by Caroline Lee
“No, Tessa.” One of his large hands could splay across her abdomen, covering it completely. He swore he could feel a gentle movement there, even if she couldn’t. “It means that you were ready for some time alone. Time to be just Tessa, not ‘mama’. Time to be a wife, not a mother.”
She placed her free hand over his on her stomach, and he glanced back into her eyes. “Before I have to be a mother again?”
Cam chuckled then. “I just had one of the most amazing nights of my life, despite this damn foot. You can bet I’ll be dragging you out here as often as Da will agree to watch Jake.” At her smile, he winked. “At least until you get too big to sit on a horse.”
With a mock glare, she pulled him to his feet. “Well, mister cripple, let’s get you on that poor animal, so she doesn’t have to carry me.”
They led her horse out of the barn, closing up behind. Awkwardly, he swung up into the saddle, and let her arrange his wrapped foot in the stirrup, wincing at each sharp pain. She must have noticed, because she offered to walk beside him. Laughing then, he tightened his grip on her hand and pulled her into his lap. Her squeak of surprise was cut short when she slammed into his thighs, and he wrapped one arm tightly around her middle. Having her there, so similar to their first day together, somehow made the pain less.
After making sure that her jacket was snug, he pulled his own hat down around his ears and nudged the horse towards home. It wasn’t an easy ride, with one bum foot and freezing temperatures, but she made it… made it all worthwhile.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“Weets, mama?” Big eyes blinked up at her, and when Tess didn’t immediately answer, Jacob tried again. “Weets now, Mama? Peese?”
It wasn’t until the boy glanced at the wagon coming up the turnaround that Tess finally understand, and scooped her son up with a smile. She kissed him on the nose, marveling again at his memory and understanding. Both times he’d seen Molly, she’d provided him with a child’s dream of sweets and desserts. He’d obviously recognized the Barkers, and decided that meant he was getting more “weets”.
Maybe all kids could figure things out that well, but she thought he was particularly brilliant, of course. She kissed him again, just because he could, and a third time when he tried to push her away. Settling him on one hip, she smoothed his curls. “Not yet, honey. Mrs. Barker said she’d bring some sweets to eat after dinner, though. Remember, Granda and Mama cooked a special dinner for today and our friends?”
“Noah an’ Pete?”
“And a bunch of others, too. I need you to be a big boy and a helper, okay?”
“Otay Mama.”
One more kiss, and then she let him slide down her leg to stand beside her on the wide front porch. Despite the sprinkling of snow that had fallen during the night, he was wearing a soft chambray shirt she’d bought when they visited Cheyenne last, and he kept trying to tug the sleeves up. Tess hoped it was big enough to last through the following summer, but the way he was growing, it was hard to guess. She smoothed the front of her favorite red velvet jacket, and wondered how much longer she’d be able to fit into her clothes. Both of the skirts she’d worn during Jacob’s pregnancy had since been cut up for diapers, but she’d be able to wear Cam’s shirts when she got really huge.
The thought of her draped—in public!—in her husband’s large shirts made her smile, and Heavens she was smiling a lot these days, wasn’t she?
The Barkers pulled up to the house with all of the commotion she’d expected. Cam came out of the stable to help Ash and Nate with the horses, and sent their two hands—Tess had insisted on inviting them to celebrate with the Open Skye’s cowboys—towards the cookhouse. The boys tumbled out of the wagon, swept Jacob up in their whirlwind, and all disappeared into the parlor.
Handing Rose to Annie, Molly climbed the stairs to embrace Tess. Then, her arms still on the younger woman’s shoulders, Molly studied her. Tess could feel herself growing warm under the scrutiny, but couldn’t help the small grin that tugged at her lips. Molly’s answering smile was sudden and bright. “I knew it! Congratulations, Tess!” Another hug, and then the whispered, “I’m so happy for you.”
Tess didn’t know how Molly could possibly know about the pregnancy, or if there was something in Tess’s eyes that showed her surprising, newfound love for her husband. Either way, her new friend had seen it, and understood the wonder of it. Standing there, feeling the other woman’s compassion and strength wrap around her, Tess knew that she’d have many times to be thankful for a friend like Molly.
Dinner that day was a joyful—and raucous—affair. With the Carderocks, Selkirks and Barkers there, there were fifteen people. Somehow Tess had managed to fit them all into the dining room, albeit at two separate tables. Rose and Jacob were passed from lap to lap, and it was adorable to see Cam coo over the baby. She had never in her entire life eaten a meal with this many people, and was overwhelmed and gratified to think that they were all her friends. In fact, she found herself getting teary-eyed more than once during the meal, but didn’t think anyone besides Cam noticed. He just smiled at her, that gentle, crooked grin she loved so much.
The meal was superb. Ian had outdone himself, and Tess made sure that everyone knew that he was the one who had done all of the hard work. In fact, he’d even prepared a second, smaller meal for the cowboys in the cookhouse. Even though Ian had explained the traditional Thanksgiving food was turkey back east, here they made do with what was on hand. The main dish was a roast, with sides of dressing, carrots, potatoes, beans, baked apples, two kinds of bread, and a cold salad with some kind of noodle. There were three sauces, four different jams and spreads, and Tess was amazed at Ian’s creativity. The only thing she made all by herself was a dish with chopped vegetables in rice. It had been Baba’s favorite, and Jacob loved it too. About half of her guests seemed to enjoy it; Cam’s face when he tried it told her that he wasn’t one of them, and she stifled a smile at his attempts to be polite.
Of course, Molly had brought dessert, and her platter of cookies, the two pies, and the gorgeously decorated cake sat on the sideboard throughout the meal. The boys weren’t the only ones casting longing looks towards the sweets, but they were the most anxious to get to them. After everyone had eaten their fill—surprisingly, it was Ash’s lithe brother Nate who seemed to out-eat them all—Annie and Serena helped Tess serve coffee and tea. There was much good-natured groaning and threatening to loosen belt-buckles, when Ian spoke up.
“I know Molly’s desserts are lookin’ fine enough to tempt Satan himself, but we always had a little tradition in our family, an’ I’m wonderin’ if ye’d oblige an old man?”
Sebastian chuckled. “Anything, if it’ll give us another few minutes to digest that amazing meal!”
“My wife, God rest her, started this tradition, an’ Cam an’ me haven’t really followed it in the last years, since it’s been just us.” He glanced at his son, who was smiling fondly, Tess thought, in memory. “Thanksgiving’s the time to remember the blessin’s ye’ve been given over the last year, an’ to thank the Lord for ‘em. So before dessert, we have to go around the table an’ say what we’re thankful for.”
There was nodding all around, with chuckles and a murmured “hear, hear”. Ian said, “I’ll go first.” Taking a deep breath, he repositioned Jacob on his lap. The boy hadn’t napped yet, but had adamantly refused to be separated from his “fwends”. He was valiantly trying to stay awake on his Granda’s knees long enough for pie. “I’m thankful for this little tyke. I’ve got eleven grandkids back east, an’ I miss seein’ them grow up. I didn’t think Cam would ever get around to getting’ married,” there was some amused glances sent in Serena’s direction, where she stood behind her husband’s chair, “but he did, an’ now I’ve got Jake to keep me company.”
Serena’s aunts looked surprised at the older man’s confession, and Tess realized how much less grumpy Ian had been in the last month. Maybe Jacob had changed the man for the better. Before they had
a chance to dwell on it, Ian insisted Noah and Pete go next, since they were the ones that needed distracting from the cake.
Noah opened his mouth, probably to say something flippant, but then jumped as if he’d been kicked under the table. Glaring at his brother, his mouth set in a mulish frown, he said, “What? I was gunna say I’m thankful for cake.”
“I know,” Pete snapped back, “But you’re suppose’ta say something nice. You can’t thank God for cake.”
“Can too!”
“Can not!”
Molly cleared her throat, and when Pete shot her a guilty glance, asked calmly, “What are you thankful for, Peter?”
The older boy turned pink under all of their gazes, and locked his attention on his empty plate, before muttering something. It wasn’t until his brother said “Ha!” that Tess realized Pete was thankful for cake as well. All of the adults smiled. Nate signed something to Annie, and she giggled in response.
“Well,” said Agatha—or maybe Agnes—glancing at her sister, “We’re thankful for the same thing we were last year…”
“Sebastian!” They said in unison, causing the man to lock his eyes on the ceiling with a long-suffering expression.
Serena’s aunt continued. “He’s dear, yes, and we’re thankful he’s made Serena so happy—”
Her sister picked up, “—but we’re especially thankful that he figured out a way to marry her and keep her in Cheyenne, so we could all live there.”
“As nice as this house is,” the first twin looked around, “We don’t really miss it, not when we have Serena and Sebastian—”
“—and Annie in Cheyenne.” As the first time she met Serena’s aunts, Tess was amazed at their ability to finish each other’s sentences. Judging from others’ smiles, they thought it was funny too.
“And besides, we’re happy Ian is so happy here.” She couldn’t tell which of the sisters said that, but they both looked at Cam’s father, then at each other, and blushed slightly. She wondered what that was all about, especially after her father-in-law scoffed.
Sebastian, charming as always, drew everyone’s attention away from his host. “Well, I’m thankful for such a savvy business partner.” He raised his glass in Cam’s direction. “Investing in the Open Skye has been profitable, even after the first year. But we went over the numbers before dinner, and it looks like he’ll be able to pay off the loan by next year.”
Tess gasped, and grabbed her husband’s hand. “Really? That soon?”
Cam smiled and twined his fingers through hers. “Yep. I’ve been selling off stock like crazy. No offense to Sebastian, but I want to own the land free and clear before we,” she liked the way he included her in their future, “build the herd up again.”
“I’m proud of you, husband.”
Sebastian smiled. “And I’m glad I had the chance to partner with you.” The two men exchanged a satisfied nod, and everyone who knew their history, and how they’d competed for the same woman, knew how significant their friendship really was.
Serena’s hand was on her husband’s shoulder. “Well, I’m thankful for Cam’s marriage, just like Ian, because it’s brought me a new friend.” She smiled kindly at Tess, who found herself flushing slightly under the beautiful woman’s regard. “I just know that Tess and I are going to be close.”
“Oh, indeed!” Molly chimed in. “Tess, we’re so pleased to welcome you to our little community.” She glanced down at her daughter, who had fallen asleep while nursing. Molly adjusted her shawl, and smiled fondly at the sweet little baby. “But I should probably say I’m thankful for little Rose. I am. I’m so pleased to have a daughter.” She sent a mischievous look at Pete and Noah. “Someone to play dress-up with, and help me bake, and brush her hair…”
Her teasing has the desired effect. Both boys wrinkled their noses and said, in almost unison, “Girl stuff.”
Ash’s laugh was louder than everyone else’s, and Tess, who’d never heard him laugh before, was startled. “I’m thankful for all of my family.” He ruffled Pete’s hair. “Especially my sons, who don’t like to play dress-up or have their hair brushed. But having a wife who likes to bake, and do other ‘girl stuff’, and tries to make me happy…” Tess caught a flash of white in his beard and knew he was smiling. “That’s something to be thankful for too.”
As everyone nodded and murmured agreements about Molly’s baking, he turned to his brother and jabbed an elbow at the smaller man. “Your turn.”
Nate was hunched over the table, forearms bracketed his coffee mug. His long hair fell in front of his face, so Tess couldn’t see his expression. He seemed sad, though, and everyone else accepted it, like they understood why. After a long moment, Nate sighed. “I guess I’m thankful for the Postal Service, and the railway. It’s pretty remarkable to be able to write to a person who lives nine hundred miles away.” He lowered his head—and his voice—further. “And sometimes, even get a letter back.”
There was an uncomfortable silence. Tess knew that Nate missed Molly’s sister terribly, and wondered if Wendy knew about her pining beau. Molly reached around her husband to pat her brother-in-law’s arm. “Next year, Nate. I miss her too. She’ll be here next year.” The two of them shared a look, before Nate sighed again, and took another sip of coffee.
As if trying to cheer everyone up, Annie spoke. Tess knew it was a big deal for the deaf girl to be able to speak at all. “I am tank-ful foh my wohds.” I’m thankful for my words. Such a sweet, heartfelt sentiment brought immediate smiles to the group gathered around the Thanksgiving tables.
Cam and Tess were the only ones left. Pushing his chair back, Cam stood and took a drowsing Jacob from his father. Resting the boy against one shoulder, he twined his fingers through Tess’s. “I’ve been waiting patiently, but now it’s my turn.” He smiled down at his wife, and Tess felt her insides go all bubbly. Had she always felt this way at his smile? Since the moment they met, he’d had the ability to make her feel special, cherished… it was only yesterday, though, that she understood that was ‘love’. It was so freeing, that realization. She smiled in return.
“I’ve got a lot to be thankful for. Tessa agreeing to marry me, without even knowing me… well, I’ll be thankful for that for the rest of my life. She gave me a son, and brought happiness to our house.” His smile grew, until it crinkled the corner of those green eyes she loved so much. “And next spring, she’s going to give me a daughter.”
The table erupted in gasps and squeals and chuckles of surprise and pleasure. The ladies clamored over themselves to express their happiness, and pulled Tess in all directions to hug her. The men clasped Cam’s hand and offered him congratulations, while he beamed proudly. Ian just sat back and nodded contentedly, until Tess heard Pete ask what the big deal was, and Cam’s father was stuck explaining.
Yes, it was all the excitement such an announcement deserved, and Tess was again overwhelmed by the support and acceptance she felt surrounding her. Last week, she would have called it ‘neighborly’, but now she knew the truth. These people were her friends, and she felt a kind of love for all of them… and was buoyed by their love as well. This was what life must be all about, this feeling of happiness and completeness. Being surrounded by friends and loved ones, and knowing that she was loved as well. She tore herself away from her musings, to wrap one arm around Cam’s waist. The top of her head didn’t even reach his shoulder, so she had to tilt her head back to look into his eyes.
“I haven’t gotten to go yet, husband.” There was a bit of a hush as their friends closest to them quieted to hear what she was thankful for.
“Jacob and I were happy… at least, I thought we were. I worked hard, and didn’t know anyone, and didn’t have any help. I was empty—although I didn’t know it—and Jacob was all I had.” She swallowed, and pressed her cheek to his chest. “Then you saved us, and I felt this… this pull. Like, I knew I could be happy with you. So I took a chance and said yes to you.” She took a deep breath, and let it out, list
ening to his heartbeat. “It was the best thing I’ve ever done. You’ve given us a home, a place. You’ve given us love and acceptance and happiness.” She looked him in the eyes again. “You’ve introduced me to good friends, and shown me how wonderful life can be.” He didn’t say anything, just stared down at her, cradling her—their—son tenderly. “So I guess I’m thankful for you, Cam, and the way you love me unconditionally.” She took another deep breath, and held it, seeing the hope sparkling in his eyes. “And I’m thankful that you’ve taught me how to love. I love you, Cam. I have for a long time, but didn’t know it.”
She heard Nate mutter “It’s about time,” but couldn’t tear her eyes away from Cam’s, and the joy she saw brimming. She loved this man more than she ever dreamed possible, and looked forward to a lifetime of proving it.
They were both smiling when their lips met, and the room erupted in cheers and laughter again.
While everyone was helping themselves to Molly’s desserts, Cam handed his now-wide-awake son off to Serena, and snagged Tess’s hand. Ignoring her protests that she needed to help clear the table, he pulled her across the foyer and into his study. It had been his favorite room in the house before he’d met her, and now that her projects—sewing and otherwise—were there too, it felt even more like home. He looked forward to many a winter evening spent here working, just the two of them.
For now, though, the room was dark and chilly. He kicked the door closed behind him and pulled her closer to the window, where he could see her expressions. She just stood there, her hands resting on his hips, and watched him expectantly. Unable to help himself, he brushed fingertips across her cheeks, and through her hair. Did she even realize how beautiful she was? Her high cheekbones, creamy skin, and exotic eyes were her father’s legacy, but her beauty was all her own.
