Amethyst

by Lauraine Snelling

  “Morning. Merry Christmas.” Carl looked out from around the hind legs of the cow was he milking.

  “Merry Christmas to you too. All right if I walk Kentucky around inside here? He’s not up to plowing through snowbanks yet.”

  “Of course. There’s oats in the bin and hay in the mow. Help yourself.”

  “I’ll fork some down for your team too, and the cows.”

  “Thanks.”

  McHenry climbed the ladder, wincing each time his full weight hit the bad leg. Stairs and ladders weren’t the easiest for him at the moment, but inhaling the fragrance of hay took his mind from the pain. And he didn’t trip—one more thing to be grateful for. He found the fork stabbed into the stack and pitched enough to feed the animals. If this was all the hay Carl had, unless spring came real early, he was liable to be in trouble.

  Unwrapping the scarf from around his neck, he stuffed it into his pocket. Pitching hay warmed one right up, like chopping wood. He’d noticed Carl had a nice woodshed with cut wood stacked around the three walls. The other building must be his workshop.

  Jeremiah fed the animals hay and dumped a small amount of oats in the grain box in the manger. “Don’t need you getting fat, old son, what with nothing to do here.” He pulled off the blanket and gave Kentucky a good brushing, threw the blanket back on, and backed him out of the stall. They walked up and down the aisle behind the cows and around the open center of the barn, Kentucky following him like a dog on a leash. After putting the horse back, he dipped water out of a barrel, breaking through the ice crust, and gave him a drink, then did the same for the Heglands’ two horses and the cows. “What are you feeding the pigs?”

  “I have a bucket up to the house. Keep it on the porch mostly, so it will have to thaw some. I throw a little grain and water too.” Carl stood up from the last cow and poured the frothing milk into a milk can, keeping out a bit to pour in a flat pan for the begging cats. “They don’t give much these days but enough to keep us going. Pearl sends what she can in to the store. Winter can get kind of tough.”

  “I’ll help you carry that.”

  “Oh, I got the sled right outside the door. Need to build a well house this year. Right into that hill east of the house will be a good site. Can run a pipe from the pump.”

  “Looks like you’ve done real well for yourself.”

  “Been working for de Mores long hours. It’s good pay, long as we can build. That man has more ideas than a sheep has ticks. Shame he’s not here right now so you could meet him. You and he got a lot in common, both having been in the military.”

  “All those brick buildings there to the west of town are his?”

  “Cattle yards, abattoir, railroad siding, icehouse. He ships butchered beef halves and some sheep in ice-cooled cars to the big cities back east. He’s even brought salmon from the West Coast clear to Chicago and points east.”

  “So he doesn’t live here year-round, then?”

  “He mostly does. His family comes out for the summer and returns to New York for the winter. He’s got so many people working for him….” Carl shook his head. “He owns Medora, in a way.”

  “He hiring any?” Jeremiah shut the barn door behind them, making sure the wooden handle was secure, and followed the sled to the house, remembering to cover his face this time.

  “Not that I’m aware of. Things kind of shut down for the winter, you know.” Both men stamped the snow off their boots after lifting the can up the stairs and into the warmth of the kitchen.

  “I’ve heard rumors that he’s not well liked.”

  “Don’t bother me none. I just do my work and go on about my own business. He thinks he’s always right and everyone should know it. Not much patience.”

  “Sounds like some of the generals I’ve known.”

  “Sometimes when folks got a lot of money, they lord it over the rest of us. He’s French, you know.”

  “If you two will wash up, breakfast is ready.” Pearl nodded to a pan of water warming on the stove.

  “Pa?” Carly stood in front of her father.

  “Yes?”

  “Tree.” Her mouth was as round as her eyes. She pointed to her chest.

  “Gifts for you? Really? How do you know?”

  “Ma say.”

  “Said,” Pearl corrected from the stove where she was stirring redeye gravy. “We just need to put the things on the table.”

  “Come, Carly, let’s get you up in your chair.” Carl smiled at his wife and took his daughter’s hand.

  Jeremiah glanced over his shoulder from wiping his hands to see Miss O’Shaunasy carrying platters of food in to the table. “Merry Christmas.”

  She nodded. “Merry Christmas to you.” Her tone was guarded.

  Well, he could understand that. Still…He sat across from Miss O’Shaunasy again and thought back to his years in Little Missouri and the women he’d known here. Belle—now, that was one not quiet woman—Daisy, Cimarron, and then there was Ruby. He bowed his head for Carl to say grace, another nicety that didn’t happen much in the mess line or when he ate with the other officers. Grace was one of those things that came west with the women. Not that it should be that way, but from what he’d observed, it seemed to be.

  Now, why was that? He read his Bible fairly frequently, well, at least when he was in camp and for sure on Sundays. All the while he passed the platter and bowls and answered questions and said please and thank you, his mind played with what was really a new thought to him. When there was a worship service around, he went and worshiped. That brought up another thought. He’d attended the worship services in Dove House after it lost its tarnished reputation and truly became Dove House, a fine boardinghouse and a good place to eat, but Ruby brought that all about. The three other women who lived in Little Missouri, those not at Dove House, did nothing to make their men be civilized, but then, what could one do with the likes of Jake Maunders and Williams?

  He turned to Pearl. “That was a fine breakfast. I haven’t had two such fine meals in a long time, and it’s been too long since I was in a real home with ladies in attendance. You cannot begin to know what life was like in Arizona Territory.”

  “Why, thank you, sir. You’re going to find a lot of changes since we are Medora now and not Little Missouri, although there are still a few living over there.”

  “What are you going to do?” Carl leaned back in his chair and nodded to Jeremiah.

  “For starters, I’d like you to build me some furniture—a table and chairs and a big rocking chair with leather seat and back. I’ve always wanted a chair of my own.”

  “But you don’t have a house.”

  “I will soon as I can get back on the land and check out a few places. I remember a likely spot up the river beyond Rand’s. If no one is building there, I’ll stake a claim, build me a log cabin, and settle in. I’d like to run a few beeves, get myself a dog, and not chase any more Indians or renegades for the rest of my life.”

  “You don’t want to be closer to town?”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t picture you as a hermit.” Pearl stopped her tableclearing. Amethyst could already be heard in the kitchen washing dishes.

  “Don’t plan to be. But a good horse can get me to town when I want. Other than beef and sheep, is anyone supplying meat for those who can’t go hunt?”

  “Opal brings us a deer once in a while. She brought us the geese we had last night. A man north of town raises a few extra hogs. That’s where we get our pork. Atticus was a big help. He and his brother would bring us fish, help Pearl with the garden, and such.”

  “Ruby wrote to me about that. What a shame. He was one good worker, honest as the day is long.”

  “So you kept in touch some?”

  “She was more faithful than I. While I’m not surprised that Opal is out hunting, it’s hard to believe she is old enough to do all that she does.”

  “More coffee?”

  Carl raised his cup. “You got any of those sandbakkel
s left?”

  “You just had breakfast.”

  “I know, but I got a hankering for some of your cookies.” He turned to Jeremiah. “She only bakes these at Christmastime. She also makes cinnamon rolls that melt in your mouth.”

  “Hush, you’re embarrassing me.” Pearl laid a hand on her husband’s shoulder as she leaned over to refill his cup.

  Jeremiah watched the little byplay, an arrow of jealousy piercing his heart. I want that—my wife’s hand on my shoulder, loving by teasing. I don’t want to take it from them. I just want it too. Lord, is there a woman for me in your scheme of things? Is that why there was no room at the other places in town, so I could get a glimpse and grow a hunger?

  After breakfast they adjourned to the parlor, where the gifts under the tree were passed out by a beaming Carly.

  “That one is for you.” Pearl pointed to a package with a red bow.

  “Me?” Carly looked over her shoulder once more as she squatted in front of the gift. She touched the bow with a reverent finger. “Pretty.”

  “See, you slide the bow off like this.” Carl put his hands over hers and did as he said. Then they slid her finger under the pasted paper at the bottom. Carefully, so as not to waste the precious paper, Carly worked at each spot of paste until she had the paper free. She stared into the box, her eyes wide.

  “For me?”

  “Yes.”

  She lifted out a doll with a carved wooden head, arms, and feet and dressed in a red calico dress with a white apron. A matching sunbonnet was tied in a bow under the chin.

  Jeremiah studied the doll, which was dressed down to leather shoes. “Did you carve the head?”

  “Yes. First time I’ve tried a doll.” Carl set the box on the floor next to his daughter, who sank down at his feet and traced her doll’s face in between hugs. “Carly, why don’t you go get the other box?”

  “You want to bring it here, and we can open it?” Pearl asked.

  Carly nodded, picked up the package, and carried it to her mother. She set it in her lap and beamed up at her.

  They went through the same slow process as before until finally the gift was revealed.

  “For me?” Carly held up a wooden rattle, carved so intricately that a wooden ball rattled around the ribs to make noise.

  “No. That’s for Joseph.” Pearl held out her hand. Carly giggled as she shook the rattle by the rounded handle and laid it in her mother’s palm.

  “You take that box to Miss O’Shaunasy, Carly.”

  “But—”

  Jeremiah saw the consternation on her face. He knew what she felt like. Here they were giving out gifts, and he’d not brought anything. He was sure she hadn’t either.

  She unwrapped a cable-knit scarf, dyed a soft yellow.

  “How beautiful. Thank you.”

  Carly brought the next gift to him and held it out without getting too close. “Here.”

  “For me?”

  She nodded soberly.

  “Thank you.”

  “Open.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Inside Jeremiah found a scarf too, knit in natural black wool.

  “I figure no one can have too many scarves out here.” Pearl rocked gently, her son sound asleep on her shoulder.

  After they opened the rest of their presents, the sound of sleigh bells brought Carly to the window where the sun beamed in. “Comp’ny.”

  Brownie barked from the front porch as Carl went to the door. “Hey, Charlie, come on in. Got someone here who’d like to see you.” He turned and smiled at Jeremiah, beckoning him to the door.

  “We’ll be back later—just checking to make sure everyone’s all right.”

  Jeremiah stepped out on the porch. “Hey, Charlie, things changed somewhat since I’ve been here.”

  “Cap’n McHenry, you made it through all those Indian wars. Welcome home.”

  “Told you I’d be back. And it’s just Jeremiah McHenry now. I don’t want any more titles, nothing to do with the military. That’s finished.”

  “You mind if I tell the others?”

  “Not at all.” He waved as Charlie clucked his team and headed on out again. “Merry Christmas.”

  He stepped back in the house. “My word, but it’s cold out there. After living in the desert of Arizona, this is going to take some getting used to.”

  “Rule number one: Don’t go out without a coat on.” Carl turned to his wife. “You think we could get another cup of coffee to warm this man up?”

  “I’ll get it.” Amethyst stood before Pearl had time to move. “You stay there with the baby.”

  Shame she isn’t planning on staying around here, McHenry thought again as he sat back down. Real shame.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  When can we go?

  Amethyst went through all the polite motions, when all she could think of was the coming meeting with Joel. Perhaps tomorrow they would be on their way east. Surely he didn’t have a lot to pack. The weather was clear. Mr. Hegland did have a sleigh, did he not? She sought to recall what he’d said.

  She knew for certain she would not try to walk to the Robertson ranch, not after the experience she’d had two days earlier. Even now she knew if she lay down, she’d be asleep again before her head hit the pillow. She’d never needed so much sleep in her entire life.

  Summoning all her courage, she turned to Pearl, who sat in the rocker nursing the baby. “Could I ask a favor?”

  “Of course.” Pearl looked up with a smile. “What can I do for you?”

  “It’s not you. I mean, do you suppose it would be possible for Mr. Hegland to hitch up the team and drive me out to the Robertson place? I don’t believe I dare try walking that far yet.”

  “Besides which you don’t know the way, and storms can blow in here within an hour. We’ve seen the temperature drop twenty degrees in less time than that. No, you certainly can’t walk out there—I will ask him when he comes back in. He and Mr. McHenry are out pumping water to fill the stock barrels while the weather is decent.”

  Amethyst well knew that, holiday or not, the animals had to be cared for. And caring for the animals back home in the winter was far easier than here. “Do you think he would have time?”

  “We’ll ask him when he comes in.”

  Amethyst knew she had to be content with that. “Thank you.” But knowledge was one thing and making her insides mind was an entirely different thing. Her stomach clenched into a knot, and her mouth was so dry she could barely swallow. Joel was so close and yet so far away.

  “This is a hard Christmas for Cora Robertson. Her husband, Ward, was shot and died last summer.”

  “How awful.” And for poor Joel with his mother gone. I have to know how he is faring.

  Carly stopped in front of Amethyst, the new doll clutched to her side, no one-arm dragging with this one. “Read?”

  “I don’t have a book.” The urge to sweep the child up and hug her nearly swept Amethyst off her feet. There had been so few children in her life, and sometimes the wanting one of her own ached worse than an infected tooth. Joel had been like her own, and he’d been jerked away. Sometimes you don’t realize how much you love someone until they are gone, she thought. At least that had been so for her.

  “Carly, go get your book off the shelf. That is, if you don’t mind reading to her. She loves stories.”

  “Not at all, unless there is something I could be helping you with in here.”

  “No. The ham is in the oven, you’ve already peeled the potatoes, the cabbage is ready to boil, the carrots too. I’m going to put this child to bed and come join you.” Smiling down at the yawning baby boy filling her arms and lap, she said, “Right, Joseph? Your tummy is full, and now you’re ready to sleep.” She nestled the baby tight against her side and stood. “Why don’t you two go into the parlor, and I’ll bring in tea and cookies. How would that be?”

  I want a baby like that. The thought hit like a sledgehammer to her heart. An auntie but never a mother. Amethyst could h
ear Carly in the parlor when a book hit the floor. “I’ll go help her.” Lord, I want to see Joel—you know how badly. If we could leave tomorrow, I might still have enough money to buy his ticket and pay for my stay here. We’ll need to eat on the train too. Her thoughts followed her into the parlor.

  “Can I help you?” she asked, kneeling by the little girl.

  Carly handed her the doll, as if bestowing a great privilege. “Here.” She turned back to putting the fallen books on the shelf, her brow wrinkled in concentration, handling the books with great care. When all were neatly aligned, she dusted her hands off on her pinafore and brought the book she’d selected to Amethyst. “Sit there.” She pointed to the rocking chair.

  Amethyst got the point. She was to sit in the chair and hold Carly on her lap. That was just the way it was done. Once they were settled, with the doll on Carly’s lap and the book open to the bookmark, the little girl looked up at the woman holding her.

  “Here.” She pointed to the top of the left-hand page.

  “Carly, you didn’t say please,” Pearl said from the arched doorway.

  “Pease.”

  Amethyst nodded. Joel was the last child she’d read to. Ever since he left, she’d not read aloud, knowing that it put her pa a bit on the defensive, as if she were lording her superior reading ability over him. But when she’d read to Joel, Pa had been right there to listen and enjoy. Men were certainly strange creatures. At least the ones that she knew.

  The story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland unfolded as she read.

  “Do you know that you have a lovely reading voice?” Pearl commented as she set the tea tray on the low table. “I’ve been enjoying the story as much as Carly.”