by Ciara Knight
He let out a large gust of air, and his shoulders lowered from his ears. “Good. We eat.”
Copper and I remained in place while he maneuvered his horse around and faced his home. “I’m sorry?”
“You alone in house?”
“Yes, but I can cook for myself.”
He laughed, a barrel belly kind of laugh. “No. I ate biscuit. You thin, need food.” He patted his belly. “Come. Daughter good cook.”
His words did not offend me. The way he said them was honest, pure, but not meant to harm. It was refreshing to have someone so direct yet kind. And I knew he was right. I couldn’t cook—well, not well anyway. “All these years I told myself the one thing I could make were biscuits. Apparently, I’d been lying to myself, and Jeb had choked it down without complaint.”
Fredrick handled his horse with ease, riding alongside me toward his home. “Is only son one who has big house?”
Darkness casted a shadow over my soul. “Yes.”
“Girls?”
“No.” I inhaled a sharp breath. “Not that survived. I had a daughter, but she passed away.”
“Sorry. I understand loss. My wife succumbed to fever on the way to this land. Sometimes think we should’ve stayed in village,” he said, his voice dripping with obvious guilt. A tone I recognized well.
“Sometimes life fills us with regrets, but we have to focus on what we have. You have a beautiful daughter and a grandchild on its way.”
“Yes, yes. You right.” He straightened. His already tall frame on top of a strong horse, while I rode one nearly mule size, made me feel like an ant next to a lion.
Smoke plumed from the chimney drifting high until it blended into the silver clouds. “Are you sure I’m welcome? I don’t want your daughter to go to any trouble.”
“She insisted. In my village, sometimes we eat with many families. No one takes meal alone.”
I caught sight of my house in the distance but had no desire to turn toward it. “That is kind of you. I would’ve liked your village. Out here, there are many miles between neighbors.”
We reached the wood cabin-like house, and he slid off his horse with ease and then assisted me. When his hands encompassed my waist, I thought I’d cinched my corset too tight. “I take care of horse. You go inside with Agatha and Helga.”
In fear that my voice would sound raspy and strange, I only nodded and headed inside the sweet cabin. I knocked, and a soft voice called out, “Enter.”
Dominating furniture made of solid wood crowded the small room, and evergreens were dangling or twisted around everything as if I’d entered an enchanted forest.
“Welcome.” Agatha wiped her hands on her apron and held her hand out to gesture me farther inside.
“You didn’t meet my aunt yesterday. This is Helga.”
The older woman with gray hair and a pinched face only grunted.
“Nice to meet you.” I offered the warmest smile I could manage, but the woman returned her attention to a book.
A fire roared, and the aroma of meat and potatoes made my mouth water. “Thank you. Can I help?”
Agatha shook her head and returned to her work on the table, slicing and chopping vegetables.
“Don’t worry. I won’t cook anything,” I teased.
Agatha dropped a knife to the table with a loud clank. “He didn’t.” She huffed and shook her head. “Please tell me he didn’t insult your biscuits.”
Aunt Helga spouted something in German and then returned to her reading.
I tried to hide the truth, but she blinked and stared until I couldn’t keep my face stoic.
“He did tell you. Listen, your biscuits were not bad. They were just…”
“Inedible,” I blurted.
“No, I wouldn’t say that.” She busied with her work and then paused. “I’d say doughy.” She chopped and diced like our family chef when I was a child. “My papa is good man. He fight many wars to protect his village, his family, and our beliefs, but for all his good qualities, he lacks…how do you say? Um…” She waved the knife around, searching for the right word.
“I could see Fredrick being a man who fights for what is right, and as for his directness, it is refreshing. I like a person who you don’t have to guess what he is thinking.” I settled into a chair at the table and watched Agatha cook with grace and purpose. “I’m afraid I never learned to cook as a child. What I do cook is self-taught. When I was little we had servants, and then my parents passed away and I was on my own.”
“I’m so sorry. You have had much loss in your life, as have we.” She mumbled something in German, and her Aunt Helga responded. Agatha slid vegetables into a pot with a warm smile. “I’m so happy you are here. With no other neighbors around and Sherman so far away, and this being my fist baby, I guess I’m a little—”
“Nervous.” I offered the most reassuring smile I could manage. “I helped birth many babies back in Kentucky.”
Her entire body slouched as if she’d been holding up a massive weight for a long time. “Thank you. I’m only a few months, but I already can’t wait to meet this baby. It’ll be good for Papa and me to have new life to focus on.”
“I’ll be here for whatever you need,” I promised but knew that Jeb would be a constant obstacle. He didn’t like me off the ranch, and he didn’t trust anyone but his men and me.
“I didn’t even know I was with child when my husband died. It happened so fast. I only met my husband when he came to our village to speak of the great lands here. We married and set sail, but many fell ill on the boat and died. We lost my mama and my husband within hours of each other to a fever.”
“I’m so sorry that you didn’t have more time together.” I studied the strange wooden object with numbers on small doors on a nearby table. “I hope the time you had together was good.”
“Yes, the best.” She lit up at the obvious memories. “And you. You miss husband.”
“No.” I half laughed and then realized that must’ve sounded cold. “My husband was not a good man.” I didn’t want to say more. It would be too much for a stranger to understand, and this was my only chance to have anyone around to talk to or see besides the ranch hands, who were always too busy to socialize.
“Then I am glad you are here and we are neighbors. We can care for each other.”
The warmth of her voice and the seriousness of her words made me feel as if we were already friends. That being said, I had no desire to share the intimate, awful details of my past. “Can I ask what this is?” I pointed to the numbered wood on the tabletop.
The front door opened, and Fredrick filled the entryway. “Horse watered and fed. We eat now.”
“Papa, tell Mary about the Advent Calendar while I finish up.” Agatha busied with the meal preparation, and Fredrick joined me near the side table.
Aunt Helga spouted something and pointed at the wooden structure and then faded back into her book.
“This is from my village. I make with friend for all villages last Weihnachten.”
“Weihnachten?” I asked.
“Yes. December 24th, we celebrate. Pelznickel brings gift.”
“Ah, Christmas.” I looked to the ornate wooden piece and studied it.
Fredrick’s smile shot ear to ear, and he opened a door for day two. “A friend and me made Adventskalender for village.”
“This is advent calendar,” Agatha clarified but then returned to fixing the meal.
“Yes, advent calendar,” Fredrick echoed.
I leaned over and looked inside door one.
“It counts the days until Weihnachten. Of course, in my village Nikolaustag is the most celebrated day.” He lit up talking about these German traditions. It was obvious how much he missed his homeland.
“Papa would always sneak gifts in the night to place in children’s shoes if they were poor. Mama said he could never let a child wake up without on December 6th.”
I glanced at the man and thought he was a more fit version of Sant
a Claus, with flecks of silver in his hair and the jolly way he laughed. “Shoes?”
“Yes, children put shoes out in hopes they get treats and small gifts if they are good, or Krampuslauf will leave a switch or potatoes if they are bad.” Fredrick held up his hands near his face and growled.
“Oh, my. Krampuslauf sounds frightening.”
Aunt Helga lowered her book, shook her head, said something with a guttural sound, and then returned to reading once more.
“He is. When I was a little girl, my papa told me if I didn’t behave, he’d leave the door unlocked for Krampuslauf to get me.” Agatha plated meat and potatoes and set it down on the table in front of the end seat.
“You behaved every year, so worked.” He winked. “But I will protect my grandchild. No Krampuslauf will enter my home.” He rounded the table and placed a hand on his daughter’s belly.
“I see now I will have to keep you from spoiling this baby.” Agatha plated another meal and set it at her papa’s side and then placed the third and forth on the other side of the table. “Please sit, enjoy.”
Fredrick pulled out a chair and gestured for me to sit. I sat and took a deep breath of the delicious-smelling food. Hints of spices I wasn’t familiar with told my belly that this was going to be better than the cafe Jeb had taken me to in Sherman when we had first arrived.
Aunt Helga, Fredrick, and Agatha spoke in German for a few moments as they settled into their seats.
Fredrick scooped up a forkful and chewed. “Agatha great cook. Since you help her with baby, she teach you to cook.”
My heart soared with the prospect of learning and spending time with friends, but it was wrong to accept. I’d been taught as a young girl that a favor is given and no return should be expected. “That isn’t necessary. I am happy to help. You do not need to repay me in anyway.”
“I not repay you. Repay son so he not have to eat bad food,” Fredrick teased.
“Papa,” Agatha scolded, but when I burst into laughter, she settled and said, “I think I chipped a tooth when I tried one of the biscuits.”
We all laughed, not at my expense but with good nature and a friendly teasing. “I will take you up on your offer, then. I wouldn’t want to break someone’s tooth.”
The sound of rapid hoofs approaching drew our attention to the door.
Fredrick shot up and looked out the window. “Are you having visitor?”
Agatha shook her head.
I stood and joined him at the window, the happy, easy mood draining faster than the blood from my head. It was Jeb, and he looked angrier than a poked bull.
Chapter Three
My pulse quickened at the thought of my son meeting my new friends in his undoubtedly irked mood. He had probably been searching for me for a while, and in his mind, that would be a waste of his time. Time he could’ve been working. “Please, stay inside. It’s my son. Let me speak to him first.”
Fredrick stood with a protective stance, and even though I didn’t know the man, I knew in that moment he’d defend not only his home village and his family but me. He was the type of man who would protect anyone from harm. A type of man I’d always thought was a legend.
I bolted outside to stop my son from barging into a lovely evening and scaring them out of my life forever. “What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be on your way to the East.”
Jeb’s gaze remained transfixed on the house. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to remain on Clayton land.”
“I’m visiting. Would you like to meet your neighbors or remain on that horse like a kicked mule bucking at the possibility that there could be friendly people nearby?”
His gaze drifted to me and softened. “Stagecoach issues. I’ll be heading out in the morning again. For now, I’m here to escort you home. I only knew where you were thanks to one of the ranch hands.”
I quirked a brow at him. “How did he know where I was?”
“Teddy told him before he left. Where’s Teddy?”
The tone of his voice told me how great the tongue lashing would be when he found his ranch hand for not keeping his ma locked up. “The ranch hand didn’t tell you?”
Jeb rubbed the horn of his saddle with a tight squeeze, and his lip curled. “Didn’t give him the chance. I came to get you.”
I wanted to tell him I was fine and that he needed to stop strangling me with his love and protection, but I knew better than to argue with him right now, not in front of the Krause home. I did want to protect Teddy and his job, though. “He went to Sherman to gather supplies. Teddy didn’t know I was here. This is all on me, son.”
He glowered down at me. The rich smell of that scrumptious dinner drew me toward the door, but the set, protective jaw of my son told me it was time to go if I ever had a hope of Fredrick, Agatha, and Helga wanting to see me again.
Jeb turned toward the barn. “I’ll get your horse ready.”
I sighed. Pushing Jeb into frivolous conversation and polite meetings wasn’t the way to handle the situation. He responded better to nudging and prodding a bit before I put him in the ring with friendly neighbors. “I’ll be right there. I’m going to say thank you instead of rudely disappearing on them.”
“So, you reserve rudely disappearing for your son,” he barked from atop his horse.
When I returned inside, I could see the apprehensive look on their faces. “It’s fine. My son didn’t know where I was, so he was concerned. I should’ve left word.”
Fredrick let his fists drop from his belt. “Good, then you invite him in. We have plenty.”
“You are so kind, but I need to get back to the ranch. There is a lot to do to prepare for winter. My apologies, but maybe I could cook for the three of you to make up for it. I mean, after I learn from Agatha of course.”
“Tomorrow. She teach you how to make traditional German dish,” Fredrick announced. “Ten in morning?”
“Sounds perfect.” I knew Jeb would be gone before breakfast. “I’ll have more time tomorrow. It’s just that I didn’t know I’d be gone this long, so I best head back.”
“Understood.” Fredrick took my coat from the hook by the door and held it open for me to slide my arms into the sleeves.
I turned around to face Agatha. “Thank you so much. I look forward to our first lesson. Helga, it was a pleasure to meet you.”
She kept shoveling food in her mouth and only responded with a grunt.
Agatha stood and hugged me tight. “It is going to be great having a new friend.”
That was the first time since my parents were around that I felt welcome, wanted. Not that Jeb didn’t care. He did, in his own self-absorbed, business-obsessed way. Not that I could blame him after growing up in poverty. Without another word, I hurried to the barn, where I found Jeb holding Copper’s reins with an impatient cheek-tightening frown.
We rode off Krause land and all the way back to the house without a word between us. I knew it was better to let him quietly contemplate his options while I prepared a rebuttal and ultimately a refusal to obey his demands. If there was one thing I wouldn’t tolerate in my life, it was another man ordering me around.
For the rest of the afternoon, I waited for Jeb to forbid me from visiting the Krause’s again, but he never mentioned it, not even at dinner. Which he took late and then retired early. Another night of reading by the fire followed by fitful sleep where old nightmares crept in and grinded along until the first rays of light. I welcomed the interruption to my fitful rest.
In only a few hours, I’d be having real conversation with real people instead of grunts and grumbles from my only son. For the first time in as long as I could remember, I was excited to greet a new day. I dressed and rushed downstairs to make coffee and some eggs.
Jeb joined me and announced, “You should pack. Teddy’s sister is going to have you stay with her.”
I dropped a mug full of coffee, splattering dark-brown liquid all over my clean floor. “You listen to me, Jeb Clayton. I
am not staying with that woman. She sleeps from sundown to sunup, lives off beans, and screams instead of talks. Besides, she doesn’t even like me.”
“It’s safe.”
I picked up the mug and put it on the counter with a loud bang. “I’m safe here. If you are up in dithers about me being beyond our land, you can shut your mouth and save your breath. I am a grown woman, and I am capable of making my own decisions.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “How can I run this place if I’m worried about you?”
That’s when I saw it, the true reason he kept me locked up in the house away from everyone. I put a hand on each of his arms and squeezed. Looking up into his eyes, I willed him to listen to me. “I know you tried to protect your sister and me from your pa, but that wasn’t your job. And now, you are still trying to protect me. I don’t need your protection anymore. Your pa is dead. You make plenty of money, so I won’t starve to death like your sister did. And most of all, I’m safe now.”
His eyes softened and then shot wide before narrowing. “At least once my wife comes you’ll have company.” He pulled away and grabbed some papers, shoving them into a bag.
“A wife you’ve never met who could be worse than Teddy’s sister.” I heard the anger in my voice, so I took a rag and wiped up the floor, knowing I’d scrub it later. After I took a minute to gain control of my emotions, I settled into a chair at the table. “Jeb, sit, please.”
He dropped his arms to his side and faced me at almost eye-level on the other side of the table.
“Listen, I know I raised you to be strong, independent, and not vulnerable to a woman’s wiles, but I was mistaken. Not all people are out to steal your money and leave you destitute or worse.” Did I believe my own words? Were there really people like that out in the world? Were Fredrick, Agatha, and Helga such people? “Why don’t you come meet your neighbors? There is a fine woman who—”
“I don’t want a fine woman. I want a woman who will provide sons for me. I do not have time for romance or love in my life or any other nonsense.” He shoved from the bench. “If you want to waste your time with those people, fine, but don’t drag me into it. I’ll be back at the end of the month. While I’m gone, one of the ranch hands will escort you wherever you need to go.” Jeb snatched his coat from the hook, shoved his hat on his head, and stormed out of the house.