by Janette Oke
The next morning he was up even earlier than usual. He did the chores thoroughly and promised the milk cows that he would not keep them waiting that night.
He pushed the horse a little faster than normal on the way to the Davis', though still careful not to ask too much of it. If anyone knew how to care for his horse, it was Lane.
Again Ellie met him at the door, and Lane was surprised when he entered the kitchen to see that there was a place set at the table. Ellie pointed to it and asked him to be seated. She then busied herself at the already hot grill on the big kitchen stove, frying up a
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plate of pancakes. The very fragrance of them made Lane's mouth water.
She didn't pour his coffee until she had placed the stack of pancakes before him.
"Ya weren't gonna chance it gittin' cold, huh?" Lane asked softly, teasing in his voice.
If his words surprised Ellie, she chose not to show it. "Eat yer breakfast," she said in mock firmness, her words carrying with them an acknowledgment that she was aware of the strange undercurrent that existed between them.
Ellie went to make the lunches, and Marty soon joined them in the kitchen. They talked of the weather and the soon-approaching Christmas, and Marty extended an invitation to Lane to join them for Christmas Day, which he gratefully accepted.
Clark came in from the barn carrying a pail of fresh milk.
"How ya enjoyin' being' a farmhand?" he joked with Lane. "Is it kinda nice to milk 'em rather'n brand 'em?"
Lane grinned. "Guess I'm 'bout the only cowboy who would ever admit he don't mind milkin' a cow."
Clark laughed. "Well, I don't mind admittin' it none. I kinda enjoy it myself. Had me an idea, too," Clark went on. "Since yer out there doin' my work, how 'bout I do a little of yers?"
Lane looked puzzled.
"Well, iffen ya wouldn't have to hurry on home fer the chores, you fellas could chop a few more trees. I thought I'd just ride on over and do up yer evenin' work so's you could stay on to supper here an' not be worryin' none 'bout the time thet ya git home."
"Oh, I couldn't--I was gonna tell ya thet I wouldn't be stayin' on fer supper. I'll just go on home after we finish in the woods. It won't be too late iffen I--"
"Nonsense," said Clark. "Me, I've got all day here with very little to do. I can do up the chores here and still have plenty of time to do yers, too, 'fore it gets dark."
"Oh, but I hate--"
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"Won't have it any other way. Not gonna let ya work in the woods all day an' then go home to git yer own supper and do chores in the dark."
Lane could tell there was no use in arguing. He wondered if Ellie was listening to the conversation and if she was, what she thought about it.
"'Preciate it," Lane said and determined that he'd work doubly hard felling trees.
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THIRTEEN Marty Makes a Date
Supper that night was chicken and dumplings, and Lane thought he'd never tasted anything better. Ellie wore her hair pinned up, but tendrils floated loose about her face, and her cheeks were flushed from working over the stove. Arnie was anxious to eat and be off to see his Anne, and Clare had gone directly home to Kate.
After the meal, Ellie tried to shoo everyone into the family sitting room before the big fireplace. Clark and Marty were quick to respond. Lane went, too--rather reluctantly. He chatted with Clark for a few moments, more aware of the activity in the kitchen where Ellie was clearing away the table than in the responses he was attempting to make in the conversation.
When Marty started a new subject with Clark, Lane saw it as his opportunity and slipped back to the kitchen.
"Mind iffen I dry?" he asked quietly, and Ellie looked up in surprise.
"I'd think yer muscles would be tired enough after yer long day," she stated.
"I'm thinkin' thet it might take a different set of muscles to dry a few dishes."
"Then I accept the offer," Ellie said and smiled. Lane's heart did a flip.
She handed him a towel and showed him where he could stack
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the dried dishes. She led in the conversation, keeping it light and sticking to general subjects.
They were finished all too soon. Lane hung up the towel. "An' how's yer young pup?" he asked.
Ellie looked surprised and then must have remembered the first time Lane had visited the farm.
"He's growin' like a weed," she said. "Pa has already given away two of the others."
"But not yer favorite?"
"Not yet. But he will. We already have enough dogs. I know thet. Pa's right. We can't keep 'em all. We'd soon be overrun." She moved to stack dishes in the cupboard.
"It bother ya?" asked Lane.
"Guess it does." Ellie's smile looked a little forced. "But I'll git used to it."
"Anybody asked fer 'im yet?"
"I hide 'im," Ellie admitted sheepishly. "Every time someone comes to look at 'em, I hide 'im."
It was like the game of a little girl.
"An' don't ya tell," she quickly admonished, and then they were laughing together.
"How long d'ya think ya can keep doin' thet?" Lane asked when they were serious again.
"Till he's the last one," she said soberly. "Soon as the next one goes, I'm a goner."
"They don't have a dog at the LaHayes'," Lane said quietly. "So ya said. I can't 'magine livin' on a farm without a dog." "I've never had a dog of my own."
"Never?" Ellie's tone said she could scarcely believe that one could live without a dog.
"Never!"
"Don't ya like dogs?"
"Love 'em." Lane handed Ellie another stack of dishes, and she placed them in the proper spot in the cupboard.
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"Specially took to thet little one of yourn out there. I been thinkin', iffen ya have to give it up anyway, would ya mind if I took it?"
Ellie's eyes widened. "Not ... not iffen you'd like 'im." "I'd love 'im--I really would."
"He's an awfully good dog," Ellie enthused. "He's gonna be real smart--you can tell by the brightness of his eyes. An' he's from real good stock an--"
"Hey," cut in Lane, "you don't have to sell me on the pup. I'm already askin' fer 'im."
Ellie smiled. "When d'ya want 'im?" she asked.
"Well, I was wonderin'. With me gone all day, would it be too much to ask ya to keep 'im fer a while? I mean--till I'm done cuttin' logs so's I'll be home with 'im. Seems a shame to take 'im from his ma an' then not have any company fer 'im."
Ellie's grin widened. "I'll tell Pa," she said.
Lane turned to go back into the living room because all the dishes were done and there really didn't seem like any good reason for him to stay around longer. Ellie stopped him midstride by calling his name. "Lane."
He turned quickly, and she spoke softly. "Thank you," she said.
Lane wondered just how late he dared stay without being an unwanted guest. Clark challenged him to a game of checkers, and Lane was surprised that he was able to play as well as he did with Ellie sitting across the room from him, hand stitching a baby blanket. Marty was working on a tiny sweater, but Lane was scarcely aware she was there until she suddenly spoke.
"The young people of the area are havin' a little gatherin' in the church next week," she said. "Would ya be interested in goin' an' gettin' acquainted, seem' yer goin' to be in our area fer a time?"
"It'd be nice," Lane answered absently and moved a checker out of range of Clark's.
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"Arnie an' Anne will be there," went on Marty, "but I don't s'pose you'll be knowin' many of the others."
"Don't s'pose," said Lane.
"Thought maybe ya wouldn't mind takin' Ellie on over. She could show ya the way an' introduce ya to the rest of the young people."
Lane moved a king directly into the path of one of Clark's men and said calmly, "Be obliged."
The game went on. Lane lost soundly. From that move on, his mind was not on the game. He didn't dare look at Elli
e. He had heard a little gasp and her shocked whisper, "Mama." He was surprised she hadn't outright refused her mother's suggestion. Would she back out gracefully later? Did she already have a date for the night? Lane feared it might be so. Clark moved to put away the checkerboard, and Marty kept her knitting needles click-clicking in a steady rhythm. Lane rose to excuse himself, and after a mild protest on Marty's part, which Lane countered with thanks for the evening but he had to go, Marty suggested that Ellie show him to the door.
Ellie rose obediently and laid her sewing aside.
They walked silently through the room and into the kitchen, and Lane took his heavy jacket from the hook and slipped his arms into it. He pulled his mitts out of his pocket and reached for his hat. Still Ellie had not spoken.
"That wasn't yer idea, was it?" Lane asked softly.
"No," answered Ellie, not meeting his eyes.
"Iffen it's a problem, I understand."
Ellie looked at him then. "Is it a problem fer you?" she asked sincerely.
Lane looked at her steadily. "It's an honor fer me," he stated. "Then it's no problem fer me," said Ellie simply. Lane left with his hat in his hand and his heart singing.
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On the night of the social, Lane was in early from the woods, for Arnie, too, wished to be home in plenty of time to properly get ready before going to pick up Anne. Clare gave them both some good-natured teasing, but Arnie quickly reminded Clare of how he had acted when he was courting Kate.
Lane did not stop for supper, having already informed Marty not to expect him. He hurried on home, thinking of a warm bath and a quick shave. He wasn't too sure that what he had to wear was appropriate, but he would do the best he could with what he had. He couldn't believe his good fortune--that he would actually be escorting Ellie! He still wasn't sure just how it had all come about or why Ellie hadn't turned him down.
Ellie rushed through the supper dishes and hastened to her room.
Marty went up to see what was taking her so long and returned to Clark, shaking her head. "Never seen Ellie fuss so," she said. "She's had herself a bath, and she's put on and taken off more'n one gown."
"Every girl fusses when she's goin' out with a young man," Clark responded.
"Lane?" Marty's head swung around to stare at Clark. "Why, he's just like one of the family."
"And so he is," agreed Clark.
Lane was plenty early, and when he looked at the radiant Ellie, his pulse beat more rapidly. She wasn't just pretty--she was lovely.
They walked out to the sleigh, and he helped her to be seated and tucked her in carefully against the cold of the winter night.
They talked of this and that on the way to the church. When they passed a neighbor's farm, Ellie would tell Lane something of the family who lived there.
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When they arrived at their destination, Lane helped Ellie down and went to tie his horses among the milling, stomping teams of the neighborhood youth. He spotted the team of bays that Arnie drove and gave one a pat on his broad rump as he walked by.
Ellie was standing just inside the door when he entered the church. She showed him where to put his hat and coat and then began the introductions.
The young people were friendly and the games lively. The evening went quickly, and Lane, who was not used to such gatherings, was surprised at the fun they had. After a snack served by the girls, it was time to go home.
Lane felt several pairs of eyes on him as he helped Ellie into her coat. He knew there were a number of neighborhood boys who greatly envied him. He could feel it in their looks and their curt manners. It made him even more conscious of the fact that he was escorting the prettiest girl in the room.
Lane did not push the horses on the way home. If Ellie realized it, she did not say so. Instead, she talked about the party, the people he had met, and his thoughts concerning the evening. He reached to tuck the blanket securely around her, wishing with all his heart that he could leave his arm around her, too. Reluctantly, he withdrew it.
"What do ya think of our country?" asked Ellie, making a real turn in the conversation.
"It's different," he answered her, "but I like it fine."
"Ya miss the West?"
"Not as much as I thought I would," he said honestly. "But you'll be glad to git back?"
Lane thought of the wide-open spaces, the mountains in the distance, the night-crying of the coyotes, and the wind in his face and answered her, "Reckon I will."
"Guess Missie has learned to love it, too," Ellie said, gazing up at the wide, star-studded sky as she spoke.
"I think thet she does," answered Lane.
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"Seems so long since I've seen Missie."
"She speaks of ya often." Lane said and went on to think about the young sister Missie had referred to and wondered what Missie would think if she could see Ellie now.
"I still miss her. She was a wonderful big sister."
"Why don't ya come on out an' see her?" With me, he wanted to add but thought better of it.
Ellie laughed softly. "Sometimes I get the feelin' Mama isn't too anxious fer me to go visitin' out west. I think she's afraid I might not come back."
"Do you think ya could like the West?"
Ellie sighed. "I think I could like anywhere iffen ..." But she did not finish.
"Iffen--?" Lane prompted.
"Well," she said matter-of-factly, "no use thinkin' on it now anyway. Mama needs me at home with the new baby comin' an' all. Maybe Missie will be able to come on home fer a visit 'fore too long. I'd love to see her--an' her babies."
Lane's heart sank a little. Was there a hidden message here? Was she warning him that he had no part in her future? Mama needed her. Lane loved her for her consideration, and she was right. Marty did need her now, but surely she wasn't planning to spend the rest of her life caring for her mama's kitchen and never giving consideration to having one of her own. He wanted to ask her--to tell her--but she pointed out a falling star and began to talk of other things. He clucked to the team. The night suddenly seemed much colder.
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FOURTEEN Christmas
Marty, filled with excitement about the nearness of the Christmas season, was also anticipating Arnie's upcoming wedding. But she was absolutely overjoyed by the fact that Luke would soon be home.
Oh, how she had missed him! His letters, which seemed all too infrequent, reminded her of how lonesome she was for their youngest son.
She baked his favorite cakes, fussed over cleaning his room, insisted that his favorite foods be on hand. And even when all this had been accomplished, she still bustled about trying to think of something more to do to make sure of his welcome.
"Why don't ya just sit ya down and relax?" Clark asked her. "Yer gonna be wearin' yerself out. It's you the boy is comin' to see, not the house or the pantry."
Marty knew Clark was right, and she tried to hold herself in check. But it was awfully hard.
On the day of Luke's arrival, Marty suffered a disappointment. She had planned all along to travel into town to meet his stage, but the day was bitterly cold with a strong wind blowing. And Clark firmly announced she would best stay home by the fire and let them bring her son to her.
She knew there was no use arguing, but how she chafed and stewed! She finally consented, insisting that Clark and Arnie--the two making the trip to town--promise to hurry home just as fast
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as the team would bring them. Clark agreed and left in time to do any shopping beforehand so they could leave for home as soon as they could load Luke and his luggage.
The day went awfully slowly for Marty. Ellie shook her head at her mother's pacing back and forth to the window. "Yer gonna wear out the floor," she teased, but her tone said she understood.
At last the team was welcomed by the dogs, and Marty ran to open the door for Luke.
At first appearance, Marty felt Luke had not changed much in the few months he had been away. He had really not grow
n taller, and he was about the same weight. His grin was as broad and his hug still as hearty. It wasn't until they had been together for some time that Marty began to recognize little changes. Luke was no longer her "little boy." He was well on his way to being a responsible man. The knowledge both saddened her and made her proud. She felt that he was seeing her in a different way, too. Luke had always been her compassionate and caring son. Now he looked at her, as well, with the concern and practiced eye of a doctor. Oh, true, Luke had a long way to go before he would be qualified, but he was already seeing the world through a physician's eyes.
The trips to the woods were put off during the busy time of Christmas celebration and Arnie's wedding. Lane hated to think of not having an excuse to visit the Davises for a whole week, but Marty seemed to feel he was a part of the family and always found some reason for him to come over.
Lane helped Ellie set up and decorate the tree in the big family living room. The boys were busy with other things, Marty said, and it was a big job for the girl to do all alone. Lane was happy to assist and enjoyed the evening immensely. Ellie was in a carefree mood, and her light chatter and silvery laugh rather went to Lane's head. What would it be like to share this task with this girl for the many years ahead? he asked himself and readily admitted that he liked the idea.
Christmas Day found the house crowded with family. Children
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ran in and out, laughing and shrieking and exclaiming over Christmas surprises. The menfolk gathered in front of the open fire and roasted fall nuts and told jokes on one another, with much hearty laughing and good-natured backslapping. Women bustled about the kitchen, stirring and tasting and seasoning the huge pots that spilled savory odors throughout the whole house. Lane, who could not remember ever having been a part of such a Christmas before, joyfully absorbed every minute of it. Gifts from the tree were lovingly distributed, and Lane had been thoughtfully included. Marty's warm knit stocking cap would keep his head protected on cold winter days in the woods.