Over the next several weeks, Selena settled into life on the McKenzie farm with joyous ease. She developed close relationships with her in-laws, and her fondness for all of them increased with each passing day. Liam took her to visit her sister who lived about a half-day's drive from their farm. Selena was thrilled to be reunited with her sister and was pleased to see firsthand that Diana was so happy with her own husband that their two young sons.
It was nice for both sisters to be close enough that they would be able to visit whenever they wanted. Selena's days were filled with the tasks of being a farmer's wife, and she found contentment as she settled into the routine of chores. It was no hardship for her. She had been raised on a farm, and she knew the life well. Indeed, it was a welcome relief after the rigorous hardships of their journey.
With winter quickly approaching, there were numerous preparations to be made. Liam and his brothers harvested the crops, and sold their various products for a sizable profit. They turned fertilizer into the fields and prepared them to lay dormant for the next season's plantings. The women canned countless jars of vegetables and fruits and hung other vegetables and spices to dry in the root cellar. The men butchered several hogs and cattle, and the women carefully smoked their meat and packed it in salt.
Liam knew how to sugar cure the hams, and he prepared several for each of their families. Selena dipped dozens of candles by hand, while Liam chopped firewood and piled it high to last through the long winter months. Every member of the McKenzie clan worked hard to ensure the work was done so the family would be kept comfortable and well-fed over the next several months. By mid November, most of their tasks had been completed, and they were nearly prepared for winter.
Their neighbors were even busier during those same weeks. The Boyds and Robertses were occupied with building cabins for their families and winter shelters for their livestock. The Roberts family was lucky to have Hank, Matthew, Adam and Peter, all able bodied and hard workers. Their cabin progressed quickly. Gerald was not so lucky, being the only male in his family. He had to hire some men to help him, but luckily he could afford to do so. Liam and his brothers volunteered their help whenever they weren't too busy with their own chores. With the combination of hired and volunteer help, the Boyd home was also nearing completion.
Each Sunday, Selena would see her friends in church, and she was eager to exchange news with Marcia, Susan and Cassie. Susan and Peter announced their engagement, and Susan told her with excitement how they were planning a June wedding for the following summer. Everyone was overjoyed for the young couple, with the exception of Natasha. It was clear that Natasha was annoyed that her younger sister had gotten engaged before she had.
Being new to the area, Natasha drew the interest of every eligible young man in the district, with her striking beauty. She flirted with all of them, but she didn't seem inclined to settle on any one man in particular. Instead, she seemed to prefer having them all panting at her skirts like a pack of love-sick puppies. Selena listened with a sympathetic ear as Marcia told her of her growing anxiety concerning her eldest daughter.
"I simply don't know what to do with her," Marcia said with an exasperated sigh. "Ever since we arrived here, she's become more and more unruly. She behaves much too forwardly with the young men she meets, and she doesn't seem to care what folks think about her. She seems to enjoy leading her suitors on a merry chase, and I've begun to worry some of them are going to come to blows over her. I've tried to reason with her, I've tried scolding her, but she won't listen to a word I say. She throws one temper tantrum after another whenever she doesn't get her way. Gerald and I are at our wits end."
Selena bit her tongue to keep from suggesting a sound thrashing. After all, it wasn't her place to tell Marcia how to raise her daughter. Instead, Selena gave Marcia a hug.
"I'm sure everything will work out. Now that Susan is getting married, surely Natasha won't be far behind in choosing a young man for herself."
"I hope you're right," Marcia replied. Her expression brightened as a different thought occurred to her. "You and Liam will be coming to our barn-raising next Saturday won't you?"
"You know we wouldn't miss it. All the McKenzies will be there, and Liam says these things always bring out the entire community to help."
Sure enough, the following Saturday, the McKenzies pulled up at Gerald and Marcia's place early in the morning. They were among the first to arrive, but they were soon followed by a crowd of other neighbors from the surrounding area. The weather was fine, with the sun just beginning to dawn in a nearly cloudless sky. The men set to work, building a large barn while the women congregated beneath the nearby trees to exchange news and set out a feast.
They erected tables out of planks and barrels and covered them with tablecloths before loading them down with food. The women had brought roasted hams, chickens and lambs along with salads and breads of every description. Dozens of pies, cakes and cobblers were unwrapped, along with jugs of iced lemonade and tea.
While the other women worked diligently and tried to stay out of the men's way, Selena noticed Natasha lingering near where the men were working. She was decked out in a stunning low-cut dress that looked more suitable for a ball than a barn-raising, and she was chatting and flirting shamelessly with the hardworking men. Selena realized as she watched that Natasha was standing close enough to several of the men to allow them an unhindered view into her bodice, and being men, they were inclined to take advantage of the view.
Marcia was uncomfortable with her daughter's behavior and drew her to one side to reprimand her discreetly. However, Natasha shrugged off her mother's rebuke and did as she pleased. Marcia tried her best to keep Natasha occupied so she would stay out of the men's way, but Natasha kept going back to sashay past the worksite, drawing many a lustful glance. Selena noticed her trying to catch Liam's eye, but he paid her no notice at all, as he focused on his labors.
By noon, the men had already built a sturdy wooden floor and raised four framed sides on the barn. They joined them at the corners and across the top, they erected strong rafters. When they were satisfied the structure was stable enough, they broke for lunch, and bestowed hearty compliments on their women while they devoured the delicious foods. As usual, Liam indulged in several sweet treats to finish his meal.
Selena smiled fondly at him as she watched him polish off a piece of cherry pie with obvious relish. She leaned close to whisper in his ear. "You'd better be careful, eating so many sweets. I don't want a fat husband."
Liam gave her a lazy grin and nuzzled her ear as he responded in a purring growl. "If I get fat, it will be your fault. You're the tastiest little tart I've ever had."
Selena gasped in outrage. "Tart is it now? Humph." She thrust her nose into the air, but the twinkle in her eyes belied any real offense.
The rest of the afternoon, the men worked to nail planks onto the frame and affix a tin roof on top. By sunset, they had nearly finished building a large, solid barn that would stand for several generations. Gerald had only to add a few finishing touches, and he would be able to accomplish that long before the coldest winter months arrived.
The men cleaned themselves up, wiping their sweating arms, chests and backs before donning fresh shirts. The women set out another meal that was joyously shared by all. They lit lanterns and hung them from the rafters of the newly built barn, and several men brought out musical instruments. The late evening air was chilly, but few felt it as they crowded into the barn to dance and celebrate.
Knowing that Selena loved to dance, Liam partnered her for several songs. Many of the local men cast admiring glances at Selena, but they knew she was married, and they kept their distance. Natasha had no such qualms, for she soon appeared beside Liam, and she ignored Selena entirely as she hugged his arm to her breast.
"Oh Liam, would you dance with me?"
"No thank you, Natasha," Liam growled, pulling his arm loose from her grasp. "Go find someone else. I'm dancing with Selena."
Natasha was undaunted. "But Liam, you haven't danced with anyone but Selena the entire night. What will people think?"
Selena had had enough of the other woman's shenanigans, and she raised a brow at her adversary while putting her arms around Liam's waist, clearly staking her claim. "They will probably think the truth - that I'm such a demanding wife that Liam doesn't have enough energy leftover to pursue any other women." She leaned against Liam's chest, allowing her bodice to gap away from her breasts as they were pressed upwards. When she saw his gaze drop to her bosom, she gave him a sultry smile. "Isn't that right, husband?"
Liam tightened his arms around her and didn't look at all displeased by her statement or her actions. Instead, he made a show of ogling her bosom and gave her a lazy grin. "That's right, wife. You've kept me so busy trying to satisfy your appetites, that I'm plum tuckered out."
Witnessing their exchange, Natasha fairly trembled with rage. She wasn't used to having to settle for second best, and it rankled her that she couldn't seem to gain the upper hand where Selena was concerned. "What a disgusting display! You're making a spectacle of yourselves."
Selena gave her a haughty frown but was careful to keep her voice low so others wouldn't overhear. "Not nearly as much as you did when you stripped naked to try and seduce my husband!"
Natasha's mouth dropped open for one shocked moment before she snapped it closed. She drew herself up and shot a venomous glare at Selena before stalking off into the crowd.
Selena shuddered lightly and hugged Liam more tightly, laying her cheek against his chest. "She always manages to ruin my good mood. Why can't she get it through her stubborn head that you're married?"
"I don't know, sweetheart, but I always remember that I'm married." He tipped her chin up so he could meet her eyes. "You don't have to worry about her seducing me, because I'm too in love with you to even think about another woman." Seeing that his words had brought a small smile back to Selena's face, he tapped the tip of her nose with his finger. "Now come on, sweetheart. Let's don't let her spoil our fun. This is my dance, I believe."
Throughout the rest of the evening, Selena noticed Natasha literally throwing herself at the men who were present, as if to reassure herself that she could have any man she wanted. Natasha didn't seem to mind in the least that she was earning a scandalous reputation. As she became increasingly bold in encouraging the men's attentions, they responded in kind by taking increasing liberties. Selena notices that several young men were inclined to use the crowd for cover and touch Natasha more boldly than they would any decent young lady, and Natasha laughingly encouraged their lewd attentions. Gerald and Marcia were too busy entertaining their guests to notice their daughter's shameful behavior, but many other people did notice, and they frowned disapprovingly at Natasha.
As long as Natasha stayed away from Liam, Selena didn't much care what Natasha did, although she hated to see Marcia and Gerald hurt by their daughter's actions. Thrusting the other woman from her thoughts, Selena danced and laughed, completely charming her husband. Liam was swinging her around in a lively jig when she laughingly pleaded for a rest.
