Free Tracie Peterson - [Heirs of Montana 04] by The Hope Within Page B

drew. The air seemed so thick that she could scarcely fill her lungs enough, and Lia had developed a chronic cough. Dianne told herself it would be all right—that she could endure this short time for Cole’s sake. But nothing was right about this place.
    Standing over a tub of dirty laundry, Dianne was hard pressed to find anything good or uplifting about her circumstance. She tried to pray, even as she worked, but the words wouldn’t come. Lia was hardly herself, sitting on a blanket nearby. She didn’t want to play or even help, as she often begged to do at home in Montana. The boys seemed the least affected. They were running in circles around the yard, playing with Jake and enjoying the day. Dianne was at least grateful that they were happy.
    “Mama, when can we go home?” Lia asked.
    Dianne straightened. “I don’t know. Papa needs to be here for a little while to help Grandma and Grandpa Selby. When things are better, we can go back to Montana.”
    Lia sighed and picked up her doll. Dianne felt the same hopelessness that seemed to engulf her child. They weren’t needed here. They weren’t even liked. It was clear that Mary Selby wished Dianne and her children had never come. Dianne tried to talk to Cole about it, but he told her it was all her imagination, that his mother was simply worried about her husband.
    Dianne could understand that, but it didn’t make her treatment any easier to bear. Cole’s sisters were an entirely different matter. Laurel had arrived that morning, bringing her spoiled daughters. Josephine, who was sixteen, made it quite clear that she wanted nothing to do with her rowdy cousins. She sneered down her nose at the boys and rudely questioned why Dianne would allow Lia to run around half dressed. Dianne explained that they were unaccustomed to the heat, but it didn’t matter to Josephine or her mother. Laurel’s other three daughters were equally obnoxious, even laughing at Dianne’s gown and asking if people in Montana didn’t care about fashion. Dianne told them in a clipped tone that people in Montana worked hard to stay alive and didn’t have time for frippery.
    Perhaps the thing that bothered Dianne the most was the girls’ closeness to Mary Selby. They clearly ruled the roost and had their grandmother’s affection. It made Dianne sad for her own children, who immediately noted the change in their grandmother. Mary Selby fussed and doted on each of the girls, clearly ignoring Dianne’s children.
    Cordelia and her two girls arrived about an hour after Laurel. Eva, age ten, seemed interested in the boys, but Cordelia quickly put an end to that. She forced Eva and her little sister, Lydia, to remain with Laurel’s daughters and have nothing to do with Dianne’s children. In fact, after the briefest of introductions to Cordelia, Dianne was clearly dismissed by Mary Selby.
    “I’m sure you have things to occupy your time,” Mary had stated curtly.
    It was then that Dianne had gathered her brood, along with the laundry, and headed outdoors. Dianne had remained outside all morning, hoping fervently that Cole’s sisters would leave before lunchtime.
    “Mama, that mean lady is coming,” Lia suddenly warned.
    Dianne looked up to see Cordelia making her way across the yard. “You boys are entirely too noisy. Stop playing with that dog at once and go sit down.”
    Dianne watched the boys freeze in their place, shocked that anyone should make these demands. Deciding it was time to establish some control, Dianne went to Cordelia. “If you have a problem with my children, come to me, not to them.”
    Cordelia was only a few years Dianne’s junior, but she clearly thought herself superior in this situation. She touched a gloved hand to her chest as if surprised by Dianne’s attitude.
    “I’m only thinking of my father.”
    “Your father’s room is on the front side of the house. We are here in the backyard, clearly away from the house. I doubt seriously the noise can even