Cassidy woke the next morning enveloped in Dell’s strong arms. He stirred as she sat up. Staring down at his handsome face, she drew a deep, steadying breath as the memory of the previous night brought a blush to her cheeks.
Dell opened his eyes and smiled. “Good morning.” His voice was low and husky from sleep.
Cassidy’s eyes darted to the embers still glowing from the campfire. “Good morning,” she whispered, then stood. “I suppose I should get breakfast started.”
“Cassidy.”
Slowly she forced herself to meet his gaze.
“You might want these.”
Embarrassed, she reached out and took the boots he held.
“Thanks.” She turned and rolled her eyes. Honestly. Can you make more of a fool of yourself, Cassidy Sinclair? St. John, that is.
“And, Cassidy?”
Inwardly she groaned, but she still turned back to face him. “Yes?”
He opened his mouth, then closed it again, averting his gaze. “Never mind.”
Anxiety gnawed at her stomach. “Something wrong, Dell?”
He pulled his own boots on and stood. Coming close, he wrapped her in his arms. “Nothing’s wrong,” he said. “Everything’s right, and I don’t want to tempt the fates by saying too much.”
Cassidy pressed her head against his shoulder. “I don’t believe in the fates. I believe in God, and He has been so incredibly good to me.” She smiled as his arms tightened about her. “All I’ve ever wanted was a husband and children.”
“You certainly won’t be disappointed there. With five young’uns running around, you’ll have your hands full,” Dell said dryly.
“I wouldn’t be disappointed to add a couple more,” she replied shyly, feeling her face grow hot again.
Dell stiffened and held her at arm’s length. He stared pensively at her for a moment, then dropped his hands from her waist. “You’d best wake Em and get breakfast started while I tend the animals. We ought to be going soon if we’re to reach the ranch by nightfall.”
A chill settled over Cassidy’s heart, replacing the warmth of Dell’s arms. What had happened? Disheartened, she headed toward the wagon to rouse Emily.
After breakfast, they quickly loaded their things and were soon back on the trail. Dell rode his horse alongside the wagon, while Emily walked on the other side. Merrily she waded through the tall prairie grass, exclaiming over the sunflowers towering above her.
Following a well-worn path, they trudged along, a tense silence filling the air between Cassidy and Dell.
“It’s almost noon,” Cassidy ventured. “Should we find a place to eat dinner?”
Dell shook his head. “My brother and sister-in-law live just a ways farther. We’ll be there within the hour and can have a meal with them.”
“All right.” Silence once more permeated the air between them.
Emily played alone, occasionally letting out a delighted squeal when encountering a prairie dog or chicken. When she grew tired, she climbed up into the wagon or rode with Dell.
Cassidy’s mind wandered back to the morning conversation with Dell. What had she done? Then it hit her. Dell must not want to have any more children! Cassidy almost gasped at the revelation. Her eyes darted to Dell to see if he’d noticed, but he seemed lost in his own thoughts.
Tears welled up in Cassidy’s eyes, though she fought desperately to push them back. Not have children! But her greatest desire was to be a mother, to bear her own flesh-and-blood child. Oh Lord, what will I do?
She’d promised to love, honor, and obey her husband. God had already met her expectations and even given her more than she’d asked for. He would make a way for her. She had to trust Him.
Caught up in her own thoughts, she jumped when Dell pointed to a small structure ahead of them.
“There,” he said. “That’s where George and Olive live.”
Cassidy’s gaze followed his pointing finger, and a bewildered frown creased her brow. “I’ve never seen such a home before.”
He reined in his horse, and Cassidy followed suit with the team of oxen.
With a low chuckle, Dell dismounted and offered her his arms in assistance.
“You’ll get used to seeing soddies.” He set her carefully on her feet.
“Soddies?”
Dell nodded. “Trees are pretty scarce. Most of the homes you’ll see are made of turf.”
“Do you mean to tell me that house is made of dirt?”
“That’s right.” He looked toward the little house. “Anybody home in there?” he called.
A wooden door opened, and a small brunette appeared, wiping her hands on her apron.
“Dell!” He stumbled as she flung herself into his arms. “It’s so wonderful to see you.” She glanced over his shoulder with a frown, then turned her questioning gaze upon his face.
Dell took Cassidy by the hand. “Olive, I want you to meet my wife, Cassidy. And this,” he said, reaching for Emily, who shyly took his other hand, “is Emily, my new daughter.” There was pride in his voice. Emily had been trying out the word “Pa” all day, much to Dell’s delight.
Olive seemed flustered but recovered her composure quickly. Smiling, she grabbed Cassidy and gave her a tight hug, then repeated the action with Emily.
“It’s so nice to meet you both.” Her brown eyes twinkled, and she seemed genuinely pleased. “Well, you must be starving. I was just putting dinner on the table. George is clearing the south pasture, but don’t worry, he’ll be back anytime.” She threw Cassidy a mischievous wink. “I declare, that man can smell my prairie chicken pie five miles away.”
Dell chuckled. “Mind if I take care of the animals?”
Olive waved her hand toward the barn, also made of sod. “Of course. Help yourself to feed and water.” Turning her attention to Cassidy, she offered a friendly smile. “Come in and rest while I finish putting the food on. You can tell me all about how you two met.”
“Excuse me, ma’am,” Emily spoke up. “I need to, that is…” Her face glowed bright red.
Olive nodded her head in understanding. “It’s around back,” she said with a small grin playing at the corners of her mouth.
Emily took off running, and the two women turned back to the house.
Cassidy relaxed as she followed Olive into the soddy. The interior of the rustic home was surprisingly cool, a welcome relief from the hot wind outside.
Curiosity getting the better of her, Cassidy glanced around, hoping she didn’t appear rude but unable to stop herself. Rag rugs adorned the earthen floor in the attempt, she supposed, to give it a more homey feel. A rough little table sat in one corner, but there were no chairs around it. She wondered briefly where they would all sit for the meal. In one corner of the room stood a wood-framed bed covered with a patchwork quilt.
The sound of Olive’s laughter interrupted her scrutiny. “The first time I saw a soddy, I felt exactly the same way,” she said.
Cassidy ducked her head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude.”
Olive waved her hand. “No offense taken, really.” She let out a small giggle. “When Mother and I came out here from Georgia four years ago, I was appalled by the ‘dirt houses.’ Oddly enough, though, I’ve come to see that they are more practical than the cabins made of logs.”
“How so?”
“We’re snug and warm in the winter and nice and cool in the summer.” She removed a large iron skillet from the oven and placed it on the table. “Log cabins let in all the elements. Plus, the Indians can shoot flaming arrows until they run out of fire, but dirt doesn’t burn.”
Flaming arrows? Cassidy gulped.
“Tell me about you and Dell.” The woman moved on as though she’d never mentioned the Indians.
“Um…” How did one tell another woman expecting romantic details that she’d answered an advertisement?
Thankfully she was spared, as just then Dell made his appearance in the cabin, Emily tagging along after him. Behind them, a stocky, barrel-chested man entered. He was slightly shorter in height than Dell. His hair was completely gray, and he looked much older than his tiny wife. He sniffed the air appreciatively, then broke into a huge grin. “Hmm, chicken pie.” Grabbing Olive, he picked her up off her feet and hugged her. “My favorite.” He gave her a loud, smacking kiss on the cheek, then set her gently on the floor.
Olive slapped him lightly on the arm. “Go on, you crazy man,” she said, a flush of pleasure coloring her cheeks.
George turned and stepped toward Cassidy, extending a work-roughened hand.
“I’m George,” he said with a good-natured grin. “You must be Cassidy. I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Cassidy murmured, accepting the proffered hand.
“Well, let’s sit and eat this bounty,” George said, rubbing his hands together vigorously.
Sit? Sit where? There were no chairs in sight. Her unasked question was answered as George and Dell grabbed food barrels from the corner and placed them around the rustic table.
Emily grinned broadly and hopped up on one of the barrels. Cassidy couldn’t resist an indulgent smile at the child. New adventures kept popping up in the strangest places.
Being on the trail worked up a voracious appetite, and they ate ravenously of the delicious pie. After the meal, Olive surprised them with a fluffy marble cake.
“I made it for the church picnic after service tomorrow,” she explained, “but I’d much rather share it now to celebrate Dell’s marriage to Cassidy.”
Taken aback by the generosity, Cassidy smiled. Her heart lurched as Dell’s hand covered her own. She looked hopefully into his eyes and found that his tenderness had returned. Maybe things would be all right now.
Soon after dinner, Dell pushed back from the table. “Well,” he said reluctantly, “we’d better get going.”
“Oh, so soon?” The disappointment in Olive’s voice echoed Cassidy’s feelings.
But Dell was firm. “We need to get going. I’ve been gone two weeks longer than I intended, and there are so many things to do.”
There was a hint of weariness in his voice. Was he still ill? No, more likely just tired, as she was.
Olive nodded in acceptance and walked them out.
“Thank you so much for the wonderful dinner,” Cassidy said, taking Olive’s tiny hands in her own. “It was lovely to meet you.”
The other woman pulled her close and gave her a quick squeeze. “Dell deserves happiness. Make him happy, and we’ll be friends for life,” she whispered in Cassidy’s ear.
With a nod, Cassidy hugged her back. “I’ll do my best.”
George grinned and tugged Emily’s orange-red braid. “Well, red, you’re my niece now. Be good for your folks.”
“Yes sir,” she replied with a wide grin of her own as he lifted her up in his arms and deposited her onto the wagon seat.
Cassidy watched Olive give Dell a hug and wondered if she was whispering in his ear, too.
To Cassidy’s surprise, Dell tethered his horse to the back of the wagon. “Why don’t you climb in the back, Emily?” he suggested, pulling himself up to sit beside Cassidy as the little girl complied.
Cassidy handed him the reins, grateful that she wouldn’t have to fight the lumbering oxen for a while, at least.
Soon they were on their way, while George and Olive stood waving good-bye.
With one last look at the sod house, Cassidy wondered what she would find when they reached Dell’s home.
The sun sank low in the western sky amid a brilliant pink-orange hue as Dell pulled the wagon to a halt. “We’re home,” he announced proudly.
Cassidy opened her eyes wide at the sight before her. “Oh, it’s made of stone.” She hadn’t meant to speak aloud.
Dell laughed. “Were you afraid you had to live in a little soddy like Olive’s?”
“Maybe a little.” She smiled up at him.
“The old soddy is over there.” Dell pointed to the now-familiar structure a short way from the house. “My foreman lives there now. We lived there for the first couple of years, until I gathered enough sandstone to build the bigger house.”
Cassidy turned her attention back to her new home. Wildflowers bloomed in a bed on either side of the stairs leading up to a porch as long as the front of the house. Peeking over the roof from behind stood a windmill. And in the dusk of the evening, a gigantic oak tree cast a silhouette on the barn a few yards away.
The barnyard was surrounded by a wooden fence. A beautiful black mare cantered back and forth, earning the attention a creature so lovely deserved. Her mane, blowing in the breeze, gave her an air of royalty and took Cassidy’s breath away.
“That’s Abby,” Dell said, following her mesmerized gaze.
As if aware of the admiration, the horse stopped at the fence. Then, tossing her head, she neighed what seemed like a welcome and resumed her exercise.
Dell smiled. “It looks as though she approves of you, too. She’s yours, if you’d like.”
A thrill passed over Cassidy. “Do you mean it?”
“If you want her.”
“Oh yes, Dell, thank you. She’s lovely.”
A look of tenderness crossed Dell’s features. “You’re lovely,” he said, squeezing her hand.
She never quite knew how to respond to remarks like that from him. No one had ever told her she was pretty before. She’d heard things like, “With enough sense, you don’t need to worry about your looks.” And from old Widower Tridell, who owned the mercantile and was always hinting that she should marry his slovenly son, Merv, “You might not be the best-looking thing in the world, but you sure were built for hard work and having babies.” He’d said it like it was something she should take pride in. Cassidy’s cheeks burned just thinking about it.
“Why do you always do that?” Dell asked, dragging her back to the present.
“Do what?” She forced herself to meet him eye to eye.
“Look down and blush if I pay you a compliment.”
Cassidy shrugged. “It’s a little embarrassing, I suppose.”
“Why?”
“Look, Ma. Puppies!” Relieved by the interruption, Cassidy tore her eyes away from Dell’s smoldering gaze as Emily jumped from the wagon and ran to a pack of wiggling, various-colored pups.
“Those are new to the family. I didn’t even have a dog when I left.” He sounded just a little annoyed.
“Looks like you have several now,” Cassidy observed, finding it difficult to keep the humor from her voice as she watched the giggling Emily romping with the tail-wagging lot of them.
Dell let out a chuckle. “Oh well. I brought a couple of new additions to the family myself.” He climbed from the wagon. “Feels good to stretch my legs.”
He reached for Cassidy, who went willingly into his arms. “Welcome home, Mrs. St. John.” His voice was husky and filled with promise, making her heart lurch.
He released her as the door flew open and a curly-headed tyke ran toward the wagon. “Pa’s home!” he yelled. He reached them in no time and jumped into his father’s arms. “Pa!”
Dell squeezed the little boy, who in turn held on for all he was worth. He opened his round brown eyes and glanced over Dell’s shoulder, spotting Cassidy. Pulling slightly away, he whispered, “Who’s that?”
“This is Cassidy.”
The front door banged open as more children emerged from the house. The two older boys, grinning and gangly, sauntered shyly to their father. He grabbed them both at the same time and gathered them into a bear hug. With the tension of the initial reunion over, all the boys began to speak at once.
“Did you run into any Indians, Pa?”
“Look at the puppies we rescued,” said Jack proudly. “Old Man Taylor was gonna drowned ‘em—hey, who’s that girl? Those dogs are mine!”
“Did you bring us anything, Pa?” Luke strolled to the wagon and peeked inside.
“As a matter of fact…” Moving back to stand beside Cassidy, Dell slipped an arm around her waist and drew her firmly against him.
“Welcome home, Father.” All eyes turned toward the house—to the owner of the velvety voice.
This has to be Tarah, Cassidy thought. Her picture, lovely as it was, hadn’t done her justice. She stood, one hand holding on to the log rail that framed the porch. Long coal black tresses flowed down her back. A frown furrowed her otherwise smooth brow as she glanced from Dell to Cassidy and back to Dell again.
Dell’s face lit up. He reached the porch in a few strides and gathered his daughter gently into his arms. “You’re even more grown up than when I left, honey.” He held her at arm’s length, shaking his head. “What am I going to do with you?”
Tarah blushed. “Oh Pa.”
Dell took her by the hand and led her down the steps. “Come here. There are a couple of ladies I’d like you all to meet.”
The girl threw a wary glance in Cassidy’s direction, and even from a few yards away, Cassidy was mesmerized by her brilliant violet eyes.
“Oh Father, how wonderful,” Tarah said in a voice that Cassidy didn’t quite believe. “You’ve hired a housekeeper. Granny will be so relieved. She’s been working herself to a frazzle taking care of the cooking and cleaning, and in her weakened condition, she really needs the help.”
Granny?
“Get your claws back in, little cat,” Dell said with a chuckle.
“Why, what do you mean, Father?”
Cassidy knew exactly what he meant. The little minx was deliberately belittling her presence.
“And stop calling me ‘Father.’” He grinned and tweaked her nose. “‘Pa’ will do, like it has for sixteen years.”
Dropping his daughter’s hand, he came to stand next to Cassidy. Then, throwing a protective arm around her shoulders, he cleared his throat and made his announcement. “Everyone, I want you to meet my new wife, Cassidy. And this little girl,” he said, grinning at Emily, “is your new sister, Emily.”
Total silence ensued as four pairs of eyes stared at Cassidy. Three with hostility, one with rapture.
Jack left Emily with the puppies and ran lickety-split to his father’s side.
“Do I got a ma now?”
“You sure do, partner.” Dell swung his youngest up into his arms and laughed aloud.
“Yahoo!” He wiggled out of Dell’s arms, then stopped short, staring at Emily. “She’s my sister?”
“Yes,” Dell replied with a confused frown.
The little boy walked back to the puppies and picked up a wiggling brown ball of fur. He shoved it at Emily, who still sat on the ground cuddling the pups. “Here. This is Warrior. He’s my favorite, but you can have him if you want.”
Emily glanced in wonder at the warm little treasure in her arms. She buried her face in Warrior’s fur and received a lick on the nose. When she looked back up at Jack, her eyes were filled with tears. “Thank you. I’ve always wanted a puppy, but my pa…” She glanced shyly at Dell. “Well, my other pa always said they made him sneeze.”
“Aw, it ain’t nothin’ to cry about.” Jack shook his head and gave his father a look of disgust. “Girls.”
A lump lodged in Cassidy’s throat, and she could see by Dell’s glistening eyes that he, too, was moved.
Shyly, Jack made his way to her. “Do you want a puppy, too?” he asked. “We got five of ‘em.”
“Why don’t we let Cassidy settle in first, and we can talk about that later,” Dell said, ruffling the blond curls. “What do you say, partner?”
Jack shrugged. “Okay.”
Stiffly, Tarah stepped forward and offered Cassidy her hand. “Congratulations,” she said. There was pain in her voice as she glanced at Dell. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to finish putting supper on the table. Granny’s having another bad spell today.”
Cassidy frowned. Exactly who was Granny? Not once had Dell mentioned his mother living with them. Not that it mattered, really. Still, it would have been nice to have had some warning.
Sam and Luke followed their older sister’s example, shaking Cassidy’s hand.
“I’ll unhitch the team, Pa,” Sam said, his voice quiet and devoid of emotion.
“I’ll help him,” Luke piped in.
With a frown, Dell watched his three older children make their polite but hasty exits. A thoughtful expression crossed his face for a moment, then he grinned and clapped his hands together. “All right, the rest of you inside now. I can smell that fresh-baked cornbread from here, and it’s making me hungrier than a grizzly bear.” He glanced at Jack and Emily. “Maybe I’ll just eat one of these tasty young’uns and save myself the trouble of table manners.” With peals of laughter, the children ran toward the house, five little puppies yipping at their heels, while Dell held up his arms in a menacing, bearlike gesture.
He stopped at the entrance and turned, while Jack and Emily bounded through the door. “You coming in, Cass?”
“What about our things?” she asked, motioning to the wagon.
“The boys’ll unload for us later. Now are you coming?”
Flustered, Cassidy forced her legs to move forward. “Of course.” She smiled, stepping next to him on the porch. “You’re a good father. I’m glad for Emily.”
Without a word, Dell swung her up in his arms.
Cassidy gasped, throwing her arms around his neck for support. “Dell, put me down!”
“No ma’am. I’m not depriving myself of the pleasure of carrying my bride over the threshold.”
Dell stepped through the open door. His face was inches from hers, and Cassidy could feel his warm breath growing closer. After placing a soft kiss on her lips, he lowered her gently to her feet and circled her waist, drawing her to him.
“Well, what is this?”
Cassidy jumped back at the harsh words and turned to stare into the hostile eyes of a woman who could only be Granny. The woman stood bent over, supported by a walking stick. Her hair was snowy white and pinned up perfectly. Her glance swept over Cassidy from head to toe, and her nose lifted slightly.
Cassidy felt the urge to step behind Dell, away from the woman’s scrutiny.
Dell stepped forward and placed a kiss on the woman’s cheek. “Mother,” he said, “I’d like you to meet Cassidy.”
Cassidy frowned up at him until he added, “My wife.”
The older woman’s eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. “You dare to bring another woman into my daughter’s home?” Her voice trembled with anger, and she stamped her walking stick on the floor for emphasis. “I won’t have it. I tell you I will not have it. You may tell Tarah I will take my supper in my room.”
With a disdainful glance at Cassidy, she turned and limped away. The thud of her walking stick hitting the ground with each step was the only sound in the room.
Dell cleared his throat loudly and looked anywhere but at Cassidy.
“Dell? Is there something you forgot to mention?”
“Cass—”
“I believe there is. Let’s see, you mentioned four children. One, two, three, four.” She allowed herself the dramatization of counting them off on her fingers for him to see. “Yes, I definitely counted four. But wait. You never mentioned a mother-in-law.”
“I’m sorry—”
“So if she’s your mother-in-law,” Cassidy continued, ignoring his apology, “what does that make her to me? My mother-in-law-in-law? Do I call her ‘Mother,’ too?”
“Are you finished?” His voice was tight, and the muscles of his jaw jumped.
Cassidy’s heart fluttered. Had she gone too far?
“Yes, I’m finished,” she answered, still holding on to the anger in her voice. “For now.”
“Good. Let’s get you settled in and have supper. We can discuss this later.”
“Fine.”
“Her name is Ellen, and no, I wouldn’t suggest that you call her ‘Mother,’” he said wryly.
Cassidy threw him a scathing look and went to help Tarah get supper on the table. What in the world had she gotten herself into?