Husband By Arrangement

“I’ll come along, and you can teach me to milk her.”

He untied the cow from the wagon and stood holding the end of the rope. He studied her with his head tilted to one side. “Okay. You might want to change your clothes first.”

She looked down at her cream-colored coat. “My other clothes are in the trunk.”

Scott chuckled. “Let me get this girl settled in the barn, and I’ll drag your trunk into the cabin.”

“Thank you.” Rena went into her new home and tugged off her coat and gloves. She laid them across her bed and removed her hat.

She went to stand in front of the mirror that must have been Ann’s. “The learning of new ways starts now, ma’am.” She smoothed the front of her skirt. Her palms stopped in her middle, and her thoughts turned to the child growing inside her. “God, help me. There’s so much to learn.”

The sound of her trunk scrubbing across the porch caught her attention. She hurried into the front room and opened the door. She turned the rug at her feet sideways.

“If you can drag it onto the rug, it should slide across the floor easier.”

Scott dragged the trunk onto the rug and dropped the end he carried with a thud. He straightened and brushed his hands together. “Good idea. I’d forgotten how strong a man has to be to move a woman’s things.”

“At least you had help when Ann moved out. I’m sorry I can’t help you.” She hated that he had to do everything himself.

He looked at her. “You don’t need to feel like that. I’ve known you for a while. I know you’re not shy of work and that you’re hindered by your—” he hesitated “—circumstances.”

“Thank you for saying that.” She stepped out of his way. “If you can get that into my room, I’ll change quickly and meet you in the barn.”

She hadn’t grown accustomed to acknowledging her pregnancy to herself, so it was awkward to hear him speak of her condition. An appreciation for his concern bored a hole in the wall around her heart.

* * *

Scott had unhitched the team and fed them. He was in front of the barn, washing the milk bucket when Rena came out of the cabin. She was a beautiful young woman, but the deep sadness in her soul was unveiled when they were alone.

Lord, please help her. I don’t know the best way to help her, but I’ll do what I can.

“You don’t have to learn this tonight. You can start supper, and I’ll bring in the milk.” He turned the bucket upside down and shook out the rinse water.

She was tying her hair in a ribbon as she walked across the yard. “The more I learn now the better off I’ll be.”

“Okay. Do you want me to show you how first, or do you want to get right to it and learn on your own?”

Rena followed him into the barn, and they stood in front of the cow’s stall. She squared her shoulders. “That depends. Are you a good teacher?”

He added hay to the trough, and the cow began to eat. “Can’t say as I’ve had much experience teaching someone to milk a cow.” He chuckled at the thought. “Are you suggesting that if you have trouble learning it will be because of my way of teaching?”

“You tell me what to do.” She walked beside the cow and patted her side. “Good girl. You be a good girl, and I’ll be gentle.” She kept one hand on the cow while she pulled the milking stool closer with the toe of her shoe. Then she lowered herself to the stool. “Okay, girl.” She rubbed her hands together to warm them and reached out to milk the cow.

“It doesn’t look to me like you need a teacher.”

“I remember reading a storybook in school. The little boy in the story tried to milk the cow with cold hands and was very sorry.”

“Then I think you’re a better student than I would be a teacher.” He was about to leave her to her task, when the cow bellowed.

“Whoa, girl.” Rena’s soft voice held a soothing quality. “I’m sorry.” She rubbed her hands together again and, this time, succeeded in getting milk into the bucket.

“I’ll leave you to your work.” He backed out of the stall and went to feed the other animals.

A few minutes later, he saw her carrying the bucket toward the cabin. He smiled and shook his head. If she was that determined in everything she faced, she’d have no problems adjusting to life on a homestead.

A breeze swirled between where he stood at the gate of the corral and the cabin. It lifted the ribbon that held Rena’s hair in place and tossed it across her face. She pulled it back with her free hand and kept moving. Even while lugging a bucket of fresh milk she looked calm and in control. He knew it wasn’t true. Nothing in the last two days had happened the way either of them had planned. He knew in his heart that she’d never have married him for any other reason.

He remembered his mother’s love for him. How she’d taught him to milk a cow and brush a horse. He’d learned so much from her. Things that got him through every day of his life as an adult.

Things Rena had never had to do. She’d surprised him with how well she’d handled the cow, but if she was going to survive on this homestead, she’d need other lessons. He knew his mother would want him to teach her.

Scott pulled the barn door closed and headed for the cabin. It probably wouldn’t happen quickly, but he’d start tonight.

He unloaded the wagon and carried their supplies into the cabin while Rena cooked.

“Where do you want this?” He carried the stand for her bowl and pitcher.

She looked up from the pot of beans she stirred. “I’d like it in the corner by the window if it will fit.”

“Okay.” He pushed the door of her room open with his boot. “Over here?” He called over his shoulder and was startled when she spoke from right behind him.

“There.” She pointed to her preferred spot. “And could you push the trunk a little bit to the right?”

He put the stand where she directed, and then shoved the trunk over. “Anything else?”

“Well, since you asked, could you move the bed to that wall?” She looked a little sheepish. “The morning sun warms that part of the room.”

“It does?” He nodded and pulled the bed frame to its new location.

“That’s perfect.” She looked around the room, and her gaze stopped on the trunk.

His sister had rearranged the furniture in the front room several times before she’d decided the first way he’d set it was the best. Pulling heavy things from one side of the room to another wasn’t new to him. “What is it?” He followed her eyes. “Oh, now the trunk needs to be where the bed was before?”

Her mouth dropped open. “Yes! How did you know?” She scooted out of his way. “And the mirror should be over here.”

He straightened from moving the trunk and made a show of sniffing the air. “Are the beans sticking in the pot?”

“Oh no!” She dashed by him on her way to the stove. “I completely forgot about supper.”

Scott laughed and moved the mirror.

When he went back into the front room, she was pouring the beans into a bowl. “Only the ones on the bottom were scorched.” She filled two cups with fresh milk and set them on the table.

“You did well with the cow.” He sat on the hearth and tugged off his boots.

“Thank you.” She put a plate of fried sausage on the table. “I know everything won’t be as easy to conquer as that was, but I’m glad to be making progress.”

“Have you ever lit a fire?”