RNWMP: Bride for Wesley (Mail Order Mounties Book 5) Read online

  “I know you like to be independent, and I think this will make that easier for you. I was also thinking about building a tray on wheels, so that you could move the food from the stove to the table easier on bad days. Do you think that would help you?”

  Lisa nodded. “But I don’t want you to spend all your spare time trying to make my life easier. I’m sure there are things you’d rather be doing.”

  He shrugged. “I’ve always enjoyed building things and working with my hands. I’d be honored if you’d let me build things to help you be more efficient. I want your life to be easier than it is, and I think with a few little contraptions, I can make it that way.”

  “I really appreciate you. When I first got here, I thought you were disappointed to get a girl who was broken, but now it seems like you care about me after all.”

  “I’m sorry I made you feel that way. It took me a bit of time to adjust, but I realize that you’re a good wife to me.”

  Lisa rested her head on his shoulder. “I guess I need to get up so you can get to work, huh?”

  “That would be good. And maybe you could keep a pot of coffee on all day. Preston’s going to help me, and he’s a coffee drinker too.”

  “How else can I help?”

  He shrugged. “I think we’re good as long as we have coffee fueling us. It’s getting chilly, so we’ll need to come in for coffee when we can.”

  As soon as he was outside, Maryanne came in and joined Lisa. “What are they building?” she asked.

  “Wesley thought it would help me to have a wagon I could pull that has a seat, so I don’t have to carry things, and I have a place to rest when I need to. It will convert to a sleigh in winter. Isn’t that sweet?”

  Maryanne smiled. “It is sweet! I think it’s wonderful!”

  “Me too! I’m going to bake him a cake to thank him for making it. He and Preston will be coming in often for breaks, so I think I should have something nice waiting for them.”

  “That’s a great idea. A cake? Or you could make gingerbread. That would be delicious with some whipped cream on top.”

  Lisa looked in her cabinet and pulled out ingredients. “I think I have what I need for gingerbread. Miss Hazel taught me to make it before the rest of you arrived.” Not for the first time in the last few months, she wished her mother had pushed her to learn more things instead of coddling her.

  “I’m glad you had extra time with Miss Hazel. She’s a really nice lady. Crazy, but nice.” Maryanne sat and watched, crocheting constantly, as Lisa made the gingerbread. She was learning quickly that Lisa liked to be independent when it was at all possible.

  Lisa shrugged. “How would we know what normal was if there weren’t crazy people around to compare them to? Miss Hazel is probably the only matchmaker in the world who would match a girl like me with a tall, handsome Mountie.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t say things like that. I’ve been around a lot of people who were disabled in some way, and I have to say that you have a very positive mindset. I love that you don’t sit around and wait for people to do things for you. You get up and try to do them yourself.”

  “You know what? I used to sit around and wait. I think my best friends moving away lit a fire under me that wouldn’t have been lit otherwise. They really got me to climb out of my shell and force myself to learn new things and to work harder.” To work at all. She was ashamed of how she’d allowed everyone to do things for her in the past.

  “I’m glad they moved away, then. You are really a strong woman, and I don’t care what anyone says. Yes, you have your problems, but you’re always willing to fight to do it yourself. Who could complain about that?”

  Lisa slipped the gingerbread into the oven before walking over to the ice box to pull out the fresh cream. She poured some into a bowl and started whipping it, knowing it would make her good arm sore, but it was worth it to make something special for her husband and his friend who were laboring for her. “I can’t wait to see the finished product.”

  “I can’t either.” Maryanne grinned. “After you finish the whipped cream, you should sit with me and work on the afghan for Jess’s baby. You have to finish fast, because you know JoAnn will need one before too terribly long. Not to mention our babies needing them.”

  At her words, Lisa frowned. Wesley still slept on the floor. She didn’t know what it was going to take for her to convince him that she wouldn’t break in half if he touched her. “I’ll do my best. I want to have Jess’s to her before Christmas. I think that would be the perfect gift.”

  “Do you want children?” Maryanne asked softly.

  “Yes, I do. I’ve always wanted a whole houseful of kids. Of course, I think it would be better for someone like me to only have one or two at the most. Children are a lot of work.”

  Lisa finished the whipped cream and walked to the side of the cabin with the bed to get her afghan. It wasn’t as perfect as Maryanne’s, but Maryanne had been crocheting for years. She had never dared to try before Tuesday. “I really like being able to make pretty things with my hands. Thank you for teaching me.”

  “I love being able to help you learn to do new things. I think you’re an incredible woman, and there’s no need for you to sit around bored when you can be doing things for others. Wouldn’t it be fun to try to make afghans for the Indian women who are expecting this winter? I think there are three or four of them who are in the family way here in the village.”

  “Oh, that’s a wonderful idea! We could make some and have them ready, and every time someone has a baby, we could give them one. What a good idea, Maryanne!” Lisa got up to remove the gingerbread from the oven, inhaling deeply of the scent. “Ginger is one of my favorite smells.”

  “Mine too.” Maryanne looked toward the door as it opened.

  Wesley and Preston came in, rubbing their hands together. “It’s cold, but we can’t wear gloves while we’re building your wagon, so we’ll need frequent breaks.”

  Lisa nodded. “Sit, both of you. I’ll get you some coffee and gingerbread.”

  Preston smiled. “I knew something smelled good. Maryanne, did you make it?”

  Maryanne shook her head. “No, Lisa did. She did a good job, too.”

  Lisa carried two cups of coffee to the table and went back to cut the gingerbread. She was thrilled Maryanne had said she did it. It would have been so easy for her to take the credit with her husband. “Do you both want whipped cream?”

  “I do,” Wesley said, smiling wide. He was proud of his wife, something that surprised him. He’d always thought she would have to rely on others for strength, but there she was, doing things for herself and for others.

  “Me too!” Preston watched as Lisa limped toward the table. “Maryanne, you should help her.”

  “No, I really shouldn’t. She’s having a good day, and it’s her house. She can serve you both.” Maryanne winked at Lisa, who grinned back.

  “Yes, I can do it. Sometimes I need help, but there’s no reason for someone to help me when I don’t.” She put a plate of gingerbread in front of each of the men. “Is there anything special you want for lunch?”

  “Some of your stew would be wonderful,” Wesley said.

  “I’ll make it happen.” Lisa felt herself stand just a bit taller as Maryanne told her husband that she could handle things herself. Having someone stand up for her and say she was capable meant the world to her.

  After the men were gone, Lisa looked at Maryanne and simply said, “Thank you.”

  Maryanne grinned, understanding immediately. “There’s no need for you to thank me. I simply spoke the truth.”

  By the end of the day, the wagon was finished. Lisa went out to look at it, thrilled with the finished product. She sat on the seat at the back of it, finding it just the right height. “This is going to be so nice. Even on my good days, I have a hard time holding everything I need to carry. Thank you both for making me something that will make my life so much easier.”

  “Tomorrow after c
hurch, I’m going to make you the tray I mentioned,” Wesley told her.

  Lisa smiled happily. “I’ll be able to work even on bad days, so your supper will never be late. Now I know why you’re being so kind to me! It all makes sense!”

  “Why’s that?” Wesley asked, knowing what was coming.

  “You want your supper on time, so you’re making my life easier.”

  He laughed. “Sure am. I’m not a stupid man.” He got up to go back outside and pressed a kiss to her forehead on his way.

  That evening when Wesley took Sophie for her walk, Lisa went along with him, dragging her wagon. Wesley wanted to be sure she was able to handle it easily. “I’ll let you ride in it next time, Sophie,” she said to the dog as they walked along by the river.

  “Why?” he asked. “She likes getting exercise. That’s the purpose of these walks, not treating her like a princess.”

  Lisa shrugged. “I like treating her like a princess. It’s fun!”

  “You’re really an animal lover, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, I really am. I’ve always loved animals. I had the sweetest little kitten when I was a girl. And then after she died, I got Sophie.”

  “You haven’t seen that cougar around town, have you?” His abrupt change of subject surprised her for a moment.

  Lisa shook her head. “No, I haven’t. Maybe it moved on.”

  “I’m not so sure of that,” he told her. “Many of the Indians are still worried about it being too close to the village.”

  “Has anyone been hurt?”

  “Not that we can tell.” He sighed. “I wish I knew what was happening there. The Indians still blame you and Maryanne for bringing the cougar here.”

  “Well, they can blame us all they want. I don’t care.” Lisa sat down on the seat at the back of her wagon, loving how smooth it was, and how easy to get up and down from. “This is really comfortable. I was going to send the first afghan I’m making to my friend Jess for her baby, but I think I just might keep it for my wagon. Then when I need to sit, I can cover up as well.” The wagon felt like a huge luxury to her, and though she’d always hated the idea of wheelchairs, she knew that this would be a godsend.

  “Then you’ll just have to make her another one.”

  “And I will,” Lisa said happily. “I’ll make a lot more. Maryanne thought that we should make enough for all of the women expecting babies this winter. Then as soon as one gives birth, we can take her our gift.”

  “I think that’s a very nice idea,” Wesley said. “I’m glad you’re not as nervous around the natives. It will make your life a lot easier.”

  “I’m glad too. This is a beautiful place to live. I need to love the people who live here with me.” She was going to make it her goal to get to know as many of the native women as she could.

  Chapter Eight

  The wagon really did make things easier for Lisa. As it got colder, she had more and more bad days, but she was determined not to let her bad days mean that there was less done around her house, and she wasn’t about to let Maryanne keep doing double work. She kept pushing through, relying on her wagon when she needed it and using the tray on wheels Wesley made to serve dinner. It was sturdy enough that she could lean on it, which thrilled her to no end. There were days when leaning was the only option.

  “Does the cold affect your bad days?” Wesley asked at the end of the following week. “It seems that the colder it gets the more bad days you’re having.”

  Lisa shrugged. “I think it must. I didn’t have this many days with my leg not wanting to cooperate back in Ottawa. Now that I think on it, winters were always worse.” She wasn’t sure why she’d never put it together before. Probably because she hadn’t been pushing to work hard, but had instead allowed people to do things for her. So it hadn’t mattered a lot if her days were bad or good. Not until she’d started being self-sufficient.

  “So knowing that, if we keep our cabin warmer, would that help? If you sleep with a hot water bottle or a hot brick?”

  “Maybe. I’ve never tried to do things like that to keep bad days from happening. I’m more than willing to give it a shot.” Lisa was willing to try anything. She wanted to be the kind of wife her Mountie deserved, and she didn’t feel like she could be with the constant bad days she was having.

  “We’ll try that tonight. I’ll make sure to put a couple of extra logs on the fire to keep it warmer, and I’ll move the bed closer to the stove.”

  “I have an idea for another way I could keep warmer at night,” she said, feeling very daring.

  “What’s that?” he asked, his fork halfway to his mouth.

  “You could start sleeping with me instead of always sleeping on the floor.” She didn’t meet his gaze as she said the words, hoping he wouldn’t be offended. She felt like they knew one another well enough, though, and it was time for them to share the bed. The goal had always been a real marriage.

  “What if I rolled over and hurt you in my sleep?” He wanted to agree to her suggestion, but there were so many reasons it was a bad idea…and so many reasons he wanted to agree with no arguments. But he cared enough about her that he knew he had to do what was right for her, not just for him.

  “Then you’ll have to kiss the hurt better. Do you think you could manage that?”

  He laughed. “You never fail to surprise me, Lisa.”

  She shrugged. “That’s what I’m here for. Just don’t start getting on my nerves, or I’ll have to pull out my secret weapon!”

  “Your secret weapon, huh? What’s your secret weapon?”

  “Shoes. I like to throw them at people.”

  “You wouldn’t throw a shoe at me. I’m your favorite Mountie.”

  She shrugged. “I’m not so sure about that. Preston is awfully nice…”

  Wesley shook his head. “You keep your eyes off Preston and make sure they stay on me, and we’ll be just fine.”

  Lisa giggled. “I’ll do my best.” She reached out and took Wesley’s hand in hers. “Are you going to share the bed with me? It’s time.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive. I appreciate the extra time to get to know you better, but I know you well enough.”

  “All right. But I have a feeling I’m going to steal the covers.”

  Lisa shrugged. “If you do, then I’ll make myself my own. No problem at all.”

  “Did you finish your afghan?” he asked, happy that she’d found something she could do that would help others.

  “I did. And Snowbird had a baby today, so I gave it to her.”

  “Oh, I hadn’t heard she had the baby! Boy or girl?”

  “A little girl. It’s about time, because she had four boys!” Lisa enjoyed getting to know so many of the natives of the area. Snowbird had become one of her favorites. She took the time to teach Lisa to bake pumpkin seeds so they could be eaten as a snack. It fascinated her how the Indians were careful to waste nothing. Lisa loved trying the new things the ladies taught her. “Now I need to make more afghans. I loved giving her something when the baby came. It made me feel like I was finally a grown-up, because I could make something nice enough to give as a gift.”

  He laughed. “I think you were grown up even before you could do that.”

  “But I didn’t feel like I was. See the difference?”

  He walked Sophie by himself while she washed the dishes, carefully putting another couple of logs on the fire before he left. He was going to test his theory and see if they could keep her warmer. If that meant she always had to wear two pairs of stockings under her dress, then so be it. Maybe he could even convince her to start wearing men’s pants. He hated that her bad leg was exposed under her skirts.

  *****

  By mid-November, the snow was three feet deep all around the little village. The tiny cabin stayed warm, thanks to the extra efforts that Wesley made to keep it that way, and Lisa’s bad days did seem to be less frequent. When she needed to go outside, she was almost guaranteed a bad
day the following day, so she traded chores with Maryanne. If she needed something from the store, she sent her friend, and in turn, she made a treat for the other couple. It seemed to work well.

  Lisa was feeling more and more confident that she could make it as a wife as her bad days became fewer and fewer. She’d taken to wearing pants under her skirts, and she almost always wore two pairs of stockings. With the way she dressed, she was sometimes downright hot in the middle of a snowy day. She laughed at herself, but she was thankful that she had a husband who cared enough to not only observe her patterns but work with her to make sure that she had better days.

  Sophie was loving the new climate. The piles and piles of snow were her new playground, it seemed.

  The worst part about the snow for Lisa was that she wasn’t allowed to go outside as much. She didn’t like to stay indoors all the time, but going outside made her feel worse. It was hard to decide which was worse at times.

  She most looked forward to Mondays, when she could talk to all the ladies who had trained with her and become her friends.

  “I’m so sick of seeing nothing but the four walls of this cabin!” Lisa complained to the other three women.

  Maryanne frowned at her. “It’s better than you being in pain all the time. I think it’s good that you’re learning to stay indoors.”

  “I’m glad it makes one of us happy,” Lisa said grumpily.

  Isabelle looked back and forth between Lisa and Maryanne. “You two get to see each other every day, though, right?”

  Maryanne nodded. “I come over every day, not only because Wesley asked me if I would, but also because I know Lisa would go slowly out of her mind and end up in an insane asylum if I didn’t.”

  Elaine laughed. “I understand what you mean, Lisa. I look forward to Mondays too. It’s hard to be stuck inside so much. I think it’s the way of the Mountie wife in the North, though.”

  Lisa wrinkled her nose. “Wesley said he’d request an assignment in another area if I wanted him to. He’s worried about how the cold affects me.” She lifted the edge of her skirt to show off her pants. “I’ve never worn britches a day in my life until after I got married. They’re warm, I have to say.”