Jamie Read online

  “Why didn’t you tell me how severe this was? Ethan or I would have carried you or one of us could have gone after the buggy.”

  Olivia knelt beside Mama’s foot. “Oh, I’m so sorry. This must be painful. I’ll get a bucket of water so you can soak that foot and ankle. Let me think, where did I see the salts?”

  “In the mudroom cabinet where I keep the healing supplies. There’s some arnica salve, too. Oh, drat the luck. I hate being put out of commission by something like this.”

  Olivia rose. “Mama, we need bandages to wrap the ankle. I’ll bet they’re with the other medical supplies.”

  “Everyone go on and eat. I’ll be fine until after dinner.” Mama’s face had grown taut and pale.

  He knew she was in pain. “As soon as you soak your ankle and Olivia wraps it, I’m taking you to your room. I’ll bring you your supper there.”

  “There’s no need. Bring me a plate and then go sit at the table for your dinner. I can eat while my ankle soaks.” A couple of tears trickled from her eyes.

  Olivia hugged his mother. “It’s only for a couple of days, Mama. You can finish Anna Karenina and I’ll bring you another to read after that. I promise I’ll take care of everything while you’re resting this leg.”

  “I know you will.” Mama sniffed and pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve. “What a terrible day this has been. First my boy is injured and could have died then I turn my ankle. Good thing I was holding on to Jamie or I’d have fallen. Oh, I feel foolish for being so clumsy.”

  He said, “Mama, you weren’t clumsy. We didn’t have a lantern and the way was rutted from the wagon.”

  Milly brought Mama a plate and cup of coffee. “You want anything else, Fiona, you call me. I sorry as can be you’re hurt.”

  “Now, everyone go to the table and eat. I’ll sit here and do the same.” She made a shooing motion. “Go on.”

  Olivia couldn’t leave Mama in isolation. She sat at the dining room table and served her own plate, but she couldn’t stay there. She repeatedly excused herself to check on her mother-in-law.

  She added more hot water to the bucket. “As soon as this cools, we need to get you up to your room and in bed. I know you’re in pain, but if I give you laudanum now you’ll have a hard time on the stairs.”

  “You’re a good daughter, Olivia. I’m sorry this will mean more work for you.”

  “You forget I’m from a large family. Eight people is a small group at my parents’ so this is normal for me.” She smiled broadly. “My mother doesn’t have a cook or housekeeper because she had daughters.”

  “So do I now. And you’re a treasure, dear. Thank you for your help.”

  By the time Olivia had finished her dessert, Mama was ready to go upstairs. With Jamie at her side and holding on to the banister, she was soon in her room.

  Olivia carried the valise and unpacked the items she’d included only hours earlier. “Let me help you with your clothes. I know you’d prefer privacy, but you need to get that foot elevated as soon as possible.”

  Mama unbuttoned her dress. “But Milly is left with the cleanup from dinner.”

  Olivia lifted the dress over the other woman’s head. “You won’t believe it but Beth volunteered to help.”

  Mama’s eyes widened. “Oh, that’s wonderful. She’s making progress, isn’t she?”

  Soon Mama was tucked into bed. Olivia poured her a drink of water and left the glass on the nightstand.

  “In case you wake early, I’m putting these two books where you can reach them. Now, time for your laudanum so you can sleep.” She uncorked the bottle and poured a spoonful.

  Mama swallowed the drug and shuddered. “That is vile tasting stuff. Thank you for helping me, dear. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight.” Olivia lowered the lamp’s wick then closed the door as she left.

  Afterward, she checked on Cat. The little girl was playing with her dolls.

  Olivia sat on a bed. “How nice to see you playing with your babies. Do they like their new dresses?”

  “Cissy does but Susie isn’t sure. She’d like some pants and a shirt.”

  Sounded like a request to Olivia. “Time to put them and you to bed. If you hurry, I’ll read you a bedtime story.”

  “Jake too?”

  “Of course. I’ll tell him and be right back to help you.”

  Next door, she found him lining up his toy soldiers. “If you want to hear a story, come to your sister’s room. I’m going to read a fairy tale.”

  He wrinkled his nose. “About fairies? I like fights and scary chases.”

  She suppressed a laugh. “As a matter of fact, this story has fairies and scary chases with fights.”

  He hopped up. “Okaaaay!”

  Olivia helped Cat into bed and then opened one of the children’s books she’d brought with her. The story about a war between fairies and trolls suited both children. When she finished, she looked up to find Jamie leaning against the door jamb grinning at her.

  “Good story.”

  “Thank you, kind sir.” She stood and kissed Cat on her forehead. “Goodnight, Cat. Sweet dreams.”

  Later in their room, Jamie said, “You’re good with the children.”

  “I can’t believe what I’m hearing.” She felt like dancing. “I’ve dreamed of reading to Cat and Jake and tucking them into bed. They’re behaving better, too.”

  “About that.” He scrubbed his hand across his face. “Guess I have to eat crow. Caleb and Ethan agreed the children are brats and hellions, depending on which brother you believe. I didn’t realize Jake and Cat annoyed everyone else.”

  “They can also be sweet, as they were just now.”

  He slid his arm around her waist as they walked into their bedroom. “You tried to tell me. So did Mama. I just didn’t believe my precious children bothered anyone or should act differently. I remembered some scrapes my brothers and I were involved in when we were children. What I’d forgotten is that Papa tanned our hide when we got out of line.”

  “Oh, I don’t think we need to go that far. They just need structure and discipline. They don’t like to sit in the corner or to be forced to do something or told no. What I need is your support when I tell them to do something and when I punish them.”

  He exhaled and unbuttoned his shirt. “All right, I’ll back you from now on just as you asked. I see the difference you’re making in their behavior. The most important thing is they act happier.”

  His words soothed away the hurts she’d faced since coming here. Learning she was unwanted, having the children treat her as an enemy, not being supported in front of them. Perhaps she and Jamie were still adjusting to one another, but they’d made progress.

  After having consummated their marriage, perhaps she shouldn’t feel shy undressing in front of him, but she did. She took her nightgown from the peg in the armoire. She unbuttoned and lowered her dress and turned her back to her husband.

  Quickly, she pulled the gown over her head. Only then did she exhale and remove her petticoats and pantalets. Sitting on the rocker, she unfastened her half boots and unrolled her thick stockings.

  She wanted to continue their discussion while they were getting along well. “I haven’t had children before, but I’ve taught a lot of them. In my experience, children equate permissiveness with a parent who doesn’t care enough to bother disciplining them. Worse is the person who waffles between the two because that confuses the child.”

  He rubbed at his jaw. “Guess you have had more experience than I have, but I love my children more than you can imagine. I want what’s best for them in every way.”

  She smiled at him, appreciating that he wanted to be a good influence. “I know you do. You’re a good father. You set a wonderful example for them in the way you manage the ranch and the people who live and work here.”

  He gestured for her to approach him. “Come to bed and I’ll show you how I manage my wife.”

  She set her footwear aside and cocked an eyebrow
at him. “Or how she manages you?”

  He grinned. “I’m beginning to think that’s the case.”

  Chapter Nine

  Olivia was run off her feet. Mama’s sprain was so bad she wasn’t recovering as quickly as everyone had hoped. Here they were three days later and Mama still couldn’t put weight on her foot. Doctor Miller had been summoned and ordered her to keep her foot elevated and her to remain in bed as much as possible.

  Between the children’s lessons, waiting on Mama and combining the other woman’s chores with her own, she hadn’t been this busy since the last canning season in her parents’ home. Carrying a mop, a bucket of soapy water, a dust rag, and with a few other supplies in her apron pocket, Olivia moved from room to room.

  Since she’d arrived, they’d only swept the floors except for the kitchen. Today she intended to give every room a good damp mop to remove all traces of dust. After polishing all the furniture, she shined the windows. Draperies would have to wait for another day when the weather was agreeable. She wrung out the mop and set to work on the Jamie’s study floor.

  “What the hell are you doing in here?”

  She whirled to find Jamie glaring at her. “I’m baking a cake, Jamie. What does it look like I’m doing?”

  “I meant why are you working in here. Only Mama and I come in here.”

  She swished the mop around his desk. “Mama is off her feet, or did you forget that? What brings you here at this time of day?”

  “Today is pay day for the hands. I always pay them on Friday so they can go into town Saturday if they want.”

  “Don’t let me stop you. I’ll work across the room.” She moved to the opposite side and started in the corner.

  “Olivia, the cash is in here. No one but Mama or me can open the safe.”

  She stopped and stared at him as the impact of his inference dawned on her. Anger boiled up and erupted. “You don’t trust me. That’s what you’re trying not to say, isn’t it?”

  “Now, Olivia, think about what you’re saying. We may be married, but I’ve only known you just over a week. You seem nice, but for all I know you could be a black widow waiting to learn where my money is so you can make off with all my money.”

  “For your information, black widows kill their husbands. They don’t have to make off with his money because they inherit everything.” She took a step toward him. “I always thought that was cold-hearted and ruthless, but I’m beginning to understand how a woman might be driven to do so.”

  He held up a hand, palm outward. “Olivia, you’re over reacting.”

  She leaned on her mop handle. “Oh, didn’t you know? I came here to rob you. I’m a famous safecracker wanted worldwide for robbing the men I’ve duped.”

  He backed away. “Calm down and think about the situation. I have to keep a lot of cash on hand here.”

  “You are the orneriest man I’ve ever met.” Without stopping to think about her actions, she thrust the mop in his face, swirled the handle, turned around, and left the room.

  She stomped into the kitchen where Milly was preparing supper.

  “Olivia, what on earth is wrong?”

  She sat down at the table. “I am so angry with Jamie Fraser I could just spit.” She looked at the cook. “Instead, I swished the mop in his face.”

  “Not right on his face?” Milly sat down at the table. “My stars, I’d like to have seen that. What did he do to cause this reaction?”

  “He let me know he didn’t trust me enough for me to clean his office. I have never been so insulted. Did he think I would crack his stupid safe and steal his cash. Pffft, as if I could even if I tried.”

  She heard her husband’s boot treads clomping heavily across the floor then heard the front door slam closed. So he was angry, well, served him right for attacking her honesty. What cheek to treat her as a criminal.

  Milly said, “What that man thinks and what he says are not necessarily the same. I know he sets a great store by you. I can tell by the way he looks at you.”

  “Sure he does, that’s why he doesn’t want me in his precious sanctum. I don’t know whether to cry or curse.”

  The cook chuckled and leaned her elbows on the table. “Either one would probably make you feel better. He’s actually a very good man, Olivia. Just be patient with him.”

  “That’s what Mama Fraser says. I’ve tried, but today he crossed the line. He has no reason to distrust me.”

  Milly looked around as if she expected someone to be lurking. “I may be talking out of turn, but if you’d known his first wife you’d understand him not trusting a woman. Fiona and I knew that vain, shallow woman was trouble minute we set eyes on her, but Jamie was head over heels under her spell.”

  The cook leaned forward. “He’s always been a good person, but with her he sort of came to life. Became happier than we’d ever seen him. Laughed and acted like he walked on clouds. Didn’t take long for him to crash back to earth and hard. No wonder he doesn’t trust women. He had a hard lesson with Lucy.”

  Olivia was slightly mollified. Still, there was no need for him to have been so rude. “I see, so I’m tarred by the same brush as his first wife because I’m a woman, is that it? Well, he’d do well to be in a better mood when he comes in for dinner or I’ll empty the mop bucket over his head.”

  Milly leaned back and laughed. “I’d pay to see that, but you’d only have to mop it up before it ruined the floors.”

  “Believe me, that’s the only thing that stopped me.”

  With Milly’s laughter in the background, Olivia trudged to retrieve her cleaning supplies and continue her chores.

  ***

  Jamie was so mad he could spit bullets. Muddy bullets. He stopped at the horse trough and pumped fresh water onto his handkerchief. Wiping his face, he wondered what the hell was wrong with Olivia.

  He paid the hands and sat on a bench in the barn. Leaning his back against the wall, he crossed his arms over his chest. Danged if he could figure out women, especially the one pushed on him for a wife. Why the devil should she get so all-fired riled?

  Pete came by and sat down beside him. “You got a burr under your saddle?”

  He glanced at his foreman and shrugged. “Aw, nothing to worry you.”

  “Anything that upsets you is cause for my concern. I’ve known you since you were in diapers. Don’t have children of my own, so I always figured you were as close as I’d ever come.”

  “Thanks, Pete, that’s real nice of you. You’ve been a big part of my life as long as I can remember. Since Papa died, I rely on you even more.”

  “You and Ethan are still crosswise but I don’t think that’s the problem right now. What’s bothering you now is something else. Want to talk about it?”

  “Nope.” Jamie shook his head, but then he poured out his frustration to his older friend. Starting with his surprise bride and going up to the mop in the face. Eventually, he fell silent.

  Pete glanced at him. “You notice how much better your children act lately?”

  “Yeah, Olivia’s determined to make them meet her version of model children. Seems everyone but me thinks they’re brats.”

  Pete nodded. “They are. Except for Cat getting into the pig pen, they haven’t been in trouble since the women arrived. But that’s not the point. Those two children are the most important part of your life, am I right?”

  “You know they are. I’d do anything for them.” He wondered where Pete was going with these questions.

  “You trust your wife with children that are your greatest treasure. How come you can’t trust her to even clean your damn office?”

  Shock hit him hard. “That’s different. The cash in my safe is not just for me. That money is for the ranch and the people who live here.”

  “But it’s locked in your safe. Even if she managed to crack the combination, is the money more important than your children?”

  “You know it’s not. Nothing is more important than Jake and Cat.” He sagged against t
he wall behind him. “I get it, Pete. You think I was stupid and unfair.”

  “Unfair but not stupid, Jamie. You’re the smartest man I’ve ever met where most things are concerned. When it comes to women, you have a whole heap of learning to do.”

  Simultaneously, the dinner bell sounded from the bunkhouse and the kitchen. The two stood.

  Jamie clasped Pete’s shoulder. “Thanks for the advice.”

  Pete grinned. “I never give advice. You must have twisted my meaning.”

  They parted and Jamie strolled to the house deep in thought. Had he been unfair? Olivia had been told that only he or Mama cleaned the office cum study. With Mama laid up, that left him as the only one to go into the room. Olivia knew he didn’t clean and she’d taken over Mama’s duties. Dang.

  He entered the kitchen and took his place at the table. Olivia was busy helping Milly and ignored him. That annoyed him because she could at least speak. With her and Ethan and Beth all giving him the cold shoulder, he should have left his sheepskin-lined coat on.

  When he looked at his children, though, he couldn’t help smiling. Cat was wearing a blue dress that matched her eyes. Her hair was neat and her face clean. Jake had on a clean shirt and his hair had been slicked down except for his errant cowlick. Jamie admitted to himself that Olivia had changed his and the children’ lives for the better.

  Without Mama’s chatter, the meal progressed quietly. He wanted to yell and toss something.

  Instead, he asked, “What have you been up to today, Jake?”

  “Playing with my fort and soldiers. Olivia helped me with the headquarters. Next we’re gonna make tents for the enlisted men.”

  “That’s exciting. How about you, Cat?”

  “I’m still decorating on my doll house. One of the people broke, so ‘Livia’s gonna help me make a new one.”

  “The house is looking really good. So’s the fort.”

  Beth asked, “Cat, are you naming your doll people?”

  Cat tilted her head. “I guess I could, couldn’t I?”