Preston strode to where his father had deposited the snake. “I want to see what kind it was.” He poked at the remains with his foot. “This is a gopher snake. Iris, come here so I can show you something.”
She clutched Amanda’s skirt. “Do I have to, Daddy?”
Amanda gave her a gentle shove. “You know Daddy won’t let anything hurt you.”
When she was beside him, Preston picked up a stick and pointed to the snake’s head. “You see how his head is shaped straight from his body? If he was poisonous, he would have venom sacs on each side and his head would be a triangle.”
She clung to his leg. “I don’t like snakes.”
“Not many people do, Princess Iris, but you need to remember which ones are poisonous. This is something important for everyone to know.”
Papa said, “You should have seen Preston when one crawled inside his bedroll. Sure made him mad as all get out.”
Amanda couldn’t keep the horror from her voice, “While you were in there sleeping?”
Preston grimaced at his father. “No, I turned back the top layer to climb in and there was a rattler taking a nap. He didn’t appreciate me interfering, either. Had to shoot him to get him to leave. Left a durn hole in the bedding.”
Papa slapped his thigh. “And then it rained the next night and water seeped in through that hole. He wasn’t too happy, I can tell you.”
Michael held Prudence’s waist. “I’m glad we’re in the wagon. I feel lots safer.”
Iris gazed around with wide eyes. “Are there more snakes here?”
Preston picked up their daughter. “Not inside, Princess Iris. Papa shot the only one. You can sleep safe and sound now.”
She clung to her daddy’s neck. “I hope we eat first. I’m hungry.”
Amanda said, “We can have more soup and we still have ham and bread left and I saved one apple pie for tonight.”
Michael rubbed his hands together. “Sounds like a feast.”
Amanda and Prudence set out the food and everyone loaded a plate with sandwich makings and a cup with soup.
Amanda said, “I see we need to add some tin bowls to our travel kit.”
Prudence said, “We have some at the store, six for a quarter.”
Michael laughed. “She is always such a businesswoman.”
Preston smiled. “No harm in that. I’d sure rather shop at your store than with the Cobbs. Even if your wife isn’t there, Jones is a pleasant man.”
Michael picked up his sandwich. “Good to know. Can’t have him driving people away like the other clerk did.” He looked at his wife apologetically. “Or cheating folks. Prudence was the one who figured that out.”
Amanda set down her cup of soup. “Prudence said eventually you might enlarge the store. I’m glad you’re close enough for us to buy supplies there. Everyone enjoys shopping with nice people.”
Prudence smiled. “Why, thank you, Amanda and Preston. I like to think we have a nice selection for such a small community.”
After supper was over and the food and dishes put away, Prudence and Michael went to their wagon.
Amanda and Iris went behind the cabin to relieve themselves. The girl was afraid every stick or shadow would be a snake.
Amanda tucked Iris into the bedding. “I’m happy we’ll be home tomorrow.”
“Me, too. You understand why we don’t attend church every Sunday.” Preston stretched and climbed on a bunk.
Amanda curled into a bunk. “But it was a lovely trip. I’m glad I met the other mail-order brides and their husbands. Thank you for bringing me. I know it’s hard for you to be away from the ranch.”
“In two weeks Father Frederick will be in Morgan’s Crossing. We’ll go to his service. Not such a trek.” He wriggled but settled in for the night. He had turned out the lantern so the only light was from the fireplace.
In the fire’s glow, she saw that her husband’s feet hung off the end of the bunk. So did Papa’s but he was already tucked in and looked half asleep. No wonder they’d slept on the hard-packed floor on other trips. She supposed seeing the snake had affected their bed arrangement.
The next morning Amanda rolled up bedding. “We’re all moving fast today. I guess everyone is eager to get home.”
Preston brought in a stack of kindling to replace what they’d used. “I sure am. If you’ll get the food, I’ll wrangle the bedrolls.” He stacked the wood and then took the bedding to the wagon.
Soon, they were on their way. At the turnoff to their ranch, they waved goodbye to Prudence and Michael.
Amanda regarded their surroundings. “We should plant trees along the drive. In a few years they would make this an even more attractive road.”
Preston’s wry glance told her he was amused. “We? Sounds like you’ve lined up a project for Papa and me.”
“I can help, too. And I could water them.” She pictured trees along the drive in a few years. She’d ask other wives if they had flower seeds she could plant by the porch.
He shook his head. “Not without driving the wagon up and down. That would be too much water to carry in buckets on your own.”
“Then teach me to drive the wagon. Ben could hitch the mules or horses for me when you’re gone.”
He exhaled. “Okay, but not today. Maybe in a few days.”
“Wonderful. Then I can save you time by going to Morgan’s Crossing for supplies.” Her enthusiasm soared.
And she would have learned a new skill. She had learned many things already and looked forward to being the perfect ranch wife. Her handsome husband deserved that much if any man did.
Chapter Fourteen
The next day was Iris’ birthday. Amanda hurried through her chores in order to bake the special cake. The new rag doll and doll clothes were hidden in Preston’s room, actually Preston’s and her room.
She had no idea what Papa and Preston had for Iris. They’d been secretive but she knew they’d something planned. They’d spent extra time in the barn working on their secret project.
When it came time to prepare the special dessert, she called to Iris, “Would you like to help me make a cake?”
Her daughter ran over to the table where she prepared bread and cakes. “Is it for my birthday? Am I four now?”
“Yes, you’re four and a big girl. Today we’ll have the cake you asked for and I thought you might like to help me.”
Iris held out her hands at her sides as if perplexed. “What can I do?”
“You can help me measure the ingredients and stir.”
Amanda knew her daughter’s assistance would slow the process, but she wanted the child to learn cooking and cleaning skills gradually. In her opinion, every person should know basic skills to be self-sufficient. She thought of her sister and vowed Iris would not be that helpless.
While the cake baked, they searched through the linens and chose a special tablecloth and napkins. Iris grew more and more excited. There were no flowers blooming nearby, so along the center of the table Amanda used artificial flowers that she’d removed from her altered day dresses.
Preston and Papa came in after first having washed up outside.
Her husband winked at her. “My, the kitchen looks festive. Is something special going on?”
Iris ran to him. “Daddy, this is my birthday. Mommy and I made a special cake.”
He pretended to be puzzled. “I remember now. Let’s see, you’ve turned three, is that right?”
Appearing frustrated, Iris tugged on her daddy’s hand. “I’m four. Yesterday I was three, but today I’m four.”
He picked up their child. “I know, Princess Iris. Did you know you get presents on your birthday?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Last year I got a new dress.”
“Where’s the fun in that? Papa and Mommy and I thought you needed fun presents.”
“You did? Where are they? When do I get them?”
He set her on the floor and looked at Amanda. “All right if we bring in our gifts for
Iris now?”
“Of course. Supper’s ready and we can eat as soon as you fetch whatever you have for her.”
Papa and Preston left but were soon back inside. They must have had their surprises stashed on the porch.
Preston carried in a wooden rocking horse. “Since you can’t have a real horse for a few years, I thought you might like this one until then.”
“A horse, I got a horse.” She climbed on and rocked. The horse had rope for a mane and tail. Real leather covered the saddle area with real stirrups for her feet.
Papa carried what looked like a large box. When he set it down and turned it around, they saw he’d brought in a doll house. “I made the house, but there’s more when the hands get here.”
Iris got down from her rocking horse and clapped her hands. “You mean all this is for me?”
Amanda hugged her daughter. “You’re such a good girl, Dear. We want you to have a special birthday.”
Iris ran to answer a knock on the door. All four of the ranch hands came in. From what Amanda could tell, they’d all donned clean clothes after work.
Monty handed Iris a small container that had once held Arbuckles coffee. Instead of his usual cynical expression, he smiled. “I whittled this for your doll house. Figured you needed some people.”
Iris pulled out four small wooden dolls about three inches tall. “Ohhh, look, here are Mommy, Daddy, Papa, and me.” She hugged the old cowboy. “Thank you for my little people.”
Her attention caused Monty’s cheeks to turn red.
Rusty hadn’t wrapped his gift, but handed her a double handful of something. “Reckon you’ll need furniture for your doll house. I made the beds and chests.”
“They’re just right for the people.” She put the beds in the house and laid people on them. “Thank you for making these for me.”
Garrett gave her a burlap bag. “Since Rusty took care of the bedrooms, I made the sofa and chairs and a kitchen table.”
“Now I have furniture for every room. Thank you very much.” She arranged the toy kitchen and parlor the way she wanted them.
Ben held out his hand. “I made a kitchen range and the parlor and bedroom fireplaces. You’ll have to keep your dolls warm this winter and they’ll have to cook meals.”
“Thank you.” She glanced around the room. “I’ve never had so many good presents.”
Amanda hugged Iris. “There are more. I’ll be right back.” She rushed to the bedroom and retrieved her gifts.
Amanda carried the doll in her arms like a baby. “Here is a new doll to snuggle with at night. She’s soft, so she won’t poke you.” The rag doll was three feet tall with embroidered facial features and burgundy yarn for hair. She was dressed in a dress like one of the play dresses Amanda had made for her daughter.
Iris squealed with laughter. “Her hair and dress are like mine.”
She held the doll, which was as tall as her. “Can I put my toys in my room?”
“If you come right back. We’re going to have your birthday meal.”
Papa picked up the doll house to carry it for her.
Preston toted the horse. “I’ll move this onto the porch or yard sometimes but we shouldn’t leave it in the rain.”
Amanda gestured to the table. “Gentlemen, please sit down. The food is ready and I’m sure you’re hungry.”
Looking a little bit uncomfortable, the four ranch hands sat. Earlier Amanda had brought in the chairs from the porches so there would be enough seating. Everyone gathered for the meal of two pot roasts, potatoes, carrots, gravy, pickled beets, corn, and green beans.
She tried to keep the conversation flowing and wondered if anyone but her and Iris would speak. A few minutes into the meal, the ranch hands joined in, joking and trying to outdo one another with tales. The dessert of cake with a vanilla sauce appeared to be a big hit.
When the cowboys had gone to the bunkhouse, the rest of the family sat in the parlor. Papa sat reading one of the books loaned by Darcy while Preston sat next to her reading another.
Her husband laid his arm around her shoulders to give her a hug. “Right nice party you gave our daughter.”
She leaned on his shoulder. “From the construction of our home, I knew you were talented with wood. But, I had no idea you’d made Iris a rocking horse. Such a great toy.”
She looked at Papa. “The doll house was a stroke of genius too. She can play with both of them inside this winter.”
Papa looked up from his book. “We wanted our girl to have a good birthday. She said all she’d had for her last birthday was a dress and petticoat. Seemed a shame.”
“When her grandparents were alive, she led a very restrictive life. There wasn’t much joy to make her laugh. I’m so happy she’s blossoming into a happy child.”
Preston still hugged her with one arm and caught her hand with his other. “We’ll make sure Iris and other children we have will laugh, play, and have a happy life.”
She met his gaze and saw ardor there. And something else. Was he coming to be more than fond of her?
Dear Lord, let me deserve the love of this fine man.
The next morning, Amanda left Iris playing with her birthday toys while she went to take care of the chickens. She tossed them grain and went to gather the eggs while they were busy eating. The hen that had been setting on her eggs squawked and flapped her wings as she left the coop.
Amanda held the basket on one arm while she gathered the eggs from the various roosts. As she reached for an egg, she saw yellowish eyes staring at her and almost dropped the basket. She backed away from the serpent, but she didn’t know what kind she’d encountered.
The men were all gone. There was nothing nearby to use for killing the snake. Hurrying inside, she grabbed her Bulldog pistol and raced back to the coop. The snake was still there but had slithered down to the ground.
His sides bulged from the egg he’d eaten and not yet digested. She remembered the lesson her husband had given their daughter and looked at the shape of the head. Triangular, complete with venom sacks, plus there were rattles on the tail.
Taking careful aim, she shot the snake, severing the head from the body. What if she’d reached inside that nest and the snake had bitten her? Her knees grew weak and she almost threw up.
Preston had warned her of watching for foxes, coyotes, and such, but no one mentioned snakes. She gazed around the chicken’s enclosure and saw several places where rodents or snakes could get in. But could anyone seal up every little crack? She doubted that was possible.
From now on, she was bringing her Bulldog with her to gather eggs. In fact, she thought she’d sew a pocket on her apron and maybe in her skirts. Next time, she’d be prepared to fight for her chickens and their eggs.
When Preston and Papa came in at lunch, she had recovered her composure.
She announced, “There was a snake in the chicken coop today. Scared that old hen off her roost. Scared me, too.”
Preston put his hand at her waist. “Is it still there?”
She nodded.
“Amanda, show me.”
He and Papa followed her to the enclosure and she pointed at the remains.
Papa rocked back and forth on his boot heels. “Well, I’ll be. You blew its head clean off.”
Preston hugged her to him. “Mandy, do you know that’s a rattler?”
She couldn’t look at the creature’s head or body. “I remembered your lesson to Iris and saw the triangular head. Scared me half to death, but I went inside and got my Bulldog.”
He tipped her chin up to meet his gaze. “You always that good a shot?”
“Yes, I am. Until today I’d never shot at anything living.”
“Where did you learn to shoot like that?”
She was afraid that question might occur to him. “My father insisted I learn, although I don’t much like guns.”
Embracing her, he said, “Heaven help us if you decide you like them.”
Papa chuckled. “After lunc
h, I’ll get rid of that thing for you. Head still has poison in it, so best to bury it and keep it away from the animals. Hogs can eat the body.”
Preston guided her into the house. “I sure hate we had to leave you on your own today. Have to admit I’m relieved to know you can defend yourself.”
Inside he turned her to face him and planted a kiss on her mouth. “You’re quite a woman. I’m a lucky man.”
Papa nudged him. “Better think twice ’fore you make Amanda mad at you.” He laughed at his joke and took his place at the table.
That evening as he walked Amanda to the room she shared with Iris, Preston pulled her into his embrace. “Life out here is filled with danger. When I think of you getting bitten by a rattler, I go weak in the knees.”
“I’ll be careful. The thing startled me is all. I saw it before I reached for the egg. I guess if it had been further under the straw, I might have grabbed its head.”
“I don’t want anything bad to happen to you or Iris. You’re both precious to me.”
She raised an eyebrow. “In the same way?”
He gave a lascivious grin. “Not hardly. You know the month is almost up? I can hardly wait to hold you all night and for us to truly be man and wife.”
“I have to admit I look forward to that time too. I love being Mrs. Preston Kincaid. In all my life, I’ve never been so happy.”
“That’s good news. I’ll try to keep you that way.” He kissed her passionately, his heat searing into her being. When he pulled away, he caressed her face. “Guess I’d better say goodnight or I’ll get carried away. I’m counting the days now.”
With a sigh, she said, “Goodnight, Mr. Kincaid.”
Chapter Fifteen
Amanda was surprised the next afternoon when Preston came in an hour early. “Is something wrong? Where’s Papa?”
He held up a hand to stay her questions. “Everything’s fine. Papa’s finishing up planting the table corn. I stopped plowing early so I can teach you to drive the wagon.”
She clasped her hands to her breast. “Really? Thank you.”
“Are things in the house where you can leave them for an hour?”
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