“I appreciate all you have done. I know Ethan would be grateful to know his daughter was cared for. Do you plan to stay on here?”
“Yes, for some time at least.”
“Then we should find you some lodging.” Edmund pushed from the table. “With all of the unrest, there have been several families that have left for safer locations. Actually, the cabin right down from here became available just this week.”
Jacob opened his mouth, then closed it again. His gaze darted from Edmund, to Mary, and back again. Did the man not wish to connect with his niece? Perhaps he only aimed to see to their needs first.
After they stepped back out into the afternoon sun, Edmund led them to another of the small, matching homes, four down from his. He pushed open the door. The stagnant air inside the building, which had been closed up in the heat of summer, was stifling as Jacob accompanied him inside. Jacob pulled a chair from the table and used it to prop open the door while Dawn followed them in with Mary.
The one-room cabin contained a table and chairs, a bed that appeared to have a trundle beneath, a fireplace for cooking, and a vanity and hutch. Disappointment crawled into Jacob’s stomach and settled there. The dark room was so small and uninviting. He was not sure how he meant to provide it, but he had hoped for a better home for his family—one they could be proud of.
“I know it is not much.” Edmund seemed to read his mind. “But it bears all the essentials, and if you find yourself in need of anything, you need only to ask.”
“We certainly appreciate it.” Dawn offered a small smile. Edmund still had not mentioned taking Mary in. Was she beginning to regret the decision to come here?
Edmund nodded, then looked to Jacob. “I can show you to where Morgan tied your mount so you may get settled. I figure it will be best for Mary to stay tonight with you. With it being the first night in a new place, she may need some familiar faces to ease the transition. I can show you around and introduce you to some of the others tomorrow.”
Jacob let out a breath before he grinned. “Thank you.” Finally, the man had made his intentions clear. It seemed he was the kind of person who liked to get straight to the point, without extra words. Though it might make it more difficult for him to connect with Mary, it would not hinder his ability to care for her. And he was already taking her needs into consideration. At least, Jacob hoped that was all.
July 11, 1782
With the scent of baking biscuits filling the cabin, Dawn took a moment to step away from the hot fireplace and move into the open doorway where a breeze ruffled the edges of her hair. She glanced down the way, but no movement could be seen at Mr. Fairfax’s cabin. There never could be. But that did not prevent her from checking every morning, as though she could peer through the cabin walls and see that Mary was well.
In all reality, the child seemed to be adjusting to their new surroundings better than Dawn. Mr. Fairfax was often scouting or hunting during the day and unable to keep Mary, so she was more than glad to continue spending her days with Dawn. He had also introduced them to Mrs. Abbott, a widow with four children, who’d taken Dawn under her wing and helped her adjust to life at the fort. While Mary quite enjoyed playing with the youngest of the children, and Dawn was thankful for their presence in her life, a sense of anticipation lingered. As though she was still waiting for something to happen. But what?
Dawn sighed and retreated back into the cabin and to the pan warming over the fire. When she added four strips of bacon, they began to sizzle and pop. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply while her stomach rumbled in anticipation of the delicious food.
“Smells wonderful.” Jacob echoed her thoughts as his shadow filled the door.
Dawn turned and smiled at the sound of his voice. “How is Samson?”
Jacob shrugged. “He seems to be settling well. I only wish there was better grazing.”
Dawn frowned as she used a fork to flip the sizzling strips of bacon. To keep them safe within the bounds of the fort, all of the horses were restricted to a single, over-grazed corral. Though she understood the need for protection, it seemed inhumane. Samson, after having brought them thus far, deserved fresh air and green pastures, neither of which could be found in the crowded fort.
Jacob came and knelt beside her, rubbing a hand over her back. “He is well,” he assured her, before leaning in and pressing a kiss to her cheek.
Dawn grinned, her insides swirling. Every touch and kiss was still so new and wonderful.
“I am scouting with Edmund again today. What will you and Mary do?”
Dawn attempted to mask her disappointment, but her shoulders sagged without her consent. “Mrs. Abbott plans to teach me how to bake bread over the open fire.” Her mouth pressed into a line as she removed the bacon skillet from the flame and moved the plate to a towel on the table. While it was satisfying to learn a new skill to help her provide for her family, it was bittersweet. It seemed that she spent as much time with Mrs. Abbott as she did her new husband. And despite the small, loving gestures Dawn and Jacob shared, it seemed they were both still holding back, not yet giving of themselves fully. “Try not to be out too long?” Dawn moved to Jacob and leaned into him, giving him a coy smile.
Jacob let out a hearty chuckle as he wrapped his arms around her. “You know I will not be too long.”
Dawn laughed and nestled her head into his chest, grounding herself in the strong, steady heartbeat that echoed in her ear. Thank You, God, for my husband. Please help me to be grateful for his presence in my life and for the many blessings You have provided for us here at Bryan’s Station. But please help us find a way to bridge this gap between us.
At length, she pulled herself from his embrace and retrieved the pan of biscuits from the fireplace. “Here. Have a bite to eat before you head out.”
Dawn prepared a plate for Jacob and herself before she wrapped a biscuit and bacon in a piece of cloth and set it aside for Mary. She took a moment to eat with Jacob prior to his departure, then hurried through cleaning up the dishes. Finally, she was able to collect the food for Mary and head toward Mr. Fairfax’s cabin. She hurriedly crunched across the dry summer grass between the two cabins. Then she knocked on the door.
When the door swung open, Mary’s face broke into a giant grin. “Dawn!” She wrapped her arms around Dawn’s legs. Her excitement at seeing Dawn never seemed to waver, no matter how often she came by.
“I am sure you have already eaten, but I brought you bacon and a biscuit. Ready to go to Mrs. Abbott’s?”
Mary nodded and silently accepted the cloth with that sweet look of contentment she so often carried. The cloth fell open around her little hand, and she ate as they walked. Together, they made their way across the fort to the second building on the right. Outside, Sarah and Abraham, the two youngest, played marbles on the porch. The twins were a year older than Mary, and both bore the same raven-black hair and chocolate-brown eyes Mrs. Abbott said was inherited from their father.
A cacophony of noise drifted through the open door.
