Part 11 (2/2)
Merry stretched as Tucker twisted from side to side. Ian emerged from the smokehouse. ”All done?” he asked.
”Yes.” She watched as he carefully latched the door shut. ”I don't think we could wedge one more thing in there. That mountain sheep was enormous.”
”G.o.d's provided well.”
”You're right.” Merry smiled at Ian. He'd gone out hunting and returned with enough meat to get them through much of the winter, yet he didn't boast. ”But there's no reason we can't credit that the Lord used you to supply for our needs.”
”Hold on a second. Tucker's the one who brought in all the fish.”
Tucker shook his head. ”Nope. I caught the trout and Dolly Varden, but the salmon- that's your doing. Kauffey must have come here a dozen times to trade for the greens from that garden of yours.”
” 'Tis our garden.” Ian's brows scrunched into a stern line. ”Merry's labored in it every bit as much as I have. And though Kauffey caught the salmon, Tucker, you sent him here to barter.”
Merry wanted to hug Ian for how he'd turned the conversation. Instead of boasting about his hunting ac.u.men and all of his success, he'd emphasized Tucker's contributions. Tucker already struggled with feeling indebted. The last thing he needed was to face that same burden in his own home.
”With Merry preserving jars and crocks of everything she gets her hands on, we'll be eating like royalty all winter long.”
”He's right, Sis. You've gathered at least five times as many berries this year, too.”
”We missed strawberry season entirely. Now that we know they can grow up here, I'd love to plant some next year.”
Tucker shook his head.
They're probably too expensive. I shouldn't have said anything.
”Without Bess, Ian won't be able to plow the land. This year's garden was great, but you can't count on it again next year.”
”Ah, but we will.” Ian smiled. ”I came to an agreement with Wily. He gets my mule for the cold season; I get her for the warm. If you're of a mind to be farmers with me again next year, I'd be pleased to continue the partners.h.i.+p.”
Merry's heart sang at the promise of another season of working side by side in the garden with Ian. They'd had wonderful discussions and lively debates and had shared concerns while in the garden. Maybe next year he'll feel settled and ready to take a wife.
”If you don't mind, I'd like to have Bess drag down more wood for the winter.”
”I'm happy to help you down a few trees.”
”Wait!” Merry backed up. ”Don't you dare start haggling and making another deal. At least not in front of me.”
The men exchanged a baffled look.
”The way the two of you wrangle, it's a marvel someone's firstborn child isn't already named.”
Eyes twinkling, Ian turned to Tucker. ”Now there's a fine notion!”
”Something biblical,” Tucker mused. ”I always liked Amminadab. That, or Ahaseurus.”
”Methuselah's got a nice ring to it.”
”You can't do that!”
Tucker crooked a brow. ”Give me a couple of good reasons why not.”
Feeling a tad sa.s.sy, she proclaimed, ”Since we don't have the Old Testament, you wouldn't spell it right.”
”That's not a problem.” Ian stood beside Tucker and smiled like a rascal. ”We already have an agreement. You're welcome to borrow my Bible anytime. What kind of man would I be if I went back on my word?”
”Sorry, Sis. You need a better reason.”
”All right, I'll give you a great one. Because that poor, defenseless child never did anything to deserve such a terrible fate!”
Ian turned to Tucker. ”Don't you think naming a child something like Jehoshaphat would help him develop character?”
Meredith burst out laughing. ”Any son either of you have will already be a character if he takes after you.”
”Sis has a point.”
”Fine.” Ian shrugged. ”Then we'll just leave the boys out of the bargain and go for a daughter's name.”
Chapter 13.
That's all mine?” Ian stared in disbelief at the packages, crates, and tins.
”Yup.” Socks readjusted his cap. ”I need it outta here. Came in three days ago, and I'm already tired of chasing folks away from it. You got stuff there I can't get in. It's makin' my mercantile look bad.”
The weather had changed. Ian knew Bess belonged with Wily now. Even with careful packing, she wouldn't be able to carry everything-and Ian didn't want to risk taking her back only to have her freeze or starve because be couldn't get her back to Goose Chase.
Wily leaned against the counter. ”By the time January or February comes around, Rafferty, you'll be glad to have all that stuff.”
”Probably.” Ian stared at the goods his family had sent. He knew they'd really stretched the budget and been incredibly generous. Still, grat.i.tude warred with practicality. He didn't know how he'd get everything to his cabin, and even if he did, he didn't have room in the cabin for all of it. Suddenly, Merry and Tucker's careful and lean planning made a lot more sense.
”Don't worry. I'll help you out.” Wily hefted a crate. ”It's the least I can do.”
It took a lot of consideration and careful balancing, but they managed to load everything into Wily's umiak. ”I appreciate this.” Ian got aboard and took up a paddle.
Wily settled in, and someone pushed them off. ”I reckoned this is as good an excuse as any for me to get a morning of fis.h.i.+ng. Probably won't catch anything other than the ague, but you won't hear me complain if I do. I've spent every waking moment of the past three weeks making deliveries. I'll just be glad to have folks leave me be.”
It took a lot of effort to row the heavily laden vessel upriver. When they finally reached Ian's claim, Tucker met them at the riverbank. He took a rope and secured the umiak.
”Welcome back.” Merry pulled a shawl about her shoulders. ”h.e.l.lo, Wily. How nice to see you, too. I have coffee ready.”
Ian didn't want to blink. He'd been gone from Meredith for less than a day, and it felt as if it had been forever. He looked into the sparkling depths of her hazel eyes and knew if that was the only gold he ever found, he'd be the richest man on earth.
”Lookit all that.” Abrams traipsed across the bridge.
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