“It can burn for all I care,” he said quietly. “We need to talk about… our situation.” He finally took the towel and wrapped it around his waist, releasing her in the process.
Her heart pounded. Noah was letting her go. Sending her away.
She wasn’t ready to leave yet, if she ever would be, and she didn’t have the funds to set herself up somewhere else. Surely he didn’t intend to pay the stipend she was due at the end of their year together? They’d only been married less than six months.
Her mind was suddenly in overdrive. She had no skills – how could she get a job? Oh. Unless she found somewhere that needed a cook. Or a housemaid. She had plenty of experience with both.
Halliwell was a small town, but they had a saloon. Perhaps she could get a job there? She shook her head – that wasn’t what she wanted, she wanted to be here with Noah. Her pretend husband.
She shoved her fist in her mouth to stop herself from calling out, then fled from the room, leaving Noah to call after her.
Mary finished making the gravy with the juices from the chicken, and placed it in the jug on the table. “It smells delicious,” Noah said as he leaned over to carve the roasted chicken. Mary dished out the roasted vegetables while he did so, and placed them on a plate in the center of the table.
The freshly baked bread was accompanied by a small tub of butter.
“You certainly know your way around the kitchen,” he said lightly. It was as though their encounter in the bathroom never occurred. Mary passed him two dinner plates, and he began to dish up. “You know we need to talk,” he said, handing her a plate of food.
Mary nodded but he was certain she hoped he would forget when it came time. He reached across the table and grasped her hand, then bowed his head. “Lord, we thank you for this food and for each other. Amen.”
Mary stared at him long after he’d finished speaking. “It’s cooked to perfection,” he said, squirming under her scrutiny, then took another mouthful. “I’ve never eaten such a delicious meal,” he said, then wanted to take it back. His wife had made so many wonderful meals since she’d arrived, and his comment might upset her.
She suddenly stood. “I have a pie in the oven,” she said, snatching up the kitchen cloth. She lifted it out, placing it on the wooden board, then returned to the table.
“It feels like you’re avoiding the conversation.” He was certain she was.
“I have to go into town in the next day or so,” she said, ignoring his words and completely changing the subject. “We’re low on supplies.”
“I haven’t got time at the moment. We’re still calving.” She knew that, so why even suggest it?
She lifted her napkin and wiped at her soft lips. “I can go alone. I don’t like driving a wagon though.”
“Take the buggy. I’ll hook up the horse before I leave in the morning.”
She stared at him momentarily. “I can do it. I’ve done it before.”
He opened his mouth to remind her once more of their impending conversation, but decided against it. Meal times should be relaxing not stressful, and he didn’t want to spoil their dinner. Mary had worked hard to make this meal. He had no right to ruin it.
“I thought I’d plant a vegetable garden,” she said out of the blue. “It looks like you’ve had one before.”
He took the last mouthful of his food before answering. “I did, years ago. It wasn’t worth the effort when I lived alone. I had far too much, and even giving my brothers a share, there was a glut. I finally let the plants die off.”
Noah could see the annoyance on her face. Why did she care so much about a vegetable patch that had perished so long ago? It didn’t make sense, but it was plain to see – his neglect of that piece of dirt upset her.
He reached across the table and covered her hand. “Why does that bother you so much?” He kept his voice quiet, gentle. His loud voice had upset her earlier.
Her eyes wide with astonishment at his question, she licked her lips before answering. His eyes followed her every move. “I had a magnificent vegetable patch back home. Pa ripped it out for the pigs.” The last sentence was near-snarled. “We almost starved for those wretched creatures, and for what? Pa barely made a living out of them.”
She suddenly snatched her hand away, then jumped up from the table. Mary turned her back to him and stood rigid for long moments. He was about to go to her when she turned to face him, and Mary’s entire demeanor suddenly changed to one of defeat. “Those pigs were far more important than I ever was.” She took a long shuddering breath and her eyes portrayed her sadness. “You saved me from that life.”
She turned away again, this time her body shook, but it was the silence that was his undoing. He moved quietly toward her, not wanting to startle his wife, and slid his arms around her. “Mary,” he said gently. “You’re important to me. Very important.”
She spun around in his arms, and he cradled her against his chest, her tears hot against his shirt. He leaned in and kissed her forehead, and she shivered. Noah’s heart was breaking in two. What she had endured was unthinkable and he was determined she wouldn’t go through any of that again.
It felt good with her so close to him, as though
