by Linda Ford
Sam knew what the woman and her husband were thinking. Before they could voice their rancid opinion, he spoke. “Please, sit.” He indicated the kitchen chairs and the pair sat, their hands folded before them on the table and their eyes darting around the room, lingering on Elin and Joey.
“Been dry, ain’t it?” Gus asked. “We could use some rain.”
“Plenty dry enough,” Mr. Scanlon said. “I don’t see Harry. Is he around?”
Seeing as everyone knew the business of everyone else in the community unless a person had the good sense to never venture near town, Sam guessed the Scanlons knew Harry had departed. They were simply fishing for information.
Elin fussed about making coffee and waiting for it to boil.
“How do you like Dakota Territory?” Mrs. Scanlon asked her.
“I like it fine,” Elin answered. “America is very big.”
“You’ve come from Norway. Isn’t that so?”
“That’s so.” The coffee boiled. “Can I offer you a cupful?” She didn’t wait for their answer but filled cups and put one before each of their guests and before Sam and Gus. She did not fill one for herself and remained standing by the stove.
“I’d offer you something to go with the coffee but as I’ve only just arrived yesterday, I haven’t had time to bake anything.”
“This is fine,” Mrs. Scanlon said. She took a sip and her eyes widened. “Oh my.”
Elin sprang forward. “Is it too strong? It’s how we drink it in Norway.”
Mrs. Scanlon waved her off. “But a touch of cream would be welcome and perhaps some sugar.”
Elin hustled about getting both.
Gus and Sam looked at each other. Sam lifted his shoulders slightly. He had no idea what this nosy couple wanted. Or rather, when they would give their judgment on Elin and Joey. His jaws hurt from clenching his teeth, but he couldn’t release the tension.
Mr. Scanlon used plenty of sugar and cream and stirred vigorously then tapped his spoon on the edge of his cup and set it on the table. “Did I understand you to mean you are staying here? In this house?”
Sam sucked back a burning mouthful of coffee, the heat rivaling the way his stomach felt.
“Yes.” Elin offered no more.
“Unmarried?” The word carried a thousand critical sermons with it.
“That is so.” Elin drew herself up tall, her eyes hard as blue rocks.
Not that Mrs. Scanlon paid any mind.
Mr. Scanlon turned his cup around then looked at Elin. He always managed to make his face look gentle as he delivered harsh words. “You brought the boy?”
Everyone in town would have seen Elin get off the train with Joey. So why ask the question? Sam had had enough. “Miss Hansen and Joey are guests in our home. Miss Hansen has kindly offered to take care of the house for us while she is here.”
Gus nodded vigorously. “She’s a great cook and has this ointment that relieves my old joints.” He waved his arm in a circle.
But the Scanlons were not to be distracted. “Our understanding is that Miss Hansen came as a mail-order bride for Harry.” Mr. Scanlon sounded so mournful. As if he regretted having to speak his mind. “I am not in favor of such an arrangement but at least it is not—” He lowered his voice. “Immoral.”
Elin’s cheeks grew pink. She swallowed hard. But before she could speak, Sam pushed his chair back and got to his feet. “I’m sorry to have to rush you away but we have pressing plans.” He tugged on Mrs. Scanlon’s chair, forcing her to get up. Mr. Scanlon rose hurriedly.
Sam continued to speak. “Have a good trip back to town.” He held the door for them and escorted them to the wagon, where he spoke his final words. “Miss Hansen is not living in sin as you seem to think.”
Elin stood at the door, listening to what he said.
He raised his voice to make sure she heard every word. “She and the boy are going to be living here and I expect her to be welcomed to the community and treated kindly.”
Mrs. Scanlon sat on the wagon seat and adjusted her skirts. “Perhaps Harry will return and make an honest woman of her and give the child a name.”
“The child has a name. It’s Joey.”
“I notice you don’t give his surname. I expect there is a reason.”
Before Sam could think to say anything, Mr. Scanlon flicked the reins and the pair disappeared in a cloud of dust. What difference would knowing Joey’s surname make? He wasn’t even sure if the child had been given Harry’s last name, or his mother’s.
Sam turned to face Elin, who had come down the path. She looked as if someone had stolen her strength. “Don’t worry about them. Everyone knows we aren’t here alone. Gus is a chaperone. It’s not unusual for single men to have a housekeeper.” Though, to his knowledge, none had someone as young and attractive as Elin.
“Why did you not tell them he was Harry’s child? Now they are believing that I have a child out of wedlock.”
Sam groaned. “I got so riled at their insinuations that all I could think was to get them to leave.”
She turned slowly and returned to the house.
Sam pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead. How was he going to fix this? He followed Elin inside. “I could ride to town and explain that he’s Harry’s. In fact, I could probably catch up to them before they get there and straighten it all out.”
Gus drained his cup and set it firmly on the table. “You’re wasting your time if you think you can make that pair change their minds. They’ll believe whatever they choose to believe.”
Sam studied Elin’s back. “It’s true but I wish I’d thought to defend you.”
She came round to face him. “It does not matter. I am used to taking care of myself.” She pumped water into a basin with enough force to fill the horse trough.
The basin full, she set it on the work area and stared at it. He knew she didn’t have any plan for the water.
“I’m sorry.” The words were inadequate but he could offer nothing else.
The sound of an approaching horse coming at a gallop drew his attention.
“More company,” Gus said, sounding about as happy over the idea as Sam was.
“I’ll see who it is.” By the time he reached the door, the horse had skidded to a halt before the house. “Billy, what’s wrong?” Billy was a young, wiry cowboy who worked for Sam.
“Boss, you better come. Something…or maybe someone… stampeded the cows. They’s in a real mess.”
Sam groaned. Could this day get any worse? He sure hoped not. “Saddle up my horse for me.”
Elin listened to the exchange between the men. Poor Sam. First, the Scanlons and their thinly-veiled accusations, and now something wrong with his cows. Her annoyance with him fled.
Sam grabbed his hat but rather than rush after the man he’d called Billy, he hovered in the doorway. “Elin, I have to go, but know this. I regret my failure to defend you.”
She nodded. “I don’t suppose it would have changed anything.”
“Nope,” Gus said. He pulled a length of rope from his pocket. “Come here, Joey. I’ll show you how to swing a lariat.”
Joey went to Gus. For the first time since the Scanlons had arrived, the boy’s shoulders fell to their normal position.
Sam still stood at the open door. “I’ll be back as soon as I sort out the cows.”
“Will you be here for supper?”
“I hope so. What are you planning?” His eyes lit up.
“There will be freshly baked bread. I could make a special Norwegian dish if I have fish.”
He chuckled. “Not many fish in this part of America. Guess you’ll have to settle for the canned beef we have.”
“I will make mashed potatoes and other things to go with it.”
Billy brought Sam’s horse to the gate and Sam jammed his hat on his head. “Sure hope I make it back for supper.”
“Get along, boy. We’ll manage just fine without you. Even for supper.”
Sam s
ketched a good-bye wave and left.
From the kitchen window, Elin watched him ride away. Just before he passed out of sight he turned. She lifted her hand in a good-bye even though she knew he couldn’t see her.
“He’ll be back soon enough.” Gus pushed to his feet. “Me and Joey are going out to look around.” The pair left.
Elin stared at the closed door. Had she ever been alone in a house before? The emptiness pressed at her from every corner. She pushed back her shoulders. This was exactly what she had wanted—a home where she was the one who mattered. This was her chance to prove it. She tested the bread dough. It could rise a bit longer before she shaped it into loaves. She pulled out a mixing bowl and found ingredients for a cake. While it baked, she made a large batch of oatmeal and raisin cookies. Then she made a large batch of biscuits.
Gus and Joey returned. Gus sniffed. “Smells mighty fine in here.”
“I have cookies if you would like some.”
“I sure would. How about you, Joey?”
“Me too.”
Elin put out cookies for them all and poured coffee for herself and Gus. She gave Joey a cup of milk. “It’s nice you milk a cow.”
Gus grinned. “I like my cream and that’s the only way to get it. I even learned how to make butter but I sure don’t mind if you do it now.”
“I can make butter.” She turned to Joey. “What did you find outside?”
“Kitties.”
Gus added, “We went to see mama cat and her babies. What else did you see?” he asked Joey.
“Horsey. Birds. Chickens. Cluuuuck.” He made the sound so realistic that Elin laughed.
“That’s great. Are there lots of things to see?”
“Lots and lots.”
She added taking the boy out regularly to her list of chores. She would teach him safe boundaries so he could play outside without constant supervision.
She returned to her baking. Gus sank to the easy chair and soon snored. Joey went to the window, leaned his arms against the sill, and stared out.
Elin watched him for a moment, wondering what thoughts went through his little head. She looked about the kitchen. Nothing required her attention at the moment. She took off her apron. “Joey, would you like to go outside?”
He ran for the door and opened it. “Where we go?”
“Where would you like to go?”
He stood on the pathway. “Go home?” He sounded so sad and lost that she bent over and hugged him.
“Joey, this is our new home. Yours and mine. We’ll be happy here. Gus and Sam are nice.”
He nodded, but tears clung to his lashes.
She wiped away the tears with her fingertips and kissed his forehead. “You and I will be just fine. Now let’s go see if we can find a garden spot.” She didn’t know if a houseful of bachelors grew a garden but they would need a supply of vegetables from somewhere. She would grow them.
They explored the area around the house and found nothing but grass. She looked at the bush by the door. It had tiny flower buds on it and a hint of yellow. She would ask Sam if he knew what kind of plant it was.
They widened their search. She had seen inside the barn so didn’t go there. She opened the door of the bunkhouse. There was room for half a dozen men. A few garments hung on nails driven into the wall. A cold stove would heat the place in the winter. She moved on. The next building was a cookhouse. A very basic set up. A stove, a cupboard, a work area, and a table. The cupboard held cooking and eating utensils and a few staples. Outside the cookhouse was a small garden which appeared to have been worked and planted. It wasn’t big enough for what she had in mind and perhaps belonged to the cook. She would ask Sam about it.
They went onward. She explored the rest of the buildings and came to the end of the ranch yard. She stood on the trail that Sam had ridden away on. She cupped her hand over her eyes to shade them. How long before he returned?
She headed back to the house. She had Joey and Gus to keep her company but it wouldn’t hurt to pray for Sam’s safety. Lord God, keep Sam safe. Help him find all his cows.
Elin waited as long as seemed reasonable and perhaps a bit longer before she served the meal. Sam had not returned.
“He’ll be back when he has the cows rounded up,” Gus said.
Was she so obvious? “I’m not worried. I’m sure he can look after himself.”
“Uh huh.” Gus grinned. “Good meal. Be sure and save some for Sam.”
“I already thought of it. Would you like cake?” she asked when Gus had eaten all he wanted of the meat, mashed potatoes, gravy, cooked carrots, and fresh bread. She wouldn’t be surprised if he said he was too full.
“I’ve saved space for it.”
She chuckled and served them each a slice of cake.
Before he finished, Joey’s head drooped.
“Bedtime for a little boy,” she said. He went with her without protest and she helped him prepare for bed. She told him a story and said his prayers with him.
He could barely keep his eyes open, but when she kissed his forehead, he caught her hand. “This is home?”
“Yes, sweetie. This is your home now.”
“You stay here?”
“I will.”
“Gus stay?”
“I expect so. Did you enjoy spending time with him?”
“Uh huh.” He drew her closer. “Where Sam? He gone?” He grew teary.
“Oh, sweetie. He’s not gone. Didn’t you hear that cowboy? Sam’s cows were all mixed up. He went to sort them out.”
“He be back?”
“Yes, he will.” Strange how she had trusted Harry and he left. But she knew Sam wouldn’t walk out on them. A tremor of doubt plagued her thoughts. Was she trusting her own wishes rather than reality? She’d done it before.
“When he come back?” Joey asked.
“When the cows are rounded up.”
“Okay.” Joey closed his eyes and his grip on Elin’s hand loosened.
She slipped away, back to the kitchen to clean up. Gus slept in his chair.
She prepared a generous plate of food for Sam and set it aside and washed up the dishes, being quiet so as not to disturb Gus.
The evening gave way to darkness and she lit a lamp.
Gus jerked awake. “I’m going to bed. You might as well too. Sam might decide to stay out overnight.”
Elin nodded. “I have a couple of letters to write.” Even though she knew Sam might not return tonight she couldn’t bring herself to go to bed until she was certain. If he came he would want food. And perhaps company.
She could provide both. Maybe he would appreciate it.
And appreciate her?
Chapter 5
Sam rode toward home in the dark. His stomach rumbled. He’d missed fresh bread and the meal Elin had promised. He’d taken some hard tack from the cowboys, but he could hardly swallow it.
He rounded the last hill before home and saw a light flickering in the window. Had Elin left a lamp burning for him? That was nice of her.
He took Sorry into the barn and brushed him until his chestnut coat gleamed. He gave him a ration of oats. “One of us might as well enjoy our supper.” There should be some bread still. He could at least have that.
He hung up the tack and headed for the house, his mouth watering for bread and syrup.
He opened the door and stared. Elin sat at the table, the lamp sending golden light to her hair. She looked at him, her eyes pale in the light of the candle. Two envelopes sat on the table before her.
“I saved you supper.” She brought a plate from the oven.
“You did?” He swallowed back the flood of saliva. “No one ever did that for me. If I didn’t show up for a meal I had to make do.”
Her smile was sweet and gentle. “That’s how men and women differ.”
He knew right then and there that he liked the difference. The idea of a woman in his home grew more appealing by the hour.
“Go ahead and eat.” She wave
d him toward the plate and set out several slices of bread.
“Okay. Thanks.” He sat but she lingered in front of the stove. “Sit with me.”
“I’ve already eaten.”
“I know. But you can keep me company.” He wondered at the way her eyes crinkled as if almost smiling.
She sat down. “How did you find the cattle?”
He waved his fork to indicate his mouth was full and swallowed before he spoke. “They were scattered. Billy said they heard a shot during the night. We found an injured animal so we know it was deliberate.” He ate another mouthful than continued. “The boys are keeping guard at night, but someone can shoot from quite a distance without being detected. I don’t understand why anyone would do that.”
“They must have a reason.”
He ate several more bites. “We discovered it when we had all the cattle rounded up. We are missing another dozen. We scoured every bush and low spot in hopes they had been overlooked, but they’re plumb gone.”
He buttered another slice of bread, folded it in half, and ate it. “Good bread. Good supper.”
“Thanks. Do you often have rustling around here?”
“We’ve never personally experienced it, though there were a few incidents a year ago.”
“Well, I hope you find whoever is doing this.”
“Yeah, me too. I have enough work to do without having to watch the cows day and night.” He would normally have let the cattle roam freely after the spring roundup, but with some disappearing, he intended to keep a close eye on them.
He had cleaned up the plate of food and the bread she’d served. She smiled as she took his plate. “Would you like cake? I made it this afternoon. It’s a favorite from my family in Norway.”
“I’d love some cake.”
She brought a yellow cake topped with meringue with whipped cream on top of that.
“Wow. That looks delicious.” He dug into it. “It’s wonderful.”
“It would be even better if I had almonds.”
He ate the entire piece then closed his eyes and sighed. “Don’t know if I could stand it any better.” He patted his flat stomach. “I’ll soon be as round as a ball.”
