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On the way back to the ranch, Sally told stories about the town, pointing out different businesses as they drove down the main street.
“I really think I’m going to be happy here,” Heather said, all at once feeling the weight of the years of caring for her mother falling off her shoulders. Clover Creek was her home.
Chapter Six
As soon as they’d carried the supplies in, Heather punched down the bread, leaving it to rise once more. It was only ten-thirty, so hopefully, they could have the bread baked and sandwiches made before Patrick came home for lunch.
“Do we need to have something else ready in case the bread doesn’t rise fast enough?” Heather asked. She knew that Patrick had a hunger that surpassed anything she’d ever seen, but she didn’t know if he got angry when he was hungry. With as large as Patrick was, she didn’t ever want to see him angry.
Sally shook her head. “If it’s not ready in time, I’ll fry up a dozen eggs, and he can have eggs and bacon for lunch. He’s not fussy about what he eats, as long as there’s a lot of it.”
Heather nodded, happy to hear her husband wasn’t a picky eater. “Do we have anything that needs to be picked from the garden today?”
“Nothing at all. We did all that yesterday. We could use some huckleberries, but they’re only in the higher altitudes.”
Heather looked out a window, pointing to one of the mountains towering over them. “Like that?” she asked.
“Exactly. Maybe I can get you and Patrick to try to find some for me. Though, I’ll warn you now. Picking huckleberries is a very slow thing. The berries are tiny, and to get enough to make a pie, you must spend hours picking the berries.”
“Patrick said we should go for a walk tonight and pick berries.”
Sally clapped happily. “Oh, a romantic walk at sunset. It’s just what you both need to be in a baby making mood! We’ll pack you a nice picnic supper. Make sure Patrick carries it though. It would be much too heavy for someone like you.”
Heather laughed, unsure if the older woman was joking or not. Either way, she’d be happy to have a picnic supper with her new husband.
The bread had just come out of the oven when Patrick arrived at the house for his lunch. Heather picked up a kitchen towel so she wouldn’t hurt her hand holding the bread in place, and then she quickly cut the bread into slices. She cut up three full loaves, and then she buttered each piece of bread.
They carried the buttered bread into the dining room on one plate and the bacon on the other. As they sat down, Patrick smiled. “Did you two get your shopping done?”
“We did,” Sally said. “And we made bread for sandwiches before you got here. So now we’ll have bacon sandwiches.”
Patrick nodded, and they all bowed their heads for their prayer of thanksgiving for the meal.
Heather couldn’t believe how truly happy she was in this new place, with her new husband and mother-in-law. She was still nervous about consummating their marriage, but she knew it wouldn’t be too terribly bad. Not with as gentle as Patrick had been with her.
“What all did you get at the store?” Patrick asked, knowing his mother would talk through the rest of the meal, and he wouldn’t have to think about conversation.
Sally listed everything they’d purchased. “Oh, and Heather got some fabric for curtains for your room. She thought it would be nice to have them.”
Patrick nodded. “That sounds good.”
He ate quickly and was gone again. They did the lunch dishes, and after lunch, Heather measured the windows in their room and cut the fabric, immediately starting to hem it.
Sally called her into the parlor, where Heather hadn’t yet spent any time, and Heather joined her with her project in her hands. “What are you making?” she asked her mother-in-law.
“I’m making booties for my grandbabies. I think they’ll each need their own pair, so I’m making an even dozen. Doesn’t that sound nice?”
Heather just smiled and nodded. She wasn’t going to talk about imaginary babies all day every day. She wanted children, and she’d be happy when the time came, but she wasn’t going to obsess over them the way her mother-in-law did.
They decided on more sandwiches for supper that night, as Patrick and Heather were taking the food for their picnic. It would just be easier.
“And I’m making my delicious potato salad to go with it.”
“I’ll try anything,” Heather said, smiling.
When Patrick came home, Heather was ready with two baskets filled with their supper and a bag to put their plates and forks in after they’d eaten. “Aren’t we going to eat first?” Patrick said when she picked up the baskets.
“We packed a picnic,” Heather said, hoping it would please him.
