“How nice to have a neighbor who’s so talented. I see Mrs. Norton’s basket on the table. Children, each of you wash your hands and face. I’ll do the same and set out our meal.”
They dug into fried chicken, potato salad, beet pickles, coleslaw, and peach cobbler.
Vanessa was relieved to have this meal provided. “I feel guilty enjoying this so much. The preacher’s wife must have been up at the crack of day to get this ready for us.”
Travis took another helping of chicken. “I’ve heard she does this for every couple who’s wed in the church. She takes being married to a minister as a calling same as his is.”
“Seeing Mary Norton’s bright smile after that long trip was welcome. She was definitely nice to meet me and introduce me to Mrs. Murphy.”
Billy tossed the boney remains of a chicken leg on his plate. “Mary? Never knew her given name but she’s a nice lady, that’s for sure.”
Vanessa served the cobbler and it disappeared almost instantly. The three men were hearty eaters.
Dorie hopped down from her chair. “Papa, can we go see the kitties now?”
Travis pulled Dorie and Jack to sit one on each knee. “First, we have to make sure you know the rules. I want you to have fun and enjoy yourselves, but it’s my job to make sure you stay safe. That means you have to do as I say, do you understand?”
Both children nodded and Jack said, “Yes, sir.”
“Neither of you goes to the barn or pig pen unless an adult is with you. I mean this! Neither of you. Hogs will eat you if you fall inside the pen. Horses might stomp you if you get inside their stall, even though they wouldn’t mean to hurt you. A ranch has a lot of dangers. Will you promise to do as you’re told?”
Jack nodded so vigorously his upper body wiggled. “I will, Papa. I promise.”
Dorie’s wide brown eyes met his. “Me, too. I just want to see kitties anyway.”
Billy held out his hand. “Come with Paco ’n me ’n we’ll show you where the cats ’n dogs live. You have to stay with me ’n do as I say now.”
Dorie grabbed Billy’s hand as if she’d known him all her life. “I will.”
Jack raced beside them.
Paco smiled at Vanessa and grabbed the children’s jackets as he left.
She sighed. “They certainly settled in quickly.”
Travis laughed. “Animals are magnets for children. They’ll have a lot to tell you when they return. Now, let me show you the rest of the house, small as it is.”
She sensed she colored. “Please stop saying that. I’m embarrassed enough that I have no wifely skills.”
He took her hand. “Let me show you the root cellar. I don’t imagine you’re familiar with them. We have a large garden and store as much as we can.”
“Greta used to can produce but I don’t know how. I’m sorry that I’m so unprepared, Travis. I really will learn as much as I can as quickly as possible.”
“No more apologizing, all right?” He opened a trap door in the floor. “You’ll always need a lantern to go down here.”
He lit a lantern setting nearby and started down the steps. “Watch yourself as these are steep.” He hung the lantern on a hook in a ceiling beam.
She descended carefully, cautious of stepping on her skirts and tripping. Once down, she scanned the room. Bins of potatoes, carrots, turnips, parsnips, onions, pumpkins, and apples went around the sides. Large stoneware containers were beside the stairs. When she bent over one, she smelled sauerkraut. Dried beans filled a barrel.
“What a storehouse. You must have had a huge garden if this is left.”
“Has to last until summer. If you learn to can that would be helpful. We could have green beans, peas, and other vegetables. We ate the last of the tomatoes weeks ago. As it is, we can only save the root foods or dry beans.”
“Which must be why it’s called a root cellar.” She picked up an apple then replaced it. “Do you have fruit trees?”
“Several apple trees. We buy canned fruit—mainly peaches—from the Cobbs. There are wild berries but we have to be wary of bears, who love them as much as we do.”
“Oh, my, I’d hate to meet a bear intent on what I’d gathered.” She jumped and let out a yelp. “What is that?”
“Only a salamander. They eat insects. You get used to them and other creepy crawlies. It is earthen, after all.”
“W-What about snakes?”
He took the lantern down and guided her toward the stairs. “Haven’t seen any, but you should always be careful when you reach into a bin. As cool as it is here, the food will last until next summer when the garden starts producing again.”
When they were in the kitchen, he turned out the lamp and set it on the floor. “I hope you’re not put off by a primitive set up like we have.”
“On the contrary, I’m impressed with your resourcefulness and ability to be self-reliant. What a sense of satisfaction that must give you. I hope my skills will improve rapidly so I contribute to ranch life.”
***
Travis could think of one skill she was certain to possess. He took her hand and led her to the spare bedroom. “This will be for the children until I can build on to the house.”
She peered around then nodded. “This will be quite suitable. I guess the shared wall is with the fireplace. That should keep the room warm.”
He guided her next door. “This is our room. Like I said, I’ll get better furniture from Walker when I can.”
“What are all these packages? I didn’t buy this much.” She sorted through and opened a couple to reveal duplicate children’s underwear. “Travis, there’s been a huge mistake.”
He shrugged and offered a shy smile. “I had Mrs. Cobb add extra clothes for the children. Once heavy fabrics get wet in the winter, drying takes quite a while. They need something else to wear in the meantime.”
She held the pint-sized longhandles to her chest. “Oh, Travis, that was so considerate. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
He shifted from one foot to the other. Praise was new to him. “They’re my children now and I intend to provide for them as best I can. Same goes for you. Reckon I’ll join the others in the barn while you put away the clothes and unpack a little.”
She crossed to a large trunk just inside the bedroom. “Greta packed the trunks for me. I have no idea what she included. We were so rushed.”
“I made space in two of the drawers for you, but the chest is small. You’ll have to use the trunks as storage for now.”
“That’s fine. I’m curious about what’s inside.”
“There’s one more thing.” He held her shoulders. “When we were in the church, I didn’t do this right.”
Her eyes widened as he lowered his head to claim her lips. He was surprised when she met his kiss. Her lips were sweet as the cobbler they’d just eaten and he settled in for another taste, bracing her between his legs.
When he released her, she gasped for air. He did, too. Carrying out his marital rights immediately would be all too easy. Reining in his desire, he pivoted and left the room before his pent up craving won.
By the time he got to the barn, his breathing had returned to normal. He’d forgotten his jacket, but his blood was still plenty heated to keep him warm.
Beaming, Dorie ran up to him with a black kitten in her arms. “Look, this one likes me. His name is Blackie.”
He brushed a hand across his new daughter’s curls. He’d have to make sure she wore a cap outdoors in the future. “Looks like you have a new friend all right. Remember, they’re young and get sore if you hold them too much.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that. Come on, Blackie. I’ll take you to your mother.”
While Jack and Dorie were busy with their pets, Travis took Billy and Paco aside. “Bad news. She had servants before she came here. Can’t cook or clean but is willing to learn.”
Billy took off his hat and swatted his leg. “Dad-blame-it. I was lookin’ forward to some decen
t food. Reckon I’m still on kitchen duty.”
“Afraid so, old friend. I’ll help all I can, but you know my skill is limited. She had a few quick lessons before she left Atlanta, but I don’t expect miracles.”
Paco shook his head. “But, when a woman looks as she does, much is forgiven, no?”
Billy clapped Travis on the back. “Durn tootin’. Cookin’ only goes so far. That’s the best lookin’ woman I’ve ever seen. You’re a lucky man.”
Paco nodded toward the children. “And los niños are very good. They have nice manners and do as they’re told. This is a gift, too.”
Travis spread his hands. “I’m not arguing with any of what you say. I just wanted to let you know the bad news. The rest is all good.”
Billy shooed him. “Go on back in the house with your bride. Paco ’n me’ll watch the two sprouts.”
“Well, thought we’d all take the day off except for feeding the stock, milking, and gathering eggs.”
Billy gestured with his hat. “Them two will love helpin’ so you go on ’n see what your wife needs done to get settled.”
“Yeah, guess I should see if she needs things moved around like trunks in a different room or something.”
He didn’t need urging to get back to Vanessa. Even with her not being able to perform the chores he’d expected, he still considered himself a lucky man. A woman could learn to cook and clean but she couldn’t learn to be beautiful or have a pleasant nature.
What was an elegant woman who looked like her doing as a mail-order bride? But, he remembered the two brides he’d met from Atlanta were each beautiful. He chuckled to himself. Looked like he should have gone south instead of west.
Naw, he was glad to be in Montana Territory.
Chapter Five
He strode toward the house humming under his breath. He stepped inside and went to the bedroom where he’d left his new wife. She sat on the bed holding two candlesticks and weeping.
He rushed to caress her shoulders. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
She gasped for breath between sobs. “Greta packed for me… things we were supposed to leave…things that were from my family.”
“If you brought it into the marriage, then it isn’t part of your husband’s debt.” He hoped that was true. As far as he was concerned, it should be. The man was a blackguard for risking his family’s future.
“You think not?” She raised her head and brushed a sleeve against her tear-stained face. “Do you really think that?”
He nodded slowly. “That’s customary. Whatever is part of the wife’s dowry belongs to her personally to use after her husband dies and to pass on for her children.”
She shook her head. “I guarantee you that banker wouldn’t have agreed. He warned me not to take anything of value. He said I could only take my personal belongings. My clothes, the children’s clothes, and a few toys. Nothing more.”
“You have your personal belongings, Vanessa. You said your husband gambled away your home, but he couldn’t bet what didn’t belong to him.”
“Dear Greta was determined I’d have something of mine. She didn’t pack all of my mother’s and grandmother’s things, but she included a lot. There wouldn’t have been time to pack everything or enough trunks in the house.”
Travis took the candlesticks, surprised to learn from their weight that they were sterling and not plate. Impressed, he set them on the washstand. Dang, these two alone would likely keep him going for a year.
“I take it these were part of your dowry.”
“Yes. There’s more, but I-I haven’t unpacked it in case you asked me to send it back.”
He knelt in front of her. “Vanessa, I won’t do that. Whether you keep the things or not is your decision. If all of them are from your family, then you shouldn’t worry. I’m sure there was enough left in the house to placate even a greedy banker.”
She waved aside his comment. “More than enough. Although he attended a couple of dinners we gave years ago, I doubt he remembered exactly what was there. My late husband had pilfered a few things, but he hadn’t been able to raid much because the butler and staff kept guard for me. Unfortunately, he managed to sell a couple of valuable paintings from his family, one from England by Thomas Gainsborough.” She shook her head. “I doubt he received even a tenth of the value.”
What a life she must have lived if even the servants had to protect her from her husband’s reckless spending. He stood and took her hand.
“Come, Mrs. Boyd. I’ll help you unpack and you can decide where to place things. You may have to repack some until we have more rooms.”
With her free hand, she brushed away tears. “Thank you, Travis. I’m grateful you’re being supportive.”
“Remember those vows?”
Moisture still darkened her long lashes but no new tears fell. “Every word. You’re the first man I’ve ever met who meant them, though. Takes a while getting used to that fact.”
“You’ve not been meeting the right men. There are legions of us who take giving our word seriously. Especially out here, no matter how wealthy or poor, a man is only as good as his word.”
Her expression turned cheerful. “Another reason to like living in Montana Territory.”
***
The next morning, Vanessa gazed at her sleeping husband as she slipped from bed. What a kind and gentle lover he’d been. He’d even acted eager to please her.
She was smart enough to know that wouldn’t last. Wondering how long he’d keep up the pretence that he cared about giving her enjoyment, she dressed. With her shoes in her hand, she tiptoed to the kitchen.
Billy stood at the range. “Good mornin’. I’m startin’ the coffee. Can’t half see ’til I’ve had a couple of cups.”
“Show me what to do.” She set her shoes on the floor and stood beside the cowboy.
Billy taught her how to measure the coffee and water and set it on the range. “Use the small plate, see, so there’s room for the skillets on the big uns.” He set the cast iron skillet on the range to heat.
Billy started biscuit dough and Vanessa observed carefully. No doubt creating perfect biscuits would take practice. At least the cowboy explained each step, if she could only remember all he told her.
Travis sauntered into the kitchen. “Smell coffee.” He grabbed a tin cup and filled it with pungent brew.
Vanessa broke eggs into a bowl. “Billy is supervising. Pork chops will be ready by the time the potatoes are done.”
Her husband set his cup on the table. “Shall I wake Dorie and Jack?”
“Please do, that would help me.” She removed the chops from the one skillet and stirred the potato and onion mix in another. Getting everything to be ready at the same time was complicated. How did Greta and her helpers manage large dinners?
***
Travis smiled at the picture his wife made at the range. A towel was tied around her waist and she wasn’t wearing shoes. Her dark blond hair fell loose across her shoulders. Turning away was harder than it should have been but he headed for the children’s bedroom.
He gently shook Jack’s shoulder. “Time to get up, sleepyhead, and get dressed. Breakfast will be ready in a minute or two.”
Jack sat up and rubbed his eyes. “Good, ’cause I’m hungry.” He poked his sister. “Dorie, wake up. Papa is ready for us to get dressed.”
Dorie rolled over and stared at Travis. “I can’t dress with a man watching.”
Travis chuckled. “I’m not just any man, young lady, I’m your papa. Your mother is busy cooking breakfast and it smells good.”
Jack was dressing quickly.
Dorie’s mouth set in a prim line. “All right. I don’t know why there are such odd rules in Montana but things sure are different.”
Suppressing a smile, Travis helped fasten her dress to hurry the process. “You’ll get used to us in time, Dorie. You’re doing a fine job so far.”
Her pout disappeared. “I am? Did you hear that, Jack?”
&n
bsp; “How could I not hear when I’m right beside you? Hurry, slowpoke, because I want to eat.”
Dorie tugged on Travis’ sleeve. “Papa, would you help me with my shoes? I take too long with them.”
He did and sat back on his heels. “I don’t know how to fix hair for ladies. Can you give me a clue?”
“Mother brushes it and sometimes she makes braids. I like them because no hair gets in my face.”
“Good, I know how to braid.” He brushed her curls and divided them into two sections.
When he’d completed one plait, he asked, “What do I use to tie this?”
“My ribbon. I don’t have one that matches this dress so I’ll wear a white one today.”
Jack handed Travis two green ribbons. “She can use these, Papa, because I don’t know where the others are. Girls make a big fuss over the color of their ribbons but it makes no sense to me.”
Dorie glared at her brother. “Appearances matter. I like everything to match. I’ll change Millie’s dress later.”
Travis tied off the braid. “You like for your dress and that of your doll to be the same?”
“Of course. Mother made clothes for Millie that match mine. Greta says that Mother sews really well.”
“That’s nice. Maybe she’ll make things for our house.”
The little girl jerked her hair from his hands to turn her head. “What do you need? I can ask her.”
He positioned her so he could re-plait and continue the braid. “I expect she’ll know what she wants to add. Decorating the house is something I’ll leave to her.”
“When will I get my own room?”
He tied the second ribbon around her other braid and stood. “In around six months. Snow will be here soon and we won’t be able to build. Next spring, we’ll get logs and shape them and then build a couple of more rooms.”
Jack tugged the cover and straightened it. “Mother said we have to make our bed. Dorie kicks the covers around. Come on, Dorie, do your side.”
“Oh, all right. I wish we had housemaids. I don’t like making my bed.”
Travis put his hands on his hips and watched his new daughter. “Did you have an important appointment today that will take up all your time?”
Montana Sky: Capture Her Heart (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Loving A Rancher Book 6) Page 4