With plentiful water close at hand, the birds seemed to congregate in the trees around her new home, their cheerful song lifting her spirits. She was weary. Her hands were raw and she felt like a complete failure as a wife, but still, she tried.
Amanda placed the food items on the trunk where she and Theodore had been enjoying their afternoon repast then flopped down onto the bed. If she could just close her eyes for a few minutes, she would feel better.
***
Teddy walked into his cabin as the afternoon sun was slipping toward the western horizon. It had been a long day, and he had expected to see Amanda at the supper table. When Rosa explained that Amanda had gone home shortly after lunch, his heart lurched as worry and fear clutched at it.
Perhaps he hadn’t known the young woman long, but the joy of coming home to her every day, brought was inexplicable.
“Please, Lord, let her be all right,” he whispered as he rushed home and pushed open the door, sucking in a relieved breath when he saw his wife asleep in their bed.
Teddy looked around the cabin, checking that nothing else could be wrong, and spotted the plate of cold meat and cheese on the trunk. Various items of clothing were scattered throughout the house and one of Amanda’s trunks stood open, frilly things spilling onto the floor.
Walking to the bed, Teddy squatted, looking into Amanda’s sleeping face. She looked so peaceful, he didn’t want to disturb her, but the dark circles under her eyes worried him.
Gently, he brushed a lock of brown hair from her brow, smiling when her blue eyes fluttered open.
“Theo,” Amanda sighed, pushing herself upright and rubbing her eyes. “You came home for lunch.”
“Darlin’, it’s time for supper,” Teddy said. “Have you been asleep all afternoon?”
“I’m so sorry.” Amanda blushed, dropping her eyes as tears appeared. “I didn’t mean to sleep. I was just so tired.”
Teddy grasped Amanda’s hands in his, scowling when she flinched. “Your hands?” he Iquestioned. “They’re nigh unto raw.”
“I’m afraid I’m not used to washing things myself.” Amanda tried to hide her hands, but Teddy held them gently in his. “I’ve been putting cream on them, but it doesn’t seem to help.”
Teddy lifted one of her hands, examining it. The delicate skin was chafed and red. “I’ll get you something for it,” he smiled. “You just sit here a minute.”
“But what about supper?”
“Don’t you worry about supper,” Teddy cast a reassuring smile over his shoulder. “I’ll see to that.”
Amanda watched as Theo hurried from the house, hanging her head in shame. She had been a fool to come here as a bride. She hadn’t been raised to this kind of life, and she was sure she was a terrible disappointment to her husband and his friends. Hot tears splashed onto her hands, stinging the roughened skin, and the tears fell faster.
“I’m just tired,” the young woman chided herself. “I’ll be alright after some food and a good night’s sleep.”
Nearly half an hour passed before Teddy returned, and Amanda worried that he had gone to supper without her, seeking a chance to complain about her performance with his friends. Her heart squeezed at the thought. Perhaps she didn’t know Teddy yet, but he seemed such a gentle soul, and she thought he liked her. Amanda felt terrible for being a disappointment.
A bright smile broke across her face as Teddy pushed open the door carrying a heavily laden tray to the trunk and setting it there. A moment later, he was kneeling before her again, unscrewing the lid of a small jar of dark ointment.
“It doesn’t smell very good,” Amanda said as Teddy began applying the salve to her hands.
“But how does it feel?”
Amanda pulled her hands back, rubbing the dark, acrid smelling substance into her hands and sighing as the cracked skin drank it in. “It feels much better.”
Teddy smiled. “You put your gloves on over that and then we’ll eat. You don’t want to have to smell that while you’re enjoying your dinner.”
Taking Amanda’s arm, he helped her to the table and settled her on the cowhide covered bench. She looked tired and frail sitting on the hard surface, surrounded by the rustic composition of his home. Perhaps Olive had been right and Amanda deserved better than him. She should have been a gentleman’s wife, living a life of luxury and ease, not working her fingers to the bone on a ranch.
Teddy dropped his head in shame at his selfishness, but he knew he was already growing to love his wife. She was innocent, sweet, and determined, though somewhat lost when it came to homemaking. He gazed around at the disheveled cabin then looked back to her.
“Let me help,” he said, taking a plate and filling it with meat, rice, and beans. “I know it’s not fancy, but it will fill your belly and put some color back into your cheeks.”
“Thank you for being so kind,” Amanda sniffed, taking the plate from him. “I’m sorry I’m so useless.”
Teddy took the plate, placing it back on the trunk as he pulled his young wife into his arms, letting her tears soak into his collar as she wept out her despair. If only he could think of a way to make her understand how special she was.
“Are you feeling better?” Teddy asked once they had finished the meal. It had taken some coaxing, but he had convinced Amanda she would feel better with a full belly.
“Yes. Thank you.” Amanda looked up, meeting Theo’s eyes. “I guess I was just tired and hungry.”
“I’ll tell you what,” Teddy grinned, “how about we go to town tomorrow. We can have dinner at the Hampton House, and you can see your friends. Dan can do without me for a day.”
Amanda’s eyes sparkled with delight.
