Chapter 11

Elizabeth opened her eyes and blinked against the soft light streaming through the windows. A light rain was still falling and dripping from the roof. She felt something heavy lying across her waist and lifted her fingers to touch it. Her fingers brushed short hair and she let her fingers slide down until she felt someone's fingers.

Slowly turning on her other side, she smiled slightly when she saw that the arm belong to her husband. A flash of what happened last night played in front of her eyes. Will had carried her to bed and a crack of thunder had rattled the house. Elizabeth had asked him to stay with her and she was pleased when he had lain down next to her.

Reaching her hand up, she traced a line along his jaw. He had a slight smile on his lips and his face looked peaceful. Elizabeth felt the stubble of his beard under her fingers and liked the roughness of it. He was usually freshly shaven, but she wanted to see what he would look like with a beard.

She studied his face and noticed that his eyelids were fluttering. Laying her head back on her pillow, she closed her eyes, and pretended to be asleep. Elizabeth felt a finger brush the hair off her forehead, but she didn't open her eyes.

"I know you are awake Beth." A voice whispered in her ear and she felt his breath tickle her neck.

Slowly opening her eyes, she gazed at him. "Good morning." His hair was sticking everywhere and his clothes were rumpled from the night before. She smiled slightly when she felt his arm settle back over her waist.

"Good morning Beth. Did you sleep well?" he asked and enjoyed seeing her sleep filled eyes and messy hair. Reaching a hand out, he traced a line along her jaw.

"I did sleep well. I am sorry I asked you to stay with me. I have never liked thunderstorms and I didn't want to be alone." She looked away from his gaze and fingered the blanket.

Will took her chin in his hand and raised it so she was looking in his eyes again. "You don't have to apologize. I said I would stay with you and I will do it again. You only have to ask." He placed a kiss to her lips and only meant it to be quick, but she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Placing an arm around her waist, he pulled her closer. Anna's cries that she was awake reached his ears and he pulled away. He smiled when he saw her flushed cheeks and glazed eyes. "I better go and get Anna." He placed a quick kiss on her lips, before sitting up, and swinging his legs over the bed.

Padding across the wooden floor, he opened the bedroom door, and headed to Anna's bedroom. The little girl was sitting up in bed, Scout clutched to her chest. "Did Scout sleep with you again last night?"

He set the puppy on the floor and reached to pick up his niece. Walking to the dresser, he grabbed a dress, and changed her. Setting her on her feet, he walked back out to the kitchen and heard her footsteps behind him. Opening the stove door, he threw in a few more pieces of wood to help heat the house.

It was still chilly in the morning hours. Rubbing his hands up his arms, he walked back to his bedroom. Stopping in the doorway, he saw that Elizabeth was still up, and she was standing by the window watching the light rain come down. "How does you ankle feel?"

She looked over her shoulder and gave him a brief smile. "It feels fine. It also feels good to finally be on my feet again. Where is Anna?"

He came to stand beside her and looked out. The ground was a soggy mess and it looked like it would be a few days before they could plant the garden. "She is out in the kitchen with Scout. Are you hungry?"

"I am, but I can make breakfast this morning." Elizabeth turned and started walking back to the other bedroom to change in to a fresh dress. A hand on her shoulder caused her to look up.

"I will make breakfast this morning. You only just got back on your feet."

"I am not an invalid anymore Will. I am capable of making breakfast for my family." She raised her chin and he saw a faint fire starting in her hazel eyes.

He squeezed her shoulder. "Let me do this for you Beth. After this morning you can have your kitchen back." He laid a hand over his heart. "I promise."

She sighed. "Alright you can make breakfast this morning, but no more bacon and eggs."

Will followed her out in to the kitchen and pulled one of Anna's braids. He grabbed a mixing bowl from the cupboard and turned to her, "How about pancakes and ham? There is also some fruit left from last night."

Elizabeth grabbed the plates and forks. Walking to the table, she placed them by their chairs. "That sounds good. I haven't had pancakes since I left home."

He mixed the pancake batter together and ladled it in to the frying pan. A knock sounded on the front door and he looked up in surprise. I wonder who that could be. He turned to walk to answer the door, but Elizabeth spoke up. "I will go and see who is here."

Will turned back to the stove and flipped the pancakes. He heard footsteps entering the kitchen and looked over his shoulder. Seeing Bingley, he smiled. "What are you doing here Bingley?"

"I stopped by to check on my patient, but it looks like I am staying for breakfast. Your wife invited me when she answered the door." He said and sat down, smiling at his friend.

"You will have to settle for pancakes and fruit this morning. How is everything in town?"

"I hope your pancakes are eatable. I also have a telegram for Elizabeth. The telegraph agent heard I was stopping out here and gave this to me." Bingley pulled out the telegram he had put in his pocket and handed it to Elizabeth.

She eagerly grabbed it and unfolded the piece of paper, squealing at the sight of Jane's name at the bottom. "It is from Jane. She will be leaving Meeker in two days and should be here in less than two weeks. I can't believe Papa and Mama agreed to let her come and visit."

Will chuckled at the sight of her enthusiasm and happiness; he saw the puzzled and surprised look on his friends face. Setting the platter of finished pancakes on the table, he said, "Jane is Elizabeth's older sister. She is coming out to visit for a few weeks and no Bingley, Elizabeth is usually not this happy about something. I am surprised you didn't jump out of your chair when she squealed."

Bingley forked a few pancaked on to this plate and shook his head. "I almost did jump out of my seat. I grew up with two sisters, but none of them were like this." He gestured to where Elizabeth was dancing with Anna. Elizabeth seems to be good for Darcy. I haven't seen him smile this much since we were children.

Will grabbed the large bowl of fruit and set it on the table. Grabbing a plate for Anna, he put a pancake on it, with a little drizzle of syrup. Setting it in front of her chair, he looked up, and saw his two girls were still dancing. "Elizabeth, Anna it is time for breakfast."

She stopped dancing and blushed when she saw both men looking at her. Walking over to the table, she set Anna in her chair, and cut up her pancake, so she didn't try stuffing it all in her mouth at one time.

Sitting down in her own chair, she put two pancakes and a pile of fruit on her plate. Lifting her gaze, she found Bingley watching her, a smile gracing his lips.

"I see your ankle is better. Does it hurt at all when you walk on it?"

"No, it does not hurt anymore. It feels so good to be back on my feet. Thank you Doctor Bingley." She gave him a smile and started eating her breakfast.

"You are welcome." Bingley said and finished his meal. Pushing back from the table, he stood to his feet. "Thank you for breakfast, but I really must be going. I have other patients to see this morning."

Will pushed away from the table, "I will see you out." He said and followed his friend outside.

Elizabeth watched them leave before turning to the little girl sitting beside her. She grabbed Anna's hand when she saw the little girl was about ready to shove the pancake in her face. Uncurling her little fingers, she grabbed the pieces of pancake, and set them on her plate. "I think you are done with your breakfast."

Standing to her feet, she grabbed their plates and set them on the counter. Walking back to the table, she used a wet rag, and cleaned Anna's hands of the sticky syrup. She set the rag on the table and picked up Anna. Setting the little girl on the floor, she watched as Scout came over, and licked her face.

Scratching him behind the ears, she straightened, and cleaned the rest of the dishes of the table. Grabbing a large pan, she heated water for the dishes. Once the water was hot enough, she dumped the water in the tin tub, and added a slice of lye soap.

Throwing the dishes in the soapy water, she plunged her hands in and started on them. Elizabeth set the clean dishes on the towel to dry and threw the dirty water out the front door. Bringing the tub back in to the kitchen, she set it on the floor.

"I think I am going to spend the day inside. The rain has started falling harder and the ground is a soggy mess."

She spun around at the sound of his voice. "How are we going to spend the day? I was hoping to finally spend the day outside."

He saw her lips turn in to a little pout and stepped forward. Taking her face in his hands, he leaned forward, and pressed a kiss to her lips. "There are many things we could do today. I could tell you and Anna a story or you could bake me some more cookies."

She hit his arm and took a step backwards. "I am not making you any cookies for a week." She turned back towards the stove and thought for a moment. "I could bake a pie for supper."

"A pie sounds perfect. I already fed all the animals, but I think Willow will be having her foal today. I will be back shorty." He grabbed his hat, slicker, and stepped out in to the pouring rain.

Elizabeth washed off the table and turned to look out at the falling rain. Jane will be coming in a few weeks and my husband has finally decided to open up to me. She remembered waking up in his arms this morning and it was the first time she had felt truly safe and protected in a long time. I think I am falling in love with my husband.