Cole's Redemption (Love Amongst the Pines) (14 page)

             
Well, he thought, maybe that was just the push they'd need to get them serious about this marriage predicament.

             
"I think it's a good idea, Natty," he said walking over to the table and examined the parcels she sorted there. "Besides which, you are already married in the eyes of the law. Where's the harm in that?"

             
By the angry stares he received from the newlyweds, he knew he'd be injured if he kept on. What they didn't know was that he was just as determined to press his point. He had years of experience with stubborn people. He knew what was good for them, even if they didn't. He'd once heard the old proverb that said the devil wasn't wise because he was so smart, but because he was so old. Well, in his sixty-two years, he'd lived a sight longer than these two young pups. They were going to have a happy life whether they wanted it or not.

             
"Look," he told them, "It's just a chance for a celebration for the townsfolk is all. I mean, you did cheat them out of the hanging."

             
"Oh, all right," Natty was the first to concede. "It won't change anything, really." She paused to glance at Cole. "That is, if it's okay with you."

             
Cole shrugged, suddenly resigned. "It'd be a chance to wear that dress your mother made you."

             
For a moment, the two shared a glance between them. The second their eyes locked, Natty smiled big. It was clear the gunslinger had made her happy. By his expression, Judge knew Cole would greatly suffer the indignity of a public wedding if it made his bride grin like that.

             
Judge turned back to his cronies. "You said there was another condition that will keep the church ladies from hanging us, what is it?"

             
"They want to have a house-raising," Sheriff Watkins coughed uncomfortably.

             
"A what?" Cole sat up then. "What are you talking about?"

             
"Now, don't get all riled," the lawman put his hand out. "It's just that they don't think it's good for a proper wife to live way out here in the wilderness. They want to build you a house."

             
"But I have a house!" Natty stepped forward.

             
"Yes, Ma'am
," he said
, "but, this
ain't
a real house.
It's got dirt floors, for goodness sake."

             
"What's wrong with that?" She looked around the room at the faces gathered.

             
Judge stepped in. "Nothing, honey. It's just that if the town is willing to build you a house, then you ought to let them. It'll make them feel better about leaving you and your Ma out here so many years to fend for yourselves."

             
"My Ma didn't want no charity, and neither do I!"

             
Before the Judge could argue further, Cole stood up. "Natalie. I know that's what it seems like, but the way I see it, they owe you."

             
"Owe me for what?"

             
He smiled. "The whole reason for having a town, for having neighbors, and churches is so that families can help each other. At least out here in the wilderness it is. I know your parents were from the big city, and things are different there. Let them do this, Nat. Later, when you get your silver running, you can give a healthy donation to the church fund."

             
She looked up into his face, her expression not quite settled on the matter. "I don't know." Again, she chewed her lip. "I
ain't
givin
' up my mine. Will they build it up here on the mountain?"

             
Preacher stepped forward. "Oh heavens, no, child! It would be too hard to get all the materials up this far. The town has got this parcel of land at the edge of town.
It was willed to us by our late bank president, Mr.
Drucker
. We discovered when he was on his deathbed, he did a might of stealing in his time. He thought it would redeem his soul if he gave something to God."

             
"Well, there you have it," Judge chimed in. "You wouldn't cheat a dead man out of his salvation by refusing his gift, would you?"

             
Natty looked at the men gathered, incredulous. "You think that would happen?"

             
"Absolutely," Preacher stated. "Indubitably," Doc nodded beside him. "Without a doubt." Sheriff Watkins shook his head, "I'd
sure hate to see any man burn in Hell because a body wouldn't take his gifts."

             
Cole nodded in agreement. "We would still come up to the cabin and work the mines. At the end of the week, we could go back to the house and look like a real married couple. Think about it, Natalie."

             
She licked her lips. It was clear that her determination was faltering. "You ever lived in a house with real floors?"

             
"Yes, I did. My mother's house had real floors."

             
Natty glanced to each of them, clearly considering the offer. "Okay, I'll accept the house, on the condition that we stay here when we're working the mine."

             
The rest of the day was spent preparing a huge meal. The Sheriff dug a deep pit in which a side of pork, just butchered and bled, was put in, and cooked to perfection. Two fresh apple betties were devoured, as well as a whole basket of hot cross buns and just-picked snap beans.

             
By dusk, the trio of visitors from town were piling into their wagon, and Judge and Dermott were about to head back to their camp. Natty was busy storing the rest of their wedding gifts in the root cellar behind the cabin. Dermott, his stomach full and his mind empty, sat on the front stoop playing lonesome tunes on his mouth organ.

             
Judge was about to leave the cabin, when he turned to Cole. The young man sat over the table, his eyes scanning the roughly hewn bible, reading some things
Natty's
mother had written on some of the pages.

             
Judge cleared his throat. "I just want to say, that was an awful nice thing you did for Natty today."

             
Cole's back stiffened. "I want her to have something good from this life," he stated. "She deserves it."

             
"I guess we all get so busy with our own lives we forget that we are a community of man. You were right when you said we owed her. I mean for us to pay up."

             
Cole looked up at him. "That's what I'm doing, for as long as I can. I can't make promises; I can't let myself get too close to her with a death sentence hanging over me. But I can do this." His voice was soft and low.

             
Judge shook his head. "You know, I don't think I've ever met anybody so set on dying. For what it's worth, I hope you don't get your wish."

             
"Are you
readin
' that dang book again?" Natty asked, leaning over Cole's shoulder.

             
Cole sighed, closing the tome before him. "This 'dang book' is going to help us repair your mine shaft. It's a wonder none of your family was killed hauling dirt out of that hole." The book was the latest of the gifts bestowed upon them from the inhabitants of the surrounding county. "The Miner's Companion" clearly outlined the steps in successful ventures in 'extraction of minerals from the earth.'

             
Natty leaned closer. "I don't know. What could be so hard about digging in the ground? Seems to me, the only thing that book does is make the man who wrote it richer."

             
"I doubt it's sold all that well," Cole stated crossly, as he loosened his shirtfront. The room seemed to have gotten warmer. "Never mind that. Have you worked on your letters today?"

             
"No, I haven't, and I don't see what good it'll do. I've written those damn things a hundred times since we made our deal, and I
ain't
getting any better. I think we should just forget it all," Natty threw her hands up in frustration.

             
"Not so fast. We have an agreement, remember? You're not getting out of it that easy."

             
"I don't mean to get out of anything," Natty pouted, crossing her arms stubbornly. "I just meant that maybe we could take a break for a while. I packed us up some cheese and camp biscuits, and I thought we could have ourselves a moonlight picnic. We could take that bottle of peach brandy that the Judge gave us for a wedding present and make us a right fine meal."

             
Cole drew in a quick breath. "We can't.
At least not tonight.
I'm going to go over the plans for the mine with Judge and Dermott. We need to start making lists of supplies, and then decide where to find the best pine for the support structure..."

             
"Oh," Natty stated quietly. Disappointment shadowed her face.

             
"I'm sorry. Maybe another time."

             
Natty nodded, starting to turn away. Suddenly, she spun back to face him, rushing forward, and grasping his shoulders with new excitement. A shock ran through him with the contact, but it was nothing but a sting compared to the surprise of her next statement.

             
"I almost forgot! Judge and Dermott won't be at the campsite tonight!"

             
"They w-won't?" Cole leaned back from her advance, watching as the army of his defenses made a hasty retreat. "Where will they be?"

             
"Over to Lester
Biggin's
place. Judge said that he'd lost ten dollars to Lester last night
playin
' poker. He means to get his money back."

             
"When did they start playing cards with
Biggin's
?"

             
Natty looked at him with an odd expression. "You mean you
ain't
noticed the two of them gone every night? They've been going up there for over a week, Cole."

             
He blinked, unsure of where the time had gone. "I guess I haven't been paying attention," he muttered.

             
"I told you you've been spending too much time in that book. Now, how about helping me get the gear packed up so we can set out? The sunset off of Dalton's Ridge is right pretty this time of year. If we left now, we could ride up there in time to see it."

             
Panic rose in Cole like a flood in springtime. "I can't, Natty. Not tonight. I need to start drawing up a diagram of the mine entrance."

             
"Oh. Maybe another night then." Natty quickly turned away from him, but not before Cole caught a flickering of dampness gather in the depth of her emerald gaze.

             
"Another night," he whispered. Guilt assailed him at her disappointment. He stood up and moved to stand behind her.

             
"Listen, Natty. Why don't we plan your picnic for Sunday afternoon?"

             
She turned back to him, a broad smile gracing her face. Cole felt like the sun had just come from behind a cloud when she looked at him that way.

             
"Sure Cole, I'd like that."

             
Pleased that he had made her happy, Cole sat down at the table and opened his book once again. As he tried to focus on the words before him, he found that his mind just wouldn't stay put. Glancing up, he realized that part of the problem was Natty. She was humming to herself and going through the basket of garments that she'd just taken off the clothesline. Suddenly fascinated by her efforts, he watched while she pulled out several articles and finally decided on separating a clean shirt and trousers from the rest.

             
"What are you doing?" "Getting ready to take a bath, why?" Cole suddenly flashed on the thought of Natty bathing in the

fading
shadows of the afternoon. A twist in his groin reminded him that he shouldn't even be thinking thoughts like that when another image appeared. It was he and Natty together bathing in the early evening. He quickly shook it off.

             
"I thought you took a bath yesterday?" He asked, barely able to keep his voice even.

             
"I did. Mrs. Flannery sent me this perfumed soap as a
weddin
' gift, and I really like it. See! It smells like lavender."