All That Remains
Chapter 2
It was near dark when Clara and her daughters returned to the ranch. Lorena was rocking Martin to sleep in her arms, the toddler's head growing heavy as he nestled into the crook of her neck. She watched from the window as Cholo started unpacking supplies from the back of the wagon and Dish tended the horses. Suddenly embarrassed, Lorena withdrew into the kitchen once more, not wanting to see that Dish was speaking to Clara. She wasn't sure she was ready for them to know what she had agreed to that morning.
Sally and Betsey, tired from their long journey, soon found her and began telling her of their day. Betsey proudly showed off a hole in her mouth where the dentist had pulled a hard to dislodge baby tooth, and announced she had not cried a bit.
"Your supper's ready, go wash up," Lorena said, after Betsey finally paused to draw breath.
Sally smiled indulgently at her little sister and took her by the hand.
"Come on, you'll wake the baby," Sally scolded gently, then rolled her eyes at Lorena. "Children."
Lorena smiled after them both, particularly at Sally's attempts to play the grown up even though she was barely thirteen.
Before the girls returned, Clara entered the kitchen swiftly, in her arms numerous brown-wrapped parcels from the general store. Lorena quickly averted her eyes and set about tucking Martin into his crib which she had dragged into the room so she could watch him as she prepared supper.
Clara said nothing but watched her every move intently. Lorena glanced at her nervously, then went to the stove to retrieve the stew she'd left warming there.
"The men already et," she stated as calmly as she could. Clara had a sharp look in her eyes, and she did not like it.
"I spoke to Dish outside," Clara said eventually, stacking the last of the parcels in the table but not removing her eyes from Lorena. "Is it true?"
Lorena paused momentarily as she spooned out the meal onto waiting plates, a faint blush creeping up her neck to her cheeks. But then she went on serving, as if the question hadn't been asked.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Clara asked.
"I thought you liked Dish," replied Lorena defensively.
Clara sighed and took her seat at the head of the kitchen table. "Oh, I like Dish just fine. Do you?"
Lorena pondered how to answer. "He ain't as bad as some."
"A glowing endorsement," said Clara wryly, before her expression darkened. "But you need to be sure, Lorie."
"I thought you wanted me to get married. You said all those about having children..."
"I know I did." Clara sighed again.
Lorena was perplexed by her reaction, she had expected Clara would be happy at the news. She sat down too, casting the pot aside.
"He doesn't want to leave, if that's what you're worried about."
"What do you mean?"
"If you're worried about losing him, a good hand. I told him we'd stay as long as you wanted us to." Lorena dropped her gaze. "That is, if you still want us to."
Clara reached over and squeezed her hand. "Of course I do. I want you to be happy, Lorie, that's all. Lord knows you deserve it."
Lorena smiled wanly, but both women knew that marriage to Dish was not the obvious thing to make her happy. Clara returned the expression.
"He does love you so."
Lorena's gaze hardened and she withdrew her hand, which did not go unnoticed.
"Dish just wants to love you, Lorie."
"Well, as long as that's all he wants," Lorena replied grimly. "But wanting ain't getting."
She stood to return the stew to the stove when the girls came back into the room. Lorena helped herself to a cup of coffee and took her seat beside Betsey, who resumed her account of their day in Ogallala. Clara sad nothing but ate her supper thoughtfully, watching Lorena once more.