California Romance (54 page)

The opposition in Mother’s face gave way to consideration. “Your father won’t hear of it.” Her regretful voice told Edward he’d won.

He stood and stretched. “He’d do anything to help make peace between you and Josh. What’s more effective than our visiting Madera and offering the local songbird a chance to soar?” Edward shrugged. “Who knows? It might even cause Josh to reconsider where he’s supposed to be. Bayview Christian’s still holding his place open, aren’t they?”

“Yes.” A conspiratorial look passed between mother and son.

Three days later Letitia and Edward ferried to Oakland and boarded the eastbound train.

Josh thrust aside the sermon he’d been working on and headed for the Diamond S. “The only honorable thing to do is confess to Matt,” he told Sultan. The black gelding pricked his ears into the listening attitude Josh knew so well. “How could I take advantage of Ellie when she was distraught over Tim?”

He repeated the question in Matt’s office a short time later. Matt sat behind his desk with Josh standing across from him, feeling like a prisoner before a judge. “Ellie asked me what she could do to thank me for saving Tim.” Sweat crawled up Josh’s back. “I blurted out ‘by marrying me.’”

Matt’s voice cut like a skinning knife. “Did you mean it?”

Josh clenched his fists. “I never meant anything more.”

Matt crossed his arms and tilted his desk chair back until it groaned. “So what’s the problem?”

Josh swallowed, wishing he was anywhere else. “I should have told you how I felt and asked permission to keep company with Ellie before speaking out like that.”

“Did you tell Ellie you love her and ask her how she feels?”

Josh felt himself turn pale. “You sure aren’t making this easy. Not that I deserve anything else.”

“What do you expect?” The chair crashed down on all fours. “A man comes to me, says he told my only daughter she could marry him because he happened to be in the right place at the right time, and—”

The words stung. Josh stepped forward and glared down at Matt. “It’s not like that, Matt. I didn’t ask anything from Ellie except for her to keep in mind that someday, God willing, she’ll be my beloved wife.” He met his friend’s stern blue gaze squarely. “We’ve known each other a little less than three months. I’m twenty-seven. She’s eighteen. I wouldn’t expect her to love me now, although sometimes…” His voice lay down and died.

Mischief replaced the sternness in Matt’s eyes. He got up from behind the desk, wearing a Cheshire-cat grin. One strong hand shot out and gripped Josh’s. “Put her there, Preacher Josh. You may have my daughter’s hand in marriage if you can win her. In the meantime, see that Tim ‘keeps company’ with you two unless you’re in a crowd.” His mirth changed to sadness. “Ellie was the target of vicious gossip as a child. It left scars. There’s at least one two-legged cat in the vicinity who will scratch and squall if she thinks you’re serious about Ellie.”

“I know.” Josh heaved a great sigh. “Tim already warned me that Amy Talbot has been making her intentions known all over town.”

“It figures.” Matt gave Josh a lopsided grin. “One thing. How will that San Francisco family of yours feel about Ellie?”

Josh’s joy evaporated, but he wouldn’t duck Matt’s question. “My father will have reservations only until he meets her, Mother will huff and puff and try to blow my house down but will have to give in. My twin brother, Edward, will—”

“Twin brother! There are two of you?”

The look on Matt’s face proved too much for Josh. He bent double laughing. “That bad, huh?”

Matt dropped back into his chair and stared until Josh felt impaled by his keen gaze. “No. It’s just that I’ve heard twins sometimes share the same feelings.” Matt cleared his throat and looked uncomfortable. “If your brother is like you, what’s to keep him from falling in love with Ellie when he meets her? I’d hate to see her in a tug-of-war between brothers. Bad business. All three of you would lose.”

Matt’s insight sent a chill through Josh. “We look alike, but it ends there. Edward and I chose different paths in life a long time ago. Besides, he’s already engaged.”
Right
, a little voice taunted.
Beryl Westfield is like a burned-out comet compared with Ellie, who brings the sunlight. How can Edward or any man help falling in love with her? You were down for the count the first time you met her
.

“Well?”

Josh gathered his wits and replied, “Edward may have his faults, but I’m sure he has enough honor to never come between me and the woman I love.”

Are you sure?
the little voice persisted.
Absolutely sure?
Josh wanted to drown out the voice with a resounding yes, but doubts born of past experience rose. If push came to shove, would Edward let anything stand between him and something he’d set his mind on possessing? Time after time, the role of brother’s keeper had lain heavy on Josh’s shoulders. He’d given up much for Edward. If he fell in love with Ellie, as Josh knew could happen, must the older brother stand aside in order to keep Ellie from becoming a wishbone?

Matt leaned forward. “You can take my advice or not, Josh. But if I were you, I’d get a ring on Ellie’s finger before that brother of yours ever meets her.”

Josh’s mouth dried. “A wedding ring?” His heart leaped at the thought.

Matt rolled his eyes. “No, you dolt. A brand. A sparkler. An engagement ring. Something to tell the world she belongs to you.”

“You’re all right with that?” Josh marveled.

Matt cocked one eyebrow and drawled, “Well now, Preacher, it really isn’t up to me. One thing more. How are you going to support my daughter if Luther Talbot convinces folks you need to mosey on three months from now? I doubt you’ve saved much on the salary you get here.”

Josh wanted to laugh. “I have income from a trust fund my grandfather left and saved quite a bit from Bayview Christian. The trust fund principal comes to me when I’m thirty, unless Mother finds a way to stop it. She didn’t want me to leave San Francisco. By the way, this is privileged information.”

“Of course.” Matt’s eyes twinkled. He stood, signaling the interview had ended. “You’re a good rider. If Talbot succeeds in getting you kicked out, which I’m pretty sure he won’t, I can always use another good hand.”

“Thanks. I’ll keep it in mind. Now I’d best be getting back to town before Luther sends a pack of hounds after me.”

“He’s about ready to,” Matt warned. “His big gripe continues to be that you spend way too much time outside the church and parsonage.”

“How do you feel about it?” Josh asked.

“You have to do both. Tend the flock and go after the strays.”

Josh told Matt good-bye and headed back to Madera, pondering over the remarkable session and thinking of the rancher’s final words. So much to do. If only there were more hours in a day! “There aren’t,” Josh told Sultan. “Hmmm. Wonder what’s next?”

He didn’t have long to wait. The eastbound train was grinding to a stop when Josh reached Madera. He tethered Sultan to the hitching rail in front of Moore’s General Store and idly watched passengers descend to the dusty street. A heavily veiled woman paused on the platform at the top of the steps, with the porter attempting to assist her. A haughty voice commanded, “My good man, I can walk. Will you please let go of my elbow?”

Blood rushed to Josh’s head and roared in his ears. The voice could only belong to one person. “Mother?” he croaked.

Letitia stepped down, followed by her grinning younger son. “Really, Joshua, must you gape?” She cast a disparaging glance up and down Main Street. “That’s what comes of living in a place like this. Now, will you kindly take me somewhere so I can recover from our dreadful journey?”

She looked at the well-filled horse trough nearby and sniffed. “I presume there are accommodations with modern conveniences. Or is this where people here bathe?”

M
other!” Josh grabbed the woman’s arm. He helped her from the street to the sidewalk that ran in front of the store, wishing the wooden planks beneath his feet would open and swallow him. He sent Edward a silent cry for help, but his twin had obviously been rendered speechless by their mother’s rude remark.
Why are they here?
Josh wondered.
How can Mother, with all her social graces, be so insufferable? What is she trying to do, make me a laughingstock and undermine my work in Madera so I’ll have to go home? The sooner I can get her out of here, the better
.

Before  Josh could steer Letitia away, an elderly man hobbled his way through the crowd that always gathered to meet the trains. His cracked voice grated on Josh’s ears. “Jumpin’ jackrabbits, are there two preachers here or am I seein’ double?” He shook his head as if to clear it. “Can’t be. I ain’t had a drink for nigh onto ten years.”

This cannot be happening
, Josh thought in
despair. It’s like something out of a bad dream
. “You’re all right,” Josh said aloud. “Mother, Edward, this is my friend Dan Doyle.”

Dan dipped his head to Josh’s mother. “Pleased to meetcha, ma’am. You got a mighty fine son here. T’other one looks toler’ble, too.” He cackled and held out a gnarled hand.

Mother ignored it, but Edward quickly reached out. “Thank you, Mr. Doyle.”

Dan swelled with pride. Josh bit back a guffaw.
Bless Edward
. The old man probably hadn’t been called
Mister
for years, if ever.

Edward turned to his brother. “About accommodations…”

Josh led his mother away before she could blurt out another derogatory remark. “It’s just a short way to the Yosemite Hotel. You’ll be comfortable there. By the way, where’s Father?”

Mother made a sour face. “Traveling to San Diego on business.” She fell mercifully silent, but Josh inwardly cringed. Her expression showed total contempt for Madera. On the other hand, Edward looked amused, even interested.

“It’s rather picturesque, isn’t it?” he exclaimed while they walked down Main Street. When they reached the Yosemite Hotel he stopped short and gazed at the imposing brick building. “Nothing wrong with that, Mother.”

“It isn’t too bad,” she conceded.

Josh squelched the desire to tell her that years earlier before the original structure burned, Mace’s Hotel had been a tiny wooden shanty that served as a saloon as well as a lodging place.

She stopped short and stared up the street. “Who is
that?”
She pointed to a bearded man leading a spirited horse. Dressed in a fine suit and tie, the man carried a gold-handled cane. A top hat completed the picture of elegance.

Josh battled the desire to repay his mother for humiliating him—and lost. “The captain.”

She looked blank.

“Captain Russell Perry Mace. He’s a hero. He hunted buffalo with Kit Carson, was wounded in the Mexican-American War, and spent years searching for gold before helping to establish Madera. He also served in the California State Legislature.”

“Dear me, why would such a fine gentleman live in this godforsaken place?”

“The captain owns the Yosemite Hotel,” Josh quietly said. “And God hasn’t forsaken Madera, Mother. He sent me here.” The instant the words left his mouth, he regretted them. Who was he to contradict his mother? Fortunately, her attention was so fixed on the captain that she either didn’t hear or chose to ignore her son.

Edward snickered. “You’ll have something to boast about to your friends, Mother. Meeting a hero and all that.”

The captain reached them before she could reply. “Well, well, who do we have here?” He looked from Josh to Edward. “Twins, is it?” He didn’t wait for a reply but turned to Letitia. “You, madam, must be their proud mother.” He beamed at Letitia, who looked completely bowled over.

“Yes. I’m Mrs. Stanhope and this is Edward.”

“Good. Good.” The captain rubbed his hands. “Preacher Josh’s coming to Madera is the best thing that’s happened around here for a long time. I take it you and Edward will be staying at my hotel, Mrs. Stanhope? I’ll be honored if you’ll join me for supper. You, too, Preacher. Six thirty?”

Josh hoped his mother wouldn’t blurt out that they usually dined much later. He sighed with relief when she merely said, “We’ll be happy to join you, Captain Mace. Six thirty is fine.”

“Good,” he trumpeted. “Come in, and make yourselves at home.” He led the way into the richly furnished foyer with its impressive staircase leading to the upstairs sleeping chambers. Mother’s eyes widened, and her mouth fell open. Clearly, she hadn’t expected this.

“Joshua, do you have rooms here?”

“No. I live in the parsonage next to the church.” He glanced down at his dusty clothes. “I’ll stable Sultan, get cleaned up, and meet you here.” He beat a hasty retreat, his heart lighter than it had been since his family arrived. Thanks to the opportune appearance of the colorful Captain Mace, maybe things would be all right.

Just before the outer door of the hotel swung shut, he heard his mother ask, “Do we dress for din—supper?”

“Some do. Some don’t,” the captain replied. “Wear what you like.”

Josh chuckled to himself and hurried back to care for Sultan. How would Mother react to eating in the same room with sheepmen and cowboys, travelers, shopkeepers, and their wives? He shrugged. He could do nothing about it, except leave it to the Lord. But again Josh wondered,
Why are Mother and Edward here?