Preston called, “Amanda, I see the Morgans coming up the drive.”
“Wonderful. We’re ready.” She hurried Iris ahead and closed the door behind them.
Ben showed up too and helped her into the wagon. “Don’t worry none. I’ll look after things while you’re gone. The cobbler you brought us last night sure was good.”
“I’ll make you another soon. Thank you for taking over the chickens. I don’t suppose the milk will keep until we get back.”
“That’s a good cold space but you’ll be gone five days. I reckon the others and I will drink milk with our supper to help out and the rest will go to the swine. Shame to waste it on them.”
“Right, but I don’t want to take it to Morgan’s Crossing and compete with the woman there who sells milk to help her family.”
He saluted with two fingers against the brim of his western hat. Preston had lifted Iris into the back and Papa had made a shaded area for her. Amanda adjusted the brim of her hat, wishing she had a wide-brimmed western hat. Holding a parasol tired her arms.
She waved at Prudence Morgan and her husband. “Hello. Welcome to the Circle K Ranch.”
Preston allowed Michael Morgan space to turn around before he followed behind them. Prudence held her parasol as if it were an extension of her. Amanda would never get the hang of being genteel but she imitated Prudence.
They stopped for lunch at a wide space in the road. The women passed out food and everyone ate standing up since they’d been sitting for several hours.
Prudence stood beside Amanda. “Your ranch is very impressive. How are you enjoying being a rancher’s wife?”
“I love my life here. I’m excited every morning to see what the new day brings.”
She hadn’t realized her husband was within hearing distance until he leaned near. “That’s nice to hear, Mrs. Kincaid. I hope I’m part of the reason.”
She gave him a coquettish smile. “You’ll just have to wonder, Mr. Kincaid.”
Sending her a grin, Preston wandered over to stand with his father and Michael.
Prudence said, “You two look well-matched. You wouldn’t believe the problems we had when we first wed. At one time, I packed up and left. Except I had nowhere to go, and went to Lina Barrett’s.”
“Oh, no, but you appear so happy together now.”
“We are but we got off to a bad start. Each of us was spoiled, so learning what’s important took some work.”
“Iris is as happy as I am. We had a very restrictive life, as I mentioned, and there was no joy in our home. I’m so grateful Preston is a wonderful father and Papa Kincaid is the best grandfather. We are both blessed.”
“Obviously, she thinks her daddy hung the moon.” She pressed her abdomen. “I hope our baby is as happy as your daughter.”
“How could he or she not be?”
Michael said, “Time to move on, Ladies.”
They got underway.
The cabin was as Amanda remembered. “This looks exactly as we left it.”
Iris announced, “This is our play-like house. I sleep here.” She sat on a bunk.
“Help get the bedding on the bunk first, Princess Iris.” Preston draped some bedding around her head and shoulders.
“Daddy, you forgot I’m here.”
He picked her up and tickled her. “I never forget you.”
Amanda spread the bedding.
Prudence said, “I guess you saw that my husband insisted we bring a mattress for me to sleep on in the wagon. You and Iris can share if you wish.”
Amanda looked at Iris playing on what she called her bunk. “No, we’re set up in here just fine. Will you be warm enough?”
Prudence gave her an impish grin. “If Michael sleeps with me, I will.”
Papa said, “The coffee’s about ready for anyone who wants a cup.” He set the tin mugs beside the fireplace hearth.
Soon they turned in, eager for the trip to begin the next day.
As they drew near Sweetwater Springs, Michael led them to a campground behind the church. Amanda saw other wagons parked there and people milling around. He stopped and climbed down.
After helping Prudence from their wagon, he came up to theirs. “We can set up the tents in that clearing. Some have tents, some sleep in or under their wagons.”
Papa set Iris on the ground. “Haven’t put up a tent in so long, not sure I remember how.”
Michael hefted a large canvas bundle from the wagon. “I’ll show you. If you’ll help me with mine first, then I’ll help with yours.”
The bundle was large and Preston rushed to help. “Looks like too much for one man to handle.”
“Has to be to have enough room for a family. In our case, I wanted Prudence to sleep on a real bed, so I brought one. May seem silly, but makes me feel better about her making the trip.”
Preston laid his end of the tent down where Michael indicated. “Sounds smart to me. Precious cargo there and don’t blame you for taking precautions.”
Soon, they had both tents stretched and staked. Amanda had never seen inside one before. She crept in and was surprised at the room.
“How large is this?”
Preston stood at her back and wrapped his arms around her. “About ten by eight I’d guess. Some folks live in these.”
“Lovely for a couple of nights, but a bit cramped for a family as a permanent home.” Yet it was as large as the room she’d lived in behind the mercantile and larger than her little room off the kitchen at the brothel.
“Better than Papa and I had when we came to Montana. We slept in sleeping bags under the stars. We’d have thought this was living in luxury.”
She turned and laid her hands on his chest. “I guess we’ll sleep on the ground in here, but without the stars.”
Papa tried to pass his son. “If you’re going to make calf eyes at one another, don’t stand in the flap opening. I have to get this bedding in here.”
Preston dropped his hands and they moved outside. “I’ll help Papa. We’ll have time to go into town if you want to look around.”
“I have my dresses with us to see if Mrs. Cobb will buy them or sell them on commission. I also want to look for a book on cheesemaking before the store closes.”
“Right. I’ll hustle.” He jogged to the wagon.
Amanda strolled over to Prudence. “I should have asked you about a book on cheesemaking. Do you have one or could you order one for me?”
“If Mrs. Cobb doesn’t have something, I’ll order one for you. Lina Barrett may know the process. She’s from an Italian family and uses a lot of cheese in her cooking.”
“I’m so appreciative of you loaning us a tent. I’ve never camped out and prefer the privacy of a tent over sleeping in the open.”
“My feelings exactly. This is a primitive as I can stand. Especially now when I look like a small ship.”
“You’re still very attractive, which is another reason you need privacy.” Amanda peered around wondering if everyone here was attending church or were some just passing through. “I suppose all the campers are nice people.”
“Oh, yes. Although this spot is used for anyone who needs a place to stay over, I recognize everyone here so far. As soon as we get unloaded, I’ll introduce you to some of the others. They’ll probably come over to meet you since they don’t know you. Everyone’s friendly.”
When she saw Prudence’s tent, Amanda laughed. A bedstead complete with the mattress had been erected inside. On the floor, a rug had been spread.
“Ridiculous, isn’t it?” Prudence asked.
Amanda shook her head. “Not at all. I admire your husband’s care for you.” And she did. Not that she was sorry she didn’t have the same arrangement. She was grateful to have the tent, but that’s all she needed.
Amanda lost track of many names of the people she met, but she enjoyed herself. They left the dresses with grumpy Mrs. Cobb who had agreed to sell them on commission. She didn’t have any literature on making cheese.
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br /> After their trip to town, they returned to see someone had built a large bonfire to be shared by all the campers. Many had spread bedrolls or blankets on the ground. Others had covered wagons, which Amanda thought she’d like better than a tent because it was up off the ground.
Mary and Reverend Norton walked among the campers, stopping to speak to each group.
Amanda gave them their basket, which included one of her apple cakes. “Thank you so much for your kindness. You’ve no idea how much you being so gracious meant to me.”
“My goodness, Dear, I enjoy doing things like that. We’re always happy when another nice person moves here to complete a family. And you brought your own start to Mr. Kincaid’s family.”
The Norton’s said good evening and walked toward their home.
Children played tag in and out of the wagons. Iris watched for a while before she joined them. Soon, Amanda heard her daughter’s laughter.
She hated to call her in, but the little girl needed sleep. Amanda wouldn’t mind turning in herself.
Papa asked, “You want me to bunk down out here? I can sleep in the wagon.”
“No, there’s room for all four of us inside the tent. I’m amazed at how big it is. Did you see the Morgans’? They have a rug and a bed in theirs.”
He grinned. “Who do you think helped set all that up? Some fancy arrangement they have.”
Preston said, “I’ve asked Michael if we can buy this tent and he’s agreed. Guess we’ll need it if we’re coming to church regular.”
Amanda linked her arm with his. “Thank you, Mr. Kincaid. That’s a very thoughtful thing to do.”
He grinned at her. “Even if it won’t have a rug and bed inside?”
She laughed. “Just as it is will do us fine.”
The next morning, she was as excited as she was nervous. She so wanted the other three mail-order brides—even more than everyone else she met—to like her. She dressed with care and added a necklace that had belonged to her sister and matched the dress she’d chosen.
Once again, guilt overwhelmed her. Could she ever become comfortable posing as her sister? Most of the time in her mind now, she was Amanda. Only at times like this did the old insecurity strike.
She brushed aside her doubts and gave herself a scolding. Preston and Papa liked her, and she knew Preston desired her. Iris loved and depended on her. Prudence had taken Amanda under her wing. Michael accepted her. She should be confident.
Dear Lord, give me the confidence to make Preston proud of me. Give me the right words to speak to honor my husband and You.
Outside church, Prudence hailed a couple with a small boy. “Come meet another mail-order bride.”
She made introductions to Lina and Jonah Barrett and their son Adam. Lina was on the short side, plump, and dark-haired with brown eyes. Jonah was blonde with green eyes. The boy had his father’s eyes but was dark like Lina.
Then the men separated to stand together while the women talked.
Lina asked Amanda, “Did Mrs. Seymour send you too?”
Amanda explained about being from Atlanta and Preston using a different matchmaker. “I’ve heard you’re a wonderful cook. I hope you’ll share some of your recipes with me.”
Lina beamed a smile. “I’d love to. Cooking is one of my favorite things. Prudence can verify that.”
Prudence nodded. “She makes the most amazing minestrone soup.”
Amanda frowned. “I’ve never had that kind of soup.”
Looking amazed, Lina asked, “Never? I brought a pot of it for the Nortons, but you must take it with you.”
Lina waved her hands as she spoke. “Oh, and I will tell you how to make it. Do you know how to make pasta?”
Amanda shook her head. “No, I don’t even know what that is.”
Lina laid a hand on her cheek as if unable to believe Amanda was so uninformed. “Mrs. Cobb keeps packages of pasta now because I shared my recipe many times and my nonna can send me only so much.” She proceeded to explain each step.
The lesson was interrupted by the appearance of another couple. Lina made the introductions this time. “Darcy and Gideon Walker, this is another new bride.”
Darcy was elegant, tall, with blue eyes but not traditionally beautiful. Instead, she was what Mama would have called a handsome woman. Gideon’s hair was so light a blond as to be almost white and he had striking silver eyes.
Amanda greeted each of them. “I hoped I could borrow books from you, Darcy. Gideon, we love the beautiful furniture you made. You’re a wonderful craftsman.”
He grinned shyly, but didn’t say anything before he left to stand with the men.
Darcy took Amanda’s hand. “I love finding another who loves reading. I brought a few books today just in case anyone wanted to borrow them.”
“Papa Kincaid will be so happy. He’s memorized everything in the house. My husband and I also enjoy reading.”
Iris looked up from playing with Adam Barrett. “Mommy reads to me because I can’t read yet. This winter, she’s going to teach me how.”
Prudence surveyed the crowd. “Looks as if the Flanigans are either not coming or are late. We should go inside.”
Reverend Norton preached an inspiring sermon about love and forgiveness. Amanda was happy he wasn’t one of those who only talked about judgment and hell but instead focused on ways to enrich life in the here and now. She recognized some of the hymns Mary Norton played and sang along. Preston had a nice baritone that harmonized with Papa’s.
After the service, they again stood outside talking and were joined by another couple. She surmised correctly that these were Trudy and Seth Flanigan. Trudy was an attractive strawberry blonde with blue eyes. Seth had brown hair that hung to his shoulders and lovely gray eyes. He was tall but not as tall as Preston. The couples talked for ten or fifteen minutes and then Seth, Jonah, and Gideon went to get their vehicles from the livery.
Lina said, “I’ll write the directions for the minestrone and send them with a package of pasta. Perhaps some of my canned tomatoes too since you won’t have them in your garden yet. I will also send other recipes. El Davis will bring them to you when he brings your mail.”
Jonah pulled up their wagon and Lina asked him to bring Amanda and Preston the soup. He did and Preston took charge of the big container and carried the pot toward the campground. Lina waved after her husband helped her into the wagon. He lifted Adam onto the seat between them.
Iris said, “I like that little boy.”
Amanda took her daughter’s hand. “He looks like a combination of his parents, doesn’t he?”
Darcy said, “Oh, but Lina is his stepmother. His mother was Indian and she died when he was born. Jonah sent for a mail-order wife so Adam would have a mother.”
“My, you’d never know, would you? She’s so devoted to him and they seem such a happy family. But then Preston is a perfect father to Iris.”
Iris said, “Daddy is the best daddy ever.”
“Oh, here’s Gideon for me. Let me give you the books I stashed in the buggy.” She hurriedly retrieved a box from the under the seat. “Here you are. I hope you’ll enjoy them.”
“We will and I’ll return them as soon as we’ve read them.”
“Oh, there’s no hurry. I can’t seem to stop ordering new books.” She laughed and clambered into the carriage with her husband’s help.
Trudy watched for her husband. “We live the opposite direction from everyone else. I hope to see you again soon, Amanda. You too, Iris.”
Iris curtsied. “Thank you, Mrs. Flanigan.”
Trudy leaned near Amanda and whispered, “She is a delightful child.”
Trudy’s remark sparked a surge of pleasure in Amanda. Iris’ behavior was exemplary. At least she was coming out of her quiet shell and talking and laughing more. Amanda had to admit that one reason was the security Preston and Papa inspired.
When only she and Prudence and Iris waited, Preston, Papa and Michael rejoined them and they wal
ked back to the camp.
Papa toted the box of books with as much reverence as if he carried gold or diamonds. “I call first dibs on the books.”
Preston laughed at his father’s eagerness. “We’ll each read all of them, so it doesn’t matter to me. Nice of the Walkers to loan them to us.”
Back at their camp, Amanda peeked inside the container to see what minestrone was. “I insist we share the soup for lunch even though I suppose we’ll have to eat from tin mugs.”
Curious, she sipped a bit before delving her spoon into her cup. “Oh, this is wonderful. I can hardly wait to get the recipe. That is, if you men like it.”
Preston took a sip and smiled. “This is good. Don’t think I’ve had anything like it.”
Papa sampled his cup and smacked his lips. “I think I had something like this once in Austin. I like the taste.”
Prudence took a spoonful. “Lina keeps this simmering all the time. Her house smells wonderful.”
Preston toasted Amanda with his cup. “Amanda cooks up some pretty good smelling food for us. Good tasting, too.”
Michael sent his wife a sweet smile. “Sounds like we’re all lucky men.”
After their meal, the men collapsed and refolded the tents and loaded one on each wagon.
Iris clapped her hands. “You mean we get to have a tent?”
Preston sat her in the wagon. “For next time we come to church, Princess Iris.”
Papa joined Iris. “Setting that thing up came back to me. I believe we can do it next time, don’t you?”
“Sure can. Good idea to have one. Means we can attend church later in the season and you never know when else it might come in handy.”
Chapter Thirteen
Once again, they followed the Morgan wagon. This time, it was near dark when they reached the cabin.
Papa went in first again and lit a lantern. He came back and got the rifle out from under the wagon seat. “Dadblamed snake inside.”
Soon, they heard a shot. Papa pushed what was left of the serpent outside with a piece of kindling. “I hate them things. That one won’t bother us, that’s for sure.”
Amanda shuddered. “This is why I’m glad we don’t have to sleep on the ground.”
Montana Sky: Amanda's Rancher (Kindle Worlds) (Loving A Rancher Book 1) Page 11
