Surrendered on the Frontier (14 page)

I shrugged. “Oh. Well, it was my pleasure,” I said. “You know I’d do anything for her. I’m not an expert, but it seems I knew enough to help, and I’m grateful I could.”

Silence hung between us for a moment before he spoke. “Seems I’ve been hasty, Ruth.”

I folded the rags that were left out and patted the top of the pile, then picked up the broom and began to sweep the floor before I replied. “Well, you know I’m sorry for what I did, Aaron.” I wouldn’t look at him, and merely continued tidying up. My hands needed to be occupied. “I know you were angry, and I don’t blame you. I shouldn’t have done what I did. But you also need to know I’m sorry.” I placed the broom up against the wall and faced him. He was working his jaw, arms still across his chest.

“You answer to Samuel now,” he said.

I blinked, looking at him, confused as to why he’d brought this up seemingly out of nowhere. “I… well, yes, I suppose I do,” I said awkwardly. I shifted on my feet, not knowing exactly what he meant by “answer to.”

He nodded briefly. “He’ll be good to you, Ruth. Some women are strong, and fiercely independent. You know that. One of the strongest women I know is lying in bed with a new baby in her arms.”

I waited patiently for him to continue, as my heart swelled with pride for my friend.

His voice softened a bit as he continued, his amber eyes piercing mine. He reminded me of Samuel in that moment—brave and stern, but kind. “And sometimes, what a strong woman needs is a man just that much stronger than she is.” He uncrossed his arm and pinched his thumb and index finger together, indicating ‘just a little’ with his fingers. “Just
that
much stronger. And when she finds that man that can take her on, she is free to be who she needs to be. She doesn’t worry about things that aren’t hers to worry about anymore. She’s free to let go and trust. And if he’s willin’ to take you on, he’ll be happy he did.”

My face broke into a grin. It was the best gift he could’ve given me. My voice was oddly husky, my eyes damp. “It seems he’s willing,” I whispered.

He grinned back. “I know it, darlin’.”

I nodded.

“And Ruth?”

“Yes?”

“You come on back here and help Pearl with the new baby, all right?”

Relief flooded through me at the words. “Thank you, Aaron. I will.”

“Now I’m gonna tend to my wife and son,” he said with a great deal of pride, “and you rest here and wait for Samuel. No goin’ back alone, hear? He’ll come for you.”

I agreed, but as he went back through the door to Pearl, I wondered at his words.

Would he? Not just now, but would he be the one for me? Was he willing to ‘take me on’?

Chapter Seven: “Who’s the One in Charge Here?”

I loved being with Pearl and her new baby. Loved it. I’d so missed having a little one around, and forgot about the sweet little baby coos and sighs, the teeny fingers that wrapped my own as I sat in the rocker and rocked while Pearl slept, the way he felt light as a feather in my arms. He was a sweet little thing, quiet and gentle. My own Hannah had been fussy for a time, but I’d still known nothing sweeter than sitting by the fire, rocking a sleeping baby.

Aaron was busy in the field, tending to the spring crops, and Samuel came by occasionally. I spent every day with Pearl, helping her learn how to nurse her baby, cooking her meals, and cleaning her house. I was happy to help, and eager to make amends for what had happened, but I spent more time there than I did my own home. Hannah came with me when she wasn’t in school, but my own crops needed tending, and my own house needed upkeep. After a week spent with Pearl, Samuel came by one day, just before dusk began to fall. I’d missed him, and was happy to see him. He removed his hat, shook it, and hung it on a peg by the door.

“How’s the new mama and baby?” he asked.

“Oh, thriving,” I said, stirring the soup on the stove. “Pearl is feeling stronger every day, and little Patrick is growing like a weed. How’s Ma?” I’d gone to visit her the day before, bringing her some homemade soup, and she’d improved quite a bit.

He folded himself into a chair at the table, and when I glanced at him, my heart gave a little thump. His legs were apart, hands folded lightly, his broad lap manly and welcoming. His sleeves were rolled up revealing the tanned, muscled forearms I’d come to love. His blue eyes twinkled at me. I wanted to drop the spoon and run to him, snuggling myself up on his lap, but Aaron was right outside and Pearl just in the other room.

He shrugged. “She’s better,” he said. “Seems she caught some sort of stomach sickness, but is taking food and water now, back up on her feet. Geraldine’s been by daily takin’ care of the house and meals.” He paused. “You girls are good like that, takin’ care of each other.”

“It’s the way we do things,” I said.

“Is that right, little Ruth?” His voice had dropped, and I could hear it, the
come hither
laced deep in his low voice.

I stirred the pot, the spoon swirling rapidly, faster than it needed to, from sheer nerves. My heart tripped in my chest.

“Why, yes,” I said. “We always help one another. It’s the way of the world on the prairie. Kin and the like, when one is out, the other takes over.”

“Takes over, is it?” he murmured.

I placed the spoon down and turned around to look at him. I gave a little yelp when I realized he was standing right behind me, having prowled up to me like a cougar to its prey.

“Samuel Stanley!” I hissed, swatting my hand at him. I was careful to keep my voice down lest I disturb the new mama and her baby. “You shouldn’t scare a woman like that!”

“Oh?” he asked, prowling closer.

“Oh!” I responded. “It’s not right—”

One of his hands wrapped around the back of my neck, a move that had become familiar and welcome, drawing me close to him as his mouth met mine. His tongue plundered my mouth, and my legs trembled. Fortunately, his strong arm behind me brought me closer to him, holding me tight and steadying me. I sighed into his mouth as we kissed, though part of me feared being caught. What if Pearl came out of the room, or Aaron in from the field? But I pushed away my fears and discomfort. It felt so nice being held like this. It had been far too long.

When we finally pulled away, I circled my arms around his neck, embracing him, standing up on my tiptoes. His arms wrapped around my waist, returning the hug. I loved the feel of his arms about me. He dropped his head, and his voice came to my ear.

“I’ve missed you,” he said in a husky whisper.

“Why, Samuel, I’ve been here all along and you know it.”

He chuckled into my ear. “I do. But you’ve spent enough time here now. Geraldine comes next week to help. Aaron can do plenty around here, and you have your own home that needs tendin’ to.” Oh, he was right. I
did.
Still, Pearl needed me.

“Samuel, I’m still needed here.”

His hand gripped the back of my neck and he tilted my face to look up at him. I felt the tingle all the way down my spine. I swallowed, trying to summon as much bravado as I could. His eyes narrowed slightly. “I know you are, and I’m also aware that you just got back into Aaron’s good graces again. But heed me, woman. Your home needs tendin’ to. Your Hannah’s been fine, spendin’ time with Matthew and helpin’ in her own way with Ma, and I know she’s been here often. But you’re needed back at your home now.” His mouth dropped so that he spoke in my ear. “
I
need you. And I need you alone.”

Oh,
my.
My knees wobbled as I felt his words trickle down me like wax dripping hot from the candle’s flame.

He nodded and spoke again in my ear. “So much.”

“I’ll be back soon,” I whispered. “I told Pearl I would—”

“You’ll be back
tonight
.”

I felt a twinge of irritation at his utterly predictable highhandedness. “And what if I say no?” I responded, every bit as much irritated as I was eager to hear his response, ready for my body to zing with excitement. I’d already told Pearl I’d make my biscuits for her, and my biscuits were everyone’s favorite. At the same time, I liked prodding him, pushing him to take me on, pushing him to make me mind him.

Samuel’s hand tightened on my neck. “If you say no?” he asked, his voice dangerously low. “You don’t say no to me, and you know that, woman. What happens if you defy me, little Ruth?”

I squirmed, my voice hitching as my breath caught. I whispered my response. “I get in trouble.”

One of his hands traveled down my back as his other still grasped my neck, and when he reached my bottom, he squeezed so hard I squealed.

“What kind of
trouble
do you get into, honey?” he asked. “Tell me.”

“Big trouble.” I wanted to push. I wanted to prod. His hand squeezed so that now it was painful, punishing.

“Tell me
exactly
what happens before I’m forced to give you a reminder right here in their cabin,” he ordered. That scared me. No way did I want to be taken across his knee with Pearl right in the other room.

I gasped. “You spank me.”

He nodded slowly. “I gave you an instruction, little Ruth,” he said low. “Now you have one minute to obey me, before I hold you over my knee, lift those skirts of yours, and redden your sweet little bottom for all to see.” He sobered. “I mean every word. Am I clear?”

“Yessir,” I whispered. He released me and I staggered a bit, heady from the rush of his words and instructions. He took me by the elbow and led me to where Pearl was with the baby in her bedroom.

“Knock on the door and tell her you need to go home.”

I sighed and began to waver. I didn’t make a move to obey at first. He took me by the elbow, spun me around, and delivered a crisp swat to my skirt-clad backside. I squealed, muffling the sound with my hand over my mouth.

I glared at him. He glared back, pointing a bossy finger at the door.

“
Now
.”

I knocked on Pearl’s door, tossing a final glare over my shoulder, and heard Pearl’s, “Come in!” from the other side. I opened the door and entered. Her baby was sleeping peacefully, swaddling in a little blanket, up against her chest.

“Are you going home now, Ruth?” she asked with a smile. Even though she looked tired, she beamed at the sweet baby nestled up against her bosom.

“I need to,” I said. “I have some things to do back at the house. I know you may still need some help here—”

I heard Samuel clear his throat behind me.

“But
someone
says it’s time to go back home,” I said.

She smiled. “Oh, I know all about that,” she said. “Don’t worry about us here. You’ve done more than you needed to already, and Aaron and I will forever be grateful.” I walked to her, running a light finger over her baby’s sweet head, tucking in a wisp of hair, as she continued. “I’m so happy that you were the one with me in all of this, and that Aaron’s letting you be with me again. That was so hard, Ruth. I missed you terribly.”

Tears pricked my eyes as I bent and kissed first her cheek, then the baby’s. “And I missed you. I’ll see you tomorrow?” I thought better of it the second I said it. “I mean, maybe.” I raised my voice. “Unless
somebody
gets it into his head not to let me come.”

She nodded and grinned. “Any time, honey. Be good.”

I smiled. “You, too.” I bent and kissed her cheek one last time, then took my leave.

Samuel was waiting outside her bedroom, arms crossed again, and one foot leaning against the wall. He crooked a finger at me. I wondered if he’d heard my references to his bossiness. Ducking my head, part of me hoped that he hadn’t heard my comments about him, but a deeper, more buried part of me, hoped he had.

* * *

When we left the house, we could see Aaron returning from the field. I’d left enough food for supper that he could easily warm for them. He approached us, wiping a hand across his sweaty brow, as we were heading toward summer now, and the weather was heating up.

“Headin’ home, Ruth?” he asked.

I nodded. “Samuel says it’s time for me to go,” I said, trying to pin a bit of the blame on him. I still felt bad that I was leaving them when they still needed me and maybe part of me wanted to needle Samuel just a tad bit more.

Aaron nodded. “Of course,” he said. “You’ve already gone above and beyond duty, Ruth. Thank you.” He shifted his gaze to Samuel. “How’s Ma?”

Samuel shrugged. “Much better. Says she’s too old to be sick and to let her out of bed, but we asked her to stay put just one more day.”

I could well imagine how the ‘ask’ went, even if it was their ma they were bossing around.

Aaron nodded, his eyes growing concerned. “You think it’s just a quick illness?” he asked honestly.

Samuel nodded. “I’m sure of it. She’ll be fine real soon.”

Aaron nodded. “All right, I best be gettin’ to my wife and son,” he said. His pride made me smile, and I could almost see his chest expand.

“Oh, I’m sure they’d be happy to see you, too,” I said.

He tipped his hat one more time, opened the door to the cabin, and then Samuel and I were left alone. As soon as the door shut behind him, I felt Samuel grasp my elbow, hauling me behind the cabin.

“Gettin’ a little big for your britches there, little girl,” he began.

“I’m not wearing britches, Samuel,” I corrected, my voice rising as he tugged me harder. “And we’ve already gone over the fact that I’m not a little girl.”

“Think I’m foolin’ around, young lady?” he asked, as my skirts flew up and I found myself staring at a clump of grass, my hands flailing in front of me. “I’ll give you britches,” he muttered.

“Samuel!” I gasped. “
Stop
! Someone will see you!”

“And well they should,” he said. “Let them see what happens to a woman who acts like a petulant little girl. It’s high time you felt my palm against your backside.”

He landed one hard wallop.

“
Ow
!”

“Are you going to come with me now, where I can keep you safe, or do I need to warm your bottom proper?”