Esperanza (Brides Dock On Portum Island!) #1

Untitled Part 12

Chapter 11

The next evening, Marcus arrived with what Esperanza had ordered. He wheeled the cart into her kitchen so that she could unpack. Her brother-in-law sniffed excitedly.

"Do I smell fried chicken?" he asked hopefully.

"Mashed potatoes, biscuits, and an apple pie as well," Esperanza listed. His rightfully suspicious expression made her laugh.

"And what do I have to do to earn my meal?" he asked, just as Asher strolled in through the door. Despite herself, Esperanza smiled at the sight of her husband. He looked agitated, but that didn't stop her from what she was about to do.

"Hey, honey," she greeted, before planting a tender kiss on his mouth. Asher wrapped her up into his arms, and pressed his forehead to hers.

"I had a long day," he groaned.

"Yeah, and it looks like your day is about to get longer," Marcus warned.

"How?" Asher asked as he released his wife.

"I need you to hang curtains and paintings for me," Esperanza announced. "I made fried chicken."

"Can't we do it tomorrow?" Asher asked hopefully.

"No. Marcus is here too," Esperanza cheerily said. She knew that she was being annoying, but she had to do something with this house. It had promise, but the walls were bare and the outside needed fresh paint. "Besides, Marcus will need to come back so that he can help us paint the house."

Asher rubbed his face. "Fine, where do we start?" her husband reluctantly asked.

It took an hour for the house to be organized how his wife wanted it. Marcus and Asher hung either curtains or blinds, depending on the room. They also assisted Esperanza with hanging nature-themed paintings in the living room. She had a framed photo of them from their wedding day placed on the coffee table. Esperanza had also placed a rug in their bedroom. She had Marcus and Asher rearrange the furniture, so that it would look more appealing. He had to admit that when they were done, the house looked more lived in.

Esperanza grinned at the men as they sat down to dinner. She served them each a heaping plate of food. Asher took his first bite of the fried chicken and swore that it was worth the effort that he expended, although his bride didn't have to bribe him. Yeah, sure, he was a procrastinator, but he would have helped her just to see the satisfied smile on her face.

"How was work today?" she asked him. Asher hated that he couldn't talk much about the work he did. But he said all he could.

"Some of the councilmen like hearing the sound of their own voices," he said, which made Marcus nod.

"Especially Councilman Jerkins," he agreed.

"Why aren't there any councilwomen?" Esperanza demanded.

"Have you met women on this island? Most of them prefer not to work. Believe me, we have tried to recruit women. But women aren't like you," Marcus said. "They would rather be pampered."

"Really? Emma doesn't seem that way," Esperanza said, doubt in her eyes.

Asher chuckled. "When we were together, I did all of the work, and hired a cook to cook for us."

"If she lived in this house, why wasn't it decorated?" Esperanza asked, puzzled.

"Because Emma is a snake. She was upset that Asher refused to pay for an interior decorator, so when she left, she decided that all of the knickknacks she bought were all hers," Marcus explained.