Chapter Six

"Would you like some tea?"

Tessa's sweet voice pulled Bethany out of her musings as she stared at the fire. Smiling, she looked at the young girl. "I'd love some. Can I help you?" She pushed herself up from the wooden rocker and followed Tessa over to the stove.

The warm bath had soothed her, but the chill was creeping back in. Picking up the kettle to see how filled it was, she noted how the heat warmed her fingers, sending a pleasant thrill up her arm. Tessa must have noticed her shudder as she disappeared, only to return a moment later with a wool shawl.

"You sit down at the table and get warm," Tessa insisted, placing the shawl around Bethany's shoulders.

Bethany put the kettle back on the burner and moved to the table. "I guess I'm still tuckered out."

"I'm not surprised." Tessa placed two cups on the table, along with two tins. Bethany picked them up to look at the labels. One tin had the label "Tessa - HERBS" in Doc Mueller's bold script. The other was a small tin of black tea from the mercantile. She twirled the smaller tin in her fingers while Tessa continued. "Ben said you were really fighting. Your muscles must be sore." She returned with a rough fiber sack tied with thick jute rope. She placed it on the table, along with a jar of honey and two spoons.

Picking up the coarse fabric bag, Bethany fingered the visible fibers sticking out of the tight weave before bringing it to her nose to see if she could identify the contents.

The musty scent of dirt, earth, and bark, along with a faint smell of mint, clung to the burlap. She could hear the contents crinkle inside, and as she worked the fabric with her fingers, small specks of dried leaves and seeds fell on the table. Bethany brushed them to the floor.

"I've had worse. I was once dragged behind a horse for a hundred yards until Tommy could stop it." She lifted the bag to Tessa, who was watching her with a mix of fascination and horror. "What's in here?"

"Dragged by a horse? How horrifying?"

"My foot got caught in a rope. It was my fault." Bethany waved the sack at Tessa.

"Oh, that's willow bark and mint."

"You mix it with the tea?" Bethany asked, intrigued. "Grandma Moore made a tonic from willow bark. Nastiest stuff you'd ever taste."

"The mint hides the bitterness." Ben's presence filled the room as he stepped inside, his voice echoing off the walls. He shook the rain from his clothes, creating a small puddle beneath his boots.

"Sounds like a good recipe," she mumbled, eyeing Benjamin as he moved towards the wood box to drop the pile of firewood in his arms. She placed the sack back on the table and watched as Tessa filled their cups with hot water from the kettle.

"That's what Doc Mueller says. He's teaching me how to use them." There was a glint of pride in Tessa's eyes as she spoke. She added a spoonful of herbs from one tin to her cup and then reached for the black tea. "Ben purchased this for when Marmee comes to visit. Would you like this or the willow bark?"

"Does Marmee come over here often?" Bethany asked.

"I think she's been here about a dozen times since we've arrived."

Ben hung up his wet clothes on the pegs by the front door and joined them at the table. "Tess, I don't think Beth wants to hear about Marmee's visits to our home."

"Actually, I find it interesting she's been here so many times. I'll try the willow bark. Maybe I can convince Grandma Moore to add wild mint to the tonic."

Tessa opened the burlap bag and measured out a spoonful into Bethany's cup. "She's trying to marry off Ben. Would you like some honey?"

"Tessa!" Ben growled.

Bethany's amusement threatened to overcome her as she struggled to suppress a laugh, her heart rate increasing. She quickly took the small jar from Tessa, her fingers brushing against the young girl's in her haste. "Yes, honey would be nice," she replied easily, schooling her features to hide the sudden flush in her cheeks.

Tessa seemed happily oblivious to Ben's discomfort as she returned the sack to its rightful spot. "Who wouldn't want to marry Ben?" she continued innocently, causing Bethany's heart to flutter in her chest.

"That's enough, Tessa." Ben's voice was full of warning, but Tessa just shrugged.

"Why? It's true. Isn't it, Bethany?"

Bethany choked on her sip of tea, the warm liquid catching in her throat. She turned away, pressing a hand to her chest as she attempted to regain her composure. She could feel Ben's eyes on her, and a burst of embarrassing heat flooded her cheeks.

"Well..." she began hesitantly, clearing her throat. "I can't rightfully say. It isn't for me to decide."

Tessa pouted a little, her determined matchmaking attempt thwarted for now. "Well, I think you'd make a good match for Ben."

"Like dandelions and hardtack," chimed in Ben dryly.

Bethany laughed outright at that, the sound echoing warmly in the small cabin. "Dandelions and hardtack, huh? Do you think of me as a bitter green or an inedible biscuit, Mr. Kendrick?"

"Neither." Benjamin folded his arms, leaning back in his chair. His eyes softened. "I was merely teasing Tessa. Her matchmaking tendencies get out of hand sometimes."

Tessa huffed, though there was a hint of laughter in her eyes. "Well, someone must look after you. You can't live alone forever."

Benjamin's laughter echoed through the room, filling the air with a warmth Bethany couldn't help but bask in. She smiled, even as she sipped from her cup. As she took a sip, the taste of mint exploded on her tongue, sharp and refreshing, blending perfectly with the bitterness of the willow bark and the sweetness of the honey.

"I think there are better comparisons than dandelions and hardtack. I don't think you should undermine Marmee's matchmaking efforts. As my mother would say, Marmee is not someone you would want to trifle with."

"I have no intention of trifling with Marmee. As for the comparison, I accept that challenge," Ben said as he stood from the table and walked over to the stove. He poured himself a cup of coffee before returning to his seat. "There are always beans and cornbread, but don't discount dandelions and hardtack, Beth. Dandelions are sweet if you add enough sugar. And hardtack, well...it's hardy. It can withstand a storm."

Bethany gave a soft chuckle. Her gaze dropped to the table as she tried to hide the blush spreading on her cheeks. Benjamin's words flowed effortlessly, as he spoke about her sweetness and strength.

Each word that tumbled from his lips sparked something within her, igniting a warmth which spread from the pit of her stomach to the tips of her fingers. It was a fire that burned deep, beyond just the surface level.

The sound of his voice, low and soothing, seemed to wrap itself around her like a warm blanket on a chilly night. She closed her eyes, savoring every syllable that escaped his lips, letting the warmth wash over her and fill her with a sense of contentment she had never known before.

Tessa giggled, bringing Bethany back to the present. "Now that sounds perfect! Don't you think so, Bethany?"

Bethany chewed lightly on her lower lip, considering. She met Benjamin's gaze with an intensity that surprised them both. For a moment, she lost herself in the captivating depth of his gaze, her heart thumping against her ribcage. Then she broke the stare, flashing a coy smile towards Tessa.

"I admit I must have missed everything Ben said," she said, caught between reality and the fantasy weaving in her thoughts. "I'm sure it sounded perfect." Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

"Does it now?" Ben watched her carefully, a hint of surprise and something else in his eyes.

Could she dare to believe it was a glimmer of hope?

She nodded, averting her eyes to the cup in her hands. "It does," she repeated, softer this time.

The table fell quiet, filled only with the soft clinking of cups against wood and the distant rumble of thunder outside. Bethany felt a flush spread across her cheeks as an unspoken understanding passed between them.

"Well, I suppose there are worse things to be compared to," she said, trying to break the silence.

"Indeed, there are," Ben agreed, sharing a small smile with her.

Tessa looked between them, a satisfied look on her face as she took a sip of her tea. "Marmee will be pleased," she murmured.

The next morning, Ben filled the tub for Bethany once more, and disappeared into the barn. He had nothing planned, but there wasn't anywhere in the house for him to go while Bethany bathed. He didn't want to think about her skin soaked and warmed by the fire. Those were thoughts of another man, not someone like him.

He sat on a small stool, listening to the steady patter of rain on the barn roof, and closed his eyes. For a moment, he forgot all about chores, medicine runs to town, and rescuing a pretty woman from the angry waters. He knew Tessa was only teasing about Marmee finding him a bride. After their recent conversation at the mercantile, he couldn't help but wonder if she had planted a thought in his sister's head.

Marmee was insistent he needed to find a wife, someone who could help with the chores and keep the household running smoothly, before winter settled upon the land. Tessa only had so much that she could do, and the thought of having a wife held a certain appeal. He imagined what it would be like to have a helpmate by his side, not just to share the workload, but also the dreams and aspirations of building a life together.

Bethany could be that woman, he mused .

His thoughts shifted back to the woman bathing in his home. He wondered about her age. She was younger than him for sure, but not by too much. Her brother Tommy was about twenty or twenty-one, so she had to be around a year or two older. She was funny and could hold her own in a conversation.

She came into his life when they were looking for little Hope, but then she left. Now the storm had brought her back into his life. The thought of her leaving again caused his gut to clench.

He kicked the dirt under his feet, frustrated at his own thoughts. He hardly knew her, but here he was daydreaming about her like a schoolboy. His life revolved around hard work and the duties of a homestead. He had little room for daydreams and even less for love.

The image of Bethany filled his mind. Her delicate features, her captivating smile, and the way she carried herself with such grace and poise. She was intelligent and kind, and had shown immense patience when dealing with Tessa, despite the girl's penchant for mischief and stubbornness.

A sudden tug on his shirt, followed by the swipe of a rough tongue, jolted him back to reality as a cacophony of bleating goats filled his ears. The herd shuffled in through the open barn doors and into a small pen, eager for shelter and warmth. They crowded into the center of the pen and huddled together, waiting for Ben to feed them.

The rain had drenched the poor animals, matted their fur, and made them appear darker. Mud clung to their hooves and flecks of grass were stuck in their fur. Ben wrinkled his nose at the pungent scent of wet fur and sour mud.

Some bleated softly as they shook themselves dry, leaving wet splatters of mud on the ground and side walls of the stall. Tessa would feel immensely pleased to see all of them appeared unharmed.

"Where have you been?" Ben gently scolded the animals as they gazed back at him with their big, golden eyes and narrow pupils. "Yeah, yeah," he groaned. "I'm coming to feed you."

He rose from his stool and went to the corner of the barn, where a pitchfork leaned up against the wooden wall. He dug into the loose pile of hay and grass, small strands of fescue fell off and floated to the floor as he worked to fill the tines of the large fork. A cloud of dust kicked up, prompting him to hold his breath.

The goats watched him impatiently, stamping their hooves and shifting in their pen. They knew this ritual and their noises grew louder, more insistent. As he approached, their heads craned over the wooden fence that penned them in. He hefted the first forkful over the railings, letting its contents scatter across the ground. The herd surged forward, dipping their heads down to greedily devour the meal. Their exuberance always brought a small smile to his face.

Once Ben finished cleaning up after the goats, he moved to the horse stalls and absorbed himself in his work. He tried to push all thoughts of Bethany to the back corners of his mind. It was a losing battle. Now and then, with no prompting, he would wonder what Bethany was doing at that very moment. He'd shake his head, annoyed with himself and his wayward thoughts.

Lost in his brooding, he didn't hear her enter the barn until she was practically on top of him. The sudden sound caught his attention, snapping him back to the present. He looked up to find Bethany standing next to him, her eyes wide with surprise, as she saw the goats.

"Are these Tessa's missing goats?" she asked. Bethany's voice was soft, barely audible above the rain.

Ben leaned over the railing and scratched one on the head. "Yeah, they just wandered back."

"Tessa will be happy." Bethany looked at him, her cheeks flushed a rosy hue. "I didn't mean to startle you when I came in."

"Uh, no bother at all," Ben stammered, hastily wiping his hands on his trousers and trying to regain his composure. He glanced around the barn, suddenly self-conscious about the mess and disarray. "What brings you here, Bethany?"

"I thought I could help you. Tessa didn't need any help inside." She took a step closer to him, her presence radiating a comforting warmth that made Ben's heart swell. He couldn't help but entertain the thought of having her by his side for all eternity. How had he not noticed her before, when she was last here?

Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind hit the barn, slamming the door against its frame. Loose hay scattered into the air and tangled around Ben's boots. Bethany's hair danced wildly around her face as she struggled to hold it back. In that moment, Ben couldn't tear his eyes away from her, noticing every detail, including several strands, caught between her teeth. He clenched his hand to resist the urge to reach out and touch her.

"Really, you don't have to help," Ben insisted, his hands gripping the pitchfork tightly. "I'm just going to finish the horse stalls."

Bethany reached out and grabbed his arm, her fingers tightening around the fabric of his sleeve. "I can't let you help me without repaying you," she said, determination in her voice.

She is so beautiful, he thought.

Benjamin felt his resolve weakening as Bethany gazed up at him with those striking blue eyes. He knew he should protest more, but the touch of her hand on his arm stirred feelings he thought were long buried.

"You need to rest. How about you sit on that stool and talk to me instead?"

Bethany moved to the stool. "How long have you been living in Flat River?"

"We came here in the Spring." Ben used his pitchfork to add fresh straw to the stalls.

"Where were you before that?"

"We lived in Texas. A little town called San Patricio."

Bethany picked up a piece of fescue grass and started twirling it between her fingers. "Do you still have family there?"

He paused for a minute, then picked up another pitchfork full of straw. "No. It's just me and Tess. Ma died."

"I'm so sorry. Was she ill?"

"It was officially mercury poisoning, but I prefer to think she died of a broken heart after Pa died." Ben couldn't help but stare at Bethany as she sat on the stool twirling the grass in her fingers. The more he looked at her, the more he realized how much he had missed out on when she was last here. Her damp hair was drying and curling around her face. She had scrubbed her skin clean, washing away all traces of mud, revealing peach-hued cheeks and a smattering of freckles across her nose.

She pursed her lips in deep concentration as she watched the blade of grass spin between her fingers. He couldn't help but groan inwardly at the alluring image she presented. She looked like an angel sitting in the dirty barn.

He felt a wave of guilt wash over him for not noticing her before. Now she was here, and he couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Tell me about yourself," Ben said softly, trying to distract himself.

Bethany tossed the grass aside and peeked at him from beneath dark lashes. "Well, there's not much to tell." She brushed the grass seeds from her hands. "Ma, Tommy and I came here in 1860 on a wagon train to go west. My pa was sick. He got dysentery on the ride from Independence and needed a doctor. The wagon master brought us to this town."

"That was your pa's brother, then, on the other side of the river?"

She shook her head, her curls bouncing around her shoulders. "Yes, and no. My real pa… well, my first one, died. The wagon train left us, taking everything we had but a sway-backed horse named Lucy. I named my current horse after her."

Ben carefully placed the pitchfork against the barn wall and leaned against the wooden railing. His eyes intently focused on her as she wove a captivating tale. His body was still from rapt attention, his mind lost in the world of her words. "What happened to you after that?"

She gave a chuckle. "Ma found the most run down trapper's cabin you could ever find. I mean, you could stand outside and peer through two logs and see completely through the cabin at the landscape on the other side. It was dreadful, but she made it home. We stayed there all summer and then winter came."

"You lived there during winter?"

"Well, for part of winter." Bethany worked a strand of hair around a finger. "Ma found all these traps along the river. One day she went out there and discovered traps filled with fat rabbits. Since we had had nothing to eat but berries, acorns, and the occasional fish we could catch, those rabbits were the best meal we ever had."

Ben could see where her story was going. "I bet those traps belonged to the Moore family."

"They did. When Pa, Joe Moore, found us, we had just cleaned out the traps. Tommy was sick, and Ma was doing the best she could. He took us home with him. Tommy got better, and then Ma and Pa got married on Christmas Eve." She looked off in the distance, her eyes soft and glossy from remembering. "That was the best Christmas ever."

"I'm sorry you lost your pa, Beth," he said softly.

"Me too. Funny, though, I only remember a little about him. I have these vague memories and feelings. I know I'll see him in heaven again one day. Joe has been everything I could ever want in a pa. Now I have all these aunts, uncles and cousins I would never have had if we continued on the wagon train." She reached out with her boot and moved the loose hay with her toe. "Do you think God has a bigger plan for us? That's why he had Ma, Tommy and me come here?"

Ben sat quietly for a moment, contemplating her question. "I suppose I've never given much thought to God's plan," he drawled. "But hearing your story, I can't help but think there must be more at work than just chance. Like how you came to be here, and how I was out looking for the goats."

"Do you like Flat River, Ben?"

"I've not been here long enough to decide. The people seem honest and hardworking. A little too nosy for my liking," he chuckled, "but what can you expect in a small town?"

"Most people stay here for two years and then either go back east or to the west coast. Those who stay seem to put down roots and stay forever." She put her hands in her lap. "I hope you stay in Flat River."

Ben felt his pulse quicken at Bethany's words. He purchased the land because he was tired of moving, but he hadn't thought about if he wanted to stay in Flat River permanently. Yet something in her gentle way made him want to put down roots. Clearing his throat, he said, "Well, I suppose it depends on if I can find a purpose here."

He saw her cheeks blush, and he hoped he hadn't offended her with his words.

"I think you could find purpose here," she breathed. "The people are kind, and the land is good here too," she added. "Rich soil for farming, open prairies for grazing. The streams are teeming with fish, and there is an abundance of hunting available. There are good neighbors too. You can meet everyone at the church social next month." Pushing herself from the stool, she peeked out the half door of the barn. "If it stops raining."

At that moment, Ben wished it would rain forever. He didn't want to have to take Bethany home. Having her here felt right somehow. "As soon as it stops, I'll get you home. I promise you." Just saying the words out loud felt heavy on his heart. He clenched his jaw tightly so he wouldn't say anything else.

She turned to look at him. "I wish I could stay here. Your house is so much quieter." He didn't respond. He couldn't. "Oh, I meant to ask how old Tessa was."

"Fifteen, why?"

"Really? I would have thought she was younger. My sister, Millie, is quite a few years younger than that, but I thought they could have been friends. Perhaps not. It won't be long before Tessa gets married." Bethany paused, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.

He set his jaw, not wanting to entertain the thought. "I don't think she will."

"Why not? Don't most little girls grow up and dream of getting married? I know I do. I want to have what Ma and Pa have."

"Tessa's not like other girls. She's still child-like. I don't want anyone taking advantage of her."

As he watched her shoulders rise and fall, she ran her fingers through her hair, allowing it to fall back into place.

"She seems very much like other girls, apart from having a lamb in the house. I'm afraid I don't know anyone who has one of those."

"Ever heard of Mad Hatter's Disease?" When Bethany shook her head, Ben continued. "It comes from mercury. It comes from the compounds hat makers use during the felting process."

"Tessa was a hatmaker?"

"No. Mercury is found in other things, like medicines. Ma used some of those medicines and Tessa ended up being exposed to the medicine and it poisoned her. The doctor said she'd be feeble-minded, never amount to anything."

"Did the doctor tell Tessa that?" Bethany's eyes flashed with anger at the thought of anyone calling this sweet girl feeble-minded. "The doctor said that directly to her? That's horrible!"

Ben nodded, his jaw tight. "He didn't mince words. Said she'd amount to nothing but a soiled dove, and I would not let that happen." He didn't want to tell Bethany it was the solution Ma used between customers which made Tessa sick when she had to clean the bowls. It was the same solution that ultimately caused Ma's death as it fatally poisoned her. Tessa was fortunate her little body survived.

"Maybe she'll find someone who just wants to take care of her."

"I guess I've never given it much thought." Ben shifted uncomfortably at Bethany's line of questioning. The future weighed heavily on his mind, especially for Tessa. She was so pure and trusting, and the thought of her facing the world alone filled him with fear. The idea of anyone trying to take advantage of her innocence ignited a fiery anger within him. "Tessa will always have a home here," he said firmly.

"Hmm." She popped up from the chair and moved in front of him. "You're a good big brother. You know that?"

"I guess?"

"You are." Bethany wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her head on his shoulder, giving him a quick squeeze. "My brother says I give the best hugs when he's worried or upset."

Benjamin felt his breath catch in his throat as Bethany's soft form pressed against him. Despite his initial unease, he gradually became more at ease in her embrace, gently placing his hands on her back. Her lavender scent told him she had used Tessa's bath soap. It was calming, conjuring images of a sunny meadow.

He didn't want the embrace to end, but she pulled away to look at him, confusion clear on her face. "It doesn't feel like that when I hug Tommy."

Bethany's words hung in the air between them as Benjamin struggled to form a response. His heart was racing, his mind spinning. He had not expected her casual hug to affect him so profoundly.

Clearing his throat, he took a small step back, needing to put space between them. "Maybe that's because I'm not your brother."

Bethany blinked in surprise at Benjamin's words, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. "No, I suppose you're not," she murmured. "I should go back inside and help Tessa with supper."

"Can you let her know her goats came back?"

"I can do that." She moved to the barn door and waited for a slight break in the rain before racing towards the house.

Ben watched her as she darted between the drops and around puddles. "I am definitely not your brother, Bethany Moore," he said out loud before turning back to his work.