The Unlikely Wife. Debra Ullrick

and matching eyes.

       “Mornin’, Rainee.”

       “I brought you some bread and cookies.”

       “Well, that’s right neighborly of you.” Selina rushed down the steps and took the basket from Rainee. “You didn’t need to do that.”

       “I know. I wanted to.” Rainee smiled.

       “Can you come in and sit a spell?”

       “I would love to.”

       As they made their way into the house, Selina said, “Would you like some tea or coffee?”

       “Tea would be lovely. Thank you.”

       “Why don’t you take a load off while I fetch ya some?”

       “If you do not mind, I believe I shall.” Rainee sat down while Selina commenced to making tea.

       “Who would have ever thought having a baby would take so much out of a person?” Rainee spoke from the living room.

       “Is this your first?”

       “No. I have a nine-year-old daughter, Emilia, who we call Emily, and a seven-year-old daughter, Rosella, who we call Rosie. They are visiting their grandmother.”

       “When’s your baby due?” Selina asked as she came into the living room.

       “In a few weeks.” Concern skipped across the woman’s face. “I hope and pray this baby survives.”

       Startled, Selina handed her a cup of tea and a small plate with a couple of cookies on the side, then sat down across from her. “What do ya mean?”

       “In the eleven years Haydon and I have been married, I have been with child five times. The girls came along just fine, but after them, I lost the next two.” Sadness filled her eyes.

       Selina laid her hand on Rainee’s. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Do you know why they didn’t make it?”

       “No. And neither did Doctor Berg.” She took a sip of her tea. “Since I am being so honest with you I will also tell you I am quite scared to have this one. When Rosie was born, she almost did not make it.”

       “How come?” Selina hoped Rainee didn’t mind her asking so many questions.

       “I do not know. Haydon would never tell me. He did not want me worrying.”

       “I see. Well, don’t you be worrin’ none about this baby. I can help. I’ve birthed many a youngin’. Even troublesome ones. You just let me know when your time comes and I’ll be there. Iffen you want me to, that is.”

       Rainee’s eyes, the color of a fawn, brightened. “I would love to have you there. Thank you, Selina. I must admit, when I heard you telling our neighbors that you helped many a child into the world, I was quite relieved. Doctor Berg is our local doctor, but he is always so busy that I feared he would not be available when my time came.”

       “Well, I’ll be here. You just let me know.”

       They sipped their tea, ate their cookies and visited as if they were old friends.

       Rainee glanced at the clock. “Where did the time go? I have bread to bake and desserts to make to get lunch ready for Haydon and my girls.”

       She rose and put her tea cup and empty plate in the sink. “Thank you, Selina. I had a lovely time.”

       “I did, too. Come back again anytime.”

       Rainee grabbed Selina’s hands. “You must come see me, too. I get quite bored sitting all day. Haydon will not let me do anything. I had to beg him to let me help with the cooking and care for my girls.”

       Selina’s eyes widened. “What do ya mean, he won’t let you?”

       “Can you believe he hired me a maid?” Rainee rolled her eyes and sighed. “I sent her packing straightaway. But my husband brought her right back. I feel quite ill at ease with a maid. No one else has one and they have survived and I can, as well. But Haydon would hear nothing of it, so we finally came to an understanding. She could stay, but I would be allowed to help her some.”

       “Why’d ya let him tell you what you could or couldn’t do?”

       “Oh, I assure you, I do not. I just let him think he does.” Rainee winked.

       Selina smiled. “I knew I liked you.” In the very next second a plan worked through Selina’s mind. “Rainee, could I ask you somethin’?”

       “Yes, you may.”

       “Do you think…” Selina looked down at the floor. “Do you think you could…” She pulled in her bottom lip and chewed on it. This was a might harder than she’d thought it would be.

       “Selina, do not make yourself uneasy. Just ask.”

       Selina slowly raised her head. Seeing the sincerity in Rainee’s eyes, she plucked up her courage. “I was wonderin’ iffen you could teach me to talk good. And to read and to write. Iffen you have the time, that is.”

       “Sure I have time. But I see nothing wrong with the way you talk. I rather like it. Why do you want to change?”

       “I have my reasons.” Never before had she wanted to change for anyone, but now that she was married to Michael and loved him, she wanted to make him proud. If somehow she could do that, maybe he would come to love her, too.

       “Please forgive me for asking, but if you cannot read nor write, how did you answer Michael’s advertisement?”

       “My friend Aimee did it for me.” Boy did she ever. Selina still couldn’t believe what Aimee had done to her and Michael. She had thought Aimee was different than the rest of those rich folks. Turned out she was just like them after all.

       “I see.”

       No, she didn’t see, but Selina didn’t want to talk about that.

       “I would be happy to help you. If you want to, come by after lunch, and we will start then.”

       “I’ll be there.” Selina walked her visitor to the door. “Thank you kindly, Rainee. That’s mighty nice of you.”

       “You are most welcome. I am looking forward to it.”

       “Iffen you don’t mind, I’ll walk with you. Katherine invited me for a visit.”

       “I do not mind at all. I would love it.”

       They headed down the stairs. Rainee looped arms with Selina as they disappeared down the path in the trees.

       In two shakes of a squirrel’s tail, Selina climbed the steps to Michael’s ma’s house. Her ma now, too. That put a smile on her face. She raised her hand to knock on the door just before it swung open.

       “Selina, I’m so happy you came. Please, come on in.” For having money, everyone around here was sure friendly. Maybe Michael was right. She shouldn’t clump all rich folks together.

       Katherine stepped back and motioned Selina inside.

       Two girls stood next to the kitchen table staring at her.

       “Girls, stop that staring.”

       “Sorry, Grandmother,” they both said.

       The taller girl had blue eyes and blond hair and looked just like her pa. The shortest one had doe-colored hair and eyes like her ma. She glanced up at Selina. “You sure are pretty.”

       Selina squatted down to her eye level and smiled. “So are you. Anyone ever tell you ya look just like your mama?”

       She tilted her head and lowered her eyelids. “Yes, ma’am, they have. Thank you.”

       Selina rose and turned her attention to the older one. “You look like your papa. And you’re every bit as purty as your sister.”