A/N Thank You Again! There are those things they need to discuss which may just lead our couple on all kinds of new adventures. Let's get started!
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Beth wasn't with him so he'd left the wagon at home and ridden Blackie to town, Ginger keeping pace next to the big stallion. It was still dark, only the first dim light of daybreak beginning to show through the gray skies. Lack of light didn't stop them though, Blackie knew the way. As they neared their destination the blacksmith spotted the shadowy figure of his nephew standing in front the shop waiting. He smiled thinking back on himself at that age and all the times he'd stood in that same spot, anxiously waiting on Dale Horvath's arrival.
As he got down from the big horse he told his new apprentice, "Virg, I appreciate ya wanna be on time but I don't want ya freezin' out here waitin' on me. Let's make ya your own key so when you're here first in the mornins you can get inside and get a fire goin."
It seemed they'd barely gotten a start on their day when things began to get real busy. It started with the arrival of Reg Monroe accompanied by Tyrese. The first thing Daryl did was make it known to the men that Virgil was now his full-time apprentice. "I got confidence he'll turn out ta be a topnotch smithy. Gonna get him started mostly on the ferrier side, but he'll have a hand in all of it. Anytime you're by and I ain't here I hope you'll be comfortable lettin' Virg help ya."
The men each gave the boy a handshake and congratulations and then it was down to business. They discussed the four sleds and Reg told Daryl, "I've got an old buckboard I wouldn't mind you making over and a hay wagon that's pretty badly broken down, it'll be something of a rebuild. Tyrese thinks Miller's have a wagon out at their place they'd be willing to sell, and I'm going to leave word at the store, the saloon and the sheriff's office that I'm looking to buy one. I'm sure one will turn up for sale."
The blacksmith explained, "I appreciate the work Reg but I want ya ta know I can't give ya an exact price on this job. I ain't sure a the time and materials it's gonna take. When I made my own I did it at home when I had extra time here and there. We're gonna have ta wait and see. Ya have my word I'll price em all fair."
"Smithy you'd be the last man I'd worry wouldn't give me a fair deal." Daryl nodded self-consciously at the confidence the man showed in him.
Before Reg and Tyrese left Daryl asked the rancher, "My wife has a mind she'd like ta have a dairy cow, I'd like ta be able ta get her one. I know ya keep a few and I wondered would ya have one you'd be willin' ta part with, and if ya do what the cost might be."
The rancher smiled, "Your wife's a smart woman. Not only will she get plenty of milk for yours and your brother's family, any extra butter and cream will fetch a pretty penny, especially with Christmas coming. Raising dairy cows can be tricky in this high cold country, but taking care of just the one cow shouldn't be too much strain. You have to feed them more in the winter months, and you have to dry the teats after milking so they don't get frostbite. I've got some general guidelines written up you can follow."
"As for the price, I'll make you a deal. If you want we can use the cow as part of the pay for the wagons. I'll have Tyrese bring a good healthy one by your place tomorrow, that is if you don't mind him putting it in your corral when you're not home."
"Nah that's real nice and I trust Tyrese." Tyrese was well aware that Dixon trust didn't come easy and he nodded his appreciation to Daryl.
Reg and Tyrese hadn't been gone more than a few minutes when Eugene Porter came by. He was all smiles as he handed Daryl the telegram, "This just came for you and since it's from the Governor's office I knew it must be important." The man just kept talking as Daryl opened the envelope. "It has certainly been busy since those wrongdoers showed up in our town. I'm feeling quite relieved I didn't have to have any exchanges with the scoundrels." Daryl nodded as he tried to picture Eugene coming face to face with a claimer. The poor man would likely shake right out of his boots.
He tipped him for delivering the wire and then settled in to read it. It came from the governor's secretary and it was to inform the blacksmith of their needs while in Heavenly. They would be leaving two carriages and one coach in his care, as well as two teams of two horses and one team of six horses. The horses would all need the usual care, and if shoeing was required that was to be done as well. The carriages and wagon were to be thoroughly cleaned and any necessary repairs made to them, as well as to the harnesses and all other tack.
The wire closed with, "The horses should be hitched up and everything made ready so that Governor Potts and his staff can leave town immediately following the hanging on Saturday."
It was a little more than what Daryl expected but he was glad to have the extra work and so much of it. Having Virgil working with him meant the labor required for this job wouldn't have too much impact on his work with the regular customers.
It was only an hour or so later that Eugene returned with another wire for the blacksmith, this one from the circuit court judge's clerk. It stated they would be leaving one, four passenger coach and a team of six horses with him. The instructions with regard to the animals and the coach were the same as the governor, except the judge didn't expect to leave Heavenly until Monday afternoon, immediately following the trial of one Shelly Neudermeyer.
Daryl smiled when he handed the two wires to Virgil, "See what ya caused? Ya come ta work here and all hell's broke loose."
The town was practically vibrating with excitement over the visitor's impending arrival, and there was much to be excited about. There were the dignitaries themselves, the impending trial and a hanging that the citizens all knew was inevitably coming that Saturday. He'd seen the proof himself, just up main street and right in front of the sheriff's office. The scaffolding from which the claimer would hang was already being constructed.
Daryl had folks stopping by all day just to chat about the many events that had and would happen in their high mountain town. The blacksmith and his apprentice didn't mind the company or the chatter but they continued to work right through it all. His Uncle was glad to note that Virgil, like himself, was not a man to take time from his work to sit and gossip.
The day went by quickly and they were busy but that didn't stop him from thinking about the things he wanted to discuss with his wife. The topic he thought was most thorny regarded her employment, and the other subject, the more serious, and to his mind far more important one, would be their whole future. He hoped they could come to an agreement that pleased them both.
He had no wish for conflict with his new bride. He was quite aware he could be a very stubborn man, and the truth was he already had his mind made up about all of it. Still he knew he would do everything he could to bend and to compromise, whatever it may require. He was also aware his wife had a stubborn streak of her own and she was not afraid to show him that side of herself. All he hoped was that they could reach an accord that left them both contented.
He locked up the shop for the day, but before leaving for home he stopped in the store and purchased her a nickel's worth of root beer barrels.
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She cleaned up the breakfast dishes, freshened herself and dressed for the day. She made their bed, tidied up the house and then with a smile she began the first task on her list, carefully organizing all the spices and baking supplies.
Unexpectedly the small task led her to another as she found herself emptying cupboards and reorganizing everything in the kitchen to suit herself. She felt a bit of guilt, perhaps her husband had it set just the way he preferred. But then, she had made it clear to him she would be the one preparing meals. She smiled then as she considered her husband's disposition when it came to such matters and she knowing he wouldn't be angry.
Having learned from experience as well as from observing her husband, she was careful to keep the fires stoked and she'd just added another log to the hearth when she felt a hunger pang. She glanced at the clock on the mantle and was surprised to see it was already nearing noon. The day was passing quickly and she had so much still to do.
He'd brought enough supplies from the root cellar to last a few days and she got busy getting their dinner started. She set the big cast iron pot near the sink, chopped the meat and added it, then carrots and potatoes, spices and just enough water to cover everything. She set it on the stove, placed the lid on and began making the pie dough. When the dough was made she set it aside and started on their dessert.
She prepared a heavy rectangular pan with grease and flour and then went to work making the stale sweet breads into the bread pudding she'd promised her husband, smiling in satisfaction at her work as she lifted the heavy pan into the oven.
She checked the meat and vegetables and knew it wouldn't be much longer and the potatoes and carrots would be tender. She rolled out the pie dough but having realized how much of the meat filling she had, rather than the pie pan she used another large rectangular pan, lining it with the dough. She would not need to worry about what to prepare him for lunch the next day, there would be plenty of leftovers.
She didn't want to weaken her pie dough by filling it with the hot meat mixture, so she set the covered pot on the front porch knowing it would cool quickly. Just having the door open that brief moment was enough for the cold air to bite at her skin, her face in particular, and the warm house seemed to cool right down.
She went to the bedroom and pinned the shawl across her shoulders and suddenly the long underwear didn't seem like such a terrible idea. As much as she hated the very notion of wearing such garments, now she could see and feel how it might be smart to do so.
Again she added a log to the hearth and then took a deep breath before opening the door and reaching for the pot. Just as she suspected they would be, the contents were already cool enough for the crust.
She was busy all day but she discovered that being a homemaker and performing these tasks, the organizing, the tidying, cooking and making sure the house stayed warm enough, all these things brought her happiness. She found joy in the knowledge that when her husband returned home after working hard all day he would be coming home to a warm, cozy and welcoming place with the smell of dinner cooking and his wife's loving arms awaiting him.
Although she had kept herself busy her mind never stopped going over that one thing she wished to discuss with her husband. In one moment she would tell herself Daryl would be perfectly happy and content, in the next she worried he'd disapprove or be disappointed in her. She was aware she'd spent way too much time fretting over the matter but she couldn't seem to stop.
She just hoped that later that evening when the time came she would have the nerve to mention it to him.
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He arrived home at 4:45 and already the last sliver of sun had disappeared behind the mountain. Blackie and Ginger had been fed at the shop and hadn't come far enough to work up a sweat. He simply led them in the barn and into their stalls, removed Blackie's saddle and quickly rubbed him down and gave each horse some attention and the treat of a carrot. Then hurried to their home and to his bride.
He took off his boots before entering, leaving them on the pad just inside the door. He knew his clothes were cold from the frosty outdoor air so he hastened to remove his gloves, his hat, his coat and his scarf before finally he took her in his arms.
He kissed her lips and pulled her into him and then, as he kissed the top of her head he stated, "It smells so good in here my stomach's hollerin' at me, wantin' me ta feed it."
She laughed at the remark but also felt pride, "It's ready for the table as soon as you wash up."
He said the blessing and when they sat he took the big serving spoon and teased, "Ya made us a big pie for dinner?"
"Yes it is a pie, a meat pie and I hope you'll like it."
"If it tastes half as good as it smells I know I will." He served her and then himself and practically inhaled his first biscuit. He had full cheeks as he smiled at her nodding his approval. It was all so good and he felt so happy and she looked so happy, but that nagging in his mind wouldn't stop. They had to talk.
He brought up what he thought was the most important topic first. "Remember when I ask ya ta marry me and I told ya about my plan ta file a land claim and start a horse ranch?"
"Yes of course I remember."
He paused, chewing at the side of his thumb before going on, "Thing is, now Virgil's come ta work for me sooner than I expected and I'm happy about it, real happy. What I'm gettin' at is that I can, we can, move ahead with these other plans right away if ya feel agreeable."
She wanted to make sure she understood exactly what he had in mind, "You're ready to put your claim in on 160 acres of land that borders us here, correct?"
"Well yeah, I mean that's what I thought before, but in '77 there was a change ta the homestead act, they added another way a man can go. They still got the other, but there's this new way too. Now a fella can stake a claim on 640 acres. That's a sizable tract of land, the whole family could live on it easy and never even see each other." They both smiled at his remark and then he added, "The fact is though, there's more rules to it and there's cash money involved."
She simply watched him as she listened carefully to all that her husband said.
"Ya gotta irrigate the land within three years. I feel sure with Merle's help, maybe hirin' Tyrese from time ta time, and Virgil too, I can get that done. There's a river that runs through the whole of the Westernmost piece of the land. If I can secure the water rights I feel confident in it Beth, I got the know how ta run the pipe and build the irrigation system from there. If I was ta have a problem figuring sumthin' out, I know Reg would give me advice."
She just looked at him and waited. She could tell it in his eyes, he had more to say. And he did, "For a 640 acre claim the claimant has ta pay 25 cents an acre, that's $160.00 right upfront when ya file."
"Daryl $160 is a lot of money but for 640 acres it seems quite reasonable."
He nodded, "But that ain't all of it. After the three years are up ya gotta have the irrigation all in and working right. Ya also gotta have proved it up with some kind a house. It don't have ta be much but it has ta be livable. Here's the big part, before ya get the deed ya gotta pay another $1.00 per acre."
"It's a total of $800 cash money and then there's the time and material of buildin' an irrigation system and a house, and there will be lots more work ta come. We'll need fencin' and corrals, barns and stalls. It could take ten years ta build everythin' the way I want it, the way I have it pictured in my mind. Then I gotta buy horses and other stock plus tack. It's a lot Beth, money, labor, time and we don't know if it'll pay off."
"Is that what you want, do you think you can manage all of that, the money and the work on the land along with your work at the shop? Can you be patient and live with the time that it's going to take?"
"Yeah I know I could. It's what I want and I ain't afraid ta do the work. I got more'n a $160 in the bank and I got enough ta buy the materials for the irrigation system. We ain't gonna have ta go without, but I'ma have ta be watchin' the money some. I got ta be sure I have that $640 at the end, plus I gotta pay for all the buildin' materials and any labor we might hire. There won't be no borrowin', I ain't a man who believes in takin' on debt." He took a breath hoping she could see his dream as clearly as he saw it, and then he asked, "Whaddya think?"
She was confused. He was the man of the family, yet he was asking her. He didn't have to and she sought to clarify, "Are you seeking my permission?"
He smiled at her confusion, "I am Beth. If I do this I want ya ta be glad about it. I wanna know ya think it's a good idea. If ya aren't happy or ya think it's a bad idea it could cause trouble between us. That's sumthin' I never wanna have."
Her heart felt so full. Now she knew without doubt he valued her feelings and her opinion, and she gave those to him, "I think my husband is capable of doing anything he sets his mind to. You said you wanted us to have a horse ranch and this sounds like it could be something so wonderful. And not just for us Daryl, for our children. If it's what you want and what you think is best for us, then of course you have my support."
He stood from his chair and went to her, taking her hands in his and helping her to her feet. They caressed and he whispered his feelings in her ear, "Thank you for believin' in me the way ya do. I love ya my Sweetheart."
They sat back down in their chairs and for a long time they didn't leave the table. They were too busy as they began discussing just what it all could mean. She asked her husband, "If a person has 640 acres, I just have no idea, my goodness, how many horses can be raised on that much land?"
"In this country ya gotta figure you're only grazin' em for a part of the year. Come late fall, winter, right up ta spring the ground is frozen and covered with snow, there ain't any grazin' so ya gotta feed em. Ya gotta figure at least an acre an animal, whether it be cattle or horses. The beauty of havin' all them irrigated acres is, a person could grow hay for feed. We could raise all the horses and cattle we decided to. The best part Beth, we'd be self-sufficient raising our animals and growing our own feed."
"What about the house Daryl? You told me before you had plans to build a house, who will live in it?"
He chewed his lip as he put his thoughts into words, "I always planned on havin' it for Virgil. I had a mind since he was little, someday he'd be my top hand. I's always thinkin' ta build' just a small one room cabin for him. He's comin' up on 12 so I imagine we'll see him marry in another four or five years."
"Marry so soon, at 16 or 17?"
"Yeah well ya know, around here not everyone waits til their an old man like me."
He was chewing his lip and she knew there was more on his mind, "Everything's different now though, I wasn't thinkin' at the time that I'd have a wife. I'm wonderin' if maybe I should plan on buildin' a bigger place for you an me ta live in. In case we was ta end up havin' more'n one or two babies."
She smiled as she teased him, "Can you just imagine all the children we could fit on 640 acres?"
His hand cupped her cheek and he was serious when he smiled, "I told ya, I'm happy ta have all the children ya wanna give me, and with that many acres Beth, even when they grow up they could all live right there with us on our own land."
As they tidied the kitchen they continued to talk excitedly about their plans and when they were done he remembered. "I almost forgot ta tell ya, I got ya a milk cow today. Tyrese is gonna be bringin' it by tomorrow. Ya ain't gotta do nuthin', I'll get her in the barn when I get home."
She was so happy she nearly jumped up and down and she had a giggle in her voice when she exclaimed, "I can't believe it Daryl, you really can do anything!"
He smiled, "Well that ain't true Beth, it was just sumthin' I wanted ya ta have and I felt glad I could get it."
She became concerned then, "Oh no, it wasn't too expensive was it? We're supposed to be saving."
He assured her, "Ya ain't gotta worry. I'ma just be tradin' a little work for it. Besides, it ain't like we're broke or that I don't make a good dollar. We just gotta think about how we spend is all."
He remembered then and took the little bag from his shirt pocket, handing it to her as he teased, "I'ma have ta quit spendin' a nickel on candy for ya, gonna be cuttin' it back ta three cents."
They slipped into bed and he took her in his arms. She lay her head on his shoulder and he kissed her blonde curls whispering once again, "I love ya Beth." She didn't respond but still he smiled, he could tell by her breathing. His pretty wife was sound asleep.
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She'd fallen asleep so quickly she had only the faintest recollection of his goodnight kiss. But her mind didn't allow her to sleep for long. Sometime in the night she woke to the easy sound of her husband's soft snoring and the comfort of his arm wrapped around her.
She lay quiet and just as still as she could, determined not to wake him. He would have a very big day at work and just because she found herself unable to sleep did not mean he should lose sleep as well. It was her thoughts that kept sleep away. Her mind seemed to be building on one idea after another. The plans and dreams of all the many wonderful things that lay ahead for them, and of all the good their new life together could bring. But she was not naïve or unaware of how dreams could be dashed, and so there was also the little bit of nagging worry that perhaps their dreams may not turn out as planned.
But no, no, her husband was not a man to simply take a wild gamble. He was staking their future on this dream. If he felt all of this was possible then she would choose to follow his dream with him. It would be together that they would build their future and their family's future.
There was still that one matter hanging over her as well. She simply had to discuss it with him and in the morning she would. She could not lose another night's sleep keeping it to herself.
She sensed it was time and once again she managed to slip from their bed without disturbing her husband. She wrapped the shawl around her shoulders and slid into her house shoes, taking one last look at him before she left their room.
She stirred the coals in the hearth and added three logs before going to the cookstove and feeding the firebox. She'd just readied the coffee pot when he walked in the kitchen and setting his hands on her slim hips he kissed her cheek, "I never woulda guessed ya ta be such a sneaky one. That's twice now ya slipped away from me. Guess I'ma hafta keep a tighter hold on ya at night."
It was only half-teasingly that she replied, "I wouldn't mind at all Mister Dixon."
While she prepared their breakfast he tended to the outside chores. When he returned their meal was on the table and they held hands while he said the blessing. As they enjoyed the first meal of the day together she began to tell him her idea, "I slept very little last night Daryl, I lay there next to you going over in my mind this lovely dream you have for us."
He reached across the table taking her hand. As he rubbed his thumb softly along the back of it he worried that perhaps she had changed her mind. "What is it that concerns ya?"
"It's not a concern Daryl. I just find myself feeling so excited and I had a notion. I think, provided of course that you approve, perhaps we should add to our dream. I'm going to come into some money from those bounties. There should be far more than enough for me to put a claim in on my own 640 acre tract, adjoining your claim. I should also have sufficient money remaining to buy materials for the additional irrigation and a good start on the $640.00 final payment."
"Beth, that's a helluva…sorry, I mean a heckuva lot of land. Why so much?"
"It was something you said Daryl and it got me thinking. You said our children would never have to leave our land. With nearly 1300 acres we could ensure that our children's children, that no Dixon ever had to leave. Merle and Karen could build a home on my land, and not just Virgil, but Cyrus and Mary Ellen could have homes there someday too. You and me together can make certain no Dixon has to leave Heavenly ever. When we get the deeds for both homesteads we can change it into one parcel, yours and mine will become ours."
He was stunned that his sweet wife wanted to take on such a commitment, and not just to the benefit of herself and him, but for his brother and his brother's family. He took her in his arms and asked, "Are ya sure Beth, it's a lotta money and it's gonna be a lotta work. Merle, Karen, their children, they're not your responsibility."
"I beg your pardon, they most certainly are Daryl Dixon. If there's one thing I've learned since I've been with you it's that no matter what else, family is family and we stick together. I want that, I want us all to stick together. For as long as there are Dixons we should be together."
"And there's something else to consider Daryl. You said we would be self-sufficient because we would grow our own feed. That leads me to believe not everyone can or does. With all that land I thought perhaps if we were to plan on growing more than we need we could sell the excess. That would provide a steady income in addition to the horses, and perhaps beef cattle."
"One last thing that came to my mind was, this land is new. The west is still frontier. Someday it won't be so easy to acquire land here, to stake a claim and to make it one's own. Now is the time to take a chance that I believe in my heart will benefit generations of our family."
Her words and her ideas amazed him while also warming his heart, "Beth Dixon you are some kind of woman. I love ya more every minute of every day. When I get ta town I'ma do some checkin' and we'll get things started."
He didn't expect the reaction he got from her then and he drew back stunned. Cupping her face in his hands he asked, "Why ya cryin' Beth? What's wrong?"
She looked at him with those big blue eyes full of more tears ready to spill, and said, "I made a terrible mistake Daryl."
He was nervous now, he couldn't imagine what had her so upset or what the mistake might be. "Tell me Beth. It couldn't be anythin' I won't forgive. Just please, tell me."
"I knew I made the mistake on our wedding day, as soon as you carried me into our home." The more she talked the more nervous he became. But he waited and she went on, "I knew then this was where I belonged, that I was meant to be your wife and to keep our home and that was the most important job I could ever have. It's the only job I care to have. I made such a fuss about wanting to keep my position and now I wish I hadn't. I would love to perhaps go two mornings a week and teach the children art and music, but building a home and family with you is the only fulltime job I want."
"And now that we've reached this decision to invest our time, our money and our hearts in the land and our dream I want to be working alongside you in that. I'm not afraid of getting dirty and I'm not afraid of hard work. I want to a be a part of making it all come true."
His heart was pounding, he'd spent so much time worrying and now it seemed it was all coming to pass. "Beth, truth is I's gonna ask ya if you'd consider quittin'. I wasn't gonna force ya but I's sure hopin' ya would agree."
"But how can I? I said I would stay and I can't let Olivia down, she doesn't have time to teach school."
That's when he told her the story of the letter from the widow. "Might be just right Beth. You can let some poor widow woman with a young child have a chance at the job, she likely needs work real bad."
They agreed, Virgil would come for her just after lunch and take her to speak with Olivia. Her husband would be at the land office as soon as it opened that morning to get the paperwork they needed to file.
Before he left he told her, "I feel like this is right Beth, like it might be a struggle and we'll work hard, from time ta time we might even feel like we made a mistake, like it's too much ta take on. But I feel sure that in three years time we'll be happy and proud ta have done what we done."
His strong hand lightly clutched her neck as he kissed her cheek and whispered, "It'll be good Sweetheart. We'll be good."
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A/N I hope you enjoyed the very beginnings of a new adventure for our couple. I'd appreciate you leaving a comment / review. Also, please visit my tumblr blog A Place Called Heavenly. There's a chap photo and lots of other posts that make me "feel" this story. I hope to see you all back next Friday for more of our story, until then remember, I love ya large and appreciate you greatly! xo gneebee