Brave Beginnings (31 page)

“I don’t know. She said she wasn’t at liberty
to say at the moment.” Erin picked up her cup and sat in the chair
across from them. “I’m curious to find out, but it’s not my place
to interfere.”

Julia nodded and added a spoonful of sugar to
her coffee. “What he does must be important then. At least she
knows what he does.” After taking a sip from her cup, she scanned
the room and then turned her gaze to her aunt. “I missed you.”

Chogan chimed in his agreement before he
finished his cup of coffee.

“I’ve missed both of you too,” Erin said with
a sigh. “The house is too quiet and too big for one person.”

“Well, you won’t have that problem once you
move to Chogan’s family’s lodge,” Julia replied.

She laughed. “I venture not. I’m looking
forward to joining you again, especially since this winter I’ll get
to hold your child. I know you and Gary are not my children, but in
many ways, I consider you to be my daughter and son.”

“We’ll have to tell the child to call you
Grandma.”

“I’d like that.”

Julia finished her cup and set it on the
table. “I better get my things unpacked. Then I’ll help you with
supper.”

Chogan rose from the sofa. “I’ll carry the
bag upstairs. It’s heavier than it looks.”

Julia gave Chogan a teasing grin. “It’s nice
having a strong man around to carry things for me.”

“It is rough to be her husband,” Chogan told
her aunt in amusement.

“I bet.” Erin stood and collected the cups
and placed them on the tray. “Go on and get settled in. I’ll be in
the kitchen.”

Chogan followed Julia up the stairs and to
the room they had shared. As she looked at the bed, she shook her
head.

“What’s wrong?” Chogan asked, setting the
carpet bag on the bed and opening it.

“That bed doesn’t look very warm, does
it?”

“I’ll be with you. You won’t get cold.”

“I meant that I’ll miss the furs. Bed sheets
aren’t as nice.” Chuckling, she reached up to the back of her neck
and unfastened her necklace so she could examine it. “Just as I
thought. There’s a knot in the string.”

“I’m not surprised. You never take it
off.”

“Woape made it for me. Do you know why she
did?”

He took out their garments and shrugged. “How
would I know why women do anything they do?”

“Oh you!” She waved her hand at him and
turned her attention to working out the knot near the clasp. “You
should care. This is the necklace Woape made with your mother’s
beads. She thought by making this, it would ensure we’d find our
way back to each other. It worked, you know. We’re together.”

“You surprise me. I didn’t take you for the
superstitious type.”

She worked out the knot and slipped it back
on her neck. “I’m not, silly. But it’s romantic, don’t you
think?”

He rolled his eyes as he pulled out their
grooming supplies. “Romantic? It’s just a necklace.”

She was ready to admonish him when it
occurred to her that he was teasing her. “Now, you men can be
romantic too.” She walked over to him and kissed his cheek. “You
did bring me wild flowers last time we went hunting.”

“That wasn’t romantic. That was smart.”

“How do you figure that?”

He emptied the bag before he turned to her
and pulled her into his arms. “You were upset because you couldn’t
get the deer you wanted. The flowers cheered you up.”

“But I’ve never caught an animal that big
before. It would have been an impressive feat.”

“Julia, it’s not the size of the animal but
how cunning the animal is. You caught a fox right as it reached the
hole. You have to be quick for that.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and
smiled. “I suppose.”

“It’s true. You’re a smart hunter. It’s more
important to have wisdom than might. Even the smallest things can
be effective.”

“You’re right,” she grudgingly admitted. “But
think of how grand it would have been to carry that deer back.”

“All in good time. You’ll get there.”

When he kissed her, she melted into his arms
and let out a contented sigh. “When I’m with you, the rest of the
world fades away.”

“The same is true for me.”

She reluctantly pulled away from him so she
could put their things away. “I should get this done so I can help
Aunt Erin. I don’t want her to do all the work while we’re
here.”

Patting her behind, he said, “I should see if
I can fix that loose stair rail.”

Giggling, she shoved him away. “Go! I can’t
concentrate when you’re around. It’s hard enough to shoot anything.
No wonder I missed that deer.”

“I gave you flowers.”

She gasped and faced him. “You’re too much. I
knew your hand didn’t slip!”

“If you knew, then why are you surprised?” He
wiggled his eyebrows, said, “I love you,” and slipped out of the
room.

Shaking her head in a mixture of exasperation
and pleasure, she returned to her task so she could help her aunt
in the kitchen.

***

Ernest scowled as Noah entered his office at
the bank. Jumping out of his seat, he hurried to the door and shut
it. Turning to Noah, he hissed, “I specifically told you not to
come to my office.”

“I’m sorry.” Noah pressed his hat to his
chest. “I-I saw Julia i-in town.”

Ernest’s ears perked up. “When?”

He cleared his throat and shifted to the
other foot. “Moments ago. I came right over. I wouldn’t have
bothered you otherwise. I know how important you are and—”

Ernest held up his hand to stop him. “I
understand.” He bit on his tongue so he wouldn’t snap at the
incompetent fool who could have sent a messenger in his place.
Calm down, Ernest. You need him, and as long as you need him,
you’ll have to bear with him.
Taking a deep breath, he
straightened his suit jacket and asked, “Where was she going?”

“To her aunt’s.”

Ernest smiled. “This is indeed a most
unexpected surprise, is it not?” Julia finally wised up and left
the savage lifestyle. And now that she knew what rolling about in
the dirt with an animal was like, she could appreciate the finer
things only he could offer her. “It’s only fair I pay my respects
for the divorce.”

Ernest moved to the hat rack and got ready to
grab his hat when Noah squeaked a protest. Setting his hand back
down by his side, Ernest examined Noah’s expression and realized
there was more to the story. With reluctant steps, he made his way
back to his desk.

“There is more?” he asked.

Noah winced and nodded.

Turning to face his desk so Noah wouldn’t see
the irritation on his face, Ernest managed to smoothly ask, “What
is it?”

“Well…yes. I think. I mean, it is important.
Yes. It is something you should know.”

Listening to Noah was as pleasant as
listening to nails scratch a chalkboard. “Please elaborate,” Ernest
said, picking up a pencil on his desk and purposely focusing on it
so he wouldn’t yell.
I must bear with him. At least he knows how
to keep a secret.

Noah cleared his throat again. “You see,
Julia…She wasn’t alone.”

Why didn’t he just come out and say it?
Ernest gritted his teeth. “Oh?”

“She’s with Chogan. The Indian.”

“Yes, I’m well aware of who the Injun is,” he
snapped and pounded the pencil on the table, leaving a nasty
scratch.

Damn her! What was wrong with her? Julia
preferred mating with an animal to being with him? Did degrading
herself pleasure her so? He mentally cursed himself for losing his
temper. It would do no good to try to convince Julia of the error
of her ways.
There is no reasoning with her. Just as there’d
been no reasoning with
—

He stopped the thought. She didn’t count. She
was an imitation…and a poor one at that. No. He had to focus on
Julia. It would always be Julia and no one else. The other
woman…she was a mistake. But now he could get it right. His heart
raced with wild excitement. Perhaps Julia needed convincing, but
not the kind that came from talking.

He glanced at Noah whose eyes were wide with
fear. If he expected Noah to cooperate, he couldn’t afford to scare
him. Noah was so skittish. Pathetic. But Ernest had some comfort.
Once Noah wore out his use, Ernest could dispose of him. It
wouldn’t be good to allow for any loose ends.

“You did well in coming here,” Ernest managed
in a calm tone as he drew himself to his full height. “We’ll
discuss what to do at the park. Remember, come at dark. Don’t let
anyone follow you.” He dug out a coin from his pocket and handed it
to Noah who hesitated but took it with a shaky hand. “You did
well.”

Noah looked at the coin and cleared his
throat. “Sir? I hate to trouble you, but you promised two coins. My
father’s taken ill and—”

“Did Julia come alone?” Ernest demanded in a
cool tone.

Noah blinked. “Well, no. I saw her with—”

“I pay you for good news. You brought me bad.
I can’t reward you for that, can I?”

Gulping, Noah looked back at the coin.

“I will send a message to your residence.” He
brushed the scratch on the desk before he picked up the broken
pencil and threw it in the trash. “You may go. I have business to
tend to.” Without further words, he sat in his chair and picked up
the ledger he’d been working on.

Noah hesitated for a moment but then
left.

Ernest sighed with relief. Now he could
relax. The horrible feeling of being pressed in from all sides was
gone. There was something seriously wrong with Noah. But no matter.
Soon enough, he’d no longer be Ernest’s problem.

~~********~~

The next evening, Millicent and her fiancé
arrived at Erin’s house for supper. While they ate, Julia listened
as Millicent talked adamantly about the upcoming wedding, asking
Julia to be her matron of honor. Surprised but flattered, Julia
agreed. She couldn’t help but notice that neither Chogan nor Conrad
were particularly interested in the topic though they attempted to
appear as if they were paying attention.

During dessert, Millicent looked up from her
slice of pie and asked, “Julia and Chogan, would you like to make
it a double wedding? Perhaps you’d like to renew your vows since
you didn’t have the opportunity to have a formal wedding?”

Chogan glanced at Julia with a startled look,
and Julia forced herself not to laugh. The poor man had no idea
what Millicent just asked them. Directing her attention to
Millicent, Julia picked up the cloth napkin on her lap and wiped
her mouth before she set it back on her lap. “That is a very
gracious offer, Millicent, but it’s not necessary. This is your
day. You should enjoy it.”

“Oh,” Millicent began, “I don’t mind.
However, I dare not impose. The important thing is you’ll share the
day with me.”

“Gladly,” Julia said with a nod. She picked
up the cup of coffee and glanced at Chogan who was watching her
with furrowed eyebrows. “You don’t mind if we decide not to renew
our vows, do you?”

Chogan blinked and shook his head. “I already
married you. Why do so again? Is this something you must do in your
culture?”

Julia couldn’t hold in her laughter anymore.
“No, we don’t. One time is enough.”

He frowned, apparently not understanding the
humor, so she decided to let the matter rest. She could explain it
to him later.

“Oh, Conrad, my dear,” Millicent began,
turning to her fiancé, “I forgot to tell you that Julia almost
married another man.”

Julia nearly choked on the piece of pie she
just put into her mouth.

Looking startled, Millicent asked, “Are you
alright?”

Erin patted Julia on the back and answered,
“She’s fine. No, she never came close to marrying Ernest. They
courted for awhile about eleven years ago and he proposed, but she
said no.”

Julia swallowed her food and drank some water
before she set the glass on the table. “I was fond of him for a
time, but it was nothing serious.”

Conrad straightened in his chair. “Are you
talking about Ernest Freeman?”

“Yes,” Julia replied. “Do you know him?”

“In a way,” he slowly said. “I was in Fargo
when he lived there.”

“Oh really?” Millicent asked. “What a small
world this is!”

“Indeed,” he agreed. Turning his attention
back to Julia, he asked, “Do you mind if I ask why you said no to
his proposal?”

Julia thought it was an odd question for a
man to ask so she hesitated to answer, but her aunt jumped right in
and spoke for her. “Julia felt there was something wrong with
him.”

“Wrong? Exactly what was ‘wrong’ with him?”
he asked.

Clearing her throat, Julia shrugged. “Not
sure, to be honest. I just knew that marrying him would be a
mistake. He seemed right on the surface, but underneath…” She
glanced at Chogan and smiled. “He wouldn’t have treated me as well
as Chogan. With Chogan, I knew he was the only man I’d ever
love.”

Chogan returned her smile and reached under
the table to squeeze her thigh. She slipped her hand under the
table so she could hold his hand.

“It turned out to be the right decision if
you ask me,” Erin added. “Ernest was the reason Chogan lost his job
at the Tribune.”

“He was?” Conrad asked, his eyebrows raised
in interest. “How did he manage that when he works at the
bank?”

Erin placed her fork on the empty plate in
front of her and got ready to go into one of her familiar spiels.
“Ernest Freeman is quite influential in this town, and though I
never would have suspected it, he uses that influence to manipulate
people into doing what he wants. He went to the chief editor and
demanded that he fire Chogan or he’d make sure the editor lost his
job. Then no one would hire Chogan, except for one man who had
Chogan cleaning the streets.”