"Thank you." She wanted to tell him about her gun, but he was already onto his next topic.
"I was surprised, but happy, to find out you can ride. I didn't see your split skirt, so I had no idea you could ride a horse well enough to make it clear into town. I'm glad you made it safely, and I'm glad you happened to pick one of my best horses, but I want you to promise me you won't go off like that alone again."
Georgia was listening, and realized there were a lot of things about her that Austin didn't know. She would tell him, but right now was not the time. It was obvious he had been concerned, so she thought it would be better to let him see she was fine. Later, maybe this evening, they would talk. She would fill him in on things he didn't know about her. For now, she agreed. "I didn't realize it would upset you so much."
He tightened his arm around her waist. "When I realized you were gone, I did nothing but worry. I care about you, Georgia, and I want to be sure you're safe. Please tell me you won't go into town alone again."
She thought quickly. She didn't realize that would upset him so much, but she couldn't promise she'd never go to town alone again. If an emergency came up she wouldn't hesitate. She understood now, though, how much he'd worried about her, and she needed to reassure him. "Austin, I did not understand how protective you would be toward me. Therefore, I truly did not realize how worried you would be. I am sorry I worried you that much, and will try not to do anything to cause you so much concern in the future. You didn't believe me when I told you the truth, and spanked me for it. I was hurt."
To her surprise, that seemed to suffice him. He gave her a little hug with his arm around her. "I am sorry about that, wife. I still don't know who could have opened that gate, but I now see how much it hurt you when I came to the conclusion there was no one else that could have. I hope in time you will be able to forgive me for that."
"Thank you. And I hope in time you will be able to come to know me well enough to know you can count on my honesty. I am afraid that time is the only thing that will allow that."
"I think you are a smart lady, Mrs. Barrington. I think time to get to know each other will help us a great deal."
The rest of the day went well for the two of them. After supper that evening Austin addressed his wife. "If nothing else comes up that needs my immediate attention, let's go into town tomorrow to do our shopping. We have quite a list, so we should plan to leave right after breakfast if we can." She nodded. "This time we will go together, in the wagon."
He sounded stern, but when she looked up at him she saw the smile at the corners of his mouth. She smiled. "We can try it that way this time if you want."
He laughed, as he led her into the bedroom. Once again, he turned his back as she put her nightdress on, and held her in his arms as they slept.
The next morning, she tended the chickens. When she was finished she walked out of the pen, fastened the gate, and again put her basket on the ground to double check the security of the gate. She took the eggs in to Amos, as she didn't need any more for the day. She returned the basket to the chicken coop, and double checked the gate as she left again.
When Austin came in for breakfast he gave her a quick kiss on her cheek. "I double checked the chicken gate this morning. Well done, Mrs. Barrington."
The reception he got from her wasn't what he was expecting. "What is that supposed to mean? Are you saying you didn't trust me again, so you thought you had better check? Are you saying you were surprised to find that I had in fact closed it securely?"
He went to her and put his hands on her upper arms so she was looking at him. "No, that is not what I was saying at all. I thought if I double check for myself, there will be no doubt in my mind at all. Then if someone else does go in for some reason and they leave it open, I will know absolutely it wasn't you. I was trying to protect you, so I can have no doubt in my mind if it happens again."
"Oh," she said quietly. "Maybe that would help prove my innocence."
"It certainly would. That is what I had in mind when I checked it. Now, let's sit down and eat. I have not had fried eggs in over a year, and these look absolutely delicious."
True to his word, after they finished breakfast, Austin went to the door. "While you do what you need to do in the kitchen I will hitch up the team and bring the wagon to the house. We will leave as soon as you are ready."
She didn't have much to do to clean the kitchen, as she'd already cleaned everything up, including all the dishes she'd used to prepare the meal, so it didn't take long to simply wash the dishes they used. She was waiting for him on the front porch swing when he pulled up with the wagon. She was going to simply climb in the wagon, but he was quickly at her side and lifted her in. He sat back down beside her and they were headed to town.
She paid closer attention this time to the landmarks, just in case she would ever have to go by herself again. She never mentioned it to her worrisome husband, however, and did her part to keep the conversation going. The more time they spent together and the more they talked, the more she did believe they made a good couple. The only thing that bothered her was his propensity to spank, especially if she didn't believe she'd done anything wrong. She would have to talk to him about that. They hadn't had time to talk last evening. Maybe after a good day in town, she could tell him a little more about herself on their way home this evening, and then she could bring that dreadful subject up, as well.
Their trip to town this time was very enjoyable. At the mercantile, Austin introduced his new wife to Henry Wiley and his wife, Clara. He gave Henry their list, and turned to Clara. "My new wife will need a pair of boots now that she's living on a ranch. Could you please help her with that? She'll also need a bonnet to wear while working in the garden." He asked his wife, "Are you sure you have enough dresses?"
"I believe so."
He hesitated, but thought out loud, reaching a decision. "I suppose that is something else that may take some time to tell. If we find you could use another one or two, or another bonnet, we can get them on our next trip."
"That's probably a good idea," Clara spoke up. "If Georgia's not used to living in Wyoming, or on a ranch, there may be several things you find she will need, but unfortunately, it will be difficult to anticipate them ahead of time. For now, my dear, let's get you a good pair of boots and a bonnet. You may find you want a bonnet to wear to church, as well, but we'll start today with one for working in the garden. The sun can get very hot if you're out in it very long."
Austin was happy to see the two ladies talking as Clara led her to the shoe section. He hoped his new wife was able to make some friends in this area. He gave them plenty of time to pick out her boots and bonnet, and get to know each other a little. When they brought her purchases to the counter, he smiled. "Henry, while you gather the rest of our things, I'm going to take my wife over to meet Mrs. Johnson, and then the restaurant for our noonday meal. We'll come back and collect our supplies and load them up, and I'll settle up my account then."
"It's a nice day out. If you feel like walking to Mrs. Johnson's and the restaurant, leave your wagon here and I'll load your supplies up as I fill the order."
"That would be fine, if you don't mind, Henry. Thank you."
He turned Georgia to head for the door, but she stopped him and turned back around. "Thank you, Clara, for your help. It was wonderful to meet you."
"It was nice meeting you, too, Georgia. I think we're going to become good friends."
"Me, too," she said as she turned back toward the door. Austin looked at Clara, and back to his wife. He had a smile on his face as he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on her head.
That little gesture wasn't missed by Henry. "I think those two will be good together," he told his wife, as he gave her a similar kiss. "Thank you for making her feel welcome."
"That was my pleasure. I like her."
Outside, Austin was proudly leading his new wife down the boardwalk, introducing her to everyone they met along the way. When they had a mo
ment alone, she looked up at him. "Who is Mrs. Johnson, and why are we going to meet her?"
Mary Sue Johnson is a dressmaker. She's very good. I liked that split skirt you wore yesterday. I was glad to see you can handle a horse, and skirts like that one will be good for that. Once you get settled in here, I want to see how familiar you are with horses and be sure you can ride sufficiently. The ranch is a rather large place, and if I'm out working and you need me for something, I want to be sure you'll be able to get to me."
She reminded herself again that she needed to talk to him on their way home. For now, though, she didn't want him spending a lot of money on her needlessly. "I made that split skirt and I can make another one. It would be much cheaper to buy the yard goods, than to have a dressmaker do it."
"I'm glad to hear you can sew, new wife of mine," he said with a smile, "but you're going to be busy the next little while just getting used to living in Wyoming on a ranch. There's a lot to do, and I'd rather have Mrs. Johnson make you a couple of them so you can concentrate on getting settled in at home." He looked around to be sure no one was close by before leaning closer to her ear. "Besides, her husband died a couple years ago and she's trying to raise three little boys on her own. I'm sure she could use a little more business."
"Oh, how sad. It's nice, though, that she has a way to support her boys. Thank you for thinking of her, and me."
He was a little taken back by her words. "Of course I thought of you, my dear. You are my wife. I will always think of you."
She was starting to believe how much he meant those words, and it was feeling nice.
Mrs. Johnson was very nice and the two ladies chatted while she took measurements and they talked about what kind of split skirt she'd like to have. Mary Sue showed her some fabric she thought would work well, and Georgia agreed completely. When Austin came back an hour later to retrieve his wife, he found the two of them talking and laughing like old friends, which was exactly what he'd hoped for. It seemed his new wife was fitting in really well with the people of Laramie.
They talked about that on their drive home that afternoon. She assured him she liked both ladies and was anxious to get to know them better. She asked a few questions about the town and what other shops were there. He answered all her questions about the town. She had more questions about what weather to expect and about the ranch. He answered everything she asked patiently, glad she seemed so interested. She never thought of the talk she'd planned on having with him.
When they got back home, he helped her take everything for the house inside. "If you can make us an easy supper, I'll go unload the feed and take care of the horses. I'll check with Cord, my foreman, to be sure everything's okay and then I'll be in."
While he was gone she did as he'd suggested, fixing them a quick and easy supper. She was anxious to cook something better the next day, though, now that she had more ingredients available to work with.
She went to bed happy again, in his arms.
Over the next couple of days, she started to settle into a routine. They hadn't had any more problems with the chickens or the latch on the gate, and they were both glad.
One morning Austin was a little late coming in for breakfast. "I was with a mare," he explained. "She has a new foal. They'll both be okay now, I think, but I wasn't so sure either of them would make it for a time there. I'm sorry I'm late getting in here."
"Oh, I understand," she said sincerely. "Can I see the new baby?"
"Sure, if you want to. The mare's a very gentle horse, but she's still protective of her newborn. She shouldn't mind you looking at her, though. Just be careful. Would you rather I go with you?"
"No, that's not necessary," she assured him. "You have work to do. I'll be fine. I just want to sneak a quick peak at the new little foal."
After breakfast, Austin checked on the mare and her foal before going to the field he was going to plow.
Georgia went to see the new baby. She talked with the mare first, feeding her an apple she'd picked up from the fruit cellar. Austin was right; she was a very friendly mare. Once she'd given the mare time to get to know her, she tentatively opened the gate and went into the stall. The mare watched her, but didn't seem upset, so Georgia went to the foal. She really was a pretty little thing. She bent down to pet the soft, new little horse, talking softly the whole time. The mare was close by, watching, and Georgia made a point to pet her, as well, talking softly to both of them. She didn't stay too long, not wanting to upset the new mother.
She fastened the stall door and fed the mare a carrot she'd confiscated from the root cellar, as well, before going back to the house.
Austin ran into a problem while plowing the field, and had to go back to the barn for a tool to repair the plow. When he got back to the barn he was surprised to see the new foal and mare out behind the barn. They'd been in a stall at the back of the barn, so they hadn't wandered far. They were in a place that had lots of new lush grass, which the mare was helping herself to. He was sure he'd latched the stall door after he'd helped her earlier this morning, and couldn't imagine how they'd gotten out.
The new foal would be much safer inside the barn, where wild predators wouldn't see her. A baby animal of any kind was easy prey, so keeping her inside the barn and out of sight until she was bigger was much safer. He went to the mare and using her halter, led her back to the barn. The mare didn't object, other than to whinny and be sure her newborn was following. He fastened the stall securely, and decided to stop at the house a moment before going back out.
Georgia was surprised to see him heading for the house. It had only been an hour since he'd left after breakfast, so she met him at the door. "Is something wrong?"
"Well, yes, sort of. I came back to the barn to get a couple tools so I can repair the plow, but the mare and her foal were out behind the barn eating grass."
"How did they get back there? They were in the stall when I left them, and that wasn't that long ago. Maybe a half hour."
"You went to see them?"
"I did. You're right, she is a very friendly mare. She didn't mind when I petted her new baby. It's so soft."
Austin's eyebrows raised. "You went in the stall with them?"
"Yes." Remembering his concern for her, she tried to assure him. "I took an apple out for the mare and gave her that while I got to know her first, of course. I would never go in the stall without first making sure she seemed okay with it. I didn't stay long, either, so I wouldn't upset her. I just petted the foal a few minutes, and left."
"Did you make sure the latch was fastened on the stall?"
Georgia looked at her husband, speechless. "So that's what you came in the house for? You think I left that gate open, as well, don't you?" She turned and quickly went to the bedroom and locked the door.
He went to the bedroom door and tried to open it. "Georgia, that's not what I came to the house for. I didn't even know you'd gone into the stall. Come out here so we can talk."
"I am not coming out right now, Austin. You are not spanking me for something I didn't do again. You go back to the field and let me alone. I need some time alone right now."
He sighed as he ran his hand through his hair. "Georgia, I will give you some time if you want it, but think about this. I did not say you left the latch open. I didn't even know you'd been in the stall. I don't know who could have gone in there, but I intend to find out. Leaving latches unfastened has to stop. I will be in for lunch in a couple hours. Take a little time to think about what I said now if you want, but I will expect you to come out then so we can talk."
He went back to the field, with a lot on his mind. He really hadn't thought his wife would have left the latch open, mainly because he never expected her to go into the stall with the mare. Most people, especially young ladies who have not grown up on a ranch are rather leery of farm animals at first. His wife apparently wasn't like that.
He hoped he'd been able to assure her he wasn't blaming her for the open stall. But at the same time,
he wondered who could have opened it. He had to admit it was odd that both of these things happened shortly after his new wife arrived, but he honestly did not believe she'd done either one of them. He could tell how upset she'd been the other day. She wasn't happy about being spanked, that was quite obvious, but he could tell she was more upset about him not believing her. Those feelings were too sincere for him not to see the truth in her statements.
But who could be doing it and why now, upon her arrival? Was one of the hands upset about him bringing a wife to the ranch? He couldn't see why they would be, or which one it might be, but if that were the case, whoever it was had better learn to accept her. He was happy with all his hands, but if he found out one of them was behind this, he would fire them without hesitation.
Animals on a ranch were necessary, and leaving gates open was a good way to lose them. If they got out and roamed away, even if he could find them and herd them back inside the pasture or stall, there was always the threat of predators. A bear or mountain lion could easily get one or more of them before he could find them and get them back to the barn.
He fixed the plow and started working, thinking about each of the men that worked for him, wondering who might be behind this. He went in a little early for lunch, wanting to have time to talk to his dear wife and make sure she knew he was not blaming her.
***
Georgia waited until she was sure Austin had gone back outside before leaving the bedroom. She was furious. He blamed her again for a gate being left open. She was standing at the sink, looking outside and thinking. She had to find a way to make him see that she was not leaving gates open. She realized she would have to sit down and have that talk with him. Maybe if he realized a little bit more about her background, it would be easier for him to believe her.
As she was standing there, she saw a man at the door of the barn. She guessed it was one of his ranch hands, until she watched him a couple minutes. He stayed in the door of the barn, back in the shadows, while he looked both ways. He went outside, but stayed flat up against the barn as he moved the length of the barn toward the chicken pen. He carefully looked around again, then peeked around the corner of the barn, before running to the chicken pen. She watched as he quickly opened the latch and pushed the gate open a bit. As soon as that was done he again looked around carefully, and took off running in the direction of the woods.
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