A Man for Glory Page 15

  Essie’s gown was under her pillow and Glory helped her get undressed, pulling the garment over her head. “There you go. All ready for bed.”

  “I need to say my prayers, Glory.”

  “I know, love. You kneel here beside me and I’ll sit on the bed and listen to you.”

  Essie knelt quickly to whisper her prayer, one Glory had taught her three years ago. She finished up with a long list of people and even animals to be blessed, including the four kittens that were almost big enough to be called cats now.

  “We need to see about finding a home for a couple of those cats, Essie. Why don’t you pick out the two you’d like to keep and we’ll let the other two go. There’s lots of farms hereabouts that probably need a barn cat, and we’ll check around and find homes for them.”

  “Do we hafta?” The plea was to be expected, for Essie had become attached to the small animals, carrying them about in her apron or in the skirt of her dress.

  “Well, it would be a good idea, for the tabby cat will probably have another litter before too long and then we’ll have more than we need. I’ll ask at the general store and we’ll find homes for them. Some other little girl might like to have a kitten, too.”

  “I didn’t think of that. It would be nice of me to give one to someone who doesn’t have any kittens, wouldn’t it? After all, I have four of my own.” Sounding beneficent, Essie yawned again and closed her eyes. “I can give two away, Glory. It’s a nice thing to do, isn’t it?”

  And with that the child fell asleep, the sleep of the innocent and pure of heart. Glory bent to kiss Essie’s forehead, murmuring a few words of praise for being such a good girl, and then she rose, ready to walk down the hall and seek out her own bed, because she was tired.

  From Essie’s doorway, Cade watched her. She looked tired and well she might, for he suspected that she had reason to be weary, for her body to require more rest than of yore. His Glory was going to have a child, he’d bet a five-dollar gold piece on it should he find a taker. But that seemed unlikely, he thought with a smile as she rose and turned to face him.

  Her smile was immediate and for that he was thankful, for he doubted that any man of his acquaintance had ever had such a responsive wife as he. Glory was fresh and lovely and all things enjoyable. Her smile was but a forecast of things to come, for she was prone to welcome him nightly for a long session of loving, never offering excuses or claiming weariness.

  He held out his hand and she grasped it willingly. “Where’s Buddy?”

  “He’s already gone to his new bedroom. It’s not all sorted out yet, but he’s managed to get things pretty much the way he wants them. I gave him a lamp to read by, since I doubt he’s ready to sleep yet. He’s too excited about seeing the teacher and giving her his book report and finding out about school next month.”

  “Did you lock up the house? And blow out the lamp in the kitchen?”

  “All of that and more, Glory. I’m ready for bed and I think you are, too.”

  “Does it show?” She winced, rubbing her forehead with her fingertips.

  “Do you have a headache?” he asked quietly.

  She shook her head. “No, just a nagging set of muscles in my neck. Makes my head tired. A long session with my pillow will help, I think.”

  “I’ll do better than that. I’ll rub your back and neck and get rid of the aches.”

  They went into their bedroom and shut the door, effectively shutting out the world, for unless one of the children was ill or in need, their bedroom was off limits and no one would enter unless invited.

  Cade watched as Glory began undressing, hanging her dress on a hook then going behind the screen to don her nightgown. He waited patiently for her, shedding his clothing while he watched the screen move a bit with her shifting about behind it. He heard the water pour into the basin, heard the sound of her pleasure as she washed with the warm cloth. He knew what she looked like back there because he’d watched her on several occasions and enjoyed the sight of Glory getting ready for bed.

  Now he lay on his pillow, naked beneath the sheet, and watched as the screen was pushed to one side a bit and Glory came into the bedroom proper. The light from the lamp beside the bed lit the room well, and Glory was resplendent in her gown, a picture of womanhood, seemingly made for his pleasure.

  He held out his arms and she came to him, settling beside him on the wide bed, her head on his shoulder, his arms around her and his body warm against her flesh.

  “Do we really need this gown?” he asked, and it seemed that Glory was willing, for she simply sat upright and tugged off the gown and then tossed it to the floor.

  “Now you get to blow out the lamp,” she said firmly, as if an even exchange had been made.

  “All right, but you know I’d like to see you by lamplight some night.”

  “Some other night. Just not now, Cade. We have some talking to do and I think I’d do it better in the dark.”

  “Whatever you say, love.” He leaned up and lifted the glass lampshade, blowing out the flame and settling the globe back in place. She rested her head once more on his shoulder and settled in there as if she was content with her position in life.

  “What are we talking about, Glory?” He knew, as surely as his mama was a lady, that his Glory was going to tell him news he had already guessed on his own.

  “I don’t know how you’ll take to this, Cade, but I have to tell you, for it wouldn’t be right to keep it to myself.”

  “Are you worried about something?”

  “Not worried exactly, Cade. Just wondering how to tell you what’s happening.”

  He couldn’t bear it, couldn’t stand for Glory to be upset. For if her being pregnant was a source of distress for her, it was better to have it out in the open now. He touched her chin, tilting her head back, the better to view her face in the shadows of the room. The moon was high, shining through the window, and it cast its glow on the bed and its inhabitants.

  “Tell me right now, sweetheart. Whatever it is, we’ll take care of it together.”

  A tear dropped from her cheek and touched his shoulder.

  “Glory, you’re crying. I won’t have it. Just spit it out and I’ll fix whatever’s wrong, sweetheart.”

  “Cade, I think I’m … No, that’s not right. I know I’m pregnant. There’s no think about it. I realized today that it’s true. I’ve not had my monthly for over two months and unless I’m sick with a terrible disease, I think I’m going to have your child. And I don’t know how you’re going to feel about it. After all, we already have two children in the house and you’ve put out your money for horses and fixing thing up, and I’m not sure we can afford to have a baby. It will involve outing flannel to make diapers and little gowns and things. And I’ll probably have to have a couple of dresses to fit me for the next six months or so, and—”

  “That’s enough, Glory. You just listen to me, sweetheart. Having a child is the most wonderful thing that can happen to a man and his wife. Don’t you know that? If you are truly having my child, I’ll be the happiest of men. It’s an end result of our love for each other, sweetheart, and having a new baby in the house will be plum wonderful. I couldn’t be happier.”

  Now she was crying in earnest, her tears dropping like rain upon his shoulder and chest. “Oh, Cade, I can’t tell you how much it means to have you say that. My mama said that babies were a gift from God.”

  “Your mama was dead right, sweetheart, and any man worth his salt is proud when his wife is with child. It’s proof that their love is strong enough to form a child within her body, and give sustenance to that child for nine months. I’ll be so proud of you, Glory. Don’t you worry about anything, for I’ll take care of you and help you all I can.”

  “You’re so good to me, Cade, and I don’t deserve it. I gave you a hard time about getting married, and made you sleep in the barn—”

  “Not for long you didn’t,” he reminded her. “If I remember right, I slept in the barn for a n
ight or two and then I moved into the room down the hall. And it didn’t take long before I was in here with you. And you had the right to hold me off, Glory, for it was a tough choice for you to make, marrying so soon. I know I put a lot of pressure on you, but time has proved me right.”

  “I’m glad it was you who warmed my bed for the first time.”

  “And the last time, sweet. For the last time. Should we live another sixty years or so, I’ll still be warming your bed and loving you with my last breath.”

  “That’s a mighty powerful promise, Cade. You might get tired of me someday.”

  “Ah, Glory, my love, I’ll never tire of your sweet lips and the warmth of your body. You fill my arms and my heart. And now you’ve given me news of a child to add to our household. I couldn’t be happier.”

  “And to think I was fearful of telling you. I threw up my supper tonight and I didn’t want you to know, lest you guessed what was wrong with me.”

  “I’ve sorta guessed anyway, what with you being so sleepy all the time and not wanting coffee and turning green when you smelled certain foods.”

  He looked down at her and his smile gave him away. “I think I knew the other night when you told me how funny you were feeling, Glory. I guessed then, for I knew you hadn’t had your monthly in a long time.

  “Glory, my love, I’m full of thankfulness tonight. My wife is going to give me a child and I’m tickled pink.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Essie was full of her own importance in the morning, working at the churn while Glory fixed breakfast. From the yard Cade’s and Buddy’s voices sounded out, and Glory looked up to see them washing in the horse trough. They walked to the house and she opened the door for them.

  “Breakfast is all ready. Essie’s been working the churn while we waited for you to come in.”

  Cade took the hint and walked to where the girl was industriously lifting the dasher and then dropping it into the churn. “I’m makin’ butter, Pa,” she said with a grin.

  “So I see.”

  Glory carried jam from the pantry and checked the butter dish to be sure there was enough on the table. “Well, this helper had better come and eat her breakfast. We’ll finish the butter after a while.”

  Cade ate two helpings of the potatoes, telling Glory he’d never had them fixed with onions before. “These taste real good with the ham. Are you running low on ham and bacon yet? It’ll be time to butcher soon, and we’ll fill the smokehouse again. I don’t want you cut short on breakfast food.”

  “There’s still a whole one out there and I’ve got over half a ham in the pantry. Bacon’s kinda in short supply, but we’ll stretch it out. I’ve used the last of the pork sausage, so we’ll need to make some as soon as you butcher.”

  “I don’t want you working too hard on that sort of thing, Glory. We may have to get you some help for a week or so when the time comes.”

  “I’ll be fine, Cade. I’m strong and healthy.” The look she shot in his direction was a clear warning that he wasn’t to spill the beans about her condition.

  “Can I work with the foals this morning?” Buddy wanted to know as he finished eating and made ready to go outdoors.

  “A good idea, son. They all have halters on, so bring a lead rope with you out to the pasture and work them one at a time. About ten minutes each should do it for this morning. Take them twice around the pasture. Then brush them down good and talk to them all the time. It doesn’t matter what you say, for the tone of your voice is what’s important. Keep your voice kinda soft and low. It makes them learn to trust you, for they’ll begin to recognize your voice and look forward to hearing you the next time you work with them. They won’t be spooky around you. That’s important.”

  “How do you know so much about taking care of them, Pa? Did you do this kind of thing when you were young?”

  “I sure did. My stepfather taught me all he knew about horses, and we had a barn full of them. He trained them and sold them to all the ranchers around the county. Most of the farmers and ranchers raised beef and had to buy their horses from someone else. So we made a good business of it.”

  “Is that what you want to do, Pa?” Buddy asked, intent on hearing all he could about the process of training the foals and working with them.

  “It’s part of what we’ll do on this farm.”

  Glory spoke up then. “Harvey Clark always said it was important to have good crops, raise enough hay to feed your animals and concentrate on selling corn and taking wheat to the mill.”

  Cade turned to Glory. “All of that is important stuff, honey. But a good horse is worth as much as an acre of hay. Maybe even more if you wait till it’s three years old and ready to ride. The hay is important for we’d be up the creek without a paddle if we didn’t have enough to last through the winter. But the real money is in animals, the horses and young steers we can raise.”

  Glory looked up at him, her attention caught by his talk of young steers, her eyes glittering. “And where are we going to get these young steers you’re planning on raising?”

  “I’m gonna buy heifers, already bred, from Earl Bradley. I spoke with him the other day about it when we were in town and he stopped by the lumberyard while I was there. He said he has more cows than he knows what to do with and I told him I’d be pleased to take three or four heifers off his hands. If they were bred first, we’d have a nice crop of calves, come next spring. We settled on a price and he agreed to guarantee their breeding.”

  “And when are we getting these animals?” Glory asked, wondering where the young cows would be housed.

  “Right soon. Earl said he’d bring them by in a few days. I suspect he wants to be sure they’ve been visited by his bull before he brings them.”

  “Why does his bull want to visit with the cows, Pa? Does he want to say goodbye to them?” Essie was sober as a judge as she asked her questions, and Cade wore a puzzled look as he looked at Glory for help. In fact, as she watched him, his face began to look downright ruddy, and he tipped his chair back a bit, as if he pondered an answer that might be suitable for a small girl.

  Glory took him off the hook. “The bull is going to be the father of the babies of all the lady cows. He has to visit with them and make sure they’re ready to leave home and come live with us.”

  “Oh. All right. I’m glad he likes the lady cows. Will he come and visit his babies when the lady cows …” She looked at Glory expectantly. “How will the lady cows know when to give us their babies? Are they like the horses Pa bought? Will they just lay down and then a baby cow will be there?”

  “I think we’ll talk about it after a while, sweet. It’s a little more complicated than that, I fear.” She looked at Buddy, who was hiding his smile behind his hand and trading winks with Cade. “And you two had better get out there and get a place ready for our new heifers to be turned loose to graze.”

  “They can graze with the horses. Cows and horses seem to do well together, Glory. I’ll have to separate them when it’s time, in the spring, for the cows don’t need to be in the barn for the actual births, but the horses do. Cows seem to do all right out in the open. They’re different than horses.”

  Glory only nodded, realizing that Cade’s explanations were for Buddy’s benefit, for the boy seemed to drink in everything Cade had to say about the animals. And on top of that, she was hoping that Essie would turn loose the idea of calves and cows and the bull. She feared the explanation might be too much for her to cope with right now.

  She turned to Cade, still wondering about putting all the animals in the same pasture. “I won’t argue about any of that, for I’m sure you know more than I do about the matter. But won’t there be too many animals for the amount of grass growing out there?”

  Cade nodded, drinking the last of his coffee. “That’s another thing we’ll be thinking about, because we’ll need a bit more fencing before too long. I’m going to order it when we go to town tomorrow. I’d rather be ready ahead of time, and fencing ta
kes a lot of work. Buddy and I will be spending a good bit of time putting in posts and stringing wire. It’ll take three strands to keep the animals contained.

  “Cattle are dumb animals. If you turn them loose on open range, they don’t know enough to stay near the barn, but just keep on moving. We’re not set up for rounding up cattle spring and fall, so we’ll have to keep ours fenced for now.”

  “Can we afford it, Cade?” She had to ask, for the question was burning in her mind.

  “I’ll start out small, Glory. Enough posts and wire for an acre or so. We can add on later, but that’ll be enough for the next year. When we have to enlarge, we’ll just add on. In the meantime, I think I have a buyer for the little filly. The fella wants her trained to follow and he’s interested in putting a harness on her in a year or so. He’s talking about putting her in front of a pony cart for his children. She’ll need to be two years old before she’s ready for that, but he can work with her once he takes her home.”

  “Is she worth enough yet to make it worthwhile selling her now? Will we make more if we keep her another couple of years?”

  “Yeah, we’d do better if she were three and ready to ride, but we’ll keep the other two and next year we’ll have three more foals to work with. Earl said to bring the three mares by and he’d see to breeding them later on this month, when they’re ready.”

  “How do they get ready?” Essie wanted to know.

  “Well, sweetheart, they decide when they want to visit with the father again. If they decide he’s a nice fella, they’ll be friendly with him and he’ll give them foals for next year.”

  Essie looked puzzled, but Glory reminded her that the churn was awaiting her attention, and she put the issue of horses and foals aside in favor of working on the butter.

  When Essie’s small arms grew weary, Glory took over the task and before long they had six rounds of butter on the table, arrayed on a strip of a newfangled sort of stuff called waxed paper. The general store had gotten in a few rolls of it, and Glory purchased three yards for just such a use.