Free Mail Order Maternity (Brides of Beckham Book 6) by Kirsten Osbourne Page B

stew.”
    Esther nodded and sat up.  “I am hungry.   I’ll go down and get my own, though.  Victoria said I don’t have to stay in bed.  I just need to be careful.”
    Thomas stood by helplessly while she stood up.  “I’ll carry you down the stairs.”
    “There’s no need for that.  I’ll go down on my own.”
    He followed along behind her, worried.  When they reached the bottom of the stairs, they found Victoria serving them each a bowl of food and washing the few dishes she could.  “I’ll send Samuel over with MaryAnn when I get home.”
    Thomas nodded.  “If you’ll wait, I’ll ride with you.”
    “There’s no need.  The distance is short and I’ll be fine.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes.  MaryAnn will be here tonight.  I want her to finish the dishes, so don’t get up and do them.”  She gave Esther a stern look.  “Do you understand me?”
    Esther nodded.  “I feel like I’m a burden on everyone.”
    “You’re not.  You’ve had a tough few months.  That long journey didn’t help you any.”  She put her bonnet on and walked to the door.  “I’ll be back in a week to get my daughter and make sure you’re okay.”
    “Thank you for coming so quickly.”
    “You’re welcome.  I’m just glad to have a new sister.”

Chapter Five
     
     
    MaryAnn was there within the hour, and Esther got to meet Samuel for the first time.  She was surprised at the strong resemblance between the brothers.  Samuel and Thomas were identical, except Samuel’s hair had a light dusting of gray.
    MaryAnn asked no questions and simply started to work on the dishes.  Esther introduced herself, but MaryAnn just nodded shyly.  “Thank you for doing the dishes for me.”
    MaryAnn nodded.  “Ma said I couldn’t do anything else ‘til the dishes were done.”
    Samuel watched as his daughter went to work and then turned to the door.  “Victoria will be here for her in a week.”  He clapped a hand to his brother’s shoulder.  “Take care of my girl.”
    Thomas nodded.  “You know I will.”
    It was late by the time the dishes were finished.  Esther was thrilled for the help, but it was hard for her to sit and watch the dishes being done in her home without jumping up to help.  She wasn’t used to sitting idle while others worked around her.
    When they were settled into bed that night, Thomas pulled her into his arms and held her.  “I’m glad the baby is okay.”
    Esther nodded.  “I was so scared.”  She’d been certain she was going to lose the baby that afternoon, and she couldn’t bear the thought of losing the last piece of her first husband.
    “I’m going to buy a dinner bell that you can ring if you need me.”
    “You won’t be able to hear it everywhere on the land, so there’s no point.  I’ll be okay.”  She didn’t want him to waste money on something so frivolous when it wouldn’t necessarily solve their problems anyway.
    He sighed.  “You’re probably right, but I’m going to be afraid to leave you now.”
    “MaryAnn will be here for at least a week.  She can come and get you if anything goes wrong.”  She knew it was a temporary solution, but he should be calmer about her health and the health of the baby within a week.  She hoped he would at least.
    He ran his hand down her back, wishing they could do more than just lie together in bed.  “I know.  After she’s gone, it’s going to be harder, though.”
    Esther smiled.  “You know I’ve lived alone for most of my pregnancy with no one to check on me, right?”
    He shrugged.  “You weren’t my wife then.”
    She smiled, closing her eyes.  He may not be Charlie , she thought , but he sure does care about this baby.  She knew then she’d made the right decision when she married him.  She fell asleep with a smile on her face.
     
    *****
     
    Esther woke up and stretched, noting that the other side of the bed was empty.  She hurried and got up to go down and fix breakfast.