The Lumberjack's Bride by Jean Kincaid Read Free Book Online Page A

the sun rose in the sky, she heard Caleb get up and move around. His soft footsteps came down the stairs and moved about the kitchen.
    She peeked from under the covers to see what he was doing. Julianne sighed, glad he’d found the johnnycakes she’d left out for his breakfast.
    Then he turned in her direction. Julianne closed her eyes tightly and pretended to be asleep. She felt his warm lips on her forehead and heard his soft whisper.
    â€œHave a good day, Julianne. Be sure and bolt the door when I leave. Don’t go into the woods today, we have a lot to go over before you leave the yard.” He kissed her forehead once more and left.
    As soon as the door shut, Julianne bolted from the bed and locked the door. She heard his soft chuckle on the other side. Mortified that he hadn’t left, she raced back to the bed and dived under the covers.
    Then she giggled.
    He’d cared enough to make sure she had bolted the door. It was sneaky and sweet at the same time. Her heart warmed toward her new husband.
    In a matter of minutes, she was sound asleep.
    Jonathan woke her several hours later. Julianne quickly replaced his wet diaper and fed him milk from the leather pouch Caleb kept in the square wooden box that held the butter and cream. Then she ate a johnnycake from the night before. Next, she prepared a pot of stew and placed it on the stove to cook. She didn’t want to admit it, but she was thoroughly enjoying her morning.
    She straightened the little cabin and put Jonathan down for a nap. Her gaze moved to the room upstairs. Should she go up and clean it?
    Julianne made sure the front door was bolted and then climbed the stairs. A bed took up most of the floor. She noted it hadn’t been made and wondered if she should make it. But if she did, he would know she had been in his room, and she wasn’t sure she wanted him to know she’d been snooping.
    Knocking at the door made her decision for her. Julianne raced down the stairs as fast as her feet would let her without slipping. She crossed to the door and demanded, “Who’s there?”
    â€œMaggie.”
    Julianne unbolted the door. “Come on in.” She pulled the door open to its fullest.
    Maggie dragged a big bag across the threshold. “It’s about time you opened that door. A woman could die of heat stroke while you dallied around in here.”
    â€œI’m sorry. I was cleaning and didn’t hear you. Besides, it’s not hot out there.”
    Maggie dropped into a chair. “No, but it was a nice trip to make on a sunny day. I’m parched.”
    Julianne shut the door and turned to face her visitor. “What’s in the bag?” Julianne pushed her hair out of her eyes.
    â€œA couple of the men sent their laundry for you to do. You still want to take in laundry, don’t you?”
    Julianne dipped out a cup of cool well water and gave it to Maggie. “Of course I do, but I’d rather we not tell Caleb just yet.”
    She watched Maggie tip the cup back and drink its contents before handing it back to her. “Why in the world would you want to keep it a secret from Caleb?”
    â€œWell, he’s a proud man, and I feel really bad that he had to pay Sloan the money for my passage. I want to earn the money back and that way we will have it as a nest egg.”
    Julianne waved the cup. “Would you like more?”
    Maggie shook her head. “Naw. I still don’t understand what difference it would make if you told Caleb you’re doing laundry for the men.”
    Julianne studied the creases between Maggie’s eyes. The woman really didn’t understand. “Maggie, if you had a husband, how do you think he would feel if he knew you were cooking for over fifty men a day, three times a day for money?”
    She watched as understanding dawned on Maggie. “Are you saying it’s an issue of pride?”
    Julianne nodded. “That’s exactly what