by Sarah Banks
“Elizabeth! You should be in bed.”
“I couldn’t sleep,” she replied, not bothering to tell him she didn’t even try.
“Is something wrong?” He asked, his brows drawing together in worry.
“No, nothing. I knew it was getting close to closing time and I thought I’d come see for myself where you spend half your day.”
Will laughed and nodded toward the crowd. “This is it.”
Elizabeth smiled and surveyed the room again. Conversation gradually started back up but more eyes than not were still pointed in her direction, including Shorty’s who sat at what she now realized was his usual spot at the bar. He was pretending to read a newspaper.
“Good evening Shorty,” she greeted him coolly, no longer smiling.
Shorty’s eyes widened and he gave her a quick nod before fully disappearing behind his newspaper. She turned back to Will with a smile.
“There were a couple things I did want to talk to you about.”
“Sure,” he said, flipping open his pocket watch. “Just a sec. Last call!”
She watched as he took a few last-minute drink orders, collected money and made some notes in a ledger before finally turning back to her.
“Shoot.”
“Well, I enrolled the children in school today, everyone except for Margaret, and Daniel of course. They start tomorrow.”
“That’s good.”
She nodded. “Charles is giving me a little bit of trouble about attending so I might need your help with that. He thinks he’s too old, but he’s only fourteen. There’s no way I’m allowing him to look for a job for at least two or three more years.”
“I’ll talk with him if you think it will help.”
“Yes, please. Maybe it’ll help to hear someone else’s perspective, especially another male’s, and not his bossy older sister.”
“You just want what’s best for him.”
“Try telling him that,” she said with a huff.
Will laughed. He looked around the bar, as if checking if everything met his satisfaction and it seemed to when he focused on her again. “What else?”
“Well, school doesn’t start until nine so I thought it would be a good idea if the children came here first and cleaned up. That way you don’t have to stay past close or start early. You work long enough hours as it is. Plus, everyone’s used to having chores and responsibilities each day and I thought this could be one of theirs.”
“Hmm, I guess we could try that.”
She was happy he seemed so open to her ideas. “We could have another key made up and they could go to school straight after.”
He gave her a nod. “Okay, I’ll have another key made tomorrow.”
She had the urge to hug him but instead settled for, “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me. You’re the one taking over the cleaning of my bar. Of course you know this is on a trial-basis? I’m not too particular but there are certain things that need to be done.”
She nodded. “Of course. We can make a list while you eat your supper. Which brings me to another subject.”
He raised his brows.
“Well, Margaret and I went to the mercantile and the butcher next door today. Mr. Evans vouched for me. We probably beggared you.” She was pleased when he threw back his head and laughed. “And I was wondering, well, you have a barn just sitting there. Have you thought about getting some animals? It would be much cheaper, and we all have experience tending to them. Cows, for both milk and beef, pigs and chickens,” she said, listing all the animals they had in the past.
“I guess we could try that. I didn’t have the time for it before, but I guess with six extra mouths to feed and five sets of willing hands to help, it would be a good idea. How about starting with a couple milk cows and two dozen chickens?”
She clapped her hands together. “I think that’s perfect.”
“Alright then.” His eyes scanned the bar which was now half empty as midnight quickly approached. “Well, the man I would speak to about obtaining both of those is already gone so I’ll have to speak to him tomorrow instead. Good news is, he’s run up quite a tab, so I should be getting a good deal.”
She returned his smile.
“Anything else?” He asked with a raise of his brow.
She searched her brain and then nodded. “Yes, one more thing. I overheard the younger children talking earlier about asking you for a dog. We’ve never had one before and I’m not opposed to it, although I’ll leave the final decision up to you. But if you do decide to get one, all I ask is that we wait a little while, until we’re more settled in.”
“I think a dog would be a nice addition to the family but I agree, waiting would be best. We all have a lot of changes on our plate now. We’ll take some time and let the dust clear and then we’ll see.”
“Thank you Will.”
He took a step closer to her, his eyes on hers. “You’re welcome.”
She wondered if he was going to kiss her. She wouldn’t mind that in the slightest, but in private. She reached forward and snatched his watch from his pocket, flipping it open. “Midnight,” she said, holding it up.
“Did you hear that?” He called over her shoulder. “My wife says it’s midnight. Get the heck out and go home to your families! I’ll see all your ugly mugs tomorrow.”
Laughter followed, along with the squealing of chair legs against the floor, groans and shuffling of feet as the final patrons filed out the door.
“Hmm, that’s odd, usually I have to escort Shorty to the door personally,” he said, frowning at Shorty’s empty stool.
“I think he’s scared of me.”
“Nah.” And then he saw the look on her face. “Really, you think so?”
She nodded.
“Hmph.”
“I don’t own one, although I probably should, but I’m thinking about having a black dress made, and maybe a matching veil. You know, just to tease him a bit.”
Will’s face split in a grin. “I’d pay to see that.”
She spun and started to walk away. “Then expect to see the charge appearing on your account at the mercantile,” she teased over her shoulder, only half-serious.
“Speaking of that,” Will began.
She turned to look at him.
“I meant to tell you this morning, but I forgot. I’m not sure how much you have, but I think you should buy enough fabric, or ready-made clothes if you prefer, to make sure everyone has the appropriate amount of clothes they need for the coming year.”
Elizabeth felt her eyes tear up at his thoughtful suggestion. She and Margaret had looked through the fabric this afternoon for quite some time, talking about things they needed and what they could make with each fabric. She had seen a dark blue wool that would make Will a fine shirt. But she hadn’t bought anything. He had already been so generous, she thought she’d wait awhile before asking for even more.
He tilted his head at her. His eyes looked worried. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, unable to speak. Instead, she took a step forward, then another, throwing herself into his arms and hugging him tightly.
Chapter Nine
One Month Later
Married life suited him. Much more than he would’ve ever thought. He was half in love with his wife and who wouldn’t be. She was beautiful, kind, hardworking and thoughtful. Not only with her son and siblings, but with him as well. Never had he dared to dream about the life that he had now.
He pushed his empty supper plate away and leaned back in his chair. “My pants are getting snug around the waist.”
Elizabeth sat at the table with him although she had already eaten earlier with the rest of her family. Instead she was sewing something. Keeping him company as she did every night despite the late hour. She glanced up at him, arched a brow and then looked back down at her needle and thread without a word.
“I popped a button clean off my shirt the other day,” he told her, his eyes twinkling.
>
She straightened and put down her sewing. “You did not. I do all of your washing and mending, I’d know.”
“I was so embarrassed. I didn’t want you to know, so I sewed it myself.”
“You did not!” All of the sudden she looked unsure. “Did you? Will, are you teasing me?”
“Maybe a little.”
She rolled her eyes and shook her head, picking up her sewing again. A smile teased the corner of her lips. “You’re incorrigible.”
He stood, taking his dishes to the empty sink and began to wash them.
“You don’t have to do that,” she called from behind him.
“I don’t mind. Tell me what you’re making now,” he asked to distract her, before she got up and insisted on washing the dishes herself. She sewed every night and was quite accomplished. He was proud that he had enough money to provide fabric to clothe her and her family. He noticed in church this past Sunday that all of the children had been smartly dressed from her nightly sewing efforts this past month. Only Elizabeth and himself wore older clothing. He couldn’t help but admire that she put her siblings needs ahead of her own.
“A shirt.”
“For Charles?”
She made a humming noise.
“It’s a nice fabric,” he said, looking at her over his shoulder.
“I think so too,” she murmured and smiled.
He finished the dishes and leaned back against the counter watching her. This past month had been the best of his life, no contest.
They fell into a routine of sorts. She had come into the saloon their second night together with her suggestions about the younger children taking over the cleaning of the bar and acquiring animals to fill the barn that had sat empty for years.
When he came to work the next day, he was surprised to see the taproom cleaner than he ever managed to get it. The floors were swept, the tables wiped down, even the cast iron stoves and brass rail that ran along the bottom of the bar were gleaming. They had polished the bar top, washed glasses and cleaned the mirror behind the bar and even the windows. He knew Elizabeth had woken up early to oversee their chores and to make sure the children had gotten off to school alright before she returned to the house and made him breakfast.
That evening she came to him at the bar fifteen minutes before closing just like the night before. Except this time she didn’t make any requests, only shared her day and asked after his. After the last patron left he gave her a copy of the key he had made. She tested it, locking the back door and they walked up the hill to the house together. He sat at the kitchen table and she set a plate of supper in front of him that she had kept warm. She sat beside him while he ate and worked on mending or sewing something new. She was rarely idle. Most of the time they talked while he ate, sometimes they didn’t, yet the room was filled with a companionable silence. Nearly every day this past month had been the same way and he never thought he’d grow tired of his new life as a married man with a family.
He hadn’t yet made love to his wife, but he kissed her, as often as possible.
This evening he asked her, just as all the others, “Are you ready for bed?”
She blushed and he wondered if she could read his thoughts.
He waited while she put away her sewing and together they walked to their bedroom behind the kitchen.
They weren’t as shy as they were when they first got married. They changed in front of each other every morning and evening, but they avoided each other’s eyes while doing it. But often she would watch him shave while she still lay abed. Just as he liked to watch her brush and braid her hair each evening.
He was quicker and made it under the covers first. She joined him shortly and he turned to douse the lantern and lay back, listening to her breathing. He turned onto his side and tried to make out her features in the dark room.
“Elizabeth,” he whispered.
“Yes?” Her voice sounded shaky and he searched for her hand, taking it in his.
“I want to…”
“Yes,” she said, scooting forward and her lips found his in the dark.
∞∞∞
The next day Will couldn’t keep the grin off of his face. Not only had he finally made love to his wife, he realized that he loved her. How could he not? He wasn’t exactly sure if she loved him back, but he knew with certainty that she cared a great deal for him, showing him every day with her actions.
He caught Shorty staring at him. He was usually always reading a newspaper or imparting his knowledge he had learned from said paper on another customer, whether they were interested or not.
“What?” Will asked. Shorty’s drink was still half full so there was clearly something else on his mind.
“Have you ever seen a spider spin its web?”
“Sure, lots of times. Pretty fascinating stuff.”
“And have you ever stayed around after to watch what happens?”
Will’s forehead creased in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“The spider lays in wait until its prey gets caught in her web and she rushes over, sinking her venomous fangs into his flesh. Then she mummifies him in her silk before consuming him.”
Will reared back. “Geez, Shorty. What has gotten into you?”
Shorty stared at him for a moment before shrugging and then once again disappeared behind his newspaper.
Shortly before midnight Elizabeth entered the saloon from the storeroom as she did nearly every night, meeting him behind the bar. He wanted nothing more than to lean down and kiss her but instead said, “Good evening wife.”
“Good evening husband.”
He pulled out his pocket watch. “Last call!” He served the last drinks of the night and collected payments. Elizabeth started washing glasses he hadn’t gotten to yet and wiping down the tables that were empty.
His bar was as busy as ever, except for the last few minutes before closing when Elizabeth arrived. Then his patrons would start to disperse one by one, some respectfully tipping their hats to her. He didn’t have to push them out the door like he usually did.
He started to dry the glasses she washed in a pail of warm, soapy water and rinsed in another pail of cool water. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I don’t mind,” she said, not meeting his gaze.
He set down his glass and tugged at a lock of her hair that had fallen from her pins. “What’s the matter?”
She looked up at him. “Nothing. Everything’s wonderful.”
He traced the pad of his thumb between her brows. “Then why is there a little wrinkle here?”
She pursed her lips. “No woman likes her flaws to be pointed out, especially wrinkles.”
Will laughed. “It’s not that kind of wrinkle. It’s more a look of intense concentration. Like you’re trying to puzzle something out.” It was a look he was used to seeing on her. One of her biggest strengths was her management of the household and her siblings. She was always looking for ways to save money and be more efficient. He liked that about her.
“I’ve just been thinking about something, but I don’t want to overstep my bounds.”
He gave her a quizzical look. “Well, now you have to elaborate because I’m afraid I can’t begin to guess.”
“It’s just that Margaret helps out so much at the house, with the cleaning, laundry and of course taking care of Daniel. You, Charles, George and Alice completely handle all of the care involved with the animals. Besides helping out a little bit here and there, all I do is cook.”
“And you make clothes for everyone,” he reminded her.
“Well, yes, I sew every evening. But there are a few hours each day where I’m not really needed anywhere. The younger kids are in school, Margaret’s always one step ahead of me when it comes to housework. I had to grab a sponge away from her this afternoon so she would let me help clean the windows!”
Will chuckled and lifted his hand to another customer leaving the bar. “See you tomorrow, Jim!” He turned back to his wife. �
��So are you trying to tell me you want a job Elizabeth?”
“No.”
“Then—”
“Not exactly.”
Will lifted a brow.
“Well, you know I love to cook.”
“Yes, I know. You’re the reason I no longer have to wear suspenders.”
She stamped her foot but couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “Be serious Will.”
“I will be, as soon as you stop beating around the bush and tell me what you have in mind.”
“Fine. I thought maybe we could serve food here,” she finished.
His brow knit. “You want to run a restaurant?”
“Not exactly. I was just thinking about spending those extra few hours during the day cooking and we could serve food here, maybe between the hours of four and eight. It wouldn’t have to be anything fancy. Just a single special each day and when it’s sold out, that’s it. If there’s leftovers, we could have them for lunch the next day.”
“Well, I wouldn’t turn my nose up at the extra income it might provide, but…” She gave him a hopeful look. “But, I’m not sure my customers are exactly interested in eating when they come here. Most of them eat at home or the restaurant across the street.”
Her face fell.
“But maybe we could give it a try.”
She clapped her hands together, gave a little hop and grinned. “Really?”
“Really.”
“Tomorrow?”
He raised a brow. “You were that sure I’d say yes, huh?”
“Of course not, but I’ve been planning it all out in my notebook these past few afternoons. I didn’t want to present the idea to you without thinking it all the way through.”
“Alright then, tomorrow. A trial run, just like the animals,” he reminded her.
“And just look how well that worked out,” she said, giving him a dazzling smile.
Will watched as the last patron closed the door behind him. He grabbed Elizabeth’s hand and tugged her forward. “Now come here. I’ve been wanting to kiss you for the past fifteen minutes.” Actually, he’d been wanting to kiss her for hours. He cupped her head and brought her lips to his.