Free Shelter in Seattle by Rhonda Gibson

ladder.
    When he got to the bottom he found the house was empty. Fresh loaves of bread rested on the kitchen table, but Julianne and the baby were nowhere to be found, so he went in search of them.
    Stepping onto the porch he realized it was almost noon. He’d slept away most of the day. What must Julianne think of him? Where was she anyway?
    He scoured the yard and garden. He didn’t see her, and his heart began to pound.
    The cow let out a loud bellow. Caleb ran to the barn. He stopped just outside the open doors. Who was inside the barn? Could the Indians have come to carry off his family, livestock, and who knew what else, while he slept?
    It took all his will not race inside when he heard Julianne’s raised voice. He could sense the anger in her.
    “Fine! See if I try to help you again. You are an ungrateful beast with a nasty temper.”
    Caleb cautiously peeked around the door. His lovely wife stood with her hands on her hips, facing the cow that had its head lowered and looked ready to charge.
    “Don’t even think about it. We’ll be having steaks for dinner if you dare.” She threatened the animal.
    Pride filled Caleb’s chest at his wife’s bravery. He could see the cow’s eyes were just as determined as Julianne sounded. The animal lifted its head and shook the bell around her neck.
    “Good morning.” Caleb came further into the barn.
    Julianne turned. Dirt splattered her dress and hay poked from different places in her hair. Smudges of gook and something dark lined one cheek. Her blue eyes flashed in anger.
    “You sure are a beauty when you’re mad.” The words popped out of his mouth before he could stop them.
    If it were at all possible, her eyes flashed even brighter. Her face flushed a bright red, and her nostrils flared. Caleb wasn’t sure if the flush was from embarrassment or anger, but it made her even more appealing to him.
    “I am not mad. I’m angry. Dogs get mad and foam at the mouth. Do you see me foaming at the mouth?” She demanded.
    She had tied a sheet across one shoulder and baby Jonathan rested inside its folds. Caleb watched her cuddle the baby closer to her as she waited for his answer.
    “No ma’am’. I don’t see any foam.” He wanted to laugh but didn’t dare. She looked so beautiful with hay in her hair and her eyes that incredible shade of ice blue.
    “Good.” A smile split her lip.
    Caleb couldn’t contain the laughter. It bubbled from his throat and washed away some of the rejection of the night before.
    Her laughter joined his. “I was trying to get that ornery animal to let me milk her. Her sack is full but she won’t allow me to touch her.”
    He picked up the milk pail and the stump he’d sat on the night before. “May Bell, why won’t you let the pretty lady milk you?” Caleb walked to the cow and pulled her out into the yard.
    Julianne followed. He heard her soft footstep behind him.
    “How is it you’ve never milked a cow before?” He sat the stump on the ground and pulled the cow forward until her utters were in line with the stump.
    “The opportunity never presented itself. We lived in the city and our milk was delivered each morning.”
    He nodded. “Why don’t I get this little lady something to eat, and then I’ll show you how it’s done.”
     “Sounds good to me.”
    Though she spoke casually, her uneasiness did not go unnoticed by Caleb. The furtive glances over her shoulder at May Bell and the way she pressed the baby closer to her were dead give-a-ways. She was determined to conquer her fear; he could see that in the clenched jaw and face void of all expression. She waited while Caleb entered the barn and returned with hay.
    Tossing the hay in front of May Bell, Caleb positioned the bucket under her utters and sat down on the stump. He showed Julianne how to milk the cow.”See that’s not so hard is it?”
    He glanced up in time to see a single tear slip from her eyelashes. “There’s no reason to cry, honey.”
    She