They walked down the boarded sidewalk, and he opened the door for her to step into the store. She took a deep breath and stepped over the threshold, feeling the usual hush go over the room. He walked in behind her, meeting every look with a hard one. She walked without looking at anyone, directly to the aisles that held the things they needed at home. He stayed with her, holding the things she handed him. She looked back at the assortment of items he held and looked up into his eyes.
"Can you think of anything else we need?"
He shrugged. "I don't think so, babe."
"How about clothes, baby? Do I need to buy fabric to make anything for you?"
He shook his head, "I think I'm ok."
She nodded, and then pointed in the direction of the counter.
"Wait, I do need some nails." He set the items on the counter and hurried back to the hardware aisle. He picked up a 5 lb sack of fencing nails and a new hammer.
Her eyes widened and she looked up at him, "that's a lot of nails."
She grinned at him and then turned to Shannon nodding to her to make the list and tabulate the bill. Isabella arranged for the transfer from the bank.
She looked up at him. "Are you ready, baby?"
He nodded and picked up the packages, smiling at her as they headed out. She turned and waved goodbye to Shannon as they headed out. He placed the groceries in the box behind the bench on the wagon.
Turning back to her, he reached out his hand. "Ready to go to the butcher shop, honey?"
She nodded, taking his hand and falling into step beside him. As they reached the shop, she stepped back and allowed him to open the door for her to step inside. She sighed as she realized the shop was empty, and smiled. She looked back as he entered.
"Just get whatever you like, honey. I can never decide."
He smiled, kissing her forehead. "Alright, baby." He walked up to the counter and ordered a selection of meat quickly and waited for it to be packaged up. As they walk out of the small shop, James glanced down at her.
"How about you run in and invite Doc over for dinner some night this weekend?
She nods and is about to step onto the walkway to the office when the door opens at the store, causing the bell to ring. He heard her sharp intake of breath and saw her pick up speed considerably.
"What the..." he murmured, walking along with her. He looked around, seeing a large woman in a bright floral dress and bonnet walking quickly up to meet them. While he watches, he can see Isabella waver, trying any way she can think of avoid meeting up with the woman. He pushed the package of meat under his arm and took her shaking hand in his.
Despite their speed, she managed to reach doc's door just before the pair, and in a shrill voice declared, "Why Isabella Murphy, where HAVE you been? And where have you been hiding this strapping young man?"
Isabella blushed a deep red, as James looked from her to the woman and back.
She squared her shoulders and looked up at the imposing woman. "Mrs. Sawyer, it's so lovely to see you." He was almost surprised that her voice is so perfectly composed and calm, especially considering how much her hand was shaking in his. He squeezed it gently, and smiled down at her.
"Oh, honey, we just NEVER see you anymore! I thought after... well, you know... YOU would at least get out more." The woman shook her head in disappointment.
Isabella nodded her head, "well, sometimes it's hard to get away." Her voice drifted off toward the end, and James felt prompted to step between the two.
"We haven't met. My name is James Buchanan," he started as he felt her hand on the back of his shirt, pulling. "Isabella hired me to take care of the farm and it seems we've taken quite the shine to each other."
She whispered, "James..." shaking her head back and forth.
He nodded, catching her meaning. "Isabella, that mare is due to foal, we really should get back so I can check on her."
She sighed in relief, a grateful smile overtaking her face. "You're right," she nodded.
"Pleasure to meet you ma'am," he called out as he helped Isabella up into the buckboard and climbed on himself. He grabbed the reins and clucked to Leo and the horse took off. He glanced over, noticing the stiff position in which she was sitting. Her hands were shaking in her lap. He snapped the reins and Leo broke into a lope, taking them us out of town quickly. He glanced at her again. "So...?"
"I HATE that woman!!" Her voice shook with anger as she yelled. "She's the most horrible, evil, vile.... Ugh, I HATE her!" She pulled off her bonnet and threw it into the back of the wagon.
"What happened, honey?" he asked softly. "Why do you hate her?"
She took a deep breath and began, "she's the one... after mama died..." She took another settling breath before continuing. "She went around telling everyone that the reason it drove daddy crazy was that he killed her. Or that it was his fault, at least. And they all believed her! And now she walks around like she's God's gift to this silly little town...." She trailed off, dropping her head into her hands.
He listened intently as she vented. "I'm sorry honey. The next time I'll tell her to go fuck herself," he stated bluntly before realizing he had said it out loud. He grinned, "sorry, babe."
She smiled at him and burst out laughing. "It's ok. You're allowed, but only about her."
He smiled back, "ok." He saw something by the side of the road and pulled Leo to a stop. He jumped down off the wagon and walked to the roadside, squatting down. He stood and turned around walking back over to the wagon, handing her a bouquet of bluebells.
She blushed, smiling. "Thank you," she took it from him.
"You're welcome, honey" he kissed her cheek softly as he climbed back into the wagon, settling next to her again and slapping the reins to take off again.
She leaned against him as they rode away, her head on his shoulder.
He took her hand and squeezed it gently. "We're gonna be parents."
She turned her head and lay a soft kiss on his shoulder. She nodded, "we are."
Finally, they pulled up in front of the house. He hopped down on one foot and reached his arms up for her. She leaned down and placed her hands on his shoulders. He grabbed her waist and set her down on the ground. She smiled up at him and he leaned down to kiss her cheek. He then reached into the box behind the seat and grabbed everything but the nails, following her toward the house. They walked inside and he put the meat in the icebox, setting the rest of the things on the table and unpacking them.
She looked over and saw them, "baby, I can do that."
"So can I, love."
She shook her head, smiling.
He continued putting everything away before walking over to her. "I'm going to go take care of Leo and turn him out."
She nodded, "be nice to Beauty."
He shrugged, walking outside. He grabbed the reins and led Leo to the barn quickly, unhooking him and turning him out. He pulled the wagon into the barn, and put it waway. On his way out, he paused in front of Beauty's stall.
He tilted his head as he studied the strong stallion. "How can one animal cause a family so much pain?" he murmured.
Back at the house, Isabella walked out on the porch and settled in the old rocker, pulling her knees to her chest. She saw him walk out of the barn and glance around, stretching in the sun and walking toward the house. She lay her head on her knees as she watched him approach. She smiled up at him as he came onto the porch.
"Hi baby," he smiled.
"Everything ok?" she asked.
"You bet," he leaned down and kissed the top of her head. He leaned back against the railing, facing her. "How about you, are you ok?"
