He carefully made his way to the small barn to make sure the livestock was alright. As soon as he walked inside he sensed something was wrong. The animals were agitated. He heard the wind blow something against the side of the barn and he spoke softly to calm the animals. In the next second there was a splitting pain in his head and then the world went black as he crumpled onto the straw covered floor.
* * *
Inside the cabin, Caroline was arguing with herself. She did not wish to risk Jacob's displeasure by dressing and going outside to check on him, but she simply could not shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. Another minute passed and Caroline simply couldn't stand it. She hurriedly dressed in warm clothing and then pulled on the warmest cloak she owned to go outside and check on her husband. If he was angry with her then so be it. She was worried about him and felt he needed her. Just before she went outside she took down Jacob's gun, which she knew was loaded and ready to fire.
The wind was cold and the snow hit her cheeks with a fury, whipping off her hood and blowing her hair about. Caroline did not see any trace of Jacob, but she hurried across the yard, the snow higher than her shoes, but she was determined to make sure Jacob was safe and well. When she entered the barn she saw an Indian standing over Jacob, ready to deal him a death blow! Without thinking twice, she pulled the trigger and the Indian cried out in shock and pain. Looking around for other Indians, Caroline hurried to Jacob's side and knelt beside him. There was blood on the back of his head and he was unconscious. She took Jacob's handkerchief from his pocket and soaked it in water and cleansed his wound. It took several minutes but eventually Jacob came awake with a loud groan of pain.
"Lie still, Jacob. You have been injured."
"Caro?"
"Yes, I am here," she said soothingly.
"Go inside and bar the door. Dangerous..."
"I am not going inside without you, husband. Can you rise?" she asked.
"Obey me!" he growled.
"Yes, Jacob. Come with me. I shall help you."
Jacob cursed, something he rarely did. His head felt as though it would explode, but he had to get Caroline to safety. He would have fallen on his face if his tiny little wife had not held him up. When his head stopped spinning in circles he made it to his feet. "Someone hit me from behind, Caro. Inside now."
"We are safe, Jacob," Caroline said as calmly as possible. She knew the moment he spotted the Indian's body. "We are safe, Jacob," she repeated. "I did what I had to do to save us." Jacob put his arm around her slender shoulders and allowed her to lead them to the cabin.
"Sit on the bed, Jacob," Caroline bossed. She started pulling off his coat, hat, boots and his other clothing. "Lie on your side, and I shall see if you need stitches to close the wound.
Jacob needed no encouragement to lie down, but as always, his thoughts were of his pretty wife. "Bar the door, Caroline, before you do anything else."
"There was only one man, Jacob. I think he was caught in the storm and took refuge here."
"Probably, but someone else could come by for the same reason. Do not answer the door, wife. If I lose consciousness, be very cautious. Promise me."
"I promise," she dutifully replied, making sure the door was barred before she removed her wet cape and other clothing. Her feet were soaking wet from the snow and she was thankful for the warm cabin. Caroline pulled on the moccasins that Little Fawn gave her and donned a robe over her underclothing. A quick glance at Jacob told her he was in terrible pain. He had his eyes closed. She hurried to get a basin of water and a clean cloth. She carefully dabbed at the wound and gave thanks it was not deep nor was it as long as she feared. The Indian must have dealt Jacob a glancing blow. She got the vinegar and cleaned the wound. Jacob winced, but he did not say one word. "You rest down, Jacob. You will be fine."
"Do not open the door for anyone, Caroline," he ordered once again. "Don't try to deal with the Indian. I shall do for him in the morning."
"Yes, Jacob." She pulled her rocking chair over beside the bed and she kept watch over Jacob as she reloaded the gun... just in case. When the food was done simmering, she put some in a bowl and woke Jacob and had him eat as much as he could. He insisted he was better, but after only a few bites, he insisted he needed to rest his aching head.
Throughout the night Caroline kept an eye on Jacob, praying for him, and hoping he was not seriously injured. She kept watch for any sign of trouble, too, holding the gun and keeping it ready just in case she needed to use it again. It was nearly dawn before exhaustion claimed her and she fell asleep.
Jacob woke and when he realized he was alone in the bed, he looked around for Caroline, spotting her sitting in the rocking chair, holding his gun, and sound asleep. He smiled tenderly, and slowly sat up. His head was a bit sore, but the raging headache he'd had part of the day and most of the night was gone now. He was able to stand without feeling dizzy. He gently pried the gun from Caroline's small hands and then he carefully lifted her and placed her in bed. Once he was positive she was sleeping carefully, he dressed to go outside. The animals needed care by now, and he needed to get the dead Indian out of the barn before someone came looking for him.
* * *
It was some time before Caroline woke up, and when she did, she was startled to find herself in bed! The door to the cabin opened and Jacob walked inside, a smile on his handsome face. "The storm has stopped and Flossie gave birth during the night to a female calf. We shall have milk and cream and butter soon."
"How wonderful! How is your head this morning, Jacob?" she asked in concern.
"Much better than it would have been if you had not followed your instincts and come outside to save me, Caroline. You are a brave woman."
"I did not feel brave. I was terrified."
"You saved our lives, wife, and I am proud of you." He gave her a hug.
* * *
The winter passed slowly and they saw no one but each other. The days were much like one another. They tended the livestock; Jacob hunted what game there was to hunt; Caroline made meals for them, thankful for the food she raised in her garden. She also worked on a new quilt for their bed, and Jacob spent his free time making things for them to use. They read the Bible, and the other two books that Jacob packed when he left home. They talked of their families and wondered how they were faring. When Christmas came they gave each other small gifts and Caroline surprised Jacob with some candy meats she made expressly for him. He fussed over the treat and then made love to her until they were both spent.
Jacob found Caroline crying one morning when he came back to the cabin to get his hunting knife. "What is wrong, Caro?" he asked, concern reflected in his dark eyes.
"Nothing!"
"There has to be something wrong, Mrs. Willis. Now, tell me so I can make it all better." When she looked down, he put his finger under her chin and raised her face to his. "Sweet one, what is wrong? Do you feel ill? Did I do something inconsiderate?"
"No, of course not!" she answered, still crying.
"Then what is it?" When she still did not answer, Jacob sighed, and started removing his coat.
"What are you doing?" Caroline asked, looking at him in puzzlement.
"Nothing," he replied with a smirk, imitating her, but when he had taken off his outside gear, he took her hand and pulled her over to the bed. He took a seat and then pulled her over his left thigh so that her upper body was on the bed and her bottom rested on his leg. He then brought his hand down on her rounded seat.
"Ouch! Jacob! Why are you spanking me?" Caroline asked shrilly. He did not reply, but instead, gave her another powerful spank. "Owwwww! I have done nothing to earn a punishment!" she declared. "Why are you spanking me?"
"Why were you crying, Caroline?" he asked once again, punctuating his words with another spank.
"Owww! I do not wish to tell you!" she cried out.
"I gather you shall tell me when your bottom is on fire. 'Nothing' is not an answer."
"But, I do not
have to tell you my every thought, do I?" she argued, trying to twist around and free herself, but Jacob easily held her in place, and then he shoved her skirts up to bare her bottom. "No, Jacob!" she pleaded, but he gave her another spank.
"Why were you crying, Caro?" he asked, pausing to rest his hand on her tingling hind.
"I would not tell you if you paid me!" she angrily declared, and quickly learned it was a big mistake to sass her husband, especially when she was in this position! "Stop, Jacob! I did nothing wrong and you are hurting me!" Tears of another kind filled her lovely green eyes, and then Caroline was crying. "Let me go!" She pounded on the bedspread furiously with her fists.
"I shall release you when you are ready to talk, not one second before," he stated so calmly that it made her even angrier.
"I do not wish to share my private thoughts with you!"
"You were crying as if your heart was about to break. As your husband I need to know what troubles you. Are you fearful when I go hunting and leave you here alone?"
"No!" She was insulted.
"I shall not cease spanking you until you are ready to talk to me, Caroline," Jacob warned. He continued to spank, and this time his hand moved lower and her sit spots were the target. Caroline yelped and kicked her feet and tried to reach back to protect herself, but all to no avail. Her tears were genuine and she finally sagged over his knee and cried. "Are you ready to talk?" he asked gently.
Caroline nodded, unable to speak in the moment. This time when she tried to rise, he helped her and cuddled her on his lap, waiting for her to find her voice. "I want a child," she whispered. "When each moon comes and goes and there is no sign of a baby, I fear that I am barren!" The admission was painful and brought on sobs of genuine pain.
"Caroline, we are still newly wed. My parents were wed for three years before John was born."
"They were?" she asked.
"Yes. It is for God to decide, and I am grateful for this time alone with my wife."
"Truly?" she whispered.
"Truly. I cannot imagine what this first winter here would have been like without you here to keep me company. I would have gone quite mad, I fear. You are like rays of sunshine inside this cabin and within my heart. I am quite content, Caroline. If God chooses to bless us with a child, so be it. But, in time," he said with a smile, "I am in no rush to share you."
"What a sweet thing to say."
"Will you dry your tears now?" She nodded. "I am not one of those men who judge a wife on the number of children she can bear. In fact, I am of the opinion those men are fools."
"You took away my fears," Caroline whispered, snuggling against him.
"Next time you are fearful, you shall come to me, wife. I cannot fix what I do not know is broken." It was a gentle scold, but the pat on her bottom that came with the words was far from gentle on her burning bottom. He put her on her feet and once again prepared to go outside and do some hunting.
A few weeks later found them looking for spring. The days were growing longer and were not as cold. It was so tempting to leave their cabin and travel to Pickawillany, and they might have done so had Strong Tree not warned them that it could get warmer for a couple of weeks and then turn cold and wintery. Jacob insisted they trust in their friend's advice, and the next day found them in the midst of another snow storm. Caroline cried in disappointment, thoroughly sick of the long winter. Jacob held her and comforted her as best he could when he felt like crying, too.
A few more weeks passed and Jacob felt it was safe to tell Caroline that winter was over and spring was here. She was excited and wanted to know what they needed to do first. Jacob said the smartest thing they had done the previous year was to get their garden started. They ate well all winter and he wanted to make sure they could do that again in the coming winter. They started by clearing off the garden and making it a bit larger than it was. While they were working away, they were unaware that they were being watched by two pair of dark eyes. Caroline caught a flash of red in the distance and let out a whoop that was worthy of Strong Tree. Jacob was startled until he saw why Caroline was yelling and then he joined in. The answering cries from Strong Tree and Little Fawn were welcome sounds as the friends greeted each other.
"You have fared the winter months well, friends," Strong Tree said solemnly.
"We have, thanks to your advice, Strong Tree. Caroline and I spoke often about how warm our cabin was even when the winds blew hard thanks to your help and supervision. Little Fawn, we had medicines we needed thanks to the knowledge you shared with Caroline. As newcomers, our first winter here would have been miserable without the help you gave us last summer and fall. Thank you."
"We are pleased you fared well. Many others did not," Strong Tree said quietly.
"I hope you are planning to stay and keep us company for a while?" Caroline linked her arm through Little Fawn's. "We are so happy to see you both!"
"Little Fawn has wished for spring for many weeks now," Strong Tree said with a smile.
"So has my Caroline," Jacob said in agreement.
Caroline looked at Jacob and said, "Little Fawn and I shall go inside and fix something for us all to eat. Strong Tree and Little Fawn must be hungry from their travels."
"Good idea, Caro," Jacob nodded in approval. He wanted to tell Strong Tree about the Indian who had tried to kill him.
When the women were inside, Little Fawn said quietly, "I wanted to come to you sooner, my sister. I worried for you all winter," she admitted.
"I missed you, too, Little Fawn. I asked Jacob if we could travel to your village a few weeks ago when it was so nice, but he feared it would be too soon and said 'no'. He was right because we had more snow!"
"I tried to come then," Little Fawn admitted. "Strong Tree said it was too soon, but I left anyway. Strong Tree came after me and wrapped me in an extra blanket he brought. He carried me home because I was so cold from the snow I could not walk. I nearly died, and my husband was lucky to find me in time to save my life!"
"Oh, Little Fawn!" Caroline exclaimed, hugging her friend. "Oh, I am so thankful you are alive." She hugged her again, and then asked, "Was Strong Tree very angry with you?" she asked in sympathy.
"Yes, he was," Little Fawn answered. "Once I was warmed inside and my color returned and he knew I would live, he turned me over and used his hand to set my bottom on fire!" She reached back to rub the area. "He did that every day for a full week of suns! I was made to regret frightening him."
"Oh, Little Fawn! I am so sorry you got into so much trouble."
"It was a sign of Strong Tree's love for me," the other woman said proudly. "If he did not love me so much he would not take the time to punish me. I knew I was valued by his actions. My sister was jealous because her husband never raises a hand to her, even when he should. Strong Tree has suggested he take a stick to Snow Bird, but Eagle Eye is fearful my sister will choose another if he expresses displeasure."
"Jacob says that a spanking that is given with love only strengthens a marriage. I certainly do not appreciate one when it is happening, but I love feeling safe and cherished afterwards," Caroline admitted, unaware that her cheeks were pink.
"We are lucky women to have such good husbands," Little Fawn said with an understanding smile. The two women continued to chat as they fixed a nice meal for all of them to share. Strong Tree and Little Fawn stayed for almost a week and then headed back to the settlement.
Jacob and Caroline worked hard, knowing that just because they survived the first hard winter they could not relax this year. If anything, they had to work just as hard, and even clear more land to plant in corn or wheat. Their success depended on doing their very best each successive year. Jacob set traps as well, adding to their income. When he decided to head for Pickawillany to get supplies, he insisted Caroline accompany him.
Caroline was excited to have the opportunity to mail letters home to their families, and both she and Jacob sat at the table the night before they planned to leave and wrote l
ong letters to let their families know they were still alive and well. Jacob knew his Mother would still worry about him, but he did his best to make light of the dangers. He also made it clear that he was very pleased with his wife, and said several times how happy he was that Caroline accompanied him to Ohio Country. Caroline wrote about their long winter together and told her family that they were snug and warm in their cabin. She told of her love for Jacob and how he made her feel loved and cherished. She told of her garden and the food she intended to preserve for use during the long winter, and she praised the friends they had made. It was late when they finished their letters and shared them with each other.
"Thank you for all the nice things you had to say about me, Caro," Jacob was bursting with pride at her words. "It pleases me to know that you are so happy."
"You spoke well of me, too, Jacob," she said with tears of happiness in her eyes. "I think we are truly well suited."
"Yes, we are." He got to his feet and offered her his hand. Caroline placed her hand in his and permitted him to lead her to bed. It was much later before they got any sleep, but neither of them minded.
The trip to Pickawillany was without incident, and as usual, Jacob and Caroline went to find Strong Tree and Little Fawn. Things were not well in the Twightwee village. The braves were murmuring among themselves and the women were keeping the children away and trying to keep them quiet. Strong Tree saw them and motioned for Little Fawn to come forward. "Keep Caroline company while Jacob Willis sits with the men."
A Man of Dreams, a Woman of Passion Page 17