Jessica’s eyes widened. “I assured him we weren’t.”
“He didn’t believe you.”
She sighed and shrugged. “I can’t help what he does or doesn’t think.” She waved her hand in his direction. “He’ll be fine.” Taking her friend by the elbow, she led her to the porch. “Aren’t you glad we’re here? You’ll get to see Joseph.”
She cleared her throat. And the next time she saw him, she’d be walking down the aisle to be his wife. It was happening much too fast. But what could she expect? When she posted the ad, she knew it’d be a week after the man got there that she’d be marrying him. It wasn’t like any of the other bachelors in the area were asking to court her for a good year before they wanted to be her husband. Nope. She was left to unorthodox methods to secure her future.
But did that really matter? The point was she was finally getting married. Jessica was right, of course. She needed to learn to stop second guessing everything. Things were going to be fine. Nothing bad was going to happen. She was going to meet Joseph and the boys today and get ready for her wedding tomorrow. Then the next day, she’d get married and have a family. A house full of boys and a man to take care of.
She wiped her hands on her skirt. Five men. Sure, it was a lot—a lot more than she expected—but she could do it. She could. At least, she was sure she could.
“Come on.” Jessica prompted her forward. “I’m going to be in the house. That means only good things will happen in there.”
Margaret chuckled and put her foot on the first step. Here goes nothing.
Chapter Five
The front door burst open and two boys came barreling toward Margaret. “Ma! Ma!”
She turned to see who in the world they were talking about for a split second before she remembered that she was going to be their mother in two short days.
Joseph showed up in the doorway, holding the youngest in one arm and held the door open with his free hand. “Doug, Bob, remember what I said.”
Doug and Bob immediately stopped bouncing around her and clasped their hands behind their backs.
“We’re glad you’re here,” one of them said.
“Thank you,” she replied and tried to remember who was the oldest. “Bob?”
“No, I’m Bob,” the other said.
She gave them a timid smile. “I’m sorry. I’m afraid I’m not very good with recalling names.”
“That’s alright.” Bob took her hand and led her up the steps. “Sometimes we forget things too. Don’t we, Doug?”
“Sure do,” Doug said as he took her other hand. “I forget to put my toys away all the time.”
“Shh...” Bob told his brother. “You know what Pa said.”
“Oh, right.” Doug’s cheeks grew pink. He peered up at her. “We won’t forget to be good today.”
Bob groaned.
They made it to the front door.
“Here she is, Pa,” Bob unnecessarily stated.
“I see that.” Joseph moved aside so they could enter the house. He smiled at Margaret. “I’m glad you came.”
Margaret’s face flushed. He really was a good looking man. She wondered why none of the women back at his hometown were lining up to marry him as soon as he became available.
“We’re glad too,” Doug said.
“You already said that,” Bob replied.
“So?”
“It’s fine.” Margaret squeezed their hands. “I don’t mind hearing it again.”
Doug grinned at her. “We miss having a ma.”
“Do you make cookies?” Bob asked.
She nodded. “From time to time.”
The boys giggled.
Joseph sighed but smiled at her. “They don’t care much for what I can make.” He motioned to the couch. “Would you like to sit? I can get you something to drink if you want.”
“Oh, I’ll do that,” Jessica intervened as she brushed past Margaret to get inside the house.
Margaret glanced at her friend. In all the excitement, she forgot Jessica was behind her.
“Besides,” Jessica added as she took off her bonnet, “this will be a good excuse to see Jenny. I’ll be back.” She patted Margaret on the shoulder. “Enjoy yourself,” she whispered.
Margaret turned to Joseph and smiled. Every time she was near him those crazy butterflies wrecked havoc on her stomach. She didn’t know how she was supposed to get used to being around him.
“Will you have a seat?” he asked.
“Have a seat!” Bob pulled on her hand and led her to the couch.
Before she knew it, the two boys pushed her onto the couch. The fourth boy, who’d been quietly playing with some blocks in the corner of the room, stopped building his tower and stared at her. Uncertain of what to do about being watched with such intensity, she shifted her gaze back to the others in the room.