Chase (Prairie Grooms, Book Four) (18 page)

Edith released her as
Lena fought against tears. “At least I did the laundry all right,” she said. “I suppose it's harder to mess that up than baking pies.”

Edith laughed, patted her on the back, and led her to a chair. “Sit down and I'll get us some coffee.”

Lena sat, and
for the first time, noticed the coffee pot on the stove and its rich aroma along with something else. “Are you baking?”

Edith grabbed the pot and poured
them each a cup. “I just put some cookies in. I thought the three of us could use a break and coffee and cookies always do the trick for Jefferson. I was surprised I found all the supplies to make them. I thought Chase would only have a few things.”

“Lots of clothes and
lots of supplies. At least his house is well-stocked,” commented Lena.

“It appears so.
He even has a sewing basket.”

Lena took the coffee cup from Edith and for the first time, noticed the small sewing basket in the chair next to hers. Edith took the basket, put it on the table, and sat. Lena felt her eyes droop, shook herself, and sipped her coffee. “I could use a cookie right now.”

Edith laughed. “Don't worry, they'll be done in a few minutes. Jefferson will be in by then as well. I'm sure he's finished out in the barn.”

“What has he bee
n doing out there all this time?” Lena asked.

“Straightening
up, putting things in order. He may have also gone hunting.”

“
Hunting?”

“
Of course,” said Edith. “You have to have something to cook for supper.”

“
What?!”

“Now stop that
, Jefferson will show you how to skin a rabbit, that is, if he catches any. He’s moving slower right now, so might not have any luck.”

Lena's stomach lurched. “Oh,
dear,” she choked. “I almost hope he doesn’t. I think I might be sick.”

Edith shook her head again. “My dear, sweet girl, you have got to get a hold of yourself or you’re never going to learn these things.”

L
ena pointed at her. “Exactly! That's what I mean when I say I’ll never be able to do this!”

Edith sighed again, this time in exasperation.
“Let me put it another way. There's a first time for everything, and after you do it once, the second time is easier, understand?”

Lena put her face in her hands. “It will take a hundred times.”

“
Would you believe me if I told you I was as squeamish as you at one time?”

Lena brought her face out of her hands and gaped at Edith.

“
It's true,” said Edith. “The first time I plucked and cleaned a chicken I got sick. I was so used to my mother doing it, that when she asked me to do it for the first time, I was horrified.”

“
What lady wouldn't be?”

“
With your fancy upbringing, and a house full of servants, for you I can understand. I'm not saying that I'm not a lady, but what I am saying is that out here, there are things you have to do to survive. Eating is one of them, and when you're hungry enough, plucking a chicken or cleaning a rabbit means nothing.”

Lena closed her eyes. Everything hurt
, and her stomach growled. She sat and tried to imagine what it would be like to go without food for several days, and what her hunger might drive her to do. But her imagination would not allow her to think of such a terrible thing, so she opened her eyes and nodded at Edith in understanding. “I shall endeavor to remember where I am. It seems I have a strong tendency to forget.”

Edith reached across the table and took one of Lena’s hands. “We've all done it. A lapse is normal, but just make sure you don't have them too often. Out here it could cost you your life.”

Lena stared at her, and
swallowed hard. “I… I understand. I'll try not to let my guard down too often.”

“
See that you don't,” said Edith. She then smiled. “Now, let's check if those cookies are done, shall we?

* * *

As it turned out, Jefferson didn’t return for cookies and coffee as Edith predicted, so the ladies took a few moments to explore the house. Upstairs they discovered two good-sized bedrooms, and Edith informed Lena of the necessity of having at least two. “You'll be able to fit four youngins’ in that second bedroom,” she said.

“
Four?” Lena gasped. “I have a hard enough time thinking of one!”

“
Nonsense,” said Edith. “Mothering is as easy as rolling off a log.”

Lena stifled a groa
n as she studied the room. There wasn't a stitch of furniture in it, and she tried to imagine four little beds lined up against one wall. “What happens if we have both boys and girls? I'm sure this will be fine for a while but…”

“
Worry about that when you come to it,” suggested Edith. “Right now you need to worry about what you're going to fix Chase for supper.”

“Oh dear, must I
?”

“
Yes, you must. You're going to be cooking that man's breakfast and supper and sending him off to work with something for lunch. He can't expect you bring it into town.”

“
I should hope not,” said Lena as she turned and left the room. She stood on the landing and gazed out the window that looked over the barnyard. The barn itself was behind the house and set slightly off to one side. This way it could be seen when one was inside, or approaching the house when outside. It was then she noticed there were no curtains in any of the windows. How could she have not noticed it before? She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Probably because when she first arrived, she was terrified. Terrified of botching things up so badly, that Chase would send her back to England. But no, she had to stop this line of thinking. It would get her nowhere and only discourage her further. She stood a little straighter, squared her shoulders, and marched into the other bedroom. This one had a bed. But of course it would, except …

“
Well land sakes,” breathed Edith. “Will you look at that?”

Lena and Edith stared at the beautiful canopy bed. Its dark wood glistened from the sunlight streaming through the window and brightened the colorful quilt that graced its surface. It looked very out of place in a rustic cabin, and would have fit much better in a townhouse in London. “Where did this bed come from?” asked Lena.

“
Don't rightly know,” answered Edith. “But I'm sure Chase will tell you if you ask him.”

“That
I will,” said Lena as she admired the beautiful piece of furniture.

“
Anybody home?” a male voice called up the stairs.

“
Jefferson,” said Edith. “He'll be wanting his cookies now.”

She turned and left the bedroom, leaving Lena where she stood. “Well, Mr. Adams. I know what we’ll be discussing over dinner tonight.” She turned to follow Edith. “That is, if I'm able to cook you any.”

Downstairs Jefferson sat at the kitchen table as Edith poured him a cup of coffee. Two dead rabbits lay in the dry sink, and Lena had to force herself to look at them. “Oh, my, it appears you've caught dinner.”

“
Took a while, but I got us some,” said Jefferson as he reached for a cookie. “You can help me skin em’.”

Lena began to
sink to the floor, but grabbed a chair to stay upright. “Gladly,” she squeaked.

“Ain’
t nothin’ to it,” said Jefferson. “I’ll skin one and you can skin the other.”

Lena had to sit. She gripped the table for support and closed her eyes. Good grief! Why was she dizzy?

“
Chase got anything around here to make rabbits stew?” Jefferson asked Edith.

“
As a matter of fact he does,” she informed him. “I found a few vegetables and potatoes in his root cellar. Lena will be able to make a fine meal for the man.”

“
Glad to hear it, can't wait to get started.” cheered Jefferson. “How about you, missy? Bet you can't wait to start cookin’ for that man of yours!”

Lena gave him a lop-
sided smile, and nodded as best she could. If she looked at the rabbits again and thought of what had to be done, she’d lose the cookies she ate earlier.

Jefferson took a few more sips of his coffee, set his cup
down, then rubbed his hands together. “Time to get started! Come along Miss Lena, let's go make that man of yours some supper!”

Be brave
, Lena, she thought to herself.
You can do this! It's just a couple of cute, fuzzy, very dead…

“
What's the matter, dear?” asked Edith. “You look pale as milk!”

Lena swallowed hard. “I don't think I can do this.”

“I done told ya there ain't nothin’
to it!” barked Jefferson as he pulled out a huge knife and put it on the table. He got up, grabbed the rabbits by their hind legs, and held them out to her. “Here, we’ll take them out back.”

Lena's stomach heaved, and her
hand quickly flew to her mouth.

Jefferson gawked at her. “Oh for crying out loud,” he complained. “Don't tell me you're gonna be squeamish over a couple of rabbits? What would Cozette Cooke think?”

Lena's hand flew
from
her mouth. “Sir, I am not, nor will I ever be, Cozette Cooke. I am tired of hearing how the Duchess can shoot and kill innocent animals, skin and then eat them! I'd rather die than do such a thing!”

Jefferson looked at his wife, shrugged, then looked back to Lena. “Well I hate to be the one to tell you this, young lady. But with that attitude, you just might.”

* * *

The next few hours were grueling as Lena helped Jefferson and Edith prepare dinner. This included skinning and butchering the rabbits, during which time Lena only got sick twice --Bravo! She’d bet on at least a half a dozen times-- chopping vegetables, potatoes, then finding the proper seasonings.

As she stirred the
stew, she realized she'd worked harder that day than she had in her entire life. A frightening thought, considering Edith did over half the work.

The front
door swung open, and made Lena jump. “What's for supper?” Chase asked as he sauntered into the cabin.

She spun to face him. Their gazes locked. Dust covered his shirt and face but did nothing to diminish the pleased look on his face, nor his wide smile and handsome features. He crossed the room and stood before her, peeked over her shoulder at the pot on the stove, and sniffed the air. “Smells like rabbit,” he said, his voice soft.

She nodded, too dumbstruck by the closeness of him to speak. He took the ladle from her hand, leaned forward to reach behind her, and stirred the stew. Positioned as he was, their bodies were touching. Lena almost had to grab onto him to keep her balance.

“
Sure is nice to come home and smell your cooking,” he told her. He turned his face to look into her eyes, and was but inches away. “Smells great. I can't wait to taste it.”

She nodded again. “Neither can I,” she whispered. She should tell him Edith did most of the work as far as the cooking went, but she did play a heavy part in the dessert.

“
I'd better go wash up,” he said as he gazed at her in a languid manner.

“
Uh-huh …”

“
What’s the matter, Miss Lena? Can’t ya talk?” He asked, his voice a mere whisper, as he drew closer.

She shook her head. T
he nearness of him was utterly intoxicating, even if he did smell of horse.

He looked her right in the eye, tucked a finger under her chin, and tilted her face up, bringing her lips closer to his. “I sure am looking forward to supper …”

She nodded again as he slowly moved away, turned, and headed for the front door. He disappeared from the house for a moment but soon returned, a bucket in hand. He went to the pump, got some water, and took it upstairs.

Lena couldn’t
breath, realizing she hadn’t for several seconds, and sat. Her heart was pounding in her chest like a herd of galloping horses. She felt strange all of the sudden, as if he'd drained all sense from her. She couldn't think, couldn't speak, and couldn't remember that she had pies baking in the oven …

Thirteen

“
Oh no!” Lena cried as she ran for the oven. After Chase had gone upstairs, it gave her a moment to gather her wits. She decided to wash up and get ready for dinner as well. However, in doing so she became sidetracked when she saw Edith and Jefferson standing outside the barn. “Did you finish your work?” she asked Jefferson.

“
Yes, would you like to see?”

“
Of course,” she told him. “After all, it's nice to know I'm not the only one who slaved all day.”