The Cattleman's Bride: A Golden Valley Story (The Brides of Birch Creek Book 4)

by Laura D. Bastian

  Cora turned to him. “Do you all go?”

  “Pa or I go with three of the hands while another stays here to help with the farming and harvesting. We also try to hire some men from Birch Creek to help in the drive.”

  Cora looked at Levi, then at Pa as if wondering who would be going and who would be staying. Levi wasn’t sure since they hadn’t really talked about it.

  He supposed it would all depend on how things were going with himself and Cora. If she didn’t want him around, he would insist on being the one to go.

  “We’ve got some good ranch hands that take care of most of the work,” Pa said. “On occasion we have hired some temporary help that gets the cattle to the market. Can’t just leave the ranch alone. And with you here now, I’m sure Levi will stay and take care of you.”

  Cora smiled, but it didn’t hold any warmth to it. She didn’t seem to like the idea that he would be around. It was crazy how many different expressions she could convey with the movement of just her lips. He hoped he’d eventually be able to read her emotions like his father had done with Ma.

  “Breakfast is ready,” Cora said as she brought the skillet to the table.

  It was nice to have food that was warm and tasty without any effort on his part. They ate quickly since there was a lot of work to do on the fences nearby and he would need to check the watering of the lower fields.

  “I’m going to work on laundry today,” Cora said. “Is there anything you don’t want me to wash?”

  “Just the clothes I’m currently wearing,” Pa said and Cora chuckled then she looked at Levi.

  “Whatever you feel needs washing is good with me,” Levi said.

  “Do you want me to have lunch ready?” Cora asked.

  “Yes, please,” Pa said. “We’ll be close by and come to the house mid-day.” He stood and patted her shoulder. “I’m really glad you’re here, girl.”

  “Thank you,” Cora said.

  Pa left the kitchen without another word and Levi grabbed the last chunk of his bread and smeared a dab of butter on it.

  “The butter is almost gone from the last time we made it.”

  “I’ll get some churned today as well.”

  “Thanks,” Levi said. “I’ll be heading out then. See you around mid-day.”

  He hurried out and as the door of the kitchen swung shut, Pa turned around before he had reached the barn and gave Levi a questioning look.

  Levi wasn’t in the mood to answer any questions and just waved him on to continue into the barn while Levi turned toward the garden. He would check to see if there would need to be water diverted from the small stream again to irrigate the furrows. A quick look informed him that they were doing all right for water needs and then upon closer inspection, he realized most of the weeds were gone.

  Cora was very industrious. Knowing that there was less for him to take care of on his own was a nice feeling.

  ***

  Cora checked the stove and banked the coals so she would be able to start it up again easily when it was time to work on dinner. For now, she’d get the laundry tub out of the shed and prepare for the arduous task of scrubbing the clothes and bedsheets. It took a few trips with the bucket to fill up the tub and she considered whether she should heat the water or not. Most of the things were in decent shape. The work clothes she had found on the wooden chest in Pa’s room and the shirts and pants from Levi’s pile would take the most scrubbing, but doing the bedclothes and sheets would take more time because of their size.

  Cora wasn’t sure how long she had been working on the laundry, but by the time she hung the last of the sheets to dry, her stomach protested at its neglect. The shadows of the tree she’d been working under had changed enough Cora was almost certain it was past noon. Hopefully she could whip up something quickly to have for lunch before the men returned to the house.

  She looked down at her dress, soaked in the front from all the work of scrubbing clothes and she pulled some of the fabric away from her chest. It would dry eventually, but it did feel nice to have the wetness to help cool her off in the hot weather.

  When Cora turned around, she saw Levi standing there watching her. She glanced at the clothes hanging on the lines behind her, wondering what he thought of the work she’d done, but he never looked at them. His eyes stayed focused on her and she smiled at the look of appreciation in his gaze. Perhaps there was hope for them. He at least found her sort of attractive. She’d have to figure out how to move past her mistake and convince him that she was not bothered by his touch or his company.

  It was an odd feeling though, to have loved one man so deeply and then to feel something similar beginning with Levi. Then to build on the fact that he was such a kind and gentle person. She hadn’t expected that the first time she saw him enter the shop in Birch Creek. In fact, with his first look at her, she had almost wished she could just get on the next train and head out to California.

  Taking hold of her courage, the same way she’d grabbed it that day she’d agreed to marry him, Cora walked toward Levi with a smile on her face.

  “I’m sorry I don’t have any lunch ready. Guess I got a little side tracked with the laundry.”

  “Not a problem,” Levi said. “Looks like you’ve done it all.”

  “Figured it would be nice to get it out of the way. But I’ve got some bread and we can whip up some eggs really quick.”

  “Need any help?” Levi asked.

  As she neared him, he took a step back from her and turned toward the house. Cora slowed her approach, feeling unsure of herself with his retreat. She tried to make her voice as pleasant as possible. “I’d appreciate it if you would bring in some potatoes from the cellar.”

  “Sure thing.” Levi turned to go get the potatoes, looking almost relieved and Cora went into the house alone. Maybe she’d been wrong. Maybe he really wasn’t interested in her. She took a long breath and squared her shoulders. That was fine. He had given her a home, and there was food and supplies and shelter. Companionship as well. This wasn’t a bad life. And since she hadn’t had any luck with becoming a mother while she and Matthew had been together, it wasn’t like she would be missing out there either. And she wouldn’t have to tell Levi she was barren.

  By the time Levi returned to the house with a dozen potatoes, Cora had added enough wood to the stove to get it heating to fry up the eggs. She took one of the potatoes and sliced it into a second skillet and added a scoop of butter to it.

  “Cut the bread for me?” Cora ventured when she saw Levi standing there watching her.

  He took the knife and placed the bread on a board then transfered it to the table when done.

  “Is your pa coming in soon?”

  “Should be,” Levi said. “He sent me early to see what kind of help you might need.”

  Cora smiled. The old man was probably trying to give them a little privacy and time alone, though Levi didn’t want to take advantage of it.

  “How about your cattle hands? I haven’t met any yet. Will they be coming around the house anytime soon?”

  “Would you like to meet them?” Levi asked.

  “Yes,” Cora said. “I think it would be helpful to know their names and faces, so when they come around I’ll know who they are. I don’t want to accidentally shoo someone away.”

  “Makes sense,” Levi said. “And one of them will be staying here to take care of the farm and house while we’re gone on the cattle drive.”

  Cora returned her attention to the food and was relieved to hear the dogs in the front yard indicating her father-in-law was back. When she’d first realized she’d be living with Levi and his father, she had been a little worried about how awkward it would be, but now, she was thankful the other man was around. She would be miserable if it was just Levi and her with all the discomfort he had around her.

  ***

  Levi left the bread on the table and walked outside to greet his father. He should have insisted Pa come with him in the first place. Levi did
n’t want to be alone with Cora. Things were always too awkward. Somehow Pa managed to keep her entertained as well as help her relax. Cora seemed nervous around Levi and he couldn’t blame her. Levi knew he was big and had been told more than once that he looked intimidating. His ma had always tried to teach him manners and to make sure he didn’t do anything too rough.

  Levi wanted to be the kind of man his ma would be proud of, and the kind of husband Cora needed. She obviously didn’t want anything physical between them and he would respect her wishes for as long as he could. If keeping Pa or some of the other hands nearby helped her feel more comfortable, he’d do that.

  Biggest issue would be the time they were alone at night. But he could work on some of his leather work and carving for as late as possible to give her privacy. Cora invaded his thoughts almost constantly. He knew it wasn’t love yet, but he was certain he would be able to love her with his whole heart and soul. Yet how could a woman who loved someone she had lost ever have the room to love another?

  His father had never once considered finding another wife after Levi’s mother passed. He had said there was no one that could take her place.

  “Lunch is ready,” Levi said as he approached his father. “Are any of the hands coming in today?”

  “No,” Pa said. “Jake caught sight of a coyote prowling around so he’s going to keep an eye on things there. Drew and William are checking on the fences and Tucker is staying with the herd.”

  “Cora would like to meet them soon. Maybe I’ll bring back one at a time so she can get familiar with them.”

  “Good idea,” Pa said. “That way once the drive is over, she’ll already know them when they come back here.”

  Levi followed his father into the house and they were soon seated at the table and eating the lunch Cora had put together with incredible speed.

  “This tastes so much better than what we’d manage on our own,” Pa said.

  “Thank you,” Cora replied.

  “I’m sure once the rest of the men have a taste of it, we won’t be able to keep them out there with the cattle,” Levi said.

  “I wouldn’t mind feeding them,” Cora said. “As long as I know how many will be here to eat, I can make sure your crew is taken care of.”

  “They’ll appreciate that,” Pa said. “My Annie used to feed everyone all the time, and once she was gone, we had to fend for ourselves. Levi’s canned beans and my flat bread just didn’t compare.”

  “So that’s why you sent for me?” Cora said with a smile. “You just needed a cook.”

  “Not just that,” Pa said.

  Levi opened his mouth to reply, but his father added something more first.

  “We needed the influence of a woman. Someone who would bring loveliness back into our lives.”

  Levi nodded, glad he hadn’t said they also appreciated the fact that she washed the clothes and worked the garden. No wonder he was failing so miserably with his wife. He had no idea how to talk to or flatter a woman. Maybe he’d be better off just not talking. Or at least he should take some time to form his responses before he said anything to her.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Cora worked harder and faster than she had ever done before. The house and farm didn’t need too much upkeep since Levi and his pa had done so much to it. She was just trying to wear herself to exhaustion so that when she went to bed she wouldn’t have to worry about being ignored by Levi. It was so much easier to just be asleep when he arrived in the room at night. He never said a word to her about it in the daytime as they interacted on occasion, and things got much easier to manage once she’d figured out a pattern for her day.

  She even managed to sleep through the night without waking to the sound of his breathing after the first couple of nights. That in itself was a blessing.

  Levi rarely came home in the middle of the day without someone with him. The first cattle hand she’d met was William. He was a rough looking man with leathery skin from being outside in the weather all the time, and though he had a bit of a mouth when he got talking, he was nice enough and tried his best to keep from saying anything he shouldn’t. When he did slip up and cuss in front of her, his face turned red and he apologized instantly.

  The other hands all seemed to be good men as well, and Cora was thankful she had managed to pick a good one that would treat her right. Things could have been a lot worse coming so far to marry a man she’d never met.

  She could be his helper here at the house just the same as the others who worked the land. She would just tuck her heart away and not let it pine for anything more.

  Of course, that was hard to do when she sat at dinner that night and listened to Levi explain to his pa and her why he’d be staying with the ranch hands for the next couple of nights.

  He didn’t even meet her eyes as he said it, keeping his attention on his father instead.

  “That’s not really necessary is it, Levi?” Pa said.

  “I’ve already talked to Drew about heading into Birch Creek tomorrow morning to get the list of supplies for cooking while we’re on the trail. He was also going to check for a few men to hire for the drive. Jake and Tucker are going to be mending the fence that was broken by that ornery bull. It’s got to be fixed before we can leave the remaining cattle here.” Levi took a bite of his dinner then continued. “William and I will be keeping an eye on the cattle while the others are gone.”

  “How many head did you say you have?” Cora asked.

  “Just under two hundred. Not a big operation here or anything. But it works nicely for us. We’ll be taking just over half with us to Boise to sell while the others remain to rebuild the herd.”

  “Do you have a butcher in the area you sell to?” Cora asked.

  “Birch Creek just got one, but most times, the locals are the ones that sell to him. He’s asked for a couple this fall though.”

  “Do you do your own butchering then?” Cora asked. “And will you need me to help cure the meat? I’ve bottled some before, but I don’t know much about the drying and smoking.”

  “Your help would be appreciated,” Pa said. “But most times Jake and Tucker are the ones to work the meat.”

  “Just let me know what I need to help with,” Cora said.

  The rest of the meal went by quickly and quietly. She didn’t want to ask more questions or bring up the fact that she was disappointed he was leaving. She ate her food and made sure the two men had enough to eat then cleaned up the food and table. The two started talking again about their plans for the cattle drive and what they’d need to do here before they left so Cora slipped outside with the scraps for the pigs. She checked the eggs since some chickens liked laying in the morning while others laid their eggs later in the day.

  Pa had milked the cows while Cora had made dinner so that was a relief for her. She looked at the position of the sun. There were still a few hours of sunlight so she decided to take the eggs into the house then return to the garden. It would be easier to just avoid the men and let them sort things out.

  Plucking some weeds every day helped keep it under control. Once the vegetable garden was checked over, she walked to the orchard to see how the fruit trees were doing.

  There were a lot of trees and most had a decent number of apples and pears on them. Not a whole lot of peaches though. Still, she’d be busy in the next month or two.

  Hopefully there would be enough jars and sugar for her to preserve it well. Though she would dry some of it.

  And the root cellar was perfect for the carrots and potatoes. She might need to go over all the things in the house and the storage cellars to find out what might be needed from Birch Creek before the harvesting season was in full swing. She returned toward the house and saw Levi step outside and head to the barn with a bag on his shoulder. Was he really planning on heading out to the herd tonight?

  ***

  Levi had packed his saddle bag with the few things he’d need for sleeping near the herd. He didn’t return to the kitchen to s
ay goodbye, knowing his father would bring up the same tired argument that it wasn’t necessary. And Levi didn’t want to risk seeing the relief in Cora’s eyes that he would be gone.

  He headed out the front door toward the barn and was surprised to see Cora out in the garden. He wouldn’t be able to avoid saying goodbye after all. Of course, it was better for him to man up about it and talk to his wife. Levi set the bag down and turned toward the garden to meet her.

  “You have done a lot of work out here. Thank you.” Levi hoped the compliment would start things off right.

  “It’s a big garden. You all had a lot of work to do with something this size. Did the other men come help as well?”

  “Mostly they keep track of the cattle. Pa and I are usually here at the house until around this time of year when we help pick which animals will go to the market and which we’ll keep for growing our herd size.”

  “How do you decide which ones you’ll take?” Cora asked.

  It took a bit of explaining, but Cora seemed to catch on to the different things that went into deciding which animals were healthy enough for expanding the herd and which were best to sell.

  And as they talked, Levi realized he actually hadn’t messed up and done or said anything that would bother her.

  “Would you show me your herd?” Cora asked. “I’d like to see how many animals there are since I can’t really imagine how it would look.”

  “Sure,” Levi said. Her interest in what he did gave him a surge of pride. “Would you like to ride out with me tonight?”

  “Won’t it be dark soon? I don’t think I’d be able to see much. Is it possible to go in the morning instead?”

  “Of course,” Levi said. He wondered if he should still head out to the grazing area then return for her tomorrow or stay the night here and take her in the morning.

  “What time?” Cora asked.

  “I suppose we could go after breakfast. If that works for you.” Levi met her eyes and when she smiled and nodded he was pleased he had been the cause of her smile.