The Lumberjack's Bride (9 page)

How long he whittled and prayed Caleb wasn't sure. He held the small nipple out and looked it over. A good roll in river sand would soften the edges of the wood and make it safe for the baby.

He stood, blew out the lantern and returned to the cabin.

Careful not to wake Julianne, he climbed the stairs to his bed. The mattress creaked with his weight. Caleb wondered if Julianne had heard. He tilted his head sideways and listened.

The cabin remained silent. Tomorrow would be different, he told himself. It was obvious Julianne didn't trust him. He had to nurture her until she did. With that thought in mind, he drifted off to sleep.

Heat bore down on him until he thought he would suffocate. Caleb twisted in the quilt. Sleep evaporated from his eyes, and he sat up. Daylight filtered through the window, and he realized he'd overslept.

He ran a hand through his damp hair. The house was stifling hot, and he wondered what had caused such heat. Pulling his clothes on, Caleb started down the stairs.

When he got to the bottom he found the house empty. Fresh loaves of bread rested on the kitchen table, but Julianne and the baby were nowhere to be found, so he went in search of them.

Stepping onto the porch he realized it was almost noon. He'd slept away most of the day. What must Julianne think of him? Where was she, anyway?

He scoured the yard and garden. He didn't see her anywhere, and his heart began to pound.

The cow let out a loud bellow. Caleb ran to the barn. He stopped just outside the open doors. Who was inside the barn? Could the Indians have come to carry off his family, livestock, and who knew what else, while he slept?

It took all his will not to race inside when he heard Julianne's raised voice. He could sense the anger in her.

“Fine! See if I try to help you again. You are an ungrateful beast with a nasty temper.”

Caleb cautiously peeked around the door. His lovely wife stood with her hands on her hips, facing the cow, who had her head lowered and looked ready to charge.

“Don't even think about it. We'll be having steaks for dinner if you dare,” she threatened the animal.

Pride filled Caleb's chest at his wife's bravery. He could see the cow's eyes were just as determined as Julianne sounded. The animal lifted her head and shook the bell around her neck.

“Good morning.” Caleb came further into the barn.

Julianne turned. Dirt splattered her dress and hay poked out of different places in her hair. Smudges of gook and something dark lined one cheek. Her blue eyes flashed in anger.

“Lord, you sure are a beauty when you're mad.” The words popped out of his mouth before he could stop them.

If it were at all possible, her eyes glinted even brighter. Her face flushed a bright red, and her nostrils flared. Caleb wasn't sure if the flush was from embarrassment or anger, but it made her even more appealing to him.

“I am not mad. I'm angry. Dogs go mad and foam at the mouth. Do you see me foaming at the mouth?” she demanded.

She had tied a sheet across one shoulder and baby Jonathan rested inside its folds. Caleb watched her cuddle the baby closer to her as she waited for his answer.

“No ma'am. I don't see any foam.” He wanted to laugh but didn't dare. She looked so beautiful with hay in her hair and her eyes that incredible shade of ice blue.

“Good.” A smile tilted the corners of her mouth.

Caleb couldn't contain the laughter. It bubbled from his throat and washed away some of the rejection of the night before.

Her laughter joined his. “I was trying to get that ornery animal to let me milk her. Her udder is full but she won't allow me to touch her.”

He picked up the milk pail and the stump he'd sat on the night before. “Maybell, why won't you let the pretty lady milk you?” Caleb walked to the cow and pulled her out into the yard.

His eyes swept over Julianne approvingly as he passed her. She was so unaware of the captivating picture she made with her hair all mussed up and the red spots dotting her cheeks. He bit his lip to stifle a grin.

Julianne followed. He heard her soft footsteps behind him.

“How is it you've never milked a cow before?” He sat the stump on the ground and pulled the cow forward until her udder was in line with the stump.

“The opportunity never presented itself. We lived in the city and our milk was delivered each morning.”

“I remember delivered milk in the morning.” He walked quickly into the barn, a satisfied smile pulling at the corner of his mouth when he turned and she was right on his heels.

“You do?”

He nodded.

“Do you ever miss New York?” Her question caused him a moment of concern. Was she perhaps longing for home? He answered carefully.

“There are certain things I miss.” He lifted a handful of hay from the haystack at the back of the barn. “Like milk delivered to the door in the morning; reading
Harper's
magazine on Sunday mornings.” He strode back to Maybell and dropped the hay in front of her. “I miss the theater.”

Julianne clapped her hands. “Oh, me too. Did you ever visit the Crystal Palace?” Her voice rose an octave in excitement.

“No, I never made it there. Whenever I found time to escape I went to the Astor.”

“Yes, yes, I loved the Astor Library. I didn't get to go often but when the opportunity arose, I went and stayed for hours at a time.” Caleb noticed her mood seemed suddenly buoyant, a distinct change from when they'd entered the barn.

“Do you miss it very much?” Caleb purposefully kept his voice without inflection but he couldn't stop himself from studying her face.

She looked away hastily, then moved restlessly. She sighed and gave a resigned shrug. “I miss the things we mentioned. I even miss my family. But not enough to ever want to go back.” When she lifted her eyes pain flickered briefly in their beautiful depths.

Caleb knew about pain. He and his sister had been alone most of their lives, scrambling to just get by. When Estelle married it was a great match and he was finally free to live whatever lifestyle he chose. The West had called to him and he'd set out to make a new beginning for himself.

“We lived down near the wharf in lower Manhattan. There was never a quiet moment with the ships arriving all times of the day and night. There were lots of guttersnipes and no law most of the time. I managed to keep my sister in school and involved in the best culture I could supply. When she married I hightailed it out of there as fast as I could. I knew I could make a good life for myself if I ever got the chance.”

“So you never want to go back?” Julianne's voice sounded strained, but she seemed to be preoccupied with Maybell's placement over the bucket he'd set under her. With sudden clarity he knew his answer was very important to her. He chose his words carefully.

“I won't say I will
never
go back again, but I have no plans to in the next ten years or so. Maybe one day, if Jonathan wants to go to West Point, I might visit my hometown again.” He watched the stiffness leave her shoulders and after a long pause he stated firmly. “My home is here now, and I love every inch of our place. I feel blessed of the Lord to have accomplished several of the things I longed to do when I came West.”

She answered him in a rush of words. “You've done a wonderful job, Caleb. You're still young, yet you have more material possessions than any of the other sawmill workers. And the house is lovely. Even this barn proves that your dedication to hard work and perseverance has paid off.”

“Are you proud of your husband, Julianne?” He teased her, feeling the need to lighten the mood.

Standing on tiptoe, she touched her lips to his. Her feather-light touch seared a path to his soul. “There isn't a woman alive more proud of her husband.” Stains of scarlet appeared on her cheeks and she dropped her hands quickly from his shoulders.

“Why don't I get Maybell something more to eat, and then I'll show you how it's done.”

This time Julianne nodded. She pressed the baby closer to her and waited while Caleb entered the barn and returned with more hay for the cow to chew on. While they'd been preoccupied with each other, Maybell had gone to town on her food.

After giving the cow more hay, Caleb repositioned the bucket under her udder and sat down on the stump. He showed Julianne how to milk the cow. “See? That's not so hard is it?” He glanced up in time to catch her gnawing on her lower lip.

She shrugged uncertainly. Caleb stood to his feet. “Here, sit down, and I'll teach you.”

Julianne did as instructed.

Caleb watched her tuck the baby close to her body and lean forward. She took a teat in her hand and squeezed.

Maybell let out a loud moo. Caleb saw fire and a challenge rush into Julianne's eyes.

“Don't start,” she ordered the cow, then she looked up at him with those bright eyes. “I don't think she likes my touch as much as she does yours.”

He chuckled. “She's used to me milking her. She'll get used to you, too. Just give her time.”

“But, I thought you bought her yesterday, how come she's used to you already?”

“I picked her up yesterday. I bought her a couple of weeks ago, and the previous owners agreed to house her till the hay I ordered arrived. I wanted my own fresh milk and butter, so I've been going to their place to do the milking.”

“Oh, that explains the fresh milk.”

“Yes, and it shows how the Lord provides before we even have a need.” At her questioning look, he clarified. “I would never have dreamed my sister would pass away leaving me with a baby that had to be fed. But He knew, and now Jonathan is taken care of. God provides for his children.”

Julianne seemed to concentrate for a moment on what he had said, then leaned forward and tried again.

Maybell stomped the ground with her hind leg.

Caleb moved behind Julianne and placed a hand over hers. “Here let me help you.”

His hand engulfed hers. Caleb marveled at the difference in their sizes.

The smell of lavender from her hair floated up to him with the heat from the sun. He moved their hands together and showed her how to pull so that the milk would come out. He was unaware of the lesson, only of the woman in front of him.

After several moments of pulling, Caleb felt her body ease back against him. He gently scooted her forward on the stump and sat down behind her.

Jonathan woke from his morning nap. His sleepy gaze met Caleb's.

“He's growing fast.” Caleb drew her closer to him by putting his left arm around her waist.

Julianne worked with both hands now. Caleb released her right hand and completely circled her in his arms.

“This is fun.”

Caleb wondered if she meant the milking or being in his arms. He bent his head and nuzzled his face into the hair at her neck. She angled her head to accommodate his touch and the slender, delicate thread that had formed between them strengthened. She drew him like a magnet.

“Well now, iffen this ain't right cozy.”

Julianne shot up from their seat on the stump. “Maggie, I wasn't expecting you to visit today.”

Caleb caught the bucket before it spilled. He stood slowly, bringing the milk with him. “Morning, Maggie. Come on, Maybell. I'll take you out back where there's fresh grass.”

“I can see you weren't.” He heard Maggie's laughter as he headed behind the barn.

* * *

Julianne stared after Caleb. His broad shoulders and narrow waist set her heart to pounding. The strength in his arms was matched by the even stronger strength of his character. For a few brief moments, she had felt safe in his arms.

Maggie's voice pulled Julianne from her thoughts. “He's quite a man isn't he? I'd have chased him myself, if I was a few years younger.”

Heat filled Julianne's face. Were her thoughts that obvious? She turned away from the inquisitive look on Maggie's face.

Jonathan wiggled around in the blanket. He gave a small cry, and Julianne felt moisture against her stomach. She sighed. He needed changing again.

“Would you like to come inside while I change the baby?” Julianne asked.

At Maggie's nod they headed for the house. Julianne pulled the door open and slipped behind the curtain that divided the bedroom from the main room.

Maggie ladled two glasses full from the water bucket in the kitchen. “I came out to ask if you and Caleb will be attending services tomorrow.”

Caleb had not mentioned it to Julianne. She changed the baby, then pulled the damp dress over her head and slipped into her last clean one. She pulled another half-sheet from the pile of clean clothes and tied it over her shoulder. She settled Jonathan comfortably against her chest and patted his bottom.

As she entered the kitchen, Maggie handed her a glass of water. Julianne said, “I don't know if we'll go to services tomorrow. Does Caleb usually attend church on Sunday?”

“He usually does, but I wasn't sure if he would this Sunday.”

“Why wouldn't he?” Julianne set the glass on the table and rearranged Jonathan in the sheet. She patted his back as she waited for Maggie to answer.

The older woman shrugged her shoulders. “Well, with you two just being married and all…I thought maybe…” She looked pointedly at the curtained-off bedroom area.

Heat filled Julianne's face once more. She moved to the cabinet and started putting clean dishes away. “I'm sure we will be going.” Julianne couldn't bring herself to face Maggie.

What would her friend say if she knew they weren't really man and wife? Julianne chewed her bottom lip.

“Where will we be going?” Caleb asked.

Julianne's gaze shot to the door. How long had he been standing there? Had he heard Maggie's comment?

“I was just asking Julianne if you two are going to services in the morning.” Maggie sat down.

Caleb's gaze continued to hold Julianne's. “We'll be there.”