She looked up, her eyes glazed with a teary sheen. “I felt the baby move.”
“That’s good, isn’t it? A sign that everything is as it should be?”
Amanda looked back down. “That’s what the midwife said,” she replied in a quiet voice. “I know I should be happy about this...”
Jackson swallowed his own conflicting feelings for her sake. “New life growing is something to celebrate.” He placed a finger under her chin and tipped her face up until she was looking at him. “I’m glad for it. Be glad with me.”
She gave him a shaky smile and nodded.
Jackson planted a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll be back in time for supper.”
The ride into town was long and dusty, giving Jackson ample time to brood. He tried to focus on the list of staples they needed, but his mind kept drifting to the longer list of challenges that lay ahead. The baby wouldn’t arrive until after the first of the year, but there was still so much to prepare.
As he approached the general store, Jackson shook off his worries and straightened his shoulders. The owner, Russel Callahan, was a decent fellow, but he had a knack for sensing weakness and working it to his advantage.
“Well, if it ain't the new farmer himself,” Russel called out as Jackson entered the store, a smile spreading across his round face. “How's that hay coming along, Maguire?”
Jackson nodded cordially. “Growing steady.” He set a bundle of tanned animal pelts and a container of eggs on the counter for Russel to examine. Bringing items to trade lessened the bill.
Russel’s belly bumped against the counter as he leaned in. He wasn’t overweight, just sturdy and thick around the middle. “I took delivery of some new elixirs,” he said, lifting the lid on a box filled with rows of dark glass bottles. “Could I interest you any?”
“Not today.”
He closed the box and pulled out a small colorful package. “How about some playing cards?”
Jackson shook his head. He’d played card games till his eyes crossed during the war. “I’d best get to work on my list. The missus’ll worry if I’m not home before nightfall.”
“Well, if you change your mind...” Russel said as Jackson walked away.
A mix of pride and worry plagued him as he shopped. Being able to transport the entire purchase without the wagon represented another step towards self-sufficiency, but every item that had to be bought was a drain on their limited funds. His lieutenant's training served him well in negotiations when it came time to haggle with Russel.
Jackson lashed the bundle to his horse’s saddle, then went to the stockyard before heading home. He may not have chosen this life, but he was determined to make the best of it—for Amanda's sake, and for the child that would soon be born.
The front door burst open, startling Amanda from her sewing.
Jackson strode in, a broad grin spread across his rosy face, and his eyes twinkling with excitement. “We got 'em, Mandy!” he exclaimed, crossing the room in three quick strides. Before she could respond, he swept her into his arms, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around.
Amanda laughed. “Got what? And put me down!”
He set her feet back on the floor, his hands lingering on her waist. “Livestock. A bull, some cows, and some pigs. Got 'em for a steal, too.”
“That's wonderful news,” Amanda said, her smile genuine. She reached up to brush a lock of hair from his forehead then paused and wrinkled her nose. “Have you been drinking?”
Jackson leaned in to kiss her, and she pulled away. The scent of whiskey on his breath sent a chill down her spine and flooded her mind with shameful memories. “Let me go,” she said, pushing against his chest.
“What’s wrong?”
“You smell like Ross.”
The confusion on Jackson’s face turned to shame. “I'm sorry, Amanda. I didn't think.” He released her and took a step back. “I had one drink to celebrate the deal. Just one, I swear. I'd never... I'm not like him. You know that, right?”
Amanda nodded, willing her heart to stop racing. “I know. I’m sorry for implying that.”
“Don't apologize. I should've been more considerate. I promised you the choice was yours, and it is. I'd never force myself on you. Never.”
A small smile crept onto her lips. “Tell me more about these animals of ours. I hope you didn't trade away all our winter stores for them.”
Jackson breathed a sigh of relief that ended in a chuckle. “Not quite.”
