With a sigh of relief, the young woman walked to one of her trunks and began rummaging through it, laughing when she found the small jar of hand cream. Sinking to the floor, disregarding the dust collecting on her dress, Amanda smeared the cream onto her chaffed hands. “How do women do this every day?” The words echoed into the empty house.
Sagging against the trunk, Amanda leaned back against it closing her eyes as she stretched tired limbs. Rosa wasn’t much bigger than Amanda, yet she had worked tirelessly, washing, drying, and putting dishes on a shelf. She had even scrubbed the table and started a massive batch of bread.
“I’m useless,” Amanda sniffed tears pricking behind her eyes. “Why did I ever think I could do this?”
Pulling a handkerchief from her sleeve, she dabbed at her eyes, her arms dropping to her lap once more as she quivered with fatigue.
***
Teddy touched heels to Pepper’s flanks, letting the horse stretch out for a good run home. He had promised he would join Amanda for lunch, and he smiled, thinking of seeing his pretty wife.
The ranch came into view and Teddy, eased back in the saddle letting Pepper slow. He didn’t need everyone on the ranch to see how much he liked his new wife.
Pulling up to the ranch house, Teddy tied Pepper to the hitching post and strolled into the house.
“You back already?” Cookie chuckled as Teddy walked through the door. “Seems like your little woman went home.”
“Is something wrong?” Teddy gazed around him, worried that something had happened between Amanda and Rosa? Teddy knew that Rosa could have a sharp tongue and Amanda seemed timid at best. “I’ll check on her,” he said casually, walking back outside and breaking into a trot as soon as he was out of sight.
Teddy opened the door, hesitating when he saw Amanda sitting against her trunk, her eyes closed. A smile flickered across his face and he hurried to her side, leaning in to place a kiss on her cheek.
“Ahh!” Amanda jerked with a scream, balking as Teddy tugged at her hand.
“Easy, there,” Teddy soothed. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Amanda patted her chest, her breathing slowing once more. “I’m sorry I must have fallen asleep.”
Teddy stood, pulling her along with him. “It’s been a long day for you.”
“Oh, you came home for lunch,” Amanda’s eyes grew wide. “I brought food for you.” Releasing his hand, she hurried to the trunk where she had placed the covered plate.
“What about you, did you already eat?”
Amanda stared at Teddy for a few moments rubbing her hands. “I didn’t think.”
Teddy’s smile was warm as he pulled the old bench toward the trunk, helping her to sit. “You sit,” I’ll be right back.”
Amanda lifted a tiny piece of cheese, nibbling on it only to discover that she was famished.
The door opened again and Teddy returned, shoving the door closed with a foot and walking toward her, his hands full of teapot and cups.
“You don’t drink tea,” Amanda blinked.
“No, but you do,” Teddy grinned pleased with himself. He knew it would take time for his sweet bride to adjust to her new life, but he didn’t care. He hadn't married a handmaiden to work for him. He wanted a companion and a friend.
Amanda blushed, weariness bringing tears to her eyes. “Thank you.”
Teddy separated the food on the plate, making sure that Amanda had enough to eat.
Finding her manners, Amanda poured the tea. There was no cream or sugar, so she sipped the hot brew black. The first sip washed the dryness from her throat, and the second imbued her with a hint of energy.
“Better?” Teddy asked, stacking meat and cheese between two pieces of bread. “You have to eat proper when you’re workin’ on a ranch.”
Amanda gazed into her teacup, catching a glimpse of her hands that still appeared red from the hot water used to scrub the plates clean.
“I’m so useless,” Amanda sighed. “I don’t know how Rosa does this every day.”
Teddy chuckled, taking a huge bite of his sandwich. “She’s been working her whole life. She grew into it.”
Amanda sagged, “I’ll never fit in.”
“Don’t worry, darlin’,” Teddy grinned around his sandwich. “You’re new. I was new once too.”
Amanda’s eyes fluttered, shocked at her husband’s poor manners, but intrigued by his words. Taking a piece of bread, she pulled off a piece eating it in a delicate bite.
“When Cap’n Dan come here, I didn’t know a thing about cows. To tell the truth, they scared me.” Teddy washed down his bite with a swig of bitter tea. “Now look at me. I’m a top hand and someone the Captain depends on.”
Amanda smiled, letting Theo’s words sink in, giving her hope.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself,” Teddy continued. “Just take it a day at a time. If you’re tired, tell Rosa and come on home. She and Cookie can manage just fine on their own.”
Teddy reached out, patting Amanda’s knee. “My mother used to tell me a story about a tortoise and a hare. It seems they were challenged to a race and the hare was so confident he could beat that old tortoise he done took a nap.” Teddy’s laugh was bright, though his eyes were sad. “That slow, steady, tortoise just kept going till he got to the finish line.”
“Are you calling me a tortoise?” Amanda grinned, taking Theo’s point.
“Darlin’, just take your time and you’ll get there in the end.”
Amanda leaned over, pecking Teddy on the cheek. He was being kind, and she would accept it as that.
Chapter 10
The rest of the week seemed to blur and Amanda tried her best to keep up with the work Rosa had for her, but it was so grueling she often returned home at noon whether Theo was going to be there or not.
With each day on the ranch, Amanda noticed
