The Jewel of His Heart (9 page)

Juliana felt her face flush. “It’s not a date—just supper. Matter of fact, I’m about to go. I was just looking over the column for tomorrow.” She rose, handing him her article. She waited while he skimmed through what she’d written.

“Very good, Juliana. Now you go ahead and leave so you won’t be late. You’ve had a busy day. Your headline about the bank robbery was pretty good, but I changed it a bit. By the way, there’s a reward of five hundred dollars for the capture of the bandit.” Albert turned back to setting the presses.

“I hope the sheriff catches him.” She wanted to stop by to see Helen with a couple of ideas she had about a fund-raiser, so she grabbed her coat and waved good-bye to Albert, then hurried down the sidewalk to Helen’s house. At the meeting, Helen had mentioned where she lived, in case Juliana had any questions concerning the project.

Juliana lifted the wrought-iron gate latch, startling a fat gray cat snoozing on the broad steps leading up to the front porch. The cat skittered away as she approached the sidewalk. Juliana smiled. She loved cats, and once she was settled, she planned to have one to keep her company.

She rang the doorbell and waited for someone to answer. Helen’s home was a sprawling yellow clapboard, its porch dotted with flowerpots, with a cozy swing at one end. Rich, green ferns sat on either side of the door in beautiful ceramic pots. Juliana had never lived in anything so grand, and likely never would. She wondered what Helen’s husband did for a living.

A young girl about the age of fourteen answered the door. Her dark hair hung in perfect ringlets, setting off the starched pinafore over her blue gingham dress. “Hello.”

“I’m sorry to disturb you, but I wonder if I could speak with your mother. I’m a reporter for the
Gazette
,” Juliana said.

“Well, I don’t know. She’s pretty busy right now. I’ll have to go ask. Could you wait right here?”

“I can indeed. Tell her it’s Juliana. And you are . . . ?”

“Marilee.” The young girl smiled up at her.

“Nice to meet you, Marilee.” She had a peaches-and-cream complexion and big green eyes. Pretty eyes, Juliana thought.

“I’ll be right back.” She left the door partially opened, and Juliana heard her call out for her mother.

It wasn’t long before Helen stood before her, charming as usual. “Why, hello, dear. To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”

“I’m sorry for an intrusion, Helen.”

“Oh, no bother at all. Pardon my manners. Please do come in.”

She followed Helen into the parlor gaily decorated with rose chintz fabric. A portly gentleman rose from his seat, placing a teacup next to his chair.

“Harry, this is Juliana,” Helen said. “She’s doing a column on our Ladies Social Club for the
Gazette
.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Juliana said. “But I’m intruding. I’ll come back another time.”

“Not at all. I’m Harry, Helen’s husband, and the mayor of this wonderful city.” He extended his hand to Juliana’s, shaking it firmly. “Join us, won’t you?”

He seemed warm and easygoing, with a smile under his bushy mustache. He patted Helen on the arm, and she caressed his hand. It was apparent that they were very much in love.

“Sit right here, Juliana.” Helen gestured toward the Victorian settee. “Marilee, please fetch another cup for our guest.”

Marilee left the room momentarily and came back with a delicate rose cup and saucer. “I’m going over to Jane’s, Mommy.”

“Supper is soon, so don’t be gone long, sweetie,” her mother said. Marilee gave her daddy a quick kiss and was out the door in a flash.

Helen laughed, saying, “Ah, children. That one is twelve going on twenty.” She filled the cup with tea and handed it to Juliana.

“I can’t stay long. I’m meeting Dr. Barnum for dinner.” As soon as the words slipped out of her mouth, she wished she hadn’t said them. Surprise showed on Helen’s face, but Juliana caught Harry’s smile.

“Nice man, Mark. He’s a fine doctor too,” Harry said.

Juliana sipped from the cup of tea. “I really came to talk to you about an idea I had for your new project.” She took a quick sip of her tea before continuing. “There may be a way to make money for the new school program.”

Harry stood. “I’ll let you two talk. I have an appointment at the courthouse, but I’ll be back by suppertime.” He winked at Helen. “Juliana, I’m sure I will see you again.”

“I’ll look forward to it.” Juliana found herself smiling at Harry. She liked him.

Once he was gone, Helen turned to her enthusiastically. “So tell me, Juliana, what have you been thinking?”

Juliana could see she had Helen’s full attention now. “I have some thoughts on ideas for a fund-raiser for the school.”

“Any suggestion you have would be most welcome. Please share.”

“Have you given any thought to an art show? I got the idea thinking about Mr. Stockton’s vast collection of art he has hanging throughout the hotel.” Juliana paused, waiting for Helen’s reaction.

“Juliana, what a great idea! Who knows, perhaps we can persuade him to donate one or two.” She laughed. “Although that’ll take some convincing—”

Marilee burst into the room, her ribbon sash flowing below her dress hem and a hole in her stocking. “Mama, come quick!” She yanked at her mother’s hand. “There’s been an accident. Jane and I were running, and I chased her across the street, but then she slipped and fell, and a wagon hit her. Hurry, please!”

Shock registered on Helen’s face, and she shot up out of her chair. She ran to the front door and down the sidewalk, with Juliana frantically trying to keep up.

Several neighbors were already gathered at the accident site, and upon seeing Jane’s limp body, Helen cried out. She and Juliana quickly bent down to check Jane’s breathing. “Thank God! She has a pulse.” Helen began to loosen Jane’s coat. A large purple bump was already forming over the girl’s right brow.

“Do you think anything’s broken?” Juliana asked.

“It’s hard to tell, but she probably has a concussion. Has anyone gone for the doctor?” Helen asked, turning to her neighbors.

“He’s on his way, and George ran to get Jane’s mother,” someone in the crowd responded.

“I don’t think we should move her,” Juliana said quietly, watching for any sign of motion in Jane’s face.

Helen’s neighbor ran up and stood next to them, wringing her hands. “That horse and buggy just roared right past Jane like she wasn’t even there! I declare, I’ve never seen anything like it. He was in an all-fired hurry. I hope she’ll be all right.”

Marilee’s eyes were as big as saucers, and Juliana got up to place her arm around the frightened young girl. “Don’t worry, sweetie. The doc’s coming.”

Almost on cue, Mark hurried up to where Jane lay in the dusty street. He assessed her physical condition, looking for breaks, then pulled up her eyelids. “She’s probably got a concussion. You did the right thing by not moving her, because she may have a broken leg. Are you her mother?”

“I am.” Cynthia Hood rushed to the circle gathered in the street. Juliana recognized her as the snoot from the Ladies Social Club. Cynthia fell to her knees at her daughter’s side, shock on her face. “Jane, please open your eyes.” She felt Jane’s face, gently nudging her, almost willing her to wake up. “What’s wrong with her, Doctor? Is she going to be all right?” Cynthia frantically looked into his eyes.

“I think so.” Mark turned to George, his next-door neighbor, and motioned for him to assist. “We’ll need to get her inside and comfortable. Helen, since you’re just across the street, can we move her to your house temporarily?”

“Of course, if that’s all right with Cynthia.”

“Oh yes. Let’s get her off the street. Whatever you say,” Cynthia said.

George and Mark scooped Jane up, supporting her neck and back, then carried her up the front porch into Helen’s home.

“Take her up the stairs to that first bedroom. It’s the guestroom. She’ll be comfortable there.”

Helen led the way. Juliana and Marilee stayed downstairs while Cynthia followed the men upstairs. Juliana gave Marilee a slight squeeze, and the girl leaned her head against her with a sob. “There now. Don’t cry. Mark is a good doctor, and he’ll know what to do.”

“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have insisted on chasing her. Mama said I should act like a lady. She’s right,” Marilee said with a hiccup.

“Let’s go sit down and wait, shall we?” Juliana led her to the parlor, where earlier they had enjoyed pleasantries. How fast things could change.

It wasn’t long before Mark and Helen came downstairs.

Marilee jumped up. “Mama, is she all right?”

Mark turned to her. “She should be, in a few days. She’s going to have a bad headache, I’m afraid. And she’ll need some quiet rest.”

Marilee sighed deeply, looking pitiful with her tear-streaked face, trailing sash, and ripped stockings.

“Let’s get you upstairs and into the bathtub, young lady, so we can have our dinner. Cynthia will stay next to Jane and alert us if there is any change.” Helen pushed on her daughter’s backside, moving her toward the stairs. “You two go on now and enjoy yourself.” She nodded to Juliana and Mark. “We’ll take care of Jane.” “I’ll look in on her in the morning then.” Mark turned to Juliana, elbow out. “Shall we?”

“If you’re sure you don’t need any help, Helen.” Juliana said.

“Don’t worry about a thing. We’ll do exactly as Mark said. Now, I must bid you good-bye or Marilee will dawdle much too long with her bath.” Helen flashed them a knowing smile.

11

Howling winds blew down from the craggy mountain peaks where gathering dark clouds hovered above. The wind kicked up the dust in the busy streets of Lewistown, and shopkeepers’ signs rattled, their rusty nails squeaking against the weathered boards. The horses tied to hitching posts lowered their heads against the onslaught of dust in their eyes, while women pressed their hands down on their skirts to keep them from revealing the petticoats underneath.

Josh clamped down on his Stetson, pulling his duster together to keep out the sudden chill. This could be another storm brewing before the temperatures warmed to a comfortable level when the lambing season began. He thought fondly of his herd and the new lambs he and Andy would be handling.

A hot meal and a strong cup of coffee were what he was seeking tonight. Tucked under his arm was a copy of
Moby Dick
, which he intended to read while he ate his meal. Tomorrow he would head back out to his campsite with fresh supplies that should last a month or so. He missed Shebe and hoped Andy was taking good care of her. Next time, if the weather was clear, Shebe would come with him.

Josh was glad that at the last minute he had donned his nice woolen pants and shirt underneath his heavy coat, and shined his boots before he left for Maggie’s restaurant. It was crowded tonight, and most diners were not dressed in their usual work garb. Maybe that was because it was Saturday. Out here, in the middle of nowhere, this was probably the highlight of the week for most people. He only had to look around to know that.

As the waiter showed him to his table, he nodded to Sheriff Wilson, who shared a table with a couple he didn’t know. With the clatter of china, the clinking of glass, and the soft glow of gaslights, this would be a nice place to invite Juliana if he saw her again.

If?
Make that,
he would
see her again if he had his way about it.

The small table near a window where he could look out onto the street suited him just fine. He placed his hat and book on the table, then peeled off his coat and waited for someone to take his order. He was mighty hungry, and the smells coming from the kitchen made his stomach sit up and take notice. He could eat a horse and snatch the rider!

Quickly the waiter took his order, promising to bring his hot coffee first with lots of cream. Josh settled back, pulled his book to him, and flipped it open to the marked page. He enjoyed reading but hadn’t allowed himself the luxury of late because of his herd and the endless tasks that needed tending at his small ranch.

The coffee arrived, and he helped himself to cream and sugar, making the coffee the color of caramel. It tasted delicious. Almost as good as Andy’s. After gulping down the coffee, he spied Juliana with Doctor What’s-his-name . . . Mark? Yes, Mark Barnum. Well, he wasn’t surprised. She smiled at Josh but then shyly looked away. He felt his face go warm despite the cold seeping through the windowsill he was sitting next to. A peculiar feeling inched its way up his chest, and he drew in a deep breath. My, but she was lovely to look at! She was laughing softly at something Mark was saying, and Mark’s eyes were locked on her pretty face.

He quickly recovered and looked down at his book, suddenly unable to concentrate, though he continued to stare at the words on the page. How much did she like Mark? Maybe she felt friendship for him because he had tended to her dying mother. He stole a quick glance at the couple. Mark looked young and relaxed. He seemed to be closer to her age. Suddenly, Josh felt a bit old and tired as he compared himself to the competent, good-looking doctor. When he looked at Juliana, he couldn’t quell his rising feelings of emotion. Feelings he hadn’t felt in a long time.

Mark would be able to give Juliana the kind of life someone as lovely and unassuming as she was deserved. Right now, all Josh could offer her was a smelly herd of sheep, hard work, and a small house in progress, with hope for the promise of a better future. He looked down at his rough hands holding his book. He couldn’t imagine touching her delicate, tender skin with them. The thought made his chest hurt. Better to get back to his reading while he waited for his dinner.

Sheriff Wilson approached his table and paused. “How ya doing this evening, Josh?”

“Doing pretty good, Sheriff. Got any leads on the bank robber yet?”

“None that panned out so far. I expect the culprits are holed up somewhere in the mountains.” The sheriff ran his hand along the brim of his felt hat. “After trailing them all day, we turned up cold, but we’ll head back out as soon this latest storm passes.”

“It looks like we’ll get something with the wind howling against the window here. Maybe a light dusting of snow. I’ve got to get back to my camp first thing tomorrow.”