by Jaclyn Hardy
Mother met her a few minutes later holding vegetables and thread. “You found what you were looking for?”
“Yes, we should hopefully be able to plant as soon as the ground is ready.” Samantha counted out coins from her purse and handed them to Clarence. “Add hers to mine as well, please.”
Mother shook her head. “You don’t have to do that. I have money.”
“It’s all right. It’s for dinner, so I should help pay for it.” Samantha picked up the crate with her items and went to the door. She opened the door and bumped into two people. “I apologize. I wasn’t watching where—Papa?”
Mama and Papa stood out among the rest of the people walking on the street. Their clothes richer, their stance more confident. Samantha dropped the crate and threw her arms around Papa.
“I thought you weren’t going to arrive until tomorrow.” Tears rolled down her face.
“Samantha, please stop making a scene.” Mama glared at whoever glanced their way.
Mother picked up the crate. “She’s right. She could have said it nicer, but let’s get home. You can catch up there.”
Samantha and Papa exchanged amused glances. This was going to be an interesting few days. Her parents climbed back into the carriage and rode next to Samantha and Mother as they walked home. Samantha hoped that her house was clean because she’d been spending so much time out in the barn.
Mother continued into the house and called for David while Samantha stayed and helped pull bags out of the carriage. She wasn’t sure where they’d keep all of it. Her house wasn’t big enough to handle five people and all their things.
Mama sniffed. “This is your home?”
“It is. David and his brothers built it.” Samantha picked up two of the bags and carried them inside before Mama could say anything else.
David met them at the door and helped with the rest of the bags. He stacked them in a corner of the living room. “It’s wonderful to meet you both. I’m David, Samantha’s husband.”
Mama sniffed and took in the small rooms. “Where do you keep your servants?”
“Sweetheart, I told you they don’t have servants here.” Papa shook his head and turned to David. “I apologize. She hasn’t been outside of the city, so the idea of work is not something she understands.”
Samantha raised an eyebrow. “Maybe not for herself, but she knew how to work her servants.”
Papa sighed. “Let’s not start this. I’m just happy to be here as a family again. And David, we’re grateful for your hospitality. We had better weather than we’d expected and arrived this morning.”
“We’re glad to have you here.” David gestured to the couch. “You may sit if you’d like. Can we offer you something to drink?”
“Yes, I’d like to have whatever strong drink you have on hand.” Mama rubbed her forehead.
Samantha grimaced. She’d forgotten to buy anything stronger than coffee. “We’ll have to get some from the tavern if you’d really like some. We do have other drink options if you don’t want to wait.”
Mama sighed. “Fine. Water will work for now.”
David poured her a cup and handed it to her. “We will have you take our bedroom and we can sleep on the couch.”
His mother stood. “Nonsense. Nathaniel has an extra room at his house. I’ll go stay there for a while. They can have my room. There’s no need to give up yours.”
Samantha shook her head. “You don’t need to do that.”
“I do. I’ve been meaning to move out for a while so that you can have your time as newlyweds, but I was too comfortable here. Now there are two extra people here, which means it’s time.” She stood. “I’ll go pack. I’m sorry I won’t be able to help with the garden, Samantha. Maybe next year.”
Samantha stared after her. She turned to her parents. “You never told me how long you will be staying.”
“I leave in two days’ time. We hope to have papers signed within a couple of days and then I’ll be back.”
Samantha cringed at the word ‘I.’ So he hadn’t talked Mama out of staying here while he was gone. She was half-tempted to jump on the train with him, but that would leave David and his mother stuck with Mama instead.
David glanced between them. “You’re going alone?”
“Yes, I have decided to stay here and make sure that Samantha has been provided with everything she deserves.” Mama made a face as she scanned the kitchen and living room. “It will take some work, but I think we can make this work. We’ll need to add a few more rooms on to the house as well.”
“Um, rooms?” David raised his eyebrows. “We have two rooms. That’s bigger than most of the houses in the area.”
Mama sniffed. “Samantha deserves more than that. I would hope you have seen the same thing in the time you’ve been married.”
Samantha’s temper rose at the way Mama emphasized the last word. “David has provided me with everything I need, Mama. This house is a good size for us.”
“For now, maybe. But you’ll need a room to host parties, a banquet room, and of course space for your maids.”
“Mama. I’m not on the plantation anymore. I like my home. I like cleaning and cooking and building a barn with my own two hands.”
She reached over and patted Samantha on the hand. “Oh, sweetheart. Clearly you’ve already been here too long—”
“Ah, dinner is ready.” David’s mother jumped up from the couch and pulled plates out of the cupboard. “David, could you get the pot out of the oven?”
David shot an apologetic glance at Samantha and stood to help. Samantha slumped back on the couch, ignoring the glares from Mama.
“What is the business you have in California?” Samantha picked at a piece of loose thread on the pillow next to her.
“They wanted to buy our products for their stores. If all goes well, our cotton will be used for clothing all along the west coast.” Papa beamed.
Samantha grinned. “That’s wonderful, Papa. How did they hear about your business?”
Papa chuckled. “It seems that the dinner we had for the Ellisons wasn’t a complete disaster after all. One of their relatives were in town and toured our plantation—without permission—and was impressed with what he saw. When he returned to California, he told his employer about it.”
Mama huffed and stood. “I feel ill and would like to turn in for the night. Which room is ours?”
David’s mother set down the cups she was holding and wiped her hands. “I’ll show you. I need to gather my things anyway. David, will you take me to Nathaniel’s after dinner?”
“Of course.” David dished out potatoes onto one of the plates.
Samantha helped serve the roast, while Papa stepped in to serve the carrots. She glanced over at him. “You can’t take her with you?”
“I’m sorry, Samantha. I tried. Just give her some space and I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”
“She’s talking of adding on to our house. I can’t just let that go.” Samantha dropped a piece of meat onto a plate and juices went everywhere.
Papa sighed. “You know she means well. I think once she realizes how much work it will be to do all the things she wants to, she’ll calm down.”
Samantha raised an eyebrow. They both knew that wasn’t true. “Maybe I’ll send her to stay with Edmond and Eleanor. She would love their home.”
“Whose home?” Mama walked into the kitchen and sat at the table. The smell of the food must have made her decide not to go to bed early.
Samantha shook her head. “Never mind. I was just mentioning a family who comes from money, and their house reflects it.”
Mama’s eyes widened. “And you live in something like this instead?”
“That’s enough.” Papa glared at her. “They are kind enough to invite us into their home, and we will treat them with respect.”
Samantha’s jaw dropped. She’d never heard Papa speak to Mama like that before. The kitchen fell silent except for the clinking of silverware on p
lates as they ate. Mama finished first and excused herself, and Papa followed soon after.
“Would you like to go with us to take Mother out to Nathaniel’s?” David asked as he stood to clear his dishes.
Samantha was ready to jump up to leave, but she shook her head. “I’ll stay here in case they need anything.”
David leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Make sure to latch the door as soon as we leave.”
Samantha nodded. Things had calmed since the night of the ball, but they were still careful not to leave the door unlocked. A few of the men had been arrested, but the others were still out there.
Mother pulled Samantha in for a hug. “I feel bad leaving you with them.”
“It’s all right. I’ve dealt with them my whole life.” Samantha smiled. “Come and visit soon. We’ll miss having you here.”
“Nonsense. Now you two can finally have some peace and quiet. Well, you will soon, at least.” Mother waved and left the house to meet David by the horse carriage.
Samantha heated water so she could wash dishes, then cleared the table. She hummed while she worked, and was surprised when a baritone joined her.
Papa picked up the napkins. “I haven’t heard that song in years.”
“It’s a shame. I heard it every night at bedtime when I was a girl.” Samantha smiled at the memory of his singing with her. A simple lullaby, but it was something she’d never forgotten.
“I haven’t had anyone to sing it to since then.”
Samantha scrubbed a pot, then rinsed it. “Mama is asleep?”
“Yes, it took a bit to calm her down. I apologize for speaking harshly to her in your home.” Papa took the pot from her and dried it.
“I never thought I’d see the day you’d speak that way to her.” Samantha set a bowl on the side of the sink.
Papa set the pot on the counter and picked up the bowl. “I wouldn’t have her insulting my daughter’s husband.”
Samantha turned. “Do you like him, Papa?”
“He clearly loves my daughter, and I can see that you feel the same way. And for that he has my approval.” Papa shook his head. “I only wish I could have been here for the wedding.”
“I do too. It was small, and it took place at an inn, but it was still quite lovely. It was just missing you two.”
Papa smiled. “It sounds wonderful. Were you able to get pictures?”
Samantha gasped. “I believe there was a photographer there now that I think about it. I’ll have to ask David if he can find out who took them.”
“I would love to see them if possible.” Father set the bowl down that he’d been drying. “I’d better go get some sleep so I can keep up with your mother tomorrow.”
“Good night. Sleep well.” She kissed Papa’s cheek and turned back to finish the last of the dishes.
David still hadn’t returned by the time she’d cleaned the kitchen, swept the floors, and planned meals for the next day. She went to their room and took a quilt from the closet and a book from his mother to read, then went to the couch in the living room where she would wait for him.
***
The morning sun was blinding as Samantha tried to open her eyes. She’d have to put curtains up—Samantha sat up suddenly. She was still on the couch in the living room. Had David not come home the night before?
Panic sent her scrambling for the bedroom to grab a coat so she could check for his wagon in the yard. She stopped short at the door when she saw his familiar curly head poking out from the covers. How . . .?
The door had been latched the night before. She’d checked a few times just to be sure. Samantha climbed in bed next to him, hoping she wouldn’t wake him. He needed the sleep before the shop opened.
David stirred and rolled over. He opened one eye. “You finally woke up.”
“How’d you get in last night?”
He lifted his head, surprised. “You don’t remember?”
Samantha’s eyebrows shot up. “Remember what?”
He laughed. “I wondered if you would. Last night, I knocked a few times before you opened the door. I tried talking, but you kept repeating something about verandas, then laid back down on the couch. I tried to get you up, but you argued saying you had to wait for me to return home.”
Samantha blinked. “What do you mean? I don’t recall any of that.”
“You were sleepwalking. Matthew did that when he was younger. We could have conversations and he wouldn’t remember any of it the next day.” David closed his eyes.
“Strange. I haven’t done that for years, and only when I was stressed about something.” She asked. “What time did you get home?”
David shrugged. “I don’t remember. I just know I need to sleep some more before I go to work.”
“All right. I’m glad you got home safely.” Samantha rolled over and closed her eyes, hoping to fall asleep so she wouldn’t disturb David.
A rooster crowed somewhere off in the distance, followed by others. Samantha squeezed her eyes shut, but the sounds wouldn’t let her sleep. She slid out of bed and tiptoed into the kitchen to start breakfast. Usually David just had a slice of bread and butter for breakfast because it was all he had time for. By the time he woke up an hour later, Samantha had eggs, pork, and hash browns finished. She set two plates down at the table and handed him a fork.
“Now this is something I could wake up for.” David took a bite of the potatoes. “Did you use pork fat to cook these in?”
“It was just sitting there, so I thought I might try it.” She took a bite, and the flavor was better than she’d expected. “I’m glad I did.”
David looked over at the stove. “Is there any more?”
She nodded. “Enough to feed my parents and some for your lunch if you’d like to take it.”
“I would love that. Thank you.” David took another bite. “What are your plans for the day?”
“I need to finish the stall inside the barn, and then I thought I would take my parents around the town.”
David nodded. “That sounds like fun. If you want to stop at the shop when I close, I can go with you.”
She figured a butcher shop would be the last place Mama would want to go, but it would be nice to have him with her. “We can do that. Maybe we can take them to the stagecoach settlement. Then we can maybe see if our pictures were ever developed from the wedding . . .”
David frowned. “We never got them, did we?”
“No. Everything went so quickly, we had no time to ask the photographer for them. I just hope it’s not too late to get them. I would love to show them to my parents before Papa leaves.” Samantha rested her chin on her hand. “How long do you think you’ll be today?”
He shrugged. “Around the same time, I think. If business is light, I’ll close early and find out where you are.”
“We’ll stay nearby then, so we don’t miss you.” Samantha stood and stretched, then went to find a bucket for him to carry his lunch in.
David went to their room to change while she finished his lunch. Samantha set the bucket aside and found the lid for the pan so the rest of breakfast wouldn’t get too cold before her parents woke up. Samantha set some water on the stove so she could heat it to wash the dishes. David came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
She turned and looked up at him, brushing the hair off his forehead. “We really need to cut your hair. Maybe we can do that tonight.”
“If we have time, we can do that.” David bent down and kissed her, then picked up the bucket she’d prepared for him. “Oh, if you see Mother’s red scarf, will you set it on the couch? She was sad she didn’t have it last night.”
Samantha nodded. “I’ll look for it once they’re awake. Now go, or you’ll have unhappy customers.”
David kissed her again. “Fine. I’m going. I love you.”
“I love you too.” Samantha loved the thrill that went through her every time he said it. She stood at the doorway until she co
uld no longer see him, then closed the door. The breeze was cool that morning, so Samantha opened the window in the kitchen and her bedroom to get air flowing through the house before it got too hot.
Papa left the room first, followed by Mama several minutes later. Samantha dished out food for both of them.
“Good morning. I have breakfast ready for you.” Samantha set the plates on the table. “I’ll be out in the barn when you’re done.”
“Thank you.” Papa stared down at it for a moment before taking a bite. “You made this yourself?”
Samantha pulled her coat on. “Yes, I did. And the pork is from the butcher shop.”
Papa scooped up more potatoes. “You did well. I’m impressed.”
“Thank you.” Samantha couldn’t help grinning as she left the house and went around to the back to feed the horses.
The large barn felt so empty without more animals inside, and she couldn’t wait for the others to move in. Clover glanced up and whinnied as Samantha approached.
“I missed you too.” Samantha took a brush off the shelf and groomed Clover, then moved on to the others. “Ready for your own stalls? I’m almost done.”
Clover shot her a mournful look. She was used to having her own stall with a feeder full of food. Samantha added more food to the trough. The hammer was still out from the day before, along with the nails. Samantha picked up a board and set it next to the marks that David had added as a guide. It was a trick to hold the board up and get the nail in, but she managed to make it work. Once she got the first side secured, she added nails on the other side.
She finished the last three boards and stepped back to admire her work. It wasn’t perfect. She would need to hammer one side in a little more, and they weren’t completely straight. But she’d done it.
“I never thought I’d see the day my daughter would build her own barn.” Papa’s voice echoed through the empty building. “I’d built my business up enough that you’d never have to, but here you are.”
“And if I hadn’t, I never would have known the pride I do right now.” Samantha dropped the hammer and nails into a toolbox. “I just need to move Clover to her stall and then we can go.”
