The Lumberjack's Bride (19 page)

“I'm hungry.”

“You're hungry.”

They spoke simultaneously and Julianne giggled like a child. She felt ravenous. She went to the kitchen, placed a cast-iron pan on the stove and then realized all the food in the house would have spoiled by now.

“Caleb, will you get us a slab of meat from the smokehouse?” She turned and squealed as Caleb swept her off her feet depositing her back in the bed.

“You stay put.” He chucked her under the chin, his head came down and he kissed her gently.

Caleb groaned. “Woman, quit tempting me.” He stepped away from her, their hands still linked together as if impossible to separate. “I need sustenance. Now be good and I'll serve you supper in a jiffy.”

“Supper?”

Julianne's gaze shot to the window in the living room and she realized the sun shone on the western side of the house. They had slept away the day.

“Oh, Caleb, I have to get dressed. Morning Star will be here any minute with Jonathan.” She slipped from the bed and crossed to the nightstand that sat beside her bed. She poured water in the basin, dipped a cloth and began to wash her face.

Warm hands slid around her waist, and she leaned back into Caleb's hug.

“Just take it easy, sweetheart. I don't want anything happening to my girl. You've had a rough week. You need time to recuperate. Promise me.”

“I promise.”

Julianne turned into his embrace, savoring the feel of his strong arms. She stood on tiptoe and touched her lips to his.

She stared until the door closed behind him, then in a flurry of motion, finished her toilet, made the bed, and put on a pot of water to boil. Minutes later, she dropped sliced potatoes into the water and placed a lid on the top. She would fry whatever meat Caleb brought in, and they'd have stewed potatoes and relish.

They had just finished their meal when a low whistle sounded outside. Julianne rushed to the door but Caleb got there first, pulling the heavy door wide.

Morning Star and Runs Swiftly stood at the bottom of the porch steps, huge grins on their faces. Julianne reached out eagerly for the bundle in Morning Star's arms and almost fell down the steps in her hurry to get him. Only Caleb's quick response saved her from the fall.

Julianne's arms encircled Morning Star and Jonathan at the same time. They ended up in an awkward hug, tears of joy filling their eyes.

“Oh, Morning Star. I'm so happy to see you.”

Caleb clasped hands with Runs Swiftly as Julianne pulled Morning Star up the steps into the house.

Both men followed on the women's heels as if unwilling to let them out of their sight. Grateful for how safe and wanted such attention made her feel, Julianne touched Caleb's hand, hoping to silently convey her acceptance and joy at his hovering.

Julianne kissed Jonathan's cheek then snuggled him close to her breast. She breathed in his warm, baby scent, her heart rejoicing that the Lord had protected him.

She spoke to him in soft, gentle words, and he stilled as if listening to her voice. When he grinned suddenly, she gasped and glanced quickly at Caleb to see if he noticed.

She shared a look of love with him and he stepped closer, his arm slipping around her waist. Julianne dared to look at Morning Star again and found a knowing smile on her friend's face.

“How are Little Eagle and his mother?” Caleb asked Runs Swiftly.

“My sister sent you this as a token of her thanks.” He pulled an object from the pouch he carried over his shoulder and handed it to Julianne.

She unwrapped a beautiful leather papoose. “This will make it so much easier to carry Jonathan around. The sheet was so bulky.”

Julianne smoothed a hand over the soft leather. “But I have no gift for you, and you have done so much for me.”

“No gift important.” Morning Star placed a hand against Julianne's heart. “Friend important. We have news.”

She reached up and took Runs Swiftly's hand. He placed the other hand on her shoulder, a look of pure devotion on his face. “Six full moons, we have child.”

Julianne swept her friend into a fierce hug, knowing that had been the desire of Morning Star's heart since she lost her first baby in childbirth.

“God has truly blessed us, Morning Star.”

“Someday soon, you must tell me about this God and how he can bless us, but now we must return to our tribe.” Runs Swiftly nodded to both Julianne and Caleb. He took Morning Star's hand and pulled her outside to his awaiting horse.

As they stepped out on the porch, Julianne was overcome with thankfulness that Morning Star was alive and that she had taken such good care of Jonathan.

“Wait.” Her voice came out firm and strong. “I
do
have something for you.”

She handed Jonathan to Caleb and hurried into the cabin. She returned to the porch and placed her wooden box in Morning Star's hands.

“Caleb made me this box, and I love it, but it's become a symbol of something I never want in my home again. It's so lovely, and his work is perfect. That's why I can't give it to anyone else. I know you will treasure it as I do.”

Morning Star opened the box and gasped at the money inside. “Friend. Why you give thing so close to your heart?”

“Because we are starting anew, and I want Caleb to build a hope chest as a reminder of the hope God has granted us this week.”

“Then I give many thanks, friend.” Morning Star closed the lid, handed the box up to Runs Swiftly and allowed him to pull her up onto the horse.

Julianne stood with Caleb and watched their friends leave.

“Do you mind that I gave the box away?” Julianne felt strongly that it had been the right thing to do, and even felt relieved that the thing that had symbolized so many problems no longer sat in her house.

But Caleb might feel otherwise, and that troubled her heart somewhat. With the Lord's help, she would never again let lies and deceit get a foothold in her home.

“I don't mind at all. Actually I feel the same way about the box, but woman, did you have to give the money away, too?”

Julianne heard the humor in his voice before she glanced up and caught the merriment shining in his lovely eyes.

She raised her hand to playfully slap at him. He ducked and ran into the house. She followed. He placed Jonathan in the cradle.

Caleb grabbed her and swung her off her feet round and round several times. “You gave away my apple orchard and now you have to pay the piper.”

He stopped suddenly and studied her seriously.

“I am in such trouble.” He spoke in an odd, yet gentle tone.

“What do you mean?”

“I just realized that my wife gave away two months' worth of pay, and I'm happy about it.” He ran a finger down her cheek. “Does that mean I'm henpecked and that you can get away with anything?”

Julianne leaned toward him, needing to impress upon him the earnestness of what she felt.

“No, Caleb. It means we are both deeply in love and wish to please each other. It means we pledge to protect our love from all that might harm our home and family. We will tell each other the truth, even if it hurts.”

They stared at each other and an understanding of the vulnerable position they were in passed between them, sealing their bond of love. Julianne knew he held her happiness in his hands, and from what Caleb just admitted he felt the same way.

He took her hand and raised it to his lips.

“I love you, Mrs. Hansen.”

“And I love you, Mr. Hansen.”

“Just so we're clear, though, I am the boss and there is still this matter of payment you owe for giving away our money.”

He pulled her to him with a slow, secret smile she fully understood.

“Oh, but you're so mistaken, boss.” She place a hand on his chest, her lips just inches from his. “I did
not
give away
our
apple orchard.”

“But I saw the money in the box when you handed it to Morning Star.” He protested as she walked to the kitchen.

“Close your eyes,” she commanded as he followed her.

“What?'

“I said close your eyes.”

He lifted a brow but complied with her request when he saw the threat in her stance. She dumped the contents of something on the table. “Now open your eyes.”

Caleb complied.

“What on earth? Where did you get all this money?” His smile was eager and alive with affection and delight.

Julianne's heart took wings that no doubt or mistrust showed in his eyes.

“This is the money that my uncle took from my inheritance to pay Marcus.”

She set the other bag on the table and opened the top showing him another hefty number of bills. “This was my uncle's bag that Marcus stole.”

She hesitated for a moment, and then her confidence spiraled upward. “If it's all right with you, I'd like us to keep the money, but I'd like to send some back to my aunt.”

“But how did you get these?”

“Silly, you brought them home. Maggie carried them in, remember?”

Caleb nodded. He fingered a bundle of bills, scaling his thumb over the lot.

“How much do you think there is?”

“Enough to add a few rooms to the house and start an apple orchard.”

“How do you plan to get the money back to your aunt?”

“I don't.”

“What does that mean?”

“I plan to send a telegram explaining what happened and if she wants the money, she can come and get it. If I know my aunt, she is so embarrassed at their circumstances she will jump at the chance to leave New York. The sale of her house and livestock will more than pay the fare out here for her and the girls, and then this money will help set her up in her own business here.” Julianne loved the way his gaze caressed her face. She didn't much care for the frown he wore, though.

“But will you enjoy having them close by? If they treated you like your uncle did, why would you subject yourself to that again?”

“I have so much, Caleb. A husband I love with all my heart and who loves me in return. My aunt never had that. My uncle loved his businesses,” she paused, “actually my father's businesses, far more than he loved his wife.”

Julianne fingered the money then moved close to her husband. “You know, at some point we will have to go back and tie up the loose ends of my father's businesses—my inheritance.”

“Yes, I figured as much.”

“I will ask my aunt to bring what information she can from the lawyers and then we will know where we stand.”
“You're that certain your aunt will come here?”

“If she wants this money she will have to. Otherwise, I will have to take it to her myself. Is that what you want?”

“Absolutely not! Woman, don't say things like that. I'm not letting you out of my sight, and now that we have this money, I think I'll order one of those new-fangled wringer washers so my wife never has to leave our yard.”

“Now there's an idea, Mr. Hansen. While you're at it, how about ordering one of those treadle sewing machines?”

“Anything you say, sweetheart, as long as you're here to love me when I come home each day.” The smoldering flame she saw in his eyes sent her heart spiraling out of control.

“Our hearts are in perfect harmony then, because I never want you far from me, either.” Julianne could not stop herself from reaching out to touch him. He took her hand and placed it on his heart.

“You will always have a shelter in my heart, Julianne. I will always love you.”

She felt his heart beating in perfect harmony with hers. She was home and all was right with the world.

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