by Jaclyn Hardy
The cellar was packed when she went down to get carrots, onions, and potatoes. They would have to build a bigger cellar or add on to this one in the spring. She found a smaller cut of meat to put in along with the roast and took that in with the vegetables. This way she could make gravy for Thanksgiving with the extra broth.
She found the largest baking dish they had and put the meat in the center with the vegetables surrounding it. Dried herbs and a little molasses for taste, and then she set it in the oven. That would cook until they were back from town. Madeline took the papers she needed to mail and wrapped them in cloth. She didn’t want them to get wet after working on the article for so long. She slipped the papers inside her coat, then went outside. The man had left by that time and Nathaniel was finishing up harnessing a fourth horse to the wagon.
“This was too heavy for Lucky to take by himself even with good roads.”
“It’s too bad we don’t have some kind of sleigh. It would make it easier on them.” Madeline patted one of the horses. Daisy was hers, though the horse didn’t quite trust her yet. Hopefully by the spring she would allow Madeline to ride her.
Nathaniel chuckled. “I’ve seen them before, but I don’t know that it would be much safer in this snow. It’s too wet. When it gets colder, it freezes and would make the sleigh slip.”
Madeline climbed up onto the wagon. “Won’t these wheels do the same?”
“They could, but they usually don’t.”
Madeline breathed in the cold, clean air that froze her lungs. She had to keep hold of Nathaniel’s arms as they went over bumps, but even then, she was glad to be out of the house.
The roads into the town were icier, but that gave way to mud as they got farther into town. Instead of parking near the front of the store, Nathaniel pulled to the back so they could unload the meat.
Madeline climbed down and took a tentative step on the sidewalk. Her ankle was sore from the cold, and she worried that she would injure it again on the ice. She waved goodbye to Nathaniel and went straight to the post office.
Arthur nodded toward her when she walked inside, but kept working on whatever he’d been doing. Madeline searched for a larger envelope and finally had to settle on a box that she then covered in paper. She knew the address by heart after sending so many articles in. The thought that this could be her last one made her hesitant to turn it in. She’d signed her own name to it this time instead of the pen name. Having a Mark Hudson act as a mail order bride didn’t exactly work.
Madeline took the package to Arthur. “This needs to be sent as soon as possible.”
“Someone should tell the weather that.” Arthur calculated the postage.
“Is there anything for me?” Madeline glanced at the mail slots behind him.
He tapped his fingers. “You know, I do believe you have something. One moment.”
Madeline’s heart leapt as Arthur went to the backroom. She loved getting mail, no matter what it was. She waited impatiently, wondering if he had to go through the entire office just so he could find it. Finally he reappeared with a pile of letters in his hand.
“You have a few, actually. A telegraph—don’t get many of those—and a few other letters.” Arthur leaned in. “You’re quite the popular one these days.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. Most of these are probably complaints about my boss.” Madeline scooped them up and held them close on her way out the door. She wanted to read them in the privacy of her own home—even if they really were junk.
Nathaniel was still in the store when Madeline walked in to find some more ingredients for Thanksgiving. She needed a few more herbs and she was hoping for a turkey. Otherwise they would have to go hunting for one or use the beef they had stored. Nathaniel glanced at the mail in Madeline’s arms and raised an eyebrow, but went back to his conversation with Clarence.
Madeline waited for them to finish before speaking up. “Do you have any turkey here?”
“Normally no, but with Thanksgiving this week, we have several. They’re in the ice box in the back. Do you have a particular weight you’d like?”
She brightened. They did have Thanksgiving here then. “We’re having several friends over, so maybe twenty pounds?”
Nathaniel turned to Clarence. “Which reminds me. Would you like to come? I was supposed to invite you, but haven’t had a chance to get back into town.”
“We already have plans, or I would love to come. I’ve heard many stories about Madeline’s cooking. I’d like to try it myself sometime.”
Madeline’s face burned. She hadn’t even fed many people here. A few of the neighbors who had helped Nathaniel when he was ill stayed for dinner once or twice, but that was about it. Unless it was Nathaniel who had talked about her cooking . . . he liked it enough that it would make sense.
Madeline cleared her throat. “I only hope to live up to the praise you’ve heard. And speaking of dinner, I have a list of items we need. Nathaniel could you pull it from this pocket? Thank you.”
Nathaniel retrieved the paper with a wink at Madeline and turned to Clarence. “Would you add several bolts of fabric to the list? We could use a few more quilts this winter.”
Madeline’s eyes widened. Quilts were one thing she hadn’t done, and he wanted several? Maybe she could just sew them and then add the design with embroidery. But that would have to wait until after Thanksgiving she had too much to do before then.
“. . . Madeline?” Nathaniel’s voice made her jump.
“Yes? Sorry.” Madeline blushed again.
Nathaniel nodded toward the back. “Go pick out the fabric you want. I’m not good when it comes to things like that.”
Madeline held the mail tightly as she moved through the aisles. Maybe she should have come here with Nathaniel first and then to the post office. The fabrics ranged from fine materials to rougher, cheaper material. She picked a few different bolts that she liked and turned to let Clarence know, but almost ran into Nathaniel.
“I didn’t realize you’d followed me.”
“I figured by the way you held those envelopes that you would need help taking the fabric to the front.” Nathaniel grinned. “Which ones did you decide on?”
Madeline pointed out the ones she liked, and Nathaniel chose a few more. “You realize I’ve never sewn a quilt before, I hope?”
Nathaniel pulled out one of the envelopes in the pile. “Mother uses the same stationary for every letter she writes. I recognized it immediately. Her letter is most likely saying she’ll be here for Christmas, because she wouldn’t have sent one otherwise. She likes to keep busy, so I figured that I would give her something to do instead of pestering you—which she would delight in if given the chance.”
“You think she’s coming?” Madeline brightened. “That’s wonderful. It’s slightly anticlimactic that you knew it before opening the letter, though.”
“If it makes you feel any better, I’ll let you open it when we return home.” Nathaniel handed back the letter and then hefted the bolts of fabrics onto his shoulders to carry them to the front.
Madeline let the two men finish their discussion and she went out to sit in the wagon. She figured that way Nathaniel would come out sooner since he wouldn’t want her to freeze.
While she waited, Madeline sorted through the mail. A few were letters from the newspaper, there was the one from Nathaniel’s mother, and . . . one from her parents. Madeline’s breath caught. Even if it said they weren’t coming, at least they thought to write.
Nathaniel came outside holding the items he’d purchased. He threw them into the back and climbed up next to her. “I think it’s colder than when we left . . . are you all right?”
“I’m fine. There was a letter from my mother and my mind is running through all the possibilities of what it could mean.”
“Would you like me to open it?”
She shook her head, holding the letters even closer. “Let’s go home. You’re right about it being colder, and you can’t afford t
o get sick again.”
Nathaniel studied her for a moment before turning the horses so they could leave. “Making quilts really makes you that nervous?”
It took a moment for Madeline to figure out what he meant. “Oh. It’s not that. It’s more that I really have never made one before. I can sew curtains, dresses, and many other things, but I never learned to make quilts.”
“You’ll be quite an expert by the time my mother leaves. She loves to teach anyone who will sit still long enough.”
Madeline grimaced. “Are you sure there’s nothing you need help with out on the ranch?”
Nathaniel laughed. “I’m sure. Besides, you’ll be getting ready for Christmas. You have plenty to do.”
“I suppose.” Madeline tipped her head. “Where do we get a tree?”
“Up in the mountains, I suppose. I don’t know. I didn’t do much to celebrate over the last two years. Doesn’t make much sense when you’re alone.” Nathaniel nudged Madeline. “Now I have a reason. We can go up into the mountains next week if you’d like. I’ll find out the best place to go.”
Madeline grinned. “That would be wonderful.”
The trip home was a little difficult as the snow had started freezing like Nathaniel had mentioned earlier. The horses were fine, but the wheels slid to the side and got stuck two different times.
“Perhaps it’s better if my parents don’t come to visit.” Madeline sighed. “If we can’t even get from town to our home, they won’t be able to make it from New York City.”
“They can take the train and we can pick them up. It’s much faster and they’re less likely to have problems with the weather.”
Madeline nodded. “I suppose that’s true.”
Night had started falling by the time they finally pulled into the yard. Nathaniel let Madeline out in front of the house before taking the horses into the barn. Madeline pushed her way through the snow and stamped her feet on the steps before walking inside. The house smelled wonderful from the roast she’d been cooking.
She set the mail down on the table and went to change since the bottom of her dress was covered in snow. She’d just finished stoking the fires in the fireplaces when Nathaniel finally came inside.
“I’d forgotten you started dinner before we left.” Nathaniel set the bolts of material in the corner of the bedroom, then came back into the kitchen.
“Honestly, so much has happened, I had as well.” Madeline set the table and took the pan out of the oven. The roast was nicely browned and the vegetables were perfectly cooked. “I can make some biscuits if you’d like or we can just eat.”
Nathaniel sat in his chair and picked up the knife and fork. “We’re fine without the bread.”
Madeline moved her plate closer so he could serve her and picked up the letter from her parents.
“You should open it. I don’t think it will bite if you do.”
“You can’t be too sure.” Madeline opened it before she could talk herself out of it and pulled the page out.
Dearest Madeline,
It was wonderful to hear from you. I’m glad that you dropped the charade of being a male just so you can write and moved west to marry. Your father has assured me that we will be able to make it for Christmas.
I do hope that all is going well with you. Be careful of those who will take advantage of you.
All my love,
Mother.
“I don’t suppose she’ll forgive me if she finds out that I’m still writing for the paper.” Madeline made a face.
“Maybe not, but at least she’s trying. Did she say when they’ll be here?” Nathaniel took a bite of food.
Madeline shook her head. “Which means it could be at the first part of December, or on Christmas Eve. Either way, I’m glad she’s coming.”
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? You don’t seem excited.”
“Then you don’t know my excited face.” Madeline set the letter aside and stabbed a carrot with her fork.
“I saw your excitement this morning when you got the letters. I’ve seen the way you look when a meal turns out just how you wanted, or when you figured out how to drive the wagon the first time. This face? Right now, I’m worried you’re going to stab someone just like you did that poor carrot.”
Nathaniel was right. Madeline was sure if her parents came to see how life was now that they would back off and admit that she had made something of herself. But while Nathaniel had seen that it was a good thing her mother had written, Madeline had caught all the hints of insults written throughout the letter. Everything she’d said before in a not-so-subtle way.
“See, and that’s your depressed face. At least I’m guessing so. I only saw that one a few times while I was healing.” Nathaniel scooped up the last of his vegetables. “See this? It’s my happy-and-full-because-my-wife-makes-good-food face.”
Madeline laughed. “That’s a good face.”
“I thought so.” Nathaniel stood and kissed her cheek, then set his plate in the sink. When he sat back down, he had the pie she’d made him. “What else do you need to do for Thursday? I can help.”
“Are you sure?” Madeline asked, surprised.
He shrugged. “I have to milk cows and feed the other animals, but otherwise winter is pretty quiet. I’d love to help.”
“Ever baked a pie?”
***
Madeline washed the last dishes and went to the living room to collapse on the couch. Thanksgiving dinner had been perfect, but now she was done dealing with the cleanup. Charlotte came from the bedroom and smiled sheepishly.
“You’re already done? I was hoping to help after William went down for a nap.”
“Most of the dishes we used to prepare the food were already washed, so it wasn’t too bad.” Madeline’s back didn’t agree, though.
Charlotte raised an eyebrow. “You just fed a house full of people. There had to be more than just a few dishes.”
“You’re right. I was just so desperate to be done that I sped through them. I’ll probably have to wash half of them again.” Madeline rested an arm over her eyes. “What are Joshua and Nathaniel doing again? Nathaniel said something about chores, but they were already done this morning.”
“I’m not at liberty to say.”
Madeline sat up. “What are they doing?”
Charlotte shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Hey, why don’t you show me the fabric Nathaniel bought you? Maybe I can help with one of the quilts.”
“No, don’t change the subject on me.” Madeline’s eyes narrowed. “What do you know? Also, how do you know about the quilt fabric?”
“When one’s husband buys four bolts worth of fabric, people talk.” Charlotte chuckled. “Can I see what it looks like?”
It was clear that Madeline wasn’t going to get an answer out of her. Maybe if she distracted Charlotte with the fabric, she could sneak out and see what they were doing herself. She climbed off the couch and immediately dropped to the ground in agony.
“Madeline? Are you all right?” Charlotte knelt next to her. “Madeline. What’s wrong?”
Madeline gasped, trying to catch her breath. Her stomach cramped and screamed at her. She’d never been in this much pain before and had no idea why it was happening. “I hurt.”
“I see that. Where? What can I do?”
“Get me back on the couch. I think that will help.” Madeline grunted as another pain hit.
Charlotte wrapped her arms around Madeline and pulled her up, then gently moved her to the couch. Madeline stretched her legs out and did her best to relax, but another cramp hit.
“Madeline, do you need a doctor?” Charlotte took her hand. “I can send Joshua.”
“I just need Nathaniel.” Madeline’s stomach slowly unknotted now that she was lying down, but another cramp came a moment later.
Charlotte leaned close. “Madeline, could you be preg—with child? Are your monthly cycles usually this bad?”
Madel
ine’s eyes flew open. “No—yes. Possibly. We’ve only been married for a couple of months. The other . . . thing has never been this bad.”
“A couple of months is all it took for me as well.” Charlotte pursed her lips and put her hand near Madeline’s stomach. “Do you mind?”
Another cramp hit and Madeline shook her head. Charlotte’s hand pressed down on Madeline’s stomach, and Madeline expected it to hurt. It should have by the amount of pain she was already in.
“I’ll go get Joshua. You need a doctor.” Charlotte moved to stand, but Madeline grabbed her hand.
“Please don’t leave me.” Madeline allowed the tears to roll down her cheek. “If you’re right, I could be losing it, and I don’t want to be alone.”
Charlotte frowned as she glanced over at the door. “One moment. I promise I’ll be right back.”
She ran to the door and threw it open. Her bellow to her husband would have made Madeline laugh if she wasn’t hurting so much. This was one reason Madeline loved Charlotte so much. She didn’t care that society said she should speak quietly.
Charlotte slammed the door and went back to Madeline’s side. “He should be coming soon.”
“Do you yell like that often?” Madeline asked. Another cramp should have already hit, but hadn’t. She took in a deep breath.
“Only when I need him and he’s out in the middle of the field. Which is pretty much every day.” Charlotte grinned. “Do you want anything? A blanket?”
“A blanket would be nice.” Madeline wanted it for the comfort more than warmth. She could have pulled the one off the couch, but if she even tried to lift her arms, they’d shake.
Charlotte took the quilt off the nearby chair and laid it over her. Instead of sitting down next to Madeline again, she went through the cupboards until she found a cloth, then poured hot water from the teapot into a bowl.
“What you really want is a rice bag, but I don’t know how to run your machine.” She dipped the cloth into the hot water and then squeezed it out. “This will get your dress wet, but it will at least ease the pain.”
