Free The Widows Choice by Hildie McQueen Page B

place a kettle on the stove.  "Oh, I almost forgot.  A letter for you came."  She pulled a letter from her reticule and handed it to the other woman.
    She poured tea as Mary Ellen sat and read.  "Good news?"
    At Mary Ellen's silence, Charlie spun around to find Mary Ellen staring at the piece of paper, one hand over her chest. Her face totally drained of color, Mary Ellen's moist eyes met hers.
    "What is it?"
    "My youngest sister had a terrible time of delivering a child.  The babe, a boy, was stillborn.  She is bedridden and writes asking for my help in caring for the other three until she gets better."
    "You must go, of course," Charlie told her emphatically while at the same time afraid of what it meant for her.  One less pair of hands to care for the ranch.
    A single tear slipped down Mary Ellen's cheek.  "What about you?  And everything to do?  You'll be alone, with only Joe here.  Rafe and Jerrick plan to leave once they buy land."
    "I'll make do." In truth, she wasn't sure what her future held.  At the moment, it looked more bleak than bright.  "I can always hire someone to come and help around here a couple days a week, you know with cooking and such." Charlie fought not to cry.  It would be a lonely time without her friend.  Yet, she'd not stand in the way of caring for family.  "Go, Mary Ellen, and don't worry about things here.  When you come back, it will be as if you never left."
    ––––––––
    T he announcement of Mary Ellen's departure at suppertime was met with various reactions, side-glances between Rafe and Charlie, an understanding nod from Joe and Jerrick scowled.
    Jerrick waited for Mary Ellen just outside the kitchen door, when she walked out to pour out the dirty dishwater.  Her heart tumbled at the sight of him under the full moon.  It was inevitable; she knew he'd want to talk about her impending departure.
    The problem was she wasn't sure what to say and how she'd handle speaking to him without crying.  Although not knowing him long enough for any deep feelings, she'd started to hope.  It was the worst of feelings to know he could be gone when she returned.  If she was able to return.  After all, she lived with Charlie to help out, if she was gone too long, she'd be replaced.  It would be hard to return without a place, some way to earn a living.  She wasn't about charity.
    His normally light eyes were dark with emotion as he looked into hers.  "Were you planning to tell me you were leavin'?"  His hand jammed into his pockets, he waited for her to reply.
    "I was," Mary Ellen pulled her shawl around her although she was not cold.  "Just not sure what to say.  I don't want to go."
    "Then don't."
    His statement made her look up to him with wide eyes.  "You can't ask me that.  We don't know each other well enough, Jerrick.  I have to go, my sister is counting on me."
    With an exasperated huff, he raked his fingers through his hair and looked up at the sky.  "You said there was other family.  Doesn't her husband have people there in Billings? It could be they are only asking you because you're not married, because they figure you don't have any other obligations."
    "It's true." Mary Ellen didn't resist and reached to cup his face.  "It may not be for long.  I'm hoping a couple months at most."
    He remained silent, not moving away.  She realized he'd not made any proclamations, given her no real reason for why he didn't want her to go.  Yes, they'd walked a couple times.  He'd kissed her once, but other than that, they'd formed more of an easygoing friendship than anything else. 
    This was the first time she got any indication he felt something for her.  Or maybe it was just her imagination.
    More than anything Mary Ellen wished he’d promised to court her.  Request she entertain the idea of a future together.  "Why are you upset?" She opened the door for him to express his feelings. "Is there a reason you wish me to stay in Colter Valley?"
    His wide