by Linda Ford
Soup and biscuits. A big pot of soup and a stack of biscuits fit to feed a roundup crew. But when Matt started on seconds at the same time as Cole, he knew Eve guessed at their appetites.
Aunt Alice stared at them. “It looks to me like you both have a hole in the bottom of your legs.”
Matt came up for air. “I don’t.”
“Then where are you putting all that food?”
Matt stopped eating, looked ready to run.
Aunt Alice saw it. “Matt, I don’t mean it as a criticism. You’re very like Cole in that way, and I have teased him all his life. Isn’t that right, Cole?”
Cole sighed and did his best to look downtrodden as he spoke to Matt. “She’s always teased me.”
Matt still looked uncertain.
Ma chuckled. “Don’t pay them any mind. They love each other dearly, and this is their way of showing it.”
“Is that right?” Matt asked Cole.
He leaned close to the boy and whispered loudly, certain everyone could hear. “It’s true, but don’t ever tell her.”
“Why not?”
“She might think she can tell me what to do.”
“No.” He spoke vehemently. “You should always let people know you love them. My ma said so.” His cheeks flared a bright red, and he ducked his head.
Eve squeezed his hand. “Your mama was right. I’m glad you remember what she said, and I know she would be too.”
They finished the last of the biscuits, drowning them in syrup, then Matt asked to go to the barn again.
Cole followed, wondering what the boy had in mind.
Matt perched on his bed and hung his hands between his knees. Cole waited, letting Matt decide if he had anything to say.
Finally, he sucked in air. “I shouldn’t speak out of turn.”
“What makes you think you did?”
“I gave my opinion when it weren’t as’d for.”
Eve had commented that Matt used poor speech when she thought he was thinking of the man who had “owned” him. Cole agreed with her observation. He sat beside the boy. “Matt, around here everyone is free to say what they think so long as they aren’t rude or unkind.”
Matt nodded though he didn’t bring his head up.
Cole knew it would take time for the boy to feel secure and to lose his fears, but it hurt to see him struggling. He sat with Matt for several minutes, not speaking, simply offering his presence.
Matt shifted and bounced on his hard bed. “This is nice. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Do you want to go back to the house and see what the others are doing?”
“All right.” This time the boy did not run but sauntered at Cole’s side. “Nice place you got.”
Cole chuckled. “I’m afraid I can’t take much credit for it. Mr. Stanley did most of the work, and God made the land and the view.”
Matt stopped and looked toward the mountains. “My ma and pa believed in God and His love. I guess I kind of forgot about that with that man. But I remember it when I see you and Eve and your ma and aunt.”
“Matt, I think that is the nicest thing anyone has said to me in a long time. Thanks.” He noticed that Matt had never said the man’s name. “You know what that man was called?”
Matt shuddered. “I don’t want to remember.”
Cole dropped his hand to the boy’s shoulder and squeezed. “Then you don’t need to.”
They reached the house. Ma and Aunt Alice were cutting apart one of the old shirts.
“I know we shouldn’t work on the Sabbath,” Ma said. “But the Lord said if a man saw someone in need on the Sabbath, he shouldn’t hesitate to help. We’re helping Matt.”
“Come here, young man,” Aunt Alice held up a piece of fabric. “Let’s see how this looks against you.”
Matt stood with his arms out as Aunt Alice placed pieces against his limbs.
Cole chuckled at the eager way Matt watched every movement. He glanced about. “Where’s Eve?”
“She said she was going to the river if we didn’t need her.”
“Maybe I’ll check on her.” He trotted out the door but not so fast he didn’t hear Aunt Alice’s parting comment.
“About time you showed a little interest.”
If only they knew how interested he was. And yet how uncertain how to proceed. Every time he thought of saying anything about his feelings, Eve seemed to make a point of mentioning her family, as if to remind him that’s where she belonged.
He broke through the trees. Eve sat on the grassy bank, reading. She glanced over her shoulder.
“Mind if I join you?”
“By all means.” She patted a spot beside her.
He sat. “Is that the Bible you showed me back in Verdun?”
“The very same. Do you remember me telling you that Ma and Pa gave it to me when I was twelve?”
“I remember the day you told me.”
“You do?”
The memory was as fresh as the day it happened. “It was a Sunday. Your ma had invited people for dinner after church. Your sisters and Josh were there and some others, though I don’t recall their names.” Nor even how many there were. His attention had been focused on the beautiful young woman he was slowly falling in love with. “You and I were sitting on the porch swing, and you held your Bible and told me how your parents had given it to you. You showed me the inscription on the flyleaf. I’m pretty sure I remember the verse.” He remembered it perfectly. “Joshua chapter one, verse nine, ‘Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.’” He knew now the significance of that verse. Her parents knew she was careful, reluctant for change, and they’d given her a verse to help her face the future.
Was she ready and willing to leave her family? To love a man and follow him wherever he went?
“I’m surprised you remember. You know, that was one of the happiest days of my life.”
“Why is that?” Dare he hope she meant because of his presence?
“Because we were all together. I wished I could hold that moment forever. Stop time so we would always be together, warm and content. But before long, you were gone, Adele had married her young man, and Josh had moved west.”
It was nice she admitted to missing him, but he hoped for more than being in the same category as her sister marrying and her brother moving out. He sought to push aside his disappointment. He might have succeeded, but she reached for his hand.
“Cole, do you recall the bonfire night?”
He chuckled. “How could I forget? It was a beautiful autumn night.”
“Pa said it was time to celebrate the season.” Her eyes caught the flash of the rippling waters as she laughed.
“With a bonfire.”
“A big one. We roasted biscuits on a stick.”
He chuckled. “After we roasted one, and I tasted it rolled it in cinnamon and sugar, I couldn’t believe I had never heard of it before.”
“It was such a fun evening. One of the best.”
“For me too. Your family was different from mine in so many ways.”
She shifted so they sat facing each other, cross-legged, their knees pressed together. “How were we different?”
“For one thing, there were so many of you. I was the only surviving child. Ma had three other babies who didn’t survive.”
“That’s sad.” She reached for his hands, and they sat with their hands clasped.
“Your family was hardworking like mine, and yet you had so much fun together. Not that we didn’t. But it was different.” He looked deep into her eyes, searching for more than understanding. He wanted to see affection, fondness…love…such as he felt back then.
“I knew then that I wanted something your family had.”
“What was that?”
He knew she’d ask for an explanation, but he wasn’t sure he could give her one. “I don’t know. Maybe it was because your pa is a preacher, but there
was a sense of joy that I didn’t often see.”
“I like that. We are a joyful family.” She leaned closer, her lips full and inviting. “You can have that.”
Did she mean what he hoped she meant? That he could claim what he’d thought was his back there? A beautiful, vibrant young woman? “Are you offering it to me?”
“I believe I am.” She leaned closer.
He’d have to be blind not to see that she begged for a kiss. He cradled his hand to her head and drew her forward, capturing her lips in a gentle, offering kind of kiss.
He drew back and searched her eyes. He smiled at the contentment in her face.
“Eve—”
“Cole. Cole, where are you?” Matt’s call jerked them to their feet.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“Only one way to find out.” He took her hand, and they rushed through the trees and up the hill.
Matt stood on the veranda, wearing a shirt that had been cut to fit him. “Look at me. This is my shirt.” He turned around, his arms out like a bird. “It’s not finished. Aunt Alice needs to sew the pieces together, but she let me try it on to show you.”
Cole patted the boy on the head. “You are going to be one fine-looking young man.”
“I know.” He went inside for Aunt Alice to take the shirt from him.
Cole chuckled. “From a scared boy cowering in the bushes to a cocky young rooster. What have we done?”
“Whatever it is, I’d say it was good.”
They smiled at each other, both reveling in the boy’s change.
Only one thing marred his enjoyment. He hadn’t been able to voice his question. He’d wanted to ask her if there remained any of the sweet favor she had shown him back in Verdun. Remembering their kiss, he was certain he had his answer.
He’d find another time to ask her.
The trouble with so many around there were few opportunities to speak to Eve alone. There was supper. Then filling the boiler so Eve could put it to heat overnight in preparation for laundry Monday morning. Then Eve had to help Ma and Aunt Alice prepare for bed. He escorted Matt to the barn. It bothered him to think of the boy sleeping out there, but he knew he must let Matt set his own pace about being part of this family. Before he knew it the day was over. Eve had gone to her room, so there was no point in delaying going to his own though his heart burst with things he wanted to say.
He lay on his bed, staring into the dark. Tomorrow was another day.
He did not intend to delay the question for long.
Chapter 15
Eve lay in her room waiting for sleep. She could not help but feel a bit of frustration over Matt’s interruption as she and Cole kissed down by the river, even though she thoroughly enjoyed seeing the young man grow so confident.
She was almost certain that Cole had been about to confess to having deep feelings for her.
She rose Monday morning hoping for a moment or two with him. But there was breakfast to get. The wash water was hot, and she set up the tubs outside for laundry. A gentle breeze meant a good drying day.
Cole helped carry out the water and stood to the side as she brought out baskets of clothes to be washed.
Matt raced across the veranda and jumped to the ground. He did it several times before Cole spoke. “Seems the young man is restless.” He adjusted his hat. “Matt, how about you and I go see how my cows are?”
Matt skidded to a stop. “Me? I could go?”
Cole chuckled. “That’s what I said.” He turned to Eve. “I can tell you’ll be here most of the morning.”
“Will you be back for dinner?” Although he was right in thinking she would be too busy to talk to him, she hoped they would get a chance after the noon meal.
“I expect so. Do you need anything before I leave?”
“I don’t think so, thanks.” She watched them go to the barn, Matt at a trot. A short while later, she glanced up to see them riding away, Matt behind Cole on the horse.
She bent over the washboard, rubbing the clothes to get them clean. A dishtowel tore before she realized how much effort she exerted. Too much. She forced herself to slow down. Garment by garment, the pile of soiled items shrank, and the clotheslines grew heavy with clean things. She finished up, hung the last item, and emptied the water on the plants in the garden. The last of the water soaked into the ground, and she arched her back and glanced around.
Dust signaled someone on the road. She soon made out a buggy that turned up the laneway.
Maybe Ma and Pa had come to see her.
She hurried inside, glanced in the mirror as she tidied her hair.
“Company coming,” she told the ladies who sewed on the shirt and pants for Matt. She went to the window. It wasn’t Ma and Pa. “Mickey from the livery barn and a woman I don’t recognize.”
Aunt Alice and Nancy set aside their sewing and went to the front door to watch.
“Do you know her?” Alice asked.
Nancy squinted. “I can’t see her face.” The passenger turned toward the house. “Why I believe it’s Audrey Bond…Mrs. Bond’s niece. I asked Mrs. Bond to send someone she felt she could recommend.”
“She’s come from Ohio?” Alice’s voice rang with what Eve thought to be disapproval. “What’s going to happen to Eve?”
Nancy looked at Eve, her eyes glistening. She twisted her hands together. “I hoped…” She swallowed loudly. “Did Cole ask you to stay?”
The bottom fell from Eve’s heart. She’d forgotten the letter Nancy had written, forgotten Cole’s edict—Eve could stay until someone came from Ohio. He must have realized that such a person could come any day, and yet he’d said nothing about changing his mind. She shook her head in answer to Nancy’s question and hoped her misery did not show in her face.
The buggy stopped in front of the house, and Mickey helped the young lady to the ground. A pretty girl, with brown hair and brown eyes. She rushed forward to greet Nancy and Alice.
“I’m so glad to see you. Aunt told me you needed help.” She hugged them.
Nancy took her hand and turned her toward Eve. “Audrey, this is Eve Kinsley. She’s been kind enough to help us.”
Audrey was friendly enough in her greeting, but Eve could hardly pull an intelligible word from her brain.
Audrey looked about. “You live a long way from town. And no neighbors. It will take some getting used to.”
No one replied to that comment.
Mickey lifted down a small trunk. “Where would you like this, miss?”
“Could someone direct him to the right room, please?”
Eve mentally shook herself. “Come along. I’ll show you.” She led the way into the house.
Audrey took a moment to look around. “It’s smaller than I anticipated.”
Eve had nothing to say about that. To her the house was the perfect size. She led Mickey to the bedroom. There would not be room for two women in this space.
“Mickey, will you wait while I pack my things?”
“Yes, miss.” He put the trunk down and hurried outside.
Audrey looked at the crates along the wall. “What’s all this?”
“Their belongings. They’ve been slowing unpacking them.” But much of the contents would be left in crates for storage.
“They’ll have go elsewhere, of course.”
Eve began to gather her belongings.
“I’ll leave you to pack.” Audrey went back outside, and Eve could hear the ladies laughing and talking. At least Eve could leave knowing Audrey seemed to enjoy the ladies.
She took her bags out, and Mickey stowed them in the buggy. She bent to hug Nancy. “You take care now.”
Nancy held her tight. “I hate to see you go. I hoped… Well, never mind.”
Eve hugged Alice. “I hope your arm is better real soon.”
Alice clung to her. “Cole is blind to let you go. If he was here I’d tell him so.”
“Tell Cole and Matt goodbye for me.” She bade Audrey farew
ell and climbed aboard the buggy. She glanced back only once, her gaze going beyond the house to the hills beyond. But no horse and rider appeared.
She looked about as they returned to Glory. Nothing about the town had changed, but it looked different. The colors more muted. Even the red livery barn seemed to have dulled with age even though it had only been two weeks since she last saw it.
Mickey took her to the parsonage and let her off.
Ma and Josie hurried from the house and hugged her.
“Are you here for a visit?” Ma asked.
“I’m home to stay. Someone from Ohio arrived to help the ladies.” She wondered how successful she was at hiding the tremble that caught not only her voice but every muscle of her body.
“But I thought you and Cole…” Josie stopped.
“There is no me and Cole.” Yes, she’d dreamed it, hoped it, wished for it, just as she had two years ago. But not once, despite kisses and quiet times by the river or in the evenings, had he asked her to stay. And if she was to be entirely honest with herself, the few times she thought he was about to say something were born of her desperate wanting.
Eve took her bags upstairs to the room she’d shared with three sisters. Now it was only Josie and herself. She plunked down on her bed and faced Josie. “Did you miss me, or was it pure joy to have the space to yourself?”
Josie raised her arms and turned around. “It was heavenly.” She stopped and planted her hands on her hips. “I missed you like crazy, of course. And I’m glad you’re back so long as you aren’t sad. Are you?”
“Maybe a little. Cole and I got along so well that I let myself think we might care for each other.”
Josie plunked down beside her. “Tell what happened.”
Eve sketched out a few details. “It was his decision to send for someone from Ohio.”
“He might have changed his mind since he said that.”
“He never said.”
“Maybe he thought he had lots of time to do so, but you left before he could.”
The words circled inside her head. Was that the case? She’d been hurt when two years ago he left without giving her a chance to express her feelings. Had she done the same...left without giving him a chance? The only difference was she was close enough he could come after her if it mattered.