by Linda Ford
He set her bags on the floor then backed out. “I’ll be in the barn.” He strode from the house.
Reese looked after him, then, aware that Cole’s aunt and mother could overhear him, leaned close to whisper, “He’s not exactly welcoming.”
She ought to offer an explanation. “There was a time I thought he cared for me.” She shrugged in the hopes of indicating it no longer mattered.
“What happened?”
“I can’t rightly say. One day he asked me to marry him. The next day he was gone.”
Reese widened his eyes. “That’s awfully strange. Unless you refused him.”
“No, but his request caught me off guard, especially when he said he meant to leave for the gold fields in Montana Territory. I can’t remember exactly what I said, but I had to have time to think about it.” She was seventeen years old and couldn’t imagine leaving her family. Change frightened her back then. Maybe it still did. Nothing but bad had come from the changes she’d experienced. Her pa dying. Then her ma. Then her brother was killed in an accident, leaving her and Flora without a home. She’d been five, Flora, three at the time. She could remember how frightened she’d been.
Then the eldest Kinsley—Josh—disappeared. Sisters Tilly and Adele had stayed back in Verdun and since their move west, Flora and Victoria had married. It felt like her world was disintegrating beneath her feet.
She shrugged, hoping to convey that it no longer mattered, though at the time she’d been devastated. Cole hadn’t tried to encourage her or reason with her. Hadn’t suggested he’d give her time to think about it. He’d simply left. It was the biggest, hardest change of all.
“That would have been a big move for you.”
“One I didn’t have to make, as it turned out.” Part of her was grateful she didn’t have to leave the security of her family. A deeper, still-painful part wondered what she’d done to make him change his mind.
Reese looked about the room. “I guess you’ll be all right.”
“I will. I have a job to do, and I’ll do it to the best of my ability.”
“No one who knows you would ever doubt that. Walk me out.”
She went with him to the wagon and watched as he drove out of sight. Her gaze went to the barn. Cole stood in the doorway looking her direction.
They studied each other over the distance. Again, she wondered what she’d done to turn him against her.
He went into the barn.
She returned to the house. “Now, ladies, tell me what needs doing.”
Talking together or sharing each sentence, they told her there were boxes to unpack and supper to make.
“There’s food in the pantry,” Aunt Alice said, pointing to the door in the corner of the kitchen.
“Mrs. Carter, do you need anything before I start work?”
“Yes, there is something. I don’t want to be called Mrs. Carter. Perhaps you would call me Aunt Nancy? That way Alice and I will be alike.” They smiled at each other, pleased with the idea.
“Aunt Nancy, it is.” She realized the afternoon was almost gone and she needed to think about supper. She went to the pantry and found it was well stocked. Obviously, Aunt Alice and Aunt Nancy had brought supplies to last a few weeks. She wondered if there was a springhouse or someplace where Cole stored meat.
“I’ll be right back,” she said to the ladies, and went outside to find Cole and asked him.
“I have venison in the springhouse. It’s down by the river.” He pointed to the east.
She saw the flash of blue that indicated water. “Seems they could have situated the house a mite closer to the river.” It had to be a quarter of a mile, more or less. “I’ll get a basin for the meat.” She hurried back inside for one.
Cole waited at the door as she returned. “I’ll take you.”
“There’s no need.” Did he think she couldn’t manage this simple task on her own?
“It’s not a problem.”
She didn’t intend to stand there arguing with two ladies listening. Not that she would have cared to do so even if they were alone. “Very well.” She fell into step at his side knowing he shortened his stride so she wouldn’t have to gallop to keep up. He’d always been aware that his size often forced others to struggle to stay apace.
“How did you end up in Montana Territory?” he asked. “It’s a long way from Verdun, Ohio. I guess I thought you’d never leave.”
“You remember Josh?”
“Of course I do. We were friends.”
“He left shortly after you did. We haven’t heard from him in almost two years. Ma and Pa have tried to locate him. The last they heard from him, he was in Montana. They thought they stood a better chance of finding him if they moved here. Say, you didn’t see anything of him in your travels, did you?”
“’Fraid not.”
“Anyway,” she rushed on. “There is now a private detective looking for him, so we have hope he’ll soon be found.”
“I wish you and your family success.”
“Thanks. Pa said when he heard of a town named Glory, he knew it was where he belonged. It wasn’t until he’d already committed to the move that he learned the town wasn’t named for a religious reason.”
Cole looked at her, interest flaring in his dark eyes. “What was the reason?”
She grinned at him, knowing he would appreciate the humor of the story. “As the tale goes, the first man to open a store here…though I suppose it was more of a trading post…used to stand on the step every evening and watch the sunset. He’d always say, ‘Glory be, that is the prettiest sight a man could ask for.’ So, the store was soon called the Glory store. And it became the name of the town.”
Cole chuckled. “What did your pa think when he heard that?”
“He just laughed and said the man might as well have said, ‘Glory, Hallelujah.’”
“The man was right. This is about the prettiest country a man could ask for.” Cole looked about, obviously satisfied with the location he’d chosen.
They reached the river. “This is Buck River, isn’t it?”
“It is.”
“Same river that runs through town.”
He opened the door to the springhouse. “I don’t know how long this meat will last even here.”
A whole deer hung inside. There wasn’t time to cook a roast, but she could fry some steaks. He cut four large portions for her, and they began the journey back to the house. He carried the basin of meat.
“I could can the meat,” she said.
He didn’t answer. Was he going to be so stubborn as to refuse to let her do what needed to be done?
“I’m sure your ma and aunt brought jars and canning equipment.”
“They brought everything they needed to live and thrive in the wilds of Montana Territory. They saw it as quite an adventure.”
His accusing tone stung. She knew he meant to remind her of how she had shrunk at the idea of embracing such a move. But that was the past. Over and done with. Time to move on.
“If you have no objection, I’ll take care of that meat tomorrow.”
“Do as you please.”
“Thank you. I will do my best to tend your home and take care of your mother and aunt.” There was no way she could keep the snippy tone from her voice and instantly repented. “It will be fun.”
They reached the house. He handed her the basin and strode toward the barn. What they’d once shared was in the past. But she had to admit there lingered in her heart a touch of sorrow and regret at the way it ended. From Cole’s attitude and words, she guessed it was the same for him. Perhaps God had put them together for these few days so they could each put those feelings to rest.
Cole did not slow his steps until he reached the sanctuary of the barn. He’d thought he held no feelings toward Eve. Not bitterness. Not sorrow, and certainly not regret. Yet seeing her, hearing her voice, and walking at her side, had unleashed all of those inside him. He leaned against the nearest post and tried to
tame his thoughts. Two weeks. Surely that was long enough for someone to arrive from Ohio. He must endure two weeks. He had no doubt about her ability to take care of the ladies and the house, so he would spend as much of those fourteen days away from the place as he could. That would solve the problem of his churning feelings.
He went to the well and lowered the bucket to bring up water for the animals. Sand floated in the pail. In the few days he’d been there, he knew it didn’t take much use for the water level to lower enough that he brought up sand. He would need to do something about the well before long. The need wouldn’t be so dire if Bob had built closer to the river.
He dumped the water back down the well and led the horses to the stream. When he returned, he began preparations for being away a few days.
“Cole, supper is ready.” Eve’s voice called to him and stirred within him errant thoughts. He’d once thought he’d loved her. Had hoped she returned the feeling. But in the end, she didn’t. Her family held a larger place in her heart. Not that he expected or wanted her to push them out of her life. He only wanted to be first.
“Coming,” he answered. But he didn’t immediately move. He had to finish putting away the harness. Or was he taking it down? He stared at the lengths of leather and could not remember what he meant to do with them. He settled for tossing them over a nail.
At the door of the barn, he stopped and filled his lungs with the fresh clean air. He took a good look around. This was what he wanted, where he belonged. On his own bit of land. Eve had not shared that dream two years ago, and he had no illusions that she’d changed.
Or perhaps he meant he expected they had both changed. Those feelings of two years ago were history. With a start, he realized it was now past two years, and he hadn’t even noticed.
Thus, strengthened and settled, he crossed to the house and stepped inside to aromas that tugged at his senses.
Ma and Aunt Alice sat at the table.
“Hurry up, Son,” Ma said. “Supper is waiting, and I’m hungry.”
He went to the basin of water and washed his hands then sat.
Eve carried a platter of meat to the table. A bowl of mashed potatoes and another of creamed peas and carrots were on the table. And a stack of biscuits. His stomach growled loudly.
Even before Aunt Alice broke her arm, she hadn’t been the best cook in the world. Ma helped, but she was limited in what she could do. This looked to be the best meal he’d had in some time. A very long time.
“Cole, say grace so we can eat,” Aunt Alice said with a large degree of urgency.
He bowed his head and uttered a few words. He hoped they were appropriate, because he rushed right through to the “Amen.”
Aunt Alice reached for the platter, which was close to her. “I’m not letting that big galoot get to this before I do.” She passed it to Ma next. “Make sure Eve gets her share too.”
Cole would have been offended at her comments except he was too busy piling potatoes and creamed vegetables on his plate. Maybe two weeks of this wouldn’t be so bad.
Only he was planning to be away most of the time. Remember?
At the moment, he couldn’t think why he’d made such plans.
“I’ve found the canning equipment,” Eve said.
“She’s offered to take care of the meat,” Ma added, as if he might think she meant to do something else.
“Evie is going to be a real asset around here,” Aunt Alice added, waggling her eyebrows at him. “I’d do it myself but…” She nodded toward her broken arm.
Ma chuckled, then addressed Cole. “Eve was telling us about her family. Seems they are growing up and leaving home.” She shifted her attention to Eve. “Tell him about your sisters.”
“There’s not much to say except three of them are married—Adele who stayed back in Verdun with her husband and little boy. Flora and Victoria married out here. Both recently.”
“Flora’s married? Why she can’t be more than—” He tried to remember.
“She’s seventeen. Tilly stayed back in Verdun too. She’s working for the Raymond family.”
Seventeen. The same age Eve had been when he’d asked her to marry him. He’d thought her all grown up but couldn’t see Flora equally as mature at the same age. Of course, his belief had turned out to be false. “I remember her as a wild redheaded girl who was always incurring your father’s ire for doing things she shouldn’t.”
Eve laughed. “Like donning trousers and galloping through town. Or climbing the church steeple to watch the fair. She hasn’t changed much. But Kade doesn’t seem to mind.”
“Seems your sister is fearless.”
“I’d have to say I consider Kade to be fearless to take her on as wife. I know she’ll keep him guessing.”
Cole digested that a moment as he ate the last bit of venison steak. “You mean he might wonder at times if she truly cares for him?”
She laughed merrily at that suggestion, her blue eyes carrying a flash that reminded him of running waters. “I meant no such thing. She adores him just as he adores her.” Their gazes caught and held. Her eyes grew turbulent.
He didn’t know why he should feel judged by her words, but he did.
“You going to eat the rest of those potatoes?” Aunt Alice asked, and before he could answer or think even what she meant, she grabbed the bowl. “If you’re not, then I am. Eve, this is the best meal we’ve had in a long time.”
“Thank you. I hope you don’t get tired of my cooking.”
Ma chuckled. “I hardly think so. But I will have to be careful not to put on too much weight. It would make it difficult for you to transfer me if I did.”
“Then maybe I shouldn’t offer you a serving of the pudding I made.”
Cole saw the teasing light dance in Eve’s eyes.
Ma shook her finger at Eve. “You’ll not deprive me of that. I believe I deserve a little spoiling, and a few pounds isn’t going to be a problem.”
Eve glanced at Cole. She must have seen that he knew she’d been teasing his mother, for she grinned. “What do you think? Should I give her dessert?”
Her smile plopped into his heart like an extra-large serving of something sweet. For a moment, he forgot he had a tongue.
She continued to grin at him, waiting for his answer.
“I’m pretty strong. I think I can lift her in and out of her chair even if she does balloon like an old cow.”
Ma sputtered. Aunt Alice, Eve, and Cole laughed.
He didn’t want to admit it, but Eve’s presence brightened the table. Good thing he was going to stay away from the ranch for the two weeks she would be here. And if it went on longer than that? Well, he might have to set up a permanent camp near the herd.
Still chuckling, Eve went to the cupboard and dished up four large servings of pudding. She set the biggest bowlful in front of him and one almost as large before Ma.
Ma laughed and wagged her finger. “You’ll be the ones who pay for this.” She tasted a spoonful and sighed. “It will be worth every mouthful to me.”
Eve’s eyes sparkled sunlight as she glanced at Cole. “If your mother continues to eat like this, it’s a good think you’re big,” she whispered loudly.
Cole was too distracted to reply. He had put some of the pudding in his mouth and closed his eyes as the textures and flavors blended together. A cake-like portion drowned in a sweet butterscotch sauce. When the mouthful slipped down his throat, he sighed.
“This is delicious. It must be hard to make.”
Peals of laughter erupted from Eve. When she could speak, she said, “It’s a very easy recipe. Ma taught us all to make it by the time we were six years old.” She sobered and looked down at her bowl.
What was there about saying those words that affected her so?
“I learned to make it shortly after Flora and I were adopted.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Ma said. “All the Kinsley girls are adopted.”
Eve’s smile was wide. “All six of us.
”
“The Kinsleys are richly blessed,” Ma said.
“The Kinsley girls are most fortunate there are people like them.”
Cole had forgotten that all of them but Josh were adopted. Perhaps Eve felt she owed them lifelong gratitude. That would explain her reluctance to leave them. It was not something he wanted to compete with. Not that it mattered any longer.
The meal over, he pushed away from the table. “I have things to attend to.” Though he couldn’t have said what they were.
He made his way to the barn and saddled his horse. Sanchez was a big bay gelding Cole had purchased when he arrived in the Bella Creek area to search for gold. The horse had proven to be a hardworking, loyal animal.
Cole led him from the barn and swung into the saddle. He glanced toward the house. The barn faced the back door and the veranda that ran along the west side. He caught a glimpse of movement through the window before the sun reflected back, making it impossible to see. He knew Ma would be helping with the dishes. She would dry. He assumed Eve would wash, and Aunt Alice would flutter about bringing things from the table.
He grinned as he rode away. The ladies would enjoy the company of a young woman.
Cole would not allow himself the same. He would ride out tomorrow.
But he couldn’t if Eve meant to can the venison. Someone had to cut the meat off the bones. It was a job for a man. A big galoot, as Aunt Alice had said.
He rode west toward the setting sun. At the top of a rise, he glimpsed his cows grazing. This place was perfect.
Except for Eve’s presence.
He’d spent several months nursing his heart after her rejection. Those wounds were healed. Seeing her, hearing her, laughing with her, would not change that.
Nothing would induce him to ever again crack his heart open to her.
Chapter 3
The next morning after the dishes were done, Eve headed for the springhouse. She met Cole on his way back, carrying two buckets of meat. He had disappeared last night. It was dark before she heard him return on his horse. The next day, he’d joined the ladies for breakfast but had little to say. Eve couldn’t help think he was going out of his way to avoid her. And the knowledge stung.