Michael rubbed his jawline with his free hand that wasn’t holding hers. She smiled at the gesture and loved that he wasn’t taking offense at her question, but actually considering it.
“I’ve asked around. Not a lot of cows for the taking right now, but when a calf comes available, I’ll see what I can trade for her.”
“Thank you, Michael.” Susan squeezed his hand and he returned the pressure.
After a couple more steps, he tugged gently on her hand leading her to the side of the road. “The house is just over there. Pretty small, but I hope you’ll be happy here.”
“I’m sure I will,” Susan said, though as she looked at the little building she wondered how anyone could feel anything but claustrophobia inside. It was smaller than the main parlor in her uncle’s house.
When Michael opened the door, he had to duck to step inside. “Stay here for just a bit. I’ll go find the lamp.” She listened from outside to the rustling in the little cabin and after a moment heard the strike of a match. Soon the warm glow of a little light slowly grew brighter as he adjusted the wick.
He stood in the center of a little room. A small table right behind him with a single chair and a small stool. To the right was a little wood burning stove that looked completely foreign to her. The frantic thought of how on earth am I supposed to learn to cook on something like that ran through her mind, then she saw a water pump and relief flowed through her. At least she wouldn’t have to haul a bunch of water.
There was no sink, but he had a good sized water basin. She’d have to toss that out, but she figured she could handle that. To the left was a single bed that thankfully looked large enough two people could fit on it, though she hoped he would remember her request. There was no couch, just the kitchen chairs, and there was a counter along the wall that would be her work station.
A few shelves built against the wall held some dishes. Not a lot, but at least enough they could each have a tin plate and tin cup and a bowl or two. There were a few pots for cooking in, but she didn’t see bread pans or anything of the kind. She’d have to figure out what to do and how to do it.
Off to the side near the shelves was a stack of brown paper wrapped packages and a few cloth bags. “What’s all this?” Susan asked.
“The food stuffs and things from the town. I didn’t have time to put it all away when we brought it in. Colten made me get cleaned up for the wedding.”
Susan turned to him and smiled. “You looked rather handsome when I saw you in the church.”
Michael’s shy smile let her know he appreciated her comment. He cleared his throat and said, “We can put the things in the cellar tomorrow when it’s light. You’ll be able to get a feel for the place. I’ll have to head to the shop first thing, but I’ll come back and help you figure things out as soon as I can.”
“That’s not a problem,” Susan said. “I can do it, unless you want to decide where things should go.”
“Oh no,” Michael said. “It’s your house and you’ll be in charge of the care of it. Makes more sense that you put things where you want them. I don’t have a lot of money saved up, but there is some. If you know of something we’ll need, let me know. Of course, the cow will be a bit more than I can do right away.”
“I can wait on the cow,” Susan said. “I don’t have a clue how to milk one anyway. Maybe I’ll have to see what I might be good at and do some trading services of my own.”
“Do you know reading and writing?” Michael asked.
Susan nodded.
“There isn’t an official school here. No teacher since the last one got married and moved to California with her husband who wanted to try his hand at gold mining.”
“That would be a wonderful idea,” Susan said. “Teaching I mean. I really hope you don’t decide to leave and seek your fortune in gold.”
“No plans for that. Especially now that I’ve got you.”
Susan smiled at the gentle compliment.
Michael turned quickly then motioned to the bed. “I’ll let you take that and I’ll take the floor.”
“But you don’t have to do that. I could just sleep on…” Susan paused, realizing there really wasn’t a couch or anywhere else to sleep besides the chair, the floor, or the bed.
“It’s no problem,” Michael said. “I’ve got another quilt I use in the winter. It’ll be enough.”
“I’m sorry,” Susan said. “I didn’t think…”
Michael took her hand in his and she met his eyes in the warm glow of the lantern, feeling a bit of a thrill at the thought she was married to this man.
“I’m a man of my word and will give you time to adjust to being my wife. I completely understand your hesitance and think it wise that we both take things slow. So I’ll take the floor.”
Susan nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat at his thoughtfulness and understanding.
His thumb teased gentle circles on the back of her hand as he continued to look at her. “Though I do hope you wouldn’t mind if we shared another kiss before we go to sleep.”
“I wouldn’t mind at all,” Susan said softly, leaning toward him.
Michael released her hands and placed one of his on her waist. The other hand brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear before bending his head toward hers. As his lips touched hers, Susan felt herself give in and she just let herself enjoy the moment. While their kiss in the church had been sweet and warm, this one started a fire inside her and she eagerly joined in the exploration of each other. He kept his kisses to her lips and the corner of her mouth, almost like he wanted to move to her cheek to stop the kiss, but they both returned back to the sweetness of each other’s lips.
She was just about ready to move away when he moved back first, resting his forehead against hers.
He took a few minutes to breathe slow and steady, allowing her time to regain her composure as well.
“I’m not sure if I should thank you or apologize,” Michael said.
Susan couldn’t stop the burst of laughter that escaped. “I was just thinking the same thing.”
Michael joined her laughter and stepped back.
After a moment, Susan said, “I must say, I think we’ve got one thing going for us.”
“What’s that?” Michael asked.
“We can laugh together. That is pretty important in my opinion.”
Michael nodded. “I think we have more than that though. I am one fortunate man.” He turned around and moved over to a wooden chest beside the bed along the wall. Once he opened it up he pulled out a blanket and spread it on the floor.
Susan moved over to the bed and sat on the side of it, giving her own luggage a look. Michael nodded when she looked back at him.
“I’ll give you a few moments. I’m going to go out and check on the animals. Good night, Susan.”
“Good night, Michael,” Susan said watching him go and wishing he was still in here instead.
CHAPTER FOUR
Michael had never slept as poorly as he did that night. It wasn’t even the fact that he was sleeping on the floor. He’d slept on top of the quilt, not needing it for warmth on the comfortable summer night. No, it was the fact that he could hear his wife’s breathing and every breath in and out reminded him that he was no longer alone.
He woke early, knowing he had a lot of work to get done at the blacksmith shop. He dressed as quietly as he could and slipped out of the house. She knew he’d be at the shop, and hopefully wouldn’t need him until he returned.
He wondered if he should have made her breakfast, but didn’t want to wake her since she seemed to be sleeping so peacefully. If he was lucky, she’d be able to figure out something for lunch or dinner, depending on when he made it back. He would be able to get a quick bite from the mercantile. They always had some fresh baked goods.
He had just gotten the fire burning hot enough he could put the iron in to prepare some horse shoes when his first visitor arrived.
“Surprised to see you here this ea
rly,” Lester said.
If Birch Creek had an official town drunk, it would be Lester Olsen. The man was mostly harmless, just a bit of a nuisance.
“Like to get my hot work done in the cool morning hours.” Michael hoped that would put an end to the questions, but instead the guy kept going.
“Married life not like you’d hoped?”
“Been less than a day, Lester,” someone from the side joined the conversation, saving Michael the need of a reply. “Don’t think you can make a judgment call like that in such a short amount of time.”
“How can I help you, Bert?” Michael asked the second man who’d arrived.
“I heard you was looking for a goat or maybe even a cow.” Bert said, moving a bit to the side in order to stand in front of Lester. Michael nodded as he pumped the billows for a moment to get the heat up.
“Do you have any leads?” Michael asked when he stopped the pumping.
“I have a couple of milk cows and a couple of heifers near old enough to breed, I might be willing to sell one of my older girls since I’ll have a young replacement soon.”
“That would be wonderful,” Michael said. “What price you thinking?”
“I know cash is hard to come by, but I will need some shoeing on my horses. Got the three of them. Wondered how you’d feel about a year worth of shoeing on all of them in exchange for a cow. There are some good years to her still.”
Michael offered his hand to Bert. “Deal.”
“Want me to bring her over soon?”
Michael shook his head. “I’m gonna need to build something to hold her first. Don’t think she’d just hang out by the house otherwise.”
Bert laughed and nodded. “Let me know when you plan to get started and I’ll come help you.”
“I’ll do that,” Michael said. “Thanks.”
“Congrats on your wedding,” Bert said. “Sure am happy for you. She seems nice.”
“That she is,” Michael nodded. He purposely ignored Lester who had been hanging around to the side. Luckily, Bert took Lester by the shoulder and started walking along with him.
“Know anyone that’s got some axes?” Bert asked loud enough Michael could hear him. “Sounds like you might be useful in the next day or two in helping Michael get himself a pen built up. How about you go round up a few people to help you cut down some of those cottonwoods.”
Michael wasn’t sure exactly what Lester’s reply was, but he was sure the man was trying to find some way to get out of any extra work. As long as that made Lester disappear from his shop front, Michael didn’t mind one bit.
Most everyone else that came by just stopped long enough to offer more congratulations or do business and get some long awaited work done in order to help him get a better savings built up to help with his newly married status. He had always had plenty of work to do, and enough to take care of his own needs, but now that he had a wife, and he hoped someday children, he would need to build a steady flow of customers.
He worked long into the day, feeling the heat as it continued to build and was happy to see an end to his work. He’d just finished his last set of shoes he’d had cut and formed for preparation of horses to come when a shadow in the front of the shop caught his eye.
Expecting a customer, he looked up ready to tell them he’d be there in a moment, but instead he was blessed with the sight of his wife.
“Hello,” Susan said, taking a step into the shaded part. “Wow, I thought it would be cooler in the shade, but that fire kicks off a lot of heat.”
“That it does,” Michael agreed, taking a moment to move over to his bucket of water. He took a long drink with the ladle, then took another scoop and poured it over his head to help him cool down.
Susan’s eyes widened and as he met her gaze, his heart raced a little to realize she found him appealing. He wished he dared go over to her and pull her into his embrace, but he knew she didn’t deserve to have a wet and smelly man accost her. No matter what her eyes said. Instead he did his best to smile back, letting her know he appreciated the sight of her as well.
***
Susan couldn’t tear her eyes off her husband. He’d been working so hard in that incredible heat that his shirt was practically glued to him, then when he poured water over himself, Susan thought she might need to take a dousing as well. Working with iron and a hammer did wonders for his physique.
Michael smiled at her and she blushed, then as he looked her over with those eyes that saw everything, she had to take a couple quick breaths to catch up with her pounding heart. He took a step forward and she felt frozen in place.
“How have you been today?” Michael asked.
“Hhhmm?” Susan said, feeling completely stupid, but not able to really focus on much besides the way he looked at her.
“How was your day?” he repeated. “Did you have a chance to get some breakfast? I’m sorry I didn’t make you any. I wanted to make sure you got the rest you needed.”
“Oh,” Susan said. “I um, I found some food. I’m good. I tried to figure out what to make you for lunch since I didn’t know if you had anything, but I’m afraid I don’t know much about cooking. I saw you had some canned beans and such. Then I found some eggs. The hens weren’t actually as terrifying as I thought they’d be. I didn’t mix it up yet, because I wanted to know if you would like me to bring it here, or if you wanted to come home to eat.”
“That’s mighty nice of you to think of me,” Michael said.
“Isn’t that what a wife’s supposed to do?” Susan asked. “Though I’m not sure exactly what to cook, if you give me some pointers, I’d be happy to try.”
“I usually have a pretty good lull in the middle of the day. So if you’d like, I could take a break now and come back to the house with you. Then we can go over what we’ve got and make a list of the supplies we’ll still need to get.”
Susan nodded and took a step back toward the road as he walked forward, not ready to be so close to him for fear of touching or kissing him. She definitely did not want all eyes on them if that happened.
“Oh,” Michael said as he joined her on the street. “I made an arrangement to get us a cow. Just have to put up a fence first before we bring her over. Or we might check with the neighbor family to see if they’d let us keep her there for a bit. Of course, that would mean it’s further for you to walk and carry back the milk.”
“I think having her close would be nice, but if you want to get her right away, I don’t mind walking for a bit.” Susan slowed down and turned to him. “How much milk does a cow give anyway? Would I be able to carry it back?”
Michael nodded. “A couple of buckets, usually. Morning and night.”
“All right,” Susan said. “I could do that I guess.”
“I’ll check with the neighbors then for a temporary location. I will need to look into what it would take to build us our own barn to house her. Might just need a small shed. Something with a roof to hold her and the chickens. The pigs could stay outside in the small pen I have.”
“Look at me, being all country,” Susan said with a small chuckle. “Never in my life did I think things would turn out like this.”
“I hope you don’t regret it,” Michael said, a touch of concern in his voice.
“Oh no, not at all. Just that it wasn’t something I thought I’d actually experience. Growing up in New York City is so different than this. I actually like the wide open space and how friendly everyone is.”
“I’m glad,” Michael said.
She looked at him as he walked for a bit then once her courage was up enough she reached for his hand. Hopefully it was acceptable for a husband and wife to hold hands as they walked in public. She didn’t know if they were more into a hand on the elbow or arm of their men or if threading her fingers through his was appropriate, but she loved the way it felt to touch him. He was solid, strong, kind, and exactly what she had never known she needed.
When they reached the house, she hoped he would b
e pleased with what she’d done. She’d enjoyed decorating her own room at her uncle’s house, though she hadn’t been given much freedom in that since his housekeeper was the one to be sure things were done well. Here, she’d had to make do with what there was, and that wasn’t a lot.
She’d found a small broom made of stiff straw that she had almost broken to bits before she figured out how to use it properly. She’d also managed to get the counter and table cleaned off with some elbow grease and a lot of refills in the water basin. He hadn’t been living in complete filth or anything, but she could tell he’d been in a hurry most times and hadn’t done a deep and proper job of cleaning.
She’d found an old can that had a hole in the bottom that she had used to hold some of the dried weeds she’d picked from the side of the road that had a well-defined seed grouping that reminded her of wheat. She’d found a couple scraps of fabric that had some pretty designs on it in the piles of rags he had. She had twisted the strips around the can in a pattern that pleased her eyes.
“You put foxtail in a can?” Michael asked, stepping closer to it.
“Is that what it’s called?” Susan asked. “I see why. It does look like a tail, doesn’t it. I thought it looked pretty. Is that all right?”
“I think it looks nice. Just not something I expected. It is obvious you’ve been busy. I’m sorry it was in such poor shape.”
“It’s no problem,” Susan said. “The best thing about it is the fact there’s only one room to clean. I won’t be working all day every day to keep up. Maybe someday I’ll be able to cook and have meals ready for you.”
“That would be wonderful,” Michael said stepping closer to her. “The thought of coming home to a nice house and warm meal is something I will look forward to every day.”
He pulled her into a hug and though she wasn’t quite used to the scent of a man fresh from the blacksmith shop and all the hard work he put in there, she was surprised it wasn’t horrible. Sure, he smelled like a sweaty man, but it was good honest sweat and nothing gross.
The Blacksmith's Bride: A Golden Valley Story (The Brides of Birch Creek Book 1) Page 4