“I’m glad you two are getting along so well. Joe seems like a changed man.”
Hannah beamed. “You know he’s thinking of coming to work with me in the bakery, giving up his claim?”
Jedediah grinned. “Now that’s about the best news I’ve heard all week. I hope he does it.” He left change on the table for the coffee, tipped his hat at her, and left.
Patience sliced apples for the strudel she was planning for tonight’s dessert. One of the things she loved to do most was bake. She’d already rolled out the dough very thin—all she had to do was fill it with apple slices and roll it up to bake. She wanted it to be extra special since Jedediah was going to join them for supper. She felt a little giddy at the thought since he’d never actually eaten at the Creekside before.
“Patience! Come!” Emily sailed into the kitchen. “There’s a delivery for you.”
“What delivery? I haven’t ordered anything—”
“I don’t know, but hurry and let’s find out.” Emily tugged on Patience’s arm. She dropped the knife into the bowl of sliced apples and followed Emily through the hall and out to the porch.
Four men grinned at them from their perch on a wagon’s front seat, and four more young fellows waved at the two women from the back of the wagon. A large object between the men was covered with canvas.
“What’s this all about?” Patience asked.
“Come see for yourself,” one of the men said, jumping down and motioning for Patience and Emily to follow. He strode to the back of the wagon, and the others helped him peel back the canvas.
“A piano!” Patience gasped. “There must be some mistake. I—I haven’t ordered one.” The young men in the back laughed, then hopped out of the wagon. Patience looked at Emily, who held her hands palms up and shook her head in bewilderment.
“It ain’t no mistake, lady. You’re Patience Cavanaugh?” the driver asked.
“Yes, but—”
“Then we’re at the right place.” He turned to the men and gave them orders. “We’ll have four of us on each side.” He swung around. “Now, ma’am, if you’ll just tell us where to put this.” A curious crowd was gathering about them.
“I—I don’t know . . .” Patience stammered. “I guess in the parlor.”
“All right, men. You heard the lady.”
“I’ll go open the door,” Emily said. “It’s a double one, so I think you’ll be able to get the piano through there.”
Patience watched in utter shock as the men took their places to lift the instrument. After it had been lifted over the side, her hands went to her mouth, and she stumbled back a step. It’s my piano! The one I played when I was a little girl!
Patience found herself stunned but thrilled at the same time. She slowly went over to it, afraid it would disappear into thin air, and traced its fine craftsmanship with her hand. How had Mother ever come to part with it? This said a lot about her new relationship with her mother, and tears filled her eyes and threatened to overflow to her cheeks. Patience would be able to play for her residents and guests. Oh, what a perfect evening it was turning out to be. She forced herself to contain her enthusiasm and not to actually shout “hooray” in the street.
Patience clasped her hands together in nervous delight and watched the men huff and struggle with the weight of the piano up the steps. But somehow they managed to set it in the parlor near the window. A perfect spot where she could look out as she played. Oh this is too wonderful to be true!
“There you are, ma’am. Oh, I almost forgot,” the driver said, fishing in his pocket and handing her an envelope. She fumbled to get it open.
Dearest Patience,
I thought you should have the instrument of your heart as you continue with your business and possibly a church. The piano, without you, is of no use to me now. I’m sure you will enjoy it and entertain your friends.
Now you know why I seemed to protest when Judith offered to donate one to you for the boardinghouse. You can tell her about this and thank her for her offer.
I enjoyed my visit immensely, and Daddy, I’m sure, would be proud of his little girl, all grown up.
With deep affection,
Mother
Patience folded the letter, brushing new tears from her cheeks. She reached into her apron pocket for a tip for the driver and his workers.
“Thank you kindly.” The driver doffed his hat and the delivery crew departed.
When the door had closed behind them, both Emily and Patience hugged and jumped up and down with joy. “I’m in shock,” Patience said, catching her breath and holding out the note to Emily.
“This calls for a celebration tonight!” Emily said, still smiling as she looked up from reading the letter.
“Let’s shut the parlor doors now and not say a word until after supper. Then we can tell our residents. By then I can get my piano music out of my trunk.” Patience looked around in a daze. “I wonder if I still know how to play?” She paused. “Jed will be coming to supper tonight, and I want to make a good impression.”
Emily took her elbow. “You will, but go find the music now, and I’ll finish peeling the apples. I can do that without causing too serious a calamity, right? We must hurry if we’re to have supper ready on time.”
Twinkling lights along with fiddle music flowed from the two saloons, burgeoning with miners spending their gold. Guess they’ll never learn, Jedediah thought, shaking his head as he walked over to Creekside for supper. He’d finally get a home-cooked meal that Patience had prepared, and he was mightily looking forward to it. It’d also be a few hours without worries about John’s killer.
Patience opened the door to him, looking fresh as a daisy wearing a green dress with a delicate white collar. Immediately, Jed’s palms started to perspire. Not even when he was drawing his gun on a bandit did he ever have sweaty palms. This is what she did to him—and she had no idea.
“I’m glad you’re here, Jed,” she said. “Please come in. We’re gathered in the dining room. May I take your hat?”
He felt like a schoolboy. “Oh, why, yes, of course.” He handed his Stetson to her, and she hung it on the hall hat rack.
“Let’s join the others.” Patience led the way, the vanilla scent she wore compelling him to follow her—anywhere.
He was greeted by several guests who’d already taken their seats. Patience waved a hand toward Jed. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet our marshal, Jedediah Jones.” They all nodded, and she introduced each guest. “You already know Emily, Will, and Liza, and this is Mark, Conrad, Michael, and Matthew.”
“You’re in for a real treat, folks,” Emily announced, returning from the kitchen with a platter of fried chicken and placing it in the center of the table.
“This is my favorite part of the day, Marshal,” the gentleman named Will said. “I’m always delighted to see what Miss Patience has cooked up for dinner.”
“Will, you enjoy all of Patience’s cooking, not just dinner,” Liza pointed out.
“It sure does look tasty to me,” Jedediah agreed, taking the seat Patience offered beside her.
Emily sat down and began to pass the bowls around. Small talk around the table was soon going strong, but Jedediah didn’t have much to add to the conversation. For some reason he’d never given much thought to the eligible men staying at the boardinghouse. Some were only passing through, but Michael and Matthew were brothers who owned one of the largest mines.
While he dined on Patience’s delicious fried chicken, Jedediah chided himself for his lack of awareness. The brothers were friendly toward their hostess, but as he observed them, he soon realized they had one focus—their mine and their workers, not Patience. Every chance he got, he glanced at her and decided that she was like a warm, gentle rain to his soul.
“Do you have an opinion, Jedediah?” Will was asking.
“I’m sorry, I guess I was savoring every bite,” Jedediah said. “What was the question?”
“There’s a rumor that Patie
nce may consider forming a committee to get a church going in the community,” Will repeated. “What do you think about a church?”
“Is that so?” Jedediah looked at Patience. “I think it’s a fine idea. Better than having to go over to Virginia City, so I would agree.” He considered himself less than an authority because he’d attended only a few times. He’d have to do better.
Patience took a deep breath. “It seems others have determined that I should take on this venture. It was all started by my mother when she was visiting, and you know how insistent she can be.”
“We’d help in any way we can, wouldn’t we?” Emily said, looking around the table.
The topic was thoroughly discussed, including securing a piece of suitable land on which to build a church, the means, and the funds. It made for some lively conversation until Patience said, “We’ll have to see what happens with all this. And now it’s time for dessert.”
After the even more highly praised apple strudel, Patience stood. “We can all retire to the parlor, including you, Emily. We’ll take care of the dishes later.”
Emily smiled knowingly at her. “I won’t mind at all.”
Patience motioned toward Jedediah, and they walked together into the parlor.
Liz was the first to notice. “Oh my goodness, Patience—you’ve bought a piano?”
“No, it is a gift from my mother.”
“I hope this means you are going to play for us,” Jedediah said, lifting a piece of music from the stand, and the others added their encouragement.
“I’ll do my best,” Patience said, delighted at their enthusiasm, “but, Emily, you must sing.”
“Only if you do with me.” Emily stood next to the piano as Patience took a seat in front of the keyboard and began to play.
The two voices filled the room with the sweetness of song, holding everyone’s attention through several patriotic songs, a love ballad, and two hymns. This is really a special treat, Jedediah thought, especially in this town. Here was a side of Patience that he didn’t know. He was enjoying discovering new things about her, her interests and talents. And that strudel was awfully good, he told himself with a little grin.
“That’s enough of the two of us tonight. Would anyone else like to play or sing?” Patience asked, rising from the piano bench. She sat down by Jedediah on the settee. There were no takers for more piano and singing, and soon the group was relaxing—some reading the paper, others talking business or town doings.
Jed saw nobody was looking and reached over to squeeze her hand, soft against his weathered one. She didn’t seem to mind, and gave a little squeeze back before putting her hand demurely back in her lap. “I really liked the singing and piano playing,” he leaned over to tell her, his voice low.
“Thank you. I was truly amazed that Mother would send it to me, but maybe it’s her way of saying she’s sorry for the past and wants to make it up to me.”
Jed nodded and told her he thought that might be the case. They talked quietly together until the boarders began taking their leave to go to their rooms. All of them agreed they’d had a lovely evening.
Jedediah decided it was time to excuse himself too, and Patience walked him to the door.
“This is the best night I remember since arriving in Nevada City. Thank you for inviting me.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. We’ll do it again—when I cook something special.”
“Everything you cook is special,” he said. “We’ll have to have that picnic soon under the ponderosa pine.” Her lips turned up in a gentle smile. He sure did want to kiss her—but not here in the hallway.
“And we will, soon. I promise.” She handed him his hat. “By the way, let me know if you hear anything at all about Nathan.”
“I certainly will. Well . . . good night.” He caught her hand, then quickly donned his hat and left. As he walked home, he realized more than ever, he didn’t want to part with her. It seems as if she likes me, he thought, but is she ready to spend the rest of her life with me?
28
It was late by the time Patience and Emily had gotten the supper dishes washed and put away. Patience was tired, but a good kind of tired, she decided. From all appearances Jedediah liked the food and the entertainment, and it seemed to her that he’d had something further than his stomach or enjoyment on his mind when she walked him to the door. Wouldn’t I love to be a mind reader, she thought, but then decided that could be dangerous.
“Emily,” she said over her shoulder as she reached a serving bowl up to a high shelf, “you should’ve asked Monty to supper tonight. It’s only a short ride to town from the ranch, you know.”
Emily removed her apron and hung it on a peg by the pantry door with a sigh. “I saw him at the post office, and he hurried right out with little more than a ‘hello.’ I got the feeling he wasn’t keen on spending time in town . . . at least not with me.”
“Hmm, I thought he was courting you.”
“Maybe it was all a misunderstanding on my part. At any rate, he was in a hurry and wanted to get back to the ranch. Said he didn’t want ‘to leave Judith alone, just in case, you know . . .’ It sounded kind of, well, mysterious to me.”
“I see. I do understand about Judith, but he seemed a little uneasy to me when Jed and I drove out to the Cross Bar for a visit. He considers himself in charge of the ranch now, and I’m sure Judith is glad to have his experience and all.”
Patience noticed the downcast look on Emily’s face. Why hadn’t she realized that Emily was troubled? Patience walked over to her and put her arm about Emily’s shoulders. “I’m truly sorry, Emily, if he’s hurt your feelings. I shouldn’t have brought up the subject of Monty.”
Emily looked at Patience. “It’s not like he ever said we were a couple. I assumed too much,” she said with a little shrug as they both started up the stairs to bed.
“I know exactly how that feels, Emily. Remember the man I hoped to marry that I told you about?” Emily nodded. “Well, once I got over my anger at Jed, and finding out Russell was guilty of theft, I realized that I’d assumed too much. I had it in my mind that Russell was going to marry me . . . and he’d never said so. I was being a little too optimistic.” Patience stopped as they reached the top of the stairs. “But think of where I’d be if I had married Russell the Rustler.” She stopped to chuckle with Emily joining in, and they quickly covered their mouths to stifle the sound for any sleeping guests before continuing down the hall to their rooms.
Patience stopped Emily at her door with a hand on her arm. “You see,” she finished in a whisper, “it hurts your heart, but one thing I can tell you, it’s not the end of the world. Russell certainly wasn’t part of God’s plan for me.”
Now Emily had tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry about all you went through. Thank you for your very good advice,” she whispered back. “You’re such a blessing to me—a sister I never had.” They said good night and slipped into their rooms.
As Patience prepared for bed, she stopped and thanked God for all the good things that had happened, even though there had been bad things too. Nathan had been found—and had told her important information, her mother had given her the piano and their relationship seemed to have started fresh, her partnership with Emily was fruitful. Lord, heal Emily’s tender heart, and thank You for healing mine, she whispered as she slipped under the covers. Please don’t let me make the kind of mistake I could have made with Russell. Guide my mind and my thoughts as I get to know Jed.
As soon as she closed her eyes, Jedediah’s image seemed to look back at her. Did he think of her at different times of the day, the way she did of him—wondering what he was doing or where he was? And did this mean she was falling in love with him?
She yawned and decided she would leave her future to God’s guidance. That means I need to be alert to hearing what He is saying to me, she thought as she turned over for sleep.
Jedediah had just saddled Charlie when he saw Joe approaching. “What’s
up, my friend?” he called.
“I was in Helena yesterday an’ thought I’d stop by and tell you that Nathan didn’t confess to murderin’ John. He’s sticking by that. ’Course he could hang for cattle thievin’.” Joe scratched his beard. “You know, Jed, something about this whole thing about John don’t make sense to me.”
“I know what you mean,” Jed said as he cinched the belt tight underneath Charlie’s belly.
“So where are ya headin’?”
“Thought I’d do a little ridin’ this morning.”
“Mind if I come along? Wouldn’t take but a few minutes to get my horse.”
“I don’t see why not. I’ll wait for you right here. But be quick about it.” Jedediah looped the reins over the hitching post in front of his office and leaned against the porch, arms crossed, as he watched Joe move down the sidewalk like a younger man. Jed sure was tickled to see how things were working out for Joe and Hannah.
Jedediah gazed down the street, observing folks go about their daily duties. He stepped forward when he thought he caught a glimpse of Monty but couldn’t be sure. A moment later, he was able to make out Monty coming out of the bank, then leaving on his horse. Strange. In the past, Monty had always stopped by the office to say hello. Probably still peeved at me. Well, he’s just gonna have to get over it.
Joe came back, and the two set out. Jedediah had already decided he would go in the direction where he’d found John, see if there was anything he might have missed. It felt awfully good to be outside with the scent of evergreen and the slight breeze at his back, with the mountains to the west. He loved nature and lately had been giving some thought to buying a piece of land for a homestead. He’d been saving his money—what else did he have to spend it on?
They rode in silence until they were deep into the Hargrove property.
“Did Hannah tell you I’m gonna be helpin’ her at the bakery?” Joe asked, breaking the silence.
The Trouble with Patience Page 21