The Brides of Chance Collection (76 page)

“There, now. Sweet dreams, lassies.” Lovejoy turned and pulled one of her dynamite vials out of her satchel. “You’ll probably need this.”

“What is it?”

“Dr. J. H. McLeans Volcanic Oil Liniment. I poured half into this for you and gave the bottle to Bryce. After fighting that colicky colt yesterday, it stands to reason yore shoulders might be squawkin’ a mite.”

“I take care of myself. I don’t need you to coddle me.”

Polly sat up in the bed. “Miss Lovejoy cuddles good, Daddy. Why don’t you want her to cuddle you?”

He said coddle, not cuddle. It means to fuss and pamper, Pollywog. I don’t expect no one’s gonna cuddle your pa, on account of him bein’ prickly as a berry bramble
.

Lovejoy woke early the next morning and groaned over the memory of what she’d said to Polly last night. If she hadn’t given her word that she’d stay and help Delilah and Alisa with their birthings, she’d gladly pack her bags and run off.

Facing Daniel after she’d said that was going to test her composure.
Why is he different from every other man? I cain hold my own with any other buck in the world, but
Dan—well, he just manages to take me by surprise
.

She dressed and searched in vain for another scrap of string to tie her plait.

Miriam slipped into the room. “I thought I heard Caleb.”

“He’d jist started stirrin’ a bit.” Lovejoy lifted him from his cradle. “He’s a fine boy.”

Miriam took him and rubbed noses with her son. “That’s because you take after your daddy, don’t you?”

The one thing Lovejoy missed about Salt Lick Holler was that she never had any solitude. Why, back home, when she was feelin’ a mite blue, she could go out all on her lonesome and natter with God about her achy heart. Most days she felt happy with her lot in life, but every now and again she struggled with being a lonesome, barren woman surrounded by blossoming families. Watching the folks at the MacPherson and Chance ranches hip-deep in love…well, now that was a right wondrous thing. But it also hurt. Times like this, her arms ached to hold a young’un of her own, and there were times she wished she wouldn’t be going back home to an empty house.

But what about how I acted last night? I could end up just as bitter as Daniel if I let this briar patch of self-pity hold me fast
.

“It looks to be a fine morn. I’m gonna go gathering.”

“Why don’t you wait till after breakfast? Delilah or I could go with you.”

Lovejoy shook her head. “No need.” She slipped her knife in her sheath and hastened away before Miriam asked any questions.

“Lovejoy didn’t go pay a house call on anyone, did she? It’s not like her to leave others to do the cooking.”

“Are you kidding?” Gideon gave Daniel a cocky grin. “We know better than to let her off the property without your approval.”

“She went to gather more ‘yarbs,’ ” Miriam said. “Don’t worry. She has her knife, and one of the dogs was trotting alongside her.”

Miriam looked at Delilah and Alisa. “Do either of you have any fabric? Lovejoy’s dresses are in tatters.”

“I’m doing nothing but sitting around.” Alisa perked up. “I can sew for her.”

“I’m goin’ to town.” Bryce propped his elbows on the table. “I suppose I could get material.”

Dan nearly choked on his coffee.

Logan hooted as the women exchanged horrified looks.

“Mrs. White would help me,” Bryce muttered.

“Fine. Have her help you.” Dan nodded curtly. “Get something pretty—orange and flowery.” He stood abruptly, suddenly feeling ridiculous. As if to provide an excuse, he tacked on, “She won’t take payment for healing my girls. At least this way I can cover my debt.”

Paul elbowed Delilah. “We owe her, too. Are you going to be picky about the color?”

“I’ll go along and see what she has.”

The table conversation ebbed and flowed. Daniel ignored it and secretly hoped Lovejoy hadn’t gotten lost. The woman didn’t seem to possess much of a sense of direction. By midmorning he couldn’t stand it anymore. Lovejoy hadn’t returned—he’d been keeping a lookout for her and determined it was time he tracked her down. What if a snake bit her or she fell and got hurt?

Daniel followed her tracks. It wasn’t hard at all. Lovejoy wore sturdy, albeit badly worn, boots. The Chance women all had dainty lady’s shoes that left narrow heel imprints; Lovejoy’s small footprint was the only one with a broad heel. It wasn’t long before he discovered where she’d gone.

Her gunnysack bulged with whatever she’d harvested, and a pail of berries sat beside it, but for the first time ever, he saw Lovejoy sitting still. The woman was always in motion—working, helping, rocking a baby. Even for church, she’d either play her dulcimer or keep one of his girls content on her lap. The oldest mutt they had lay with his head in her lap, but she wasn’t stroking him. Something was wrong.

Chapter 16

L
ovejoy?”

Her posture straightened, but she didn’t turn around.

Dan hastened closer and noticed the distinctive motion a woman used to secretly wipe away tears. “Did you get hurt?”

She shook her head and wouldn’t meet his gaze.

Dan couldn’t very well ignore her red eyes and tearstained face. He didn’t know what to say, though.
Talk is overrated
. He’d forgotten his father’s tenet until now, but it fit. Sometimes talk just didn’t suit the situation and wouldn’t improve it any.

Dan sat beside Lovejoy under the tree, reached over, and silently pulled her into the lee of his body. It was a bittersweet time, her resting against him, neither of them saying a word. Somehow they were sharing the deep hurts of life. After a while, Lovejoy took a deep breath, but he didn’t let go. “Some days are rougher than others, aren’t they?”

She nodded.

“I got mouthy last night when you were trying to be kind. I said harsh words, and it made things harder for you. It’s not you. It’s me.”

Well, isn’t that just the way God works?
She’d just about given up hope of being around Daniel—not in a romantic way but just as a friend—and here he’d sought her out, waded in the creek of sorrow along with her, and given consolation. Pa and her husband always blamed her, told her everything was her fault. Here Dan sat a-sayin’ ’twas his doing.

“I get upset, and I chop wood.” He cupped her head to his chest. “You can’t go tromping off when you’re uneasy. It just isn’t safe. I’ll put a bench by the tree at the curve in the creek. You can go sit there when you need a spell.”

She eased away from him. “ ’Tisn’t necessary. I won’t be stayin’ all that long, Dan’l.”

“I’ll do it because I want to.” He brushed her cheek with his thumb. “Now let’s take you home.”

When she stood, her hair unraveled more. Only a soiled dove went about with her hair all wild. Lovejoy grabbed it, quickly twisted it, and jammed a twig through to keep the heavy tresses at her nape.

Daniel pulled it out. “Don’t go putting an ugly stick in such pretty hair.”

Lovejoy couldn’t think of a reply to make to such an outrageous comment. Daniel had just proven himself to be a man who could own up to his flaws and share someone’s sorrows without prying. For him to pay her a compliment was like…well, sort of like sprinkling sugar atop a pie even though it wasn’t needed. She smiled at that thought because Daniel’s flattery was especially sweet. No one else had ever spoken a word of praise about her appearance. She’d cherish those words for the rest of her days.

Once they got back to the barnyard, Dan followed her into the house. “Miriam, how are we set for ribbons?”

“The girls have plenty. Why?”

“Lovejoy needs some for her plait.” He turned to leave then said over his shoulder, “And don’t go trying to put it up all fancy.”

As the day progressed, Lovejoy heard him sawing and hammering. Late in the afternoon he popped Ginny Mae onto his shoulders. “Polly, take Lovejoy’s hand and come see what Daddy did.”

They walked to the bend in the creek, and Lovejoy let out a cry of surprise. Dan grinned at her. When he said he’d put a bench there, she simply assumed he’d drag one of the benches they kept in the barn and used for church meetings. Only the church benches didn’t have a back to them.

“You built those!” He’d not built one small bench or chair by the tree; he’d made three benches.

“Yep. You’re going to stay until the babies are born, so it’s only right that there are seats for when your sister and friends come to visit.”

“Oh, Dan. Thankee.”

“Nothin’ better than fresh air and sunshine to perk up a body.” Lovejoy sat back on her heels and lifted her face to the sky. “Ever think on how God made light first?”

“Can’t say that I have.” Delilah dusted off her hands. “Until this year, I didn’t even believe in Him. It’s a wonder they took me in. I couldn’t cook, garden, or pray.”

“Seems to me you’ve learnt plenty.” Lovejoy reached over and patted Delilah’s tummy. “And you’re gonna be a good mama and teach your young’un all those things.”

“You’ll have to teach me that trick you used so Miriam’s baby sleeps through the night.”

“Time did that, I didn’t. A babe’s born wee little, so his belly cain’t hold much. Give him three, mebbe four moons, and he fills up right fine and cain make it through. Caleb’s next fit’ll come when he’s a-fixin’ to cut teeth. I’ll check in that book your man give me. See if ’n there’s sommat growin’ hereabouts to holp with that.”

“We have plenty of time,” Miriam said.

“Not by my reckonin’. I aim to spend the next week or so gathering.” Lovejoy plucked a sprig of mint, dusted it off on her sleeve, popped it between her teeth, and bit. The taste burst in her mouth. “Moon’s on the rise, so the flow tide in the stems will make the flowers and leaves best to pluck.”

“Daniel’s likely to throw another fit if you go out at night.” Delilah giggled. “He about pounded a hole in our door when he couldn’t find you.”

“I have to agree with him,” Miriam defended. “It didn’t seem wise to go out on a moonless night.”

“Dark is when the roots are strongest.” Lovejoy shrugged. “It’s jist a fact—like putting in the root vegetables for cold seasons and above-the-ground crops during summer. There’s still plenty of room in the loft for me to dry things. I’m trying to put by plenty for Tempy and for you folks as well as gather up stores for folks back home.”