Chase (Prairie Grooms, Book Four)

by Kit Morgan

  Lena gave him a lop-sided smile, and nodded as best she could. If she looked at the rabbits again and thought of what had to be done, she’d lose the cookies she ate earlier.

  Jefferson took a few more sips of his coffee, set his cup down, then rubbed his hands together. “Time to get started! Come along Miss Lena, let's go make that man of yours some supper!”

  Be brave, Lena, she thought to herself. You can do this! It's just a couple of cute, fuzzy, very dead…

  “What's the matter, dear?” asked Edith. “You look pale as milk!”

  Lena swallowed hard. “I don't think I can do this.”

  “I done told ya there ain't nothin’ to it!” barked Jefferson as he pulled out a huge knife and put it on the table. He got up, grabbed the rabbits by their hind legs, and held them out to her. “Here, we’ll take them out back.”

  Lena's stomach heaved, and her hand quickly flew to her mouth.

  Jefferson gawked at her. “Oh for crying out loud,” he complained. “Don't tell me you're gonna be squeamish over a couple of rabbits? What would Cozette Cooke think?”

  Lena's hand flew from her mouth. “Sir, I am not, nor will I ever be, Cozette Cooke. I am tired of hearing how the Duchess can shoot and kill innocent animals, skin and then eat them! I'd rather die than do such a thing!”

  Jefferson looked at his wife, shrugged, then looked back to Lena. “Well I hate to be the one to tell you this, young lady. But with that attitude, you just might.”

  * * *

  The next few hours were grueling as Lena helped Jefferson and Edith prepare dinner. This included skinning and butchering the rabbits, during which time Lena only got sick twice --Bravo! She’d bet on at least a half a dozen times-- chopping vegetables, potatoes, then finding the proper seasonings.

  As she stirred the stew, she realized she'd worked harder that day than she had in her entire life. A frightening thought, considering Edith did over half the work.

  The front door swung open, and made Lena jump. “What's for supper?” Chase asked as he sauntered into the cabin.

  She spun to face him. Their gazes locked. Dust covered his shirt and face but did nothing to diminish the pleased look on his face, nor his wide smile and handsome features. He crossed the room and stood before her, peeked over her shoulder at the pot on the stove, and sniffed the air. “Smells like rabbit,” he said, his voice soft.

  She nodded, too dumbstruck by the closeness of him to speak. He took the ladle from her hand, leaned forward to reach behind her, and stirred the stew. Positioned as he was, their bodies were touching. Lena almost had to grab onto him to keep her balance.

  “Sure is nice to come home and smell your cooking,” he told her. He turned his face to look into her eyes, and was but inches away. “Smells great. I can't wait to taste it.”

  She nodded again. “Neither can I,” she whispered. She should tell him Edith did most of the work as far as the cooking went, but she did play a heavy part in the dessert.

  “I'd better go wash up,” he said as he gazed at her in a languid manner.

  “Uh-huh …”

  “What’s the matter, Miss Lena? Can’t ya talk?” He asked, his voice a mere whisper, as he drew closer.

  She shook her head. The nearness of him was utterly intoxicating, even if he did smell of horse.

  He looked her right in the eye, tucked a finger under her chin, and tilted her face up, bringing her lips closer to his. “I sure am looking forward to supper …”

  She nodded again as he slowly moved away, turned, and headed for the front door. He disappeared from the house for a moment but soon returned, a bucket in hand. He went to the pump, got some water, and took it upstairs.

  Lena couldn’t breath, realizing she hadn’t for several seconds, and sat. Her heart was pounding in her chest like a herd of galloping horses. She felt strange all of the sudden, as if he'd drained all sense from her. She couldn't think, couldn't speak, and couldn't remember that she had pies baking in the oven …

  Thirteen

  “Oh no!” Lena cried as she ran for the oven. After Chase had gone upstairs, it gave her a moment to gather her wits. She decided to wash up and get ready for dinner as well. However, in doing so she became sidetracked when she saw Edith and Jefferson standing outside the barn. “Did you finish your work?” she asked Jefferson.

  “Yes, would you like to see?”

  “Of course,” she told him. “After all, it's nice to know I'm not the only one who slaved all day.”

  Jefferson and Edith laughed as they entered the barn. Much to Lena’s dismay, it was immaculate. “Well, what you think?” asked Edith

  “Did it look even close to this before you started?” Lena asked, hopeful.

  “No, unfortunately it was quite the mess. But Chase is in town all day tending to other people's needs and hasn't much time to take care of his own place. But that will all change once he's married to you. You can take care of it for him!”

  She gave him a weak smile. “Mr. Adams is home by the way. He came in a little while ago.”

  “Did he say anything about supper?” asked Edith.

  “He said it smelled good,” Lena told her. “I didn't have the heart to tell him you did most of the work when it came to the stew.”

  “True, but you baked pies,” Edith pointed out.

  “Yes, but only because you took me through the whole process step-by-step. What am I to do next time?”

  “Follow the recipe, what else?” Edith laughed.

  “You make it sound all so easy,” lamented Lena.

  “Shucks, a child could do it!” Jefferson barked.

  “Then why don't you?” teased Edith.

  Jefferson shook himself, glared at her, and then laughed. “Why, when I have you?”

  “This barn looks almost as clean as the house,” said Lena, changing the subject.

  “I'm sure you'll be able to keep it up just fine,” Edith told her.

  “I hope I'm up to the task,” Lena said as she examined the barn’s immaculate interior. The place looked as if Jefferson had swept it clean. It even smelled clean! Who would have ever guessed horses were kept there?

  Jefferson sniffed the air. “Do either of you smell something burning?”

  Edith too, sniffed the air. “I don't smell anything.”

  Lena scanned their surroundings. Good heavens, she thought to herself. Now what?

  “Lena,” began Edith. “Did you take your pies out of the oven?”

  Lena let out a tiny squeak of alarm, and, eyes wide, raced from the barn. She was in such a hurry to get back to the house, she didn't notice Chase coming out of it, and rammed right into him. The impact knocked them both to the ground. They twisted as they did, and Chase landed right on top of her. “Miss. Lena! Are you all right?” he asked with concern as he pushed himself up.

  She looked at him unable to speak, the wind half knocked from her lungs.

  “Here, let me help you up.” He lingered a moment before he jumped to his feet and held out his hands to help her. She took them. He pulled her to her feet and right into his chest. Before she knew it, one of his arms wrapped around her waist and held her. “I'm so sorry,” he apologized. “I didn't see you coming.”

  She swallowed hard. “Maybe if I'd been looking where I was going, I'd have seen you. It's my fault.”

  “No, the fault is mine.”

  She looked into his eyes. The concern harbored in them was overwhelming. Something deep inside her, stirred. “Really,” she managed to breathe. “The fault is all…”

  His lips stilled her words with a kiss so tender, she was left speechless and wanting. She hadn't realized she closed her eyes until she opened them again. “Mr. Adams…”

  “Chase,” he said as he brushed a lock of hair from her forehead. “No more Mr. Adams, is that understood?”

  She stared at him and nodded. What else could she say at this point? In fact, what was she to do? Slap him? Thank him? Serve him his dinner? “Dinner!” she cried. He
r head snapped to the stove. “Oh, no! My pies!”

  Smoke seeped through the oven door in tiny, dark tendrils. Lena wrenched her body from Chase’s arms and raced for the stove. She pulled open the oven door to a cloud of black smoke. “Not again!” she wailed.

  Chase was immediately at her side, and pulled her away from the heat and smoke. “Stand over there,” he commanded. “I'll take care of this.” She moved around to the other side of the table and watched, as he grabbed a rag and pulled out one pie at a time, then tossed them into the dry sink. He coughed and sputtered as he fanned smoke from his face. Unable to help herself, and too tired to care, Lena began to cry. “I've ruined supper, I'm so sorry!”

  Chase continued to fan the smoke and looked at her. “What?”

  She pointed at the pies. “Look! Just look at what I've done!”

  Chase tossed the rag onto the table, strode around it, and took her in his arms. “You ain't done nothin’ wrong, ya hear?”

  She shook her head as the tears fell. “I know I shouldn't be crying about this, my behavior is most undignified. But I can't help it, you see. I've had a very trying day, and if every day is to be like this, then I'm sure to fail you as a wife.”

  He stared at her, dumbfounded, and blinked a few times. “It's just a couple of pies, Lena. They don't mean anything.”

  “But I tried so hard, and I wanted them to be perfect for you.”

  “Well, at least we still have supper,” he said with a smile. “You didn't ruin that.”

  She began to cry again. “It’s because… hic … I can't take credit for it!”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Edith… made… hic… them!”

  “Oh,” he said as he looked away. “I see.”

  He let go of her and turned to the stove. “I guess the only thing left to do now, is eat.”

  Lena's whole body shook, partly because she was upset, and partly because now, she was angry. Fine! So she burnt the pies! Thank heavens the rabbit stew hadn't met with any sort of disaster by her hands! She gritted her teeth, balled her hands in the fists, and headed for the front door.

  “Where you goin’?” Chase called after her.

  “To inform Edith and Jefferson dinner is ready.”

  “Oh,” he said with a nod of his head. “You do that.”

  Now she fumed. How could he be so calm about what happened after she’d caused such a disaster? Once outside, she stomped across the barnyard to where Edith and Jefferson stood and had to wonder; why hadn’t they gone into the house? Had they been waiting outside all this time? Maybe they didn't want to get into the middle of anything. But then, weren’t they supposed to be chaperoning? “Dinner is served,” she said through gritted teeth, lest she start crying again.

  “What about the pies?” asked Jefferson.

  Lena shook her head as a tear rolled down her cheek. “They didn't make it.”

  Jefferson took off his hat, and held it over his chest. “That's a crying shame. They looked like such nice pies going into the oven.”

  Edith smacked him on the arm. “Oh stop your teasing! Can't you see the girl is upset?”

  “Just trying to help! You don't have to hit me for it!”

  “Come you two,” said Edith. “Let's go have some supper.” She grabbed Jefferson by the arm, took one of Lena's, and pulled them toward the house. This was going to be a long, long, dinner. At least it would be for Lena who, if she had her way, would have it be done before it got started.

  * * *

  That night at the Triple C, Lena lay in her bed, stared at the ceiling, and remembered the kiss. She'd been so upset throughout dinner and the total disaster that made up dessert, she'd forgotten about it.

  “What's he like?” Apple whispered from her bed.

  Lena turned her head toward her. It hurt. In fact, everything hurt. “Please Apple, I'm too tired to talk. Can't we discuss this in the morning?”

  “You’ve not said more than two words since you got home. I'm dying to know what happened!”

  “Apple, leave her alone,” said Fina. “Can't you see the poor thing is completely worn out?”

  “From what?” asked Apple. “What did Edith have you do all day?”

  “Laundry,” groaned Lena as she turned over and pulled her quilt over her head.

  “Laundry did this to you?” Apple asked, astonished.

  Fina peered at Lena's still form through the darkness. “Edith said you skinned and cooked the rabbit. Is it true?”

  “Hey, you can't do that,” complained Apple. “Don't tell me not to ask her any questions and then ask her some yourself.”

  “I forgot about the rabbits,” Fina said in her defense. “As I just remembered, of course I’m going to ask!”

  “Please,” moaned Lena from under the quilt. “Will the two of you just go to sleep?”

  “But what was it like?” Apple started again. “You have a man come home, eat your cooking, compliment your dessert, and then…”

  “And then do the dishes?” teased Fina.

  “Hardly,” came a moan from Lena’s bed.

  “Did he kiss you?” blurted Apple.

  Lena poked her head out from underneath the quilt, looked at Apple, then covered up again.

  “He did kiss you!”

  “Apple, leave her alone!” scolded Fina.

  “But he kissed her!”

  “He did not!”

  “Did so!”

  “So what if he did?!” hissed Lena as she poked her head out again. “Now go to sleep.”

  Fina sat up. “He kissed you?” she said in disbelief.

  Lena groaned. “Go. To. Sleep.”

  “I can't sleep now!” said Apple with glee and jumped from her bed. She ran across the room and jumped onto Lena’s. “I want to know all about it! Tell me everything!”

  Lena took a pillow and covered her head and face with it. “If I were a braver woman, I think I should kill myself right now.”

  Apple grabbed the pillow away from her. “Not until you tell me what it was like!”

  “What?” asked Lena.

  “His kiss!” said Apple, her eyes bright.

  “Oh devil take it,” huffed Lena as she sat up. “His lips touched mine. End of story. Now go back to bed and leave me alone!”

  Apple fingered her own lips. “I can't wait to be kissed one day.”

  “I rather like the waiting,” said Fina. “It gives me something to look forward to. After all, what if it turns out that one kiss is as good as the next?”

  “I shall have my husband kiss me a thousand different ways!” laughed Apple as she hurried back to her bed and flopped onto it.

  “Lena, was it a terribly long kiss?” Fina asked in a matter of fact tone.

  “It doesn't matter,” said Lena as she turned over. “He didn't act like he wanted to kiss me again.”

  “Why wouldn't he?” asked Fina. “You are going to be married.”

  Lena placed her pillow behind her, then lay on her back and stared at the ceiling again. “I never thought it would be so hard to please a man.”

  “Didn't he like everything you did today?” asked Apple as she pulled up her covers.

  “I don't really know,” said Lena. “It seems that way but…”

  “But what?” asked Fina.

  “Oh, don't listen to me. I'm so tired. I don't know what I'm talking about. Now go to sleep you two. I've another long day ahead of me tomorrow.”

  “I wish I could go with you,” said Apple. “I would love to see the look on a man's face when he walks through the door and smells my cooking.”

  “Except for the fact you’ve not cooked a thing yet,” Fina pointed out.

  “No, but I will!” Apple retorted. “Good night sisters.”

  “Good night,” said Lena. Sleep, then blissfully claimed her.

  * * *

  The next day Edith, Jefferson, and Lena returned to Chases cabin. Lena was less than enthusiastic at the thought of working herself silly all day
. Just the ride out had been torturous, as every muscle in her body still ached from the day before. Hopefully, there wouldn’t be as much work today as the cabin and barn had already been cleaned, organized, and the laundry done. What else was left? Lena smiled at the thought as Jefferson brought the horses to a halt.

  He helped the women down and admired his handiwork from the day before. “Nice little place Chase has here.”

  “Indeed it is,” agreed Edith.

  “I just hope I can keep it that way,” added Lena as she stretched the aching muscles in her back.

  “It ain't the Triple C,” said Edith. “But there's still going to be a lot of work for you to do on a day-to-day basis.”

  Lena slumped. “Oh dear, like what?”

  “Well, aside from the cooking, cleaning, sewing and mending, you'll be taking care of the stock, milking the cow, tending the garden, and then of course…”

  “That's enough!” exclaimed Lena as she held both hands in front of her in a defensive gesture. “One thing at a time.”

  Edith smiled. “Well then, let's get started shall we?”

  “What did you have in mind?” Lena asked, her voice cautious.

  “I thought today we’d put in a vegetable garden. It's a little late to plant some things, but not too late for others.”

  “Would this task involve digging and hoeing by any chance?” asked Lena, eyes wide.

  “It would indeed,” said Edith with a grin.

  “I’ll go get a shovel,” said Jefferson as he headed for the barn.

  Lena stretched her back again. “I shall be dead by lunch time.”

  “Nonsense,” said Edith. “You should last at least until supper.”

  “You're not helping,” Lena told her.

  “I was hoping I was.”

  “Even though today is going to be the end of me, I do appreciate all you and Jefferson are doing to help.”

  “If the situation was reversed, I'm sure you do the same for me.”

  “Maybe so. But I'd be teaching you how to embroider, paint, and the proper way to read poetry to one's elder.”

  Edith burst into laughter. “I'm afraid none of those things are good for keeping you alive. And out here, that's what everyone's concerned with.”