“I’ll never let go.”
He carried her to the house, up the steps, and into the foyer. He was breathing hard and his arms trembled from fatigue, but he continued straight to their bedroom.
She glanced at him in surprise — and then she smiled.
That unspoken welcome was his undoing. He lowered her feet to the floor and kissed her, tenderly, deeply, their bodies slowly swaying as if they were still on the dance floor.
He would dance with her all night.
Chapter Twenty-two
Hal smiled as he shut off the mill at the end of the day and secured the building before heading home Saturday evening. During his walk, he marveled that nearly a week had passed since he and Nancy had taken the final step in their marriage. Their love was big and consuming and more wonderful than he could have ever imagined.
And Hal couldn’t stay away from Nancy. Even as busy as he was, each day he would head home for a quick lunch with her. Just two weeks ago he wouldn’t have left the mill during the day unless the house was on fire. The thought made him smile as he rounded the bend by Tom and Martha Fiske’s house. It had been a long day and he couldn’t wait to get home and pull his beautiful bride into his arms.
Hal savored every minute with his wife. Even during their rushed lunches, they held hands and conversed about their day and planned their evening. They would gaze into each other’s eyes and their thoughts would stray to their new intimacy with each other…and her eyes would darken with heat and her face would flush hot. And Hal wouldn’t be able to resist her. He would pull her onto his lap for a tender and passionate kiss... and their lunch would sit forgotten on the table.
Just thinking about Nancy made Hal take longer strides to get home sooner. He wanted a few private minutes with her before the Tuckers and Fiskes arrived for supper.
Nancy was excited about having company over. Hal was, too. He looked forward to an enjoyable evening with their friends. But he eagerly anticipated the end of the night when he and Nancy would cuddle on the sofa together with Captain. As he did each evening, Hal would tease Nancy by groaning and rolling his eyes as if the cat was so much bother and that he was tolerating the little beast for her sake. But she knew he was playacting and had grown fond of Captain. After their family snuggle, Hal and Nancy would wash up, snuff the lanterns, and slip into their bedchamber – it was finally their chamber and not just hers.
Even now, Hal still couldn’t believe the reality and wonder of his life. For all the energy he put into fighting John’s idea of marriage, Hal had never dreamed it could be filled with such warmth and joy and passion.
But it was — all because he had taken Nancy Mitchell home instead of putting her back on the train.
As Hal hurried up the drive and climbed the steps of his house, he knew bringing Nancy home with him was the smartest thing he’d ever done. He strode into the foyer and headed to the parlor – nearly forgetting to remove his boots. Gads! Nancy would have his head if he tracked up her clean floors, especially when they were expecting guests. He turned right around removed his boots and set them on a tray by the door. He tugged on his colorful slippers and wondered what William and Tom would think of them. Hal decided that what Nancy thought was more important, and he wore his slippers across the house with pride!
Tonight they were entertaining the Tuckers and the Fiskes. Although Hal and Nancy had gone to supper and other gatherings at the Tuckers and Fiskes, they hadn’t yet entertained company in their own home. Hal and John certainly hadn’t entertained the neighbors in the time they lived here. So Hal was looking forward to a night of fun.
When Hal entered the kitchen, he found Nancy standing by the window with a two potholders and a pie in hand, angling it toward the light.
“Something wrong with the pie?” he asked.
Her eyes were filled with concern. “I may have overcooked it.” She shook her head. “I just got distracted and left the pie in a bit too long and I think the bottom may have scorched.”
“Then we’ll eat everything but the bottom,” Hal said, crossing the room and planting a kiss on her forehead. “Don’t fret so, Nancy. We’re entertaining friends not entering a pie baking contest. And I suspect we’re serving more than pie this evening and that everything else will be delicious.”
“I hope so.” She signed and placed the pie on the window sill to cool. “I just want everything to be perfect tonight. I want to show Mary and Martha how much I appreciate all they’ve done for me since I came to Fredonia. And I want to make you proud, too.”
Hal drew her into his arms and tilted her chin up. “Look at me, darling.” Her eyes met his and he could see how anxious she was. “I am more than proud of you. I’m amazed by you. I’m enchanted with you. I’m in awe of you. This evening wasn’t meant to add more work or stress to your shoulders. I just wanted to have our friends over for a bit because I thought it would be enjoyable for both of us.”
“I feel the same way, Hal.”
“Then please take a deep breath and try to enjoy this. I’m sure everything, including the pie, will be wonderful.”
He placed a kiss upon her lips to distract her, to give her something more pleasant to think about, and because he couldn’t look at her without wanting to kiss her. “I’m going to wash up. Why don’t you sit down for five minutes and relax before they arrive?”
“Perhaps that’s a good idea. Everything is ready so I’ll cuddle Captain for a few minutes.”
“I’m envious, but I’m sure Captain will appreciate your affection.”
She laughed and Hal congratulated himself on putting a smile back on her face. He washed up in the kitchen and then changed his clothes in the bedroom. When he returned to the kitchen he found Nancy lifting a tea cup to her lips.
He drank a glass of water and sat at the table with her while she finished her tea. He told her about his day and asked about hers. “Your garden is looking quite healthy,” he said.
Her eyes lit up and she pointed to a basket of leafy greens on the sideboard. “I picked some spinach and a few beans today.”
He got up and inspected the dark green spinach leaves and crisp beans. “These look delicious. I can hardly wait to eat these. This is the first of your harvest, isn’t it?” he asked, already knowing the answer. He knew Nancy had worked hard to plant and to tend their garden, and he wanted to acknowledge her efforts and the commendable results.
“Yes, and we’ll have more by early next week.”
“Good, because this will be gone by tomorrow night.”
She smiled. “I’d planned to cook them tomorrow evening and top them with salt and butter.”
“Sounds delicious,” Hal said, patting his stomach. “I’m starving and whatever you’ve got cooking on the stove smells delicious.”
“I’ll butter a slice of bread for you,” she said, going to the sideboard.
He caught her hand and drew her against him. “I’d rather have a kiss.”
She laughed and lifted up on her toes to peck him on the cheek.
“Well, that certainly took the edge off my hunger,” Hal said, eliciting another laugh from Nancy.
A sharp knock on the door startled them apart and they both went to the foyer to greet their guests. Before he opened the door, Nancy patted her hair and smoothed down her apron. He grasped her hand in his. “You look beautiful. Dinner smells delicious. And your pie looks perfect. Let’s relax and welcome our first guests.” With that, he opened the door.
Tom and Martha were at the door, and just exiting the orchard were Mary and William, both couples with a basket in hand.
And so began their evening as their friends entered their home with warm smiles and easy conversation.
Martha Fiske glanced around the home that used to belong to her father and said, “Your home is lovely.” She smiled at Hal. “It looks a sight better than when you first brought Nancy here.”
Hal wrapped his arm around Nancy’s waist and gazed down at her. “It absolutely does. Nancy
has made us a wonderful home here.”
And she had. As Hal observed his friends visiting in his home, he stood a bit taller and a bit prouder.
William and Tom stood near the door snickering over something. Hal followed gazes to his feet. That’s when he realized he had forgotten to put on his shoes and was still wearing his slippers. Tom and William were biting their lips, much like he was doing. Finally, he grinned. “I see you fellas are admiring the slippers Nancy knit for me.”
Tom and William choked trying to hold back laughter.
Hal shrugged. “They’re comfy and they’re so colorful they’re easy to keep track of. And my reward for keeping the floors clean is that my lovely bride can spend time with me instead of cleaning floors.”
“That’s right,” Nancy said, linking her arm with Hal’s.
The women joined in the laughter and Hal wondered if Tom and William would be sporting similar pairs of slippers in the future.
“Well, shall we all head into the kitchen. Supper is ready,” Nancy said.
“Tom and I brought cornbread and a jar of honey,” Martha said, lifting her basket.
“And William and I brought some elderberry wine,” Mary added, and the three couples headed into the kitchen.
Supper was filled with fun conversation and laughter, and the meal was delicious, which went a long way in easing Nancy’s anxiety. Mary said the chicken was moist and the vegetables were perfectly seasoned. Even the rolls were light and perfectly browned. Hal shot Nancy a number of smiles, hoping to calm her nerves, but he thought that the oohs and ahs coming from their guests was confirmation enough. He watched as her smile grew with each scrumptious bite their guests took. And he smiled right along with her. He was so proud of the woman she’d become. To think only a few short weeks ago she had arrived expecting to direct a staff instead of doing these tasks herself. Yet she’d taken to this life and she was blooming with as much strength and splendor as the plants in her garden.
As the women cleared the dishes after supper and the men took out the cards, Hal thought of the first day Nancy tried to cook in his kitchen, now their kitchen, and had nearly smoked them out of the house. If it hadn’t been for that one mishap, she wouldn’t be here now. He would have sent her back to Buffalo. But the smoke-filled house, and her subsequent illness, had kept her in Fredonia and set them on a course to where they found themselves today. Happily married and in love. The way she’d given so fully of herself in every aspect of their marriage had melted him. The sassy, compassionate, and fiery woman had broken through his angry, grieving heart and saved him from drowning in despair. From the minute he met her, his emotions had been in a whirl and yet he knew without doubt he loved her.
Laughter from the ladies drew his attention. Nancy was showing Mary and Martha the tabletop pie safe Hal had made for her. She ran her hand over the smooth lines of the piece and pointed out all the intricacies in the carving. It wasn’t the first time he’d seen her admire his work. He had been so pleased the day he’d presented it to her. She had been disappointed all week because he wouldn’t let her help in the woodshop. He said he needed solitude to carve a special piece for Edwards, which was partly true. But he finished the piece early and was able to ,craft a small pie safe for Nancy. When he’d finally presented her with the piece Nancy squealed with delight and promptly whacked him with her dish towel. She chastised him for hoodwinking her and then lavished him with affection for the gift.
He was pleased he could make something she was so proud of and touched by how much that gift meant to her. He wanted to give so much more. He knew she had grown up in wealth and had been forced to sacrifice so much. But she seemed genuinely happy with what little they had. A look around the kitchen again reminded him how she’d taken so little and made his house into a home.
And how she filled his days with joy and nights with love. He smiled at the thought and watched her return to the table with the apple pie she thought she’d burned. Just two bites in and Hal caught her eye and tapped the pie crust with his fork. It’s perfect, he mouthed.
I know! Nancy mouthed back, her eyes filled with happy surprise.
“If you two are done making eyes at one another, I’m ready to play cards,” William joked.
Nancy’s cheeks flamed, but they all laughed.
Mary said to her husband, “You men scoot out of the kitchen until we get things cleaned up, then we’ll play cards.”
“Come on, fellas,” Hal said getting to his feet. “Let’s clear out.” He popped a quick kiss on Nancy’s cheek as he passed her and then headed to the parlor with his friends.
Nancy smiled as she and the ladies worked quickly to get the dessert dishes cleared from the table.
“You two certainly look happy,” Mary said.
Nancy paused while washing a plate, her dishcloth still submerged under water. “I am happy. I never expected this life when I got off the train from Buffalo, but I don’t think I could have chosen a better man for myself.”
“Well, that handsome husband of yours obviously feels the same if those loving looks he was giving you during dinner are any indication,” Martha added.
Nancy felt her cheeks warm and she ducked her head. She wasn’t used to talking like this with women, or with anyone actually.
“It’s wonderful to see you and Hal laying a solid foundation for your life here together.”
Nancy hoped that was so, but their foundation had a crack in it — one fat lie that created a fissure that could bring down everything they were building.
Sounds of the men’s voices coming from the parlor interrupted any further thoughts she had. Hal strode into the kitchen, tall, lean and utterly charming in his ridiculous slippers. “Are we ready to play some cards?” he asked, wrapping his arm around her waist.
“Yes, the table is cleared. I just need to wipe off the stove and I’ll be over.”
“What are we playing?” Mary asked, retrieving a jug of elderberry wine from her basket.
“How about Four Jacks,” William said and they all agreed as they took their places around the table.
As Hal shuffled the cards, Nancy took a seat to his right. She had just settled in when Captain trotted into the kitchen and leapt into her lap. “Hello, sweetheart,” she said, stroking his ears and down his back. Captain hunched his back and rewarded her with a loud purr that made the entire group laugh.
“That cat has completely taken over the house,” Hal said, but Nancy knew he wasn’t complaining. Hal loved having Captain in their lives. She’d even seen him hand-wresting the cat when Captain decided to make Hal’s tools his playthings.
As Captain settled on her lap, Hal dealt the first round. Nancy checked her cards and wanted to groan.
William played the first card and Hal wound up having the highest card and taking the trick, which meant he’d earned himself a penalty point.
“Oh boy, that wasn’t wise,” Hal said, and everyone laughed. He led the play and Nancy followed suit.
“Argh,” she said as she laid a Jack on the table, realizing she would take the penalty point when the rest of them quickly played lower cards, leaving her holding the bag, so to speak. She scooped the cards and started the next round.
While they laughed and chatted and played cards, Nancy ran her hand down Captain’s back, soaking in the comfort of her surroundings and the feeling of her home. She had good friends, an adorable cat, and a loving husband in a cozy home. What more could one want or need? Even while living in the luxury of her father’s wealth she hadn’t felt this content or happy.
Play continued with each of them dragging tricks and laughing and sipping wine, except Martha who drank tea. As the hands piled up, Nancy continued to collect more and more penalty points.
“I’m dreadful at this game,” she exclaimed after one hand where she collected not one but two penalty points. Her outburst elicited laughter from their guests and startled Captain, who jumped down from her lap, clearly done with the periodic disruptions. She wat
ched him meander into the parlor where he would likely curl up on the sofa so he wouldn’t be bothered by a noisy group of people.
They played cards long into the evening and Nancy observed their guests. She watched as William placed his hand over Mary’s at the table, or popped a kiss on her cheek when she celebrated a good hand. They shared a playful and deeply respectful love that was clear in their marriage. But Nancy had also witnessed their private glances and the deeper intensity they shared. She was pleased that she no longer had to long for that type of relationship with her husband – because she had the same wonderful romance and passion with Hal. Taking the final step in consummating their marriage had created a deeper connection between her and her husband – one she felt each evening when they slept in each other’s arms.
She also observed Martha and Tom. They were equally as loving, but Tom showed an additional tenderness and protectiveness towards Martha and their unborn child. When he thought no one was looking, he would place his hand gently over Martha’s rounding belly and she would place hers over his. And the secret, tender glances that they shared told a story of love and devotion to family. Nancy couldn’t help but wonder if all men became tender and protective of their wives when they were pregnant. She placed her hand on her stomach and wondered what it would feel like to have a child growing in her womb and if Hal would be equally protective of their unborn child when she conceived.
As the candles burned low around the table and the wicks grew short in the lanterns, Martha finally said she must take her child home to bed. Tom stood and pulled out the chair for his wife, helping her to her feet.
“We need to head home, too,” Mary said, and everyone stood.
Hal wrapped his arm around Nancy and together they walked their guests to the front door.
“Thank you so much for a wonderful evening,” Mary said. She leaned in and clasped Nancy’s hands before whispering, “I’m so happy for you and Hal. I knew you two were a match the moment I saw you together.”
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