“It’s amazing we survived at all under Pa’s care,” Doug added with a hint of amusement in his eyes. “All we ate was oatmeal.”
“Oatmeal’s easy,” Joseph said.
Bob looked at her. “You see why we needed a ma?”
“Now, your pa does a lot too,” she argued. “Why, today he’s going to deliver things, and then he’ll get paid. That’s how you can get food on your plate, you know. Not everyone grows their own food. Some day you’ll be the ones going out and making money to buy food at the mercantile.” Her gaze turned to Joseph. “Will you be gone all day?”
“Only until three,” he replied.
“Can we come?” Bob asked.
“I’m afraid not. Work isn’t a place for children.”
“You took us to the newspaper office in Dayton.”
Joseph cut into his pancakes. “Yes, but that was only when your uncle and grandparents couldn’t watch you. And there was no way I was going to let Miss Potter do it.”
That caught Margaret’s attention. She handed Ben another piece of pancake. “What is it about her you don’t like?”
Joseph’s eyebrows furrowed, as if he was trying to decide the best way to answer her. Fiddling with his fork, he shrugged. “I’m not sure. I just knew she was never meant to be my next wife, that’s all.”
“She’s mean, Pa,” Bob said. “She’s nice to you, but she hates us.”
“Yep,” Doug agreed, polishing off his plate. “She said we were meant to be seen and not heard.” He turned his head in Margaret’s direction. “Can you imagine that?”
Joseph cleared his throat and looked at her. “Hannah, Debra, and I grew up together, and I married Hannah.”
“That’s our first ma,” Bob unnecessarily said.
Joseph didn’t need to add anymore. Margaret got the picture. Debra had wanted to marry Joseph, but Hannah did instead. Naturally, she thought it was her turn, and now Margaret was the new Hannah.
Even if Joseph didn’t seem to welcome Debra’s attentions, Margaret thought it might be flattering, at the very least, to have two women wishing to be with him at the same time. Margaret knew that had been one of her childhood fantasies. Two young men trying to woo her. She’d struggle to choose the right one, but she figured she’d have a wonderful time making that agonizing decision.
Surely, Joseph must have enjoyed it to a point? She thought to ask what it was like. Jessica said she hated it because it meant she had to hurt someone’s feelings. She wondered if Joseph thought the same before he married Hannah. No. Probably not. He just knew he’d marry her. She still didn’t understand how a man could possibly know something that important early on in his life.
Joseph finished his meal and stood up. “I hate to rush, but I just noticed the time. I don’t want to be late on my first day.”
She blinked and turned her attention to her plate. She glanced around and noticed that she was the only person who wasn’t almost done. Standing up, she decided to finish up her plate once everyone else was taken care of. She set her plate and glass by the sink. “I hope you have a good day.”
“It’ll be fine.” He placed his dishes in the sink and looked at her. “You think you can manage?” He directed his gaze to the four boys who finished their food with amazing gusto.
“Sure. They’re well behaved,” she replied.
Even as she tried to sound confident, she couldn’t deny the underlying sense of apprehension that crept over her. But she wasn’t sure about the wedding night and that turned out alright. She had no doubt that today would too. It was just a matter of jumping in and doing it.
He didn’t look convinced. “I probably should have asked Ralph Lindon if I could start later this week.”
“You don’t think I can do it?” she asked, surprised that the notion stung her as much as it did. If there was one thing she knew, it was that she didn’t collapse under pressure. Maybe she’d have her moments of weakness, but deep down, she was tough as nails.
Leaning forward, he kissed her. “I didn’t mean to imply that. I remember what it was like for me my first day with them and no one to help. They aren’t as easy as they look.”
“What are you saying, Pa?” Bob asked, letting his fork clatter onto his plate. “Haven’t we been good?”
“We’ve been on our best behavior, just like you ordered,” Doug agreed, looking as indignant as a seven year old could get.
“That’s what I’m worried about,” Joseph mumbled under his breath. Giving them a critical eye, he told them, “And it better stay that way.”