Page 34 of The Rancher's Bride
“I don’t think I’m going to trap anymore.” He pushed Bethany away and rolled over, groaning as the coverlet brushed his swollen leg. “I’ll give Petunia all my traps. She looks like the critters she hunts, so she’ll make use of them.”
“Tommy, you don’t mean that.” The biscuit pieces in her hand didn’t look so appetizing anymore. “You just need to rest.”
“Go away, Bethany. I want to be alone.”
“Doc will be here shortly to check on you. I’ll be back later today.” Leaning over, she pressed a kiss on his hair. “You stink. Ask Doc if you can have a bath. Maybe Grandma Moore can fix you up one while we are gone.” Giggling, she turned and walkedtowards the door as a soft object hit her in the back. Looking down, she saw Tommy’s pillow on the floor. She picked it up and tossed it back towards her brother with a smile. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. Love you.”
Pulling the door closed, she headed towards the door leading outside.
“Can you put that in the back of the buckboard?” Millie asked as Bethany walked by the table again. “I’ll bring the other one out.”
With a nod, she took the heavier basket and headed towards the barn, tossing the biscuit crumbs in her hand to the chickens. In the distance, Doc’s buggy was making its way between the trees as it came up the path towards the house. Marmee sat next to him. Bethany waved at them before continuing her path towards the barn.
When Bethany put the basket in the back of the small buckboard, she peeked inside. There were eight jars filled with jeweled colored jams and different preserved pickles. Bethany wondered if someone was ill or just had a baby. Those were the only reasons she could think Ma would give up some of her stocked pantry. Those items were to get them through winter.
Tucking the napkin back over the jars, Bethany tried to focus on hitching a horse to the small wagon, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Benjamin and Tessa. She didn’t recall seeing a pantry in their house. She wondered what his plans were for winter.
Bethany chose a sturdy, chestnut-colored horse and led it out of the stall with ease. As she prepared to attach it to the buckboard, she heard Marmee’s voice behind her.
“Mind if I give you a hand?”
The sight of the older woman at the entrance of the barnsurprised Bethany. “Of course not, Marmee. Thank you.”
“Regina is in with Doc and Tommy, so I thought I would just come out here. They don’t need another mother hen fussing in there.”
Bethany fiddled with the brass buckle on the harness.
“Did you go on rounds with Doc today?”
“I had some things to deliver to one of his patients, so I tagged along.”
“They must appreciate your support.”
“I was telling your mother we stopped by the Kendrick ranch.”
Bethany’s ears perked up as she looked at Marmee over the back of the horse. “Is everyone all right there?”
Hiding her eagerness, but genuinely curious about Ben and Tessa, Bethany waited for Marmee to respond.
“Everyone’s fine, dear.” Marmee’s reassuring smile calmed her fears. “Doc dropped off something there after we visited the Pickett ranch.”
Bethany’s hands trembled as she gripped the leather strap, trying to focus on the task at hand. Her mind kept drifting back to Benjamin and the unexpected kiss they shared. “They are all right?” she asked, breaking the silence.
“Perfectly fine. Life has a funny way of bringing unexpected opportunities.” Marmee tugged on the last strap, securing it in place. “It’s up to us to decide whether we take them. I think that is secure enough.”
Bethany’s breath hitched, her heart pounding as she absorbed Marmee’s words. Was Marmee hinting at what happened between her and Benjamin? Or was it just a coincidence? She knew the older woman was right. She couldn’t let fear dictate her actions, especially with matters of the heart.
“Are you saying I should pursue my feelings for Benjamin?” she asked hesitantly, her hands twisting nervously in her apron.
Marmee smiled warmly, her eyes filled with understanding. “Only you can know what’s best for you, my dear. If there’s someone or something you deeply care for, don’t let fear stop you from pursuing it.”
Bethany felt tears prick at her eyes. She wanted to tell Marmee everything, but the words caught in her throat. Before she could speak, Ma and Millie came into the barn.
“It looks like Tommy is on the mend. He can’t put much pressure on the leg yet, but that is to be expected,” Ma said, walking around and placing the basket next to the other one. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t taken care of him, Ingrid.”
“It was Petunia who brought him to the house.” Marmee said. “I don’t know what that child was doing out in that weather.”
Millie snorted. “Probably looking for Tommy.”
