by Maggie Ryan
"Ah, did I say tiresome? I meant tirelessly caring," Matthew said, deftly dodging out of the next swing of her hand.
After hobbling their two horses, Matthew knew it was time to go. The sun was almost entirely gone from the sky, and riding down the mountain in complete darkness was a tricky endeavor.
"Don't forget these," Sally said, handing him the shirt and blanket he'd loaned them. "I'd forgotten all about leaving them to dry and almost lost the shirt but found it caught on a bush."
Matthew tucked the items into his saddlebag. "Thank you for allowing me to spend the day with you both," he said. "I'm already looking forward to seeing you again tomorrow. Oh, Davy, do you have a hammer and an ax?"
The boy looked up at his ma.
"I think so, but I'm not sure," Sally said.
"That's fine. Davy, if you'll just pull out whatever tools you can find, I'll bring some as well. I know we'll need a shovel to dig the post holes, and some nails. I'll bring some rope so we can string your ma a clothesline, as well."
Davy nodded again and turned to run, as if he intended to take an inventory of his pa's tools immediately. Matthew lifted his hand in response to the boy pausing and turning to give him a wave before he climbed into the wagon. Sally smiled and stepped closer.
"If you see Anna, please tell her I'm sorry—"
"You have nothing to apologize for but I will reassure her that everything is all right. I know she felt just awful about upsetting Davy. She's a good woman… every person on the Rose understands and wants to be friends."
"They all seem to be nice; you're lucky to have them." He nodded and she sighed. "I already miss you."
"You took the words right out of my mouth. I'll see you in the morning." Bending, he kissed her softly, wanting so much more, and yet satisfied with just a small taste of promises to come. Swinging up into the saddle, he nodded when she whispered for him to be safe, tipped his hat, and turned Ranger down the mountain.
***
Matthew wasn't truly surprised to find he wasn't alone when he opened the bunkhouse door after settling Ranger for the night. His four partners were sitting around the table, cups of coffee before them. Hooking his hat on its peg, Matthew poured himself a cup from the pot on the stove and, turning a chair around, straddled it.
"Everything all right?" Roger asked.
"I think it will be," Matthew said, taking a sip. "Good Lord, Roger, when are you going to learn to make a decent cup of coffee? This tastes like you scraped it off the bottom of your boots."
"Hey, don't blame me, the pot was still full. I just reheated it. If it tastes like shit, blame yourself," Roger said, giving a crock a shove, sending it across the table towards him. "Go ahead, we won't look if you have to add sugar to it."
The men chuckled, but not a single one stood to pour out the bitter brew, or said a word when Matthew unabashedly dumped three spoons of sugar into his cup.
"Sally said to make her apologies…"
"None needed," Richard said, causing Matthew to chuckle.
"That's exactly what I told her." He knew the men were waiting for more information and, after taking another sip, summarized what he'd learned about the tornadoes and the Jeffersons' decision to move west.
"That's pretty fucking awful," Wyatt said, four heads nodding in agreement.
"Where exactly is she staying?" James asked, and Matthew told them.
"Funny how she found a spot adjacent to the Rose," Roger said with a grin. "Sort of like fate brought her and her boy to you."
Matthew chuckled and shook his head. "More like Morgan." He explained how the wagon master had suggested the spot.
"Well, well, who knew Zachery had a bit of matchmaker in him. He's one tough son of a bitch," James said.
"He is, but he's a good man," Richard said. "I can't imagine how he feels knowing he lost good men on the train. He prides himself in bringing every person who started the trail safely to the end. I can see him taking extra care to ensure Mrs. Jefferson found a place." He paused and nodded. "And I'm not the least bit surprised he sought out a spot next to us. He's probably counting on the fact that our women not only can but will want to make her feel welcome."
"Has she gone into the land office and staked the claim yet?" Wyatt asked.
"I didn't ask, but I didn't see any stakes either, but then I wasn't really looking. Hell, I'm not sure how Morgan got those oxen up to that ridge, but it is a pretty spot," Matthew said.
"Not very conducive to running cattle, though," Richard said. "Why don't you suggest moving her herd down to pasture with ours? We've got plenty of land and it'll save her the cost of boarding them."
"I'll do that," Matthew agreed. "I know we split up the work around here but, well, I'd like to take some time to help them. I promised Davy we'd build a small corral. They've got two horses, and I know she'd like to bring her milk cow down. Nothing big but it'll take a few days."
"Take all the time you need," Richard said. "You've done more than your share of the work since we came here. Not a one of us is going to begrudge you some time."
"Especially not when there's courtin' involved," Roger teased.
Matthew grinned and shook his head. "Well, at least none of you is gonna have to lie in bed listening to Roger's endless discussions about how great it is to be courting, or how marvelous it is to fall in love…" He paused, realizing that all four of his partners were grinning from ear to ear.
"Ah shit, can we keep that last part to ourselves? God knows what your womenfolk will do if they even thought I might be… well, you know."
James laughed and was the first to stand. "Believe me, we know. My lips are sealed but knowing these women, once they get even the smallest whiff of love in the air, that your bachelor days may soon be over… well, holding them back will be as futile as trying to keep the sun from rising each morning." He slapped Matthew on his back as he took his cup to the board that served as a counter.
The other men stood and followed suit. Roger seated his hat on his head and pulled Matthew into a hug, thumping his back with his hand. "I'm happy for you. Your Sally and her son seem like really good people."
Matthew just nodded, the lump in his throat testifying as to the depth of friendship he felt for these men, and the fullness of his heart giving voice to exactly how good he knew Sally and Davy to be.
Chapter Ten
"That's the funniest looking shovel I've ever seen," Sally said as Matthew untied the ropes holding some of the tools he'd brought.
Matthew grinned, handing the fishing rod to Davy. "You can't expect men to work hard all day without a fishing break, can you? Ever since Davy caught those trout, I've had a hankering for fried fish."
"You catch them, I'll cook them," Sally said, "but remember, I won't clean them!"
"Women," Matthew huffed. "Got your site picked out, son?"
Davy nodded and, accepting a pouch of nails and a coil of rope, practically bounced on his feet in his eagerness to show Matthew.
"Let's take an inventory of what tools we have and then we'll get started," Matthew suggested. It didn't take but a few minutes to ascertain that while the Jeffersons didn't have very many tools, they could make a good start with what he'd brought.
"Don't you want a cup of coffee first?" Sally asked.
"Nope. I can see that Davy has already worked hard getting things prepared. I don't want to hold up a man's work." He tempered his refusal with a smile and a quick kiss on her cheek, pleased to see that the gesture didn't seem to bother Davy. Leaving Sally with a slight flush on her cheeks, he turned and waved his hand. "You're the boss man. Lead the way, sir."
Davy turned and ran off, King and Matthew following. The area he'd chosen was to the right of their camp, stacks of stones designating the four corners. The river was close by to make either leading the horses to drink or hauling water to them easier. What really impressed Matthew was that the boy had chosen a spot that held a large tree in the center of the area, one that would provide shade from th
e sun or shelter from the rain.
"Couldn't have picked a better place myself," he praised. "You've got the honor of digging the first hole." Though the shovel was large, Davy gave it a valiant effort, but was having a tough time getting the blade of the shovel to cut through the earth. "Let me show you a trick," Matthew said, taking the shovel and, lining it up and bracing both hands around the handle, he gave a small hop and jumped onto the metal rim. His weight and the force of his jump sank the blade a few inches into the ground.
Between the two of them, they had the four corner holes dug and additional holes between each line within a few hours. Matthew knew he could have completed the task in a fraction of the time but that wasn't the point.
Removing his hat, he pulled his bandana from his pocket. "Oh, I brought you a man's handkerchief," he said casually, pulling another from the pocket's depth. "No more sissy hankies for you."
Davy grinned and accepted the bandana, wiping his own brow.
"Hmm, we'll need to get you a hat. The sun can be pretty brutal on the eyes." Eyeing the property, Matthew said, "We'll need some pretty thick branches for our posts. They need to be about twice your height. Seen any trees that you think will work?"
Davy also looked around and then turned and pointed to the other side of the river where the woods were much thicker.
"I don't know, it might be tricky getting them across the water, and we'd likely get pretty drenched wading the river."
Taking his hand, Davy tugged him towards the river. He didn't go downstream to where the wagon was, but directed Matthew upstream. Once at his destination, Matthew understood. The river narrowed to half its width, large rocks forming a channel, forcing the water to flow over a natural ridge, forming a small waterfall. Below the gentle falls, the river opened again, a deep pool shimmering in the sunlight, its surface dappled by the leaves of an overhanging tree diffusing the sunbeams.
"This is a beautiful spot," Matthew said, thinking the long branch hanging over the water needed a rope to swing from. He well remembered spending many a hot summer day filled with terror and excitement after jumping from the bank, holding onto a rope for dear life and then whooping loudly when releasing the rope at the limit of its swing to drop into the water. A tug on his hand brought him out of the pleasant memory.
"Sorry, just thinking we need more rope," Matthew said, including Davy in his thoughts. The boy's eager grin had him smiling and then nodding when Davy walked a bit further upstream before letting go of his hand and dropping to remove his boots and socks.
"Hey, buddy, I didn't mean we'd go swimming today," Matthew began. Davy shook his head and stood, stepping onto a rock at the river's edge. "Whoa, careful." The boy nodded and, before Matthew could believe it, was standing on the other side of the water, a big grin on his face. "Well, I'll be. It's almost like a sidewalk," Matthew said, quickly removing his own footwear and stepping into the river. "Shit… I mean, shoot, it's still cold!" Davy's giggle was the best sound he'd ever heard as he stepped out on the other side.
"You are brilliant, son. We can cross, cut our branches and then, with ropes, we can float them across." He scooped Davy up and twirled him around before setting him down. "Simply brilliant!" They spent some time examining trees, finding several that would provide what they needed. "We can start cutting…" Pausing, Matthew lifted his head.
"Davy! Matthew!"
"Uh oh, maybe we should have told your ma where we were going," Matthew said, hearing the anxiety in Sally's call. "We're coming!" he yelled as loudly as he could, causing a few birds to take wing from the trees behind them. "Come on, we'd better get back before she sends us to the woodshed."
Davy's eyes widened and then he snorted, shrugging his shoulders as if to ask, "What woodshed?"
Matthew chuckled and they were soon walking hand in hand back around the bend to reassure Sally that everything was all right.
"I said I was sorry," Matthew said quietly.
They'd found Sally, who stated she'd been calling them to lunch for a half hour. His apology hadn't removed the look of tension from her face, though he'd apologized yet again and assured her that he wouldn't forget to inform her of their whereabouts in the future.
"We didn't hear you until that last time you called," he said. "There's a small waterfall below where we crossed the river and—"
"You crossed the river!" Her eyes instantly went to their feet.
"Don't worry, we took off our boots and socks—"
"Your pants are soaked! Davy, go change." When the boy hesitated, she pointed to the wagon. "Right now!" Once he was gone, she turned to Matthew. "That child has had enough of swimming. My God, he has a wracking cough and yet you… you decide that it's perfectly all right to play in the same river that almost killed him!"
"Sally, calm down…"
"Don't tell me to calm down. I trusted you to keep him safe—"
"He is perfectly safe," Matthew cut in, reaching out to take her arm. "I would never do anything to put him in danger. I just didn't think to…"
She wrenched her arm free. "No, you didn't think. You almost gave me an apoplexy when I couldn't find you and you didn't answer when I called and called. You disappear with my son and let him get soaked in the river. God, how stupid can you be?"
"There is no need to yell—"
"I'll yell if I want!"
"Not at me you won't," he corrected, reaching for her. "I accept the fact that I should have told you where we were going. I understand why you were frightened…"
"I'm not frightened, I'm fucking mad!"
"That's enough," Matthew said. "You need to stop right now. Davy is fine. I haven't heard him cough a single time since I've been here today. He did not go swimming; he is not soaked. Yes, the hem of his pants got wet but that won't make him ill. What will is hearing his ma screeching and cursing like a fishwife. What will have him too scared to go near the water is your reminding him of what happened yesterday. He learned a tough lesson and you, young lady, are about this far from learning your own." He rubbed his index finger against the pad of his thumb.
"I'll fucking cuss whenever I damn well want," she hissed, "you can't tell me what to feel. You have no fucking idea how a mother… no, let me go!"
"Oh, honey, the only place you are going is over my knee."
"You… you wouldn't dare!"
"Unless you wish your son to know that you are about to get your ass spanked, I suggest you settle down." When she continued to try to pull away, he bent a little closer. "Remember I told you that I never promise anything I didn't mean? Well, little girl, I promise that I'm going to give you a spanking, and promise to keep it as private as possible, but I also promise that if you don't stop right this instant, you're not only going to have a tender bottom, you're going to know that your boy heard every single smack that you've earned. Understood?"
She instantly stilled when he gave her that first smack along with his question. Her mouth dropped open but self-preservation must have kicked in because not a sound was uttered. Matthew gave her a moment, as if to make sure she wasn't going to dig herself further into the hole she'd begun. "I'll give you a choice." Seeing the hope flare in her blue eyes, he almost chuckled. "You may choose to behave, and we will take care of your spanking when Davy takes his nap… or you can continue to act like a shrew and I'll be giving you that spanking right now. Which will it be?"
"I-I don't want a spanking…"
"That wasn't one of the options I offered. You are definitely getting a spanking. The choice is when Davy is sleeping, or now."
"I-I'm sorry. I was just…"
"Sally, we can discuss that afterwards but unless I hear your decision with your next breath, I'll make the choice for you."
She looked towards the wagon, then towards the woods, the river, the sky, but finally she met his eyes. "When Davy is… is napping… please."
"Very good." He bent down and kissed her forehead, and though she seemed surprised, the anger left her eyes. Matthew released her
arm to take her hand and together, they walked towards the wagon.
Matthew looked inside to see Davy sitting on the bed, a forlorn expression on his face. "Hey, buddy, no need to frown. You're not in any sort of trouble, all right?"
Davy didn't look convinced but managed a small nod. Lifting Sally inside, Matthew was pleased to see her immediately kneel down before her son and apologize for yelling at him. Leaving her to help Davy change into a dry pair of pants, he went to the fire. When the two emerged from the interior, Matthew had poured cups of water for them all and had plates of stew and biscuits on plates, ready to be eaten. He served Davy first and again thanked him for his hard work, praising him for finding the perfect river crossing.
"It wasn't right for your ma to yell at you, son," he said, handing him a cup of water. "But it wasn't right for us to forget to tell her where we were going. We won't do that again, all right?" Davy nodded and the three settled down to eat. Matthew couldn't help but notice that Sally would give an occasional squirm, and lowered his head to hide the grin he couldn't suppress. If she were squirming already, she'd most likely look like a freshly caught earthworm on a fishing hook when she sat on her well-spanked behind.
***
Sally knew that Matthew was well aware of her attempt to forestall the spanking she had been promised. Just thinking of what was to come had her swallowing hard, the tiny bite of biscuit she'd just taken sticking in her throat. She could feel her cheeks heating at the thought of being placed over his knees and to feel his hand—God, he would only use his hand, wouldn't he—on her bottom. Her movement stilled at his soft chuckle and she realized she'd actually squirmed a bit. Her gaze darted to his, seeing his grin, the dimple in his cheek making her want to squirm again for an entirely different reason. Ducking her head, she took another bite of biscuit, not even aware of its taste.
"Go ahead and finish eating," Matthew said, causing her to look up to see that the two of them had already completed their meal. "I'll take Davy down to wash his hands and tuck him into bed."
"Oh, but it's early," she said. "I mean, he might not be ready for a nap yet."
