by Kit Morgan
Constance laughed. “We’ll get along until the new house is built.”
“Yes, we can help you fix the place up and you’ll be nice and cozy until that time comes. And who knows? Maybe you and Ryder will be right behind Belle and Colin when it comes to starting a family.”
“Or Penelope and August.” Constance sat at the table. “I think it would be wonderful for all of us to be together during Christmas and birthdays, our babies growing up together…”
“And the annual Clear Creek picnic,” Sadie added.
“Picnic?”
“Yes, we started it several years ago, just before Colin and Belle got married, the summer of 58. Lot’s of things changed that year. The Mulligan’s lost their saloon, Belle met Colin, Mr. and Mrs. Dunnigan’s mercantile burned down, Duncan found out he was a duke and had to get married to procure the title. That was a fiasco.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“You have?”
“Yes, from Duncan himself.”
“Of course, you were in England with him before we ever met you. Anyway, it’s a lovely picnic involving the whole town. You’ll love it.”
“I can’t wait.”
They were both silent for a time, each gazing around the cabin, imagining what it could be, when Ryder burst through the door. “Hey there, Sugar! Look what I got!” He held up a handful of cash, reached her in two strides, and kissed her on the cheek. “Gotta put this somewhere safe.” He went to the cot, reached underneath and began to feel around. “Dagnabbit, I know I put … ah ha! Here it is!” He pulled out a worn leather pouch, stuffed the money inside, and tossed it back under the bed. “You be sure to keep an eye on that. There’s enough money there to buy you a new stove. Somethin’ a lot bigger than this ol thing.” He kicked their stove for emphasis, kissed her again, and ran out the door.
“My, is he always this exuberant?” asked Sadie.
“Yes, he is.”
“No wonder you’d like a bigger house. I can’t imagine being in this cabin all winter with him. If it were Harrison and me, I’d probably kill him.”
Constance gave her a weak smile. “Trust me, even though I’ve only been married a few days, I’ve already imagined that very same circumstance.”
They looked at each other, grimaced, then burst into giggles.
* * *
Constance breathed a sigh of relief when they went to the wagon to retrieve the rest of her belongings. Sadie had brought her small trunk, and inside were two day dresses, suitable for work on the ranch, and her Sunday dress. Her hairbrush, comb, and small hand mirror were also there, along with a bracelet her mother had given to each of them before Constance and her sisters left England. “I never thought I’d miss something so quickly,” she remarked as she held up the hairbrush.
“You don’t miss them until you don’t have them. Trust me I know. I had a lot when I was living under my father’s roof.”
“Don’t think me impertinent, but you have a lot now,” Constance replied.
“Yes, because of my father. I admire Ryder and yourself starting out like this, everything new and fresh, working together to make something out of nothing.” Constance could only stare. Was she joking? This was going to be hard work! But apparently she wasn’t, as Sadie continued. “Harrison and his brothers, we had it all handed to us by my father as a wedding gift. He built the ranch house and gave us a thousand head of prime stock to get us going. It might not seem like much …”
“Not seem like much? The Triple C is beautiful!”
“Let me say it another way. It’s different when you build it yourself. You … own it then. I still feel as if my father owns it.”
“Oh, I see,” said Constance. She looked at the cabin, the barn, the rolling prairie. This was now her land, her home, her world. She and Ryder could paint whatever sort of picture they wanted here for their lives. Sadie, Harrison and the rest of the Cookes had it painted for them. So did Duncan and Cozette for that matter. When she thought on it, she and her sisters had much more to work with. It was a though Sadie was telling her they were cattle ranchers whether they had wanted to be or not. As she recalled, Harrison and his brothers were nothing more than poor pig farmers before Sadie came along and everything changed.
“I have a lot then …” Constance thought aloud.
“You have more than you know. The best part being, that man over by the corral.”
Constance gazed at Ryder as he conversed with Harrison. Both men talked with their hands, so the conversation was quite animated. At one point Ryder looked at her, winked, then went back to whatever he was telling Sadie’s husband. Her stomach flipped at the small gesture, and she blushed despite herself.
“He’s a handsome one, that Ryder. Good thing there are no other single women in town,” Sadie commented.
Constance smiled as she gazed upon her husband with admiration. “He is not unpleasant to look upon.”
Sadie slapped her on the arm. “Stop that, you know he’s wonderful.”
“Yes,” she managed as she blushed again, this time a deep red.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be having babies in no time.”
Constance held Honoria a little tighter and rested her cheek on the baby’s head. She’d not put her down since Sadie’s arrival. She closed her eyes and inhaled the child’s scent. “I’m sure we will.”
“But first,” Sadie said with a giggle. “You’ll have to get a new bed.”
Constance laughed at that, not embarrassed in the least. Of course they would need a new bed. The two of them barely fit on Ryder’s silly cot. Speaking of which …
“You ladies done visitin’”? I do believe Harrison is ready to leave,” Ryder said as he sauntered over from the corral.
“So soon?” Constance asked, her voice heavy with disappointment.
“Afraid so, darlin’. But you can visit the next time we go to town.”
“Of course, the ladies sewing circle. I have to help with Eloise’s dress.”
Sadie’s face screwed up. “We all have to help with Eloise’s dress. Of the two of you, I’d say you’re the better seamstress.”
“I am?” Constance asked in shock.
“I’m afraid so.”
“Oh dear, poor Eloise …”
“So I guess this means we’ll be seeing you in a couple of days,” Harrison said as he approached and took Honoria from her arms. He nuzzled the baby. “How’s my little plum cake?” he said in a high-pitched voice. Honoria squealed in delight and drooled.
Ryder smiled as he put his arm around Constance. “We’ll be there, ya’all can count on it. This sounds like it’s gonna be a sewin’ emergency.”
“More like a sewing surgery,” Sadie said flatly.
Constance giggle at the remark as Harrison handed her the baby. “Hold this a moment, will you?” She took Honoria from his arms and watched him help Sadie onto the wagon seat. He then took the baby and handed her to his wife. His little family settled, Harrison climbed up, sat, and took up the reins. “Two days it is then,” he said with a wave.
Constance felt her heart sink down to her stomach. For crying out loud, it was only two days! She could get by for two days on Ryder and Cutty’s company. Oh yes, Cutty … she glanced to the barn and wondered what had become of him. He’d disappeared as soon as he saw Sadie.
She sighed. Not only did she and Ryder need a new bed in order to start working on a family, they also needed to get rid of their house guest. But from the looks of it, he was already gone.
* * *
Cutty trudged down a small path that led across the prairie to the tree line. He’d given Ryder the excuse he was going out to search for Camas bulbs, an edible plant the boy had shown him how to find when they first met. He ignored Ryder when he said it was too early in the year to find any, grunted some sort of answer, and set off anyway. He had to get away from the ranch while Harrison Cooke and his wife were there, lest they get too close and recognize him. It wouldn’t do to be found out now, he’d
not completed his work.
He stopped in the middle of the trail and looked at Ryder’s small cabin in the distance. “What work?” he said to himself with an impeccable English accent. “You blighter, the only work you have is to stay alive.” He turned toward the trees and continued on. “But what about your grand plan of revenge, hmmm?”
He stopped again. “E-gads, I’m talking to myself! Has it really come to that?” He looked at his careworn clothing, stroked his long beard, then reached up and touched his matted hair. “Oh for the love of … I have to do something! Bloody Cookes! You’ve ruined everything! Took all I ever had!” He tripped on a rock and stubbed his toe. “OW!” He grabbed his booted foot, and hopped around as he tried in vain to make the pain go away. “It should be me living the life of a duke!” He stopped jumping and shook a fist at the sky. “You! You did this to me! You and your … ohhh, bugger off!”
He stood there, breathing hard, and sat down. “All I ever wanted was an easy life. Was that too much to ask? A nice castle, a few estates, a wife, three or four mistresses …” he shrugged. “I’m not greedy, just entitled. But noooo, Duncan Cooke holds the title while I sit here and rot!” He struck the grass with his fist. “No more. Maybe if I gave my dear cousin a reason to come back … that’s it!” He scrambled to his feet. “I’ll make it so Duncan has to come back to Clear Creek! Why didn’t I think of this before? Why, it’s brilliant!” He rubbed his hands together in glee and started to cackle. “Good Heavens! I do believe I’ve become a true villain!” He cackled again, in fact, he cackled so hard he started to cough and hack. Catching his breath, he once again sunk to the ground. “By the time I get through with you, Duncan Cooke, you’ll have nothing left! And then I’ll take your place …”
Ten
Because of Harrison and Sadie’s visit, some of the morning chores still needed to be done. Namely, Harriet, and Ryder was determined to make sure Harriet and Constance had a proper introduction. Milking a cow, however, was not the sort of introduction to the beast Constance imagined, but here she sat, staring at parts of a cow’s anatomy she’d never seen before, and feeling completely out of place.
“Now, take the teat in your hand like this, see?” Ryder said as he began his demonstration.
Constance cringed. Harriet turned her head, looked at her, and mooed. “Are you sure she’s going to like this? She looks angry.”
“She’s not angry, Sugar, she’s not feelin’ too good on account she didn’t get milked on time.”
“Ohhh, I don’t know if I can do this …”
“Sure ya can,” he said as he knelt in the hay beside her and patted her hip.
She sat on a small three-legged stool, her skirts about her, and leaned forward. Thank Heaven she wasn’t wearing a corset! It would have made the job harder. “All right, show me again.”
He took the teat between his thumb and fore finger at the base, smiled at her, then gently squeezed. Milk squirted into the metal bucket he’d placed under Harriet earlier. “See, that ain’t so hard is it? Now you try.”
She gulped, reached out, and placed her fingers in the same position she’d seen him do. “Like this?” she asked.
“Yep, now do what I did.”
She did, but nothing happened.
He chuckled. “You have to give ol Harriet a little squeeze, darlin’ or we’re gonna be sittin’ here all day.”
She gave him a lop-sided smile, and tried again. This time, it worked. “I did it!”
“There ya go! Now, give Harriet a few more just like it.”
She did, and began to feel quite proud of herself, when Ryder motioned her to stop. He took the bucket and dumped the milk. First few pulls I get rid of, then get down to business. Ready?”
“Why do you dump it out?”
“On account the first few pulls get the dirt off her udder, if’n there is any. Then I get down to the serious milkin’.”
“Oh, I see.” She readjusted herself on the stool, eyed Harriet’s udders with pure determination, and put her hands in the proper place. “I’m ready.”
“Good, you do that, and I’m gonna go chop us some wood.”
“Wait, you’re leaving?”
“Course, you’re an expert already, ya don’t need me here.”
She swallowed. “But what if Harriet decides she wants to be someplace else? She’s not even tied to anything!”
“She don’t need to be. She’s a good ol gal, ain’t ya Harriet?” he said as he gave the cow a friendly pat. “She’ll wait til your done, besides, she’s too full and wants to be milked.”
Constance looked between his smiling face and Harriet. “If you say so.” She took a deep breath, and started to milk the cow.
Ryder chuckled, kissed her on the cheek, and left. She could hear him outside in the barnyard, and soon heard the distinct sound of wood splitting. She smiled, and began to imagine doing this everyday, she and her husband working together to make their little ranch the best it could be. There was a raw satisfaction in the simple task of milking Harriet as she listened to Ryder work, and it gave her a warm, fuzzy feeling. She even discovered that milking Harriet was relaxing, and began humming a merry tune as she did.
Soon the pail was almost full, and Harriet began to fidget. “By Jove, I think we’re done!” Harriet mooed in answer, and started to walk off. Constance grabbed the bucket before the cow could knock it over. “Well! You could at least say thank you!”
Harriet ignored her and sauntered out of the barn, past Ryder, and headed for the nearest patch of grass. Constance sighed. “Until tomorrow then, sweet Harriet, adieu.” She waved, shook her head in amusement, and stood.
Her position on the low stool put a kink in her back, and she stretched to get it out. Two arms suddenly wrapped around her from behind, and she almost screamed, then realized it was Ryder. “Done already, Sugar?” he whispered in her ear.
She blushed as heat shot through her. “Yes.”
“Good, next I’m gonna show ya how to gather eggs. How does that sound?”
Without thinking she leaned against him, and noted how his scent mingled with the other smells of the barn. There was a natural beauty to it all, and she had to close her eyes a moment so she could take it all in.
“Sugar?”
“Hmmm?”
He let go a shaky breath, and pulled her against his chest even further. He began to nibble on her ear. “I never thought chores could be this much fun, did you?”
She smiled, eyes still closed. “I wouldn’t know, I’ve never done these things before.”
“Never?” he whispered against her neck and then kissed it.
She shuddered in his arms. “Ne … never.”
He turned her around to face him. “Well then, I best teach you a thing or two about not being a distraction to your husband in the barn.”
“Distraction?” She was looking up at him now, and watched as his eyes grew dark. She sucked in a breath without thinking, and felt the familiar weakness in her knees. “Oh dear,” she whispered.
“Oh dear …” he repeated, his voice dropped in pitch. “I dare say,” he said, imitating her accent. “I do believe I must kiss you now.”
She giggled. “That was horrible.”
“I never said I was good at talking like an Englishman.” He bent his head to hers and rested it there. “But I do know one thing I’m good at.”
“What’s that?” she asked with a smile, anticipation mounting.
He tucked a finger under her chin, and lifted her face to his. “This, darlin’.”
Though she knew the kiss was coming, she wasn’t prepared for the sheer strength of it. He didn’t plunder her mouth as she half expected, he didn’t even kiss her like he did the night before. What was different about this kiss was the intent behind it. She could feel him like she’d never felt him before, and began to understand how powerful love could be. True, they’d only been married a few days and had a long way to go in getting to know one another. But Ryder was able to
let her know how he felt in that moment within one, single, solitary kiss. And it made her heart swell with emotion. Ones she’d never felt before. Good Heavens! If he was able to do this to her so early in their marriage, what would it be like a year from now?
She broke the kiss and stared up at him, her mouth half open in astonishment.
“What is it?” he asked.
She shook her head, her heart and mind still trying to comprehend the beautiful gift he was. “I … I …” she shook her head again, unable to speak. “I cannot say …”
He studied her. “You’re all moony-eyed, Sugar.” He bent his face to hers again, and her whole body shuddered in response. “I think maybe that’s enough for you this mornin’, or we’re gonna find ourselves up in that there hay loft.”
“What have you done to me?” she breathed.
“Nothin’ any other good husband has a mind to do.”
“What’s that?”
He grinned. “Showin’ ya how I feel, that I think you’re the prettiest thing I ever did see.”
She stared at him. In England he would be considered far beneath her station, and her father would turn over in his grave if she’d so much as pondered him as a match. But out here in the wilds of America, he was priceless. “I’m married to you …” she said as if realizing it for the first time.
“I sure hope so, Sugar, or Preacher Jo might have himself a kanipshin fit and think he ain’t legally marryin’ folks.”
She laughed, the sound snapping her out of her kiss-induced stupor. “I’m sorry, it’s just that everything is sinking in, I suppose.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No, not at all. In fact I think it’s a very good thing, and …” her eyes roamed his face, “… and I’m sure it will only get better.” Her last word trailed off as she began to stand on tiptoe. Once again, she was going to kiss him, and couldn’t for the life of her fight the automatic urge to do so. Before she knew it, her lips were on his, and she found herself lost once again in the fold of his arms and the sweet, gentle sensation that held her more than his physical body ever could. For Ryder Jones, this wonderful man she was now married to, was somehow able to hold her heart.