Lonesome Bride Read online

  Jed first shook out the rough wool blanket from the bed, then folded it neatly over his arm and hung it outside. Next, he tugged the lumpy straw mattress off the bed and tossed it out the door. Later this afternoon, when the sun had burned off all the dew, he'd cut some sweet grass to dry and stuff a new mattress.

  With the ragged broom he found in one corner, Jed began pushing all the dirt from the floor out the door. It sure wasn't manly work, but the thought of sleeping another night in this crusty shack disgusted him. He'd lived too long with Lorna's spotless housekeeping to get comfortable with grime.

  When the floor was as clean as he could make it, Jed made a swift inventory of all the supplies. The shelves held several dusty cans of beans and a very rusty can opener. He had brought along a tin of coffee, a sack each of flour, cornmeal and sugar, and a kettle. Several plates, a tin cup and a bent tin spoon also lay on the shelves. The stack of wood near the fireplace was still ample, but it would not last very long. He'd need to replenish.

  He might want to round up some fresh meat, too. Jed knew there were plenty of rabbits around, and it would just take a few well-placed snares to have some fresh rabbit stew for dinner.

  He was out the door and heading into the brush within minutes. Being outside in the clean air and sunshine lifted his spirits a little. Jed paused to look toward Heatherfield, shielding his eyes against the glare. He couldn't see the house, of course, but that was just as well. If he'd been close enough to see her, he'd be back there in a shot. No, the mountains rising in the distance were a better sight for him anyway. His life was like a mountain—a long, rough climb through jagged peaks, then getting to the top only to find a valley on the other side.

  Jed shook his head roughly. No use getting glum. He had dinner to trap. He strode away over a hill and out of sight of the cabin.

  * * * *

  Caite hummed to herself as she slid the yarn over the long needles. She had convinced Lorna and Sally she felt well enough to sit on the porch for the afternoon, and had even begged some white yarn and knitting needles. Her hands still ached a bit as she stitched, but she kept applying the soothing cream.

  "There,” she said softly, holding out the tiny cap for Lorna's approval. “Is it not the most cunning thing?"

  Lorna, who was sewing a square for Sally's wedding quilt, nodded. “Lovely, child."

  "I promise to help you with Sally's quilt as soon as I can hold that tiny needle again.” Caite flexed her fingers slowly.

  Despite the ache, the skin was not as taut and swollen as it had been. She had peeked in the mirror before coming out to the porch, and been pleased to see the dead skin had sloughed away. The blisters on her lips were almost healed. While it would be some time before the angry color left it, her face was starting to look more normal.

  "Hush,” chastened Lorna, twitching her head toward the door. “Do not to be letting her overhear you!"

  "Overhear what?” Sally asked, appearing in the doorway.

  Lorna swiftly pulled an old pair of Shorty's denims over the quilt square and began patching them. “Caitleen was bragging how she is going to be running around the house soon,” Lorna lied, winking at Caite.

  "You'll be doing no such thing!” Sally scolded, shaking her finger at Caite.

  "I feel well enough to do it,” Caite protested, winking back at Lorna.

  "Don't think I don't see all this winking going on,” Sally said to the two women. “What's going on around here?"

  "Nothing!” Caite and Lorna declared at the same time, then burst into laughter.

  Sally joined them. “I don't believe you, but I'll leave it go."

  Sally picked up her own needles and a ball of yellow yarn. “How about a lovely pair of booties to go with that cap?"

  Caite smiled, touched by the other woman's generosity. “That would be wonderful, Sally."

  The three women sat in silence for a few minutes, each involved in her own project and thoughts. Finally, Lorna broke the quiet.

  "Jed is a fine young man,” she remarked, biting off a piece of thread.

  Startled, Caite looked up from the beginnings of the tiny sweater she was knitting. “Yes, Lorna, I know."

  Lorna looked at the younger woman. “I am just wanting you to know why he was being so stubborn."

  "Lorna, you don't have to make excuses for him,” Caite said. “I have forgiven him for all the misunderstandings between us. Besides, I was just as stubborn as he."

  Lorna shook her head. “No, Caitleen, let me tell you about why our Jed was so afraid to love. I am thinking you are needing to know."

  Lorna was going to tell her about Patricia, Caite realized uncomfortably. A thread of jealousy shot through her. She did not really wish to hear any more about Jed's first wife. She had learned enough about her that first night in the cabin.

  "I know about Patricia,” she said quietly.

  Lorna clucked. “You must not hate her, Caitleen."

  Caite flushed. Had she been that transparent? “I don't hate her, Lorna. I never even knew her."

  "You should not be jealous of her either,” Lorna continued. “She was a sad thing, Patricia was. No matter what Jed did for her, nothing could take away the sadness in her eyes. The more he tried to show his love for her, the deeper away she did to take herself."

  "Why are you telling me this?"

  "Because I want to tell you even though Jed tried so hard with her, she never did let him in her heart.” Lorna met Caite's gaze solidly. “I am loving Jed like he is my own son, Caitleen."

  Caite nodded. “I know, Lorna."

  "And I am not wanting him to be hurting any more. His father does not want it, or Shorty or Albert. We are all wanting the woman our Jed is to be loving to love him back."

  Caite understood, and she thought wistfully how wonderful it would be to have so many people who loved you and looked out for your welfare.

  "I do love him, Lorna,” she said softly. “I love him more than anything."

  Lorna smiled, then reached across to Caite and gathered her into her arms. “And we love you, too, Caitleen."

  The women laughed, and the knitting needles clacked, and the rocking chairs creaked against the floorboards of the porch.

  The evening passed slowly for Caite, despite Sally and Lorna's best efforts to keep her occupied. She bid her goodnights earlier than usual, both because she became suddenly weary, and because she wanted some time alone to think. As she smoothed the thick, soothing cream into her face and hands, she could not help but turn her thoughts to Jed, and what would happen when she saw him again.

  Would he sweep her up in his arms and crush his mouth to hers? Would he smile and hug her tenderly? Or would he just quirk his eyebrow at her and make some smug comment that would drive her crazy?

  She slipped between the cool, soft sheets. Maybe he would not forgive her after all. Perhaps she had made too many mistakes, rejected him too many times. Maybe he would no longer find her attractive with her sun-damaged skin.

  "But we're going to have a baby,” Caite whispered into the dark, and could not help smiling. No matter what happened, she would have that.

  When she awoke, the slant of the sun told her she had slept most of the morning away. Feeling deliciously decadent, for she had not slept so late in ages, Caite yawned and stretched. While she had slept, the doubts and fears of the night had seemed to fade away. In the bright sunlight, it was difficult to imagine anything bad ever happening. As she got out of bed, Caite noted gratefully that she felt no twinges of pain in her head or face.

  Peeping into the mirror, Caite was happy to see the angry red had begun fading to pink. The gash on her forehead had begun to close, and the bruises surrounding it to fade. Even the blisters on her lips were nearly gone.

  Maybe she would not look so terrible after all. Smiling, she brushed her hair and dressed. For the first time, she noted the waistline of her gingham dress was starting to get snug. Excitedly, she ran her hands over her belly.

  It was too