by Danni Roan
Pete's eyes went wide and he jerked, the fence rail moving as Ed's hammer sped downward, hitting his thumb instead of the nail.
"Dag-nabbit!" Ed jumped, shouting and placing his thumb in his mouth. "What'd ya do that for?" he mumbled around the injured member.
"Sorry," Pete offered abashed, "I was just thinking how it sure would save me some money ifn' I had someone to mend for me."
"Then git yourself a wife," Ed, growled, examining his thumb.
"Why can't your wife mend for all us men?" Pete asked hopefully.
Ed turned his unforgiving green eyes on the thickset man.
"I mean we could pay her to," Pete offered quickly. "You could ask?" His eyes were hopeful.
"Not if you keep trying to maim me, I won't," Ed spat.
"I said I was sorry," Pete continued, "ain’t like you don't hit your thumb often as not anyway."
Together the two men chuckled and turned back to the fence.
"I reckon I can ask Sadie if she'd like to take on some work. If she says yes, it's between you men and her, though. I didn't bring her out here to work her fingers to the bone for a load of careless cowboys."
***
Sadie stared out the window to where Ed was working on the corral fence with another man. She'd barely seen the rest of the ranch hands and now she was laughing as this one seemed to be having a heated argument with Ed, who was sucking his thumb.
She knew she shouldn't laugh, but she'd seen Ed smash his thumb with the hammer and could only imagine that he was blaming the other man for his carelessness.
Still watching, Sadie saw Ed swing his head toward the house as if he was somehow looking for her. Something in her tugged and she found herself heading to the door.
"I'm just stepping outside for a minute," she offered to Mrs. Crumps as she moved into the sunlight of a warm day.
"Sadie," Ed called a wide grin gracing his even features, "I was just talking to Pete about you."
Sadie’s steps faltered, wondering what Ed would have said. Had he told the other man she was divorced?
"Yes, ma'am," the man called Pete spoke up. "I was just admiring your handy work and how you stitched up them trousers for Ed so nice." The thickset cowpoke grinned. "I was askin' if you'd mebbe do some mendin' for me and the boys."
Sadie blinked, nervously trying to understand exactly what the conversation had been.
"We'd all be willing' to pay ya, to save on havin' to buy new duds all the time."
Sadie looked at Ed, uncertainty fluttering in her breast. It would be nice to have work to do, and any extra money would surely be a good thing for the ranch.
"It's up to you, darlin'," Ed offered with a smile. "If you do the work, you keep the pay, it's all yours."
Something gave a hard twitch inside of Sadie, the whisper of hope for security and independence. Could Ed really mean it, the money would be hers?
"If you're sure you don't mind your wife working," she said, uncertainty gurgling in her belly.
Ed pulled in a deep breath then let it out. "Sadie, you worked before and if you want to work now, you don't need my permission. I'll trust you to work out the details with the men."
A tightness seemed to leave Sadie as she looked at Pete. "I'd be pleased to do the mending for the crew," she offered. She'd put her faith in Ed coming here, gambling on his provision for her and her daughter, but now that she knew she could still provide for herself, a stronger sense of peace presented itself.
She trusted Ed - he was a good friend, someone who wouldn't leave her, wouldn't abandon her on her own - didn't she?
The troubling thought nagged at Sadie for a moment, making her smoky eyes stormy, but she pushed it away, offering her hand to the man before her.
"Why don't you bring your things up to the house after supper?" she said. "Then we can work out the details." Her smile was soft as she looked between the two men.
"That'd suit just fine," Pete said, "an' welcome to ya, missus."
Ed smiled at Sadie, hoping she saw that he trusted her to do what was best for herself. He'd never understood how some men practically held their wife hostage with dependency. It was a new century and things were changing.
Sadie turned, heading back into the house. She would need to go through her sewing box if she was going to have a stack of new things to mend.
"Mama, can I make a dress for my bunny?" Faith asked, skipping to her from the parlor. "She needs a pretty green dress like mine."
"Alright, but first can you help me with something?"
"What?" The little girl stepped over to her mother where she knelt by the heavy wooden box.
"We need to sort out all the thread Mama has and see if we need any new colors."
"Like in a rainbow?" Faith asked, her eyes bright with anticipation.
"Yes, just like a rainbow."
Sadie couldn't help but giggle as her daughter lifted each spindle from the box and laid it on the floor, arranging them in the same order as the rainbow.
"You remembered," Sadie said as she counted the colors.
"Yes, but you have lots more white, black, and brown."
"I tend to use more of those colors," Sadie agreed. "Even back home most women wore simple clothing."
"But you make pretty things, Mama," Faith said seriously, looking at her own lovely frock.
Sadie smoothed her daughter's blonde head and turned back to the box. "Sometime when I have a little more money put away, I’ll make you an extra special dress. You'll look like a princess from a story."
"I'd like that, Mama." Faith bounced up and hugged her mother. It was good to see her so happy.
A soft knock on the front door drew Sadie away. She opened it and gasped as Pete and four other cowboys stood before her, several items of clothing in their hands.
"We thought we'd just bring ya a few things," Pete offered, "that way we'll each have a few things extra to wear."
Sadie smiled even though she was surprised at the amount of work she'd gotten herself into.
"What's it gonna set us back?" one cowboy asked, handing his pile off to Sadie’s already overburdened arms.
"I don't usually do so much mending," Sadie offered, not sure where to begin. “For dresses and new items, I had a set rate." She looked at the men who stared back at her, not knowing what to say. "What if I set it at ten cents for two items with two or less tears each?" she asked, eager to set the men at ease.
The men looked at each other and grinned. "That sounds fair," Pete offered.
"That's alright with me missus," an older man piped up. "It’s cheaper 'an buying new clothes." He waved a hand and moved away back toward the bunkhouse.
Chapter 7
Sadie tied the ribbons on Faith's bonnet and kissed her on the nose. The little girl was practically glowing with excitement.
"I look pretty, mama,” Faith spun, showing off her new dress.
"Yes, you do," Sadie agreed. She was nervous about going to church in her new home, but she'd dressed as presentably as she could and drew up her courage.
"I'm gonna be the envy of Calico Falls," Ed spoke, stomping down the stairs in his Sunday best. "I'll be there with the two prettiest girls in the world." He looked handsome, in his black suit and string tie.
Faith giggled and lifted her hands to the man who had changed her life.
Ed scooped Faith up in his arms and smiled at her mother.
"Mrs. Crumps packed us a picnic for after church," he said, gratified when Faith nestled her head on his shoulder.
"Do they always have a picnic after church?" Sadie asked, stepping into the wagon.
"No, but the weather's so fine we thought it would be a nice change."
Ed hefted Faith into the back of the wagon where she settled with her rabbit on a thick quilt.
As they drew closer and closer to town, Sadie felt more and more and more nervous. What would people think of her? How was she supposed to explain her situation, her shame, if someone asked?
She was al
l too familiar with the way the rumor mill of a tiny town could crush someone.
As they drew near the church, Ed's big hand came to rest over hers where they had been twisting a lace cuff.
"It's a good town, Sadie, and all that matters is that you're here with me."
She lifted her eyes to his handsome face and hoped it was all true.
The service was beautiful and a sense of peace that Sadie hadn't felt in a long time settled over her.
As the pastor said the benediction, people around her turned, smiling at her. Soon parishioners anxious to introduce themselves surrounded her.
She lost track of names and faces, but one thing that remained printed firmly on her heart was the way each person spoke of Ed. Somehow, during the time he had been gone from her life, he had become a part of this little town.
"Everyone knows you," Sadie said, still slightly surprised.
"I did live here for a few years," he stated, ushering her from the church. His hand was warm and comforting on her back, and she was surprised at the little shivers that ran along her spine.
Faith scampered out the doors into the bright sunlight of a pretty day, skipping happily.
"Where shall we have a picnic?" Ed's cheerful voice echoed into the open air.
"Why are you asking me, Edward Hampton?" Sadie asked. "I'm the new one here."
Ed chuckled, a rich, warm sound. "If I remember correctly, there's a little pool along that rise."
Together the little family moved across the grass while other families sought a quiet place to sit and enjoy their meals.
Children squealed and danced as mothers spread their quilts in the sun or under the shade of a big tree.
"This looks perfect," Ed said, handing the quilt from the wagon to Sadie, who spread it on the warm grass at the top of a little knoll that looked out across a soft blue pond.
"It's lovely," Sadie whispered, gazing at the beauty of the place. Ed stepped up behind Sadie, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close.
"I knew you'd like it here," he said, pleased when she didn't pull away from him. "It's a good place, Sadie." His words tickled her ear where his breath lifted her hair.
For just a moment, Sadie enjoyed the strong arms around her, the warmth of his body behind her. Sleeping in the same bed, she'd gotten used to the heat of his body near her, the way he smelled when he came in from the bath, like soap and leather.
She was surprised how in only a few days his presence was familiar to her.
"I'm hungry, Mama," Faith called, plopping down on the quilt and gazing up at the white clouds skidding across the blue sky.
Ed and Sadie settled on the blanket with the little girl and began unpacking the lunch items.
It was freeing to sit in the wide open with no one around. Perhaps, just perhaps, it would truly be a new beginning.
"Edward Hampton!" a woman's nasally voice called, breaking the tranquility of the day. "I didn't believe you were back, but here you are."
Sadie looked up to see a slim woman in a green dress striding toward them, her dark hair tucked up under a fashionable hat.
As Sadie watched, Ed closed his eyes for a moment, dropping his head slightly.
"Oh, Eddie, you look marvelous," the young woman said, reaching out and taking his arm as he stood politely.
"Darlene," Ed offered with great patience. "How are you?"
"I've been very lonely while you were gone," the woman pouted, her pretty mouth downcast under her long nose.
"Darlene, I'd like you to meet my wife, Sadie." He reached down, pulling Sadie up beside him.
"Oh, so it's true, you did get married." Darlene's dark eyes flashed as she wrinkled her nose. "And this must be your daughter." She looked at Faith, her smile stiff. "The baby fat looks good on you," she ended, the barb biting deep as her eyes roved Sadie’s thick form.
Sadie dropped her eyes and Ed's hand, a dark flush on her cheeks.
"You picked a lovely spot for a picnic," the young woman continued, "almost as pretty as the place you took me." She grinned brightly, laying a hand on Ed's arm.
Shaking off the slim hand, Ed wrapped an arm around Sadie, pulling her close.
"I didn't know you'd returned to Calico Falls, Darlene," Ed offered, his tone somewhat less than welcoming.
"Mama, can I go play with the other children?" Faith asked, tugging at her mother's skirt.
"Of course," Sadie said, aiming her daughter toward a shady grove where children were busy skipping around the trees.
"Oh, yes, I've been back for ages. I'm afraid the East did not agree with me." Her pinched lips indicated her feelings about her time outside of Calico Falls.
"I'm sure your family is glad to have you home."
"And I'm glad to have you home as well," she smiled, batting her eyes at Ed as she studiously ignored Sadie.
"Well we'd better get back to the ranch," Ed spoke, reaching for the basket of items from their lunch. "Don't you agree, dear?" He prompted Sadie with a gentle nudge. "We'll wish you good day, Darlene."
"Of course," the young woman spoke, looking down her nose at Sadie. "I'm sure I'll see you later, Ed," she added, turning on her heel and walking away with a swish of her skirts.
"I'm sorry about Darlene," Ed said softly as he turned the wagon toward home.
Sadie fidgeted with her cuff again, occasionally glancing back toward Faith who had snuggled into the blanket and fallen fast asleep as the horses trotted homeward.
"I'm sure she is a lovely young woman," Sadie stuttered, "and that she must have been a very good friend to you when you were here before."
Ed's loud guffaw startled her and she looked up, turning startled eyes to the man beside her.
"Friend?" Ed finally spoke. "More like a pestilence." He shook his head, grinning. "She was one of the reasons I took so long to come back to Calico Falls."
Sadie studied Ed's features - his strong, chiseled jaw, his bright eyes, and the angles his dark blonde hair made around his ear. He was no longer the skinny youth she used to know.
"She's quite pretty," Sadie offered.
Ed hauled back on the reins, pulling the wagon to a stop as he turned his eyes toward her. "If you think that," he offered, "you have very different taste that me." He grinned, trying to take away the doubt in her eyes.
Sadie looked up, meeting his eyes with her troubled ones. "Ed, you're a good man..." she started.
Ed's hands gathered hers into their warmth. "Don't say it, Sadie." His voice was a low whisper. "I married you because I wanted to." His eyes pleaded for her to believe him. "I care for you, I always have."
"You care for the girl you used to know." Her words barely reached him on the afternoon breeze as she studied her hands once more. "You should be with someone who deserves you."
Edward Hampton squeezed his eyes tight, tamping down on the pain in his heart.
"We all change as we get older, Sadie, that doesn't mean we aren't still who we were. That's what life is supposed to be about, learning, growing, and becoming better."
"I seem to have managed the growing part," she said bitterly.
"Darlin' I wish I could make you see you the way I do." His tender words made her look up, but the doubt was still in her blue-smoke eyes.
Ed placed his hand on Sadie’s cheek and leaned down, brushing his lips against hers. "You're still my Sadie," his words were a caress, "even if you don't know it."
Turning away, he took up the reins and clicked to the team, setting them in motion.
***
Sadie settled herself in the comfortable chair in the parlor, her mending at her feet. She had been working hard to get all the work done for the men of the ranch and one by one, she'd returned the garments, collecting her coin.
She had studiously avoided thinking about Ed over the past few days. She remembered the quiet boy who craved affection. She smiled, thinking of the long hours he spent teaching her to fish. He had been patient helping her bait the hook or removing a fish on
ce she'd caught it.
Sadie had been far more squeamish than she was now. Perhaps Ed was right when he'd said everyone changed. She looked down at her heavy waistline and sighed.
"You'd think I would have gotten thin again on the meager living I managed to eke out back home," she said aloud, then pushed the annoying thought away and continued her stitching.
The thoughts did not stay away long though, and her hands stilled. Why had Ed decided to marry her? she couldn't help but wonder. Obviously, there were woman here in Calico Falls who were interested in him.
Sadie could not stop her lip from curling in disgust at the way Darlene had practically thrown herself at Ed. "Oh Eddie," she mimicked.
Shaking her head, she forced her fingers back to work, making careful stitches that steadily reattached a pocket to a pair of pants. She wished life could be so easily mended.
Perhaps Ed would tire of her as well, old feelings of friendship ebbing away as younger, more attractive women drew his eye.
Once more Sadie's hands had stopped their steady up and down looping motion. What would she do then? What would she do if she wasn't woman enough for yet another man? A cold shiver ran down her spine and she thought of Faith tucked in bed for her nap.
Laying the garment on the chair, Sadie rose and walked silently up the stairs to the room she shared with the man who was husband in name only.
With great care, she pulled the dresser drawer open and fished under her garments until her hand made contact with the silk-encrusted lump.
Sadie’s hand curled around the old stocking, pulling it out. It was far larger than it had been before and jingled heavily in her hand. A sense of wellbeing filled her as she remembered that even after the shock and horror of a broken marriage, she'd been able to stand on her own.
She closed her eyes, thanking God that he had given her a gift that would provide for her and Faith, no matter what.
A soft cough caught her attention and she was surprised to see Ed standing in the doorway. In an instant, she shoved the bundle in her hand back into the drawer and closed it.
"I didn't expect you yet," she offered, embarrassed at her own thoughts and insecurities.
"I'm afraid I did it again," Ed spoke with a crooked grin as he stuck out his pant leg. "A young bull caught the seam somehow." The leg of the heavy denim had been cut in a straight slash down the side of the leg.
