LITMIR.BIZ

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it didn’t quite work out that way.” Daphne raised her eyebrows at him in an exasperated manner.

      “No, it didn’t. But that doesn’t mean we can’t work it out. Not all marriages start on a perfect foundation. We at least have good materials to start with.”

      She stared at him, wishing he weren’t everything she’d always wanted in a man. Completely aware that her mother watched her with eagle eyes, Daphne decided she couldn’t say what was bothering her the most. Sometime when she and Alex were alone, she would tell him exactly what had been the crowning blow in her decision to leave. But not right now. It hurt too much to say in front of another human being. Especially her mother, whose feelings would be hurt if she knew that Cos Way had been so under handed as to sell his worst live stock to Alexander Senior. Daphne hadn’t even been worth his good live stock. Cos had laughed himself silly over the “runt cows” he’d sold Alexander Banning. Over hearing her father’s celebration, Daphne had burned with shame. Her father was under handed, dishonest, a snake-oil salesman.

      Alex had been forced to marry her on this foundation. Shaky it was, indeed. He’d only done it for his father, who had been so ill at the time.

      Too bad they couldn’t have foreseen Alexander Senior’s rapid recovery. It could have saved them all a lot of heartache.

      “Sounds like a tempest in a teapot to me, Daphne,” her mother pronounced. “Alex has got his head on straight. He’s a fine man. You just make up yer mind to stay married and quit all this gibbering about him not understanding the problem.” As an aside, she said to Alex, “She may have baby blues. It’ll go off in time, but it’s darn wearing while you got ’em. Makes ya hysterical and overly weepy.”

      “Mother!” Daphne ex claimed. Her hope of support was vanishing right before her eyes as she watched her mother siding with the enemy. “I don’t have baby blues. I’m not hysterical nor weepy!” She burst into tears.

      “Oh, no, Daphne, don’t do that,” Alex said, getting to his feet instantly and shifting the sleeping baby in his arms to one of the cribs. “Honey, don’t cry.”

      She jerked away from the comforting arm he tried to put around her. “Don’t patronize me.” Sniffling, she wiped her nose on her gown sleeve.

      Alex quickly called for Nelly, who must have been hovering outside because she quickly popped into the room. “Yes, Mr. Alex?”

      “Can we have some handkerchiefs in here? I’m not sure this wing has been completely out fitted for—”

      “Handkerchiefs!” Daphne shot to her feet. “Is there anything wrong with toilet paper? Do I have to wipe my nose on linen just because I’m living under your roof? Do people have to hover just to wipe my nose? Alex, my mother is here to take care of me, and she’s all I want!” She eyed him defiantly, and he backed up a step. Nelly dutifully shuffled out of the room. Daphne hoped she hadn’t hurt Nelly’s feelings, but she’d sort that out later. For now, she wanted one less person in the room.

      “Why don’t you give her a chance to finish nursing, Alex?” Danita inquired kindly. “I’ll send for you when she’s more rested.”

      Daphne turned her back so he would leave.

      “Okay,” Alex agreed, though she could tell he was reluctant. “Let me know if you need anything.”

      A moment later, the door closed behind him and Daphne put the baby she’d been nursing in a crib and threw herself on the bed to cry.

      “There, there,” her mother said, patting her back. “It’s going to be all right, Daphne. You’re just trying to do too much.”

      “I only want some peace and quiet!” she wailed. “I don’t want to be upset, I want enough breast milk for my babies. Is that so much to ask?”

      “No, it’s not,” her mother soothed. “Get some rest.”

      “I have to feed the last baby!” Daphne broke into fresh weeping, completely over whelmed by her situation. It was Alex, it was the babies, it was her mother not understanding. But mostly it was Alex and the fact that her heart was breaking because she couldn’t give him what he needed. It was worse than not having enough breast milk, though that was terribly difficult. She wanted to be an earth mother, giving her children good nutrition. She wanted to be a perfect wife, but that wasn’t going to happen, either.

      “She’s gone to sleep already, Daphne. I honestly don’t believe that one was as hungry, or maybe rocking put her to sleep. Rest now. In another two hours, you can try again.”

      Daphne allowed herself to relax under her mother’s ministering hands. Unfortunately, as good as it felt to be com forted by her mother, she couldn’t help wishing for her husband.

      ALEX JUMPED as the door popped open. Danita stared at him. “I knew you’d be out here pacing. She’s asleep.”

      “Good.”

      “Well, come on. Show me where the kitchen is,” Danita told him. “I’m going to fix this baby a bottle, nursing or no. Daphne needs sleep, and sleep she’s gonna get. This one’s gonna get food, if she’ll take it.” She handed Alex a flailing body that smelled suspiciously like its diaper needed changing.

      “Don’t worry about the odor. I’ll show you how to change a diaper in a minute.” Danita bustled along behind him. “She’s just about to let out a good shout, and I didn’t want her waking Daphne up. That girl’s determined to be everything to everybody, but she’s stretched herself too thin this time.”

      Alex commanded himself to ignore the smell, though if the truth were to be known, he was rather fascinated by the thought that his child had made its first bowel movement in his presence. “I have a lot to learn about this baby business.”

      “I know. Don’t we all.” She moved into the kitchen and began banging through cabinets. “I had eight and I’m still gettin’ educated. New gadgets, new thinking about a simple subject. Nowadays, folks have a baby and they gotta buy a library full of books to tell ’em how to talk to their kids and everything. Not as simple as it used ta be.”

      “Can I help you with some thing?” Nelly asked, somewhat timidly approaching Danita Way.

      “Formula. Show me where the formula is.”

      Nelly shook her head worriedly. “We don’t have any.”

      “Don’t be silly. The hospital always sends some home.”

      “According to Sinclair, Daphne left hers at the hospital. Said she wasn’t going to use it, and her share could be given to those less fortunate who needed extra.”

      Danita sighed in exasperation. “That’s my daughter. Flying with her face in the wind and never looking back. Okay.” She gave Alex a considering stare. “You’ve probably got a Mercedes or some such you drive around in, don’tcha?”

      “Yes, I have a car,” Alex replied, bewildered. If Daphne was “flying with her face in the wind,” then her mother was the proverbial whirl wind of motion.

      “Well, grab a car seat and let’s get to the store.” Danita hurried in the direction of the garage. “I’ll show you the secret of soothing a fussy baby. You put the car seat in, and I’ll fix this one’s stinkiness.” She took the baby from Alex and held it to her ample body. “And you sure know how to announce your presence, little lady. Reminds me of…never mind.”

      “Here’s a diaper, Mrs. Way,” Nelly said.

      “Danita,” she replied.

      “And some wipes. I wouldn’t mind doing that, if you’d let me,” Nelly offered.

      “And I wouldn’t mind lettin’ ya.” Danita surrendered the infant to a grateful Nelly, whom Alex knew had been itching to get her hands on the babies. Daphne had been like a ferocious mother bear, not allowing anyone near her cubs. “I’ve been fully responsible for eight babies’

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