Mail Order Meals - Kirsten Osbourne Page 0,10

plate from the table. She’d made as many pancakes as would have fed three of her teenage brothers, and they were gone.

Emptying the pot of boiling water into the sink, she pumped in just a bit of cold so it was cool enough she could put her hands in it, and she made quick work of the dishes. He brought her his plate and milk glass and then leaned against the counter, watching her work. “I think I’m going to like being married.”

“I’m glad,” she said, wondering what on earth she’d gotten herself into. “Are you all right with bacon and eggs for breakfast? I promise to not cook that every day, but it’ll be the easiest in the morning.” She’d not slept a great deal on the train, and she was exhausted. As soon as he was gone in the morning, she was going to heat water for a bath. She needed it more than she needed sleep, but she couldn’t trust him not to watch her bathe if he was in the house.

“Bacon and eggs are fine. And don’t worry if you drop a shell in. I’m used to crunchy eggs.”

Trudie wrinkled her nose. “I think I’ll do my best to avoid eggshells in the meal.”

“Oh, good. I was hoping you would. I mean, I can eat them that way, but I prefer them without the crunch.” He grinned at her. It was fun to tease his new wife. He’d have to do it more often.

She shook her head. “I can’t believe your mother let you out of her sight!”

“I never had a mother. I was raised in an orphanage in Orlan, New York.” He shrugged. “Now the orphanage matron told me that I would do well to survive a week without a keeper.”

“She was right, you know.” Trudie wasn’t sure how to react to the fact that he hadn’t had a mother. She had been raised in poverty, but she had always had parents who loved her. And siblings. More siblings than anyone should have to admit to having.

“Probably.” He watched as she wiped the dishes dry and then put them back in the cabinets where she’d found them. “You’re going to be a good wife, aren’t you?”

“I’m going to do my very best.” She smiled at him. “Just give me a little time to settle in.”

“I’ll try.” Doug could already tell that it wasn’t going to be easy. The woman absolutely captivated him. And she could cook. There was nothing he’d needed more in his life than a woman who could cook. “I’ll step outside for a few minutes while you get ready for bed.”

Trudie looked out the window and realized the sun had set. She was probably more tired than he was, and she could tell he was a hard worker. Sleep sounded wonderful.

“Sounds good,” she said. “I’ll meet you up there.” She hurried up the stairs and grabbed her carpet bag, where she’d packed a nightgown. She did a quick bath from the bowl of water in his room, and then she climbed under the sheets, pulling the covers up to her neck. She was thankful for the time he’d given her, but wasn’t at all certain how much longer he’d wait to join her.

By the time Doug felt liked she’d had enough time to settle herself into bed, he was ready to scream. He didn’t want to give her time, but he figured it was the gentlemanly thing to do. That was the thing about the orphanage where he was raised. The matron had made sure that manners were pounded into every child, so they could easily fit into life outside the orphanage. He couldn’t count the number of times he’d been paraded out for people who wanted to adopt, but they never chose him.

When Doug arrived in his bedroom, he looked over at his lovely wife, and he realized she was already asleep. She was drooling slightly, and he had a feeling she wouldn’t have allowed that to happen if she’d still been awake.

He quickly undressed and climbed into bed with her, kissing her on the forehead. His amorous attentions would need to wait until she’d rested up from her long journey.

TRUDIE WOKE EARLY THE following morning, feeling as if there was a heavy weight on top of her. She hid a yawn as her hands went to the weight and she tried to push it off, but it wouldn’t budge.

She looked over at her new husband, and he was propped up