Conveniently Wed. Angel Moore
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wear their papa’s bandanas while they work?” Daisy saw the twins brighten at the thought and decided it would help keep Murdock’s memory alive in their minds.
“That’s a fine idea. I’ll get them.” Daisy went into the boys’ room and came back with two bandanas. She gave the red one to John and offered a blue one to James.
“We don’t know how to tie ’em.” James wrung the fabric in his hands while John lifted the red one to his nose.
“It still smells like Papa,” John said.
Tucker approached the boys saying, “That’s the smell of a hardworking man. You’ll be smelling just like your papa before you know it.” He took James’s bandana and tied it around his neck with the knot in the back. “Working hard makes a man smell like a man.” He tied John’s bandana with the knot in the front. “What do you think?” Tucker backed away and let Daisy look her boys over.
“I think you look just like your papa. Both of you.” This drew big smiles from both boys.
“Now head on over to the barn and start putting fresh straw in the stalls. I mucked them out before lunch. We’ve got to get the barn ready for some new animals.” Tucker nudged the twins toward the front door. “I’ll be along to help in a minute. I just need to talk to your momma first.”
Happy boys bounced off the front porch, admiring each other and their new look. The hats were adjusted and the bandanas tugged until both were satisfied. Then the race for the barn ensued. Daisy smiled at them and turned to thank Tucker.
“Thank you. That was a wonderful idea.” Daisy moved to start washing the dishes and watched the boys through the window.
“It’s important for them to remember their papa. And to feel like they can be like him. I’m glad to do it. Thanks for agreeing and letting them have the bandanas.”
“They were just in the drawer. I didn’t know what to do with them.” Daisy put both hands on the cabinet and dropped her head to her chest, eyes closed, fighting back tears. Tucker came to stand behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.
“It’ll get easier. I promise. I know it’s hard right now. But you’re doing the right things. You’re letting them talk about their papa and reassuring them that he’s with the Lord.” His strong hands began to gently knead the tightness of her muscles. Daisy pulled her head to one shoulder and then the next trying to relax away her stress. Then suddenly she shrugged both shoulders to her ears and pulled away from Tucker. She went to stand on the other side of the room, putting the table between them. A shiver ran down her spine and she rubbed her arms to stop the tingling.
“I’m sorry. I just can’t relax right now. I’m so tense all the time. I feel so much pressure to make sure the farm is a success and the twins are taken care of, and now I’m so obligated to you for all you’re doing.” She raised a hand to each temple and rubbed her fingers in small circles in an effort to release the pain.
“I’m the one who’s sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Daisy. Please forgive me.” Tucker made no move toward her. He actually took a step back.
“It’s not that. I just hate that my emotions go from such grief and sadness one minute, to joy at seeing something make James or John smile the next.” She picked up the remaining plates from the table and moved toward the dishpan. Tucker moved to the door, giving her plenty of space.
“You said you had something we needed to talk about.” Daisy put the dishes in the water and began to work without looking at him. She heard him take his hat from the peg and knew he was spinning it in his hands. Daisy had noticed he often did this when he was choosing his words carefully.
“I’m getting the stalls ready for new horses. I know you said we’d have to talk about it later, but I feel we need to get things back on track as soon as possible.”
“Okay. If you think that’s best.” She began stacking the clean dishes on the shelves above the cabinet. “We can go to the bank the next time we’re in town and get the money out. I don’t keep much money here. Murdock never thought it was a good idea to keep cash around. I finally understood why on the day he was robbed and killed. Those men took a lot of things from us, but most of our money was safe in the bank.” A tear ran down her cheek. Turning her back to Tucker, she caught it with the dish towel and sniffed. Raising up to her full height, Daisy pivoted to face him again. It surprised her to see that anger virtually oozed from every fiber of the man. His red hair seemed aflame on his scalp. His nostrils flared, and he took deep breaths. She couldn’t ever remember seeing him so mad. Not even the day she shot him when her papa was teaching her to shoot.
“I will pay for the horses.” Tucker rammed his hat on his head. “And if those murderous thieves ever come near here again, I’ll see that they pay, too.” The force of the slamming door caused it to bounce open again as she watched him stomp across the yard. It took a moment for her to realize she was holding her breath.
Daisy hadn’t meant to upset him. Her papa was right. Being married to each other was definitely going to be a major adjustment for both of them. She knew he was just being friendly when he touched her, but she wasn’t ready to be touched. It was too soon. And she couldn’t let him pay for those horses. The farm expenses were her responsibility. And that temper!
Help us, Lord, or this is going to be a rough road.
Tucker entered the barn and saw the boys had finished two of the stalls. Calming himself with great restraint he said, “Good job, men. I need to ask you something.” He stood in the middle of the barn. James and John stilled their pitchforks. “Are you good fishermen?”
“We sure are!” James bragged. “We catch something every time we go!”
“Almost every time, James,” John added. “Sometimes the fish don’t bite.”
“But that’s not our fault, so I say we catch something every time. If the fish are biting, we’re bringing ’em home.” James hesitated and looked at Tucker. “Why? You want us to teach you how to fish, Mr. Tucker? We can. I just thought you might already know since you’re so old and all.” The boy spoke with youthful sincerity. On any other day Tucker would have laughed, but right now, he just needed some time alone.
“That’s a mighty fine offer, James, but not today. I may let you give me some pointers next time. For today, though, I’d like the two of you to go see if you can bring home some supper. Part of a man’s job is to put food on the table. Think you’re up for the challenge?” He looked from one boy to the other.
“Yes, sir! We can do it.” John turned to his brother. “Come on, James, let’s get our gear. I’ll race you.” Pitchforks fell to the ground as eager boys headed to the other side of the barn for poles.
“Whoa, just a minute. There’s another important thing a man does. He takes care of his tools. Put these pitchforks away, then get your gear and don’t forget to tell your momma where you’re going. Make sure she knows I’m sending you to get our supper.”
“Yes, sir!” they said in unison. Within seconds Tucker had the barn to himself. He was so angry he knew he needed to be alone. Hoping some hard work would relieve his stress, Tucker rolled up his sleeves and finished spreading straw.
Enough bad things had happened to Daisy lately without him adding to it by showing her his anger. He didn’t know why those men came and took her husband from her and the papa from those fine boys. He couldn’t bear to see her in pain. He came here because her father asked him to, but the good Lord knew no real man could stand by quietlike while a woman suffered.
Marrying Daisy was supposed to alleviate his loneliness, not confuse him. He gained a sense of accomplishment when he helped her or the twins do something. Just being on the property to protect them brought him peace. More than once last night he’d looked out the barn door and checked to be certain