Amalie shrugged. “I’ve never tried. The only time we had fresh fruit or preserves was when someone from one of the local churches contributed them. Normally, the cook dropped a bit of honey on the hotcakes when she made them.”
Deke studied the beautiful woman sitting across the table from him. She certainly seemed to have had a difficult time in life, and he vowed that he’d do whatever he could to make her life happier from here on out. He had no idea how long the marriage would last, but he had taken a vow to protect and cherish her—that, at least, he could and would do.
Trying to lighten the conversation, Deke asked Amalie, “Do you ride?”
“Ride?”
“Horses.”
A look a terror spread across Amalie’s face. “When I was ten, I was nearly run down by one of those beasts pulling a wagon, and I haven’t gone near one since.”
“That was the driver’s fault, not the horse’s. Living on a ranch, you need to learn how to ride,” Deke explained. “We have a gentle, old mare named Honey. I think she would work out well for you.”
“You still have Honey?” Nate said. “I can’t wait to see her.”
“We still have Buck, too. I’m sure he’ll remember you. He used to follow you around after you decided to quit riding.”
Nate dropped his eyes to his plate. “You know I can’t ride.”
“No, I don’t,” Deke insisted. “Pa said you wouldn’t, not that you couldn’t. After your leg healed, you should have tried again. It was a youngster’s foolishness that caused that horse to throw you, not the horse. Now that you’re home, you need to get back on a horse. You and Amalie can ride together.”
“I don’t think—" Nate began.
“Nonsense,” Deke retorted. “Buck would never have thrown you, and you know Pa sold the horse that did. You don’t have any excuses.”
Amalie must’ve worried she’d started a family argument. She asked to change the subject, “What time is church? I made breakfast early because I wasn’t sure.”
“Eight o’clock. The pastor likes long sermons, and if services start any later, many people won’t come. We’ll get out of church before eleven, just in time for lunch. I usually eat at the café when I’m in town. I think we should do that today. We need to go into town this week to buy more supplies,” Deke explained.
“Are the chickens just for eggs, or can I cook one?” Amalie asked as she cleared the table.
“Yeah, we eat them, too. I’ll kill you an older one after we get back from church,” Deke said.
“Thank you. I’m not sure I could kill a chicken. We always got our chickens from a butcher’s shop or from donations,” Amalie said, wrinkling her nose.
“I could teach you how to do it,” Nate offered. “It isn’t hard.”
“If one of you will kill them for me, I’d be grateful. I don’t think I want to try.”
Nate laughed. “All right. One of us will bring you chicken, and if we’re not here, the bunkhouse cook can always accommodate you.”
“Thanks,” Amalie responded. “I’m happy to hear that.”
Deke carried his plate to the sink and asked, “What are you planning on making for supper with that chicken?”
“Chicken and dumplings—is that all right?”
“Yup, that’s more than all right,” Deke said, looking at his brother, who was grinning. “We like chicken and dumplings.”
Nate added, “We sure do. I’d be more than happy to bring you a chicken or two whenever you want to make it.”
Deke offered, “I’ll bring the wagon around, and we can leave. The sooner we leave, the sooner we get back for supper.”
Amalie laughed.
Deke smiled. He didn’t smile often, but the thought of chicken and dumplings brought a broad smile to his face. And he’d continue to smile as long as Amalie continued to make good meals.
On the ride to church, Nate and Deke quizzed her about the meals she liked to cook and whether she’d ever had anything more exciting like rabbit stew.
Amalie cringed at the thought. “No. And if it’s all right with the two of you, I’ll stick to chicken, beef, or deer, if you shoot one. I don’t think I’m adventurous enough to cook rabbit or squirrel or whatever else people eat here.”
Nate and Deke laughed at her concerns. Deke told her that the only time he’d eaten rabbit was out on the trail when he didn’t have much else except for jerky or hardtack left to eat.
Amalie seemed pleased with that knowledge.
Chapter Six
The service was just a bit longer than Amalie expected, but she didn’t mind the lengthy sermon. She had always found peace in church, and the pastor’s sermon on acceptance and forgiveness was welcome. Her life was not what she had expected it to be even just a short month ago, but she was grateful to have been accepted into the Sperling family, and she was trying hard to forgive Mister Caldwell for what he tried to do.
When the service ended, Deke took Amalie by the arm and guided her back down the aisle toward the double doors. They passed by the pastor who was standing just outside the doors, greeting his parishioners on their way home.
Deke stopped to introduce Amalie to the kindly, elderly pastor. Pastor Dawkins congratulated Amalie and Deke on their marriage and welcomed Amalie to the town and his congregation.
As Deke and Amalie stepped away from the pastor, they noticed several of the townsfolk staring at them. Deke whispered in her ear, “Don’t let them worry you. They’re just trying to figure out who you are. I’ll introduce you to a few of our neighbors, and the gossip will take care of the rest. By suppertime, the entire town will know
