by Danni Roan
He was smitten with that girl. A quick smile dashed across his face as he remembered their embrace. It was high time he spoke to Joshua about their situation. He wanted to make the beautiful Fiona his wife and the sooner the better. A Christmas wedding would be rather special.
“You keep this up sonny an’ there’ll be enough wood round here to last to the turn a’ the cent’ry” Billy’s wizened old voice reached Hank as the wiry old man walked around the corner of the house.
Hank smiled and wiped his brow. “Nothing wrong with a good day’s work,” he said, looking at the piles of wood that sat haphazardly around the yard.
“Looked to me like you was doin’ more than just choppin’ wood though,” Billy said, squinting up at the giant before him.
Hank felt the blush spread across his face before he could stop it. The old man chuckled.
“I’ve seen that look before son,” he said. “I’ve even wore it myself a time or two.” His laughter deepened the blush on Hank’s face.
“Oh, don’t you worry none about it.” Billy waggled his gnarled hand, flapping it dismissively.
“A young fit man like you should be sparkin’ any pretty girl around if you ask me.”
Hank’s head came up and he studied the old chuck wagon cook.
“I ain’t sayin’ nothing to no one.” Billy huffed. “I was young myself once ya know.”
Hank let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding and tipped his hat to the old man.
“Now I reckon we’d best get this wood stacked and carry some on in to Nona. She’s making up another Christmas cake and she likes her wood box full all the time.” With another chuckle he began picking up the split wood on the ground.
For the next two days Hank worried about how to approach Joshua about his daughter’s hand. Part of him felt guilty for not speaking to the man before he started courting Fiona, but he’d wanted time for her to get to know him without any interference. After supper one night he brought it up with Meg who was scratching the chestnut foal behind the ears.
“Oh don’t worry about Pa,” the girl said, scratching the young horse under the chin as it stretched its nose over the bars of its stall. “He’ll be fine once he understands how you feel about her. Sometimes I think he worries about us girls and what will become of us.”
She paused, thinking about the issue a moment. The little blaze faced colt reached out and took hold of her skirt with its teeth and she calmly pinched it on the nose, making it stop with a shake of its fuzzy head. “Now Katie’s settled, I’m sure it will be easier for him to accept you courting Fiona.”
Hank smiled. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow right after dinner then.”
“Good for you.” Meg took his arm as they left the barn together.
Early the next morning Hank rose from bed, and stoked the fire while Eric got dressed.
“Eric,” he said once the boy was fully dressed. “Come here son.”
Eric’s eyes grew large at the serious tone in his father’s voice. Slowly he walked to where his oversized father sat at the table and scrabbled up into his lap.
“I wanted to talk to you about something.” Hank began. “I’ve been thinking about what you said about Fiona.” He looked at the boy checking to see that he was listening. “A while ago you said I should just marry Fiona and she could be your ma.”
Eric nodded his head.
“Well today I’m gonna ask Mr. Joshua if I can do just that.” The boy’s bright blue eyes grew larger still as he grinned from ear to ear.
“I’d like that Pa,” he said, throwing his arms around the man’s neck. Hank crushed his son to him, his heart full of love and hope.
“You can’t tell anyone until I speak with Mr. Joshua though, alright?” Hank pulled back and looked his son full in the face. “It’s got to be a secret.”
The boy nodded again, beaming.
That day Joshua agreed he’d go get a Christmas tree. The weather was bright if cold and although nearly two feet of snow lay on the ground moving about was easy enough.
“Hank?” The white haired man looked to the big man as they sat at breakfast. “We’ve got a set of long runners for the chuck wagon do you think we could put them on your big wagon and use your team to get through the snow?”
“Yes sir,” Hank answered happily. “We can get it set right after breakfast and start out when we’re done.”
Joshua smiled at the man then looked around the table. “Who’d like to come along and get the Christmas tree then?” he asked with a smile.
Most of the girls and a few of the hands were up to the adventure, so after lunch the men got the skids on the big red wagon and Hank hitched up his team.
Bundled in their warmest clothes Fiona, Meg, Katie, Issy, Lexi and Mae scrabbled excitedly into the back of the wagon with warm rugs and blankets to cover their knees.
Eric was lifted up onto the seat by his father but he quickly climbed back into the bed and snuggled close between Fiona and Meg. Hank looked at the boy surprised for a moment then chuckled.
Will, smiling broadly, took the opportunity to cuddle in next to his blushing wife, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. Joshua pulled himself up into the wagon seat next to Hank and with a soft laugh they headed out across the yard and into the vast white expanse of prairie in a wave of cheerful chatter.
The big horses, feeling fresh after little use, arched their necks, leaned into their harness and with a jingle pranced through the snow.
Even with the heavy weight of the wagon and its cargo of holiday makers the wide skids glided smoothly over the snow as the horses trotted along. Hank skillfully guided them along the well beaten paths and gullies toward the foot hills where dark pines dotted the landscape.
To no one’s great surprise Hank and Will were put to work chopping down the tree that was chosen and in no time they had dragged the large spruce into the bottom of the wagon. The girls and others climbed back into the wagon and making a wide turn, Hank headed the team back toward the ranch.
“This team of yours sure is something,” Joshua said conversationally as the horses trotted back the way they’d come. “Where’d you ever get them?”
Hank’s eyes took on a distant look as he guided the team by sheer habit. “They belonged to my father-in-law” he said after a while.
“You haven’t said much about your life in Chicago son. That’s your business if you don’t want to, but I’d like to know how you came by these two fine animals.”
Hank smiled. It was true he hadn’t talked much to the family as a whole about Chicago. Somehow they understood that he was glad to leave that part of his life behind. Besides, everything here at the Broken J had been so new, so wonderful. He desperately wanted to look behind him just to see Fiona smile.
“I don’t mind” Hank finally replied to Joshua’s comment.
“I went to work as an apprentice when I was only sixteen. I worked for a furniture maker. He was a talented man and his pieces were always in demand. He was a widower with one daughter and I came to live with them on agreement with my parents. I learned the craft and soon was working full time for Mr. Gates.
As we got to know each other over the years his daughter Sarah and I fell in love. Mr. Gates was thrilled. He bought this team while I was still his apprentice and we used the horses to deliver furniture to wealthy customers all over the big city. I was never a small man so lifting furniture and heavy items seemed just fine to me.”
Hank paused, casting his mind back to those years, for at least a minute he said nothing more.
“After Sarah and I wed things seemed to be going just fine.” A dark sadness touched his heart then as he remembered what happened next.
“When Sarah and I found out she was expecting we were thrilled.” He swallowed the guilt rising in his throat. “Her father was beside himself, immediately starting a new cradle for his future grandson.” Again the big man paused then taking a deep breath he continued. “Sarah was sick nearly the
whole length of her pregnancy. She was never strong and when Eric was born it was too much for her and her heart gave out.”
For long beats of the horses’ hooves Hank couldn’t go on, then he felt a strong hand on his shoulder.
“It’s a hard thing losing the ones you love.” Joshua’s voice was full of empathy and Hank started remembering that the older man had buried not only one but three wives.
“But take my word for it son,” the other man continued. “You can learn to love again.” For a moment the cattleman’s eyes glanced to the back of the wagon and Hank tensed wondering if his boss suspected about his own feelings for his daughter. He knew he had to talk to him and soon.
“My father-in-law was never the same after Sarah passed.” Hank continued his story hoping to distract his boss. “He got sick and just withered away.”
He sighed, remembering the loss and pain and the struggle to care for Eric even with a wet nurse. He looked around, under his elbow at the boy tucked in with Fiona and smiled.
“After that things got pretty rough,” Hank finally admitted. “It turned out that Mr. Gates had mortgaged the shop and the house for everything he could get. He’d over extended himself badly but never let on. When the bank came to repossess I was shocked to say the least. The only thing left free and clear was this team and the wagon, and I inherited both.
I’m not ashamed to admit it but I would have been far worse off if not for old Scott and Jack. Without the income from using them for delivering beer to establishments in Chicago I couldn’t have made it through.”
Joshua looked at the very large young man sitting next to him and smiled. He was glad to have a strong, honorable, hardworking young man on the ranch and if what he’d been hearing lately was true, he might be adding another son-in-law to the family Bible.
The sound of singing, and the jingle of harness alerted Isadoro and the other men that the Christmas tree crew was returning and they quickly called Nona and the others out of the house just as the two horses clattered to a stop in a spray of snow at the front door. The girls were laughing as the last strands of the song jingle bells ended on their arrival.
Wreathed in smiles, the girls were helped down from the wagon bed and then the men, under Nona’s watchful eye, carried the big tree into the parlor where she’d cleared a spot to one side of the large stone fireplace. Soon everyone was gathered in the parlor, munching on sandwiches and drinking hot chocolate as they all hung their most prized ornaments on the evergreen boughs.
Meg began to sing softly, bringing to life ancient carols that told the story of Christmas. When the tree was nearly finished Nona handed a small gilded angel to Eric.
“Now you put that on top of the tree and make a wish,” she told the boy grinning. Eric ran to his father, holding the ornate piece in his small hands.
“Pa, this goes on top,” he piped. His father, wrapping long think fingers around the boy’s middle, lifted him high above his head, holding him there until he’d carefully adjusted the image.
Soft sighs whispered around the room as the finished tree sparkled in the bright afternoon light coming through the windows.
“It’s the most beautiful tree ever,” Nona gushed as the silence stretched on. The room broke into cheerful laughter and then one by one everyone drifted off to their chores.
Eric’s nap seemed too short that day to Fiona. She’d heard most of what Hank had said to her father on the way back home and her heart longed to wrapper itself around him and take away all of the hurt he’d ever known. She’d just finished tidying the tiny hut when the big man himself opened the door and stepped in.
“I was helping Deeks,” He said in way of explanation as he hung his hat on a peg. Fiona was in his arms before he’d even had time to turn back around. She wrapped her arms around his middle, pressing her face to his chest. He stood there by the door pulling her close, feeling the warmth of her sinking into him, and his heart turned over in his chest.
Thoughts of Sarah and the tragedy he’d suffered rose up in his mind and suddenly he knew Fiona had heard his conversation with her father. How could one woman have so much compassion in her?
Gently he lifted her face with his large, yet gentle hand, and looked into her eyes. The deep greenish tint of her hazel eyes smoldered with sympathy. He lowered his head his gray gaze locked on her stormy one. As his lips touched hers his whisper touched her heart.
“I love you” He said and Fiona gasped, her eyes never leaving his. He smiled against her lips. “Didn’t you know?” he finally asked.
“I” she seemed lost for words. “I could only dream,” she finally answered. Emotions raced across her face as she studied his.
“I think I’ve been falling in love with you since the moment I saw you swing Eric down off of that wagon seat on the day we first met.” Her words came out a soft sigh.
Hank’s gray eyes laughed, as he ran a thick thumb along her jaw. “Well then I guess I’d better do something about that” he said and kissed her again.
Chapter 12
Supper that night was the usual riot of voices, laughter, and mayhem. Nona passed out assignments for the next day to everyone at the table, explaining exactly what she wanted to see about the ranch for the Christmas festivities.
Her eyes twinkled like a child’s with sheer excitement for the holiday. Eric became just as excited and chattered with Meg and Fiona in turn.
Hank heard Chen Lou on the far end of the table lean toward Mae Lynn and stage whisper. “She too bossy.”
Hank’s loud guffaw startled everyone but he couldn’t contain himself. His heart was full of love and for the first time that he could remember he felt like part of a family.
This crazy miss-matched group of people, full of their own dreams and with their own unique stories somehow melded together in love and purpose. Family was not just blood, family could be those you loved no matter how different, how strange, or how loud. The rest of the table joined him in his laugh as they finished their meal.
Meg walked Hank to the barn. “Are you going to talk to Pa tonight?” she asked, excitement dancing in her eyes.
“Yes, I can’t keep putting it off. Are you sure he’ll be a right with me asking for his daughter’s hand?”
Meg moved to stand before him, her bright, startling eyes, meeting his with a smile. “I’m sure it will be just fine. As long as you explain how you feel, he’ll be happy.”
The door that had opened on silent hinges closed again just as silently as Walter’s double timed it back to the big ranch house.
Hank offered Meg his arm as they left the barn. The young woman squeezed it to reassure him as they both saw her father standing on the front porch in the last rays of the sun. Smiling, she released his arm walking past her father and on into the house.
Nervously Hank removed his hat as he took the first two steps up to the porch. “Mr. James,” he said clearing his throat. “I. Ah.” He paused, clearing his throat again. “I have something I’d like to talk to you about sir.”
“Well go on then son,” Joshua offered encouragingly.
“Well sir, I’ve grown very ah, fond of your daughter you see.” He ran his hand through his hair trying to calm his nerves.
Joshua smiled. “I see.” He kept his voice passive.
“Yes sir, and you see I think she feels the same way I do and well, I’d like to… I mean… I’d like to marry her sir,” He finally blurted out.
“I see,” Joshua said again running his hand over his jaw, feeling the stubble of the day under his rough palm. “Well maybe we’d better talk to her about the matter then don’t you think?” He added then turning opened the door and called into the house. “Meg!” his voice boomed through the hall. “Meg come out here.”
Hank blinked as the man called for Meg to join them, stunned for a moment, trying to remember exactly what he’d said, then with a start realizing he hadn’t said he wanted to marry Fiona.
“Oh, no sir,” he began, feeling flustered.
“What?” Joshua’s eyes narrowed at the younger man.
“I mean, I’m sorry, this isn’t going well. I… I don’t want to marry Meg sir. I want to marry Fiona.”
Joshua James stood to his full height as anger washed over him. “Why you low down two timin’ gutter snipe,” he growled. “What do you mean you don’t want to marry Muiread? After all of the time you’ve been spending with her every evening and now you’re interested in Fiona.” His voice was growing louder as he advanced across the porch.
Hank took one step back down the stairs. Confusion and a little fear muddling his thoughts. “Meg?” He questioned again. “But…”
“But nothing. I’ve heard how you’ve been holding hands, and hugging in the barn.” Joshua continued to advance. “How dare you play my girls against each other? I believed in you? I thought you were honorable.” Joshua’s hands curled into fists just as the screen door slammed shut.
“Pa!” Meg’s voice rose in shocked surprise.
“Meg, darling.” Joshua’s voice was still ragged. “I’ll sort this scoundrel out right now. No man will ever play my girls false.”
Sudden understand hit Meg like a bolt of lightning and she reacted as only Meg would. She laughed.
