Rebecca returned her smile. “You are family.”
Fay nodded.
Hazel shook her head. “You folks sure are sappy.” She took a drink of her tea and tried to hide behind the cup.
Josephine laughed. “Don’t let her fool you. She’s a part of the family, too. Hazel here started taking care of Thomas and Philip the day they moved out to the relay station. They love her and so do I.” She removed her hand from Bella’s.
Emma sat up straighter. “When I first arrived here, I was a slave to a couple who treated me well but used me to take care of their basic needs. Thankfully Rebecca and Fay, with the help of the rest, purchased me from them and then gave me my freedom.”
Bella realized her story wasn’t nearly as bad as theirs. “I’m sorry that happened to you all.” She took a deep breath. “My story isn’t quite that bad. My parents died when I was fifteen. My sister was already married and living in Denver. I didn’t want to move to a big city, so stayed in the small town of Douglas City, California, where I got a job as a baker. My sister would send me news from time to time. She had a good life and two little boys. A couple of months ago, I got news that she and her husband had died in a train crash. I quit my job and hurried to claim my nephews. Only, when I got there, things weren’t as I expected. The nanny had to be paid, my sister and her husband owed more than they owned and the bank had taken over all their assets. I wasn’t allowed to take anything from the house other than Caleb and Mark.” Tears had filled her eyes and were clogging her throat. Bella stopped and took a drink of the sweet tea.
Josephine shook her head. “How did you come across the ad that Thomas had placed? It had been months since he’d done that. I didn’t think any more letters would be coming.”
“The newspaper was beside the fireplace. I saw the ad and tore it out. With the boys, I used the last of my money to get to the Turnstone station.” She set down her cup. “The rest you know.”
Joy came to Bella and leaned against her side. “I’m glad you married Philip.”
She smiled down at the little girl. “You are?”
“Yep. I always wanted a sister who was quiet like me. I’m glad God sent you.” She wrapped her little arms around Bella’s waist and hugged her tight.
Bella hugged her back. She looked up to find the other women wiping at their eyes. These women really did care about her. The thought was sobering. If only she and Philip could learn to love, this would be the perfect situation.
But Bella knew she’d never trust her heart to him. She’d been hurt before and he’d lost faith in himself to love without being hurt. No, she had to remind herself that theirs was a marriage of convenience.
Chapter Eleven
Philip guided the borrowed horse along the rutted road. Caleb sat in front of him, while Bella and Mark rode beside them. Josephine and Hazel were bringing up the rear. The two women were in deep conversation and not paying any attention to the newlyweds.
“Do you have to take the wagon back to Mr. Turnstone?” Bella asked.
“No, Noah said he’d take it back for us.”
She nodded. “Good.”
He wondered if she’d expected him to deposit them at the relay station and then take off again. Before he could ask her why she’d asked, Hazel rode her horse up between theirs.
“I’ve been thinking,” she blurted.
Philip grinned. “When are you not thinking?”
“Hush up. Or I might just take my gift back.” She slowed her mare so that she could remain even with them.
Bella started to drop back to join Josephine, but Hazel stopped her.
“Hold up, Bella. This concerns you, too.” Hazel waited for Bella to come even again.
“Phil, I’m going to give you an acre of my land and the old homestead for a wedding present.” She nodded her head as if in agreement with herself.
He pulled his horse to a stop. “Hazel, that’s a mighty fine gift. I’m not sure we can accept.”
They all stopped.
“’Course you can.” She patted her mare’s neck. “I still have acreage and the new house my man built before his passing. I want you to have it.”
Josephine joined them. “It’s a wonderful gift, Hazel. If Philip was any kind of gentleman, he’d thank you for it.” She raised a brow at her brother-in-law.
Philip looked to Bella. Living at the relay station was going to be crowded. He wasn’t sure Hazel’s old homestead was any more comfortable, but it would be a place Bella could call her own.
Hazel turned her attention to Bella, too. “What do you think, Bella? You going to accept my gift?”
“I think it is wonderful, Hazel. Thank you.”
Philip knew when he was outvoted. He laughed. “Then it’s settled. Thank you, Hazel.”
Hazel dug into her saddlebag and pulled out a slip of paper. “I was hoping you’d accept. Here’s the deed to the land and homestead.” She handed the paper to him.
He stared down at the deed. “When did you get this?”
“When we stopped in Dove Creek the other day.” She grinned. “You aren’t the only one who is tricky.”
Josephine laughed. “Well, looks like we’ll be stopping in Dove Creek again.”
Philip frowned. He didn’t want to stop. Thomas had been alone for too long. “Why?”
“We’ll need fabric for curtains,” Josephine answered.
“And cleaning supplies,” Hazel added. “That old homestead is going to need a lot of cleaning before it’s fit for living.”
Philip groaned. “We can’t be in town long,” he told them.
Caleb tilted his head back and looked up at Philip. “Can we have some lemon drops?”
Mark protested, “No, I want a peppermint stick.” He twisted to face Bella. “Can I get peppermint? Please?”
Philip saw the sad look on her face and realized she didn’t have the money to pay for either of them to have candy. He cleared his throat. It had the effect he expected. Bella looked up at him. He gave her a quick nod.
“If Philip says so, then yes.”
He laughed, leave it to her to turn it back to him. “We’ll see what we can do.”
The women quickly changed the subject back to cleaning, sewing and cooking, leaving him and the little boys to discuss horses, candy and new chores.
“We have to do chores?” Caleb asked, as if the idea of working was foreign to him.
“Sure you do. I expect you to help out,” Philip answered.
Mark looked across at him with a frown on his small face. “Me, too?”
“Yep, you, too.”
Caleb asked, “What kind of chores?”
Philip really hadn’t given that much thought but now felt inclined to answer. “Well, it will depend on our new place. But I’ll expect one of you to take care of the chickens—”
“We have chickens?” Mark interrupted.
“Not yet, but we’ll get some.”
Caleb asked, “What else?”
“Well, we’ll need to get a milk cow and maybe a couple of hogs to butcher in the fall.” He thought about all the things his young family was going to need. “But first we’ll need to gather wood for the fireplace. It’s still cold here.”
Mark pulled his coat closer around his small body. “It is,” he agreed. “What about fishing? Is that a chore? I want to do that.”
Philip laughed. “Well, I like to think of fishing as a fun thing to do. So we’ll all share in the fishing.”
“Even Aunt Bella?” Caleb asked.
He looked to his new wife. She looked pretty. Her blond hair shone in the sun—he could see the highlights shimmer against her back even with a bonnet on. “If she wants to fish, she can.”
Bella didn’t seem to be paying any attention to th
em, so Philip turned back to the boys. “Do either of you know how to clean fish?”
They both shook their heads.
“Well, that’s something we’ll have to remedy.”
Mark looked across at him. “What’s remedy mean?”
Philip thought he saw Bella’s lips twitch. She seemed in deep conversation with Josephine and Hazel, but he suspected her of listening in on his and the boys’ conversation.
“Fix. We have to teach you how to clean fish.” He tested out his theory that Bella was eavesdropping. “Your aunt will have to learn, too.”
Just as he suspected, Bella reacted to his words by crinkling up her nose. Philip laughed at the expression. “What’s the matter, Bella? Don’t like the idea of cleaning fish?” he asked.
She turned to him. “No, and with three healthy men living with me I don’t see me ever learning, either.” Bella looked back to the other ladies.
“Now, Bella. Cleaning fish is a good skill to have. Especially if you find yourself living alone in your old age,” Hazel said knowingly.
Philip laughed harder. The boys joined in, not really sure why they were laughing, but following Philip’s lead.
He loved having the little boys as companions. They were going to make life fun. His gaze moved to Bella. He might just enjoy teasing her on a regular basis, too.
* * *
Exhaustion weighed on Bella’s shoulders like a wet blanket. The small side trip into town had been fun, but now that they were at the relay station, she felt the effects of her long journey. So much had happened during the last few days.
Dusk was settling over the yard at an alarming pace. Mark’s small body was getting heavier and heavier. He wasn’t asleep, but his full weight rested upon Bella.
A man and two small dogs stepped out of the barn. Josephine had already taken the lead and was the first to dismount. She hurried into the arms of the man. Bella grinned. So that was Thomas Young. From this distance and with the fading sun and shadows, Bella couldn’t see him very well but knew Josephine would only run to her husband like that.
Bella followed Philip to the barn, where the happy couple stood. He pulled his horse to a stop and carefully lowered Caleb to the ground. Then he dismounted and came to help Mark down. The two little boys stood side by side, looking around.
Thomas bent down and picked up one of the dogs. He and Josephine walked toward them. Thomas handed the dog to Hazel and then smiled at his brother. “Glad you made it home.”
Philip waited for Bella’s feet to touch solid ground and then answered, “Thanks.” He took Bella’s hand and with a dramatic flair said, “Bella, I’d like you to meet my brother Thomas. He’s the reason you are here.”
She held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Josephine stooped down and picked up the smaller dog. She cuddled it in her arms like a baby. Bella grinned at the sweet scene. If the boys had been more alert, they would have been begging to pet the dog.
“I’m heading home,” Hazel said from atop her horse.
“Hold up, Hazel. I’ll ride with you.” Philip released Bella’s hand and turned to get back on his horse.
“No reason for you to do that. I’ve been taking myself home for years,” she grumbled.
Josephine set the dog down, walked back to her horse and climbed into the saddle. “Thomas and I will ride back to Hazel’s place with her, Philip. Why don’t you show Bella and the boys the house?”
It wasn’t a request. It was more like a command. Josephine looked at Hazel. “And don’t you complain. I’d like a few minutes alone with my husband on the way home, so we’re not taking no for an answer. Not that I asked you.” She motioned for Thomas to get on Philip’s horse.
Which he did.
“Hazel, let’s take the cleaning supplies and fabric to your house,” Josephine added, repositioning the flour bag that hung over her saddle horn.
“Might as well,” she said with a nod of her head.
Philip laughed as Thomas took the reins from his hands and followed the two women. The little dog followed the horses, its tail wagging from side to side.
“You two come on over in the morning and I’ll show you the homestead,” Hazel called over her shoulder.
“Will do,” Philip answered and then turned to face Bella. His gaze moved to the little boys, who were leaning against her legs. “I’ll tie the horse up and then we’ll get these young’uns to bed.”
Bella nodded. She pulled their bags off of the saddle horn, their weight feeling heavier than ever before. She covered her mouth to stifle a yawn. Weariness eased into her bones as thoughts of where she and Philip would be sleeping crept into her head. He’d said they had a small room, but did he expect to sleep in the same bed as her?
As soon as he’d tied the horse up, Philip picked up Mark and headed to the house. “Our room is small, but we’ll all fit.”
Bella took Caleb’s small hand and followed him into the house. Warmth greeted her. Her gaze moved over the large settee and the rocking chairs. She didn’t have time to see much else as Philip led the short distance to a door.
“This is our room.” He opened the door and stepped back so that Bella could enter first.
It was a small room, just as he’d said. A large bed with a beautiful log cabin quilt rested against the back wall. The wooden bedposts and footboard were exquisite. Two small pallets had been spread out on the floor at the foot of the bed, and she assumed they were for the boys.
Bella put their bags on the bed and dug inside the boys’ bag. She handed each of them a change of clothes. “Do you need to go outside before bed?” she asked.
Mark nodded. “Come along,” Philip said. He took Mark’s hand and motioned for Caleb to follow. “You might as well come, too. Might save us a trip in the middle of the night.”
Bella sat down on the edge of the bed. She watched the boys hurry after Philip. Looking around, she noted that there wasn’t much more in the room as far as furniture went. A small chest sat in the far corner. She assumed Philip’s clothes were in that. A little table held a washbasin and a small mirror hung over that.
The thought of checking out the remainder of the house entered her tired mind and fled just as quickly. All she wanted to do was go to sleep. Bella shut the bedroom door and quickly put on her white gown. Thankfully she’d brought a nice robe to cover the thin nightclothes.
Once dressed, Bella opened the door and returned to the side of the bed. A few minutes later, the boys returned looking even more tired than when they’d left.
Philip excused himself, saying that he needed to take care of the horse.
She helped Caleb and Mark change into their nightclothes, said their prayers with them and then tucked the boys between the sheets. “I’ll be just outside the door if you need anything.” Bella kissed both of them on the forehead and then stood.
Philip had returned and now sat at the kitchen table waiting for her. He held out a cup of coffee. “Sorry, Thomas isn’t the best coffee maker, but it’s not too bad.”
She took the cup and a small sip. “How is it possible that coffee can taste thick?”
He shook his head. “I’m not sure how he does it.”
Bella laughed. “That wasn’t meant as a compliment.”
His lips split in a handsome grin. “I didn’t think it was.” He lowered his cup and stared at her.
Bella felt a flush fill her face and neck. She lowered her eyes to the coffee.
“We need to talk about sleeping arrangements before the others get back,” Philip said, setting down his cup.
Bella focused on the cups on the table. “You said this was a marriage of convenience.”
“And it is. I was thinking that we can pull the bed out to the middle of the room. I’ll make a pallet on the floor by the back wall.
No one has to know what our sleeping arrangement is.” He ran his finger around the rim of his cup. “What do you think about that?”
She looked up and met his gaze. “That might work, but what about the boys? They’ll know.”
He shook his head. “I’ll go to bed after them and get up before they wake up.”
Bella nodded. “That might work. They both like to sleep late.”
Philip pushed his chair back. “Good. Let’s go move the bed before Thomas and Josephine get home.”
She nodded and followed him into the bedroom. A glance at the boys told her they were both sound asleep. They looked so sweet and young.
He moved to the end of the bed and lifted it. His muscles strained against the weight.
She whispered, “Wait, I’ll help you.”
Together they lifted the bed and moved it to the side. Then they moved to the headboard and did the same until they had the bed away from the wall. Bella’s arm muscles were on fire.
“That should do it,” Philip groaned.
They looked at their handiwork and both of them sighed at the same time. Bella dropped to the edge of the bed and whispered, “Whoever built this bed planned on it never being moved.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say that. I’d planned on taking it with me when I left.”
She stared at him. “You built it?” Bella looked at the carving on the headboard.
Philip leaned against the doorjamb and nodded. “Yep.”
“Why is it so heavy?”
He shrugged. “Well, I made it out of the same wood I made the couch in the sitting room. Since I’d already paid for the wood, I didn’t want to waste it. So I made the bed.”
She stood and ran her hand over the vine pattern on the headboard. “Did you do this, too?”
Philip pushed away from the wall and opened the chest that sat in the far corner. “That wasn’t too hard to do. I used the branding iron.” He returned with a thick quilt and a blanket.
Bella frowned. “I thought branding irons had a bigger tip than this. I’ve seen a few brands and they aren’t like this.” She watched as he spread out the quilt and then laid the blanket on top of it.
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