From Mourning to Joy

Bernie wondered how it could be much worse than it was now but remained quiet.
“Like I said. I made a list in my head; enough to keep me and the boy out of your hair.”
“You don’t need to mind Davey. Except if you want help – he loves to feel useful.”
Bernie ruffled the boy’s bedhead. “Learned that about the lad already. He can help me if he wants but you just call out the door and he’ll come running if you need him in the house.”
Janelle looked at the bucket. “I see I have water,” and moved to the right to browse through the bag Bernie had brought from town, “and all the ingredients to cook some flat cakes for breakfast. Feels good to be back in the land of the living, and I have two strong gentlemen to thank for it. Bless you both.”
Davey wrapped his arms around her waist and her countenance beamed with pride. “Now off you go. And show Bernie around the place. He’s going to be helping us out for a spell, so you mind him, hear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Davey halfway to the door already.
Later, at breakfast, Bernie enquired about the stash of wood he found piled in the back corner of the barn.
“My husband had money in his pocket and felt the need to spend it so when a traveling man came by with lumber to sell, he bought far too much. What did you have in mind?”
“Had a couple things in mind. Maybe a chicken coop and a pig pen.”
Janelle gasped. “But I don’t have any chickens.”
“Not yet. But a family can’t survive long without eggs and a good meat chicken is a nice reprieve from eating wild meat all the time.”
“We will have piglets soon. Jacob was partial to bacon and ham.”
“Yes, and the oinkers need their own spot with a penned in yard to roll around in come nicer weather. Blaze don’t take kindly to their racket, and I could do without the odor they leave in the barn – since I’ll be sleeping there.”
“Can you build in the winter?”
“Might have to fix it up a touch when I can dig proper, but I can start with the basic structure. It’ll be enough to relocate the pigs. Ain’t healthy for man or beast to live with such foul creatures.”
“That is a perfect use for the wood. Please, feel free to use it up,” said Janelle.
“The old smoke house is in need of repair but it can be put off for now. Any meat we need should stay frozen till you get around to cooking it. I’ll finish the skinning then quarter and wrap it to store in the cache.”
“I didn’t even know I had a smoke house,” said Janelle.
Bernie pointed to the back. “Over there. Far enough away to keep the smoke clear of the cabin.”
“It was on my husband’s mind to tear that tiny building down. I don’t think he knew what it was used for and I never bothered to check it out.”
“Like I said; needs repair. Be easy for a greenhorn to pass it over as useless,” said Bernie.
“Yes – greenhorn describes my family well. After chores why don’t you start with the meat? My mouth is watering for venison.”
“Got the heart, kidney, and liver out if you’d like to cook it up.”
“Not my favorite, but doctors back home claimed that organ meat was good for you now and then. Both Davey and I could use a nutritious boost to our diet.”
The day sped and when Bernie and Davey came inside for supper, he cussed himself for abandoning his patient.
“You’re tired,” he said, noticing the dark circles under her Janelle’s eyes.
“I did lie down once today for a short nap, but you’re right. I think I overdid the first day on my feet.”
“Well straightway after supper you go get cozied up. The boy and I will clean the kitchen and finish up chores. Hope you don’t mind me bunking out on your rug again. Been so busy, never paid no attention to setting up a room in the barn. Promise I’ll be out of your hair tomorrow night.”
“You are not in the way, Bernie. Besides, I feel safer with you nearby.” Janelle looked down in her lap.
“The boy told me you’ve had your share of uninvited men drop by. Just so you know, I am a light sleeper. No one will break in your door without me hearing, even with me sleeping in the barn. It’s not far from the house.”
Janelle cast a glare at her son. “You and my son appear to have far too much time to talk with him shadowing you like he does. I’ll keep him inside tomorrow and out of your way.”
“Davey? He’s never in the way. He has an uncanny way about him; seems to know my next move before I do and has the tool sitting there waiting for me.” Bernie looked with admiration at the young boy. “A bright lad. You should be proud.”
“Thank you. He is my whole life now.” Janelle chuckled. “That and getting this farm up and running.”
“Then you don’t plan on vacating come spring – head back east to the comforts of your home town.”
“Never! I love Wyoming and it feels more like home than North Carolina ever did.” She looked long and hard at Bernie. “Besides, with you working all winter, this place will be ship-shape and I can concentrate on preparing the land.”
“You – without a horse or oxen?”
“I might have to make a bargain with Patrick Johnson at the livery. He was one of the founders of Belle and has a special place in his heart for those wanting to make this piece of the west prosper.”
“Met him. Seemed like a nice old chap,” said