Shameful Celia (The Mail Order Brides of Boot Creek Book 3) by Carré White

eating.
    “I have a table already. I’ve been waiting for you.”
    “Oh, I hope I didn’t keep you too long.”
    “No. You were mostly on time.” We sat towards the back by an enormous fern. “Here you are.” He pulled out a chair.
    “Thank you.”
    “What sorts of food do you like to eat?”
    “I love food. I’ve had several dishes here already, but I’m eager to try the Minced Beef with Egg Garnish.”
    “I’ve had that once. I didn’t care for it.”
    A waiter approached, dressed in a starched white shirt and dark blue vest. “How are we this afternoon?”
    “Just fine,” said Mr. Holter. “I’ll have an iced tea, please.”
    The waiter handed out the menus. “And you, Miss?”
    “Lemonade.”
    “Would you care for fresh bread while you wait?”
    I nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, yes.”
    “I’ll return momentarily.”
    After he had gone, I turned to Mr. Holter. “Mrs. Hershey says you have four children.”
    “I do.” He eyed the menu shrewdly. “These prices are all too high.”
    “That’s a lot for a new bride to take on.”
    “It is, but most wives have quite a few children. It’s the one job you ladies have. I don’t see why you can’t perform that duty and often.”
    “I come from a large family.”
    “So do I.”
    “I want to have more than one child. Did you know I’m in the family way now?”
    “Mrs. Hershey said something to that affect.”
    “I’m having this baby soon, sir. That means it’s five kids.”
    “It is.”
    “That’s a great deal to manage, I mean, for you. It’s expensive to feed and clothe so many.”
    “Are you asking if I have money, Mrs. Wellington?” His gaze narrowed.
    “No. I’m wondering if you want to take care of my baby.”
    “Why wouldn’t I, if I married you? I told you I want a large family.”
    “Yes.”
    He pointed to the menu. “It’s highway robbery what they’re charging here.”
    “I’ll only have the potato soup. I’m not all that hungry.” But, I could eat a four-course meal easily, my belly protesting.
    “That’s a wise choice, my dear.” He squinted, eyeing the menu, which hid most of his face.
    Chewing on my lower lip, I sat in silence, as the conversation died. It wasn’t until the waiter returned to take our order that he spoke, saying, “What you people charge here is a crime.”
    “I’m sorry, Mr. Holmes.”
    “It’s Holter, you dolt!”
    “My apologies.” The waiter forced a smile. “Are you ready to order?”
    I knew without a shade of a doubt that lunch would be the only thing Walter and I would ever do together again. He wasn’t my sort of fella in the least. Not one bit.

Chapter 10
    A lthough lunch had been an unmitigated disaster, I felt certain the evening would end in a happy fashion. I eagerly anticipated walking to the church before seven, wanting to participate in Bible study. I had a Bible, which had belonged to my mother, the book covered in soft, fading leather. My mother had folded the top edges of some of the pages, marking her favorite readings. I tucked the book into a deep pocket in my skirt, glancing at myself in the mirror one last time before leaving.
    The hallway smelled of cooking, some of which had been my doing, because I had prepared supper for Nicolas earlier, making pork chops with fried apples. It was an easy dish, and Pastor Kinsley had eaten it with relish, asking for seconds. It pleased me that he liked my cooking, but the true joy of the moment had been sitting with him at the table, just the two of us with the candle flickering away heartily. Our conversation hadn’t been all that substantial, and I found the moments of silence pleasant and natural, allowing for my own thoughts.
    As I approached the church, the windows shone from the lights within, while the sound of voices emanated from the building. Several horses had been hitched to the post, while carriages remained unoccupied beneath the Coyote Willows. Slipping past the doors, I spied Nicolas speaking with