Chapter 19

Hattie

Hattie woke and quickly got up and fixed a bottle for RoseAnn. She wanted to feed the little girl first, leaving plenty of time to clean her up and dress her after her morning soiled diaper. Hattie packed what clean diapers she had left into her reticule and put a bottle and can of milk powder in it as well. She placed her Bible on top of it and thought again how she wanted to get Joshua to give her a list of scriptures on what the Bible said about being a godly wife.

As she got the baby ready, she smiled as she looked at the dress hanging on the peg by the dressing table. Lyla had worked so hard to have the gown ready for her for today. She’d brought it to Hattie yesterday afternoon, with a bonnet she’d made from some leftover material. There had been just enough for Hattie to make a little gown of the same material for RoseAnn. They’d be dressed alike today.

The brides all made over Hattie’s dress and several said they’d want one like it for themselves. She assured them that, once Helen’s was done, they could place an order for one at the mercantile, and she’d see to it they get theirs as soon as she could. Then she asked them about their courting plans for the day.

It seemed all of them, except Virginia, were going to spend the day with their beaus and their beau’s families.

Virginia would have to wait till tomorrow because Henry White was on duty today. He and the sheriff took turns, so each got to attend church at least twice a month. She went into the kitchen where Helen was putting the last of the pancakes on a platter.

“Helen, I was wondering if you think your mother would mind if we invited Virginia to supper with us today? She is the only one not getting to spend the day with her beau or his family.”

“I know Mama would be okay with it, but you don’t have to. I know for a fact that Mrs. White plans to take her to their farm for dinner. So, she won’t be alone.”

“Oh well, she doesn’t know that.”

Helen sighed. “I know. Henry doesn’t talk to his parents much. He’s trying to raise above what he sees as their disgrace.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Henry’s father is a full-blooded Sematuse Indian. His mother is Irish. She is going to love RoseAnn. Her name is Róisín, it’s Irish for Rose.”

“So, what is their disgrace?”

“Henry thinks it is a disgrace that his father is an Indian who married a white woman. He was called a half-breed growing up and some of our town’s more society-minded folk still look down on the Whites. Henry has joined them.”

“That’s terrible.”

Helen shrugged “It is, but that’s the way it is. His parents have told him they love each other and are proud of the life they’ve built together.”

They heard the knock on the door and Hattie smiled because it could only mean that Joshua was here. “Go, get your cape on and wrap up RoseAnn. I’ll fix a bottle and bring it with me when I come to church, so you’ll have one if you need it.”

“Thank you, Helen.”

Hattie scampered out into the dining room and stopped when she saw Joshua standing in the entranceway. “Hey beautiful, are you ready?”

“Yes, just let me go get my cloak and wrap up RoseAnn.”

“Oh, hello, Hattie.” Joshua smiled while teasing her. “I was talking to RoseAnn, but okay.”

“You! Don’t think I’ll forget this, Joshua Bryce.” Hattie laughed and hurried into her room. She grabbed the royal blue cape she’d bought to wear over her church dresses during the winter. Then, she wrapped RoseAnn up in a heavy baby quilt Mrs. Williams had brought her the day before. Finally, she walked to the handsome preacher waiting for her at the door. He reached out his arms. “Let me have RoseAnn.”

She handed over the bundle of the squirming baby. She didn’t like the restrictive nature of the quilt wrapped tight around her. “Hello, pretty girl. You stay in your cocoon where it’s warm. We’ll have you in the building and free soon enough.”

“I thought you said we’d be outside? I can’t be in the church alone with you yet, Joshua, we aren’t married.”

“I know, Hattie. My aunt came over to help me set up, since you had your hands full with this little flower.” He bounced RoseAnn up and down, causing her to squeal. “She offered to keep her entertained inside in the warmth until church starts. She also brought you a travel bassinet to put her in during church, if she falls asleep.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful. I hadn’t even thought about that. I was just going to lay her on the pew on her quilt.”

“Well, now you can put her in the bassinet at your feet and cover her with the quilt.”

They walked arm and arm toward the church, and Hattie remembered what she wanted to ask him. “Joshua, I need you to do something for me today.”

“What do you need, Hattie?”

She bit her lip as she hesitated to tell him her want. “I’ve been studying the Bible and I would like you to give me passages that talk about how to be a godly wife. I’ve had no one to teach me that and when we do finally get around to getting married, I want to be the wife you deserve and that God would want me to be.”

“Hattie, I could do what you are asking me, easily, but I think you should ask a good Christian wife. That way, if you have questions or don’t understand something you’re reading, she could help you.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea, I hadn’t thought of that. I guess I should ask Mrs. Williams then.”

Joshua nodded and looked over at her. “She would be a good choice. I have another woman in mind, if you would do me the favor?”

“Who?”

“Would you ask my Aunt Caroline instead? I know she would love to spend more time with you. She has been very kind to me, sort of like a mother, since I got here.”

“Oh yes! I would love to spend time with your aunt. She is a deacon’s wife, after all. I’m sure she would be an outstanding teacher. Yes, I will do that.”

“Thank you.”

Hattie beamed at her handsome beau. “No, Joshua, thank you. I never had a mother to teach me about being a good wife and mother. Having met Helen, I’m sure your aunt would be a great person to talk to about both.”

“I know this, if you tell her that and ask her, you’ll make her day. Then, you will have charmed my entire family.”

Hattie smiled demurely and thought, then I’ll definitely do that because then you’ll have to marry me.

They arrived at the church and walked inside to give RoseAnn to Joshua’s aunt.

“Hello, there,” said the tall, stately woman sitting about halfway up the right side, her Bible open on her lap. She set the Bible aside as she stood and faced Joshua and Hattie.

“Look at this pretty little princess. You’re a cutie, yes you are.”

She reached out and took the baby from Joshua. RoseAnn looked at her and burst out babbling. “Ah, and a friendly little one, too.”

“Aunt Caroline, Hattie has called her RoseAnn.”

“A very fitting name for such a pretty little flower.” With that, the older woman turned her attention to Hattie and the smile on her face just grew. “Joshua, you didn’t tell me your bride-to-be was such a beauty.”

Hattie turned bright red. “Stop it Aunty, you’re embarrassing her.”

“I will not stop, she is lovely and you should tell her so daily.”

“How do you know I don’t?”

“Because you’re a man, that’s how. You think if you said it once, that’s enough. Well, it isn’t, and don’t you forget it.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. Now, introduce me, then go get enough wood to fill the bucket so we can keep the fire stoked during service. We don’t want the Clay children to get sick again.”

“Yes, Aunt Caroline. May I introduce Miss Hattie Long, my mail-order bride, to you? Hattie, this is my aunt, Caroline Caudwell. Uncle Jethro’s wife and Helen’s mother.”