Chapter 8
At some point in the long night Amanda had fallen asleep with her head on Ernest’s chest. She awoke with a start when she heard him groaning.
“Ernest, are you awake,” she asked?
“Barely,” he said. “Why is my head hurting so?”
“Paul brought you home in the wagon after you were kicked in the head by a horse,” she said. “I was afraid you were not going to wake up.”
“Right now I’m wishing I didn’t. My head is splitting and I see flashing lights,” he said. “How long have I been like this?”
“Since yesterday afternoon. I was in the garden when I spotted the wagon flying in the direction of the house. Paul helped me get you in. I have been scared to death all night, not knowing what to do.”
“Well, it seems as if I will live, but I fear this will set me back a few days,” Ernest said. “My head is splitting and the room is going in circles right now. There is no way I can get any work done like this. I don’t even think I can get up and walk at this point.”
“Then you stay here and rest. Paul and the others can pick up the slack for a few days,” she said. “Now, would you like for me to fix you something to eat?”
“Just some coffee. I don’t think I will be able to keep anything down yet,” he replied.
Amanda spent the rest of the day attending to her husband’s every need. She gave him a bath, changed his clothes, fixed him some broth that he actually liked, and just sat by his side while he was sleeping. That night when she finally crawled into the bed beside him she fell quickly asleep, exhausted from the scare.
When the sun came up the following morning Amanda awoke with a start when she heard Ernest groaning. She started to jump out of the bed but Ernest reached out and grabbed her.
“Not so fast,” he said. “I am not yet ready for you to leave this bed!”
“You rat! I heard you groaning and thought you were in pain!”
“I do still have a slight headache, but thanks to you I feel much better. I think I will take the next couple of days to get back on my feet, but I am definitely on the mend. Now crawl back in here with me. I know you haven’t had much rest to past couple of days,” he said.
“And I won’t get much rest if I stay up here with you either,” she said. “Besides, we both have to eat and the last time I checked you were not a very good cook. Now let me up so that I can go fix us some breakfast!”
It was a short time later when Ernest made his way down the stairs and into the kitchen where Amanda was hard at work preparing their breakfast.
“Do you always get flour all over yourself when you make biscuits,” he asked
“You are not supposed to be out of bed,” she said. “And yes, I do get flour all over me every time I use it, but don’t worry, I will clean it up.”
“I’m not worried; I just don’t understand how you manage to get it all over you. But you look adorable in all white. I may have to buy you a white dress the next time we go to town,” he said.
“Don’t be silly. I do not need a white dress because it would not be practical. I would ruin it the first day I wore it. Now have a seat at the table while if finish. I will get you a cup of coffee while I finish up.”
“I have an idea,” Ernest said. “Since I am not able to go work out on the ranch, why don’t we go on a wagon tour? I can show you the land, and perhaps you could pack us a picnic lunch and we could find a quiet spot to enjoy it.”
“That sounds wonderful, but are you sure that you are up to it,” she asked.
“I will be perfectly fine. I’ll get Paul to hitch up the wagon. We can leave right after breakfast if you like.
Amanda was excited to be able to get out of the house and see more of the ranch that her husband owned. She also liked the sound of a picnic lunch. It sounded sort of romantic.
“I’ll go find Paul and have him get the wagon ready,” Ernest said. “Don’t forget to grab a quilt for us to sit on. I’ll be back in a few minutes.
Amanda tried to think quick about what she could pack for a picnic lunch. She filled a large container with water, sliced some of the leftover biscuits, and filled them with ham that had been left over from a previous meal. With that she found a block of cheese that she cut in manageable slices. That should be enough for their lunch. This was going to be such a great day!
By the time Paul pulled the wagon in front of the house, Amanda was packed and ready. She allowed Paul to help her up on the wagon while Ernest took the reins.
“I think that first I will take you to the south pastures. That is where the majority of the cows are at the moment. You should even get to see some of the newborns that have found their legs,” Ernest said.
Amanda took in the entire scene around her and held onto to ever word that Ernest spoke. He pointed out the different landmarks along the way and explained to her the reason for keeping the cows in the south pastures at this time of year. His voice was like a soothing balm to her soul. She realized that she was rapidly falling in love with this man that she had married. She had only known him for a few days, but already she could not picture her life without him.
It was just before the noon hour when Ernest topped a hill that overlooked a large body of water. The scene before them was beautiful and serene.
“I did not know you had such a large lake on the ranch,” she exclaimed.
“The lake is our primary water supply for the cattle,” he said. “It is fed by an underground stream so there is always a fresh supply. Sometimes in the heat of the summer the ranch hands will take a dip in the lake to cool off. I think we will stop here to have our picnic.”
Ernest found a shady spot beneath a grove of trees to spread out the quilt. Amanda thought this might just be the most beautiful spot on earth with its glistening waters and a cooling breeze that blew across the lake.
Amanda grabbed the basket she had packed for lunch and offered Ernest a ham and biscuit. She had brought a couple of glasses from the house so that they could have something to drink from.
“Amanda, I know that your life has changed drastically since you came to the ranch, but I want you to know that I am so glad that you did. With you I feel like my life is almost complete. I could never have found a better woman than you to spend my life with,” Ernest said. “And one day, when God is ready, we will hopefully raise our family together.”
“I too, am glad that I came here. I had planned to do whatever it took to please you, but I find pleasing you one of the easiest things I have ever done,” she said. “I never expected love to be a part of this marriage, but I find myself falling in love with you more and more each day. When you were injured I was scared to death that you would be taken from me. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
“I think I fell in love with you the first day I met you. You stepped off that train and I spotted you right away. You looked so young and innocent, but I could detect your determination to make this work,” Ernest said. “It was a very brave thing you did, leaving your home and all that was familiar to you, and come out here to meet a perfect stranger and start a new life that was unknown to you at the time.”
“I must admit; I was a bit scared. I had no idea what I was getting into, but I didn’t have a life in South Caroline anymore. God knew all along what was best for both of us, and I am so thankful that He brought us together,” Amanda said.
Ernest leaned over and kissed Amanda lightly on the lips. Something about the fresh air made him feel normal and energized.
“Well, Mrs. Latimer, if God knew what He was doing when he brought us together, then perhaps he will help us start our family very soon. I can’t think of a better time and place to start working on it,” Ernest said.