Well into Ruby's third week at the Hopper homestead, Ruby noticed that August was particularly bouncy one breakfast. It didn't take long for Mr. Hopper to explain that that day was the first day of preparing the hog for winter—that is, the butchering, he added when he saw Ruby's furrowed brow—and that David Nolan would be coming over with Emma. Ruby wasn't sure why that would make the boy so excited, but then she remembered his comment about getting the tail of the pig. Perhaps there were more treats to be had.
She'd never been part of this "killing and curing"—Granny always got her meat from the butcher's, already prepared. She shrugged it off as a male interest, though she would be the first to be grateful to have plenty of meat over the winter.
Then, it was Ruby's turn to be excited—or at least greatly pleased—as a wagon rolled up to reveal the entire Nolan family. Ruby couldn't believe how her heart lifted to see another woman, and she prayed that they'd have some time alone together as she welcomed the visitors inside.
Ruby froze when she realized she didn't have much to offer them, but fortunately, it didn't matter in the least as the menfolk headed straight out to the barn and the children traipsed off to the yard to play, leaving Ruby alone with Mary Margaret and baby Leo inside. Besides, Mary Margaret had brought a basket of goodies with her, and Ruby shot her a grateful smile as she took the offerings from her friend.
"I wanted to give you some time to get settled, so that's why I haven't been over sooner, but I thought today would be the perfect chance to visit," Mary Margaret explained as she sat down at the table with the baby in her arms. Something in Ruby stirred at the maternal sight, and she couldn't help but rest her hand over her abdomen.
Quickly, she turned around to the stove before she risked giving away her secret. "I'm afraid I don't have much to offer you, but would you like some coffee?" Never before had Ruby so wished she'd learned to bake properly, and she felt ashamed at her lack of hospitality as she transferred the small cakes that Mary Margaret had brought from the basket to a plate.
"That would be lovely," Mary Margaret beamed, and Ruby felt her tension melt away. "Thank you."
As Ruby brought the coffee and things to the table, she nodded to the baby in her friend's arms with a smile. "And how old is he?"
"Six months," Mary Margaret replied. Ruby counted backwards as she added cream and sugar to Mary Margaret's cup after a nod of affirmation. If her calculations were correct, Leo was born the same time of year that her own little one was expected. She thanked her lucky stars that their closest neighbour was not only a woman, but a mother, and Ruby felt a little less apprehensive about what lay ahead of her come early spring.
Still, she wasn't ready to reveal her situation just yet, and so she was grateful when the conversation turned to more casual topics, like the weather—it had been an unusually dry summer, but luckily not too detrimental to the crops, though enough to yield a smaller harvest than they'd hoped for. Ruby found she enjoyed the conversation that flowed smoothly—though she jumped at the squeal that came from the barn before an eerie silence fell—as she learned more about her new friend and found they had many things in common. Mary Margaret and David had come west from Wisconsin shortly after they were married. Emma arrived soon after they settled down, and David was able to build a homestead. The town was growing steadily, and so David found himself with the duties of sheriff about a year ago—though only part-time—as he continued to support his growing family with the farm.
"You must be busy," Ruby said warmly as she got up to check on the stove.
"Yes, it's certainly not easy, but it's no more than anyone else must do—folks know that it's a hard life out here, and so they always help each other as best they can." Mary Margaret smiled at Ruby, her eyes kind, and Ruby felt the warmth that was hidden behind what she didn't say. She pushed aside the image of Peter's funeral and the townsfolk who had come to lay him to rest properly. They were all strangers, but there was a warmth to their stoic presence, an acknowledgement that though this land was unforgiving—that certain things happened and must be done—they could still lend a hand of support. Life would go on.
Ruby swallowed as she threw another log in the woodstove. She noticed the pile of ashes was rising, and made a mental note to clear away the debris before she lit the fire the next morning.
As if reading her mind, however, Mary Margaret spoke up. "I'm sure you know, but be sure to keep the ashes for soap-making."
Ruby turned to face her. "Soap-making?" The only soap Ruby had used back home came from the store.
Mary Margaret smiled. "Yes, the fat from the hog will be saved and used to make soap, along with the lye from the ashes." Ruby must have frowned, because Mary Margaret added, "Would you mind if you came to help me this week? After the hog has been prepared? It will go twice as fast with the two of us, and as long as you can get to my place, we can make soap together. I would love the company."
Relief washed over Ruby as she broke out in a smile. "That would be perfect," she replied. "I'll check with Mr. Hopper, of course, but I don't think he'll mind." She hated to be so obvious in her ignorance, but it meant the world to her to have a kind soul as an ally who would show her what to do. Would she ever know what she was doing?
She was also glad that Mary Margaret didn't seem to notice that she referred to her own husband as "Mr. Hopper".
August and little Emma burst in the door, and August was waving around a curly piece of flesh that made Ruby's stomach turn. She quickly turned away as she gagged with her hand over her mouth, thankful that that was her only reaction. "Look what we've got!" he said proudly.
"Hey, no fair!" Emma cried close behind, breathless as she caught up to her friend. "We're supposed to share!"
Mary Margaret was quick to take control of the situation. "You can both have some," she said firmly as she rose to put the baby in his bassinet, which rested on the table. "But first—lunch."
A moment of panic washed over Ruby, but before she could say anything, Mary Margaret began pulling packages out of her basket. "I wouldn't be much of a neighbour to descend on you without warning and expect you to feed us all," she chuckled. Ruby smiled as she helped to unwrap the parcels—sandwiches and cheese with some apples. The apples especially held Ruby's attention, and she tried to show restraint when her eyes widened at the unexpected treat.
Perhaps this little guy already had a favourite food.
Since it was an unusually warm fall day, they decided to break for lunch outside. Ruby brought a blanket out and spread it out under the oak tree close to the house as Mary Margaret handed the sandwiches to the men. From the state of them, it was better that they not come inside, anyway, Ruby thought to herself with a chuckle.
The lighthearted picnic brought Ruby out of her thoughts as she watched the Nolans and the Hoppers catch up like old friends. Emma and August soon excused themselves and ran off with an odd-looking ball—the pig's bladder made an excellent balloon, Mary Margaret explained with a whisper, and Ruby nodded her thanks. Her heart warmed at the sound of their laughter that carried over on the breeze, and for a little while, Ruby could forget herself in the cheery scene of domesticity.
The brief "adult time" was interrupted when the children remembered their treat waiting for them inside. "Alright, alright," Mary Margaret laughed. She handed baby Leo off to Ruby as if it was the most natural thing in the world, and Ruby took him with a smile.
With Leo in her arms, Ruby realized how little experience she had with infants. She rocked the baby and cooed to him while he gurgled and babbled and clapped his hands in amusement, and Ruby beamed down at the bundle in her arms.
Archibald and David excused themselves as they headed back to the barn to continue their work, and Ruby slowly stood up to join Mary Margaret inside. Highly aware of the weight of the baby she carried, she carefully opened the door to see Mary Margaret roasting the curly pig's tail at the opening of the stove. The children stood still, bending over with faces close to the fire as the fat dripped down with a "hiss" into the embers. Ruby stood by the table and swayed as she watched the domestic scene unfold, feeling so close and yet so distant from this family of circumstance.
Then, the job was done, and after a firm chiding from Mary Margaret to share the treat, Emma and August rushed outside, leaving the women to the stillness of the home. Mary Margaret smiled apologetically as she took Leo from Ruby. "You get used to the craziness," she said.
Ruby smiled as they both took a seat. Truth be told, this unexpected reprieve from the monotony of her chores was far more welcomed than she would have expected—craziness and all. Still, it was nice to be able to settle in with her friend, just the two of them, after the extended lunch.
"There will be plenty to keep us busy tomorrow, but for now, the pig is the men's work," Mary Margaret explained as she adjusted herself to feed her infant son. "So we still have some time for us women. And," she added with her eyes bright, "I for one plan to enjoy every minute of it."
Ruby swallowed the lump in her throat at the intimate maternal scene in front of her, with the soft sucking that sounded from a very contented babe as his mother beamed down at him. Ruby hoped it was a glimpse into her future, though she couldn't let herself imagine too far ahead without the stabbing pain at the knowledge that Peter would be glaringly absent from it.
She blinked back tears, hoping to hide her inner thoughts from the woman in front of her. And yet, part of her breathed a sigh of relief when Mary Margaret asked quietly, "And how have you been doing?"
Ruby chuckled nervously with a sad smile as she wiped away a stray tear, willing her emotions to stay dammed up. "I'm okay," she admitted.
"Have you been able to find your way around?"
Ruby took a deep breath, unsure of how much she wanted to reveal until she met the woman's eyes. Something tugged at Ruby to confide in this woman, and before she knew it, everything spilled out.
"I'm still standing, but I feel like I've come so close to bringing the house down!" Ruby cried with hot tears—surprised at her frustration rather than heartbreak. "I can barely cook anything but pancakes, and even my cleaning efforts are more destructive than helpful." She waved her hand to the walls to indicate her handiwork. "Poor Mr. Hopper had to re-chink the entire room after my attempts at cleaning. And I can't even bake buns! I tried, only to find the results indestructible—I couldn't even burn them, and Pongo dug them up in the yard. It was mortifying!" Ruby couldn't bring herself to describe aloud her abysmal interactions with August and how much he rubbed her nerves raw.
Mary Margaret bit her lip in an unsuccessful attempt to hide her laughter. It only proved to escape in a loud snort, and she burst out laughing. Ruby couldn't help but join in, highly aware of the ridiculousness of it all.
The belly deep laughter did her a world of good, and as she caught her breath, she met Mary Margaret's gaze to see only understanding and sympathy in her eyes. The baby now fed, Mary Margaret placed him in his bassinet and fastened herself up before she stood and came over to Ruby. Before she knew it, Ruby was wrapped in a warm embrace, and she slowly brought her hands up and clung to this woman who seemed to know exactly what she needed. Silent tears streamed down Ruby's face, and she held on for a few moments while Mary Margaret rubbed her back. As they pulled away, Mary Margaret murmured, "I'm so sorry."
As she returned to her seat, Mary Margaret took Ruby's hand over the table. "I knew it would be difficult, of course, but I didn't realize things were this hard. I should have done more to help."
Ruby shook her head to dismiss the woman's concern, too emotional to say anything. The room seemed lighter, somehow, as an unspoken understanding enveloped them, soothing the loneliness to which Ruby had grown accustomed.
"I'll tell you what. We don't have a lot of time, but why don't I spend the rest of the day showing you some basic lessons? We can make bread, and I can write down all of the recipes I can think of. We can also make a list of things you'll need from town on Archie's next trip."
Ruby felt like a weight had been lifted off of her chest. "Really?" she asked softly.
At that moment she was certain that her friend had wings and a halo, and she breathed a silent prayer of gratitude to the heavens for such providence.
The women spent the rest of the day bustling about the kitchen, and that evening, Ruby had hot buns to serve with the fresh ribs, a taste of the spoils of the day, along with carrots straight from the garden. She thought she saw Mr. Hopper's brows rise in surprise, and she felt a small sense of satisfaction at her day's work. August certainly had no complaints as he gobbled his dinner up in no time—a satisfying end to a full day of activity.
Mary Margaret's training helped her feel like she might get the hang of life on this homestead after all.
"I'm sorry for the surprise visit," Archibald said as he looked up from his plate. "I was only expecting David and Emma, or else I would have told you before this morning. I didn't expect you to make any extra preparations."
Ruby waved her hand. "It was fine," she replied. "Besides, it was so nice to see the Nolans again." She didn't add that she had been busy with her own training in the kitchen, or how greatly she appreciated the confidante. "How did the butchering go?"
"Good," Mr. Hopper replied after a swallow of pork. "The meat has been cut up and salted, and some of it is smoking. There will be lots for you and Mary Margaret to do tomorrow. I expect the Nolans will be coming around for the next couple of days. You don't mind helping Mrs. Nolan with the preparations in here?"
Ruby shook her head. "No, that's fine. Mary Margaret explained a little bit of the process to me. I'm sure we'll manage. Besides, it will be nice to have so much meat ready for the winter."
Archibald smiled at her, and not for the first time Ruby felt like they were settling into some semblance of a routine. Whatever it was, she found she was even looking forward to the next few days of busy work with some female company—and the reprieve of her time alone with the Hopper men.
The next morning, Ruby's feet hit the floor with a bit more eagerness. She was actually looking forward to the next day or so, which promised a change from what had become her usual schedule.
Breakfast was simple, with some cold pork and buns, but Mr. Hopper and August didn't seem to mind. She even shared a smile with Archibald as August bounded up at the smallest sign of wagon wheels outside, rushing to the window to see if their neighbours had arrived.
"August," Archibald said as a warning, though Ruby could see the amusement written across his features that his serious tone did well to hide. Ruby bit back a smile and dropped her eyes to her plate when Archibald met her gaze, his blue eyes bright.
Soon, the kitchen was a bustle of activity as Mary Margaret showed Ruby how to set up the pots and pans for the preparations ahead. The men had boiled and scraped the hog the day before and started the big pieces of meat salting and smoking outside. Today, the women would work on the smaller bits of meat to make sausage while the children kept out from underfoot.
Ruby's first task was straightforward enough as she stoked the fire in the woodstove and built it up while Mary Margaret got the baby settled in his basket bassinet. Archibald brought in the lard, which needed to be chopped up before it went into the pots to render. Mary Margaret showed Ruby how to scrape off the brown cracklings off the top of the pot and squeeze them in a cloth to take out the excess lard before saving the cracklings for flavouring.
Despite the aroma of cooking fat that filled the room, Ruby was able to keep her nausea under control—that is, until they began the real task of the day. The extra bits of meat were stuffed into casings for sausage, and more than once Ruby had to hide her face as she gagged as the smell overtook her. She could see Mary Margaret throw her concerned looks, and she tried to smile back or wave away any worry.
One particular wave came on with such strength, however, that Ruby ran outside with her hand clasped to her mouth before she lost her lunch around the back of the house. She closed her eyes and placed her hand on a rough log, leaning against the wall for a moment to collect herself with deep breaths in the cool air before she headed back.
Upon her return, Mary Margaret greeted her with a grin. "For how long have you been expecting?" she all but burst out as she paused from her work hunched over the main table.
Ruby's eyes widened in horror. "Is it that obvious?"
"No! No," Mary Margaret said, and her features softened as she noticed Ruby's worry. "A mother just notices these things," she said with a twinkle in her eye.
Ruby shoulders relaxed slightly, but her heart still hammered in her chest. She took a step closer to her friend. "Please don't say anything," she begged in a small voice. "I—I h-haven't told Mr. Hopper yet." She didn't know how he was going to take the news when she did finally tell him, never mind how it might look should a stranger be the first to reveal her news.
"Of course not," Mary Margaret said quickly, her brow now furrowed in concern as her eyes locked with Ruby's. "But you know, he'll be thrilled."
Ruby felt tears well up. "Do you really think so?" she asked softly. "Even with someone else's child?"
"I know so," Mary Margaret nodded. "He really is great with kids. I mean, you've seen him with August, but he's also been such a help with Emma and now Leo." A smile bloomed across her features, and the warmth in her eyes reassured Ruby like nothing else could. She raised her hands as if to embrace Ruby but then thought better of it as she realized they were covered in muck, and both women chuckled at the state they found themselves in.
"This is so exciting!" Mary Margaret exclaimed as they continued to make the sausages. Ruby beamed back, though she still felt the weight of her predicament, as well as the grief that seemed to match her joy in equal measure. Still, she felt significantly lighter to have someone else know her secret—and to hear that the man who was her husband for the next while would not object as much as she feared.
Mary Margaret happily chattered away, and Ruby was more than happy to let her friend carry on as she soaked in all the advice she was given. It was enough to make Ruby feel like things might be okay—and though she was far from grasping all of the practical details, she was grateful to hear some of what she might expect, and it helped to keep her distracted as her hands kept busy.
Still, another worry continued to niggle at her, and Ruby couldn't help but want to confide in her friend. While Ruby focused on twisting the stuffed sausages into long coils, she finally blurted, "How do you do it?" Only after the words were out of her mouth did she look up to meet the other woman's gaze.
Mary Margaret's puzzled expression coaxed a more detailed explanation out of Ruby. "I mean, how do you take care of—raise the children once they're older?" While she was about to become a mother in one way, Ruby felt like she was already failing her motherly duties that had been thrust upon her just over a fortnight ago, and the fear of failure in caring for two children at completely different stages of life swirled around her until each anxiety became indistinguishable from the next.
Mary Margaret tilted her head. "This isn't about the baby, is it?" she asked thoughtfully.
The mishaps that Ruby had so carefully avoided talking about the day before spilled out of her all at once—how August kept making snide comments to her, how his attitude was rude at the best of times… when he wasn't full-blown antagonistic.
Ruby almost regretted her outburst when she saw Mary Margaret looking at her with sympathy that felt a little too much like pity. Goodness, she really sounded a mess. And yet—her heart felt a little more free, to be rid of the thoughts that had grown louder and louder as she had to keep her frustrations bottled up.
"I know how…excitable August can be," Mary Margaret replied. "He's a good kid, but he's also a firecracker. I'd almost be worried about Emma if she wasn't the exact same way."
Ruby chuckled and shook her head. She couldn't imagine golden-haired Emma being half as much trouble as August could be.
"You'll figure it out. You're so good with him already, and I think things will become smoother once you both get used to each other. He's used to just having to answer to his pa, and now that he's got motherly expectations to live up to…" Mary Margaret trailed off with a knowing smile. "Just be firm, and caring, and with time—things will get easier."
"I don't know about that," Ruby said, half teasing, half serious. She couldn't help but smile as a stray tear ran down her cheek, and she brushed it aside with her forearm and took a deep breath before adding, "Thank you," throwing what she hoped was a look of sincere gratitude to the woman working across from her. Then, to lighten the mood, Ruby added, "Do you have any more words of wisdom to impart? It would be nice to learn some things ahead of time. I for one am tired of this whole 'learning from one's mistakes' business."
Time passed quickly as they rushed to finish the last of the sausages, and before Ruby knew it, the door swung open as Archibald and David came in.
Ruby jumped, fear hitting the bottom of her stomach like a rock as she thought that Mr. Hopper might have overheard her conversation with Mary Margaret. She quickly relaxed, however, when it was clear that they were preoccupied with their own day's work to heed the women's talk.
David strode across the room and kissed his wife's cheek as she playfully leaned away from his embrace. "We washed outside!" he chuckled, and only then did Mary Margaret stand still for a proper greeting.
Ruby kept her gaze on her hands as she grew highly aware of Mr. Hopper's solid presence standing near the door. Their demeanor contrasted to the Nolans' so greatly, and Ruby felt a pang of jealousy. Such easy affection was no longer hers—would never be hers—and she twirled her wedding ring on her fourth finger, swallowing the ever-familiar lump in her throat.
There was no time for self-pity as she and Mary Margaret finished tidying up and divided the spoils between the two families. Red faces were smiling despite the exertion of the day, and Ruby couldn't help but feel genuinely cheerful as she followed the Nolan family to their wagon and waved them off. The scene was happy chaos as David settled Emma into the middle of the bench on one side, and Ruby noticed Mr. Hopper holding baby Leo while Mary Margaret hoisted herself to her seat. Archibald grinned at the baby as he bounced him up and down a few times, and Ruby noticed his gentleness as he handed the baby up to his mother.
Everyone was soon settled, and before David could signal the horses, Mary Margaret called out to Ruby.
"Oh! Be sure to ask about helping with the soap!"
Ruby threw a look to Mr. Hopper who came to stand beside her. "Is that alright?" she asked, hating how she needed a stranger's permission—and assistance—to do something so basic.
"Yes, of course—I can drive her over on my way to town on Saturday."
"Wonderful! See you then!" Mary Margaret grinned before the wagon jolted to life.
Everyone waved goodbye as the little family set off, and Ruby chuckled to see Mary Margaret struggle to keep little Emma seated between her ma and pa. Then, it was back to the kitchen for Ruby, which felt particularly quiet as she set to work on dinner. She tried to keep the images of Mr. Hopper with the baby from her mind—refusing to wonder what he would be like with such a fixture in his own house—while Archibald and August caught up on their chores before they all enjoyed fresh ham. Ruby imagined they would tire of pork before the week was through, but for now, nobody complained about the feast.
On the short journey home, David Nolan could tell his wife was dying to tell him something. No, she was dying for him to ask her to tell him something. She smiled to herself as she looked down at the baby, while Emma slept against her side, before throwing him a glance with her eyebrows raised.
He shouldn't ask. He really shouldn't, but the bigger her smile grew, the more he wanted to know what she did.
After a deep sigh, with his eyes focused on the horizon straight ahead, he let his curiosity get the better of him. "Alright, I give in. What is it?"
"What?" Mary Margaret asked with feigned innocence.
"You clearly have something you want to tell me."
"I do not."
David threw a knowing look at his wife, his eyebrows raised, before he returned his gaze in front of them.
"Alright, I do," she admitted with a giggle.
After a pause, David knew he had to play along, and he couldn't keep a smile from his lips. "And…?"
"And—now, you have to promise not to tell anyone, but—it looks like we're going to have another little neighbour in the spring!"
"What?" David couldn't help but exclaim. "Isn't that awfully quick?"
Mary Margaret laughed. "From her previous husband," she explained.
"Huh," David replied, mulling it over. "Isn't that something that a man should find out for himself before his neighbour?" The question was half serious, but he couldn't help giving his wife a smile.
"Yes," she replied, more seriously. "Yes, of course. But the poor woman is still getting used to everything, and she isn't ready to tell him yet."
David simply nodded in return.
"Isn't it lovely? And a little bittersweet, of course, but still lovely?"
"It sounds like this makes things more complicated," David countered.
"That's true," Mary Margaret agreed. "But I think it will be just the thing to help everyone move forward and to have something positive to focus on. And you know how Archie loves children."
"And what about when she goes home in the spring?"
Mary Margaret sighed. "Do you really think she will?" she asked more quietly. The implications of what might happen hung between them, unspoken and heavy.
David thought over the last couple of days. It was nice to finally see their friend with a female companion—even if it was not the most conventional of ways to gain a wife—and David couldn't help but notice the concerned looks that Archie gave the new Mrs. Hopper, or the way he smiled when she did.
"He says things are going as well as can be expected," David said at last. "I think he might have a soft spot for her already, and she seems nice. But I don't know her very well. And she only just lost her husband."
"Yes, of course she is still grieving." After a pause, she added, "I still think they are well suited," and David noticed the more serious tone with which she said the words. Then, she looked down at the babe in her arms and said in her high-pitched voice reserved for their son, "But we will just have to wait and see!"
David chuckled as his wife declared the subject closed. He couldn't help but fear that his friend was already opening himself up to heartbreak, but perhaps some good could come from this strange situation.
They would just have to wait and see.