by Cyndi Raye
She followed her new husband through another solid wood door. It opened into a large bedroom where a four poster wooden framed bed sat. A beautiful quilt covered the bed, with matching curtains. A large dresser with several drawers stood underneath the single bedroom window. Another fireplace was built into the far wall. “There’s one in here, too?”
“Yes, it helps to keep the chill out on some cool evenings. You won’t need it much but will be glad it’s there on occasion.”
Abigail noticed a rocking chair sitting haphazardly in front of the fireplace. A small desk and stool was tucked into another corner. An old antique trunk sat on the floor, butted up against the foot of the bed. Abigail ran a hand over the top. “This is a beautiful trunk.”
“You can put your things in it if you’d like. Ma insisted I keep it.” Abigail noticed some bitterness in his voice but forgot the tone when she opened it up to find cedar lined the walls inside. It was the perfect size to place her clothing.
She accepted the carpet bag and turned to him. “Thank you.”
When he stood there, not leaving, she tilted her head. He still didn’t move. She coughed, placing a hand over her mouth.
He had been staring at the trunk for such a long time she began to worry. “Luke, is there something wrong?”
He still stared at the trunk, as if in a trance. She stood beside him, placing a hand on his arm. The touch of her hand caught him unaware. Luke turned to her with tortured eyes. When he realized how much his emotions were showing, his face quickly changed to a blank expression.
Should this worry her? She let go of his arm, taking a step back. Luke seemed to need a moment to recover so she turned away, placing her carpet bag on the bed and opened it up. Pulling a gown out, she shook it, her back to him, then laid it on the bed. She was so glad the trunk was so large so she wouldn’t have to fold the gown so small like she had done on the way here.
“I’ll leave you to your work,” he told her and quickly left the room. Abigail turned to the now closed door, wondering what all that was about. He seemed genuinely upset when she had opened the trunk. What was it about this certain piece of furniture that distressed a man so?
Abigail finished placing her belongings in the truck, then closed its huge lid and left her gifts on the bed cover. She wandered out to the living room to find Luke standing by the window in the kitchen, staring out. His fists were thrust in his pockets, his arms stiff.
“Luke, is there something bothering you?” she asked, her gentle voice causing him to turn his head. He let out his breath, his shoulders dropping as if he had a heavy burden placed there.
“That trunk belonged to my parents. My father carved it for Ma. I remember the day he gave it to her and how happy it made her. I guess I was reminiscing about the days when he was alive. I think I’ve been so angry at him for leaving us, I forgot about all the wonderful moments, too. I’m sorry, I did not mean to upset you.”
She stood behind him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Sometimes it’s good to think of those wonderful memories, Luke.”
“It’s been ten years. You’d think I’d be over him by now.”
She smiled then leaned her head on his shoulder. “Sometimes it takes a lifetime. Holding anger inside makes the pain linger on and on. Would you like to talk about why you are angry?” She knew it was a touchy subject and yet the bond they were forming in this moment felt right.
He ran a hand through thick, dark hair. “I can’t. There’s no sense in thinking about the past. Ma has dinner waiting. She wants to meet you so we best get moving.”
Abigail knew he was done talking. She wasn’t about to give up on him though. He was holding something inside of him that was tearing up his heart, breaking it in two. His voice, his eyes, they held his secret demons, the pain was clear to see. “I’m looking forward to meeting her as well. I have a gift for everyone, I’ll be right back.”
When Abigail turned to go to the bedroom for her gifts, she hadn’t realized his arm had been around her shoulder. He held her there for a second. “Thank you, Abigail. I’m not sure what just happened, but your words softened my soul somewhat.”
She smiled at her husband. He was going to throw her out in three months time whether she wanted to go or not. Maybe they would bond more and he’d change his mind. She rather liked being here right now. But if he didn’t change his mind, she’d have to guard her heart. It was so confusing but anything was better than living with a man three times her age.
The buggy ride to the main house was interesting. Two men, high-tailing it across the prairie raced towards the white two story. Hooping and hollering went on until Luke’s buggy pulled up. The men raced towards them. Abigail’s heart began to pound. Who were these men? His brothers? If so, they seemed a bit on the wild side.
An older woman came outside, standing on the porch with hands on her hips. They all watched as the two men jumped from the horses and raced across the yard, heading towards the water pump.
Abigail gasped. “Oh, dear. The one in the blue shirt just tripped the other man. He is, oh, my!”
“You cheater!”
“You cheated first!”
Luke grinned.
The two went tumbling across the yard like one of the many tumble weeds that danced across the prairie.
His mother stood on the porch. “Luke, best break up the two before they’re sporting black eyes.” She barely looked at Abigail, but then said, “Welcome to the White Ranch, dear. We’ll be introduced in a few minutes.”
Luke shook his head, letting Abigail stand there staring. He walked towards the two men.
In a matter of seconds, Luke jumped into the fray. Abigail covered her mouth with her hand. Three men now tumbled around the yard. No one threw a fist but wrestled as if they were fighting a bear.
“You’d think after working the ranch hard all day they’d be too tired to act like a bunch of youngsters. May as well get used to this, these boys of mine will never grow up.”
Abigail stood on the porch beside Luke’s mother. “How often does this happen?”
Nora White grinned. “At least once a week. Seems Samuel and Adam get to racing home and then one of them cheats. Now its a free for all. I better get in and check the pot of stew. Come on in, I’ll show you around.”
Abigail took one look back and decided to follow the older woman. The three men were on the ground, huffing and puffing and laughing like a bunch of school boys. “It doesn’t look like anyone won that round.”
Nora nodded. “No one ever wins. Besides, I’ve learned over the years they do this so they can speak in secret to each other. While we are inside, they are hunched together talking about things they want no one to know about. Hello, dear. I’m Luke’s mother, Nora. Please don’t call me Mrs. White. I am Nora to you now that you are my daughter.”
Nora took both of Abigail’s hands in her own. They were warm hands that gave comfort. She turned back to her boys before stepping through the door. “I expect to see three men cleaned up and ready to eat in five minutes.”
Abigail smiled. Nora hadn’t raised her voice. When she spoke, her sons stopped what they were doing. As Abigail went inside, she noticed they began brushing off their pants, working their way towards the water pump one at a time.
“Come along, Abigail.” Nora led her to the kitchen where a big pot of stew was simmering. The house was set up similar to the cabin except on a much larger scale. With a longer table, a few benches and chairs around the wooden oblong table, Abigail was certain this table was where everyone shared supper each night.
“You have a lovely home, Nora.”
Nora handed her a towel. “Thank you. I made some cornbread. Would you mind taking it out of the oven?”
“Yes, of course.” Abigail set to work, helping her mother-in-law finish dinner. She waited while Abigail leaned out the door and rang the dinner bell. The sound of the bell chiming was so loud she covered her ears.
Nora looked back and smiled. “Ge
t used to the noise, Abigail. It will get much louder in a few minutes.”
One by one Luke and his brothers came inside, standing beside a chair at the table. Abigail was introduced to Samuel and Adam, who each shook her hand.
Samuel was the first to speak up. “We were just told our brother got married this morning. Welcome to the family.”
Adam nodded and sat down right before three other men made their way to the table next. Then, out of the blue, an older man entered, placing his hat on the hook beside the door. “Miss Nora, Ma’am,” he said, nodding first to Luke’s Ma and then her. Each man introduced himself before taking their place at the table.
“Mrs. White, I’m Cody, one of the ranch hands. Nice to meet you.” Cody was young, probably in his early twenties if that. He had sandy hair and a serious face. Abigail nodded.
“I’m Roger, ma’am, a pleasure,” he said, showing off a set of dark brown curls when he took off his hat.
Luke spoke up. “Roger is an expert with horses. You’ll find him mostly in the stables.”
“My pleasure,” Abigail said. This whole group was like one happy family. They all appeared comfortable in Nora’s kitchen.
“I’m Matt, another one of the ranch hands, Mrs. White. Pleased to meet you.” He stood beside Roger, eyes on the food. Abigail almost laughed. He looked so hungry, like he wanted to grab his food and run.
An older man came to the table, sporting a limp. He nodded curtly, the red hair on his head pasted against his skull. He held out a weathered hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. White. I hope you can make that one smile once in awhile. He’s been grumpy for the last ten years.”
“My pleasure, sir. I’ll do my best,” Abigail told him. He was a crusty old man, with a devil may care attitude. She knew instantly she’d like him.
Nora cleared her throat. “Now, Rusty, be kind. Let’s pray.” Everyone took hands while Nora led them in a short but sweet prayer. The moment the last word left her mouth, the sound of chairs and benches scraping against the floor echoed through the kitchen. Hands reached for the corn bread while bowls were passed around the table.
Abigail watched in wonder as the men gobbled down the food. It probably took all of five minutes for them to finish their plates. When she looked up Nora White’s eyes were on her. “Welcome to the family, Abigail.”
“Here, here!” Each man held up their drinking cup. Her husband lifted his, staring at her, his dark eyes unreadable. She was honored they all welcomed her with open arms. She should probably speak.
Abigail stood. She steepled her hands together before realizing how nervous she was and placed them at her side. “Thank you, each and every one of you to welcome me with such open arms. I do, however, have one request.”
“Oh?” her husband asked, his eyes amused.
“Yes, I’d like if you all would call me Abigail.”
Nora smiled. “We certainly can do that. Now, boys, it’s time to clean up.”
Everyone left at Nora’s command while the two women cleared the dishes. Nora began to warm some fresh milk in a kettle on the stove. She reached for the cocoa and while the milk heated, measured out enough to make a large kettle of hot chocolate.
While they were inside, the others had gone to sit on the front porch. The sound of a harmonica rent the air. One of the men began to sing, then some clapping and laughing went on.
Abigail helped to hand out tin mugs filled with hot cocoa. She sipped on hers while standing beside her husband watching the day come to an end. The clouds began to fade away, while an orange glow struggled to stay in the sky as darkness descended upon the earth.
Luke said softly, “It’s a clear night. I love to watch the sun go down.”
Abigail agreed. “I’ve never seen it from this point of view. In Philadelphia there were too many buildings to stand in the way. I think I understand why people prefer to travel here. What a lovely night.”
Luke nodded. “With lovely company, too.”
If the sun hadn’t gone down, Luke would’ve been able to see her blushing. The compliment was sweet. Even though everyone said Luke was grumpy and not nice, she was already seeing a different man. Why did he appear to everyone as so harsh? It was almost as if he were trying to appear one way when he actually had a heart of gold. “Thank you, Luke. That’s kind of you to say so.”
“Well, looks like we better get a game of cards going now or never,” Rusty mentioned. He got up from the rocker on the porch to make his way across the yard towards the barn. “Who else wants in?”
The other men joined him, muttering that Rusty better not cheat this time.
Abigail smiled. “Are they always so brash?”
“Worse. They’re being kind since there is a lady present.”
“Two ladies. Your mother, also.”
Luke rolled his eyes and laughed out loud. “My Ma has been in the middle of that poker game many times. You don’t want to know the result, trust me.”
“I’m calling it a night,” his mother’s soft voice called out. She stood at the door, smiling. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Abigail. I hope to see you again, soon.”
Abigail didn’t know what came over her but she gave the older woman a hug. “Thank you for making me feel welcomed.” Usually, Abigail wasn’t so open with strangers.
Except this new family of hers made her feel like she had known them forever.
Chapter 4
Luke had been riding the range for a few hours. He had checked each section of fencing to make sure it was still sturdy. He was on a ridge close to the Widow Sadie Young’s property. He could see the white farm below, it’s extensive pasture where cows grazed. Two riders stopped when they noticed Luke at the top of the ridge.
He turned away. Her twin sons would try to talk to him if they knew he was there. It was the last thing he wanted. He hadn’t spoken to Widow Young or her boys since his Pa died.
No sense in reliving the past. It got him nowhere and fast. His thoughts turned to Abigail. He wondered what she was doing. Yesterday when he had come off the range, she was sitting on the front porch with his mother, hand sewing one of his shirts. He had neglected them but she found them in his bedroom, the place he hadn’t slept in since she got here.
Instead, he had climbed up the ladder at the far end of the living room and bunked in the small loft there. He wasn’t able to stand up but the soft mattress kept his tired bones from being too uncomfortable.
This morning before he left she had carried a basket filled with sewing items to his Ma’s place and spent the afternoon with her again. At least they got along which was a good thing, wasn’t it? Except for the fact in three months time, what reason was he going to give her why he and Abigail decided to annul the marriage?
In a few days time, he had gotten used to having her around. Even if he slept in an uncomfortable loft every night, hearing the sound of her voice humming first thing in the morning started to grow on him. She had coffee brewing on the stove and breakfast on the table before he woke up every single day this past week.
Her kind smile was the first thing he saw when he woke up. He saw it when he came in off the range every evening. She hadn’t said much to him in days but when she smiled and looked at him with her sweet, kind eyes, he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her.
He had to get a hold on himself. This wasn’t good. Luke had to find a reason to be angry. Because kindness did no one any good. Hadn’t he learned that a long time ago?
<><>
Abigail left the main house before late afternoon in order to start supper for Luke. She had been to visit his mother, enjoying the time they spent together. These last few days had been wonderful but it was time she began a routine of her own. Even if it was for only three months. She informed Nora she’d start cooking Luke’s supper at night. It was nice and all helping Nora in the kitchen but she wanted to become a wife to Luke, then maybe he’d give up trying to get out of the marriage in three months.
Was it possible Luke was
softening up? She noticed when he watched her at times, especially early morning when he thought she wasn’t paying attention. He’d come down the ladder grumbling to himself and she’d watch how he’d stop to look at her.
At night, before she excused herself and after they had walked home from his mother’s place, he’d take her hand and place a kiss there. He was a gentleman, not a grump like everyone said.
As she walked towards the cabin, Abigail noticed two riders along the fence line near the edge of their property. They were pointing towards the ground. She waved when one of the young men looked up. “Hello, there.”
Both riders waved back. She was curious about her next door neighbors. Everyone in town seemed friendly enough so she figured they would be as well. She made her way towards the fence line. “I’m Luke’s wife, Abigail. How do you do?”
“Hello. I’m Wesley Young and this is my brother Russell.”
The two were identical twins with dark hair and broad smiles. “I’m pleased to meet you. What are you searching for?” She was curious why they were looking through the weeds and grass.
“A puppy.”
“What? Oh, dear. How did a puppy get so far away?”
The two young men shrugged. Russell spoke up. “Coyote nabbed him. Carried him off by the scruff of his neck. We saw what happened and chased the coyote here. Lucky for the little fellow the coyote dropped him when we threw stones at him but the little fellow took off into these weeds and now we can’t locate him.”
“Let me help you look. Why was a small puppy outside by himself?”
Wesley piped up. “The mama had them in the yard so we made a shelter for her and the twelve pups. The doc had taken the mother inside the barn to examine her since she hadn’t been doing so good and didn’t the coyote jump in and snatch one of her pups.”
Abigail spent the next hour helping to search. She found her way on the other side of the fence, digging through the tall grass and weeds. A small yelp rang out when she pushed away some wheat grass. “Well, hello there, trouble.”