Chapter 9

Wyatt hitched up his horse to Mabel's buggy out in the front of her home and gently patted the side of the animal. He then took out some sugar cubes from his vest pocket and fed them to the black and white spotted Palomino while talking to the mare. “Well good morning to you to, my precious Amber girl. We've got a few things to accomplish today. Don't worry though when we get back from town I'll pick you up some new horseshoes and we'll change yours. You're just like a typical woman, get you shoes and sweets and you're a happy girl.” Wyatt chuckled to himself as he mounted Amber and they headed into town. Amber trotted along happily while Wyatt thought about Mabel. Before she had awakened he busied himself with making a list of necessary supplies and familiarized himself with her property. It had been quite some time since he had taken leave from his army unit and he definitely was enjoying his time away from the bloody battlefield. He knew that he would be called back soon enough, so he wanted to take every moment he could just to enjoy some peace before war decided to rob him of his friends and family members once more.

Arriving in town, he hitched his horse up in front of the hardware store and went inside, the welcome bells jingling announcing his arrival to the clerk. Wyatt pulled a list out of his pocket and a pencil. He circled the items he needed for the clerk. He decided to go ahead and get some building materials needed to winterize the home, as well as some gardening supplies. Wyatt realized after surveying her property that Mabel had room at the edge of her property for a small garden square. He knew that the widow would want to have fresh vegetables and fruits in the summertime. He also thought it would be a nice memorial for Jacob. He spent a great deal of money at the hardware store getting finishing nails, lumber, bags of concrete to repair a few surface cracks in the foundation. He then also got the gardening supplies. He bought Amber the horseshoes, and then made it a point to come home with a new axe.

Mabel needed her wood pile started and he wasn't able to find an axe on the property. He surmised that she just never got around to getting one, or she honestly didn't even think about needing firewood. After all, why should she. She was planning a homecoming for her husband and he was going to be the one dealing with the heavy lifting. Wyatt smiled to himself. He never really considered himself a tough guy. He knew his limitations and he also knew when to admit he wouldn't win in certain physical altercations. Knowing these limitations had probably kept him alive for as long as he had been, but there was something about Mabel that made him feel almost superhuman. When she looked at him with those flashing eyes, he knew in a heartbeat he would do anything for her. He hoped that in time she would love him as much or more than she loved her Jacob. He paid the clerk and loaded up his wagon. He then rode off to the general store to pick up some of the things Mabel for the kitchen. He noticed she was running low on flour, eggs, milk, and had little fatback or poultry left in the icebox. He went ahead and got those things. He spared no expense making sure her cupboards would be full for at least the next three months. He then purchased some toiletries along with a few items for himself, including a shaving kit. He was the type of man that didn't require much for survival, but he did take pride in his appearance. He wanted Mabel to see what he looked like clean shaven, his face not tired and haggard ravaged by the horrors of war. He even purchased some cologne from the clerk as well. As a special surprise for Mabel, he made an impulse buy before leaving, some expensive chocolates that were sitting by the front register which were wrapped in foil and shaped like miniature roses.

As dusk fell Wyatt arrived back to Mabel's home and unloaded the supplies. He then opened the door, carrying in the groceries, making several different trips. He didn't hear any noise whatsoever coming from any of the rooms, so he walked to the bedroom and opened the door to find Mabel was still sleeping soundly. He took advantage of her slumber to put away the groceries and attend to his horse. After attending to his tasks, he decided to go ahead and make dinner for them both. Despite knowing his way around the kitchen, cooking was not his favorite activity. It seemed no matter what dish he tried to prepare he always either seemed to use too much salt or not enough. He put on a cut of beef to broil and then began chopping up vegetables for a proper pot roast. After combining the ingredients he put them all in the oven, saving the broth for the gravy. Knowing it would take time for the dish to finish cooking, Wyatt decided to freshen up and bathe before dinner. He took his shaving kit into the bathroom and poured water in the tub. He had boiled some extra on the stove so it would be warm and welcoming. He was tired from his work that day and groaned slightly was he took off his clothes letting the dirty, dusty garments fall to the floor. He then sank into the hot water allowing it to soothe his aching muscles. He lathered his hair and washed it and let his head lay back against the porcelain tub. It had been a long time before he had felt this relaxed. Despite the hardship and grief he felt for Jacob's passing, he was also excited to be with Mabel and deep in his soul he knew it was a new beginning for both of them.

Smelling dinner simmering in the kitchen he knew he had to attend to it shortly, so he stretched his back out once more and stood letting water drip down his body and pool in the tub before wrapping himself in a towel and standing in front of the mirror to shave. He lathered his face up and took out his new razor, carefully gliding it along the curves of his jawline getting as close a shave as possible without cutting himself. He then put on some aftershave and cologne. Examining his reflection in the mirror he smiled. He felt good and for the first time in many years he looked youthful, his eyes even had a glow that didn't make him appear haggard from his time in the army.

Wyatt dressed again in a loose pair of pants he normally slept in and found an old flannel shirt. He then padded in bare feet to the kitchen where he portioned out the pot roast on plates for both of them and set the kitchen table. Deciding to make the dinner look a bit more appealing he then lit a beeswax candlestick and sat it in its holder in the middle of the table. Giving one final nod, he walked to the bedroom and knocked softly. He didn't hear Mabel stir, so he opened the door. She was sleeping soundly. It appeared that she did eat some of the breakfast he left her. He watched her for a few moments before gently touching her shoulder. He marveled at her beauty. He felt a yearning in his heart once more, she had a glow about her even as she slumbered that made his soul feel whole. Gently shaking her he said her name a few times and she turned over on her back. She then opened her eyes and smiled weakly. “Hi, Wyatt.”

“Well, hello. How are you doing? Did you rest well?”

“Mhm... I'm glad you're still here.”

“Well, I'm glad to be here. Come on and sit up. I have a surprise for you.”

Mabel nodded and took Wyatt's hand as he helped her sit up in bed. She had been in one position so long her muscles had gotten stiff. She held onto his hand even when she stood up and found it oddly comforting. Neither one of them let go of each other as they walked hand in hand to the kitchen where Wyatt had prepared dinner. Mabel rubbed her eyes in disbelief and her mouth dropped open. She didn't realize it, but there were tears running down her face as she turned to Wyatt and exclaimed, “Oh my! You really didn't have to do this Wyatt.”

“I know I didn't have to. I wanted to or I wouldn't have. Trust me Mabel, I'm a man that does what he wants when he wants.”

He led her to the table and pulled out her chair for her. The pair enjoyed their meal together, and before long, their conversation turned from stories about Jacob to learning about each other's hobbies, interests, and families. It had been a long time since Mabel's tiny kitchen had so much laughter in it. They talked until the wax candle neared its end. Wyatt interrupted their conversation and stood up quickly. “Oh, wait! I have another surprise for you!”

“What's gotten into you with these surprises?”

“Well, I figured we both deserved some spoiling.”

He opened the cabinet door, retrieving the chocolates he purchased earlier. Mabel smiled broadly, appreciating the artistry and beauty in the treat. She also appreciated the twinkle in Wyatt's eyes and didn't realize until he shaved just how handsome he was. She traced the outline of his jaw with her eyes and noticed his tight muscles when he stood up. She felt a level of heat rise in her chest. She didn't know what was wrong with her, but she felt an odd attraction to him. She knew in her mind that she hadn't buried her departed husband yet, but at the same time she couldn't take her eyes off of him as they finished their sweet dessert.

After dessert Wyatt helped Mabel out of her chair and the pair said goodnight before each retiring to separate rooms. Wyatt knew that Mabel was still partially in shock from the news of Jacob's death and he was worried that she wasn't getting enough rest. He decided to set up for a bit, as he felt an odd stirring in his stomach. He didn't know why, but he was on edge and felt as if Mabel may have needed his protection that night. He was right to trust his gut. She hadn't been asleep very long before he heard her cry out. He rushed to the bedroom door, opening it to find her sitting up in bed gasping for air and sweating. “Mabel?! Are you okay? What's wrong?!”

She was sobbing uncontrollably and he sat down beside her, putting his arms around her, pulling her close to him. He made soothing sounds and rubbed her back and her sobbing stopped as she caught her breath. “I had a nightmare. I'm sorry to have woken you. I was just so frightened and it felt so real.”

“It's okay. I'm here now.”

“Thank you.”

“No thanks needed, ma'am it's my job.”

Overtaken with emotion and full of gratitude, Mabel reached up and touched his face in that moment, pulling him closer to her and into a passionate kiss. Internally, Wyatt chided himself for allowing himself to fall into the kiss, but he knew without a shadow of a doubt that Mabel was the woman he wanted in his life. They fell into one another's bodies that night. Each of them exploring and groping one another, holding each other close to one another, trying to absorb everything about one another through their flesh to flesh contact. Mabel moaned in ecstasy as Wyatt gave her pleasures she had never felt with Jacob and Wyatt also exclaimed in love and passion when Mabel gave her body to him. He shuddered with relief and happiness as he found release inside her, between her thighs. They then collapsed into one another. Wyatt found it to be the most peaceful slumber he had ever known.

The pair continued like that for weeks, making changes to the home and at night making love until the sun rose. Wyatt finished the small repairs needed on the house, and he even prepared the ground for the gardening. He chopped the wood and stacked it neatly in a pile beside the home for easy access in the winter. He had completed just about every task he had intended to. He knew that his time on leave was growing short and he wanted everything to be perfect when he left and hopefully still in order when he returned. Together they gave Jacob a final service and they mourned their loss together, yet found comfort in each other. As he checked off his projects he noticed that his shirts and pants were getting threadbare.

He asked Mabel if she wouldn't mind giving him some new things before he had to return for duty and she gladly agreed to take on the project but was out of material. He decided to run to town to get the linens as well as some extra supplies for Mabel to make her some new outfits and bed sheets and curtains for the home. He dressed early that day and happily mounted Amber. As they trotted off, he made a mental note to put on her new horseshoes when he returned. He had been so distracted by recent events that it slipped his mind. His trip to town was uneventful as he picked up the post as well as procuring everything Mabel needed to make the clothing and fineries for the home. He still couldn't believe just how happy he was since falling in love with the woman who had inadvertently changed his life. He had not proposed to her, but he had every intention of doing so when he returned for his next leave. They both agreed that he had a home with her and he was content in that alone until the war ended. He didn't want Mabel to remarry only to be faced with the potential loss she had with Jacob.

Since the seasons were changing dusk fell quickly that evening and there was barely any daylight remaining when he started his return trip. He coaxed Amber along with the buggy a little more quickly than she was used to, but she seemed to be enjoying the exercise. He chuckled at her enthusiasm and said, “Hey, you've still got some energy left don't you ol' girl? Well you enjoy your night out.”

As they sped along, grass and sod flew into the air and Wyatt enjoyed the feeling of the cool night air rushing at his face and the wind in his hair. He smiled broadly. He was finally happy and free. He threw his head back and laughed in joy. He felt more alive in that moment than he did in his entire thirty years on earth. As they rounded a curve in the road, though, he heard Amber whinny in pain as she reared back on her hindquarters, flinging the buggy around behind her as she continued to buck and moan. A rock had become lodged in the small seam between her hoof and her horseshoe. Wyatt attempted to maintain control and soothe the horse, but the speed and positioning of the buggy made it impossible. He lost his grip on the reigns and was flung to the ground. In her panic and attempt to get free to attend to her own injuries, Amber proceeded to stomp and kick, making contact with Wyatt. Her powerful leg caught the side of his head and Wyatt lay on the ground with his head split open, blood pouring onto the ground and the pile of linens that lay discarded to the side of the demolished buggy. As the light faded from his eyes, he thought of Mabel waiting for his return and hoped she knew how much he loved her.