Cheryl St.John - His Secondhand Wife

Kate experienced a twinge of anger at the woman for supposing to know what she wanted and deciding what was best for her without bothering to ask. She didn’t want to offend Levi’s mother, but neither did she want to have her choices made for her.

Her resistance seemed laughable, really, if she thought about it, because Noah had insisted she come with him, as well. But she’d wanted to accompany him. She did not want to leave with Estelle. “I’ll remember your kind invitation if I should ever change my mind.”

Estelle turned to glare at Noah. “That’s my son’s baby. You won’t keep him from me.”

Noah had turned to leave, but paused in the doorway. “No, that’s Katherine’s baby. The choices are hers.”

He left and the two women exchanged a glance. Kate felt a surge of satisfaction because Noah had stood up to the woman on her account.

The sound of a horse and buggy prevented any further discussion as the first guests of the day arrived to pay their respects. Levi had been the son of a town founder, part owner of the Rockin’ C, and townsfolk and neighboring ranchers trailed through for hours. As dusk settled, the string of visitors finally ended.

“Wasn’t it odd that Noah didn’t attend all day?” Kate asked Estelle. She had met dozens of curious strangers, some she sensed were only there to look around, but Noah had kept his distance.

“The man’s not fit for society and he knows his place,” she replied.

“What do you mean?”

“Even his own father couldn’t bear the sight of him.”

“You make it sound as though Noah is some kind of monster.”

“Indeed.”

“I’ve noticed his speech is odd. What I can see of his mouth looks somewhat…different.”

“Hideous, you mean. As is his entire face.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“An accident scarred him. Don’t make me talk about him—it’s too unpleasant. We’ve plenty of dishes to choose from for our supper. It’s so kind of the ladies to bring gifts of sympathy. Let’s set the kitchen table and dine now, shall we?” She opened a cupboard. “Not a decent piece of china in the entire house.” After looking over the items to choose from, Estelle selected two chipped plates and arranged place settings.

“What about Noah? You’ve only set places for two.”

“He won’t join us. He eats alone.”

“He ate with me last night.”

Estelle gave her a surprised glance.

Noah entered the house at that moment, his hat low over his forehead.

“Will you be sharing our meal?” Kate asked hopefully.

He glanced at Estelle, then at the two plates on the table. “No.”

“Please?”

Kate’s soft plea stopped him in his tracks. He turned to eye her.

“Please join us,” she said again.

Ignoring Estelle’s scowl, he took off the hat and hung it beside the door, then turned back and seated himself at the far end of the table.

Quickly, Kate got another plate and more silverware and set it in front of him. Moving close to do so, she noted the back of his right hand, dark from the sun, but ridged with a jagged pale scar. What kind of accident had scarred his hands and his face? A fall from a horse? They weren’t burns.

“Mrs. Krenshaw brought buttermilk,” she said cheerfully. “Do you like buttermilk?”

He nodded without looking at her, and she poured a Mason jar full to set in front of him.

After taking the warmed casseroles and dishes from the oven, she served Noah and then she and Estelle seated themselves.

“Katherine will need appropriate clothing,” Estelle said brusquely. “Black for mourning and material adequate for the coming months. I will take her to Annie Carpenter’s place. Annie still sews for a select few women, and she’s the best seamstress in a hundred miles.” To Kate, she added, “Comes from a fine family, Annie does. The Sweetwaters have a lovely home. Annie married the blacksmith. Her parents weren’t too happy about that at first, but he provides well for her.”

“I don’t want to be a burden. I can work to pay for my own clothing.” Kate looked to Noah. “I can take in laundry if you don’t mind me using your tubs. I see there’s a fine room in which to do the chore. I could have more clothesline strung.”

“Certainly not,” Estelle answered immediately. “Cutter women do not take in laundry. You’re Levi’s wife and as the mother of his child, you’re entitled to privileges. This ranch provides more than enough to meet your needs.”

“I wouldn’t mind, really.” Estelle made it sound as though there was shame in the task.

Noah finished a bite. “Don’t recall ever agreein’ before, but Estelle’s right. You don’t need to take in laundry.”

Estelle bobbed her head as though punctuating his speech. “You see? I’m right.”

Kate stared at her plate, wishing she knew a way to earn her keep that would be acceptable to these two. As much as they seemed to detest each other, they both wanted her with them and wanted her taken care of. “I’m fortunate that you both care so much about my well-being and that of my child. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, dear,” Estelle replied.

Noah finished his meal without another word. When he was done, he rose and shut himself in his little room.

“Boorish man,” Estelle said, picking up plates.

“I’ll get these,” Kate told her. She had already seen Tipper carry a valise up the stairs and had surmised that Estelle was staying the night. “You go up and rest. Tomorrow is another full day, and you want to be fresh.”

“Yes, thank you. You’re very thoughtful. Good night, dear.”

“Good night.”

Since Noah wasn’t there to insist she set the plates out of doors for someone else to wash, Kate took care of them.

Afterward, she took her coat from beside the door and escaped out into the cool night air. The darkness and quiet were complete and all-encompassing out here in the foothills. Kate walked away from the house and stood beneath the night sky where she took a deep, cleansing breath. Everything was clean here. New. She had a fresh start.

She sensed more than heard someone approach and turned to discover Noah’s broad form in the moonlight.

“You all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I just came out to enjoy the sky and the air. It’s so fresh, don’t you think? Better than perfume. Better than clean laundry. I can smell blossoms. I wonder what they are. Have you ever smelled anything equal to this? Just look at the sky. It goes on forever, doesn’t it? I feel like a little speck way down here on the ground.”

“She upset you?”

She glanced at him. “Estelle? No, she’s been very kind to me. She’s anguished over losing her son and that’s understandable. I feel bad for her.”

He grunted.

“You two are not close.”

He looked across the dark pasture. “My father married her when I was eight. Had her own child soon and never had much use for me. She didn’t like this place, wanted a house in town.”

“But this is such beautiful country and the house is perfect. I can’t imagine anyone not loving it here.”

“Estelle hated that my father built the house for my mother.”

“Oh, I see. That’s a shame.”

Amazingly, Noah offered more information. “She stayed awhile after Levi was born. But as he got older, he wanted to work the horses with us. She moved to town.”

What kind of mother left two children behind so that she could live in a nicer house? “When did your father die?”

“Several years later.”

“I never knew my father. After Mama married him, he got gold fever. He lit out for the gold fields when I was little. Mama never had much use for men after that. Justified, she was, because of having to raise me all by herself and all. I always hoped for something better. A whole family.”