Six weeks had gone by since her arrival and Stuart was getting grumpier and crankier. And not just with Genny, with everyone.
Genny just smiled.
On one glorious morning at the breakfast table, she decided to approach him to take her to town. “Good morning, Stuart.”
“Morning,” he growled.
“I’d like to go into town and pick up a few things at the mercantile. I know you’re planning on going today to get supplies and I’d like to go with you.”
“What are you buying?”
“I want to get some things for the children. A slate for Billy and colored chalk if the store carries it. Perhaps the proprietor can order some different colors for me. I’d also like to get a storybook or two to read to him at bedtime.”
“I can pick up those things. You don’t have to come along,” muttered Stuart, taking a bite of sausage.
“Oh, take her with you,” said Joe, with a punch to Stuart’s left arm as he passed by on the way to the stove for more coffee and with a smile at Genny. “She’s been stuck with just us to talk to for weeks now.”
“Yes, then she can get the spices I want and perhaps choose another one she might like,” added Nettie. She winked at Genny.
Buying spices was a special treat, they were expensive and only the ones that Nettie or Genny used often were purchased.
Stuart frowned. “All right. You can come. But you have to be quiet.”
Genny grinned. “I’ll be quiet as a church mouse. You won’t even know I’m along.”
After the meal, she put on her best dress, a light blue calico and tied a blue ribbon around the bun she’d fashioned from her hair.
“You look very fetching,” Nettie said when Genny came back to the kitchen.
“Wish me luck.” She’d need all she could get, she wanted Stuart to kiss her, to realize she wasn’t just a body to warm his bed, but a real live person with needs and feelings.
“Oh, I do, my dear. I definitely do.”
“Sure you don’t mind looking after the children. You, of all people, know you won’t get anything else done today, but I’ll help with the ironing when return.”
“That’s fine. Just have some fun and try to get that man to open his heart.”
“Oh, Nettie.” Genny paced a short way along the kitchen counter and back. “I don’t know what I’ll do if he doesn’t. Both of us will be miserable in this marriage. I thought I could do it, be just a wife in name only. Never having kids of my own, but now I don’t know that I can.”
“Now, don’t be talking like you’re giving up. It’s too soon. The children love you. You’re a good mother to them. And you’re a good wife to Stuart as much as he’ll let you be.”
“That’s just the point. He won’t let me. Things are getting worse not better. He can barely stay in the same room with me. As soon as he can, he leaves.”
“But that’s a good thing.” She patted Genny’s arm. “He’s wearing down. Pretty soon you’ll be able to get past the wall he’s built.”
She sighed. “I hope you’re right.”
The air was cold but there wasn’t any wind, so riding in the buckboard wasn’t as uncomfortable as on her arrival trip. She wore her wool coat and a bright blue scarf that Nettie had given her along with matching wool gloves and socks.
For about thirty minutes she didn’t speak. Finally, she stuck out a gloved hand and began admiring it. “Do you mind that Nettie gave me Martha’s gloves and scarf? I know you said I could have her clothes, but saying that and then actually seeing me wear them are two different things.”
“I don’t mind.”
“That’s good. I really do like the scarf. I think it brings out the color in my eyes.” She pulled the scarf next to her cheek. “What do you think?”
“I suppose,” he said without looking in her direction.
“Turn your head and look at me, Stuart. I promise I won’t bite.”
“No, but I may,” he grumbled in a whisper.
But he looked.
She smiled.
He wrapped the reins around the brake handle and slowly shook his head.
“You’ve awakened the sleeping bear. Are you prepared for the consequences?”
He didn’t give her a chance to answer, but pulled her close, angled his head and slanted his mouth across hers. The kiss was ferocious and all consuming. He pressed his tongue against her lips, waiting for entrance.
She granted it, and his tongue entered her mouth and explored. Genny’s pulse beat a fast tattoo and her arms wound themselves around his neck. At the same time, his hands at her waist tightened and brought her as close to him as she could be with all these clothes on.
She wanted to be closer, her body pulled at her to complete this, she knew now that only making love would fill her as she needed to be filled. Only Stuart could complete her.
Suddenly she wished they were home and in their bedroom where she could explore these feelings. Perhaps then she’d understand why she felt so warm and liquid at her core. Why she wanted to feel her hands on his skin and his hands on her.
Stuart broke away and glared. “Look at what you do to me. I’m a raving madman. I’m sorry, Genny. That shouldn’t have happened.”
Pressing a hand to her tingling lips, she shook her head. “I’m glad you kissed me. I’ve wanted you to for so long.”
“You know I can’t give you what you want. Let’s forget this ever happened.”
“How can you forget that kiss? It was the most amazing…the best…the—”
He cocked an eyebrow. “How many times have you been kissed?”
Stuart unwrapped the reins from the brake handle.
Genny, blood still racing and her cheeks burning, she looked out on the countryside. “A few.”
“Not many I bet.”
“Enough to know that what passed between us was special.”
His voice was harsh and he looked straight ahead, not at her. “It was lust. Nothing more. Are you familiar with lust, Genny? It’s not love or anything like those kinds of feelings. Just physical desire for your body, not you. Any woman will do.”
She gasped. Genny felt like she’d been slapped in the face. Did he really believe that all he felt was lust? She didn’t believe it. Couldn’t believe it because if that was true, she had no hope. But he must like her as well or he wouldn’t keep pushing her away. And if that was true…she smiled. She could build on that feeling.
CHAPTER 5
Over the next three hours, the weather slowly deteriorated, the temperature dropped and the wind started to blow. By the time they reached town they were both frozen and glad for the warmth of the potbellied stove in the back corner of the mercantile.
Edna Cross came forward as soon as she heard the bell. “Well Stuart, you’re a long way from home on this blustery day.”
“Hello, Edna.” Stuart removed his gloves and stuffed them in his coat pockets. “Had to drive in for supplies. I’d put it off as long as I could.”
“Are you finally going to introduce me to this young lady with you?”
“This is Genny. Genny MacDonnell, my wife. Genny, this is Edna Cross, she works here at the mercantile for the Goodings.”
Edna came forward and took Genny’s hands in hers, “I’m so glad to meet you.” She began walking backward taking Genny with her.
Genny looked to Stuart for help.
He shrugged and shook his head.
“Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. I just want to show you something. You, as the children’s new mother, may be interested in them. Martha ordered them before she…passed away.”
She moved faster the minute she heard the word children. “Of course. What are they?”
“I’ve kept them here until now. I wasn’t sure Stuart would want them. I was waiting for Nettie, but you’ll know what to do. Martha ordered them so long ago and they just came in last month.”
Edna walked to the counter on the side of the building near the door. From under the c
ounter, she pulled a box of colored chalk and a small slate.
“Oh, marvelous. I intended to buy this myself today if you had any. Stuart, look.” Genny held up the slate and chalk. “Martha ordered them for Billy.”
He nodded but didn’t say anything.
“Do you have any baby things?” asked Genny as she looked at the chalk colors blue, green, red, white and the standard yellow.
“A few.” Edna came around the counter and started toward the far side of the store. “What are you looking for?”
Genny followed while Stuart stayed by the stove drinking a cup of coffee.
“Well, I’d like some wooden blocks if you have them.” She took off her gloves and shoved them in her pockets.
“We don’t but a carpenter here in town that could make some. I’ll give you his direction.”
“I know where Henry’s shop is,” muttered Stuart.
Genny looked back at him and smiled, grateful he was at least listening to the conversation. “Oh, good.”
“What else?” Edna stopped and rested her arms on her large stomach.
Genny was warming up and unwrapped her scarf, leaving it hanging loose down each shoulder. “I’d also like to see your selection of material and then we can get our regular supplies.”
Edna took her to the shelves that held bolts of material. There were more choices than she expected including a nice heavy flannel Genny could use to make Stuart and Billy matching shirts. The same material would make wonderful soft diapers for Lucy. The ones she had in the dresser drawer, were nearly too small. The baby also needed several new gowns as she was growing out of the ones she had. Also, Genny wanted to make her two pairs of rompers so crawling was easier. She’d make them big enough that Lucy could wear them for several months.
She also picked out pretty blue gingham for new dresses for her and Lucy.
“Lucy will be walking in a few months, do you have baby shoes?.” Genny said to Edna.
Edna shook her head. “We don’t stock those but—”
“She can wear the ones Billy did,” Stuart interrupted. “They’re in the boxes in the spare room.”
Surprised by his deep voice, Genny looked up and found him just a couple of feet from her. How did he do that? Was he part cat that he could sneak up on her like that?
“There’s probably a lot of things in that room,” said Genny. “I wasn’t sure what I could do with them, but I think I’ll go through the trunks and see what I can use. If you don’t mind, perhaps I could cut down Martha’s dresses and use the material for clothes for the kids.”
He shrugged. “If you want. Do as you please with them.”
Genny put back the gingham material. “I think I’ll see what we already have before I buy more dress material.”
“Are you ladies done?” asked Stuart.
“Yes, I believe so.” Genny lovingly fingered the gingham material.
He pulled a list from his pocket and handed it to the shopkeeper. “Here’s the supplies we need.”
Genny looked at Edna. “Is there cinnamon on that list?”
Edna glanced at the paper and shook her head. “No cinnamon.”
“Then add that and some canned peaches if you have any,” said Genny.
“I’ve got a couple of cans.” Edna quickly scanned her shelves of canned goods. “I’ve got canned cherries, too.”
“I’ll take them. Two cans of each, three if you have them.”
Edna looked at the shelf again. “I have three peach but only two cherry.”
Genny nodded. “That’s fine. And that’s all for me. You can fill Stuart’s list now.”
Frowning Stuart said, “Thank you for allowing me to do my business.”
Genny ignored his sarcasm and walked across the floor to the stove and helped herself to a cup of coffee.
Stuart and Edna talked about his order for a short while and then he walked over to Genny.
“They won’t have the order ready for loading for another hour or so. Would you like to get something to eat while we wait?”
“I’d love to.”
“Let’s go down to the Hot Springs Hotel. They have a pretty good restaurant.” He turned and looked at Edna over at the counter. “We’ll be back in a while, Edna.”
“Take your time. Is the buckboard out front?”
“Yes, you want me to move it?”
“No, I’ll have Robert move it around back so we can load the grain first.”
Stuart looked outside and then back at Edna. “Be sure and set aside the oil cloth tarp. I think we’ll need it to get home.”
Genny followed his gaze and saw that snow was just beginning to fall. At first she couldn’t see it because the flakes were so light and slow. Then she spotted a sparkly crystal of white floating down to the ground.
“Yup,” said Edna. “You’ll definitely need it.”
Stuart and Genny donned their gloves and rewrapped their scarves around their necks before venturing outside.
The moment they stepped on the boardwalk, the wind whipped by and shoved Genny into Stuart.
He caught her and put his arm around her shoulders.
“You’re liable to blow away in this wind. Put your arm around my waist and walk with me,” he ordered.
She wasn’t sure she wanted to be that close. His nearness brought all sorts of feelings to the forefront. Suddenly she didn’t hear the wind or see the snow. Her entire consciousness was filled with her husband.
His tall, broad body protected her from the wind. He wore his hat low on his head so she couldn’t get a good look at his eyes but she would have bet they were hungry. That seemed to be the only way he looked at her anymore.
Genny wanted him, wanted his touch so much, she was tempted to give in and tell him she didn’t care if they had children, that she just wanted him to make love to her. But she realized that wasn’t the solution to their problem. If they gave in to the longings they would most likely have more children. A happy result in Genny’s mind but not yet in Stuart’s. And she wanted love. A commodity in short supply where her husband was concerned.
Wrapped together, they walked the four blocks to the Hot Springs Hotel.
As soon as they reached the hotel, Stuart dropped his arm back to his side and held the door open for her, which in that wind was no small feat.
They entered the hotel, and while Genny was thankful to be out of the weather, she immediately missed the closeness they’d shared for the short walk.
Stuart led the way through the lobby to the restaurant.
They were quickly seated, but Genny was still too cold to take off her coat.
“Aren’t you freezing?” she asked as Stuart doffed his coat, hat and scarf?
“Yes, but I’ll warm up much better this way. You should try it.”
Genny nodded and took off her coat and scarf. Her thin dress was totally inappropriate for the weather.
Stuart frowned. “Don’t you have any clothes for cold weather?”
“Just the coat and boots I’m wearing.” Stuart seemed impatient with her today.
“No. I mean wool dresses, skirts and blouses. Even pants.”
“Heavens no.” She shook her head. “Whatever would I do with pants?”
Stuart looked heavenward and then pinched the skin on his nose between his brows before returning his gaze to her.
The waitress came and took their orders. Both had steak with potatoes, carrots and apple pie for dessert. And all the hot coffee they could drink.
“You have to look at Martha’s clothes. You appear to be about the same size, though Martha may have been a little taller. You’ve seen her parents, they’re both tall people.”
“I will. I’ll go through everything in that storage room and see what we can use. I’ve got to have material for diapers for Lucy. The ones she has are nearly worn out and are too small. She won’t be able to wear them for much longer.”
“You’ll find everything you need in the trunks in the room, including thin
gs Billy wore when he was a baby. Lucy can wear them now, including his little white shoes for walking.”
Genny wanted to thank Stuart and reached across the table, placing her hand on top of his.
He pulled away like she’d burned him.
“Stuart? We’ve got to talk. You can’t keep ignoring me.”
“I can try.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m your wife and you should start to treat me like I am. We can have a happy life if you’ll let us, but we can’t go on like this forever. We’ll both be miserable—”
He straightened. “I’m not miserable.”
“You’re the biggest grouch I’ve ever seen. You ignore me and berate the rest of the family, except for Billy who you choose to ignore, as well. He needs you. You’re his father.”
“I know what I am,” he snapped.
“Then start acting like it.” Genny whispered so as not to be heard by the nearby diners. She knew she shouldn’t have picked this place for her argument and she didn’t mean to, but here he couldn’t walk away like he normally did.
The waitress returned with their meals. The steaks looked wonderful, the whole meal did. Of course, it’s always better to eat someone else’s cooking. Even though Genny only helped prepare the meals, she still enjoyed this dining out experience very much. She’d never actually had dinner in a restaurant like this before.
Genevieve dug into her food. She cut the steak and juices ran from the meat it was so moist and tender.
Stuart started eating as well and for the moment their discussion was forgotten.
At last the pie came along with more hot coffee and vanilla ice cream on top of the dessert.
“Oh,” Genny rubbed her hands together. “I haven’t had ice cream in so long. Not in a year, at least. This is wonderful.”
“You never spent much money on yourself did you?”
She shrugged. “I needed it for other things like food and rent.”
Stuart cut a bite of his pie and also a bit of ice cream, too. “I bet you had some money left that you could have bought a treat with, but you didn’t. You probably saved it or gave it to the orphanage.” He put the pie into his mouth and smiled.
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