A/N Thank you all so much. Daryl managed to bring Beth back and it seems all is well. He got a little snappy there, but I think we all understood and forgave him. We pick it up the next morning, and then fast forward a little to spring in the mountains. Before the chapter ends our couple is going on an adventure that just might change their lives! I hope you enjoy!
Oops! I know I said there would be a loss this chapter, and I did have it in here. It just didn't flow right with the rest of the chapter. After giving it a lot of thought I cut it. It may very well show up later.
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Monday morning came and he woke feeling hopeful the day would be a good one. His arms were wrapped around her and he was glad to note she felt warm. He sensed her soft breaths on his chest and everything was so comforting he didn't rush to get up. He lay there a few extra minutes holding on tightly to all he'd come so close to losing.
He knew her health would continue to be fragile for many days. Her body would require lots of extra sleep as her organs worked hard to recover. She would be especially susceptible to pneumonia; or her heart might even stop working right. No matter how stubborn she may try to be, he would make certain she drank plenty of water, stayed warm and did not put further strain on her body.
He wasn't the kind to lay off work, working hard was just natural to him. It was what he did. But for the first time in his life he was glad he didn't have to go. He didn't want to leave her there alone. He was grateful they were snowed in. He was even grateful for the wind that still blew so hard it sometimes felt like it was shaking the house. For at least the first two days of the week he'd be justified in staying home with her.
The smithy wasn't worried about the business. It was locked up tight and he had all the horses there at home in the barn. His customers wouldn't miss him. No one was going to take a chance going out in this weather for anything short of a major emergency. Major emergencies didn't usually require the skills of a blacksmith. They were more likely to be Doc Carson's worry.
He wasn't concerned for Virgil trying to get to town either. Before leaving his brother's home Sunday morning Daryl had been firm with his nephew, he was not to attempt to go to the shop until the blacksmith himself came to take him. He also knew full well Virgil's Daddy would not let his boy leave if there was any hint of danger.
Merle would be home too; the mine would be shut down. The company had been in this country long enough to be aware, sometimes men simply couldn't get to work and it was best not to encourage them to try.
Merle's leg wasn't broken but it was badly banged up and bruised. Daryl was glad his brother would be forced to let it heal a while, at least for a couple of days. He smiled thinking about how cantankerous and hard to live with Merle was going to be with an injured leg and no work. Then he smiled even more broadly at the thought of how, when Karen had had all she could take of him, she'd set him straight real quick.
He kissed Beth's blonde hair before carefully slipping from the bed. He stoked the fires, got the coffee going on the stove and water in the kettle for her tea.
Her voice was so faint he almost didn't hear her when she called his name. He hurried to wife and that's when he knew the ordeal had hit her especially hard. "I need to use the bathroom Daryl, but I'm not sure I can get there on my own."
His arms reached out for her and he took her in them, lifting her from their bed and kissing her forehead he reassured her, "I got ya Sweetheart, I always will."
He'd made her breakfast, cleaned up the kitchen and tidied up all the disarray from the day before. He finally took a minute to stand and look out the window and onto a world that was now completely white. The morning sun had broken through a gray sky, and when it hit the white snow just right it sparkled as if it had been sprinkled with diamonds.
He knew more snow would come, but for now the visibility was much better. He'd be able to get Blackie out of the weather and into the shelter of the barn.
He explained to her, "I gotta care for the animals and I need ta get Blackie inside and make sure he's alright. Now that the snow is easin' it's likely gonna get even colder for a while." He pulled the covers up around her and his voice took on a stern tone when he said, "Don't ya try an get up now. Ya don't need ta be fallin'. I'll be back in soon."
Saturday night, when the weather had first started to turn worse, he'd put fresh straw in the coop and made sure there was water and feed. He hoped the birds had been smart enough to stay put inside. He hadn't checked on them since. Before he and Blackie walked back to the barn that's where he headed, to check the coop.
The chickens were huddled close, he was glad to see only one had been lost to the cold, and he was happily surprised to find three eggs. He added fresh straw, fresh water and gave them their feed. Not one to neglect his animals he apologized, "Sorry I ain't been around. I'll check on ya later."
He and Blackie went to the barn and he cared for and fed the big horse before tending to the others or milking Sally. Blackie was just fine, but the Smithy knew the horse needed extra food after being in the cold so long.
Once the animals were cared for he had a plan to shovel a path from the house to the barn, another to the chicken yard, and one to the root cellar. But all that would have to wait until he had checked on and spent time with his wife.
She was still quite weak, but after lying in bed so long she was also restless. He carried her to the chair by the fire, got the stool for her feet and covered her with a blanket. He got her books and he got her knitting and embroidery, and he set all on the table next to her. He fixed her hot tea and every hour he made her drink a cup of water.
He was happy to care for her, happy to be there with her, happy to have another day with her. He'd come so close to losing her. Still the blacksmith was not one to be idle. He sat across from her passing the time cleaning his guns, and when that was done he studied his irrigation plans and read some articles Eugene had loaned him. Through it all he watched her, knowing he'd never stop being grateful she was still there with him.
He got up from his chair, went to his desk and set the papers from Eugene there. He had every intention of going back to his chair and writing down some notes, but he looked at her and she smiled so faintly. He went to her, dropping to his knees while his arms wrapped around her and he rested his head in her lap.
She ran her open hand softly and slowly across his forehead and back through his hair, every once in a while tucking a loose strand of the hair behind his ear. He stared at the fire, letting it and the feel of his wife comfort him. His voice was hoarse with emotion when he softly spoke, "I love ya so much Beth, you're my life. You're everythin' ta me."
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The first real taste of Spring arrived in early April. The sun was so bright that although it was not particularly warm, it looked and felt as if it was. The snow began to melt rapidly and in most ways it was a happy sight to see. The sagebrush buttercups were all abloom with their small yellow flowers, and the sight gave Beth the feeling just as Daryl had described. It was like the earth was reawakening, everything was coming back to life.
The warmer temperatures and the rapid melt off of snow brought a new annoyance with it as well, mud.
The mud was often more challenging to get around in than the snow. It was especially difficult in the early morning hours when the cold of night had turned the remains of the snow, the water, and the mud into ice. And just as it seemed spring was finally there to stay, it would begin to snow again. As she so often did, she marveled at Daryl and how he let nothing stop him.
This small turn in the weather had her husband working many more hours in his efforts to make up for time lost to winter. His day started long before first sun and he never let up on himself until long after sundown. She didn't question him, she knew he would not welcome her suggestions that he rest or even slow down. He had his sights set on getting trees down.
It wasn't just timber for building logs they were taking down. During this time, with the land still frozen, the Dixon brothers were taking care of the other needs they would have. Along with the building logs they were cutting timber for heating and timber for fencing.
The shop was busy but much of the work was ferrier work. Folks who didn't use their horses in the winter removed the shoes. Come spring there was always plenty of work trimming hooves and hot shodding those horses. The blacksmith was grateful that Virgil was fully capable of doing the bulk of the ferrier work. That freed him up to work on the land.
The blacksmith had set a routine for himself of working in the shop from six in the morning until ten in the morning. During those hours he tried to complete all the tasks Virgil couldn't do on his own, while also teaching the young man the skills to do those jobs in the future. From the shop he went straight to the claim and worked until last light, before going home to his chores.
He didn't complain. It wasn't his nature. The only trouble he could see with any of it was how much he missed Beth, and the guilt he felt for leaving her home alone so much. One Monday afternoon in mid-April an idea came to him, it caused him to smile and he was anxious to get home and ask her if she'd consent.
They held hands while he said the blessing, and they sat close together to share dinner. He filled their plates with the fried rabbit and cornbread dressing she'd made, green beans and biscuits. He waited until they'd each had a few bites then he asked, "Beth, Sweetheart, I don't know if you remember me tellin' ya. Back in the early fall when I went huntin', I had ta leave a lotta stuff stashed away in the dugout. I need ta see about that stuff and make sure it's alright and ready ta go for this comin' fall."
She tried not to let him see how sad she was at the thought of him leaving her. She tried to be so matter-of-fact when she asked "When will you go?"
"I's thinkin' that a lotta a the snow oughta be melted off up there by late May. I's plannin' I could go over your birthday. It's comin' up third week in May, right?"
He would be gone for her birthday? The very thought of that hurt, but she didn't protest. He worked so hard and she was not going to argue with him about such selfish things, "If that's what you think is best."
"What I think is best is that you come with me. Would ya be willin'?"
She'd never considered he might take her up the mountain. Just the thought had her both excited and a little frightened. "Really? You think I'm capable of making such a trip?"
"Well sure I think ya could. You're healed now and you're strong. You can ride, you can shoot and ya ain't a bad tracker. Only thing is, ya can't ride Ginger. I wouldn't put that on her in her condition, it's too steep a climb. You'd hafta ride Buck and we'd take a third horse ta pack, maybe two."
"I would gladly go with you. It will be the most unusual and exciting birthday of my life!"
That night they made their plan and they became quite anxious to make the trip together, but it would have to wait a few weeks.
Spring of 1882 brought many changes to Heavenly.
That Sunday Eastman turned the pulpit over to Ezekiel King long enough for him to tell the congregation, "The Mining Company has approved your petition for a lending library in Heavenly. A construction crew from the mine has been chosen by the supervisor, and building materials have been ordered. Building should begin in three weeks."
Gasps were heard among the people and he smiled at the excitement in the air as he continued, "Now it won't be large, but it will be stocked with the classics for both children and adults. There will even be a brand new set of the Encyclopedia Britannica and a copy of Webster's Dictionary." The congregation began to applaud the news and there was even a whistle or two, then he added, "A librarian is being sent as well. A woman educated in that field."
Daryl Dixon supposed it was a real nice and generous thing, but all the blacksmith really cared about was how happy the news made his pretty wife.
Besides the sage in bloom, the spring had something else blooming in Heavenly, love was in the air. It wasn't all new flirtations and new love, there was also the rekindling of a once dying romance.
His shop being located where it was, there in the center of town, he couldn't help but see something was going on with Dr. Eugene Porter. The blacksmith said nothing to anyone. It wasn't his business and he wasn't one to start gossip. Still it made him smile and speculate to himself. Eugene Porter had suddenly taken quite an interest in the saloon. He'd begun visiting the establishment no less than twice daily. Ever since Rosita Espinoza began her employment there.
Thursday rolled around and early that morning Andrea stopped to see the smithy, looking to have the bar and kitchen knives sharpened. Virgil was out at the corral tending the horses so she took her opportunity to bring it up to Daryl. "Smithy, have you noticed ever since Rosita came to work for me that strange man, Dr. Eugene Porter, has begun to visit my establishment no less than two times each day? Prior to her coming to work for me, I barely recall ever having seen the man."
Daryl kept his thoughts to himself, he simply shrugged his shoulders in response and she laughed, "Oh Smithy, you do have a way of keeping your trap shut. Anyway, he has not offered to pay for time with Rosita, and I know you know what I mean by that. He mostly just sits there and moons over her. I can't decide if it's sweet or if it's scary."
The smithy did chime in on that, "I'm pretty sure he's harmless, 'cept he might talk her ta death."
It wasn't but a few days following that conversation the stagecoach brought two women to Heavenly. One of those women was a tall slim brunette who happened to be the sister of Merna.
He hadn't particularly desired to, but just two weeks prior Daryl had heard from Jim all about Merna's sister. The story went that her suitor had convinced her to run away with him to Chicago, where he promised he would marry her. After only one short week, and after her agreeing to lay with him following his promise of marriage, she had awakened one morning to find the bed cold. The scoundrel had sneaked off, leaving nothing but a ten-dollar bill behind.
This sister of Merna's, a woman by the name of Sherry, would be coming to stay with Merna, Jim and Baby Jim while her broken heart and wounded pride healed.
It started up the very day Sherry arrived. He could not recall ever having seen the man visit the store, but now Smithy noticed the barman, Dwight, needed to make a purchase at the general store every day. Sometimes twice a day. It made the blacksmith smile, it wasn't so long ago he'd been paying regular visits there himself.
It was no time at all before the whole town had noticed the very same thing. Bets were on at the saloon that, despite the serious amount of attention being given her by many of Heavenly's male population, it would be the barman that the storekeeper's sister would marry come summer.
The second woman was a pretty blonde named Amber. She was the new librarian. She'd taken up residence at the hotel until such time as the company found her a more permanent arrangement.
There was much joking among the men of Heavenly that the pretty blonde did not look like the librarian type, her being far too fetching for such an intellectual profession. But it seems that indeed that was just the type she was. However, her attractiveness was not the reason for the latest gossip buzzing through town. It had to do with the fact the woman seemed to be spending an inordinate amount of time at the bank. They could think of no logical reason the woman would need to visit the bank on a daily basis. Speculation was running high that the librarian was there to visit the banker, Milton Mamet.
The idea of such a pairing had the men of Heavenly, and the women too, wondering why in the world such a lovely lady would be interested in the affections of a man so serious that he appeared to be quite dour. And when their women were out of earshot the men chuckled among themselves as they speculated that Milton Mamet was most probably ill-equipped to handle the needs of such a woman in the bedroom.
The blacksmith took all the talk for what it was, jealousy.
There was another attraction the blacksmith saw quite clearly. Someone else seemed to need to stop at the general store every day. Sophia Peletier was there each day after school. She would pause at the door and glance over toward the shop, and Daryl saw his nephew glance back. They would share a look and a nod, and all the blacksmith could do was be grateful it was only a look they were sharing.
Beth made a point to get to town twice a week. Her friend was in need and she, Merna, Olivia and even Andrea, made every effort to spend as much time as possible with Lori Grimes.
Ever since winter fury set in so hard that March, Lori had been in ill-health. Dr. Carson ordered complete bed rest until sometime after the birth of her child.
The sheriff took the news particularly hard. He knew he'd been cold and remote toward his wife, and now she was so weak and fragile. The first thing Rick did was seek the help of the blacksmith. He wanted their bed moved from upstairs and placed in the living room, near the fire where she would stay warm.
While the sheriff worked the women of Heavenly did what they could to help. They cooked meals and they tidied the house. They bathed Lori and saw to it that Carl's needs were met. It was a hardship for many, but it brought about something to be delighted and grateful for.
For so long Rick just could not find it in his heart to forgive Lori for straying. Of course no one would argue he had every right to be angry, or to even cast her aside completely. But now with her so frail, the sheriff felt a large measure of guilt. He was sure his indifference and distant treatment of her had added to his wife's distress.
The thought of the losses that may very well come caused him not only sadness and guilt, but they made him realize he was still very much in love with Lori. In her time of illness and need, he found his way clear to put thoughts of her indiscretions aside. Once again Rick Grimes became the loving and attentive husband he'd been. He began to speak tenderly of the baby that was coming, and the words he used were, "my child." It appeared he was fully ready to accept the baby as such. Now the people of Heavenly could only pray that Lori's health did not worsen, that she would survive childbirth and the baby would be born plump and with strong healthy lungs.
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The blacksmith was filled with his own feelings of love that late spring. He'd been missing Beth so much. He hated working all the long hours and being away from her, but he felt it necessary in order to be certain the improvements on the land would be made within the allotted time. Still he would manage to take these few days with her, just the two of them. The sun wasn't yet up as he packed the horses for their trip up the mountain.
Taking this trip would have set him back four days, but him and Merle made a decision. They hired Tyrese to cut trees for two days. Although they did not like to have to pay for help, it was necessary. Daryl needed to return to camp and check on the equipment left behind. Come fall and time for the hunt and he'd have to stay up in camp for possibly as long as week. The family needed the meat and depended on his success. The decision was quickly reached.
The horses were ready and he led them to the house. She was standing on the porch, excited and ready to start on their adventure.
He smiled at the sight of her, dressed in her boy clothes with her hair in braids. He was in shirt-sleeves yet she wore her winter coat and a scarf around her neck. He might have worried about her being up on the mountain where it was even colder, but he had an idea how he was going to keep her warm.
All was ready and they were both smiling when he gave her a leg up on the horse. "Ya get tired or that sweet little bottom a yours starts ta get sore, ya lemme know. It's a long ride, but we'll make some stops along the way." Never did he stop when he made the trip alone. Only if he had to relieve himself or a horse strayed from the string, but this trip was different.
Having her with him had him planning to make at least four stops, one of them being a good amount of time, enough time for them to have lunch. Never did he eat a meal until he reached camp, but he was with Beth and he would not consider allowing his wife to go hungry.
He had the spot in mind where they'd stop for their meal. It was just about the halfway mark, but that wasn't why. He was thinking of her and how much she'd enjoy seeing it. It was a beautiful little meadow and this time of year the wildflowers would be in full bloom.
"Whoa boy," he called to Blackie, and when Blackie stopped the other horses followed the stallion's lead. "How's this look Beth, like a nice spot ta have our lunch?" There were still patches of snow here and there, but just as he'd hoped the wildflowers were in full bloom.
"Oh my Daryl, it's so beautiful." It was her smile that he found beautiful.
He helped her from the horse, grabbed the blanket from the pack and lay it under a tree. "You sit, I'll get the lunch." He retrieved it from Blackie's saddlebag and they sat on the blanket together. While they enjoyed their meal of brown bread, cold venison roast, and apples, the horses enjoyed the fresh sweet meadow grass.
After lunch he couldn't resist laying her down on the blanket. He was propped on an elbow, looking down at her and he smiled, "Damn, darn, I'd like ta have some romance with ya right now Mrs. Dixon, but shit, shoot we need ta get up that mountain." He spoke the words, but he couldn't help himself from leaning in for a long wet kiss, while he let his hand glide over her breast and inside her thigh.
He propped himself back up and smiled, "If I don't quit this lovin' right now we'll be spendin' the night here." He stood and reached a hand out to her, helping her to her feet, while with his other he pushed down on the front of his trousers. He smiled and teased her, "Ya done sumthin' ta me girl." There was a time those words would have left her mortified, but now they only made her giggle.
It was a long ride but she loved every moment of it. She'd never been in such rough and rugged country and she found it so beautiful. "I see why you love to come up here Daryl, it's the prettiest place I've ever seen.
When they reached camp she insisted on helping him remove the packs and saddles from the horses. They brushed and walked the animals, let them have a little water, and once they'd cooled down they would let them have a little more. Along with their treats of grain and apples.
He set a cast iron pot on a tripod over an open fire and the stew they'd brought for dinner was warming. In the meantime he'd gotten everything from the dugout and they carefully examined it all. "That's the good thing about livin' in dry mountain air, stuff don't rust or stay damp. I'm thinkin' I oughta just go on and leave it up here. Why make the horses carry it back down the mountain, then carry it back up again come fall?"
She'd been so curious about the dugout, she was happy to see it wasn't scary like she'd feared it might be. It was roomy, they could even stand in it. The ground they would sleep on was smooth, and she thought as long as he was there with her it would be a fine place to spend the night.
They sat by the warm fire and enjoyed their stew, and by the time they finished their meal the sun was rapidly dipping behind the mountain. He hurried to get water from the lake and warmed some to do their dishes, which they did by the light of the fire and the lantern.
The horses were fed and settled in for the night. The food was up in the tree so as not to attract bears, and the sky was dark. He picked up the lantern in one hand, took her hand in the other and said, "C'mon, let's get inside."
At the entrance to the dugout he paused and kissed her, "I got a feelin' this is gonna be a special night."
He had the blankets neatly laid out for them and she watched as he removed his shirt, then his shoes and trousers, then smiling he said, "C'mon, I'll help ya get outta them clothes."
"Daryl, are you sure? Am I to sleep in the cold and the wild without clothes?" He'd told her not to bother bringing her gown and now she was confused.
"You can put em back on later if ya want, but I'm hopin' ya won't need em at all. Hopin' I can keep ya warm all night long."
She felt the color rise from her neck to her ears, while he'd already begun to loosen her buttons. He lay their clothes in the corner and then he looked at her, his eyes moving up and down her body. The cool night air and the look in his eyes already had her nipples hard. He reached out and rubbed the back of his finger along one of the taut little nubs and smiled, "C'mon, let's get ya under the covers. We'll see if I can't get ya warm like I promised."
She slipped between the blankets, him right behind her. He placed his finger just under her chin, nudging her face upward as he whispered, "C'mere and lemme kiss ya Beth."
She scooted closer and they kissed while his hand softly glided up and down along the curve of her body. The kiss ended, but his hand still stroked her body as he smiled and asked, "Ya like it up here?"
"I do Daryl, it's so lovely, the flowers, oh my it's like a carpet of them. I can see why you enjoy spending time here."
"It's what livin' in the high country is all about. Escapin' up in the mountains and enjoyin' all the beauty and the quiet here. I'm so glad you agreed ta come with me. If ya like, we can fish tomorrow."
"I would. I would love that. Especially if you were the one to put the worm on my hook, and of course clean any fish we might catch."
She made him laugh and he answered, "It's why ya married me, ain't it?" She didn't get to answer, he was already kissing her again.
His hand had moved a little, now rubbing her bottom and up along her back, while his lips traveled to her delicate throat where he softly kissed and sucked her pale skin. She moved her bottom closer to him and he moved his mouth along her shoulders. He continued slowly kissing his way down her body, taking his time to linger and enjoy the sweet fragrance and soft white skin of her décolletage, before taking her breast fully into his mouth.
He loved the roundness and the small size of her bosom. More than once he'd teased her that her breasts were made to fit perfectly in his mouth. For him it was the truth, but mostly he liked saying it because of the way it made her turn bright red.
He could tell by the way her body began to move that she was becoming more aroused and he moved his hand to her mound. He rubbed his palm over it, slowly increasing the pressure, and when she softly moaned, "mm Daryl," he let his finger slip inside her warmth.
He didn't expect it, but he liked it when her slim fingers wrapped around his manhood and she imitated his movements. When he stroked his finger inside her, she stroked him. She was making noises, like a humming coming from deep in her throat and he was groaning as he enjoyed touching her and her touching him.
He trailed kisses down her tummy until his mouth reached her mound and he gently nibbled at the rise of it and her soft blonde curls. His mouth knew the way and it soon found itself between her legs, his tongue licking on that little bump while his fingers kept a steady pace inside her. Her knees were up and she had a firm grip on his hair as if holding him in place, while her own body squirmed and her hips rose. He laid an arm across her hips, but it wasn't long before that hand had moved to tease her hard little nipples and he could hold out no longer.
He seemed to glide as his body made it's way along hers, until they were face to face. He kissed her tenderly as he guided his manhood into her warmth and they moaned in pleasure as their bodies became one. They were soon moving in sync, his strokes matching the pumping motion of her hips. He buried his face in the soft slope of her neck and his voice was thick with pleasure when he told her, "I love ya sweet wife."
Her voice was just as low and hoarse when she whispered back, "I love you my husband," while her fingers dug into his back and her body trembled.
He slipped his hand between them and he teased the little bump, whiled his tongue flicked at her nipple and he thrust himself deeper into her. Her body quivered, and she felt the heat rise from somewhere deep within her, sure she would shake apart from the pleasure her husband gave her.
She began to lose herself completely, moaning as she softly called his name and her body gave an almost violent shudder. His body responded to hers as he began pumping even faster and harder, and this night when he lost himself he did not pull away. He spilled his seed inside her.
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A/N Spring has sprung in Heavenly and there's so much going on. Please leave a comment / review. The chapter photo is on my tumblr story blog A Place Called Heavenly, along with some very cool "country" pics. It's can also be found on my blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick. Next chapter Shawn will be arriving in Heavenly and he won't be alone.
Hub and I are heading out on our own adventure but I'll be posting next Friday - I just have no idea what time of day that may be :) Until then, I wish all who celebrate a Very Happy Easter! I love ya large and appreciate you so much! xo gneebee