Jake’s thoughts tumbled all over each other as he made his way to the bedroom.
CHAPTER 14
Jake woke later the next morning than he intended. Sleeping in his bed was rejuvenating.
The pallet on the floor was empty, and the sun left a track of light across the bed. A passage from Scripture came to his mind. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
His thoughts turned quickly to prayer. Father, I need your wisdom. You know where them cattle are. You know who the thieves are. Lord, I been friendly with the Indians round here for a while—surely it ain’t them.
The prayer drew his mind to the idea of visiting his friend Joseph Skywater. Maybe he knew something. He owned a ranch toward the southwest, nearer the mountains. He was half-Cheyenne, and his wife was half-Shawnee. They kept to themselves, but their relatives often visited. Perhaps they would have information.
Jake’s thoughts moved to his crew as he analyzed each one. Lord, give me wisdom. You know I gotta make a handy profit this year. Wasn’t there a Scripture saying to not worry about anything but pray about everything? He’d have to look it up.
His quiet reflection dissolved when a knock sounded on the door.
“Uncle Jake, are you awake?”
“Just a minute.” He rose and pulled on his trousers before opening the door to see a forlorn look on his niece’s face. “What’s wrong?”
“Dog’s missin’. I called him for breakfast, but he didn’t come. I looked all over, and he ain’t here.” Juliet’s eyes filled with tears. Dog had been her comfort since the death of her parents. Jake never worried when Juliet went riding, with the large hound following close.
“Don’t worry, honey. Dog knows his way home.” Jake lifted her chin. “Probably got the scent of some animal. Remember the skunk?” He hoped the memory would bring a smile.
It didn’t.
Juliet’s lip quivered. “You think he’s okay?”
“Sure ‘nough.” Jake stroked her cheek, his voice gentle. “Dog’ll be fine.”
“Aunt Evangeline sent me to fetch you for breakfast.” Juliet’s voice cracked. She wasn’t to be comforted.
Cookie sat holding his coffee mug, the remains of breakfast on his plate. He greeted Jake with a nod, then looked at Juliet. “Child, don’t worry. Dog probably got hisself a lady friend and went a courtin’.” Cookie’s chuckle was cut short by Juliet’s piercing look.
Evangeline followed Selena out of the kitchen. Jake admired the way the floral green dress complemented his wife’s figure. He’d had no nightmares last night, only dreams of her.
Selena held a cookbook close to her chest. “I will try the stew recipe you like. We can have it tonight for dinner. Perhaps you can help me to be sure it is just the way you like it.”
Jake was impressed. He had never seen Selena try a new recipe.
“I should be back from the Farley’s place in plenty of time. However, I’m not sure how helpful my cooking skills will be. Would you mind showing me how you make your biscuits?”
“Sure, it is easy.” Selena smiled, her white teeth a stark contrast to her brown skin. “I will teach you.”
Jake was enjoying the easy exchange between the two women. “Looks like you ladies have big plans, and I can’t wait to eat the results.”
Evangeline brought Jake’s breakfast and poured his coffee. She offered a brief smile and sat down at the other end of the table. How Jake wished she and Juliet would change places. His mind filled with the delicious feeling of holding her hand.
“Selena is going to try some new recipes from the cookbook my sister sent. Juliet, would you like to help?”
Juliet shot her a piercing glance, and Jake caught the look. “Juliet, answer your aunt.”
“Sorry. Maybe after Dog comes home, I might help. Right now, I’m too worried to care ’bout much else.” She began to cry again.
Evangeline stood and took Juliet in her arms, stroking her hair and cooing to her. In a few minutes, the girl calmed and turned to Jake.
“Sorry I’m so sour. I’ll go do my chores now. Maybe Dog will be back before I get done.” Juliet wiped tears with her sleeve as she headed out the back door.
“You shore do know how to get that young’un outta her sour mood.” Cookie’s remark echoed Jake’s thoughts, but he remained quiet and continued eating.
“I see you slept well.” Evangeline’s eyes lingered on him a little longer than usual.
“Yeah, I did, and I took time givin’ all my worries to the Lord.”
“No wonder you look rested.” Evangeline poured him more coffee. “When your spirit is at peace, it makes all the difference.”
“Miss Evangeline, did I hear you say you was goin’ to the Farley’s today?” Cookie asked.
“Yes. Jake arranged for Artie to take me. Once I learn the way, I can take myself.”
“Not in these parts, missy.” Cookie’s voice was paternal. “We don’t like our womenfolk goin’ nowhere alone.”
“Sí, there are banditos and Indians who could bring you harm or kidnap you,” Selena added. “A white woman could bring a good price.”
“I had no idea.” Evangeline’s hand trembled as she removed Cookie’s plate.
“Cookie could take you,” Jake offered. “I have to go out again and see if I can find those strays.”
“I thought we agreed Artie could take me—unless you have something more important for him to do.”
Evangeline’s insistence bothered Jake. How much time was she spending with that kid anyway? “How ’bout I send Manuel along with Artie?”
Evangeline crossed her arms and studied him. “If you think I need both of them—fine.”
“Boss, I thought you wanted Manny to fix the broken door on the chicken coop?”
Cookie’s mouth puckered, causing the upper lip to press against his nose—a sign the man was confused by Jake’s comments.
“That won’t take long. Artie’s a little puny, and if an Indian sees two men, he won’t bother to come near.” Cookie’s eye widened at Jake’s words. The possibility of Indians bothering his family was slim, but Jake couldn’t help the jealous feelings starting to surface.
“I’ll tell Artie and Manny before I leave.” He tried to sound matter-of-fact, wrestling with the idea of escorting her himself.
***
Evangeline, Manny, and Artie arrived at the Farley home about one in the afternoon. Juliet had declined to go. Her gloomy mood had returned when Dog did not.
Evangeline’s breath caught at the castle-like structure before her. The place felt more like a fortress than a home. Where the Farleys got the wood for the three-story mansion, she could only begin to speculate.
A large woman, one of several household servants, greeted the visitors. In Spanish, Maria exchanged what Evangeline could only assume were pleasantries with both Manny and Artie.
Artie Weaver speaks Spanish? Surprising.
“Mrs. Marcum, me and Manny will stay out here while you visit.” Artie sat on the steps.
Maria escorted Evangeline into the sitting room.
She guessed Mrs. Farley to be in her early twenties. Although her smile appeared genuine, her dull blue eyes were set in a sallow complexion surrounded by mousy brown hair. Her beige dress, although the latest fashion, did nothing for her appearance. She indicated the seat next to her.
Evangeline ran her hand over the luxuriant fabric of the chair. The gold threads running through the white roses were superior quality to the fine fabric she had purchased earlier.
Maria brought a silver tray with a tea service and plate of small cakes. Mrs. Farley dismissed her with her hand. “One lump or two?”
“A dear friend of mine once said a good cup of tea stands on its own.” Evangeline raised the cup to her lips. This tea, much too strong, needed cream. Now she was forced to drink the bitter brew or risk insulting her hostess.
“Tell me all about yours
elf. Where do you come from? And please, call me Violet,” her hostess said as she perched on the edge of her chair.
No sooner had Evangeline answered one question when Violet shot out another.
“Whatever possessed you to come out here?”
“Marriage.”
“Were there no eligible bachelors in Missouri?”
“None I cared to marry.” Evangeline squirmed in her seat, searching to turn the attention toward her hostess. “How did you come to live here?”
“Mr. Farley—Thomas—came to a party my cousin hosted back in Boston. He was quite the charmer.”
Violet’s accent sounded nothing like her school friends from Boston. I wonder how long she actually lived there.
The question remained unspoken as Violet went on. “One might say Thomas swept me off my feet. But there are days I would say he tripped me.” There was no laughter, only silence as Violet picked up her teacup. “Thomas is quite the successful businessman. He holds interests in several companies back East.”
Her hostess rambled on about her husband, their ranch, and whatever else came to her mind. Evangeline had given up trying to actually respond to this stream of one-sided babble. The woman jumped from her schooling to who she knew in Boston to being the second Mrs. Farley. The first had died while birthing their baby.
“Lily has recently returned from boarding school.”
“Where is she now?” Evangeline asked.
“I think I hear her on the veranda. But I don’t know who she’s talking to.”
“Artie and Manny, I suppose. They brought me here.”
“Common ranch hands?” Violet’s face said it all. She went to the window and shouted, “Lily Farley, come in at once.” She returned to Evangeline. “You must meet Lily. She is at the top of her class.”
A young lady of about fifteen years, with curly brown hair and deep brown eyes, entered the room. Her royal blue riding frock accentuated her voluptuous figure.
“Yes, Mother.” Lily glared at Violet.
“I want you to meet Mrs. Evangeline Marcum.”
Lily gave a practiced curtsy. “It is nice to meet you, Mrs. Marcum.”
“Come and have some tea, dear.”
The girl began to whine. “Please, Mother, may I attend to my horse? Father would be so upset if I left him saddled on such a warm day. You know how particular he is about the horses.” Turning to Evangeline, she spoke in a much friendlier tone. “Father purchased a thoroughbred for me and insists he be cared for properly.”
Violet frowned at the girl. “Very well, then.”
“Mrs. Marcum, would you mind instructing Artie to help me? No one is in the stable at the moment.” Lily’s syrupy pretense nauseated Evangeline.
“Why not go and ask him yourself?”
After Lily left, Violet’s words turned sharp. “Go and ask him? Evangeline, dear, servants do not get a choice. You must be careful. If you do not take charge, they will take advantage of you at every turn.”
Why do people insist on telling me how to behave? First the Hanks, now Violet.
“My husband warned me when I first came here. But I was too kind. Learn from the voice of experience. If you give them choices, they will choose to do nothing but lay about.” Violet patted Evangeline’s hand like a mother instructing a toddler.
Evangeline ignored the unpleasant tea and looked about the room. “My, what a lovely painting.” On closer inspection, she found the painting rather uninspired, but the new focus brought back Violet’s more pleasant side.
Soon, her hostess had Evangeline’s arm tucked into the crook of her own and was showing off the house. Violet mentioned the paintings and furnishings had all been imported from a mansion in England. Evangeline assumed this was the very furniture Jake had spoken of. She could only glance at it before Violet dragged her over to the china cabinet, pointing out the new platters Thomas had bought for her on his last business trip. When they returned to the parlor, Evangeline heard Lily’s voice on the porch and assumed Artie was there as well.
“This time has been delightful, but I really must be going.” Evangeline extricated her arm from Violet’s grip.
“Yes, of course.” Violet sounded disappointed. “We must do this again soon.”
“Certainly. Perhaps you should come to my home next.” Evangeline tried to say her good-byes, but Violet kept talking. Even after the wagon pulled away, she could hear her voice.
“That woman must not get much company,” Artie said.
“Ay, mamacita, that is certain. And her daughter is the same,” Manny added. “You should have seen how she look at Artie. The girl, she bat her eyes.” Manny batted his eyes at Artie and put on his best female voice. “Sir, would you help me with my horse? I am too helpless. You are so big and strong.”
Artie grabbed his hat firmly and flayed it at Manny, who skillfully dodged the blow. The boy laughed and ducked as Artie tried to strike again. The hat landed squarely in Evangeline’s face. She grinned in amusement as their expressions turned to stone. When laughter bubbled up inside her, it quickly spread to the men.
“So what did you think of Lily?” Evangeline asked.
“I didn’t think nothin’.” Artie kept his face forward.
“She did seem to like you,” Evangeline added while winking at Manny.
Manny closed his lips tight and made a smooching sound.
“Next time, you help her with her horse,” Artie shot back.
Peals of laughter erupted from the trio as they made their way back to the ranch.
CHAPTER 15
Jake took his time heading back from Joseph Skywater’s spread. During their lunch, he learned Thomas Farley had taken it upon himself to interrogate all the local ranchers while his men checked brands.
Who does that skunk think he is, anyway? He has no right actin’ like the law.
Smoldering anger pervaded the rest of his journey. Later, he found Manny in the corral grooming the black stallion he had recently unhitched from the wagon. “How was your trip to the Farleys’?”
“I think Mrs. Marcum was glad to leave.”
“How do you mean?”
“When we left, that Farley woman was still talking. We could hear her up the road. The Señora, she laughed about her tired ears.”
“What did you and Artie do while the ladies visited?”
“We waited outside. Maria, she brought us some food, and after that, the Señorita Lily, she flirted with Artie. He had to go help her with her horse. She did not need no help.” Manny grinned, looking so much like his mother. “Your wife, she is funny.”
“How is she funny?” Jake had never seen that side of her.
“She teased Artie about Señorita Lily, and they kept saying funny things to each other. I have never met a white woman as friendly as Señora Marcum.”
Jake’s mind went down a dark path. What kind of relationship was growing between his wife and Artie? Jealousy churned in his stomach, bringing reminders of Nora’s attentions toward Robert when she was promised to him.
Juliet’s screams interrupted his thoughts. Gunfire split the air. Angry shouts spurred Jake to action. He raced from the stable toward the melee, Manny at his heels.
Juliet’s fists pummeled Bart’s chest as Evangeline tried to pull the girl away. Juliet grabbed Bart’s shirt. “I hate you. I hate you.” Tears streamed down her face as Bart pulled her hands off his shirt. His pocket ripped with the effort. Evangeline gripped Juliet’s arms as she disengaged from her prey. Evangeline hugged her close and half-dragged her toward the porch.
“How dare you upset this child with such a heartless deed,” she shot back over her shoulder.
“What’s happening here?” Dog’s right front leg was mangled. Jake squatted down to get a better look, and Dog growled. Muscles and tendons were severed, blood trickling everywhere.
Bo broke the silence. “Bart was gonna put Dog outta his misery like they done for my horse. He didn’t mean to upset the little missy.” Bo’s
words were childlike and pleading.
Bart turned his head away and spit a stream of tobacco.
“I told Bart to hold off,” Walters added, irritation filling his voice. “We all knew how upset Miss Juliet would be about killing her dog.”
“He was just tryin’ to help,” Bo whined.
Bart flashed a look that was surely meant to silence him. Bo pulled his hat from his head and stared at his feet.
Walters shot a fierce look at the two men. “Juliet went at Bart like some wild thing, and the gun went off in the air. Then Mrs. Marcum lit out after her. Well, you heard all that.”
As Jake rose to his feet, he looked at each man individually, not only to establish his authority but to contemplate his next move. He fixed his gaze on Bart. He could see anger and humiliation in the man’s eyes. “I know you weren’t tryin’ to upset Juliet. Lord knows she upsets easy. But this was not your decision.”
Bart walked away swearing under his breath with Bo limping after him.
Jake turned his attention back to Dog. He found himself torn between shooting Dog or shooting Bart for being so stupid.
Evangeline reappeared with Juliet as Tony said, “Shall I take Dog somewhere?”
“We are not shooting Dog, and that is the end of it.” Evangeline knelt to get a better look at the leg. The mongrel showed his teeth, and a low growl pierced the air. “Let me take care of him.” Her voice softened as she turned to Jake. “I agree … it’s bad. Let me try amputating. He may make a full recovery.”
“Who ever heard of a three-legged dog?” Manny scoffed, his remark causing more tears to pool in Juliet’s eyes.
“Aren’t you the smart one? If she can save his life, Dog will figure out how to walk on three legs.”
Jake’s heart melted at the girl’s face. Against his better judgment, he gave his consent.
Evangeline went into action. “Jake, fashion a muzzle. Take Dog into the house and lay him on the table. Selena, cover the table with some old bedding, and get my black bag. Cookie, start boiling water for my instruments. I’ll get things set up.”
***
“Hold still.” Jake forced a makeshift muzzle on Dog’s growling mouth as the animal writhed.
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