Chapter 16

16

L eah sent Miriam a thankful smile as the young woman approached the bed with a pot of water and a rag.

"Thank you, Miri. I'm afraid my hands are in need of a bit of fresh water." She glanced down at her dirt-streaked dress and bandages. "I probably need to get the rest of me cleaned up too."

Miriam flashed a sly smile. "You might also want to work on your face." She set the pot on the bed linen. "Hold on a minute, and I'll get you a mirror."

One look in said mirror brought a gasp to Leah's lips. "Why didn't you tell me?" Dirt streaks lined both sides of her face, across her forehead, and under her left eye. She looked like the pictures she'd seen of Indians on the advertisements for a Wild West show that had come through Richmond last year.

And her hair looked like she'd ridden through a windstorm. Stray wisps stuck out around her face in every direction. Her chignon sagged several inches lower than she'd pinned it that morning.

When she looked up, Miriam watched her with crossed arms, amusement sparkling in her teal eyes.

"Well don't just stand there, help me." Leah dipped a corner of the rag in the water and rubbed it across her forehead. Gideon would be back in the cabin any minute, and she didn't want to be in the middle of her toilette when he entered.

Miriam rolled her eyes dramatically as she moved around to work on Leah's hair. "Don't worry, we'll get you all prettied up again before Gideon gets back."

Leah didn't have time to correct her, but it was a good thing the dirt covered the pink that rose to her cheeks.

By the time Gideon came in for the meal, Leah had washed and straightened her hair. She may not qualify as pretty , but at least she was cleaner.

From the bed, she bit into her cold ham sandwich. Across the room, Miriam and Gideon ate their food at the table in silence. She longed to sit with them, but after the morning's events, her leg throbbed. Her body could finally relax when she leaned back against the wall of pillows.

She sneaked glances at Gideon throughout the meal, often catching him watching her, as well. His expression could best be described as brooding. Creases formed on his forehead, and his brows came so low she couldn't see the deep green color that always captivated her.

As soon as his plate was empty, Gideon rose and whistled for Drifter, then stalked out of the cabin.

Miriam released a heavy sigh as she rose to follow him. "I'll be back in a minute."

What was wrong now? Did Gideon blame her for being out in the garden today? Or had the ordeal brought back all his pain from losing his wife?

Finally, the click of Miriam's heels sounded on the porch. She appeared, carrying Leah's crutches, but the usual pleasant smile was missing from her pinched lips.

"Miriam, what's wrong with Gideon? Is he angry with me?"

Miriam's face took on a touch of bewilderment. "No, he's not mad at you ." She shook her head and picked up Leah's tray from the side of the bed. "Don't worry about him. He just needs to work out a few things." Her lips pursed in amusement. "I think it threw him for a loop when he realized it was a harmless old garter snake."

"You mean the snake wasn't poisonous?"

"Nope." Miriam began stacking dirty dishes from the table.

Leah sank back against the pillows, all the energy sucked out of her. It wasn't poisonous. She felt a grin spill onto her lips. Poor Gideon.

It was happening all over again.

Heave. Thwak! Two chunks of wood sailed off the stump, landing in the piles that had already gathered.

Gideon had told himself he would never bring another woman to this place again. Ever. With another log on the stump, he heaved the ax back over his right shoulder. Thwak!

He'd told Abel not to do it. Women were trouble, every last one of them. And Easterners were the worst. Had Abel listened? No. And now look what had happened.

Heave. Thwak! His muscles griped, but Gideon pushed harder.

Heave. Thwak! Too hard this time. The ax lodged itself deep in the stump.

He stopped to swipe his sleeve across his sweaty face. With that woman around, he couldn't even strip off his shirt anymore.

While his muscles rested, his mind wouldn't stop. The image from earlier that day had been seared there. Leah, sitting between the green bean plants, her splinted leg extended, hair mussed in the cutest way.

And then, in an instant, that cute little expression turned to fear. He'd followed her line of sight to the snake and his heartbeat froze. His body reacted automatically. Before he knew what he was doing, he sighted the Winchester and squeezed. It wasn't until the striking snake dissolved into pieces, that he relaxed.

Why was death following him? How many people did he have to lose before it was enough? Ever since they'd moved to this wild territory in '63, people he'd loved had been picked off like a deer in a hunter's sights.

But he didn't fault the land. No, the land never promised to be gentle or make things easy. This country was hard and completely untamable, but gave you the feeling you'd really accomplished something. You were proud to have the chance to live another day in this fierce place of unimaginable beauty.

No, the land never promised to take care of them. It was God who had made that promise…and failed.

The scissors sliced deliciously through the lavender fabric. Even though they were rusty and snagged often, these shears could get the job done. Leah didn't normally consider herself to be the destructive type, but watching the ruffles fall away gave her a little thrill.

A gasp from the doorway brought her attention up.

"You're cutting your dress?" Miriam rushed forward to pick up the long strip of lavender frill that had dropped to the wood floor. She raised mournful eyes to Leah's. "Why?"

"These dresses aren't very practical." She waved the scissors casually over the mass of lace and ruffles. "I only have the one wool dress I can really work in. The rest of these require bustles and extra tight corsets, and the trains are impossible to move around in. I'm going to break my other leg if I don't do something about it." She kept her tone light and teasing.

Miriam still fingered the cut fabric as if it was a dearly departed friend. "But they were beautiful."

And compared to Miriam's dingy brown garb, they were. Miriam's dress was not just an old style, it had no style. The high neck and straight bodice did nothing to enhance any curves. The skirt flared a little more than the bodice, but didn't gather in the back or have room underneath for more than a petticoat or two, certainly not a crinoline or bustle. The dress had obviously been made for function only .

The mound of ruffles in Miriam's hand gave Leah an idea. "Miriam, go get the gray dress you wore the other day."

"What?"

"Quick, I have a wonderful idea. Is it clean?"

Nodding, Miriam moved toward her room. Leah finished cutting the ruffle from the lavender train, then snipped the layers that would have rested on the bustle. She'd need to do some hemming, but then her gown would look fine and be so much easier to work in.

"Here you go." Miriam laid the drab gray gown on the bed next to Leah.

"See here. If we start the ruffle at the top of the skirt in the back, then cross it down to the bottom around the front, then back up in the rear. It'll add fullness in the back like the current styles and give some length to the bottom."

"Oh…" Miriam breathed.

"Then we can add some tucks to the bodice, maybe put a piece of this lace at the neckline to make it all blend." Leah held up the dress and lace in an attempt to illustrate her designs. "It'll be lovely."

Miriam bounced on her tip-toes. "Do you mean it? Really?"

It was impossible not to grin at such a picture. "Of course. You'll look splendid." Leah barely had time to brace herself before Miriam flew at her with a hug.

"Oh, thank you. Thank you."

Leah returned the embrace, then laughed as she extracted herself. "No need to thank me. Do you want to help with the stitching or are you too busy in the garden?"

Miriam plopped down with a bounce on the bed. "I've picked everything that was ready, so I can help until it's time to make the noon meal." She jumped up again like a cricket. "I'll get my sewing things."

While they worked, Leah offered suggestions for Miriam's gown and continued to remove the extra trim and yardage from her own. She'd start with these three, then alter some of her other dresses later if she needed them.

"There." Miriam held up the dress, displaying a finished skirt.

"It's amazing how the ruffle brings it to life."

"Ooh, I can't wait to try it on." Miriam clutched the gown to her bosom.

Leah felt a smile spill out at the joy on her friend's face. "Finish the bodice first, though."

A shadow fell across the light from the open doorway, pulling the lighthearted mood from the room. There stood Gideon, sun's rays behind him darkening his face so Leah couldn't make out his features. His broad shoulders were strong and straight as he removed his hat and turned to hang it on the hook.

When he moved out of the doorway, the tightness of his profile showed clearly—the part not covered by the mountain man beard, that is.

"Oh no." Miriam jumped up and scooted toward the kitchen. "Sorry, big brother. The food will be ready in two minutes. We were sewing, and I lost track of time."

Drifter padded to the bed and whined, eager for his usual greeting. She reached down to scratch behind his ear and under his chin, only removing her eyes from Gideon for a quick glance at the animal. His long tongue caught her wrist in appreciation.

Gideon didn't respond, only sank into his chair and crossed his arms, his face stoic. Of course, was that any different from his normal expression? Still, something felt different about him now.

Miriam didn't seem to notice and kept on chattering. "You should see what we've done to my dress, Gideon. It's the prettiest thing you've ever seen. And it was all Leah's idea. She gave me the material too. Cut it off of her own gowns."

As Miriam chirped out those last few comments, Gideon turned to examine the heap of fabric on the bed. Then he raised his gaze to Leah. She didn't drop her eyes or pretend she wasn't paying attention. Instead, she met his piercing gaze head on.

Was he angry? It was hard to tell from this distance. Was he just upset about the meal? Maybe he didn't want Miriam to have anything more than practical dresses. Could that be because of his experience with bringing his wife from the city to this wild country?

She tried to hide the apprehension that rose with the intensity of his stare. She offered the hint of a smile, trying to show him all was well. She waited, holding his gaze, her heart wondering what he would do next.

And then he did the last thing she expected. His eyes softened into a gentle smile.