The Love and Loss of Joshua James by Danni Roan

Author:Danni Roan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Western, Historical Romance, Wyoming Romance History, Victorian Romance Western, Christian Fiction
Publisher: Danni Roan
Published: 2020-09-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

TOGETHER, BENJI, JOSHUA, and Isadoro set to work, raising one of the land schooners that still stood behind each sod shack. They tilted it at an angle and wrenched the large, iron-rimmed wheel from the axle.

They worked through daylight and into the sunset. Sweat dripped from each brow as an end-of-day breeze stirred the dust at their feet.

“Pa,” Katie came racing along the yard. “Billy says super’s ready.” She’d been flitting between the soddy and where they’d been working all evening, but now came to rest next to her father, taking his hand in hers. “He said Mrs. Leone is helpin’.” Her voice was cheerful.

“We’ll be in in a minute,” Joshua replied, ruffling her blonde head. “Run along and get washed up,” he added, sending the girl back to the shack.

“You have a nice place here,” Isadoro spoke, crossing his arms over his chest and looking out across a prairie painted gold by the rays of the setting sun. “Good land, good home.”

“We’re doing our best to make it a home,” Joshua said his icy stare heavy with self-doubt.

“A man can make a real start. The barn is good but ugly.”

Joshua turned, stunned at the man’s blunt words.

“I do not mean to offend, but I have seen these mountains. There is wood, you have many men. You could build a good house, a good barn.”

The older man turned to look up at Joshua. “I was a builder in my home country. In Italy, we build with stone, but here you can build with wood.”

Joshua removed his hat and ran a large hand through his stark blonde hair. “Maybe in time,” he said simply and turned toward his sod home.

Behind the sod shack, small tables had been lined up to accommodate all the men, and now women, who would be sitting down to eat. Some would have to sit on half logs or boards propped on chairs, but overall a table had been set for dinner.

“Something smells good,” Benji commented, walking around the edge of the hut, drying his hands on a handkerchief.

Both Billy and Mrs. Leone smiled.

“Mrs. Bianca pitched in and he’ped,” Billy said. “Sure will be nice eatin’ someone else’s cooking for a change.”

Everyone laughed as they settled around the table, and Brion lifted a prayer of thanksgiving.

“That sure was a fine meal,” Benji said, nodding toward Mrs. Leone, “I’m much obliged.” He stretched, rubbing his sides contentedly.

“You are welcome. Mr. Billy is a very accommodating Cookie,” she said, smiling as the others grinned.

“I done told her she can call me Cookie but seems like it’s done become some sorta’ title.” He grinned, his eyes twinkling. “Sure was nice ta have someone else fix the vittles.”

Billy stood, looking toward the girls. “Reckon it’s about bedtime for you girls,” he said, swiping his hand toward the soddy. “Come on now and git warshed up.”

“Alright,” Katie said, her words as unenthusiastic as her pace. “Come on Meggie, time for bed.”

“I’ll help you,” Camilla said, standing and taking Fiona from where she sat on Brion’s knee.

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