Maggie’s voice pulled Julianne from her thoughts. “He’s quite a man isn’t he? I’d have chased him myself, if I was a few years younger.”
Heat filled Julianne’s cheeks. Were her thoughts that obvious? She turned away from the inquisitive look on Maggie’s face.
Jonathan wiggled around in the blanket. He gave a small cry, and Julianne felt moisture against her stomach. She sighed. He needed changing again.
“Would you like to come inside while I change the baby?” Julianne asked.
At Maggie’s nod they headed for the house. Julianne pulled the door open and slipped inside to the bedroom.
Maggie ladled two glasses full from the water bucket. “You and Caleb going to attend services tomorrow?”
Julianne changed the baby. “I don’t know. Does he usually attend church on Sunday?”
Jonathan cooed up at her from his crib. She pulled the damp dress over her head and slipped into her last clean one. Maggie handed her a glass of water as she entered the kitchen. “He usually does, but I wasn’t sure if he would this Sunday.”
“Why wouldn’t he?” Julianne set the glass on the table and looked intently at Maggie, anxious to know what could possibly prevent Caleb from attending church tomorrow, if he did so every Sunday.
The older woman shrugged her shoulders. “Well, with you two just being married and all...I thought maybe...” She looked pointedly to the bed.
Julianne’s embarrassment quickly turned to annoyance. She moved to the cabinet and started putting clean dishes away. She managed to shrug and say offhandedly, “I’m sure we will be going.” Why couldn’t people mind their own business? What would her friend say if she knew they weren’t really man and wife?
“Where will we be going?” Caleb asked.
Julianne’s gaze shot to the door. How long had he been standing there? Had he heard Maggie’s comment?
“I was just asking Julianne if you two were going to services in the morning.” Maggie sat down.
Caleb’s gaze continued to hold Julianne’s. “We’ll be there.”
Maggie smiled at them. “Tomorrow is the annual picnic. I love the annual picnic. It’s one of the few days of the year I don’t have to eat my own slop.”
Julianne pulled her gaze away from Caleb. “What should I bring?” She faced Maggie fully but leaned back against the cabinet, needing the space between them in case Maggie got too personal again. “Lots of food. There will be plenty of loggers and only a few ladies there. Which reminds me, I need to get back to camp and start on my food for tomorrow.” Maggie stood to her feet.
Caleb stepped to the side of the door to allow her room to pass.
“I’ll see you two tomorrow.” Maggie waved as she left.
Julianne followed her to the porch. “Thanks for coming by, Maggie. Please, come again soon.”
Maggie climbed up on her horse and surprised Julianne by straddling the horse. The older woman gathered the reins in her hands and winked at Julianne. “Thanks, I will.” She turned the horse and galloped out of sight.
Julianne’s thoughts raced. She had to wash clothes so that she would have a clean dress for tomorrow. There was food that needed to be prepared and she needed a bath.
Jonathan began to fuss.
“And, you need to be fed.” She lifted him from the crib and placed a kiss on his cheek. He quickly turned his head to her cheek, his little mouth searching for nourishment. She chuckled and kissed him again.
Caleb came to stand beside her. “I’ll feed him for you, Julianne.”
“Thanks but I can do it.” She returned to the kitchen and prepared the baby’s bottle. The rubber nipple smelled bad and no longer fit the bottle correctly.
“Maybe this will fit better.” Caleb held out a little wooden nipple.
Julianne jumped at the sound of his voice. He stood so close she could smell the earthy scent of him. Her gaze moved to the small nipple and the large, dark hand that held it out.
“Thank you.” She took the nipple and fitted it onto the bottle. Julianne examined the tiny hole in the top of it. She turned the full bottle upside down. Small drops of milk landed on her wrist. Not enough to drown the baby but just enough to supply him with the nourishment he needed.
Caleb touched the top of the crying baby’s head. “What do you think? Will it work?”
Julianne gave Jonathan the bottle. He sucked it into his mouth and began feeding greedily. A small trickle of milk formed at his little lips.
“Oh Caleb, this is better than the old nipple.” Her eyes met his, and she smiled.
A soft grin touched Caleb’s firm lips. Julianne focused on his mouth. They were only inches apart, and she leaned toward him.
Their lips met. His kiss was slow, thoughtful. It sang through her veins. He smelled of wood chips and lye soap, and she breathed in his essence. Her senses heightened, a wild fluttering started in her stomach. She opened her mouth to catch a much needed breath, and he traced her lips with his tongue. Her heart pounded an erratic rhythm and she felt a small piece of it warm towards her new husband.
He lifted his head and Julianne withdrew from his arms. She carried Jonathan to the table and sat down.
“Thank you for the nipple.” Her voice was husky and tremulous.
****
Caleb stared at the two red spots on Julianne’s white cheeks. Her voice sounded breathless and appealing. Satisfaction pursed his mouth and his mood turned buoyant. She was not indifferent to him. She must have felt the thrill of hot blood racing through her veins just as he had when their lips touched.
His gaze moved over his small family. Jonathan and Julianne looked like mother and son. She caressed his little head as he drank deeply from the bottle.
A few minutes later, Jonathan protested, needing to burp. He tossed his head back and gave out a loud cry.
Julianne set the half-empty bottle on the table and spoke softly to the baby. “You need to burp, Jonathan. As soon as you do, you’ll get to finish your dinner.”
“He’s a brawny little fellow, isn’t he?” Caleb rested one booted foot upon the chair beside her and the baby.
A loud belch filled the room. Jonathan flung his arms out and gave a big wail.
Julianne settled him back into the crook of her arm and returned the bottle to his mouth. “Yes he is.”
Caleb studied them for a few more moments. “When you finish up here, do you want to go down to the stream and wash the clothes?”
“That would be nice. The house is still too hot to start cooking.” She rocked from side to side as she fed the baby, an easy smile playing at the corner of her lips.
The smile wavered a bit as her gaze met his. Once more, Caleb saw fear in her eyes and wondered what scared her? Was it him? Was he standing too close? Caleb dropped his foot from the chair and stepped back.
Julianne burped the baby again. “I’ll be ready in just a moment,” she offered, tucking Jonathan into the folds of the sheet.
Caleb headed toward the door. “Good, I’ll check on the horse and cow before we take off.” He made his way out the door and headed to the barn.
He worried that she still feared him. What could he do to make her feel safe? Caleb pondered the question as he thrust the pitchfork into the hay and tossed it to the livestock.
A scream filled the hot air. He jerked his head up at the sound.
Julianne.
Panic clawed at his throat, and he whirled to run to the house. Still holding the pitchfork, Caleb raced out of the barn door. His heart seemed to leap from his chest in sheer terror. Never had he heard such raw fear rip from a woman’s throat.
Julianne screamed again and again.
Chapter 11
Fear, stark and vivid, clutched at Julianne’s throat, and she tightened her hold on Jonathan. The rattling from the corner continued ominously.
The snake’s beady eyes stared at her, and its forked tongue flickered in and out of its mouth. Its body coiled on the floor as the snake raised its head. T
he rattlers sang in the hot still air.
With every shake of its thick massive tail, Julianne screamed. She couldn’t stop the sound from erupting from her tight throat.
Jonathan’s cries joined hers.
She began to ease the sheet around her body, moving Jonathan to her back and out of the way of immediate danger.
The snake advanced towards her. It weaved its diamond-shaped head from side to side. The yellow slits in its eyes brightened.
Julianne backed into a kitchen chair. Roaring started in her ears and blackness threatened to over take her. She fought the weakness of her knees. She couldn’t faint. She had to protect Jonathan.
The snake’s head came further off the floor. It opened its mouth, and two white sharp fangs threatened her.
“Caleb!” She screamed his name. Her throat felt raw from the force of her scream.
The door slammed against the wall with a force that shook the cabin. The snake turned with a speed that shocked both Julianne and Caleb.
She stopped screaming. Caleb was there. She saw the pitchfork in his hands, but the snake moved so quickly toward Caleb that there was no time to utter a warning.
The snake focused its eyes on Caleb.
Julianne’s mouth went dry, and her head began to swim. Then a quick and disturbing thought shook her to the core. What if the snake bit Caleb? The thought tore at her insides. Her heart contracted.
The snake’s coils slithered around on the floor. Its tail rattled a warning, and its head came up to strike. Only this time, Caleb was its target.
With as minimal movement as possible, Julianne leaned back against the table till she felt Jonathan’s weight rest upon it. She jerked the tied corners of the sheet from around her neck. Gently, she pushed him to the center of the table so that he wouldn’t roll off. With the baby’s safety secured, she assessed the situation to see how she could help Caleb.
The snake’s head waved in the air.
“Don’t move.” Caleb instructed.
Movement had caused the snake to turn on Caleb and movement would distract it from Caleb, too. Julianne prayed she was right. She grabbed the chair behind her and threw it on the floor at the snake.
The snake turned and struck at the chair.
Caleb drove the pitchfork through the snake’s head.
Julianne gasped.
The snake’s body twitched on the kitchen floor. Julianne felt Caleb’s gaze skim her body.
“Are you and Jonathan okay?”
Suddenly no sound would come from her throat. She nodded.
Tears tumbled unbidden down her face. She ran to Caleb and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“There, there.” He enveloped her in his arms and rubbed her back. “You’re safe now. I won’t let anything hurt you, Julianne.”
She sobbed into his chest and held on to him. Safety. That’s what she craved. And with Caleb’s strong arms around her, Julianne felt more secure than she’d ever felt in her life.
Her tears were ruining his shirt, but she couldn’t stop their flow. She tightened her grip around him. If only she could stay here forever. If only all her fears could be dispelled as easily as the snake had been killed.
Jonathan cried all the louder. His protests at being left alone intensified. Julianne sighed. She had to care for the baby, but oh, how she longed to stay right where she was.
She moved to pull from his arms. “The baby needs me,” she offered, when he didn’t release her.
“The baby is safe.” He paused then added, “I need you, too.”
She felt him rest his chin on her head. A deep sigh eased from his lungs. Had he held his breath the whole time he faced down the snake? Julianne felt sure he had.
His body trembled around her. Julianne inched her hands up his back and rubbed his shoulders, and for the first time, they took comfort from each other.
Jonathan seemed to realize the danger was over and quieted. He had cried so hard he had the snubs.
Julianne enjoyed the feel of being safe in Caleb’s arms. She replayed the last few minutes through her mind and shuddered. What if Caleb hadn’t been home? Or God forbid, if the snake had bitten him, what would she have done without him?
He slowly released her. “I’ll get the snake out of here, and then we’ll head to the stream. I could use the fresh air.”
She watched him move to the snake and pull the pitchfork out of its head. Another shudder ran through her. Julianne forced herself to really look at the snake now that it no longer moved.
From the top of its nose to its tail it was about two and a half feet long, Julianne guessed. Its body was tan and dark brown zigzags marked its body. The head was diamond shape, and her stomach turned at the memory of the evil in its yellow eyes.
Julianne stored the information for future use. Caleb carried the snake outside. She hurried to the table and scooped little Jonathan back up. It was her job to protect the baby, and for the second time in two days, she’d almost let him come to harm. She silently prayed and asked the Lord to help her be a better mother to her adopted son.
Her gaze moved to the basket that the clothes and snake had been in. She slipped the cover containing Jonathan back over her head and took a deep breath. Still, her feet refused to move toward the discarded items.
Caleb stood in the doorway. “Let me get that for you.”
She watched him upturn the hamper and pick up each individual piece of clothing and place them inside.
“I don’t think there are any more snakes.” He flipped up the basket and turned toward her.
Julianne stared at him. Caleb Hanson, her husband, had saved her from the snake. He hadn’t been worried about his own safety.
Wonder filled her. He had put Julianne and her needs above his own. No man had ever done that for before. She felt a bottomless peace and satisfaction at the knowledge that he cared for her.
“Ready?”
She felt his gaze run over her face in concern. What a ninny she must look like standing here staring at him as if he’d sprouted two new horns. Julianne picked up the bag she had prepared earlier for Jonathan and agreed. “Ready.”
Caleb led the way down to the spring, his footsteps sure and strong.
With Caleb to protect her, she could enjoy the beauty around her. Little yellow birds sang overhead in the tree branches, and insects flew and fluttered from flower to flower. Julianne took her time and admired the beautiful surroundings.
In her earlier trip, she had raced through, seeing all kinds of dangerous animals and missing the pink flowers and yellow birds. Even in the clearing, undergrowth prevailed, and only a well walked path showed the slightest bit of earth. At places, she had to lift her feet high to make it through the tall weeds. It was nigh on to impossible to differentiate between weeds and plants for the intertwining vines held beautiful bulbs and flowers. And the trees, they reached the sky. Some were so close together it would be difficult to walk between them and on others she noticed the limbs were perfect for a swing. She sighed and inhaled the sweet fragrance of the flowers.
Caleb set the basket beside the stream and sorted the clothes. She watched him sink to the bank and begin washing one of her dresses. Julianne hurried and knelt by his side.
“I’ll do this.” She removed the blue calico from his hands.
She dunked the material into the water expecting Caleb to walk off and occupy his time elsewhere. He didn’t move and a splashing sound met her ears just before water droplets landed on her arms. This time he vigorously washed one of his shirts. She sat back on her heels.
“Caleb, you don’t have to help me.”
He continued to scrub and Julianne frowned. Men didn’t scrub clothes. So what was he doing?
Caleb rinsed the soap out of the red shirt and stood to hang it on a nearby bush. Julianne admired his easy movements as he knelt beside her again. Did he think that because she had been afraid of the snake that she couldn’t do the wash?
“Really, Caleb.” She huffed. “
I am capable of doing the laundry.” She bent back to the task of rubbing the soil from the dress.
She heard, more than saw, him sit back. “Julianne.” His voice held steel even though he called her name softly.
“What?” Julianne didn’t look up.
He pulled on the blanket that held Jonathan to her. “Julianne, look at me.”
She did as he said with reluctance. “What, Caleb? I don’t have time for games. I have to finish the wash, cook two meals and get a bath today.” Julianne dared him to deny what she said.
A warm smile caught her off guard. “I know you have to do those things, and I’m going to help you.” He reached up and tucked a wayward curl behind her ear.
“Why? Don’t you have something else to do?” She hated the way her voice came out in a whisper. Caleb would think she was weak and unable to take care of the chores.
Rich laughter filled the air around them. “Nope, I’m here to protect my family and to be a helpmeet to my beautiful wife.”
Julianne stared at him. He thought she was beautiful? The man had to be half blind. Her hair fell from the neat bun she’d created this morning, she knew her skin was freckled from being out in the sun without a bonnet, and her dress was wet and muddy at the knees. And besides, wasn’t it her job to be the helpmeet to him? He puzzled her, this man she’d married. But he also drew her in ways she couldn’t deny. Julianne ducked her head, sure he was teasing her.
The more she was around Caleb the more Julianne knew she was falling in love with this gentle man who was her husband. Her husband.
He startled Julianne by cupping her lowered chin in his strong, callused hand and gently raising her head. Her confused gaze met his warm eyes. Was that truly attraction she saw and heard in his voice as he announced, “Julianne, God brought us together to help each other. I’m glad He did.”
Julianne was glad, too. Caleb began to talk, opening up his dreams to her. As they scrubbed clothes together by the waters edge, he shared with her his desire to own an apple orchard.
The excitement in his voice as he described the trees and the different kind of apples he was going to sell was contagious. Julianne began thinking she and Caleb would make a great team.
Shelter in Seattle Page 7