Aidan heard the emphasis on ‘mine’ and knew this man was extremely protective. Not that he could blame him, they seemed so defenseless. Smiling inwardly, Aidan ran a hand over his chest that ached from the hard flung rock. Defenseless looking was obviously a surface trait.
“Clint?” called a voice, the two men turned and Ethan was surprised to see a women and young teenage girl. His assumption about the boys and hunting had been incorrect. Ethan just assumed they were hiding close by on the man’s command.
Clint looked up and saw Tansy and Shanie not far from the strange men. “Stay back,” he shouted.
Clint no longer had the man’s son, he was without any leverage; the men were between him, Tansy and Shanie. The dark-haired man had yet to sheath his knife. They would be defenseless against an assault by either man. Both women were slight and weakened by hunger and traveling, he was trying to protect Emmy and Michaela. If they were to be grabbed, what would he do? Clint’s face reddened in frustrated anger, not knowing what direction to take. He couldn’t be in two places at once. A thought thundered within his frantic mind; what would Cord do? He would utter threats and show he meant business.
“You let ’em pass safe to me,” he warned, blue eyes narrowed dangerously, “and there won’t be no bloodshed.” Clint’s hand tightened on his knife, the implication unmistakable. Michaela was passed quickly to Emmy while Clint shielded the both of them behind his body, readying to spring into action.
The other two men nodded in agreement. Clint motioned Tansy forward. Tansy and Shanie dragged their heavy load of treasures into the mine, giving the men a large berth. Michaela squealed in delight and took the doll Tansy handed her over to the fire to get a better look, the boy momentarily forgotten. Both Emmy and Shanie stepped back to unload the garbage bags while watching their mother approach the strangers after emptying her pockets and pants of bags and other articles.
Tansy stood beside Clint. She looked from the two men to Clint, who stood straight and powerful...and possessive. The other two men were weary and drawn. But it wasn’t them that caught and held her eye; it was the slightly built tow-headed boy. The boy was looking at Michaela and the fire and her with such longing Tansy felt every motherly instinct consume her. Part of her was overwhelmed with happiness at seeing another child alive. She crouched down to eye level with the boy, while pressed closely to Clint’s side. Though fascinated with the boy, she was still a bit fearful of the large men and was once again grateful for Clint’s presence.
“My name is Tansy. What’s yours?”
The boy smiled shyly at her. “Ricky.” He took a quick swipe at his runny nose.
“I’m very happy to meet you, Ricky,” Tansy told him in a soft voice, understanding he must be feeling apprehensive, as was she; their situation was tense. Both sides of men were eyeing each other. She knew if the slightest wrong move occurred it might result in a bloodbath. Tansy looked up at Clint who stood stone faced, knife drawn, his knuckles white with the grip he maintained on his weapon, muscles bunched ready to pounce into action.
“This is Clint.” Her tone open, friendly, indirectly including the other men. Leaning in a bit she offered conspiratorially, “He’s not as mean as he looks.”
Ricky looked relieved and offered her a larger smile.
“I found some clothes that might fit you, and perhaps a hat or two,” she added chuckling as she removed at least three piled from the top of her head. “And I think Shanie has a couple of toy cars that are kinda cool if you want to come in to play.”
Ricky cast a hopeful glance up at his father who wasn’t sure what to say. The large man, Clint, was still glaring at them with angry suspicion, his glance definitely un-welcoming.
“My girls are harmless,” Tansy said as she again stood.
“I beg to differ,” Aidan mumbled, rubbing his chest. When Tansy smiled at him he sheathed his knife. He realized the danger to him, Ethan and Ricky had passed now that the man Clint had his women and children close and accounted for.
“Look, why don’t we get acquainted over tea?” Tansy suggested brightly.
Clint closed his eyes tightly and grimaced noticeably on a definite shudder.
“We really aren’t that bad,” Ethan said, taking offense at Clint’s disgusted look.
“No, it ain’t you; it’s Tansy’s tea.”
Tansy smacked him. Ricky laughed, he figured if this woman wasn’t afraid of this big man maybe he shouldn’t be either. Ricky was intrigued by the thought of toy cars and the warm fires inside were a magnet, especially now that the sun was setting. Ricky’s pleading struck a chord within his father. Ethan was also drawn to the fires, and the woman seemed in as much control, if not more so than the man. Ethan noticed her heartfelt look at Ricky and understanding flowed to make him feel she was somewhat of a kindred spirit. Her children were no less captivating. It had been so long since Ricky had had the opportunity to see and play with another child.
Ethan walked across the opening of the mine, he reached a tentative hand out and shook Tansy’s hand, it was warm and small yet she offered him a firm handshake in return; she smiled at him. She led him and Aidan over to the fires and they all sat. Tansy produced cups from hers and Shanie’s recent excursion and offered the foulest tasting tea Ethan ever had, yet he drank all of it. She again smiled at him in such an endearing way if his belly hadn’t protested he would’ve asked for more.
Tansy produced the remains of the duck from the night before; there wasn’t much left, but enough for all to take the sharp edge of hunger from their bellies. They settled back to get more acquainted and Michaela climbed up onto Tansy’s lap, engrossed in her new doll, switching its faces with great interest. She chatted happily to it. Emmy and Shanie watched the others warily, from across the small cooking fire built within the three fires, remembering their previous dangerous encounters with large strange men.
After Aidan and Ethan introduced themselves, so did everyone else. Clint made a point of throwing a possessive arm around Tansy and Michaela, and encouraged Shanie and Emmy closer, noticing their apprehension then watched the men for any signs of aggression. Tansy was feeling positively smothered a short time later. Shrugging off Clint’s arm, she announced to the men it was Mike’s bedtime and they should all get to sleep. They couldn’t possibly head back to their camp in the darkness and seeing as how Ricky was slumped over his new cars, perhaps there was enough room in Michaela’s bed for both of them, if they lay feet to feet.
Ethan agreed and helped Tansy put her daughter and his son into the tiny bed. Tucking them in with wool blankets, little throw pillows and a thick comforter. Emmy and Shanie lay down near their mother; boughs of white pine had been gathered and lay beneath the soft thick fur coat Shanie had worn back. They shared a small pillow. Tansy covered them over with a few thick blankets, tucking them in as she had Michaela, sensing their distress and need for her comfort, reminding them she and Clint were close and they had nothing to fear.
Clint said he would take first watch but so did Aidan, Tansy knew if both stayed up it would become a staring match of hostility and no one would be able to get any sleep. After her long day, she needed some rest. Fearing an argument was about to erupt, Tansy asked Clint if he would curl up beside her for the night. His warmth would be welcome. Even with the three fires blazing, the mine was chilly and any spare clothing she had been wearing she used the previous night on Michaela, vigilant at not wanting the child to become chilled. Tansy tugged at Clint to encourage him to join her and was successful.
She settled almost immediately, and he clasped her as close as possible, spooning against her. He tucked her head onto his arm and curled protectively around her, allowing his lips to briefly linger at her neck.
Chapter 11
Early morning brought shouts of anger and exasperation. Aidan and Clint stood toe to toe arguing about Aidan and Ethan’s desire to stay with them. They were reluctant to head back to their damp lonely hole in the ground when the mine was safer and h
ad lots of room to offer everyone.
“We was here first,” Clint yelled aggressively, immediately on the defensive.
“We’re not saying we want you to leave. We’re saying we could benefit from living together,” Aidan tried again reasonably.
Clint didn’t want these men staying; he had enough to worry about protecting his women and children from what could be out there. He didn’t want danger to be right under his nose and said so.
“We’ve no desire to harm anyone. In fact, I’m certain our presence will undoubtedly enable all of us to explore other options with a greater ease,” Ethan reasoned.
Clint stood stone faced. Tansy could see the wheels of his sometimes rusty mind turning. Uh oh.
“Jist which a these women you thinkin’ a explorin’?”
Ethan’s eyes shot up and he sent Aidan a questioning look. Aidan stood there opening and closing his mouth like a fish just as shocked at the innuendo. Ethan had an eruption of his own.
“Are you insinuating what I think you are?”
“I ain’t the one havin’ sinful thoughts.”
“Gentlemen, please,” Tansy said, holding up her hands.
“Now honey, you best let us men decide this,” Clint said.
“You arrogant pompous ass,” Tansy spluttered.
Shanie stepped forward, seeing the look on her mother’s angry face, and decided she and Emmy would take the younger kids out before it really got ugly. But she just couldn’t help herself as she passed by Clint.
“How you manage to eat anything with your foot constantly in your mouth is somewhat inspiring.”
Clint hadn’t been sure he was in trouble but was now positive. He braced himself as Tansy entered her attack mode. She spun on him. A worried smile splayed on his full lips, he put his hands out in supplication.
“Now honey, I jist meant...”
“You meant I’m just a little woman and shouldn’t trouble my little thoughts about such problems that big strong men should solve,” Tansy said sweetly, with a flirtatious batting of her eyelashes.
“That’s right,” Clint said, relieved she understood.
“Wanna borrow my feet?” Shanie yelled.
“Listen you giant oaf.” Tansy growled; eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, emphasizing her words by shoving a finger into his chest. “We are a group of individuals that make up our new family. As such, we all have an equal say. You’re not the boss because you’re a man. We all work hard. I for one would welcome their help; we’re going to need it if we want to hunt big game. I don’t know how to hunt big game and we’re going to need to hunt big game if we’re going to survive.”
Clint’s head hung down. Taking a breath and expelling it slowly, Tansy began again in a more reasonable tone of voice.
“Clint, you’ve undertaken a great responsibility. Not many men would look out after a woman and her three girls during such a horrible crisis. You’ve always been decent and kind from the moment we met you. You’ve never harmed us and have never taken advantage. You are just one man. There’s safety in numbers. Extra hands make the workload lighter.”
“Maybe we should all sit down and discuss this,” Ethan offered. “Set up some ground rules.”
“You can jist sleep on the ground where you did last night,” Clint told him, waving a finger. He gripped Tansy’s hand and led her to the fire.
Tansy laughed at Clint’s glaring expression. His apparent misunderstanding of Ethan’s words seemed to revolve around sex, and she was beginning to wonder what he’d been thinking lately. She knew Ethan’s suggestions were innocent. When he’d spoken of the death of his wife, Tansy was certain he held great respect and love for the woman, his pain of loss was genuine. Tansy’s own pain was hard on her, but the turmoil of trying to keep her and her girls alive was foremost in her mind. She’d hardly spared a moment for poor Marge and Chris.
“What we need is a plan of action,” Aidan began. “If we each have a helpful expertise, perhaps we can expand on it.”
“The fact we’ve survived thus far is an exceptional expertise,” Ethan rationed. “Although I admit if it wasn’t for Aidan, Ricky and I wouldn’t be here now.”
“If it wasn’t for Clint, I doubt all of us, myself and my girls, would be here. He provided food, shelter, healing, he saved us from starvation, wild dogs, a flood, a vile man and...he even found a bathtub.” The last Tansy said wistfully, remembering with longing what it felt like to sink into a deliciously warm tub of scented water surrounded in heavenly bubbles, aromatic candles and a glass of wine after a long hectic day.
“No wonder you think so highly of him,” Ethan said.
“I was thinkin’ a that bath,” Clint said to Tansy, he stopped for a moment, remembering she was sensitive because she smelled. He continued, trying his best to pick words that weren’t so offensive. “Maybe we should bathe again, I mean not jist you smells...funny.” That was good. Clint smiled brightly as he nodded to the others including them.
Tansy looked at him sideways wondering if the snow had melted in the pot and was still chilly, she’d like to dump it on his head.
“Well that’s good advice. Being clean helps fend off disease, besides it makes people feel better about themselves. You don’t feel as dragged down when you get rid of germs,” Aidan said.
“Well see, with all the dirt coverin’ you, I bet you’d lose ten pounds of germs and feel better ‘bout not bein’ heavy,” Clint said, smiling at Tansy. She moved, and before he saw it coming Tansy grabbed the metal pot and dumped the entire contents over Clint’s head. She marched outside to check on the children.
Clint sat there for a moment, the pot on his head. He peeked out sheepishly then set the offending object off to the side, hair dripping down onto his jacket and behind his neck, soaking his shirt.
“You got any expertise on women?” Clint asked Ethan. “I ain’t never been attacked with water.”
“She does seem to have a temper,” Ethan commented, amused.
“Well hell, I’ve met more cuddly rattlers,” Clint said.
“There are three things a man needs to stay away from when talking to a woman. Number one: never tell them any part of them has body odor.”
“Not even when they sweat?” Clint asked, wide-eyed.
“Especially when they sweat,” Aidan confirmed.
“Number two: never make any comment on their weight, no matter what the situation.”
Clint suddenly understood why Annie seemed to be in tears so often when she was pregnant. Maybe telling her he liked her roly-poly wasn’t such a good idea after all. Imagine that.
“Number three.” Ethan leaned in really close and lowered his voice. “Never, and I mean never, tell a woman her cooking is less than what the gods themselves would eat.”
Shuddering Clint whispered, “Even the tea?”
“Especially the tea,” Aidan confirmed, nodding seriously.
“Damn.”
Tansy chose that moment to reappear. Then sat down beside Clint, who set the metal pot out of her reach. She smiled benignly at him, and he wondered if she was planning some other kind of retribution. But she seemed calmer, less agitated. Clint found himself relaxing a bit, but was worried that at any moment he might be hit with a boot or other flying paraphernalia.
“Clint is an excellent hunter and tracker and he brought back the duck we finished off last night,” Tansy said.
Still wary, Clint smiled with the praise, but kept his mouth shut.
“Did you hunt before the storms?” Ethan inquired.
Clint nodded.
“Clint made the bed for Michaela,” Tansy said.
“Have you done that before?” Aidan asked.
Clint nodded in the affirmative, for a second he was on the verge of saying more, until he glanced at Tansy. She smiled at him, as if to encourage him then he asked her outright, “Are you gonna hit me with somethin’?”
“Why would I do that?” she asked, wide-eyed and innocently. Clint looked at her w
ith huge sad puppy eyes and Tansy laughed. “Clint, I’ve seen you take on wild dogs as big as ponies. I’ve seen you kill a man who would’ve murdered us and I’ve seen you fearlessly battle a flood. Why do you look so worried? You can’t possibly be afraid of me.”
“The hell I ain’t.”
“Well why?”
“I can’t fight back. I don’t want nobody to shoot you. I won’t never stab you in the back and I sure as hell can’t outmaneuver you. I swore I wouldn’t hurt you and I meant it.”
Tansy gave him the most sincere smile she could muster then hugged him hard. She decided one of the things she liked most about him was his honesty. She’d have to take the bad with the good; she may not like some of it, but was willing to try.
Clint, wanting to offer some sort of an apology said, “I surely do like it when you hug me. I don’t even mind at all if you smell funny...not that you do, you surely don’t, at all smell, I mean...” he ended lamely and realized he’d already forgotten rule number one.
“That’s okay,” Tansy replied. “You don’t smell much either.” Clint laughed and hugged her back.
“You know, while we’re on the subject, I did see an old metal washtub nearby. Someone must have been using it for flowers. It’s a decent size. If we’re able to maneuver it here and clean it out it would be perfect to set up in a corner,” Ethan said.
“Maybe we can build a fire near it and hang one of the sheets up around it. I could do laundry in it,” Tansy said. Her face became animated with her thoughts and it was apparent a washtub would make her happy.
“Well, why don’t we go get it?” Clint said; he was happiest when Tansy was excited and happy, he preferred she stay that way.
“We really need to think of something to eat; we need to hunt for fresh meat,” Aidan said.
“Aidan’s right, we do need fresh meat,” Tansy said. “Maybe I’ll grab my bola and head back to that house. There are still some things I’d like to get there. Shanie and I were unable to carry it all back with us.”
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