“Your words were as disappointing as your kiss.” Todd yanked her close and kissed her silly. Her knees went weak, and when he drew back, he demanded, “You will work on both.”
“Both what?”
A smug smile tilted his lips. “Your words and your kisses. You will work on them.”
“That sure didn’t seem like work to me just now.” As soon as the words slipped out, Maggie smacked a hand over her mouth.
“Then you can put more effort in thinking about what you say.”
The bell rang from inside the cabin. “It’s time for Ma’s nap. Could you go put her to bed whilst I . . .” Maggie’s face went pink as she nodded toward the outhouse.
“Sure.”
She went around the house to the necessary and stopped in her tracks. “Oh no!”
Yanking out his sheath knife, Todd dashed out of the house and around to the back. Maggie stood stock-still, eyes huge. Rapidly scanning about her, he didn’t see any snakes or critters, so what was she –
Shaking her head, she sighed. “Husband, no matter how much I work on what I say, I won’t ever find the right words for that.”
Following the direction in which she’d pointed, he stared at the outhouse. It now sported a fancy swinging saloon door. “Magpie!” His roar made her jump.
“Excuse me.” She ran past him, through that swinging batwing door, and out of sight.
The stupid thing worked perfectly. Upset as he was at her for bartering as if he couldn’t provide well enough, Todd didn’t mean to frighten her. He could hear her muttering about wishes coming true, too. The roads her mind traveled were plotted with an eggbeater, not a ruler. He went back into the house.
“What’s all the ruckus? Didn’t we get my porch?”
“Porch.” That’s what his bride traded for? She got rid of that ridiculous chair and thought of something to make Ma happy. Instead of leaving her inside all the time, they’d be able to bring her out and have a special place for her. Lumber for a porch would cost a chunk. The outhouse door was undoubtedly a little extra Maggie dickered for – not her primary goal. At least Maggie didn’t stand for the devious exchange. His bride tried to kill two birds with one stone: pampering Ma and getting rid of something in the barn. And wasn’t that what he wanted?
“Well? Where’s my porch? The outhouse door is up, and I’ve waited all morning for my porch.”
“Mr. Walker tried to cheat us. Maggie wouldn’t accept what he sent as a porch.”
“Why not? Anything would be better than the dirt and pebbles out there.”
“Then whatever I come up with to serve as a porch should please you.” He put Ma back in her bed. “Putting in the garden comes first. You’ll have to be patient.”
“I’m thinking since we’ve already paused,” Maggie said from the doorway, “we could grab sandwiches and take them back out with us. That’ll allow us to work in an extra row.”
“Excellent!”
Ma jerked on his sleeve. “Speaking of excellent, those men ate every last bite of your prune bread, Magpie.”
Shoulders sagging, his bride sighed. “I made it for you, Todd.”
“Spared this time,” Ma said in a low tone.
From Maggie’s bewildered expression, Todd knew she heard the unkind comment. His wife deserved to be praised. “Ja. We spared our treat for their sake. It was a good thing.” The smile that started to flicker on Maggie’s face melted. Todd quickly tacked on, “Texas is known for hospitality.”
“Son, isn’t Texas also known for tall tales?”
“And longhorns.” Todd shot Ma a quelling look. She’d grown downright ornery. “Take a nap, and we’ll tell you all about the garden at supper. Together, we are getting far more done than I dared hope. My Margaret is a hardworking woman.”
They headed back to the garden and stopped at the windmill to fill a bucket. Maggie gave him a shy smile. “I’m glad you’re pleased with my labor.”
“I’m not.”
Her gasp almost knocked her off her feet.
Grinning, he pulled her close. “I told you to work on your kisses, and you’ve not done a thing about that all day.”
“All day? You only just gave me that order, and I’ll remind you, Todd Valmer, I’m not a hussy!”
Trailing one finger down her cheek, crooking it beneath her chin, and lifting her face, he looked into her eyes. “I’m not interested in a hussy. I want a warm, loving wife.” He dipped his head and waited until his lips were a mere breath away to murmur, “Get to work.”
Fast as lightning, she wheeled around and made it a single step before he captured her. “What was that?”
Glee lit her face. “That, Husband, was Love’s Labour’s Lost.”
Feisty woman. He arched a brow. “Forget Shakespeare for a minute. I far prefer Milton’s titles.” He kissed her until she melted in his arms, then whispered in her ear, “Paradise Regained.”
It took her a minute before she whispered in a husky tone, “What about Paradise Lost?”
“That was last night.” Chuckling at her blush, he kept one arm around her waist and went back to the field.
When the horses rested later, Maggie checked Ma and started supper. Todd filled every bucket they owned and set them in the sun so they’d enjoy decent baths. Good thing, too. They came home dirty as peasants in a mud puddle. Though Maggie sponge bathed Ma and washed her hair, Ma fussed and grumbled that she hadn’t had a decent bath.
Exasperated, Todd finally said, “Ma, you don’t need a bath. You spent all day soaking in self-pity.” She let out an outraged sound, and he glowered at her. “Don’t be a dog in the manger.”
“A dog – !”
Maggie stepped in. “Last evening, he spoke to me the same way he talks to the mares. Your farmer son’s got critters on his mind.”
“Be glad I know Aesop’s Fables, Wife. Someday I will tell them to our children.”
“Not if Ma thinks you called her a dog again.” Maggie pointed to the corner. “I bet she could use that cane I fetched for her and – ”
Ma actually laughed. Making a big show of it, Maggie handed her the cane. “Ma, you’ve gotta promise if Todd uses horse-talk on me again, you’ll prod some sense into him.”
A while later, Maggie’s thick hair dried into a tumbling sheet of black satin Todd could scarcely keep his hands off of. Grabbing her shawl, he invited, “Ma’s weary and needs to fall asleep. We’ll go look at the stars.”
“You do that.” Ma went back to looking like she’d sucked on lemons. “It’s a regular romantic symphony out there – that clattering windmill and a breeze stiff enough to teach a pig to fly.”
Maggie waltzed to the door. “Hurry up, Todd! I can’t tell you how many things I’ve been waiting for until pigs could fly!”
They weren’t out for more than a minute when Maggie tilted her head to the side. “My woodicocks are like baby windmills, making some of that same whirring clatter. I like the sound our windmill makes.”
“Good.” He didn’t tell her it had become such an integral part of the farm’s sounds, he didn’t hear it anymore. “If a pig flies by, what will you see?”
“Uncle Bo wearing a dress.” Merriment filled her voice. “Aunt Maude swimming. Paw-Paw riding a high-wheeled bicycle . . .”
“I didn’t know your aunt, but I’d glue wings onto a pig if it meant I could see the other sights.” The conversation wended along, mostly thoughts and plans for the farm. Tonight wasn’t fraught with the same awful tension as last night.
Maggie hugged herself. “The holler felt cozy, like I could hold it all close.” A tinge of longing colored her voice. “Here, the land and sky go on forever – like I could stretch out my arms and there will always be more.”
Reaching to match her widespread arms, Todd threaded his fingers with hers. “Our life will be like that – full of possibilities.”
“I believe you.” Her eyes twinkled brighter than the stars. “Our years ahead are bound to be breathtaking. . . .
What with such rich soil, sweet water, and that grand door on the outhouse!”
“That door’s going back.” He didn’t bother to hide the amusement in his voice. “But I won’t be surprised if someday that’ll be embellished and become a family tall tale.”
“You mentioned Aesop’s Fables. Daddy told me stories every day. It was our special time together.”
Arms sliding around her, Todd murmured, “When God blesses us with children, we will both tell them stories.” He drew her close, lowered his head, and gave her a kiss.
She remained in his embrace as he rubbed his cheek against her temple and said, “For now, though, I am thankful God has given me you.”
Staying outside, he gave her a chance to get into bed. When he went back in, Ma’s snoring gave ample proof she’d fallen deep asleep.
Todd slipped beneath Maggie’s newlywed quilt and played with the curls spilling across her pillow. This was the time. He’d reviewed the verses that went along with her quilt and now recited from Song of Solomon, “ ‘I am a rose of Sharon, the lily of the valley. . . .’ ”
Soon, in perfect harmony of spirit and timing, Maggie breathlessly added the woman’s line, “ ‘His banner over me is love.’ ”
Perfect. The moment was perfect.
Then the curtain between the beds whisked back.
Thirteen
“Son, I’d like a word with you.”
“Anything you have to say, Ma, you can say in front of my wife.”
“I tried to be delicate. You’re making it impossible.”
He let out a derisive snort. Delicate? After last night? When she opened the divider with that stupid cane and whined that she felt like she was closed in her casket? She’d spoiled everything. Intentionally. Unforgivably. He’d bellowed last night, but plenty still remained to be said. He’d refrained from reading from Proverbs this morning. Of all the Proverbs, today’s spoke of the things God abhorred – including those who devised mischief and sowed discord . . . and though that certainly fit, the second portion mentioned a man lusting after a beautiful woman. Though the verses were addressing the sin of adultery, he suspected Ma would twist the words and make things worse.
If that were possible.
Maggie avoided looking at him today. The one time their eyes met, she grew flustered and pivoted away. His bride hadn’t said anything. Didn’t need to. The way she’d lain still as a board beside him all night shouted volumes. Though his wife followed his edict and sat at the table for the meal, she’d barely nibbled the edge of a biscuit. She sprang from the table to get the coffeepot. Seeing as she always set the pot on the table, Todd surmised she’d left it on the stove as an excuse to get away. Pouring fluid made the only sound in the entire cabin.
“Ma, say what you must.”
“You should sleep in the barn, son. Maggie can stay here with me.” Hastily, she added, “Just for this month. It would be best.”
The blue graniteware pot that had been in his wife’s hand hit the dirt floor. Maggie backed away. “I’m not carrying another man’s child.”
Savage anger shot through him. Todd bolted to his feet. “You question my bride’s virtue?!” One strong yank had Margaret flush beside him.
Ma reached out her right hand, a beseeching action, but too late to matter. “It is not what I believe. But others – they do not know. Should you conceive immediately and have the baby early, there will forever be suspicions and whispers.”
“Suspicions and whispers? What kinds of friends do you think we have?” Maggie’s hushed voice shook. “Todd’s fine brothers in Christ minded the farm and livestock in his absence! One toted and unpacked your things whilst you ailed hundreds of miles away. Three dropped everything and helped when we arrived in the dead of night.
“And loving Christian sisters!” Passion and pain vibrated in her voice. “I’ve longed for them for years. My dear friend Linette kept the hens for us, brought supper, and pitched in to do chores alongside of me as if we’d been bosom friends all our lives.”
Maggie drew in a deep breath and shook her head. “Such neighbors wouldn’t tell tales and gossip. Love thinks well of others, and the people here have poured out that very kind of godly love and friendship. You worry what they’d think? Down deep in my heart, I know they’d consider us blessed.”
Ma didn’t look Maggie in the eye and stammered, “Those are only some of the neighbors.”
He stood strong by his woman and was proud. She’d been shocked at Ma’s obscene implication, yet she’d been a lioness about defending others. Now he’d end this vile intrusion into their marriage. “We live by what is right and good and pure – not by the worrying about what someone might think.” Sliding his arm from Maggie’s shoulder down to her waist to squeeze her tight, Todd growled. “Our private life is no one else’s business – including you, Ma. Our marriage bed will not be defiled.”
His sweet bride deserved far better, and he pulled Maggie out of the house to tell her so. Twice, he opened his mouth to speak; both times, words failed him. The emotions shimmering in her tear-filled eyes tore at him, so he wound his arms about her, pulling her into the shelter of his very being. Between her jagged breaths, Todd felt her heart thundering against him. Clasping his bride to himself, he tilted her face up to his and rained kisses down upon her. When his lips finally met hers, the kiss they shared quickly grew in intensity. She started to pull away, but he wouldn’t let her. A woman ought to know her husband wanted her happiness. For that matter, she ought to know he wanted her. God’s blessing on their union released him to freely share his caring and desire.
Maggie trembled in his arms. Soft as could be, she reached up and tenderly touched his face. Immediately, he gentled his hold and lightened their kiss. At the same time she shrank a few inches. Realizing she’d been standing on tiptoe to relish those moments sent a jolt of joy through him. He almost drew her back, but she turned her face away.
For a minute, he stared down at her kissed-rosy lips and deep blush. Beautiful. She was beautiful. And his. Nothing and no one was going to come between them. Abruptly, he rasped, “I must work,” and strode off. If he’d stood there even a breath more, he’d give in to the temptation of throwing her over his shoulder and carrying her up to the hayloft.
Maggie watched her husband walk away, his usual loose, lithe stride traded for a smoldering, wrath-filled stomp. Instantaneous and complete as his anger came, she knew full well he’d been offended by his mother’s words. Aye, and that was the one glimmer of positive she saw in the whole mess.
Lord, your Word says love takes no notice when someone does you wrong. I can’t help noticing my mother-in-law’s dead set against me and won’t stop at any chance to criticize or cast aspersions. What am I to do?
But Todd stood up for her. Or had he? Reviewing the exchange in her memory, Maggie realized he’d challenged Ma, but not declared his own faith in her purity. He’d said it was nobody’s business!
And there she stood – cheeks aflame and hair tumbling about her shoulders. When had it come down? Just the memory of his large hand sliding up her nape and fingers parting to cup her head left her wanting to tilt the direction he’d held her for that masterful kiss. I’m standing out here in broad daylight, acting like a trollop. What must Todd think? The verse went through her mind again. Love thinks well of the other.
But Todd doesn’t love me.
Plucking her comb from the dust at her feet, Maggie couldn’t quite keep her hand from shaking. She rose, twisted her hair into an orderly arrangement, and wished she could discipline her heart and mind as efficiently. I already surrendered my heart . . . and my husband doesn’t even know.
He disappeared into the barn, and she made up her mind. Whatever it took, she’d get him to love her. Even adore her. Determination swelled within her. He walked back into sight and Maggie promised herself, I’m going to have wedded bliss if it kills me.
Starting back to the house, her thoughts shifted from Todd to Ma. “Wedded bliss.”
She snorted. “It won’t kill me. That ornery woman will get to me first.”
Ma locked eyes with her the minute she stepped over the threshold. “You know I’m right. A little self-control would stand you in good stead.”
Self-control? After that wild kiss just now? “Todd is right. It’s none of your affair, Ma.”
Nose in the air, Ma huffed. “Such disrespect!”
“Aye, I’ll agree with you there. Your disrespect of a sacred, God-blessed union.”
“You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. Mark my words – ”
Maggie cut off her interfering talk. “The words I listen to are my husband’s. Aye, I stand strong by my man and his opinion. We deserve privacy.”
“If my speaking prevents you from making the worst decision of your lives – ”
“Carrying my husband’s wee bairn would thrill me to no end.”
“Children are a blessing and a responsibility.” Staring at her, Ma intoned, “It’s because I want the best for Todd that I spoke.” Her omission was glaring.
“Your son became my husband. What is best for him, or for me, is one and the same thing. In Genesis and thrice in the New Testament, the Holy Bible says, ‘For this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother; and cleave unto his wife, and they twain shall become one flesh.’ ” She sucked in a deep breath. “Marriage is a sacred bond. The parson calls it holy matrimony for just cause, and you’re trespassing. What you did last night and what you’ve said today are the same as you crawling right betwixt us in our bed.”
Ma spluttered, but she couldn’t deny that stark truth.
Gathering the dishes from the table, Maggie reckoned she may as well lay out the truth once and for all. “You’re kin. Having you live with us is both right and necessary. With respect and love, there’s not a reason in the world why we can’t have us a happy home. Your son is the head of the home now.” She resisted the urge to add, and I am the mistress. “As Todd’s wife, it is my place to respect and honor him – and to demand that anyone under this roof does, as well.”
Sounding querulous and yet wounded, Helga sighed, “Even as the head of a home, men need advice.”
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