Big Meadows Valentine (Eastern Sierra Brides 1884)

by Zina Abbott

  “Good-by, Luther,” Val said, exasperation lacing his voice. “Take your time.”

  Shaking his head, Val turned back to Beth. “I need to give these eggs to you before they all get broken and you lose your chickens.” Then, handing her one, he grimaced. “Looks like it might be too late for this one. It’s already cracked.”

  Beth took the egg carefully and gently turned it as she inspected it.

  “No, this one here’s about ready to hatch. See? The little chick’s peckin’ away at the shell from the inside. Reckon I need to scare up a basket for them. Should of told Luther to head on over to the livery and beg a handful of straw off them.”

  Beth handed the egg back to Val, wiped her hands on her apron and found a basket she which emptied. Carefully, one by one, she took all six eggs from Val as he fished them out of the sack inside his shirt. He lined the basket with the burlap. Then Beth settled the eggs in the basket. She shifted things around in the kitchen until she found a place near enough, but not too close, to the stove to keep them the proper warmth for hatching.

  “What does Gus think about you getting chickens?”

  “Ain’t told him yet. Reckon I’ll figure that out down the road a piece. Now, I aim to pay for them chicks. How much I owe you?”

  “Nothing. They’re a gift.”

  “I ain’t no charity case, Mr. Caldwell.”

  “Now, there you go getting all prickly on me again, Mrs. Dodd. I’m serious about gifting them to you. Besides, I hope you’ll agree to pay me in other ways.”

  Beth responded with a suspicious look. Val laughed in response.

  “If you insist, I’ll take one of your pies in trade and buy the other one so you can get chicken feed.”

  “Need a bill of sale so’s I can prove they’re my own separate property. You get one?”

  “No, the lady I got them from gladly took some stewing meat and soup bones in trade. But, I can write you up a bill of sale if you wish.”

  “Reckon that’ll do.”

  “Now, I have this other thing to give you. And, Mrs. Dodd, this is definitely a gift. I want you to understand that there’s a reason I made a point to get up here to see you on Valentine’s Day in spite of the weather. Here.” Val reached into a pocket on his inside of his jacket and pulled out a small envelope. “For you, Mrs. Dodd. My sister assured me women like things like this. I hope she’s right.”

  Curious, Beth slowly reached out and took the envelope from Val. She carefully opened it and pulled out a small valentine. A hand-punched white doily served for the backing. On top was a red heart. In the middle of the heart was lithographed a chubby cupid with his arrow drawn in his bow. Across the swatch that covered his privates it read, “Be my Valentine.”

  Beth studied it carefully for several seconds before, completely bewildered, she looked at Val and slowly spoke. “Ain’t that the most clever little thing you ever seen? It’s right pretty, Val.” Beth glanced back down and then back up at him. “But I can’t figure out none what I’m to do with it.”

  “It’s just something pretty to look at. It’s to give you an idea of how I feel about you.”

  Beth nodded her head. “Reckon I’ll keep it in my Bible.” Her stomach full of flutters, Beth turned and walked to her pie safe and set it on top. Val wanted her to be his valentine, but she wasn’t sure exactly what all that entailed.

  While she put the valentine up, Val shed his hat, gloves and the jacket that were proving to be too warm in the hot kitchen and hanged them on a peg by the back door. When he finished, Val turned to Beth and took her hand, pulling her to him.

  “You done brought me two things, Val,” Beth said. “I’ll bake you some pies directly if that’s what you’re wantin’.”

  “I’ll be happy to buy some pies. I’m sure we can find a way to get them home on the sled.”

  “Sled?”

  “Of course. Luther and I came up here on snowshoes dragging sleds full of dried meat. There was no way even the mules could get through with snow like this. That’s why we had to dry it— get rid of the water weight and make it small enough that we could get at least some meat up to you folks in Lundy.” Val nodded in the direction of the packet Luther had dumped in the corner. “Anyway, it gave me a good excuse to come up and see you.”

  Val lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.

  “You need an excuse to see me?” Beth asked softly.

  “No. But, I needed a good reason to convince Luther to come with me. It’s handy to have an extra gun along when you’re hauling meat in case we get trailed by hungry animals. Otherwise, I would have skied up here by myself and hoped Gus still had enough to keep you working.”

  “Reckon we’re doin’ fine, but the stews was gettin’ right thin on meat.”

  “What I’m hoping for is for you to be my valentine, Mrs. Dodd.”

  “Ain’t rightly sure what that means.” Beth could feel her heart rate speed up and her insides starting to go to mush. Standing this close to Val affected her in ways she had never experienced with any other man.

  “In this case, it means I’m requesting permission to court you. Now, I know it’s customary to ask the closest male relative for permission, but from what I hear, you don’t have any still living. But, if you would like me to discuss it with Gus first...”

  “Don’t need no man to give no permission about what I do, Mr. Caldwell,” Beth snapped. “I’m a widow and plenty capable of doin’ my own choosin’.”

  “There you go again. Too bad your name isn’t Rose.”

  “My middle name is Rose, but don’t see what that has to do with nothin’...”

  A twinkle in his eyes, Val turned Beth’s hand over and kissed her palm. What amazed Beth the most about it was that she let him.

  “The bloom of a rose is beautiful and sweet. But, if you aren’t careful when you handle one, the thorns on the stem will prick you every time.”

  “Ain’t rightly sure how to take that.”

  “Take it as I hope you will choose me for your valentine and allow me to officially court you. Tell me, Mrs. Dodd. I know you introduced yourself as Elizabeth when we first met. Is that what you go by? Or, are you generally known by a nickname such as Liz or Lizzie?”

  “Beth, though my little sister calls me Bethie like my ma used to. But, she’s the only one.”

  “Beth. I like that. It’s a beautiful name. So, Mrs. Dodd, may I have permission to call you Beth?”

  Beth smiled at him as she considered it.

  “Reckon you can call me Beth. But, I go by Mrs. Dodd to all these here miners, so don’t go introducin’ me around as Beth.”

  “Agreed.” Then, with a smile, Val added, “But I think I’ll call you Bethie Rose when you start getting prickly with me.”

  Beth stiffened her back and pursed her lips.

  “Now, don’t be that way, Bethie Rose. You haven’t answered the other thing I asked you. Will you grant me the honor of officially allowing me to court you?”

  Beth swallowed and looked away. She felt such a turmoil inside her that she wasn’t sure she trusted herself to answer. What should she say? She never had experienced feelings for a man like she did for Val. She certainly felt drawn to him. But, did she dare move in the direction of marriage where another man could take over her life and exert far more control over her than she felt comfortable allowing?

  “I ain’t so sure I’m ready to think of marryin’ again. Ain’t even got my first husband buried yet.”

  “I’m not asking for a commitment, right away. I’m just asking to officially court you so that we can learn more about each other and decide later if marriage to each other is what we want. Plus, I want to give all the men in this town the message you are not available.”

  Beth turned back and studied his eyes. She wasn’t sure when it had happened, but while they were talking, the two had gradually moved until Beth was backed up against the outside wall of the kitchen, opposite the stove and far enough from the doorway th
at only someone coming through the front door to The Arcade would see them.

  “You reckon it’s possible you might decide down the road a piece you might want us to marry?”

  Could he only be interested in those mining shares that Judge McLean says might be worth something?

  “Beth, I knew the first day I met you I want to marry you. You’re strong and beautiful and smart and determined. You’re not afraid to do what has to be done, or stand up to anyone and say your piece. But, I know your first marriage did not turn out well. You’ve suffered a lot of loss. I know you need time to get past it. I’m willing to give you time before you make a commitment.”

  “Reckon I can see my way to us officially courtin’.”

  As soon as she said the words, she panicked. What had she done? Beth licked her lips and then clamped them shut to keep them from trembling.

  “I would like to kiss you, Beth.”

  “Don’t rightly know that’s allowed when we’re only courtin’.” Beth whispered, her breathing starting to quicken.

  “It is where I come from.”

  Beth leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes. She parted her lips to answer him, if she could answer him, just as soon as she could think of what to say.

  Then she felt Val’s lips on hers, warm and soft, pulling her to him as much as his embrace that followed when he wrapped his arms around her back and pressed her against him. She was beyond rational thought. Her arms curled around his neck and her fingers plowed through his thick, dark hair left on the long side to help combat the cold. Val deepened the kiss, and her knees felt wobbly as she melded her body to his, seeking a physical unity to match the longing of her heart. The sensation was as exhilarating to Beth as it was frightening.

  I done been a married woman, but never had no kiss like this with Jim Dodd.

  Her heart told her this was where she wanted to be. Her head argued for her to keep some distance.

  With great reluctance, Beth gradually pulled away. Val’s hands remained on Beth’s waist and her hand’s rested on his shoulders. Val blinked and shook his head. Then his eyes met hers again, the longing there readily apparent, glowing like a beacon that pulled Beth to him. She offered him a shy smile.

  “You surely know how to kiss a woman, Val Caldwell.”

  “It’s the love behind it that makes all the difference, Beth. I’ve been waiting almost thirty years to find a woman to bring out a kiss like that from me. Don’t keep me in suspense any longer, Bethie Rose. Will you be my valentine?”

  “I done already figured on that, Val.”

  “What decided you, Beth? Was it that little scrap of heart paper I brought you? Did you read it and decide right then?”

  Joining in the fun, Beth shook her head with a laugh.

  “It was learning my name is Italian for Valentine, and you want me for my name. Right?”

  Beth shook her head. “Figured it out when I only knew you as Val.”

  “Was it because I tramped through the snow in one of the deepest snow seasons in years to be with you, even bringing you meat to cook?”

  “Mighty impressive, but that ain’t what decided me.”

  “Was it because I asked to court you?”

  “Nope.”

  “I know. It was the kiss, wasn’t it?” With that, Val leaned forward and tenderly kissed her lips.

  Once again, Beth felt her insides melt with longing. As his kiss ended, she kept her eyes closed for a second before she languidly pulled them open.

  “Didn’t know about no kisses like this when I figured on bein’ your valentine.”

  “You sure?”

  Once again, Val leaned in to kiss Beth, robbing her of breath.

  She shook her head. Once she thought she could speak rationally, she answered.

  “Them kisses are almighty powerful, but that ain’t what decided me.”

  “Then, don’t keep me in suspense any longer, Bethie Rose. When did you decide to be my valentine?”

  Did Beth dare tell him the truth of it? Did she dare tell him she felt drawn to him the first time she laid eyes on his handsome dark features and inhaled the scent of farm and hay and home that clung to him? Did she dare tell him how much it meant to her when he stayed at the Blue Feather the night she learned that the reprobate husband she had been chasing had up and died on her only hours after spending two nights in the madam’s bedroom? He had not run out on her even after Flora coaxed out the revelation how thoroughly her marriage had been a failure and how miserably she had disappointed her husband on their wedding night. He had not dragged her away from Flora when the madam had offered Beth a job in the brothel, but had allowed her to make her own decision and then stood by her.

  Beth knew she did not dare reveal how completely he had melded her heart to his the day he had pulled her into his arms and allowed, almost demanded, she grieve for the son she had lost, giving her permission to shed the tears she had held back for over a year. No, she dare not let this man know how completely she desired to throw wisdom and caution aside and yield to his wishes and expectations. If she was going to own her own life, she had to make the decisions about what was important to her, set up her finances and take care of the family she already had, first.

  Beth leaned away from Val and put her hands on his shoulders. Her eyes sparkling with mirth, she drawled, “Why, Val Caldwell, I figured you for my valentine when you brung me them chickens.”

  EASTERN SIERRA BRIDES 1884 Series

  COMING next!

  lUNDY RESURRECTION DAY

  The first week in April, 1884, the miners are pouring into Lundy, a gold mining town located in the eastern slopes of the Sierra-Nevada Mountains. “Resurrection Day,” the name given to Saturday, April 5th, is organized by the Lundyites to honor of the opening of the Lundy mines. The day celebrates the hope for new gold strikes, the return of the miners along with the boost this will bring to the town’s economy.

  The day before Resurrection Day, and in spite of the heavy snow that had kept Lundy isolated up until three weeks prior, Val Caldwell and his brother, Luther, drive a small herd of cattle up from Big Meadows to Lundy to be sold to the town butcher, Charles McLean, at the Central Market. Charles McLean also happens to be one of two elected justices of the peace in Lundy.

  That same day, Beth Dodd frantically works to bake enough baked goods to help feed the new miners as well as help her boss, Gus Herschel, prepare side dishes to go with the steaks the miners will be expecting to buy. As if the workload isn’t enough, Beth finds herself facing off the newcomers. In a town with a low ratio of women to men, and over half of those few women being prostitutes, Beth must convince the new miners she is a cook, not a whore. She expects them to treat her with respect.

  Resurrection Day starts with a march by the men in town up Main Street starting at Wilson’s Wine Room and ending at the Postoffice Store. The day also brings to Beth the news that the ground at the cemetery near Geneva at the other end of Lundy Lake is now thawed. It is time for her to hire men to dig a grave in order to bury her husband, Jim Dodd, who had been lying dead and frozen at the morgue for the past three months. Beth also receives a frantic request from Flora, the madam at the Blue Feather, to come help a pregnant prostitute give birth. Doctor Guirado is gone, escorting two sick Lundyites to the hospital in Bridgeport, and no other decent woman in town is willing to step foot in a brothel.

  Val, who is courting Beth and anxious to convince her to marry him, is willing to help her any way he can. But, just how much will the independent woman allow him his wishes? What will Resurrection Day bring before it is all over?

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  ZINA ABBOTT is the pen name used by Robyn Echols for her historical novels.

  Except for the first year of her life, Robyn Echols has lived in California. She started her young life in San Diego and has had gradually moved northward. She has been writing since she was in junior high school.

  After working several jobs, including that o
f being a rural carrier and union steward for the California Rural Letter Carriers' Association, Robyn has spent years learning and teaching family history topics. She enjoys focusing on history from a genealogist's perspective by seeking out the details of everyday life in the past. Several of her family history articles have been published in genealogy magazines.

  Robyn resides with her husband in California near the "Gateway to Yosemite." When she is not piecing together novel plots and characters, she enjoys piecing together quilt blocks.

  Website: www.zinaabbott.homestead.com

  Prairie Rose Publications

  A CHRISTMAS PROMISE—ZINA ABBOTT

  A sergeant plans to muster out of the Army after twenty years in order to go into ranching--and start a family. A new widow, grateful to have work as a housekeeper, struggles to provide Christmas gifts for her two children. An eleven year-old boy, still fiercely loyal to the dead father who neglected him while alive, struggles to learn how to grow to be a man. A younger sister is starved for the attention and affection only a father can give. This heartwarming tale of a bleak Christmas set in 1873 Wyoming tells of the gift of second chances and a promise for a brighter future. AMAZON LINK

  COWBOY KISSES— Lorrie Farrelly, Linda Carroll-Bradd, Kristy McCaffrey, Gail L. Jenner, C. Marie Bowen, Tanya Hanson, Beverly Wells

  What could be better on a cold Valentine’s Day than to sit down with a book chock full of stories about special cowboys and their ladies? COWBOY KISSES has just what you’re looking for! Eight stories by some fabulous authors who share with you their love stories of the old west! AMAZON LINK