Lena ladled the freshly churned butter into a small bowl and proceeded to rinse it thoroughly before packing it lightly into a yellow mound. Gabe loved his bread and butter. Even when Caleb and Simon complained about the endless meals of corn bread, Gabe never said a word. Instead, he’d reach for a second hunk. At night, he loved to sit before the fire and feast on leftover corn bread with milk and molasses. Didn’t take much to please her husband.
The snow this March came lightly and in inches rather than feet. A few more heavy storms might fall upon them, but the likelihood lessened as the days drew closer to spring. Lena loved the seasons, but she’d had enough of snow and ice.
What a winter, Lena mused, but a much easier one with Gabe to share each day. He’d changed so much since the first time she’d seen him at the train station in Archerville—and not simply in appearance. That alone proved startling enough. He’d shed all the excess weight, and the work outside had tightened his muscles and darkened his skin. One glance at his copper-colored eyes could leave her breathless, and his thick blond hair, well …
In short, Gabe Hunters had transformed into quite a handsome man, but his heart had won hers from the moment he reached out to her and the boys.
I’m a pretty lucky woman to find a man who loves me as much as I do him.
So much had happened in the last month. Dagget had given his permission for Amanda to teach school, and the area farmers had pitched in to make the soddy presentable. Gabe had offered his assistance in helping Amanda form a schedule and arrange the classes. He’d been guiding her through basic reading, writing, and arithmetic much like she’d done with her brothers.
Today, Gabe had gone hunting while the boys were in school, much to Caleb and Simon’s regret. They’d have gladly gone along, skipping their lessons with Amanda in light of a few hours in the wilds. Gabe had taken to regularly bringing in game, and today he had his sights on taking Dagget with him. How strange that these two different men had grown to be such good friends.
“Hello,” a voice called.
Lena strained her ears. She didn’t recognize the voice. Her gaze trailed to the loaded shotgun hanging over the door.
“Hello, Lena?”
She peeked through the window. Dread washed over her.
“Lena!”
She opened the door to see Riley O’Connor dismounting his horse. Gabe will not be happy about this. “My husband’s not here,” she said, crossing her arms.
Riley shot her a wide grin as he tied his mount to the porch post. “I hoped he’d be gone.”
“Why?” she snapped. Remembering that Riley’s temperament when challenged equaled her own, Lena rephrased the question. “I don’t understand why you need to see me.”
“I think you have a good idea.” He loped toward her, offering an easy smile. “I wanted to see you.”
She didn’t like him, not one bit. “Unless you have business with Gabe, then you don’t have any reason to be here.”
“You and I have unfinished business,” he said in a low voice, standing dangerously close.
Lena stepped back and took a deep breath. Hold your temper. He’s bigger than you. “We have nothing to talk about.”
“I asked you to marry me, you refused, and now you’re married to that city feller.”
“Then everything is settled.” Lena lifted her chin in hopes he understood her silent dismissal.
Riley’s eyes narrowed, and he lifted one worn boot onto the porch. “You never gave me a chance.”
“For what?”
“To win you back.”
“You never had me. Riley, please, just leave. I am a happily married woman. I love my husband very much, and he’s going to be upset when he finds out you’ve been here.”
“Good. I’d like the chance to fight ’im.”
She closed her eyes and fought for control. Anger bubbled hotter than a pot of lye and tallow. “My Gabe has better things to tend to than fighting you. In case you’ve forgotten, you and I never courted, never kissed—unlike what you told Gabe—never anything. As I remember, you rode up one day and stated you were planning to marry me. I said no then, and I would say no again, even if you were the last man in the world!”
Riley’s foot slipped from the porch, leaving a clump of fresh manure on the edge.
“Aw, Lena, just let me come inside for a spell. I’m sure you’ll change your mind.”
“Get out of here.”
“You’re making a terrible mistake. Lots of women think I’m good to look at.”
She gritted her teeth. “I don’t. Take your charms to one of them.”
A wry smile spread over his face. “Why don’t we just see?”
Quickly, Lena stepped inside the open door and slammed it. “You’d best leave, Riley. I have a shotgun in here, and I’m not afraid to use it.”
“I’m goin’! I feel sorry for your husband. You ain’t worth the trouble.”
Latching the door, Lena peeked through the side of her window’s calico curtain to watch Riley gallop off. She closed her eyes and touched her pounding heart. I’ve got to tell Gabe.
That evening, while the boys tended to chores and Gabe skinned three rabbits—Dagget had brought down a deer—Lena stole over by the well where Gabe hunched over the animals.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, lifting a brow. “You look upset.”
She nodded and wrapped her shawl closer about her shoulders.
“It’s too cold for you without a coat, Lena. Why don’t you stay warm by the fire, and I’ll be there momentarily.”
“You don’t mind?”
He smiled. “I’m finished, and I rather enjoy the opportunity to catch my wife alone.”
A few moments later, Gabe joined her at the table. She poured both of them a cup of freshly brewed coffee and sat across from him, her mind spinning with Riley’s unpleasant visit. For a few tempting seconds, she thought of not telling him at all. Who would know the difference? No, that’s wrong.
Taking a deep breath, she blurted out, “Riley O’Connor paid a visit while you were hunting with Dagget.” It didn’t sound at all as she intended. Trembling, she wrapped her fingers around the mug of hot coffee.
Gabe stared at her, emotionless. “What did he want?”
“He was up to no good, saying things that weren’t true.”
“What did he want, Lena, and what did he say?”
Suddenly, she burst into tears. “Gabe, if that man ever shows up on our land again, I’m going to fill his backside with buckshot!”
“I’d like to know what happened.” The cold tone of Gabe’s voice nearly frightened her.
“He just talked about him and me … insinuating we used to court. I hurried back into the cabin and told him to leave or I’d get the shotgun after him.”
Solemnly, Gabe rose from the table. “I believe I need to pay Mr. O’Connor a visit. I won’t have this in my home.”
She grabbed his suspenders. “No, Gabe, please. That’s what he wants. I told him I was happily married and I loved you.” She glanced up at him through blinding tears and repeated the conversation word for word.
Sighing heavily, Gabe lowered himself onto the chair. A distant look filled his eyes, and for a moment, she saw a stranger before her. “I’m glad you told me,” he finally said.
“I couldn’t keep anything from you. We’re supposed to share everything.” This is not like Gabe. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he didn’t believe me!
A shadow of something she didn’t recognize swept over his face. “I’m not sure what to do.”
“Nothing, Gabe. I really don’t think he’ll be back. I made him plenty mad.”
This time his gaze captured hers, and the grim look changed to the one she cherished. “Let’s hope it deterred him, for if there is a next time, I’ll be forced to take drastic measures. No one, I repeat, no one will accost my wife.”
Lena said nothing as Gabe snatched up his coat from the peg and headed outside. A sick feeling swirled around her stomach. Why did she feel he doubted her?
Gabe finished skinning the rabbits with a vengeance that frightened him. Dagget Shafer. Riley O’Connor. How many other men had vied for Lena’s attention? Had she encouraged them? Was she still seeing Riley? Why did she have to be so beautiful? He knew the degradation of men when they became consumed by a comely woman. Jealousy enveloped their lives. One sin led to another. Drunkenness. Fights. Murder. Families destroyed and a host of other atrocities.
And I’m traveling down the same highway of destruction. My jealousy has to cease, or I’ll shatter my marriage. He’d fall victim to the same wickedness he’d sworn never to enter. Gabe swiped at a single tear coursing down his cheek. His relationship with Lena ranked second to God. Only a fool would destroy something as good as the Father’s gift.
Dropping the knife, he wiped his hands clean on the snow. If only he could eliminate the bitter memories as easily as he’d just washed his hands. Gabe stood and took long strides back to the cabin.
The moment he opened the door, he could see Lena had been weeping. He hated what he saw, knowing his insensitive response had ushered in her tears.
“Lena.” He crossed the room and took her into his arms. “I apologize for not understanding how today affected you. All I could dwell on was Riley coming after you.”
“You have nothing to be jealous of,” she whispered, stroking his cheek and no doubt seeing his single tear. “You are what is most important to me—you and our sons.”
He held her against him, his fingers running through her dark silky hair, her breath soft and warm against his neck. “I’m so fortunate to have you in my life. Please forgive me.”
“Oh, Gabe. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Riley O’Connor is a difficult man. You reacted like any man who’d been insulted.”
“It’s no excuse for me to be difficult, too. We have so many fine friends, and I don’t need to make a fuss over one ill-mannered scoundrel.”
“I love you, Gabe Hunters. Nothing’s going to change my heart.”
He held her close, chasing away his fears and bitterness. Someday, he’d have to tell her about Mother and the others, but not now. For this moment, he wanted to simply cherish the woman in his arms.