Chapter 9

Mia

After Caleb left, the children were still sleeping, so Mia decided to go out to the henhouse to collect the eggs and milk the cow, knowing that, in the west, it would be the responsibility of the wife to do such things. In the city, she would have just dressed the children and went to the market. But she had a feeling that she would be laughed out of town if she went to the general store to buy things that were plentiful on their farm.

Mia looked in on the children once more, and they were still sleeping, so she slipped on a heavy coat and went out to the henhouse. The door to the henhouse was barely big enough for a chicken to fit through, but she crawled in as the chickens clucked and fussed and flew right at her while she gathered the eggs. A few minutes later, feathers were everywhere—even in her hair—and the chickens were very upset, but by the time she was finished, she had all the eggs in a basket. Feeling accomplished, she set the basket on the counter in the kitchen, and then went in to check on the children.

Since they were still sleeping, she headed out to the barn, found a clean milk pail setting off to the side, and then tied the cow up to what she assumed was the milking post. Then she placed her hands on her hips and looked at the cow. The cow looked at her as if she was a crazy woman with feathers in her hair and who knew what else all over her.

"Now, you and I are going to have a little talk." The cow turned around and looked at her. "After what I went through with the chickens, I don't want any trouble from you." Again, the cow just looked at her. "Now, don't you look at me that way."

Feeling sure that she and the cow had a mutual understanding, she set the pail under the cow, took an utter in each hand, and the cow kicked her, sending her flying backward into the slushy mud where people had walked through over and again.

Determined not to let the cow get the best of her, she set the stool beside the cow again, took an utter in each hand, and pulled. Only one little squirt of milk came out. "Well, now! That won't do! That just won't do at all!"

"Would you like some help?" a feminine voice asked behind her, sounding like a proper Georgia society lady.

Mia jumped to see an older woman with silver, curly hair watching her.

"Oh!" Mia gasped as she attempted to smooth her hair in place. "I'm sorry! I didn't hear you come up!"

The woman suppressed a smile. "I'm sorry to startle you, but I'm Mrs. Abigail Jenkins. I own the boardinghouse. So sorry for the intrusion, but I heard that Preacher Henley got married, and I wanted to come over to meet you and to see if you needed any help."

Mia looked at her sheepishly. "Do you know how to milk a cow?"

The elder woman nodded, but to Mia's relief, she didn't laugh. "I do, but most folks around here keep their milk in the root cellar. The preacher may have already milked the cow this morning before he left. Now, let's go inside and get you cleaned up. Besides, the children should be waking up soon."

Mia put the cow back in the barn, along with the milk pail, rubbing her chest where the cow had kicked her. "Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins."

The elder woman slid her arm in hers. "I'll show you how to milk a cow later, if you like." She looked her over and pulled a feather out of her hair.

"I'm so sorry," Mia said, embarrassed. "I must look a fright."

Creases formed around the woman's eyes as she smiled. "Don't worry. We've all had our moments when we were just starting out. Are you from the city?"

Mia nodded. "New York."

"I see," Mrs. Jenkins said, guiding her toward the henhouse. Upon seeing Mia, the chickens started fussing again. "Life in the west is a bit different."

"I'd say!" Mia chuckled as she attempted to brush some muck off her coat.

"Before we go in, would you mind if I show you how to gather the eggs without disrupting the hens?" Even though Mia was sure she looked funny, the woman was kind, maintaining a straight face as she spoke to her.

Mia sighed with relief. "Yes, please."

Mrs. Jenkins showed her how to walk around the outside of the henhouse and slip her hand in through the slats on the outside of the henhouse for the eggs. The chickens fussed a little, but they weren't in a complete tizzy as they were earlier. "That way, you don't have to go inside the henhouse to collect the eggs."

"Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins," Mia said as they walked toward the house. "I knew there had to be a better way."

Mrs. Jenkins chuckled. "There usually is, but we have to learn them. I guarantee you that before long, you'll be a professional at all of this." She waved her hand around them dismissively.

"I sure hope so," Mia said as they approached the back door. "Would you like to come in?" She could see that the woman meant well, and that she wasn't there to snoop or to collect information to carry back to her friends. "Also, would you mind keeping this between us?" Mia pointed to her hair.

The elder woman laughed. "What?" she teased, a sparkle in her eyes. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Mia laughed. "Thank you. You're too kind."

"What happened to you?" Shane scoffed, standing in the middle of the kitchen with his hands on his hips, still dressed in his long johns.

"Go get dressed, Shane Henley," Mrs. Jenkins said. "You should know better than to come out here dressed like that around ladies."

Shane's eyes grew wide, and he ran off to his room right away.

"How did you do that?" Mia asked appreciatively.

Mrs. Jenkins whispered conspiratorially, "The trick is not to show any fear."

Mia laughed, knowing that she already liked the woman. "I'll clean up and will be right back."

"Take your time." Mrs. Jenkins was already making herself at home as she put a pot of coffee on to brew when she realized what she had done. "Oh! I'm so sorry. I'm so used to making myself at home in the kitchen. Do you mind?"

Mia shook her head, a smile lighting her lips. "No, not at all."

"I'm sorry, but I've been helping out with the children and old habits die hard."

"Not to worry," Mia replied. "Actually, I'm grateful for the help. Make yourself at home, and I'll be right back."

She disappeared into her bedroom and peered in the mirror. Feathers stuck out of her hair in all directions. It was a credit to Mrs. Jenkins that she hadn't died laughing with just one look at her. She cleaned up the best she could, changed her clothes, and then headed back into the kitchen.

When she walked in, Mrs. Jenkins already had the children dressed and sitting at the table. Shane was dressed in mismatched clothes, but dressed he was. Mia made a mental note to make sure that the children were properly dressed before Caleb got home. She didn't want to give him any fuel for her incompetence, although she was pleasantly surprised that breakfast that morning had gone so well. She sighed as she pushed the memories of his perfect, bare, muscular chest from her mind.

"I'll make the children some eggs," Mia said as she walked into the kitchen, washed and dried the eggs, and then set them beside the potbelly stove.

Mrs. Jenkins suppressed a smile. "Just to let you know, Caleb usually keeps the eggs on the counter in a bowl under a dishtowel." She lifted the dishtowel to reveal more than enough.

They both burst out laughing.

"I found enough eggs for mine and Caleb's breakfast this morning, but didn't think there was any more," Mia said in her defense.

"Also, just to let you know, the milk is in the root cellar," Mrs. Jenkins added. "Caleb usually milks the cows before visiting his parishioners or working on the farm."

"Good to know." Mia was relieved that the woman had come by to show her the ins and outs of farm life. Otherwise, it would have taken much longer to master, learning on her own.

Hailey let out a sleepy yawn, and then headed toward Mia and held out her arms.

Mia scooped her up and propped her on her hip as she continued working. Hailey immediately laid her head on Mia's shoulder. "What's the matter, baby girl? Still sleepy?"

Hailey nodded, and then laid her head back on Mia's shoulder and put her thumb in her mouth.

"We'll have to work on that." Mia kissed the top of her head as she took her thumb out of her mouth. Without missing a beat, Mia expertly cracked some eggs with one hand as she held Hailey, scrambled them, and then poured them into a hot skillet.

"So, you can cook?" Mrs. Jenkins asked, obviously impressed.

Mia shrugged. "Simple things."

"Do you know how to make biscuits?" Mrs. Jenkins poured two cups of coffee, and set one on the counter beside Mia.

Mia shook her head. "No, but I used to make bread with my mother when I was little."

Mrs. Jenkins raised her eyebrows. "Do you still have the recipe?"

She shook her head. "No, my aunt took them all after my parents died."

"I'm so sorry to hear that."

To Mia's relief, it wasn't the kind of crippling sympathy that so many other people were quick to give.

Mia guessed that, in the west, people died and experienced loss. It was a fact. It was just how one dealt with it that mattered. "It happened long ago."

"I'll tell you what," Mrs. Jenkins said cheerfully. "I have some recipes that I'll bring over tomorrow, if you like."

"That would be nice." Mia poured the cooked eggs into two bowls. "Do you happen to have a bread recipe, as well?"

Mrs. Jenkins nodded. "Yes, of course." She gave her hand a gentle pat. "I'll be sure to bring them over. Here in the west, neighbors help one another…." She leaned in conspiratorially. "And that means sharing recipes, too."

"Thank you." Mia smiled as she set one of the bowls in front of Shane. Then, she sat down with Hailey on her lap and started feeding her.

Mrs. Jenkins took Mia's coffee to her, then sat in another chair and nodded to Hailey. "It looks as if she's taken right up with you."

Mia gave Hailey a quick hug. "She's my girl."

Hailey looked up and smiled.

"She is not your girl!" Shane yelled as he stomped out of the room, walked into the bedroom, and slammed the door, rattling the windows in the rest of the house.

Mia let out a deep breath as she continued to feed Hailey. "I'm sorry about that."

Mrs. Jenkins shook her head. "It appears that he's having a difficult time."

Mia nodded. "Everything is just so new. I mean, I haven't even been here for twenty-four hours yet." She sighed, glancing over at the closed door. "He's just showing loyalty to the memory of his mother. I guess he thinks I'm coming in here and taking over… and I guess I have. It's just a lot for him to handle." Mia hugged little Hailey. "But this little one was too little really to know what was going on at the time, so I guess it's easier for her."

Mrs. Jenkins listened attentively. "She needs a mother."

"They've all been through a lot."

Mrs. Jenkins sighed. "How's Caleb handling it?"

"Not well." Mia shook her head. "He won't talk to me unless it's necessary. We went to dinner last night in town, and it was a disaster." It was nearly an exact repeat of the dinner scene in Laramie with Shane running around while Caleb chased him around the restaurant, and Mia trying to hold it together, internally ready to climb under the table. A small smile lit her lips as she gently nudged Mrs. Jenkins' shoulder with hers. "But I'm sure you heard all about it this morning."

The elder woman chuckled. "Don't worry about it, my dear. The princess is old news now, so your arrival and the preacher getting married out of the blue is now the hot gossip. But don't let it get you down. Before long, there will be someone new for the townsfolk to talk about, and you'll be old news." She shrugged. "I guess that's how it works in small towns. Without that, no one would have anything to talk about."

Mia laughed, knowing she was right. "I know we've just met, but I feel as if I've known you for a very long time."

Mrs. Jenkins reminded her so much of her mother it was uncanny. Their interaction was what Mia would have imagined it would be like with her own mother, if she was still alive.

Mrs. Jenkins smiled, patting her hand. "After you take care of Hailey, would you like me to show you how to make biscuits? It's a staple with every meal here in the West." Mrs. Jenkins shrugged. "That is, unless you make bread."

"That would be nice. Thank you." Mia turned her attention to Hailey as she scooped the last bite of egg into her mouth. "Are you full?" Hailey nodded. "Want some more?" The little girl shook her head as she struggled to get down off her lap and scampered into the bedroom. "She doesn't talk a lot, does she?"

Mrs. Jenkins shook her head. "Some. It's just been hard on them all. But now that you're here—"

"I just hope that I can be of help." Mia sighed. "That's all Caleb needs right now, a wife who is a liability and not an asset."

"And that isn't you." Mrs. Jenkins gently patted her hand and headed into the kitchen. "I'll get everything ready."

"I'll dress Hailey and will be right back."

When Mia walked into the bedroom, Shane stormed out and Mia let him go, making a mental note to have a talk with him later.

Mia let Hailey pick out her own dress and she was presentable a few minutes later. When she was ready, Mia joined Mrs. Jenkins. In that short period of time, the woman had already set out the flour and everything they needed to make biscuits.

After a while, the fresh aroma of homemade biscuits filled the air. But what meant the most to Mia was that Mrs. Jenkins had taken the time to teach her. It had been a while since she had a friend around. She had been alone since Ella left, and despite everything that was going on with Caleb and Shane, she was glad she was there.

"Would you like one?" Mia asked when she pulled the tray of biscuits out of the oven.

"Don't mind of I do." Mrs. Jenkins smiled as she sat down, suddenly looking tired.

"I would offer you some honey or jam, but I'm not sure if we have any." Mia set the plate of biscuits on the table in front of her.

Creases showed beside her eyes as Mrs. Jenkins smiled. "There might be some jam down in the root cellar. I'm not sure, because I don't go down there unless I have to. As for honey, it's usually not plentiful this time of year, but Caleb has some on the counter." She let out a deep breath, as if debating whether or not to tell her something. "Jessica liked it, so he kept it in the house for her all year long."

Mia nodded, hoping that, one day, Caleb might care for her like he did his late wife. "I'll get it." She rose from her seat, thankful for the distraction. A few seconds later, she set it on the table before Mrs. Jenkins.

"Thank you." She picked up the honey, spread it over each side of her open biscuit, and took a bite. "Now, this is what I call a biscuit!" she gushed between bites. "I do believe this is the best biscuit I've ever had."

Mia laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. "I think you're going a little overboard, but it's very kind of you to say."

Mrs. Jenkins's eyes and mouth opened wide. "You don't believe me? Taste it and see for yourself."

Mia smiled in disbelief and took a bite. "Umm… this is good," she said, surprised with her efforts.

"See? What did I tell you?" Mrs. Jenkins smiled as she looked at her pocket watch. "Oh, my goodness! I have to go." She reached over and squeezed Mia's hand. "Are you sure you'll be okay, dear?" The elder woman reminded Mia of a proper Georgia peach and probably had an interesting backstory to go along with it. But that would be a story for another time.

Mia smiled as she gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Yes, of course. I appreciate you coming over today. It's hard to believe that we just met. It feels as if I've known you all my life."

"Thank you. I feel the same way." Mrs. Jenkins rose to her feet. "I really must get home, but I'll be back tomorrow."

Mia smiled. "Thank you for coming over and for showing me how to make biscuits. I look forward to your visit tomorrow."

The woman pulled her in for a dainty hug. "You take care, now." She sighed as she looked at her with kind eyes. "I know it's hard, Mia, but try to have patience with Caleb. He really is a good man. He's just been through a lot."

Mia gave her a small smile. "I will. Besides, I don't give up so easily."

Mrs. Jenkins returned the smile. "I'm glad that you don't."

After she left, Mia looked at the clock. Three o'clock. "Oh my goodness!" She ran into the children's bedroom, and they were playing on the floor. "Shane, go ahead and put this on." She rummaged through the chest of drawers and pulled out a shirt that matched the pants he was wearing.

He folded his arms across his chest. "I don't have to do what you say!"

"Oh yes you do, little mister," Mia said, taking a deep breath. "Shane, let's make the best of this and try to get along. Okay?"

"You're not my mother!"

He started toward the door, but Mia stopped him. He struggled a bit, but she held on.

"Shane," she cooed in a soft, soothing voice. After a few seconds, he stopped struggling. "Come here and sit down beside me. I want to talk."

He let out an exasperated breath. Then, he sat down beside Mia and folded his arms abruptly across his chest.

Mia let out a deep breath. "Shane, I know that I'm not your mother."

Shane looked at her sharply.

"And I don't intend to be," Mia began. "I mean, I'll never be able to take her place. I know that."

Tears came to his eyes as he listened.

"But I'd like to be your friend, if you don't mind." Mia's eyebrows lifted, her eyes filled with hope.

Shane glared at her as tears brimmed his eyes. "I don't need you!"

Pain shot through Mia's chest, but she wore her best Poker face. "Well, I'll be here if you do. In the meantime, let's just learn to get along. I know your mother's not here to take care of you, so I'd like to do that, if you don't mind."

Tears rolled down his cheeks as he hung his head.

"Hey, hey," she cooed, pulling him to her chest. "Shane, your mother will always be right here…." She touched his chest. "In your heart."

He began sobbing openly, so she pulled him onto her lap and rubbed his back, rocking him back and forth while he cried. Hailey looked up at her brother and scooted onto the bed beside Mia. When he was almost cried out, he said, "What should I call you?"

Mia ran her fingers through his hair. "I don't expect you to call me Ma or Mama, but how about Mia?" He looked up at her, and she shrugged. "Then, if and when you're ready, we can think of something else, if you like. Either that, or it can just be Mia. Is that okay?"

He nodded.

"Shane, if I could bring your mother back, I would," she whispered as she stroked his hair. "But I'll be here for you and Hailey any time you need me."

Shane nodded, and then his eyes started growing heavy. Mia picked him up and laid him on the bed and covered him over with a blanket. She was about to give him a kiss on the cheek but thought better of it, not wanting to muddy the waters. Hailey held up her arms and Mia swept her up. Then, she laid her on the bed beside her brother, and Hailey immediately curled up on her side.

"That's a good girl." Mia pulled the blanket over her. Then, she gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Sleep well."

As she walked toward the door, she looked over at Shane, and he curled up toward the wall, not making eye contact. Mia knew it would take time, but at least she felt they had taken a baby step in the right direction. She couldn't come into a family and expect everything to go smoothly right off the bat.

Mia left the door ajar so she could hear the children when they wake and headed into the kitchen. After cleaning the house thoroughly, she collapsed on the rocking chair in the living room and looked around, pleased with her progress. The house was starting to look as if a family actually lived there.

"Dinner," she said aloud.

She was exhausted, but she had to get dinner on the table. So, she headed into the kitchen and opened the pantry, making a mental note to try out her new biscuit-making skills to go along with dinner. Then, she thought that country ham would go well with it, so she decided to go down into the cellar and look to see what was there.

Before she went down, she checked on the children again, and they were still sleeping. She suspected that they would be asleep for a while, so she took a knife and a plate with her down the stairs with the intentions of only staying a few minutes.

In the root cellar, she found several smoked hams, and saw the one that had been cut. She cut several slices and was ready to go back upstairs when she heard a loud crash and then crying.

"Hailey?" Mia yelled as she ran up the stairs as quickly as was humanly possible.

In the kitchen, sitting on the floor with glass all around her, was Hailey.

"What's going on in here?" Caleb asked. Before she could respond, he walked over the glass and it crunched under his boots, ringing out in her ears as she looked on, stunned. He scooped his daughter into his arms and quickly looked her over. When he saw that she was all right, he turned to Mia. "Where were you?"

"I… I was down in the root cellar—"

"What in the world possessed you to go down there instead of up here watching my children?" he demanded, and then walked over to the kitchen table and sat down with Hailey on his lap.

"I was only down there for a few seconds," she said as tears came to her eyes. "I checked on the children, and they were still sleeping—"

"At this hour?" He looked Hailey over, and she appeared to be fine except for a few very minor cuts. "What time did you put them down for their nap?"

Anger began to replace the fear that she was feeling. "Three o'clock."

"Three o'clock? You should have put them down after lunch!"

"Well, I didn't know that!" she yelled back. "Mrs. Jenkins came over, and she showed me how to make biscuits. We lost track of time—"

"Well, see that you don't," he cut her off. "From here on out, you will stay up here during the day with the children. That is your primary job. If you need anything from the root cellar, you will tell me, and I will retrieve it for you when I get home."

"I'm not a child, and you will not talk to me that way." Mia calmly walked into the kitchen and began sweeping up the floor. "I don't care if I am your wife, you will respect me at all times."

He scoffed. "You expect me to be calm when I come in here and my daughter is sitting in a pile of glass?"

Hailey whimpered softly.

"Heavens no! And lower your voice!" She dumped the glass into the trash. "You're scaring her."

"Oh? I'm scaring her?" he demanded as he stood with Hailey on his hip. "I think the only thing that scared her was ending up in a pile of glass!"

"I only went downstairs for a moment." Mia put away the broom and dustpan and turned to face him, her hands on her hips. "I had no intention of the child getting hurt."

He looked at her with cold eyes. "Well, the way to hell is paved with good intentions." With that, he marched into the bedroom and slammed the door.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she stomped to her bedroom and slammed the door, too. Two could play at that game. She paced in her room, wringing her hands. Let him fix dinner! Let him see how easy it is to care for a house and children when you've never done it before!

"Oh, that man is so infuriating!" she said aloud as she paced.

The more she paced, the madder she got. Then her thoughts went to Hailey, sitting on the kitchen floor with shards of glass all around her. Tremors rocked her body as tears filled her eyes. What if something had happened to Hailey? Mia forced the thought from her mind, knowing that she would never be able to live with herself if the child had gotten hurt.

For a split second, she thought of going back to New York, but she quickly pushed the thought from her mind, determined to see this through. Tears streamed down her face as she sat on the edge of the bed. She knew she couldn't walk away. Not now. Even though she had just met them, she had become attached to the children. She loved them, in fact. And she couldn't leave them. Not now. Not ever.