Jake assisted Evangeline from the wagon, causing her an unwelcome shiver. She glanced toward the house rather than at Jake.
“Looks like Juliet had a nice time,” Jake said as his niece rushed into the house. He turned his attention back to the wagon. “Ah, I see you have a crate.”
“Me?” Evangeline asked, puzzled.
“When you went in the store, Martin from the livery had me collect it for you,” Artie explained.
Juliet came out of the house, bringing Selena with her. “What is it, Uncle Jake?”
“A gift for your aunt. I ordered it when I knew for sure she was comin’.”
“More gifts. I’m embarrassed by your generosity. I can’t imagine what it is.”
“I hope it pleases you. I ordered the newest Singer sewing machine.”
Evangeline’s hand went to her mouth in happy surprise. “This is truly a blessing. I just bought material to cover the chairs and make curtains. It will go much faster with the machine.” When Jake and Cookie had uncrated it and removed it from the wagon, she stroked it with her fingers. “My sister has one, and I’m afraid it spoiled me. Thank you so much.” She surprised herself by hugging Jake.
“Glad I ordered it,” he whispered, his breath tickling her neck. Stepping back, he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and escorted her to the house.
CHAPTER 13
Evangeline heard the low hum of conversation as she entered the bunkhouse. Angry words caught her attention.
“Bo, you got to get yourself together. I need your help.”
“But, Bart, Mrs. Marcum’s gonna have me fired if I move afore she says I can.”
“Typical woman. Makin’ threats to get you to do things her way. She got no authority over you. Tomorrow you’re gonna—”
“Continue to stay off that foot.”
Bart jumped at Evangeline’s voice, and his hand touched his holster as he turned. The fierce look in his eyes caused her to shiver, but she faced him down, determined to resist the intimidation tactics of this man, no matter how nervous he made her. She moved past him and checked Bo’s forehead.
“Fever’s gone. Excellent. The more you rest, the sooner you can get up. The more you walk on that foot, the worse it will get.”
“You shore it ain’t broke?”
“I’m sure it is only a bad sprain. I don’t know how much damage you did to the muscles of your ankle, but rest is the best cure. Take more laudanum for the pain.”
Evangeline was conscious of Bart watching her every move but ignored the prickles forming on her skin. “I will see if Solomon can fashion a crutch for you in a few days. If you insist on working, I’m sure Cookie can find something less strenuous for you to do.”
“Thank you, ma’am. Just want to pull my weight ‘round here.”
“I’ll check on you again tonight.” She patted his shoulder, picked up her medical bag, and acknowledged Bart with a nod as she left the bunkhouse. With her heart in her throat, Evangeline paused just outside the door to listen.
Bart’s snarly voice told her enough. “Women ain’t nothin’ but trouble.”
She wrinkled her nose as she heard the man spit.
“Better do as she says. Don’t want to draw no suspicion to us.”
***
Bone tired, Jake finished currying his horse by lantern light before heading into the house. It’d been a week of long days with an ever-increasing workload. Fatigue left him too exhausted to think much beyond the next chore. Frustration with his inability to track down the missing cattle or the cattle rustlers added to his sleeplessness.
A soft light from the kitchen window guided his path to the house. His heart warmed at the sight of Evangeline writing at the table. The lamplight reflecting off her hair captured golden flecks dancing around her face.
“Hello, Jake.” Her smile lifted his spirit. “Let me get your dinner for you. Selena left it in the oven. You look like you have some worry mixed in with your fatigue.”
Jake savored a few bites before answering, his hunger grabbing his full attention now. “Missin’ steers.” His wife poured coffee and listened as he recounted his suspicions. “Walters and Tony been helpin’ me keep an eye on the crew.”
“Do you suspect one of your men?”
“Always suspect cattle rustlin’ from within first.” Jake pointed in the air with his empty fork before snagging the last piece of roast beef.
“Pie?” she asked and started to rise.
“Not tonight. I’m too beat to eat more.”
“Come sit in the parlor and let me help you with your boots.”
Jake moved toward the parlor with Evangeline on his heels. “Well, ain’t this room somethin’?” he said as his eyes widened. “The furniture is too fine to sit on with my dirty clothes.” A look of pleasure appeared on his new wife’s face as her right hand rested on her chest for a moment. The transformation of the room was amazing. Not only the elegant curtains and chair coverings but all the little touches, including the framed wedding picture. It was obvious his wife knew how to occupy her time.
“Whoever heard of a room no one can sit in?” She pointed to his favorite chair.
He hesitated only a moment before lowering his aching body. Evangeline’s hands trembled as she removed his right boot. Did his presence still rattle her? Or was this bold action leading to something more? A tingle of desire formed in Jake, but the sensation faded when Evangeline bolted upright.
“Wait here,” she commanded and then scurried toward the kitchen. His curiosity piqued at the noise of clanging pans. Evangeline returned with a basin full of warm water and a towel. “Put your feet in here.”
Jake removed his socks and soaked his feet in the floral-scented warm water. The aroma drew out some of the fatigue and released the tension from the week.
“Man, oh man. This is nice. Thank you.”
“I’m not finished yet.” Placing the towel across her lap, she dried his right foot and began to massage it.
This was a side of her he had not yet experienced. A fella could get used to this.
“I thought perhaps this would help you relax. All this cattle rustling business has upset you more than you realize. You have cried out from nightmares every night this week. I’m hoping this might improve your sleep. I also want you to sleep on the bed. I’ll take the floor.”
Jake’s eyes flew open. So much for thinkin’ this was of a romantic nature. “I can’t let you sleep on the floor.” He tried being stern, but the massage gave his voice a gentler edge than he intended, and his eyes drifted shut once more.
“I’ve slept on the floor in many a sick room. I won’t break.”
“Have my nightmares disturbed your sleep that much?”
“Some. I have taken to napping in the afternoon. I had almost given up on you coming home tonight. I thought perhaps you might sleep in one of the line cabins.”
“Thought about it.” Jake opened one eye. “But I was hopin’ to find you awake. Been busy. We haven’t had time to talk about things.” The even rhythm of her fingers brought relaxation flowing throughout his whole body. Maybe conversation could wait.
“Jake?” Evangeline’s voice invaded his sleep-filled head.
Jake’s eyes flickered open. “Yeah?”
“For a minute, I thought you were asleep.” He heard teasing in her voice.
“Won’t be long. Wish I’d known you were willin’ to rub my feet … I’d have come home earlier.”
“Better stop now if you want to talk.”
“Hmm, maybe I’ll have some pie after all.” Jake rose from his place, and his bare feet padded to the table. Evangeline placed a glass of milk and a generous slice of apple pie before him. He seated himself and picked up a forkful. “Tell me about your day. I mean, your week.”
Evangeline seated herself across from him. “I suppose we haven’t had any real conversation since my trip to town. Juliet and Cookie have had your attention at mealtimes.”
Her words pierced
as a barb he well deserved. He hoped the guilt he felt didn’t show. Thankfully, Evangeline didn’t seem to notice.
“Let’s see, most of my time has been spent figuring out the new sewing machine and making the slipcovers and curtains. Did I mention the material was a wedding gift and a thank-you from Mr. Wong?”
“Very generous of him,” Jake said around a mouthful of pie.
“He insisted. Apparently, my husband is a hero.”
“A few fellas needed a lesson in good manners is all.” Jake shrugged as he gulped the last of the milk. “But if Mr. Wong wanted to give you a gift, I’m glad you didn’t refuse.”
“He has an interesting array of medicines and herbs. I bought a few.”
“Heard you ordered some too.”
“Who told you?”
Jake wiped his mouth with a napkin and pushed back from the table. “Juliet’s been ridin’ out to see me every day.”
“I’ve wondered where she rides off to after chores.”
“She tells me all she knows while I work.”
“What else has she told you?” Evangeline crossed her arms as she leaned on the table. Her mouth formed a straight line while her eyes flashed. Jake wasn’t good at reading women and hoped his timing was right for what he wanted to say.
“She was impressed how you put Cordelia Hanks in her place for insultin’ Selena. I’m sure the woman deserved it. But the thing I want to talk about is you payin’ off my account.” His jaw tightened as he steeled himself for her response.
Evangeline stood and began to pace. “Mr. Hanks gave me the impression it was unseemly for a wife to pay off accounts. He also implied I was an imbecile for carrying around large sums of money.”
“He called you an imbecile?” Jake’s hands fisted.
Evangeline stopped her pacing. “No, but he implied it.”
“So you paid off my bill.”
“I’m not known to take those sorts of comments lightly.” Her look was unreadable as she took her seat. “If I recall, you said this was our ranch, making it our account. I have never been in the habit of using credit. The biggest reason I chose to pay off that debt, I must confess, is because owing anything to the likes of those two galled me.”
“That makes sense. If there was another mercantile in town, they’d be out of business.”
“You mean besides Mr. Wong? I gather the majority of his customers are Asian.”
“Yeah, people tend to stick with their own kind.” Jake unclenched his fists and flexed his fingers.
“I’m glad to support Juliet’s acquaintance with them. They seem quite nice.”
“Honest too, not like some folks. Juliet also told me Hanks tried to cheat you.”
Evangeline seemed to be measuring her words. “I assume he made a math error. It challenged Juliet to learn how to cipher long rows of numbers in her head.”
Jake leaned his chair back on two legs. “I s’pose that’s one good thing that come out of it. The Hanks tend to bend the scales in their direction at times. They’ll probably try to overcharge us again. Might oughta keep checkin’ their ciphers.” Should have thought of that myself. “In the future, I’d like to discuss payin’ off charge accounts together.”
Her eyes went from green to gray. “I’m truly sorry if I put you in a bad light with Mr. Hanks.”
“I don’t much care what Hanks thinks. But I would prefer knowin’ your intentions ahead of time.” Further thoughts of money left with the sweet smile of assent she gave him.
“Did Juliet tell you we went to visit Bertha Woods and her father yesterday?”
“Juliet said you were goin’. None too happy ’bout it either.”
“I assume the whole town ignores Bertha. Let me tell you, they are ignoring a treasure. Bertha really knows how to turn sheep’s wool into the most beautiful yarn and fabric I have ever seen. The cabin walls are covered with lovely tapestries. She has her own special dyes. I bought some yarn from her. Mrs. Hanks would do well to stock her store with it. Let me show you.” Evangeline went to retrieve the yarn and returned with a variety of colored skeins.
Yarn. Can’t believe I’m listenin’ to talk about knittin’. But she looks plum beautiful when she explains it, the way her face lights up.
“I find sewing and knitting therapeutic.”
What? “Thera ... what?” Jake felt foolish asking. He should have just kept quiet.
“Therapeutic. Healing. Relaxing. Something familiar. If I didn’t have any sewing to do right now, I would feel a little lost and lonely for home.”
“You miss your kin?” What a stupid question.
“Of course. But I’m enjoying my new friends here. Most are more than kind.” She rose and turned toward the kitchen. “Would you care for more milk?”
Jake signaled for her to sit back down. “Most?”
“Everyone … except Bart.”
“Well, he’s just plain ornery. The war really got into his head. You should stay clear. I can let him go if he makes you uncomfortable.”
Evangeline’s hand went to her chest. “That would be unkind to fire him just for being disagreeable.”
Jake wondered at her compassion for Bart while her dislike for the Hanks held a bitter tone. Another mystery to ponder.
“Bart seems to have some kind of control over Bo. What is it you have Bart doing that makes Bo so determined to work with an injured foot?”
“Nothin’ special. Maybe I’ll have a little talk with Bart.”
“I don’t think he appreciated my meddling. I overheard him tell Bo I had no authority over the men.”
“If you can keep the men healthy, that’s good for the ranch.”
“Speaking of healthy, it’s past time to remove your stitches. I’m going to get my bag.”
While she was gone, Jake took the dirty dishes to the sink. When he returned to the table, he found her removing things from her bag.
“Amazing. A man who cleans up after himself.”
Jake made a silly face and took his seat once again.
Evangeline moved close. “This is going to hurt some. These stitches should have been removed a few days ago. The skin has begun to heal over them.”
Her closeness, mixed with her heavenly scent, gave Jake an overwhelming desire to wrap his arms around her. He resisted the urge and tried to sit still while she worked. A sigh of relief passed through his lips when she was finished.
“Most people find the removal of stitches painful,” Evangeline remarked as she moved to the kitchen sink. She placed the scissors in a pan and poured in hot water from the kettle.
“They never had a pretty doctor do it.” Jake followed her back to the parlor.
“You asked me about my week. I meant to tell you Mrs. Farley sent an invitation to come to dinner. I haven’t responded.” Evangeline picked up a pillow from the settee and fluffed it.
“Good. I’m too busy right now. ‘Sides, Thomas Farley can get under my skin.”
“She also extended an invitation to tea tomorrow, and I accepted. I’m sorry, I should have asked you. I just thought …” Again her eyes went gray as her arms crossed her chest.
“No, you go on. I don’t really know the missus, but Farley himself thinks he’s king out here. Old Man Farley was a fair man, but his son is another story.”
“I gather you two are not friends?” She perched on the end of the settee, giving him her full attention.
“Good guess. The man’s only been here about five years. He was raised by his ma back East. Attended some fancy college and brags about knowin’ important people. He owns quite a bit of Charleton as well.”
“I assume Farley senior passed five years ago?”
“More like seven. Junior didn’t even come for the funeral.” Jake knew his tone reflected disgust.
“What do you know about Mrs. Farley?”
“The missus come here about three years ago. She ain’t never give me the time of day. Farley only does because we both have cattle interests. About the same t
ime she come, things got bad around here for everybody. We lost a lot a cattle to a winter of blizzards and a lot of crops to grasshoppers. Lot of folks borrowed money from Farley. Sorry to say, I did too. I barely managed to keep this place. I sold all I could spare, includin’ all the fancy furniture Ben left here. When you go to Farley’s, you’ll find it there. It’s the only thing kept him from takin’ some of my land in payment. He wanted the furniture for his wife. Ever since, I’ve kept my distance. He expanded his kingdom quite a bit that year.”
Jake saw sympathy in Evangeline’s eyes.
“I have been acquainted with people like Mr. Farley. I’ll not go if you prefer.”
“It’s fine. She probably misses the East and wants to hear any news you may have.”
Her pensive demeanor changed as a bright smile formed on her face. “Well, that’s settled then. Can Artie take me?”
Her request caused a prickly sensation to go down his spine. “Why Artie?”
“I suppose because he has been my driver thus far, and I’m comfortable with him. And he has not placed me on a pedestal like the rest of your ranch hands.”
Jake sensed no deceit in her logical explanation. “I’ll arrange it.” He carefully studied her expression. Was that a sigh of relief or longing? He pressed down the uneasy feeling plaguing him. Evangeline ain’t Nora. His thoughts tore at his mind while he did a mental checklist that drew him out of the present. He blinked at his wife, realizing he hadn’t heard anything she’d said in the last few minutes.
“I’ll go wash up the dishes for Selena.” Evangeline headed for the kitchen.
His mind had fixated on Nora too long, stirring emotions that unsettled him. Jake jerked out of his chair, willing the motion to erase the memories. From the doorway, he observed his wife, unnoticed. Her burgundy hair glistening in the lamplight and her slender figure reminded him she was nothing like Nora. “Are you sure you want me to sleep on the bed?”
“By all means, please,” she replied without looking.
“That’s where I’m headed before you change your mind.”
“I’m staying up awhile. I want to finish my journal entry.”
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