Always and Forever

by Wendy Lindstrom

  For a moment he simply studied her. “You seem far wiser than your sixteen years.”

  “Almost seventeen,” she said. “In seven weeks.”

  “Yes, you’ve mentioned that, I believe,” he said, tongue in cheek.

  “I just want you to understand that I’m not a naïve child.”

  Her declaration made him grin. She had a bossy sort of manner about her, a bit of starch in her spine that he admired. She wasn’t a child. The woman in her made that clear, and yet there seemed to be a girlish side of her that sought his approval. The mix intrigued him.

  Perhaps she would learn her wifely duties well. It would certainly be nice to come home to a hot meal and a clean house at the end of a long, back-breaking day. John’s idea hadn’t been without merit. Still, to take on a wife and that heavy responsibility just to get a hot meal and a clean kitchen was more than he could afford now.

  “Might you spare a bit extra for my initial trip to town?” she asked. “I’ll need a couple of personal items in addition to our provisions.”

  “Of course,” he said, but he worried that he had no extra. He turned his mind to finishing his breakfast. His mouth watered and his stomach growled with pleasure as he filled his belly.

  After he finished, Hal moved his plate aside and placed some coins on the table. “Will that suffice?” he asked, hoping it would and that he had retained enough to support them for a few more weeks. Out of necessity, he and John had spent judiciously, buying only the absolute essentials. Hal had no desire to know what items a woman might need and so he placed a bit more than he could spare on the table.

  “It’s plenty,” Nancy said, and she scooped the entire pile of money into her palm and tucked it into her skirt pocket. “What kind of furniture do you build for Edwards?”

  Just like that she took his money and then asked how he was going to make more. If this was what having a wife was like his life had just gone from bad to worse.

  “I make cabinets and stands and other furniture for Addison Edwards when I’m not at the mill.” He gestured with his fork in the opposite direction of the village. “The mill is just a five-minute walk down the road, And there’s a mountain of work waiting for me there. I need to be off and quit wasting daylight.”

  Concern marred her expression. “This must be a very difficult time for you. I’m terribly sorry about your brother and that you have to manage so much on your own.”

  He didn’t wish to be rude, but he had no desire to talk about the many ways he would miss having his brother in his life. “Thank you. Breakfast was delicious.”

  “Perhaps I can help at the mill?” she asked. “I’m good with numbers and getting things organized. I know nothing about your business, of course, so those skills may be of little help.” A slight self-effacing grin tilted her mouth, and he found it ridiculously endearing much to his irritation. “But if you need another pair of hands, I’m willing to offer mine.”

  The sincerity in her eyes made him feel about an inch tall. He should have given her a gentler greeting at the train station and helped her see that returning to Buffalo was in her best interest. He hadn’t meant to be unkind. He just hadn’t been able to think a clear thought from the minute he looked into her eyes.

  Deflated, she sank back in her chair. “I know what you’re thinking. A mill is no place for a woman. I suppose it was silly of me to offer assistance.”

  Tenderness toward the woman welled up again and unsettled him. Grossly uncomfortable with his urge to comfort her, he slid his chair away from the table. “I’ll manage all right on my own, Miss Mitch—ah, Nancy. You’ll be busy tending house and learning your other duties.” He stepped away from the table wanting to escape the kitchen and any more revelations about his new wife. “I’m sorry the house isn’t in better order for you.”

  A crooked smile tipped her lips and she got to her feet. The top of her head barely reached his shoulder. “I’m glad to have tasks to keep me occupied. It was awfully quiet sitting here alone last night. I thought you might spend the entire night in the barn. I considered smoking up the house again just to get you to come inside.” Without cracking a smile, she pointed to a small bundle wrapped in a kitchen linen lying on the table. “There are two apples and a slice of bread for your lunch. Be sure to take it with you.”

  With that dismissal, she picked up his breakfast plate and carried it to the sink.

  He stared at her narrow back, oddly pleased by her spunk.

  Hal left the house thinking about the challenge he’d seen in his wife’s eyes. It intrigued him to no end. Thoughts of her plagued him all morning. He regretted his moments of unkindness and wondered at the tender admiration he’d felt while watching expressions shift across her delicate face.

  He’d been enthralled. He was man enough to admit the truth. Seeing her lips tilt in an array of tentative smiles and frowns had thoroughly captivated him. John Radford would have been immensely pleased and would have enjoyed taunting Hal about his good fortune had John lived long enough to marry Nancy.

  Still, whatever Nancy’s reason for answering John’s advertisement, Hal couldn’t help feeling it wouldn’t bode well for him.

  Chapter Seven

  After cleaning up breakfast dishes and setting her new kitchen in order, Nancy wiped her brow and opened the firebox, making sure she saw bright orange coals and flickering flames before depositing the chunk of wood.

  She then gathered up the pile of dirty clothes she’d found in one of the small rooms off the parlor. Tending to chores in her new home made her heart ache. If only she’d come here as the bride of a man who loved her, her stomach would be filled with a happy lightness rather than a constant swirl of nerves. What if her husband couldn’t come to care for her? What then? Would she be relegated to life as his servant and little else?

  Squelching the heartbreaking thought, Nancy turned her attention back to the chores at hand. She carried an armload of sour smelling clothing out the back door and shook the sawdust off each shirt and each pair of trousers. Then she took the bundle of dirty clothes inside to the kitchen. She made another trip outside to the well where she pumped two buckets full of cold water and then carried the heavy pails inside. She placed one aside and poured the other into a deep copper bathing tub stored in the corner of the kitchen. Then she added the full pot of water that had been steaming on the stove.

  Piece by piece she submerged her husband’s soiled clothing in the copper tub and scrubbed the items with lye soap. With the remaining bucket of water, she rinsed the garments then dropped them into the large kettle that had previously contained hot water. She would give them a final rinse near the well where it was easier to fetch fresh water. Finally finished, she dried her aching hands and then hefted the kettle full of wet clothing.

  She gasped at the backbreaking weight of the deep pot full of wet garments.

  For a moment she considered transferring some of the clothes back to the tub, but it was filled with dirty water. She didn’t have time to pile wet items in the sink or split up the laundry and waste time making more trips through the house. The chores, all of them, must be finished before Mr. Gray—her husband returned home. She had to make her best impression today and show him she could be of value to him, that she wasn’t useless, that having a wife would be of benefit and perhaps even a pleasure in his life.

  Spending time together was the only way for them to build a relationship... and the only way to keep her homesickness at bay. But her husband had to want to spend time with her, or she had to find something that would allow her to spend time with him. But what?

  Straining, she carried the pot to the kitchen door and lowered it to the floor with a heavy thud. She blocked the door open with a kitchen chair. Gritting her teeth, she gripped the handle on either side of the pot and lifted it to thigh level. She managed to wrestled the beastly caldron outside and carry it down three steps and out to the well in a side-to-side sort of duck walk that made her gasp and laugh at herself. If only El
izabeth could see her now. The thought was bittersweet and Nancy chased it away before it could make her sad.

  There were no pins on the clothesline, nor could she find any inside, so she rinsed the clothes and draped the sopping garments over the sagging line. After she finished she went inside to freshen up.

  Thirty minutes later, after stretching her tired back, Nancy tied on her hat and headed out the front door. She needed supplies for the pantry and there was still much to be done before Hal returned home for the evening.

  Nancy pulled the door closed behind her and stopped in the driveway to survey her new home. The small white house sat on a lovely piece of property. In one corner of the front yard stood a large lilac bush that was dropping its fragrant purple blossoms. At the corner of the house, a clematis vine filled with pink blossoms climbed a wooden trellis. A long driveway ended at a large red barn where Hal spent his time in the late evening. A rectangular field, lush with green grass and dotted with purple and white wildflowers enveloped the barn. The apple orchard sat between their home and the Tucker’s house, the gnarled tree branches dropping their pretty pink blossoms to make way for growing juicy red apples. Her new home was quite beautiful and a place Nancy was eager to explore.

  But there were other duties calling her at the moment, so she tugged on her gloves and headed for town. She must stop by the Tuckers to thank them for giving her a nice wedding day and to see if she might be able to purchase some of their apples at harvest time. Nancy could already imagine the many tasty dishes and delicious cider she would learn to make from the fruit, that is if Mary was willing to teach her.

  As Nancy approached the far edge of the orchard, she spied Mary tending a garden beside the livery. A massive sprawling oak tree stood in the yard, partially shading a driveway and their pretty two-story home. William was working in the paddock on the opposite side of the barn. When he spied Nancy coming up their drive, he gave her a jaunty wave and called out to Mary that she had a visitor. With a final wave, he returned his attention to a spindly-legged gray foal who was galloping playfully around the paddock.

  Hoe in hand, Mary lifted her head and greeted Nancy with a wide smile. “If you have a minute, come see how well my plants are doing.”

  Glad for the invitation and warm welcome, Nancy crossed the yard and surveyed Mary’s expansive garden. “Gracious, this is larger than our garden back home,” Nancy said, her eyes taking in the vast patch of tiny green shoots that were beginning to poke up from the rich soil. It gave her hope that she, too, could grow and flourish here. “I wish Mr. Grayson and his brother would have thought to put in a garden.”

  “You still have time for planting, especially if you aren’t starting from seed.” Mary stretched her back and scanned the sprouting plants. “I started these plants in our spare bedroom two months ago. I’d be happy to help you transplant some of my onion, squash, and turnip plants to your garden if you like. I can also spare some rhubarb, cabbage, and spinach. There’s a bit of corn seed left, if you’d like it. If you plant it soon you’ll have sweet corn by mid-September.”

  Surprised, Nancy said, “I’d love the plants, Mary, but not if it will short you at canning time.”

  “You’ll be doing me a favor to take some of these plants,” Mary said. “Truly, I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep up with preparing and storing all of these vegetables and I’d hate to see anything left to wither on the vine. Prepare your garden bed and I’ll help you fill it with as many vegetables as you can tend.”

  Nancy released a breathy laugh and her eyes met Mary’s. “I’ll certainly do that. I wish I had something to give in return for your generosity.”

  “You do,” Mary said, slipping off her gloves. “Your friendship. Now come along and have tea with me.” She linked arms with Nancy and led her across the yard. Her dark beauty made Nancy wish she’d taken more time with her toilet. Mary wore a day gown of spring green with tiny white rosettes embroidered on the bodice, and a plain straw gardening hat topped her head, but she was enviably pretty in her simple attire.

  “It’s a lovely morning for a stroll,” Mary said, her cheeks slightly rosy from tending her garden. “Where are you headed?”

  Nancy drew in a breath, enjoying the fresh air and warm sunshine on her aching shoulders. “I’m going into town to purchase a few provisions. I wanted to stop by and again express my gratitude for all you and Martha did yesterday.”

  Mary flapped her hand dismissing Nancy’s comment. “We enjoyed every minute of it. Do sit while I fetch our tea. I’m glad for an excuse to rest my back a spell.”

  So was Nancy, but she had chores awaiting her and it was imperative that the house be in order when Hal returned home. Still, in the face of Mary Tucker’s warmth, Nancy gratefully agreed to a short visit.

  For nearly an hour they sat on the porch in thick cushioned chairs, sipping tea while Nancy prevailed upon Mary to teach her how to cook. “I have no one else to instruct me.”

  Mary’s smile faltered. “I’m happy to teach you, Nancy, but I confess I’m baffled by the fact you’ve not yet learned.”

  “I was taught other less practical skills, I’m afraid.”

  Mary arched a shapely black eyebrow. “I admit I’m intrigued. May I ask what skills?”

  Nancy paused for a second wondering how much she dared to reveal. Finally, she said, “A girl from a wealthy home learns to manage a staff and to host tea and dinner parties. They don’t learn to cook or tend laundry. It shames me deeply that I have nothing to offer Mr. Grayson,” Nancy said, deflated and yet feeling oddly relieved to be sharing her concerns with someone.

  “May I ask if you left that wealthy home without your parents’ consent?” Mary asked quietly.

  “I did.” Nancy’s cheeks warmed, but she forced herself to meet Mary’s inquisitive gaze. “I hope you’ll understand that I can’t share more than that just now. I will someday, though, I promise. For now, however, I’m throwing myself on your mercy and asking you to teach me the skills I need to become a suitable wife. I don’t even know what provisions I’ll need to prepare meals for my husband.”

  “Of course I’ll help you,” Mary said. “I’m certain you’re already a good wife. I understand and will honor your request for privacy. I’m looking forward to the two of us spending time in the kitchen and garden together. As for provisions...” Mary shrugged. “To start stocking your pantry you might purchase pork, bacon, salt beef or fresh beef, flour, beans, rice, coffee, tea, sugar, vinegar, yeast, corn meal, and eggs and butter, of course.”

  Nancy felt her stomach plummet. Not only could she not remember the lengthy list of items, she certainly couldn’t afford all of them. “Perhaps I could purchase what I might need for two or three meals?” she suggested.

  Mary laughed. “Of course. I hadn’t meant to be overzealous, but a full pantry makes preparing meals much easier. I have plenty of flour, sugar, eggs, and butter as well as some corn meal that I’ll pack up for you. If you can purchase a nice cut of pork and some rice and beans we can prepare three easy meals for you and Hal. Will that suit?”

  “Perfectly,” Nancy said, releasing a nervous laugh. “I was beginning to feel apoplectic.”

  Mary grinned. “You’ll do fine, Nancy. In fact, if you’ll allow me, I’ll turn you into a fabulous cook.”

  Nancy’s eyes welled up. “You can’t know how much your friendship means to me. I’m just so deeply grateful—” Nancy clipped her sentence off and swung her attention to William who was climbing the porch steps.

  “Ho there,” he said, his gaze bouncing from Nancy to Mary. “Who are these beautiful woman lounging on my porch?”

  Giving her husband a warm, inviting smile, Mary reached out and laced fingers with him. “Join us for tea.”

  “I was hoping for an invitation.” William planted a loud kiss on Mary’s neck, causing her to laugh and shoo him into the house for a glass.

  Their love and passion was so palpable it made Nancy uncomfortable... and desperately lonely.r />
  “I’m sorry to rush off, Mary, but I really must get to the mercantile now.” Nancy set her glass on the wooden tray beside the pitcher of tea and stood up. “Thank you for such a lovely visit and for... everything.”

  “Stop back on your way home, Nancy. I have fresh cornbread and mutton stew on the stove. I have plenty and it’ll make a fine meal for your supper this evening. You can store your fresh meat in my springhouse and tomorrow I’ll show you how to prepare it,” Mary said.

  “Thank you, Mary. Someday I’ll find a way to repay you for your generosity,” Nancy said. As she descended the porch steps the falling apple blossoms in the orchard caught her eye and she turned back. “Would you allow me to purchase a few bushels of apples when they ripen?” she asked.

  “You’re welcome to help yourself to as many as you like. Our crop produces far more than we need.”

  With a nod of thanks to her new friend, Nancy continued her walk to town, wondering how she would ever repay Mary for her kindness. She had nothing to give now, but someday, somehow she would show Mary that she’d chosen to befriend the right woman.

  Leafy maple and oak trees provided spotty shade as Nancy strolled into the village of Fredonia—her new home. Coburn’s gristmill, a three-story gambrel roofed board and batten building with a towering brick smokestack sat at the edge of Canadaway Creek. At the back of the building was a small stone addition and a large waterwheel. The large building reminded her of the stables at home where she’d spent so much time with her beloved mare.

  Nancy had known that leaving her loving home in Buffalo would be difficult, but she’d had no idea how lonely she would feel or how deeply she would miss her family.

  Straightening her shoulders, she entered Squire White & Son on the opposite side of the street and took her first step toward building a new life. She would make Hal Grayson see that he needed her—even if he didn’t want her—because there was no going back for either of them. Somewhere in his hard head he knew that, but he just wasn’t ready to accept the truth.