Chet dipped his head. “How do, ma’am.”
She acknowledged his greeting, but her head was getting light and fuzzy. Having survived the rigors of their journey, she hoped she didn’t embarrass herself and collapse. Why was she so weak?
“Now if you will excuse us, I want to get my bride inside. It has been a long trip. Tell the men I will try to be out in a little while to talk with them. If not, I will see you first thing in the mornin’.”
With that he grabbed her hand, patted it in reassurance, then enfolded it around his arm and snugged it close to him. He wrapped strong, warm fingers around her hand as he helped her up the steps to the front porch.
He stopped at the front door and she wondered if he’d forgotten his key; then he finally reached forward and turned the knob and pushed the door open. Dust motes swirled in the air as shafts of light filled the room.
Before she could say a word, without any warning he swept her off her feet and carried her into the house.
She shrieked. “Put me down!”
His grin went all the way to his eyes. “Thought that is what newlyweds were supposed to do when they entered their house for the first time.”
She spluttered. “We married weeks ago. Or it certainly seems like it after all the traveling we have done. You could have at least warned me.”
Joy crinkled the corners of his eyes. He set her down on her feet and released her. “Nah. That would have taken the fun out of it.”
Her eyes did a quick visual sweep of the room. Furniture a mixture of wood and over-stuffed leather. Definitely a man’s home, yet with a woman’s touch, like at the windows and a tablecloth on the kitchen table. Most of the material was badly faded. No doubt his mother had made them. The thought of sharing his home with him, intruding on his past memories there, made her feel uneasy.
Then again, she didn’t realize how the family scene—the house she stood in and his homecoming with his sister—would assail the emptiness in her heart. She had nothing to go home to—no house, no family.
The house was nothing like her wealthy home back in Atlanta, but she hadn’t expected it to be. It was, in fact, much larger than she had anticipated a home out on the prairie being. She’d heard wretched tales of soddies—homes made out of cut sod—and had been expecting something more of that ilk—not a large log ranch house. He’d described it to her, but his words hadn’t penetrated her mourning brain.
The room was musty from disuse, but she couldn’t remember when he said his father had passed away. He’d lost his loved one, too. She had to remember that. She’d been so caught up in her own grief that she hadn’t cared what anyone else had been feeling.
Surely the captain was just as overwhelmed as she. The thought gave her courage.
Despite everything, the main room was neat and tidy.
They moved toward the kitchen and her stomach plummeted to the floor. “Um…Mr. Guylenhall, I did mention I do not know how to cook, right?”
That brought a laugh to his lips. “You did, but I will have my sister come over a few days and teach you everythin’ you need to know. Or maybe my aunts. They live in town near my brother Matt.” His lips quirked to the right side and he nodded. “Yes, I think they would love spendin’ a few days here. I would enjoy bein’ with them after the long spell I have been away.” He laughed. “They liven up any situation. Especially Aunt Mary.”
She gulped. “A few days? From what I remember of all Aggie did in the kitchen back home, it will take me more than a few days to make things edible.”
That stopped his laughter. “I certainly hope not. I need to spend a lot of time on the range to see what is happenin’ with the cattle now that I am back. I am not goin’ to have time to stay home and do the cookin’ too.”
Her eyes opened wide. “You know how to cook?”
His head dipped once. “Of course. Ma made sure all of us boys knew how. Said she did not want us starvin’ before we found us some wives. Daniel was actually the best cook of us all though. Except for Kat of course.”
“Daniel? Who is Daniel?”
His brows knit together in thought. “Dang. Did I forget to tell you about him?”
She furrowed her brow. “I believe so. I do not remember you mentioning the name Daniel before.”
“Sorry ‘bout that. I was tellin’ you about where my brothers fought durin’ the War. Daniel did not fight with us, so I guess I just did not mention him.”
“He’s another brother?” At his nod, she sighed. “How many relatives do you actually have, sir?”
He chuckled. “That is it. I promise. John, Daniel, Matthew, Mark, Samuel, and our sister, Kat, er Katherine. Oh, and the two aunts I mentioned to you—Mary Markham and Lola Burnhardt.”
“Where do you fall in that long list of biblical names?”
“John, Daniel and Matt are older than me. John died durin’ the war, and Daniel left home two years before the war broke out. He wanted to move farther west. Broke Ma’s heart that he didn’t want to live here anymore. He loved it here, but it was like he had an itch he could not scratch. He was always movin’. Never settled or sat anywhere for very long. Said he felt stifled here—although I do not know why with all the land we have. Think he just wanted somethin’ different. And at the time he figgered John would be inheritin’ the ranch. Last I heard from him, he was livin’ somewhere in Montana.”
“What if he decides to come back?”
“We would all welcome him with open arms. We miss him. I think if he ever did come back, it would just be to visit. He wrote me after John died and said he was pleased I would be in charge of the ranch.”
“Where does your sis…” A coughing spasm racked her body. Concerned blue eyes watched her.
Luke put his arms around her and led her to a chair. “Come. Sit in the rocker. My granddaddy made this. You had a long journey. Must be tired, even though we made good time comin’ home. Didn’t want to push the horse more’n fifteen miles each day since he was pullin’ not only the wagon with us in it, but our belongin’s too. Includin’ all those trunks of yours.” He removed the shawl she’d worn over her shoulders as he helped her into the wooden rocker. He placed her shawl on a peg by the front door. “This is a good place for it if you want to use it. I keep my hat here, too. Ma and Pa always…well, never mind what they did. This is our home now and we will make our own routine.”
The door was still open and moonlight seeped inside, playing with the shadows.
He crossed to one of the cabinets hung on the wall and drew out a candle and lit it. “Ma made these. Guess that is somethin’ else you will need to learn. Not sure how many are left. Although in a pinch we can buy some from the mercantile.”
He released a chuckle. “One more thing I need to do. Take a full inventory of everythin’ actually on hand. It will take a while for us to build up our stores. Swede will be pleased for the extra business.”
Walking back over to her, he scrunched down in front of her and placed a hand over hers on the arm of the rocker.
“All of that will take time. And you and I have the rest of our lives to do it, but some of it sure needs doin’ quicker than others. For now you jes’ need to take it easy.”
Madelyn had trouble breathing. She placed her hand on her chest as she tried to take a steadying breath. “Thank you. You would think I would be tired of sitting after that long ride, but I am afraid standing has taken more out of me than I thought. I do not understand why I am so weak. I have never felt this way before. I…”
The rest she’d been about to say dissolved into a paroxysm of coughing. He stood and placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed.
She leaned her head against the high rocker back, grateful for the chance to relax. “I started to ask about your sister. Where does she fall in your long list of siblings and why does she not have a biblical name like the men?”
“In order, including John, we are John, Daniel, Matthew, Me, Mark, Katherine, and Samuel. As for Kat’s name, Ma named her i
n remembrance of her youngest sister who passed away as a child in England. Kat’s middle name is Mary. And Catherine, with a C, was one of the first women Christian saints. Ma thought that was plenty good enough for her daughter.” His eyes lit in happiness.
“Seven children. Mercy, that is a lot. Your poor mother.”
“Yep. As she always told us, God’s perfect number in the Bible.”
She panicked, her mind suddenly awhirl. “Is that how m-many children you want?”
He chuckled. Bending, he gently placed his hand on her arm above her wrist. “Hadn’t thought about it much. Been too busy the past few years.”
She noted he carefully avoided specific mention of the war.
“If we have seven, I would be thrilled. Always wanted a passel of kids like Ma and Pa had. Then again, if God only grants us one, I will feel just as blessed.”
He thought a moment. “Truth be told, I would love to have at least two. A little boy and a little girl—like Kat has now.” His eyes locked with hers. “I have always thought of children as a miracle from God. What do you—”
When she started coughing again, he helped her to stand. “Enough about the house and young’uns.” He spanned her waist with his large hands as he shepherded her toward the bedroom door. “You need to get into bed and rest a spell. I will take care of supper tonight. I will just heat up whatever Kat sent for us. And I will make sure to get a message to the aunts that we are home.” He gave her the once-over. “You need help unbuttonin’ your boots? Or…anythin’ else?”
How was she going to get out of the dress with all the buttons down the back? Considering how much trouble she had trying to get in the garment, she wouldn’t be the least surprised if she’d missed a few buttons.
She gulped, but shook her head, reminded herself to breathe. “Thank you for your offer of assistance, but I believe I will be fine tonight. As to your offer to assist with supper preparations while I rest, that would be most desirable since I am so tired. If you know how, then maybe cooking is not as difficult as I thought.”
His arched brow made her realize her faux pas. “Oh, I”—
her hand shot up to cover her mouth—“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I just meant that…maybe there is hope for me after all.”
When he didn’t look convinced, she couldn’t help it. She burst out laughing.
Obstinate woman! That wasn’t what she meant and no sweet words were gonna convince him otherwise. Regardless, he hoped she did learn quickly. Yes, he knew how to cook. Just like he’d told her. What he hadn’t said was that he really wasn’t very good at it—nor did he know how to make most of the things he actually liked to eat.
No way he’d tell her that now.
He repeatedly reminded himself to put himself in her place. How he’d be feeling if he’d been yanked up by his roots, the only life he’d ever known, and basically been tossed into a churning, roiling sea. Only to be dragged under repeatedly, not sure what life would be like when he resurfaced.
And when they weren’t arguing—which this puzzle of a woman did a lot of—he quite enjoyed her presence. When she allowed herself to forget about what the war had taken from her and that they’d been on opposing sides, she was a delight to talk to. It had been difficult making her talk on the journey home, hopefully only because she was in mourning over her father, but when she relaxed and actually told him stories about her childhood, he’d seen an entirely different side to her. A side to a very open and charming woman. One who was very lonely.
Steering her from the kitchen and back through the front parlor, the faint feminine scent of her perfume drifting up to him, he moved her toward their bedroom. Her footfalls were light on the floor as she crossed into their large room. She stopped cold as soon as her feet crossed into it and she saw the huge bed.
It had been Ma and Pa’s, but it was theirs now. Not that she’d probably let him share it with her anytime soon. He released a heartfelt sigh.
He’d promised her he’d give her time to get used to him—but how long was that going to take? Especially now that they were home? Sitting beside her day after day in the buckboard had made his mind shift to things it probably shouldn’t have. She was just soooo soft. He remembered that well from the morning he’d awakened in her bed. That memory seemed to be emblazoned permanently on his mind.
He’d be fine. He’d sleep in the guest room right next door. Come to think of it, now that all the kids were grown and on their own, he guessed all their rooms were guest rooms. At least until they had kids of their own to fill them.
Of course, for that to happen, they’d actually have to… No! He had to stop thinking of that. Maybe a quick dip in the stream out back would be just the thing.
The next morning, as dawn tinted the eastern sky, he went out to gather the eggs. Between them they could make a quick breakfast. Knowing his sister, she’d be over to check out his new wife faster than the hoot owl in the tree outside could say hoo.
Madelyn set the table while he scooped scrambled eggs on to the plates, but he noticed she stumbled a few times. He’d hoped a good night’s sleep would be all it took to make her feel better, but from the looks of her, he doubted it.
Her face looked awfully flushed. He hoped she wasn’t coming down with a fever. Should he have let Kat call for Doc last night?
“Bet Kat will be here shortly after breakfast. Maybe she will have somethin’ already made that she will bring with her until we can go into town tomorrow to fetch supplies. I am sure the larder is completely bare by now. What Kat did not take after Pa died, the men in the bunkhouse no doubt raided. They would have needed supplies to keep them goin’. Anythin’ to eat more than just the beans Cookie prepares.
“Unless you want to come outside with me, you can stay here and unpack. Maybe think up some things for the list we will need for town tomorrow.”
He looked around the room. “Nope. I am sure about that. I doubt there is much here for us to work with right now.”
His eyes wandered to the glass window. “I will stop in the bunkhouse to talk with the men. Want to let them know I am home to stay. Meant to get out there last night and never did since you were feelin’ poorly. I need to see who is still on board and find out if I need to hire more men.”
She tilted her head watching him. “You love it here, don’t you?”
He started, cleared his throat of emotion. “I do. Why do you ask?”
“I can tell. You are so much more relaxed since we got here. Like you are a different person than the Union captain who was forced to marry me.”
He thought about that. “I probably am a different person. This is who I really am. A rancher. It is what I was meant to be.” He stopped and thought how to phrase his next words. “Although I cain’t say I did not like being a soldier. It suited me well, too. But I hated the war. Hated havin’ to fight other men. They believed in what they fought for just as much as I did. I am not sure either side was actually right. Or that either side was wrong. If that makes any sense.”
She looked like her thoughts were a mile away. Then she nodded. “It does. Most soldiers did not have that mindset, though. They just wanted to kill and maim. To tear people’s lives apart.”
He reached out and placed his hand atop hers. “I regret all you went through, Madelyn. We are home now. I hope we can put the war behind us and move forward with our lives.”
She drew in a deep, breath. “I’ll not lie to you. It will not be easy. But I promise I will try my best.”
He stood and squeezed her shoulder. “That is all I ask.”
Luke chuckled as he watched his sister ride up to the house and quickly dismount. His impatient sister had barely waited until breakfast was over!
“Howdy, Kat.”
“Howdy. Told you I would be over today.”
Laughter rumbled deep in his chest. “Yeah, I see. Glad you at least waited until we woke up.”
She gave him a face. “You said you were going into town tomorrow. Would
n’t do me no good to come then. So of course I am here now.”
She surveyed the yard. “I am glad you are home. The place is going to take a lot of work. Did you get the food I gave you home without spilling it?”
“I did. Until Madelyn learns how to cook, I am not wastin’ a thing you give us.” He drew in a deep breath. “I hope it does not take long.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “She cannot cook?”
“Not a lick. She has never cooked before.”
“And you still married her?” Kat exchanged a puzzled glance with him.
“I did. Long story.”
“Then patience, big brother. If your lady truly never cooked before, it is gonna take her a little bit of time. Do not push her.”
She looped her horse’s reins around the porch rail outside the front door. “Can’t wait to hear that story when you are ready to tell it. You have never been one to just go after a pretty face.” She headed for the door. “Now, properly introduce me to your new wife. Yesterday did not really count.”
“As I said last night, Katherine, this is my wife, Madelyn. She’s from Atlanta. Madelyn, my sister, Kat.”
Madelyn extended her hand and looked up into the face of the woman who stood next to Luke. No way someone wouldn’t know they were related. Same brown hair, although Kat’s was a shade lighter. Same brilliant blue eyes. Kind, soulful eyes. Sooo tall. “I am very pleased to meet you.”
Kat ignored her hand and enveloped her in a fierce, hard hug. “You are family now. I hug family. I do not shake their hands.” Her eyes were lit with mischief. “You sure are a little thing.”
Madelyn huffed. “Little? I am no such thing. Sadly, I have never been little. Father always reminded me of that.”
“Well, yer pa never met me, did he?”
Madelyn couldn’t help the smile that came to her face. “No, he surely did not.”
“You are curvier than I am, but that is a good thing. No one wants to always be called a toothpick.”
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