Huge thanks to AnakinSmom for jumping in for the next few chapters while my beta is unavailable! For those reading Man of Omerta, that chapter should be coming next week, but it may be a little later than Thursday. Edward is dragging his feet over there.

I got a review saying that they loved how there is no angst for this sorry, well, I'm sorry to say there is a bit coming. I want you to know that the POVs are incredibly deliberate in the next few chapters. For more shenanigans, join me over at Agoodwitch Writes.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter Ten

BPOV

Adjusting to life on the ranch without Mrs. Cope took some work, but we managed to find a way. The emotional pain was the worst of it. She'd been so welcoming and maternal. I'd missed that kind of influence in my life.

By the time the farm hands who handled the wheat crop returned three weeks after they'd last been there, I was feeling a bit more myself, if only a little tired thanks to my over-amorous husband. Not that I would ever complain. I blushed as the memory of Edward's wake up call. His hands, roaming as I first woke up. His kisses on my neck and shoulder. The hardness pressed against my behind before he lifted my nightgown and

"Missus?" Jacob called, startling me from my thoughts.

"Yes, Jacob. Did you need something?"

"Boss was asking about how we're doing on meat. He went through that last steer quicker than normal with the extra people we've had, but I wasn't sure. I'm going to learn how to butcher a steer this time." I could see the pride Jacob felt at being trusted with a task that important.

"I'll have to take a look and let you know. I should be finishing the salted meat either today or with one more use, but I will let you both know. I also want to speak to Mr. Masen about the preparations needed for the cattle drive at the summer's end. That may affect when we slaughter the beasts."

"Okay, Ma'am. I'll be out with the horses, let me know if you need any help."

"I will, Jacob. Thank you."

With a new task, I went to the smokehouse and catalogued what we still had hanging, noting that it was lower than I'd thought. Checking the salt cured meat, there was enough for two day's worth of stews. I took half of it and the rest of the necessary ingredients and left the root cellar, making my way back to the kitchen.

At dinner, I told Edward that we should butcher the steer in the next week and a half based on the meat that was left. It would also give us a few days of fresh meat while we were smoking and curing the rest of it.

"That sounds like a plan, Wife."

"How will that affect preparing for the cattle drive? I want to make sure you have whatever you need."

"Our extra hands and Logan, the chuckwagon cook arrive a week or so before we head out. Logan will know exactly what is needed and he will give you a list so he can outfit the wagon."

"And you'll be gone for how long?" I knew it was a necessary evil, but I hated that he'd be gone for a length of time.

"We're usually gone for five days or so. We have the luxury of being close to the railhead in Denver, so we travel around seven miles a day. It isn't like the long trails that go fifteen to twenty-five miles a day. So we'll get to Denver midday on the third day, I'll clean up and handle the sale of our cattle and then the men and I will bed down for the night and begin the journey home. After a day riding to Littleton, I'll stay with my family and I'll be home around midday on the fifth day."

I nodded. It was logical, but I would still miss him terribly.

"No need to worry on something that is nearly two months away. You'll be fine for those few days. Jacob and Billy will be here as well as Angela."

"Does Jacob seem content with his new role on the ranch? I know he was supposed to be stepping into a ranch hand position, but now he'll be more focused on the homestead."

Edward turned to me. "Yes. He knows he plays a valuable role in the running of the ranch and he's keeping his father's work alive by being the handyman for the ranch. Plus, he's well paid for the job. He'll be sixteen in October and the only person making more than him is Ben. Not that it is known here."

"Of course."

I stood to put the dishes in the sink, but Edward's hand caught my wrist. "Bella, I wish there was a way for me to make you smile again. I don't like seeing you so sad."

"I'm sorry. I just thought that I'd have more time with Mrs. Cope and now that I don't, I worry about doing the right thing for the ranch. The winter will be vastly different from what I'm used to and I don't know how to make sure we're ready. Angela and I have been canning and making jams and things, but is it enough? How will we know until it is too late?"

"You won't, but there will be things we can do to stretch out the food, and if it is truly bad, we can go to town and buy something at the General Store. I trust that all will be well."

We parted for the afternoon not long after and with her still on my mind, I made my way to Mrs. Cope's cabin. Her things would need to be ready to ship to her niece when we received word back from the letter Edward had sent shortly after her passing.

I opened the door, grateful that the windows had been left open for a time to air the home out. There was a lot of work to do, and I needed to be the one to do it. I went through the clothing first folding it and putting it in a clothes hamper for the time being. If Mrs. Cope's niece didn't want her belongings, we could donate them or make use of them around the ranch. I collected her personal effects and nestled them amongst her clothing for safe transport to the main house. There were some papers stacked on her nightstand and as I picked them up, I saw scores of notes.

There were diagrams and instructions on winter preparation, ways to store ingredients to limit trips to the root cellar, and any number of other things we would have gone through closer to the fall and winter. Even from the beyond, Mrs. Cope had found a way to ease my worries.

"Thank you, Shelley. I'll do all I can to care for them all."

Tucking those papers into my pocket, I checked the remaining drawers and then moved to the mattress. It was thankfully salvageable, so I brought it out to the railing and left it to air out as well. With a few wet rags and the broom, the cabin was cleaned and emptied. The furniture would be covered and was as good out there as being carted up the lumber room. It would be suitable for a visitor in need of some privacy should the time come.

I returned to the house, surprised to see Emmett riding up.

"Emmett, are you here on official business? It is a little late for a visit."

He dismounted and looped his horse's reins around the post. "I do have a bit of business for you all, but I was also hoping to impose on your hospitality. I've been riding all day taking care of some things and I'm worried if I try to make it back home, I'll fall asleep in the saddle."

"Well, then you'll have supper with us and sleep in the room you shared with Rosalie when you were last here for the wedding."

Emmett walked over and linked his arms with mine. "Don't go to any trouble for me. Some water to wash up, a hot meal, and a nice bed is all I need."

I smiled at him. "That's easily sorted. Why don't you come in for some tea and a bite to tide you over until supper is done."

We entered the house to see Angela working on a row of jams. "What do you have left to do, Angela?"

"The strawberry is nearly ready to be jarred. These I'm about to put in the pantry and then we'll be ready to clean up for supper."

"Very good. I'm going to sneak a few biscuits for Emmett with some butter and the last of the raspberry jam."

"I've got some coffee ready from earlier, or would you like some tea for the sheriff?" Angela asked me.

"I'll take whatever you have on hand. Please don't worry yourselves for me," Emmett answered.

"Missus?" Jacob called from outside.

"I'm inside, Jacob."

He walked in and saw Emmett sitting at the table. "Oh, hello, Sir. Do you want me to tend to your horse while you visit? I can get him ready for the ride back to town."

"Mr. Cullen will be staying the night, so if you could bed down his horse, I'd be appreciative," I told him.

With a nod, Jacob took off.

"It is a well run homestead, Bella. I've barely warmed my chair and my beast and I are well handled."

While Emmett rested, Angela and I jarred the last of the jam and with some hot water and a few shavings of soap to soak the pot, we moved on to the last of the supper prep. We portioned out enough food for the three of us to eat and an extra bowl in case the men wanted seconds, then Angela closed the bowl so it could take the trip down to the bunkhouse. Once all was ready, Jacob showed up to carry the heavy bowl of chili and I followed with the coffee for the men as Angela carried the biscuits and the various toppings including fresh sour cream in her basket.

With the men set for supper, I returned to find Edward sitting across from Emmett, a letter in hand.

I took the kettle off for the tea to go with our meal, and placed the food on the table. Edward folded up the letter and smiled at me. "That was Mrs. Cope's daughter. She said her mother had sent her some momentos after Henry died, so anything here she's happy to have those who lived with her day in and out share. So whatever you and Angela would like to do with her belongings, I'm quite all right with."

"I'll go over that with her tomorrow. Anything remaining she can take with her when she goes to town on Sunday."

"I thought you wanted to go to town this weekend?" Edward asked.

"I was planning on it, but Angela asked if she could go as it is her mother's birthday. She and Ben will go early so they're home before dark. I thought since I don't have anything pressing, I could put it off for a week. Did you have something urgent you needed to handle?"

"No, it will actually save me a trip to town. A week Saturday is when I will be loading up with the harvest and settling all that. So if you want to drive your buggy, one of the men can drive the buckboard back."

"It's a date, then."

Conversation turned to the goings on in town and the threshing and drying that was being done. It was an added income that Edward would be putting straight in the bank and it would also supply not only us with flour to last us clear through to next year at this time as well as giving a barrel each to Edward's family, the Webers, and being a main supply for the General Store. I was shocked by how much flour and seed our acres supplied, but that along with the hay to keep the cows and animals fed and bedded through the winter would be a blessing.

"You can already see signs of a rough winter coming. There hasn't been near enough rain and areas that aren't as well tended to as yours are getting dusty. If this turns the way it did the past two years, you may be facing another hard go."

"I'll see about getting the winter wheat planted in enough time in case there's an early frost and see about more men. It may cost more, but it will ease the strain on the men trying to keep the herd fed and watered."

"Are the winters truly bad here?" I asked, worried about our ability to keep the ranch going through a long and cold season.

"They go in patterns, but recently they have been colder and longer. We're more fortunate than those who are further out in the plains. Last year we did well because of the supplemental feed and because we didn't get the snow as bad as they did further north or east. But if it is already shaping up to be bad, we may not be as fortunate. We'll just have to make sure you're properly outfitted. Nothing too terrible to worry over."

But I did worry, I just didn't say much.

Angela came in just as we were finishing up and she and I prepared the dishes to soak for the morning. We heated enough water for her to take down to the cabin as well as for Emmett and Edward and I. With a thank you for my hospitality, Emmett retired and Edward and I did the same.

The next week had me pouring over Mrs. Cope's notes, which included winter clothing I would need and amounts for what to store. Her knowledge had gotten this ranch through well over thirty years here, so I would follow her example.

A few days before our trip to town, Edward got rather carried away during our morning tryst, a fact I realized while taking my cat bath.

"Edward, did you bite me?" I looked at the mark on my shoulder, which he quickly leaned down to kiss.

"I may have, you are simply good enough to eat." I swatted at his hand at my waist.

"Go on with you." I tried to scold him, but I couldn't hide my smile.

As I washed the dishes from yesterday, Angela got started on the coffee. I moved the clean dishes back to the cabinet and caught a whiff of the brew and my stomach turned. I bolted for the door and just made it to the railing before I retched into the bushes. Angela was quick to follow with a glass of cold water, which I used first to rinse my mouth and then took a sip.

"All right, Missus?"

"The smell just overcame me."

"Why don't you get prepped for laundry, and I'll manage in there. The casserole is in the oven, so all I've got left is the biscuits."

"Thank you, Angela. Maybe I can get the wash done and then I'll make butter this afternoon, the fresh air may be just what I need."

I didn't say anything to Edward about my sour stomach that day, or the next couple. But as we finished the supper clean up on Friday night, Angela offered a suggestion.

"You have some time in the morning tomorrow, why don't you visit Dr. Cullen. It may be nothing, but it will ease your mind to hear it from him."

"That's a good idea, Angela. Thank you for pulling the extra weight this week, between my stomach and my poor sleep, I haven't been much help."

"You do more than you give yourself credit for, Bella. And I'll see to things tomorrow while you're in town."

We parted for our night and I was asleep before Edward came in from checking with the harvesters.

The next morning we ate a simple breakfast, which was fine by my weak stomach, and set out. I rode at the front of the caravan headed to town, noting where Edward and the men turned towards the mill.

I continued to Carlisle's office and found him reading a massive tome.

"Bella, what a pleasant surprise. Esme should be in the house, why don't we distract her from this morning's task?"

"Actually, Carlisle, I'm here for your professional advice."

Carlisle looked up at that. "Are you unwell?"

"I'm not sure. My stomach has been sour the last week, but it usually is better by dinner. And I've been tired far more than normal."

"Is Edward with you?" Carlisle asked as he looked at a smaller book on his desk, flipping the pages quickly.

"No, Edward is overseeing the work at the mill. The wheat is ready to be turned to flour. He's meeting me at the General Store after he's done. Why? Am I truly that ill?"

Carlisle moved to my side."No, rest easy. Are you having any other issues? Even something insignificant could help confirm my suspicions."

"Well, Angela has started brewing the coffee at the bunkhouse because it sets off my stomach. And I've been feeling some of the tenderness that usually accompanies my monthlies."

"When was your last monthly?"

I had to stop and think for a moment. "A few weeks before the wedding. That would be two months ago and I'm usually very regular."

"There's no definite way to be sure until you're further along, but I believe you're with child, Bella."

"A baby?" My hand fluttered to my abdomen, imagining what this little one may look like.

"I can check in with you regularly, but Esme will be your biggest asset, she's delivered far more children than I have as the local midwife. You'll be in excellent hands with us."

"Thank you, Carlisle. This is the best news I could have gotten from you."

"Remember to keep your temperament as even as you can and not to allow negative thoughts to plague you. Other than that, keep to your work as usual and all should be well. Now, you may want to join Alice for dinner, I know she'll be most excited for the visit."

Thanking Carlilse again for his assistance, I left to ride over to the General Store. When I entered, Jasper was just coming out of the back room with a smile on his face. "Have you had dinner yet, Sister? If you haven't, I'm sure Alice would be happy for the company."

"Thank you, Jasper. I'll join her."

I walked through the center aisle in the backroom to the door where I saw Alice and Jasper's home set off facing the side road. I approached the front door and knocked, surprised to see a young woman with blonde hair answer the door.

"May I help you, Ma'am?"

"I'm looking for Mrs. Hale. I'm Mrs. Masen, her sister-in-law."

"Oh, Mrs. Masen, please come in. Mrs. has just sat down to dinner, I'll fetch you a plate if you're hungry?"

"That would be lovely."

I followed the girl to the dining room where Alice was seated alone with her meal. "Isabella, what a lovely surprise."

"I hope you don't mind me just dropping in, but Jasper told me that you wouldn't mind the company and Carlisle also suggested it."

"I don't mind at all. Please, sit and Cynthia will get you a plate." Alice gestured to the seat beside her and I took the seat just as my food was placed in front of me.

Alice and I began to eat, but it wasn't long before she clutched my hand. "Isabella, I've been bursting for the chance to share this with you, but I've been putting it off until now. I'm with child!"

I'm sure the shock registered on my face as she bounced in her seat, but I was too stunned to speak.

"Isabella, say something."

"I'm sorry, Alice, I was just shocked by your good news. How long have you known?" I asked.

"Since just before your wedding, but I didn't want to steal your thunder."

"Oh, Alice, I wish you would have told me sooner. Truth be told, I was visiting Carlisle because I wasn't feeling well, but it seems you and I are suffering from the same condition."

Alice lept from her seat and wrapped her arms around me. "We're pregnant together? Oh, Isabella, I'm so excited."

"I'm so happy you feel that way, I almost didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to take away from your happy time."

"Nonsense. Rosalie gave me some clothes and things like she did you. In fact, it was part of where she got the idea of that for your gift, as well as us working to complete your quilt. And just think, our children will be the same age, with a load of older cousins from Rosalie and Emmett. Edward must be over the moon."

"He doesn't know yet. This morning they were dealing with the wheat and getting all of that settled between the mill and all."

"Oh, wonderful, our stores were beginning to thin out and now we'll be set up for a long while."

"I'm glad for that."

"Flour is one of the constants and there are times we can go most of the year on the supply we get from your harvest. Between large barrels and smaller bags it goes a long way. And Jasper would rather put the money in his brother's account than another suppliers any day."

"I do have a great deal to buy now, more than my list when I left this morning."

Alice stood up and offered me her hand. "Let us go and shop then. Cynthia can manage back here."

I looked back to where the girl popped her head out of the kitchen. "Have a good day, Ma'am. And it was wonderful to meet you, Mrs. Masen."

I nodded to Cynthia, but as soon as we were out of earshot, I asked Alice about her.

"When my father learned of Jasper and my plans after our marriage, he gifted me one of our maids from home. With me helping Jasper in the store, having Cynthia to help is a blessing."

We entered the store and Jasper smiled at the pair of us. "If you're all right for a bit, I'm going to check in at the mill and then make a run to the bank."

"We'll be fine, Mr. Hale, I can manage to help Isabella," Alice told her husband.

While it was only the pair of us in the store, Alice and I went straight to the fabrics. "If you're only just expecting, you'll need to make some roomier dresses that will be better suited for the winter, not to mention plenty of things for the baby."

We selected a few yards each for skirts and blouses, since that would probably be easier to manage, as well as enough for a fair start on dresses and diapers for the baby. A part of me felt it was too early, but Alice quickly reminded me that positive thoughts were prescribed by our good doctor.

"And remember, nothing sour and not too much salt, we wouldn't want the baby to have a bad disposition," Alice whispered.

We packaged up the fabric so it wouldn't be immediately noticeable and then Alice brought me into the back corner where there was some yarn. "Isn't it early in the year for this?"

"We had some leftover from last year. I've started to work on my knitting, so I can do it a little at a time. I'm sure with how busy you are, you'll want a little longer to play with it. Once we get in more I'll be sure to let you know."

A large jar of ginger candies and a few tins of ginger tea, along with our regular varieties and some coffee, and we were now firmly set into the original list I'd been shopping for. I managed to throw in a few things that caught my eye and Alice had me totaled and packaged just as Jasper returned.

He pulled out a ledger and made a notation before Alice gave him my total. With a smile, Jasper told me that he'd applied it towards our credit, and he took the heavier crates to load into my buggy.

I handed him the final bag when I heard Alice gasp behind me. I turned to look at her, but she was staring off in the distance. I followed her eyeline and was shocked by the sight before me.

Walking across the road, arm in arm with Edward was one of the most beautiful blondes I'd ever seen.