The Lumberjack's Bride

by Jean Kincaid

  He nodded. He retrieved the bags and handed them to her. Caleb swung up behind her and took the rope in his hands, resting his arms on each side of her. She placed the bags across her lap.

  Julianne leaned back against him and enjoyed his warmth and strength. If this was a dream, she prayed she’d never wake up.

  “We’ll be home soon,” he assured her.

  She felt as though she was forgetting something, but her tired mind refused to focus. The warmth of Caleb surrounded and comforted her. Sleep pulled at her. Her eyelids grew heavy.

  Then she remembered.

  Julianne sat up and pulled away from Caleb’s embrace. “Oh, Caleb. Where is Jonathan?” she cried.

  He gently pulled her back against him. “Jonathan is fine. Morning Star has him. Don’t worry, he’s safe, Julianne.”

  “You met Morning Star?” Dread filled her tired mind. She had wanted to be the one to tell him everything. More tears ran silently down her face. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  He placed his head on top of hers. “So am I, Julianne.”

  Julianne couldn’t fight the fatigue any longer. She was frozen in limbo where all decisions and actions were impossible to make. She was aware that Caleb spoke softly to her, but his words didn’t register in her dizzied senses. Gradually his voice drifted into a hushed whisper and she fell asleep in his arms.

  * * *

  Caleb cradled his wife against him. Even dirty, she smelled of lavender. He rested his head on hers and inhaled deeply. He silently thanked the Lord for her safety.

  By the time they reached the cabin, the first streaks of dawn spanned out over the heavens, pinkish in hue.

  He was tired and sore, but he had to admit he was a happy man. His wife was safe and resting in his arms.

  As he rode into the yard, Maggie ran out to meet him. “I’m so glad you’re back! I have been worried sick.”

  He nuzzled Julianne’s hair one last time. “Sweetheart, wake up. We’re home.”

  She stirred in his arms, and then snuggled deeper into his chest.

  “How is she?” Maggie stood beside the horse looking up at them.

  Caleb shifted Julianne’s weight. “She’s tired. I don’t think she’s slept at all in the last five days.”

  “We’ll have her in her nice warm bed in no time.” Maggie’s loud voice carried on the morning mists.

  Julianne pulled herself from the deep sleep. She straightened up and looked down at Maggie. Then she burst into tears.

  “Now, now, let’s get you down from there.” Maggie soothed, as Caleb pulled the bags off Julianne’s lap and handed them to Maggie, who set them on the ground. Then, he lowered Julianne until she was within Maggie’s warm embrace.

  As soon as her feet touched soil, Julianne fell into Maggie’s arms and sobbed. “It was awful, Maggie.”

  The older woman drew her into the house. “I’m sure it was, child.” She made a couple of clicking noises with her tongue.

  “What you need is a nice, hot bath.” She eased Julianne into the rocker and headed outside for the washtub.

  Julianne kept a tight rein on her thoughts refusing to think about the last few days. She looked around the cabin and silently thanked God she was safe from harm. Everything took on a deeper meaning. The love of her peaceful home, the care Caleb had given her since the first day he married her and the cradle next to her bed. Caleb and Jonathan were her life and what a blessed life it was.

  Maggie dragged the metal bathtub into the kitchen. “Caleb’s taking care of the livestock and said he’d be in later.” She went back outside, returned with Julianne’s belongings and set them to the side of the door.

  “I’ll help bring in the water.” Julianne stood slowly. Every muscle in her body ached. A soak in hot water would do her a world of good.

  “You’ll do no such thing. There’s fresh coffee on the stove. Why don’t you pour us a cup? I’ll get the water going, and then you can tell me all about your adventures.”

  Julianne limped to the stove and filled two cups with hot coffee as Maggie carried the water inside. While the water heated Julianne told Maggie about her uncle and her life before she came to Washington. Then she told Maggie about the abduction and the time that she’d spent with Marcus and her uncle.

  Maggie poured the heated water into the tub and crossed the room to the door. “Well, it’s all over now, and you’re home safe. I’m going to go check on that man of yours. It’s time I tell him I was wrong and you aren’t expecting a wee one any time soon.” She closed the door behind her.

  The warm water relieved Julianne’s aches, but tiredness enveloped her as she tried to think. She’d lost weight. She felt drained, hollow and lifeless. She scrubbed the horror of the days away. Pain seeped from her body, and her eyes grew drowsy once more.

  After a long soak, she finally felt human enough to get out of the tub. Dressed in her nightgown, she walked slowly to the bed and decided to lie down for a few minutes. She crawled into the big bed and pulled the quilt over her shoulders. Soon she was fast asleep, but her dreams tormented her. She was being chased. Someone threatened to kill Jonathan. A face lingered around the edges of her mind, torturing her. She remembered keen, probing eyes. There was blood everywhere, and though she tried hard, she couldn’t get it off her hands. She was trapped. Suddenly, the image focused in her memory. Marcus. She screamed and sat straight up in the bed.

  “Shhh. I’m here now. You’re safe, sweetheart.” Caleb’s soothing voice penetrated the horror. Large hands took her face and held it gently. “It was a nightmare.” His hands slipped to her shoulders, and he pulled her against him. Gathering her into his arms he held her snugly.

  Julianne buried her face against the corded muscles of his chest, and the trembling in her body slowly subsided. She began to relax as he rocked her back and forth.

  Sometime later she woke sore and disoriented. The soft sounds of Caleb’s snores comforted her. Until she realized they were beside her instead of overhead.

  Turning on her side to face him, she studied his profile. His features were softened in sleep. Mentally, she reviewed his qualities. He had searched for her, all the while thinking she’d betrayed him with another man. She’d slept in his arms on the ride home, and he’d kissed her hair and whispered endearments. He had unlocked her heart and soul and every day her love for him had deepened and intensified.

  In her dreams he had come and saved her from Marcus. Had he really been talking to her last night? Told her she was safe? In her heart, she knew he had.

  Julianne’s gaze moved to the cradle. Caleb had said the baby was with Morning Star. Did he know how she’d met the Indian woman? Was he aware that she’d done the loggers’ laundry for the last couple of months?

  She slipped from the bed. Her legs were stiff and sore. Ignoring the pain, she moved to the little wooden box. Julianne eased the lid open and looked at the money. If she hadn’t done the last batch of laundry, would her uncle have found her?

  Now that he was dead, Julianne realized she no longer had to fear or lie. She could be a real wife to Caleb and a real mother to Jonathan. She closed the lid on the box. Would Caleb want a real wife? Or was he happy with things the way they were?

  “How do you feel?”

  Julianne jumped. When had he awakened? She turned to Caleb and looked through one eye. “I’m sore.”

  He sat up and rubbed his eyes.

  Julianne carried the little wooden box to the bed and sat down on the edge. “I’m sorry, Caleb.”

  * * *

  Caleb raised his head. His gaze fell to the box. Was she going to tell him about the money now? Or was she going to tell him she was leaving? He swallowed the lump that suddenly developed in his throat.

  He’d heard Marcus confess that her uncle had taken the money for her passage to Washington. And now, with her uncle dead, Julianne had no reason to stay with him. She no longer needed his protection.

  “So am I.”

  “There are so many
things I need to tell you.”

  He watched her rub the lid of the box. Caleb scooted off the bed. “You don’t have to tell me anything. With your uncle gone, you don’t need my protection anymore. I won’t hold you to the marriage, Julianne.” He pulled his boots on over clean socks.

  “You don’t want to be married to me?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

  He shut his eyes and kept his head down, knowing that hurt and longing would be naked in his eyes. “Without your uncle threatening you, I’d think you would be ready to move on.”

  He hurt.

  His chest hurt, his throat hurt, but most of all the pain in his heart left him empty. He couldn’t meet her gaze.

  “I see.” Julianne dumped the money on the bed. “So I scrubbed other men’s dirty clothes for nothing.” He heard the bitterness in her voice.

  What was she talking about? Caleb raised his head and saw the money on the bed.

  Julianne jerked her bag out from under the bed. “I’ll leave here with nothing more than what I brought with me. I thought you might learn to love me, Caleb Hansen. I thought you wanted to start an apple orchard and a family with me. I’m such a fool.” Her words were loaded with self-ridicule and held a tinge of sourness.

  “I’m giving you your freedom.” His eyes stung. Why was she acting as though he’d done something wrong?

  She stopped shoving clothes in the bag and turned to face him. “Why?”

  The whispered question hung between them.

  He took a step closer to her. “I thought that was what you wanted.”

  “Why would I want to leave the only man I ever loved? I have washed clothes three times a week since I married you to raise money. First, I thought it was to pay you back the money you paid Sloan. Then, it became a way to make your dream come true. To start the apple orchard.”

  He took another step forward. “You did that for me? You love me?”

  At her half nod Caleb swept her into his arms.

  He buried his face in her hair. He tightened his hold as she clung to him.

  After long moments, he drew away so he could look into her eyes.

  “Julianne, I didn’t realize how much I loved you until you were gone. I thought I would go out of my mind when I realized someone had taken you from me.” He rained kisses across her forehead, his hands encircling her neck. “I never want to lose you again. You have become my life, my reason for being.” He cupped her face in his hands and gently kissed her. When he pulled away, he whispered against her lips, “My best friend.”

  “Then don’t send me away.” She covered his hands with hers. “I never want to be apart from you again.”

  “This is more than I ever dared hope for.” Caleb seemed to search for words to explain what he meant. “To love you this much is a powerful feeling, but to have you love me back the same way is wonderful beyond words. It’s almost…”

  “Spiritual?”

  “Yes!” he exclaimed huskily. “I feel spiritually married to you.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and he enclosed her in a tight hug. He felt her trembling and drew back in remorse.

  “Oh, Julianne, I’m sorry. You should be in bed resting and here I am tiring you out.” He smoothed the covers back and lifted her into the bed.

  She clung to his hand, refusing to let him go. “You’ve had a rough several days, too.”

  His heart felt as though it might explode. He lay beside her and wrapped her securely in his arms.

  Chapter 17

  They woke together. She stretched, and her stomach growled noisily.

  “I’m hungry.”

  “You’re hungry.”

  They spoke simultaneously and Julianne giggled like a child. She felt ravenous. She went to the kitchen, placed a cast-iron pan on the stove and then realized all the food in the house would have spoiled by now.

  “Caleb, will you get us a slab of meat from the smokehouse?” She turned and squealed as Caleb swept her off her feet depositing her back in the bed.

  “You stay put.” He chucked her under the chin, his head came down and he kissed her gently.

  Caleb groaned. “Woman, quit tempting me.” He stepped away from her, their hands still linked together as if impossible to separate. “I need sustenance. Now be good and I’ll serve you supper in a jiffy.”

  “Supper?”

  Julianne’s gaze shot to the window in the living room and she realized the sun shone on the western side of the house. They had slept away the day.

  “Oh, Caleb, I have to get dressed. Morning Star will be here any minute with Jonathan.” She slipped from the bed and crossed to the nightstand that sat beside her bed. She poured water in the basin, dipped a cloth and began to wash her face.

  Warm hands slid around her waist, and she leaned back into Caleb’s hug.

  “Just take it easy, sweetheart. I don’t want anything happening to my girl. You’ve had a rough week. You need time to recuperate. Promise me.”

  “I promise.”

  Julianne turned into his embrace, savoring the feel of his strong arms. She stood on tiptoe and touched her lips to his.

  She stared until the door closed behind him, then in a flurry of motion, finished her toilet, made the bed, and put on a pot of water to boil. Minutes later, she dropped sliced potatoes into the water and placed a lid on the top. She would fry whatever meat Caleb brought in, and they’d have stewed potatoes and relish.

  They had just finished their meal when a low whistle sounded outside. Julianne rushed to the door but Caleb got there first, pulling the heavy door wide.

  Morning Star and Runs Swiftly stood at the bottom of the porch steps, huge grins on their faces. Julianne reached out eagerly for the bundle in Morning Star’s arms and almost fell down the steps in her hurry to get him. Only Caleb’s quick response saved her from the fall.

  Julianne’s arms encircled Morning Star and Jonathan at the same time. They ended up in an awkward hug, tears of joy filling their eyes.

  “Oh, Morning Star. I’m so happy to see you.”

  Caleb clasped hands with Runs Swiftly as Julianne pulled Morning Star up the steps into the house.

  Both men followed on the women’s heels as if unwilling to let them out of their sight. Grateful for how safe and wanted such attention made her feel, Julianne touched Caleb’s hand, hoping to silently convey her acceptance and joy at his hovering.

  Julianne kissed Jonathan’s cheek then snuggled him close to her breast. She breathed in his warm, baby scent, her heart rejoicing that the Lord had protected him.

  She spoke to him in soft, gentle words, and he stilled as if listening to her voice. When he grinned suddenly, she gasped and glanced quickly at Caleb to see if he noticed.

  She shared a look of love with him and he stepped closer, his arm slipping around her waist. Julianne dared to look at Morning Star again and found a knowing smile on her friend’s face.

  “How are Little Eagle and his mother?” Caleb asked Runs Swiftly.

  “My sister sent you this as a token of her thanks.” He pulled an object from the pouch he carried over his shoulder and handed it to Julianne.

  She unwrapped a beautiful leather papoose. “This will make it so much easier to carry Jonathan around. The sheet was so bulky.”

  Julianne smoothed a hand over the soft leather. “But I have no gift for you, and you have done so much for me.”

  “No gift important.” Morning Star placed a hand against Julianne’s heart. “Friend important. We have news.”

  She reached up and took Runs Swiftly’s hand. He placed the other hand on her shoulder, a look of pure devotion on his face. “Six full moons, we have child.”

  Julianne swept her friend into a fierce hug, knowing that had been the desire of Morning Star’s heart since she lost her first baby in childbirth.

  “God has truly blessed us, Morning Star.”

  “Someday soon, you must tell me about this God and how he can bless us, but now we must return to our
tribe.” Runs Swiftly nodded to both Julianne and Caleb. He took Morning Star’s hand and pulled her outside to his awaiting horse.

  As they stepped out on the porch, Julianne was overcome with thankfulness that Morning Star was alive and that she had taken such good care of Jonathan.

  “Wait.” Her voice came out firm and strong. “I do have something for you.”

  She handed Jonathan to Caleb and hurried into the cabin. She returned to the porch and placed her wooden box in Morning Star’s hands.

  “Caleb made me this box, and I love it, but it’s become a symbol of something I never want in my home again. It’s so lovely, and his work is perfect. That’s why I can’t give it to anyone else. I know you will treasure it as I do.”

  Morning Star opened the box and gasped at the money inside. “Friend. Why you give thing so close to your heart?”

  “Because we are starting anew, and I want Caleb to build a hope chest as a reminder of the hope God has granted us this week.”

  “Then I give many thanks, friend.” Morning Star closed the lid, handed the box up to Runs Swiftly and allowed him to pull her up onto the horse.

  Julianne stood with Caleb and watched their friends leave.

  “Do you mind that I gave the box away?” Julianne felt strongly that it had been the right thing to do, and even felt relieved that the thing that had symbolized so many problems no longer sat in her house.

  But Caleb might feel otherwise, and that troubled her heart somewhat. With the Lord’s help, she would never again let lies and deceit get a foothold in her home.

  “I don’t mind at all. Actually I feel the same way about the box, but woman, did you have to give the money away, too?”

  Julianne heard the humor in his voice before she glanced up and caught the merriment shining in his lovely eyes.

  She raised her hand to playfully slap at him. He ducked and ran into the house. She followed. He placed Jonathan in the cradle.

  Caleb grabbed her and swung her off her feet round and round several times. “You gave away my apple orchard and now you have to pay the piper.”

  He stopped suddenly and studied her seriously.