to forget that she had once been a dancehall girl? Deep down, she realized that he already had, and that he understood. But could he get over losing his wife? Would there ever come a time when he would think of her as his wife instead? Would he ever come to love her?

She knew that she couldn't live without love, and that it couldn't be all one sided. She couldn't live with a man who couldn't love her. A man incapable of love. But, then again, when she saw him with his children, she knew that he was capable, because he already knew how to love. But she could see that when he loved, he gave his whole heart, just as he had given his whole heart to his children and Jessica.

Mia laughed without humor as tears came to her eyes. Who was she kidding? Jessica was his wife, and she always would be. Mia feared that she would be living in her shadow for as long as she lived in this house, with this family, and she couldn't live like that. But could Caleb open his heart to let her in?