The Lumberjack's Bride by Jean Kincaid

from his hands.
    She dunked the material into the water expecting Caleb to walk off and occupy his time elsewhere. He didn’t move and a splashing sound met her ears just before water droplets landed on her arms. This time he vigorously washed one of his shirts. She sat back on her heels.
    â€œCaleb, you don’t have to help me.”
    He continued to scrub and Julianne frowned. Men didn’t scrub clothes. So what was he doing?
    Caleb rinsed the soap out of the red shirt and stood to hang it on a nearby bush. Julianne admired his easy movements as he knelt beside her again. Did he think that because she had been afraid of the snake that she couldn’t do the wash?
    â€œReally, Caleb,” she huffed. “I am capable of doing the laundry.” She bent back to the task of rubbing the soil from the dress.
    She heard, more than saw, him sit back. “Julianne.” His voice held steel even though he called her name softly.
    â€œWhat?” Julianne didn’t look up.
    He pulled on the sheet that held Jonathan to her. “Julianne, look at me.”
    She did as he said with reluctance. “What, Caleb? I don’t have time for games. I have to finish the wash, cook two meals and get a bath today.” Julianne dared him to deny what she said.
    A warm smile caught her off guard. “I know you have to do those things, and I’m going to help you.” He reached up and tucked a wayward curl behind her ear.
    â€œWhy? Don’t you have something else to do?” She hated the way her voice came out in a whisper. Caleb would think she was weak and unable to take care of the chores.
    Laughter filled the air around them. “Nope, I’m here to protect my family and to be a helpmeet to my beautiful wife.”
    Julianne stared at him. He thought she was beautiful? The man had to be half blind. Her hair fell from the neat bun she’d created this morning, she knew her skin was freckled from being out in the sun without a bonnet, and her dress was wet and muddy at the knees. And besides, wasn’t it her job to be the helpmeet to him? He puzzled her, this man she’d married. But he also drew her in ways she couldn’t deny. Julianne ducked her head, sure he was teasing her.
    The more she was around Caleb the more Julianne knew she was falling in love with this gentle man who was her husband. Her husband.
    He startled Julianne by cupping her lowered chin in his strong, callused hand and gently raising her head. Her confused gaze met his warm eyes. She could hardly believe that was truly attraction she saw, and heard in his voice, as he announced, “Julianne, God brought us together to help each other. I’m glad He did.”
    Julianne was glad, too. Caleb began to talk. As they scrubbed clothes together by the water’s edge he told her of his dreams of owning an apple orchard.
    â€œBut where would you put an apple orchard? The only cleared space is around the cabin and the garden.”
    â€œI’ll keep cutting timber as I get time. I want to build more onto the house behind the rooms we have now. That’s why I left the roof so high on the back. It will take me several years to clear the acreage but I’m young and strong, and by the time I get the trees removed I’ll have the money to buy the seedlings.”
    â€œWon’t you need help? I mean, I can help out a lot, but I’m not sure I know how to cut down trees.” She looked at him anxiously. “I love to plant, though, so I can help when you are ready to do that.”
    â€œI’m thinking of asking the boss if he’d like to cut the timber off my property. He can bring the men and they will have several acres cleared in a week. He can keep the money from the sale of the wood.”
    The excitement in his voice as he described the trees and different kinds of apples he would sell was contagious. Julianne began thinking she and Caleb would make a great team.
    How could