“I think it is, but we’ll see how it goes. Have to take a chance. It will work or it will fail. That’s life. And that is what I am really looking for. A life. This may well be it.”
“I will hope that it does and that it makes you happy.”
“No more than I do, darling.” He kissed her cheek and went back to his seat.
Matthew leaned nearer to her. “I think there is a plan already to build them a good shelter. Need to have something they can at least get cover in for when the weather turns harsher. Finishing might take longer.”
“It is a lot of work.”
“So was this. So was Mrs. O’Neal’s home. And the cabins for the Jones brothers. We have become quite quick and learned some shortcuts. And dinnae forget, when it isnae shearing time there are seven to twelve of us.”
“That is a good-sized crew.”
“It is, and a skilled one. There used to be a few men from town who’d lend a hand now and then too, kenning that we would return the favor if they needed it. Might not get ours until next year.”
“That is fine.” She lowered her voice. “I think Reid is more in need of a place.”
“Aye,” he answered in an equally low voice. “One thing most soldiers ache for while away is home. Ye have yours now.” He kissed her cheek.
“I do, don’t I?” She glanced toward the children’s table. “Noah! That puppy does not belong on the table.”
“I was just showing them how he can dance,” Noah answered and put the puppy down on the floor.
“I am sure they can see that just as well out on the back porch.”
“Okay.”
She looked at Matthew who was battling to hide a grin. “My family.”
“Aye, one with a dancing puppy. Cannae beat that.”
She laughed and shook her head. As they shared some freshly baked pie, she joined in on the planning for her wedding. It was still a bit difficult for her to believe, and she found herself doing more agreeing to someone else’s idea than making any of her own. By the time she sought her bed she was tired and, for reasons she did not understand, nervous and a little afraid. Abigail was in her nightgown and ready to crawl into bed when Emily knocked.
“I just wanted to talk alone for a moment,” she said as she stepped in. “Doubt Matthew will allow much more than that although I told Iain to keep him busy for a while. Are you sure about marrying Matthew?”
“Why would I not be?”
“I am married to one of these fellows, remember, and it can be a heady thing. And when one becomes intimate with a fellow it can make it even harder to know one’s own mind. I just wondered because you said so little when we talked about the wedding.”
“I didn’t really have any ideas. It is not something I have done and I have attended very few of them as well.”
“Neither had I, and I also rather let them run with it. Mrs. O’Neal is very good. I am not quite sure why I am wondering if you want this but there was something that troubled me.”
“It was a bit of a surprise to me. Perhaps that is what you sensed.”
“Ah. Shock.”
Abigail laughed. “Something like that. I had not expected it. He was talking about where we could all live then said he had a condition. I had to marry him.”
“Oh, and save his reputation. Poor boy.”
“So for some reason I decided to take a gamble and, believe me, I never do. I said I had a policy too, to never marry a man who did not love me.”
“And he said it?”
“He did and he claimed he already had, a few times. Naturally I scoffed.”
“I should hope so. As if any woman would miss that or not recall it.”
“I know. Told him he must have said it while I was still asleep. Then he looked a bit embarrassed because that was exactly when he said it. He even demonstrated how he mumbled it. So I made him say it clearly while I was wide-awake and he did. I am glad he doesn’t have the reputation of a tomcat but I got what I needed. I just never expected it and I think I keep worrying that somehow it will disappear.”
Emily hugged her. “I know just how you feel. Once done it passes.”
“Are you certain?”
“Oh yes. Because it is done. You are tied. It is forever, starting that day.”
“I guess that is it. Do you think they feel the same or is it just women who overthink the whole thing?”
“Well, don’t know if they feel the same thing. Some might. Some might just want to get the ceremony over. Men can be odd creatures.”
“Matthew might have a good reason to be nervous. He marries me and he becomes a father to Noah and Jeremiah. No idea what Jeremiah will be like, but we all have had a good peek at Noah and what he might be.”
“Noah is lovely. He will keep everything lively. An adorable boy.”
There was a knock on the bedroom door and a moment later Matthew entered. “Had your chat, Emily?” Matthew asked her.
“All done,” she said cheerfully and hugged him. “Good wishes for the future, Matthew.” She walked out and shut the door behind her.
“What’s this?” he asked, plucking at her nightgown.
“It is what one wears to bed.”
He stepped closer and then yanked it off her over her head and tossed it aside. “Maybe in the winter. When it is verra cold and ye want a little extra.”
Abigail tried to cover herself and hopped into bed, pulling the covers over herself. “So if the house catches on fire I can just run out naked?”
“At least ye wouldnae have to worry about flapping cloth catching fire,” he said as he shed his clothes and climbed into bed. “Was Jeremiah all right?”
“Just wanted to eat and be changed. The usual demands.” She squeaked in surprise when he pulled her into his arms then looked up to find him grinning at her.
“What are you looking so pleased about?”
“This. Soon it will be like this every night.”
“Even in the winter?”
“Depends on how bad the winter is, and you have those quilts. More blankets will help.”
She laughed and kissed him. That quickly led to more and Abbie willingly followed where he led. She decided there were many more advantages to getting married than she had considered.
Chapter Nineteen
Sealing the envelope, Abigail sighed and fought the urge to open it again and write a new letter. Iain had drawn a beautiful picture of the baby and was working on one of Robert and Julia on the day of their marriage when they had paid for a proper picture to be taken. She believed it would be something Jeremiah would like.
Glancing at the framed photograph on the edge of the desk she sat at, she sighed. They had been so young and had looked so hopeful and happy. It made her sad to think of how the life they had wanted together had been cut short. The dress Julia had worn had easily disguised her pregnancy so there was a sweet innocence to the picture.
Shaking her head, she pushed the thoughts of her dead friend aside. There were too many who had lost their chance at a future in this war, on both sides. She could not sink herself in misery over such things.
“Are ye finished?” asked Matthew as he walked into the small room Iain kept as an office so they could keep a good record of how much money they gained from all the things his family did.