“What?”
“A gentleman wouldn’t comment.”
Abe looked at her, smiling. “I guess there’s lots of things you need to teach me. I ain’t used to acting like a gentleman.”
Yet, he was. He had opened the door for her, offered to wait for her, carried her into the house. He acted like the perfect gentleman. Well, apart form commenting on her growling stomach but that was loud enough for them to hear up in the big house.
She sat at the table as he dished out two plates.
“Do you want coffee or tea with that?”
“No, thank you.”
“Milk?”
He poured each of them a cup of milk, causing her to giggle.
“What? Did I not pour it in a gentlemanly fashion?”
“I was just wondering how many people drank milk on their wedding day?”
Abe looked at the cup and then back at her. “Guess you should have been drinking champagne or something?”
She kicked herself. He seemed a little hurt. “I would rather have milk. Champagne bubbles make me sneeze and mama always said that wasn’t ladylike.”
He grinned at her and in that second, she had an image of what he must have looked like as a little boy growing up.
Embarrassed to be staring at him, she looked down at her plate.
“You need to eat a lot. You are way too skinny.”
“Pardon?”
“Oh, Lord, Cathy I can’t help it. I was brought up to say what’s on my mind. I wasn’t meaning you don't have a fine figure. You do, but you just need a little fattening up.”
“You make me sound like a turkey coming up to Thanksgiving.”
“That’s not what I meant…wait, you’re teasing me, aren’t you?”
She smiled. He had a way of making her want to smile all the time. “Just a little.”
He laughed, making her laugh, too.
She struggled to cut some of the meat. He leaned over, took her plate and cut it up into little strips. Then rather than hand her the plate back, he fed her. It felt wicked to be eating from his fingers but good at the same time. The food was delicious, but it could have tasted like wood chippings for all she cared. She was caught up in the mood. The firelight flickered as he leaned in. She thought he was going to kiss her. She wanted him to, but he wiped her face.
“You got juice on your chin.”
Mortified, she grabbed the napkin and wiped her face and hands clean. Then she stood and began to clear the dishes.
“Leave those until the morning. Come over here.”
She let him take her by the hand and lead her over to the fire. There was only one chair. Were they supposed to share it? Rather than sit on the chair, he motioned for them both to sit on what looked like a bearskin in front of the fire. It was soft and furry to touch. He sat first and then drew her to his side, his weight supporting hers.
“Tell me something about yourself, Cathy.”
She didn’t know where to start.
“Do you remember Ireland?” he prompted.
She closed her eyes, leaning back against him, and told him the earliest memories she had of Ireland. She was running through field of daffodils, chasing after Mary who was ahead of her. Her mam and da were behind her with other adults. It must have been some sort of feast day or festival, because there were lots of adults. They were happy, too, not sad like when they had to leave.
He was a good listener. He didn’t interrupt, but he was playing with her hair the whole time. It made her feel funny inside. She found herself telling him other stories. Nothing sad. She didn’t want to think about leaving Mary behind at the orphanage or her parents drowning. She told him stories of being sent to private schools, where the girls made fun of her accent. Her parents had moved her to another school when they found out.
“It was like I was made of glass. They were always trying to protect me. I think it was because their real children died.”
“What happened to them? Sickness?”
She had to concentrate now on her words, his caresses were making it hard to think.
“I don’t think so. I never knew for certain. It was one thing I wasn’t allowed to talk about. Well, two really. They didn’t like me talking about Mary or my family. They didn’t want to talk about Luke and Christina. They said they died suddenly in some tragic accident. I guess it must have been too painful for them.”
“Hmmm.”
“Abe, are you listening to me?” She looked around to find him gazing down at her, a funny look in his eyes. He stared at her face and seemed to focus on her lips before traveling back up to her eyes again. He moved his head slowly, as if waiting for her to make the next move. She reacted instinctively and stretched up against him to meet his kiss.
His lips were softer than she’d expected. Although he had shaved that morning, he had stubble already and it tickled her face. She had turned her body so she was lying against him. His arms didn’t move, but just held her close. His lips moved away from hers and he kissed her eyes, her nose, her ear and then along her chin back to her mouth. If this was what being married was like, it was wonderful. Her breathing came more rapidly as he continued to kiss her, his kisses getting harder. She wasn’t sure what to do but instinctively she knew there was something more. She broke the kiss panting, her eyes glued to his.
“Cathy, I think you should go to bed now.”
“Alone?” She flushed bright red as soon as she realized she’d spoken aloud.
“There is only one bed so it is best I sleep out here tonight.”
“Don’t you like kissing me?”
He smiled and pulled her to him, but instead of kissing her on the mouth, he kissed her head like you would a child.
“Yes, I like kissing you a lot but we have only just met and I think it would be better to get to know each other first before we take the next step.”
“Oh.” She didn’t say anything else. What could she say? He was older and had been married before. She should listen to him. Even if it felt wrong.
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Cathy. Sleep well.”
Chapter 22
Abe listened as his wife moved around the bedroom. He could imagine her changing for bed.
Think about cabbages. He hated cabbage – about the only food he couldn’t eat. He hated the smell of it cooking, too. He tried to block out the thoughts of his lovely young wife with thoughts of cabbages, but it didn’t work. He decided the fire needed more firewood. Even splitting logs in the cold didn’t stop his blood from roaring through his veins. He was trying to be patient and kind, but it sure was hard work.
“What are you up to, son? You have a row with your missus already?
“No, Cookie, I just thought it best to get ahead with some chores.”
“Really? Do you think you are going to get snowed in or something?”
Cookie indicated the stack of firewood with the lit end of his cigarette. “Seems to me there is trouble in the new family.”
“Leave me be, Cookie.”
“I will, lad, but remember I am here if you want to talk. I know you been on your own a long time. Been a man since your pa died, maybe even before that. But that don’t mean you don’t need a friend. I have a good ear for listening and as you know, I ain’t one for much talking.”
“Cookie, I appreciate it, I do. It’s just difficult.”
“Why? You’re a man, she’s a woman. A pretty one, at that. Many would consider themselves lucky to be married to a gal like that.”
“We only just met. She’s real innocent. I don’t think she’s ever been kissed before. Never mind.”
“Good on you lad for thinking of her feelings, but don’t leave her alone for too long. From what I hear, that little gal in there been through a heck of a lot of trouble. She needs a friend, too.”
“You want me to be her friend?”
“Why not? You’re her husband. If a man’s wife isn’t his best friend, then he got marriage problems.”
Cooki
e wandered off, leaving a trail of smoke in his wake.
Abe put down the axe and went back inside. He took up a towel to wipe his face and neck, but stopped at the sound of crying. Cathy was upset.
He knocked on the door before going inside.
“Cathy, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“But you are crying.”
“No, I’m not.”
He was about to leave when he heard another muffled sob. He went over to the bed and brushed the hair from her face. It was hard to see in the moonlight. She hadn’t pulled the curtains
“You are. Tell me what’s wrong. Maybe I could help.”
“I thought you were upset with me,” she said, her voice croaky with tears.
He couldn’t believe it. He’d been trying to be kind and had only succeeded in upsetting her. He hated women crying. It reminded him all too painfully of his childhood. He smoothed back her silky hair from her face. “Whatever made you think that?”
“You kissed me and sent me to bed. Alone.”
He gathered her to him, not wanting to explain what she obviously didn’t understand.
“Would you prefer I slept here with you?” He felt rather than saw her head nod in answer.
“Okay. Just let me make sure the fire is safe. I will be back in a minute.”
Saying his prayers quickly, he prayed for patience and restraint. His bride was upset enough without him doing anything to scare her further.
Chapter 23
The next morning, Cathy woke up to the smell of fried bacon. Remembering the night before, she didn’t want to get out of bed. She was so embarrassed. She had clung to Abe and more or less demanded he share the bed with her. What must he think of her?
At the knock on the door, he pushed his head around.
“Come on, sleepy head. The day’s a wastin’.”
“Coming,” she mumbled. She threw on her dress as quickly as she could. Pinning her hair up, she went out to find the table set, coffee in the cups and a large plate of food in two spaces.
“Thank you. I should have been up earlier.”
“I thought you said you weren’t sure how to cook.”
“Oh, you heard that? I thought Mary was the only one listening,” Cathy spoke to her plate. She didn’t like admitting to being useless.
“I always hear when it’s important, like keeping my stomach fed. I like cooking. I can show you what you need to know. But for now, just relax.”
She wondered what she had done to meet such a kind man. Everything on her plate tasted wonderful. Partly because it was so fresh, but mainly because she knew she could eat it safely. Abe wouldn’t drug her.
“You sure worked up an appetite, didn’t you, Mrs. O’Malley?”
Cathy stopped eating.
“What? Don’t tell me you are one of those women who don’t think they should eat a decent meal.”
“No. You called me Mrs. O’Malley.”
“That’s your name now. Don’t you like it?”
“I do. It just sounds so strange…but in a good way.” She smiled back at him.
“What are your plans for today?”
“I thought I would go and see Mary. She said she would teach me some useful things. Can’t see myself sitting playing the piano or doing embroidery all day around here.”
“I don’t know. Reckon if we moved the bed out to the barn, you could fit a piano in that room.”
“Abe! Be serious.”
“Yes, dear.”
She threw a biscuit at him and it hit him straight on the forehead. He looked so stunned, she wasn’t sure if he was annoyed or not, but he just started to laugh. Then she was laughing, too.
Cookie knocked on the door and walked in.
“Morning, folks. Nice to hear laughter this time of the morning. Abe, you ready? We got to go out and see to the fences on the north side today.”
“I thought Paul Kelley was going to show me some stuff.”
“He is, but he went into town with his missus so unless you want to sit around chatting all day, your only option is to come with me. Course if you gone soft…” Cookie winked at Cathy.
“I will be right with you.”
With a quick kiss on her cheek, he shoved another biscuit in his mouth, grabbed his gun and his hat and was gone.
Cathy didn’t get a chance to think about what she would do for the day as Mary arrived on her doorstep carrying her namesake. “It’s time you meet Cathy junior. Why don’t you come on up to the house and we can talk. Mrs. Higgins has been cooking again. She bakes the most delicious cookies.”
“Mary, you haven’t changed a bit. You always talked a lot.”
“Oh, I think I might be worse now. I cry easily, too. When I was reading your letters, oh my goodness. I think I cried a river of tears. We missed out on so much, Cathy.”
“We did, but think about what could have happened. If my parents had adopted you as well, you wouldn’t have any of this. Ben would still be stuck in the orphanage.”
“That’s true, I never thought of that. Who told you the story about Ben? Wasn’t my husband so romantic?”
“Katie told me and yes, he was. He really seems to adore you.”
“He does. I love him, too. His ma is so nice to me and Katie is now my real sister. Oh, Cathy, I am so happy. But I am nervous ,too. What if something goes wrong?”
Cathy didn’t get a chance to point out she could be heading to New York to face criminal charges. They had arrived at Mary’s house. Mrs. Higgins was waiting on the porch and greeted her like she was a long lost member of her family. She held the door open as they walked into Mary’s house. It was stunning. It was immediately evident Davy was well off. The whole place was huge.
“You could have moved in here with us. There is plenty of room, but Dave said your husband didn’t want to.”
“He must have felt it was better for us to share something smaller to get to know each other better.” Cathy had no idea why Abe hadn’t taken her sister up on the offer, but she felt she had to stand up for him anyway. Being loyal to one’s husband was the start of a good marriage. At least that is what she had read in one of her mama’s books. She hadn’t any idea of how to make a marriage work, really. She couldn’t cook her husband nice meals or make him shirts or do any of the other things these women seemed to do.
“I almost forgot. We are going to Katie’s for the quilting party next week. Will you come? Sorcha will be there and her sister, Emer – you met her at Doc’s. Erin will come if she isn’t too busy. Mrs. Grey will be there and plenty of other women from the town. It’s a great way to get to know people.”
“But Mary, I don’t know how to quilt.”
“That’s okay. I can show you. I am just so excited to have you here.”
They sat and chatted all day long, exchanging memories of Ireland and telling each other what had happened during the years they had been apart.
“Did you read my letters?”
“Yes, Cathy, every one. I can’t understand your mama not sending them on. But let’s forget about the years we missed and concentrate on the good ones ahead.”
Cathy wished she could share her sister’s optimism, but she couldn’t help feeling Archibald hadn’t finished with her just yet.
“Oh, Mary, is that the time. Abe will be home and I haven’t anything ready for his dinner. Not that I know how to cook but I don’t even know if the fire is still lit.”
“Don’t worry, come here for dinner. Mrs. H always cooks too much. Tomorrow we can start some lessons on how to cook basics, like roasts and stuff.”
Cathy agreed to stay, but said she had to check on the fire. She ran back to the house to find Abe sitting in front of the dying embers. He looked as if he was trying to build it up again.
“Sorry, I got chatting with Mary. She’s invited us to dinner.”
“Please tell me you said no.”
Cathy stared at him. Was he angry?
“Sorry, I said yes. What’s w
rong? Don’t you want to go?”
“I thought after all the fuss yesterday we might just be able to enjoy our own company tonight.”
She colored. She hadn’t thought he might not want to go.
“I thought you might like a proper meal. I still don’t know how to cook.”
“Cathy, stop trying to be something you ain’t. I told ye I would teach you. Just let me get changed before we head back to your sister’s.”
“Don’t you like Mary?” she asked him, biting the side of her nail.
“I think she is a lovely woman. Why would you ask that?”
“You don’t seem so keen on going to her house and she said she offered to have us stay there, but you said no.”
“I did that so we can get used to one another first before we have to pretend to be a couple. Was I wrong? Maybe you would be more comfortable there.”
“No, it’s fine. Mary talks a lot.”
He smiled at her and her stomach twisted in a funny way. She wanted him to smile all the time.
“She does, but I thought all women did.”
She burst out laughing at him teasing her. He grinned back. How much easier he was to be around that her cousin back in New York. She frowned. She didn’t want to think about Archibald. Not now.
Chapter 24
The days passed and Cathy got herself into a routine of sorts. She had breakfast with Abe—he cooked, she cleaned up. Then after he went to work, she made her way over to Mary’s house where Mrs. H was trying to teach her how to cook. The housekeeper had plenty of patience, which was a good thing as Cathy seemed to be totally clueless. As the days went on, she was finding it hard to sleep and her memory seemed to have deserted her completely.
In the evenings she went home with dinner in tow. Mrs. H refused to let Abe cook for himself after a hard day’s work. Abe didn’t comment after that first evening when he said he didn’t mind cooking for them.
After dinner was Cathy’s favorite time of the day. Abe would sit with her in front of the fire and they exchanged stories of how they grew up. They had read some of the same books, so they discussed them. Cathy told him about going to theaters and shows in New York and other cities. Abe told her about his brothers and sisters. He often talked about his ma, too. She sounded like a nice lady. He never mentioned his pa, only to tell her he died when Abe was younger.
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