“Of course,” Rosaline smiled sheepishly as Buena picked up the empty kettle and left. “Right,” she said to the empty room and rolled up her sleeves. Hoisting the basket onto a stool that stood beside the tub, she began to submerge the clothing in the steaming water, retrieving the laundry stick from the hook on the wall and swirling the garments.
The steam that rose from the tub flushed her face, making her flushed and red-faced with tendrils of hair clinging to her face. No wonder the laundry maids at the Vosses always complained. You needed a lot of stamina for this kind of work. She proceeded to stir until all of the clothes and linen were swirling in the soapy water.
The thought of the Vosses made her wonder if they were looking for her. How angry had they been when they found her room empty? How long had it taken them to realize that she was no longer there?
Just then, Buena came back carrying another kettle of water and interrupted her thoughts. She poured the boiling water into the second tub and wiped her brow. “That’s the ticket,” she encouraged Rosaline as she watched her stir the laundry. “Now we can get on with the scrubbing and rinsing.
Buena showed her how to use the scrubbing board as they worked. “Now you rub the clothes over the rungs, exactly like that, don’t be scared to use some elbow grease. Laundry is hard work.”
Rosaline washed while Buena rinsed the garments in the clean water.
“How are you settling in, dear?” the older woman inquired as they washed and repeated the process.
Rosaline paused for a moment before answering. “I don't mind the work, I’m used to that. I just wish Robbie would settle a little. He still won’t let me feed him.”
“That will come in time,” Buena reassured her gently. “If you feel you’re ready, we can switch rooms tonight and you can see to him during the night. It may help you bond with him.”
Rosaline had been waiting for the right moment to bring up Thomas and Robbie. “Does Thomas bond with Robbie? It’s just that I haven’t seen them together since I’ve been here. I thought perhaps that it was because of the upset caused by my arrival.”
Buena seemed sad for a moment as she dunked a sheet into the tub. “Children can sense when there is any kind of unrest in the house.” She looked up quickly. “I don’t mean you, dear. No, the unrest comes from Thomas, he hasn’t been able to connect with anyone since... Well, you know by now.” She smiled gently. “Robbie can sense the hurt his father is feeling, it creates a barrier between them.”
Rosaline’s heart broke at the thought of Robbie feeling his father’s anguish, as a single tear spilled down her cheek.
The other woman looked up at the sound of Rosaline sniffling and stood. Walking over she placed a loving arm around Rosaline’s shoulders and consoled her. “Dry your eyes love, you have a kind heart. That will see you through in the end.”
“I’m sorry, I’m being so soft.” Rosaline sniffled and wiped her face on the shoulder of her dress.
Buena stepped back and gave her a stern look. “Never apologize for being soft-hearted,” she scolded, then added more gently. “The meek shall inherit the earth. Your tears speak well of your heart.” She placed her hands on her hips and continued in a lighter tone. “You’ve done an excellent job with the scrubbing. Now I’ll show you how to use the mangle.”
Rosaline gave her a thankful smile. “The mangle sounds frightful.”
“It’s not as vicious as it sounds,” Buena teased and added in a more serious tone. “Just don't get your fingers caught in it.”
The rest of the morning continued with cheerful laughter and light conversation. The more Rosaline got to know Buena Gideon the more she liked the older woman. She embodied all of the good qualities she’d come to admire, not only in her friend Donna, but in her mother as well.
They hung up the clothes on a line next to the house where the breeze and sunshine could do the rest of the work. In the end, the mangle had proved not to be as scary as it sounded. The two wooden cylinders pressed the water from the garments as you fed them through and turned the handle. Keeping your fingers a few inches from the rollers was the main part of the job.
Rosaline thought she saw Thomas watching from one of the pens as they hung up the sheets, but when she glanced in his direction he was busy with the cattle. Her heart fluttered whenever she saw or thought of him. She hoped they could at least build a solid friendship on which to base their marriage, even if it was just one of convenience.
Once they were done with the washing, Buena showed her how to feed the chickens in the coop behind the house, an undertaking that seemed simple enough at first, but proved to be more of a challenge when the largest rooster of the brood chased her into a corner.
She let out a high-pitched yelp and picked up her skirts as she ran from the coop. The sound caused Thomas to drop what he was doing and come running to her aid as she fled from the coop, slamming the wire door shut behind her.
She whipped around at the sound of Thomas calling for her and slammed into his chest. She pulled away and rubbed her nose.
“Rosaline, what happened? Are you alright?” His strong hands gripped her elbows firmly as he examined her from head to toe.
Rosaline placed her hands on his chest and gently pushed herself a few inches away. “I’m fine,” she laughed. She could feel his heart beating under her hand on his chest. His eyes were fixed on her with concern.
“She ran a fowl of old Henry,” Buena laughed, and pointed to the rooster strutting along the fence, turning his head to keep a beady eye on his target. “I didn’t have time to warn her. You need to stand your ground where old henry is concerned. He rules the roost, so to speak.”
“I’m fine, truly,” Rosaline stammered, becoming acutely aware of the hands that had moved up her arms and gently gripped her shoulders. “I was just frightened is all.” She was close enough to smell the heat of his shirt from working in the morning sun.
Thomas let her go abruptly and took a step back. “I thought you were hurt. Don’t scream unless you’re in real danger.” His voice was gruff, but his eyes held a look of relief that warmed her heart.
“We’re going to milk the cows next Thomas. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on her,” Buena called from inside the coop as she tossed a handful of dried corn before the chickens.”
Thomas nodded and looked away from Rosaline. She noticed that a deep blush had crept up his neck. “Pa was looking for you. Robbie has woken up from his nap.” He turned and strode back to the pens. “Try not to get attacked by anything else,” he called over his shoulder in a tone that Rosaline could almost mistake as humor.
