Laura/Charles fic, chapter 13 'Through Time & Seasons'
Through Time & Seasons
By Missbevcrusher
Rated [M]
Thanks go out to bytesofspencer for helping me with some of the beta. Additional thanks go to signmypapyrus for helping me with horse info. You girls are awesome.
Standard Disclaimer: Charles Lattimer, Laura Brown, and the wonderful story that is 'For All Time' are property of their respective owners. I am simply writing what I would have loved to see at the end of the movie, and then some.
Previous chapters can be found HERE
Chapter 13 ~ Tandem
The front door creaked open on its hinges, revealing a porch warmed by the morning sun . Stepping out with a dishrag in hand, Laura shielded her eyes from the bright, ginger-hued rays and looked toward the chicken coop.
“Mary?” she called.
“Yes, Mama?” The girl’s voice was light and cheery, a perfect companion to the breeze upon which it floated.
“Breakfast is ready!”
Just as expected, Mary hurried out and ran across the yard, her braids swinging as she went.
Laura watched with an emerging smile, her heart warming at seeing her daughter so happy and carefree. Holding the door, she stepped aside to let her pass, a reminder leaving her lips just as soon. “Don’t forget to wash up before you sit at the table.”
“I won’t,” the girl replied, hurrying past and disappearing into the house.
A relaxed expression on her features, Laura decided to steal a moment, to linger on the porch and enjoy the sunshine. It was something she did from time to time and she enjoyed it very much.
Three leisurely steps were all it took to reach one of the posts holding the overhang. There, she leaned against the painted wood, her hands linking at her back as her gaze swept the landscape.
The day showed much promise, the patch of land she called home a peaceful display of life encompassing everything from trees to songbirds.
How she loved it out here.
Before long, her thoughts began to wander and a small smile spread across her mouth.
Much to her delight, Charles would be spending the day here at the homestead.
She planned to teach him how to keep a stable, a skill he would need in order to secure a job at the livery.
Her daughter was thrilled at the idea of him coming over… her mother, not so much .
It was sure to be an interesting day.
Her head resting against the post, Laura decided to close her eyes for a few moments, take a deep breath and… just be.
It was nice.
“Smells delicious.”
The voice, heavily twanged and quite familiar, made her chuckle. “Morning, Walt,” she said as she looked toward her childhood friend and hired hand.
He was making his way toward the house, his face partially hidden beneath the brim of his beige hat. When he looked up, Laura caught sight of a wink and a lopsided smile, an express she responded to with a laugh and a shake of her head.
“Hope ya made enough.” There was a teasing glimmer in his eyes as he stepped onto the porch, his boot thudding softly against a wooden board.
“Of course I did,” she answered then nudged her head toward the door. “Now hurry cause it’s gonna get cold.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” Removing his hat, he then went on inside.
Her mirth remaining, Laura looked toward the beaten road one last time, flinging her dishrag over her shoulder as she did.
Charles had yet to arrive but he would be here soon. The thought caused her heart to flutter and her smile to widen.
I love days like this, she thought before joining her family.
~~~
The walk to Laura’s home was lengthy but pleasant.
Striding along, Charles indulged in the sunshine, felt it seep through the weave of his clothing.
It was nice, the fields on either side rather lovely to look at. The crops were growing, the alfalfa now tall enough to sway in the breeze like ripples on a lake.
Some farmers were out checking their crops, and as he passed by, Charles waved to them, his face breaking into a smile when they waved in return.
The people here were quite neighbourly, and contrary to a few months back, most weren’t strangers anymore.
His life here was coming full circle, the puzzle pieces steadily falling into place.
Today would be another step in the right direction for him… at least, he hoped so.
While he had learned the very basics about horses over at the Davis’, Charles did not have the experience or the know-how to work at a livery. He had too many questions, and without Laura’s help, would undoubtedly fail to meet Mr. McFarland’s requirements.
On a breath, he re-seated his hat and kept on walking. The quaint yellow house was just up ahead now.
Nestled beside a lazy, meandering river, it not only stirred his visual senses but his heart as well.
This was a home, he thought, a real one.
His insides twisting in nervous anticipation, Charles allowed his feet to ferry him forward.
It had been a long while since he had been an actual guest here-this, his first real visit since he and Laura had started courting.
The dirt crunched beneath the soles of his shoes and then silence as earth yielded to grass.
He was steps away from the porch now, a quaint wooden platform sheltered by an overhang. To the left was a rocking chair-possibly Mrs. Clark’s.
His mind supplied an image of her sitting there, needlework in hand as her curious, ever-watchful stare flickered to the landscape every now and again. The old woman reminded him of a watchdog, and as he reached for the corner post, Charles mentally braced himself for the hawk-like scrutiny that was sure to come.
His shoe met the wooden surface and he removed his hat.
He had not even reached the door when a voice sounded through the screen.
“He’s here!” That was Mary of course, and Charles couldn’t help but smile.
The door swung open and the girl peered out with that endearing grin of hers. “Hi,” she said. “Mama’s been waiting for you.”
“Yeah?”
“Come on in.” Mary held the door for him and he obliged.
Upon entering, the first thing Charles noticed was the lingering smell of a home cooked breakfast. Judging by the table which was free of plates and silverware, they had just cleaned up.
He didn’t see Laura, though. Rather, his eyes fell on Mrs. Clark and her steely stare. “Morning,” she said, her greeting devoid of welcome as still agile hands worked to adjust the flue on the stove.
“Good morning, Ma’am,” he replied, his fingers sweeping the brim of his hat as he shifted on his feet.
It was rather awkward if he was honest-kind of like visiting your girlfriend when you’re a teenager and waiting in the entryway while the parents try to gauge your intentions.
Not knowing what to say or where to look, Charles allowed his gaze to drift about the room.
The homestead was as charming as he remembered-the light blue walls adding to the quaint, cozy feel of the place.
The kitchen was neat and tidy too, everything placed just so. Large cooking utensils, muffin pans, and wash basins-these items hung on the wall by the wooden table that served as a counter. It was a rather clever solution to the lack of storage space, he thought.
“Mama’ll be right out,” Mary supplied as her feet carried her toward a small closet. “She just went out back to get some wood for the stove.”
Opening the door, she retrieved a broom and started sweeping.
It spoke of how things were in this day and age. Kids didn’t dream away their weekends. Rather, they helped out around the house, learned responsibility early on.
“You gonna take care of the horses today?” the girl asked.
He nodded. “That’s the plan.”
“My daughter tells me you’ve found work at the livery stable,” Mrs. Clark suddenly chimed in.
“That’s right.”
The older woman showed her pessimism with an amused scoff. Though it irked him to some extent, Charles couldn’t say that he blamed her. She had witnessed his equestrian ineptitude firsthand after all.
Before anything else could be said, a soft shuffling of feet resounded from the little hallway adjacent to the kitchen.
It was Laura and as soon as she saw him, her face broke into a full smile. “Charles.”
“Hi,” he replied, his entire being filling with warmth at the definite light in her eyes.
Laura crossed the room and brought the wood over to the stove. “I think this’ll do for now,” she told her mother.. “You need me to empty the ash box before I go?”
“It’s fine,” replied Mrs. Clark.
Charles had to hand it to them. Keeping a stove was hard work. It required feeding the fire, gathering cinders, and rubbing black wax over the metal to prevent rust-much more difficult than turning a knob on a modern range.
Furthermore, these chores were few among many in an average home.
How men had come to downplay the role of housewife was beyond him.
Women in this day and age worked just as hard, if not harder, than the men they kept house for.
To see this trio of ladies maintaining their households as a team was heartening, inspiring even. That Laura successfully managed the dual roles of mother and provider was astounding really.
She never ceased to amaze him.
Feeding the fire, Laura addressed her mother once more. “I’ll open the windows for you before I go. I think it’ll be rather warm today.”
In response, Mrs. Clark nodded once and went about washing her hands in the little basin on the counter.
“Did you walk all the way here?” Laura asked him once she had straightened.
“I did,” Charles answered. “Perfect day for walking.”
At this, she smiled then started for the window. With a few pulls, she lifted the framed pane of glass then secured it with a wooden stick against the sill.
This task was repeated three times as she made her way around the room.
Once finished, Laura looked at him, a friendly challenge in her voice when she asked, “Ready to get to work?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Good,” she said then turned to Mary. “You’re gonna help your grandmother while I’m in the barn?”
“Yup.”
“Well then...” Walking past him with a cute little smile on her lips, Laura reached for the door knob. “Let’s get to it.”
~~~
The barn was spacious, the high ceiling interwoven with support beams at intervals.
Standing in the doorway, the sun at his back, Charles couldn’t help but smile. He loved simple architecture like this. Barns hadn’t been part of the scenery in 21st century St. Louis-in the country yes, but definitely not in the big city.
When his gaze landed in the upper corner, he noticed the barn’s resident owl. Its eyes were shut in repose, its pale features hauntingly beautiful.
“I would charge him room and board, but he’s rather useful ,” Laura teased in that smoky voice he loved so before walking past him and into the shade.
A second or so later, she looked over her shoulder, a gentle smile on her lips. “You comin’?”
“Yeah,” he answered then followed.
The floor consisted of compressed earth peppered with bits of hay. Traversing the space, Charles saw the horses in the stalls beneath the hayloft.
“So here they are.” Laura’s skirt swayed with her steps even as she slowed. “Of course, you already know Turnip.”
Charles chuckled. “I do.”
The horse had quite the personality, would nip you in the butt if you turned your back to him.
With silent footfalls, Laura headed toward the second stall and opened the gate.
Inside was a beautiful horse of similar colour to Turnip’s. He or she was lighter though, and somewhat smaller too.
“Now here... is Daisy-May.” Standing to the side, Laura brought her hand to gently pat the animal’s back. When she spoke next, her voice was low, nurturing. “She’s Turnip’s mama.”
“She’s very pretty,” Charles observed from his station just outside the stall.
“That she is, and a sweetheart too.” Laura was smiling, a warm veil of affection on her features.
Clearly, this horse was very special to her.
“We don’t take her out on the roads much anymore,” she explained after a beat, her smile fading just so. “Her stamina isn’t what it used to be.”
From Laura’s tone, he gathered that the mare had a good number of years behind her-too many perhaps.
“You can come and pet her if you want. She’s really gentle.”
Rounding the opened gate, Charles obliged and walked up to the russet mare. “Hi there, Daisy-May.”
When his palm met her neck, the horse blew a gentle breath through her nostrils.
Unsure of what this meant, he looked to Laura.
“I think she likes you,” she said.
Daisy-May did seem relaxed-something Charles found rather reassuring.
Perhaps horse-keeping wouldn’t be so hard after all.
As companionable silence fell, he allowed his gaze to land on Laura.
Her eyes were set on the horse, her facial expression one of relaxed contentment.
Remembering the previous evening and how Larson’s rabble-rousing had gotten to her though, he couldn’t help but wonder how she was feeling today.
While she was not closed off emotionally, Laura tended to camouflage her worries in a selfless front meant to spare her loved ones.
Charles didn’t need sparing though, instead wanted nothing but openness between them.
“So...” He shifted on his feet, his voice low when he asked, “How are you doing today?”
Laura met his eyes but did not answer right away, instead gave a small smile. Then, on a breath, she nodded once. “Good. Much better than yesterday if that’s what you’re asking. I guess I was tired last night, was more emotional than I usually am.”
She averted her gaze and Charles deciphered a hint of shyness.
“Nothing to be embarrassed about,” he offered then waited for her to capture his gaze once more.
When she did, he felt his concern start to dissipate.
Laura seemed okay-genuinely so.
“I know,” she finally whispered.
Whether it was wise or not, Charles brought a hand to the side of her face and felt her lean into his touch.
“I’m glad you decided to come today.” These words, spoken on a sigh, left her lips like a confession.
“I am too.”
His soul was swimming in grateful warmth, his entire being filled with the wonderful feelings she evoked in him. “Thanks for helping me.”
At this, Laura’s smile widened and her eyelids fell shut on an extended blink. “No need to thank me... In fact, I’m being selfish.”
Charles highly doubted that but indulged her nonetheless. “How so?”
Shoulders rising and falling on a shrug, she tilted her head and covered his hand at her cheek. “We’ve both been busy and I guess I’ve been missing you.”
Her words touched him beyond reason and made him lower his gaze.
Finally, he met her eyes.
“I’ve been missing you too. ” He sighed after saying this, his chest tightening at the reality of their lives.
They couldn’t really go out on dates, couldn’t indulge in lazy afternoons either.
He had to get on his feet and Laura had a family to take care of. Furthermore, propriety made it difficult for them to enjoy the simple intimacies they so craved-even now, for instance.
While they were technically alone, Walt, or worse yet Mary, could walk in at any moment. A long, leisurely kiss would leave them on precarious ground, he decided. And so, with a slightly wistful expression, he leaned in and tempted fate for only as long as he dared to.
Charles kissed her brow, inhaling the sweet scent of her. Then, with regret engulfing his soul, he drew back after a second or two.
Though he longed for more, it was enough.
It had to be.
~~~
Laura got to task, but the butterflies were still there-swirling in her being as they always did whenever Charles kissed her.
Rummaging through a drawer, she looked over her shoulder at him, asked, “What exactly do you know about keeping horses?”
“Not much if I’m honest,” he answered on a shrug before going on to say that he would sometimes feed the animals over at the Davis’.
“That’s about all I do, though,” he finished.
“You’ve got a lot to learn then.”
At this, Charles adjusted his hat. “Understatement of the century,” he said.
“You ever pick hooves before?”
When he scratched the back of his neck, a nervous look about his face, she gathered that he hadn’t.
“That’s alright,” Laura reassured, “It’s not that hard, you’ll see.”
Hoof pick in hand, she headed back toward the stall and started explaining the process.
After sliding her hand down Daisy-May’s leg, Laura gently pulled on the hoof until the mare lifted the limb for her. Holding the foot, she showed him the mud and bedding gathered on the underside then demonstrated how to remove the detritus.
Moving from one leg to the next, Laura took this opportunity to show him how to safely move around the animal. Tactile contact was very important-especially if you were walking behind the horse.
“By staying close and keeping a hand on the hindquarters, it’ll reduce your chances of being kicked,” she explained.
“Good to know.” Though he seemed attentive and eager to learn, Charles’ nervousness was easily discernible.
“You can do this, Charles.”
She truly believed that he could.
Seeing as he did not seem convinced however, Laura grasped his hand and led him to Turnip’s stall. “It’ll be alright. I promise. Besides,” she added on a smirk. “I thought you were an optimist.”
“I still am,” he retorted before hesitating again. “Just not when it comes to me being around large animals.”
“What happened to that man who rode all the way out here by himself?” she teased.
“Hey, I didn’t really have a choice then .”
“You still don’t.” Fighting to keep a serious expression, Laura handed him the hoof pick, then crossed her arms. “Go on.”
“You’re a pretty strict teacher, you know that?”
“Yes, but you don’t really mind.”
He eyed her for a few moments, obviously trying to come up with a witty response.
Finally, “You know me too well.” It was his concession.
She had won.
Shifting his focus to the task at hand, Charles took a cleansing breath and said, “Here goes.” Then, as she kept a watchful eye on him, he did his best to mirror what she had just demonstrated.
First, he asked Turnip to shift his weight on the opposite foot by gently pressing on his shoulder. Once that was accomplished, he slid his hand down his leg and picked up his foot.
“That’s it,” Laura encouraged in a calming voice. “Just make sure to keep the toe pointed up.”
Charles trudged forth, doing a good job of cleaning the hoof. It was heartening to see because in addition to acquiring skill, he was conquering his fear as well.
While he would briefly hesitate from time to time, his confidence seemed to increase with every foot.
Before she knew it, he had finished.
“Well done,” she praised, her heart swelling at the accomplished grin he wore.
~~~
Laura had been right. It was rather warm in the kitchen today. The air was thick with humidity, this the brink of a very long summer.
Standing by the stove, spoon in hand, Mrs. Clark stirred the simmering stew before closing the lid once again. After setting the utensil down, she went to the window and peered outside.
It had become her routine of sorts-work a little, take a quick peek, work some more, then back to the window it was.
Charles and Laura were still in the barn, had been for a long while now.
Although she would have preferred keeping a direct eye on them, Mrs. Clark trusted her daughter to have good enough sense. That and having Walt wandering about the barn was reassuring too.
He would watch out for Laura. He always did
Those two were like siblings, had been since they were knee-high to a grasshopper.
Moving away from the window, Mrs. Clark went about slicing a loaf of bread. As she worked however, her thoughts kept funnelling back to Laura and the new man in her life.
Although her daughter was a grown woman, the matriarch found it difficult to let her guard down when it came to this new courtship.
It wasn’t that she hated Charles. Hate was a pretty strong word after all. But she didn’t like him either. He had hurt her daughter once. Furthermore, he was strange, had bizarre views on things.
That Laura had to show him the ropes for his next job was yet another thing she couldn’t wrap her mind around.
A grown man who doesn’t know how to shovel manure, she thought on a brief shake of her head.
It seemed absurd somehow.
The sound of footsteps halted the older woman’s train of thought, making her look toward the front door.
It was Mary.
“Lunch ready?” the girl asked.
“Just about.” As she brought the basket of bread over to the table, Mrs. Clark asked her granddaughter to go get her ma. “And wash your hands after,” she added.
“Alright.” With that, the girl spun around and left, the door bouncing a bit before it clanged shut behind her.
Though she was high-spirited, Mary was well behaved-much like Laura had been as a child.
In fact, the two had a lot of character traits in common-self-assuredness and a keen intelligence just to name a few.
Taking station by the window, the matriarch parted the curtains and peered out for the umpteenth time that day.
Mary was sauntering across the yard, but instead of heading straight to the barn, she went toward the pasture instead.
Laura and Charles were outside now, each standing near the fence as the horses ate grass nearby.
As the trio started toward the house, the mood between them seemed easy, even playful, she noted.
They were all smiling, Mary especially as Charles ruffled her pigtails.
Had circumstances been different, the sight would have been completely heartening. Alas, Mrs. Clark couldn’t help but fret a little.
Laura wasn’t the only one set to get her heart broken if this courtship ended badly. Having formed a definite affinity for her potential step-father, Mary would be hurt as well.
Not wanting to be caught spying, Mrs. Clark stepped away from the window and went about bringing the food to the table.
By the time, everyone came in, everything was set.
“Is Walt having lunch with us?” she asked.
“Not today,” Laura answered as she stood washing her hands. “He said he wasn’t hungry.”
The man was a hard worker and would often skip lunch.
Unlike this one, she couldn’t help but think, her stare landing on Charles.
He seemed slightly out of place, hat in hands as he waited for his turn to wash up.
“Smells good in here,” he observed.
Choosing to ignore his boot licking, Mrs. Clark simply pulled out a chair and sat down. Then, once everyone was seated, she bowed her head and said grace.
“Amen,” they all said, then started eating.
The sound of cutlery echoed throughout the kitchen, the table’s occupants digging into their plates in relative silence. On the stove sat a kettle, the water it contained popping and roaring as it neared boiling point.
“Thanks for having me over, Mrs. Clark,” Charles finally said. “The food’s delicious.”
Remembering some of her manners, she replied with a curt nod but said nothing.
Across the table, Laura cleared her throat, no doubt trying to ease the tension. “So, the fence is coming along well.”
She was referring to the repair job Walt was doing.
The storm they’d had two nights ago had toppled a tree near the pasture. The trunk had fallen on a section of fence and it had taken hours of sawing the day prior just to get it out of the way.
“That’s good.”
Silence descended once more until finally, the kettle started to whistle.
“I’ll get it,” Laura said before rising from her chair.
When she returned to the table to pour their tea, the conversation turned toward Charles and his morning with the horses.
Mrs. Clark hung onto every word but kept to herself.
Apparently, he had gotten the hang of hoof picking and brushing.
Well that’s a start, she thought sardonically.
“Did you turn your back to Turnip this time?” Mary asked, spoon halfway to her mouth. There was a twinkle in her eyes and it was clear she was playfully teasing him.
Charles wiped his mouth with his napkin, a smile on his face when he answered, “Nope. I learned my lesson last time.”
“Daisy-May is nice,” her granddaughter observed.
“She is,” he agreed.
They lapsed into silence yet again and continued to pick at their fixings.
Her eyes momentarily darting between Charles and Laura, Mrs. Clark couldn’t help but wonder how long he would be sticking around. “You still got much to do?” she asked.
Setting her teacup down, Laura was the one to answer. “Saddles and bridles,” she started. “We’re gonna clean ‘em, then after I’ll show him how to put ‘em on.”
Shouldn’t take all afternoon then. The remark floated in her head but she kept it to herself-not an easy feat considering.
Once they had eaten, the older woman rose from her chair, her next words a dismissal of sorts. “You go on. I’ll clean this up.”
A short while later, her stare following them through the window, Mrs. Clark sighed in resignation.
Laura’s affection toward Charles seemed profound. It might even be love, she supposed.
As for Charles, he was strange, but at the very least he was trying to build a life for himself here.
She still didn’t like him though.
Trust was hard earned after all.
And you’ve still got a long way to go, Mr. Lattimer.
~~~
“Like this?” Charles adjusted the saddle pad on Turnip’s back and looked to Laura.
They were standing in the pasture, the breeze ruffling their clothes as it carried the distant resonance of a blue robin’s song.
“You got it,” she replied on a nod, her hand rising to sweep a wayward strand of hair from her face.
Reaching for the saddle, he tried to remember her instructions and flung it atop the horse so that it rested comfortably on its withers. Then, with as much self-assuredness as he could muster, Charles went about securing the saddle in place, tightening the strap once the horse had blown out.
“See, it’s not that difficult.” Laura took a step closer and checked the knot he had tied.
“So this is okay?”
“You did it.” She straightened, her eyes alight with approval.
“Thanks to you,” he said then watched as she looked down, a blush spreading across her cheeks.
Laura was lovely, inside and out. She was selfless, did things for other people without pause or expectation of praise. It was one of the things he loved about her. And though she asked for nothing in return, Charles felt it was important to show his appreciation nonetheless-even if it was just a thank you.
“I mean it,” he reiterated. “I wouldn’t have been able to do all this without you.”
“You’re welcome,” she replied timidly, her voice barely audible.
Since they weren’t going to ride the horses today, Charles soon removed the saddle from Turnip’s back and returned it to the barn where he hung it in the appropriate place.
Turning around, he saw Laura by the far wall. She was facing away from him, hand reaching for a shovel.
“What next?” he asked, somewhat surprised at the eagerness in his tone.
She turned and brought it over. “You know how to clean a stable?”
A smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth, Charles took the proffered shovel and winked. “I think I can manage that.”
Laura smiled warmly for a few moments, her expression softening to one of apology when she smoothed the front of her dress. “I feel horrible asking this but would you be alright by yourself for a little bit?”
“Of course.”
“It’s just that there’s a lot to do and I don’t want to leave my mother with all the chores, you know?” she continued.
“Go, it’s fine.” By way of reassurance, he placed a hand to her shoulder. “Really,” he reiterated.
“If you need anything, come and get me, alright?”
Charles winked again and watched as she started for the barn’s double doors. When she was halfway across the space, Laura looked over her shoulder. “You’re staying for dinner?”
“Your mother okay with that?”
At this, she laughed softly. “Don’t worry about my mother.” Arching an elegant eyebrow, she added, “Besides, you never had my cooking before.”
Not waiting for his answer, she gave a final smirk and headed on toward the house.
Guess I’m staying for dinner, he thought on a small chuckle, his head bowing down before rising again on a contented sigh.
~~~
Clearing the stalls of manure was fairly easy and before Charles knew it, he had finished.
After putting the shovel away, he came to stand in the middle of the barn and looked around. While he wasn’t sure what to do next, he wanted to help out as much as possible.
From somewhere outside, he could hear rhythmic hammering, most likely Walt.
Suddenly, the heavy thudding stopped.
“Sakes alive.” This heavily twanged expression floated across the distance, the quiet frustration it carried more than evident.
Curious, Charles crossed the space and stepped through the open doors.
Walt was standing by the section of fence he had been working on. Dropping a heavy mallet, he wiped his brow with his shirtsleeve and contemplated the post he had been trying to drive into the ground.
“Problem?”
“This post won’t go all the way in.” He shrugged. “I think I hit a rock.”
“Need a hand?” Although his desire to help was sincere, Charles was somewhat nervous at the prospect of working with Walt.
The man was hard to read, had the tendency to wear a sedate expression on his face. Furthermore, he was like a brother to Laura and whether or not he approved of him remained to be seen.
Adjusting his hat, Walt appeared to be debating Charles’ offer-most likely wondering if his help would be more of a hassle than anything.
Finally, “Sure,” he replied.
His stomach twisting nervously, Charles made his way over, the words, “Please don’t mess up,” swirling around in his head.
~~~
Having traversed the sky in a slow winding arc, the sun was now lower on the horizon-its warm rays softened, orange in hue.
It was dinner time, a busy day of chores almost behind them.
Making her way toward the barn, Laura wiped her hands on her apron, her thoughts gravitating toward the hours prior.
She had pulled her weight around the house, had scrubbed the floors, even some of the walls, before getting to the task of making dinner.
Her mother had been rather quiet throughout-brooding most likely. It would take a while for her to get used to Charles. But Laura was okay with that, knew it was only a matter of time. Furthermore, lunch-though a bit awkward-had been less frigid than she had expected.
Not a bad day at all.
Reaching the barn, Laura leaned on the doorframe and peered inside. “Charles?”
The stalls were clean, the barn empty.
Turning around, she then looked toward the pasture, a smile finding light at what she saw.
Charles was standing next to Walt, the two of them talking about something or another. Mary was there too, her little legs swinging back and forth as she sat on the newly repaired fence.
It was a heartening sight for Charles was starting to mesh with her family-this day a baby step in the right direction.
Content to simply watch them, Laura brought a hand to shield her eyes from direct sunlight, a relaxed sigh leaving her lungs.
From across the pasture, Mary finally took notice of her presence and waved. “Hi, Mama!”
She waved back. “Dinner’s ready!”
As the three of them made their way over, Laura smiled, her heart skipping a beat when Charles smiled fully in return.
He held her gaze for a few steps more, breaking away only when Walt brought a hand to his shoulder.
Her childhood friend nodded swiftly at him in what appeared to be a gesture of thanks.
If she had to guess, Charles had helped him with the fence-the notion making her laugh quietly on a subtle shake of her head.
You might be from the big city, Charles, but you’re doing alright.
“The fence is all fixed,” Mary said as she neared.
“I see that,” Laura replied then looked toward the men. “You boys hungry?”
“Oh yeah,” Walt said before heading for the wash bowl they kept on the back porch.
Her eyes locking onto Charles’, she took a breath, well aware that she looked as smitten as she felt.
He was so handsome with his sleeves rolled up, the brim of his hat partially shading his features.
“Famished,” he answered as he brushed past her, his tone soft yet playful.
It was astounding how easily he could make her insides flutter.
Oh my, she thought on a breath before getting into step beside him.
Laura’s pleasant mood remained throughout their meal, her smile coming easy in spite of her mother’s stern demeanour.
Having Charles over was wonderful, seeing him in her home further cementing her belief that he belonged in her life.
Later-once the table had been cleared and the dishes had been washed-the two found themselves on the back porch, steaming cups of tea beside them as they sat next to one another.
Dusk was falling, the sky beyond the tree line a fiery red.
Laura loved it out here, loved sitting as she was, arms draped over her knees as her feet rested on the ground by the porch.
They had been silent for a while now, each listening to the soothing sound of the river nearby.
“I gotta hand it to you,” Charles finally said, his voice light and gentle against the calm. “You’re a great cook.”
Laura looked sideways at him, a small measure of pride welling in her being as a smirk pulled at the corners of her mouth. “Thank you,” she said then reached for her teacup.
On a sip, she allowed her gaze to drift back toward the landscape, her thoughts wandering soon thereafter.
“It sure is nice out here,” he interrupted softly.
“Isn’t it?” Setting her teacup back on the porch, she allowed a slow breath to leave her lungs, contentment seeping through her entire body. “When I can, I love to sit out here after dinner and just... look out.”
It was an indulgence-one of the few she had-and sharing it with him felt wonderful.
The seconds flitted past, counted down not by the needle of a clock but by the slow-moving water before them.
“Are you feeling confident about Monday?” Laura finally asked, hoping that he was.
“I’m more confident than I was this morning, let’s put it that way.”
Bringing a hand to his arm, she gave it a gentle squeeze, her words laced with conviction when she said, “You’ll do fine. I know it.”
Their eyes met and he smiled at her-his expression bashful yet appreciative.
Had it not been for the fact that they were out in the open, Laura would have brought her mouth to his, would have kissed him slowly, tenderly. How she wanted to, so very much.
Willing the idea out of her mind, she settled for the next best thing.
Lowering her gaze, Laura sought his hand, her slender fingers slipping between his thicker ones before curling affectionately over his knuckles.
Wanting to indulge in this discreet form of intimacy, they allowed their hands to settle within the narrow space between them, their thumbs moving in lazy circles.
It was nice, and soon they were both looking out once again.
A bird was flying over the river, its flight mirrored on the water below. After a second or so, it started on a winding arc that took it over the bank then on toward the trees where it disappeared on a series of lovely chirps-almost as if it was saying good night.
Laura smiled at the sight but it wasn’t to last.
Though Charles was right beside her, she slipped into a pattern long entrenched in her now-one so common to mothers and providers alike. Unconsciously, she retreated into her thoughts, her worries coming to the fore in spite of the beauty before them.
“I know that look,” he suddenly murmured, gently ushering her to the here and now.
“What look?” Laura asked, even though she knew the answer.
“Silent worrying.”
Charles was very intuitive when it came to her, habitually knew when something was wrong.
“I’m just thinking about the Gazette,” she answered as her gaze fell for a moment or two. Then, on a breath, she met his eyes once more. “About Larson and what he’s going to say or do next.”
“The man’s a jerk,” Charles chimed in, his colourful choice of words drawing a soft chuckle from her.
“He’s cut-throat,” she continued, her smile fading on a subtle shake of her head. “He’s been raised to be. His father was a successful businessman here in town.”
“So he wants to live up to his family name.”
“Something like that.” Laura took a cleansing breath. “His ego knows no bounds-probably why he wants to shut me down so badly. It drives him crazy that I’ve managed to stay in business for so long.”
“You’re good at what you do.”
“I try my best... Just sometimes, I wonder if it’s enough.”
The paper was doing alright, yes. But the future was uncertain. Larson was set to equal the playing field by introducing his own cartoon page. And once that was done, many would probably favour the Monitor over the Gazette. After all, most men in town agreed with him regarding the proposed law change.
The entire situation was daunting in many ways, forcing Laura into survival mode.
“Can I ask you something?” she asked after several long moments of silence.
“Sure, what is it?”
Shifting to angle her body slightly toward him, she continued, “Remember the day we met, you convinced me to start a cartoon page.”
Charles nodded that he did.
“You mentioned sports.” Lifting a hand, palm toward him, she went on to clarify, “Now I know you’re busy and I would completely understand if you didn’t have time, but do you think you could help me with that? Setting up a sports page I mean.”
Having been on her own for so long, it felt strange to ask for help. But this was Charles. Unlike most men, he would not belittle her for this, would not make her feel incompetent for asking.
“I’d be happy to,” he answered, his voice as kind as the smile on his face.
A blanket of warmth suddenly enveloped her. Laura was immensely grateful, said so by closing her eyes and bowing her head.
This man was a godsend, had changed her life for the better.
“We make a good team, you and I,” Laura finally said, her eyes brimming with tears as a full smile came to grace her mouth.
“In more ways than one,” he replied then touched her cheek.
They were not engaged, they were not married, they were simply courting. Nevertheless, they were together in every way that mattered. They were friends. They were there for one another when help was needed.
continue to chapter 14