Shelter in Seattle (9 page)

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

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

“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 flashed 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 get 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 split her lip.

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 sack 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. “May Bell, why won’t you let the pretty lady milk you?” Caleb walked to the cow and pulled her out into the yard.

Julianne followed. He heard her soft footstep 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 utters were in line with the stump.

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

He nodded. “Why don’t I get this little lady something to eat, and then I’ll show you how it’s done.”

 “Sounds good to me.”

Though she spoke casually, her uneasiness did not go unnoticed by Caleb. The furtive glances over her shoulder at May Bell and the way she pressed the baby closer to her were dead give-a-ways. She was determined to conquer her fear; he could see that in the clenched jaw and face void of all expression. She waited while Caleb entered the barn and returned with hay.

Tossing the hay in front of May Bell, Caleb positioned the bucket under her utters 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 see a single tear slip from her eyelashes. “There’s no reason to cry, honey.”

She sniffled loudly and wiped the tears away. Caleb stood to his feet. “Here, sit down, and I’ll teach you.”

Julianne did as she was asked.

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

May Bell 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.”

“Oh, that explains the fresh milk.” Julianne leaned forward and tried again.

May Bell stomped the ground with her back leg.

Caleb moved behind Julianne and placed a hand over hers. “Here let me help you. Take a teat in the palm of your hand.”His hand engulfed hers. Caleb was shocked at the difference in their sizes.
Squeeze the teat at top with your thumb and forefinger, like this.” He suited his actions to words. “Continue squeezing each finger around the teat, and this forces the milk to come out in a stream.”

The smell of lavender 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 her hair. The smell of lavender grew even stronger.

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

Chapter 10

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, May Bell. I’ll take you out back where there’s fresh grass.”

“I can see you weren’t.” He heard Maggie’s rich 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 cheeks. 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 inside to the bedroom.

Maggie ladled two glasses full from the water bucket. “You and Caleb going to attend services tomorrow?”

Julianne changed the baby. “I don’t know. Does he usually attend church on Sunday?”

Jonathan cooed up at her from his crib. She pulled the damp dress over her head and slipped into her last clean one. Maggie handed her a glass of water as she entered the kitchen. “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 looked intently at Maggie, anxious to know what could possibly prevent Caleb from attending church tomorrow, if he did so every Sunday.

The older woman shrugged her shoulders. “Well, with you two just being married and all...I thought maybe...” She looked pointedly to the bed.

Julianne’s embarrassment quickly turned to annoyance. She moved to the cabinet and started putting clean dishes away. She managed to shrug and say offhandedly, “I’m sure we will be going.” Why couldn’t people mind their own business? What would her friend say if she knew they weren’t really man and wife?

“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 were going to services in the morning.” Maggie sat down.

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

Maggie smiled at them. “Tomorrow is the annual picnic. I love the annual picnic. It’s one of the few days of the year I don’t have to eat my own slop.”

Julianne pulled her gaze away from Caleb. “What should I bring?” She faced Maggie fully but leaned back against the cabinet, needing the space between them in case Maggie got too personal again. “Lots of food. There will be plenty of loggers and only a few ladies there. Which reminds me, I need to get back to camp and start on my food for tomorrow.” Maggie stood to her feet.

Caleb stepped to the side of the door to allow her room to pass.

“I’ll see you two tomorrow.” Maggie waved as she left.

Julianne followed her to the porch. “Thanks for coming by, Maggie. Please, come again soon.”

Maggie climbed up on her horse and surprised Julianne by straddling the horse. The older woman gathered the reins in her hands and winked at Julianne. “Thanks, I will.” She turned the horse and galloped out of sight.

Julianne’s thoughts raced. She had to wash clothes so that she would have a clean dress for tomorrow. There was food that needed to be prepared and she needed a bath.

Jonathan began to fuss.

“And, you need to be fed.” She lifted him from the crib and placed a kiss on his cheek. He quickly turned his head to her cheek, his little mouth searching for nourishment. She chuckled and kissed him again.

Caleb came to stand beside her. “I’ll feed him for you, Julianne.”

“Thanks but I can do it.” She returned to the kitchen and prepared the baby’s bottle. The rubber nipple smelled bad and no longer fit the bottle correctly.

“Maybe this will fit better.” Caleb held out a little wooden nipple.

Julianne jumped at the sound of his voice. He stood so close she could smell the earthy scent of him. Her gaze moved to the small nipple and the large, dark hand that held it out.

“Thank you.” She took the nipple and fitted it onto the bottle. Julianne examined the tiny hole in the top of it. She turned the full bottle upside down. Small drops of milk landed on her wrist. Not enough to drown the baby but just enough to supply him with the nourishment he needed.

Caleb touched the top of the crying baby’s head. “What do you think? Will it work?”

Julianne gave Jonathan the bottle. He sucked it into his mouth and began feeding greedily. A small trickle of milk formed at his little lips.

“Oh Caleb, this is better than the old nipple.” Her eyes met his, and she smiled.

A soft grin touched Caleb’s firm lips. Julianne focused on his mouth. They were only inches apart, and she leaned toward him.

Their lips met. His kiss was slow, thoughtful. It sang through her veins. He smelled of wood chips and lye soap, and she breathed in his essence. Her senses heightened, a wild fluttering started in her stomach. She opened her mouth to catch a much needed breath, and he traced her lips with his tongue. Her heart pounded an erratic rhythm and she felt a small piece of it warm towards her new husband.

He lifted his head and Julianne withdrew from his arms. She carried Jonathan to the table and sat down.

“Thank you for the nipple.” Her voice was husky and tremulous.

****

Caleb stared at the two red spots on Julianne’s white cheeks. Her voice sounded breathless and appealing. Satisfaction pursed his mouth and his mood turned buoyant. She was not indifferent to him. She must have felt the thrill of hot blood racing through her veins just as he had when their lips touched.

His gaze moved over his small family. Jonathan and Julianne looked like mother and son. She caressed his little head as he drank deeply from the bottle.

A few minutes later, Jonathan protested, needing to burp. He tossed his head back and gave out a loud cry.

Julianne set the half-empty bottle on the table and spoke softly to the baby. “You need to burp, Jonathan. As soon as you do, you’ll get to finish your dinner.”

“He’s a brawny little fellow, isn’t he?” Caleb rested one booted foot upon the chair beside her and the baby.

A loud belch filled the room. Jonathan flung his arms out and gave a big wail.

Julianne settled him back into the crook of her arm and returned the bottle to his mouth. “Yes he is.”

Caleb studied them for a few more moments. “When you finish up here, do you want to go down to the stream and wash the clothes?”

“That would be nice. The house is still too hot to start cooking.” She rocked from side to side as she fed the baby, an easy smile playing at the corner of her lips.

The smile wavered a bit as her gaze met his. Once more, Caleb saw fear in her eyes and wondered what scared her? Was it him? Was he standing too close? Caleb dropped his foot from the chair and stepped back.

Julianne burped the baby again. “I’ll be ready in just a moment,” she offered, tucking Jonathan into the folds of the sheet.

Caleb headed toward the door. “Good, I’ll check on the horse and cow before we take off.” He made his way out the door and headed to the barn.

He worried that she still feared him. What could he do to make her feel safe? Caleb pondered the question as he thrust the pitchfork into the hay and tossed it to the livestock.

A scream filled the hot air. He jerked his head up at the sound.

Julianne.