by Emily Woods
Feeling satisfied at having done a bit of work, Kate went to the front room to find Maddie so that they could read together, but again the girl was missing. This time, she didn't panic but went straight to the barn. How had she gotten there without Kate noticing?
The men had all gone riding, presumably to look after the cattle or some such, so the barn was empty and quiet except for the scuffling and muted sounds of the animals.
“Maddie?” she called out. “Where are you?”
She heard a stifled giggle and realized that her daughter thought this was a game. They'd played many rounds of hide-and-seek before, so Maddie must have thought this was the perfect place to hide. Although she was frustrated that her daughter had run off yet again, her heart lightened at the thought that she felt playful.
“I'm going to find you, little one!” she called. “Where, oh, where has my little girl gone? Where, oh, where can she be?” she sang to the tune of 'Where, oh, where has my little dog gone?' A few minutes later, she saw a stack of hay moving a little and pounced on her. “Aha! There you are!”
Maddie giggled and shrieked, music to Kate's ears. She tickled her a little to make her laugh more and then pulled her close. She decided to savor the moment and save the scolding for later. There was always time later.
Chapter 5
Luke stood outside the barn and listened to the laughter from within. Although he didn't make it a habit to eavesdrop, it was not lost on him that he'd committed the crime twice now in the span of one day. However, unlike last time, the sweet sound made him smile. He was happy that Kate and her daughter were enjoying a carefree moment.
He'd spent some time the previous night praying for both of them. For reasons beyond his comprehension, he felt protective of both mother and child. Of course he felt sorry for them for the loss of their home and family, but it was something beyond that. Marge had dropped a hint that Kate's late husband hadn't been the most patient or gentle man. It hurt him to think that she’d suffered in any way because of him. He’d known joy in his life, and hoped that she would too. Although he wasn't exactly teeming with happiness at the moment, he knew what it was.
He was of two minds: part of him wanted to go in and see what they were up to, but another part told him to leave them alone, that their moment was private. He listened to the latter, turned around, and walked up to the house. His errand in the barn could wait.
“You’re early for lunch,” Marge commented, looking up from the large pot she’d been stirring. “Nothing’s wrong, I hope?”
Shaking his head, Luke walked over to the table on which a plate of fresh-baked cookies rested. “Not at all. I needed to get something from the barn, but I wanted to look in on you first.”
“Hah! You wanted a snack, more like.”
He grinned a little and pinched two cookies from the plate. Marge smiled back and set the kettle on the stove to warm up some coffee to go along with the treat.
“Kate and Maddie are in the barn, I think,” she remarked. “What do you think of them?” She put the lid on the pot and took out two mugs.
“I think they're doing the best they can, all things considered.”
Marge nodded slowly. “For sure. I've been praying for them both since I heard about the fire, but I didn't realize how...difficult things were for them.”
“I'm guessing you mean Maddie's not talking?”
Blowing out a long breath, Marge blinked several times, as though trying to hold back tears. “I feel for the little girl. It's hard enough to have everything taken from you, but to see it all happen in front of your eyes… The only thing she saved was the ragged old doll.”
After bringing the coffee over, Marge sat and poured them each a cup.
After adding cream and sugar, Luke stirred his coffee and frowned a little.
“She takes it with her everywhere,” he added. The doll was dirty, but he suspected that it would be a battle to get it away from her long enough to wash. “I guess they really didn't have anything left.”
“The state of their clothing upsets me something fierce.”
“You mean because it doesn't fit them proper?” He was no fashion expert, but it wasn't hard to see that the clothes hadn't been made for them.
She nodded emphatically. “I'm no expert with a needle, but I can do something for them. I just don't want to offend Kate.”
Luke gulped down his coffee and took another cookie. “Don't worry about that. Seems to me that she would be grateful for anything.” He'd noticed that much. Kate held herself back a little, but whenever someone made the effort to help her in some way, she was appreciative.
“Oh! Sorry!” Kate exclaimed as she pushed open the back door. “I didn't know you were here.”
He wasn't sure why she felt the need to offer an apology, but he shook his head to dismiss it. “I just stopped in for a breather,” he assured her. “I'll see you at lunch.”
With that, he stood and took his leave, but not before noticing the color in her face had risen and her eyes were sparkling. His stomach clenched a bit, but he ignored it. He wouldn't let himself be attracted to this woman, wouldn't burden her with himself. She had enough to deal with for now without adding his attention to her issues. He would be a friend to her, an older brother, but nothing more.
Please God, he prayed. Nothing more.
“I hope he didn't leave because of us,” Kate said, her brow lowering in concern. “He certainly shouldn't have.”
“Aw, don't worry about that. It was like he said. He just stopped for a snack. Speaking of which, I think someone might like a glass of milk and some fresh oatmeal cookies, right?”
Marge directed her question at Maddie, but Kate's mouth watered at the sight. She’d always had a sweet tooth. “Sounds wonderful, doesn't it, darling?”
Although she wouldn't push her daughter to talk, she would continue to give her opportunities, just in case. However, as expected, Maddie just nodded, smiled, and slid into the seat nearest the cookies.
“Wash up first, little one,” Marge admonished gently. “If you've been in the barn, chances are you got pretty mucky.”
Maddie already had a cookie halfway to her mouth and pouted a little at the comment. Kate wondered if she would defy Marge and half-wished that she would. That kind of behavior would be a sign of her regaining her old character.
But no such luck. She dropped the cookie and walked over to the sink compliantly. Kate helped her scrub up, trying to hold back her disappointment. She nearly chuckled at the irony. Most other mothers would be thrilled to have such an obedient child, and here she was wishing for some disobedience.
“Lunch smells wonderful,” she complimented her aunt. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Marge nodded toward the bread resting on the table. “You could cut that up, butter it, and put a towel over the top to keep it from drying out.”
After washing her own hands and sneaking a cookie, Kate moved the bread to the table and began cutting it up. She kept her eyes on her task, but her mind ran around in circles.
When she'd first come in, Luke and Marge had been sitting close together at the table, chatting intimately like a married couple. She wondered what their relationship was. It wasn't idle curiosity, she told herself, but concern that prompted her question. It would seem nosy, but she had to try to find out…for her aunt’s sake.
“So, how did you and Luke meet?” Although she really wanted to ask how he had become a partner, she decided to start off with this harmless question.
“Oh, well, I needed some help with the ranch after your uncle passed on and put out an advertisement. Luke came along shortly after and has been here ever since.”
Kate pretended to think about that for a minute, but then asked her next question. “And that was about four years ago, you said. So, you were looking for a foreman?”
Marge nodded and began taking big bowls out of the cupboards along with large tin cups.
“I was, but to be honest, I was lost
when it came to running the ranch. I'm not sure what Walter and I were thinking when we came out here, but I guess neither of us expected him to pass away so young.” Marge released a soft sigh. “We'd been here for nearly fifteen years but never managed to build the livestock up enough to make a profit. But since Luke came along, things have been going well. He told me to invest in more cattle even though it meant taking out a loan from the bank. I don't mind telling you I was scared to death, but his advice paid off. I can't help but think that Walter would be happy to see how this place has grown.”
Her aunt's gratitude was clear. Kate longed to ask if there was more between the two of them, but it didn’t feel like the right time to ask. In any case, the idea that Luke was taking advantage of her aunt was starting to fade.
“So, he owns fifty percent now? That's what a partner is, right?”
Marge shrugged a little. “It's not like we have a formal contract right now, but we will soon. We'll go to the lawyer's office when it's convenient and get the papers drawn up.”
“And if something happens to you, he'll get the whole ranch?”
Her aunt pulled back from the stove and turned to her, a small grin on her face. “Are you worried he's going to do me in to get it?”
Kate shook her head rapidly. “No, not at all! I j-just wondered...” She couldn't finish the sentence. Perhaps that was what she'd been thinking after all. “Uh, is lunch almost ready? How do you call the men in? Do you have a big bell or something?” She'd read about that in the book Mrs. Johnston had given them.
“Yep. There's one by the back door. Maybe Maddie would like to ring it.”
Taking her daughter's hand, Kate led her to the back where a large triangle sat beside the door. She was surprised she hadn't seen it before. She picked up and held it by the string at the top. Handing the rod to Maddie, she encouraged her to hit the sides. Tentatively, she struck one side and then another. Delighted by the sound, Maddie hit it harder and it rang out, loud and clear.
“Good job, love,” Kate praised. Even though her hand was throbbing from her daughter’s efforts, she encouraged her to continue. “Do it one more time just in case some of the men didn't hear.”
She didn't need to be asked twice. Screwing up her face tight, Maddie hit the sides so hard the triangle nearly flew out of Kate's hand.
“Okay! Okay!” she laughed. “That's enough! My hand’s going to be sore for a week!” But it was worth it to see the glee on Maddie’s face.
Within thirty minutes, riders could be seen coming in from the north. By then, the table was set and the food was ready.
“Do they come back for lunch every day?” Kate wondered.
“Depends.” Marge bustled about getting the food out and cleaning up as she went. “Some days their work takes them too far and I'll pack them some sandwiches, but I knew they would be within riding distance today.”
There were so many things Kate had to learn about life on a ranch. The book hadn't even come close to describing them. She felt what she'd learned could fit into a thimble, and what was required was a soup pot.
She could hear the men washing up just outside, presumably in the rain barrel she'd seen at the south side of the house where the sun could warm it up, and Marge started ladling thick soup into bowls. Kate filled each cup with cold water and placed it by the seats.
“Well, look at this!” one man exclaimed as he entered. “A right feast served by two beautiful ladies!”
“None of your cheek, Jake,” Marge reprimanded, but she was clearly suppressing a grin. “Take your seat.”
One by one, the men entered until all six, including Luke, were seated at the table and waiting patiently for Marge to allow them to begin.
“Would you pray please, Luke?”
Kate was surprised by the request. Last night, her aunt had said a brief prayer before dinner, so she thought that was the tradition, but now Luke cleared his throat and bowed his head. The other men's heads all lowered and their eyes closed.
“Father in Heaven. We are grateful for the food and the people who made it. We pray that it will give us strength for today. Amen.”
It was short and simple, but heartfelt for sure. Kate tried to see Luke's face out of the corner of her eye, but his head was already bent over his food.
Who was this man?
Chapter 6
Luke wanted to look in her direction, but his head felt heavy. He wanted his heart to beat slower, to calm down, to feel indifferent, but it wouldn't listen. There was no point in thinking of her as anything more than a sister. Attraction didn't matter. He was not the man for her. He couldn't be. Instead, he would be her brother, her champion, and he would find a good man to stand beside her and be her partner for life.
He glanced around the table at the men present. Most of them were good men, honest and hardworking, but would any of them be good enough for her? Would any be strong enough to help her carry her burdens? He wasn’t sure.
“What are you thinking on so fierce?” John wanted to know.
The man to his left, his senior by two years, was the closest thing he had to a friend. Luke generally kept to himself, but John hadn’t let him.
“Nothing much. Just wondering how many of the calves will survive through the winter.”
John's dubious expression said he didn't believe that was on his mind, but he didn’t say so. “Bit early to be worrying about that, I'd say. And you know what the Good Book says, 'Don't worry about tomorrow.' We got enough to think about today.”
Swallowing, Luke gave a brief nod. “Yeah, suppose that's true enough.” He mopped up his bowl with the bread and then stood. “Thanks for lunch, Marge.”
“You're not leaving already, are you? You haven't even had your coffee yet.” Marge frowned at him.
Luke shook his head. “I'm fine. I just want to get back to the new calf. Looked a bit puny to me.” Several other men rose at the same time, each one wanting to support their boss's decision, even if it meant rushing through their own lunches, but Luke didn't want company. “You all stay here and finish. I'll see you out there.”
The men protested a bit, but not very strongly. Luke assured them that he would be fine, and they resumed their seats. He left alone, which was what he wanted.
On his ride out to see the calf, he pondered his situation and prayed. God had brought Kate out here for a reason. He was sure of that. God always had a plan, but what was it? Also, what purpose did Maddie's silence serve? He knew that it upset Kate, even if she didn't show it.
When he reached the calf he was concerned about, his heart sank. It was lying on its side, eyes lolling around. Quickly, he dismounted and raced over to where it lay, the mother bellowing nearby.
After examining the calf, he deduced that it was possibly suffering pneumonia. The cough, nasal discharge, and labored breathing were all signs of the infection. Raising his head, Luke looked around to see if any others were affected. When it became clear that it was just this one, he sighed in relief.
The best way to bring the calf to the barn would be by wagon, but he worried what would happen if he left it here. The animal was only about seventy pounds, so he hoisted it onto his horse and prayed that he would be able to manage to bring it to the barn.
Of course the calf protested, but it was too weak to do much about the uncomfortable situation. The mother followed behind, mooing in concern.
When he reached the barn, he made a bed of fresh hay and got some fresh water, encouraging the calf to drink. He didn't allow the mother into the stall because he needed to focus. However, he tethered the cow nearby, close enough to see but not close enough to step on the calf.
The other men were just coming out of the house when he was finishing up.
“What's up, boss?” John called out as he jogged over. His face was marked with concern.
“Pneumonia, I think. Can you get some hands to ride over and see if there are any others?”
Within a few minutes, three of the men were riding off in
different directions to do his bidding.
“Please, God,” he murmured as he continued to offer water to the sick calf. “Don't let others be affected.”
If there were more, the ranch could suffer. How much, he couldn't say, but they depended on the new arrivals to support their livelihoods. He’d hired on some new men this year and would hate to have to let anyone go.
Although other people might find it strange that he was praying for one sick calf, he had witnessed the power of prayer before and he wasn't going to undermine it now. If God cared for the sparrows, he would care for this creature too.
Kate saw the men take off in different directions and wondered what was going on. She and Marge had just finished cleaning up the lunch dishes, so she went out to the barn to see what was happening.
“Want to go for a walk, sweetheart?” she asked Maddie. The little girl nodded, scooped up her doll, and took her mother's hand.
As they headed for the barn, Maddie skipped a little. The action made Kate smile, but as they neared the building, she stopped suddenly. Inside, someone was talking in low tones. She didn't want to eavesdrop on what might be a private conversation, so she started to turn Maddie in a different direction but then caught sight of Luke kneeling in the hay. A cow was tied up behind him, straining at the rope and making unhappy noises.
Her curiosity aroused, she was about to call out to him when she saw that he had his hand on a calf, eyes closed and talking. Was he talking to the animal?
It only took her a moment longer to realize that he was praying. Surprised, and then worried that he might be embarrassed, she tugged on Maddie's hand and they walked around the barn. Again, she was surprised by this man. That he was a believer was clear enough, but to pray for an animal? That was a different kind of faith than she’d known. People back home didn’t do such a thing.
