Tender Journeys

by Janelle Jamison

  “And?”

  Jenny sighed and realized there was no reason to avoid letting David know any longer. “I’ve fallen in love with you, David. I suppose you think I’m too young to know what love is all about, but I do know, I know I love you. I can’t stand it when you’re away from me, and I feel so good when you’re nearby.”

  Jenny was afraid if she stopped talking, David would say something negative and ruin the moment. She was also afraid to look at him and panicked when she felt him reach over and lift her face to meet his eyes.

  Without warning, David leaned over and pressed his lips tenderly to Jenny’s. There weren’t adequate words to speak his heart, and his kiss was the only offering he knew would be capable of saying everything he felt.

  When he pulled away, Jenny fell back against the seat and sighed. He hadn’t rejected her. She waited in silence for David to speak.

  “You are very young,” David said surprising them both. “However, you are very wise and mature. I know you’ve had to endure a great deal in your life and it has aged you somewhat, but I worry that you’ve never had the chance to meet other men. Perhaps you only love me because you’ve never had the chance to know anyone else.”

  “No,” Jenny said firmly. “I love you because you are the right man for me. I know God sent you to me for a purpose.”

  David said nothing for a few minutes, causing Jenny to fear he didn’t share her feelings. “I know He did too,” David finally spoke. “I love you with all my heart, Jenny. I have from the first moment I saw you rain-drenched and sorrowed, standing in the church not knowing what you were looking for.”

  “Oh, David,” Jenny said and threw herself into his arms. “I was so afraid you’d tell me you couldn’t love me.”

  David held her close, breathing a sigh of contentment against her ear as he buried his face in her long dark hair. “I will always love you. I pledge that to you now and forever.”

  “And I pledge my love to you, David,” Jenny whispered. “Now and forever, wherever the journey takes us.”

  “Would you be willing to marry me?” David questioned. “Not right now, but in a year or two when you are a bit older.”

  Jenny couldn’t hide her disappointment as she pulled away from David. “Why do we have to wait? People my age get married every day. Some are a lot younger than I am. I don’t want to wait, David. After all, I’ll be seventeen in just a few weeks.”

  “I know all of that, Jenny,” David said as he tried to think of just the right words. “I’m nearly finished with my studies and my apprenticeship with Pastor Ed. Jason Intissar, the man who hired Daniel to come to the territory and practice medicine, has a proposition for me as well. Frankly, I’m not so certain you would find it an appealing one, and I feel led to give it a try.”

  “What has he asked you to do?” Jenny questioned in a worried tone.

  “Mr. Intissar wants me to run a Christian mission for the Pueblo Indians who live in the area up north of Santa Fe.”

  “Then you would leave Santa Fe and I wouldn’t see you at all?” Jenny asked, trying to keep her voice even and under control.

  “It would only be for a short time until I was able to get things going. Even though Mr. Intissar has kindly offered to provide everything, there is so much for me to learn. I’d need to learn the language just to be able to speak with the people. Then too, I’d need to learn their way of life and what they already believe about religion and God. There will be a great deal of work, and it wouldn’t be an easy task under ideal circumstances.”

  “But I could help you. Don’t you see? It would be easier with someone at your side.” Jenny tried her best to sound convincing. “I would be able to keep house, cook, clean, sew, and of course, do laundry,” she said with a smile.

  David couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course.” Just as quickly his smile turned to a frown as he thought of Natty Morgan. Her influence was bound to take its toll on Jenny’s heart and soul. Could he in good faith leave the woman he loved in such a foul place?

  “What’s wrong?” Jenny asked, noticing David’s frown.

  “I was remembering Natty. She could be a bit of a problem. If she’s expected you to provide for her all these years, she won’t be likely to let you go without a fight.”

  “No, I don’t imagine she would,” Jenny replied. “But I don’t care. I don’t owe her a thing. These years with Natty have been spent in misery and pain. I’ve worked hard for her, and I deserve a life of my own.”

  “True,” David said as he studied the young woman before him. “Still, if you agree to marry me and we wait for a spell, she shouldn’t complain too fiercely.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t insist on waiting,” Jenny said and bit her lower lip to keep from saying more.

  “But you will wait for me, won’t you?”

  Jenny rolled her eyes and sighed. “You aren’t offering me any other choices, are you?”

  David smiled as he gave Jenny’s arm a squeeze. “The time will pass before you know it. Let’s plan to marry when you’re eighteen—that’s only a little more than a year away. You’ll need that much time to plan the wedding,” David teased. “And while you wait, read this,” David added and handed Jenny a Bible.

  Jenny smiled. “Alright,” she finally agreed. “I’ll marry you when I turn eighteen, but I’m not waiting a single day beyond January 1, 1886.” She glanced down at the book in her hand. “Thank you for the Bible. I’ll probably have the whole thing memorized by the time you get around to marrying me.”

  “I’m so happy, Jenny. Thank you for understanding,” David said as he pulled Jenny into his arms. “I promise you won’t regret your decision.”

  Jenny laughed and turned her face to David’s. “I’ve no doubt you’re right,” she murmured as he lowered his mouth to hers in a passionate kiss.

  When the train finally pulled into Santa Fe, it was well past nine o’clock at night. David walked Jenny to her home, enjoying the time they shared together, but in his heart was the sorrow that Katie was dead and his only brother had alienated himself from David’s support and love.

  As they approached Jenny’s home, David noticed Natty peering out the window. “You’d better let me explain,” David said, opening the gate for Jenny and leading her up the walk.

  “Why bother?” Jenny questioned. “She won’t be understanding, and she won’t care what the excuse is. Natty will only know her meal wasn’t on the table and her friends lacked refreshments while gambling at her home.”

  “I should at least try,” David insisted.

  Jenny opened the door. A string of curses filled the air, and Natty yanked Jenny away from David’s tender touch.

  “Where have you been?” Natty yelled. “How can you call yourself a man of the cloth and allow a child such as this to be compromised?”

  “I beg your pardon, Madam,” David began, “Jenny hasn’t been compromised in any way. My sister-in-law went into labor and my brother sent word that help was needed. We took the train to their home north of Santa Fe. We were under constant supervision.”

  “What possible need would a woman giving birth have for this child?” Natty screeched.

  “They were friends. I thought Jenny might offer comfort and support,” David responded evenly. “And I might add, she did.”

  “Jenny doesn’t have time for friends,” Natty said in a calmer voice. “I don’t believe your story, young man.”

  “It’s true, Natty,” Jenny said having grown tired of the confrontation. “I’ve never lied to you, and I’m not lying now. Katie Monroe died a few hours ago. She was my friend for only a short time, but nonetheless, she was my friend. She and her baby now live in heaven.”

  For once, Natty had run out of words.

  Jenny continued, “David, I think you should leave now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
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br />   David nodded and moved toward the door.

  “No, you won’t!” Natty said in an ominous tone. “You are not to come here again, young man, and you are never to see Jenny again, anywhere, at any time.”

  “You can’t control her life forever,” David said as he narrowed his eyes. He moved toward Natty, then hesitated and turned toward the door. “I intend to make Jenny my wife, and there isn’t anything you can do about it. She doesn’t belong to you, and she isn’t going to work herself to death in order for you to be waited on. I love this woman—obviously something she hasn’t enjoyed since the death of her parents—and you will not separate us.”

  “You are very wrong about that, Sir. Very wrong,” Natty said and crossed the room, putting herself between David and Jenny. “I’ll have the law here if you aren’t off my property immediately, and if you dare to show your face here again, I’ll personally shoot you between the eyes.”

  Jenny gasped and moved forward. “You leave him be, Natty. I’ve done nothing wrong, and you can’t treat me as if I were a child. David, please leave. I’ll be fine. I have to talk with Natty, and it would be best if you weren’t here.”

  David nodded and moved to leave. “I assure you of one thing, Madam,” he said as he filled the doorway with his full height. “If you harm Jenny in any way, you will answer to me and answer dearly.” With that he was gone, and Natty was left to slam the door behind him.

  Natty turned, red-faced, to confront Jenny. “I’ve offered you a home and food for your belly, and this is my thanks?”

  “You’ve offered me nothing,” Jenny said, willing to brave Natty’s rage. “I’ve worked myself into exhaustion to keep this place and to provide the food we eat. You spend your days and nights in gambling and all types of depraved entertainment. I’ve endured it for years, but enough is enough. I intend to find other living accommodations tomorrow!”

  Jenny stormed off to her room before Natty had a chance to reply.

  Natty sat down on a chair. In mild shock, she began to formulate a plan. There was no way she’d allow Jenny Oberling to slip through her fingers without receiving some kind of return on her investment. The first order of business would be to confine Jenny.

  Before first light, Natty promised herself, there would be a lock firmly in place on Jenny’s door. A lock on the door and bars on the window if necessary, Natty determined with a smile. Whatever it took to keep Jenny locked inside and David Monroe out.

  Chapter 9

  Natty sat shrouded in the darkness that was the inseparable companion of her favorite gambling house. The man sitting opposite her at the poker table was impeccably dressed and obviously wealthy. He was also a man of worse reputation than any other who tormented Santa Fe.

  “You say she’s nearly seventeen?” the man questioned as he raised a glass of whiskey to his lips.

  “Yes and untouched,” Natty added.

  “Are you certain of that?” the man asked, leaning forward and narrowing his dark eyes in a menacing manner.

  “I’d stake my life on it. I checked out the pastor who’s been keeping her company, and he’s got a better reputation than Archbishop Lamy himself,” Natty said referring to the beloved archbishop of Santa Fe.

  The man nodded and smiled. “And she’s not a mixed breed?”

  “No,” Natty insisted. “She’s white.”

  “Well, if what you say it true, I have a customer who’ll pay quite nicely to take your niece off your hands. We have a marriage auction coming up on the fifteenth of January. Can you have her in back of the San Miguel Mission by nightfall?”

  “I don’t think she’ll come willingly.”

  “We have many reluctant brides,” the man said as he reached into his silk vest pocket and pulled out a vial of liquid. “Just put this in her water or coffee. It won’t knock her out completely, but it will make her easier to handle.”

  Natty took the vial and smiled. “And when will I get my money?”

  “At the auction.” The man finished his whiskey and got to his feet. Giving a slight bow, he left.

  u

  Jenny’s captivity had passed from days into weeks, until finally she realized she’d missed both Christmas and her birthday. Natty had locked her in her room and hired a man to install bars outside the windows.

  Jenny thought she’d go mad trying to free herself. First she’d tried to break down her door, but Natty had called upon one of her associates to reinforce the frame with metal bars similar to those on Jenny’s windows.

  Jenny had screamed for help, but Natty had threatened to have her moved out of town to stay with one of Natty’s friends. Jenny had no desire to be left to the care of the desperate characters Natty called friends, so she remained silent, even when she heard David in the foyer.

  As the weeks passed, Jenny spent most of her time praying God would give David the direction and wisdom needed to defeat Natty. But as the sun set night after night, Jenny grew fearful and frustrated.

  “Dear God,” Jenny murmured, kneeling beside her bed one night, “I know You’re watching over me because David said You’d never leave me alone and if I belonged to You, You’d hear my prayers and answer them. Please God, please help David to save me from Natty and whatever plans she’s making for me. You have the power over evil and power over Natty Morgan, so please deliver me from this place. Amen.”

  Jenny got to her feet, blew out the lamp, and got into bed. Thoughts of David and his gentle love filled her mind. Would she ever be reunited with him? David had told her trust and faith formed the key to peace in God. “I trust You, Lord,” Jenny said as she closed her eyes. “I trust You.”

  u

  David paced the floor, reviewing Jenny’s predicament. He wished he knew Natty’s plans, but the few times he’d gotten past her front door, David had been showered with a tirade of Natty’s obscenities that revealed nothing of her intentions.

  A sharp knock at the door interrupted David’s thoughts. Outside stood Garrett Lucas.

  “Evening,” Garrett said as David opened the door to him. “I’m Jason Intissar’s foreman, Garrett Lucas.”

  “I remember you,” David said as he stepped back. “Come on in and take a load off.”

  “I’m not usually given to interfering in other people’s business, but there are a couple of things I thought we ought to talk about. The first is your brother and the second is your lady friend.”

  “Jenny? What do you know of her?” David questioned anxiously.

  “Well, it’s not pleasant,” Garrett said, removing his black Stetson and accepting a chair David offered.

  “Coffee?” David asked as he poured himself a cup.

  “Please,” Garrett replied and fidgeted with his hat until David held out the steaming cup. Putting his hat on the empty chair beside him, Garrett took a long drink. “Hits the spot,” he sighed.

  “You surely haven’t come all the way from the Intissar ranch tonight, have you?” David observed as he took the seat opposite Garrett.

  “No, I’ve been staying at your brother’s place. That is, until yesterday. I took the train down and have a room over at the Exchange Hotel.”

  “How is Daniel? I’ve been quite worried, but he refuses to see me. I’ve sent several letters to him, but he won’t have anything to do with me. He blames me and God for Katie’s death.”

  “I know.”

  David studied the man before him. He seemed so young. How strange that Garrett would be the one to bring him news of Daniel.

  “Does Daniel talk to you?” David asked painfully.

  “At first he didn’t, but we’ve come to be real good friends over the past few weeks. I didn’t know about the baby and his wife when I first showed up at the house. Daniel wouldn’t open the door to me, but after I slept two nights in the barn, he figured I might freeze to deat
h and invited me to sleep in the house.”

  “What were you doing there?” David questioned.

  “Jason had sent me. I was supposed to be checking up on Daniel and Katie, as well as getting Daniel’s decision on several possible places for his permanent home. Only now, I guess there won’t be a permanent home.”

  “What do you mean?” David asked, nearly dropping his cup.

  “That’s why I came to see you. Daniel plans to pack up and move. He said as much as he loves New Mexico, he can’t bear to stay where Katie’s grave stares him in the face every day.”

  “But he doesn’t need to stay there. Didn’t Mr. Intissar want him to move closer to the ranch anyway?”

  “That’s what I reminded him of. I think I’ve talked him into coming up to the ranch until spring. I wanted you to know he’d be moving in case you came looking for him,” Garrett replied with his eyes downcast.

  “Daniel told me he wasn’t on speaking terms with you,” Garrett continued. “We’ve talked a great deal about Katie’s death and how he blames God for it. I’m a Christian, myself, and I’ve tried to explain trusting God in the bad times, but your brother is determined to see this as a personal attack. I shared Romans 8:28, telling him God works all things together for good for those who love Him, but your brother looks at me like it’s all some cruel joke. I wish I could reach him. Maybe in time, I will.”

  “I’m grateful for what you’ve done,” David said, getting to his feet. “I wish I could see him. No, actually I wish he would see the truth. I know how he’s suffering. Well, not exactly, but enough I feel I could offer some love and support. I want to be with him, but he won’t allow me to.”

  “Don’t be too hard on him,” Garrett said. “Daniel will come around in time ’cause he’s too smart to do otherwise. Just have faith, Pastor.” He grinned.

  “You’re right, of course,” David returned the smile. “It’s just I’ve never been good at waiting. I mean, the situation I’m facing with Jenny Oberling is a good example. That reminds me, what do you know about her?”