Jason released her elbow and stepped back. He folded his arms and glared at her. “What was that all about?”
His belligerent stance stirred her anger, giving her the strength she needed to confront him. She folded her arms and lifted her chin. “What? Me staying?”
“You saying you’re tired of being ignored.”
Katie tossed her head. “Well, you should know.”
Jason threw his hands out in a helpless gesture and shook his head. “I always heard women were impossible to understand. Now I believe it.”
“Women are? You’re the one who’s been ignoring me.”
“I’m not ignoring you.” Jason’s voice rose. “I’m looking at you. I’m talking to you. Where could you get the idea I’m ignoring you?”
“What you’re doing is yelling at me.” Katie’s voice rose, too. When Tommy and Rachel straightened and stared at them, she lowered her voice. “But even this is better than pretending I don’t exist.”
She fought hurt and tears but refused to cry. Instead, she met Jason’s frown with determination. “I’ve scarcely seen you since the night Tommy asked me to give my testimony. Since then, I don’t think you’ve said more than two words to me.”
Jason’s frown deepened, and he looked away. “Yeah, well I didn’t figure you wanted me bothering you.”
“And you say women are hard to understand.” Katie let out an exasperated sound with a rush of air as her hands flew out to the side. “Why on earth wouldn’t I want you to talk to me?”
Jason kept his face averted. “I may not be the smartest guy around, but I know when I’ve lost.”
“Lost what?” Katie shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Jason.”
His shoulders slumped as if all the fight had gone out of him. “Clay Monroe became a Christian the night you testified, didn’t he?”
Katie nodded, totally confused. What did Clay have to do with this?
Jason turned and met her eyes. “He came to see you the next night. Remember? I was there helping Tommy with the wagon.”
Again Katie nodded.
Jason averted his gaze. “I didn’t get the message right then. A few nights later, I decided to come and see you.” A harsh laugh escaped. “I saw plenty. When I got close to your wagon, I realized you already had company. You were sitting down holding Davy with Clay sitting close by. Then you both stood.”
“I did see you. Why didn’t you stay? I wanted to talk to you.”
Jason’s smile looked more like a grimace to Katie. “Stay for what? I left when I saw you kiss Clay, and he put his arms around you. Clay’s a Christian now and so are you. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t have a wonderful life together.”
As Jason talked, Katie’s heart rejoiced, and she wanted to laugh and cry. Because, whether he knew it or not, Jason had just told her he loved her. Jason really did love her.
“Oh, Jason, I love you, too.”
“I figured you loved him. Why else would you kiss him that way?” The misery on Jason’s face warmed Katie’s heart.
She couldn’t hold back her laughter any longer. “Jason, I said I love you. Not Clay.”
Jason’s eyes lifted to search her face as if trying to unravel a puzzle.
Katie had never been happier. She laughed again. “I kissed him on the cheek because we had just agreed that our relationship as brother and sister in Christ was enough.”
She giggled at Jason’s confused expression. Boldness came to her from the truth she’d just learned. He loved her. He thought she wanted Clay so he stayed away. What would he do if she told him? She wavered, wanting to blurt everything out, but afraid of his rejection. Finally, her impulsive nature won. “He also wished me the best with you. He said if you had half a brain, you wouldn’t let me get away.”
Jason blinked then stared at Katie. “Clay doesn’t want you?”
Katie laughed. “He didn’t say that. He mostly said he hadn’t planned on getting a ready-made family. And that he’d never really fallen in love with me, just as I hadn’t him.”
Jason made a sound that was unintelligible. “What about you, Katie? How do you feel about Clay?”
Katie smiled. “I don’t want Clay. I already told you, I’m not in love with him if that’s what you mean.”
Jason grabbed Katie’s shoulders and held her at arm’s length as if the truth had finally penetrated his befuddled brain. He stared into her upturned face as if afraid to believe what she said. “Are you sure you’re not in love with him? Or anyone else?”
Katie sighed. “Of course I’m in love with someone else, Jason. I’ve already told you. I’m in love with you.”
“You love me?”
She nodded. Would he ever get it through his thick skull?
Jason shook his head. “I can’t believe I’ve wasted all this time. The night I saw you kiss Clay—”
Katie tapped the side of her face. “On the cheek.”
Jason grinned and repeated. “On the cheek. I was on my way to ask you a question.”
“You were?” Katie’s heart thudded. She knew what she wanted the question to be, but insecurity rose up inside and stole her confidence. Jason might never ask the question she wanted to hear. He hadn’t said he loved her. She could be reading her own desires into his actions.
“Yes, I was. But after what I saw, I decided to go back to the Taylor’s wagon and resign myself to living alone.”
“You don’t want to live alone for the rest of your life, do you, Jason?”
He released her and stepped back. He cupped a hand under his opposite elbow and stroked his chin. A glint came into his eyes as he drawled, “Well now, I don’t know. Living alone has its merits.”
“Jason!”
“Figure it out, Katie.” Jason shrugged. “The man who gets you is going to have to take that baby boy and your little sister, too. It takes a special man to want a ready-made family like that.”
The strength drained from Katie as she realized Jason might not be kidding. Clay hadn’t wanted her brother and sister. Maybe Jason didn’t either. She looked away to keep him from seeing the hurt in her eyes.
His hands closed over her arms as he turned her back toward him. “Look at me, Katie.” His voice, no longer teasing, held a firm gentleness.
Katie turned to meet his gaze. Whatever he had to say, she could survive just as she had every other disappointment and hurt these last several months. Losing Jason wouldn’t be as hard as losing her brother and her parents because he’d never belonged to her in the first place.
Jason slid his hands down her arms until his fingers closed around hers. He knelt in front of her, his serious gaze never leaving hers. “Katie Donovan, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife as soon as we get to Oregon and a church? Will you allow me to be a father to your younger brother and sister?”
“Oh, yes, Jason, I will.” Katie bounced on her toes. When Jason didn’t stand quickly enough, she bent forward and met his upturned lips in a sweet kiss.
He stood and nodded beyond her. “Do I need to ask him, too?”
Katie peered over her shoulder. Tommy and Rachel stood not more than twenty feet away watching and listening to every word that was said. She laughed. “Tommy, Jason wants to know if he can marry me. Do you care? He’s willing to take on the job of raising the kids, too.”
Rachel squealed her approval as she ran the short distance to grab Katie in a hug.
Tommy grinned and shook his head. “No problem. You’ve got my permission and blessing.”
Tommy and Jason shook hands and clapped each other on the back while Rachel and Katie laughed and hugged again.
Jason slipped his arm around Katie and drew her to his side for another kiss right in front of the other two.
While warmth crept from her heart to her face, Katie absorbed his love. Although he hadn’t used the words, he’d shown his heart, and that would have to be enough.
Then he pulled away barely enough to rest his forehead
against hers while he spoke low for her ears alone. “Katie, I love you more than my own life. I didn’t know how I would get through each day without you. Our life may not be easy, but our love will sustain us and make the rough places smooth. I will always love you, sweetheart.”
Tears sprang to her eyes as a smile lifted the corners of her lips. Now he used the right words. “Oh, Jason—”
She didn’t finish as he again covered her lips with his. Her heart pounded out the rhythm of love while joy filled her heart. Mama was right. God had chosen someone special for her, and she’d almost ruined God’s best by trying to figure things out and get ahead of His timing. Thank you, Father, for working everything out for good in spite of my foolish interference. Help us walk together with You in our new home. Let our love grow and see us through whatever lies ahead. Amen.
About the Author
Mildred Colvin is an award-winning author of seventeen romance novels in both historical and contemporary themes, two compilations, and one audio book.
Mildred is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and is active in two critique groups. To keep up with her writing and activities, visit her at Romantic Reflections http://mildredcolvin.blogspot.com and Infinite Characters http://infinitecharacters.com
The Oregon Trail conclusion coming soon!
Home’s Promise
Continue the story of Katie Donovan and Rachel Morgan as they settle into their new homes in Oregon. Tommy finally asks Rachel to marry him, but God has placed a call to the ministry on his heart. Rachel doesn’t mind waiting a couple of months for her wedding until she begins to wonder if Tommy is taking her for granted. When a new neighbor shows interest in Rachel, she isn’t sure what to do, and Tommy’s admiration for a girl back in town doesn’t help matters. Will their love survive the pressures of being apart after so much time spent together on the trail? Or will they be led in new directions?
Available now in E-book and Paperback:
Learning to Lean
A New Life
Love Returned
Cora’s Deception
Eliza’s Mistake
This Child Is Mine
In E-book:
Lesson of the Poinsettia
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Mama's Bible Page 18