“Aunt Evangeline, look.” Juliet pranced into the room and whirled around. Her new dress was a little big, so she would be able to wear it a while.
Selena shyly entered the room, her trembling hands lifting the long hem off the floor. “Selena, you are stunning.”
The housekeeper’s hand went to her face. “I cannot believe this.” Selena pranced around the room, swishing the skirt as she walked. “When my cousin Letitia marries in a few months, I shall wear this dress and make every woman there so jealous.” Her giggles stopped when she glanced toward the kitchen. “I must change and finish straightening so we can prepare the meal.”
Evangeline didn’t miss the fact that the woman used the word we.
Selena left to change, but Juliet insisted on wearing her new dress for lunch. Evangeline adjusted the ribbons in her hair before the girl ran outside to show off her gift to anyone nearby. Selena soon returned, and they put everything away in short order.
Evangeline could not decide where to hang her painting of the Good Shepherd. Fiona had given her the painting the day she had given her heart to Jesus. Ye are like that little lamb Jesus is a-carryin’ on His shoulder. Ye belong to Him, Lassie; He will always take care of ye.
Memories of Fiona made her heart ache with loneliness. Shaking herself back into the present, she left the painting propped against the wall atop the chest of drawers in the master bedroom. Later, she would find the right spot.
“Señor Marcum ordered the wardrobe and the dresser from the cabinetmaker who lives on a neighboring ranch. The Señor thought you would need the room. Before, there was only the bed and washstand. Those hooks were made by Solomon the blacksmith.” Selena pointed to hooks secured behind the bedroom door. “He wanted to do something special for you. See how nice your things look.” Selena had hung her shawls and robe on the hooks.
“How thoughtful. Solomon is the big, black gentleman?”
“Sí.”
“I must be sure to thank him for his gift.”
Evangeline was embarrassed to find that after filling the wardrobe and dresser, she had to leave the rest of her things in her trunks along with her journals. “I have taken up all this room with my things. Jacob only has one drawer and a suit in the wardrobe.”
“He is a man who had no wife. He does not know he can have more clothes. Do not be concerned. The stores have not many lady things. If a woman wants something, she must order it. If nothing happens, it will come.”
“If nothing happens?”
“Sí … no robbers or bad weather to delay the delivery. I am glad you brought the material and thread. No need to go to town.” Selena knelt to repack the last of the material.
“You don’t like going into town?” Evangeline had caught the tone in her voice.
“I no like going into the general store.” Selena rose from the floor and wiped her hands on her apron. “Mrs. Hanks has no respect for anyone who is not white like her.”
“Is there another store in Charleton?”
“Si. A China man owns it, and I go there sometimes. He does not have everything, so I still must go to the general store.”
“I suppose she does not like this China man either.”
“For two reasons—he is not white, and his prices are cheaper.”
CHAPTER 11
Jake felt Traveler pick up his pace as they approached the house. Juliet’s legs dangled over the fence rail, while Dog lay at her feet. Manny stood nearby holding the egg basket.
Looks like those two are at it again.
His niece often found ways to get Manny to do her chores. It was hard to decide if Manny looked on her as a little sister or something else. Jake dismissed the latter thought as Manny ruffled Juliet’s hair. He pulled Traveler to a stop close enough to hear the two. Juliet was being her usual fussy self when it came to the boy.
“Stop that.” Juliet scowled and smacked Manny’s hand away. “You don’t understand anything. I didn’t mean to forget my chores. My mind’s distracted.”
“It is always so.” Manny glanced toward Jake and waved.
Juliet scrambled from the fence and tripped over Manny’s boot. Her scowl elicited more mirth from the boy.
“Why must you be in such a hurry?” he shouted after her.
With Dog at her heels, Juliet ran to the house and scampered up the porch steps. When the door slammed behind her, Dog found a place on the porch to wait.
Manny took Traveler’s reins as Jake dismounted. “Miss Juliet, she is crazy.”
Jake pointed to the egg basket. “You gotta stop doin’ her chores when she forgets. Take care of Traveler before you take the eggs in to your momma.”
“Si, I know but—”
“You see things need doin’, and you do them.” Jake patted his shoulder. “You’re a good man, Manny. But Juliet won’t learn responsibility if you keep doin’ her chores.”
Jake entered the house with every intention of rebuking his niece for her thoughtlessness. Evangeline passed him without so much as a nod as she trekked from the kitchen toward Juliet’s room, wiping her hands on a piece of cloth. In a moment they both appeared. When his wife signaled Juliet, she stepped forward, executed a perfect curtsy, and twirled around. Evangeline went back to the kitchen.
Seeing his niece in her new dress melted his resolve. “Who is this house guest we have here? Don’t she look like a fine lady?” Jake bowed and kissed her hand as Juliet giggled.
“You like my dress? Ain’t … I mean, isn’t it lovely?”
“Sure is.”
“Aunt Evangeline brung it all the way from Missouri for me. If you’d a come home for lunch, you’d a seen it then. I changed so as not to get it dirty. Look at the table. Them … I mean those dishes belonged to her grandma. They come all the way from Ireland. Ain’t … aren’t they lovely too?”
“They certainly are.” Jake glanced around the room, trying to hide a grin at Juliet’s attempt to correct her words. “What is your aunt up to?”
“She’s helpin’ Selena in the kitchen.”
“Really?” Jake wondered what could have happened to soften the housekeeper.
“I think Selena likes her now ’cause she brung … brought her a beautiful, fancy dress too, all the way from Missouri.”
“Did she now?”
“Sí, Señor, it is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen. The Señora is very generous.” Selena carried plates of food, and Evangeline followed with more. Selena excused herself as soon as she finished serving. Cookie came in and pulled up a chair at the table.
“I wish Selena would sit with us.” Evangeline glanced toward the kitchen. “I’ve had little experience with servants. Only at my uncle’s home.” Her eyes flitted to her plate, and her hand went to her chest. She raised her head and straightened her silverware. Jake wondered what kind of experience she’d had with servants to make her so uncomfortable.
“Maybe someday she will,” Cookie said.
“You already had one miracle,” Jake said as he sat down. “She let you in her kitchen.”
“One thing at a time, I suppose.” Evangeline placed her napkin in her lap. “Things are just as new for her as they are for me.”
Jake glanced at Juliet. “Little lady, would you please say grace?”
“Yes, sir.” She bowed her head and folded her hands. “Lord, thank you for all the wonderful things of this day and for bringin’ Aunt Evangeline to us … and ‘specially for the beautiful dress. Amen.”
***
Dinner conversation focused on the workings of the ranch. Evangeline listened, intent on learning all she could about her new home.
With a piece of beef still hanging from his fork, Cookie ticked off the virtues of Double M. “It has the most comfortable bunkhouse and the best workin’ conditions of any ranch around. The pay is better, and the food is the best. Selena sees to that.”
“I imagine the men value their jobs.” Evangeline placed her napkin over her uneaten food. Her stomach refused to enjoy
the strange new fare as Mexican spices danced on her taste buds, inviting the nausea to return. Her stomach had behaved all day. Now—along with Jake’s presence—it troubled her again. She sipped her tea hoping to ease the discomfort.
“Yes, ma’am. Jake figures you take real good care of the hands, they’ll take real good care of the ranch.” This was the third time Cookie quoted Jake’s philosophy of ranching since her arrival. His admiration for the man was apparent.
It appeared everyone here respected her new husband. But everyone had respected her uncle. He’d treated his employees well. Uncle Carl was a pillar in the community yet—
“Would you like to take a ride after dinner?”
Jake’s words brought her back to the present and—with them— the realization she wasn’t ready to face her fears. At least not all of them.
“How about a walk? I want to explore the ranch more thoroughly.” She hoped her voice sounded nonchalant.
“That’d be fine.”
After the meal, Evangeline went to get a shawl. When she returned, Jake took her hand. She tensed a bit but didn’t try to pull away.
“What direction do you want to start?” he asked, moving toward the back door.
Evangeline willed herself to relax. She let out a slow breath. “Shall we look at the garden and work our way to the front path?”
The sun had not yet set. Dusk often brought peace to Evangeline at the end of a day. Today, anxiety distracted her heart. She gazed at Selena’s garden. “Everything looks so healthy. I see you irrigate. Have you thought about adding fruit trees?”
“There’s fruit trees on the property near my folks’ place.”
“The homestead? I didn’t notice them.”
They’re kinda grown over. But we still get apples and pears off ‘em in season. There’s berry bushes around as well. Cookie can tell you where they are.”
“I’d like to make some jam for winter. That’s another domestic skill I acquired.”
“That’d be real nice. I look forward to samplin’ it.” His thumb lightly stroked her hand as he spoke, sending little flutters up her spine.
Her eyes moved to the small one-room cabin, Selena’s home. A colorful flower garden graced the area near the front door. “Jake, I’m very curious about something.”
“What’s that?”
“I can see Selena loves Juliet very much, and she is such a wonderful mother to her, not to mention she is extremely beautiful. Why didn’t you marry her?”
Jake stopped walking, obviously surprised by the question. “Well, for one thing, Selena’s a mite older. Her late husband, Carlos, was like an uncle to me. And in case you haven’t noticed, there’s someone else who fancies her.”
“I have noticed.” Evangeline recalled how Cookie’s face seemed to glow in the housekeeper’s presence.
“Selena is more like a sister or aunt.” After another pause, he added, “Besides, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
Evangeline looked away, determined not to let this man rattle her. When will he stop saying things like this? After a few moments, they moved on, circling the barn.
“You don’t like Sage?” Jake asked, obviously sensing her apprehension.
“She is beautiful.”
“But?”
“I’m scared of riding. Horses can pull my wagon, but I prefer not to be on their back.”
“Why’s that?”
“I have been thrown a few times.”
“Pa always said you get back up and try again.”
“I received a bad concussion and was laid up for several months with a broken arm. Tell me, how many times have you fallen from a horse?”
“None.”
“I find no comfort in the words of a man with no experience.” Evangeline attempted to adjust her shawl with her free hand.
“She’s broke for haulin’ as well as ridin’,” Jake offered.
“Good. I can hitch her to the wagon and go into town. I’d like to find some material to reupholster your parlor chairs. I brought nothing suitable.” Evangeline waited for his reaction.
“I said you could do whatever you like to make the house your own. We have accounts at the stores. We pay the bills when the cattle drive’s over.”
“I have my own money. I’d rather not add to your account for frivolous things.”
Jake’s brows furrowed as he stared at her.
“Are you bothered that I can pay my way?”
“Maybe.” His eyes flashed. “It’s a man’s place to provide for his family.”
***
Jake felt tension rise up between them at his declaration. His new wife pulled her hand away as they walked.
“I have been earning my way for years.” Stopping mid-stride, she turned to face him. Her green eyes glinted with the sun’s fading rays, causing Jake to get lost for a moment in their beauty. “You did say this was our ranch. The money I have is also ours. I want to use it to make our house more comfortable.”
“I reckon it’d be okay.” Jake couldn’t argue with her logic, even though it galled his pride. “I don’t need your money to take care of our ranch. That’s my job. But you can buy whatever suits ya with your money.”
Her eyes challenged him. “I suppose I should be grateful you granted me permission to spend my own money. You will find, Jake Marcum, that I don’t ask permission. I’d rather discuss things. I see the household as a shared responsibility.”
Jake found her stormy features endearing. “And you, Evangeline Marcum, will find me a stubborn man when it comes to change. If you give me a chance, you might find my ways are not too disagreeable.”
She smoothed her dress and looked at the ground for a moment. When she raised her eyes to his, her countenance had changed. “Shall we continue our walk?”
This woman is a mystery for sure.
They went as far as the trees outside the entrance gate. The grove, a beautiful contrast to the flat prairie and distant hills, framed the lovely spot. Jake indicated the bench at the base of one tree, and they sat to enjoy the sunset.
“This is so beautiful, and the quiet here is wonderful.” Evangeline closed her eyes and breathed in the air of the coming darkness.
Before he could stop himself, Jake placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
Her eyes flashed open, reflecting fear.
“Sorry, I—”
“You startled me.” She moved away, stiffening her back.
“You looked like you needed to be kissed.”
She rose from the bench and dusted imagined dirt from her skirt. “I will tell you when I need to be kissed, Mr. Marcum.” Her voice had a wounded edge.
Evangeline fled back to the house. Jake followed, frustrated at her mixed signals and at the same time kicking himself for being such a schoolboy.
One of these days, I’m gonna kiss that independent attitude right outta her. Then she’ll probably slap my face.
He slowed his pace as she entered the house. The slamming door echoed on the damp night air.
Lord, I gave my word. Help me keep it.
CHAPTER 12
Artie rushed in, interrupting the family breakfast. He whipped off his battered Confederate hat and glanced at Evangeline before addressing Jake. “Boss, we got a few head of cattle sufferin’ from the bloat.”
Jake rose from his chair. “Cookie, get Duke and Tony. Pete too if he ain’t still busy mending that fence.”
Artie bolted out the door without another word.
“What’s happening?” Evangeline asked.
“Some of the cattle ate somethin’ that didn’t agree with ‘em.” Jake paused at the door. “Could you check on Bo? He broke his foot the other day, and he’s tryin’ to walk on it too soon.”
In the few days since her arrival, she’d seen very little of Jake. He involved himself in every aspect of running the ranch. Her relief at not having much time with him wrestled with her feeling of being an observer on the ranch rather than a part of it. “Which one i
s Bo?”
“Artie can show you. And if you wanna go to town this morning, he can drive you.”
Juliet jumped from her seat, spilling her juice. “Can I go too?”
“It’s up to your aunt.”
“Of course you may, Juliet, but let me check on Bo first.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll go get ready.”
Evangeline peered from the window as Jake and his men prepared to head out toward the ailing cattle, focusing her attention on her husband as he mounted Traveler and struck out to do what needed doing.
I wish I could find my place. Be confident with myself. Jake, Selena, even Cookie—despite his handicap—have found purpose in their lives here.
Could she find purpose and her place in his world? She grabbed her medical bag. Artie waited at the door to take her to the bunkhouse.
“I’m surprised I didn’t notice Bo’s foot myself,” Evangeline remarked more to herself than Artie.
“I ain’t. Ever since Bart told him to quit cry-babyin’ and be a man, he took off the bandage and shoved his foot in his boot. Ain’t been able to get it off since.”
“How did he break his foot?”
“He was cryin’ ’cause Bart had to shoot his horse. The horse broke his leg trippin’ in a rabbit hole. Bo got so upset he started runnin’ and caught his leg in the same hole, breakin’ his ankle. Bart’s been fussin’ at him ever since.”
“Is Bo afraid of Bart?”
“Nah, he admires him.”
Evangeline recalled Bart’s angry face. “Frankly, I find him disturbing.”
“Most people do.” Artie’s pants were a few inches too long, causing him to stop every few feet to hike them up. “The war made him a mite touched in the head. Mad all the time. I steer clear, but he won’t bother you.”
“Why is that?”
“You’re the boss’s wife.”
Evangeline entered the bunkhouse and found a large-framed young man sprawled on one of the narrow beds. “Bo, Mr. Marcum sent me to check on your leg.”
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