Ruby scanned the house. It was sturdy and clean. It had been white washed not long ago from the looks of it. The house was made up of two cabins, with a fifteen-foot passageway between them. The gabled roof covered both the cabin and passageway. Each cabin had a door opening onto the passageway. There were no windows in either cabin, the roof was made of overlapping oak clapboards. Ruby was pleased to see the chimneys on the sides of each cabin were made of real brick.
The land around the house was a bit barren; obviously no woman or man had tried to grow any flowers or bushes near the house. However, as far as Ruby could tell, the house was plenty big enough for the three of them.
She swiveled her head slightly to look at Seth, wondering at the tone of his question.
“Is there something about the house that would make me want to turn back?”
Seth shook his head. “It’s not very big, or quaint. Nothing like an Eastern house.”
Ruby laughed. “I surely didn’t expect that. Remember, I grew up living over a saloon. This looks to be a good, well-made house. I think the porch between the two cabins will be a nice place to sit out at night. Is there much of a breeze?”
Seth let his tense shoulders relax. “Yep, even gets a might cold on some nights.”
“So, tell me about the cabins? Why two?” Ruby didn’t realize she had actually placed a hand on Seth’s knee when she asked.
“The cabin on the right is used for cooking, eating, reading. The cabin on the left is used for sleeping.” Seth’s voice dropped.
Ruby felt her cheeks warm. There hadn’t been any conversation between them yet, about sleeping arrangements. As his wife, she knew what was to be expected, however, she wasn’t sure he’d be expecting such intimacy immediately or if he’d want them get to know one another a bit first.
Seth answered her unspoken questions.
“You and Timmy can have the big room. Each cabin also has a small shed off the back. I’ll use the room behind the sleeping cabin. I have some things stored in there now, but I can make room for a cot. We store all our food in the small shed off the kitchen area.”
Ruby nodded her head, not wanting Seth to see the crimson color on her face, yet oddly feeling a bit disappointed.
“It’s a lovely home, Seth. Do you have any objections to me growing some flowers, having a garden? Even though I lived in the city, I always had plants in the apartment window sill. Everyone who knew me said I had a green thumb.”
Seth hopped off the wagon seat again and came around the side to help Ruby down. She set Timmy on the seat and allowed Seth to place his hands on her waist and lift her off the wagon.
“I’d be pleased for you to have a garden.” He said as he placed her on the ground.
She lifted her chin and met his eyes. He leaned forward and pressed his lips on her forehead as she closed her eyes. It was tender, but she wasn’t sure he meant it in a lover’s way or a brother’s way.
“Draw out what you want your garden to look like and next time we go to town we’ll get whatever you need.”
Ruby realized her eyes were still shut. She opened them as she turned and put her arms out for Timmy. The child sat with his thumb in his mouth staring at her, but not moving.
“Come on Timmy.” She waggled her arms to get his attention.
Timmy looked over her shoulder at Seth and pointed.
Ruby turned around. “He seems to want you to carry him. I understand if you don’t want to, but it might keep him from crying.”
Ruby wasn’t sure what emotion crossed Seth’s face, but he moved closer to the wagon and lifted Timmy off the wagon into his arms, then led the way into the house.
On the porch Ruby passed two cane coven rocking chairs. She could feel a soft breeze which promised to be even cooler in the evening.
It will be lovely to sit out here in the evenings.
“I have a crib put away. If you can entertain him for a few more minutes, I’ll bring it out.” Ruby thought his words were being pressed out as if he were in a great deal of pain.
“Are you sure? He can sleep with me if you prefer it.” She hoped to ease his feelings.
Seth shook his head. “He needs a crib; they’ll be times you’ll need a place to keep him up off the floor.” Seth handed Timmy to her and moved across the room. There was one door at the back side of the room which Seth opened and disappeared into.
Ruby glanced around the room. There was a large bed with a cotton filled mattress covered by a lovely quilt, which surprised her. There was an oak washstand with a serpentine front top drawer. Placed on it was a porcelain pitcher and wash basin. On the wall were a few hooks and at the end of the bed an intricate handmade hope chest.
Ruby sat gingerly on the edge of the bed, bouncing Timmy up and down on her lap. The boy’s eyes fluttered, he was obviously very tired. Just then, Seth opened the door he’d gone through and quietly pulled out an iron crib. It wasn’t covered in dust as Ruby had expected.
Seth put the crib near the bed. “My son slept in this bed.”
Ruby could hear the pain in his words.
“I only put
