Daniel Boone shot up from where he lay beside his wife in the small cave, his heart pounding.
"Becky?" His eyes adjusted to the dim light and he could see her. She was sitting up beside him, her screaming slowly subsiding, as she came fully awake. Her ragged breaths were no doubt from her injuries as well as the nightmare that had just caused her to wake up.
"Easy now, darlin'." He said, his own heart beginning to calm. "Lie back down. Hush, now." He said, gently helping her to lie back down on the soft bed of leaves he'd made for them. He covered her with the blanket, sitting up on one arm so that he could look down into her eyes.
"You've got to stop doing that, ah grah." He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a long, slow breath. It was the third time she had awoken since they'd lain down in the cave. "Let me check your shoulder." He kept his voice calm and nonchalant, hoping his calm would somehow settle her terror. He peeled back the bandages to be sure she hadn't started bleeding again.
"He was coming for me . . ." Her eyes were still wide with fear. "And I couldn't find you and . . ."
"It was dream, Rebecca. Hush, now. I am here. We are safe. Hush." He said readjusting the bandages, and tucking the blanket back around her. He leaned over her, his hand gently brushing over her forehead, and the side of her face. He wiped the last of her tears dry with his thumb. "You are the prettiest girl, I have ever seen." He said softly.
"I'm a mess." She said with a shy grin. "My face is black and blue, and my hair is . . ."
"You know I like it better down." He said kissing her forehead. "I love your hair, darlin'. I do. And you are pretty just as you are - wearing britches, hair down . . ."
"Tangled, my face bruised and dirty - tear-stained too." She said looking up at him with trusting blue eyes.
"Now, you are just teasing me, 'Becca." He said with a grin. "You know my rule about your tear-stained face." His eyes widened with surprise when she nodded her head with a grin.
"Indeed I do, Mr. Boone."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "Why Rebecca Anne, what would your Mama say?" He leaned closer to her. "You know I have to kiss ever bit of those tears away."
"I do." She said softly. "I was hoping you would remember."
"Anything that involves kissing you, I don't reckon I'm likely to forget."
"I'm an old married lady." She teased him dismissively.
"Darlin' I am well-aware you are married lady." He said sliding strong arms around her. "I married you so I could be the one kissing your tears away, but ain't no way a spitfire like you could ever be old. You are my beautiful bride even still." He put a finger over her lips stopping her protests. "Even bruised, even wearing men's clothes. And I'd prove it to you with more than kissing, sweetheart, but I don't think those ribs of yours could manage it just now."
She reached out with her long, soft fingers and rubbed his face gently. "Daniel Boone, your kisses are the reason I can endure waiting in that cabin day after day; I'm just holding on until the next one comes my way."
He said nothing, his hand still brushing her face lightly, and he found himself swallowing down sudden tears. He swallowed hard and then said, "I am so sorry." It came out like a whisper.
"Dan," She looped her hands around his neck, ignoring the pain it brought. "You found me. I am safe now. They are just dreams."
"They aren't." He said looking down. "They are memories."
"I've got lots of memories. These ones will fade." She said but still he didn't look up. "Is tu mo grah."
"I can't reckon why."
Her light laugh caused him to look up and she smiled up into his green eyes.
"The first time I saw you, you rode up to me on a horse with the sun setting behind you, and I couldn't think of one single word to say. You were so handsome, and then you nodded at me and I saw those eyes of yours. Daniel, you have the prettiest eyes I have ever seen." He furrowed his brow at the word "prettiest". "Oh, I know," She continued. "Pretty probably offends you, but I can't think of another way to say it. They are beautiful. I knew as soon as I looked into those green eyes, that you would never, ever tell me any lies. And you haven't."
"Rebecca." His said softly.
"You are good and so kind. I didn't know a man could be so kind. I'd never seen it, and there was nothing else that I wanted but to spend the rest of my days looking up into to those beautiful, kind, green eyes." She smiled up at him.
"I should have . . ." He began remorsefully.
"I'm safe, and you saved me. Maybe you ought to think on that." She interrupted.
He let out a long, slow breath, brushing tears out of his own eyes. "The first time I saw you . . . I felt so sad because I knew a beautiful girl like you would never, ever put up with a unrefined, long-hunter who didn't have a single pound to his name. And when you smiled at me," He shook his head, smiling still at the memory. "Oh, darlin' just remembering it gives me the shivers."
She said nothing, meeting his eyes, and running her fingers in his thick brown hair. He studied her thoughtfully, and swallowing down the last of his tears, he said at last, "Ta mo chroi istigh ionat."
"Go deo."
"Go deo," He whispered gently back, but somehow the words seemed to echo and rising like the moon itself, the words filled the air all around them. They rose heaven word above the woods and meadows of Kentucky, while he leaned in and kissed her at long last.
***DB***
"Well, I didn't get my birthday pie this year." Cincinnatus said as he sat back from the table. "You missed it completely, Rebecca." He looked over to where she stood beside the fire. She lifted the coffee and crossing back to where he sat refilled his cup.
"I don't like to nitpick, Cincinnatus, but I was tied up at the time." She said setting the coffee back into the fire. She moved and sat back down at the table and glanced across the length of it to where Daniel sat grinning at her.
"Ma?" Israel asked. "Can't I just have one more slice?"
"You've had three, young man." She said lifting his chin with her fingers. "Don't be greedy. And it is getting late. You ought to be in bed already."
"I can't sleep with everyone down here." He responded disgruntled.
"Give it a try." She smiled at him. Sighing her rose, and wrapped his arms around her.
"I ain't makin' any promises." He said kissing her cheek.
"I'll keep that in mind." She said laughing. "Now, go kiss your Pa."
"Jemima, have you fallen asleep?" Mingo asked. "You are so quiet."
"I was thinking how nice it is that we are all here inside this warm cabin together." She glanced out the window where the rain fell in waves. "I am glad for it."
"I am too." Mingo agreed, but rising he said. "Come on, Cincinnatus, I'll walk you to the settlement."
"Alright, then." Cincinnatus said rising slowly. "You comin' Yad?"
"I think I'd better." Yadkin said with a wink at Daniel. "Ol' Dan'l's got a look in his eye."
"What look?" Israel asked from the loft above.
"Go to sleep." Rebecca said. "Now."
"Thank you for a delicious supper, Rebecca." Yadkin said. "When I eat that cookin' of yours, I'm almost sorry I'm a bachelor."
"In all the years I've known you, you never once missed my birthday pie." Cincinnatus grumbled as he rose.
"Cincinnatus!" Rebecca said putting a hand on his arm. "You quit that fussin'. I'll bake you a pie every day this week to make up for it." She kissed his cheek.
"You don't have to over do it." He said shrugging his shoulders. "I just didn't appreciate the worry is all."
"Oh, now. That's enough." She rubbed his arm, and sputtering still, he slid his arms into his coat, and reached for his tri-cornered hat.
"Good night, Rebecca." He said and with a quick kiss on her cheek, he darted embarrassed from the cabin.
Daniel came and stood beside her, as they watched the three men walk out into the rain.
"They ought to stay. They'll be drenched." She said looking up into her husband's face.
"Nothing a little Blue Thunder won't cure. 'Mima, you ought to be in bed too."
"Yes, Pa." She said and wrapped her arms around her father's waist. "Good night, Pa." He leaned down to give her a kiss.
"Night, sweet girl." He said.
She wrapped her arms around her mother. "Night, Ma."
"Good night, darling." Rebecca said kissing her forehead. "Thank you for all your help."
They watched her climb the ladder and disappear up into the loft. Daniel sighed contentedly and sat down at the settee near the fire.
"Sleepy?" He asked looking up, as Rebecca cleared the last of the dishes away.
"Some." She said not looking at him. She disappeared into the pantry, and he could hear her fussing and putting things away.
"Come sit over here, Becky." He called to her.
"I just need to finish this up." She said.
"It can wait." He said growing irritated.
She stood in front of him then, with one hand on her hip. "You got some important plans that can't wait?"
"Just planned on kissing my wife some - what with the youngins asleep and . . ."
"I ain't asleep, Pa." Israel called from above.
"Be quiet, boy." Daniel said irritated. "I'm trying to convince your Ma to let me kiss her."
"Play Sweet Talker." Jemima suggested.
Rebecca raise an eyebrow at him, entertained by her family's discussion. She shook her head at him, and returned to the pantry where she had been working. She wasn't at all surprised when music filled the small cabin.
"You trying to court me, Daniel?" She asked.
"A little bit." He admitted carrying the harp into where she was working. He continued to strum as she continued the chore before her. Suddenly, the music stopped, as he noticed what she was doing.
"What are you?" He set Sweet Talker aside, utterly surprised. "Why are you packing my pack?"
"Well, this storm will clear, and I imagine you'll want to set those traps." She said continuing her work without looking up at him. "I put in extra bandages. But honestly, Daniel, I can't manage you getting hurt. Just set the traps and come home. No adventures this time, please."
"I . . .I . . .but . . ." He sputtered. "How . . ."
"I'm a frontier wife, Daniel." She explained. "I'm not some silly city girl. It's been months. I am fine. You are fine. But I sure hope, you aren't gone too long." She smiled up at him. "I miss you when you're gone."
"You do?" He said pulling her into his arms.
"Uh, huh." She said sliding her arms around him. "Lots."
"I can't tell you how glad I am for it." He said. "Too bad you don't have a pair of britches laying around someplace; you could tag along." He kissed her just behind her ear.
"Oh, no. I'm content to stay at home this time." She said as he continued to kiss her neck. "I'll wait here for you."
"How long?" He asked, pausing in his kisses.
She smiled at him, "Forever."
He grinned back at her. "That's my girl." He said.
"Yours." She agreed.
"Go deo." He said kissing her.
"See," Jemima whispered to her little brother, as they crawled back into their beds from where they'd been peering down on their parents. "Works every, single time."
"Good ol' Sweet Talker." Israel agreed as he pulled the covers up. He glanced over to where Jemima lay. "You think you'll get married someday, 'Mima?"
"I hope so." She said wistfully. "Someone handsome, like Pa. Only, I don't think I want to marry a trapper. I would want my husband at home all the time."
"You might get tired of him." Israel considered. "'Course, Ma never seems to get tired of Pa. But then, Pa's not always home. You think he'll be gone a long time?"
"No, not with Ma waiting." Jemima said. "He'll hurry back as quick as he can."
"Nothin' but women." Israel sighed. "I wish I had a brother who could . . ."
"Israel!" Jemima said sharply, cutting him off.
"I didn't say . . ." Israel sighed. "You were two, Jemima it's not like you remember."
"I remember." She said stubbornly.
"'Mima." Israel scoffed.
"His eyes were blue like Ma's and he was just as tall as Pa. He called me 'Mima first. It was what he always called me." Her anger surprised Israel, but he generally found girls confusing.
"Alright, 'Mima. I believe you." He sighed. "Besides, I meant a little brother."
"I don't need another little brother." Jemima said.
"It's quiet now." He said thoughtfully.
"Go to sleep, Israel." Jemima said.
"I'm not sleepy." He said with a yawn. "Were you scared when you were in that hole?" He asked quietly.
"Yes." She said.
"I was really scared inside that barrel. I was worried about you, and Ma." Israel admitted.
"Me, too." Jemima agreed. "Go to sleep, Israel."
"Alright," He said. "Good night, 'Mima."
"Night Israel."
Down below, Rebecca Boone rested her head against her husband's shoulder as they sat together, listening to their children talking softly. She sighed, thinking of Jim briefly, hoping that Israel's comment wouldn't ruin Daniel's cheerful mood.
"You sleepy, darlin'?" He asked kissing her forehead.
"I suppose." She said. She turned to look at Daniel. "What do you think, Daniel?"
"What do I think about what?" He asked.
"About a brother, for Israel?" She said calmly.
"What do you mean?" He answered cautiously. He hoped Israel's comment hadn't brought her grief.
"Course, it could be a sister . . ." She said thoughtfully. "I guess, we'll just have to wait and see." She smiled at her husband, waiting for him to process it all.
"You mean . . .you . . . but . . . " He sputtered. "Rebecca!"
"Daniel." She said laughing.
He kissed her. "Darlin! You are feelin' alright?"
"Well, I'm not overfond of eating just now, but that will pass." She said, and he suddenly realized that he hadn't seen her really eat much lately.
"Well!" He said happily. "How about that!"
"How about that." She agreed settling into his arms.
"Ain't I just the luckiest man who ever lived?" He said holding her close, wondering at the tiny baby that slept inside her.
"Most days." She said laughing.
"Every day since I met you." He said seriously, kissing her.
"Let's not say anything just yet." She said quietly. "I don't want . . ."
"Don't fret, Rebecca. This time . . ."
"It's in God's hands, Daniel." She said seriously. "Besides, it will be just our secret."
He nodded, squeezing her tightly to his chest. "Some secrets are good."
"Secrets that you share, are the best ones of all." She said, and rising from his arms, she held out her hand and overwhelmed with happiness he followed her into their room thinking to himself that he would follow her anywhere.