Chapter 6: The Cottonwood Tree
Lauren awoke one beautiful, sunny morning to discover that the lethargy that had been hounding her for the past month was gone. She awkwardly scooted out of bed and stretched. It felt so good to feel like herself again. Well, maybe not quite exactly herself. She placed her hand on her belly and smiled. Soon, this little'un would be born. She was hoping for a girl this time but would be happy just to have it all over with.
A breeze gentled the curtain in the window and beckoned her to be outside to enjoy the day. She got dressed as quick as she could and straightened her bed. Tyler had been letting her sleep in the mornings. She knew he was fretting about her and that was half reason she couldn't wait for this baby to be born. Tyler, never a gregarious man, withdrew into mono-syllables and grunts towards the end of her pregnancies. She knew his worry was consuming him. She had to chuckle to herself. He and Boss were a well matched pair.
She carefully descended the stairs, pleased with her new home at last. It took awhile to get used to not living in the big house but now she was glad to have a place all their own. There was no sign of Abraham, Tyler, or Mrs. Dowling in their cottage. They must have gone over to the cookhouse for breakfast.
Lauren stood on the porch and looked out over the valley, admiring how the sun sparkled on the river as it snaked its way across the valley floor. The crops glimmered as well in the sun light and the warm air was delicious. It beckoned her to take a stroll down to the river before breakfast. She was not hungry at the moment but felt a need to be out and doing something.
She picked up a stick as she went along and swept it through the tall grass that grew alongside of the path she was following. From the other side of the river, she could hear the faint sounds of the cattle lowing that were grazing there and if she squinted, she could see a few mounted cowboys supervising their activities.
She sighed in happiness. She had such a good life and she counted her blessings; her adoring husband, her smart little boy, her tidy home, honest work to put her hands to, and the friendship she had with the Missus. Missus never treated her like a servant or as if she were stupid. Lauren knew she wasn't as quick witted as some, but Missus always was patient and kind and sometimes even asked her opinion and advice about things.
Arriving at the bottom of the hill, Lauren leaned against a cotton wood tree that grew alongside of Bear Creek and peered down into the water. She was wondering if any of the polliwogs Abraham had let loose there last summer had grown into frogs. She couldn't see any at the moment.
She leaned back against the tree and rubbed at her back. It was developing a crick; probably from walking so far as big as she was. Perhaps it was time for her to be heading back up the hill.
She turned around and suddenly doubled over in searing pain. Before the pain eased off she was gasping for air with her hands on her knees and knowing exactly what was happening. The baby was coming. She'd best get back to the house quick.
She straightened up and suddenly felt a warm flood of water down her legs followed by another severe cramp. That pain had her squatting back down on her heels as she worked through it as she leaned against the tree. Things must be working fast and she was beginning to fear she couldn't get back up the hill before the baby came. She hollered out, "Help! Wooo HOOO."
But there was no one to hear. The cowboys across the river were too far away.
Another pain hit and, still squatting, she braced herself. She suddenly felt an overwhelming desire to answer a call of nature. She'd best get that out of the way before the baby came. She leaned back against the tree trunk and pulled her dress up. She pulled her apron off and drew apart her drawers. Her body took over at that point and she suddenly was pushing and responding to the pressure of nature's calling. But it didn't feel like that precisely. The pressure eased off some and she thought she had better check. She couldn't see over her belly but as she put a hand down there, she could feel her baby's head was all ready born!
Her heart started to race. The baby was already here! Could she do this by herself? It seemed as though she'd have no choice. "Oh, Please dear God, help me," she pled. Another pain overcame her and the insistent pushing urgency took over again.
Bella was digging in the flower beds in front of the ranch house, determined to have some beautiful blooms when her in-laws arrived. She had been very pleased at how her attempts at landscaping had worked out and she thought she'd have some pretty zinnias and dahlias in a mass of bright colors by the time Esme and Carlisle would arrive. She stood and dusted the loamy dirt off her hands, a satisfied smile chasing the worry from her face. She was proud of what she had created over the past year.
She sat down on the stoop of the porch to adjust her blouse and nurse little Miss Joy who had begun to fuss. Ana Maria had made a sling for Bella to use for her own baby and it didn't take long for Bella to wonder how she got any work done before she had it. "Well, Joy, do you think the flowers are pretty enough for your grandparents?" She and Joy had long conversations throughout the day. The baby looked up at her Momma intently during these talks as she was absorbing every word. Bella smiled down in complete delight at her wonderful daughter.
She was beginning to think Joy was going to have light colored eyes, like Edward's So far, her hair had remained the dark brown she had at birth. Her skin changed from the newborn rosy tint to an alabaster and rose complexion that matched Bella's almost exactly. She had the makings of a beauty in her mother's opinion.
"Missus! Have you seen Lauren?" a worried Tyler was running over to her, Mrs. Dowling fast on his heels.
"No, I haven't seen her this day," Bella responded. "What's wrong?"
"She's nowhere to be found, Missus. I can't find her." Tyler's normally gruff voice sounded high in his distress.
"Tyler, she couldn't have gone far. Let's organize a search." Bella arose, thankful that the sling protected her modesty and walked briskly to the cook house. She went inside and explained to Juan Carlos and Ana Maria what the difficulty was.
As they all trooped outside to begin their search, Abraham shouted, "There's Ma!"
And there indeed was Lauren, slowly walking up the hill towards her cottage carrying a bundle in her arms and conspicuously not pregnant any longer. Tyler took off as if his feet had wings to get to her side. The rest of the Bear Valley clan followed behind him.
Tyler spoke not a word but scooped his wife up in his arms and rushed her and baby into their cottage. The others could hear his boots pounding up the stairs inside. Mrs. Dowling arrived, cheeks flushed with her exertion and clucking like a hen. "Now, now. We'll see what's up." She mounted the stairs and turned to the small group behind her.
"You," she pointed at Juan Carlos, "go boil water."
He immediately began to grumble under his breath as he turned to go back to the cook house, "Boil water! That's all I ever do. Ai, chihuahua!"
"Mrs. Cullen and Mrs. Hernandez, please come with me. Abraham, go off and play now. We'll call you when you are wanted."
The ladies trooped inside of the cottage leaving Abraham to stand staring at the door. He would wait right there until they called him. From what he could see, the baby had arrived. He was a big brother! He was so excited.
Mrs. Dowling went up stairs into the main bedroom to see Lauren and Tyler staring down into the bundle she was carrying.
"Lauren, tell me what happened," Mrs. Dowling demanded as she took the baby out of Lauren's arms. She put the bundle down on the bed and pulled apart the swaddling as she spoke. Tyler led Lauren to a nearby chair so she could sit.
Lauren spoke slowly, "The baby came."
Mrs. Dowling shot an exasperated look at Lauren and then probed further as she checked the baby over.
"But where did the baby come, Lauren?" Mrs. Dowling asked as she cleaned the baby's body with a soft cloth and warm water. Bella and Ana Maria fetched clothing for the baby that had been prepared for this day.
"Under the cottonwood tree down by the river, Ma'am," Lauren placidly responded. Tyler just stood staring at his wife as if what had happed to her was written on her countenance.
Taking a deep breath, Mrs. Dowling continued, "Why where you at the river, Lauren?"
"I walked down there."
"For what reason?"
"It was a pretty day."
"Why didn't you come home when the pains started?"
"They came up so fast, before I knew it the baby was already here."
Mrs. Dowling finished swaddling the baby and beckoned to Tyler. "Come here, young man, and hold your son. He appears as right as rain. Now, I need to check your wife."
Tyler's head popped up and he looked in amazement at the midwife who was holding out the baby to him. He walked over and carefully took the mite in his arms. "Another boy?" he asked.
"Aye. He looks to be a strapping young man. Now, why don't you take him out of here for a moment while we get your wife comfortable?" She was shoving him towards the door as she spoke.
As soon as he left, she turned back to Bella and Ana Maria, "Now ladies, let's get Lauren out of those soiled clothes and see how she's set up after having that baby all on her own."
They quickly had Lauren out of her dress and undergarments and then redressed her in a fresh night gown. Mrs. Dowling led her over to the bed and had her lie down so she could make sure all was right with her. "Lauren please tell me the details of the birth. I need to make sure all is well with you."
"I felt pain and squatted down next to the tree and hiked up my skirt. Felt like I needed to move my bowels but instead a baby came out. I got him cleaned as best I could and wrapped him in my apron."
"You did well, Lauren. Did the child bed come?"
"Oh, yes. After I got the baby wrapped up, I felt another pressure and sure enough that came right out. I left it down there next to the tree."
Mrs. Dowling finished her examination and care for Lauren and then tucked her back up. "I am guessing you will need a late breakfast or an early lunch, my dear. All looks well with you and your baby. Easy Peasy." Mrs. Dowling smiled.
Ana Maria left to go get food for Lauren and Bella went out to find Tyler. He was squatting down next to little Abraham, introducing his baby brother to the little boy. Bella was struck with the loving scene as brother met brother for the first time. The proud and tender look on Tyler's face was surprising for rarely had Bella seen him with anything other than a solemn, severe look.
"Tyler, you have two fine boys now."
Tyler looked up and smiled at Bella. "Indeed I do, ma'am."
"Have you and Lauren thought of a name for him, yet?"
"Yes'm. His name is Lee Davis Grant Lincoln Crowley.*"
Chuckling, Bella cooed at the new baby. "He has a distinguished name just as his brother. What would you have named the baby had she been a girl?"
"Daisy Crowley."
"Just Daisy?"
"Yes. Lauren likes Daisies.
Bella smiled up at Tyler, filled for love for this little, quirky family. "Mrs. Dowling says y'all can go up now." Tyler didn't hesitate, holding his hand out for Abraham and clutching Lee to his chest, he hurriedly went back into his home.
Bella looked down at her sleeping Joy. "Now what do you think about all that excitement, my love? You aren't the youngest around these parts any longer." Bella went back to her flower beds, a smile on her face, thankful that Lauren and baby Lee made it through safely.
Bella looked around at her home searching for anything that needed fixing, cleaning, dusting, scrubbing, rearranging, or beautifying. Everything seemed to be perfect. Not a particle out of place. But she still wasn't sure it was good enough for her in-laws.
They had been woefully low on furniture and Bella knew they couldn't afford to buy any more, but fortunately, Rosalie and Emmett offered some of their furniture for the duration. Soon, a grinning Emmett was driving a wagon filled with the much needed items up the hill to the big house. The McCartys had loaned Edward and Bella a complete bedroom suit, an old cradle that had been in storage, two armoires and some extra chairs. Bella had been so grateful, but Rose assured her that it would save her the trouble of dusting to have the unused furniture out of her house.
Bella was thinking about all of this, her hands on her hips when her husband passed through the great room of the house where she was. "Edward," she called to him, "does anything look amiss to you?"
He stopped next to her and looked around. He thought everything looked wonderfully, so he told her, "It's beautiful. You have really turned this old ranch house into a home."
"I couldn't have done it without Ana Maria's help. She's phenomenal. When she worked in San Antonio, she was in charge of keeping the mayor's house in order and saw a lot of entertaining while she was there. And Juan Carlos has cooked for Princes, he says. I am not as nervous as I would be if they were not here."
Edward smiled and said, "You have nothing to worry about, Bella. Remember Alice and Jasper will be here, too and they will be in for a surprise. A year of work on the ranch has brought many wonderful changes."
Smiling, she said, "I am glad you are pleased, Edward. Sometimes I am fearful that I interfere with your ways."
He grabbed her hand and leaned down to kiss her cheek. "Isabella Cullen, you are welcome to interfere with my way any time you feel the inclination." He waggled his eyebrows at her to let her know his meaning.
"Oh, go on with you, Edward," she laughed. "You distract me so easily with your glib tongue and handsome figure."
He preened a bit, surprisingly tickled that she found him so attractive, "I mean every word I tell you, Beauty, and I love, love, love to distract you." He pulled her into his arms careful of the baby she was carrying.
Bella smiled up at him, "And I love to be distracted but I have some questions, Edward, that I will forget if I don't ask you now."
"Why don't we go sit down on the porch and we can converse the easier?"
He led her out to the porch swing and got her settled comfortably there. He punched the pillow so her back was supported, then sat himself, "And so what are your questions?"
"I am giving Alice and Jasper their old room. I've put the cradle in there and an extra armoire so that they can have a place for all of their things."
"That's good."
"I have given your parents the Crowley's old room. It is the biggest one up there and will give them some space for a sitting area if they feel the need. All of the McCarty's furniture is outfitting that room. It is quite lovely, to tell you the truth."
"They'll enjoy that."
"I can only put the Phelps together in the third bedroom. It is right next to your parents. Will that be suitable?"
"Well, we can't put them in the bunkhouse," Edward teased.
"Are the Phelpses nice people?"
"I didn't have too much to do with either of them, Bella. My parents have enjoyed their services, so I am hoping they are easy to get along with."
"I left the last and smallest bedroom made up for your father, if he should decide to sleep separately from your mother."
"They have separate rooms in Chicago."
"So, then what you are saying is, your mother will take the big bedroom and your father will take the smallest one."
"That is fine. They are next to each other if they should decide to visit in the night."
Bella stopped and blinked her eyes interpreting the unspoken implication in his words. Then she turned beet red.
Edward laughed at her. "Don't worry, Bella. You've covered all contingencies. Simply be yourself and do what you normally do. Mother and Father need to see us as we truly are and see how our life makes us happy just as it is."
She cuddled into his side, "I am so glad we talked. I feel much better. When exactly do you think they'll be here?"
"Sometime tomorrow afternoon."
"I think I am ready, then."
"Good. Now, Mrs. Cullen, care to be distracted for a bit?"
Giggling she nestled into his side and gave up her anxieties. She had done all she could do. Now it was time to let her worries go and enjoy herself.
And she did.
AN: They Crowley's are indeed quirky. If you read "The Mail Order Bride" you would have learned that Abraham's name is Abraham Ulysses Jefferson Robert Crowley, named after both sides in the Civil War to keep peace between their family who were opponents during the conflict. Little Lee is named for the same men, just their last names instead of their first and in reverse order than Abe's.
Chapter 7: The Cavalcade
It was rare that the people of Denver had seen such a sight. Not simply the regular 5:04 evening train pulling into the depot and letting out its passengers but the fact that there was a private car in this train, straight from Chicago. The inhabitants of this car, which had been coupled onto the train at the most advantageous place to avoid the billowing smoke, descended onto the platform with regal grace. Waiting to meet these very important passengers were a variety of city functionaries; the mayor, the deputy mayor, the chief of police and their wives as well as various flunkies and odds bodies. The Denver Fire Brigade Excelsior Brass Band was playing a welcoming flourish and even speeches were made in honor of their arrival in the west.
"This is ridiculous," Alice whispered to Jasper. "I want to go."
Jasper smiled at the crowd then whispered out of the side of his mouth, "It will be over soon, Sweetpea. Just be patient."
Alice was chomping at the bit. She had been eagerly waiting for the day she could return to Colorado and she knew that Jasper felt the same. In fact, he had pulled out his cowboy gear to wear today until he was informed by his mother that a formal suit was required. (He still wore his boots and hoped his mother would not notice.) Alice was dressed in satin, lace, and ribbons and little baby Brandon was adorable in a miniature sailor suit. And of course, Carlisle and Esmé could have been the King and Queen of Colorado for all the fuss. They were just missing their crowns.
"…and so, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen and family, we welcome you to our city and hope you will enjoy your stay and return often."
Carlisle made a few gracious remarks and then they were ushered into their carriage to be transported to their hotel. They had rented the entire second, and finest, floor. The plan was to stay in town to get their bearings and organize their travel arrangements and freight to Bear Valley Ranch. Yes. Freight. Carlisle and Esme had decided to come bearing gifts, and they went a little overboard.
Their rail car was emptied and shunted to a side rail to await the return journey. The freight was sent to a warehouse until appropriate heavy load wagons could be hired to carry it to the ranch. Esme and Carlisle had ordered various managers of warehouses to come to their suite with the appropriate goods so they could select what they wished to bring to the ranch in the comfort of their lodgings.
"Mother Esmé," Alice was using her tactful voice, "Don't you think satin is going to be too fine a garment for the ranch?"
"It's not silk," Esmé commented.
"Yes but, truly Mother Esmé, I found plain cottons were the best when I visited last year. They were much more comfortable."
"Hmmm," was all Esmé said. She was beginning to feel like a fish out of water in Colorado. She promised Carlisle that she would make the most of such primitive environs. "Alice, why don't you pick out what you think would be best and I shall simply follow your advice."
"Certainly, Mother Esmé. I would love to." Alice quickly went through the selection process since she had already decided what she would need. She simply duplicated the kind of clothing for Emsé that she was wearing. Alice prayed that everything would continue to go smoothly. Esmé was pretty amenable most times unless she was determined to have things her way. So far that Esmé had not reared her ugly head on this trip. Alice was keeping her fingers crossed.
They stayed in Denver for three days until their clothes could be made and wagons could be hired to convey their gear to Bear Valley Ranch. Finally, the day had come. While Jasper opted to ride his horse from Denver to Bear Valley, Alice, Esme and Carlisle were riding in the coach Carlisle had purchased along with the team of four horses. This necessitated a coachman, as well. The Cullen Cavalcade included eight extra people bound for Bear Valley Ranch, a carriage, four wagon loads of goods and amazed looks where ever they passed.
"Today's the day, little Joy. Today is the day you will meet Grandmama, Grandpapa, Uncle Jasper and Aunt Alice and little cousin Brandon."
Joy smiled and cooed at her father, who was cradling her on his lap as he spoke to her. Father and daughter had been instructed to keep out of trouble (and dirt) until Edward's family arrived. Edward smiled as he thought of how cute Bella had been trying to make sure everything was spit polished for Esmé and Carlisle. He tried to allay her fears as best he could without being dismissive of the real possibility that his parents might be difficult. He thought they would be pleased with Bella, though. However, he didn't think they'd be pleased with him. They had never seemed to be in the past and he had no reason to think that their attitude would have changed in the intervening years.
He heard Bella's quick step as she walked through the house and came out onto the porch where he was awaiting her. His breath caught as it always did when he saw her. Her beauty was inescapable. She was wearing the blue silk dress that Alice had made for her last year for that ill-fated Preacher Sunday Dance. Bella's figure had changed, so she had to do a little adjusting in its fit but as he had told her weeks ago, she looked even more beautiful than she did before Joy was born.
"Any sign of their arrival, dear heart?" she asked.
His heart thumped a little faster at her endearment and he moved over on the swing so she could join the two of them. He held Joy in one arm and put the other around his wife. This was bliss. At her question he looked down the hill across the valley and for the first time saw some movement. It looked like a circus. "I think the invasion has begun."
"Oh!" Bell was going to jump up and run to the cook house to tell Juan Carlos and Ana Maria to get the tea and sandwiches ready to deliver in the great room after the Cullens arrived but Edward stayed her movement.
"Before you run off, Bella, I want to give you something."
She sank back down on the swing and looked questioningly at Edward, really not expecting anything, not really wanting anything except for this day to go well.
He pulled her close with his free arm and smiled down into her face. "Isabella, I love you with my whole heart."
He sealed his words with a sweet kiss on her forehead, both her cheeks and an openmouthed one on her lips that melted her nerves right away. She sighed and leaned against his chest. "I needed to be reminded of that. My nerves just dissolved. But I still need to let Juan Carlos know that they are nearing. When do you think they'll pull up here?"
"Oh," looking back down the hill and frowning at what seemed to be a wagon train. What in the hell did they bring with them? He answered calmly however, "Probably in a half-hour or so."
Kissing him quickly on the cheek and fondly cupping Joy's face in her palm, Bella popped up out of his embrace and dashed down the porch steps to the kitchen. Edward smiled as he watched her tread across the yard to the cook house. He knew that this moment was a respite before the storm.
Bella stood nervously at Edward's side with Joy in her arms as she watched her in-laws drive up to the house in their grand landau carriage. This carriage was quite luxurious as its roof could be contracted down so that the people riding could see all around as they drove through the countryside. Bella remembered seeing pictures of the Queen of England riding in such a thing but she had never seen such a carriage with her own eyes.
The residents of Bear Valley Ranch were ranged behind the Boss and his Missus; the Crowleys, the Hernandezes, Eric Yorkie and the hands that weren't in the fields with the herd and also Emmett and Rosalie McCarty who were there to welcome their own ranch's main investor. As the carriage drew closer, Edward put his arm around his wife. He wasn't sure he was doing it for her reassurance or for his own.
Carlisle and Esmé were sitting in state in their carriage, noting the fat cattle in the fields, the verdant pastures and golden grain shining in the hot July sun. But as they rode up the hill to the big house they were a little surprised that such a lush and prosperous ranch would have as its headquarters something that was just a little more than a log cabin. Both of the senior Cullens were surprised at their unrefined surroundings. And their own son lived like this?
Alice's face was split wide in a grin, her eyes never leaving Bella's face. She had waited a year for this reunion and she had so much to share with her sister by marriage. She felt as though she was coming home after a long absence.
As the carriage drew up, Edward stepped forward and smiled at his parents noting that the ten years that had passed since he last was in their presence sat lightly on their shoulders. His father was still handsome and his mother still beautiful, neither looking their two score and ten years. They in their turn saw the man their boy had grown into and could not help to be proud. Esmé allowed some tears to well in her eyes as she beheld him.
When the carriage finally came to a stop, Edward opened the door and let down the steps, then offered his hand to assist his mother. As Esmé descended, he took her in his arms and kissed her on her cheek. "Welcome to Bear Valley Ranch, mother."
Esmé was a little taken aback as she was not used to such blatant shows of affections but under her crust, her mother's heart was thrilled. "Edward, it has been too long since I last saw you." She placed a fond hand on his cheek, then stepped away as Carlisle stepped up to greet his son.
With his hand outstretched, Carlisle said, "Edward, it is such a pleasure to see you again." Edward took his father's hand and shook it soundly.
"Mother and Father, it is with great delight that I introduce you to my wife, Isabella," Edward stepped back and put his arm around Bella's shoulders and brought her forth.
Bella curtsied and said, "Welcome to our home, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen. I am so glad to be meeting you at long last."
Both Carlisle and Esmé smiled and nodded their heads but their eyes were on what Bella held in her arms, their granddaughter, Joy Elizabeth.
Edward spoke up then, "And this is Joy, our daughter."
"May I hold her?" Esmé asked, smiling from ear to ear.
"Of course," Bella gently shifted Joy into her mother-in-law's arms and watched with pleasure as Grandmama and granddaughter met for the first time.
Just then, Alice, who was bubbling with enthusiasm, rushed up to Bella and hugged her tightly. "Bella, it seems like decades since we last saw each other! I've missed you so much!"
Bella returned the embrace and said, "I have missed you, too. I have so much to show you."
"I can see a few new things all ready," Alice smiled at Esmé and Carlisle ohhing and ahhhing over Joy.
"She's the biggest change of course. But I can't wait to meet little Brandon." Jasper had helped Alice down from the carriage and taken Brandon over to greet Edward but now it was Bella's turn to meet her new nephew.
"Oh, he's so handsome, Alice. He has such a twinkle in his eyes."
"Yes. He's a happy baby."
The two women walked over to where Esmé was cooing at Joy, "Mrs. Cullen, I'd like to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. McCarty, the owners of The Lazy L, our nearest neighbors, and the other inhabitants of Bear Valley Ranch."
As Bella led her mother-in-law over to the other folks gathered there, Edward asked his father with a little bit of amazement in his voice, "What did you manage to bring with you that necessitated four wagon loads?" The wagons were piled high and covered with tarpaulins, so one could guess what lay below them but not know for sure.
"I come bearing gifts, Edward, a father's privilege. I hope you will appreciate them."
"I do appreciate your trouble, sir, but I can't imagine what you could have thought to bring."
Carlisle pointed at the first wagon after the carriage, "That wagon carries our personal necessities, of course, but the rest should prove to be useful to you in your ranching endeavors."
Edward tried to look appreciative and grateful but he couldn't imagine what his father would have chosen to bring to help him in his ranching. And he also wondered what would be his underlying obligation. He had prided himself on building Bear Valley Ranch with his own blood, sweat and tears and not asking nor receiving any help from his well-to-do family. He followed Carlisle over to the second wagon.
"I have done my research, Edward, and I know the shift is towards a combination of farming and ranching and from the brief mentions you've made in your letters, you told me that you have made the change, yourself. I have invested in your neighbor's ranch and have dropped off two wagons that duplicate what you have in yours. I have brought the latest farming equipment for both ranches, guaranteed to reduce the labor needed to farm them; combines, threshers, plows, bailers, and the like." Carlisle indicated to the drivers of these wagons to remove the coverings from the conveyances.
Edward was stunned looking at the machinery packed on the two large wagons. This was an amazing gift and much too generous. Edward had no way of paying his father back for this relatively expensive equipment and he certainly did not want to be beholding to Carlisle for anything so dear. He knew this was how Carlisle frequently acquired businesses in the past and he didn't want his father to try to commandeer his ranch.
"Father, it is much too much. I cannot accept it."
"Of course you can. You need this in order to maintain growth. If not, you will never be able to perform as you need to stay in the black. Don't let your pride get in the way of good business sense, Edward. I feel I am giving you what was yours from the start. Remember, you have a wife and a child to support now."
Edward shook his head knowing this was not the time or the place to go into this with his Father, so he simply sighed and moved on to the last wagon. This wagon was not an open topped one like the others. This one was enclosed, like what a tradesman would use. There was a gnome of a man driving the mules that pulled it. He didn't have the appearance of a carter, but more of a craftsman. Edward looked at his father questioningly.
"Oh, this was your mother's idea. She thought she should reunite you with something you left behind."
Edward was still at sea. "Something I left behind?" He could not think of a thing that he had left in Chicago that he now regretted.
"Yes," Carlisle responded then turned to the driver. "You, there. Tell my son your name, please?"
"Si signore." Turning to Edward he said, "My name is Aro Volturi. I am a pleased to be helping you, soon."
"Helping me?" Edward was even more puzzled.
"Si."
Edward looked once more at his dad who was smirking. "How is he going to help me?"
"That man is a piano tuner. Your mother and I have brought you your piano."
Chapter 8: The Piano
"Why don't we go into the house for refreshments?" Bella suggested.
Cookie spoke up, "It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen, but I am sure now you and your family would like to reacquaint yourselves without neighbors underfoot. Rosalie and I will go back home now. Come over when you would like and I can show you the improvements we have made through your investment." They all said their goodbyes and then turned to enter the house.
Bella had directed Lauren to show Mr. and Mrs. Phelps upstairs so they could get the Cullen's luggage disposed in the proper rooms. Ana Maria and Juan Carlos had slipped away to put the sandwiches and desserts on the table in the big room. Edward was directing the hands to lead the heavy wagons down to the new barn but he quietly told them not to unload them just yet. Eric took charge of the various dispositions of wagons and horses and then told all carters and carriers to go to the cook house for a meal.
Tyler helped get the Cullen's belongings up the stairs and into their rooms. He only grumbled a little bit under his breath.
Bella's guests followed her into her home and she asked them to sit where they would be most comfortable in the great room in front of the large fire place. Esmé still held the now sleeping Joy and sat down in the great chair, grinning from ear to ear, "Why, I think she looks just like me."
"If that's the case, Esmé, then she's sure to be a beauty," Carlisle offered fondly. He stood behind Esmé's chair, gazing at his wife and new granddaughter.
Bella smiled, "If you have a need to freshen up, the bath house and necessary are just through that back door there." She thought she may as well get to the rustic features of her home right away. Alice and Jasper both headed for the back door, taking Bella up on her suggestion.
"Can I bring you some tea and a plate, Mrs. Cullen? I am sure you are thirsty after your drive."
"That would be nice, Isabella, but please call me Mother Esmé, there are three Mrs. Cullens in this house now."
Bella smiled and set to pouring tea for Carlisle and Esmé and providing a selection from the offerings on the table.
When Edward entered the house, he stood opposite his parents and put his hands behind his back as he rocked on his feet, "I truly thank you for bringing my piano. Besides my family, that was the one thing I missed the most about Chicago, I believe." He was being diplomatic here. Actually, he had missed his piano more.
"Well, Edward, it was your piano and taking up such a space in my front parlor. We also packed up the music that you had in the chest as well. Have you been able to play much out here in the wild?"
"No, mother. There are a few pianos around but I have never availed myself of them. Probably, I was too shy to show off my lack of skill."
"Lack of skill! You could have performed on stage to cheering crowds if you would have gone in that direction."
"We shall see if the ten years of neglect have forever ruined my ability." Edward shrugged.
Turning to his wife he asked, "Bella, where do you think we could put a concert grand in here?"
"I was thinking, Edward, that we could move those shelves and china cupboard out of the alcove and place it there?" She pointed to the area that was to the left of the front door.
"But where would you put your good china?" Edward asked.
"In the cook house, possibly the kitchen. The cupboard would fit nicely in there along with the shelves. It's where they are needed after all," Bella smiled. "I shall see to it this afternoon. When do you think Mr. Volturi will wish to start his work?"
"At the moment he's eating. I am sure he won't mind putting off preparing the piano until tomorrow."
Bella nodded, satisfied that the piano would soon be in place. She was secretly dying to hear her husband play. She was sure his old skill would quickly return to him.
Alice returned from outside. "Bella and Edward, I love the new bath house. It looks so comfortable. The flower beds have taken off nicely, as well."
"Thank you, sister," Bella responded, "I hope you will offer advice as to our next project."
After taking a plate of finger sandwiches and a slice of cake, Alice sat while Bella poured her a cup of tea.
"What foods are you putting up now," Alice ventured.
"I am still canning beans and, of course, making jellies and preserves. I tried canning squash last year but the results were not so spectacular. We could add them to stews and sauces but they did not hold up to other dishes."
"What do you mean by 'canning?'" Esmé asked.
"It is a way of preserving food so that you can store it for the winter. I was able to can enough vegetables last summer to see us through to this year's growing season. I had great success with the new Mason jars last year. They are made out of sturdy glass and you place a lid and ring on them and then put them in a hot water bath for a number of minutes. The process causes the lids to seal and keep the food fresh as long as you don't open it. It is my main occupation this time of year. I will be happy to show you the process, if you wish."
"I would dearly love to help, Bella," Alice responded. Bella smiled at her.
Esmé did not say anything, just nodded her head.
"Now, mother," Edward said, "you are no longer in Chicago where you could traipse down to the grocer for your victuals. On the frontier, you have to make your own as best you can. Bella buys a few staples but by and large Bear Valley Ranch is self-supporting. Due to Bella's efforts, last year we ate better than we ever have."
Bella found herself blushing with her husband's praise and she smiled bashfully at him.
Esmé was not sure about this 'canning' business so she changed the topic. "Isabella, you truly have a charming southern drawl. I am surprised you haven't lost it yet having been so long away from Virginia."
"A drawl? I truly haven't noticed. " She put her hand in front of her mouth as if she could hide it.
Edward smiled and said, "You have the softest and sweetest lilt, my love. I enjoy listening to you speak."
Esmé went on, "'Tis charming. You sound like you could be waltzing on the lawns of Monticello or Mount Vernon.*"
"Oh," Bella said softly, thinking that she had never set foot on either one of those esteemed properties. "I never had the pleasure, Mother Esmé, but I thank you for the compliment."
At that moment, Joy started to whimper and Bella walked over to pick her up, "It is time for Joy's dinner. Please continue to help yourself and if you are tired, your rooms are ready upstairs."
"You modern girls and your insistence on going without nursemaids," Esmé commented as she relinquished Joy to the young mother's care.
"'Tis a pleasure, Mother Esmé," Bella smiled sweetly down at her daughter who was grinning into Bella's face. She quickly disappeared into her bedroom to see to Joy's needs.
"She's a lovely girl, Edward," Carlisle commented.
"She is that. I am completely enthralled by her."
"Well, son, I think I shall go upstairs to refresh myself and then perhaps you can show us around?" Carlisle suggested.
"It would be my pleasure." Edward watched as his father escorted his mother up the stairs. Turning to Jasper and Alice, he said, "That didn't go too badly."
"No, Edward. I think Mother and Father are happy to see you at last." Jasper was standing leaning an elbow on the mantle, still dressed in his eastern suit.
"Jasper, I believe you are overdressed for the occasion as I am, too. Please excuse me as I get back into my work clothes." Edward headed into his bedroom as Alice and Jasper practically ran up the stairs both eager to be shed of their city-skins.
Edward caught his breath as he entered their bedroom to find Bella sitting in the rocking chair, nursing their baby. Her ethereal beauty always caused his heart to hammer in his chest but seeing her like this – he had no words. When he told his father she enthralled him, he was not exaggerating.
"Have they gone upstairs?" Bella asked.
"Yes. They are all getting changed and then I shall take them on a tour of the area around the house. I think their arrival went very well."
Bella sighed. "Edward, answer me truly, do I sound like a hill-billy when I talk?"
He chuckled and said, "No, my dear. You sound very genteel."
"Are you sure, Mr. Cullen?" she said as she shifted Joy to her shoulder and gently patted the baby's back leaving her breast completely exposed to his increasingly avid gaze.
"Positive, Mrs. Cullen-mine." Hearing the baby burp, he walked over and took the drowsing child in his arms and then laid her down in her cradle where she promptly fell to sleep. He turned to his wife to find she had already readjusted her bodice so that her goods were put away. "Durn!" he thought.
He walked over to Bella and drew her into his arms, "You were marvelous and my father said you were 'a lovely girl.'"
"Did he?"
"Of course he did. It's not you they are skeptical of, Bella, it is me."
"You? How could you say that?"
"Did you not see those wagon-loads of equipment he brought with him? Thousands of dollars right there. Without even knowing anything about this ranch or its needs, my father simply brought all that equipment not once conferring with me to see if we needed it or even wanted it."
"I am sure he didn't mean any ill-will towards you, Edward."
"No. Not ill-will but certainly a lack of confidence in my ability to run our ranch."
"Truly, Edward? Maybe he is simply trying to make amends the best he knows how. He is trying to show you that he supports your endeavors and wishes you to continue to be successful."
Edward pulled her close and kissed her forehead loving her kind heart but knowing his father better than she did. "Or, he is trying to take control of me once again by making me indebted to him."
"Edward, do you think that is what he is doing?"
"It's a fifty-fifty chance. He could be doing this to make amends or he could be doing this to put hooks into me. Honestly, I'd say it is a little bit of both."
"Could you use the equipment, Edward?"
"I haven't got a good look at any of it but I am sure there is some there I could put use to."
"What are you going to do?"
"First, I will confer with Tyler and the crew that does the farming to see what they think about the usefulness of the equipment. If we find some that we can use, I will purchase it from my father. The equipment we don't need is going back to Chicago with him."
"How will we pay for it, Edward?" Bella knew that money was tight at this time.
"I am hoping my father will let me pay so much a year with interest until it is paid off. If he won't consider that, then I will have to go to the bankers in Denver for a loan."
"A loan!" Bella was scandalized. Loans were a sure way to lose everything.
"They aren't so bad, Bella, as long as you study the terms to insure the payments are in your means. It is how many a fortune out west - and east, for that matter - got started."
"Oh, Edward. Perhaps you should send all the equipment back." The thought of being in debt made Bella sick to her stomach.
"Bella, as a businessman I am telling you, if there is equipment in those wagons that I am going to have to end up buying anyway, then buying them now from my father on good terms could be the most cost-effective way to go. It would be the best deal."
"I don't know, Edward. Remember the Bible says, "neither a borrower nor a lender be…"
"My Bella, the Bible didn't say that, Shakespeare did and he was the biggest case of 'do as I say, not as I do' that ever was."
"Well, Edward, Bible or Shakespeare, I still agree with the sentiment." She sighed and then took a big breath, "BUT I have trusted you thus far with these decisions, I suppose I will trust you further. I know you will always take care of us."
She could not have said anything that tweaked Edward's conscience more. He sometimes forgot that he had responsibilities that prevented him from taking huge risks. But was taking a loan out for farm equipment a risk? He would have to get the figures from his father and study his ledger to see how quickly such amounts could be paid back.
He squeezed Bella in his arms a bit more and said, "I promise you Bella, I won't take a loan out if it isn't practical or prudent."
She smiled up at him then rose on her toes as she pulled his face to hers for a kiss, "You are my wise love. I have complete faith in you. Now, I hear footsteps coming down the stairs. We need to go to our guests."
Bella begged off the tour as she needed to get some things organized on the home front. Tyler was finished unloading the Cullen's luggage and she was able to way lay him and ask him to find some crates or boxes she could use to pack the china in. He remembered they had saved some crates from when the books came for the study last year, so he soon had about four sturdy wooden containers for Bella to fill with the contents from the china press.
It did not take her long to empty the press and get Tyler and Juan Carlos to move it into the kitchen. There was plenty of room for it in there. Then they carried over the boxes of china and she replaced each piece in the cupboard.
"Oh, Senora, this is beautiful in here. We can put this to much use," Ana Maria said.
"It is just as well, Ana Maria, with it in the main house, we never thought to use it," Bella nodded.
Bella caught the piano tuner just finishing his dinner in the large dining room. "Mr. Volturi, I am Mrs. Edward Cullen. Welcome to Bear Valley Ranch."
"It is a great pleasure, Signora. The instrument that I bring is the finest I have seen in this country. It will be a pleasure working with it."
"I would like to show you where we plan to put it." Bella indicated he should follow her into the great house.
"This alcove should be big enough, yes?"
"Si. It is plenty big but I do not like it so close to the front door. In winter time, gusts of coldness will affect its tuning. It is best to keep it in a location where the temperature is even and moderate."
"We rarely use the front door in winter-time, Mr. Volturi, and as the fire place is across the room, I am thinking the temperature here will be the most unchanging."
"Si, you are probably correct, Signora. Shall I get some men to help me move it in?"
"Yes. I would love to get the piano set up as quickly as we can."
Soon, six men were recruited to assist Aro in unloading and positioning the piano. They first gingerly slid a huge crate from the back of Aro's wagon. Bella could tell it was very heavy as the seven men struggled to carry it up the porch stairs to the doorway. Bella held wide the door as they carefully turned the crate on its side and carried it through to the great room and set it gently on the floor.
There, Aro carefully pulled the crate apart, stacking the boards to the side. Wrapped in thick packing quilts was the body of the piano. Aro started cutting the cords holding the quilts in place, then pulled them off one at a time. The piano was revealed to be upside down.
Calling one of the men to follow, Aro bustled out of the door and soon they brought in another much smaller crate. "The legs and pedals are in here." He soon had that crate open and took out three substantial legs and the brackets for the pedals and its action.
The legs were soon fit securely in place along with the pedal bracket. Aro deftly inserted the casters into the legs. Stepping back, Aro said to the men, "Here is the most delicate part. We must lift the piano and turn it over so very carefully so that we do not damage it." Aro directed the men to stand at various places and they carefully turned the piano on its side, then continued the rotation until it was standing on its legs. Aro had unpacked the instrument so skillfully that all that needed to be done was to push the instrument a few feet into its position into the alcove. Aro locked the casters so that the piano would not move. Thanking the men, Aro, sent them off.
Bella was taken aback. This piano was a glorious instrument. It's shiny black case and elegant lines had her speechless. She traced the insignia above the keys. Henry E. Steinway, New York City. Aro cut more cords and removed more quilts; he lifted the lid to the sound board and revealed more packing materials. "All of this, Signora, is my secret to transporting fine instruments. I have developed this method to prevent any damage." He quickly removed more quilt and blanket-like materials from the inside of the instrument that kept the parts from moving. Soon the piano was revealed in all of its grandeur. Bella helped by folding up the various packing blankets and was surprised at how tall the pile was.
Aro had crawled under the piano to affix the movement to the pedals and then, finally crawled back out and stood. "There, Signora, she is all put together. Now she needs to rest in her new home for a day before I shall start the tuning. Please to tell your husband not to play it as it is sorely out of pitch due to the moving process but this time tomorrow, her true voice will sing again." He smiled in triumph as he gathered his packing materials and returned to his wagon.
Bella went to grab a broom to sweep up whatever detritus that had come in with the piano. By the time she got back, Aro had brought in the piano bench and a music cabinet that was filled with sheet music. Bidding Bella a friendly "ciao," he left her to get things settled in his wagon. He was bedding down in the bunk house for the night and Bella had no fears that the hands would fail to keep him entertained.
Bella wandered over to the music cabinet and pulled out a few sheets of music and studied them. Fur Elise by Beethoven. The staves and notes ran together to her eyes and it looked complicated.
She had always wanted to learn to play the piano but her parents never had the wherewithal to allow her. An idea was beginning to form in her head. Perhaps Edward would be willing to teach her? Her heart raced. Would he?
AN:
* Monticello was the home that Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the US, built outside of Charlottesville, Virginia about a hundred miles from Bella's old home. Mount Vernon was George Washington's estate (the first president) and much closer to Occoquan but Bella was never able to visit it, even though it was opened to visitors from 1853. Visiting historical sites was considered the pastime of the upper class and the Swan's definitely weren't that. Both of these historic sites are pretty wonderful to visit and I'd suggest it to any who would have the chance.
*Heinrich E. Steinweg started his piano manufacturing business in New York City in 1853. He was determined to produce the finest piano forte that could be found and many claim that his company continues to do so. Each piano is handmade and the emphasis is on quality, not cost cutting. As a result, Steinway pianos are fabulous instruments but very, very costly. Heinrich later changed his name to Henry E. Steinway. You can read more at their web site www . Steinway . com . (As always, leave the spaces out of these web addresses when you plug them into your browser.)
Chapter 9: The Interruption
It had been a long day and Bella was exhausted. She stretched out in bed so glad to feel the soft sheets and comfortable mattress embrace her. Sighing, she thought back over the day's events and she was fairly satisfied with the outcome. Her in-laws had arrived and seemed pleased with all they saw, at least as far as she could tell. Edward was a little hesitant in their motivations but she could see no reason to question their sincerity.
It was wonderful to have Alice back to talk to and giggle with. You'd never guess they were old married women and mothers to boot when they got together. Bella had hardly stopped laughing since they had met up in the kitchen to help prepare supper. She had never had such a friend as Alice. She remembered one hilarious conversation that had her in stitches.
"…and then the brass band came out and played 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic.' You would have thought we were President Cleveland or someone."
Bella laughed and wiped the tears from her eyes, "Why on earth would they greet you like that in Denver?"
"Oh, don't they do that for everyone?" Alice grinned sardonically.
Shaking her head, Bella giggled. "The mayor was there? I can hardly believe it!"
"Yes, and his wife and just about every other person they could pull off the street, I am sure. Jasper said that word got out that some high financier from Chicago was coming. I guess renting the whole second floor of their best hotel and making arrangements for the merchants to visit clued them in that someone with substance was coming through and they wanted to make sure Carlisle spent some of that substance in the city. They got their wish."
"Well, I think that speaks well for the businessmen of Denver. They aren't ones to let an opportunity go by when they see it."
"Bella, I am just so glad to be here. I've missed you and the ranch so. Your garden looks a treat. We have a lot to do this week, I can tell."
"Yes. I am running behind because of the preparations for your visit but maybe you can help me catch up. Do you think Esmé will wish to lend a hand? Otherwise I don't know what I am going to do to keep her entertained."
"Don't worry about our mother-in-law. She rarely leaves her bed until noon and then spends at least two hours getting dressed. I doubt that will change. Phelps will see to her needs. You don't have to worry."
Bella was going to try to take Alice's advice. She didn't think that Esmé quite understood that her days were full of work and if she didn't do it, no one else would and everyone suffered. Edward suggested she just follow her normal routine and invite his mother to accompany her but not to be surprised if she didn't choose to do so.
Sighing, Bella turned over and faced her sleeping husband. He had made it to bed before her tonight, having a very early start himself the next day. They were readying the herd for the drive that was taking place in a week. He was pleased with what he was bringing to market this year, she knew.
She could just make out his features in the dim lamp light she always left burning so that she could see when she got up in the night to tend their daughter. She tucked her hands up under her cheek as she gazed at Edward. His hair was every which way as usual and she ached to run her fingers through it but she knew he needed his sleep, so she'd best not attempt it. She savored his broad brow and the sweep of his eyelashes against his cheeks, those full lips that she remembered could tantalize and tease her body into such a glorious frenzy; everything about him she loved.
Then, he opened his mouth and started to snore. She had to fight to suppress a giggle.
She remembered how delighted Edward was when he got back to the house after showing his family the ranch to find his piano set up and just waiting to be tuned. He spent some time looking through the music cabinet picking out his favorites and reminiscing with his mother on the occasions he had played one piece or the other.
After supper, they all wandered down to the campfire to listen to the music that was being offered that night by various cowboy crooners. Bella had arranged to have some chairs brought down from the house for the comfort of Edward's parents. The hands teased Bella and Edward until they agreed to sing a duet, something that Bella secretly loved to do but Edward always seemed reticent. Tonight, however, he acquiesced and they sang "Alice, Where Art Thou?" * Edward's baritone voice gave her shivers and she found it very distracting. But in the end all seemed pleased with their performance. Alice, herself, made everyone laugh after they finished the song by answering, "Why, I am right here!"
Even Carlisle and Esmé treated them with "Whispering Hope" * a hymn that was popular in the churches. Those two had truly fine voices, Carlisle's tenor seemed to embrace and cherish Esmé's fine soprano and they melded their voices beautifully. A peace descended over the Bear Valley Ranch folk after that and they just sat there for a while, admiring the stars that swept on forever in the night sky.
Finally, the fiery embers dimmed and everyone headed off to bed but Bella, who had to make a quick trip to the kitchen to make sure the ham was soaking for tomorrow's dinner. She'd saved one of her brother's hams for just such an event as this. By the time she had seen to that and fed little Joy, the ranch was slumbering and it seemed very peaceful and lovely.
Staring again at her sleeping husband she was reminded of everything she loved about her life. She was truly a blessed woman. She shut her eyes, finally letting sleep come while Edward's snores provided her own personal lullaby.
Bella felt a tickle on her leg and she slapped at it, half asleep, hoping it wasn't a bug. It was bad to have bugs in bed. But the tickle was persistent and it traveled higher on her leg to her thigh. She put her hand down to brush it off to be met with one of Edwards's questing under her night gown. She grumbled, "I was asleep."
"It's soon time to arise, sweetheart. I thought I would wake you up a little sooner so we could take advantage."
She turned to face him as his hand started tracing trails up her thigh to her hip. "Take advantage of what?" she asked.
"A quiet moment. We won't be having many of those in the coming weeks, I think."
"And how would you like to take advantage of this quiet moment?"
His hand reached her waist and so he pulled her close against him. She could feel what was on his mind at the moment and she smiled when he said, "I was thinking, ma'am, that we could share a little connubial bliss."
"I think you could talk me into it."
"I don't think I'd need words." His hand slid over to deftly rub her just so and sparks ignited.
"Uhm, Edward, no words are needed." She brushed her own hand down to rub against him. He leaned in to kiss her and she nipped his bottom lip and traced it with her tongue.
"Unnnfff…" Edward groaned. He continued to rub and delve with his hand and she opened to him, every inch of her aflame with desire.
"How I want you, Edward," she panted. He continued his attentions as he deeply kissed her again. He settled down between her legs and slid so perfectly within her that they both gasped. They were enjoying that first rush of intimate delight when…
"WAAAAAHHHHH!" Joy cried.
That always jolted Bella out of any preoccupied state she was in.
Edward whimpered. He knew she would end it and go to the baby. Neither one of them could concentrate while their daughter was wailing. He rolled off of her.
"Oh drat!" Bella cried as she threw back the covers. Pecking her husband on the lips, she slipped out of bed and turned up the lamp to rush over to the crying baby. As soon as Joy saw her mother she stopped sobbing and smiled.
"You have the worst timing, Joy Elizabeth," Bella stated as she picked up the little baby. Her tender voice belied her words and Joy chortled. Bella took her over to the dresser and quickly changed her out of her damp diaper into a fresh one.
"Mama and Daddy were 'taking advantage' and you interrupted, young lady." Bella sat down on the rocker and put Joy to her breast. Bella shook her head as she smiled down at her voraciously nursing baby.
She looked up at her husband who was staring at the ceiling.
"Edward, are you alright?"
He looked over towards where she was sitting and grimaced. "It isn't like I haven't had a case of testicular congestion before."
"Oh, I am sorry but …"
"But?"
"I know how you feel," she said in a small voice.
Edward got out of bed and walked over to her as she sat with Joy and put his hand on her shoulder. "I recommend cold water in the wash basin. It will help." Then he turned on his heel and strode over to where he had his work clothes, scooped them up and left the room.
True to what Alice had predicted, Esmé did not make an appearance until well after dinner had been cleared up. Bella had already done practically a full day's work by that time because she had to get some canning done this afternoon or her produce would rot. She had milked her cows first thing in the morning and decided that she had enough cream collected and rested to make some butter. She knew that after she instructed Alice in what to do with processing the vegetables, she could spend some time on the porch churning the cream into butter. The rest of her morning chores included harvesting what was ready in the garden, colleting eggs from the hen house, and washing diapers – lately a never ending and daily chore at Bear Valley Ranch. The mothers agreed to pool their diapers and take turns with the washing. Today was Bella's turn. Soon, she had a clothes line full of white diapers flapping in the wind. They would dry quickly that way. There was something about a line full of clean laundry that made her feel as though she had accomplished something.
Alice was very interested in the sling that Ana Maria had introduced to Bear Valley Ranch and it didn't take Ana long to make one for her. Bella could not wait to see Mother Esmé's expression when she saw all of them, Lauren, Ana Maria, Bella, and Alice all sporting their babies in slings. Probably she would make some comment about "modern girls" or some such.
So, leaving Alice in the kitchen with Juan Carlos, Ana Maria cleaning in the big house, and Lauren watching the ranch toddlers in the back yard, Bella got out her churn and the bucket of rested cream from the cold cellar. Esmé had joined them in the kitchen looking very out of place.
"Esmé I am going to be churning butter on the front porch. Would you care to join me? It is beautiful in the shade there and we have such a lovely view."
Esmé smiled her agreement and got her embroidery bag out so she could work, too. Bella spread a quilt out on the porch floor and doubled it up into a soft pallet, then let Joy lay there and kick and coo as she wished while her mother worked. It was a beautiful day. The sky was a robin's egg blue, the mountains were grey giants and the trees that surrounded them, a deep green. She could see the river sparkling in the sunlight and hear the cattle lowing as the men mustered them in the valley below for the coming drive.
"Tis pretty here," Esmé commented.
"On fine days, it is my favorite place to do hand work."
Bella dismantled the old fashioned churn she had. The one thing Bella would like to get one day was a modern churn that only required the operator to turn a crank to work the dash. It was much easier and made butter much more quickly than her old fashioned model did.
Her churn required the churner to plunge the dash up and down for a lengthy period of time until the buttermilk had separated from the cream and the milk solids had set into sweet butter. Bella had Guernsey cows which provided the richest milk in her opinion and so she believed she had the best butter. While the churn was a bother, her butter was one thing she was proud about. She smiled in satisfaction as she poured the cream into the tub and settled the dash through the hole of the lid. This batch was for cooking, so she didn't add salt. It wouldn't last as long that way but she was sure Juan Carlos would use it up quicker than she could churn it, anyway.
She sat on her three legged stool and started churning – up, down, up, down, up, down – and not do much else until she was done.
"So, how long do you have to do that, Bella?"
"Oh, it depends, really; usually about a half of an hour. It seems forever, though. I just let my mind wander for entertainment. I am glad you are here so we can converse, if you are willing."
"Of course, I am willing. I have to get to know the girl my oldest son is so enthralled over." She smiled.
"Edward is enthralled by me?"
"That is what he told us last night."
"That is good to hear." He wasn't too enthralled with her this morning when their love making was interrupted, she thought.
Up, down, up, down, she churned. Ever since Edward taught her to please him with her hands, her mind tended to wander towards their private time while she churned. She could actually get herself fairly worked up if she thought hard enough about it but she never mentioned it to Edward lest he felt she was a wanton creature. And now, while talking to her mother-in-law, was certainly not the time to be thinking about it.
"So, how did the two of you meet?" Esmé asked.
Surely, Esmé had heard how that had happened. Bella guessed she wanted to hear it from her own mouth. "We met through correspondence."
"And how did you exchange addresses so as to correspond?"
"I read a bit of poetry Edward had written and it inspired me to write to him in appreciation." That was all pretty truthful. She didn't need to mention she found the poetry in an ad Edward had taken out in the Matrimonial News.
"Poetry? Edward writes poetry?"
Bella chuckled, "He would never claim to but it sounded poetic to me and spurred my interest. We started exchanging letters and both found that interest soon led to appreciation and then appreciation led to admiration. The day he wrote to ask me to join him in Colorado was one of the happiest days of my life."
"It sounds so romantic."
"It was romantic. When I found the man in the flesh was better than any modest words he used to describe himself, I knew the hand of God was in our meeting. We have been very happy together, Mother Esmé." Bella hoped by invoking divine providence her mother-in-law would be assuaged a bit by their unorthodox courtship, for who could deny the hand of God?
"But you married so quickly."
"Edward was concerned about sullying my reputation. Once we met, we realized there was no reason to procrastinate, so we married the day after I arrived."
"Edward always was impetuous."
Bella smiled, thinking about those days and how impetuously Edward taught her to properly love him. Up, down, up, down. Bella sighed. The cold water in the basin helped but a little this morning. She was feeling now just about as pent up as she did when they were interrupted.
Sighing, she could feel the butter hardening. Up, down, up, down. Oh, how this reminded her of that night…
"How did you and Father Carlisle meet?" Bella needed to change the subject.
"I knew about Carlisle for years before my debut. He was the most desirable bachelor in Chicago and I was half in love with him since I was fourteen. You see him now and he is still attractive." Esmé sighed, "In those days, he was a Greek god – so very handsome. He never noticed me, though, until the night of my debut. I suppose I had grown up and my dress was very stylish. He asked me for two dances, one of them the waltz!" Esmé almost giggled but then caught herself. "I knew to treat him kindly but not to show him any more attention than any other man there. My mother was an expert in these matters and I followed her advice to the letter. The next morning he sent me the most beautiful nosegay of oleander and pink roses! Mother and I looked up their meaning and I was so thrilled. Oleander means beauty and grace and pink roses mean love, and sincerity.* I could hardly believe it."
Esmé sighed in remembered happiness. "I went to Papa and asked him to agree to anything that Mr. Cullen should ask, within reason, of course. It was only a matter of time when Carlisle did ask for my hand."
Bella smiled just imagining the scene. "It sounds like you where both pleased."
"That we were, Isabella. That we have always been."
Bella remembered her first sight of Edward. He resembled a Greek god to her as well and he inspired intense and alien feelings within her. She now knew exactly what those feelings were – carnal desire. Up, down. Up, down. In, Out. In, Out.
Bella's eyes widened when she realized what she was chanting in her head. She needed to get a hold of herself – or she needed some uninterrupted private time with her husband as soon as she could manage. She never knew she could be such a lusty wench. She would be embarrassed if she weren't so desperate.
In, out. In, out. In, out.
Edward walked up the hill towards the house. He had talked to the farm workers and Eric and they had suggested that of all the equipment Carlisle had brought, the combine would be the most useful. They either already had duplicates of the other equipment or saw no use for some of the more esoteric pieces.
Now, Edward had to talk frankly with his father. It was the moment of truth and he was trying his best to keep that old but familiar feeling that he was being called into his father's presence because of misbehavior from overwhelming him. It was a curious thing that though he had been making his way successfully on his own for a dozen years, his parents could still make him feel like a recalcitrant child.
His father had risen early that morning and had breakfast with the men and himself in the cook house. Jasper was raring to go, having missed out on the muster last year. He was determined to go on the drive this year and was fairly bounding in his seat with excitement. They spent the morning inspecting the herd and deciding which beasts to send to market and which to build his herd with for the next year. Carlisle seemed impressed with the operation. Then they looked over the grain fields and watched the farming hands start the harvest there.
"Why aren't you using the equipment I brought you, Edward?"
"I would like to speak with you about that, father. How about we meet in the afternoon in my study to discuss it?"
Carlisle's face was inscrutable as he answered, "Of course, Edward. Would three in the afternoon be amenable?"
Edward had agreed and now he was on his way, like he was going to face the headmaster of his old school for punishment. He was frustrated to feel this way and that just compounded the frustration he felt all morning, starting with the aborted love-making with his Bella. He was wound tighter than a spring in more ways than one.
As he made the rise right before the house, he saw Bella sitting on the porch with his mother. Bella was at her churn and looking straight at him, her eyes intense pools of…of need. Her arms were rhythmically pumping the dash up and down inside the churn she had between her legs. He recognized her longing immediately and suddenly felt his body coil up even tighter and his pecker… damn. His pecker was being his pecker and his mother was sitting right there watching.
He shot Bella what he hoped was a look of promise and then turned to greet his mother.
"What are you doing back so early, Edward?"
"Father and I are going to talk business in the study for a while." He smiled down at the now sleeping Joy, Interrupter Supreme, and then put a gentle hand on Bella's shoulder. "I shall see you later, sweetheart?" He hoped she knew what he was intending.
Smiling saucily up at him from under her lashes but at an angle Esmé couldn't observe, she said, "Of course." She knew exactly what he meant. He squeezed her shoulder and exhaled. She could slay him with a look, that vixen. His vixen.
Taking hold of himself, Edward passed through the house and found his father, who had changed out of the clothes he had worn in the morning, studying the volumes that were ranged on the shelves in the study.
"Your grandfather had a marvelous collection, Edward."
"He did. Bella and I have certainly enjoyed it this year."
"Isabella's a reader?"
"Yes, an avid one. I think she's read more of these than I have by now."
"She seems to be a very talented and beautiful woman, Edward."
"I have discovered that myself, much to my delight."
"She's not from the crème de la crème, though is she?"
Edward felt his hackles rise. "She is as far as I am concerned. She is exactly perfect for me. What use would I have for one of your hot house Chicago flowers? I would be bored in a minute with one of those. Bella has a sharp mind, a good eye and has never been shy to put her hand to anything. I was truly blessed when Isabella Swan entered my life."
"Now, son, I am not disparaging your choice. I believe you when you say she is perfect for you here."
"No, father, she is perfect for me anywhere," Edward stated vehemently.
Carlisle cleared his throat, "Of course, of course. But Isabella is not whom we are here to discuss, is she? I take it you have some problem with my gift?"
Edward sighed and said, "Let's sit down while we discuss this." Without thinking, Carlisle immediately took the chair behind Edward's desk leaving the chair facing the desk for Edward. Edward almost requested that Carlisle take the other seat but he decided that he would choose his battles a little better than that and settled down in the inferior chair.
"Father, Bella and I truly do appreciate your generosity but it is too much."
"Too much, Edward? They are gifts, gifts I choose to give to my son, who seems rather ungrateful about it, I must say."
"I am grateful that you care enough to try to help me but did I truly need these machines?"
"You need them for your farming!"
"I have been farming for a year, father. I already have some of that equipment; so actually, I don't need all of it."
"Well, what do you need?"
"I would like to buy the combine from you, father."
"Buy it? I am giving it to you."
"But at what cost, Father?"
"Gifts are free by their nature, Edward," Carlisle's voice started to rise.
"Father, I admit that I have not seen you in many years but I don't think in character you have changed that much. Forgive me for saying it but I have never seen you give a gift without expecting something back, especially in business."
Carlisle was shocked, "How can you say that?"
"Because in your dealings with me, it was always the case. If you wanted my compliance, you would always dangle something in front of me to insure my obedience. Do you remember that grey gelding you gave me when I was fifteen?"
"See there, that was a gift!" Carlisle exclaimed.
"When I was caught skinning over my school wall after hours, the first thing you did was take him from me. You said I could have him back after I demonstrated I could be trusted."
"Well, that's fair. How would I ever gain your obedience if you had nothing to desire in return?"
"You would gain my obedience, father, by simply respecting me, my independence and my character. I would choose to do the right thing because that is the man I am and the boy I was then. All you had to do was but ask. I did not need to be bribed to do it."
"You are a very naïve person, Edward, even though you are in your thirties. There always has to be something to motivate a person's actions."
"What motivates me, father, is to be the man I aspire to be, a man of integrity. That can't be bought. But you have just proved my original point."
"I have?"
"Yes. You gave me farm equipment because you want a certain behavior from me. Let's have it. What do you want?"
Carlisle hemmed and hawed a bit, then ground out, "I am expanding Cullen Enterprises westward. We already have a stake hold with the Lazy B ranch. I want to bring Bear Valley Ranch into the fold as well. Your ranch will have the best of everything, the finest equipment, the best stock. Perhaps we can change the name even to reflect its excellence. The Cullen Ranch as a ring to it, don't you think?"
Edward's face grew very stern and he rose to his feet. "I respectfully decline your offer of merging my business interests with Cullen Enterprises. I built this ranch with the sweat of my own brow and the sinew of my own arm. I did it without help or hindrance from you. You saw my ranch. It is one of the finest in the state and it will continue to be. There will be no other owners of Bear Valley Ranch than Edward and Isabella Cullen. You can take your equipment back to Chicago. Your price is too high."
And with that, he stormed out of the study and slammed out of the back door and was soon storming up onto the mountain behind the house. His frustration had boiled over.
AN * "Alice, Where Art Thou?" was a very popular song in the 1860s – 1890s.
"Whispering Hope" was a popular duet in those days.
*The meaning of flowers. Evidently you could have a whole conversation by just using flowers.
Chapter 10: The Family
Bella looked in the churn and smiled to see it was thick with clots of butter. "Mother Esmé, I am done here. Could I ask you to watch little Joy for a moment while I dispose of this?"
"It would be my pleasure. She sleeps so peacefully it would be a shame to disturb her. She's such a pretty little girl." Esmé already had the look of a doting grandmother about her and that made Bella happy.
Picking up the churn, she started towards the kitchen only to meet Aro coming towards the house carrying a tool box. "Signora, do you need the help with that?"
"No thank you, sir. Is it time to tune the piano?"
"Si. It had been a full day since I set it up and the weather has been constant, dry and sunny. It is the perfect time."
"Then, please go inside and have at it. I am anticipating hearing beautiful music tonight."
"With an instrument such as this, I can guarantee you will, Signora."
Bella nodded happily and went along to the kitchen to find Alice up to her elbows in pole beans.
"I am having so much fun, Bella. Look at all I have accomplished so far." There was literally a regiment of jars, filled with beans and water waiting for their turn in the water bath.
"Alice, I don't know what I would have done without you. Thank you very much. Look, I've a pound of butter here and at least two quarts of buttermilk! I think I am going to make a pound cake. The hens have been producing like wild fire."
"Sounds delicious, sister. Have you seen Jasper?"
"I think he's still out with the herd. Edward came up just a while ago to meet with his father about business." Bella was pouring off the churn into a large bowl covered with cheesecloth that caught the butter solids that had separated out of the liquid. Picking up the edges of the cheese cloth, she twisted the top then wrung any additional liquid out. She turned the butter into a shallow bowl and covered it with a clean cloth, then took the remaining liquid, the buttermilk, and poured it into a pitcher. After cleaning out the churn, she washed her hands.
"Alice, I am going to feed Joy and then come back in here to help you. Mother Esmé is watching her at the moment."
"I have it all under control here, Bella. You relax some and enjoy yourself. You don't have to work all the time."
"Why thank you, Alice, but if I help you, you'll be done the sooner and then we can both relax together!" Bella grinned at her sister-in-law and laughingly went out to fetch her daughter.
Esmé was holding a fussing Joy in her arms as she tried to soothe her, rocking gently back and forth. She was relieved to see Bella, "I can't get her to stop crying!" She seemed distressed about it.
"Oh, Mother Esmé, don't worry. She's just telling all who will listen that she's hungry. It's time for her to nurse."
"Oh." Esmé looked uncomfortable. "I shall leave you to your privacy."
"Truly, you don't have to leave. I can nurse her very discretely and no one will be the wiser for it. You can stay."
"To be truthful, I would like to stay. I think I have fallen in love with that sweet little baby."
Bella smiled as she expertly adjusted her clothing and put Joy to her breast. Using a small receiving blanket as a drape, none could see and unless they had experience with babies and the feeding of them themselves, none would even know. In the background they could hear Aro as he tuned the piano.
"With all the work you have to do here, I wonder that you haven't hired a wet nurse," Esmé said.
"I love to feed my baby, Mother Esmé. I feel very close to her in these moments. It is only for a short time, truly, in the scheme of things. Besides, the midwife said it was the most sensible course to follow."
"The midwife?"
"Yes. She is very experienced and knowledgeable about babies from their beginnings to the point they aren't babies any more. She said that as long as I nurse, the less chance there will be of another baby coming too soon. She recommends we space our children to prevent complications for the mother. Edward said that since he just got me, he'd like to keep me around for a bit and evidently, having babies too close together takes its toll." Bella chuckled.
"My word, I've never heard the like," was all Esmé said, but her expression was one of thoughtfulness rather than distaste.
"I was always sad when I had to give my babies up to the Nurse," she mused.
Joy was hungry and it didn't take her long to finish her meal. Bella had just started to burp her when a door slammed in the house. Bella looked at Esmé in bafflement. "I wonder what that was?"
A few minutes later, Carlisle appeared on the porch, his face a thundercloud.
"Carlisle, my dear, what is wrong?"
"Your son, Esmé, is a fool!"
Bella's eyes went wide. Edward must have had a disagreement with his father.
"Calling him a fool is rather harsh, my dear. What happened?"
"He refuses to take the equipment I bought him."
"He does? Why?"
"He has notions that he can be successful without my 'interference'. I simply offered him the same I am offering Emmett McCarty. It's not a time for him to be proud. He could use the investment."
"You offered to buy a share of Bear Valley Ranch?" Bella asked incredulously.
"It was a good offer, Missy, a share in the ownership for the most efficient and effective farm equipment that is out there."
"Oh, Carlisle, my love. It isn't Edward who was the fool, I am afraid." Esmé shook her head pityingly at her husband.
He huffed at her and she gracefully stood to face him.
"Carlisle if you drive our son away from us again, I will be very unhappy with you."
"What?" he was surprised.
"It was your high-handed manipulations that caused him to leave us when he was twenty. When will you understand that Edward is his own man who makes his own choices? He will not be led around like a prize bull by you. Haven't you learned that by now? You can't run roughshod over his life and dictate to him. You need to just let him be. Besides, you told me the equpiment was a gift."
"It was, but in business one expects reciprocity. I give, he gives back."
"Carlisle Cullen. This is not business. This is your son - OUR son. This is family. You cannot run us like you run your board room!" Esmé declared and then turned and rushed into the house and up the stairs. The faint slamming of a door echoed through the house.
Bella and Carlisle stared at each other in amazement.
"Where is Edward?" Bella softly asked.
"I do not know. He stormed out."
"I must go to him." She stood and after quickly changing Joy's diaper, went to the back yard where Lauren was with the children.
"Lauren, have you seen my husband recently?"
"Yes'm. He tore through the yard and went up the hill like he was fixin' to bust." She pointed in the direction she saw him go.
"I know your hands are full, Lauren, but could you watch little Joy for me? I need to find him."
"One more won't matter. Just lay her there next to Lee in the bassinet. They can keep each other company."
"Thank you so much, Lauren." And Bella went up the hill after her husband.
What a fourflusher! Edward thought. After all these years, his father hadn't learned a damned thing. He was boiling with anger.
How dare he come to my home, condescend to my wife, and then offer to blithely take over the ranch?
Edward had to leave the house or he would have punched his father in his smug, carpet bagging face. Just how was he going to deal with such a cad in his house for two more months? Was he going to let him rub his venomous ways all over his ranch and his family? Edward felt he was an idiot for allowing their visit in the first place. In his gut, he had known better.
Over all, though, Edward was bitterly disappointed. He wanted to show his father how well he had done since leaving Chicago. He was proud of his ranch, his wife, his daughter… and then to have that hard case come and denigrate it all as if Edward's work and effort meant nothing? He was infuriated.
Edward stooped and picked up a stone and threw it as hard as he could at a tree in a fit of vexation. He heard a squeak coming from the vicinity where the stone hit and turned to see what was there. He was surprised when he saw Bella emerging from the forest into the little glade he was standing in. Seeing her just brought home his failure with his father and he turned away in a mixture of anger and shame.
"Edward…" she said as she came closer.
Edward sighed, his hands in fists. He was still roiling with emotion and wasn't sure he should even try to talk to Bella. He did not want to pour his troubles on her and have her have to cope with his current volatile emotions. That was the last thing that he wanted.
He felt her hand on his back and he shuddered in response to her.
"Edward…" she repeated and started to rub circles there. Edward shut his eyes relishing the contact but still not daring to acknowledge her.
Again she said, "Edward…" and walked around to face him as she gathered his fisted hands into hers and lifted them to her lips. She looked lovingly into his face and kissed each fist until they loosened their tightness as other feelings began to well within him.
Still staring into his eyes with his knuckles to her lips, she whispered once again, "Edward…" and opened her mouth and traced one of his knuckles with her tongue, then blew her breath across it. "Edward…" she breathed again.
Suddenly, his father was forgotten, his anger was abandoned, his disappointment was extinguished as other, more primal feelings and desires rushed in to take their place. He hauled her into his arms and was kissing her, almost savagely but not any more savagely than she was returning them. Before he was aware of doing it, he laid her down in the tall grass and continued to assault her lips, her cheeks, her neck as he reached down to pull her skirt up.
Bella was frantically tugging at his belt buckle and pulling at his shirt; her own desires consuming her. Each kiss fanned her fires to heights she had never felt.
Finally, they were revealed to each other, body to body, soul to soul. Edward found himself held in the cradle of her thighs and he could not help but to press against her and quickly push inward. This was no gentle loving. It was raw and needy. He was seeking a solace he knew only she could give him. His hungry body and his bruised heart found respite and healing in his miracle girl. Only in her. Only in his Bella.
He had a want, no, a need to be engulfed by her fire, surrendered to her will. He needed to feel every bit of her inside and out, from the warmth of her tongue caressing his to the blaze below that engulfed him, to her legs and arms embracing him with a craving that matched his own.
Her back arched as she received him and she groaned with her own delight as he filled her. He pulled her hips up to his, and started a pounding rhythm in pursuit of their vital release.
He buried his face in her neck and nipped and sucked just below the point of her jaw, then he travelled downward to where her shoulder met her neck and did the same. She was humming with ecstasy and pushing up to meet each thrust, her hands grasping his hips and pulling and pushing him with every bit of her strength.
They were crashing into one another like they'd never done before. It was needy, it was lustful, it consumed them and they rose up and up together until Edward felt Bella's unbridled release as she gasped over and over and over. Then, his own climax exploded in a myriad of overwhelming shudders and groans.
They collapsed together in each other's arms, completely enervated but completely replete and strong in their love and need for each other. It was an affirmation of who and what they were. Bella filled the cracks in Edward's soul and he treasured and protected her in his heart as well as his body. They were one.
Edward turned so that Bella was lying atop of him and then he ducked down to kiss her, a soul baring embrace. He whispered in wonder, "You heal me." The look on his face was one of awestruck gratitude and infinite love. "I don't deserve you, Bella."
"You do deserve me, Edward. Never say that you don't." She put her head down on his chest and listened as his heart slowed and then she sat up to get her clothing situated.
She said, "I know why you left the house. Your parents discussed it in front of me and I want you to know your mother agrees with you and she told your father so."
"Really? She usually goes along with everything he does."
"How do you know that for sure, Edward?"
"I guess I don't know what goes on in private. To the world, they present a unified front."
"That's because they have a successful marriage and we can learn from them. Together, we have to present a unified front but in private... So, how shall we handle this contretemps?"
"We will not accept the equipment but we will not discuss it with him again. All that needed to be said was said. We will treat them with dignity and honor, even though my father doesn't deserve it. We will go on as though the argument I had with him did not happen."
"Easily done, I suppose. Are you feeling better now?"
Edward laughed. "I feel as though I have come home again."
"Good." She leaned over and kissed him once again. "I love you, Edward Cullen."
"I love you, Isabella Cullen."
They rose and took stock of their appearance.
Bella giggled, "How are you going to explain those huge grass stains on the knees of your britches, Edward?"
"Probably about as well as you explaining the love bite under your ear."
She gasped in horror and put her hand to her neck, "Your father is going to think I am a harlot!"
"Bella, I no longer care what he thinks but if it is derogatory, he better not voice it. I will show him the door so quick his head will spin."
"We could not do that to your mother, Edward." She took his hand and they began to walk back to their house.
"How did you know where to find me Bella?"
"Lauren pointed the way and then I remembered this was the place you took me when you learned your grandfather had died. Do you come here when you are upset?"
"I really have never noticed but perhaps I do. It soothes me, I suppose. It's peaceful there; balm for a turbulent heart."
They walked on a few more minutes in silence when Edward asked, "Bella did I hurt you?"
"Did you hurt me?" Bella was unsure of what he was referring to.
"I am afraid that I was rather rough with you back there. You will have to forgive me. I was quite carried away at the time."
"I don't think you did, Edward. Truth to tell, my body is still feeling the delicious after effects of our loving," she said as she laughed. "Ask me tomorrow."
She shot a mischievous look at him, "Truly it was very exciting experience, I thought."
He laughed and then turned to take her into his arms. "Isabella Cullen, you were the best thing that ever happened to me; better than leaving Chicago, better than Bear Valley Ranch, better than anything." He took her hand and kissed it very sweetly then held it over his heart.
She placed her other hand over his and seriously gazed into his eyes. "Edward, I told your mother that after reflecting upon how we came to share this life that I believe that there was Divine providence involved in it. There were so many things that had to fall into place just so in order for us to be here as we are. He had to have a hand in it."
"You are right, I am sure."
They continued on down the trail until the ranch house came into view. It looked as though supper time was in full swing. Bella and Edward were able to sneak through the back yard undetected. Bella may have joked about being marked and grass stained but she truly didn't want anyone else to see it. The family was probably eating in the main house but when they popped their heads inside, there was no one there.
They quickly changed, sniggering like teenagers, and then went to find their family. They were shocked to see them all sitting at table in the mess hall with the help. Carlisle was regaling the men with stories and they hung on every word. Bella saw that Alice had Joy on her lap, so she went over to get her baby."
"Alice, I apologize for being so tardy and not coming back to help. There was something that I needed to see to."
"I understand, Sister." Alice was eyeing Bella's mark on her neck and smirked. Bella ignored her and took Joy over to sit next to Edward who was spearing ham onto his plate. There was a big pile of biscuits on the table and saucers of butter for people to make ham sandwiches with.
Lauren was sitting at her other side.
"How was Joy while I was away, Lauren?"
"She and Lee enjoyed sharing company. She got hungry but she was fine after she was fed."
Bella's eyes widened. "…after she was fed? Who fed her?"
"I did."
"What did you feed her?"
Lauren looked perplexedly at Bella, "I fed her mother's milk. I had plenty for her and Little Lee, too." Lauren had a habit of being matter of fact over life vagaries. A baby was hungry. Her mother was unavailable. She had milk of her own. So, the baby got fed.
But it was like a stab to Bella's heart. Another woman fed her baby. She held Joy tightly to her and felt tears well in her eyes. She quickly looked down and chastised herself for her emotional response. Would she have rather Lauren let her cry in hunger? Of course not. So then what was to be done? Lauren sensibly did the right thing.
Lauren, simple in her wisdom, could tell Bella was distressed. She leaned over and put her hand on Bella's arm and said, "The thing is, Missus, we here at Bear Valley are family and that is what ye do for family; ye feed them when they're hungry, shelter them when they're cold, and hold them close when they are near."
And to think, Bella used to think Lauren was dull-witted.