Victoria touched her husband’s sleeve. “Our dinner is in the oven. Shall I go dish it up and serve it down here?”
Greg sent her a pointed look. “Let’s wait. I want to learn how to play this game.”
The other three men had plopped to the cellar floor as if exhausted. Overhead the storm roared furiously. Victoria hid her fear for the roof and buildings. She was indescribably glad Greg had returned. She scooted a bit closer to him.
At one point she felt as if the storm shook the house.
Sid appeared proud to be center stage. “I spy with my little eye and it’s egg-shaped. Cindy, you’re next.”
“Is it a potato?”
“No. Mattie, you guess.”
She chewed her lip and scanned the cellar. “Is it a pear?”
“Yes, you’re it now.”
She put her finger to her eye as Victoria had. “I spy with my little eye… Papa, what should I spy?”
He whispered into her ear.
She clapped her hands. “I spy with my little eye and it’s something round. Sonny, you’re next.”
Greg held up his hand. “The men are really tired, Mattie. They probably want to rest for a while.”
Sonny shook his head at Greg. “Might as well take part since we’re safely here for who knows how long. He looked at Mattie. “Is it an apple?”
She giggled. “No. Now Kansas.”
He pretended to think hard about the answer. “Is it a potato?”
She clapped her hands and laughed again. Regina and Hattie laughed, too.
Miguel stared at the shelves. “Is it a crock of sauerkraut?”
Mattie laughed out loud. So did the babies, as if they understood the reason for Mattie’s mirth.
“No, now it’s Frankie’s turn.”
“Is it the basket?”
Mattie looked disappointed. “Yes, so now it’s your turn.
The game continued until all the children had had a turn.
Victoria asked, “Would anyone like cheese and bread?”
A chorus of “yes” greeted her question. She cut the bread and then topped it with a slice of cheese. “We have to share the water unless one of those containers holds something to drink.”
Greg stood and brought down two jugs. “Cider from our own apple trees.”
After their snack they switched to Simon Says with Victoria leading the children until only Cindy was left. Victoria laid Regina and Hattie on their stomachs and patted each girl’s back while she told stories. Both girls soon fell asleep. The men shared stories, too. Theirs were about ranching and—if not for the storm—Victoria enjoyed them so much she would have liked them to continue.
When he finished a tale, Kansas cocked his ear. “Sounds like the storm’s quieter. I’ll go check.”
He climbed the stairs and disappeared into the kitchen. Soon, he came to the doorway. “Only light rain now but can’t see a thing. Outside is dark as pitch because of the clouds. Sure smells good up here.”
Miguel reached for Mattie, who had fallen asleep. “I’ll carry her so you can get one of the babies.”
Greg passed his daughter to his foreman. “Thanks. I’ll take Regina.”
The older children followed the men. Victoria started to rise.
Greg reached for her hand. “Today could have meant disaster in any of several ways. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the way you managed. If you hadn’t been here… well, it makes me ill to think what could have happened to the children especially, but also to the horses.”
His compliment was oil for her inner lamp. Hearing praise almost reduced her to tears. She hadn’t heard kind words in over two years.
She blinked back the moisture welling in her eyes. “You said there was hail. Were you injured?”
He helped her stand then lifted Hattie and handed her to Victoria. “We could have been but we only got soaked. Small hail stung us but wasn’t damaging.”
“When we rode into the yard, a little small hail fell. When we hit the porch the stones falling were large. They could have given a person a concussion. Horses could have been seriously injured or killed.”
“What about the buildings? The wind sounded awful.”
“We didn’t take time to check the outbuildings, just put our horses in the barn and ran for the house.”
“They were frightened and whinnying. The noise is what caused me to look outside. What about your cattle?”
He picked up Regina. “No idea. I’m sure there are injuries. We’ll check tomorrow or the next day. Raced home as fast as we could once we saw the cloud bank.”
“Greg, I was so relieved when we heard your footsteps.”
At the top of the stairs, Cindy waited. “I’ll take Hattie and put her to bed after I change her diaper so you can set out supper.”
“Thank you, Cindy. You’ve been wonderful help.” She handed the baby to her sister.
Greg followed his oldest daughter. At least Cindy had been civil. Victoria hoped it lasted.
Chapter Seven
In the kitchen, Victoria donned a fresh apron and grabbed towels to pad the handles of the pans she removed from the oven. In addition to the large ham she had baked two dozen yams. The large kettle of black-eyed peas on a back burner was warm but not overdone.
Sid and Kansas were setting out plates and cutlery. Someone, no doubt Kansas, had started coffee brewing. Mattie was mostly awake and sat at the table. She leaned her head on her hand with her elbow braced on the table. Freddie sat beside her and looked as sleepy as his sister.
Victoria tested the outside of the meat. “I’m sorry the ham may be a little too dry. The yams look all right, though and the black-eyed peas are about right.”
Miguel smoothed a finger over his mustache. “I can guarantee it will be delicious. In spite of the nice lunch you made for us, I’m so hungry I could eat my boot.”
The mantle clock in the parlor chimed.
“Ten o’clock, no wonder you’re hungry. As a matter of fact, I’m starving.”
She quickly transferred the food into serving pieces and set out butter and honey. Thank goodness there were still loaves of bread remaining. She poured coffee for the adults and milk for the children.
Cindy and Greg returned and everyone took a seat.
Greg glanced around the table. “No matter how I feel inside, I’m not an outwardly religious or preachy man. But, tonight I have plenty of reasons to be thankful. I’m grateful that my wife and children are safe. I’m grateful to you three ranch hands. I’m grateful the horses and milk cows and dogs are in the barn and chickens penned.”
His face was red, apparently from embarrassment at being emotional. “I’ll say grace now.” His blessing was brief but touching as he repeated his thanks to God for delivering them from harm.
She looked at her husband. “I guess you didn’t catch the rustlers.”
“No, we found where they left the road but then we saw the clouds moving this way. I didn’t know what the weather would be like here. As it turned out, the storm was greater here than where we were.”
Kansas shook his head. “We don’t know what it was like there after we left. Might have been worse than here.”
Greg took a sip of coffee. “That’s true. Whatever the case, I’m glad we’re home.”
Miguel speared a bite of ham. “I had worried about the horses in the paddock. I’m glad you got them into the barn, Señora Hardy. Some of them are high strung.”
“You don’t ride them, though?”
The foreman laid his fork on his plate. “We are training horses to sell as well as cattle. One day, this ranch will be famous for the horses trained here.”
As soon as Mattie, Frankie, and Sid had eaten Victoria took one of the lamps and herded three to bed. “Cindy, thank you again for your help. Sleep well.”
She sent Frankie and Sid to their room and guided Mattie into the one she shared with the babies. When she had Mattie tucked into bed, she checked Regina and Hattie then left. In
the hall, she found Sid and Frankie waiting.
“There’s water dripping from our ceiling.” Sid pointed at his neck. “A big drop ran down my back.”
Victoria carried her lamp. “Is it on the beds?”
“I don’t think so but it’s on the floor.”
She held the lamp high and saw a spreading pool of water and a steady drip from the ceiling. She tried to step around the moisture but it rapidly spread across the room’s floor. Examination of the two mattresses proved the beds had escaped the leak.
“Sid, bring me a large pan from the kitchen. Frankie, I’ll lift you onto your bed and then help you take off your boots.”
She’d tucked the small boy in when Sid returned carrying the pan and accompanied by Greg.
Greg wore a disgusted expression as he peered at the ceiling.
“Greg, while I put this pan down would you check the other rooms?”
She set the pan under the leak. “There, boys, you have music to lull you to sleep.”
Frankie put his hands over his ears. “It’s too loud.”
“I’m sorry but this is the best we can do until daylight. I’m sure your father will repair the roof as soon as he can.”
She lifted Sid over the water and set him on his bed then helped him remove his boots.
Greg strode back. “We have more problems. Miguel said the bunkhouse roof is lying beside the barn.”
She stared at him for a few seconds as the shock took effect. “All their belongings will be soaked and some ruined. Have you told them they must sleep in our guest rooms?”
“Yes, they’re covering their beds with the groundsheets from behind their saddles. Won’t help much since their beds are already wet, but might prevent them getting more damage.”
“I’ll make sure the guest room has everything they’ll need. Poor men.”
She carried the lamp to the first bedroom and lit that room’s bedside lamp. The room was dry. In the next guest room, she repeated the action. These rooms were on the northeast side of the house while the boys’ room was on the southwest side.
So was the room she shared with her husband. Had Greg checked the ceiling in their bedroom? After she lit the lamp in the second spare bedroom, she went to ask her husband. She’d have to wait until things were not so hectic.
The men carried their belongings into the kitchen and spread them on the floor and table and chairs.
Greg had a fire going in the parlor. He’d brought up the quilts they’d used in the cellar and had them spread over the furniture.
“We should be able to dry out some things on these quilts.”
He looked at Miguel. “Anything ruined?”
“I don’t think so. You know each of us uses a trunk at the foot of our bed for storage. Each trunk is watertight. The chest also protected contents of the drawers. The mattresses and bedding are soaked.”
He held out his arms. “We are soaked as well.”
Victoria held sympathy for the ranch hands. “Miguel, your bedroom is ready for you. You look exhausted.”
“Sí, I will not do so but I think I could sleep for a week.”
“Kansas and Sonny, I’m sorry you’ll have to share a bed but it’s ready for you. Doesn’t matter who chooses which, the spare rooms are the first two on the northeast side of the hall.”
Kansas spread a shirt and pants on a quilt. “I can just about make it that far. Have to admit my tail is dragging.”
His eyes widened as he stared at Victoria. “Pardon me for being crude. I meant no disrespect.”
“I didn’t think you did. You men have had a terrible day that’s been almost twenty hours long. I say you sleep late tomorrow. I’ll try to keep the babies quiet.”
The men bid her and Greg goodnight. Thank goodness Greg and the men had left their muddy boots at the door. She adjusted the heat in the kitchen range.
Her husband came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m proud of you. Seems I got lucky with my mail-order bride.”
She turned and grinned at him. “In spite of the fact you didn’t figure on me having a baby?”
“You have no idea how sorry I am I said that. It popped out of my thoughts.”
“Three times. You sure think a lot.”
He chuckled. “Not nearly enough apparently. Regina and Hattie appear to have hit it off well. Hattie has been in a much better temper since you came.”
“I suspect she has a tooth coming in. If so, she’ll get fussy again.”
“I didn’t think of that. I can’t remember when the children did what. I mean I remember that an event happened, but not their exact ages at the time.”
“Their mother might have written the events down somewhere.”
“Maybe. I’ll get out the family Bible. I need to add our marriage and list Regina’s birth.
She was touched that he’d thought of the Bible. “Thank you for including Regina.”
“I don’t know if you want her name to be Hardy or remain Bailey.”
“I’d prefer her name be Hardy. I’ll tell her about her father when she’s older. The other children will no doubt tell her in a couple of years so I’ll need to explain before that happens.”
He leaned against the wall. “Have you ever been so tired you couldn’t rest?”
“Like now? Yes, I have.” She took his hand. “Come on and get some sleep. Tomorrow will be another hard day.”
“I dread all the clean up facing us.”
“Wait until tomorrow to think about it. Turn off your mind. Tonight—or what’s left of tonight—think about sleep and rest.”
“I’ll give it a try.”
Chapter Eight
The next morning Greg woke with an odd feeling. Something was missing. He rolled over and saw the empty bed next to him. Odd how quickly he’d become used to having Victoria beside him. So far she fit perfectly into his life.
The way she conducted herself and handled the children fit his ideas. The children accepted her immediately, except for Cindy. Last night Cindy appeared to be won over by Victoria.
When he and Cindy had taken the two babies to their room, Cindy wasn’t grumpy. Cindy still insisted she didn’t need taking care of and they didn’t need a new mother. At the same time she talked about the storm and how Victoria thanked her. Apparently, his wife had told his oldest child that they knew they could depend on her. That trust had made a big impression. Would it last? He didn’t know.
He struggled into his clothes. He looked around for his boots before he remembered they were covered in mud and waiting by the door. Now that daylight had broken, he and his ranch hands would be able to survey the storm’s damage.
When he entered the kitchen, he saw breakfast was almost ready. His wife poured him a mug of coffee. “I think this will help enliven you.”
He smiled at her. “Thank you, but I doubt there’s enough coffee in Texas to make me lively this morning. The most I hope for is stumbling in the correct direction.”
Miguel lurched into the room. “Coffee, please. I’ll pay any price for a cup of coffee.”
Victoria handed him a steaming mug. That’ll be one thousand dollars, Sir.”
Miguel took a large swallow then toasted her with the cup. “Worth every penny today.”
Kansas and Sonny staggered in. Both rubbed their eyes like little boys. Sonny was the youngest and especially looked boyish this morning.
Victoria smiled at the men and gave each a mug of coffee. “That must have been quite a party we had last night because you four look as if you have a terrible hangover. Funny, but the cider I drank wasn’t hard liquor.” Although she’d never had one, she felt the way she thought a hangover would feel.
Greg set his mug on the table. “None of it was hard cider. The killer was our hard day that lasted into half the night.”
Miguel plopped into a chair. “I must be getting old. I can’t take these long days like I used to. There was a time when I could go without sleep for a couple of days runnin
g. Now I feel like I slept on rocks instead of that fine bed.”
Sonny took his chair at the table. “Not old ’cause I feel the same way and I’m barely nineteen. We might be getting a mite soft with all the good food and sleeping indoors on a mattress every night. I liked sleeping rough fine before I came here. Now I like the bunkhouse—when it has a roof, that is.”
Kansas stretched his arms over his head. “If that’s it, I don’t want to change. Like Sonny said, I’ll sleep rough when it’s needed. I’m not ashamed to admit I sure do prefer a mattress and a roof over my head and good food instead of hardtack and jerky. Guess I am getting soft at that.”
Victoria set the food on the table. “None of you is getting soft. That would mean you were unable to sleep anywhere but a soft bed. Preferring one just shows good sense.”
She took her seat at the table. “I’m letting the children sleep in this morning. They had a bad day yesterday, too.”
Greg smiled at her. “That’s thoughtful. Reckon the cows and chickens can wait a couple of extra hours for their care.”
He glanced at Miguel. “I know you men must be eager to repair the bunkhouse. I’ve had to make a hard decision and plan to go after the rustled cattle.
Miguel nodded. “We work for you and will do what you wish. There is no rain today so perhaps the bunkhouse will dry out some today.”
Greg glanced at each man. “Rain will have washed away the tracks. I still want to go where we found the cattle left the road. If we ride a little ways, maybe we can find sign.”
The three ranch hands left but Greg waited with her.
“I thought you’d want to leave early so I have your lunches prepared. Please be careful. Remember what you said yesterday, ‘Cattle are not worth a human life’. I’m holding you to that.”
“Remind the children to watch for moccasins now that the rain will have raised the creek and interfered with their nests.”
He put his hands on her shoulders. “Do you know how to use a gun?”
“Have you forgotten I lived in the South during the war? My father made sure I was a proficient marksman. Young women had to know how to defend themselves against those from both sides.”
Mail Order Victoria Page 6
