“I noticed the fine workmanship in the bed. Did your husband build it for you?”
“It was a wedding gift from my Father who is a skilled craftsman. We packaged it securely in a crate and carried it in the wagon West with us.”
“Nice keepsake. Does it make you lonely now – like you want to go East again?”
“Not in the least. My husband would come back and haunt me. This was all my idea. He’d have stayed home and pursued a more gentlemanly career. It’s my fault he died and I’ll never do that to a man again.”
“Open up.” He pushed a spoonful in her mouth. “Don’t quite see it that way myself. Does a man’s heart good to make his woman happy. He’d do most anything if he really loved her.”
“That’s nice of you to say. Jacob was a gentle sort. I should have left him alone and fell in love with a more adventurous drifter.”
Bernie bit his lip but the words slipped out anyway, “Like me, ma’am?”
She laughed and his spirit lifted. “I suppose. You are certainly a rugged frontiersman, but your kind were sadly lacking from the pool of men in North Carolina seeking my hand in marriage.”
“I know your name is Janelle cause Livvy at the store told me. Can I call you that? Ma’am seems a mite formal,” Bernie said.
“You may – Bernie, wasn’t it?”
“That’d be it.”
“Well, Bernie, I think I can spoon the broth into my own mouth.” She grinned. He passed her the utensil and returned to the rocker.
“When you’re done, I’ll stretch my blanket out on the rug in front of the fire. I think your need for doctoring is nearly done.”
“I recall you mentioning that you were seeking a spot to bunk down for the winter?” said Janelle.
“Yes, but I won’t impose on you, unless you think I can be of service.”
“You already have: Venison for my table. I remember wakening once when Davey was lying under the covers with me on the floor. He was so cold but I couldn’t seem to move. Then darkness overcame me and the next time I stirred; you were here.”
“There was plenty of frost inside the cabin when I arrived, But it’s right cozy in here now. There’s even a bit of leftover stew – more like soup. I forgot to thicken it. When you’re feeling up to eating some, I’ll bring it in. Fetched some grub from the mercantile, so if you’re in agreement I can start some bread rising in the morning, My Ma taught me how to make the basics, enough to keep a man alive.
“The aroma of fresh baked bread will surely have me on my feet again. Thank you, Mr. Drysdale.”
“I did sort of make a mental list of jobs I could do around here. And there’s a nice cozy spot in the barn I can set up for sleeping. Suppose I’d appreciate you taking me on for a few months ‘til we’re both back on our feet. A man doesn’t mind drifting with the hot sun on his back and longer days than nights.”
“I hear tell the best decisions are made in the middle of the night,” said Janelle. “So, yes, I shall welcome the help, Mr. Drysdale. This wanna-be farm girl knows her limitations.”
“Only if you call me Bernie. That’s the deal.”
She placed the empty broth bowl on the bedside table. “You’ve refreshed my confidence in the male species.” Janelle yawned. “I believe I’m ready to sleep again.”
He picked up his blanket and the bowl. “Goodnight, Janelle. I’ll leave the door open a crack to let the heat in and I can hear should you call for help before sun-up.”
Bernie watched her snuggle low beneath the blankets then lifted the lantern and went into the main room. He stoked the fires and after folding his coat for a pillow, spread his blanket on the braided mat. Not nearly as comfy as the hotel room last night or the straw bed he’d fix for himself in the barn, but for the few hours that remained before dawn, it’d do fine.
The next time he roused, Davey stood over him. He squinted his eye and grinned. “Morning, boy.”
“Morning Mr. B. Dreamt about a whole herd of deer coming to the old buck’s funeral last night. Do you think critters mourn the loss of family?”
“Can’t say I know the answer to that. But heard me a preacher say once that God gave man dominion over the land and all the creatures that dwelled in it. So, I take that to mean it’s all right to kill meat to fill hungry bellies – if that’s what’s bothering you.”
“And the Good Book also says that man was created in His likeness, with a body, mind, and spirit to separate us from other critters that react mainly through instinct.”
Bernie jumped to his feet at the sound of the voice coming from Janelle’s room. “You’re awake?”
“I am. A little wobbly but on my feet thanks to your care.”
“I haven’t got the bread baking. You should have stayed in bed a while longer.” He threw his blanket on a nearby chair and hurried into the kitchen. “Don’t even have the fire stoked. You’re an early riser.”
“I’ve been sleeping for days, whereas you slept most of the night in a wooden rocking chair and the rest on a hard floor.” She moved to his side. “I’ll make the bread. You can go with Davey and start chores.”
Bernie lifted his brow. “Chores? You don’t have many animals in your barn to rightly call it chores.”
“Afraid my husband and I got off to a slow start. Jacob had so many repairs to do on the cabin before we could call it much of a home. It was in a sad state of repairs.”
