by Kit Morgan
“What in tarnation …” August said as he entered the cabin.
All three looked at him, and laughed louder.
August stood in the doorway, hands on hips. “What’s going on in here? Have you all been drinking?”
The laughter, believe it or not, got even louder.
August couldn’t help it. He began to laugh as well. “I don’t know what … all the fuss is about … but … hahahahaha! You three …” Land sakes, he couldn’t even talk!
Ryder slapped him on the back, his face red, and also tried to talk but couldn’t hold a breath long enough to do it.
August took a deep breath, scowled at him and said, “I’ll fix this!” He grabbed Penelope, took her in his arms, and kissed her.
Ryder’s eyes widened at the canoodling pair, just before he smiled and did the same to Constance. The cabin went suddenly silent as Ryder and August brought their wives under control.
“Well, well, lookie here.”
Ryder popped his head up. “Cutty! There you are! I was wonderin’ when you’d come back.”
Constance gazed at her husband, her face red from laughing, and gave him a silly grin. “I should be horribly embarrassed by my behavior. But I’m not.”
Ryder laughed. “No reason to be embarrassed about havin’ a good time, Sugar. I would like to know why we were having one though.”
“I was telling her about Colin,” Penelope said. “When Belle told him last night she was expecting.”
August fell into out right hysterics once again.
Ryder and Cutty stared at him. “Well, Cutty, looks like we done missed a good one.”
Cutty shook his head at the display. “Pah!” He turned on his heel and headed out the door. “I’ll be in the barn,” he called over his shoulder.
Ryder nodded as he continued to watch August try to get himself under control. “Must have been quite the announcement.”
“Oh, it was,” Penelope assured him. “You had to have been there.”
“I dunno, ya had the four of us bent over pretty good, and two of us had no idea what it was all about.”
Constance smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “Isn’t it wonderful? Colin and Belle are going to have a baby!”
Ryder pulled her into his chest, tilting her head back. “Sure is, guess we better start on one then, huh?”
She giggled again, and rested her head against his shoulder. She realized she had a lot to smile about. A wonderful husband who was falling in love with her, Penelope and August’s visit, Eloise’s upcoming wedding, and even Cutty, who though a bit smelly and crotchety, had his place in the world. Yes, all was well, and would continue to be. Constance sighed, and couldn’t be happier.
Twelve
The next day Ryder and Cutty worked on the roof, putting finishing touches here and there and making sure the buckets inside the cabin could find a new home outside where they belonged. The day’s meals consisted of – you guessed it – bacon and eggs, though Constance did manage to make biscuits, they were again burned on the bottom and too dry. Embarrassed at her recent failure, she was relieved when Ryder assured her that the good Lord created coffee for burnt biscuits, and not to worry. Still, Cutty’s remarks about her cooking were not as accommodating. “GAK!” and “BLEH!” constituted his opinion on the matter.
Her own excuse was she was still learning, and that it would take lots of practice to become an expert the likes of Mrs. Dunnigan or Mrs. Upton, and didn’t one learn by their mistakes? That being the case, Constance was going to learn a lot.
But despite her bad cooking and lack of expertise in …well … just about everything, Constance found she was beginning to like her new life in their little cabin out on the prairie. In fact, while the men were dealing with Othello and Mr. Turner’s mare she decided to take a walk to see if she could find some flowers to set on the kitchen table.
The sun was bright over-head by the time she left the house after lunch. She took a small basket she found in the barn, and couldn’t wait to fill it with flowers. That is, if she found many. Ryder told her every spring and summer was different, and that sometimes a late frost killed off the more delicate plants. Yet so far, she felt the weather had been mild since she arrived in Oregon, and knew she’d be able to find something.
Sure enough, not far from the cabin she found a patch of small purple flowers. She had no idea what they were, but she liked them. She picked a handful and put them in her basket. She walked for a time, and realized she’d wandered some distance from the cabin. She was about to turn around when she heard the distinct sound of hoof beats bearing down on her.
No sooner did she spin around, Ryder was bringing Banjo to a skidding stop. He slid off the bare-backed horse and towered over her. “What do ya think your’re doin’?” he said with an exaggerated wave of his arms.
She blinked at him a few times. “I … I wanted to pick some flowers.”
“Flowers,” he said with a nod of his head, his brow furrowed in anger. “You left to pick …” He slapped his forehead and bit his lip.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, perplexed.
He stared down at her, a hard look on his face. “I’m only gonna say this once, Sugar. If you ever decide to take off, tell me first. That way I know where to find ya in case I need to go lookin’.”
She glanced around. “You found me well enough this time.”
He blew out a long breath and pushed his hat back off his forehead. “Darlin’ it’s dangerous out here by yourself. You can’t just wander off whenever ya feel like it.”
She again glanced around. The sun was shining, a light breeze was blowing, and the wild flowers of the prairie were just peeking up from the soil. It was one of the most peaceful and serene scenes one could picture. She looked at him and shrugged.
“There’s snakes.”
Constance instantly took a step closer to him at the word.
“Not to mention the cattle rustlers in the area.”
She took another step.
“And the fact that if I have no idea where ya went, then I can’t get to ya quick if’n somethin’ happens.”
She bowed her head as she reached him, and leaned it against his chest. “I’m sorry, I… I didn’t think of any of those things.”
He put his arms around her. “Ahhh Sugar, I know. You’re not used to it yet. It is pretty here, but ya gotta know what to look out for. After we get that ladie’s sewing circle visit of yours out of the way, I’m gonna show you a few things about the land, okay?”
She nodded against him, unable to speak. He was right, she should have told him where she was going and how long she’d be gone. Anything could happen out here on the prairie, and though it was beautiful, it could also be dangerous.
He put his chin on the top of her head. “What say we pick a few flowers together, then go back to the cabin?”
She smiled, and looked up at him. “I would like that.”
“No more wanderin’ off by yourself without tellin’ me?”
“No more, I promise.”
“You know ya about scared me half to death.”
“I’m sorry I …”
He cut her off with a kiss, then whispered, “It’s all right, darlin’. But please don’t do it again.”
She nodded, safe and warm in his arms, and couldn’t fathom not doing as he asked. It was then Constance realized she’d fallen in love with her new husband. She giggled at the thought, and kissed him in return.
They picked flowers, chatted and laughed about nothing important, before Ryder lifted her atop Banjo, and led the horse home. Once there, he swatted Constance on her derriere after helping her down, then went to put Banjo away. She laughed at him, and went inside. She thought about starting supper, but thought better of it. Besides, bacon and eggs didn’t take that long to make. Instead she picked up the pair of knitting needles and yarn Penelope brought her the day before. She’d given the needles to her at the last minute, right before she and August left to go home
, and told Constance she was going to learn. They decided it would be fun to show each other their work when they got together again. The only problem was, neither she nor Penelope had a clue how to knit, so how on earth were they going to teach themselves?
She stared long and hard at the needles, and was about to put them away, when Ryder entered the cabin. “What ya doin’, Sugar?”
She held up the needles and yarn. “Not a thing. I’m afraid I don’t know how.”
“Knittin’ is easy. I can show ya.”
“You know how to knit?”
“Sure. Lots of folks around here do.”
She stared at him. She knew young boys in England were taught how to knit, but she didn’t realize such things were taught here. “When did you learn?”
“When Seth and I volunteered with the Calvary, we both learned. The man who ran the chuck wagon taught us.”
“So you not only learned to cook a few things during your … ah, tour of duty. But to knit as well?”
“Sure did,” he said proudly and snatched the yarn and needles from her hand. “Sit down and I’ll show ya.”
She did, and had her first knitting lesson taught to her by her husband. She picked it up quite easy after a few bumbled tries, but soon found she had the hang of it. He pulled out the small square she’d made using a garter stitch, then started to show her how to knit and purl about the time Cutty came in.
“What in the bloody … oh, I mean, what are ya doin’?”
Constance and Ryder looked up at him. “Knitting,” they said in unison.
Cutty stared open-mouthed at Ryder as his fingers flew. He swallowed hard, shook his head in disgust, and said. “When’s supper? I got some things to do.”
“In a couple of hours, does that give you enough time?” Constance asked.
Cutty gave her a gruff nod, then returned his attention to Ryder. He stepped to the table where they sat, and watched in fascination. “Well, I’ll be, boy. You’re pretty good at that.”
“Knit all my own winter wear. Mittens, scarf, that sort of thing. Seth is better at socks than I am.”
Cutty stared at him aghast. “Now why ain’t I surprised to hear that?” He grimaced and left the cabin.
Ryder laughed at his retreat, then handed the needles and yarn back to Constance. “You try for awhile, Sugar. I’m gonna go get us somethin’ for supper.”
“No bacon and eggs?”
“Not tonight, darlin’. I’ll be back in an hour.” He must have noticed the worried look on her face and said, “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine by yourself, I won’t be far. I’m gonna get us a dog soon. Just like the one August got for your sister, then you’ll feel safer when you’re by yourself.”
She’d forgotten about the young dog August and Penelope had with them yesterday. She’d been so excited to see her, she forgot to ask about it. “After you scolded me earlier, I didn’t think you’d want me alone.”
“The cabin is safe, and I’ll be close enough to see if anyone rides up. It’s when you’re out on the prairie out of sight that can be dangerous. At least right now, ya understand?”
“Yes, I understand.” She looked at him in curiosity. “What are you getting us for dinner?”
He winked at her. “You’ll see.”
He reached for a rifle by the door, and left the cabin. She sat staring after him, knitting needles in hand, and could only guess what he was up to. She suddenly had visions of plucking a chicken and shuddered. She’d never done anything like it before, and prayed he’d show her how to do it right, or who knows how dinner would turn out.
She waited for the ominous gunshot that would signal the demise of one of the hens. But no such sound was forthcoming. Hmmm, but didn’t Ryder say he’d be back in an hour? If so, what could he be doing other than … “oh dear.” Hunting.
She shook off her revulsion. Why she had such an adverse reaction to the thought of eating a wild animal she had no idea. She just did. Perhaps she’d spent too many years seeing fowl, fish and beasts that made up her dinner, on a silver platter. She was never privy to the gory details of how any of it got there.
True to his word, Ryder returned within the hour with two cute, furry, and very dead rabbits. He held them up before Constance, proud as a peacock. She took one look and swayed in her chair.
“What’s the matter with ya?” he cried. “Ain’t ya ever seen a dead rabbit?”
She shook her head a wild no, and put a hand to her mouth.
“Well it’s about time ya did!” He flung them onto the table in front of her, which sent her other hand to her mouth. He reached behind himself, pulled the hunting knife he carried out of its sheath, and plunged it into the table. “There ya go, darlin’. Best start skinning em.”
“WHAT!” she screeched. “ME?”
“Why sure, ya gotta learn sometime.”
“Oh, my heaven’s I …” she swayed the other way and had to grab the table for support.
“Ain’t no trick to it. I suppose ya should do them outside though.” He snatched the rabbits up, plucked his knife from the table, and pulled her out of her chair. “C’mon, no time like the present to learn!”
She dug her heels into the floor. “Wait! Can’t we talk about this?”
“What’s there to talk about? It’s our supper, and if’n you don’t skin these while I feed the stock, we’ll never eat on time.”
“Oh, dear me … I think … oh dear, oh Dear, oh DEAR!”
“Quit callin’ me dear, and let’s get this done.”
“You’re doing this on purpose aren’t you?”
He turned to her and grinned like the devil. “Sure am!”
She groaned as he yanked on her arm and dragged her out the door. Once outside he took her around to the back of the cabin, strung the rabbits up on a pole, and again took out his knife. “Now, let me show ya how it’s done.” He’d no sooner made the first few cuts when he heard a soft moan behind him followed by a thud.
Ryder closed his eyes, turned, and with a heavy sigh opened them. His wife lay in a heap on the dusty ground. “Maybe I should’ve started with a chicken first.”
* * *
The next day was the weekly meeting of the ladies sewing circle. After Constance had her embarrassing display of … well … anti-rabbit the night before, Ryder had carried her into the cabin, then skinned the critters and made a wonderful rabbit stew. In fact, as she didn’t have to witness the furry creatures go through the process of becoming dinner, she had no problem consuming the end result. But she also had to agree with Ryder. She was going to have to learn how to do certain things in order to survive living out on the prairie, and who better to teach her than her husband? But she couldn’t guarantee him she’d not faint again.
“Constance!” Eloise cried when she and Ryder stepped into the mercantile. “I’ve missed you so much!” She flung herself at Constance who caught her sister before she toppled them both over.
“I’ve missed you too! Where’s Penelope?”
“She’s not arrived yet, have you heard the news?”
“News?”
“About Belle!”
“Oh yes, indeed I have.”
As did everyone else when the rest of the ladies began to arrive. Each went to where Belle sat, and congratulated her. “How long have Belle and Colin been married?” asked Constance as Grandma Waller took a seat next to her.
“Oh, let me see, they got married June of 58’ I believe. Not long.”
“She didn’t become pregnant right away, then?”
“No, happens that way sometimes. Unlike Sadie, who was with child about six months after she and Harrison married.”
Constance looked at her hands as she folded them in her lap. “I see,” was all she said.
Grandma eyed her. “You wonderin’ when you might catch up?”
She looked at the older woman and gave her a shy smile.
“Don’t you worry none, child. You have plenty of time. It ain’t a horse race ya know.”
Constance said nothing more, and instead waited for Mrs. Mulligan and Mrs. Dunnigan to tell her what to do as far as the day’s sewing went. Soon the ladies were gathered, and their project began.
“Have you been able to see much of Mr. Jones?” Constance whispered to Eloise who sat beside her.
“Only here and there, but he’s coming to dinner tomorrow night, and I’m so excited! I’ve not had a chance to speak with him at all.”
“I see, well, I’m sure you’ll find him quite charming.”
“How is Ryder? Oh I’m so happy for you! I wonder if my Mr. Jones is anything like yours, being as how they are brothers.”
“Ryder is … interesting. I cannot say if they are exactly alike or not.”
“My Mr. Jones wants to ask me to tea tomorrow night, I do hope Sadie agrees.”
“I’m sure she will,” Constance said as a picture of Ryder sipping tea while skinning a rabbit popped into her head. She shook it off and closed her eyes.
“Are you all right?” asked Eloise.
“I’m fine.”
“How do you like your ranch?”
Constance sighed. “I like it, we’re building a new house.”
“Already? Didn’t he just build a cabin?”
“Yes, but …”
“You girls stop whispering over there!” Mrs. Dunnigan huffed. “Makes a person feel like you’re keeping secrets.”
“Oh, if you any gossip, do tell!” exclaimed Fanny Fig.
“Yes, let’s share,” suggested Belle. “What have you all been up to?”
Susara Kincaid sighed. “I got a letter from my friend in Boston. She and her husband are thinking of coming out west, and asked about Clear Creek.”
“That’s nice,” commented Mrs. Mulligan. “How about you, Mrs. Bennett. How’s married life treating you?”
Penelope blushed, smiled, and said, “We have a dog now, and he’s quite lovely.”
