Emily Jane Barns couldn’t wipe the grin from her face. The cake she’d baked for the summer festival was spectacular. She’d been working on the design for over a month. She stood back and admired her handiwork. It was four tiers tall and as round as a wagon wheel. The icing was done in red, white and blue. Stars decorated the top.
As was common nowadays, her thoughts turned to her husband. They’d been married three months now, and her husband had been busy building the town. William had recently opened a small restaurant and had also hired their first newspaperman, Mr. Sweeney, who now produced a weekly newspaper in Granite, Texas. He’d also given Amos his first real job as an assistant to Mr. Sweeney.
Emily Jane couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her face. Her husband was well respected by everyone, and Emily Jane couldn’t be prouder of him.
She’d been busy herself. Taking care of the girls and running the bakery had taken most of her time and energy. But she’d loved every moment. She touched her stomach and grinned.
“That is a beautiful cake,” Susanna said, coming to stand beside her. “When do we get to sample it?”
Emily Jane laughed at her friend. “Not for a couple more hours. According to Mrs. Harvey, the cutting of the cake takes place shortly after our picnic lunches.”
Susanna frowned. “Who made her boss?”
“No idea, but I wouldn’t cross her if I were you.” She grinned at the dressmaker. “Isn’t she one of your best customers?”
In defiance, Susanna dipped her finger in the icing at the bottom of the cake and licked the sweetness off. “No, but her best friend, Mrs. Anderson, is.”
Emily Jane grinned. Mrs. Anderson was the bank president’s wife and the richest woman in town, if you didn’t count the Westland women.
“Where is that handsome husband of yours?” Susanna asked, changing the subject.
Emily Jane knew William was somewhere on the fairgrounds but where exactly, she wasn’t sure. She looked about. “He’s here somewhere.”
“Have you told him about the baby yet?” Susanna whispered.
Emily Jane felt her jaw drop. “How did you know?” she hissed.
Susanna laughed. “I’m the one that does your dress measurements, remember? I couldn’t help but notice your waist is a little thicker.”
Emily Jane looked down. Was she showing already?
Susanna hugged her about the shoulders. “Don’t worry. It barely shows.”
Was she going to be like her mother and blossom with child immediately? Emily Jane wondered what her mother would think when she told her she would soon be a grandmother. She smiled.
Next month, they would be going to Kansas. Just her and William. Violet would continue running the bakery, and William was lining up helpers even now to make sure the restaurant continued running smoothly in his absence.
“I can’t wait until the other ladies find out. Can you imagine all the baby quilts and clothes you’ll be getting?”
“Shhhh, I haven’t told William yet, and I don’t want him to find out from you.” Emily Jane shook her finger in her friend’s face. “Hear me?”
“Yep, but it’s gonna cost you one banana nut bread loaf to keep me quiet,” she teased.
“I’ll give you two not to tell anyone, not even Anna Mae. I want to be the one to tell him.” Emily Jane smoothed the fabric over her tummy and grinned.
“Deal. Isn’t that him over by our new sheriff?”
Emily Jane’s gaze followed Susanna’s pointing finger. William was standing beside Josiah. Josiah had proved he wasn’t much of a farmer either and had recently taken the job of sheriff. They were on the edge of the woods where a horseshoe game was in progress not too far from them. Rose and Ruby played on a colorful blanket at their feet.
“Yes, it is. If you will excuse me, I have some important news to tell my husband.”
Susanna’s laugh followed her across the field. Emily Jane saw several of her old neighbors and smiled. Their home had been built, and now they lived as one family. She was happy for them and Anna Mae, who lived with them. Emily Jane saw her friend and waved to her.
As if he sensed her approach, William turned and smiled at her. His beautiful eyes held hers, and she prayed that their baby would have his wavy black hair and sparkling blue eyes.
She started to walk toward him when another bout of morning sickness assaulted her. Why now? Why so late in the morning? She didn’t want to be sick now, but there was no stopping the nausea that engulfed her.
Emily Jane clutched her queasy stomach. Sweat broke out on her face, and she doubled over, sure that the contents of her stomach would soon be on the ground.
Susanna hurried to her side. “Are you all right?” she asked, motioning for William to come over.
She nodded. “I’m just sick to my stomach.”
William hurried to her side. “Emily?” His eyes searched hers.
“I’m all right. Just feeling sick to my stomach.” She tried to stand upright, but again a wave of queasiness enveloped her like a black cloak.
“Maybe we should take you to see the doctor.” William’s voice shook with concern.
Susanna thrust a glass of water into her hand and a piece of dry bread. “She probably just needs to sit down. The excitement of the day or this heat could be the problem.”
“Thank you, Susanna.” Emily nibbled at the bread.
William’s jaw set. “I still think you need to go to the doctor.”
A small crowd had gathered. Expressions of concern had Emily Jane feeling embarrassed. This wasn’t how she wanted to tell her husband they were going to have a baby.
Susanna smiled at them all and announced, “She’ll be all right. It’s just the heat. Let’s give them some room.”
Emily Jane offered her friend another weak smile as the crowd dispersed. Susanna shooed people away from her and William.
Once they were alone, Emily Jane smiled at her husband. “I’ve already been to the doctor, William.” The bread was doing its job. Emily Jane stood slowly. She still felt a little ill but not enough to throw up.
He cupped her face in his hands. “Why didn’t you tell me you are sick?” His eyes searched hers. Did he think he could see what was ailing her by looking into her eyes?
She smiled. “Because I’m not really sick.” Emily Jane enjoyed the confused look on his face. How many times had he shocked her with something wonderful? Now it was her turn to surprise him. “I’m going to have our baby.”
His eyes widened. He merely stared at her, tongue-tied. The tenderness in his expression touched her from the tips of her toes to the top of her head. She laid her hand against his chest. He cleared his throat, but his voice still sounded hoarse. “Are you sure?”
Emily Jane nodded. “The doctor says I’m only a couple of months along, but, yes, I’m sure.” Her hand moved to her stomach.
“A baby.” He whispered the words. His hand covered hers, and a grin split his face. “My baby,” William whispered in awe.
She chuckled. “Well, mine, too.”
His blue eyes searched her face. “Are you happy about the baby?”
Emily Jane understood his concern. How many times had she said she didn’t want to have children? Complained about having to take care of her siblings? It was no wonder he was worried now.
She led him to a hay bale and sat down. Emily Jane took his hands in hers, like he’d done to her so many times, and explained. “Yes, I am very happy. Before I met you I thought children were things to stop you from achieving your dreams, but I was wrong. When God places a dream on your heart, He makes sure you accomplish that dream. Having children is a blessing from God, and I’m thrilled He’s allowing me to pursue my dream and have children with you.”
William looked deeply into her eyes once more. “Emily Barns, I love you more than you will ever know.”
She was breathless at the love reflected in his gaze. Emily Jane saw the truth of his words in the planes of his handsome face.
He stroked the side of her face. “Are you sure you are all right?”
Emily Jane nodded. “I’ve never been happier.”
When he pulled her close and kissed her softly, she felt the deepness of his love. Emily Jane relaxed into his embrace and sent up a prayer of thanksgiving for a man who had made all her dreams come true.
Keep reading for an excerpt from His Daughter’s Prayer by Danielle Thorne.