New Beginnings: Life Changes
ch. 23
A Time Of Questioning
Finding himself with the need to entertain three young worried boys, Rob says "How about we have a cookout for supper? I can fix hobo packets for us and we'll eat under the stars just as real cowpokes do!"
"Will you tell us about trail life? You keep promising to tell about it but haven't." Ben asks.
"Yes, I will, but first we need to gather supplies. I need you three to gather dry wood and kindling for our fire. Joseph, If you will dig a fire break and ready the ground that would help. I will be checking to see what we can cook. We have smoked beef and potatoes but we need vegetables too."
After everyone but Ben leaves, Rob eyes the boy curiously. "Don't you have something you were asked to help do?"
"I will, I just have something to tell you. Mama has three loaves of bread rising. We could take one and cook it outside. We can roast corn too. There's fresh corncobs down in the cellar. Pa brought home a bushel basket of them two days ago."
"We can definitely use the corn. Thanks for telling me. I'm not sure if this bread will cook in the fire. I suppose we can try it. Now stop trying to get out of gathering wood, you lazy scoundrel! I know all your tricks. Move it, mister!" Rob teases propelling the boy outside while pretending to swat him. "Go on, get moving before I take the wooden spatula out!"
"I'm moving! Ya big meanie!" Ben teases back as he gets out of reach.
Watching the three younger boys devour the meat, carrots, potatoes and corn on the cob, Rob can't help but ask "Did any of you fellas have lunch this afternoon?"
"Yes, we did. We ate before we left to go play in town. Why?" George answers, being the only one without a mouthful of food right then.
"The way you are eating, I just thought perhaps you missed lunch this afternoon. You all are eating as if you haven't seen food in a few days!"
After swallowing, Ben tells him "Everything tastes so good cooked outside this way. You're a good cook, Rob. Can you do dessert too?"
"Not outside on a fire. Let's wait to find something for dessert after we go back inside. Now, who has a question about my job as trailhand?"
"Did you get to hold a revolver? Did you shoot any rustlers?" Did you get to taste any whiskey? Joseph told us the men wore gunbelts and had whiskey in their shirts." Ben asks eagerly.
"How did you keep the cows from running away when you were sleeping? There aren't corrals are there? How could men have whiskey in their shirts? Wouldn't it be dangerous to have glass bottles in a shirt?" George asks.
"My friend said cowpokes roll tobacco in paper to make cigarettes to smoke. Did you do that? Will you teach us how?" Caleb asks barely catching a breath between questions.
Somewhat taken aback at having been bombarded with questions about shooting, drinking and smoking, Rob stares at the three boys. Glancing over at Joseph he sees the older boy trying to keep himself from laughing. Shaking his head at his brother, Rob turns to the younger boys.
"Wow guys. Those are many questions at once. First off, I am seventeen, not twenty one. I tell you this because as you know, until you are twenty one you are to obey your parent's rules. In this family, smoking, drinking and shooting a revolver are completely forbidden. Isn't that true boys?"
"Yes, but you weren't where Pa would be the boss. You were with Mr. Campbell who was the boss so he told you what to do."
"That's true, Ben but he had rules too. No drinking or gambling was allowed while on the drive. No smoking either unless you were at least nineteen. I followed his rules. Joseph was stretching the truth when he told you about men wearing gunbelts and having whiskey. No one was allowed to drink during the drive because drinking affects how you think. Everyone needed to be alert and keep their wits about them to keep the cattle safe. A few men had rifles on their saddles and a few had revolvers in a side holder. These were for protection against wild animals or snakes."
"George, we kept the cows, as you call them, from running by riding with them. There were always men at the front and sides of the group keeping them together and could stop a runner. There were some cattle who wandered off and one or two of us would ride around the ornery one to turn it back to the herd. At night the cattle were usually content enough to stay where they were. Most likely they were as tired of moving as we guys were! After sitting on a horse all day we were ready to stop moving at night!"
"Did you ever see any wild animals? Panthers? Bobcats? Lions?" Caleb asks.
"Lions? Caleb, he wasn't riding herd in Africa, you nut! There are no lions in Colorado, Oklahoma or Texas." Joseph speaks up having been intently following the conversation.
"Yes, we did have one night where we saw wild animals. There were no wild cats, thank goodness. We had some coyotes try to get close to the herd. Most nights we had four watchmen in two shifts. Two would take the seven to midnight set and two would take midnight to five in the morning shift. There was one night we were asleep and heard warning shots from the guards. Mr. Campbell sent four more men to help the ones on patrol. I was one of them."
"So did you get to shoot a revolver that night?"
"Caleb, shooting a revolver is not like getting an ice cream soda. It isn't a privilege so much as a chore. If you shoot a gun of any kind, shotgun, rifle, revolver, a person would be shooting to harm something. Those guns are used to kill. They are not air rifles. I just want that to sink in to your heads, boys. Shooting is not a game. Do you hear what I am telling you?"
"Yes, I know not to play with guns, but what about the coyotes? If you didn't shoot how did you get rid of them?" Caleb asks curiously.
"Rob, wait! I have to go. Don't answer 'til I get back!" George announces as he hurries to the house.
"Ben, you did not answer me. Do you understand what I said about shooting? You know guns are not something to use for fun, right?"
"Yes Rob. Besides if we were to handle a gun, Pa would see to it we didn't sit down comfortably for a long time! George and I learned he means business when we played with Joseph's air rifle last year. He set my bottom on fire! I don't want that feeling again."
"That's what I want you to remember, Ben. Guns can cause you pain. Now, you and Caleb go join George inside. Joseph and I will smother this fire with dirt, check the animals and then come in. We can find something for dessert and warm up. The nights are getting chilly."
"Will you still tell us about the coyotes, Rob?" Caleb asks waiting until he hears an answer before following Ben.
"My word boy! You don't let go of your question at all do you? Little dog with his chew rope! I promise I will tell you the end of the story inside. Now go get warm." Rob answers giving the child a teasing smack to get him moving.
After they have doused and completely covered the fire, Joseph pours more water around the fire ring.
"It's out, Rob. Besides it can't go over the gulley you made me dig around it. If we put water in it we'd have a moat!"
"You are quite funny aren't you? C'mon let's make sure the animals are taken care of for the night."
Inside the barn, Rob says "Joseph, I need your opinion. The boys are clamoring to hear what happened with the coyotes. I need your opinion on what to tell them. The truth is the night watchmen shot and killed several of them. The coyotes attacked a steer and were shot. The steer didn't survive. It was shot accidentally as it tried to escape the coyotes. To me, this could be upsetting or frightening for young boys. Especially George. He loves all animals and wouldn't want to hear they were hurt."
"So the night guards left the meat for the coyotes then?"
"Some of it. The cook butchered the steer and used much of the meat along the trail for a few days."
"Definitely don't tell that to George. He knows where meat comes from but prefers to think we just pick it up all ready to cook, at the butcher shop. I would tell them the coyotes were scared away by shooting in the air or make up another possibly true story."
"Yes that seems to be the best plan to me as well. Let's go find something for dessert."
As the boys enjoy preparing and having a cookout, their parents are busy in town.
Having helped Linnea into bed as Delphie requested, Ethan waits with Matthew in the front room.
"I don't understand why she decided to use the step stool. I should have put that stool in the toolshed! She knows her balance has been terrible for weeks. Dr. Amy even told her to walk carefully so as not to trip. Is getting a cup of tea so important? If I had known she would be wanting tea, I would have moved it where she could reach it!"
"Matt, you seem to be blaming yourself. Everyone makes unwise decisions at times. You haven't forgotten your Robin Hood game have you? Compared to that decision, Linnea's isn't bad at all now is it? She didn't wind up in jail for it." Ethan replies ribbing his friend a little.
"She knocked herself out and cut her hand on the broken glass. Sarah was badly frightened."
"I hope you don't mind I sent Elisha and Sarah to stay at the boarding house. I felt it was crowded enough here in the house and they need to be away for now."
"I think that is best. I'll get the children after we hear from Dr. Amy, Linnea is going to be fine. Thank you for helping until I could get here."
"Well Matthew, I can't say she is going to be fine as she has quite the goose egg on the back of her head. That will no doubt ache for a time. She is awake and asking to see you though." The two men hear from the doorway to the main bedroom.
"Thank you Doctor! Is everything else alright?"
"Yes, everything else seems fine but we're watching her just the same. Now come see your wife."
As Matthew enters, Claire and Delphie leave allowing the couple to be alone.
"Where are the children? I would never have thought Caleb could be this quiet." Linnea asks after they've spoken about her fall.
"Ethan took Caleb to his place. Rob is riding herd on the younger boys and Joseph is there as well. The girls are staying with Cecily over at the Blackstock's place. We can all come back together after you feel better. One or two nights with friends will be fun for the children.
"Sarah was here with me. She must have been so frightened to find me unconcious and on the floor. Delphie told me I had bled enough from my hand to make a small puddle. She put stitches in the gash. I don't know how I cut my left hand when I would have been reaching with my right."
"What made you climb on the top step? You said you were on the top step of the stool is at least three feet at that step."
"I needed some tea. It is my special tea Ethan gave me for aches before you and I were married. My back has ached off and on since yesterday evening but it became worse today."
"Linnea, if you had asked me to get the tea for you, I would have."
"I know you would. I did not think of it until this afternoon. I only then remembered I placed the jar on the top shelf of the cabinet when we moved in. OHhhh, ummm Matt? I think I just wet our bed. OHHH, NOOO. GET DR. AMY."
Rushing out of the bedroom, Matt nearly collides with Amy.
"She's asking for you! Something is wrong!"
"I heard her shout. Wait here. I will tell you what is happening when I can."
After a few minutes, Amy calls to Delphie and Claire to come into the bedroom. She reappears after what to Matt seems hours but is barely twenty minutes.
"Well Matthew, you may as well settle in. You are about to become a father again. We are only beginning so I suggest you try to sleep. I will send someone to wake you if anything changes."
"Now? Today? Baby? Here?" Matt sputters much to Ethan's amusement.
"Yes to now, baby and here. It is a few weeks early but she is strong. The calculations could have been off. Ethan, you will be in Matt's position in a few months. You should be sympathetic." Having done her duty to give the men information, Amy returns to her patient.
"Let's get the bed ready. I have the pull straps to tie on the headboard but we need a pad for the bed. Linnea? Do you have an old quilt or sheets we can use and throw out?"
"I have things in the trunk in the chiffarobe. I hope I have everything. I haven't had a baby in fourteen years. I pray I can still remember how to do this."
"From what I have heard, you don't forget what to do. In my case, I pray I know what to do. Having watched others is not the same as doing it yourself." Delphie says wistfully.
"Both of you will be fine. Now, let's get this birthing bed prepared. We need to get the pad folded and placed. Claire, you start boiling water so we can sterilze the items. Delphie, after we get the pad ready, if you can find a clean nightgown for Linnea, we'll get her comfortable.
Out at the ranch, Joseph and Rob have decided to try making their Mama's cinnamon bread in biscuit style.
"We have the dough and the cinnamon. Do you suppose we sprinkle cinnamon on top or do we mix it in the dough?" Rob asks his brother.
"I don't know. It has cinnamon inside but it could soak down from the top. It needs something else. Eggs? Should we drizzle eggs over and bake?"
"Somehow, I don't think so Joseph. Let's just do half with cinnamon mixed in and half with cinnamon only on top." Rob suggests dividing the dough into two parts. "You mix your half with cinnamon and I'll ... wait! Sugar! We need to mix sugar into this or it will be bland or bitter."
As the older boys decide how to make the dessert, the three younger boys are playing a game Rob taught them.
"I got four of six to go in the cup!" George announces happily. "The trick is to push down on the edge of the smaller coins with the big coin. It will flip higher. You try Caleb. Ben had three go in and I had four. Maybe you can get five or all six to flip into the cup. Rob said if we get all six in the cup we can keep the money!"
"The first time I had my turn, my coins either flipped way over the cup or refused to flip at all. I will try your idea."
Taking George's suggestion, Caleb successfully flips five coins into the cup.
"That was fun but let's play with those dot blocks Rob made, I want to play that game. Can we?"
"I'll get them. They are called dominos. We last played in our room." Ben replies.
Waiting for Ben, Caleb leans close to say "Look at how the fire has burned that small log pure white. Let's pull it further out to see if it is white on the back too."
Remembering the time he did that, George says "No, we can't. We'll get in tremendous trouble."
"We'll just pull it out on the hearth." Caleb answers standing to move the fire screen from in front of the fire.
"I'm not doing that and you shouldn't either, Caleb. I will go help Ben find the game." George tells his cousin before leaving the room.
Glancing over to check on the boys as he just noticed how quiet it is, Rob sees Caleb reaching for a burning log with the fire tongs.
"CALEB BRANDENBERG! FREEZE!"
Pretending not to hear, the boy rolls the log out as he intended.
Crossing the room swiftly, Rob jerks the tongs away flipping the log back to the fire. Placing the smoking tongs down on the brick hearth, he turns to see George and Ben standing together across the room watching. Looking at Caleb, Rob asks "Did you hear me yell to freeze?"
"Yeah but I..."
Rob cuts him off with another question. "What does the command 'freeze' mean in this family? Do not say you aren't family as we are all cousins by adoption. Now answer."
"It means stop immediately. But I wasn't hurting anything, just looking at it!"
Taking hold of the boy's upper arm, Rob walks him to Ethan's armchair.
"Uh oh!" Ben whispers to George as he can predict from experience what Rob is about to do.
"Caleb you are ten years old! You know better than to play with fire! It could have burned you badly if the log had rolled on you! It could have started a fire on the floor and burned down the house if it rolled there! That is why I told you to freeze! You deliberately ignored me. I have one more question for you. If Uncle Matthew were here what would he do about this?"
"He would take off his belt and whip my behind. Don't whip me, Rob! Please?"
"I am in charge so you are to obey what I tell you. However, I am not your Pa, so I won't whip you. I will let him do that."
"Thanks so much Rob." Caleb says attempting to sound sincere as he begins to move away.
Taking hold of the boy again, Rob replies "We are not done, stay right here. As I said, you deliberately ignored my command. You are going over my lap little boy!"
"Look, you can't! You're not my...NOOOOO! Put Me Down! Right... YEE -OW! Yowww!" Caleb howls as he feels the hard hand smack the seat of his pants.
After ten smacks, Rob lifts the crying child up. "Your punishment is over. You can go play now. Let the fire I set in your bottom serve as a reminder to leave real fire alone!"
Having moved closer to see what Rob would do, Joseph now speaks up. "George, tell Caleb your experience with 'sparkling' logs."
Obediently, George answers "I did the same thing once. Papa didn't have the hearth built yet. We had bricks down in the wooden floor in front of the fireplace. I saw a white sparkling log in the fireplace and rolled it onto the brick floor but it didn't stay there. It rolled to a spot where the side table is and burned the floor. Joseph saved the house by throwing it back in the fire. We tried to keep Pa from seeing the burned spot. We put a rug over it. It worked for a week or more. When Papa learned what I did, he took me to the barn and used his belt on my bare bottom. I tried hiding what I did instead of admitting it. We get in big trouble for trying to hide things we do wrong. That spot is still there under the small braided rug."
"I suppose he was pretty mad about the floor getting burned?" Caleb says in a questioning way.
"No. He was upset that I might have been hurt. He told me the house was not important. He could build or find us another house but he couldn't build or find another me. I will not ever forget that. My bottom stung but what he said about me made me feel worse. I caused him worry."
During the lesson on fire safety at the ranch, Matthew is getting lessons on caring for a woman in labor.
"Alright, help her sit up and you sit behind her. She needs you to hold her up. Give encouragement and be mindful she may say odd things. This is painful. Can you handle seeing and hearing what is about to take place? If not, it is perfectly respectable for the husband to wait outside the bedroom."
"No, Linnea and I want to share this birth. I have helped birth animals, I can do this."
"You will not be helping in that area. I have Claire and Delphie here for helping with the birth. Your focus is calming Linnea, providing for her. Linnea? Are you comfortable with Matthew being with you?"
"Yes, I am. As he said, we have discussed this. I taught him how to help and he is prepared for what he may see as well."
"Very well, this will be a wonderful memory for you two. Not many husbands wish to experience the birth of their children."
Out at The Circle Five, the boys are sampling the dessert they made.
Looking around the table, Rob can not tell from their expressions so he asks "Well? What do you think? Does it taste fairly good?"
"I love it, both ways! The one with the cinnamon and sugar on top is good and the one with it just inside is good too!" George answers.
"I agree with George. I like both kinds. My favorite is the cinnamon sugar one though. If you guys make it again put cinnamon and sugar inside and on top!" Ben suggests.
"That would be good, Ben. I like the one with the sugar on top." Caleb says. "I like warm milk with cinnamon and sugar too. This tastes good."
"Me too!" Ben and George exclaim together.
"Thank you boys. We did put sugar in the dough but I don't taste it either. I'll have to ask Mama how she makes her cinnamon bread. Let's finish and go to bed. We can wash the cups in the morning. Caleb?"
"Yes sir?" Caleb asks politely.
"Sir? I'm Rob, remember? I just wanted to tell you not to worry about your Pa. No one here will mention to your parents what happened. Your Pa is worried enough right now. Let us all consider it a lesson learned. You won't play with fire again will you?"
"No. I won't. It was a dumb thing to do. I rolled it out because I wanted to see if the log was white on both sides. Thanks for not telling my Pa. He hasn't even spanked me in at least two months. I'd like to keep it that way as long as I can."
"You're welcome. Just for the information, yes, a burning log will get white on both sides. The white color shows it is extremely hot. Never touch something burning. Lecture over. Let's go get in our warm beds. Caleb, you can bunk in with Ben and George. They can share a bed together and you take the other bed."
"Could we all sleep together in Papa's bed?" Ben asks, looking at Rob.
"All five of us won't fit, silly goose." Joseph teases.
"Not you and Rob! Just us three!"
"I think not, Ben. They might come home late, climb in bed and squash you guys." Rob answers, causing snickers. "How about we push your and George's bed together and all of you can sleep that way? You have to sleep though not play. Okay?"
"Yes!" He hears from the three youngest boys.
"Matthew? It's time. Ethan, please keep those wraps warming. We'll also need two washbasins of warm water. If you can please get those ready. Come, Matthew, Linnea needs you." Delphie tells the two men who have been playing checkers.
"It's time? I thought it was going to be a few hours yet." Matthew comments as he follows Delphie.
"Your wife works quickly. Wash your hands here and then sit behind her. She will push against you. Let's get ready to meet your firstborn!"
"Matthew, she's already pushing, come hold her." Dr. Amy declares as he walks in the room.
"Are you ready to catch this new cousin of yours Claire? You take over and I'll be right beside you." Amy tells her young intern.
"I see the head! Dark hair just like you, Uncle Matthew. Here comes baby, oohh he is a big guy." Claire exclaims as she carefully cleans the baby's nose.
"Is he breathing? I don't hear crying." Linnea whispers.
"He is fine, we just have to wash him and you can meet your son." Delphie answers, having been getting the water and warm wraps from Ethan.
"Here you are little one. This is your Mama and Papa. They are ready to meet you." Delphie soothes the now crying baby.
"He must take after Caleb and resist baths." Matt jokes as his eyes fall on his firstborn.
Watching the couple meet their new child, Amy asks "Do you have a name chosen?"
"We couldn't choose between our two favorites. Now that we see him, well who is he, Matt? Is he Gabriel Michael or Lucas Matthew?"
"Let's try calling him and see which he responds too." Matthew replies before calling out "Gabriel Carroll."
All eyes on the contented sleeping baby see no response.
"This is not Gabriel. Are you Lucas Carroll?" Matt calls softly. At this name, the baby begins to move in Linnea's arms.
"There, now we know. This is Lucas Matthew Carroll." Linnea exclaims happily.
"Well, welcome to the world Lucas Matthew. You and Papa go meet your Uncle Ethan while we clean up his mama." Dr. Amy insists shooing Matthew and the baby out of the room.
A few minutes later, Matt hears Delphie calling him to come quickly. Carefully transferring the sleeping baby to Ethan's arms, Matt rushes into the bedroom.
"What's happening?"
"There is another baby! It is coming feet first." Dr. Amy answers from her squatted position at the end of the bed. Help her push, Matt. Hold her up and work with her. We need to deliver this baby."
"You have another boy! Light haired this time! Twins! I had no idea, Linnea. Well, it seems you need to call his name so he will cry."
"Little one are you Gabriel Michael?" Matt asks causing the baby to cry out.
"A perfect name for the little angel. He is a tiny one unlike his brother." Delphie exclaims as they hear from the doorway "Speaking of his brother, this little one wants mama. I don't have what he needs to eat. Congratulations you two. Twins will be very special." Ethan remarks placing Lucas in his Mama's free arm.
A/N: I dedicate this chapter to the loving memory of Mr. Pete Riches, Jem 💞 and my fur baby Jasper. 😻 All have left us recently.
To my American friends, Happy Thanksgiving on Nov. 28th. The next update will be after the holiday.