Chapter 4
Will pulled the horses to a stop and grabbed a handkerchief out of his pocket. Whipping his brow, he looked up at the sun. It was only about eleven in the afternoon, but he had been out here in the fields in chores were done this morning.
One of the geldings shook his head, sending the harnesses jingling. "Easy there Jack. We will keep going in a minute." He hadn't spent much time at the house since bringing Elizabeth home. At the thought of his wife, his thoughts went to his sister Gina.
It had been four months since Gina passed and everyday he missed her. She would have just turned twenty-one and he knew that she would have made Elizabeth feel welcome. He ran his hand through his hair and sighed. I can see that Beth is trying to get me to open up, but I am not sure I can talk about everything that happened.
He knew Elizabeth would be asking more about Anna's mother and father, but he wasn't ready to talk about what happened to Richard. Richard had been Will's best friend growing up and when he asked to marry Gina, Will had given his blessing. He knew there would always be a possibility that Richard might get killed, but he didn't think it would happen so soon.
The sound of a buggy brought him back to earth. Looking up he smiled when he saw the familiar bay gelding. I wonder what he is doing back so soon.
Will lifted his hat and waved it in the air. The driver of the buggy swung it towards him and pulled it to a stop. "Darcy I see you are hard at work."
"Bingley, it is good to see you man. What are you doing back in town?" he wrapped the reins around the plow handled and walked over to shake the hand of his childhood friend.
"I just got back from visiting my folks back east and the first place I wanted to stop was yours. How have you been?"
"I have been good. It has been hard adjusting to be a father, but Beth is starting to make it easier for me." He set his hat back on his head.
"Who is Beth? I know when I left there was no Beth living in town or anywhere around here." Doctor Charles Bingley looked curiously at his friend. Who is he talking about?
"Her real name is Elizabeth. She is my wife."
"She is your what? When did you get married? I have only been gone for a month, Darcy."
"You heard me right Bingley. Elizabeth is my wife. We married only a few days ago." Will glanced up at the sun again, before turning to his friend. "Would you like to come to the house for lunch?"
"Yes I would. I want to see this young lady you married."
Will nodded and walked back over to the horses. He unhitched them from the plow and led them back to the house; Charles following with the buggy. Once they were back in the yard, he led the horses to the corral, and took off their harnesses.
He headed back to the house and found that Charles had tied his horse to the hitching rail and was waiting for him. Charles clapped his hands and grinned at his friend. "Let's go inside and meet your wife."
Will chuckled slightly at his friend's enthusiasm, "Bingley I think you are a bit too excited about meeting Beth. Once we are done with lunch, you have to tell me about your trip. I assume your sister decided to stay back East?"
Charles followed Will in to the house and quickly washed up by the door. "Yes she did. I thought maybe she would want to come back with me, but I was glad she didn't. I am not sure I would have been able to stay sane on the trip back." He shuddered at the thought of being alone with his younger sister.
Will dried his hands on the towel and heard laughter coming from the kitchen. Walking around the corner, he found Beth and Anna trying to make cookies. Anna had flour in her hair, while Beth had flour all over her apron and face.
He cleared his throat and Elizabeth spun around startled, squeaking slightly. "I thought I told you yesterday to quit startling me."
"I guess I forgot." He said and offered her an apologetic smile. I may have said I forgot, but she doesn't know how much I enjoy the little game. Will turned to look at his friend, who was looking at him funny.
"Beth, I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine. This is Charles Bingley. He is the doctor is town."
"It is nice to meet one of Will's friends. Are you staying for lunch?" she asked and whipped her hands on her apron.
Charles held out his hand and shook hers. "Will already invited me to join you for lunch and I accepted. It a pleasure to meet Will's wife."
Will took a seat at the table and Charles followed his lead. Elizabeth turned back to the stove and grabbed the sandwiches she had made for lunch. She set the plate in front of the two men and moved to grab the rest of the pie. Putting a slice on both plates, she handed it to them.
She settled Anna in her chair and handed her a sandwich. Grabbing four tin cups, Elizabeth poured them full of milk. She handed one to each of the men, before handing one to Anna, and setting hers on the table. She would eat and then finish the cookies.
Elizabeth ate her sandwich and listened to the conversation with interest.
"There is a new sheriff that is going to be sworn in on Monday. Did the temporary sheriff ever find the outlaw who killed your brother in law?" Charles asked.
Will shook his head. "No he did not. Richard was killed at night and there weren't many witnesses to the shooting. They are not even sure who shot him." The sheriff may not be sure but I have a pretty good idea of who did it.
"I am sure it will take some time before they have a good lead." Charles said and glanced at Elizabeth. "How come you never told me you were getting married Darcy? I would have come back home earlier and been your best man."
He glanced at his wife before replying. "It was a bit sudden Charles and I didn't want to take you away from your family. You only see them a few times a year. I assume they are all in good health."
"Yes they are. My older sister Louisa married a lawyer and is living in town."
"What about Caroline?" he asked even though she was furthest thing from his mind, but he knew it was polite to ask.
"She has not found a husband yet, but she had been courted by a few. I think she is still holding out for you Darcy." Charles said seriously, but his eyes were twinkling.
"I am sorry Charles, but I am already taken." He finished his meal and pushed back from the table. Charles followed suit, tipped his hat to Elizabeth, and followed him out the door.
Elizabeth watched them leave with a puzzled frown. I think that is the most I have heard him speak at one time. She stood and grabbed the dirty dishes off the table. Setting them on the counter, she leaned against it, and looked out the window.
Her husband was talking to his friend and she saw a smile grace his face. He really is handsome when he smiles. I wish he would do it more often. She pushed away from the counter and picked up Anna. "I think it is time for your nap, sweetie."
She carried Anna to her room and settled her in for a nap. Placing a kiss on her forehead, Elizabeth walked back out to the kitchen, and found Will standing by the table. "Did Dr. Bingley leave?" she put the dishes in the tin tub to let them soak.
"Yes he did. He had to get back to town." Will turned to glance at her; she was putting the balls of dough on a pan before setting them in the oven. He reached over and grabbed her hand. She looked up at him surprised.
He led her to the table and motioned for her to sit. She complied, to confused to say anything. Will sat across from her and took a deep breath. "I would like to apologize for yesterday. I know that there is not all that much to do around here right now. We will go to the mercantile on Sunday and you can buy as many seeds as you want."
"I accept your apology. I just wanted to make this place feel like a home. I am not used to being so far from town and not seeing anyone except you and Anna." Why is he deciding to talk now?
"If you would like, I can introduce you to some other married ladies in town. Some of them are your age, but most of them are a few years older."
"I would like that." She stood to her feet and noticed his confused expression. "I need to check the cookies and don't you need to go back out to the fields."
He blushed slightly and she found the sight charming. "I will see you later." He said and walked out the door.
She opened the oven door and found the cookies done. Taking them out, she set them on the table, and moved to wash up the dishes. Plunging her hands in the warm water, her thoughts wander to their conversation. Well the rough and quiet cowboy can blush.
Elizabeth shook her head and hoped that she would see one of his smiles soon. They would be going to church tomorrow and she would finally be able to purchase the seeds. A smile graced her lips as she thought of a plan of how to spend the day and maybe get her husband to smile.
She spent the next couple of hours cleaning the rest of the house and making supper. At six o'clock she heard his footsteps enter the house and pushed a stray curl out of her eyes. The table was already set and all that needed to be done was put Anna in her chair and set the chicken and potatoes on the table.
She heard his footsteps get closer and glanced over her shoulder and saw that he was putting Anna in her chair again. Elizabeth grabbed the platters of food and set them on the table. Will glanced at her before joining her at the table. They bowed their heads for grace, "Thank you Lord for putting this food on our table, good weather, and bringing Charles back home safe. Amen."
Elizabeth quietly said amen before biting in to her chicken. "How much more plowing do you have to do before you start planting?"
"I have a few more days of plowing before I start planting. When I am finished with the fields, I will plow up a spot for your garden. You can pick the spot and point it out to me."
She thought of all the places she had seen when walking to the barn the other day. Looking up at him she answered him, "I have already found the perfect spot."
He lifted a brow when he heard the excited note to her voice. "Oh and where might that be?"
"It is a few feet from the house. There is a big stand of trees that will offer the plants shade, but also still give them plenty of sun."
"I know where you are talking about. I will plow it up when I finish the fields." Will said and turned his attention to Anna. She had finished her supper and was looked at him, "What would you like Anna?"
She gave him a bright smile, "Cookie?"
Elizabeth chuckled at the little girl's question. "Yes you can have a cookie." She stood to grab one, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her.
Looking up she found Will gazing down at her, "Stay seated, Beth. I will grab Anna her cookie." He walked over to the towel and lifted it up. Grabbing three cookies, he walked back to the table and handed one to Anna. Sitting back down, he laid the other two by his plate.
She looked at the two cookies by his plate. "Why do you have two cookies? I know you are a grown man, but I don't think you need two."
Will grabbed both of them again and turned to face her. He waved them in front of her face. "I was going to give you one, but now I think I should eat both of them." He ate one of them before putting the other one in his mouth. Once he swallowed the second cookie, he gave her a faked grimace.
"What is wrong with my cookies?"
"They are not up to my standards. Next time don't ask why I have two cookies." He said and her eyes opened in shock when she saw the twinkle in his blue eyes.
Elizabeth reached over and wacked him on the arm. Why is he being so playful tonight? I didn't think he could be like this.
She stood up and picked Anna up to put her to bed. Walking in to the bedroom, she changed her out of her dress, and in to her clean nightgown. Laying her down for the night, she spread the blanket over her, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Goodnight Anna."
While she was in her room, she changed out of her dress, and in to a fresh nightgown. Searching through her dresser, she found her dressing gown, and put it on over the nightgown. She had slept in her dress last night and tonight she wanted to sleep in something less restricting. I wonder if I fell asleep at the table last night and Will carried me to bed.
This thought ran through her head when she walked back out in to the kitchen. Elizabeth found Will finishing up the dishes and cleaning off the table. "You didn't have to do that."
He looked up at the sound of her voice and a lump formed in his throat. She was dressed in her nightgown and dressing gown, with her hair braided down her back. "I thought I would help out tonight. Sit down and I will grab the Bible."
She moved to the table and took a seat. A few minutes later, he came back with the Bible resting in his hands. He sat down across from her and started reading.
Elizabeth listened to the sound of his voice wash over her. It was deep and soothing to her troubled thoughts. He continued reading, but he could tell that he was losing his audience again; closing the book gently so as not to wake her, he walked around to her chair, and picked her up cradling her close.
She snuggled in to his chest as he made his way to her room. Laying her gently on the bed, he carefully removed her dressing gown, and settled the blanket over her. Backing out of her room, he whispered, "Goodnight Beth."
That night as he got ready for bed, his thoughts were pleasant. He could see how surprised she was when he was opening himself up and letting her see a side of him only a few people knew about. No matter how hard I try, she is slowly working her way in to my thoughts and heart. There is still something I have to do and someone I have to find.