He pulled one of the pillows off the bed and placed it at the top. “That should do it.” His gaze met hers.
“Philip, how did you get a branding iron to do this detail?” She blew a strand of hair off her forehead.
He grinned. “I broke the end off it. Sharpened it into a point and then used it like a piece of chalk on a slate.”
Bella yawned. “That is really good drawing.”
Philip walked around the bed and smiled. “Thank you. I’m going to get out of here and let you get some rest.” He left the room and shut the door behind him.
She smiled at his thoughtfulness. Bella pulled the quilt and spread down. Leaning over the lantern, she blew out the light and crawled between the covers.
Bella looked forward to tomorrow and starting her real life. She knew that she’d wake up long before the sun rose, so she closed her eyes. Questions began to swirl in her tired mind, keeping her from sleep.
What would the homestead be like? Would Philip insist on sleeping in the same room? Would the boys have their own room? Would the homestead be a one-room building? What was life going to be like from here?
Chapter Twelve
The next morning, Philip rose to find the bed empty. His gaze moved to the window. It was still dark outside. Was Bella having trouble sleeping? He rose from his pallet and went in search of her.
The hearty smell of fresh bread baking filled his nostrils as soon as he opened the bedroom door. He made his way to the kitchen, where Bella stood mixing dough. She hummed softly as she worked.
The little dog sat on the floor beside her. When the dog saw him, she walked over to him to get a head rub. Philip obliged and then eased into one of the kitchen chairs and watched Bella work.
She kneaded the dough with strong hands. He’d been surprised the night before when she’d lifted the bed with him to move it. He hadn’t expected her to have that much strength.
She covered the bread and then moved on to her next project. Bella picked up a large knife and began hacking off ham onto a hot skillet. The sweet fragrance joined the baking bread.
His stomach growled hungrily. Philip put his hand over it.
Without turning around, she asked, “When did you sneak in here?” Bella moved to the coffeepot and poured a fresh cup.
Philip grinned. “Just a few moments ago. I didn’t want to interrupt that beautiful humming.”
She set a cup in front of him and smiled. “Well, at least you didn’t scare the daylights out of me.” Bella returned to the sizzling skillet.
Philip took a sip of the coffee. Its richness coated his tongue and he sighed with contentment. “Now, that’s good coffee,” he said, complimenting her.
“I’m glad you like it.” She took the slices of ham from the skillet and added more.
While he drank his coffee, Bella continued to cook. He heard her humming once more and grinned. She truly seemed happiest in the kitchen.
Josephine stepped out of her bedroom. “Oh, my. I can’t remember the last time someone else cooked breakfast.” She walked over to the coffeepot and poured herself a cup.
Philip looked to the bedroom Josephine had just left. “Is Thomas sleeping in?”
She grinned in his direction. “No, he’s probably out in the barn doing morning chores.” Josephine raised an eyebrow at him.
“Oh, I suppose I should go help.” He pushed away from the table and headed back to his and Bella’s room.
As soon as he got inside, Philip glanced in the boys’ direction and was assured they were still sleeping. Poor little tykes were tuckered out. He tossed his pillow from the night before onto the bed and scooped up his bedding. Then he quickly put on his socks and boots before leaving the room once more.
At the front door, he stopped long enough to put on his coat and hat. When he opened it, Bella called to him. “Please tell Thomas breakfast will be ready in about fifteen minutes.”
Philip smiled at her and then hurried to the barn. Cold air nipped at him as he pulled the big doors open. He cast a quick look about and then headed to the back stall, where he heard Thomas working.
“The ladies say breakfast will be ready in about fifteen minutes,” he announced, picking up a pitchfork.
Thomas grunted. “Good, I’m as hungry as an ant at a picnic.”
Together they cleaned out the remainder of the stall and then made sure all the horses were fed and watered. As they were walking back to the house, Thomas asked, “Did you tell Bella your run starts tomorrow?”
“Has it been a week already?” Philip groaned.
“Afraid so,” Thomas answered. He walked around to the rain barrel and poured out a bit of water into the basin that was sitting on a nearby table.
“No, I guess I’ll do that on the way to Hazel’s place.”
“Josephine tells me that Hazel gave you two the old homestead as a wedding present.” Thomas dried his hands off on a small towel and stepped to the side to make room for Philip to wash his hands.
“She did. I guess we’ll have to wait to move in until I get back.” He sighed.
Thomas slapped him on the back. “Are you in that big of a hurry to get your own place?”
“Wouldn’t you be?” Philip asked. He didn’t tell his brother that sleeping on the cold floor, no matter how thick the quilt, was still sleeping on the cold, hard floor.
“I reckon so,” Thomas answered. He handed Philip the towel.
“I was kind of hoping that Josephine and I could get away for a few days, after you get back. We would like to go look at some property not too far from here.”
Philip nodded. “I don’t know why you can’t. I’ll be here to take care of the place.” He hung the damp towel back on the nail beside the table.
Together they hurried back inside for a hot breakfast. Philip noticed immediately that Bella had changed into a pretty yellow day dress with little blue flowers on it. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail much like the one that Josephine wore.
He dreaded telling her he’d have to leave the next morning. It would have been nice to be able to move into the homestead. Philip frowned. Was it still livable? And if not, how much longer would they need to stay with Thomas and Josephine?
* * *
Bella wiped her hands on the dishcloth and turned to face the sitting room, where Philip and Thomas sat talking about the ranch Thomas and Josephine hoped to visit. “I’m ready.” She hung the cloth on the nail beside the washbasin.
Josephine handed Mark a slate and piece of chalk. “Do you want to practice drawing on this?”
He grinned up at her. “No, I want to go with Aunt Bella.”
Josephine slipped into the chair beside him. “Well, I understand. But Bella and I have talked and we decided that you and your brother will stay here and help me around the house.”
At his frown and the puckering of his lips, Josephine continued. “So, you can either draw me a pretty picture or sweep the whole house.”
Caleb sat on the floor between the men’s chairs. He rubbed the puppy’s ears. In a low voice he grumbled, “That’s women’s work.”
Bella gasped. Where had her nephew heard that? She opened her mouth to scold him for the tone he had used with Josephine, but Philip raised his hand.
He dropped it onto Caleb’s shoulder. “Not around here it isn’t.”
Surprised blue eyes turned to him. “It’s not?”
Philip shook his head. “No, here we all do the same chores.”
Caleb’s expression went from surprise to horror. “Even dishes?”
“Yep. I’m a mean dishwasher. And since you brought it up—” he grinned at Bella over Caleb’s head “—you and I will do supper dishes for the ladies.”
Mark asked, “And she and Aunt Josephine are going to go feed the horses?�
��
Thomas laughed. “Nope, that’s our job tonight.”
The little boy tilted his head to the side and studied Thomas. “You and me?”
“Uh-huh.”
Mark swung his head back around to Josephine. “So what are you going to do?” He no longer sounded disrespectful.
Josephine smiled at him. “Well, that depends on you.” At his confused look she continued. “Are you going to sweep? Cook supper? Or draw a nice picture?”
He tapped the piece of chalk against his chin. “I suppose I’ll draw the picture.”
Philip got up and walked to the door, where Bella now stood. He held her coat out for her and she slipped her arms inside. “That sounds like a good idea to me. I’d hate to have to eat your cooking.”
Caleb laughed. “Me, too.”
Thomas stood. “Well, Caleb, since everyone now has chores, you can help me chop some wood.”
Philip placed his hand on Bella’s back and gently propelled her to the door. He closed it softly behind them. At her worried expression, he said, “They’ll be fine for a couple of hours.”
Bella nodded, knowing he was right. She buttoned her coat, thankful the wind wasn’t blowing. Philip helped her up on the horse that waited by the porch. “Thank you.”
He pulled himself into his saddle and smiled over at her. “My pleasure.”
Together they rode out of the yard. “I can’t believe it will be a week tomorrow that we met,” Philip said. He glanced her way. “I’ll be riding out tomorrow morning for my run. I should be back in a couple of days. Do you mind staying at the relay station?”
Bella shook her head. “No, Josephine has been nothing but kind to me, but if the homestead isn’t too bad, I’d like to move there as soon as possible.”
He nodded. “I can understand, but we don’t have provisions for you to move.”
Bella frowned and asked, “Meaning?”
“Food and wood for the fireplace.” He looked at her as if she was still wet behind the ears.
“I’ve already worked that out with Josephine. She’s going to loan us flour, sugar, salt and a few canned goods until we can get to town. Then we’ll pay her back.” Bella felt pleased with herself. She might have been living in town, but that didn’t mean she was ignorant in the ways of country life.
Philip nodded. “And Thomas and Caleb are cutting your wood now, aren’t they?”
She couldn’t stop the grin from forming on her lips. “They are.” Bella pulled her horse to a stop in front of Hazel’s house. At least she thought it was Hazel’s, since Philip stopped there.
Hazel stepped out on the porch and pulled the door shut behind her. The mama dog followed close on her heels. “I thought you two would never get here. I have my old mare saddled in the barn. We can leave now, if you want to.”
Bella smiled. “Good morning, Hazel.”
Hazel frowned up at her. “Good morning.”
Philip laughed, then said, “We’d love to see the house now.”
The older woman stomped off the porch. “Well, that’s what I figured.”
Hazel shooed the dog into the barn, pulled the little mare out into the yard and then climbed into the saddle of the waiting horse. “Well, after you see the house, you might change your mind about it,” she said, leaning over the horse’s back and shutting the barn door.
What kind of house was this? Bella wondered. Surely Hazel wouldn’t give them a run-down shack for a wedding gift. She found herself trying to see around the older woman as they rode through what Bella thought was an apple orchard.
They came out of the fruit trees and saw a small building sitting about four hundred and fifty yards away on a small hill. What looked like an old barn sat a few feet away. Bella couldn’t really see what the house looked like from this distance and wished Hazel would go a little faster. She chanced a look across at Philip.
He, too, was straining to see the house.
Hazel explained, “Now mind you, it’s not that great to look at, but I think it’s still pretty sturdy.” She noticed their animated looks and laughed. “You two look as excited as two puppies seeing a kitten for the first time.”
Philip grinned. “We’re just excited to see it.”
“Then go on. I’ll follow at my own pace.”
“Race you!” Philip yelled, setting his mount into a run.
Bella laughed. She also prompted her horse to run. “That’s not fair. You’re used to racing across the countryside.” Still she laughed as her hair flew from its confines and slipped down her back.
Philip was already standing by the door when she arrived. He grinned up at her. “Beat you.”
“I can see that.” She laughed.
The house was small and weatherworn. There were no windows, so they’d have to enter it to see the inside.
He helped her slide off her horse. His hand caught in the tangles of her hair. Philip looked deeply into her eyes. “Our first house.”
Bella felt his fingers in her hair. She ducked her head. “We should probably get inside and look at it.”
Philip pulled his hand from her hair and nodded. “That would be good.” He opened the door and stepped inside.
For a few moments she stood still. What had he been thinking, holding her like that? And why had his hands in her hair caused her scalp to tingle? It had been like the kiss they’d shared on their wedding day. The emotions rose and the intensity of them scared her a little. She couldn’t be falling in love with her husband. Falling in love was not in her plans.
Bella shook her head to clear her thoughts. Maybe it was a good thing he had to leave in the morning for his Pony Express run. It would give her time to get her emotions under control.
Chapter Thirteen
Philip held his breath. Her hair had felt like corn silk in his hands. He’d never felt anything like it and reckoned that was the reason for the weird feeling in his gut.
“Oh, look how cute it is,” Bella exclaimed as she came into the room behind him.
Cute? He looked at the dirt-covered floor. Kittens were cute. Baby colts were cute. Even the way Bella wrinkled her nose was cute. This house wasn’t cute. Cobwebs filled the corners, dirt covered every surface and the fireplace was filthy.
“I love it, don’t you?” she asked, twirling around in the center of the floor.
Philip laughed. “Love is such a strong word.”
“I know, but look. We will be able to see the boys no matter where we are.” She indicated the kitchen. “I can cook and you and the boys can relax on this side of the room.”
He nodded. “Yes, but where will we all sleep?”
Hazel stepped through the door. “In the bedrooms, of course.”
Philip glanced around. “I don’t see any bedrooms.” To his way of thinking, they were standing in one large room, with front and back doors.
Hazel huffed. “Open your eyes, boy.” She headed to the back door.
They looked at each other, baffled. Neither spoke as they followed Hazel. She’d gone through the door. Philip allowed Bella to go first. Her gasp had him hurrying after her.
Bella stood just inside the door looking down. The back door wasn’t a door to the outside at all. It went into a large pantry. At the back of the storeroom was an open door in the floor. She stared into the hole.
Hazel appeared at the bottom of the stairs with a lantern. “Come on down.”
Philip narrowed his eyes. “Are you telling me our bedrooms are down there?”
“Didn’t say that, but yep.” Hazel laughed. She set the lantern on a small side table and then moved out of their sight.
Bella shrugged and then walked down the narrow steps. Philip followed. He gasped. “Hazel, there is a whole house down here.” The large room he stood in was circul
ar.
She nodded. “Yes, and it was mine and my husband’s secret. No one else knows about these rooms but us.”
Bella had moved into the room. One side held shelves lined with jars of canned foods. Several barrels stood under the shelves. She read their labels out loud. “Potatoes, onions, carrots, apples and beets.” She turned to face Hazel. “Are those vegetables and fruits still here?”
“Not as much as there used to be, but yes. There is a large garden spot behind the house. I’ll show it to you tomorrow,” Hazel answered. She held a candlestick in her hand. “Come with me and I’ll show you the bedrooms.”
Philip stopped in the middle of the room to look at a fire pit. His gaze moved upward, where a small hole had been cut out of the floor above. Had Hazel’s husband built the house over an old Pawnee home?
He shook his head and then followed Hazel and Bella to the other side of the large room. Large canvas-type fabric hung across logs and it created two rooms. She pushed back the fabric from the first room. “This is the bigger of the two. I suspect it’s where you two will sleep.” She moved on down and pulled back the second. “I think this will be big enough for the boys.”
Philip noticed a small table by the door with another candlestick on it. He lit the candle and stepped into the bigger room. Light bounced off the cloth walls. Like the rest of the house it was empty, but from the looks of things, his big bed would fit in here with plenty of space left over for other furniture. He turned to see Bella standing beside him.
“This is amazing,” she said, looking around the room. Her big blue eyes shone in the candlelight.
“If you two are done gawking at the walls in that room, come look at this one,” Hazel called from inside the smaller room.
He smiled at Bella. “She’s a little bossy today.”
Bella giggled. “Just today?” she said over her shoulder as she made her way to Hazel.
Hazel stood in the smaller of the two rooms. To Philip it looked almost as big as the first room. “This isn’t that much smaller than the other one,” he said.
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