A Place Called Heavenly Chapter 7, a walking dead fanfic

A/N I thank you all again so much. In this chap we're going to see a few the preparations Daryl is making for the very long and very harsh high country winter. When winter does come maybe we'll see why. Aside from that? Well there's Sunday dinner! Yay! I hope you enjoy. xo

He had a big Saturday ahead of him and it wasn't just work in the shop. Heavenly was ranching country not farming country. The growing season didn't last long enough to grow any food crops. The only crop anyone grew in those parts was one cutting of hay a season, barely enough for the cattle and horses.

That was the reason he and Merle made their yearly supply trip to Billings, it wasn't just staples they bought. Once a year the wagons came to Billings from Utah, Idaho and the flatlands of Montana and the citizens in the outlying areas went to meet those wagons. All types of goods were bought and traded and bargains made.

The first thing Merle always bought was a new pair of shoes for each of his children, enough yard goods for each to have a new set of school clothes, always some calico yardage for Karen and a new winter coat for Virgil. The other children made do with hand-me-downs. Then it was on to the business of survival and that meant food. In addition to the potatoes, the flour, the sugar, apples and onions, the Dixons were there to load up on bushels of corn, peas, carrots, beets, green beans, pears, plums, berries, tomatoes and pickling cucumbers. The goods they bought would help get them through the long winter, the spring and the early summer. Until the following summer when once again the wagons would come to Billings.

Karen canned for his brother's family and even though she always offered to do Daryl's canning as well he would never agree to let her. He knew how much work it was and she had plenty of it to do for her own family. Instead he took his to the preacher's wife. They had an arrangement. Daryl split his fresh goods 50/50 with Olivia and Eastman and she canned theirs and his both.

It was at church the preceding Sunday that Olivia let him know his canned goods would be ready to pick up Saturday. "They were especially nice this season Daryl, we're blessed to have such wonderful fruits and vegetables."

He was never sure what to say to her so he simply nodded, "Yes ma'am and ya do a fine job with em. I thank you for that."

"Oh no Daryl, Eastman and I eat well thanks to your generosity. Will you be hunting again soon?"

"Yes ma'am and I hope ta get enough meat for myself and my brother's family, and a course I hope ta have plenty to share with you folks too."

"Thank you Daryl, you're a Godsend."

As soon as the clock struck noon he locked his shop doors, quickly fed the horses and gave them all the treat of an apple. He hitched Blackie up to the buckboard along with a nice little gelding named Buck and they were on their way to the parsonage to collect his share of the canned goods. Just as he arrived he saw his brother pulling up with the boys and it occurred to him why, "You here ta pick up Karen and Mary Ellen?"

"Sure am. I wore these boys out on chores this mornin' and they're anxious for their Mama ta save 'em from me. What're you doin' here little brother?"

"I come ta pick up my canned goods. I didn't know it was gonna be sewin' day." He wondered if Beth would be there, before he had time to dwell on the question the boys were already out of the wagon and had him running around the yard playing tag with them.

It wasn't long before the ladies all began streaming out of the parsonage and Merle called to them, "The three of ya settle down now. Can't be knockin' any ladies over with your rambunctious ways." They stopped their running but not before Beth had seen the blacksmith playing with the young boys, laughing and having such fun. It warmed her heart to know how much he enjoyed being around children, and how they enjoyed being around him just as much.

Their eyes met and he gave her a slight tilt of the chin in greeting and she did the same back to him. He wanted to keep looking and maybe even speak to her, but he was careful not to. One of those women attending the circle was none other than Mrs. Neudermeyer and Daryl was mindful of her nasty disposition.

Those thoughts were interrupted when Mary Ellen ran over to him, tugged on his sleeve and showed him the little ragdoll she'd made, "Look Uncle Daryl, I made it all by myself! Isn't it pretty?"

"Why that's the prettiest doll I ever seen Mary Ellen, what's her name?"

"Sarah."

"That's a real pretty name too. Ya did good." Beth couldn't help overhearing how sweet he was with the child and her mind went to the thought that someday he would be a good father. She quickly reminded herself she could not be thinking such things.

Olivia was at his side then, "I'm sorry, I know you're in a hurry Daryl. We went a little long today. When a roomful of ladies gather together there's a lot of talking that needs to be done."

"No bother ma'am, I had a chance ta have a little time with my family."

He would have liked to offer Beth a ride to her place but he knew he couldn't. Instead he quickly nodded her way one more time and then followed Olivia into the parsonage to get his things. He was happy to see Merle and the boys right behind him. With the four of them carrying they had the cases of jars loaded in the wagon in no time.

As they set the last load in back Merle looked to his wife and smiled that big smile, then instructed his children, "Y'all get in the wagon now so we can get Mama home. All that gossipin' likely wore her out."

"Merle Dixon if you want your dinner tonight you better mind what you say." But she smiled right back.

In a low voice he told his little brother, "The marm is joinin' us for dinner after services tomorrow. Maybe you'd best ride Blackie ta church. That biddie Neudermeyer is just waitin' for an excuse."

Then Merle smiled at Beth, "C'mon now, we brung ya, we're takin' ya home. Lemme help ya up."

Daryl tried to be discreet as he watched the wagon pull away, he hated to see her go.

Merle sent Virgil home with Daryl to help unload the canned goods and Daryl was grateful to have that help. When they'd carried all the crates of jars in the kitchen area the young boy asked, "You need me to help with any other chores Uncle Daryl?"

"Nah Virg, I know ya been workin' all day. Now don't you tell your Daddy, I know ya ain't s'pose ta take money for helpin', but a man ought ta get paid for his work and I appreciate the help." His uncle gave the boy a fifty-cent piece and told him. "You go ahead now and ride Buck home. I'll get him tomorrow when I come ta dinner."

"But why don't you come for dinner tonight? You know Mama would be happy and she's makin' one of your favorites, rabbit stew."

"That sounds real good and ya know how much I enjoy your Mama's cookin' but I got a lotta work ahead a me. You go on now and I'll see ya at church tomorrow."

Winter would be arriving soon and he had a lot of preparations to make for those long months of cold and snow ahead. The residents of Heavenly could often be heard saying they spent all summer getting ready for the winter. That's why he didn't get to putting the canned goods away quite yet. He wanted to get to some of his outdoor chores before the sun set.

First on his list was the chicken coop. He carefully checked and although he found no cracks or holes to be cautious he put a little chinking along the seams and where the nail holes were. Chickens could survive cold temperatures but warmer chickens would lay more eggs.

He used a hand rake to get the bedding cleaned out and replaced it with straw. He'd slowly build up several layers to keep the warmth in. He wasn't worried about dampness. The high country air was dry even when it snowed.

His next project was splitting the big logs he'd cut early that summer into firewood. He had a large log set firm on the ground that he used as his chopping block and he smiled when he saw what waited there. Sitting on that log was a good-sized rock, under that rock was the 50-cent piece he'd tried to pay Virgil. His brother would be proud of the boy.

He had the wedge and the maul which he'd forged himself, he placed the log to be chopped upright on the block, stuck the wedge firmly in a split in the wood and stood back. His arms were extended and his feet planted squarely apart as he lined up his target. With one full swing of his powerful arms the maul hit the wedge squarely and the log was split into stove sized pieces. He repeated the action over and over until the sun had set completely and he could no longer see his target.

He went down in the root cellar, lit the lamp and checked his meat barrel. He had it nearly emptied of the previous year's salted meat, he took a large piece of what remained to cook for his dinner. Back inside he rinsed the brine off the elk while the pot of water reached a boil on the cookstove. He dropped the meat in the bubbling water but didn't leave it to cook, he left it just long enough to cook away the taste of the brine.

Meat preserved in that fashion became tough and so he sliced it and then in an effort to tenderize it he pounded the meat with a mallet of his own making. While lard melted and warmed in the cast iron skillet he dipped the pounded meat in an egg wash and dusted it with flour. He fried it on both sides, set it on the tin plate, took a jar of canned tomatoes from the pantry and ate the meat with tomatoes for his dinner.

After his meal he opened the pantry doors and moved the few jars of food still remaining together on one shelf to be used first. He was careful as he put the fresh canned fruits and vegetables neatly away on the empty shelves. The jars of food were precious, they would help to sustain him over many months.

By the time his dishes were washed and dried it was already close to nine and he still had a bath to take. He should be getting up early the next day and chopping more wood, but he had something else he would do instead. Tomorrow was a big day, a good day. It was a day he would have dinner with Beth Greene in his family's home.

She'd gotten up so early, unable to fall back to sleep. She'd be having Sunday dinner with Daryl and his family and she couldn't recall ever having been more excited or more nervous about anything in her life.

She stood in front of the church with Eastman and Olivia as they greeted the members of the congregation. She was doing her best to be friendly and smile, but she was aware her eyes kept glancing around as she waited in anticipation for the arrival of Daryl and his family.

Her heart sank when she saw the Dixons approaching in their wagon, Daryl wasn't with them. She immediately felt guilty. She should be grateful to be having dinner with Karen, Merle and their children, her gratitude should not be dependent on Daryl being there. Shame on her.

It was then she saw him, the man himself came into view and in Beth Greene's eyes he looked positively regal. He was in his Sunday suit and hat and he sat astride the big black horse. She was certain the sight of him had caused her heart to stop beating and her breathing to become uneven. And when he glanced her way and their eyes locked she knew, she wanted Daryl Dixon to look at her that way forever.

Services were over and the time she'd waited for had come, but she was confused. Merle helped her up in the buckboard, then Karen right behind her, yet Daryl was making no move at mounting his horse to follow them to his brother's home. Instead he seemed deep in conversation with the redhaired man named Abraham. Merle read the confusion on her face and as he climbed onto the seat next to her in a low voice he told her, "He'll be along. We don't want it lookin' like sumthin' it ain't." He smiled that big broad smile, took up the reins and made a clicking noise signaling the horse to go, then added, "Yet.".

She understood just what he was getting at and she felt her cheeks burning. After services Mrs. Neudermeyer had hardly taken her eyes off Beth. If it hadn't been apparent before it was quite evident now, the woman was just lying in wait for her to make a wrong move.

The ride wasn't bad, a little bouncy on the rough road but not any worse than her stage coach travels had been. They didn't go far and the horse knew right where he needed to be as he came to a stop in front of the wooden house.

She was surprised by the small size of it, she assumed with three children they would have a home something more the size of the farmhouse where she grew up. She scolded herself, she shouldn't be thinking that everyone is so fortunate as to live in the almost grand style of her family's home. This was exactly what she should have expected, she'd passed by many pioneer homes on her journey to Heavenly and most were quite humble.

The children hopped down as soon as the horse came to a stop and Virgil immediately went to his mother extending a hand. "Mama, lemme help you, be real careful now." Beth was impressed by the young boy's gentlemanly behavior, and she knew his Daddy had taught him well as the man reached a hand out to her, "Beth, be real careful, lemme help ya down." Then he turned to his sons, "Virgil, you and Cyrus take care a the horse and buckboard and y'all mind them Sunday clothes so your Mama don't get upset."

Beth opened the draw string of her small purse and removed the gift. She hadn't wanted to come empty handed but she didn't really have much to give. She had one precious item she'd made herself and brought with her from Georgia. It was wrapped in thin paper and the paper's seam was held together with a bit of sealing wax. She handed it to Karen and as if apologizing she told the woman, "I want to give you this and thank you for inviting me to your home. I'm sorry I couldn't bring something more. I made this soap while I was still back home. It has the scent of magnolia blossoms."

Karen smiled as she took the soap and smelled the fragrance, "What a lovely gift and it smells wonderful, but please, when I invite you to my home it's because I want to share with you, not because I expect a gift. Next time just bring yourself."

She felt Mary Ellen take hold of her hand, "C'mon Miss Beth, I'll show ya where I sleep. I got the best bed and the prettiest bed in the whole house."

Her Daddy reminded her, "Mary Ellen, Miss Beth is our guest you don't be botherin' her now."

"I won't bother her at all Daddy, honest. I's just letting Miss Beth know I have a real pretty bed and I know she's going to be so happy to see it."

"Daughter you got your own way of wearin' a person out."

The child led her through the door and Beth's eyes quickly took in the home. It was just one room with a wood ladder leading to a loft. They'd entered into the kitchen area which included a long wood table with a bench to either side and a chair at each end. Opposite it on the back wall there was a large hearth and on either side of it were two beds. In the right corner was a bed made for two people. It was neatly covered in a double wedding ring patterned quilt with two side by side pillows. Merle and Karen's bed, it had to be.

Mary Ellen tugged at her hand, "Look, there's my bed, right there by the hearth. It stays real nice and warm even in the winter." The bed sat to the left side of the big fireplace. It was tiny, suitable only for a small child. Beth felt sure it was probably handmade by her Daddy with a mattress made by her Mama. The little girl ran to it, sat on the edge and bounced up and down, "And it's real comfortable too, Mama made me this quilt for it when I was first born."

"It's a wonderful bed and a beautiful quilt, your Mama is a very talented woman."

"That's what my Daddy says, he says everything Mama does is the best in the whole world."

Karen nudged her arm then, "My husband is a smart man." And the women smiled at one another.

To the center of the room in front of the fireplace were two upholstered chairs and a rocking chair. There were three square pillows on the floor near them and Beth was sure they were used for seating, most likely by the Dixon children.

She was surprised to hear the quiet one, Cyrus, call to her then, "Look Miss Beth, I'm up here. Me and Virg share the loft. It used to be Uncle Daryl's but since he grew up and left it's our spot now."

She smiled up at him, the loft wasn't tall enough for a person to stand, there was no more than four feet between the floor of it and the ceiling. Just enough space for a mattress and a couple of young boys. "It's a wonderful spot. You and your brother are so fortunate."

"I'll say we are, we got the best spot in the house."

And Mary Ellen called up, "No ya don't, my spot's best." And the argument went back and forth twice before their Daddy said, "That's enough now." He didn't have to say it again, not another peep was heard, but without even looking her way he added, "Mary Ellen if that tongue comes outta your mouth and points at your brother ya ain't gettin' no pie today. I'll be havin' my share and yours too."

The little girl immediately went to him and wrapped her arms around his leg, "I love you so much Daddy, you're the best Daddy in the whole wide world." He was smiling now as he bent down and picked the child up. Her little hands were on his cheeks and he told her, "Girl ya do have a way with words."

That's when his wife teased, "I'd say she comes by that gift honestly Mister Merle Dixon."

His smile grew as he answered, "Yes she does." Then he looked at the child, kissed her cheek and warned, "Just remember Daughter, if ya don't mind what the best daddy in the whole wide world tells ya, ya ain't gettin' no pie."

Beth wanted to laugh but thought maybe she shouldn't. She was enjoying this time with the Dixon family so much. Here they were, all living together in this one room and all of them seeming to be so happy and each thinking they had it the best. It was so heartwarming to her. Her mind wandered and wondered what Daryl was like when he was a young boy living in the little house with his brother and sister in law.

That's where her mind was when she heard the horse's hooves and the sound of the big animal making a grunting noise. He was here, Daryl had arrived.

He walked in the door and tipped his head to all, removing his hat as he did. He combed his hair back with his fingers and his eyes focused on Beth's, he nodded again. "Nice ta see ya here Beth."

He hung his hat on a peg by the door and then went to Karen, bent and kissed her cheek, "Sumthin' smells real good Sister."

"I hope it will be. It's that last big roast off the elk you got last year. It's been cooking with low fire since early morning. I'm hoping that'll be enough to make it tender."

"Ya always make real good food, ya know that. If ya need it I still got some meat in the barrel. I guess I better try for a moose this year. Them boys are growin' more every day."

"They are indeed, it reminds me of when you were Virgil's age." There was a smile on her face as she turned to her daughter, "Young lady, time to get that table set. You'll need seven napkins.

The child went to a basket on the kitchen hutch and carefully counted out seven of the cloth napkins. Beth felt awkward just standing there and asked, "What can I do to help Karen?"

"The plates are on that second shelf and the flatware is in the little box on the hutch." Soon the table was set and everyone stood around it while Merle carried the large covered roasting pan from the oven, setting it at the center of the table. Karen placed a loaf of sliced bread and a small crock of butter next to it and the meal was on the table. But no one sat quite yet. Merle spoke, "Cyrus, it's your turn to give a blessin."

Everyone bowed their head as Cyrus said the blessing. The young boy's simple words nearly had Beth tearing up as he asked God to bless the food to their bodies and to please keep his Daddy safe in the mine and to always watch over his Mama, his brother, sister, himself and Miss Beth too.

Daryl and Merle remained standing by the chairs at either end of the table while Karen took a seat at the end of one bench next to where Merle stood. The woman looked to her and nodded in the direction of the other bench and Beth knew she was to sit at that end, closest to Daryl. The men sat then, Mary Ellen quickly scooted in on the other side of Beth and the boys slid in by their Mama.

It was strange that even though it was all so different somehow it felt right, like it was expected that she would be seated next to Daryl in such a familiar way, and just having him so close had her heart fluttering.

Merle removed the lid from the roasting pan to reveal their dinner of elk roast surrounded by carrots, potatoes and onions. As good as everything looked and smelled she wasn't at all sure that in her nervous excitement she would be able to eat.

Again it was clear, they had their way of doing things. Merle looked to his wife and Beth could see the sincerity in him when he said, "It's looks real special. Thank you for bein' my Dear One and for takin' such nice care a me and our children." And then each of the children and Daryl thanked her for the nice meal. Beth followed suit as she smiled and said how delicious it looked and thanked them all for including her.

She'd never witnessed anything quite like that, but it was what happened next that truly stunned her. The children waited with their hands folded in their laps while Merle took Karen's plate, nodded to Daryl and he took her plate. He looked at her and asked, "Anythin' here not ta your taste Beth?"

"No, it all looks wonderful. Thank you again for inviting me to share."

She watched Daryl as with the faintest of smiles on his lips he placed some of the meat, the vegetables, a slice of the bread and a pat of butter on her plate, then set it in front of her. His brother had done the same for his wife.

She managed to get out the words, "Thank you, Daryl," as she tried hard not to show how flabbergasted she was by these men and their actions. Never had she had a man serve her in this way, never had she seen a man do anything like this. When she and Karen each had their plates Merle served Mary Ellen and then he, the boys and Daryl served themselves.

They all began to eat and Daryl found he couldn't stop himself from glancing her way, he simply couldn't believe his good fortune. He was having a meal with her, he was seated next to Beth Greene. She looked so pretty and so dainty and he knew for a fact she had a sweet nature. He was so happy to be the man there with her.

Merle asked her, "So tell us Beth, what brought ya ta Heavenly? I mean ya know, if ya don't mind tellin' us."

"I don't mind at all." She didn't go into great detail, she left it at the simple facts. Her parents were both gone now, she'd been living in her brother's home and felt ready to strike out on her own. She saw the ad at church, "And here I am." She felt Daryl's knee brush up against hers then, and her reflex was to look his way. He looked a bit embarrassed as he whispered under his breath, "Sorry."

If it had been just the two of them maybe she would have told him she didn't mind at all. Instead she just smiled shyly and then turned her eyes toward Merle. "If I might ask, what brought you to Heavenly?"

"It was a long time ago, right after the war. I thought it was best for me and little brother ta make a change. Let's see now…Daryl was eight when we set out and I was 18. We didn't have nuthin' and we didn't leave nuthin' behind. By the time we got ta Heavenly Daryl was nine and I was 19. I'll leave it ta him ta tell ya the whole story sometime." She hoped that the sometime would come soon because she thought she might die from curiosity while she waited to hear it all.

When the meal was ended and the table cleared, Merle started to ask his brother, "Wanna have a smoke?" Then he saw the look his wife gave him. "Oh yeah, never mind. Alright now, you kids hurry up and change into your everyday clothes and get out there in the yard. Me and your Mama are gonna sit ourselves down there and watch ya play some horseshoes."

It was Cyrus who asked, "What about Uncle Daryl and Miss Beth? Don't they get to come?" And his Daddy just smiled, "No son, not right now. They got things ta talk about."

Beth felt her heart beating faster and Daryl felt like he'd lost his voice. Neither had expected to find themselves suddenly alone, together. But when everyone had filed out there they were. Still sitting at the table, both looking down and hoping the other would speak first.

Her hands were clasped together in her lap and he reached his hand over and ever so lightly took hold of hers. It was a bold move but as nervous as he'd been he was glad he'd been so forward with her. Her hand was so soft and delicate feeling, the slimness of it and the small bone structure. As he held it and lightly stroked his thumb along the back of it he finally sought permission, "Is it alright if I hold your hand?"

It wasn't some impulsive move made out of concern, not like what had happened at the store. This was different and she should not allow it. It was bold and presumptuous of him, he should have asked first and she had to think about her job. But none of that mattered as much as the warmth and the roughness and the strength she felt when her hand was in his. This intimate gesture and this closeness to him had her nearly unable to speak. She managed to whisper out, "Yes, it's fine Daryl. It's nice."

Her words and the small smile on her lips gave him the courage he needed to say what he was feeling, "I'm real happy ya came here today Beth. That first time I seen ya when you came into town on the coach, I knew then I'd like to sit with you and hold your hand."

She thought that surely she might faint. Still she managed to say what was in her heart, "I noticed you that first day too. I was happy to be invited to spend time with you and your family today." They looked at each other, she with her red cheeks and him with a neck burning so hot he was sure it would scorch the collar of his shirt. They managed to give each other a smile before they both looked down at their hands, fingers now twined together.

They were silent and although they enjoyed the closeness the silence felt a bit awkward to her. To break it she mentioned to him something that had been on her mind since it happened. "I've never seen a man serve a woman the way your brother served his wife today, and Daryl, I have never had a man show me that courtesy. I liked it very much."

She saw him chewing at his bottom lip and she wondered if perhaps she should not have mentioned it, and then he took in a deep breath and spoke. "Most a my life I had Merle lookin' out for me. There was just a year or so when he was in the Army that he wasn't there. But my brother, no one that I know ever cared for him, he just did for himself."

"He met Karen not long after we got ta Heavenly, just a few months. They married just after he turned 20 and I's 10. For the first time in his life he had someone showin' him love and worryin' over him, gettin' his meals and such and makin' a home for him and for me. I know my brother and I know he thought Karen took on more'n a new bride should have to."

"Our lives changed a lot." He smiled then, "I don't think either one of us cared much for her wantin' us ta go ta church, watch our language and live right, but I know my brother feels it's a small thing compared to the home she makes for him. Merle tries ta show her how much he appreciates her in the way he treats her and he makes sure his children do the same." He smiled and shrugged.

Beth felt so much emotion over hearing him say these things so matter-of-factly. This little glimpse into his life had answered some questions, and once again had raised so many more. Where were their folks in all of this? She thought she may eventually hear more but she felt good that for now he had trusted her enough to share what he'd shared. "I'm happy you both have her in your life. She seems like such a special lady."

Then he melted her heart. He squeezed her hand just a little tighter as he looked in her eyes and softly spoke the words, "I was happy and proud ta serve you today Beth, and I'm hopin' ta have the chance ta serve you again real soon."

It was then he heard his brother call to the children, "Alright now, time ta settle down and come on in, we gotta get Miss Beth home."

NOTE: Next Friday I have an early morning flight so Chapter Eight will post Thursday evening :)

A/N Beth has gotten a glimpse of the Dixon world and our couple is getting closer and far more open with each other. Next chapter we'll see if they can arrange another meeting. Thank you all so much for reading along, please leave a comment / review. The chap photo is posted on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick, have a look! I hope to see you all back here next week - a day early - for more of A Place Called Heavenly. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee