The Jewel of His Heart (36 page)

“Didn’t our last talk teach you one blasted thing, Wes?” Josh gritted his teeth.

Wes straightened, glaring at Josh. “You don’t own her, Josh! And I don’t see no ring on her finger either.”

“Maybe so, but that does not give you the right to touch Juliana in any way, especially when she tells you to let go. Why don’t you get that?”

Juliana came between them, her hands up. “Please, keep your voices down or you’ll cause a scene, and our guests will leave,” she snapped. Josh’s lips formed a hard line, and Wes looked mortified. Marion and Cynthia were watching the whole scenario.

Both men took a step back. Josh’s face was full of thunder. Wes looked at Juliana, his Adam’s apple bobbing, and said, “I’ve acted like a fool. I’m sorry. I wouldn’t hurt you for nothin’ in the world.” With that Wes slammed on his hat and swaggered past them to get outside as quickly as he could.

Juliana turned to Josh, her hands on her hips. “I need to remind you that I’m able to take care of myself.
I
was the one who wanted to talk to Wes alone about my father.”

He balked. “I’m sorry. I was trying to protect you. It looked to me like he overstepped his bounds again.”

“What do you mean, again?” Juliana’s bottom lip twitched. “Why don’t you give it some thought first before you react next time?” she said tersely. As soon as the words fell from her lips, she was sorry for the way she’d spoken them.

His jaw dropped. “I’ll just get out of your way then,” he said hoarsely.

Juliana knew she’d hurt Josh by the deflated look on his face. Her lips parted to speak, but the words caught in her throat. She watched him disappear through the crowded room.

Miss Margaret stood next to her and touched her on the shoulder. “Juliana, let’s go someplace we can talk.”

Fighting back tears, Juliana nodded, and they walked out the back door of the church to the grounds outside, not too far from the cemetery. Juliana would not let herself look in that direction because she knew she would crumble. They walked in silence in the warmth of the afternoon among the cottonwood trees sporting their brand-new green leaves.

Miss Margaret stopped at a park bench. Juliana stared out at the serene countryside but could still hear distant chatter and laughter from the fellowship hall. She turned to Miss Margaret. “I’m afraid I’ve pushed Josh away one too many times.”

Miss Margaret scooted closer to her on the bench, and Juliana smelled the delicate rose water mixed in with her mentholated cream that was ever present. Miss Margaret took Juliana’s hand and looked into her eyes over the top of her spectacles. “Listen to me. Josh was just protecting you, though a little too strongly. He adores you, and he doesn’t trust Wes. Wes has a lot to learn when it comes to manners and trying to get a lady to recognize he’s alive. If he’d only observe Josh, he could get the hang of it.” She paused, raising one gray brow. “At least, I think he could if he wanted to.”

“You think so, Miss Margaret?” Juliana sniffed.

“I do. I think you’re still angry with your father, but one day you’ll be able to let it all go. I know you don’t want to depend on a man, and you don’t have to, but man was meant to have a partner. That’s God’s design. Don’t be angry with Josh. You must go find him. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger or give the devil an opportunity,” Miss Margaret said, patting Juliana’s hand. “You love him, don’t you?”

Juliana drew in a deep breath and exhaled. “More than anything.”

Miss Margaret stood up and tapped her cane against Juliana’s foot. “Then what are you waiting for?”

Juliana rose and gave Miss Margaret a peck on the cheek. “Bless you, sweet lady.” Then she tore up the pathway to find Josh.

37

Josh stalked out the church’s front door, his chest tight and his thoughts turning his anger into hurt. He had absolutely no interest in looking for art to buy now. He’d just make a donation to the new school, and he intended to make it in memory of the miners killed in the explosion. But that would have to wait. He just wanted to get away from everyone as fast as he could.

Now he chided himself for bringing the buckboard in hopes of whisking Juliana away. If he’d ridden his horse, Pete, he could’ve just hopped on him in a hurry and taken off. Now he felt silly at the plans he’d carried around in his mind all week. He didn’t even say a word when Andy tried to stop him as he left. He waved him aside, leaving Andy staring after him with a frown.

Maybe Juliana was too young to understand how serious he was. Could be she didn’t love him. His heart flipped over in his chest when he thought that might be the true reason for the way she’d spoken to him. Well, he’d never know, because he was going to be scarce from now on.

When he reached his wagon, Josh ripped off his new suit jacket, flung it onto the seat, and loosened his tie. He’d take the long way home to cool off.

Home. Where was that anyway? He didn’t know anymore. He and Andy had found another suitable section of his property that had been spared from the worst of the fire to construct another house. But now he wasn’t so sure he wanted to build the plans he’d spent every night drawing. He glanced at the rolled-up drawings on the seat. He had intended on showing them to Juliana today. Maybe all he needed was a cabin just big enough for him to live in.

He wasn’t going back to Colorado with his tail between his legs. He’d found what he desired without looking—the Yogo sapphires— which would help him declare his independence from his father and establish his own path to success. But that was before he’d found Juliana, his Jewel, and decided to trade it all for a life with her, taking his chances at sheepherding.

Josh untied the horse’s reins and stepped up into the wagon’s seat. He turned around in his seat, glancing over his shoulder and hoping he’d see Juliana. Wishful thinking. He swallowed a huge lump in his throat.

With a “giddyap” and a snap on the reins, he left the church in the bright afternoon sun that dappled the lane with moving shadows.

Juliana stumbled on her way up the hill to the church’s front yard. She fell hard on her hands, ripping the hem of her new blue dress, but that didn’t stop her. Heavens above! She’d walked to church today, so she didn’t have Choco. She caught a glimpse of Josh’s back at the end of the lane as he disappeared around the bend through thick cottonwood trees. She looked about wildly. Wes was saying good-bye to the reverend and mounting his beautiful chestnut mare to head out of the churchyard.

Swallowing her pride, she ran up to him. “Wes, please wait a minute. I want to apologize.”

Wes pulled his horse up sharply, an odd look on his face. “What’s that you said? I must need the wax cleaned outta my ears,” he said, chuckling.

Juliana’s chest was heaving from the run up the hill. “You heard me. Don’t make me say it again. I see now that you weren’t grabbing me to harm me.” It was true and she knew it, and she just chalked it up to his egotistical ways.

He looked as if he didn’t know what to say, so Juliana said, “How about we call a truce?”

Wes paused, rubbing his chin. “All right. All I wanted to do was have cup of punch with a pretty lady for a change, that’s all. I know Josh is sweet on you. That’s apparent, but I thought I’d give him a run for his money anyway.”

“Then you should know that I care about him too. There
are
other pretty ladies here who you could have refreshments with,” she said. She blew a strand of hair from her eyes, still breathing hard.

“They won’t have a thing to do with me. I always seem to say just the wrong thing.”

“Yes, Wes, you do, but you can change that if you really want to. And because of the way you talked to Josh, I’m afraid I wasn’t nice to him either, and he took off, hurt.”

Wes snickered. “Whatever you said to him was not my fault! But I’m sorry if I messed up your afternoon. Honest.”

“I am too.” Juliana stared wistfully down the lane as though Josh would materialize.

“Then go after him.”

“It’s too late. He’s long gone. Besides, I walked to church today.” Her voice cracked.

“One thing I know for sure, it’s
never
too late,” he said, sliding down off his horse.

Juliana, misunderstanding his intentions, took a step back. She was surprised when he held out his horse’s reins to her. She stood staring back at him.

“You know how to ride?”

“Of course.”

“You’d better. Dakota here is lightning fast, and a slight touch is what he responds to. Go after Josh. You can catch up with him if you hurry, but you’ll need Dakota to do that.” Wes shifted on his boots heels and watched her, a sheepish smile crossing his lips.

“But this is your horse.” She wasn’t sure why he was doing this.

“Yes, and the best piece of horseflesh around here. Anybody will tell you that. I don’t let just anyone ride my horses, especially women. The horses are my pride and joy, but I’m willing to make an exception.” Lifting her hand, Wes slapped the reins into her palm. “Well, are you just gonna stand there? Time’s a-wasting! Come on, I’ll give you a boost up.” He practically lifted her up to the saddle, and she grabbed hold of the pommel, admiring the hand-tooled saddle.
Hmm, there’s more to Wes than meets the
eye
, she thought.

“Just bring him back here in awhile. I don’t want to have to hitch a ride back home.” Then he gave Dakota a slap on the rump, and the horse took off.

Juliana giggled. Miss Margaret would be horrified to see her in her new Sunday dress astride a horse that didn’t even belong to her. But then, Miss Margaret
had
told her to go after Josh . . .

Yogo Creek gurgled, cutting its path across the bench lands with an inviting, rushing sound that always soothed Josh’s spirit. Josh was tempted to take his boots off and wade in. The water would be chilly—it always was, no matter what the time of the year.

He looped the reins over a scrub and yanked off his boots and socks, then threw them into the back of the wagon. He trudged down the slope, feeling the cool grass under his bare feet. The water felt invigorating, so he rolled up his pants and waded in. The shock of cold water on his feet and legs made him suck in his breath. He waded further into the stream and found a large rock that jutted out. He sat down and rolled back his shirt sleeves. It was peaceful here.

He recalled the time back in February when he’d found the shiny blue stones and marveled at their translucent blue color. The last time he’d been to this spot was when he’d picnicked with Juliana. They’d enjoyed talking and discovering a little about each other, though she was bashful at first. The memory of him tossing her in the water brought a smile to his lips but an ache to his heart. He’d loved the sight of her that day, though she’d feigned anger with her pouting mouth.

Josh leaned back and closed his eyes to enjoy the sun’s rays on his face. His heart thudded heavily in his chest when he recalled Juliana’s warm kisses and the smell of her hair. This wasn’t doing anything except making him feel lonelier than he ever had before. He should leave. He’d left Shebe to tend the sheep for long enough.

For a moment Josh thought he heard a sound, and he strained his ears to hear.

“May I join you?” Juliana lifted her dress cautiously and traipsed through the water barefoot, then shivered at the water’s coldness.

Josh jerked around. Juliana dragged the hem of her dress in the water and walked toward him. He blinked hard, and as she drew near she saw his somber look and sad, weary eyes. He’d never looked more handsome. He was barefoot, with muscular legs dangling over the large rock, and he was leaning back on his strapping, tanned arms.

“Jewel,” he whispered, “I was dreaming you’d come.” The thickness in his voice when he called her Jewel in his incredibly tender way made her heart skip a beat. Still, he seemed to remain guarded, not moving toward her. Juliana knew he wasn’t sure what to expect but was allowing her to make the first move.

“Josh, I’m sorry if I sounded mean,” she said, drawing close enough to reach out and touch him. The water swirled around her legs in its icy grip.

“You’re shaking,” he said. He held out his arms to her, pulling her up to share his space on the huge rock. The look in his eyes made her heart flutter against her ribs. He drew her close to him and tucked her under the shelter of his strong arms. She laid her head on his broad chest and could hear his steady heartbeat. This was where she was meant to be, wrapped in the safety of his strong arms. She never wanted to leave here, ever.

“How did you get here?” he asked.

Juliana laughed. “You wouldn’t believe it. Wes loaned me his horse.” She felt him stiffen. Looking up at him, she saw his amber eyes narrow.

“Wes?”

“It’s a long story, but let’s don’t talk about him. You don’t have anything to fear where he’s concerned, believe me. I like the soft-spoken, tenderhearted but strong type, and a man full of faith.”

“And how did you tear your new dress, silly girl?” The impish grin teased her.

“So you
did
notice, but you never said anything.” She folded her arms and pouted.

“I never miss anything about you,” he said huskily, his hands stroking her forearms.