“I didn’t think, I just reacted. It’s been years since I’ve cooked over an open hearth.”
“Forgive me, I forgot most of the homes in town have wood-burning kitchen stoves. I noticed that last night when I went to get your things. I will get one ordered … No, we will go to towntogether when you’re feeling better and you can pick out the one you want.” Her eyes suddenly get large.
“What? You want me to pick it out?”
“Well, of course. I have no idea what you might need and you’ll be using it more than I am. You should be the one to pick what you want to make your life easier. Has the burning calmed down?”
“Yes, thank you. The swelling is going away now. I must have dropped it before it could do too much damage.”
When she starts to get back up, I push her down gently. “You stay right there. My stew may not be the best, but I can fix eggs and bacon … Damnit! I’m going to have to go fight with Blue. I’ll be right back.”
The next thing I know, I’m struggling with the latch on the coop’s frame. Blue is already standing next to the door, his feathers ruffled, ready to fight. “Get your ornery ass back, Blue. I’m only gonna grab a couple eggs.” Of course, he doesn’t cooperate and I end up bleeding before I get the gate closed.
Stomping in the back door, I’m cussing and growling the entire time. “I swear I’m going to enjoy having him for supper one night!!”
Lauren still has her head down, but I notice a smile on her lips. After dumping the burned bacon, I set fresh strips in the pan and add eggs to the other side before returning it to the cradle. I practically burn everything before I find the spatula. The entire time, she’s said nothing.
“I know you have questions, please ask them.”
“You said we were married earlier … how?”
“Much to my own surprise, when I was putting you in the wagon, the preacher stopped to tell me that he would not allow me to take you unless I officially married you. From what I understand, he was going to erase your previous marriage from the records and replace it with ours.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing,”
“Back east, that would have been a scandal for sure, but here, they kinda make the rules up as they go. I do apologize for not giving you a say in the matter. It all happened so fast and you were in such bad shape, I simply was not concerned about such trivialities.”
She shakes her head only to look back down at the floor. Grabbing two semi-clean plates, I scoop the eggs onto them, then add a few pieces of bacon, setting them on the table before grabbing the percolator and filling both cups.
“How are your ribs this morning? Did you sleep well considering the circumstances?”
“The willow bark tea helped me sleep, but honestly, everything seems to hurt. However, I am used to pushing through the pain, so I will do my best to help today.”
“You planning on breaking in the new horse I acquired a few weeks ago, or digging some coal out of the mine to sell in town? I know, you’re going to sit hunched over the cold creek bed and pan for gold all day.”
“You’re funning me.”
“Yes, I am. You are going to do two shits of nothing until you’re feeling better, Little Mouse.”
“But…”
“There is no but. Unless you can do it sitting down, it’s not going to happen. Damn it Lauren, have you looked in a mirror? Little Mouse, you look like you’ve been dragged behind a horse.”
A tear flows down her cheek and I reach over and wipe it off.
“Listen, this is a significant change for both of us. I know I’m big and scary and Lord knows, I wish you wouldn’t fear me, but that’s going to take time. Honestly, all I want you to do is recuperate and heal. I don’t care if you do small things if it makes you feel better, but no heavy lifting or being on your feet for hours. If you want to sit on the porch and watch the clouds or read a book, that’s fine with me, too. I have been taking care of myself for years, so adding you to the equation for a few days is not a problem. Once you’re done eating, I have a surprise for you.”
She looks up at me, frowning. “For me?”
“Unless there is another pretty blonde sitting around here, then yes … it’s for you.”
“I am not pretty.” Once again, I can barely hear her.
“Says who? Even with all that extra coloring and excessive swelling, your beauty is easily noticed.”
She doesn’t look at me again, simply chews on a piece of bacon and I wonder if her jaw is also sore. When I finish the last of my eggs, I grab my saddlebags, then start pulling the packages out one at a time, setting them in front of her.
She leans back slightly, a frown on her face.
