She glanced up at him. “Really?”
“Yes. You have the house looking nice and everyone is clean. When it was me and the boys, I didn’t get around to feeding them supper until nine at night. I spent so many hours running after them. I don’t know how you women do it.”
She wiped her nose with the handkerchief. “You’re not just saying this to make me feel better?”
“No, I’m not. It’s not easy to take care of four children. The kids are happy and the house is in order. You did well today.”
She relaxed and smiled. “They are good boys. Even with the way everything was around here, they were trying to help me, especially Doug and Bob.”
“Well, they want to make their ma happy.” He kissed her cheek and stroked her back. “It’ll get better as you get used to it.”
“You think so?”
“It did for me. And I had no idea what I was doing.” He cupped her face in his hands. “You did great, Margaret. Try not to be so hard on yourself, alright?”
She nodded. “I’ll try.”
“Good.” He gave her a kiss, and since the boys weren’t around, he lingered at her lips. She was such a good woman, and it occurred to him that she didn’t know her worth. When he ended the kiss, he said, “I don’t trust my children with just anyone. Their well-being was my biggest concern, and now yours is too. I’m sorry Debra gave you a hard time. If I see her, I’ll tell her to go back to Ohio.”
“Thank you, Joseph.”
“I’ll have Sunday off, and we can all go out to the park as a family.”
“I’d like that.”
The front door opened and Bob and Doug entered the house and talked about what they thought their new ma would make for supper.
She chuckled. “Their minds are always on food.”
“They’re growing boys.” He grinned at her, glad to see her happy again. After he helped her to her feet, he gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll keep the boys out of your hair while you cook.”
She thanked him again, and they left the bedroom.
Chapter Eleven
Two days later, Margaret was sitting on the porch swing Joseph had put up, and she had Ben and Charles down for a nap while Doug and Bob were playing tag in the front yard. She had decided to work on sewing a pattern into one of the pillowcases she was making for her new family. She thought Bob might like a design of his soccer ball, so she was currently filling in that pattern with her brown thread. Next, she would sew his name into it.
“Hello, Doug and Bob,” a familiar voice called out.
Margaret looked up and smiled as Jessica waved to the boys and walked up the porch steps. She moved aside and placed her sewing basket next to her feet. “I didn’t think you’d be in town this soon,” she told Jessica. “I’ve hardly seen you since you married Tom.”
Jessica’s face glowed as she sat next to her. “I just found out I’m expecting a baby!”
Margaret’s jaw dropped. “So soon?”
“It’s been a month.”
“Well...yes...but that hardly seems like enough time.”
She giggled. “It is though. I missed my monthly flow. I was supposed to get it yesterday, but it’s still not here.”
“You might be late.”
“No.” She waved her hand and shook her head. “I’ve never been late.” Grabbing Margaret’s arm, she squealed, “Isn’t this exciting? Maybe you’ll soon be expecting too! Then we’ll have our children together.”
Margaret’s eyes grew wide in horror. Her gaze darted to Doug and Bob and she thought of the two sleeping inside the house. Oh goodness. She was doing good to handle the ones she already had. The last thing she needed was another one!
Jessica gave a contented sigh and sat back in the swing. “You must have a wonderful time out here.”
It took her a moment to respond as she thought over her friend’s statement. “It is wonderful,” she admitted, glancing at the pillowcase in her hands. She recalled how excited the boys were to see that they were going to have their very own pillowcases. She smiled at the memory. “They are terrific children.” And they were. They didn’t knowingly get into trouble and did all they could to help her. “But sometimes, I get overwhelmed. It’s a lot of work.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
“It’s exhausting at times. I don’t regret my decision, but I don’t know if I could handle another one.”
Jessica placed her hand on her arm and squeezed it. “God won’t give you anymore than you can handle.”