“First things first.” Davis wrapped his one arm around her waist and pulled her as close as he could with the baby in the way. With his other hand he held her head, slanting it so he could deepen his kiss. She ran her palms over his back, hugging him tightly.
“That was quite an enthusiastic welcome, Mrs. Cooper.” He rested his arms on her shoulders, locking his fingers behind her neck.
Mae Berger bustled into the store, her friendly, open face happy. “Hello, Mr. Cooper, so good of you to visit your wife. She’s been lonely for you, I think. I tell her she spends too much time looking out that window, like she’s expecting company. Come in the back, and I’ll fix you some coffee. You look cold, and with the weather so nasty. Come, come, Emma, you too, you need to get off your feet. I’ll have Hans go out to take care of customers.”
“It’s good to see you too, Mae,” Davis said as he took both her hands in his and gave her a peck on the cheek.
“Oh, you make an old lady blush, Mr. Cooper.”
“Please, Mae, no ‘Mr. Cooper’. That was my father. Call me Davis,” he said as he and Emma followed her behind the curtain into the living quarters behind the store.
“Hans, see who came to visit our lovely Emma. Her husband is here, and now she can smile again.” Mae called to her husband as she pumped water into a pot, then placed it on the stove to boil. Davis took a seat at the small wooden table, as Emma removed cookies from a flowered tin and put them on a plate.
“Emma, this big man needs more than cookies with his coffee.” Mae clucked. “Make him a nice sandwich with that roast we had for supper. And put some of that potato salad with it. My, my, Mr. Coop-Davis,” she corrected herself, “such a day for riding into town. But I’m sure you wanted to see our Emma, and check on the little one, too. So big she grows! You’re going to have a strapping baby. I make her eat and rest. But seeing you is the only thing that puts that happy smile on her face.”
Emma glanced sideways at him, an appealing pink blush on her cheeks.
Mae kept up her running conversation as she grabbed cups, plates and napkins, arranging them on the table. Davis and Emma eyed each other and worked to hide their grins. Mae Berger might be a talker, but her heart was as big as the Oregon Territory.
“Hello, Davis,” Hans said as he entered the kitchen area. “How’s the house coming?”
“The house is coming along good.” Davis stood to shake the older man’s hand. “The cellar is dug and the floor in. We have most of the framing completed, but we’ve had to stop on and off with the downpours. I hope to get the roof up as soon as the weather clears so we can keep working, even when it does rain.” Davis dug into his food as Emma joined him at the table, pouring coffee for both of them from the much-used coffee pot.
“It’s good you put in a cellar.” Hans settled himself in a chair and nodded his thanks at the sandwich Mae placed in front of him. “You need storage, and a basement makes a house stronger.”
“That’s what I thought,” Davis said between bites. “I’m danged lucky to have the Campbell brothers working for me. They work hard and have good ideas.”
After finishing his meal, Davis pushed his plate back, then reached to pull Emma onto his lap. She rested her head on his shoulder.
A soft tinkle sounded from the bell over the front door. Hans pushed his chair back then headed to the curtain, but returned in a matter of minutes. “Emma, there’s a gentleman out here asking for you.”
Brows furrowed, Davis threw her a look when
he rose to join her as she hurried away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Jeb!” Emma cried as she ran to the preacher she had such a fondness for.
He gave her a hug and stuck his hand out to Davis. “Good to see you, Davis, I didn’t expect to find you here, too.” His smile didn’t quite make it to his eyes, though, and Emma was immediately concerned.
“Jeb, how is Elizabeth? And Abigail? Is everything okay?”
The preacher took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. “That’s why I came to see you today, Emma. I heard you were helping the Bergers out while your house is being built. I’m afraid I need your help.” He looked anxiously at them.
“So, Pastor.” Mae had come out to join them. “Come into the kitchen, and have some coffee. Things are quiet, it’s not a good day for shopping anyway. Emma, put another pot of coffee on. My, you’re so wet. You’ll catch your death.” She hustled Jeb out of his long coat and pushed him toward the kitchen.
“Hans, get more wood from the pile by the back door and build up the fire in the kitchen. Come, Mr. Preston, you need to get warm.” Having another person to fuss over, Mae Berger appeared to be in her glory.
After Jeb had a steaming cup of coffee in front of him, along with a roast beef sandwich, they all looked expectantly in his direction.
He took Emma’s hand in his. “The reason I came to you, is my mother has suffered an apoplexy.” At her indrawn breath, the preacher squeezed her hand.
“She’s recovering,” he said softly, “but needs someone to feed her and wash and dress her.” He pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and finger. “Elizabeth’s been doing it all herself, and now she’s been ordered to bed by her doctor because of the baby. I’m building my church, and even though I can give Mother her meals, I can’t wash and dress her.” He stopped at this, and took a deep breath. “I didn’t know where else to turn.”
“Jeb, please, you should have come to me sooner. It’s not good for Elizabeth to be wearing herself out,” Emma scolded. “Of course I can help.”
“Yes, you must help.” Mae gave her a curt nod. “I don’t need so much. I’ve been spoiled with you here, but Jeb’s mama needs you, and you can’t be doing for her, and me too.”