The Lumberjack's Bride by Jean Kincaid Page A

she help him make his dream come true?
    â€œI want to help so much. It makes me happy to see you so happy.”
    They had finished the washing and spread the clothes out on the bushes to dry. Julianne sat down on the log she and the Indian woman had shared. Caleb sat beside her and took her hand. “You know what makes me happier than my plans for an orchard?”
    She looked him in the eyes and saw the seriousness of his gaze. Her whole being seemed to be filled with waiting. Her voice came out in a weak and tremulous whisper. “What?”
    â€œHaving you to talk to, to share my plans with.”
    â€œBut that’s not helping.”
    He reached out, turning her to face him. “Let me assure you, you have already helped tremendously.” She shook her head and he grasped her chin and his left eyebrow raised a fraction. “I’m not funning at all. Do you know how long it takes me in the evening to fix a meal, to keep the clothes washed and the house cleaned?” He gave an impatient shrug. “You have it all done when I get home. The firewood has been carried in, the water. My meal is ready and the house is clean.” His hand pushed a damp curl off her cheek, lingering a moment on her neck.
    He leaned back on the log propping himself with his hands behind him. “The loneliness was hardest to bear.”
    â€œBut you had Maggie and the men from the sawmill. Didn’t that help?”
    â€œSure, when there was work. But it rains so much here and that stops the work. Sometimes a month at a time. Maggie would go into town and stay with friends and I have nothing in common with the men I work with so I’d stay at the house and try and find something to do. That’s when I started to whittle.”
    Julianne knew about loneliness. “Loneliness comes in different forms.” At his questioning gaze she continued. “I lived in a house full of people and I felt lonely.”
    He questioned her about her family and she told him of her parents’ death and moving in with her aunt and uncle, the four cousins, all under the age of ten, the twins being born five years later than the older girls. She told him of the work she’d done and the raising of the twins.
    â€œSo that’s why you looked like you’d eaten unripe persimmons when Maggie handed you Jonathan on the day of the contest.” Seeing the amusement in his eyes, she laughed.
    â€œI had no intention of being tied to a baby again.”
    â€œAnd now?” There was an arrested expression on his face as he waited for her answer.
    â€œI could not love him more if I’d given birth to him myself.” Julianne spoke with quiet emphasis. “I cannot imagine my life without him.”
    As their eyes met, she felt a shock run through her. The heartrending tenderness of his gaze wrapped around her like a warm blanket. He felt the same as she did, she could tell, and the idea sent her spirits soaring.
    â€œAnd me? Could you imagine life without me?”
    â€œI don’t want to.” Her heart hammered in her ears. Despite his closed expression, she sensed his vulnerability. “The day only starts when you come home to me in the evening.”
    In one forward motion he wrapped her in his arms. She relaxed, sinking into his embrace. His kiss when it came was slow and thoughtful.
    One tiny, furious wail rent the air, pulling them apart. Caleb laughed. “I knew I couldn’t keep you to myself much longer.” In spite of herself, she chuckled.

Chapter 10
    J ulianne rocked Jonathan to sleep. Caleb would be home soon. Love for him and the baby swelled in her heart. They had settled into a daily routine without any major glitches to speak of. She marveled at the changes the last two weeks had brought into her life.
    Her husband cared for her. He’d shown it in many ways. She loved that Caleb made sure to spend time with her. Every evening they took long walks in the woods and