Gabrielle: Bride of Vermont (American Mail-Order Bride 14) (9 page)

“Good morning yourself.” She gave him a weary smile while she leaned with her back against the counter, hands wrapped around her coffee cup. She lifted it slightly before she took a sip, thus acknowledging the fact that he’d prepared it for her. “Were you able to go back to sleep?”

Boone nodded as he took his place at the table. “Yes, ma’am. Nothing keeps me from sleeping, except for maybe some occasional divine intervention.” He tilted his head to the side, thinking. “Then again, a woman screaming is pretty effective, too.”

He looked at her compassionately. “I’m sorry for your rude awakening. You must’ve been terrified.” Smiling, he added, “Apparently you can handle yourself though, Breezy. I’d bet that Buck’s gonna have a bit of a black eye when we see him later.” He raised his fists and punched the air, demonstrating a right hook.

Gabrielle wasn’t yet recovered enough from the incident to be amused. “Well, I can’t say he didn’t deserve it. Why didn’t he let you know he’d be returning?”

“I guess he didn’t feel he had to. This is his home. He knows he’s always welcome here.”

She quickly fried a few eggs, wondering how long Buck would stay. Boone was right, it was Buck’s home, too. It dawned on her that she was already comfortable in her new home and was surprised that she had a slight feeling that Buck was something of an intruder.

Placing their plates on the table, she sat down and bowed her head, waiting while Boone went through his prayer ritual. She was already accustomed to it.

As soon as he started eating, she asked him a question. “You said something about going somewhere in the buggy. I don’t remember you mentioning that. Did we forget something in town?

Boone shook his head and swallowed his bite. “I’m guessing your lack of sleep has you confused, doesn’t it? It’s Sunday.”

Of course! He’s going to church and he expects me to go with him.

“Oh, yes. I guess it is Sunday. I’ve been a little off track ever since my travel across the country. And then living out here in the country and all, I suppose I haven’t paid too much attention to the days of the week.

Should I tell him now that I don’t go to church, or wait until another time? I’m just too tired to argue about it right now.

“I wasn’t able to go back to sleep last night, so I guess I’m pretty tired. I’m really not up to going. I hope you won’t mind too much if I don’t join you.”

The tired look around her eyes was proof enough of her exhaustion. “Of course not. Maybe you should rest today. There’s always the mid-week gathering. I don’t mind going alone and I’ll be back in plenty of time to be here when Buck makes his way inside. I’m willing to bet he’ll sleep past noon. He always liked sleeping late, especially following nights when he performed for events in local areas.”

They finished eating, and she washed the dishes and tidied up while he dressed for church. He came out of his bedroom, ready to go.

“I’m ready, so I’ll be seeing you later, then,” he said awkwardly.

She sensed his discomfort. “Is something wrong?”

“No, not really. I suppose I was looking forward to taking you to church and introducing you to the community today. I guess I’m a little disappointed.” He shook his head, “Kind of silly of me. I guess it’ll have to wait until the next meeting.”

Gabrielle’s heart dropped. She busied herself with straightening up the cups and bowls on the shelf. “Well, I hope you have a nice time. I’ll have lunch ready whenever you return.”

“So long,” he said, walking toward the door and putting on his coat.

The door closed, and she sank slowly onto a chair. Elbows on the table, she covered her eyes and rested her head in her hands.

She couldn’t do it. She hadn’t stepped into a church since she was sixteen years old, and she wasn’t planning on starting again now.
What have I gotten myself into? How will I tell him?

She spent the next hour sweeping and cleaning the floors, feeling unsettled and unsure of what to do. She missed her friends so much, and wished for a way to talk to them again.

Dear Poppy,

I wish you were here. I miss our late-night conversations when we figured everything out together. I need someone to talk to.

I made it to Texas tired, but safe and sound. There was a little mix-up when I first arrived but it all got straightened out eventually. My husband to be, Boone Dillingham, suffered an injury and was unable to meet me. Boone and I married that night while he lay recovering in his bed!

Poppy, make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into if you agree to marry a fellow “in name only.” I never imagined that Boone would be so polite and perfectly handsome! My heart pounds when he’s near. I’m sticking to my plan, though. He may be good-looking, but I’ll stand firm. I don’t need affection to be happy. I’m not saying it’ll be easy. I’m just saying I’ll be strong and true to my agreement.

I hope you get this letter and can write and let me know what has happened to you. Please stay in touch.

Much love, Gabby

PS: Boone calls me “Breezy.” Isn’t that ridiculous?

She composed similar letters to Roberta and Sarah, hoping her former roommates were doing well and had settled into their new lives by now.

Gabrielle felt restless. She’d cleaned as much as she wanted to and had lunch prepared for later. A nap was out of the question, with the possibility of Boone’s son coming in and finding her asleep. Donning her coat and gloves, she went outside for a walk. She was amazed that Texas could be so pleasant, even in December.

Exploring the land that surrounded her home helped lift her spirits. She thought about Boone and his Bible reading and church-going ways. She would just have to tell him that she wasn’t a church-going girl. It wasn’t that she didn’t know about God! After all, she’d read the Bible once in a while and gave to the poor. Whenever someone was in need, she’d be the first person to help out when it was in her power to do so. She just didn’t prefer to spend Sunday mornings cooped up with a group of strangers.

Standing at the corral, she admired the horses. She pulled some dry grass from around her feet and leaned over the wooden fence. “Come here, you!” she called out. “Yes, you! The one with the star on your face. Come over here.” She knew different horses had different titles like stallion, gelding, and mare. Knowing how to tell them apart was a different thing altogether. At least she knew how to tell if it was a male or female. That was something. She decided to ask Boone if he had any books on horses. If she was going to be married to someone who trained horses, she probably ought to educate herself a little.

Although the horses were playful and active, she had no fear of them. She climbed over the fence to get a little closer, hoping to pet one of them.

About that time she heard a sound from the road. She saw Boone sitting tall in the saddle. The sight of him made her smile.
Since I had to get married, I’m glad I got someone who looks like him.

She walked back to the edge of the corral, waving at Boone. “Hello! I guess you made it back before the rain.” She saw the gate and unlatched it, swinging it wide open for him and the horse to enter.

He rode inside the corral, and she closed the gate behind him. He nodded in greeting and dismounted slowly, not saying a word. She watched him unbuckle the saddle and lay it atop the fence.

“I see you’re not fearful of the horses,” he stated.

“No, why should I be? Just because I haven’t had much experience with them doesn’t mean I’m afraid of them. I have to say, though, I don’t know much about them. I was just thinking I should rectify that, being married to a rancher, and all. Would you want to teach me? Or, maybe if there’s a library in town, I could get some books and read up on the subject.”

Boone nodded. “Either one would work. I’d be happy to answer questions. There’s a library in town, a fine one.”

He spent a few moments telling her about the various horses he had. When she told him she had lunch waiting, he nodded and they stepped out of the corral.

“I’ll be in as soon as I put this saddle up.” He turned toward the saddle on the fence.

“Gabrielle,” he said softly, looking over his shoulder and getting her attention.

She took a step closer, “Hmm?”

He looked over at her, his words gently spoken. “I don’t mind you being near the horses, petting them, feeding them. Any of that’s fine. But don’t ever mount one.” He turned back to the saddle, lifted it off of the fence, and began to walk away.

“But, why?” she questioned. “They’re gentle—.”

He looked over his shoulder and silenced her with a look.

“Just don’t. Do you understand?” he asked firmly.

She nodded and stopped walking. She didn’t understand at all, but his look was clear. There was to be no discussion about it.

Gabrielle stared after him until he’d gone into the barn. She hurried into the house, closing the door firmly behind her and began to get lunch onto the table.

She thought about what he’d said, and grew angrier by the minute. Slamming things about, she began muttering to herself. “How dare he? I am not a child. I’m a grown woman who has been doing exactly what I want for nearly fifteen years. If he thinks he can tell me what to do and what not to do, then we’re just going to have ourselves a little talk. If I want to ride a horse, then I’ll ride a horse!”

She heard a tiny sound and spun around. Buck looked as though he was tip-toeing towards the door, reaching out for the handle.

“Buck! I, um, I didn’t know you were in here,” she said, startled to see him.

He jumped. “Oh, sorry. I saw you out walking earlier. I came in and got a bath. Don’t let me disturb you, or—.” He shuffled, obviously uncomfortable. “I don’t want to stop you from whatever you’re doing.”

Gabrielle felt the color rise in her cheeks. “You’re not disturbing me. I was grumbling to myself.” She rolled her eyes and smirked. “And, I can do that anytime.”

He relaxed a little and laughed. “I’ll try to remember that.”

“You probably won’t have a chance to forget. Unfortunately, I do it a lot, and it’s just sort of how I work things out,” she explained.

“You sounded kind of mad, so I thought I’d just give you some space and go back out to the barn,” he said graciously.

“Well, you might as well stay put now. Your father will be in shortly, and I’ve got a meal ready. You hungry?”

"I reckon my pa hasn’t told you much about me. I’m always hungry! What can I do help?”

“Just pour us some water, please, and set the napkin basket on the table.”

Boone came in five minutes later, surprised yet relieved to see Buck awake and inside. Having another person at the table might make it a little less awkward after he’d spoken so directly to his wife.

Gabrielle set the final serving bowl onto the table and sat down. She saw Buck bow his head in unison with his father and did likewise.

There was a pause. No one said a word. Keeping her head bowed, she raised her eyes slowly to look at her husband. She found Boone grinning at her and watched him glance at Buck, who finally raised his up his head, with eyes questioning the delay.

Boone laughed. “Your turn to pray, boy.”

Afterwards, Buck dove into his lunch with relish. Halfway through, he paused. “This is really great. It’s nice to come home to woman food.”

Gabrielle chuckled. “That’s just what your father calls it. Makes me curious about which of the two of you did all the cooking.”

“As soon as I got old enough, I did a lot of it. I sort of had to,” said Buck.

“Why’s that,” Gabrielle asked.

“Man does not live by scrambled eggs and bread alone,” Buck said, taking a huge bite.

They ate in companionable silence for a moment before Boone asked Buck where he’d been and what he’d been doing since he left home the previous summer.

Buck spent half an hour telling stories of his adventures while traveling about with various musicians. They all laughed together.

“All in all, I learned quite a bit and I improved my abilities. But I missed being around people whose actions I could predict.”

Boone asked his son to explain further. “I figured out that I’ve lived a pretty sheltered life out here in the country. I didn’t know there were so many people out there who seem to be lacking—, I don’t know, in stability or something. Lots of men gambled away their money in saloons. I saw their women coming in and practically hauling them off. It wasn’t pretty. I hated playing in the saloons,” he said regretfully.

“What did you do when you weren’t playing in them?” asked Gabrielle.

“It felt like we mostly traveled, but we’d stay some places for a few days. I actually found out people would pay a little money for guitar lessons, so I’d set up outside a store or somewhere like that and put out a sign. I had a few customers here and there. I reckon that was my favorite part.”

Boone was silent for a moment before asking another question. “What made you decide to come back home?”

Gabrielle waited to hear Buck’s response. She’d wanted to ask the same thing but didn’t want either of the men to think she didn’t want Buck living with them.