Lone Pine Bride (The Brides of Lone Pine #1)(50)

Chapter 10


“I’m a bit worried about the animals,” Wilfred said the following morning over breakfast when Seth suggested going to Independence.

“We checked on them last night and milked the cows,” Seth replied. “And then we went to check on Alfred and Enid. They said people have been going round all the farms and everyone is accounted for. We put your milk and eggs in your cool room so they’ll be alright for you. We need to get furniture, beds and other things, also bedding and clothes.”

“We could sleep on the straw,” Wilfred said, bending his head over his food.

“No. We’ll make frames and we can buy mattresses. I can’t afford that but Hannah is rolling in money.”

Hannah raised her eyebrows. “I was left money by my great grandparents,” she said. “I want to spend some of it.”

“We can’t take charity,” Wilfred said.

“But you could take mattresses.” Wilfred looked at Hannah, she and Monica giggled and his expression relaxed.

“You are a fortunate man,” he said to Seth.

“I am. Independence then?”

“Independence but I’m not sure about taking the money.”

“You are my first real friends here,” Hannah said. “Please accept the mattresses. I’ll be offended if you don’t. One day you can make me something I need.”

“What do you need?” Monica asked.

“I’ll have to think about that.”

“We could give you a cow,” Wilfred said.

“You need your cows.”

“A cow for the mattresses. It would make me feel better.”

“Alright then, a cow for the mattresses, but we throw in bedding and furniture because a cow is worth a lot, also other things.” Which would be good for Seth, Hannah thought, because her Seth was definitely not having it.

But would they have mattresses and how badly was Independence affected by the earthquake? They had a leisurely breakfast which Hannah had once again prepared while Monica did the oatmeal, this time with cheese on bread after the oatmeal.

“Are there houses to check beyond Independence?” Hannah asked Seth from where she stood in front of a mirror in the barn putting up her hair while he stood watching her.

He walked over to stand behind her. “Would you like me to do your hair?” he asked. “It’s got some knots in it I could comb out.”

It hadn’t, she was almost sure, but yes, it would be helpful, she told him. He took the brush, started to brush slowly and reached for her ribbon. There were still no pins which meant Hannah had to just tie it back, nor did she have a hat. She should have one, she thought, because all ladies wore hats.

“Monica hasn’t got one either,” Seth said when she told him what she was thinking.

“I’d forgotten about that. Will people think we’re dreadful not having them?”

“Absolutely dreadful.” He smoothed the hair down, stood back and looked at his handiwork. “Is that alright?”

“You’ve added another talent to the ones you already have. You are very good husband material.”

“Is that what husbands do?”

“I’m not sure. Yes, I think it is because I’ve seen my father brush and comb my mother’s hair. Sometimes she does his.”

Well, Hannah couldn’t comb her Seth’s hair, Seth thought, because he hardly had any. Come to think of it, he was the ugliest person he had ever set eyes on. He resembled a gargoyle. He turned, began to kick the straw with some vehemence and Hannah walked over to stand next to him.

“I thought I saw a frog,” he said rather lamely. “I was just checking so I could put it outside.”

“Do you get frogs?” she asked. “I thought you needed water for that.”

“Sometimes they stray in. In France they eat frog’s legs. It’s considered a delicacy.”

“Do they just take the frogs’ legs off and give them crutches?” Hannah giggled.

“Yes. They take two because they know that the frogs are aware of the fact that humans just have two and are able to manage.”

“I don’t think I’ll go to France,” Hannah said.

“Seth could easily afford to take you. He’s got pots of money. I must seem a poor second best to you.”

“Second best?” She turned towards him and put her arms round him without thinking. “You are THE best.”

She pulled back abruptly as she realised what she had done and made for the barn door. “We’d better go or the family will be wondering where we are. I packed bread and cheese, also the pastry I made yesterday and the fish you caught before breakfast. I put everything in a basket I found. Do you use that for picnics?”

Seth did not move as he watched her walk away. “It is a picnic basket. My mother made it for me.”

She turned. “Are you alright?”

“Hannah!”

“Yes.” He walked towards her, opened his mouth to say more and Lucille ran into the barn with the boys close behind her.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

“We’re ready,” Hannah replied.

“I picked some fruit and put it in the basket, also the cake you made. Is that alright?”