My growling stomach has me heading back into the kitchen area. There’s not a single space on the counter that isn’t covered in something dirty. I know I don’t have the strength to conquer all of that before supper, but I can clean up enough so I’ll able to fix a meal.
Except, I have no idea what there is to cook. Setting the tub down, I start going through the few cupboards, finding spices, flour, and sugar sealed in tins, but nothing else other than a few strips of salt pork. Curious, I start walking the entire cabin,noticing how a newer section has been artfully seamed into the older one, expanding the original space. I find myself standing at the back door looking out, wondering if there’s a cellar or a smokehouse that I hadn’t noticed.
Slipping my boots back on, I grab the shawl I had folded neatly on the bed and walk out. The crisp spring air makes me shiver as it wraps around my bare legs. I haven’t taken but a few steps when I see stairs leading under the cabin. A rough, but thick slat door groans as I struggle to pull it open. The interior is so dark that I can’t see more than a few feet inside, but thankfully, there’s a lantern and a striker sitting at the doorway.
Lighting it, I head in, shocked at how clean and organized this is compared to the main living space. Walking around, I find a ham hanging in the back, along with what appears to be more bacon, and half of a cow. I find beans, potatoes, onions, and carrots that have all been stored deep inside a layer of straw. I almost squeal when I locate a few good apples.
Cutting a large piece of the ham off, I gather up the other things I’ll need, putting them in my apron before blowing the lantern out and closing the door firmly behind me. I never dreamed there would be such an abundance hidden right under my feet.
Suddenly, I feel like I’ve gotten my second wind with the dream of fresh apple pie in my thoughts. Washing just what I need to fix the rest of dinner, it’s not long before the smell of apple pie has permeated the air of the cabin. It must be that smell that’s lured Grant back to the house.
CHAPTER 6
GRANT
I’ve caught myself twice today standing still, my mind wandering what Lauren’s doing. Pushing the last load out of the mine entrance, a sweet smell engulfs me. Curious, I head toward the cabin that is just over the knoll only to find the blankets from my bed draped over the front porch railing, the ends still dripping.
The fact that they didn’t wash themselves angers me, and I sling the door open only to find Lauren standing at the counter. She’s still wearing my shirt, an apron tied around her waist with one sock up and the other around her ankle, showing off her trim calf, her hands in a washtub full of dishes.
“What the living hell, woman?! Did you not understand or are you simply refusing to do as I say? You were supposed to be resting, not working yourself into a frenzy!”
The second the words leave my mouth, I see her start shaking all over and I could punch myself in the mouth. Three strides later, I’m by her side and when she shrinks back from me, I actually feel tears form in my own eyes. Without thinking, I pull her to me, hugging her gently and showing her the only comfort I can,as my mind tries to figure out how to fix this, as she stands stiffly in my arms.
Looking around, there are pieces of clothing everywhere. She has spent the entire day cleaning my mess. And if my nose isn’t lying, there’s an apple pie in the Dutch oven.
Leaning down, I kiss the top of her head before picking her up, sitting both of us in the chair as I settle her on my lap. “I’m sorry, Lauren, I should not have yelled at you like that. Don’t think that I am not grateful for all that you’ve done, I am. Lord knows I need a keeper but baby, you’re a mess and I can’t fix that. I can wash the clothes, the dishes, clean this mess up, but I can’t mend your skin or take away the pain and I feel helpless. I just want you to get better.”
“I did as you said until just now. Washed the laundry in the tub while sitting down and only washed the dishes we needed for supper.”
Her voice is small, but for the most part, her trembling has stopped. I reach down and pull up my sock that refuses to stay tied, my knuckles rubbing along her smooth, soft skin. “Why aren’t you wearing your new clothes? Did they not fit?”
“I didn’t want to ruin them.”
“Little Mouse, they are just clothes. If you ruin something, we will get you another. I see that you did at least put on your apron.”
“I didn’t want to, but I knew it would protect your shirt. It’s so nice, it has pockets with sewn-in padding for lifting the pot lids. I had no idea they made anything like this.”
“By the smell of it, you found the cellar as well.”
“Yes, it’s so organized and well stocked, especially for this time of year. Are you done for the day?”
“I am for a few hours, but I need to do a few things in the barn later.”
“The pie is almost done. If you could gather me a few eggs, I’ll get the potatoes and ham started.”
Even though it’s taken her a few minutes, I feel her start to relax in my arms, and I can’t help but nuzzle the top of her head. Her hair is clean and silky under my dirty beard. When she leans away from me, she twitches her nose unfavorably before quickly saying,
“I was able to wash all of your laundry. There are a few dry pieces laying on the foot of your bed, along with some soap, if you would like to wash up before dinner. I cleaned the tub out as best I could, but I didn’t know how to drain it properly.
“Mrs. Hayes, … I do believe you just told me in a very roundabout way that I stink!”
She looks away, not realizing that I am teasing her. Lifting us both up, I set her on her feet, making sure she’s standing on her own, before heading to the bedroom to get those clean clothes.
“Would you like me to put some water on the fire to heat?”
“No, I’ll head to the creek … never liked sitting in my own dirt and I have plenty on me, according to my new wife.”
“Please, don’t take offence.”
