Part 3 – A Love
One Day Later
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
Chapter 7
"We almost done?" Brian whined, struggling to drag the last bundle of dirty washing out to Michaela and Colleen, who had spent the morning up to their elbows in hot, soapy water.
"That's the last one, Brian," Michaela reassured.
"Where's Matthew, anyway? He helps Ma with this…" The little boy whined as he dropped the armful of linen into the large metal tub.
"Said he was goin' into town… see if Robert E. had a calf for sale…" Colleen informed.
Brian sat down on the top step of the porch as Michaela and Colleen began untangling the immersed clothing.
"What we gonna call him?" Brian spoke up several minutes later.
"What do you mean 'what are we gonna call him?', Brian? It's a cow; don't name cows…" Colleen scrubbed a pair of trousers against the wooden board, Michaela wringing out the next item of clothing for her.
"Yeah, but all the horses' got names… Scout, Phantom… Bear… ain't right if the cow don't got one; won't be part a the family…" he hung his head miserably.
Michaela hid her smile as Colleen rolled her eyes, turning to drop the washed item of clothing into the rinsing water.
"Well, then you choose a name…" the young girl gave in, knowing this would keep the little boy occupied for awhile.
"Ahh… um, what… what about… Mr. Bray?" he looked across at them proudly.
"Can't name it after a real person, Brian…" Colleen muttered, beginning on one of her blouses.
"Hmm then…" he tucked his hand under his chin, concentrating, "I know; Malleen… Like you and Matthew… Could call him that?"
"Now you're just bein' silly. Gotta be a proper name; but not anyone ya know…" Colleen placed the second item into the rinsing water, as Michaela, still wearing a knowing smirk on her face, hung out Brian's trousers.
"Ah… John? Mark? Peter? Don't know no-one with those names…" Brian frowned, hearing Michaela start chuckling.
"Dr. Mike?" Colleen shook her head, one hand going to her hip.
"I… I'm sorry," Michaela clasped her right hand over her mouth, swallowing and forcing herself to keep a straight face. "Those… are lovely names, Brian…" she clamped her mouth shut, absorbing the involuntary smile.
"So why ya laughin' at me?" the little boy wandered over to them, pouting.
"Just… ah, sweetheart… usually… a cow… is, a female… At least… I was always under the impression that it was…" Michaela glanced to Colleen, the young girl giggling.
"Yeah, ah… they are," she supported, Brian's mouth opening in disappointment.
"So I gotta name it a girl's name?" he looked seriously disappointed by the revelation.
"Well, it might be more appropriate… than, ah… John." Michaela bent over to brush the little boy's arm.
"Does it… have to be a girl cow?" his scrunched up his nose.
Colleen looked down at the wrung out blouse in her hands, a small smile creeping onto her face, as she launched it in her little brother's direction.
"I'm afraid it," Michaela gasped as she saw the wet garment hit Brian squarely in the face, "does…"
"Aww… no fair..." he wiped his arms against his face, reaching down to pick up the now muddy item of clothing and throw it back towards his sister.
Michaela saw the hopeless expression in his eyes when he missed considerably.
"Dr. Mike," He gestured to the blouse in a heap on the ground, Colleen chuckling confidently.
Michaela, turning her back to Colleen, winked and strode innocently back to 'finish' the washing.
"Did ya see that, Dr. Mike," Colleen grinned proudly.
"Yes, I saw…" Michaela reached for a suitably drenched blouse and lifted it from the water.
"Brian, can't believe you didn't, ah…!" the young girl shrieked, Michaela having calmly walked up behind her and draped the saturated clothing over her head.
Brian jumped up and down, laughing uncontrollably, as Colleen's jaw dropped and she pulled the garment from her head.
"Dr. Mike!" she complained, although not particularly bothered; it was a warm day after all.
"I'm… going to regret that, aren't I?" Michaela stepped backwards, cringing.
"Oh yeah…" Colleen nodded, subtly glancing to her left to notice the wooden bucket only a few feet away.
"Yeah, Dr. Mike… ya the only one ain't got wet…" Brian smiled, the gap between his front teeth very prominent.
"Hmm… that's what I'm afraid of," she feigned dread, inching her way closer to Brian, standing behind the little boy for protection.
Colleen shrugged, not bothered, knowing it would wait. "Girl-cows; really Brian. What's so wrong with a girl's name anyway?" she muttered, burying her hands back in the soapy tub.
"Just… icky… that's all. Too many girl's round here anyway… frilly stuff… and sewin'…" he gestured to the array of petticoats and undergarments which surrounded him.
Michaela, still safely positioned behind him, sensed the threat had passed and removed her hands from the little boy's shoulders.
"I hear from your brother, that the barn is nice and masculine, Master Cooper. If that would be more to your liking?" Michaela lowered her voice, exaggerating her prestigious accent even further.
"N-no, Doctor… Mike… ah, hmmm girl's name, girl's name…" Brian chewed on his lower lip, tapping his fingers against the left side of his cheek as he paced around in a small circle.
"Wait 'til we see the cow, Brian… might be easier?" Colleen suggested, rolling her eyes.
He nodded, flicking the straps of his overalls in boredom.
Michaela smiled, looking down at the little boy and pacing back to the rinsing tub, wringing out a pair of trousers. Beginning a gentle hum as she turned to peg them to the line, Colleen glared at her brother, the young girl quickly dashing for the bucket nearby.
Before Michaela had taken two steps from the line, she felt the cool water hit her full in the face, seeping through her hair and down her neck.
"Ahh," Michaela unconsciously let out a strangled gasp, drawing her hands to her face.
"Weren't me, Dr. Mike… promise…" Brian skipped over to her, his voice dissolving into hesitant giggles, not sure whether she was upset or not.
"I know it wasn't you, Brian…" Michaela managed to open her eyes, hands going to her hips, as Colleen placed the bucket back triumphantly on the ground.
"Sorry… ya… ya ain't angry Dr. Mike… are ya?" Colleen brought her right hand to her face, chewing nervously on her index fingernail.
"No, Colleen… no…" Michaela wiped her arms awkwardly on the dry patches of her skirt, throwing her long hair back over her shoulder.
"She got you the best, Dr. Mike…" Brian chuckled louder. He was more confident now that she didn't seem to have a problem with their antics.
"She certainly did, Brian…" Michaela looked up to Colleen, her face breaking out into a huge smile.
As Michaela patted her face with the backs of her hands until it was dryer, Brian looked towards the path, running quickly up the three steps to the porch, to get a better view.
"It's Matthew! Hey… he's got it… he's got it!" the little boy held his hand above his eyes to shield against the sunlight.
"Looks like we're gonna be naming that cow after all," Colleen teased, hastening her pace with the washing.
Michaela watched, intrigued as the eldest Cooper child drove the wagon slowly towards the homestead, a small, light-brown colored calf being walked at a gentle pace beside it.
Hanging out the final pieces of laundry, Michaela dried her hands on her skirt, as Brian ran towards the approaching wagon.
"You got it!" he exclaimed, as Matthew pulled the horses to a halt.
"Sure did, Robert E. said Mr. Harrison were sellin' it… just managed to get there in time." Securing the horses, Matthew jumped down. "Well?" he glanced from Brian, to Michaela and Colleen.
"It's great, Matthew!" Brian affirmed.
"Little on the small side, isn't she?" Colleen folded her arms, studying the calf.
"Yeah, but… only a week old… once we get her fed, sheltered, be fine…" Matthew untied the little calf, walking her over to Brian. "Well?" he shrugged, deliberately in Michaela's direction.
"Don't look at me… from where I'm standing she has four legs, looks fine." Michaela frowned, approaching the calf to inspect her mouth, nose, eyes and ears. "Her mouth looks good, ears are nicely colored, nose and eyes look clean," Michaela finished, patting the small animal on the neck as Brian stroked its head.
"So… it's a girl then?" he muttered, lowering his eyes in disappointment.
"What did ya think it'd be, silly?" Matthew shook his head.
"I… was hopin' for a boy," Brian replied honestly.
"Brian… all cows are girls, otherwise wouldn't be no use…" Matthew began walking the little calf across the yard towards the barn.
"Oh… well I still get to name her, don't I?" he perked up immediately, running after his brother.
"Guess so; ain't never named a cow before…" Matthew waited whilst Brian opened the heavy door for him.
Colleen and Michaela watched as the boys maneuvered the obedient little animal inside. "Kinda… cute, I guess," Colleen observed, as the boys and the calf disappeared into the barn.
"Hmm… she certainly had a lovely, smooth coat…" Michaela added gesturing to the large metal tub, which they then emptied.
"There. Sure feels good to get that done." Colleen dusted her hands against her apron. "Mind if I go finish some readin'?"
Michaela propped the tub up against the side of the homestead, "No, go ahead, Colleen…" she looked towards the ajar barn door, "You're not interested in Brian naming this calf?" Michaela smiled, gesturing in the direction of the barn.
"Not… really. If I know my brother, won't be hearin' 'bout nothin' else for the next week any way… Wanna finish the chapter 'fore have to start lunch," Colleen justified.
Michaela nodded, "Very well," and the young girl went inside.
Cleaning up the washing area, placing the wooden bucket back beside the tub, Michaela then made her way to the barn, slipping quietly inside to watch the boys settle the little creature in.
"See… this is ya home, now… Just like us. We're gonna take real good care a ya…" Brian kept his voice soothing, as Matthew unbundled some hay and scattered it around the stall.
"Brian, it's a cow… ain't a pet dog," Matthew reasoned gruffly, noticing Michaela in the doorway behind them.
"Well, ain't got a dog," the little boy encouraged the calf onto the freshly laid hay.
Michaela came up beside him to watch, "What are you going to name her, Brian?" she smiled, expecting Matthew to react coldly.
"I… dunno. You said I can't name it after a person… and I don't know any girl names that aren't girls…" Brian continued, still stroking the animal's nose and neck alternatively.
"Matthew?" Michaela turned as Matthew walked across towards the door.
"Gotta get some water and stuff," he muttered, leaving Brian and Michaela alone with the calf.
"Hmm… I'm afraid I'm not very good with names, sweetheart. I suppose you could call it… Daisy… is that a good name for a cow?" Michaela bent down to crouch by Brian's side. She watched as he delicately played with the animal.
"I don't like that… everyone'd use that… Want somethin' that describes her…" he frowned, staring the calf directly in the eye. "Hmm,"
"Well, she is brown… a lovely pale brown… and she has beautiful deep brown eyes." Michaela studied her eyes, "How about… Chestnut?" she suggested.
"It's… all right, but… I dunno… sounds like a horse," Brian scrunched up his nose, as Matthew paced back into the small barn.
"Here…" he reached between Brian and Michaela, the thick collar and cowbell in his right hand.
"What's that for?" Brian objected, as Matthew secured the heavy buckle around the small calf's neck.
"So we can find her… cost fifteen dollars, ain't about to let her go wanderin' off…" He frowned, noticing that the collar was too bulky for the young calf.
"Aww, she don't like it, Matthew… take it off…" Brian pleaded, looking to Michaela for support.
"No way," he refused, tying a thick piece of rope to the collar.
"Really, Matthew, it does look… a little large for the poor thing… Perhaps, in a few months, she'll be big enough for a bell and collar…" Michaela rationalized, seeing Brian's face light up.
"Bell! Can we call her that, Dr. Mike? Can we? Please… please?" the little boy grabbed her arm, happily.
"She's not mine, sweetheart. Matthew bought her…" Michaela gestured across the stall, where Matthew had just finished securing the calf to a post.
"Matthew?" Brian asked, his voice thin.
"What do I care what you name a cow…" He shook his head, tired from the slow wagon ride.
"Bell, then… but… Matthew?" Brian looked up, "she still gotta wear the bell?"
His eyebrows narrowed, considering Michaela's objection. "Nah, s'ppose she is too young… not big enough yet to do any damage out here... on her own. But, Brian, you gotta promise to make sure to keep the chickens outa here. Ya promise?"
"I promise… thanks, Matthew!" Brian leant forwards to wrap his arms tightly around the calf's neck, nuzzling his nose against her warm skin. "Do ya like that, Bell?"
"Brian… did you know that Belle is actually French for beautiful?" Michaela tapped his shoulder, smiling softly.
"It is?" He pulled away, intrigued, "Coz she is…" he patted Belle's head, Matthew rolling his eyes, but unable to hide the amused smile.
"Come on, help me get some food and water set up for 'Belle'," he chuckled, putting a lilt in his voice as he said her name.
"Sure…" Brian agreed, patting the calf a final time, before getting to his feet and running after his older brother.
Michaela waited until the boys had left, before pulling herself to her feet, again hearing her knees crack.
"I'm getting too old for this… aren't I, Belle?" she smiled down at the small, innocent looking animal, before pacing across the barn and back towards the homestead to help Colleen with lunch. There was something she needed to speak with Matthew about also, however, that could wait until a more convenient time.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
"Colleen?" Michaela called out through the partially opened curtain.
The young girl looked up contently from her book, "Yeah?"
"I made some sandwiches for lunch," Michaela placed the large serving plate in the middle of the table.
"Oh, thanks, Dr. Mike. I'll call the boys…" she replied, closing her book and moving quickly to the back door to call Matthew and Brian.
"Thank-you," Michaela replied, as Colleen pushed open the curtain and arrived beside the table.
"Sorry… I… didn't know what time it was; meant to come help ya." Colleen reached for the stack of small plates, helping Michaela to finish setting the table.
"Oh, that's fine, Colleen. You must have been enjoying your reading…" Michaela glanced up smiling.
"Kinda… was just history," she defused, with a shrug.
"Colleen… there isn't a school here, is there?" Michaela launched into the new subject, as they both took their seats either side of the square table.
"Not yet; the Reverend's tryin' to organize to get a schoolhouse built, but ain't no money… and not many families all that interested." Colleen shrugged, hearing the boys come in through the back door.
"Did your mother teach you to read?" Michaela spoke in a hushed tone, as Matthew and Brian noisily took their seats, still talking about the new arrival.
Colleen merely nodded, not wanting to compete with her brothers.
"Is Belle all nicely settled in?" Michaela turned to Brian who had taken the seat next to her.
"Uh-huh," the little boy reached for a roast beef sandwich, stuffing it hungrily into his mouth, continuing to talk between bites, "Reckon she really likes it with us."
"Belle?" Colleen addressed Brian, finding it sweet that her little brother had actually named the cow.
"Yeah… like cowbell, only Dr. Mike said it meant beautiful," he dropped the crusts to his plate, reaching for the next sandwich.
Lunch continued with Brian talking about how he planned to train the cow to perform an array of impossible tricks, Colleen, Michaela and Matthew humoring him, with subtle glances being exchanged between them. Brian was going to learn very quickly, that cows, no matter how well they are raised, do not follow instructions.
Colleen offered to clean away the lunch dishes, Matthew muttering a polite 'Thank-you," before heading for the back door.
"Matthew, wait…" Michaela followed swiftly after him, closing the door behind her, as he turned around.
"What?" the young man, his head lowered, murmured.
"I… wanted to let you know… I, I don't expect for you to pay for the calf yourself…" Michaela spoke hesitantly, seeing the discomfort on Matthew's face.
"Don't start…" he interjected, Michaela surprising him by cutting him off, sharply.
"Matthew, this must stop, now. I do not blame you for your hostility toward me, however, the reality of the situation is, whether you like it or not, I will be the one responsible for your sister and brother, until they come of age. That goes for you also, until your sixteenth birthday." Michaela drew a breath, not realizing how direct her tone had been. "Regardless of how you feel about me, we have to live together, so you will need to just accept that, and, as I will be the one supporting this family, that will include that calf." Michaela paused long enough to see if Matthew would protest further.
He merely swallowed, all of his energy being utilized to just keep looking at her.
"Now; you said the calf was fifteen dollars. Here," Michaela reached into the pocket of her apron, already having prepared herself for the awkward conversation.
"I… Dr. Mike…" Matthew looked down at his feet, uncomfortable.
"Please, Matthew…" she repeated, her voice softer this time.
"Thing is," Matthew secured his thumbs around the insides of his suspenders, embarrassed, "Ain't… exactly paid Mr. Harrison for it yet. Said," he coughed, his confidence building, "Said I'd work it off… needs some fences put up… cattle moved…"
Michaela nodded, hesitating long enough to think through a different approach. "Is… that what you would like, Matthew?" she questioned, knowing he didn't expect such a response.
"What d'ya mean?" the young man dropped his hands from his suspenders, sucking in his lower lip nervously.
"Well… if you would prefer to work for Mr. Harrison… then… I wouldn't have a problem with that. Is… that what you would have done… if your mother," Michaela kept her gaze intently upon him.
"Yeah…" Matthew eventually replied, looking up weakly.
"Matthew… I don't want to take over, that is not my intention. I only want to honor my promise to your mother… to help her finish a task that she has begun so beautifully. If, I… am making you uncomfortable, I'd appreciate it if you would talk about it with me…" Michaela watched as Matthew gradually took in her words, coming to his own understanding.
"You mean… I ain't gotta pay Mr. Harrison? Can just work it off, like we arranged?" Matthew clarified. A hint of pride able to be heard in his voice.
"That's right." Michaela reassured, "Just as you arranged." She knew they were no longer talking about the issue of money. He didn't want to feel mothered; as if control had been taken away from him since his mother's death.
"I'd… like that. Thank-thanks…" He blinked several times, very awkwardly, fighting the emotional battle between knowing and wanting to dislike her, however, in his heart, not being able to.
"I'm glad we were able to discuss this." Michaela slipped the money back into her apron, relieved it had not been as difficult as she'd feared. About to turn, she waited, seeing a new expression come to Matthew's face. One of loathing and rejection had gradually melded into distant respect.
