Conveniently Wed

“It’ll get easier. I promise. I know it’s hard right now. But you’re doing the right things. You’re letting them talk about their papa and reassuring them that he’s with the Lord.” His strong hands began to gently knead the tightness of her muscles. Daisy pulled her head to one shoulder and then the next trying to relax away her stress. Then suddenly she shrugged both shoulders to her ears and pulled away from Tucker. She went to stand on the other side of the room, putting the table between them. A shiver ran down her spine and she rubbed her arms to stop the tingling.

“I’m sorry. I just can’t relax right now. I’m so tense all the time. I feel so much pressure to make sure the farm is a success and the twins are taken care of, and now I’m so obligated to you for all you’re doing.” She raised a hand to each temple and rubbed her fingers in small circles in an effort to release the pain.

“I’m the one who’s sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Daisy. Please forgive me.” Tucker made no move toward her. He actually took a step back.

“It’s not that. I just hate that my emotions go from such grief and sadness one minute, to joy at seeing something make James or John smile the next.” She picked up the remaining plates from the table and moved toward the dishpan. Tucker moved to the door, giving her plenty of space.

“You said you had something we needed to talk about.” Daisy put the dishes in the water and began to work without looking at him. She heard him take his hat from the peg and knew he was spinning it in his hands. Daisy had noticed he often did this when he was choosing his words carefully.

“I’m getting the stalls ready for new horses. I know you said we’d have to talk about it later, but I feel we need to get things back on track as soon as possible.”

“Okay. If you think that’s best.” She began stacking the clean dishes on the shelves above the cabinet. “We can go to the bank the next time we’re in town and get the money out. I don’t keep much money here. Murdock never thought it was a good idea to keep cash around. I finally understood why on the day he was robbed and killed. Those men took a lot of things from us, but most of our money was safe in the bank.” A tear ran down her cheek. Turning her back to Tucker, she caught it with the dish towel and sniffed. Raising up to her full height, Daisy pivoted to face him again. It surprised her to see that anger virtually oozed from every fiber of the man. His red hair seemed aflame on his scalp. His nostrils flared, and he took deep breaths. She couldn’t ever remember seeing him so mad. Not even the day she shot him when her papa was teaching her to shoot.

“I will pay for the horses.” Tucker rammed his hat on his head. “And if those murderous thieves ever come near here again, I’ll see that they pay, too.” The force of the slamming door caused it to bounce open again as she watched him stomp across the yard. It took a moment for her to realize she was holding her breath.

Daisy hadn’t meant to upset him. Her papa was right. Being married to each other was definitely going to be a major adjustment for both of them. She knew he was just being friendly when he touched her, but she wasn’t ready to be touched. It was too soon. And she couldn’t let him pay for those horses. The farm expenses were her responsibility. And that temper!

Help us, Lord, or this is going to be a rough road.

Chapter Five

Tucker entered the barn and saw the boys had finished two of the stalls. Calming himself with great restraint he said, “Good job, men. I need to ask you something.” He stood in the middle of the barn. James and John stilled their pitchforks. “Are you good fishermen?”

“We sure are!” James bragged. “We catch something every time we go!”

“Almost every time, James,” John added. “Sometimes the fish don’t bite.”

“But that’s not our fault, so I say we catch something every time. If the fish are biting, we’re bringing ’em home.” James hesitated and looked at Tucker. “Why? You want us to teach you how to fish, Mr. Tucker? We can. I just thought you might already know since you’re so old and all.” The boy spoke with youthful sincerity. On any other day Tucker would have laughed, but right now, he just needed some time alone.

“That’s a mighty fine offer, James, but not today. I may let you give me some pointers next time. For today, though, I’d like the two of you to go see if you can bring home some supper. Part of a man’s job is to put food on the table. Think you’re up for the challenge?” He looked from one boy to the other.

“Yes, sir! We can do it.” John turned to his brother. “Come on, James, let’s get our gear. I’ll race you.” Pitchforks fell to the ground as eager boys headed to the other side of the barn for poles.

“Whoa, just a minute. There’s another important thing a man does. He takes care of his tools. Put these pitchforks away, then get your gear and don’t forget to tell your momma where you’re going. Make sure she knows I’m sending you to get our supper.”

“Yes, sir!” they said in unison. Within seconds Tucker had the barn to himself. He was so angry he knew he needed to be alone. Hoping some hard work would relieve his stress, Tucker rolled up his sleeves and finished spreading straw.

Enough bad things had happened to Daisy lately without him adding to it by showing her his anger. He didn’t know why those men came and took her husband from her and the papa from those fine boys. He couldn’t bear to see her in pain. He came here because her father asked him to, but the good Lord knew no real man could stand by quietlike while a woman suffered.

Marrying Daisy was supposed to alleviate his loneliness, not confuse him. He gained a sense of accomplishment when he helped her or the twins do something. Just being on the property to protect them brought him peace. More than once last night he’d looked out the barn door and checked to be certain everything was as it should be at the cabin. It was his duty as her friend.

But watching Daisy cry tugged at the edges of his hardened heart. That was not part of his bargain with Daisy or her father. Or God. Tucker was trying to be patient and not make her uncomfortable, but he wasn’t accustomed to a woman’s tears. It was a hard thing to watch without offering comfort. Yet she rejected his attempt to comfort her when he touched her shoulders. He’d need to remember not to do that again.

And he certainly didn’t know how to deal with a woman who wanted to handle the money! His heart broke for her over all her suffering. At the same time he wanted to grab her and kiss her senseless when she wanted to take charge of everything.

Where had that thought come from? If she didn’t want him to touch her, she sure wouldn’t want him to kiss her. And he wasn’t about to open himself up to more rejection. Better to keep a safe distance. Keep things friendly. Just not too friendly.

Lord, give me patience! And I think You better hurry.

Needing to steer clear of Daisy for a while, he tackled the broken boards on the stall in the corner because he felt the need to swing a hammer. Then he moved outside and repaired the chicken coop. He even moved the outhouse.

He worked until he was exhausted, but nothing could erase the memory of a single tear trailing down her face when she turned her back on him and refused his comfort.

* * *

Supper was fish, grits and hush puppies. James and John were praised for their success. They celebrated by finishing off the rest of the cake before the boys went to bed.

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