Amelia's Journey (19 page)

At first neither one spoke, and the clip-clop of the horse's hooves kept time with the beating of his heart. He moistened his lips and reached for Amelia's hand. “Why is it that when we're finally alone, I can never remember the words I want to say? I'm as tongue-tied as a schoolboy caught in mischief in the classroom.”

“I'm the same way, and there's so much I want to know about you and the ranch. You know about my life here, but I know very little about yours.”

That would be a boring subject for her, but he loved to talk about the ranch. “We have quite a few acres of land that are flat prairie, but we also have stands of trees that are actually small forests. We have a creek on the west side and the stream with the mill on the northeast section where most of the trees are.”

“Oh, yes. You told me about the mill in one of your letters, and that it's where you want to put a house. I've thought about that so often.”

“I have the plans all set in my mind.” He described what he wanted to build and how. She listened with such interest that he wished the place was ready for them now. If they came for a visit in the spring, he would have part of it built and ready to show her.

He grasped her hands. “I'll draw out the plans and send them to you, so you can get an idea of how the house will look. Ma and Pa have promised to invite your parents to come to Kansas next spring, but with Grandpapa's health so uncertain, they haven't done anything about it yet.”

“I can't wait to get there. Springtime is a lovely time here in Boston with the trees budding out and flowers blooming. What is it like in Kansas?”

How could he adequately describe the beauty of springtime on the prairie? “It's a beautiful season with all the wildflowers bursting forth in an expanse of color you have to see to believe. The water in the creek and the stream stay icy cold until late in the season when the sun grows warmer, and then the water is warm and wonderful for wading.”

“Hmm, I can't wait to see them, but what about the cattle and the horses?”

Ben laughed. “Oh, we have plenty of those. We have a lot of horses for our trail drives to cattle market. Extra horses, a remuda, are taken along, so we rest them and alternate which ones we ride and work. Of course, Blackie is my favorite and the one I ride most of the time, but even he needs a rest from the work of riding herd on a drive.”

The blank expression on her face revealed her lack of knowledge and understanding of what he talked about. “You'll see and understand once you have an opportunity to visit and ride around with me.”

“That I look forward to with all my heart. Is your house large enough for us to stay with you, or will we have to stay in a hotel in Sweetwater Springs?”

“We have room at the house. Gideon, Billy, and I will most likely move out to the bunkhouse so your parents can have our room, and you will occupy Mary Beth's room. Grace Ann will go in with Clara.” He'd already planned to move to the bunkhouse in the spring anyway, and Gideon and Billy would leap at the chance to be out with the cowboys.

“Sounds like you have it all planned out.”

Heat rose in Ben's cheeks. “As a matter of fact, I happened to overhear Ma and Clara discussing the room arrangements one afternoon. They're looking forward to your visit too.”

“If Papa says no at first, I have Grandma and Amanda on my side. Maybe by then Mama will be more in favor of the trip too.”

Two more allies to plead their case meant a better chance for Amelia and him in the future. Desire to wrap her in his arms and kiss her rose with a warmth that flooded his heart. He released her hands and clenched his hands into fists to fight off the waves of emotion. She furrowed her brow and squinted at him.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“No, but what I would like to do now would not be proper or in our best interests.”

She grinned. “Benjamin Haynes, if you want to kiss me, please do. I can't stand it another minute.” Amelia placed her hands at the back of his neck.

He couldn't resist that temptation, and after all, she'd given her permission. He bent his head toward hers and settled his lips on hers. They tasted as sweet and were as soft as he'd imagined, and her response awakened all his senses. He pressed harder.

Suddenly the carriage stopped, and Ben jerked back. He moved away from Amelia and glanced out the window. They had returned to the Farnsworths' home, and Mary Beth stood with Andrew on the porch waiting for them. The couple waved and hurried down the steps.

Amelia fussed with her skirt, and Ben tugged at his collar. That was close. Mary Beth and Andrew would probably be horrified if they knew, and for certain Mr. Carlyle would string him up like a side of beef. One thing for sure, he'd have to be mighty careful being alone with Amelia in the future.

Chapter 18

A
melia sat in her room, her heart breaking for Ben and all the Haynes family. Only a short while ago a messenger had delivered a note saying that the elder Mr. Haynes had passed away peacefully during the night, only three days after Christmas. Ben loved his grandpapa, as had Mary Beth. Both had expressed their gratitude that he had lived to see and enjoy Christmas with all his family present.

Moisture trickled down the windows like tears matching the ones on Amelia's cheeks. She stared out at the bleak winter day and shivered. New snow had fallen during the night and now covered the gardens below with a blanket of white. Low-hanging clouds promised more of the same later today. The bitter cold of winter made the death even more difficult to bear.

Plans made with Mary Beth and Ben for an outing today would not take place, and most likely she wouldn't see either of them until the funeral unless Mama and Papa decided to pay the family a visit and offer condolences. Since Mama and Mrs. Haynes were such good friends, that would probably happen, and they would take her along because of Mary Beth.

She strode over to the armoire and searched through her dresses for something suitable to wear. Certainly the red silk dress she now wore would not be appropriate. Amelia pulled out a dark blue wool garment she'd worn when she and Ben went to the bookstore. This would a good choice, especially since it had little adornment. She laid it across the bed in anticipation of Mama coming to tell her they were going to visit the Haynes's home.

The noon meal had been solemn with Mama and Papa discussing the merits of the late Mr. Haynes. Papa admired his business acumen and his strong Christian faith. He'd been an elder at their church for many years and had served on various committees. The church would miss him, but they would find someone to replace him. Not so with the family. Grandpapa Haynes had been a powerful influence, and the success of his three sons proved his faithful attention to their needs.

She plopped back in her chair and gazed about her room. When she and Mama had redone it two years ago, the yellow and lavender floral wallpaper had been her first choice, and she still loved it. It gave her room the feel of sunshine and flowers all year round. The white painted furniture had been a little too feminine for her taste, but after it had been put in place, she had grown to love it.

What would it be like to live in Kansas? What kind of home would Ben have for them? Questions swayed and tossed like tree limbs in a summer storm. She'd miss this room and the luxuries she had, but her spirit of adventure called to her and told her she'd love the Midwest. For that matter, she'd love anywhere Ben took her to live.

As a rancher's wife she'd have many different things to do that she didn't do now. She sat up straight in her chair. One of those would be cooking, and what she knew about cooking wouldn't fill the head of a dressmaker's pin. Amelia chewed her lip. One thing she'd never considered until this minute was what she'd be expected to do as Ben's wife. She'd been so caught up in romance, she had lost sight of reality.

Ben had an appetite and talked about what a great cook his ma was. How could she live up to that? Only one thing to do—she had to learn to cook now so she wouldn't disappoint him later. Lettie would help her, and Mary Beth could tell her other things she needed to learn.

She scampered down the stairway, being careful not to make noise and arouse her parents, who had retired to their own room after the noon meal. Papa always took off from his work the week of Christmas, so having him home on a weekday was unusual but rather nice. Would Ben be home during the day or out on the range all the time? No matter, he still had to eat when he came home, and she wanted to feed him good, hearty meals.

Amelia followed the wonderful aromas emanating from the kitchen and found Lettie stirring something that smelled delicious. She glanced up at Amelia. “Mercy, child, what are you doing down here at this time of day? Supper won't be ready for several hours.”

“It just occurred to me that I don't know a thing about cooking, and I've decided I want to learn.” Lettie would think that curious since there was no need for Amelia to know anything about cooking. She'd have to come up with a good excuse. Why hadn't she thought of that before approaching Lettie?

“Now that's an odd request if ever I heard one. What makes ye want to cook, child? Isn't my cooking good enough for you?”

“Oh, yes, Lettie. It's wonderful, and that's why I wanted to learn from you.”

Lettie stopped stirring the pot on the stove and planted one hand on her hip. The other hand held the ladle aloft, its contents dripping back into the pot. “And what do ye want to learn to cook? Cakes and pastries?”

“No, I mean yes, but that's not all.” Amelia moved to the stove and sniffed. “What is this you're making? Can I make it?”

Lettie laughed. “‘Tis an easy dish to make. It's stew for Toby, Maeleen, and Mr. Murphy's supper.”

“Well, it smells delicious. Why haven't you ever served it to us?” She couldn't remember ever having anything like this before. Soup they ate numerous times, but not stew. She peeked over the rim of the pot and found carrots, potatoes, celery, and chunks of meat floating in a mass of thick, dark red liquid.

Lettie placed the lid back on the pot and laid down the spoon. “Come over here and tell me what's really on your mind.”

Amelia winced. She had to come up with an excuse fast. Lettie motioned for Amelia to sit down and then sat across the table. “Would I be right to assume this notion of cooking has something to do with a young man from Kansas?”

Heat burned in Amelia's cheeks. Had Lettie overheard her conversations with Papa or Mama? Had Maeleen told her mother about Amelia's interest in Ben? Whatever the reason, she now must tell the truth.

“Yes, but how did you know?”

“Oh, I hear more than ye think I might.” Lettie smiled and leaned on the table. “Ye know there's more to being a wife than cooking, don't ye? There's laundry to do, beds to make, furniture and floors to keep clean, and mending.”

Amelia's mouth dropped open. “I…I hadn't thought about all that.” Those chores were always done where she didn't see what was going on. How would she ever learn to be a rancher's wife? After she completed breakfast, her bed was always made and her clothes appeared clean and fresh in her wardrobe. A few times she'd seen Maeleen dusting or sweeping, but it hadn't occurred to Amelia that she might have to do that someday.

Lettie sat back in her chair and pursed her mouth. “Your grandmother and I had a little chat about the situation. He's a fine young man, but I can understand your parents' objections.”

“That doesn't matter…well, yes, it does, but I plan on marrying Ben someday even if Papa never comes around to liking it.” When had she made that decision? At this precise moment, and it was true. Someday they would be married, no matter how long it took to work it out.

“Brave words, lassie; if ye have prayed about it and ye feel the Lord leading ye, then that's what will be done. Just be sure ‘tis His bidding and not ye own leading ye be following.”

Amelia chewed her lip. She had prayed, but had she truly listened to what God told her to do? She always prayed about things, especially big decisions, but this one time she wanted a specific answer.

“I'll teach ye the things ye need to know, but what will your mum be thinking about ye learning such things?”

“I don't know, but I must learn. I'll come up with some excuse.” What that would be certainly wasn't clear now, but surely a reason to give her mother would come. So much to learn and so much to do in the days ahead. She prayed she'd be up to it.

Ben grabbed Billy before he headed out their bedroom door. “Stay and play quietly here for the afternoon. Grandmama is resting.” He'd heard her in the night taking care of Grandpapa and her keening wail when he died. Ma and Pa and he and Mary Beth joined her along with Aunt Clara. He'd never forget the sight of his grandfather lying on the bed. He wore the most peaceful expression ever seen. Grandpapa had gone home to Jesus.