Where The Four Winds Collide

by Hildie McQueen

  Peggy Ann interrupted her thoughts. "Well if you ask me, which you did, I would consider letting go of the anger you hold inside." Her friend studied the stitches on the baby gown she was making. "I mean nothing good can come out of a marriage based on hurt and unforgiveness." Peggy Ann began sewing again letting her words sink in.

  Adeline knew Peggy Ann was right, but as hard as she tried every time she attempted to relax around Jackson, it felt like a betrayal to the child she'd lost as a result of his allowing Billy to take her. "I haven't spoken to him about the baby."

  Peggy Ann's face pinched into a pained expression. "Oh dear, and I'm sitting here sewing these baby clothes in front of you. I'm so sorry." She shoved her sewing into a basket beside her chair.

  With a soft smile on her face Adeline reached for the tiny item and handed it back. "Don't be silly. This is a joyful time for you and I'm happy for you."

  They were at Lucas and Peggy Ann's small house. Jackson was on the roof helping Lucas with repairs needed before winter fully set in, while Heath watched from a chair on the ground barking orders and instructions at them. Every once in a while Jackson or Lucas would reply with a "yeah" or a "right".

  "Jackson is extremely patient with Heath," Peggy Ann said laughing when she heard Heath yelling up at the roof to add more nails. "I know Heath's not a good patient. Hates not being up there with them. Jackson has always let him run him ragged."

  Adeline looked toward the front of the house and caught sight of Heath standing and heading toward a ladder.

  She'd put a stop to it; the man was finally getting better and if he fell his wound could reopen. "Oh goodness," Adeline rush to stop him.

  When she reached the door, Heath frowned up toward the roof and shook his head. "Damn it Jackson watch where you step."

  No sooner had he spoken the words than Jackson tumbled down, hitting the ground with a loud thump. Heath rushed to where Jackson lay and kneeled next to him.

  Adeline froze, her hand over her heart, reacting only when Peggy Ann pushed her forward in her rush to go to check on the man who lay limp on the ground without making a sound. She ran alongside her, both reaching the brothers at the same time. Jackson bolted to a sitting position and shoved his brother back.

  Stupefied at seeing Heath land on his butt and begin to laugh, Adeline looked to Jackson who also grinned widely.

  "You made me fall with all the hollering," Jackson told his brother. "Knocked the wind outta me." He explained to her and shook his head as if clearing it. "I'm going to be hurting in the morning." He panted in an attempt to catch a full breath.

  Jackson gazed up to her, the smile leaving upon noticing her wide eyed stare. "I'm all right." He told her, and then glanced past her to Peggy-Ann. "Hope I didn't scare you too bad. With the baby and all." His eyes snapped to Adeline, his eyes flickering to her stomach for a split second.

  He knew. Adeline frowned at him not wanting to dwell on what she was thinking, not now, she couldn't handle it in front of the others. "I thought you might have broken your neck or something."

  "Yeah, well I managed to roll into the fall." His eyes lingered on her lips and a warm flush worked its way up to her cheeks.

  She turned to Heath. Ignoring the heat of her face, she scolded her brother-in-law, who remained sitting on the ground and scowled in response. "Perhaps you should come inside so you don't distract them."

  Peggy Ann craned her neck to look at Lucas who watched them from the roof. "How much longer? Supper is almost ready."

  Lucas smiled down at his wife. "Not too much longer Sweetheart." A warm look transpired between the couple, it made Adeline tear her eyes away. She caught Jackson watching them, a forlorn expression crossing his handsome face. When he felt her gaze, he turned from them and began dusting himself off. Jackson made his way toward his brother. He helped Heath to his feet and looked him over.

  "Are you all right? I'm sorry I shoved you, forgot you are injured."

  Heath groaned and rolled his eyes. "I'm not a china doll Jackson, dang it!"

  "Go inside and do something then, besides sitting out here hollering and distracting us." Jackson gave Heath a playful push.

  Heath walked toward the house on his face a petulant expression. "Fine."

  Adeline couldn't help but smile at the man's dislike of being treated like a child. Jackson studied her and smiled in return. "You're beautiful when you smile. I missed seeing it."

  Not sure how to react to the words threatening to get past her barricades, she nodded and looked away. Peggy Ann gave her a wide eye-roll and she glared at her friend in response.

  "Let's see about supper," Adeline sputtered walking away from Jackson heading to the house.

  She hated how a simple smile from him made her realize how much she missed the closeness they’d been on the brink of achieving prior to him leaving for the cattle drive. Not just his smile, she missed his touch, his kisses.

  The fact he'd not reclaimed his rights as her husband at first relieved her, but now she wondered if perhaps he didn't find her attractive any longer. Or worse perhaps he couldn't find it in himself to touch her knowing Billy had been with her. The thought of Jackson never touching her again was frightening and Adeline was beginning to think their marriage would always be nothing more than it was at the moment. A farce.

  Perhaps Jackson stayed with her out of remorse or because of the damn honor of his? Guilty of what happened, he would remain with her out of duty.

  What confused her was at the same time, he was as attentive as ever. He'd brought her some pale blue fabric from town, when he'd gone to check on Heath's house. He remembered it was her favorite color. "It's to replace the kitchen curtains, if you want." He told her holding the parcel out to her.

  A second parcel held a pair of soft leather gloves she knew had cost him plenty. "With all the running back and forth from Peggy Ann's you need to be warm." A soft blush had crept across his face when he'd waited for her to don the gloves. She'd put them on and told him they were very nice. Then she'd asked him not to indulge her, and informed him she'd only accept the bare necessities.

  He'd not asked any questions, but had only replied. "If it's what you want, I will make an effort to not overdo it."

  She'd felt bad at his hurt expression and had thanked him for the gloves, telling him she liked them a great deal. When he'd smiled at her comment, tears stung her eyes. How she wanted to let go, but the fear of being hurt again had a strong hold on her and she resisted.

  "I'm going to town tomorrow," Peggy Ann chirped. "I got word from my sister Molly a large shipment arrived to the mercantile on Monday. Would you like to come along?"

  "Yes we better go before it gets too cold to travel." Adeline replied not one to allow Peggy Ann to travel alone for such a distance. "I need to pick up some necessary staples."

  "Does Jackson give you money?" Peggy Ann asked, "I'm lucky, Lucas leaves it up to me to decide how much I need for household expenses. He never asks me for an account either."

  Adeline slid her gaze over toward Heath, who sat in front of the fire in a rocking chair, before she answered. A soft snore told he wasn't listening to their conversation. "He does. He keeps a ledger and a cash box in the desk in the kitchen. He tracks the farm expenses with meticulous attention to detail. But when it comes to the household, he says for me to take what I want and I don't have to write it down if I don't want to." She sighed. "I do anyway, because I don't feel comfortable him not knowing what I'm doing with his money."

  "It's your money, as husband and wife, what's his is yours too," Peggy Ann told her firmly. "Jackson must trust you otherwise he wouldn't leave money so easily accessible."

  Her words struck a chord and Adeline frowned. It was true, Jackson didn't check after her to see if she took more than she needed. In fact she'd watched him to see if he counted the money when he got home. The only time he opened the cash box, was to get money out when he went to town.

  "Maybe so Peggy-Ann," Adeline told her friend, "but
I still plan to ask him for money before going to town tomorrow."

  Both women jumped at the sound of a male's voice. "What's this about going to town?" Lucas leaned over and kissed Peggy Ann's brow. "You two up to something?" He grinned at her and Adeline looked to Jackson who watched from a distance.

  "I think it's a good idea. To stock up before it gets too cold," Jackson told them looking directly at her. "Do you need us to go with you?"

  "No," Peggy Ann replied in a harsh tone, "last time you two went shopping with me, you annoyed the dickens out of me."

  The women made their way to Four Winds the next morning. Adeline was surprised at her excitement at going to the mercantile and shopping. A smile on her face, she studied the land they rode across, the slopes and valleys although no longer green were still beautiful.

  The pregnant woman had chattered non-stop the entire trip. Mostly she talked about the women in town who she wanted to introduce Adeline to. Peggy Ann sprinkled gossip here and there making Adeline laugh at her attempts to mask it by adding, "we should pray for her" after divulging a particular interesting bit about a certain woman.

  Once they arrived in town, her chatter continued. Adeline enjoyed every bit of shopping for her household. She purchased five pounds of sugar, coffee and flour and placed packages of spices next to them on the counter. Then she picked out four new plates and bowls. They'd been using chipped plates and a lone bowl since she'd returned. Although she suspected, Jackson had broken the dishes in an angry outburst, she didn't ask.

  Peggy Ann had already told her of the disaster she'd found when Jackson had left to see about Heath's injury.

  She admired a light blue fabric, the color reminding her of Jackson's eyes. Tucking it under her arm, she went to the counter to get enough cut to make him a shirt. Although Peggy Ann eyed the fabric as they measured and cut it, thankfully, she didn't remark about it.

  Two hours later they immerged from the mercantile with large bundles and placed them alongside those already in the carriage. After paying a boy to watch their shopping, they made their way into the Four Winds hotel for a meal before heading home.

  "Smells so good, I'm ready to over indulge." Adeline told Peggy Ann who sniffed the air with the soft smile at the prospect of eating.

  "Yes I'm very hungry too," Peggy Ann admitted with a giggle. Then stood near the reception area. "You and Jackson got married in this room didn't you?"

  Adeline nodded. "Not that I remember very much about it, but yes."

  A stout woman followed them to a table. She poured water into glasses and took their order.

  Once their meals were placed before them, they ate and continued to chat. Adeline enjoyed herself more than she expected and relaxed into the seat. A young woman who smiled broadly brought thick slices of pie. "Hello Miss Peggy-Ann," she greeted her friend with a gap-toothed smile. "When is the baby due?"

  Peggy Ann glowed talking about her baby. Adeline forced a smile, and began to pick at her pie although her appetite vanished.

  "I can't possibly take another bite. " Peggy Ann picked at her piecrust and studied it. "I need to work on getting my crust this flaky."

  Before Adeline could reply a commotion broke out in the lobby. Both women watched as the judge held his hands up trying to quiet the group. The older man tried his best to get their attention, but the voices elevated and conversation did not cease. Finally he went behind the desk and began banging on the reception bell.

  Peggy Ann and Adeline giggled watching the red-faced man attempt to bring some kind of semblance to the people who finally began to quiet.

  Worried about their purchases, Adeline ignored the proceedings and leaned to look out the window. The boy remained by the carriage and gave her a firm nod of his head letting her know he was on guard. She nodded in return and made a mental note to purchase an extra piece of pie for him.

  "Oh my God!" Peggy Ann exclaimed grabbing her arm. "Did you hear what the blonde woman over there just said?"

  Adeline searched the group of people spotting the only blonde. She was pretty enough and she wore an elaborate red dress with a matching hat, which sat askew, on top of her hair. The woman stood with fists on both hips glaring at the red-faced judge, who sputtered and glanced their way.

  "No ma'am he's not here, but we can send for him."

  The woman tapped her foot impatiently. "Well I have half a mind to get back on the stage coach and leave tomorrow. But I won't. I'm going to wait and get an explanation."

  The judged bobbed his head up and down in rapid succession. "I understand. Would you like a room?" He motioned toward the man behind the reception desk.

  Men shuffled next to another three women, their anxious expressions made Adeline wonder what happened. "What is going on?"

  "Shhh!" Peggy Ann hissed her attention riveted to the lobby. "Listen."

  "Sir," one of the men moved forward. "Can you go ahead and marry those of us here present?" The thin pale man asked puffing up when the woman next to him smiled brightly at him.

  "Yes of course," the judge replied, his gaze sliding toward Adeline and Peggy-Ann.

  The blonde huffed and shook her head, the hat bobbling comically to and fro. "Fine I will have my own wedding ceremony as soon as Jackson Pruitt shows up."

  Adeline's mouth fell open and Peggy Ann's eyes widened further.

  "She's the real one. The one Jackson thought he was marrying when he married you." Peggy Ann hissed and jumped to her feet throwing money on the table. "We have to get out of here. Oh lord what are you going to do?" She gave her an anxious look. "I mean obviously he can't marry her now, but... Oh come on Adeline, don't just sit there." With surprising strength, Peggy Ann yanked her out of her stupor and seat.

  Towed by the fretting woman through the lobby, Adeline managed to get an up-close study at the blonde. In spite of the angry air, the woman was more than pretty. Her rosebud lips were pursed and her grey eyes met hers for a flicker before she rounded to the reception desk.

  "Oh God, I think I'm going to cry," Adeline told her friend as they climbed onto the carriage bench.

  "Cry?" Peggy Ann screeched as they started down the road. "What you need to do is go home and seduce your husband. I know Jackson loves you. The woman is not as pretty as you, but I'd make sure he's not even a little bit tempted to come and meet her."

  Adeline looked down at her plain skirts and winced. Jackson had bought her two beautiful dresses and several nightgowns, which she refused to wear. With her hair in a bun at her nape, she felt even more homely. With more force than intended she snapped the reins sending the horses to a trot.

  "I need to get home and do something," She mumbled.

  Peggy Ann burst out laughing. "Yes you do. Better send Heath over to my place for the night."

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Jackson walked into the house and searched for Heath. He found his brother in his bedroom busily stuffing clothes and other personal items into a worn saddlebag.

  "I'm going to town," Heath informed him not pausing in his packing. "A shipment of gold is due to come through early tomorrow and the stage coach should have arrived today. No telling how many new people are in town. Judge is probably going to be busy if more brides arrive and I can't trust Earl with the gold shipment."

  "I'll ride with you. Adeline and Peggy Ann should be headed home by now. I don't want them riding alone when it's this close to dusk." Jackson replied. He knew it was no use arguing with Heath once he made up his mind to leave. And the last few days he'd been moving about easily enough.

  After having one last cup of coffee and some leftover stew, the brothers mounted and headed south. Jackson noted Heath sat straight in the saddle, it seemed his brother was recovering well from the gunshot wound.

  The brisk wind made him glad he'd donned his leather jacket. "Don't overdo it Heath, you'll tear the wound back open," he cautioned his brother who looked toward the trees.

  "I thought about what you said," Heath replied changing the subject, as w
as his habit. "You know about settling down, coming home. Maybe I will start working on building a house. Hell I'm almost thirty and most of the men my age already have a couple or more youngins'."

  "You thinking about getting married?" Jackson had a hard time believing Heath would settle down any time soon.

  Heath scowled, "I don't know, I get all itchy at the thought of marriage." He shuddered and blew out a breath.

  They both laughed at his antics.

  Sometime later, they sighted the carriage moving at a fast clip, the horses trotting toward them.

  Jackson shook his head at the sight. The women insisted on taking Adeline's new carriage, but both sat on the bench in front of it. He'd offered to send his ranch hand to drive them, but they'd declined his offer, telling him a male would stifle their experience.

  When he and Heath neared, Adeline pulled the coach to a stop and two sets of widened eyes flew between him and Heath. Jackson looked to Heath who shrugged, as unsure as he was of what they'd done to warrant the panicked faces.

  "Where are you going?" Peggy Ann asked, exchanging an alarmed look with Adeline, who watched him without blinking and waited for his answer.

  "Heath is headed back to town. I rode with him to meet up with you ladies and escort you home. It gets dark early and it's not safe for two women out alone after dark on these roads."

  Both women sagged in relief at his answer. Peggy Ann flashed him a bright smile. "Oh good, it suits us just fine."

  Jackson turned to Heath who watched the interaction with interest and then raised an eyebrow at him, silently conveying his relief at not having to deal with the women. They said their good-byes and his brother continued on to town.

  Jackson rode alongside the carriage now at a slower pace. Adeline snapped the reins keeping the horses moving. She was skilled at managing the beasts, her hands handling the harnesses with expertise. Noticing she wore the gloves he gave her he leaned forward to peer at her. "Those keeping your hands warm enough?"