Mail Order Motherhood (Brides of Beckham Book 8) Read Online Free PDF Page B

the French toast, she called up the stairs to the children to come down to eat.  Albert came in just as they were all sitting down.  She’d poured milk for everyone, and the toast was in the center of the table with butter and syrup she’d found to be used for it.
    Albert said a quick prayer and they all ate in silence.  Her children, who usually never stopped talking, seemed in awe of their new step-father and afraid to speak in front of him.
    Once dinner was finished, she stood to wash the dishes, but Albert stopped her.  “Let the girls do the dishes.  Gertie knows how to dry them, and I’m sure Natalie knows how to wash.”
    Clara collapsed back into her chair gratefully.  She was willing to do the dishes if she needed to, but she certainly liked the idea of the girls doing them after each meal.  She looked at her husband, wondering if she could talk to him without him getting angry.  “Where’s the school?  I need to sign the children up tomorrow.”  She hoped they wouldn’t be walking too far to the nearest schoolhouse.
    He shook his head.  “There’s no school close enough for them to go to.  Closest is in Billings, and that’s an hour drive each way.  Most folks around these parts teach their children at home.”
    Clara blinked a few times.   “I’ve never even considered that.  I have their school books, but I’m no teacher!”
    He shrugged.  “How hard can it be?  Follow the books and give them lessons to study.”  He looked at Gertrude where she stood on a stool drying the dishes.  “Time for Gertie to learn too.  You can sit them all down together.”
    Clara sighed.  Apparently she had no choice.  She wished she’d known that before coming out here, but she’d make the best of it.  Hopefully soon there’d be a school the children could attend.  “I guess we’ll get the house in shape and start school on Monday.”
    Albert nodded.  “Sounds smart.”  He continued to watch the girls as they washed the dishes.  “Both girls should be able to help you a lot around the house.”  He seemed to be looking for topics as well, wanting to get to know her, but feeling awkward about it.
    “Yes, they can.  Clarence would like to help around the ranch if you think he’s old enough to do so.  He’s got in his head he wants to be a cowboy.”
    Albert smiled at Clarence, who was sitting there, hanging on their every word.  “You want to go out to help me mend fences tomorrow?”  He had a mare he could let the boy use.  An eight year old could be of some help around a ranch.  Not as much as a teenaged boy, but if he trained him right now, he’d be able to do a man’s work in a few years.
    Clara was surprised to see Albert smile.  It was the first time since she’d met him that he hadn’t looked stern.  The smile completely transformed his face into something that could almost be called handsome.  Maybe as he became more comfortable, he’d smile more.
    Clarence nodded emphatically.  “I would like that a lot, sir.”
    Albert made a face.  “Sounds good.”
    “I’ll work hard.”  Clarence looked down at the table as he said that, obviously embarrassed.
    Albert looked back at Clara.  “We’ll eat at sunrise or a little before.  I’ll leave the girls and little Robert with you, and take Clarence.  If he’s a good help, he can come with me every day and learn in the evenings.  It won’t hurt him.” 
    Clara bit her lip, but nodded.  She could see the wisdom in his words.  A boy who learned a trade young was so much more likely to have a good job as an adult.  She was just thankful that Albert didn’t think he needed to abandon his studies altogether.  “That would be fine.  Do you want me to teach Robert to read when I teach Gertrude?”
    Albert seemed to think about it for a moment, but he shook his head.  “No.  Not yet.  Gertie is eager to learn, but Robert still enjoys playing too much.  Let him be a little boy for another year or