Reverend Young chuckled. “That boy always did like building things.”
Caleb nodded. “Still does. He certainly has a knack for it.”
“Just have to wait for the roads to dry out, and Caleb and I will head on into Gering and get some supplies. We have to make sure this isn’t just another thaw first,” Hank added.
“Wonderful!” Ella exclaimed in a voice so loud nearly everyone at the table jumped. “We’ll have to start work on some nice curtains and such. Oh, it will be so nice to have some female conversation for a change.”
Josephine’s eyes flew open in surprise. “You don’t need to help with…”
“Oh, stuff and nonsense!” Ella laughed. “It’s not a need, it’s a want. I want to help you. I have plenty of leftover material at the parsonage, and if you don’t like any of that, we can see what Pearson’s has. If you don’t like their selection, we’ll head over to Bayard. Oh, it’ll be so much fun!”
Madeline glanced at Josephine’s shocked face and laughed along with Ella. She was about to say something when George piped in.
“I wanna come, too!” George pleaded. He loved going into town and invited himself along any chance he got, even though they rarely left him behind.
Madeline patted his hand. “Of course you can come along, George, but you’ll have to be on your best behavior.”
George sat a little taller in his seat and puffed out his chest. “I can be good. I promise!”
Josephine smiled and began to relax under the playful banter that exploded around the table. The men talked among themselves about whatever it was that men talked about, while the ladies discussed what Josephine might need in her new home.
Soon plans had been made for the ladies to have some sewing bees in the near future, with the intent of making curtains and perhaps a new quilt for Josephine and Hank. Josephine noticed that Ella took the proverbial ball and ran with it, but she was grateful for any help she would receive.
Chapter 7
The days passed, one much like another. Josephine settled into her new routine and began to learn what would be required of her once she became the wife of a rancher. There were some differences from life with her step-father, of course, but when it came down to it, her duties around the house were not really all that different from what she was used to. Housekeeping was housekeeping, after all--there was just a different rhythm to it on a ranch, as well as a few new duties.
Whenever Josephine or Madeline had any spare time, they worked on Caleb’s birthday gifts in secret. Madeline had originally planned on making him a new shirt, but with Josephine’s help, they managed to make a new pair of pants to go along with it.
George had enlisted Hank’s help in making something for his uncle’s birthday as well. Hank would come every so often and take George to the bunk house at the end of the day. Josephine had no idea what they were working on, but George seemed pleased with himself.
Finally the big day arrived. Most of the day was spent like any other day, with the exception of a special cobbler Madeline had made for dessert that evening. Her apple cobbler was his favorite dessert, so she had hidden the last couple of jars of preserves in the cellar just for this occasion.
Josephine set the table in the dining room to prepare for the special dinner that night while Madeline and George took a nap after lunch. Normally the ranch hands ate at the bunk house where Cookie made all their meals, but tonight they would be joining the family at the big house. With the four extra place settings they needed, they really needed to use the larger table.
She tried to calm herself as she worked. Why meeting strangers bothered her so much, she did not know. This would be the first time that she would be meeting the other full-time ranch hands in more than just a passing fashion, and it really had her worked up in knots. Madeline had told her how kind they all were, but hearing that did not really help.
Once the table was set, she took herself back into the kitchen to check on dinner. All of Caleb’s favorites were being made, including a fresh loaf of bread, which was rising in the warmer on the stove. Josephine made a mental note to do the same for Hank…and then realized that she had no idea when his birthday was. She was certain Madeline would have mentioned it if it were soon, but how strange was it to be engaged to marry a man and not know his birthday?
Josephine soon found herself with one of those rare, quiet moments with nothing that needed her immediate attention and decided to use the time to sit quietly in what her grandmother had called “centering prayer.”
She sat much as she had been taught, though she used a chair instead of sitting on the floor as she had as a child, with her hands folded in her lap and eyes closed. She focused on taking slow, deep breaths until her hands stopped shaking and her heart beat slowed. As soon as she felt at peace, she prayed silently for strength and guidance, for the health of Madeline and her unborn baby, a safe delivery, and that her step-father would never come looking for her.
Once she finished praying, she continued to sit still and just enjoy the quiet. She let herself slip back to a happy memory from her childhood back in Wisconsin. In the memory, her grandmother was teaching her how to weave baskets. The rhythm of the movements was soothing and just being with her grandmother again was a balm to her soul, even if it was only in memory.
She sat there until she felt a tug at her sleeve. She opened her eyes to find George smiling up at her.
“Miss Jo? You a’right?” George asked innocently. She looked happy, so he was not too worried, but it was strange for him to find her just sitting there with her eyes closed as they were.
“Right as rain, George,” she said happily. “Did your Aunt Maddy wake up, too?”
He shook his head. “No. She’s still sleepin’.”
Josephine glanced at the clock. “We’ll let her sleep a little longer, then. Do you want to go play outside with Pardner? I could use some fresh air myself.”
George grinned from ear to ear and ran to get his coat. He certainly did not need to be asked twice!
Josephine chuckled and followed him to the back door. She helped him button up his coat, set his hat on his head, and watched him run outside to play as she got her own coat and hat on. It was warm for February, but still too chilly to go out without them. She closed the door behind herself and smiled as she watched George run around with his dog faithfully following him.
Hank, who had been in the barn, heard the dog barking and came to see what the ruckus was all about. He stood in the doorway for a moment and watched his beautiful bride-to-be as she watched little George play. A hint of a smile brushed across her face and she looked so peaceful and happy that his heart did a little flip in his chest.
He watched Josephine for some time before meandering up to her. “Is Maddy still resting?”
Josephine nodded and unconsciously leaned in closer to Hank. “I thought I’d let George run off some energy before I woke her up.”
“I don’t know how she can sleep through all this ruckus, but I know she can. Caleb went into the house one day and found her asleep in the rocker with her sewing in her lap. George was running around, screaming like a banshee.” Hank chuckled at the memory.
She smiled at the image his words created. She could definitely see that happening.
“Caleb is so grateful that you showed up when you did. So am I.”
Josephine looked up into Hank’s warm, brown eyes and her heart skipped a beat. “I’m grateful that you found me that morning. The Lord works in mysterious ways. That’s what my mama always said.”
Hank put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. “He certainly does, Josie-darlin’. He certainly does.”
They stood there with Hank’s arm around her shoulders for quite some time. Josephine thought back to when her father was still alive and how he and her mother would stand much like this, wrapped in a loving embrace, for the longest time. As a child, she had thought that it looked boring—after all, who wants to just stand still l
ike that when you could be playing? Now she fully understood how wonderful it could be.
Eventually Josephine knew it was time to go inside. The sun was getting lower on the horizon and she needed to finish preparing dinner. She gave a deep sigh and slowly pulled away from Hank. “I need to finish getting supper ready. Should I call George in with me?”
Hank reluctantly let Josephine go. “Nah, he’s having fun. He can stay out here with me. I’ll get him inside in time to eat. In fact, he can come back home with me and help me first.”
Josephine looked up at Hank incredulously. “Help you?”
Hank grinned. “Well, he thinks he’s helping, and that’s all that really matters, isn’t it? Pardner can come along, too.” He gave Josephine a quick peck on the cheek, then whistled to get George’s attention. He waved George over toward the barn as Josephine went back into the house.
She walked in to find Madeline walking into the kitchen with a harried look on her face.
“Why did you let me sleep so long?” Madeline asked as she bustled about to check on the food.
“You needed the rest. Don’t worry, I have everything under control,” Josephine reassured her friend. “Hank is taking George over to his place to help with the chores. They’ll be back in time for dinner.”
Madeline sighed. “I saw that you’ve already set the table. Thank you.”
“It was no trouble. It’s the least I can do, after all you’re doing for me.”
“It’s easy to be nice to some people.” Tears filled Madeline’s eyes as she spoke and she dashed them away impatiently. “I’m sorry. I’m just so emotional lately!”
Josephine’s eyes immediately filled with tears as soon as she saw her friend crying, and she enveloped Madeline in a big hug.
Madeline returned the hug and they stood together in the kitchen, crying on each other’s shoulders. “Why on earth are you crying?”
Josephine shrugged. “I always cry when I see someone else cry. I can’t help it.”
The ladies pulled apart to look each other in the face, and then burst into a mixture of laughter and tears.
Just at that moment, Caleb walked in the back door with Walter. The two men exchanged a strange look before Caleb decided to say something.
Caleb cleared his throat and stood inside the door, his hat in his hand. “Did we come at a bad time?”
Both ladies shook their heads as they continued to laugh and dab at their eyes.
“No…no, it’s all right. We’re just…” Madeline shrugged as she searched for the right words.
Walter, who also had his hat in his hand, scratched at his head. “Should we come back later, Miss Madeline? Miss Josephine?”
Josephine laughed. “Of course not. Come in out of the cold! I have a nice hot pot of coffee on, if you’d like.”
Caleb relaxed and set his hat on the shelf above his peg by the door. “That’d be mighty kind of you. Thanks.”
Madeline got the mugs out for the coffee while the men hung up their coats and got comfortable. “Will the others be in soon?”
Caleb nodded. “They’re back at the bunk house now, cleaning up. Should be here soon.”
Josephine poured the coffee into the mugs Madeline had set on the table. “Good. Hank took George back to the other house to milk his cow. They’ll be back in a bit.”
Walter nodded his thanks to Josephine as he took his mug and began to warm his hands with it.
“Why don’t you take your coffee into the parlor? I’ll send the others in when they get here,” Madeline offered. “We’ll eat once everyone arrives.”
Caleb kissed his wife on the cheek. “Sounds perfect. Thank you, darlin’.”
Walter nodded his thanks as well, and the men retreated from the room.
Soon the sounds of Caleb’s fiddle could be heard echoing throughout the house. The music lifted Madeline’s spirits and the ladies began to dance a bit as they finished preparing dinner.
Jim, Silas, and Cookie arrived shortly after the music began and quickly joined Caleb and Walter in the parlor. Each nodded their thanks as they accepted a hot mug of coffee on their way through the kitchen.
Soon the sounds of a guitar and a mouth organ joined the strains of the fiddle. Some of the men began to sing along. It was one of the best sounds Josephine had heard in a long time and reminded her of family get-togethers back home.
She was beginning to feel a bit melancholy, when suddenly George burst through the back door and tried to run through the house without taking off his hat and coat first.
“Whoa there, Lil’ Bub,” Hank chided as he caught the back of George’s coat. “Slow down, now.”
George gave an exaggerated sigh as he waited for Hank to help him unbutton his coat. “Yessir.”
Josephine smiled at the sight of Hank helping the boy. She knew in her heart that he would make a fine father one day. He was always so kind and patient with George, much like her own father had been with her.
As soon as his things had been put on the peg and the shelf, George tried to make a break for it. This time he was thwarted by Madeline.
“Not so fast, Georgie,” she admonished. “Supper is ready. Why don’t you wash up first and then you can tell the others that it’s time to eat?”
A disappointed groan escaped his lips as he marched over to the dry sink to wash up. He loved listening to the men play their instruments, and here he was being forced to wash his hands. He was missing everything!
The three adults shared a chuckle while Hank and George washed up for dinner. The moment they were done, George took off like a bolt of lightning.
Hank turned and saw that Madeline and Josephine were dishing up the food onto the good china. “Here, why don’t I carry in the platter for you ladies?”
“That would be wonderful, Hank. Thank you,” Madeline replied as she picked up the bowl of mashed potatoes.
Josephine looked up from dishing the vegetables into another bowl and caught Hank’s eye. He gave her a wink as he left the room, and she felt her heart do a little flip in her chest. She did not know what it was about that man that made her heart beat so, but she certainly enjoyed it.
It was not long before they were all seated around the table and enjoying their meal. Poor George was so excited about his uncle’s birthday presents that he could barely contain himself. Josephine and Hank took turns keeping him in line.
Caleb was so genuinely touched by his birthday gift from Madeline and Josephine that it brought tears to Josephine’s eyes. Her step-father had always acted like any gifts he received were his just rewards. Caleb’s reaction reminded her of her father. She quickly thanked God once again for directing her toward these wonderful people.
Everyone stayed late into the night. There was music and dancing, and everyone made Josephine feel right at home. She loved that while the other men worked for Caleb, they were all more like one big family, and they had all welcomed her with open arms as well.
Chapter 8
Spring arrived early that year, just as Hank and Caleb had thought it would. As the snows began to melt, Hank began to order building supplies for his house. Most of the lumber for the area had to be hauled in by train. There just weren’t that many trees on the prairie to meet demand, and he insisted that his wife would not live in a sod house again.
One Sunday in late March, after church had let out, Hank took Josephine out for a ride on his horse. He wanted to show her the land he had acquired and for her to help choose the location for their house. Caleb, Madeline, and George followed along in the buggy with a picnic lunch, although they gave Hank and Josephine as much privacy as they could. George loved to run and explore, and the day was warm enough for him to burn off some energy outside.
Their land did indeed adjoin to the Stark ranch. Hank showed her where the other ranch hands had already begun the work of fencing in his 160 acres and explained that once it was finished, they would remove the fence between the two properties so the cattle had more room to roam. Appro
ximately half of Hank’s acreage would become farmland to grow crops for the cattle, while the other half would extend the range. They would keep an acre or three free for the house, barn, and a garden.
Josephine, who was riding in front of Hank, suddenly patted his arm excitedly. “Ooh, Hank! Stop. Stop right here!”
Hank obligingly pulled back on the reins and brought his horse to a halt. The horse had no sooner come to a halt and Josephine slid to the ground, a beatific smile plastered across her face. Her eyes had a faraway look to them, as though she were seeing something more than what was visible.
“This is it! This has to be where we build our house!”
Hank chuckled as he dismounted. He left the reins slack on his horse’s neck. He knew from experience that Rusty would not wander far. “Right here?”
Josephine nodded as she rubbed her arms. Goosebumps had formed the moment she knew where her new home would be built. She could just visualize the house, with a lovely garden behind it, a barn off to the side, and a dog on the front porch. “It has to be here. I’ve got such a good feeling about it!”
“This is exactly the spot I thought of, too,” he admitted with a smile. “There’s just something about it. Besides it not being far from the road.” He gave her a gentle hug as he stood behind her. He knew it might not be entirely proper, but he was so pleased that she had chosen the same location that he had that he did not really care. Besides, no one was watching them.
Josephine sank back into Hank’s embrace. She had not felt this safe since her father had passed away. Finally her once bleak-looking future held promise. “I was also thinking about how you are going to take the fence down between the two properties. I thought it might be nice to plant a row of trees there. Not along the whole property line, exactly. Just here and there, to mark the line and to give the cattle some shade. What do you think?”
Hank paused as he considered her words. “I think that sounds like a good idea. There’s a few trees growing by the creek, but a few more would be fine. Might need to fence them in a bit until they’d grow big enough to not get trampled or eaten, though.”
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