The Cattleman's Bride: A Golden Valley Story (The Brides of Birch Creek Book 4) by Laura D. Bastian

Author:Laura D. Bastian [Bastian, Laura D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mail Order Bride, Historical western, second marriage, cattle rustlers, infertility, barren, arranged marriage
Publisher: Lange House Press
Published: 2020-03-28T04:00:00+00:00

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Levi had packed his saddle bag with the few things he’d need for sleeping near the herd. He didn’t return to the kitchen to say goodbye, knowing his father would bring up the same tired argument that it wasn’t necessary. And Levi didn’t want to risk seeing the relief in Cora’s eyes that he would be gone.

He headed out the front door toward the barn and was surprised to see Cora out in the garden. He wouldn’t be able to avoid saying goodbye after all. Of course, it was better for him to man up about it and talk to his wife. Levi set the bag down and turned toward the garden to meet her.

“You have done a lot of work out here. Thank you.” Levi hoped the compliment would start things off right.

“It’s a big garden. You all had a lot of work to do with something this size. Did the other men come help as well?”

“Mostly they keep track of the cattle. Pa and I are usually here at the house until around this time of year when we help pick which animals will go to the market and which we’ll keep for growing our herd size.”

“How do you decide which ones you’ll take?” Cora asked.

It took a bit of explaining, but Cora seemed to catch on to the different things that went into deciding which animals were healthy enough for expanding the herd and which were best to sell.

And as they talked, Levi realized he actually hadn’t messed up and done or said anything that would bother her.

“Would you show me your herd?” Cora asked. “I’d like to see how many animals there are since I can’t really imagine how it would look.”

“Sure,” Levi said. Her interest in what he did gave him a surge of pride. “Would you like to ride out with me tonight?”

“Won’t it be dark soon? I don’t think I’d be able to see much. Is it possible to go in the morning instead?”

“Of course,” Levi said. He wondered if he should still head out to the grazing area then return for her tomorrow or stay the night here and take her in the morning.

“What time?” Cora asked.

“I suppose we could go after breakfast. If that works for you.” Levi met her eyes and when she smiled and nodded he was pleased he had been the cause of her smile.

“I should get back into the house,” Cora said. “I need to check on the cheese and then I have some butter to churn. Your cows are quite the producers.”

Levi nodded. “Let me take the bag into the barn and I’ll check the animals. Then I’ll see if you need any help with the butter.”

“Thank you,” Cora said.

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