The Lumberjack's Bride (6 page)

They were married, and he had every right to expect her to sleep with him, but surely there was a better way of saying it. What kind of man had she married? Just when she thought he was kind and understanding, he blurted out “it's time for bed” as if he could demand it.

Caleb took a step away from her. She flinched when he brought one hand up. She expected him to grab her at any moment and drag her to bed.

He combed his fingers through his hair looking even more embarrassed. “Look, I only meant it is time for us to get some sleep. You can take the bed down here, and I'll take the one upstairs.”

Her gaze followed his pointing finger. “It was to be my room anyway until I could build a second set of rooms on the back.”

He didn't mean to sleep with her? To make her perform her wifely duties? She studied him for several long moments. Could he be believed?

“Look, you and I don't know each other well enough to share that kind of intimacy. I want my wife to be in love before we are man and wife in more than just name. I believe that is the way God would want it to be, also.” He dropped his hands. “I moved my stuff up there a few days ago, when I thought my sister would be living here with me.”

Julianne wanted to believe him. Even as he climbed the stairs, she still wasn't sure of his intentions.

For several long minutes she heard him moving around above. The creak of a mattress told her he'd lain down. “Good night, Julianne.”

She moved to her own bed and sat down. “Good night, Caleb.”

A little later, his soft snores filled the house. Julianne checked on the baby and then prepared for bed. She lay on the soft feather mattress listening to her new husband sleep above her.

The baby woke her from restless sleep several times during the night, needing to be changed and fed. Then he spent at least an hour grunting and whimpering as if his tummy hurt. Finally, nearing daybreak, Julianne snuggled him close to her in the bed and he fell asleep, his little body shuddering with sighs. She'd taken care of his needs all while praying he wouldn't wake the man upstairs.

When morning came, Julianne was exhausted. Long before the sun rose in the sky, she heard Caleb get up and move around. His soft footsteps came down the stairs and moved about the kitchen.

She peeked from under the covers to see what he was doing. Julianne sighed, glad he'd found the johnnycakes she'd left out for his breakfast.

Then he turned in her direction. Julianne closed her eyes tightly and pretended to be asleep. She felt his warm lips on her forehead and heard his soft whisper.

“Have a good day, Julianne. Be sure and bolt the door when I leave. Don't go into the woods today, we have a lot to go over before you leave the yard.” He kissed her forehead once more and left.

As soon as the door shut, Julianne bolted from the bed and locked the door. She heard his soft chuckle on the other side. Mortified that he hadn't left, she raced back to the bed and dived under the covers.

Then she giggled.

He'd cared enough to make sure she had bolted the door. It was sneaky and sweet at the same time. Her heart warmed toward her new husband.

In a matter of minutes, she was sound asleep.

Jonathan woke her several hours later. Julianne quickly replaced his wet diaper and fed him milk from the leather pouch Caleb kept in the square wooden box that held the butter and cream. Then she ate a johnnycake from the night before. Next, she prepared a pot of stew and placed it on the stove to cook. She didn't want to admit it, but she was thoroughly enjoying her morning.

She straightened the little cabin and put Jonathan down for a nap. Her gaze moved to the room upstairs. Should she go up and clean it?

Julianne made sure the front door was bolted and then climbed the stairs. A bed took up most of the floor. She noted it hadn't been made and wondered if she should make it. But if she did, he would know she had been in his room, and she wasn't sure she wanted him to know she'd been snooping.

Knocking at the door made her decision for her. Julianne raced down the stairs as fast as her feet would let her without slipping. She crossed to the door and demanded, “Who's there?”

“Maggie.”

Julianne unbolted the door. “Come on in.” She pulled the door open to its fullest.

Maggie dragged a big bag across the threshold. “It's about time you opened that door. A woman could die of heat stroke while you dallied around in here.”

“I'm sorry. I was cleaning and didn't hear you. Besides, it's not hot out there.”

Maggie dropped into a chair. “No, but it was a nice trip to make on a sunny day. I'm parched.”

Julianne shut the door and turned to face her visitor. “What's in the bag?” Julianne pushed her hair out of her eyes.

“A couple of the men sent their laundry for you to do. You still want to take in laundry, don't you?”

Julianne dipped out a cup of cool well water and gave it to Maggie. “Of course I do, but I'd rather we not tell Caleb just yet.”

She watched Maggie tip the cup back and drink its contents before handing it back to her. “Why in the world would you want to keep it a secret from Caleb?”

“Well, he's a proud man, and I feel really bad that he had to pay Sloan the money for my passage. I want to earn the money back and that way we will have it as a nest egg.”

Julianne waved the cup. “Would you like more?”

Maggie shook her head. “Naw. I still don't understand what difference it would make if you told Caleb you're doing laundry for the men.”

Julianne studied the creases between Maggie's eyes. The woman really didn't understand. “Maggie, if you had a husband, how do you think he would feel if he knew you were cooking for over fifty men a day, three times a day for money?”

She watched as understanding dawned on Maggie. “Are you saying it's an issue of pride?”

Julianne nodded. “That's exactly what I'm saying. After I make enough money to replace what he paid, I'll tell him what I'm doing. Then, if he doesn't want me to continue working, I'll quit.”

Maggie slapped the table and laughed. “Okay gal, I'll help you. As far as those mule heads in camp know, I'm doing their laundry and none will be the wiser.” She stood to go.

“Thanks, Maggie.” Julianne hugged her new friend close. “I promise I'll let Caleb in on our little secret as soon as I can.”

The older woman seemed uncomfortable with the hug, but didn't push her away. “Just be sure that you do. I don't like deceiving, Caleb. He's a good man.”

* * *

Hours later, Caleb wondered what he'd find when he returned home. Would his new wife cower from him?
Lord, please let her learn not to fear me.

He opened the door a crack. “Is that beef stew I smell?” A quick glance took in the spotless cabin and Julianne standing at the stove with a big ladle in one hand, Jonathan cradled in her other arm.

“It's about ready. Have you washed up?” Julianne stirred the contents of the big pot.

“Sure did. Here, let me take this little fellow off your hands.” Caleb walked across the room and took the baby. He sat down in his chair and really looked at the child.

Jonathan had a wide forehead, aqua-colored eyes and a round face. “He looks like Estelle.”

Julianne dished up two bowls of stew and set them on the table. “He sure is sweet.” She turned to the counter behind her and placed fresh bread on the table.

“That he is.” Caleb watched the baby's eyes slowly shut. “I'm going to lay him down, and then we can eat.”

He carried the baby into Julianne's bedroom, noticing the neatly made bed and that her things had been put away. A feeling of contentment made him sigh. The baby was well taken care of, the house clean, and dinner smelled delicious. It was what every married man wanted when he came home from a hard day's work.

Caleb returned and took a seat at the table. She surprised him by asking, “Will you say grace, please?”

As he prayed aloud over the meal, he silently prayed for Julianne.

“Lord, thank you for this food and the nourishment for our bodies.”

And thank you for Julianne.

“And, bless the hands that have prepared it.”

Lord, bless my wife and help her to no longer fear me.

“Keep us safe, in Jesus' name. Amen.”

Caleb raised his head and met her clear blue eyes.

She smiled, and an expression of satisfaction showed in her eyes. Was she thankful she'd married him? He hoped so.

Julianne fiddled with her ring. “Thank you.”

He felt her gaze upon him as he took a bite of the cornbread. Sweetness coated his tongue. Her mama must have taught her that the way to a man's heart was through his stomach.

“This is great.” He chewed and swallowed the tasty treat.

“Thank you.” She twisted the ring again then exclaimed in dismay. “Oh, I forgot your coffee.”

She was up in a flash. Julianne grabbed the coffee and cup all in one action. Caleb watched her pour the hot liquid before returning the pot to the back of the stove.

As soon as she was seated again he asked her. “Do you know what that ring stands for, Julianne?”

She looked at the ring in question. “It means I'm your wife.”

He set his spoon on the table and reached across to capture her hand. Caleb turned the ring watching the gold reflect the sunlight that streamed through the kitchen window. “Yes, it does. What else does it mean to you?”

She tugged on her hand but Caleb refused to release her. “It means I'm yours. I clean the house, cook the meals, and watch after Jonathan.”

“Anything else?” He raised his head and searched her face.

“It means I am to do anything you ask me to.” She whispered and lowered her lashes.

Caleb rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, enjoying the softness of her skin. “Come with me.” He pulled her to her feet.

“But the food will get cold.” She tried again to pull her hand out of his but he hung on tight.

“We won't be gone that long, Julianne. I just want to show you something.” Caleb pulled her up and around the table. He led her to the door and outside. On the porch he stopped and pulled her in front of him. He dropped her hand and put both hands on her shoulders.

“See the land?”

She nodded.

“It's yours.”

“See the garden?”

Again he waited for her nod.

“It's yours. Everything I have is yours.”

He dropped his hands from her shoulders and grabbed her hand again. Caleb led her back into the house. He took her into the bedroom. Julianne stiffened by his side. “See the bed?”

Caleb waited several long moments while she worked up the courage to nod. When she did he announced, “It is yours until you are ready to share it.”

He pulled her to the foot of the bed where Jonathan lay sleeping. “See the baby?”

Julianne kept her gaze on the baby and nodded.

“He is ours.”

Caleb led her back to the kitchen table. “Julianne, this cabin, the land, even the children are ours. Not just mine, not just yours, but ours. Together. We are married, and to me that means everything I have is yours. You are not my slave and I'm not your master. We are partners, and someday I hope that we will become best friends.”

He watched a tear trickle down her face. Gently he led her back to her chair at the table. He knelt beside her and picked up the hand with her wedding band on it. “My grandmother gave me that ring when I was a little boy. She told me to wear it on a chain around my neck so that it would always be close to my heart until the day I found the lady who would hold my heart and the ring.”

A tear fell and ran through both their hands. “That ring means more to me than you will ever know. It means you are my wife, my friend and the woman who holds my heart.”

Her head snapped up. “You don't love me.”

“You're right. But I plan to. Love is more than a feeling. It's actions, too. Try to forget about the past, Julianne, and try to trust me a little. Can you do that?”

Chapter 6

T
he next morning Julianne pulled her robe on, deciding to make a more concerted effort to be the kind of wife she thought Caleb wanted. It wasn't as though she'd been asleep. Jonathan had kept her up most of the night. She'd tried to keep him quiet and had succeeded for the most part by draping him over her arm. It seemed to be the only way he found relief from the stomach gripes.

She'd searched her memory all through the night trying to remember if her twin nieces had experienced colic. She didn't think they had but then they had been breast fed, not bottle fed. She would ask Maggie about it when she saw her next.

She began to prepare breakfast long before she heard rapid movements overhead. Caleb descended the stairs in a rush. “You didn't have to make breakfast for me. I could have grabbed something at the cookshack.”

“I know. I wanted to.” She set a bowl of gravy and a pan of hot biscuits on the table.

Caleb pulled a chair out and sat down. “Merciful goodness. This is manna. Thank you.”

His smile warmed her insides.

“I was thinking about going to the river and doing some laundry today.” Julianne handed Caleb a plate. She dipped a ladle into the gravy for him. “If you'll collect your dirty clothes, I'll wash yours, too.” She sat down across from him.

“I'd rather you wait until I get home this evening. I'll go down with you.” He ladled gravy over the three biscuits he'd just split apart.

Julianne tore off a piece of bread. “Why?” She watched him chew his food slowly before answering. Would he be angry with her for questioning his decision? She felt heat fill her face as he studied her.

“There are wild animals in the forest. To get to the river, you have to go through part of the woods. I'm worried you might stumble upon a bear with cubs or a snake, or maybe even a cougar. I'm asking you to wait for your own protection.” Caleb didn't continue eating until she nodded.