By the time he got the fire lit and flames licked greedily at the tinder-dry wood, the woman arrived at the door with her littlest on her hip. Without a word she glanced around the shanty. Her face was gaunt in the half darkness, her feelings masked. He couldnt tell if she was disappointed in the shelter or relieved.
After closing the stove door, he rose to his feet. Ill bring in some water for you, maam. Ill send my brother out with supper.
No. Thank you, but no. She looked stricken. Ive already been so much trouble to you. I cant beI wont bemore beholden to you. I
You shoulda thought of that when you decided to live on a piece of my property. He watched her rear backjust a step, just a small movement, but somehow it felt like a larger motion. As if hed truly insulted her. It was not what hed meant.
Tread softly, man. He checked his voice, gentling it as much as he was able. Just put aside your worries for tonight. Ill sleep easier knowing you and your young ones are safe instead of sleeping out there alone on the prairie. Do you understand?
Fine. Then well speak again tomorrow. I am grateful. Tension still tightened her face, and the flickering light seemed to emphasize the hollows and lines there, in those lovely features that ought to be soft with happiness and contentment.
It was not a fair world, and he knew it as much as anyone. He jammed the match tin onto the shelf with a little too much force. Watching the way Mrs. Nelsons gaze moved with relief and pleasure around the shanty shamed him. The place wasnt much. He wasnt sure what his Christian duty was, but he hoped he was doing his share. He touched his hat brim. Scuse me, maam, Ill say good night, then.
Thank you for your kindness. She moved from the doorway with a rustle of petticoats and a hush of skirts, careful to keep her distance from him. Good night, Mr. McKaslin.
When he crossed the threshold, he could feel her sigh of relief. He made her uneasy, and it troubled him as he hiked through the growing grasses, for he was uneasy, too. Hed never thought there would be another woman on his landeven for just the night and even in the shanty.
He kept going until the shanty was nothing more than a faint black outline against the shadowed sky. Kindness, Mrs. Nelson had called it, but it was nothing of the sort. He was only doing the right thing, and that did not come without cost.
Ma, that was a mighty fine supper! Jamess grin was so wide it was likely to split his face. I cleaned my whole plate.
Yes, you did. Joanna lifted the kettle of water steaming on the back of the stove. You be sure and thank Mr. McKaslin the next time you see him.
Yesm. Im puttin him in my prayers tonight. I was gettin mighty tired of creek fish. The little boy slid his plate and steel fork next to the washbasin on the table. Are you sure we cant stay here forever?
Yes, Im sure. This is only for tonight. Holding her heart still, Joanna carefully poured the steaming water into the basin and returned the half-full kettle to the stove. Mr. McKaslin. Now, there was a puzzle. She could not figure that man out. In the field, when shed come up with water from the creek, shed been afraid of him. Hed been so angry. Now she realized it wasnt anger at all. No, not if hed brought them here.
She reached for the bar of lye soap shed brought in from the wagon earlier, and began to pare off shavings, which fell into the hot water to curl and melt. She felt a little like those shavings, wilting a bit. She wasnt used to taking charity, but as she watched her children move about contentedly, she was grateful to Mr. McKaslin. Somehow she would find a way to repay him for his kindness.
Daisy sidled close with her plate and yawned hugely.
Is it time for bed already? Joanna glanced at the shelf clock, which sat mute, the motionless hands frozen at ten minutes after one, clearly the wrong time. Go on, you two, wash up and get changed.
Ma. Daisy tugged on a fold of Joannas skirt, looking up with big blue eyes full of worry. What about the angels?
Joannas heart twisted hard. The first night theyd slept in the wagon, she had told them that the wagon cover was better than a roof because it made it easier for the angels to watch over them. The angels will be able to keep an eye on you just fine, baby. Now, you wash up and well read more from our book. Hows that?
Daisys smile showed the perfect dimples in her cheeks.
Thatd be mighty fine! James, listening in, looked as if he could not believe his luck.
As they scampered to finish their washing up, Joanna left the dishes to soak in the water and plucked a sheet from the small box shed brought in earlier. There, in the small mirror above the washbasin, her face was staring back at her.
Thats me? She froze, gazing at the strange woman in the mirror. Shed never been pretty, and she knew it. Her husband had always taken pains to point out her plainness. But she could never remember looking this poorly. Her hairher only vanitywas dry and flyaway instead of glossy and sleek. Her face was ashen and the hollows beneath her eyes were as dark as day-old bruises. Her cheeks were gaunt and her eyes too big. Sadness had dug lines that had not been there before.
That was not her, she thought, ashamed. That was not the face of a twenty-eight-year-old woman. No wonder Aiden McKaslin had barely glanced at her, and, when he did, it was with that shuttered look of annoyance. What must he see? What must he think of her? And why was she remembering how kind and strong hed seemed, too? And how changed hed been around the children?
It didnt matter. After tomorrow she would never see him again.
Tomorrow. That was one thought she wanted to avoid. As hard as she tried not to admit it, she and her children were now covered-wagon peoplethe homeless people of the Westand she could no longer deny it.
Should they stay in the area? Find another forgotten piece of prairie to park their wagon on? It was too early for harvest work in the fields. And where would she leave her children while she was working?
Should they leave Angel Falls? The horses were in no condition, as old as they were, to pull the wagon a long distance. She did not have the money to stayparticularly come morning, after she squared up what she owed to Aiden McKaslin.
Ma! Daisys sweet voice broke into her thoughts. I cant reach.
She blinked, realizing her daughter was waiting for her to unbutton her little dress. Joanna banished her worries with a shake of her headthere would be enough time to dwell on them later, when she was unable to fall to sleepand tackled the tiny buttons marching down the back of Daisys pink calico dress. There, now. Go get your nightgown and Ill have your bed nice and ready.
Yes, Ma. Daisy scampered off to where their satchel of clothes sat on the floor. She knelt, all sweetness, to peer inside the bag and search for her nightie.
Yes, Joanna had some decisions to make. She shook out the worn muslin over the straw tick with a snap. The fabric fluttered into place, and she bent to smooth and tuck quickly. Her troubled thoughts turned to Aiden McKaslin. Funny, her pa had lived next door to the McKaslins for the last five years, and hed never said much about Aiden except that he was highly disagreeable. Then again, Pa had been highly disagreeable himself.
Joanna had seen Mr. McKaslin in church since shed come to stay with her father, but didnt know anything about him at all. Certainly not what hed said. His words came back to her. I buried a wife and son years ago, what was most precious to me, and to see you and them neglected like thiswith no one to care
Joanna had seen Mr. McKaslin in church since shed come to stay with her father, but didnt know anything about him at all. Certainly not what hed said. His words came back to her. I buried a wife and son years ago, what was most precious to me, and to see you and them neglected like thiswith no one to care
Not only was she sad for this man who had lost so much, but she admired him, too. He was a good manrare, in her opinionor at least good enough to care about someone not his concern. There were men who would have thrown her off the land without blinking. Some would have threatened her with the sheriff.
But Aiden McKaslin had brought her here. She looked around the structure, so solidly built, and clean, except for a little dust here and there. There was a stout roof overhead and not a single crack in a wall. Real glass windows stared out at the gathering darkness and showed a round moon hanging low over the valley. Yes, she would remember Aiden McKaslin in her prayers tonight.
By the time shed added a top sheet to the straw tick and the quilts from the wagon, the children had said their prayers and were ready for bed. She tucked them in, kissed their brows and told them what a good job theyd done today. When she turned out the lantern by the bedside, after reading to them as shed promised, she left them sound asleep. She finished the dishes in the meager light of a single lantern, listening to the sounds of the night. Thinking of her problems and her limited choices to solve them overwhelmed her.
When the dishes were done and put away into the crate, she sat down with her mending. She worked while the fire burned down and moonlight moved across the floor of the shanty. Midnight came and she was still sitting with a needle in her hand, wondering what the morning would bring.
She hoped she would be strong enough to face it.
Aiden looked up from his newspaper when he heard Finns boot steps pounding into the kitchen. Sure enough, there was his little brothertwenty years oldworked up into a fever. No surprise there. Aiden took a sip of his tea, assessing the boys mood over the rim of his cup. Finn could surprise you, but it was best to try to at least figure out his state before attempting to deal with him. As much as Aiden loved his youngest brother, he had to be honest about his flaws and weaknessesthere were many of those. Judging by the disgruntled frown, the crease of annoyance in Finns forehead and the angry way he tossed the harness strap across the back of one of the chairs, Aiden figured his brother was working himself up into a temper.
Best not to react to it or encourage it. I see you had trouble fixing that harness. Why dont you get a cup of tea? Well tackle it tomorrow.
Trouble? I didnt have any trouble. Finn took off his battered work hat and plucked his newer, going-to-town hat from the wall peg. What I have is a problem sewing that up for her.
Its what I asked you to do. Technically, you would be doing it for me.
Finn cursed. Do you think having a woman live out there is a good idea?
No, but what else would you have me do with her?
I could name a few things, all of which would involve her moving on to take advantage of someone else. Shes trouble, Aiden.
Oh? Do you know the Widow Nelson?
I know her type. Whatever shes offering you, beware. Shes just trying to get her hooks into you.
Ill keep that in mind. Wryly, Aiden finished the dregs of tea in his cup, trying to imagine quiet, proper Joanna Nelson as Finn was attempting to paint her.
It was impossible. When he thought of her, he recalled how gentle she was, how diligent and kind to her children, and of all the work she must have been forced to do for her father. That old man was the type who wouldnt give shelter to his daughter and grandchildren without expecting a good amount of profit from it.
No, when Aiden thought of Joanna Nelson, he thought of hard work and that simple beauty of hers. The good kind of beauty that was more than appearances. She was the brand of woman who would face down a man twice her size if she thought her children needed protection.
That was the type of woman he could understand. He folded the newspaper in half, then in half again, watching Finn exchange his work shirt for one of the clean ones folded in the basket near the door, where the laundry lady had left it. It appeared that Finn was heading to town. Would it do any good to forbid him to go?
Finn had that belligerent look to him, the one he got when he was in no mind to be told what to do. Fine, dont mind what Im saying. Youll see Im right when shes got you standing up in church wearing your wedding ring.
An arrow to the heart, thats what Finns words were to Aiden. Finn was thinking he was so smart, as he always did when he got up a full head of steam. He was just talking to impress himself. What did he know about real life? Not one thing. He spent most of his time dreaming about the bottom of a whiskey bottle.
Finn had never loved so hard that his breath and heartbeat were nothing, nothing at all, compared to a womans breath and heartbeat. He had never sat the night through, bargaining with God every second of every minute of every long, long hour to take his lifeto just take itand to please let her live.
A wife? That was far more than a wedding ring and a ministers words. A marriage was more than something a woman hoodwinked a man into. Anything short of that was a falsehood and an affront to God, whose love was a great gift. Pressure gathered at Aidens temples, and he dropped the paper. He was in no mood to read now.
Finn grabbed his Sunday coat from the wall peg.
Yep, Aiden could see exactly what his brother was up to. I dont want you going out.
Youre not my lord and master, are you? Finn had the audacity to wink. Cmon. I worked hard today. I deserve a little fun.
No you dont. What you deserve is to work harder tomorrow. Yep, he knew exactly what Finn meant by fun. He meant trouble. Were getting up an hour earlier tomorrow and hitting the fields.
Aw, Aiden. Its all we do around here.
If I find out you went to town and drank even a drop of whiskey, youre off this property. Out of this house. Therell be no more roof over your head. No food in your belly. Youll leave with exactly what you came with, which was the clothes on your back.
Aiden braced himself for the coming wrath. He regretted his current headache because it would only pound more when Finn slammed the door on his way out.
Whoa there. His brothers chin shot up. For the briefest moment there was the hint of the good boy hed beenhonest and sensitive and a little afraidbut in a flash it was gone. Replaced by the easier emotions of anger and bluster. We agreed before I got out of prison and stepped foot on this landour land
My land, Aiden thought, but he let it pass. He wasnt a greedy man, but he figured more than twenty years of blood and sweat and backbreaking work made the place his. Hed worked harder than their drunkard of a father to clear and build this place from a wild quarter section of prairie. And it was his name on the deed. His name on the mortgage.
that I just had to stay out of trouble and do my work around here. No one said I couldnt have a little fun on my own time.
No ones debating that, Finn. What I am saying is that you show up half-drunk or hungover for repairing the north field fencing, and your free ride is over.