His arms snaked around her waist, and he pulled her flush against him. She hesitated just a moment before her arms wrapped around his neck and she leaned into the kiss.
She was like a flower opening beneath him. He heard her make a slight sound and he pulled back, breaking the kiss. What he would give to hold her without all the trappings of coats and blankets.
“You’re welcome,” he said once more before releasing her and stepping from the porch to see to the horses.
It didn’t take long for Cole to water and feed the horses and place them in their stalls for the night. Since he had milked the cow before they headed to town, he knew she could wait until the morning.
When all the animals were tucked in, Cole went to the wagon to bring in the supplies and trunks. He noticed that the smaller items – bags and boxes, were missing. Meg must have taken them inside.
Meg.
Margaret.
Margaret Tucker.
Her name rolled off his tongue. It suited her. Minnie did well with this match. He would have to find a way to thank her and Oskar properly. He recalled Oskar telling him that Minnie had decided to find wives for all the men in Nomad.
Cole chuckled at the thought. The men in town wouldn’t know what was coming. He just prayed all the matches appeared as good as this one. His only disappointment was not being able to talk to Meg alone. There was no time to converse with her today and now the house was filled with people, so the chances of them being left alone were slim.
He lugged the first trunk in the house. The cabin was warmer than he expected, and the smell of fresh-brewed coffee filled his senses. He could see Roscoe sitting at the table, with a quilt around his shoulders.
Meg ran to the door. “Let me help you. I placed everything else in the sitting room, as I wasn’t sure what the arrangements would be.” Cole nodded as she picked up the other end of the trunk.
They managed to move all three trunks and pile them in the small sitting area. Cole then retrieved the supplies he purchased at the mercantile and put them on the table.
Agnes poured a cup of coffee and handed it to Cole. “To warm you,” she said, as she pushed the supplies to one side.
Cole took a deep drink and allowed the liquid to warm his insides. “It is rather frosty out there,” he said putting the cup down.”
“It is rather late,” Meg said.
“That it is.” He turned to Roscoe and Agnes. “I want you to have the bedroom down here. It has a large bed and I think you’ll be most comfortable there.”
“What about you?” Agnes asked.
“I can’t take a man’s bed,” Roscoe said. “And certainly not on his wedding night.”
Cole saw a blush creep over Meg’s face. “It’s alright. I have a spare mattress in the barn….”
“Absolutely not!” Agnes said. I will not kick you out of your house.
“Let me finish.” Cole pointed to an area above the sitting room. “There is a loft up there. I’ll need to fill a mattress from the barn with fresh straw, but we can sleep up there.”
Agnes looked like she was going to say something, but Meg went and put her hand on Agnes’s arm. “It’s alright. Honestly. You need to rest.”
“Let me show you your room,” Cole said. He let Agnes and Roscoe into his room and returned to Meg. “I don’t want you going out in the cold. Why don’t you get ready for bed? You can use the settee in the sitting room and I’ll sleep in the barn.”
“You don’t want me to be with you?”
“No,” he said in a rush. “That’s not it at all. I just know that you are tired from your travels. It is late, and honestly, it would be easier to figure out arrangements in the morning.”
“Well then, I’m coming with you,” she said, reaching to put on her coat. “Let’s grab some blankets.”
Cole looked at her and raised an eyebrow. Not many women would agree to sleep in a barn. But he was beginning to realize that his new wife wasn’t like most women.
Frieda would never have agreed to sleep anywhere but inside a house. Cole remembered that she stayed at her parents while he built the house. She wouldn’t even visit it until it was complete.
Cole grabbed his hat and put it back on his head. “Let’s go,” he said, taking Meg’s elbow.
They walked in silence to the barn. He saw Meg shiver as the sound of a wolf could be heard in the distance. Soon more cries filled the air.
Cole stopped and listened to see if he could tell where the sounds were coming from. When the next wolf howled, he quickly grabbed Meg’s arm and pulled her to the barn. He didn’t want to tell her just how close the wolves were.
Cole closed the barn door behind him. “We’ll sleep up there,” he said, pointing to the hayloft above the stalls.
Meg wrinkled her nose. “It’s smelly. But warm. Right now, I could use someplace warm.”
He handed her a lamp. “There should be a nail on this wall that you can hang the lamp on. Don’t put it on the ground, or on the straw because I don’t want a fire.”
Meg nodded and took the lamp. She draped the wire over her arm as she climbed up the ladder to the loft above. Cole purposely looked away. He didn’t want his wife thinking he was ogling her.
When she made it to the top, she popped her head over the side. “There’s already a mattress up here.”
Cole scaled the ladder, skipping several of the rungs. “I slept out here when my wife was sick. Her sister came to take care of the children and I needed to give her as much rest as possible.” He removed his coat and draped it on a bale of straw. He sat on the mattress, his back towards Meg and started to shuck off his boots.
“What are you doing?” she cried.
“I’m going to bed, Meg. I’m exhausted. I know you are too. Morning comes very early and I’m hoping I can start trapping tomorrow afternoon.”
“You aren’t getting undressed, are you?”
Cole turned to see her biting the top of one of her fingers. She hadn’t worn her bonnet, so her golden-brown hair was covered in melting snowflakes. He shook his head. “No. I’m not. You are perfectly safe, Mrs. Tucker.” He swung his legs onto the mattress and pulled a horse blanket over him.
He watched Meg hesitate, so he flipped the blanket down on the other side of the bed and patted the straw. “I promise to stay right here on my side.” He could see the hesitation on her face, but she nodded and removed her wrap and coat and placed them on top of his.
Cole watched her blow out the lamp and he felt her slide under the covers. He gently covered her with the blanket and went to roll the other way.
“Wait,” Meg said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Would it be alright to talk for a bit?”
Cole rolled onto his back and looked at the ceiling. “Of course.”
“I’m sorry about your wife, and that you had to sleep out here. May I ask how she died?” In the darkness, her voice sounded softer.
“She fell through the ice and caught pneumonia. She never recovered. Luella was about six months old.”
“I am so sorry.”
“That is why I want to make sure that Roscoe gets better. I would hate for you to lose a family member.”
“Thank you,” she said softly in the dark.
“You said you had a fiancé. Why didn’t you get married?” Cole didn’t think she was going to respond when he heard a sniffle in the darkness.
“We got engaged when I was twenty. My father was a rancher. He raised beef cattle. I was so enamored by Phillip; I didn’t think to ask any questions. I realize now he was just interested in my father’s money.”
“But you were engaged for nine years.” If he was engaged to her, he wouldn’t have wasted any time getting married.
“My father wanted us to wait a year. And then after that, there was always an excuse. I came to realize that he lied to me about several things. His intentions to marry me were one of those. I wish I had never met Phillip Peg.”
“Peg? That was his name?”
> “Yes.”
“So, your name would have been Margaret Peg? Meg Peg?”
“I know,” Meg chuckled in the darkness. “Silly, isn’t it?”
“How did he die?”
“That’s the terrible part. He died in a duel. He wasn’t honorable at all. The woman’s husband found out and challenged him. He didn’t know that the husband was a fast gun. Phillip didn’t stand a chance. I didn’t find out the truth until after he died.”
“I’m sorry,” Cole said softly. “I can’t imagine.”
“I think the saddest part was I knew it was now too late for me to marry. After he passed, I hadn’t been out of the house for nearly six months. When I finally ventured to town, I saw the advertisement.”
“I’m glad you did, Meg.”
“How did Minnie know what to write? Did you tell her?”
“No. I came into town in the early Spring and she made her mind up then. I wasn’t keen on it, but I’m glad she did.”
“I fear you didn’t want me.”
“I wanted a mother for my children. Our feelings will come in time. I see how you care for Agnes and Roscoe, so I know you have a good heart. That is why I didn’t hesitate to bring them here. I know in time we will feel that way about each other.”
Meg shivered and yanked on the blanket. “I’m tired. We should probably rest.”
“You’re cold. Would it be alright if I just hold you? That’s all. I’ll keep you warm. You set the pace of the marriage, Meg.”
“I’d like that.” She scooted closer, her back facing him. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into his embrace.
“Good night, Meg,” he whispered to her.
“Good night, Cole.”
It wasn’t long before he heard the steady rise and fall of her breathing. He shifted his head, so his cheek was against her hair and he inhaled deeply. Soon Cole was asleep as well.
Chapter 12
“I can’t believe Christmas is nearly here!” Frank said pressing his face against the glass. The snow was nearly up to the windowsill.
“Move away from the window, honey. I don’t want you catching a cold,” Meg said leading him back to the table.
It was hard to believe that she had been Cole’s wife for nearly a month. It was ten days until Christmas, and everyone was busy preparing for the special day.
Roscoe had recovered from his illness and was now able to help with some of the chores around the house. He still tired easily.
“Jack,” Agnes said. “Why don’t you and Frank go get me two platefuls of snow?”
“What fer?” Jack asked.
“We can make maple candy for Christmas. You need to fill the plate and pack the snow really hard,” Agnes directed. “Can you do that?”
Jack’s eyes lit up. “Come on Frank. Let’s go!” They quickly got dressed, and grabbing plates from the table they headed out in the snow.
Meg stood at the window and lifted the drape slightly. She wanted to watch the boys. They filled the dinner plates and packed the snow tight until it was nice and high. She opened the door for them, and they rushed to put the plates on the table.
“Ain’t it going to melt?” Frank asked.
“Just watch,” Agnes said. She brought over one of the smaller skillets and placed it on the table. “I’ve melted butter, sugar and some maple syrup I found in the cold cellar.” She drew the spoon through the syrup and then lifted it over the snow. The snow hissed as the hot syrup hit the cold snow.
“I want to try,” Jack said, taking the spoon from Agnes.
“Alright. Let me help you.” Agnes handed a clean spoon to Frank and held the pot so they could spoon the mixture.
Meg listened to the children chatter happily as she looked back outside. The sky was starting to turn dark again, which she recognized as snow clouds. Cole had left earlier that day to check his traps. She hoped he would be back soon.
They had fallen into a wonderful routine.
Meg would wake up in his arms and they would sneak downstairs from the loft above the sitting room. Cole had cleaned the space out and dragged the mattress from the barn to place in the little alcove. Covered with heavy blankets, including one made from fur, a few pillows and a place to hang a lamp and they had a private room of their own.
They would spend those first precious moments in the morning sipping coffee, talking softly and praying before Meg would make breakfast and he would go gather his tools for the day.
The children would join them, along with Roscoe and Agnes. The boys considered them extended family, even calling the couple Grandfather and Grandmother.
Meg found out that Frank loved griddlecakes. Jack liked anything that wasn’t oatmeal, and Luella wore as much as she ate.
Cole would quickly shovel his breakfast down, give the children a kiss on their foreheads and walk to the porch with Meg. There he would give her a kiss before sending a wink her way and say, “I’ll be home soon.”
There was plenty of work around the cabin to keep everyone busy until Cole returned in the evening with his furs and even some fresh meat. Meg never had cooked rabbit before, but she found out that it was one of her favorite meals. Cole tried to bring home rabbits at least twice a week.
Then they would sit around the table and Meg would read from the bible while the children cuddled with the adults.
She started reading the book of Luke on December 1. It was a tradition her mother had when she was growing up. Meg’s mother would read one chapter every evening up through Christmas Eve. By the time Christmas Eve arrived, the entire book would be complete, and the family would remember the meaning of the holiday.
Then after everyone had gone to bed, Meg and Cole would climb up the ladder to the loft and snuggle down for the evening. There was nothing more precious to her than the feel of Cole’s arms around her waist. Even though he hadn’t taken her as his wife, she still felt as though she was his in every single way.
Meg looked back out the window. “I hope Cole gets here soon,” she said. “It is turning darker.”
“I’ll keep his supper warm for him,” Agnes said. “Not so much, Jack.”
“I should probably go milk the cow and feed livestock.”
“I’ll go with you, missy,” Roscoe said.
“No, you stay here. I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”
“Are we gonna read some more about Jesus?” Jack asked, licking the sticky syrup that cooled on the spoon.
“Right after dinner. I promise.”
Meg quickly donned her coat and wrap. She wrapped a scarf around her head, moving it so her nose and eyes were exposed. It was easier and warmer than trying to do anything in a bonnet.
As she walked to the barn she looked up towards the top of the mountain. Somewhere, in between the tall spruce trees was Cole. As she approached the barn, she noticed tracks in a line going from the door to around the side. They looked like large dog tracks, but Meg had never seen a dog that big before.
She quickly ran into the barn and latched the door behind her. She fumbled with the matches and lit one of the laps, casting a glow on the animals inside. She fed the animals, remembering Cole taught her it was easier to milk the cow if the beast was happily chewing on something.
Once the milking was done, she covered the pail with a towel and headed back towards the house. It was darker outside, and snow was starting to fall. Meg looked at the sky and then back up the mountain. She knew that Cole was hunting down the wolves in the woods before they became a nuisance or endangered the town.
She said a silent prayer that he was safe and would be home that night. She knew that if the weather got too bad, or if he was too far from home, then he would stay at one of the small cabins along his trap line.
She placed the bucket of milk in the box next to the door. The box was insulated so it wouldn’t freeze and in the morning the cream would rise to the top. As she closed the lid she heard the howl of a wolf in the distance. It was a long mournful sound that went right
to her heart.
She wondered what the wolves were saying to each other. Leaning up against the porch railing, Meg cupped her hands together and let out a howl. She stood there a moment, waiting for a response.
When none came, she went inside and forgot all about the wolves.
Cole still had not arrived by the next morning, and Meg was worried. She couldn't help but continue looking out the window in hopes that she would see her husband coming through the trees.
The boys were getting cranky, and even Luella was out of sorts. Meg finally sat at the table and picked up a spoon to coax Luella to eat breakfast. But the little girl kept her lips tightly closed and shook her head from left to right, her blonde curls bouncing.
“Please, Lulu,” Meg said, calling the child by the same nickname she heard the boys use. Luella held her hand up, pushing the spoon away from her mouth.
Meg wanted to cry. She had been awake all night sitting up for Cole. She kept the coffee warm in case he came in cold during the night.
At one point she thought she heard him on the porch but realized it must have been the wind. The rooster crowed, which Meg thought odd, but it ended as quickly as it began.
Agnes found her sitting at the table sipping coffee alone in the morning. She might need to take a quick nap later.
“I don't want oatmeal,” Jack said. Throwing his spoon on the table. “I want hotcakes.”
“Not today, Jack,” Meg said. She forgot to gather the eggs the night before and they were frozen solid this morning. “Eat your oatmeal and then we can start making decorations for the Christmas tree.”
“I don’t want oatmeal either,” Frank said. “It tastes like dirt.”
“Frank,” Meg begged. “Please just eat your oatmeal. We’ll go do the chores and then you can make popcorn to string on the tree. Alright?”
“No!” Jack yelled and pushed the bowl away from him as hard as he could. It was as if the events were happening in slow motion. The bowl slid across the table, knocking over the pitcher of milk and landed right in Meg’s lap.
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