She shook herself. Now was not the time to stand around daydreaming. She had fires to light and a meal to cook before her husband awoke. If he was anything like her Pa, it wouldn’t be long and he’d be up looking for something to eat.
She opened the door to the stove – there were still bright embers in there, but not enough to cook with. She threw in some twigs and prodded at it, to get it going, then filled the kettle with the faucets. How wonderful it was to have running water. It wasn’t long before the fire was burning nicely.
Mary peeled some potatoes and cut them into small pieces, then threw them in the frying pan with an onion, then chopped some bacon into tiny pieces. She then a found a large bowl and filled it with flour, sugar, eggs and milk. Pancakes were this morning’s breakfast. The potatoes would take far longer than the pancakes, so she decided not to cook those until Noah appeared. He seemed a reasonable man, unlike her Pa, and she was certain he’d be happy to drink his coffee while the pancakes cooked.
Was that true? She slumped down into a kitchen chair. She really had no idea what her husband was like. Yesterday he appeared to be kind-hearted, but was that all for show? She lay her head in her hands as she pondered the question. At least here there was food aplenty, and neither of them would starve.
She startled as he touched her shoulder. “Good morning,” he said gently, then leaned down to look at her. “Are you sick? Should I call the doctor?”
Her heart fluttered. It seemed she was correct – he was a kind man, and she needed to keep that in mind. “I’m fine,” she finally said. “Just thinking was all.” And she was. She was thinking about her new situation and her new husband, but couldn’t tell him that.
She suddenly stood and went to check on the potatoes. “Sit down and I’ll finish fixing your breakfast.”
He loitered about, looking rather awkward. “I don’t normally eat breakfast,” he told her.
She studied him. “Is that because you can’t be bothered making it?”
“Something like that.” He grinned at her and his face lit up. He was far more handsome than she’d originally believed, and now that he was more relaxed with her, she could see it. “Did you sleep well?”
She placed his coffee in front of him. “Sit down. And yes, I did, thank you. I guess you carried me to bed? You could have left me on the chair for the night.”
His head shot up and he stared at her. “I would never treat you that way.” He looked annoyed and took a mouthful of coffee while she made the pancakes. She stirred the potato mix then flipped the pancakes.
When she turned back around, he was staring at her. Was he trying to fathom her? There wasn’t much to learn – what ever he needed or wanted, she would do. That’s how it’s always been for her.
She dished his breakfast onto his plate, then dished hers out. She added all the additional pancakes onto a separate plate and placed it in the center of the table. “There are left over biscuits from last night if you want some.”
He glanced up at her. “You do know there’s enough food here to feed a small village, right?” He grinned, then tucked into his meal again. “This is good,” he told her as he wiped his mouth on the linen napkin. Suddenly he put down his cutlery. “Why aren’t you eating?” His demeanor suddenly changed from happy to concerned.
Mary glanced down at her plate and shrugged her shoulders. She never ate until Pa finished in case he was still hungry. She wasn’t sure she should tell Noah that. He might not understand.
“I’m not eating any more until you begin.” He sat ramrod straight and stared at her until she felt uncomfortable. “You’re already far too skinny. You need fattening up.” He frowned and continued to stare.
Under his scrutiny, she began to eat, so he resumed as well. “I’ll be working in the front paddock today,” he said. “I should be back for lunch around noon. Can you manage that?” He took another mouthful of food. “Has anyone ever told you what a wonderful cook you are?”
No, they never had. It wasn’t like Pa to compliment anything she did. “Not really,” she said, not wanting to admit too much. “What do you want for your noon meal?” She thought for a moment, trying to remember what she had available to cook. “I could make some vegetable soup?”
“Can’t wait,” he said as he finished up his food. Taking a last mouthful of coffee he stood. “I really must go. I’ve normally left by now.” Noah walked toward her and Mary stood. Standing in front of her, he stared down into her face.
“Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are,” he asked quietly. His hands came up and cupped her face with his hands. He stared down into her face for the longest time. He was going to kiss her, she was certain of it, and her heart thudded. Mary wasn’t sure how she felt about that, after all, they’d known each other for less than a day.
On the other hand they were married, and he had every right…except they’d both agreed to a marriage of convenience.
As if he suddenly came to his senses, Noah’s hands dropped away and he stepped back. “I’ll be off then,” he said abruptly, then headed toward the front door.
She quivered at the sudden loss of his hands on her, which was stupid, she knew it was. Until now, no one had paid any attention to her. Except Johnny Parsons, and that was for a totally different reason. He’d tried to force her, to sully her, and would have walked away afterwards. If Pa hadn’t come looking for her, called her name when he did, goodness knows what might have happened. She shivered at the thought.
Mary had a little over a few hours until Noah would be back, and there was time enough to prepare the soup. She would also make sandwiches with the cheese she’d bought at the mercantile.
Once the soup was on the stove and cooking, she’d start on supper. Beef stew with dumplings. Already she felt like a queen. The food she’d made in the short time she’d been here would have to last a week or more at Pa’s. She wondered how he was faring without her, then shook herself. He was ready to barter her off to Johnny Parsons – for what she didn’t know – so she needed to get him out of her head.
With the meals prepared, she went to check out the wash room. It was a nice day with a decent breeze, and the sheets she’d removed from the beds yesterday needed washing. As she stood staring, tears rolled down her face. After spending more than ten years washing in the tin bath tub, wringing everything by hand, she was overwhelmed with the wooden barrel that sat on the large shelf. There was a washboard, and also a device on the side, to wring the water out of the washing.
She’d heard of such things, but never had Mary seen such an amazing device herself. Even in this tiny washroom, there was running water. How could she ever leave this place with all of its wonder? She really didn’t know if she ever could. Mary reminded herself once more that she’d willingly signed the contract.
Her heart was already breaking. How would she feel when she had to walk away from all this, and especially Noah? She didn’t dare to even imagine.
~*~
In all the years since Ma had died, Mary hadn’t once felt lonely. Of course she’d grieved for the loss of her dear mother, but that was a totally different thing. Grief and loneliness were two totally different things.
Pa had never really cared for her, and if she didn’t know better, she’d wonder if she was even his daughter. His only interest in her was to have food on the table and the house clean. His pigs were far more important to him, and it broke her heart. She’d decided years ago to distance herself from him, because it was detrimental to her wellbeing to do otherwise.
In the few hours since Noah had left to go to the front paddock, she’d felt hollow. Already she was missing him, which was totally ridiculous. She didn’t know the man, and he didn’t know her. If she could keep it that way, it would be far easier for the both of them to walk away this time next year.
The back door slammed and she knew he was back. Mary gave the soup a last stir and pulled two bowls out of the cupboard. His sandwiches were made, and the kettle boiled, ready to ma
ke his coffee. Noah went straight to the bathroom to wash up, then appeared in the kitchen. He was a sight to behold. “I’m back,” he said quietly, then walked over to her and stood staring at her.
It unnerved her, and she wondered what he was thinking. “Sit down,” she said suddenly, before he had a chance to say or do anything else. “Your soup is ready.” She dished out a large bowl of the hearty vegetable soup, and placed it in front of him. He reached for a sandwich.
“It looks good,” he said, taking a mouthful of food. “It’s nice not having to worry about meals.” He tucked into the soup and didn’t speak again until his bowl was empty. “You’re not eating,” he said bluntly.
“There’s more,” she said, then stood and refilled his bowl without waiting to find out if he was still hungry. He was a man – of course he’d want more. She placed the bowl in front of him and walked away. He grabbed her wrist before she could get far. Mary turned to face him.
“You need to eat,” he said, staring up at her.
She contemplated him. Was he concerned for her health, or was he worried what other people would think when they saw his skinny wife, as he’d called her yesterday? “I’ve survived so far,” she said, then pulled out of his grip. “More coffee?” As she walked away, she heard him sigh.
“I’m fine,” he said, then tucked into his second bowl of soup.
Mary sat at the other end of the table and began to eat. Noah watched her every move. She wasn’t sure she could spend the next twelve months being scrutinized. No one else ever cared what she did – why should he?
When they’d finished their meal, she cleared the dishes away and placed them in the sink. She had running water. Mary thought she may never get over that. She’d spent far too many years carting buckets of water from the well to the house. She still had to boil the water to wash the dishes, to have a bath, and to do the laundry, but she didn’t care.
Despite him describing it as a ranch house, Noah’s house was a mansion in her eyes. She felt far richer than she ever imagined possible. She startled when he came up behind her.
“I’ll be off then,” he said, and his closeness warmed her. What would it be like to have him hold her like he wanted her? She shivered. She needed to keep such foolishness out of her head. A marriage of convenience was just that. Mary was there to cook and wash for him, and to keep up appearances. He was forced into marriage to keep his property, there was nothing more to it.
Except for Mary, it felt like there was. It was a silly notion, and she knew it. Perhaps if she pretended she was his housekeeper? She was promised a stipend when the contract was completed, and that would keep her going. She spun around to look at him, and brushed back a loose tendril that tumbled across her face.
He stared at her and his hand lifted but suddenly stopped. “I’ll be back in time for supper,” he said, then spun on his heels and left without another word.
Emptiness overwhelmed her.
Chapter Four
Mary had been here for nearly a month now. She’d kept her distance as much as possible, including sleeping in the spare room.
Not that her husband was happy about the fact, but if she couldn’t have the man, she didn’t want to be in his bed. Wasn’t that for the best anyway? There were days when she was certain he’d regretted demanding a marriage of convenience. It was evident in the way he studied her sometimes, and the way he stood close by, but seemed to stop himself going further. Did he yearn for more?
Many times now she thought he was going to kiss her, or put his arms around her, but somehow he’d managed to stop himself. Deep in her heart she wished he wouldn’t, but letting him would only make it harder when she had to leave. Instead she kept herself busy around the house.
She’d settled into a routine, and so had Noah. He’d mentioned the fact she was looking healthier than when she’d arrived. That was a good thing she supposed. Since arriving, she no longer felt lightheaded, and hadn’t stumbled even once. She had Noah to thank for that.
She heard the back door slam, and could picture him taking off his sweaty hat and placing it on the rack at the door. He’d go straight to the bathroom and clean up before coming to her. It had taken forever to get Pa to do the same thing, and he’d done it reluctantly. Noah seemed to do it out of respect for her.
He came to her and kissed her on the forehead, something he’d recently begun to do. It sent a shiver through her every time. “I’m back,” he said out of habit. She smiled. Mary had come to love those moments when he touched her, brief as they were. Of course there was nothing to them – it was simply Noah being friendly. She was after all, his wife.
“Anyone home,” a strange voice called from the front door.
Noah sighed, then stepped away from her. “In the kitchen.”
The moment she set eyes on the stranger she could see the familiarity. The two men had to be related.
“Mary,” he said, turning to her, “This is my younger brother, Seth.” Noah didn’t seem terribly happy to see his brother. Was he ashamed of her?
Seth looked her up and down. “Steady on,” Noah told him. “That’s my wife you’re ogling.” He grinned then, and the mood seemed to be lightened.
The younger man laughed then stepped toward Mary and hugged her. “Welcome to the family.” He sounded genuine, and it made her feel sad. She should have been happy at his words, and ordinarily she would. But when her marriage was nothing more than a pretense, how could she feel welcomed?
Suddenly he slapped Noah on the back. “You didn’t tell me your wife was so beautiful. Is that why you’ve been hiding her away?” He grinned at her. The brothers were so similar to look at, and their grin almost identical. It was uncanny.
She felt heat creep up her neck and through her face. “Now look what you’ve done,” Noah said jokingly. “You’ve embarrassed her.” He came closer and put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.
Mary molded into him. It had been so long since Noah had held her this way, and she’d missed it. In spite of that, she had to keep in mind it was all for show. Did he want Seth to think they had a real marriage? That was the most likely scenario.
“Did you only come her to ogle my wife, or was there something you wanted?” Noah spoke in jest, she knew, but warmth flooded her at the thought of him being so protective of her.
“Have you eaten,” she asked Seth. “I’m making pancakes.”
He glanced at Noah and raised his eyebrows in question. “Pancakes? You didn’t tell me you were being spoiled, big brother. How can I say no to such an invitation?”
Mary poured coffee for the two men who sat at the table talking about work, then began to prepare the pancakes. She felt eyes on her and glanced up to see Noah studying her. Had his brother’s words triggered something in him? After all this time, did he have feelings for her, or was it jealousy?
His actions certainly hadn’t shown any affection for her, not really, so it must be jealousy on Noah’s part. Simply because Seth had shown some small interest in her. Funny, she hadn’t seen him as the jealous type. But it was what it was.
Once the pancakes were ready, she placed them in the center of the table. They didn’t last long, and if she didn’t know better, she’d think Seth was starving. More likely he was starved for homecooked food, like Noah had been.
“Delicious,” Seth told Mary. “You’re a remarkable cook.”
Noah stared at him. “Yes, she is, and you can’t have her.” He chuckled.
“So tell me,” Seth asked after they’d finished eating. “How are you two getting on?” It seemed a strange question to ask and it had Noah and Mary staring at each other. Seth shrugged. “Oh, I know – you’re newly weds but it’s not like you wanted to get married.”
Noah stiffened, and Mary felt dismayed by his words. As though wanting to prove otherwise, Noah leaned over kissed her on the lips. The tingle she felt rumbled through her, and Mary wished he meant it instead of trying to prove something to his brother. He grinned,
then winked at her.
If only he really meant it.
Seth shrugged. Had he seen through Noah’s pretense? “I’m going to be in the same situation soon.” Noah glared at him. “You know – because of Father’s ridiculous condition in the will.”
Mary suddenly stood and cleared away the dishes, leaving the men to retire to the sitting room. Only they didn’t. Noah came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “He didn’t mean anything by it,” he whispered, and she nodded. She knew that, but Seth’s words still stung.
Had he guessed at their situation? Or had Noah told him? Either way, it pained her to feel this way. She’d become so settled in her life here at Broken Arrow Ranch and didn’t want to leave. If she was honest with herself, she had feelings for Noah. It was him she didn’t want to leave. She would be happy wherever she lived, provided Noah was in her life.
Could she ever have a real marriage with Noah? It was highly unlikely.
~*~
“It’s calving time.” Noah took a sip of his coffee, and shoveled in some food. “My men will do the bulk, but I’ll be working long hours for the next week or so.” He glanced up at her. Mary was staring at him. “Dang cows wander off all over the place so we have to round them up. Not to mention getting in trouble. Sometimes we have to deliver them ourselves or risk losing them.” Last season they lost six. Not a lot in the scheme of things on a property of this size, but every calf formed part of his livelihood.
He was determined not to let that happen again this year. He’d even put on more workers this time around.
Mary studied him over her mug. “I didn’t know you had anyone working for you.” She was frowning. With a property this size, of course he’d have workers “Do they live on the property?”
“Yes, of course. Did you honestly think I could manage a place this big without help?” Was she really that naive? “How big was your Pa’s property? Did he have help?”
She laughed, but not in a funny way. “Pa pay for workers? You are joking, right? We barely had money for food.”
A Bride for Noah Page 3