A Mother in the Making by Gabrielle Meyer

afternoon, and you’ve invited a number of prominent women to Dr. Orton’s home. Anyone who enters into the upper echelons of my society will be expected to behave properly. See that you do.”
    Marjorie ground her teeth and nodded. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.” She put her hand on Petey’s shoulder. “I need to get the children home for their morning nap.”
    Mrs. Kingston took a step back and rang a bell on top of a hall table.
    The maid appeared immediately and opened the front door for Marjorie and the children.
    â€œI have high expectations from you, Miss Maren. See that you don’t act so foolishly in the future.”
    Marjorie turned and offered a drippy-sweet smile. “I’ll endeavor to do my best. Goodbye.”
    She walked out of the house, her head high, with Petey beside her. She disliked when other people brought out the worst in her.
    â€œNow that this distasteful task is done, I will turn my full attention to the tea party once again,” Marjorie said to Petey, who didn’t bother to acknowledge her. “There is so much to be done.”
    They walked the five blocks back to the Orton home in silence. Laura fell asleep on Marjorie’s shoulder and Petey plodded along, inspecting every inch of his tin airplane. The sun shone bright in a cloudless sky and though it was still chilly, the streets and walkways had melted, creating mud.
    â€œIt looks like your father is home,” Marjorie said to Petey when she spotted the doctor’s Model T next to the carriage house. “I hope he’s resting.”
    â€œPapa!” Petey raced down the sidewalk and quickly climbed up the front steps.
    Marjorie picked up her pace to catch him, not wanting the boy to barge in on his father and wake him up. “Petey,” she called, but he was already stepping through the door.
    Marjorie placed her hand on Laura’s back to keep her upright, and then ran the last few feet across the yard. The mud beneath her feet became slippery and before she could right herself, she slid to the ground, hitting her bottom hard against the cold mud.
    Laura woke, startled, and let out a whimper.
    The front door opened wider and Dr. Orton appeared, Petey at his side. His concerned gaze swept over Marjorie and he strode across the front porch, down the stairs, and arrived at Marjorie in two seconds. “Are you all right?”
    Her backside stung and one of her best dresses was probably ruined, but other than that, it was only her pride that hurt. Heat filled her cheeks and she couldn’t meet his eyes. “I think so.”
    â€œHere, let me take Laura.” He reached down and took the baby from Marjorie’s arms, quickly examining the child. “She appears to be fine.”
    Mrs. Gohl arrived at the front door and came down and took Laura from Dr. Orton. She ushered Laura and Petey into the house, leaving Dr. Orton with Marjorie.
    He extended a hand toward her, and she finally glanced up into his worried face. She would much rather he leave her to walk the path of shame on her own, but it didn’t look like he was going anywhere.
    She put her gloved hand into his and allowed him to tug her to her feet. Cold fabric clung to her legs, and mud dripped from her skirt. “Thank you.”
    â€œAre you sure you’re all right?”
    â€œI’m positive.”
    â€œDo you hurt?”
    She couldn’t lie. “A bit.”
    He placed his hand on the small of her back and probed her muscles. “Did you jar anything out of place?”
    His gentle hand ran up the length of her spine. Though his touch was purely platonic, it sent a warm sensation through Marjorie and she abruptly stepped away from him.
    â€œThank you for your concern, but I’m fine. Nothing a bath and a change of clothes won’t fix.”
    He studied her for another moment, though she couldn’t discern his thoughts. “I’m happy