The Brides of Golden Valley Box Set 1 Page 13

  Madeline yawned. “Dear me. I apologize. It’s been a very long day.”

  Nathaniel picked up her bags. “Come, I’ll show you the bedroom. It’s not much. Mostly just a bed and wardrobe, but hopefully it will be to your liking.”

  Madeline blushed as she followed him. “I’m sure it will be nice.”

  Nathaniel set down the bags and moved to the side so she could come in. He opened the wardrobe. “You can hang your clothes in here. Although it appears you have more than we can fit right now. We’ll do what we can until I have time to build another wardrobe for you.”

  “This will be just fine.” Madeline sat on the bed. “I won’t sleep long. I just need to rest my eyes for a moment and then I can help where I am needed.”

  Nathaniel pulled another quilt from a chest in the corner and laid it next to Madeline. “It’s getting chillier each day so you may want this. I’m going to be outside harvesting potatoes. If you’d like to join me later just come outside when you wake up and I’ll meet you.”

  “Thank you.” Madeline was beautiful as she lay under the covers, her hair spilling out around her on the pillow.

  Nathaniel shook his head as he grabbed a jacket. Madeline had been fascinating in her letters, but she was breathtaking in person. He was sure he’d wake up tomorrow to find that it was all a dream.

  Lucky lifted his head as Nathaniel approached. Instead of getting onto the cart to move it, Nathaniel grabbed a shovel and led Lucky out to the field. One by one, he dug up each potato plant, and shook the rich dirt off the potatoes before dropping them into the wagon. It would take a while, but the constant, rhythmic movement was relaxing. His brothers could have all the gold mining they wanted. This right here was exactly what he preferred. To see the foods that would ensure him and those around him a good winter.

  The sun was just dipping down toward the mountain behind him when he heard the door slam. Nathaniel stood and stretched his back as Madeline walked toward him holding another shovel. She held her dress up out of the dirt for the first several feet before finally giving up.

  “Tell me what you need me to do.” Madeline brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face.

  Nathaniel pointed to a spot in front of him. “Stand there and watch.”

  Once she was where she could see him working, he shoveled up the next plant, shook off the dirt, and dropped the potatoes into the wagon.

  “That’s it?”

  “Well, it’s a little harder than it looks, but yes, that’s it.” Nathaniel chuckled to himself as he made sure he hadn’t missed any of the potatoes.

  Madeline worked next to him and while she couldn’t dig down quite as deep as he did, the work still went twice as fast as it had with him working on his own. “What will you do with all of these?”

  “We’ll store as many as we can here, and the rest will be sold in town or shipped to other areas.” Nathaniel set one of the larger potatoes on the bench of the wagon and chuckled when he saw her questioning look. “That’s for dinner tonight. I always pick one out while I’m working.”

  “Ah.” Madeline sifted through the shovel full of potatoes before pulling one out. “This is mine.”

  Nathaniel took it from her and set it next to his. “We can cook some of the beef I have saved with these. Let’s try to get to the end of this row before it gets too dark.”

  Madeline pushed her shovel into the ground. “Good idea. I don’t want to miss any.”

  They worked without talking until the moon rose over the mountains. Nathaniel took her shovel to put it inside the wagon. Madeline climbed up onto the bench, holding the potatoes as they made their way back to the barn.

  “I’ll go inside and get these started if you’d like.” Madeline held up the potatoes.

  “That would be good. I’ll be in as soon as I have Lucky in his stall. The meat is down in the cellar, but I can get that.”

  Madeline nodded and went inside. Nathaniel unhooked the wagon, then took Lucky into his stall to brush him down. Lucky whinnied as Nathaniel closed the stall on his way out.

  “Sorry, buddy. I have a new companion. I’ll see you first thing in the morning.” Nathaniel whistled on his way back to the cellar. He knew the cellar well enough that he didn’t need a lantern to find the ice box or the meat he wanted. It would soon be filled with produce, though, so that would make it a little harder.

  Madeline stood at the stove humming when Nathaniel walked inside. He hung back listening to the hymn until she turned and smiled. “There you are. I thought I would use some of the butter on the bread from Petunia. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “I have some jam if you’d like that as well.” Nathaniel set the package of meat on the table and pulled a jar out of the cupboard. “It’s boysenberry.”

  Madeline’s eyes lit up. “That sounds wonderful. I’ll get a knife for it. We can eat the bread while we wait for the rest of dinner to finish cooking.”

  Nathaniel took two plates out of the cupboard. It was strange after only having to set the table for himself for so long. “Thank you for starting dinner.”

  “I wanted to help somehow. It felt nice to be doing something other than traveling all day and all night.”

  “You’ve helped already. We got twice as much done outside as I normally would.” Nathaniel leaned against the counter. “Have you done any farming before this?”

  She hesitated. “Not really. I researched farming for an article once.”

  “Article?” Nathaniel took the bread from Madeline and set it on the table.

  “Yes. I write for a newspaper.” Madeline bit her lip. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  Nathaniel tipped his head to the side. “Why would I mind?”

  Madeline looked away. “You would be surprised. Men don’t want women writing newspaper articles. Or books. Or anything else.”

  “I thought there were women's magazines out there? My mom had a few.” Nathaniel unwrapped the meat and set it in a pan to warm it up.

  “There are. And some have been around for a long time. But I wanted to do something more with my writing. Not just for women.” Madeline looked over at him. “Take Sarah Josepha Hale for example. She’s an editor who fights for unity and uses her magazine to show that women and men can have the same interests. I want to do what she's doing, but I want to write for a regular newspaper.”

  Nathaniel nodded. “I understand that. Will you keep writing?”

  Madeline shrugged. “Only if you say it’s all right.”

  “I wouldn’t want to be the one to get in your way. Write to your heart’s content.” Nathaniel took a wooden spoon from a container and stirred the meat. “What do you like to write?”

  “Whatever they give me.” Madeline took two cups out of the cupboard and then found two forks and spoons. “Oh, I unpacked my dresses and put them in the wardrobe. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Was there enough room?” Nathaniel asked.

  Madeline shook her head. “I can give some away if needed. They're a little too fine to have here anyway. I’d prefer to have some that I can work in.”

  “Don’t give them away yet. I’ll build something for you.” Nathaniel set the pan of meat on the table. “Potatoes shouldn’t be too long, but let’s eat what we have ready.”

  They started with the bread. The jam was from Charlotte as a wedding gift. It was a little runny, but the taste was just right. Madeline groaned when she took a bite.

  “I’ve never had boysenberries before. This is delicious.”

  “We can pick some if you’d like. We’ll have to wait until next summer, though. For now, we’ll just have to beg Charlotte for another jar.” Nathaniel slathered another slice of bread with jam.

  “Charlotte?” Madeline took a bite of hers.

  Nathaniel pointed to the north. “She and Joshua live about two miles away. She was actually the first mail order bride in the area.”

  “So, she’s the one I can thank for this then.” Madeline smiled and stood to check on
the potatoes.

  Nathaniel couldn’t help smiling. “So, you’re glad we did this?”

  Madeline pulled the potatoes out of the oven and set them on the table. “I’ve only been here for a few hours, but I’ve enjoyed it so far.”

  “Well, I hope that you continue to enjoy it.” Nathaniel took her hand and a tingle ran up his arm at her touch. It amazed him how much more he liked doing something as simple as eating with her by his side.

  ***

  Nathaniel lugged the milk can inside to heat it on the stove and he was met with the smell of eggs and bacon. Madeline had her hair up, and the dress she wore was much simpler than the one she’d arrived in the day before.

  He took the large pot off the wall and poured the can of milk into the pot, then pulled Madeline in for a hug. “I was just lamenting the fact that I woke up too late to have breakfast this morning. Thank you for making it.”

  She leaned into him and met his lips with hers. “Maybe you shouldn’t have slept in then.”

  “I suppose I shouldn’t have.” He took the plate she offered. “What plans do you have for the day?”

  Madeline took a bite of her eggs. “There are a few things I want to do in here, but I think I’ll help you with the harvest for now. It’ll go faster and then I can do what I need to in here when it gets too dark.”

  Nathaniel stopped mid-bite. “I’ll welcome any help you’ll give me outside. I need to go into town later today so if I can get a few more rows done before then, that would be good.”

  “Is this the settlement that we were at yesterday?”

  “No, this is bigger. There are more businesses and homes. I am getting ready to find clients for the cattle I’ve been raising. Clarence sent me a notice that he might know a few people.” Nathaniel looked up from his food. “Would you like to come with me?”

  Madeline nodded. “I would love to see the town. And I would like to get better curtains if it’s possible. I don’t think what we have will keep out the cold.”

  Nathaniel rubbed his chin. “I don’t know that they’ll have curtains, but they would have material to make some if that works.”

  “I suppose I can do that, but I’ll need a machine. Do they have them here yet?” Madeline stood and cleared their plates.

  Nathaniel stood and stirred the milk. “I think I saw a couple of models in the general store. We can check the prices when we go in.”

  Madeline took the spoon from Nathaniel. “You go out and finish what you need to, and I’ll do this. If we take butter with us, we could possibly sell it for some of what we need.”

  “All right. I’ll see you out there soon.” Nathaniel kissed her on the cheek, then took his hat off the hook and went out to the barn to get Lucky ready to go.

  It had rained again sometime during the night, so the ground was a little muddy. That worked for what he was doing—as long as it wasn’t too wet. Lucky led the wagon out to the field and waited patiently while Nathaniel dug up one plant after another.

  He’d made it down one row and back by the time Madeline joined him. She started digging and they worked in silence, moving along slowly. By the time they were finished with another two rows, the wagon was full of potatoes.

  “How are we going to fit material into the wagon if it’s full?” Madeline asked as they headed back to the house.

  “I have a smaller wagon we can use.” Nathaniel dropped Madeline off at the house, then led Lucky to the barn. The sun had made the barn hot, and he hesitated. He’d hoped it would be cool enough in here with as late in the year as it was, but it appeared as though they were in for a warm snap. “Come on, Lucky. Let’s load these into the cellar.”

  He had a few crates to fill the potatoes with, so he grabbed one and filled it up. He took several trips up and down the stone steps and piled the potatoes in the back where it was coolest. That would help them stay fresh for longer. He’d had several boxes turn green and go bad the year before when he’d left them out. No one had told him that potatoes needed the cold and darkness.

  Nathaniel’s arms and legs burned with fatigue by the time he had only a little in the bottom of the cart left. He used the crates and several bags for the last of the potatoes. He would try to sell or trade those since he hadn’t gotten to churning the butter that morning.

  He stopped at the back porch to get some water to drink. He’d need to refill the cans when he got back, but right now he needed to leave. He’d taken too long unloading the potatoes.

  Madeline stood at the counter with several wooden buckets in front of her. “There you are. I was beginning to wonder if something had happened.”

  “It was too warm in the barn, so I had to move the potatoes.” Nathaniel glanced into a bucket. “Is this butter?”

  “Yes. Is there something wrong?” Madeline bit her lip.

  “I have never seen it packed like this. I figured we would put it in wax like I normally do.” Nathaniel went to a cupboard and pulled out the wax paper. “That way it goes farther.”

  Madeline sighed. “I can fix it. Why don’t you go change and I’ll have them done by the time you’re ready?”

  Nathaniel glanced down at his clothes. They were a little dirty, but he’d been working outside. Besides, he’d be traveling in the sun. It wasn’t like he’d stay clean. “I should be fine.”

  “I think everyone at the general store would argue with you.” Madeline grinned. “Now go.”

  Nathaniel put a hand on her arm. “Don’t worry about fixing the butter. I usually don’t see it this way, but maybe it will sell for more.”

  Madeline paused in reaching for the paper. “You’re sure?”

  He nodded. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind warming some water, I’ll go change and then wash up. I don’t have time for a bath for now, so I’ll have to do that later tonight.”

  Madeline grabbed the bucket from near the stove. “Good idea.”

  Nathaniel chuckled and went to their room. The room had been transformed since he was last in there. She’d been busy that morning. Her hats, brush, mirror, and powder sat on the dresser. And the wardrobe was filled with her dresses. Nathaniel took a shirt and pair of pants out and shut it. He’d need to build another wardrobe and a vanity mirror once harvest was done. Otherwise, Madeline’s things would completely take over the house.

  He changed quickly and put his shoes back on, then went to the kitchen where Madeline was pouring steaming water into a small tub. Nathaniel grabbed a bar of soap and washed his arms, face, and neck. The water was a murky brown by the time he was done, so he threw it out the door.

  “You’re not going to wash your hair?” Madeline asked, raising her eyebrows.

  “That’s what a hat is for.” Nathaniel reached for his hat, but Madeline pulled it away.

  She left the room and came back with her brush. “You can’t hide behind a hat all the time, you know.”

  “I don’t always wear a hat. I just thought it was a good idea for today.” He cringed as he ran his fingers through his hair.

  “Hold still.” Madeline started with the front of his hair.

  The brush got caught several times in his thick, curly hair. There was a reason he preferred a hat over brushing it. Maybe it was time for another haircut. It had been a while . . . When he’d had enough of her yanking at knots, Nathaniel backed away, his hands up.

  “Let’s agree that I’ll do the hat this time and then you can help me cut this mess later.” Nathaniel grabbed his hat before she could stop him and put it on.

  “Very well.” Madeline took a bonnet from the hook and tied it on. “What? I don’t want my hair to get messed up from the sun and wind.”

  Nathaniel shook his head and took two of the buckets of butter out to the wagon and turned to find Madeline holding two more. “Any others?”

  “That’s all. We have one more, but we’ll use that one.” Madeline waited for him to place the step down, then climbed up onto the bench. Nathaniel set the stool inside the wagon and climbed up next to her.


  “Are you ready to see Oakley?” He flicked the reins.

  She nodded. “Yes. How far do we have to travel?”

  “About five miles. You would have passed it on your way to the station. It’s more established and you have a bigger choice of stores there.” Nathaniel urged Lucky into a gallop and took the road into town. He had to admit he was a little nervous to show off his new wife. Not that he thought anyone would disapprove of her. She was beautiful and clearly had a good upbringing. But he was also trying to build a good reputation, and with her love of writing—not that he minded—he worried that she was too forward-thinking for the people there. As the town came into view in the distance, Nathaniel took a breath. As long as they didn’t run into Edmond, everything would be fine. He hoped.

  Madeline gasped as they entered the small town. It was perfection. So much smaller than New York City—smaller than her own neighborhood there—but the streets were lined with small businesses and homes just how she pictured the town to look. People walked along the sidewalk talking or looking down as they made their way to their destination. There were few women, but those who were there smiled up at her. That was a nice change from back home.

  Nathaniel stopped in front of a general store and jumped down. “Stay there for a moment while I get the stool.”

  Madeline nodded, taking in the area around her. Trees lined the street they were on, and carts were parked along the road on each side. She felt a little out of place with the fine dress she wore, even though it was one of her more modest gowns.

  Nathaniel took her hand and helped her down. He placed a hand on the small of her back until they were at the door. Madeline was met with the familiar smells of a general store— the smell of her father whenever he returned from selling his wares—and a small wave of homesickness overwhelmed her. She knew it was silly, but a lot of the same advertisements hung on the walls, and she half-expected to see her mother turn the corner and wave. She would have to send her a letter letting the family know where she was.