Love Inspired Historical November 2014 (55 page)

Leah waited for him to say what but he didn't elaborate further. She walked with him toward the homestead. The sun was shining but the temperature was bitterly cold. She pulled her coat closer to her body.

Without Molly with them they were able to walk faster and arrived pretty quickly at the cabin. Jake motioned for Leah to go in ahead of him. She opened the door and was pleasantly surprised.

Warmth welcomed her into the cabin. She looked about. The bare wooden floor now had a large round rug in the center of the room. A table sat beside the fireplace with three chairs. She recognized it as the one that had been in his room in the barn. On the opposite wall sat a cabinet that housed the few dishes that he'd also had in his old room.

Leah turned and saw that he'd brought in his cot and placed it on the front wall under the window. A smaller rug lay beside each of the beds. A dresser was between the beds against the wall. It had three drawers. She smiled—one for each of them.

He closed the door. “Do you like it?” Jake asked from behind her.

“It looks wonderful.” He'd carried wood inside and a fire burned in the fireplace. She rubbed her arms, enjoying the warmth. “It seems so cozy.”

Jake walked farther into the room and sat down at the table. “I asked you to come because I wanted to make sure that I'd placed things where you will like them and also wanted to be sure you liked the rugs.”

“I do like them.” She noticed for the first time they all matched. Each held different shades of browns and tans. The rugs added warmth to the room. “Wherever did you find them?”

He grinned. “Mrs. Frontz had them in storage. She said we could use them. I told her if you liked them, we might want to buy them from her.”

Leah looked about her new home. The two windows were still bare, but other than that there wasn't a lot more that needed to be done to the place.

“I'm glad you suggested I ask to stay here. I think I'll be much more comfortable tonight.” Jake shrugged out of his jacket.

He hung it on a nail beside the back door. “Do you think Molly will have enough room to play in here?”

“I believe so. She doesn't have many toys.” Leah didn't mention that the child only had the doll to play with. Mrs. Frontz had let her play with a cup, spoon and small plate.

The little girl liked to pretend she was having tea, or at least that's what Leah thought she was playing. Molly still wasn't speaking, other than to whisper in the doll's ear.

“I'm whittling her a horse for Christmas. Do you think she'll like that?” He sounded unsure.

Leah gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “I think she will love it.” She'd also been thinking about what to give the little girl for Christmas. “I'm thinking about making her doll a couple of dresses.” Leah sat down across from him at the table.

“She'll like that, too. Ike asked me this morning if him and the boys could give her something for Christmas.” He traced the wood grain on the table with his finger. “She's going to miss her ma and pa.” Sadness dripped from his voice.

“Yes, but I think she'll have a nice Christmas.”

Leah hadn't talked to him about a Christmas wedding. She wondered if now would be a good time. She cleared her throat before asking. “Jake, do you know if there are any other preachers in or around this area that could marry us the day before Christmas?”

His head jerked up. “You want to get married on Christmas Eve?”

His big brown eyes bored into her.

“I do... But if you don't want to...” Her voice faltered. And the sting of tears burned her eyes.

* * *

Jake knew immediately that he'd said the wrong thing. Her eyes filled with moisture and he couldn't stop the constricting of his throat and heart. What was it about a woman's tears that made him feel so helpless?

He grabbed her hands. “Of course I do. You just took me by surprise. I didn't think you'd want to get married until the preacher got back.” Jake rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand, hoping it would offer her some form of comfort.

“Okay.” Her voice sounded croaky, like an old bull frog. She blushed.

“Good.” He released her hands and rubbed his chin. “I'm not sure about a preacher, though.”

She wiped at her left eye. “Agnes told me that the regular minister was out of town. I was hoping you could find another one.”

Right now Jake would do anything to make her smile. “I could ride over to Julesburg and see if there is a visiting minister there,” he offered, knowing in his heart that there wasn't.

He was rewarded with a tilt of her lips. “You would do that?”

“Of course. I'll check with Mr. Frontz and see if I can get off.” He stood. “Ready to go back?”

She stood, also. “Thank you. I know it's silly, but I've always wanted a Christmas wedding. Are you sure you don't mind?”

Jake placed a hand in the small of her back. Through her coat he could feel her backbone. Leah really was thin. He'd talked to the pony express boys and knew that living in an orphanage wasn't easy. Food was limited, as well as personal space.

The protectiveness he felt for her both shocked and scared him. He didn't want to care deeply for Leah. Was he feeling what other fiancés felt? He remembered feeling this way toward Molly's mother, but somehow this was different. No, this wasn't love. Love was an emotion that he certainly didn't want to feel.

They walked the short distance from the cabin. Leah turned to him and smiled. When they got to the main house, Leah stepped up on the porch and faced him. “Thank you, Jake. Having a Christmas wedding has always been one of my dreams.” She tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek before turning to go inside.

One of her dreams? What other dreams did Leah harbor? “Leah?”

She stopped in the doorway and faced him. “Yes?”

“Would you and Molly like to go ice fishing this afternoon?” He hadn't planned on asking her, but Jake knew that he wanted to spend more time with Leah.

“That would be fun. After Molly's nap, we'll come out.”

He nodded. Jake returned to the barn. He checked on the horses and began to muck out their stalls. What was it about Leah that made him feel so protective? She seemed to have an invisible wall up. It was as if she, too, were afraid to trust.

“Rider coming in fast!”

Jake heard the call and rushed to pull the mustang out of its stall. The gelding hurried along beside him, the horse's high spirit seeming to scream his desire to race in the wind. He stopped the horse and waited.

He recognized William Cody. Will jumped from his horse and took the reins from Jake. “Thanks, Jake. See you in a week or two!” he yelled as he raced away.

“Were you expecting Cody today?” Mr. Frontz asked as he came around the barn.

Jake shook his head. “Nope, but I had a horse ready.” He pulled on the reins of the tired horse Will had left behind.

A knowing grin split Mr. Frontz's face. “I figured.” He followed Jake into the barn. “How did Miss Hollister like the homestead?”

“She liked it.” Now was as good a time as any to ask for time off. “I'd like to take an afternoon off and go to Julesburg.” Jake removed the horse's saddle.

“Did you have a particular afternoon in mind?” Mr. Frontz asked.

Jake carried the saddle to the tack room. “I was thinking I'd go tomorrow. Leah wants a Christmas wedding.”

Disbelief filled Mr. Frontz's voice and face as he asked. “In Julesburg?”

“No, I'll be looking for a minister there. I think Leah wants to get married here.” Jake realized he really didn't know what more Leah wanted in regard to their upcoming marriage.

“Well, that's a relief.” The older man picked up a currycomb and stepped into the mare's stall. “Are you taking her and Molly with you?”

The thought of taking his niece into the rough town sent a chill down Jake's back. “Julesburg is still too rough for ladies, so, no.”

“That's a relief.”

Jake turned his attention on his boss. “I'm not a greenhorn, you know.”

Mr. Frontz continued working on the mare's coat for several moments before answering. “I know, and I admire that about you, but sometimes young men will do things for their future brides that they normally wouldn't consider doing. I'm just glad you are keeping your senses about you.”

Jake didn't know whether to be insulted or flattered. Mr. Frontz seemed to be under the impression that Leah held some secret power over him, and Jake didn't like that idea one bit.

Chapter Eight

L
eah bundled up Molly. The little girl jumped around with excitement. “Be still, Molly, or we aren't ever going to get outside.”

Molly stood perfectly still. Her brown eyes danced as she waited for Leah to finish buttoning her coat up.

Why had she accepted his invitation to go fishing? Ice fishing, at that. She'd never been ice fishing. Leah didn't have the slightest idea how one went about fishing through the ice. Oh, she'd heard of it but had never done such a thing in her life.

The little girl became restless again. Leah understood the child's giddiness. They'd been cooped up in the house and Molly wanted to get outside and play. After working in the kitchen and doing her light cleanup of the rooms, Leah was ready, too.

She pulled a hat over Molly's head and stood. “I need to check on Mr. Dalton real quick. Why don't you go down and see if Agnes has a cookie for you?”

Molly turned and ran down the stairs. Leah sighed. No matter how many times she told that girl a lady walks down the stairs, Molly always ran. She had more energy, especially after nap time, than a kitten with a ball of string.

Leah pulled her gloves on as she walked to the banker's room. She peeked inside.

“Do come in, Miss Hollister,” his weak voice called.

The room was darker than the rest of the house. “How are you feeling this afternoon?” Leah walked to the window and pulled back the curtains, allowing sunlight into the room.

“Feeling better now that you are here.”

Leah was never sure if he was teasing or being polite or exactly what he meant when he said that. Did he say it to Agnes, too? Probably so. There was no reason to make more of his words. She turned to find him smiling. Leah had expected him to be pale and weak, but his face held all its color in the bright sunshine. “Molly and I are going out for a bit. Do you need anything?”

He motioned for her to come closer to the bed. “I'm a little thirsty.”

Leah poured a glass of water and carried it to him, noting that he looked much stronger today. He pushed himself up and used the headboard to lean against. She handed him the glass.

His right hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. Water sloshed in the glass.

“What are you doing?” Leah demanded.

He removed the glass from her hand while still holding her wrist. A smile pulled his lips across. It wasn't a friendly smile. His eyes held a coldness that frightened her.

Leah tugged her arm back, hoping to dislodge his hand from around her wrist. She was amazed at his strength. “Release me,” she demanded. Heat radiated from his fingers, feeling as if they were hot bands holding her in place.

Should she scream for help? Leah didn't want to alarm Molly, but she couldn't stay hunched over the bed with him holding her captive. What was he doing?

“Are you about ready?”

She welcomed the sound of Jake's deep voice coming from behind her. It sounded rougher in her ears than normal. Her gaze swung up to Mr. Dalton's. His fingers slowly released her. Still holding her gaze, he took a deep drink from the glass she'd given him.

Her heart pounded in her chest.

He handed the glass back. “Thank you for the drink, Miss Hollister.”

Leah's hand shook as she put the glass on the bedside table. She turned to Jake. “Yes, I'm ready.” She had felt ill at ease around Mr. Dalton before; now she knew she had reason to feel that way.

Jake followed her from the room. He closed the door and reached out for her hand. It trembled in his light grasp. “Are you all right?”

Where Mr. Dalton's hand had been threatening and hard, Jake's felt warm and caring. “Yes. I'm fine.” How could she explain what had just happened? Had he seen? What must he be thinking?

* * *

Jake was so angry he could spit nails. Instead, he put on what he hoped resembled a calm face. He hadn't liked Dalton before and he liked him even less now. Over the past couple of days, the men had quit sitting with the banker. It had fallen to Agnes and Leah to see to his care. Now Jake regretted not being around more.

Dalton had some explaining to do regarding the way he'd just manhandled Leah but now wasn't the time for confrontations.

Leah's fingers shook in his hand. “Are you sure you're all right?” he asked.

She slowly pulled her hand away. “Yes, I think I'm a little overtired.” Leah walked toward the stairs.

Jake followed. “Too tired to go ice fishing?”

“Oh, no. Molly is excited about going. I can't take that from her.” She offered him a tight grin.

They continued down the stairs. Jake realized his face must be more expressive than he liked because when they got to the bottom of the stairs she said, “Jake, I'm fine. Really.”

“Good.” He wasn't sure what he was going to do about Dalton. Jake knew he'd need to tell Mr. Frontz what he'd witnessed. Maybe together they could decide what should be done about the banker.

Molly sat on the couch stringing buttons onto a long piece of yarn. She held it up for their inspection. The buttons were mainly brown and black.

“What are you going to do with that?” Jake asked, bending over to look closer at the buttons.

She held the string up to her neck and demonstrated that it was a necklace. Her brown eyes, so much like his brother's, shone back at him.

“That will be a pretty necklace.” He stood up. “Are you ready to go fishing?”

Molly laid the string down and got off the couch. The little girl slipped her small hand into his and nodded.

Jake looked to Leah. She stood off to the side, watching them. Her gaze rested on Molly. Leah's eyes were soft and a motherly love shone through them.

She would make a good mother for Molly. Leah looked up and caught him watching her. Her cheeks turned pink and she ducked her head.

He tugged on Molly's hand. “Let's go, ladies. If we catch enough fish, we'll have them for dinner tonight.”

Jake led them through the kitchen and out the back. He'd left two fishing poles beside the porch, as well as a large bucket with an ice auger inside and a bait bucket. He handed Leah the bait bucket with a grin. “Leah, do you know how to cook fish?” he asked as he continued on toward the frozen river.

“No, but I'm sure Agnes will be happy to teach us.”

“Us?” Did she expect him to help cook the fish?

Leah looked to Molly and laughed. “Molly and me.”

The pompom on Molly's hat bobbed as she nodded her head in agreement. Pulling her hand out of Jake's, she skipped ahead of them. When she came to the edge of the water, Molly stopped and looked back at him.

“Some of the boys beat us out here.” Jake pointed to some holes in the ice.

Molly and Leah fought to keep their footing on the ice while Jake studied the surface of the river. Several holes had been dug and he could tell that the ice was over four inches thick. Jake decided to use a hole that had already been created.

A thin layer of ice had formed so he took the end of the ice auger and used it much like a hammer to break the surface. After skimming out as many of the ice chips as he could from the water, Jake placed heavy weights on the ends of the fishing lines.

“I'll give you the first fishing pole,” he said to Leah as he baited the hook. Happy that the bait was secure, Jake handed her the pole.

Leah took the rod and lowered the weighted line into the water. “Why did you scoop out the smaller pieces of ice?” she asked.

“Those shards are so sharp they can cut the lines,” he explained, slipping bait onto his hook.

Molly laid down on her belly and tried to see down into the water.

“Molly, don't get too close to the edge. That water is so cold it will freeze your nose off.”

The little girl looked up with a mischievous grin.

Leah continued, “And if you stay on your belly like that, your belly button is going to freeze to the lake and, who knows, we may have to leave you out here till spring.”

Jake hid his grin as his niece hurried to get up. Concern laced her features as she wiped at the moisture on her tummy. Then her gloved thumb went into her mouth as she stood next to Leah, looking down into the hole.

He finished baiting his own fishing pole and joined them. Their breath was frosty in the air. To take his mind off the cold, Jake asked, “Molly, do you know any fishing songs?”

The little girl shook her head. Her big brown eyes studied him. He saw the question in their depths. She wanted to know if he knew any songs. How did she suck on her thumb with a glove on it? “Doesn't that glove taste funny?” he asked.

Again, she shook her head.

Jake pretended to put his thumb in his mouth. He jerked it back. “Yuck! That tastes nasty!”

Both Molly and Leah laughed. Molly pulled her thumb out of her mouth and looked at it. Leah laughed again, bringing a smile to his face.

“Enough talk about nasty-tasting thumbs,” he said. “I don't know any songs but I had an uncle once who made up a poem about fishing. Want to hear it?”

Both of them nodded.

Jake cleared his throat, raised his head and began to recite. “Fishy, fishy, in the sea, won't you come out and be a friend to me? I'll put you on my little hook. Then for supper you will cook.” He smiled, revealing all his teeth.

Molly clapped her hands.

Leah looked at him with a comical expression to say the least.

Jake took a bow. “Thank you. If I ever take you hunting, I'll recite the one about the little deer.”

“Oh, no, you don't. I think that one might be a little much for her.” Leah laughed. “Not to mention me.”

Over the next three hours, Leah caught six fish. Jake grinned as he tossed his third fish of the day into the bucket that had held his ice auger. The auger lay on the surface of the frozen river. He was glad that he hadn't had to use it the way it was intended. It took a lot of hard work to get a hole dug.

“Do you think nine fish are enough to feed everyone?” Leah asked. Her gaze moved to the edge of the river where Molly played.

Cold shivered down his spine. “Well, when we add them to what the other guys caught, I think we'll have a nice fish fry.”

Leah grinned. “Do you know who came fishing earlier?”

“Uh-huh. Ike and Cole were out here shortly after breakfast. I believe they took six back to Agnes.” He began to gather their supplies. He all but clapped his hands. “We'll be having fish for dinner tonight.”

Leah pulled her line from the water and then handed him the fishing pole. “This has been fun.” She picked up the ice auger and, once he'd secured the fishing lines, took the two poles from him.

Her blue eyes sparkled up at him. Rosy cheeks spoke of just how cold it was. “I agree. We'll have to do it again.”

Her voice turned soft. “I'd like that.”

Jake grinned. “You know what is more fun?” he asked, picking up the bait and fish buckets.

“What?”

“Ice skating.”

Leah looked about the frozen lake and all the holes that dotted its surface. “I don't think it would be safe to skate out here.”

Jake laughed. “No, it wouldn't, but we could skate farther down.”

Her gaze moved down the river. “Oh, I suppose we could.”

“We could rope off a big section and make sure that Molly doesn't go past the ropes.” Jake spoke his thoughts aloud. “It would be fun. We could build a small fire, make hot chocolate and maybe even cook something over the flames.”

Horror filled her face.

“What's wrong?” Jake spun around looking for the danger that had placed such fear in her pretty features.

“I have trouble cooking on a real stove. I can't imagine cooking over an open fire.”

Jake shook his head. “Woman, you scared years off my life,” he jokingly accused, relieved there was no real danger present. “Besides, women cook over fire pits every day.”

“I'm sorry, but this woman doesn't,” she shot back.

Molly ran toward them. She looked into the fish bucket and clapped her hands.

He handed the little girl the bait bucket to carry. Then he casually wrapped an arm around Leah's shoulders. “I'll make you a deal. When we cook over open flames, I'll do the cooking.”

An impish grin split her full lips. “Promise?”

Now what was she up to? Had he just tapped into her teasing nature? He'd play along. “Promise.”

“Thank you, Jake.” Pure mirth seeped through the words.

Jake pretended to growl and then asked, “What are you up to?”

Molly and Leah shared grins. The little girl covered her mouth and her eyes danced with laughter. Whatever Leah was up to, Molly understood it.

“Oh, nothing, really.” Leah's mouth spread into a full-fledged smile. Her even white teeth shone. It was the first time he'd seen her this playful, and she seemed to be genuinely happy.

He dropped his arm from her shoulder and draped it around her waist, then set the fish pail down. Before she could protest, Jake pulled her against his side and proceeded to tickle her with his free hand.

Leah's laughter filled the air. “Stop! Stop!” But he paid no attention.

He inhaled her sweet fragrance.

“What is so funny?” he asked, tickling her more.

Molly jumped around them, flapping her arms. The little girl reminded him of a chicken with its head cut off. It amazed him that she didn't verbally join in the fun.

He stopped tickling Leah for a moment. “If you don't tell me quick what you are up to, I'm going to tickle you some more,” he threatened her.

“All right, all right!” she squealed.

Reluctantly he released her. He missed the warmth against his side immediately. Her hair now hung around her shoulders in disarray, and her blue eyes danced with happiness. He merely stared, tongue-tied. Leah Hollister was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. But Jake had learned from Molly's mother that beauty didn't make the woman special or trustworthy. Fear of his heart being broken forced him to look past her outer beauty.