Recalling Noah’s words about the calving, did that mean she would have to go alone? Urgh. She hated driving a wagon, or even a buggy. She’d had a little practice, but supplies were getting low, and soon enough, there would be no choice.
Instead of dwelling on the future, she concentrated on organizing supper. She’d killed a chicken yesterday, so could make a nice chicken roast for tonight. That way, there would be leftovers for his lunch tomorrow. She glanced outside. The sun was shining, and it looked inviting. She would take in some fresh air before beginning her day of cooking and cleaning.
Wiping away the last of her errant tears, Mary stepped outside. The warmth hit her, just as it did when Noah touched her, even for the briefest of moments. Shaking the thought away, she walked down the few steps and into the garden. At some point there had been a vegetable patch here. It wasn’t tiny either, and could accommodate all their produce requirements if it were allowed to grow again. She wondered why Noah had let it go so badly.
She stared at the barren ground. Without thinking she dropped to the ground and began to run her fingers through what she was certain would once have been rows of vegetables. There was nothing there now, not even any so much as a dead root. She made up her mind there and then to buy some plants at the mercantile. Seeds would be cheaper, but plants would grow to full size far quicker.
Mary made a mental note to buy a nice assortment when she was there next. Excitement shivered through her. After the last time Pa had ripped out her carrots for the pigs, she hadn’t bothered again. It was futile. She planted them in, he pulled them out.
She would get carrots, potatoes, beans, and perhaps parsnips. Maybe even corn. She was certain Noah wouldn’t mind.
The wind picked up and a shiver went through her. Mary headed back inside, her mind full of possibilities.
~*~
Noah went straight to the washroom when he arrived home. The stench wasn’t as bad as the pigs, but it wasn’t good either. He stripped off his clothes, then walked through the house in nothing but his drawers.
Was he going to do this every day after calving? It was unsettling, and it took all her effort for Mary to look away.
He stood in the middle of the kitchen and breathed in their supper. “Smells good,” he said, then went on his merry way as though nothing was amiss.
But it was amiss. Her husband stood near naked in the middle of the kitchen – his torso bare, and his muscles rippling. He was a fine specimen of man, and she could not touch him. Couldn’t even hug him. She thought back to those first days when she arrived. He’d held her in his arms, and she’d felt safe, protected, but especially wanted.
She no longer felt wanted – except for her housekeeping skills. It broke her heart into tiny pieces.
Mary heard water running in the bathroom and busied herself with setting the table. If she knew what time Noah would be home each evening, she could have a bath ready for him.
At least he bothered with a bath. Pa rarely did, which made his stench even harder to bear.
“Oh Lordy,” she said under her breath, and ran into the washroom. There sitting on the bench was a pile of freshly folded towels. There wasn’t a single towel left in the bathroom for her husband to use.
She tapped on the door. “I’m sorry, Noah,” she called as her heart raced. “I have the towels out here.”
She was sure she could hear him laughing. “Come in.”
Her hand wrapped tightly around the handle, Mary gingerly opened the door. There in the bathtub sat her husband, his chest lathered in soap. She quickly covered her eyes with her hand.
He chuckled. “How are you going to get to the cupboard like that,” he asked, his mirth plain to hear. “Bring one over here will you?”
Her hand dropped from her face and she glared at him. “That wouldn’t be proper,” she said, then turned, ready to flee.
“Mary,” he said gently. “I’m your husband. Of course it’s proper.” She glanced up to see a grin on his face, but it soon disappeared when she glared at him. What he was thinking, she would never know.
“It’s not a proper marriage,” she said firmly. “Which means it’s not in line with propriety.” Before he could say another word, she threw the towel across the room, then turned to leave.
“Good grief, Mary!” She’d never heard Noah angry before and spun around at the unfamiliar sound. “This is becoming ridiculous,” he said softly, reverting back to his normal demeanor.
At the sight of the wet towel floating in the bath water, Mary suddenly stopped. Had the towel connected with her husband? Had it harmed him? His expression was one of annoyance, but he didn’t seem to be injured.
“Please pass me a dry towel and bring it over here.” He sounded more exasperated than anything, but Mary felt wary. Pa would have clipped her up the side of the head, but she didn’t think Noah would do that to her. Would he? She braced herself and took a tentative step forward. “Now please, Mary.” He reached under the water and removed the plug. Mary stood mesmerized watching the water swirl down the drain. Anything to stop looking at her husband in all his glory.
He cleared his voice and she suddenly leapt forward, handing over the towel and turning once again to leave. Her caught her by the wrist. “I think it’s time we talked, don’t you?”
“What about?” Her voice was small, and barely audible.
