A Wife for Big John

By Lauri Robinson

At first sight, Dani Jones fell in love- not with Big John, but with his stove. It's the latest model and makes her believe her cooking alone will encourage the Boss Man to let her stay until she has enough money to travel to California and be reunited with the man she promised to marry.

Big John Thompson returns from the spring river drive to find the man he hired to cook for the lumberjacks is a slip of a girl- Danielle Jones. To make matters worse, Miss Jones decides John needs a wife, and sets out to find him one...

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Feb 8, 2008
• ISBN: 9781612170367

Lauri Robinson

Lauri Robinson lives in Minnesota where she and her husband spend every spare moment with their three grown sons and their families—spoiling the grandchildren. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America and Northern Lights Writers. Along with volunteering for several organizations, she is a diehard Elvis and NASCAR fan. Her favorite getaway location is along the Canadian Border of Northern Minnesota on the land homesteaded by her great-grandfather.

Book preview

author…

A Wife For Big John

by

Lauri Robinson

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

A Wife For Big John

COPYRIGHT © 2007 by Lauri Robinson

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Angela Anderson

The Wild Rose Press

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0706

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Cactus Rose Edition, 2007

Print ISBN 1-60154-178-3

Published in the United States of America

Other books by Lauri Robinson, available through The Wild Rose Press.

Mail Order Husband – May 2007

Comments for Mail Order Husband:

This book is a great read and I was not ready for it to end. I envision this book will be a keeper for many bookshelves; I highly recommend that you read it!

—Brenda Talley, The Romance Studio

I would recommend reading MAIL ORDER HUSBAND by Lauri Robinson.

—Julie Kornhausl, Romance Reader at Heart

Ms. Robinson has written a delightful and witty tale with an eastern-born hero any cowgirl is going to love. I look forward to more from Lauri Robinson

—Carol Aloisi, Love Western Romances.com

Dedication

To one of the greatest men I will ever know,

my father, Earl Johnson.

Northern Minnesota was always home to Daddy,

and the Sundays we spent together,

as well as the stories he shared,

will forever be some of my fondest memories.

Chapter One

Northern Minnesota

1893

Kids were everywhere, dozens of them. Big ones, little ones, short ones, tall ones. Running through the yard. Climbing trees. Sitting on the porch…

Big John’s size thirteen boots stopped in their tracks in the thin layer of mud covering the well-worn pathway. A glance over his shoulder questioned the correctness of his trail. The thick pines were familiar. The fence, which ran parallel to the route, was one he’d trailed beside many times. His lids felt like sand paper against his eyeballs as they closed before focusing on the cleared opening again.

Never, in the fifteen years he’d returned home from a spring drive with the river rats, had he experienced a homecoming such as this.

John looked beyond the little heads bobbing to and fro. A large wooden house, a wide red barn, and four smaller structures - a wood shed, a tool shed, the hay shed, and the chicken coop were all well known. From where he stood, he couldn’t see the summer kitchen, nor the icehouse or sauna, but he knew they were behind the stately looking home.

Tall white pines towered over the shingles on the second story. Shingles he’d replaced last summer. The large, whitewashed structure glistened in the May sun filtering through the broad boughs of the trees, welcoming him home as it did each spring. Thick trim boards covered with bright green paint, a job he’d completed two years ago, highlighted each window and the wide porch that invited him forward.

With purpose, his eyes shut again. This time he shook his head and slapped at his cheeks before he opened the lids. The little critters were still there. Why would his house be crawling with children?

Cautious, he eased from the forest trail into the clearing. His eyes remained on the small bodies flocking the yard while he made his way to the white, picket fence encircling the manicured grass of the front lawn.

They noticed him. Several stopped and stared at his every move. One head at a time, their little eyes focused in on his form. A nervous twitch touched his spine.

The wooden latch of the gate lifted with ease. John glanced around, pushed the boards wide, and stepped onto the rock pathway leading to the front porch. Bobbing heads looked him up and down. He could imagine their vision. The brown mud caked on his boots, the black trousers on his long legs, the red and black woolen shirt stretching across his shoulders, and the squat felt hat balanced on the unruly, blond hair of his head. An old saying crossed his mind- they are more afraid of you than you are of them.

Yeah, sure, he mumbled. The sound made his ears more attentive and picked up a whispered conversation.

It’s Paul Bunyan!

No it’s not. It’s the Boss Man.

Yeah, that’s Big John Thompson.

John flashed his eyes amongst the onlookers. They stared back. Then like leaves in the wind, they scattered. Several took refuge behind the lilac bush on the north side of the house. The bush fluttered as little faces found a way to continue to watch. Wonder filled him. His home was more than ten miles, by river, fifteen by road, from town. He couldn’t fathom a reason for all these children to be here. Small beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. Had something happened at the mill? Had something happened to Howard?

His steps quickened and were almost to the stairs of the porch when two young boys ran from the south side of the house. Noise of their chase swirled in the still air and stalled his feet. They didn’t notice him. One had a large stick held over his head as he chased the other. The first one ran past and a scream of terror tore from his small mouth. John reached out and in mid air snatched the tree branch from the second one a moment before it came down on the screamer’s head.

Hey! the second one exclaimed, That’s-uh… The lad’s words stopped by the time his eyes had taken in all of John’s six and a half feet height.

Big John looked down at the child who just about came up to his knees. The boy had a plastering of red hair sticking out in all directions. Wide green eyes gazed upward. Brown dots covered a round face, and a mouth, missing two front teeth, gapped open. John grasped the stick with both hands and snapped it in two. With a flip of his wrist, he snapped the shorter pieces in two and then repeated his action one last time. Eight small twigs fell onto the grass near the boy’s feet.

The child watched the splinters of wood fall to the ground. His bottom lip quivered, and his eyes looked up at John again. Stubby legs began to back away. He took slow, tiny steps backwards until he was half way across the yard and bumped into the other boy, who appeared to be just as startled. John let his gaze travel across his yard, allowing it to pause on each child. He didn’t know why, nor what he was going to do next. They looked like little statues. It appeared they were all waiting for him to do something.

No more sticks! his deep voiced boomed louder than intended.

Several birds flew out of the tall pines as the rumble lifted to the sky. Heads of several shapes and sizes nodded.

Faint affirmations of Yes, Sir, floated on the breeze.

A final glance touched each of the boys before he turned, climbed the steps, and strolled across the porch. The hinges of the screen door gave a faint screech as he pulled the framed door wide. He stepped around it and after sending a quick glance over his shoulder, twisted the brass knob of the glass-paneled door. The screen door slapped shut as he stepped into the front entranceway. He headed for the kitchen, ready to bellow for Howard and find out why there were children in his front yard. Movement in the front parlor caught his attention and stilled the words in his throat. Nervous, he took one slight step toward the room on his left, and leaned around the wall.

His feet jumped and almost caused him to stumble as he pulled his head back. There were more of them! In his parlor, and these ones, were girls. They were sitting on the settee and upon the floor- playing with his checkerboard and poker cards.

John turned and put his feet in the direction of the kitchen. Howard had a lot to explain. Two steps later a scream like he’d never heard before echoed through the house.

What the… he exclaimed, and jolted for the staircase on the right. The sound had come from one of the upstairs bedrooms.

Fortunately, he looked down as his big feet reached the stairs, because there on the bottom step, sat another little creature. Long, blond hair hung around the cherub face smiling up at him. Mouse, the large, white tomcat that lived in the summer kitchen sat on her lap and looked as if he enjoyed the position. The cat lowered his head as a miniature hand rubbed it between the ears.

Hi, the little girl greeted.

His feet sidestepped, this way and that, as he tried not to step on the tiny person. Hi, he repeated, grabbed the solid, wood banister with one hand and chose to step over her as another scream vibrated the house. His feet flew above her head and took the stairs three at a time.

At the top landing, John glanced left and right. Which direction had it came from?

A noise drifted past, muffled, like someone talking. It came from his right. His feet hurried to the first door down the hall. As his hand reached down to twist the knob, he paused for a moment to listen. Someone was definitely in the room and it didn’t sound like Howard. Who could it be?

He shoved the door open. The words that had formed in his mind caught in his throat as his eyes took in the scene.

Dani heard the door bang open, but didn’t turn around. Oh good, Howard, you’re back. This little one is just making their arrival. All of her attention needed to stay focused to guide the slippery little infant from its mother’s womb. Within seconds, a tiny, perfect body glided into her waiting hands with a rush. One hand supported the round head as she turned the tiny form to make a quick assessment. We have a fine baby boy here.

With a cotton cloth, she removed the blood and mucus from his face to clear the small airways. Her fingers shook. When the tiny mouth emitted a slight cough, she encouraged, That’s right little man, take in a deep breath and let your mama hear you scream. The baby followed her instructions and as his wail filled the room, she twisted her head to the door. Howard?

Dani drew her brows down in confusion as she caught sight of the bulk of a man filling the entire doorway. Oh! Um, Sir? She didn’t recognize the tall lumberjack, but noticed the way his face was going from red to white. Her gaze fluttered between the infant in her arms, and the man in the door. She could do nothing but watch as the man melted onto the floor. Her eyes grew wide with shock, and her body gave a small jerk when his head hit the floor with a solid thud.

Dani? the woman in the bed whispered.

Everything is just fine Jeannie. Look at this handsome son you have, Dani held up the tiny infant for the mother to see. She used the boiled string and scissors to cut the umbilical cord before she walked around the side of the bed and laid the baby in his mother’s arms.

His legs pulled up and little arms flayed as he let out another loud wail. Listen to those lungs. She nestled a small cloth over his bare body. You did a wonderful job, Jeannie. Just a few more contractions and it will be all over. You snuggle him, while I finish with the afterbirth. Are you ready to push it out? Though it took effort, her voice remained calm. She was aware the woman in the bed had considerable more knowledge, when it came to childbirth than she did, but she also knew Jeannie depended on her. Now was not the time for self-doubt.

A quick glance shot to the door. There was no movement from the lumberjack. She wondered who he was and hoped Howard would return home before the man came to.

The birth process was completed with no difficulties. Within minutes, Dani had the room, the mother, and the new infant, tidy and settled. And just in time, two other men appeared at the door.

The gruff looking Howard and Jeannie’s husband, Eddie Johnson, tugged, pulled, and twisted the heavy form out of the doorway before they entered the room. With hurried movements, the men settled the large body in the hallway and rushed in to view the new arrival.

Dani gave Howard a moment to gaze at the infant before she tugged his arm. It’s time to see to that man in the hall.

All right, Miss Dani, Howard agreed. One large hand slapped the man standing beside him on the back, and he winked at the woman lying in the bed. Congratulations, Eddie, Ma’am. That’s a fine baby you have there.

Thanks Howard, and thank you, Miss Jones, we’re much obliged for all you did for Jeannie, and for bringing this little fellow into the world today, Eddie’s voice cracked as he offered his gratitude.

Dani gave him a quick hug. It was my pleasure, Mr. Johnson. She flashed a smile at Jeannie and turned to guide Howard out of the room.

So what happened to the Boss Man? Is he drunk or something? Howard asked as they strolled to the door.

Dani’s footsteps stopped. Air stilled in her lungs. T-t-the Boss Man?

Howard tugged her shoulder forward so he could close the door behind them. Yeah, didn’t you recognize him? Oh, that’s right, you’ve never met Big John have you?

Dani stared at deep green eyes filled with a natural twinkle. They seemed to sparkle a bit brighter as the old man realized the situation. Tufts of gray hair made a ring around his baldhead. The locks wiggled up and down. She drew her eyes wide to stare at the man as he chuckled with glee. Howard, it’s not funny!

Did he barge in on the birthing? Did you have to hit him in the head with a frying pan or something? His chuckles turned into complete laughter.

She placed her hands on her hips and waited for his silliness to subside.

Oh, come on now, Miss, don’t be wrinkling your face up like that. You’re gonna give yourself wrinkles. A gnarled hand rubbed his lips, almost like he could erase his smile. He cleared his throat and attempted to sound serious as he asked, So, what did happen?

She shrugged her shoulders and glanced to the large body sprawled across the carpet. Nothing happened. I heard the door open and thought it was you. The baby was arriving right then. As soon as I was able, I turned around to see who it was. He was just kind of standing there. And then the blood drained from his face and he fell. I think he fainted. Dani looked at Howard. There was a loud thud when his head hit the floor.

Passed out at the sight of blood, did he? Howard let out another chuckle. I’ll get a glass of cold water to throw on his face.

Howard! she reprimanded.

He slipped his hands behind the red suspenders that framed his round belly and stretched over his shoulders, hooked his thumbs on the thick elastic and tugged at them. What? We gotta wake him up. That’s the best way I know.

"Go get a basin of water and a clean cloth from the kitchen. I’ll get a pillow from my room." Dani used her strictest tone to instruct the old man.

Howard shook his head. Then reading the stern look she held on him, rolled his eyes. Okay, he grumbled before he ambled to the staircase. He’s got a hard head. I’ve seen lumps the size of pumpkins on that noggin before, he tossed over his shoulder as he started his descent.

Dani covered her face with both hands. The time had come for her to meet her new boss. Oh, this was not going the way she planned. Taking a deep breath, she peeked through her fingers. The body hadn’t moved. Cautious, she stepped around the long arms, and made her way to the next bedroom door. There she pulled a pillow from beneath the quilt covering her bed and walked back into the hall.

She knelt beside the man and used her fingers to search through the thick, blond curls covering his head. Her tips probed for the lump she was certain would be the size of an apple. His skull appeared to be unmarred. She lifted his head a fraction and searched a second time. Satisfied, she slipped the pillow beneath the curls.

So this was Big John Thompson, the man who would provide her with enough money to travel to California where she’d be reunited with Jaime. Finally. It had been so long since she’d seen the man she vowed to marry. A few times over the years, she’d questioned the unfairness of how she had to wait, while each of the other girls married and went about their business.

Dani shook her head and chased away the thoughts. It was of no use to complain about it now. Besides the long wait would soon be over. Her gaze went back to the lumber boss.

His limbs were at odd angles from when Howard and Eddie dragged him across the floor. She took a deep breath and reached down. It took effort, but soon thick, heavy arms lay at his sides and long, solid legs were a little closer to one another. She blew a wayward lock of hair out of her eyes and moved to remove the mud-covered boots from his feet. While placing them inside her bedroom door, Dani made a mental note to clean them before the mud dried.

A quick glance at the stairs revealed no sign of Howard. With a heavy sigh, she knelt beside the body again. It had to be at least six and half feet long and a good three feet across. By far the biggest man she’d ever seen. Not one inch of him was soft and supple. Every limb was strewn with solid muscles and as heavy as logs. Anxiety rose. Would he be as angry as Howard had once said he’d be about her being here?

Her gaze settled on the broad chest. Curious, she leaned over and laid a hand on his torso. She felt the even rise and fall of his lungs as well as the strong, steady beat of his heart. Would a man this size have any kindness in his heart?

Footfalls stomping up the stairs made her pull the hand away. Tingles ran up her arm. She rubbed at the sensation with her other hand.

Howard handed her a tin bowl and square of white cotton. I still think dumping the water on his face would be the quickest way to wake him up.

Dani flashed him a look of disgust and dipped the cloth in the water. She wiped the damp material across broad cheekbones and the bridge of a straight nose. After a second dip in the water, she brushed it across his chin and upper lip. The washcloth caught on short, stiff whiskers that weren’t quite visible. She dipped it one more time, folded the cloth, and laid it across the wide span of his forehead before she glanced up at Howard. Aren’t you going to help?

Just what is it you expect me to do?

Shh, she placed a finger on her lips. A quick look assured the lumberjack was still out. I don’t know, talk to him and try to wake him up, she tried to encourage Howard to whisper by doing so herself.

His arms folded across his chest. You shush me and tell me to talk to him all in the same breath?

Well, he-he might have a headache. Just use a quiet voice and say his name or something, her words, though softly spoken, were sharp.

Howard rolled his eyes. One booted foot stretched out to tap stocking covered toes. Hey, Boss Man, you got a headache? His words were far from whispered.

No, but my head hurts, rumbled out of the deep chest beside her and echoed off the walls.

Dani’s entire body jerked. She tipped backwards. One hand came down on the basin. Water splashed across the hall carpet. Quickly, she regained her balance and reached for the cloth on his forehead, intending to use it to sop up the mess.

Her hand stilled above the bluest eyes she had ever seen. They weren’t deep, dark blue, just the opposite, a light, soft color, like the under wings of a blue jay. She couldn’t help but stare at the uniqueness.

Howard, who is this little girl you’ve been arguing with for the past five minutes? John asked as he continued to gaze at the young woman beside him.

Her eyes blinked, she grabbed the cloth off his forehead and used it to dab at the carpet.

Howard reached down and offered assistance as John began to pull his body into a sitting position. This here is Dani Jones, Boss. My new helper, your new employee.

John removed his gaze from the young woman as she wrung water out the rag before pressing it back onto the carpet. He’d awakened to those small hands rubbing his scalp. First confusion encouraged him to keep his eyes closed, then curiosity. Her touch had been caring and compassionate. He sensed her nervousness- then, and now. One eyebrow lifted in question as he said, I don’t remember hiring a new employee, certainly not a woman. He looked back at the girl. I believe I would have remembered that.

Yeah, you hired her. Right before you left with the river pigs on the log drive. Howard had a look of concern. How bad does your head hurt? Did something happen on the drive?

John flipped his gaze between the woman and his hired hand. Before I left on the drive I hired a new cook. A man to replace old Joe, I most certainly didn’t hire this, uh-young woman. What kind of trick are you two trying to pull here?

I-um, the girl cleared her throat and tried again, I-um, I...

John waited as she stuttered.

The cloth dropped into the basin. She rose to her feet, took a deep breath, and tried her best to show courage. I’m the person you hired. Danielle Jones. A tiny hand stretched toward him.

John looked at the trembling fingers. Interested, he chose to ignore them for a moment and let his eyes start at her toes and flow upward. She was a little shorter than Howard, about five-three give or take a quarter inch. It was difficult to guess with the layers of skirts flowing around her ankles, but she couldn’t weigh much more than a good size log, a hundred pounds or so. His hands could easily encircle the narrow waistband of her dark skirt. A white blouse tucked in at the tiny waist and stretched a little tighter across full breasts. The top two buttons were left undone and highlighted the slim lines of her neck. Her hair was long and full of corkscrews, which fell across her shoulders and down her back in wild abandonment. Shorter, dark curls framed a cute, heart-shaped face.

The dim light in the hall made her brown eyes appear blacker than the night sky as she glanced between him and Howard. Her facial features were like the rest of her, tiny, soft, somewhat fragile looking. She was a pretty little thing. Kind of reminded him of a chickadee.

What had she said her name was? Danielle? Danielle Jones? Understanding, or perhaps, misunderstanding registered. With both hands he pushed his weight from the floor and landed on his feet in one quick motion. Daniel Jones?

Startled, her body leaped backwards, and her head snapped up, following his movements. Tiny hands flattened against the hall wall when her shoulders bumped into it. Her face pulled together in a grimace. Danielle Jones, a nervous voice corrected and emphasized the feminine version of the male name.

He hadn’t meant to yell. At times his voice had a will of its own. Danielle Jones?

Reviews for A Wife for Big John

[dianna_the_huntress · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very interesting story that builds the relationship slowly. An excellent read.

[ladyti-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A sweet rated PG romance. But it should be noted that this romance has VERY SIGNIFICANT religious bias and focus, though it is not mentioned in its reviews. Believable historical accuracy and plotline.