“Babies this young change every week. It is actually quite fascinating to watch. Well, if you are not the only caretaker. I suspect that can leave one too tired to get excited over little changes. Which is a bit of a shame.”
“Aye, it is. He is a good-looking little fellow, but then his mother and father were fair to look at.”
“I don’t see either of them in him yet. Perhaps as he grows something will show.” She sniffed the air. “Whatever James is doing it certainly smells good.”
“Told you. We had to shoo off the other fellows in camp when he cooked. They would all come wandering in looking to help themselves to some.”
She grinned. “And you proved to be very unwelcoming, I suspect.”
“Verra. Then they tried to get James assigned to their group. Major didn’t oblige.” He glanced at Boyd. “Do ye think Boyd will ever get the use of that arm back?”
“No idea. The doctor told me he can find nothing truly wrong with it but there are a lot of reasons for Boyd to not want to test that.”
“I was wondering about that. It will probably be a surprise to him one day when he just uses it without thinking.”
“That was exactly what I thought but can’t think of anything that would work to tempt it.”
James stepped over to hand them each a plate. Abbie hastily set the baby down on the blanket next to her. It was a thick stew of beef and some vegetables and Abigail had to admit it was surprisingly tasty. By the time she finished, she was full and feeling increasingly sleepy. It had been a very long day. She glanced at the baby, saw he was sound asleep, and wondered if the two of them should curl up in the wagon. She hoped the night did not grow too cold.
Picking up the baby, she stood up and walked back to the wagon. To her surprise, James brought Matthew back and settled him on his bed. As he walked away, she climbed into the back and put the baby’s crate at the very head of the bed. Once she had swaddled the child in a warm blanket and put him in the bed, she placed another small blanket over him and then lay down on the other half of the bed Matthew had.
“Going to sleep here with me, are ye?”
“I am not sleeping on the hard ground if I don’t have to.”
Good.” He slid his arm around her and tugged her close, ignoring the twinge it caused his healing wound. “This will be much warmer.”
“Careful of your wounds.”
“They are healing much better than I thought they would. Family has always been fast healers if we get the wound dressed fast.”
“That is convenient.” She covered her mouth as another yawn tore through her. “Sorry.”
“Why? Ye are obviously tired out. Go to sleep, Abbie. I am sure the wee lad will be waking ye up soon enough.”
“He will,” she murmured as she closed her eyes. “I am hoping he is quick to grow out of that.”
Matthew pulled the blanket up until it covered them both and he watched her fall asleep. She cuddled closer with a sleepy sigh. He had to admit he was deeply curious about how she would be to sleep with. He did not mind the snuggling at all.
“Shall I move her?” asked James, and Matthew could hear the laughter in his voice.
“Nay, thank ye, but I believe I can stand it.” He glanced back at James who had rested his arms on the side of the wagon. “Dinnae ye have anything to do?”
“Did it. How are your wounds? It looked like you were moving with more ease today. Still careful, but not wincing with each movement.”
“They do pinch from time to time. Once the stitches can come out that will end.”
“Are you gonna marry the girl or not?”
“I’m thinking on it.”
“You do know you can overthink things.”
“I ken it. I am just thinking on the many things that matter when a mon makes such a move. Like whether she snores or kicks like a mule in bed.” He grinned when James laughed.
“It really doesn’t need so much planning, you know.”
“It needs some so one can be sure.”
