ten

Gabe felt as though the bitter temperatures outside had taken roost in his soul. His reaction to Lena’s honest emotions vexed him. How mindless of him to consider she might one day grow to care. He, Gabriel Hunters, the illegitimate son of a woman who once owned Philadelphia’s largest brothel, would never compare to a decent man like Lena’s deceased husband. How foolish for him to attempt such an inconceivable feat. He should have remained in Philadelphia, living in solitude and managing the monetary accounts of others. There his books were his friends, and they neither demanded of him nor ridi-culed him.

Defeated before he even stepped foot on Nebraska soil, Gabe determined it best to return to the life he’d left behind. He could shelter himself from the cold, from people, and from the elements, and live out his days in peace.

Is that really what you want?

Shivering, Gabe ignored the inner voice.

Do you remember how My people grumbled after I delivered them out of Egypt from Pharaoh’s cruelty? Were they not afraid and ready to return to slavery when they couldn’t see My plan? Do you want freedom or a life enslaved in bitterness and loneliness?

Gabe’s deliberations only took a moment: Caleb, Simon, and yes, Lena, promised more liberty than a ledger with worrisome numbers. Straightening, he turned his gaze into the fire. He could make an impact on these people’s lives and learn how to farm. He could contribute useful information and encourage them in their spiritual walk with the Lord. Allowing the resentment from the past to take over his resolve meant the evil forces in this world had won. God hadn’t promised him this family’s love; He’d simply instructed Gabe to follow Him to Nebraska.

Turnip tilted his shaggy head as if the dog understood Gabe’s silent turmoil. His tail thumped against the clay floor, offering no advice, only the gift of loyalty.

“Come along with me,” Gabe whispered. “You and I have more in common than what others may cogitate.” Slipping into his coat, he silently grimaced at the thought of one more night on a straw mattress. But with renewed confidence, he rolled up the three quilts for the trek to the barn.

Silently he made his way to the door with Turnip right behind him. The latch lifted with a faint click.

“And where do you think you’re going?” Lena quietly demanded.

Gabe’s gaze flew in her direction and he stiffened. Caught. “To the barn to sleep,” he replied firmly.

In the shadows, his dear wife lifted a shotgun—the one that normally hung over the door. “I said that I did not intend to bury another husband. I know how to use this.”

Gabe buried his face into the quilts to keep from laughing aloud and waking the boys or angering his wife. His earlier worries and fears, especially about James, contrasted with her resolve to keep him from the barn now seemed incredibly funny. He knew Lena’s gun wasn’t loaded. “Well, Mrs. Hunters, if I mean that much to you, then I shall surely sleep by the fire with Turnip at my feet.”

❧

The following morning, three feet of fluffy white snow banked against the dugout and house and halted any plans to attend church. Lena gazed out at the dazzling display of winter’s paintbrush. Smiling like a child with the first glimpse of a winter treat, she thought how much the boys would treasure playing outside this afternoon. She might even steal a moment with them.

Gone was the howling wind and threat of a death-chilling blizzard. In its wake, a quiet calm of white blanketed the land. The pure innocence in the aftermath of the storm reminded her of giving birth.

She watched Gabe trudge from the barn to the soddy. What had possessed her last night to pull the shotgun on him? This temper of hers had to be put to rest. My goodness, what if he had refused?

Once Gabe had resigned himself to sleeping by the fire, she’d crawled back into bed. Soon his laughter roared from the ceiling. In the next breath, she’d joined him, apologizing and holding her sides at the same time. If the boys woke, she never knew it, or maybe they simply enjoyed hearing the sound of merriment.

He is a delightful man, Lord. Why he puts up with my disposition is beyond me.

Leaning her forehead on the frosty glass window, she reflected a moment on the differences between James and Gabe. She hoped her contemplations were not wrong and quickly scanned her memory of the Bible to see if God would be dis-appointed in her comparisons. No particular verse came to mind, so she allowed her musings to continue.

James had enjoyed teasing her, sometimes unmercifully. After last night’s episode, she realized Gabe possessed a delightful sense of humor too.

James didn’t take much to book learning. He claimed nothing equaled the education of living life and taking each day as it came. Gabe placed a high regard on books and the importance of learning. Lena thought both men were right, but if she allowed herself to be truthful, she wanted her sons to have the opportunity of seeking professions other than farming if they so desired.

James sometimes grew so preoccupied with the workings of the farm that he neglected her and the boys—not because he didn’t care for them, but because his love took the form of providing his very best. Gabe put his new family right under God. She’d seen him stop his work to give Caleb, Simon, or herself his undivided attention.

James’s deeply tanned skin and dark hair had turned the heads of many women. Gabe’s light hair and pale complexion reminded her of an albino mare her father once owned. With that horse, one had to look a little closer to find the beauty—but oh, what a gentle spirit lived inside. Lena had asked for the mare, and her father had consented, stating she recognized the value of a kind heart.

She held her breath. Remembering the albino and her father’s words jolted her senses. Was there much difference between the mare and Gabe? A tear trickled down her cheeks as she realized the beginnings of love nestled in her heart.

How strange she could see so much of Gabe in such a short time. James and Gabe were notably different—each with their own strengths and weaknesses—equally good men. Before last night, she’d believed she’d never love another like James. But this morning’s reflections caused her to think otherwise.

Gabe had carried her to bed, covered her, clothes and all. Not many men were that honorable. She sighed deeply and whisked away the tears. Now she understood the wisdom in Gabe desiring them to feel affection for each other before they consummated their marriage.

The latch lifted, and Lena waited expectantly for him to enter. Her heart fluttered, and she didn’t attempt to stop it.

“Ah, Lena,” he greeted, stomping his feet before stepping inside. “The boys and I have been conversing about all of this snow, and we’d like to take a stroll. Would you care to join us?” A sparkle of something akin to mischievousness met her gaze.

“Splendid,” she replied.

He turned to leave, then added, “Leave the shotgun inside unless you think there’s a wild beast that might threaten us.”

Her eyes widened, and she giggled. “Oh, I don’t know, Gabe. A nice wolf’s pelt sounds like just the right thing.” She pulled on her boots, then grabbed her coat, mittens, and wool muffler while he waited.

“Naturally, you’d need ammunition to protect us.” They shared a laugh. “I do plan to take the rifle,” he added. “Beauty can be deceiving.”

“Yes, sadly so,” she replied, feeling utterly content.

“In what direction is the school?” he asked a few moments later, as the boys chased each other in the snow.

Lena pointed northwest and squinted at the sun’s reflection on the snow. “About two miles from here. Do you want to see for yourself?”

He nodded slowly. “Indeed.”

“I imagine the soddy is in bad shape, being left empty and all. It needed repairs before we lost the teacher.”

“Any prospects?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so. Haven’t heard anyway.”

They trudged along, stepping in and out of drifts. Gabe walked beside her, helping her through the deep piles of snow.

“It’s unfortunate no one desires the teaching position,” he said.

“Oh, the Shafer girl would love to fulfill it until a suitable person is found, but Dagget refuses. Says he needs her at home. Truth is, he’s right.”

“Is she capable?”

“I believe so. Amanda has a quick mind and certainly knows how to handle children.”

“Hmm,” Gabe replied, lifting the rifle to his shoulder. “This matter will take some thought. Perhaps I should pay a visit to Mr. Shafer in the morning when the boys deliver the milk.”

“He’ll run you off,” Lena warned, her pulse quickening at the thought of how loathsome Dagget could be. “He’s mean and selfish—almost as bad as me.” She laughed, then sobered. “Really, Gabe, he is not a good father—works all of those children much too hard. I know our staple diet is cornbread and sorghum molasses, but he could butcher some meat for those children instead of selling his livestock to buy whiskey. Wouldn’t take five minutes for you to see he doesn’t care about them or their schooling.”

Gabe lifted a brow. “But I don’t give up easily, and if his daughter would make a fit teacher—”

“Good luck,” Lena said. “He’s as contrary as a sow with pigs—and just as dirty.”

The crispness of the afternoon nipped at their breath and stung their cheeks, but Lena felt warm inside. For the first time in a long time, she felt safe. . .and content.

“Mama,” Simon called.

She glanced in his direction and saw three white-tailed deer at the edge of a snow embankment. Like statues in the landscape, the deer suddenly leaped and bounded away—so graceful and effortless.

“You should have shot one, Gabe” Simon said. “Since Mama showed you how to use the rifle.”

“Another day,” Gabe replied. “Today is for pleasure, and I don’t want to be killing an animal just for the sake of drawing blood. We have smoked venison at home.”

Simon studied him curiously, then shrugged and took out after his brother.

“I’ll take the boys hunting soon,” Gabe said. “One at a time, though, so I can establish individual rapport. And if I haven’t said it before, I appreciate your meticulous instructions on how to care for and use this rifle.”

“You’re welcome. I was amazed at your marksmanship after only a few tries.” She smiled in his direction. “Of course, the Winchester is only as good as the one who fires it.”

“Well, we shall see how skillful I am after a hunting expedition.” Gabe chuckled. “Do we have elephants and lions out here? I sort of fancy myself as a hunter of ferocious beasts.”

“Not likely, but we had a band of outlaws pass through here a few times.”

He cringed, no doubt for her to see. “I’ll take to bringing down a few geese or rabbits, if you can show me how to remove their outer coatings.”

She shook her head. “We skin animals, and we pluck feathers from birds.”

“I’ll be sure to remember that.”

Lena gasped and clutched Gabe’s shoulder. “Oh, no. Dear God, no.”