“I hope you do not still think me spoiled. I really am trying.”
He faced her as he moved the brush easily over his horse. “I know you are, Maddie. I appreciate everythin’ you are tryin’ to learn. Things I take for granted and do not even have to stop to think about before doin’ them. For you they are all new. I do understand that.”
Walking back to the house together, he wanted to hold her hand, but didn’t. Didn’t want to pressure her in any way.
“What is for supper? I am starved. I missed comin’ back for the midday meal earlier, but we had a full day planned. Thank you for the beef sandwich you made me. It was good. The bread was nice and soft. Was it from the one you made yesterday?”
She nodded.
The house was redolent with a savory smell. He breathed in deeply. “Mmmmmm.”
“I made a stew with the leftover beef from last night’s meal.” She smiled. “I tasted it a bit earlier and think you are going to be surprised.”
“Good surprised or bad surprised?”
She giggled. “Good surprised, silly. I thought it tasted good.” She brushed hay from her skirt.
He smiled and placed his hand at the small of her back as he moved her through the door. “You set the table and I will dish up whatever it is you rustled up for us. Lookin’ forward to tryin’ it. My belly’s about to rub against my backbone.”
She laughed. “That is what little Johnny said. Did you get it from him or him from you?”
He chuckled. “Reckon we all say it.”
After supper he went outside and leaned against the porch post, looking up at the night stars. Clouds drifted over the moon. A sense of peace settled over him. She had been right. The meal was delicious. He’d complimented her until he probably embarrassed her, but he was just so pleased.
Yes, things were looking up. They were going to make it after all. Sometimes it almost seemed her hands were gently wrapped around his heart, holding it lovingly. He harrumphed in embarrassment at such nonsense. Where had a thought like that come from?
Still…
Thank you, God. I know it hasn’t been easy for her. Thank You for watchin’ over us every day—even when we don’t think to stop and thank You for all You do for us. We’re blessed, God. But guess You already know that. Keep Your arms of protectiveness around us. Watch over all my family wherever they are. We’re scattered now and I miss havin’ them all home. Miss hearin’ from them. Sam’s still so young, even if he does have a wife now. At least he writes. Don’t hear from Daniel often. Never hear from Mark. Don’t even know if he’s dead or alive. Keep them all safe, Lord.
Maybe someday…
Glancing at the stars one last time, he walked back inside.
When bedtime came, he laid his well-worn Bible aside and got up from his chair and walked toward the guest room. Maddie stood at her bedroom door, but didn’t go inside.
“Did you need somethin’? Need me to help with your dress?” He wondered why she hadn’t said goodnight yet.
She shook her head, then heaved in a breath and lifted one shoulder.
“Maddie, is somethin’ wrong?” He stepped toward her.
She shook her head again. “No. I was just wondering if…”
He sucked in a breath, his body tensing. The day had been perfect. He didn’t want to ruin it. “Wonderin’ what?”
“Did…did you like being with me in your bedroom last night? Did you mind holding me?”
Like it? How could he explain how much he wanted to be in there with her? How much he wanted to make her his wife in truth? If he said too much, he’d probably scare her and she’d hightail it back inside his bedroom and never let him in there.
“I did.” He somehow succeeded in keeping his voice calm.
She nodded. “Would you like to move back in here? It was… nice having you hold me last night.”
This was it. Now or never.
“I do want to be there, Maddie. But do you understand what that means? What you are sayin’? I cannot just hold you every night. I want…need…more.”
“You mean what men and women do.” Her eyes finally met his.
“What husbands and wives do. I want to love you, Maddie. I have wanted to for a long time.”
Her eyes widened. “You haven’t said…”
“You weren’t ready.”
A pretty blush covered her cheeks. “I might be now.” Her eyes seemed to implore him to understand her fear, yet her needs. Or was he reading in only what he wanted to see?
He smiled, but something tugged at his heart. “Oh, darlin’. It is not a might be. You either are or you aren’t. It is not somethin’ we can take back and undo. Once I make love to you, you are mine. Completely. Forever.”
She scraped her teeth over her lower lip and nodded. “I am…ready.”
His heart stilled. He didn’t move. “You are sure?”
She nodded again. “But I do not know what to do.”
“It is all right, darlin’. I do.”
Crossing the room, he pulled her gently into his arms and bent his head to kiss her. Words dissolved into a groan against her mouth. He anchored her head with his hand. When she gasped, she opened to him, giving him free rein to fully taste the sweetness of her mouth.
His heart swelled with an emotion he didn’t quite understand.
Kat arrived early the next morning. As always, she walked in the house and started talking loudly.
Luke headed out of the bedroom buttoning his shirt and tucking it in his pants.
“What happened to ‘Hello the House’ or knocking?”
“I have never knocked a day in my life. I grew up here.” She stood with her hands on her hips, her eyes shifting between him and the bedroom door.
He raised a challenging brow. “I think it is a good time you start.”
Her smile covered her face. “So all is well with you?”
He didn’t want to smile. He really didn’t. But he couldn’t stop himself. He was so happy he wanted to shout to the entire world. He had just had the most incredible night of his life.
Over Madelyn’s protestations, Luke insisted on taking her back to town to purchase some new material. She came out of their room wearing an emerald green dress she’d cut down with the aunts’ help. She was pleased with her sewing progress, her stitches were finally small and even, but feared people still wouldn’t like her clothes. She’d made the dress as plain as possible, but there was nothing she could do about the bright color. In Atlanta she’d fit in with everyone else. Here in Kansas City she stood out like a blinding beacon.
More than being pleased with her stitches, however, she was happy with her relationship with Luke. Maybe she was reading more into it than she should, but ever since the night he’d loved her so tenderly and crooned her name over and over with such feeling, she’d finally admitted she had what she’d always wanted from her father and never received. A sense of belonging. Truly belonging. She had a nickname. One Luke seemed fond of, if his adoring repeated murmurs was any indication. Such a small thing, but her heart swelled with joy. Since the night she’d even started thinking of herself that way.
Maddie. Yes, she liked it.
She cast her eyes to his strong profile. Oh, he was so handsome—but it was the essence of his real character that truly shone through. Kind. Considerate. Compassionate. A soft flutter like a hint of butterflies’ wings stirred within her belly. She turned away quickly, certain her cheeks had to be bright red at the course of her thoughts.
She forced her thoughts back to the present. Since she’d lost the fight about purchasing material, she determined to at least use the time in town to visit Swede’s wife and new baby. She hoped all was going well for them.
When they walked in the store, she was surprised to see Swede standing behind the counter, Birgit beside him cradling the baby as she spoke to a customer.
Birgit’s face lit with a smile the instant she saw Maddie come through the door. She rushed to her, proudly showing her
the baby’s face. “See how happy he looks?” He waved his tiny fists in the air. “Oh, Maddie, I can never thank you enough for the gift of my son.”
Maddie had no doubt she was blushing.
Birgit extended a hand. “Come upstairs for a cup of coffee so we can talk a while.” She stopped. “If you would like to, that is.”
Maddie turned to Luke. “Would that be all right?”
He smiled. “Yes. It will work out perfectly. Give me time to head to the livery and then the jail to visit with Matthew.”
She threw him an exasperated look. What he meant was, ‘I won’t have to worry about you getting into trouble.’
He continued as if she hadn’t just scowled at him. “And then when I come back we will purchase that material I wanted to buy for you the other day. Maybe we can look for some for the cushions you mentioned wanting to make. I think the rockers would be right comfy if you were to make cushions for both of them like you talked about. You mentioned the settee, too.”
Birgit moved toward the back of the store.
“Go, Maddie. Visit with your friend. I will be back a little later.”
She nodded and hurried after Birgit.
When they got upstairs, Birgit stood beside a wooden cradle. “Would you like to hold him or should I put him in his bed? Swede had this made special for him.”
It only took a second for her to say, “Oh, let me hold him.” Cradling his head gently, she sat in one of the brown cushioned chairs while Birgit bustled to the cook stove.
“What have you named him?”
“Lars.” She looked over her shoulder at Maddie while she fetched a pie from the pie safe and cut two pieces and placed them on china plates.
She brought one over and held it out to her. “I do not get to use these good plates very often. Usually we just use our blue speckled tinware. Thank you for visiting with me. While I see people all day at the store, we never actually have any visitors.”
“I am delighted to be here. As you well know, I do not have many friends in town. Most people are too busy making fun of me.”
Birgit pulled a face of frustration. “Give them time. Once they get to know you, they will feel about you the way I do. You saved my son’s life. I will forever be indebted to you.”
“Nonsense. I did what I had to do. Nothing special about it at all.” She placed the plate on the small table next to her and took a bite. She wasn’t about to relinquish the baby. “Oh, this is really good. Swede must be so pleased with your culinary skills. Poor Luke has had to put up with me learning how to cook. He would be thrilled with this. Kat said apple is his favorite pie.”
“Then you must take some home with you today. I bake a new pie every day or two.” Her face flooded with embarrassment. “Sven loves my baked goods.”
“I can see why. It is delicious. I should insist it is not necessary for you to send some with us, but I would really like to do something special for Luke. He has been a true gentleman while putting up with my cooking. Or should I say lack thereof? He does not complain in the least, even though I know some of it is not very good. Kat and the aunts are helping me learn.”
Birgit took a bite of her own pie.
“How did you decide on a name?” Maddie brushed a finger lightly over the baby’s forehead.
“It is Swede’s brother’s name. He died when he was still a child, and Swede wanted to honor him. If we still lived in the old country—Sweden—his name would be Lars Svensson. A son always takes his father’s name. But now that this country is our home, our children will use the same name as Sven and me. Our children will all be Erickssons.”
“What an interesting way to name children. I know nothing of the Swedish culture.”
“I loved it there. The mountains and fjords were serene, breathtaking. I never grew tired of seeing them. But Sven dreamed of coming to a new country. He wanted something different than being a farmer for our children. It was not always an easy life for us. He loves owning the mercantile. Loves being around people. For me, I will be happy to spend my time upstairs with Lars now. I will still help Swede in the mercantile when he needs me and when the baby is sleeping.”
Footsteps sounded on the stairs and Luke poked his head inside the door. “Maddie, it is time to go. Matthew said he can join us for dinner if we can go soon. I still want to fetch that material.” She shot him a frustrated glare. “And no, you are not going to talk me out of it.” He stepped forward to admire the baby.
“You have a fine son, Mrs. Ericksson. Swede is very happy. All he can talk about is his son.”
“Ja, he is.” She reached out and retrieved her son from Maddie. “Thanks to your wife, my Sven and I are both very happy.”
Luke cleared his throat. “We still have time to buy that material before we meet Matthew.”
“Oh, stubborn man. I do not need any more material.”
“You might not need it, but you are gonna have it for some new dresses. I am tired of people looking askance at you, Maddie. Even though they are just jealous of the clothes you wear and the way you look, I want you to fit in around here.” He reached out and took her hand in his, laced his fingers with hers. “Please let me do this for you.”
“I will wrap this pie up for you and bring it right down.” Birgit placed a quick kiss on the baby’s forehead.
Downstairs in the mercantile, Luke immediately selected a pale blue calico. “This one. Definitely. We will take this. And I will not take no for an answer. This will look right nice on you.”
He held up a yellow homespun and Maddie shook her head. “I do not like yellow.”
With a brief nod, he returned the bolt to the table, then chose a light green calico and a beige gingham. He started toward the front counter, then stopped. “What about the white I remember Kat usin’ on her and Rebekah’s dresses? She did a great job transformin’ them, and Rebekah cannot wait to wear her new dress to church Sunday. Says she is goin’ to bring her reticule, too.” He lifted a brow. “Wonder where she got that word.” He shook his head, but a smile wreathed his countenance.
“Oh yes,” Birgit said, walking up beside them. “White makes a very nice trim. Or some lace.”
“I have plenty of lace from the dresses I have already altered,” Maddie chimed in. “All I need are buttons and some thread.”
“We got a beautiful eyelet in yesterday,” Birgit teased.
Maddie closed her eyes and inhaled. “Let me see it.”
She and Birgit quickly selected the items, then she joined Luke at the front counter and they headed to the hotel to meet Matthew for dinner.
Yes, life was good. She couldn’t wait to see what else it had in store for her.
As long as it held the captain in it, she knew she’d be happy.
~ Chapter 12 ~
A knock sounded at the door. Certainly not something she was used to. Luke just walked in, and Kat and the aunts called out before they entered. Men from the bunkhouse rarely came to ask her something. When she opened the door, she was surprised to find Jeffrey Bonner standing there. She remembered only too well her interaction with the rude man in town.
“What may I do for you, Mr. Bonner?”
A brow arched over his brown eyes. “You remember me?”
“Interaction such as we had in town is not something a lady forgets, sir. What may I do for you?” She kept her voice frosty.
He swept his hat off his head. “I need you to come with me, ma’am, if you please. It’s my wife’s time and she heard about you in town from folks talking about the Swede’s wife. She thinks something is wrong and asked that I come fetch you.”
“You have a wife?” She couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice.
He nodded.
“You behaved that way around me in town while you have a wife at home? A pregnant wife?”
“I am sorry, ma’am. I cannot do any more than apologize for my actions.”
The wretched man! She’d like to kick him in the knee—or someplace else much more a
ppropriate. But her manners came to the fore and she didn’t do either. Sometimes it was a pain being a proper lady. “I am sorry, Mr. Bonner. I cannot come with you.”
He stood there, mulling over her words. With his black jacket and matching string tie, he was one of the handsomest men she’d ever seen. Didn’t hold a candle to her husband though.
What made her think of Luke at a time like this? Well, other than that the man always seemed to be on her mind. He invaded her thoughts every day while he was gone.
“I see,” Bonner said. “So you would make my wife suffer and pay—perhaps lose our child—because I was a braggart and was rude to you?” He rushed on before she could answer. “I understand you do not like me—and clearly do not trust me—but I promise I will be on my best behavior while I escort you to my wife. My only concern is for her welfare and that of my child.” He ran a hand through his black hair, the first sign he was nervous. “She…she truly fears something is wrong.”
She wavered.
“Please, Mrs. Guylenhall. I do not beg often, and I am not very good at it, but I am begging you to care for my wife during her time.”
“Is Doc not at home?”
“I did not check. She is adamant she wants you. She is familiar with Birgit’s problems, and as I said, she fears something is seriously wrong. It is you she wants with her through this.”
Something told Maddie she shouldn’t go, but how could she let a woman suffer if there was something she could do to help. And what if there really were complications?
Trying to dismiss her misgivings, she finally acquiesced. “All right. Let me fetch my things and I shall be right with you.”
With a nod, he stepped back onto the porch, leaving the door ajar.
Luke wasn’t there to ask, but she had to let him know where she was. Finding a scrap of paper, she penned him a quick note to tell him she’d gone to the Bonner house to help with a birthing. She placed the note in the middle of the kitchen table.
Grabbing a shawl from the peg inside the bedroom door, she reached down for her father’s medical bag and headed out the front door. Bonner pulled the door closed behind her.
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