by Leah Atwood
Entering the bedroom, he heard soft and steady snores coming from Lettie, which elicited an amused smile. He would never tell her she snored, but the sound itself was comforting because it meant she was sleeping soundly, getting the rest she desperately needed.
Despite the inconveniences the winter weather caused, he was glad for this season. The coldest months of the year were a slower time for working and allowed for more leisure time, something that was rare during the spring and summer months. Silently he added another vow to those he’d made earlier—he would spend the next weeks taking care of Lettie so she could recover from her fatigue.
Chapter Four
February slid into March. Snow that covered the plains slowly melted away, exposing patches of brown grass and dirt. The air was still cold, but had lost its frigidness. On this particular day, the sun was out in full glory, sending rays of warmth to the earth below. In need of fresh air, Lettie placed her cape over her shoulders, her midsection was too expanded for her coat, and left the house after grabbing a basket to hold the eggs she was going to gather.
Walking in the direction of the barn, she took her time, soaking in the heat of the sun and breathing in the fresh air. Since arriving in Weatherton three weeks ago she’d, maybe, spent a total of fifteen minutes outdoors. Rand had watched over her like a mother hen, going out of his way to keep her off her feet. She had to admit, for the first few days, she’d indulged and enjoyed the break. Her body felt like it had been beaten and bruised, and she hadn’t realized how drained she’d been, both physically and spiritually.
At the end of the first week, she’d become restless. Her energy was returning, and guilt niggled at her for not participating in chores. Finally, she had to confront Rand and tell him she appreciated what he was doing, but she had to start doing some things on her own. Yesterday morning he agreed to hand over all cooking tasks. Personally, Lettie thought his concession had more to do with his own lack of cooking skills than relinquishing responsibility.
Their meal two nights ago had consisted of dried biscuits, greasy bacon and soggy eggs. By far, it had been the worst tasting meal she’d ever eaten, but she’d consumed every last bite of it. Rand had been so kind and thoughtful, she didn’t want to risk offending him and she had been hungry. Lately, it seemed she wanted to eat everything in sight. This morning she’d eaten half a loaf of bread with butter spread over the soft sides. Thinking back, she was embarrassed by how much she’d eaten, but at the time her stomach kept wanting more. If this continued until the baby arrived, she’d be as large as a cow.
Continuing to watch her steps carefully as to not find an icy patch or a slick mud puddle, she finished her short trek to the barn. She looked for Rand, but didn’t see him, so she walked through the barn and to the other end where the chicken coop was. The latch was rusty, and she had to jiggle the handle to open the gated-off area.
Many of the hens were subdued today, sitting in their nests. She went from one to the next, carefully lifting the hens while holding back their wings and quickly grabbing the eggs from under them. If only the task of collecting eggs were this easy every day. Back in Maryland, she’d had plenty of experience being pecked through her clothing. Those were the times she was grateful for the layers of clothing a woman was destined to wear.
Her basket was half full and there were no more eggs to collect. She’d check again later that evening before supper. Beginning her walk back to the house, she spotted Rand digging a posthole. At her feet was a large pile of snow that he’d shoveled aside to clear a path to the barn and because of its size, the heap was taking longer to melt. An idea formed, bringing a mischievous grin to her face. She and Daniel used to love snowball fights.
Would Rand also or would he be upset should she throw one his way? Taking a chance since she’d learned he had a sense of humor, she set the basket on the ground, carefully stooped down and gathered snow in her hands. Patting it in her palms and smoothing it until it was a perfect circle, she tried to stand back up—only, she’d forgotten the limitations her swollen body placed on her.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stand back up and her ankles teetered precariously.
“Drat, drat, drat,” she muttered. So much for impulsive behavior, to have a little fun. On second thought, she still had to get his attention somehow and quickly before she ended up a muddy mess. She arched her arm back then swung it forward, releasing the ball of snow with a precise aim. It hit its target square in the back.
“What was that?” Rand jumped from his hunched position.
“Over here,” she called out, torn between wanting to laugh at his expression or cry at her predicament.
“Whatever are you doing?” He strode her way.
“I’m stuck,” she laughed, giving him a coquettish smile. “I had to get your attention somehow.”
Extending his arms, he slipped them under her shoulders and pulled her to an upright position. With a stern voice but twinkling eyes, he questioned, “And how did you come to be in that position?”
Pink tinted her cheeks. “I, uh, dropped the basket of eggs.”
“And they all miraculously survived?” Eyeing the perfect basket of eggs, his lips twitched with laughter. “Tsk, tsk. And to think I admired you for your honesty.”
Lettie let go of her laughter, feeling almost giddy at the playful banter. How long had it been since she’d felt free to have a little fun? “Would a fresh batch of sugar cookies redeem my reputation?”
He cocked his head to one side and crooked a finger to his chin, deliberating. “Hmm. It would go a long way in restoring my opinion. But I think for the full redemption, a hot cup of coffee will also be in order.”
“I think that can be arranged.”
“In all seriousness, please be careful. I told you I’d be happy to continue collecting the eggs. You need to rest and take care of the baby.”
Heaving an exasperated sigh, she looked him straight in the eye. “Women have been having babies for all of time without becoming lazy. I feel great now, honest.”
He wrung his hands and Lettie could see the internal battle playing out through his eyes. “I suppose you’re right, but none of those women have been carrying my child.”
All of her frustration at his overprotective nature swept away when he referred to the baby as his child. Daniel could never be replaced, but she and this baby were fortunate to have Rand step in and take full responsibility. She couldn’t fault him for caring about this new life inside of her.
“I’ll make sure to take several breaks throughout the day to rest. And no more crouching into positions I can’t get myself up from.” She cast a wink toward him. “Is that a fair compromise?”
“Yes. I can’t promise I won’t still worry, but I’ll try my best not to be domineering in my concern. Now, about those sugar cookies, do I have to wait for them or are they ready now?”
“Give me an hour, and I’ll have some ready with your noon meal.”
“If they’re not already made, you don’t have to add to your workload.”
She sent him a warning glance.
“Unless you want to make them,” he amended.
“Baking is relaxing for me. I enjoy the work.”
“An hour you say?”
“Give or take a few minutes.”
“I’ll finish up this segment and then come in to wash up. The new corral should be finished by tomorrow.” He bent over and picked up the basket of eggs, then held out his other arm, its elbow bent. “First, I’ll walk you inside.”
Lettie slipped her arm through his, enjoying the brief contact. Their friendship was deepening every day, catalyzed by being stuck indoors together for extended periods of time. The strong bond between them had come as a surprise, but a serendipitous one. They reached the house, and he released her arm to open the door.
“I’ll be back shortly,” he told her, handing over the basket of eggs. He bent over and placed a quick kiss on her cheek.
Taken off-gua
rd, Lettie scurried into the kitchen. She set the eggs down and placed her palm against her cheek in the spot Rand had kissed. It was a brief and innocent contact, but her skin burned and heart raced. What was happening to her? Must be the silly pregnancy emotions, she thought, remembering that Daniel’s two sisters had become overly emotional while with child.
She opened the icebox and pulled out a bowl of dough she had mixed yesterday afternoon. After flouring the surface of her work space, she broke the dough in half and rolled each lump into a cylindrical shape before slicing them into individual cookie sizes. She placed the cookies onto a tin sheet then put them in the oven.
On top of the stove, she had a chicken stew simmering. Lifting the lid, she checked on its progress and deciding it was too watery still, tossed in a pinch of flour. She’d have preferred cornstarch, but supplies were limited. They hadn’t been to town since her arrival, and a trip was overdue. There were certain staples she liked to keep in her pantry, and while Rand had done a good job of stocking basics, she’d like to supplement it. Not much as she knew money was a concern but enough to make the meals have a little more flavor and variety.
When Rand came in to eat, she broached the subject. “Do you plan on making a trip to town soon?”
“Actually, I was planning one for Saturday if the weather holds up. Was there something in particular you wished for?”
“I’d like a few things to add to the pantry if there’s money for that.” She only wished to be respectful of his finances, but he blanched, as though the words hurt him.
“Make a list of everything you need and want. There’s not money to spend on frivolities, but I can give my wife a stocked pantry,” he said in a clipped voice.
Upset at his tone, she silently served him his meal. She didn’t understand how a simple question had upset him so badly, especially when they’d shared such a lively, but tender, moment outside earlier. Rand also appeared to lose any desire for conversation. He ate his meal and left the house, not even waiting for one of the coveted cookies.
Biting the inside of her cheek, Lettie tried to keep her emotions in check. What had she done wrong? Was it so wrong to be respectful and ask before making a purchase from the mercantile? She looked out the window and watched grab a post from his stack and pound it into the ground. A lump formed in her throat and she turned away. Watching him only upset her further.
To keep busy, she cleaned up the dishes from their meal. Her food remained barely touched and not because the bread she’d eaten that morning had sustained her nutritional needs until then. She grabbed a broom from the corner and vigorously swept the entire house, downstairs and the two bedrooms upstairs. Next she fixed a pail of hot soapy water and got down on her hands and knees to scrub the floor clean, forgetting her troubles in standing back up.
An aching back prompted her to stop before she was finished, but she couldn’t make herself continue. Trying to stand, she found herself stuck for the second time that day. A grimace marred her face as she crawled several feet to the kitchen table. Using a chair to support her weight, she struggled against her hindered balance to stand upright. Finally, she managed to partially stand, enough to slide into a chair. Worn out from her efforts, she laid her head down on the table and closed her eyes.
“I’ll just rest for a few minutes before continuing on.” But nothing that requires stooping down¸ she added silently. Drifting into a light sleep, her head and body jerked when someone tapped her on the shoulder.
“Shh, it’s just me,” she heard Rand say.
Shifting in the chair, she turned to look at him. Tired and cranky, she shot him a glare for his attitude earlier. Under normal circumstances, she would have behaved more properly, but her back smarted with a dull pain, her feet were swollen and her feelings were hurt. Not a combination conducive to positive interaction.
“What do you want,” she snapped, instantly appalled at the acrimonious tone she used, but not enough to apologize immediately
Rand faltered. “I guess I deserved that.”
She looked at him, still scowling, trying to fight the tears brimming in her eyes. Until losing Daniel, she’d never been given to fits of crying and the more frequent crying episodes only fed her agitation.
“I came in to apologize for my behavior earlier.” He sat down next to her, his eyes crinkled with remorse.
“Oh,” she whispered, feeling ashamed of her outburst when he’d come back to make things right.
“My pride got the better of me. Every man wants to provide the best for his family. Although we’re not destitute by any means, I wish I could give you your pick of anything you want at the mercantile, but it’s not possible right now. When you asked if there was money for pantry items, I was unjustly offended that you thought I couldn’t even provide those.”
“I only wanted to be respectful by not assuming I could purchase the items,” she told him, trying to keep the tears from falling. “The people in my life are what make me happy and content, not material things.”
“I know that, but it doesn’t stop a man from wanting to give his family the best. Will you accept my humble apology?”
She nodded. “And I am sorry I snapped at you just now.”
His gaze traveled to the pail of water, now murky, still on the floor with a rag hanging over the edge. He narrowed his eye, opened his mouth to speak, apparently thought better of it and clamped his lips together.
“Would you like those cookies and cup of coffee now?” she asked, eager to fill the air with anything other than silence before he decided to chide her for mopping.
“Sit still. I’ll get them. Would you like some, too?”
“Yes, please. Thank you.” Her body was too weary to argue with his offer of assistance.
Chapter Five
Spring was in full bloom by the time they made it into town for supplies. Three weeks had passed since the date for which they’d originally planned. Rand had taken Lettie to church on Sundays, but the mercantile was closed to honor the Lord’s Day. Each Saturday, it seemed something came up at the ranch to prevent the trip. Nothing would stop him today. He looked at Lettie as they rode in the wagon and smiled.
“What?” she asked.
“A husband can’t smile at his beautiful wife?” he teased.
“Oh, stop it. I look like a cow,” she objected, but she couldn’t hide the adorable shade of pink brushing her cheeks.
And the truth was, he did think her to be beautiful in every way. Each day, he looked forward to the evening time when they would sit by the fire. He would read scripture from the Bible or study the almanac while she worked on sewing clothes for the baby. During those times, he often paused in his reading to watch her. He discovered that when she concentrated hard, her top lip curled up. When she had to correct a stitch, she’d emit a tiny huff. Then there were times her mouth would turn to a smile, seemingly out of nowhere. Those were the moments he enjoyed the most. Her smile could light up a room brighter than a glowing candle.
Sure, she was stubborn about working, but even that was a trait to be admired. Her hands were never idle. Even during the times she sat to rest, she’d continue working on the baby’s clothes or mending his shirts. Many times he wanted to tell her to relax and not work so hard, but he knew she wouldn’t. He had to remind himself that she was not frail like Mellie had been.
Mellie. He let out a small sigh. Funny, he hadn’t thought of her in several days. Feelings of betrayal pricked in his conscience, but he forced them away. This is what Mellie wanted for him. He’d been opposed to remarrying, but now he saw the wisdom in her desperate plea.
If he was completely honest, he had to admit that he enjoyed being a husband again. He relished providing and caring for some other than himself. The evenings spent with Lettie made him realize how lonely he’d been the last several years. Something inside of him was awakening.
He wouldn’t call it love, but deep and abiding respect, plus admiration for the woman he’d married. There’d been a
few times they’d crossed each other, but they’d been able to resolve their differences in a short amount of time. Those times didn’t concern him—they were bound to have minor disagreements as they learned each other’s quirks and personalities. Overall, he’d declare their relationship a success so far. By the ease he was able to make Lettie smile, he could only assume she felt the same.
She didn’t know it, but there was something waiting for her at the mercantile. Glen Simpson let him know last Sunday that his specially ordered item had arrived. Rand couldn’t wait to see the smile on her face when she saw it. Before they’d left town two days after their wedding, he’d snuck over to the mercantile and asked Glen if he could browse through the catalog he kept behind the counter. Flipping through the pages, he’d seen the perfect cradle. He paid half of the cost up front and against his better judgment, put the remaining balance on credit. Glen had been happy to extend the credit, and although Rand didn’t believe in going into debt, this one time he made an exception.
In his mind, he envisioned the cradle at the foot of his and Lettie’s bed. He saw himself standing over the pine frame, gently rocking it back and forth until their baby fell asleep. Glen assured him that the brand was of the highest quality and would last for years to come, so Rand didn’t look at it as a splurge, but an investment in all their future children.
“See, you can’t even dispute it,” Lettie accused.
Huh? Had he missed something? That’s right—she said she looked like a cow, but his train of thought had derailed. Using his quick wit, he replied, “That’s where you are wrong sweetheart. The notion that you could ever look like a cow is so completely absurd, I decided it didn’t even warrant a response.”
She snorted. “You don’t have to lie.”
A bird flew in the distance and Rand pretended to watch it so Lettie wouldn’t see him roll his eyes. Thank goodness Flynn had warned him how exasperating a woman with child could be with her many mood swings. Fortunately, he was learning to decipher what Lettie’s true personality was and what was the pregnancy coming through.