“Yes, and now look at my life. Two loving husbands and a baby. Your life will soon be full.”
Mattie couldn’t imagine the hell this woman must have gone through. Standing, Mattie walked over to the crib where the baby lay sleeping. “So precious. I can’t wait until we have our own family.”
“Babies do have a way of interrupting the time you get to spend with your men. So enjoy them while you can.”
“I will. How long have you known Jesse and Alex? Can you tell me anything about Alex’s sister?”
Emma shook her head. “They arrived about two years ago. Jesse has a quick temper, that got him into trouble. But since you’ve been here, he’s calmed down. Ian was telling me he convinced Alex not to go after the men. Usually, it’s Alex that calms him down. You’ve been good for him. And poor Alex, the man was so devilishly handsome and then the accident at the bar. He was injured saving Jesse.”
This part of the story the men had not told her. But why? Why had Alex and Jesse not been honest with her?
“Ever since that accident, Jesse withdrew more into himself. If he had not gotten into that fight, Alex would not have been injured. Have they not told you this?”
“No,” Mattie said biting her lip. “Last night, we did talk about our families, but nothing was said about an accident. I should have asked, but…”
A smile crossed her friend’s face. “I understand. They are randy men, just like mine who keep us well satisfied and on our backs giving them pleasure. Any day now, I expect to be pregnant again.”
The baby started to cry and Emma went to the cradle and picked him up. “Oh, sweetie you need a change and I’m certain you’re hungry.”
She cooed to the baby while she changed him and then she opened her blouse and put him to her breast. Gazing down at him, Mattie could see the love between the mother and child. The baby raised his hands to try to touch his mother’s face.
“He’s getting so big,” she said, gazing down at her son.
This was what Mattie wanted. A baby created together with her handsome men.
Someone pounded on the door and Emma turned to gaze at Mattie. “Could you get that for me? I don’t know who would be coming to visit, unless it’s one of the ladies.”
“Sure,” Mattie said.
She hurried through the house to the front door. When she opened it, a young man gazed at her. “Are you Mattie Byrne?”
“Yes.”
“This message is for you. I’m to wait until after you read it and then accompany you to town.”
Had something happened to one of her men? She ripped open the seal and stared in disbelief at the words.
Mattie,
Your mother doesn’t have long. Jesse and I are waiting for you at your home. This young man will escort you to the house. Hurry. Alex.
Her men went to town to put dead calves on the doorstep of her stepfather’s store. Why would they be at her home? Unless, they had learned her mother was at death’s door.
“Just a minute,” she said as she hurried into the house.
“Emma, I just received a message from Alex. My mother is dying and I’m to join him at my old home.”
“I’m so, so sorry. At least now, she will no longer be in pain. But it seems strange that they would allow you to travel alone. Are you certain that the note is from Alex?”
“A young man is waiting to escort me,” she said.
It did seem odd since they had told her not to leave the house. But her mother was dying. She had to get to her side. One last chance to say goodbye.
“Be careful, Mattie,” Emma told her. “I’m shocked that your men are at your old home. But then again, it could be that your stepfather and stepbrother are in jail.”
“Yes, they probably are. My men would make sure of it. I just want to see my mother one more time.”
“Go but be careful.”