She made one last glance into the looking glass Riley had brought in for her and smoothed her hair back into bun she had shaped at her neck. When she entered the kitchen, Aunt Harriet was already busy with breakfast preparations. Would she ever be able to get up and get going before Aunt Harriet?
“Good morning. I’m sorry to be late. What do I need to do?” Nelle surveyed the neat and tidy kitchen. A coffee pot warmed on the stove, and a black iron skillet sat ready for bacon or eggs or whatever they’d have for breakfast. At least she could fry bacon or ham and scramble eggs. Biscuits needed a little more work, but she was determined to learn to make them soft and not hard as the rocks outside the door.
Aunt Harriet nodded toward a basket on the counter. “We could use some eggs for breakfast. I used up the last of them yesterday with the cake.”
Eggs she could do. The first morning she’d learned about the hens right away. “I’ll be right back.” Nelle picked up the basket and headed for the hen house. She met Riley coming from the barn with a pail of milk.
“Mornin’, Nelle. Got the milk for Davey and the girls.” He held up the full bucket.
Fear laced her heart. She’d forgotten to check on Davey this morning. He must still be asleep. She nodded and hurried to the hens. If she gathered the eggs fast enough, she could get back to the house and get the baby before anyone else suspected she’d forgotten him.
Almost a dozen eggs awaited her gathering and Nelle returned to the house proud she’d collected so many. When she deposited them on the counter, Aunt Harriet peeked at the basket. “Hmm, must be the cold weather. Number’s going down, but they’ll have to do.”
Nelle gulped. How many did Harriet or Elizabeth usually collect? This looked like a lot. A baby’s giggle turned her around. Elizabeth stood with Davey on her hip. His happy grin and waving arms tickled Nelle’s insides, but worry that she had neglected him sent doubt through her veins.
“You were still sleepin’ this mornin’ when I came into your room, so I picked him and took him to Aunt Harriet’s room ‘cause she was already up.”
Heat rushed to her face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you come in.” Had she been so tired she hadn’t heard the baby waken and start fussing.
“It’s okay. I like to get him early in the morning and play with him some before getting busy for the day. Aunt Harriet doesn’t mind my taking him to her room, so I didn’t think you’d mind either.”
The look of scorn on Elizabeth’s face pierced Nelle’s soul. The girl didn’t trust her to take care of the baby. “I don’t think that’s a problem, but do wake me and let me know when you take him from the room.” Nelle shuddered to think she hadn’t even noticed him gone this morning.
“All right, if you say so.” Elizabeth plopped him into his wooden chair and tied a towel about his waist to keep him from climbing out of it. “Pa brought in the milk and is up with Katie.”
Katie! Nelle needed to brush her hair and braid it. And breakfast had to be made as well beginning lessons for the girls. How could she ever remember everything and get it all done?
“Nelle, dear, why don’t you go help Katie, and I’ll take care of breakfast. Lizzie can warm Davy’s bottle and give it to him.” Aunt Harriet broke an egg into a bowl.
“Thank you, Harriet.” Nelle scrambled up the ladder to the girl’s loft to find Riley seated on the edge of the bed with a brush in his hands.
“Thank goodness you’re here. Katie’s hair is a tangled mess this morning.”
Nelle eyed the unruly mass of curls. “I can see that. Give me the brush and I’ll take care of this while you go down and have your coffee.”
Relief flooded his features and he handed Nell the brush. “Thank you. I hope you can unsnarl those tangles.” He crawled to the ladder and disappeared over the edge of the loft.
“All right, Katie, let’s see what we can do with your hair.” Nelle held a section in her hand and ran the brush through it. “You have beautiful hair, and we’re going to fix it up really pretty this morning.”
Katie tilted her head and grinned up at Nelle. “Mama used to do it just like you are. Can I have a braid with bow this morning?”
“No curls? Okay, a braid it is.” In a matter of minutes Nelle had smoothed the tangles and braided the dark hair into a single plait down Katie’s back.
Katie handed her a length of blue ribbon. “This one matches my dress.”
“So it does.” Nelle tied the ribbon around the braid at Katie’s neck level. “There now. All fixed and ready for the day.”
Katie reached up and hugged Nelle. “Thank you, Ma, I love you.” She scooted across the floor and down the ladder.
Warmth from Katie’s hug and words filled Nelle with love for the little girl as she descended the ladder. She could do this. Aunt Harriet would be here a few more days, and by then the routine would be easier and become a habit for the mornings. Aunt Harriet’s cooking lessons wouldn’t hurt either.
+++
Tears threatened when Riley hugged Katie. Her hair had been braided exactly like Miranda would have done it. From the happy smile on Katie’s face, she was glad to get rid of the tangles that even Aunt Harriet had trouble mastering.
When Nelle entered the kitchen, Katie jumped down from her chair and hugged Nelle around her waist. “I love my hair, Ma.” Then she peered up at Nelle. “It’s okay if I call you that. You said I could.”
“Yes, sweetie, it’s okay with me, and I love you, too.”
Davey banged his spoon and gurgled, “Mama, Mama.” Riley grinned. Another voice of approval. Then he noticed his older daughter’s silence.
Lizzie scowled with her lips pressed together. Obviously, she didn’t approve, but then that’s why he’d sent for a bride in the first place. His children needed a mother. Aunt Harriet beamed, and her eyes sparkled.
They finished breakfast with the only talk coming from Katie who chattered on about everything and nothing in particular. Although Nelle smiled at Katie, she bit her lip whenever she looked at Lizzie. He’d have to have a good talk with his daughter, but right now he had chores to attend to and a ranch to run.
He scooted his chair back. “I’m leavin’, but I’ll be back in time for supper. Got some fences needin’ mending and a few strays to round up. With winter comin’, we need to get all the cattle to winter pasture.”
Nelle smiled, but her eyes held doubt and possibly fear. The urge to draw her to him and wrap his arms around her to reassure her swelled in his heart. He swallowed hard. If he didn’t get out of here now, no telling what he’d do or say.
“See you at dinner.” His eyes locked with Lizzie’s. “You girls have a good day.” Then he stepped to Lizzie’s side and bent low to kiss her cheek. “It’ll be okay, honey. Remember what I said that first night, give her a chance.”
She said nothing, but her shoulders tightened beneath his hands. A silent prayer for Lizzie and Nelle filled his heart as he strode to the door, grabbed his hat and left. Outside, the chill north wind cooled him somewhat, but he had to control these rising feelings in his gut for Nelle. He’d promised not to expect anything of her until she was ready, but unless Lizzie came around, Nelle might decide to head back northeast to Maine.
And that chilled his heart even more than the wind did his body.
Chapter 6
The day of Aunt Harriet’s departure arrived. Riley would be taking her all the way to the railroad station which meant Nelle would be alone with the children most of the day. It being Saturday, Nelle would have to figure out something for them to do. Davey was no problem as he was happy playing with his toys and toddling around behind Nelle as she did chores.
With a sigh, Nelle picked up a smiling Davey from his crib and laid him on her bed to change his diaper. Now that he was beginning to attempt a few steps, he wanted to climb on everything and stand up. She’d have to be even more watchful over him now.
One development she wanted to delay as long as possible was teaching him to use the chamber pot
. She’d heard some horrid tales about that little process. She had learned to have the diaper cover him until she could pin it on. A couple of sprays of urine had taught that lesson quickly.
After cleaning him up and dressing him in warm clothes for the day, Nelle snuggled with him for a few minutes on the bed. He entwined his fingers in her hair and gurgled out a “Mama” in laughter that thrilled her heart. This little one had been so easy to love as had Katie, but she still had made no headway with Elizabeth. Her acceptance would make Nelle’s stay much more bearable. She’d have to work harder toward that goal.
Aunt Harriet had been a blessing the past week, and now Nelle could get a simple meal on the table. Her baking still needed some practice and her biscuits continued to be more like rocks than bread.
Holding Davey close to her, Nelle ambled into the kitchen. Now that the baby was back on his regular schedule, she’d learned to get up early with him in order to have coffee already hot and breakfast started when Riley came in from morning chores. After tying Davey secure in his chair, Nelle prepared the coffee and set it on the stove to heat.
“Good morning. I can’t believe this is my last breakfast with the five of you.” Aunt Harriet entered the kitchen and reached for her apron.
“Good morning to you, and I can’t believe it either. You’ve been such a help to me, and I’m going to miss you. I’m still not sure how I’m going to get everything done with you gone.”
“Oh, pshaw, you’ll do fine. Let’s work on those biscuits one more time this morning. If you can’t master them, then simply make toast. Your yeast breads are wonderful.” Aunt Harriet reached into the cabinet and pulled down plates and cups to set the table.
“You can get Katie and Lizzie to help you with the table and Lizzie can collect the eggs in the morning. I have a list of chores the girls can do. I’ll give it to Riley and he can tell them.” She glanced at Nelle. “I just can’t remember to call her Elizabeth. Don’t know why she has to change her name.”
Doubt squeezed Nelle’s heart at Aunt Harriet’s words. Elizabeth was growing up, but she still hesitated short of refusal to follow any orders or requests from Nelle, but she did listen to her father. What would it take to win over the girl on the verge of becoming a young woman? Nelle remembered her own thirteenth year and the awkwardness of a changing body. Somehow, Nelle would have to win the girl’s confidence and trust.
Katie and Elizabeth entered the kitchen and Elizabeth tickled Davey under the chin which prompted his laughter and waving of his arms. Katie wrapped her arms around Nelle’s waist. “Good mornin’, Ma.”
Nelle hugged Katie. “Good morning to you, too. Will you set the plates around the table while Aunt Harriet and I fix breakfast?”
“Okay.” Katie hugged her aunt. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
“I’m going to miss my little Miss Magpie, too.” She glanced over at Elizabeth who wore a scowl as dark as night. “Lizzie, get your shawl and go gather the eggs so we can start breakfast.”
The scowl grew darker. “My name is Elizabeth, and why can’t Nelle get the eggs?”
“Because she’s busy with the biscuits.” She handed Elizabeth the basket. “Now, scat.”
Elizabeth grabbed the basket and mumbled, “More like rocks you mean.”
“Elizabeth Ann Thornton, apologize right now.” Aunt Harriet’s arms crossed over her chest as she glared at her niece.
“It’s all right, Aunt Harriet, my biscuits are pretty hard.”
Elizabeth grabbed her shawl and scooted out the door. Aunt Harriet shook her head. “It’s not okay. That girl needs to learn respect.”
Nelle didn’t respond. She understood the young girl’s feelings all too well. Losing a mother at such an age could be devastating. Elizabeth needed a woman to talk to about the way her body and emotions were changing and how she was feeling, and Nelle did want to be that woman.
Aunt Harriet laid out the ingredients for the biscuits. “I think your problem is your success with yeast bread. Biscuit dough doesn’t need to be handled as much or kneaded like yeast breads. Give it a lighter touch this morning and see what happens.”
Nelle nodded and began mixing the ingredients. Soups and stews she had mastered, as well as cookies, but cakes and pies along with the biscuits eluded her skills. Her coffee had improved to the point that Riley drank it without pursing his lips.
Elizabeth returned with the eggs and set them on the counter. With the cold weather now upon them, the hens had quit producing quite as many, but even a dozen would take care of breakfast and any baking that had to be done.
“Thank you, Elizabeth. Would you get the bacon from the cooler for me?”
In short time the family gathered around the table for their last meal with Aunt Harriet. Riley said the blessing for the meal. “Father, we thank you for Your bountiful supply with this meal. We pray safe travel today and tomorrow for our loved one. May she arrive home safely. Thank You for her time here. Bless this food to Your use in our bodies. Amen.
This morning the mealtime passed quickly so Riley and Aunt Harriet could be off for town. She didn’t want to miss the connection to the train. After numerous hugs and goodbyes, she gave Nelle one last hug.
“Be patient, my dear, with them all. Riley will love you and Elizabeth will call you ma. I’ll be praying for all of you.” With one last squeeze, Harriet released her and picked up her valise.
Nelle stood in the doorway and stared after the wagon until it disappeared around the curve. This was going to be a long day.
+++
Riley sat silent beside his aunt. She had to go home, but he had come to rely on her presence to help him with the awkward times with Nelle. “I’m going to miss you, you know.”
“Yes, but you have Nelle, and she does love your children.” She placed a hand on his arm. “It’s okay to love again. Miranda wouldn’t want you to spend the rest of your life alone, and she’d want the girls to have a mother to guide them.”
In his heart, her words rang true. His growing attraction to Nelle scared him. He longed to hold a woman in his arms again, but it had to be for the right reasons and at the right time. Surging male desires were not the right reason, and because of those desires, he must continue to sleep in the foreman’s cottage.
Harriet searched in her reticule and brought out a sheet of paper. “Riley, here’s a list of things you need to tell Lizzie to do to help Nelle. I don’t think she’ll listen if the requests come from Nelle, but you’re her father, and she wants to please you.”
“She doesn’t have to please me with anything. I love her, and she knows it.” He paused a moment and remembered Elizabeth’s attitude the past few days. “I think I understand what you’re saying. She’s still a little lost between being a little girl needing her Ma and a young lady able to do things for herself.”
“You’re a wise father, Riley. I think things are going to be just fine in the long run. Katie and Davey already love Nelle and she loves them. I can see it in her eyes. She loves Lizzie, too. I’m sorry. I have to get used to calling her Elizabeth.”
“That’s another strange thing, but then I guess it’s all a part of her growing up. Sure would be easier if she was a boy. I know all about boys and what they need and want, but girls are another thing entirely.”
That was one reason he had such a hard time knowing what Nelle was thinking or wanting. It had taken him and Miranda months of courting before they really knew each other. Now here he’d gone and married again without knowing anything about the woman except what he’d read in her letters.
“You’ll do fine, and with Nelle’s help, all three of them young’uns will grow up to fine, upstanding Christians. I won’t stop praying to that end.”
It would take a lot of prayer to make things better around the ranch, but he appreciated everyone Aunt Harriet sent up.
After he dropped her off at the depot where she’d pick up a ride to the train station, Riley headed for a visit with Jake. The mail-order ange
l business had been his and Matt’s from the beginning. He entered the mercantile and called out to Jake.
“Gotta minute, Jake? Need to talk with you.”
“Sure, be with you in a shake.” True to his word, he joined Riley by the stove. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m not sure. It’s about this mail-order angel business. Nelle and I married in a hurry ’cause I needed someone for my children, but now I’m not so sure. It’s a hard life out here. Katie and Lizzie had already been born when we moved out to the ranch. We both wanted another child, but it ended up taking Miranda’s life.”
“I’m sorry about that, Riley, but it could have happened back in Missouri. Nelle will do fine. Do you like her?”
“Yes, I do. In fact I like her a lot. She’s pretty and she loves the kids.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I don’t think she’s happy. I’ve decided that if she isn’t ready to be my wife by Christmas, I’m going to send her back to Maine.”
Jake held up his hands, palms out toward Riley. “Whoa, now, you can’t do that. You done married her.”
“Can’t we just have it annulled or voided or something? I can’t bear the thought of being so near to her and her not caring about me or wanting me for a husband.” He hadn’t stopped to consider what it would take to dissolve a marriage. He trusted Jake as their preacher man to come up with a plan.
“I’ll have to think on that one, Riley. Let’s see how things go between now and Christmas. The other arrangements seem to be working out well, so I think yours will, too.”
How Riley wanted that to be so. Nelle may be small in stature, but she had a heart as big as the Wyoming sky and the determination to match. He was beginning to care for her more than he ever thought he could care for another woman after Miranda.
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