Fifteen

“Reliable is one fine little place,” Tempy said as she screwed a lid on a jar of berries.

“Purdy as a fawn’s coat.” Lovejoy scooted over and made room for Delilah at the table. Two days ago the Chance women had gone to the MacPherson spread to help put up vegetables. Today the MacPherson women were returning the favor after they’d all gone berry picking.

“And the folks hereabouts are neighborly as cain be.” Lois came out of the bedroom carrying Caleb, with Ginny Mae and Polly following behind her. The children’s cheeks were flushed from their nap.

Reba White had come, too. Priscilla refused to join them, but no one pointed that out. Lovejoy had learned Priscilla had refused Titus’s marriage proposal, so she figured it was for the best that Alisa wouldn’t have to spend an awkward day with a disagreeable woman.

The Chance families couldn’t begin to imagine how blessed they were to have tables laden with plenty and not know what it was to be hungry, to sit at that table where love, not strife, ruled. Lovejoy smiled at Tempy. The true blessing was that her own sister had married up, and the Lord seemed to be smiling down on her in the same way.

A knock sounded on the open door as someone said, “Is Miz Spencer here?”

“Yes, she is, Todd.” Miriam motioned her neighbor to come inside.

“I heard tell she’s good at doctoring. Chris Roland got a gash on his head that needs stitching.”

Wiping her hands on her apron, Lovejoy headed toward the bedroom. “Let me get my satchel.”

❧

“What do you mean, you let her ride off with him?” Daniel glowered at his brothers as they got ready to sit down to supper. “This can’t continue. Two days can’t pass without someone wanting her attention.”

Gideon elbowed Titus. “It’s mostly Dan’s fault. Chopping all that wood, he gets some pretty wicked splinters.”

Daniel ignored that jibe. “If folks want Lovejoy’s help, they can come here instead of expecting her to wander all over Reliable Township. It’s not safe.”

“She’s scrappy.” Bryce plopped down and swiped a biscuit. “I reckon she can handle herself.”

Logan snorted. “He reckons anyone who can lance a boil on a horse can do anything.”

Paul cast a quick glance at Delilah and whispered hotly, “Watch what you say. Delilah’s barely keeping her meals down. I won’t have you spoil her appetite.”

“Well I’m taking a stand,” Daniel announced. “She doesn’t pay house calls unless it’s an emergency, and if that’s what’s up, one of us men will escort her.”

He kept busy with his daughters at the table then took them to their cabin. It didn’t surprise him in the least when Lovejoy knocked on the door. “I come to smear some salve on the girls’ arms. They got scratched up a mite pickin’ berries today.”

Daniel stood back and watched Lovejoy minister to his daughters. Once he’d thought her to be a mousy-looking woman. He couldn’t have been more wrong. Compassion shone from her hazel eyes, and her mouth perpetually tilted into a warm smile. The string she used to tame her hair into a simple plait snagged on a button of Polly’s nightdress and slipped off. Instead of fussing with her own hair, Lovejoy fretted over a scratch on Polly’s arm then kissed it better. Dan caught himself wishing the braid would unravel entirely.

“There, now. Sweet dreams, lassies.” Lovejoy turned and pulled one of her dynamite vials out of her satchel. “You’ll probably need this.”

“What is it?”

“Dr. J. H. McLean’s Volcanic Oil Liniment. I poured half into this for you and gave the bottle to Bryce. After fighting that colicky colt yesterday, it stands to reason yore shoulders might be squawkin’ a mite.”

“I take care of myself. I don’t need you to coddle me.”

Polly sat up in the bed. “Miss Lovejoy cuddles good, Daddy. Why don’t you want her to cuddle you?”

❧

He said coddle, not cuddle. It means to fuss and pamper, Pollywog. I don’t expect no one’s gonna cuddle your pa, on account of him bein’ prickly as a berry bramble.

Lovejoy woke early the next morning and groaned over the memory of what she’d said to Polly last night. If she hadn’t given her word that she’d stay and help Delilah and Alisa with their birthings, she’d gladly pack her bags and run off.

Facing Daniel after she’d said that was going to test her composure. Why is he different from every other man? I cain hold my own with any other buck in the world, but Dan—well, he just manages to take me by surprise.

She dressed and searched in vain for another scrap of string to tie her plait.

Miriam slipped into the room. “I thought I heard Caleb.”

“He’d jist started stirrin’ a bit.” Lovejoy lifted him from his cradle. “He’s a fine boy.”

Miriam took him and rubbed noses with her son. “That’s because you take after your daddy, don’t you?”

The one thing Lovejoy missed about Salt Lick Holler was that she never had any solitude. Why, back home, when she was feelin’ a mite blue, she could go out all on her lonesome and natter with God about her achy heart. Most days she felt happy with her lot in life, but every now and again she struggled with being a lonesome, barren woman surrounded by blossoming families. Watching the folks at the MacPherson and Chance ranches hip-deep in love. . .well, now that was a right wondrous thing. But it also hurt. Times like this, her arms ached to hold a young’un of her own, and there were times she wished she wouldn’t be going back home to an empty house.

But what about how I acted last night? I could end up just as bitter as Daniel if I let this briar patch of self-pity hold me fast.

“It looks to be a fine morn. I’m gonna go gathering.”

“Why don’t you wait ’til after breakfast? Delilah or I could go with you.”

Lovejoy shook her head. “No need.” She slipped her knife in her sheath and hastened away before Miriam asked any questions.

❧

“Lovejoy didn’t go pay a house call on anyone, did she? It’s not like her to leave others to do the cooking.”

“Are you kidding?” Gideon gave Daniel a cocky grin. “We know better than to let her off the property without your approval.”

“She went to gather more ‘yarbs,’ ” Miriam said. “Don’t worry. She has her knife, and one of the dogs was trotting alongside her.

Miriam looked at Delilah and Alisa. “Do either of you have any fabric? Lovejoy’s dresses are in tatters.”

“I’m doing nothing but sitting around.” Alisa perked up. “I can sew for her.”

“I’m goin’ to town.” Bryce propped his elbows on the table. “I suppose I could get material.”

Dan nearly choked on his coffee.

Logan hooted as the women exchanged horrified looks.

“Mrs. White would help me,” Bryce muttered.

“Fine. Have her help you.” Dan nodded curtly. “Get something pretty—orange and flowery.” He stood abruptly, suddenly feeling ridiculous. As if to provide an excuse, he tacked on, “She won’t take payment for healing my girls. At least this way I can cover my debt.”

Paul elbowed Delilah. “We owe her, too. Are you going to be picky about the color?”

“I’ll go along and see what she has.”

The table conversation ebbed and flowed. Daniel ignored it and secretly hoped Lovejoy hadn’t gotten lost. The woman didn’t seem to possess much of a sense of direction. By midmorning he couldn’t stand it anymore. Lovejoy hadn’t returned—he’d been keeping a lookout for her and determined it was time he tracked her down. What if a snake bit her or she fell and got hurt?

Daniel followed her tracks. It wasn’t hard at all. Lovejoy wore sturdy, albeit badly worn boots. The Chance women all had dainty lady’s shoes that left narrow heel imprints; Lovejoy’s small footprint was the only one with a broad heel. It wasn’t long before he discovered where she’d gone.

Her gunnysack bulged with whatever she’d harvested, and a pail of berries sat beside it, but for the first time ever, he saw Lovejoy sitting still. The woman was always in motion—working, helping, rocking a baby. Even for church, she’d either play her dulcimer or keep one of his girls content on her lap. The oldest mutt they had lay with his head in her lap, but she wasn’t stroking him. Something was wrong.