by Maggie Ryan
"Yes. I'm telling you, if all this is for naught, don't be surprised if it turns out to be me who takes Teresa in hand!"
The two other women broke out into laughter, and after a moment, Agatha joined them. It was another few moments before they got themselves under control. "Well, I suppose it could have been worse. I'm just grateful that Roger stopped by the next day to tell me that he'd talked to Teresa, and that she was very excited about going to the dance with him."
"Did he say anything about what happened before? I mean, is Mr. Goldman still upset?" Anna asked.
"No, he didn't mention anything like that but then, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't discuss any discipline… well, at least not with me. And I can't see how Mr. Goldman could still be upset if he's allowing his daughter to go to the dance with Roger."
"I guess not," Charity said. "But I can't help but wonder if Teresa feels like she is always going to get away with being naughty."
"That's what we are going to try to help her with. Remember, we are all going to make sure to talk to Teresa and let her know that we are here if she needs us."
"I'll talk to her but I'm still not sure she's going to take any advice," Anna said. "Roger and your ma make it sound as if Teresa isn't too keen on being advised about anything."
Agatha nodded and then reached over and took Anna's hand. "Remember when Wyatt and I first married? I was so sure that I wasn't good enough, that no one could really like me?"
"We love you," Charity insisted, placing her hand over their joined ones.
"I know that now," Agatha said. "But it took a long time, and hiding out in Anna's barn, for things to come to a head. I discovered not only did my husband truly love me, but that I had friends who would stand by me and support me. The moment you offered me that pillow, I knew I had friends who were just waiting for me to accept them."
"I remember that. Miss Mabel, a total stranger, became a friend that day she gave me her pillow."
"Exactly! And that friendship is the gift I want us to offer Teresa."
"You're right, and I promise I'll do my best," Anna said.
"I will too," Charity vowed. "Everyone deserves a friend and a man who loves them."
The three women looked at Roger, who was obviously having to restrain himself from allowing his horse free rein as he rode beside the slower moving wagon. "Poor man, he is smitten for sure," Anna said. "I just hope Teresa knows what a good man he is."
"I think deep down she does," Agatha said.
"Of course, if Roger has been listening to our husbands giving him advice, I have little doubt that the next time she pulls some foolishness, she might be wishing for a pillow of her own," Charity said, reaching over to pick up the stuffed rag doll that Hope had dropped and handing it back to her daughter.
"Do you ever wonder if all husbands spank their wives?" Agatha asked.
Anna giggled. "I used to wonder the same thing until we traveled the trail. Goodness, I honestly don't believe there was a single night when the sound of some lesson being given to a naughty wife wasn't audible."
"Yes, and if memory serves me correctly, a great deal of that sound came from the direction of your wagon," Charity quipped, smiling at her friend.
"True," Anna said, dramatically reaching back to rub her backside. "Honestly though, our men take their job of protecting us quite seriously and I, for one, have to admit that it makes me feel very secure and protected."
"I think we all agree," Charity said with a nod. "Do you think one of us should perhaps just flat out tell Teresa how things are run out at the Rose Ranch?"
Anna looked towards the front bench seat. "I don't think the men would think that necessary."
"No, I'm sure they'd consider it meddling," Agatha reluctantly agreed. "I've already gotten one paddling for meddling, and don't look forward to another if we get caught. We need to be very careful and just hope that Roger steps up if it becomes necessary."
"Now, as for Matthew…" Anna began as they all looked towards the man riding beside Roger. "For some reason, I don't see him ever hesitating to turn a girl upside down and give her a dose whenever he thought she deserved one."
"I don't know," Agatha said. "He sure seems set against settling down."
"Oh, just like I said, one day he is gonna look up and see some girl and forget all about being alone. He just hasn't found her yet, but when he does, he will fall hard," Anna predicted, giving the man another long look. "With the way the town keeps growing, I don't think it will take too long, either."
"Well, like James said, until the passages in the mountains clear, I suppose Matthew will have to be content with bachelorhood," Charity said.
The women continued to chat about the things most important to them, their husbands, their children, and the fact that they all felt blessed to have met on their arduous journey along the Oregon Trail.
***
"Come in, come in," Harriett said, reaching for Johnny. "Poor little man, he must be frozen."
"I doubt it," Richard said, helping Anna from the wagon. "I think his ma dressed him in everything the little guy owns."
"I did not," Anna said, giving her husband's arm a light slap once she was safely on her feet. "I learned that lesson from our trip into town before the snows came."
"Never you mind, come in. I've got hot coffee on the stove and cinnamon rolls in the oven. It's not much but it will tide us over until lunch and then, of course, we're going to the restaurant for supper."
"Well, something sure smells delicious," Anna said, sniffing the air as she began the process of unwinding the blanket from around her son.
"Where's Robert?" Richard asked, the large roast over one shoulder and the box of preserves in his arms.
"He's out hitching the wagon but will pop in before making his rounds. Oh, I'm so glad you could come! I kept praying the snow melt hadn't made the road unpassable."
"It was a little muddy in places but it is so nice to get away for a bit, and it's awfully sweet of you to put us up," Charity said.
"We're thrilled to have you," Harriett assured her. "Richard, you can put those down in the kitchen and take your things upstairs. The first room on the left. I've put Charity and James across the hall." Turning, she addressed Agatha. "I've invited your mother to come stay as well, but she insists she's fine in her own room at the Goldmans'. You and Wyatt will be in the last room on the right, and Roger and Matthew can share the room right off the kitchen."
"Thank you. I'm sure Ma wants to make sure she doesn't miss a day of work," Agatha said. "I worry that she is over extending herself."
"I don't think you need to fret," Harriett said. "Catherine seems as happy as a chicken on a grasshopper every time we have a meal at the restaurant." Motioning for her guests to take seats around the large kitchen table, she continued. "She's not only happy, it seems she's found her calling. Goodness, Goldman's hasn't an empty chair most nights. Your ma is quite the cook." Waiting until the men disappeared up the stairs with several valises in hand, she turned again to the women.
"And, might I say that ever since Catherine has been here, a certain restaurant owner hasn't stopped smiling."
"Really?" Anna said, clapping her hands together. "That's wonderful! I just told her that she is so sweet that men would be drawn to her like a bee to honey."
"I'm sure Ma is just being polite," Agatha said, her smile dimming just the slightest. "After all, she has to be friendly to keep that job. I don't know why she insists on earning her own money. She doesn't need to, and I'd much rather she just come and live on the ranch."
"Maybe Mr. Goldman is just pleased that he finally has some good help," Charity offered. "I remember Roger telling us that Teresa is constantly talking about being a schoolmarm. He needs good help if she gets the job and can't work in the restaurant anymore."
"That's true," Harriett said, "but I've got eyes. I'm telling you, there is more than cooking going on in that kitchen."
***
Everyone turned to see Robert entering the room. Har
riett jumped up and prepared him a cup of coffee as he greeted their guests.
"Are you still going out to the Colbys'?" she asked, pressing the mug into his hands.
"Yes, it's either that or I'm afraid he'll break another bone," Robert said, accepting a cinnamon roll and dunking it into his coffee before taking a bite.
"What happened?" Anna asked. "Reverend Jorgensen stopped by the other day and said they had a new baby but he didn't mention any broken bones. Poor little guy."
"Poor big guy, you mean," Robert corrected. "Clayton broke his arm falling out of the hay loft. He twisted his back, as well."
"Oh no, how is he?"
"Stubborn as a mule," Robert said, shaking his head. "The man busted his arm, and yet the entire time I'm trying to stabilize it, he's grumbling about how he doesn't have time to sit around; that he has chores to attend. I only got him to swear to stay in bed with a promise that I'd pick up an order for Margaret at the mercantile."
"How can we help?" Richard asked.
"How do you feel about chopping wood?" Robert's question had Charity giggling, and James standing to first bend and press a kiss to the top of her blonde head before answering the question.
"I guess you can say I'm quite experienced at that." His admission had the others laughing, all remembering the cords and cords of wood he'd chopped and stacked during the weeks immediately following his youngest daughter's difficult birth. While refusing to leave his family's side, he'd fussed around the house until Charity threatened to skin him alive. It had taken a friendly intervention to return things to normal at their cabin—well, that and a nice hard spanking for his wife, who'd actually begged for one.
"I'm sure that, between us, we can get enough done to convince Clarence his place won't fall apart if he gives himself time to heal," Wyatt said.
"I know Margaret would sure appreciate the help," Robert said as the men began to pull on their coats, and the women began to help Harriett pack a basket with the remaining rolls, some of the preserves, and a portion of the roast they'd brought.
"This should keep them for a while," Harriett said, passing the basket to Wyatt. "You tell her that the ladies from the church will be out soon to visit and bring some more food. It's hard enough with a new baby and three other children underfoot. It has to be driving her insane hearing Clarence grumble and moan."
Richard grinned as he gave Anna a kiss. "And I thought you ladies would be sympathetic."
"Oh, we're sympathetic," Anna said, and giggled when her next words were said in unison with the other women as they all shouted, "towards Margaret!"
"Ouch!" Anna yelped.
"Be good," Richard said with a shake of his head.
"Of course," Anna said, earning herself a quirked eyebrow and the need to dance to the side to avoid another swat. Giggling, she batted long black lashes over emerald green eyes. "I meant, yes, sir."
"I'm sure you did," Richard said, accepting another parcel containing sandwiches he and the others could share for lunch before leaving the warm room full of giggles to join the others.
A few hours later, no one seemed surprised when Roger kept looking back towards town. "Just go, before you chop off a finger," Matthew said, reaching out to take the axe from him.
"No, I want to help," Roger insisted, bending down to reset the log he'd been trying to chop into kindling but only managing to nick it, causing it to fall off the cutting block.
"You've helped," Richard said. "Go on, we'll be right behind you."
"Well, if you're sure." Not waiting for an answer, he mounted his horse, and the others watched him ride away.
"I told you, women ain't nothing but trouble," Matthew groused as he swung the axe, cleaving the log in two.
"Just you wait," Wyatt said. "One day you'll be eating those words." The married men chuckled as Matthew just scowled, setting another log onto the block. They did understand. After all, they had found the loves of their lives and remembered how it felt to be separated for any length of time. Not a one begrudged the younger man time spent courting his own love.
Chapter Eight
Roger entered the restaurant, not surprised to find it practically empty, as he'd arrived after lunch and before supper. Only an older couple was seated at one of the tables, their steaming cups indicating they were in no hurry to finish their meal and go back out into the cold. He nodded and smiled, tipping his hat to the woman. As he removed his coat and bent to drape it across the back of a chair, he jumped like a jack rabbit when a crash came from the direction of the kitchen.
"Goodness," the woman said, startling in her chair as another screech and the sound of something breaking was heard.
"Tessa, are you all right?" Roger yelled, practically knocking the chair over in his haste to assure himself that his love was unhurt. His flight didn't slow when, instead of hearing her sweet assurance that she was fine, he heard a very vulgar word and another yelp. Ignoring the looks passing between the couple, and not caring that he wasn't either the owner or an employee of the establishment, he pushed through the door only to freeze at the sight before him.
Apparently his sweet little gal was in danger… not any real physical danger, but definitely in danger of losing her status as an angel. Actually, it was a bit hard to discern exactly where Teresa ended and her sister, Barbara, began. The two girls were locked arm-in-arm, hands flying to grab anything and everything to smash onto the other's face or body. The floor was covered in white, and it wasn't from snow having been tromped inside. Ingredients that belonged either in a cake or another recipe continued to fly. Flour, sugar, baking powder… all were being mixed, but not in a bowl. No, instead, what appeared to be crushed berries of the same kind were splattered on the floor, along with the broken shards of a ceramic bowl.
"Whoa! Hold up!" Roger said, stepping quickly across the large space. "Girls, stop before someone gets hurt!"
Both girls ignored him, and he barely missed being hit by the next missile flung. The egg flew past him.
"Oh, my… oh…"
He looked to see Catherine standing in the door of her room, her eyes wide with shock. Yellow egg yolk was sliding down the bib of the white apron she wore as she took in the mayhem. When something flying too fast to be recognized almost hit her again, causing her to jerk, she gave a surprised cry. Roger had had enough.
"Stop!" he bellowed. Even he was a bit shocked when his demand did absolutely nothing to quiet what he could only consider to be a brawl. Shaking his head, he moved to grab the first body part within reach, slipping on some red goo on the floor. Regaining his balance, he reached out and snagged an arm, beginning to tug. "Enough!"
"Let me go!" Teresa yelled.
"No, let go of Barbara!" Roger countered, ducking when a free hand came within an inch of his cheek. "Now!"
"No! She started it!"
"I did not! You did!"
"Ladies, we can discuss this like adults if… Damn it!" Any patience he'd had fled when a booted foot connected with his shin. "That's enough! Stop it now before I have to turn you both over my knees and give you a thrashing!"
"You take Teresa, I'll get Barbara."
Roger turned his head to see that the girls' father had entered the room. He wasn't sure if the man was agreeing that the girls needed a good thrashing, but had to admit the older man didn't look the least bit pleased. His next words confirmed Roger's thoughts.
"I've just about had it with you two." He grabbed his youngest daughter around her waist, leaving room for Roger to get a better grip on Teresa. "What in the tarnation is wrong with you? Look at this mess!"
"It's her fault," both girls stated at the exact same time, only to then glare at each other as they were forcibly separated.
"I don't give a hoot whose fault it is; this is the third time this week I've had to pull you out of some cat fight. Your shenanigans are scaring off customers! What did I tell you would happen if you didn't start treating each other kindly?"
Roger saw Teresa roll her eyes and g
ive a huff. He figured he had a very good idea exactly what her pa had promised the girls, and knew that neither one believed he'd actually follow through with his threat.
Evidently Ben understood the exact same thing. He shook his head. "I guess I can't say I'm surprised you ignored my warnings but I was serious. This behavior has got to stop. Both of you—out to the shed." When neither made a move, he pointed to the door. "Now!" His roar had both girls jumping and their eyes widening as they gazed at him, each other, and then back at their pa.
"No, Pa!" Teresa said, finally finding her voice.
"What did you say to me, young lady?"
"I-I mean, you… you can't!"
"Can't what?"
Roger could tell that Teresa didn't want to explain her statement, and could also tell that her pa wasn't the least bit concerned about her hesitancy. When she didn't speak, her face turning the color of the beets he could see sitting in a basket on the table, Benjamin spoke for her.
"Thrash you?"
"Pa!"
"Don't you 'pa' me, young lady. I'm sick of lecturing you. I've been far too lenient lately but that stops now. You've been warned time and time again. Now, get going, or you'll find yourself unable to sit comfortably for a week."
Teresa turned to look at Roger, her eyes large in a face that was covered in flour. "Roger, please, you… you can't…"
He wondered why she'd even question him. He'd just informed her that the next time she was naughty, there would be actual consequences to be paid—consequences that would turn her bottom hot. Roger knew it was time to make his own point about discipline quite clear. Placing a finger beneath her chin to keep her eyes on his, he said, "I'm quite sure that you must know that not only am I displeased with your behavior, I totally agree with your pa. After all, we discussed this last week."
"What? How could you? I mean, he wants to sp… I'm a grown woman!"
"I'm afraid I didn't see a grown woman a moment ago. No, I saw a little girl and her sister throwing one doozie of a tantrum. And, young lady, correct me if I'm wrong, but did I hear your pa state he's already had to repeatedly warn you to behave this week?"