nine

“Most certainly not!” Gabe replied, a little louder than he intended.

“If you insist upon freezing to death, I will most certainly join you,” Lena replied, shrugging into her coat.

Completely frustrated, Gabe toyed with the proper words to convince her of her absurdity. He’d tried so hard to refrain from using the vocabulary that confused those around him, but his mind spun with the terms familiar to him.

“See, you cannot even argue against me.” She swung her muffler around her neck and face.

“What must I do to convince you of this foolishness?” he asked with an exasperated sigh.

“Be sensible and sleep inside by the fire.”

I’ll agree until you fall asleep. “All right. I concede to your pleas, but I must get my quilts from the barn.”

“If you aren’t back in ten minutes, I’m coming out there.”

Gabe nodded, speechless. He knew Lena meant every word. He lifted the chain deep inside his overalls pocket holding his pocket watch. From what he’d seen of his wife with Caleb and Simon, he dared not proceed a moment past her ultimatum.

Odd, he used to have to tug on that chain to retrieve his pocket watch. Glancing at the small clock on the fireplace mantle, he double-checked the time.

“I’ll be waiting,” she said, folding her hands at her waist.

He’d seen that menacing look on her face before. The lightning stare didn’t occur often, but he understood the flash occurred before the thunder. Truth of the matter was, he enjoyed Lena’s feisty moments. She’d told him right from the start about her temper, but he’d yet to see it vex him. The few times she lashed out at the boys, they needed an upper hand.

The frigid air nearly took his breath away—a raw-bone cold that sought to solidify his blood. Gabe buttoned his coat tighter around him. Used to be the outer garment didn’t fasten. Another oddity.

Loyal Turnip braved the cold with him. “Thanks,” he said to the dog. “I believe we men need to form lasting bonds.” Moments later he returned with his quilts, after giving himself enough time to check on the livestock.

Once he glanced at the roaring fire, he saw she’d made a soft pallet before the burning embers. All those less than comfortable nights in the barn plodded across his mind. The smells there were still offensive, but he’d grown accustomed to them, and the sounds of animals—both inside and out—no longer jolted him from his sleep. With the cold came the likelihood of fewer insect bites.

Then he saw Lena. She’d removed her outer garments, but she’d been busy.

“What are you doing?” he asked at the sight of her constructing a second pallet beside his.

“I’m staying here beside you until you go to sleep,” she replied, not once looking his way. “Gabe, you’re a determined man, and as soon as you hear my even breathing in the next room, you’ll be out the door and to the barn. Won’t happen if I’m here. I sleep like a cat.”

Have I met my match? We’ll see who falls asleep first.

“And why are you so insistent about my sleeping arrangements?” He chuckled.

She wrapped her shawl about her shoulders. “The boys’ father stepped out into a blizzard and caught pneumonia. Before two months passed, he’d died.”

Gabe frowned. “I’m sorry, Lena, but I’m overly healthy. Just take a look at my portly size.”

“If you haven’t noticed, you’re losing weight.” Her features softened. “I don’t want to lose another husband.”

With elegant grace, Lena slowly descended to the floor, sitting on the rag rug where he’d taught the boys their lessons. She pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around the faded blue dress she wore every day but Sunday. An intense desire to draw her to him and kiss her soundly inched across his mind—just as it had earlier when she’d touched him. He couldn’t have this. Gabe Hunters had made a commitment. He’d feign sleep, then creep to the barn.

“Shall we talk?” he asked. “I’m not ready to retire.”

“I’d like that,” she replied quietly. “Is there anything you need? The pillow is nice and soft.”

“No, I’m fairly comfortable, thank you.”

Gabe studied her, this enigma before him. This puzzling, confusing, perplexing woman who bore his name. So unlike his mother, Lena’s spirit heightened with compassion and tenderness, even when angered. He didn’t want to learn to love her, not really. A part of him didn’t trust or rather refused to trust a woman as lovely as Lena Hunters. But. . .in quiet moments like these, he allowed himself to dream of this genteel woman loving him.

“You are an excellent teacher for the boys,” she said, resting her chin on her knees. “They are learning so much.”

He smiled, recalling their impish grins and eager minds. “They are teaching me as much if not more.”

“We’ve been married a month,” she said, glancing his way.

“A good month. An abundance of work has been done.”

“Some days, I think you work too hard.”

“Nonsense. I must compensate for all the skills I lack in farming.”

She sighed, and her shoulders lifted slightly. “I’m impressed with what you’ve accomplished. You’re making yourself into a fine farmer.” With lowered lashes, she stared back at the fire. As though mesmerized by its brilliance, she blinked and took another deep breath.

She’s exhausted. My poor Lena, and she’s concerned about my welfare.

“You need your rest,” he urged.

“I will when you fall asleep. Shall I read to you?”

He pondered her question. “I believe so, then I’ll read to you.”

She nodded and reached for the Bible. “What would you like to hear?”

“I don’t have a preference. Why not your favorite passage?”

So close he could see a shimmer from her fire-warmed cheeks, Gabe listened to Lena read the book of Ruth. No wonder she chose this accounting of such a godly woman. Ruth, like Lena, was a widow who put her faith and trust in the Almighty God. He delivered Ruth from her poverty and blessed her in the lineage of Jesus Christ. How wonderful if Gabe could be Lena’s blessing.

He listened to every word, concentrating on the musical lilt of her voice. She was tiring; too many times she shifted and straightened to stay awake.

“No matter how many times I hear Ruth’s story, I’m im-pressed with her devotion to Naomi,” he said when she completed. I shall not say a word about the weariness plaguing her eyes. “Now, I will read to you. Perhaps a novel?”

“Not David Copperfield,” she whispered, covering her mouth to stifle a yawn. “The boys will be jealous. More of the Bible sounds fine, perhaps the Psalms. They are so soothing at the end of a long day.”

“Excellent choice. I’ll start with Psalm 119.” Gabe thumbed through the pages, noting she grew more tired as time progressed. “ ‘Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. . . .’ ”

By the time, Gabe reached verse sixty, Lena had drifted asleep, her head resting on his left shoulder, her body completely relaxed. Being careful not to disturb her, he wrapped his arm around her frail shoulders. She snuggled closer, bringing a contented smile to his lips. He’d won in more than one way this night. Although he needed to quietly slip out to the barn, right now he wanted to close his eyes and bask in the joy of having her next to his heart.

He delighted in her face flushed with the firelight and her lips turned up slightly as if she enjoyed some wonderful dream. Tendrils of black had escaped from the hair carefully pinned at the back of her head to frame her oval face, and the thought of seeing those long silky tresses drape down over her shoulders filled him with pleasure. Such a sweet, altruistic soul. He felt dizzy with the moment, painfully aware of her nearness. Surely his sensibilities existed in an ethereal realm.

Daring to lean his head against hers, Gabe fought the urge to kiss her forehead. For the first time in his life he felt protective. Oh, Father, is it so wrong of me to pray this angel of a woman might someday love me? I’ve vowed not to care that deeply, but she is breaking my will—or is it You acting on my behalf?

How much longer he sat with Lena snuggled against him, Gabe did not know, only that this timeless moment must certainly be a glimpse of heaven.

Slowly he began to nod. As much as Gabe resisted allowing the closeness between him and Lena to fade, he must put her to bed. With more ease than he anticipated, he gathered her lithe body in his arms and slowly rose to his feet.

Lena neither stirred nor did her breathing alter. I thought you slept like a feline. As she lay against his chest, she sighed. Gabe wanted to believe she felt content because of him. Glancing down, he saw her face looked as smooth as a young girl’s. She must have been a beautiful child.

He couldn’t help but pull her closer, cradling her like he’d seen mothers carry their babies. He prayed she wouldn’t waken, not because of his vow to sleep in the dugout, but because he wanted to relish in the softness of this sweet woman for as long as possible.

Gabe moved slowly into the bedroom. He clutched his wife with one arm and pulled back the quilts with the other. Gingerly he laid her on the straw mattress. The thought of removing her shoes crossed his mind, but he feared waking her. Instead, he covered her completely, tucking the blankets around her chin. No point in Lena Hunters falling prey to an illness.

Gabe studied her face. Even in the midst of darkness, he could see the peacefulness on her delicate features. It took all of his might to turn and leave, knowing the bitter cold of the barn awaited him.

“James,” Lena murmured in her sleep.

Gabe shot a glance over his shoulder.

“James,” she repeated barely above a whisper. “I miss you so much when you’re gone.”