Page 173 of Conveniently Wed
“Of course.” He was finally allowing her to help, to work beside him. She moved as quickly as possible, bringing in the horses and milk cow, then the calf from her separate corral.
While Bethany munched hay, Leah milked. She usually took time to enjoy the rhythm and peacefulness of the process, but the temperature seemed to be dropping fast. And the sounds of Gideon moving around in the barn drifted into the stall with an urgency.
After milking, she poured half of the creamy white liquid into the bucket in the calf’s stall, giving her an affectionate scratch on her glossy black neck. Next, she went in search of Gideon, finding him near the front stalls where the wagon horses were kept. He deposited the two buckets in his hands near the other three already on the ground, all full to the brim with water.
Leah watched his face as she approached, seeing the worry lines around his eyes. “What can I do next?”
He looked around, running a hand through his already-mussed hair. “I think that’s it for the barn. Head on back to the house. I’ll be in soon.”
She studied him a moment longer. She hated to go into the cabin if there was more work to do outside. Gideon still stood with his hand in his hair, fingers pinching the ends of his short locks, while his mind ran through scenarios or to-do lists or who knew what.
Then he seemed to realize she was watching him, and he gave her a sheepish smile, dropping his hand to his side. “Go help Miriam. I’ll be inside in a few minutes.”
“Are you sure there’s not anything else I can do out here?”
Gideon’s gaze locked with hers and, for a moment, he lowered the shield to allow a glimpse of his emotions. The fear and exhaustion and need all swirling together gripped her chest.
“Gideon…” She took a step forward, holding his gaze. “Please let me help.” She wanted to help this man more than anything—and not just to prepare for the snow. She wanted to help shoulder his burdens, lighten his load, and make him smile again.
He released a pensive breath, his eyes asking if she really meant it.
“Please,” she urged.
“Leah…” With the sound of her name, she saw the tug-of-war playing in his heart. This fear of losing people had such control over him.God, please show him Your peace.
At last, he breathed a sigh. “All right. I need to string a rope between the house and barn, then bring a week’s worth of firewood onto the porch.”
She nodded. “Let’s do it.”
While they worked, Leah did her best to think ahead to his next step. It felt right, working beside this man.
When the last load of wood was stacked on the front porch, she turned to scan the yard where the light shone from the lantern Gideon had hung on a post. A few snow flurries drifted down, sending a tingle of excitement through her.
“Look.” She pointed toward the light, and he came to stand beside her. He was almost close enough for his arm to brush hers, and his nearness stole every other thought. What would he think if she leaned into him, rested in his strength?
“It’s the first snow of winter.”
“It’s beautiful.” She spoke softly so she didn’t break the spell created by the darkness, the snow, and his nearness. The flurries were coming thicker now.
“Yes, it is.” His voice was low, husky.
She turned to look at him, but his gaze was already intent on her. Her breath caught. When he looked at her that way…
The squeak of the door interrupted her thoughts, as Miriam stepped onto the porch and came to stand beside them.
23
Leah plunged the head of the ax into the icy bucket, more like she was churning butter than splitting wood. The metal end was so heavy it took all her effort to raise it over her shoulder, so this method worked better for her. It was the third time today she’d cracked ice in the buckets for the stock near the barn.
The snow from three days ago still came to her knees, and Gideon had said they might get more any time. He’d been nice enough to clear a trail between the house, barn, and outhouse. She wasn’t sure she could have tromped through the deep stuff with her weak right leg. Why had she ever thought snow was fun?
When water splashed under her ax, she gave Bethany a pat and let herself out of the milk cow’s stall. She surveyed the barn, going through her mental checklist. The animals all had hay and water, including the stall where Gideon would put his mount when he came back from tending the herd. He was late tonight, but that didn’t surprise her. The deep snow made everything harder.
She leaned the ax against the wall and let herself out of the barn, moving stiffly toward the house. Her hands were numbinside the leather gloves Miriam had let her borrow. It was colder out here than she’d thought possible.
She cocooned her head in her blue cloak and hood, imagining the fire blazing in the warm cabin. She’d left Miriam with instructions about when to remove the rice and beef bake from the oven, but she’d feel better knowing it hadn’t burned.
A whistle from behind brought Leah’s head from her cocoon, and she turned as Gideon rode into the yard. Drifter trotted through the snow behind him, following in the horse’s tracks. Gideon sat tall in his buckskins and leather hat, his clean-shaven face revealing his strong features. Would he let the mountain man beard grow again now that cold weather had come? As practical as it was, it would be a shame to cover up that handsome face.
