Miranda, Becca, and Winifred were chatting and sharing suggestions for the wedding when Roy walked into the kitchen. “I wanted to let you know if you are planning on doing anything outside to do it soon. The clouds in the west are rolling quickly and darkening. I think we’re in for a bad storm.”
Not being able to see the sky from the east facing kitchen window, Becca ran outside and stood in the grass staring at the sky. What she saw made her heart skip a beat, and she shuddered. Black, ugly clouds seemed to form out of nothing.
Miranda turned to Winifred and asked, “Is Becca all right?”
“She will be. Storms terrify her. The summer after I came to stay with her and my uncle, we had a twister go through the town. It tore up fields and killed two people and more livestock than they could count. We were on the very edge of the storm, but it blew down the barn and killed Becca’s horse. It was the first horse she rode, and after losing her mother, she spent hours riding the horse and fighting her grief. The horse helped her more than I could. Any storm brings all the memories back for her now,” Winifred explained and walked to the window to see how Becca was faring. “She isn’t moving. I’ll get her and convince her to come inside. She’d stand and stare at the storm until it passes if someone doesn’t tell her to come back.”
Miranda nodded unable to offer any advice. She didn’t like storms but never experienced the tragedy Becca had. She set water on for tea hoping it and a few sugar cookies would help Becca deal with her fears and memories.
Winifred spoke calmly to Becca and Becca followed her back into the house.
“Sit down, dear. I made tea, and we have sugar cookies. They will help you feel better. Storms upset me, too,” Miranda said as she placed an empty china teacup in front of Becca. The young woman took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She picked up the cup admiring the tiny red roses painted across of side the cup and around the edge of the saucer.
“These cups are beautiful,” Becca said and did her best to smile.
“Thank you, dear. I wish I could say they were from my mother or grandmother, but we moved here with very little. They are a gift from Roy when we moved into the big house. We hoped to fill it with children but God blessed us with two, and they are my heart.” She waited for Becca to set the cup in the saucer and filled it with tea. Becca breathed in the fresh aroma of the tea and settled a bit more.
As Becca was about to enjoy her tea, Adam strolled out of his barn whistling. He watched the black clouds in the distance move closer at surprising speed. He turned to secure the barn doors when he saw a dip in one cloud. It reminded him of a snake’s tongue moving in and out of the cloud quickly. Halfway to the house, Adam watched the tongue of cloud increase in size tenfold and begin to drop closer to the ground. He knew what it meant. Twister. He had to get to Becca. Common sense told him she would be safe in her parent’s root cellar, but his heart knew he had to be with her. He rushed back into the barn and opened Beau’s stall. Thankful that as a teen when he received Beau as a gift from his father, he was at an age that learning to ride bareback was a fun challenge. Today it was a necessity. He leaped on Beau’s back and pressed his knees into the stallions side. Beau took off as if the devil was behind them and from Adam’s vantage point, it was likely true. The twister was close to the ground and Adam could hear the roar of the storm before the hail began to fall.
Roy ran in the back door shouting, “Twister, get in the root cellar now.” He ran ahead of the women and pulled up the trap door. Miranda followed close behind and went down the steps. Roy turned but didn’t see Winifred or Becca. The winds were howling outside, and the back door rattled on its hinges.
Rushing back into the kitchen, he saw Winifred doing her best to pull a frightened Becca from her chair. She clung to the table edge as if to anchor herself. “I’ll get her. Go down with Miranda,” Roy ordered.
Winifred listened, and Roy did his best to gently pull Becca’s fingers off the table and then lifted her by the waist half carrying, half dragging her to the cellar. Once she was at the top of the stairs, she rushed down and dropped next to Winifred burying her face in Winifred’s skirts. Winifred stroked Becca’s hair and whispered in her ear.
She glanced at Miranda and said, “She’ll be fine once the worst of the storm passes.”
Miranda bowed her head in prayer for her son and the entire town.
Becca’s head popped up, and she looked at Roy with tears streaming down her face. “What about the hands? Where are they?”
“There is a second cellar behind the bunkhouse. Cal dug it while he was here to keep their own food cool. It bothered him that he needed to interrupt Miranda whenever he needed to get something for supper. He decided he and the other hands could dig their own root cellar. It will hold all of them. Don’t worry.” He did his best to assure Becca, but even in the dim light of the lantern, he could see the concern on her face.
Their conversation was interrupted by the sounds of boots on the floor above. They heard Adam’s voice before he opened the trap door. “Is everyone all right? The twister passed by south of here but it’s still hailing, and the winds are bad. We should stay down here for a bit longer.”
Becca was in his arms before he could finish his explanation. He wrapped his arms around her and said, “You’re safe. The worst is over.”
Becca looked up at his face and asked, “Where is your horse?”
“I jumped off at the back door, and he took off away from the storm. Sam was right on his heels. They’ll both find their way home after the storm.”
“But what if his reins catch him up on something?”
“I rode him bareback. Taught myself as a teen.” He grinned.
“You, too? I did it just because my brothers said a girl couldn’t do it. When I first showed them, they all stood with their mouths hung open. My father was smiling, and Mama nearly fainted. I was only twelve. I can understand her worry now that I’m grown,” she shared as she clung to his shirt with both fists.
“Are you sure you’re all right? I was afraid you might be hurt,” Adam stammered.
“I’m fine now,” she said lifting her face to his.
He kissed her. Not the little peck he gave her the night before when his Ma watched, but a soul-searing kiss filled with all the love and relief he felt. It didn’t matter that his Ma, Pa, and Winifred sat in the dark cellar just feet away. It didn’t matter if the entire world watched. He knew without a doubt that he loved this woman. She might be different than he expected, but she was his Becca. He loved her exactly as she was.
Adam pulled back a bit and buried his head in her neck. He whispered, “I love you, Becca, with all my heart and all that I am. I am counting the days until you’re my wife.”
“I love you, too,” she responded, and Adam kissed her again.
His father’s cough brought them out of their embrace. If anyone could see, Becca’s face was as bright pink as a rose in full bloom.
Luke’s voice in the kitchen made them take another small step apart. “Is everyone all right,” he asked as he pulled the cellar door open. The storm is about past.”
Roy walked up the stairs and into the kitchen first. “Boss,” Luke said. “I should ride into town and be sure all is well, and Ben doesn’t need my help. Cody and the others are checking the stock. The house and barn look good. I don’t see any damage. The horses and Beauty made it through fine. The chickens are hidden. We might not get any eggs for a day or two.”
Roy nodded, “Head into town and come back when you can.”
“I’ll be quick, I hope. I wish Ben would hire another part-time deputy. I feel stretched at times,” Luke confided.
“You’re a good worker. Go, take care of the town with Ben. We’ll be praying everyone is well,” Roy assured and smacked Luke on the back.
Miranda followed Roy into the kitchen, “I’ll check on the chickens. Mable might have died of fright.” She hurried out the door, and Winifred followed her to offer any help she could.
&
nbsp; Adam and Becca stood in the cellar looking into each other’s eyes now that light entered through the open door. “I need to get home and check on things. I didn’t think of anything but getting here to you.”
“I could come along. After all, it will be my home, too very soon,” Becca said still holding onto his shirt.
“That’s a good idea. You can borrow one of Pa’s horses. Do you think Winifred wants to go with us?” Adam said and held her hand as she walked up the stairs and back into the kitchen.
“I don’t know. Let’s ask her.” She smiled and never let go of his hand.
Becca put her hand over her mouth when she walked out back and saw Winifred bending down in the chicken pen speaking to a fat chicken and stroking her head.
Strolling over to where Winifred spoke to the chicken, Becca did her best not to laugh. Winifred preferred indoor chores and rarely worked outside unless it was to tend the garden. “What are you doing, Winifred?”
“Poor Mable was terrified during the storm. She won’t stop shaking. Miranda is worried she might drop dead. I’m trying to calm her,” Winifred answered and looked up at Becca over her shoulder.
“Adam and I are going to ride to his place and check on the house and barn. Do you want to come along?”
“No, I think I’ll stay here and help with Mable. Miranda is calming down Beauty. We want to be sure and get good milk from that poor cow.”
“Poor cow? When have you ever worried about a cow or a chicken for that matter? Are you feeling well?” Becca leaned forward looking at Winifred worried she might be the frightened one.
Winifred stood, “I am all right. The animals need my help. I rather enjoy it. You run along and check out things at Adam’s. I can help Miranda with supper after we tend to the animal’s needs.”
“All right,” Becca answered scrunching her face at Winifred’s suggestion. Something had changed her cousin. She seemed much happier. Becca was more convinced than ever that bringing Winifred with her to Gentle Falls was the right thing to do.
Chapter Sixteen
As Luke rode toward town, he saw a small amount of gray smoke billow up from the far side of town. He doubted whatever was on fire was extensive from the amount of smoke, and he was sure the town’s people could handle the blaze. The road was muddy and slippery in spots. Not wanting his horse to stumble, he continued at a fast trot. Tree branches and leaves were scattered across the road, but he didn’t see any major damage to any of the nearby fields. Luke reined up in front of the sheriff’s office and met Joseph as he was coming out.
“Was there a fire?” Luke asked nodding his head to the area beyond the train tracks. It seemed the smoke had diminished.
“Not much of one, but the men in town will consider it a tragedy. It seems that Mrs. Reed was able to have that lumber shipped out last night after the council meeting. It arrived on the train this morning. Maybe she offered favors to the mill owner, but she got it here quickly. Men from the saloon offered to move it to the land she bought. Remember that big oak that sat on the property?”
Luke nodded. The oak had been there before Louis and Minnie started the first stage stop.
“Lightning struck it. Knocked it clean over and right on top of the new lumber. Set it all ablaze. The thunder was almost deafening. Judge Magarey walked over in the rain to watch it burn. He laughed the entire time. He stood in the rain and kept mumbling that it’s what the woman deserves and to let it burn. The rain finally stopped, and the tree kept burning.”
Luke shook his head. “Maybe the judge should retire. Where is he now?”
“Not sure. Mrs. Reed and the ladies were here on the boardwalk nearly in tears. She told the judge she would order more wood and he laughed harder. He told her to find a new mill, and then he walked toward the telegraph office,” Joseph explained.
“He’s up to something,” Luke mused.
“I agree. She shouldn’t have upset him last night when she said she’d paint the new brothel doors red. I thought he’d have a stroke. I think I’m going to miss him when I leave,” Joseph said leaning against the hitching post.
“Leaving? You plan on leaving?” Luke raised his eyebrows.
“Yeah, was thinking about heading to Oregon or Washington. I could use a change, and with Aunt Tess here my father won’t be alone. Besides, I think he’s a bit sweet on Miss Winifred.”
“Might be, but what about you and Della? I thought you two were getting close,” Luke said as the two men began to walk down Main Street.
“I thought so, too, but she is happy teaching and doesn’t want to marry. She’s not sure if she will marry. If she cared for me at all, she’d say maybe in the future or something.”
“Yeah,” Luke said. “I see your point.” Luke slapped his friend on the back. “Hey, you could send for a bride. Adam seems to be happy.”
“I could, but I’d like to see more of this country,” he waved his hand toward the west. “I’d want to see the mountains. Maybe I’ll settle there and then send for a bride.”
~ * ~
Adam’s horse was waiting outside his Pa’s barn with Sam right next to him barking a greeting.
“I see they were both smart enough to outrun the storm. I counted on that. When I rode up, it appeared the twister might be moving a bit south and might miss us. I never prayed so hard as I did on that ride. It’s mainly open land that way. I pray no one was hurt,” he pulled her close again and kissed her forehead.
Becca snuggled into his arms. “I pray you’re right. I think I frightened your mother. I’ll explain about my fear of storms on the ride to your place.”
“Our place,” Adam corrected.
“Our place,” Becca agreed smiling up at him her bright green eyes shining with love.
As they rode back to Adam’s, Becca recounted her experience adding more of her fear than Winifred had explained when she told the story to Miranda. “I lost my horse. He helped me through the grief of losing my mother, and my heart broke. I wonder if I will always be this frightened of storms.”
Adam reached his hand out to Becca. “I don’t know if you will, but I promise to always do everything to keep you safe. Our cellar is as safe as my Ma and Pa’s. If you need to sit down there every time it storms, I want you to do it. You don’t have to explain why you feel the need to go into the cellar. We all have fears. I will add a more comfortable place for you to sit and a bigger lantern so you could read a book to help calm you if I’m not home. Right now all I have down there are the three old crates. We could add some cushions.”
“You don’t have to do that for me. I should face this fear head-on,” Becca admitted feeling ashamed that her fear consumed her.
“I don’t mind, and I don’t want you to be afraid. If sitting in the cellar when we have a storm helps you, that’s what we’ll do,” Adam said smiling at her.
“You don’t have to do that. I feel foolish needing to hide.”
“When we marry I will promise before God to take care of you. I don’t take that vow lightly. I will always be here to help you, and if I’m not, I will make it home as quickly as possible. I promise you that before we take our vows,” Adam told her while helping her off her horse.
Tears spilled down her cheeks. “I don’t deserve you, Adam Greiner.”
“It’s I who doesn’t deserve you,” Adam insisted wiping the tears from her face. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look today? That green dress makes your eyes sparkle. I think it’s nearly the same color as your eyes.”
Becca laughed, “ I know I look like a mess.” She reached up to feel how much of her hair had slipped out of her neat bun. “I buried my head in Winifred’s lap before you arrived. I know my hair is a mess.”
Adam pushed the loose curls behind her ears and kissed her. “You could never look like a mess to me.”
Adam walked their horses to the corral and lifted the saddle from Becca’s and let the two run and enjoy some freedom.
“Let’s walk,” Adam suggested. He took
her hand, and they walked past the corral and the garden to the bench under the cherry tree.
Becca leaned her head against Adam’s shoulder. “I think this is my favorite place. It’s where you asked me to marry you officially. We should celebrate the date each year just sitting under the tree and snuggling.”
“We could do that every day if you want and all night, too.”
Becca blushed but whispered, “I’d like that.”
“But right now since the sun’s out and it’s not too windy, I need to check the barn and house rooftops for leaks. If you could go inside and check the upstairs bedrooms to make sure no water entered, that’d help me,” Adam told her.
Becca popped up from the bench. “I’d love to help you take care of our home.” Her smile brightened her face, and her eyes sparkled brighter than Adam had ever seen.
He picked her up and swung her around. “Our home, for today and always.”
They walked back toward the house when they saw a horse and rider coming up the road toward them.
“It’s Trey Ramfeld. You met him at the barn dance. His folks have the farm north-west of here. I hope they weathered the storm without problems,” Adam said.
Trey pulled up his horse and leaped off. “Pa sent me to check on you. Do you have any damage? We lost a lot of barn roof shingles, and part of a corn field is torn up, but we’re all safe. Ma was worried about your Ma, of course.”
Adam's Heart Page 10
