by Verna Clay
Staring at her, he said, "This is my darkness since I sent you away." He began painting storm clouds.
Tortured by his words, Jenny lifted her skirt and ran toward the wagon. Taking deep breaths she calmed herself by petting the horses and talking to them. Shortly thereafter, Ryder returned and began reloading his supplies.
Jenny walked to the buckboard and grabbed the handle to haul herself up. She felt Ryder's hand on her hip, helping her. When she was settled in her seat and he didn't move away, she glanced down. The intensity with which he had studied her earlier remained.
He said, "So now you know my secret—how I paint light and darkness together. My colors have nothing to do with what I'm looking at. Every painting is part of me, a vision from my past. Every painting is fashioned within my spirit."
Chapter Fourteen: Surprise
Over the next weeks, Jenny began looking forward to Ryder's visits with Joy, but when they became less frequent, she chastised herself for allowing girlish desires into her heart yet again. Ryder was a famous artist and an astute business man, and how could she, a gauche country girl, even begin to capture his attention for long?
On a cold November morning, there was a knock on her door and she opened it to see Ryder leaning against the doorframe. His heart-stopping grin sent goose bumps up her spine.
"Jenny, is Joy home, or at the big house?"
"She's at the big house."
"Good." At Jenny's questioning look, he said, "I want you to come with me so I can show you something."
"Ryder, we've been through that before. No more lessons."
His deep laugh tied her stomach in knots.
"Honey, I promise this is not a lesson."
Ryder's endearment put a lump in her throat.
He said, "Aren't you even a little curious about what I'm up to now?"
Jenny rolled her eyes and he laughed all the more. When he gently lifted a hand to stroke a finger down her cheek, and said, "Put your cloak on and come with me, please," she knew she would not resist.
"How long will we be gone? I need to let Angel know."
"At least two or three hours."
"Are we going to Two Rivers?"
"Nope. Now no more questions. I'll meet you in front of the big house with the buggy."
Jenny sighed in resignation.
An hour later they turned off the main county road and onto a narrow drive leading to a ranch. Jenny remembered the place from visits as a child. It was the Peterson Ranch. Their children had been older than she and Luke, but her family had visited occasionally and also brought food when Mrs. Peterson took ill. "Why are we visiting the Petersons?"
Ryder smiled, "You'll find out soon enough."
"Ryder, sometimes you are impossible."
"But you love me anyway," he said softly.
Jenny looked away, refusing to either validate or invalidate his remark.
At a fork in the drive, Ryder turned toward the main house. The house looked empty when he pulled the buggy in front of it.
"Is anyone living here?" Jenny asked.
"No. They sold the place."
"Why?"
"They wanted to move to California and my purchase gave them that opportunity. I've been spending a lot of time here fixing the place up."
Jenny jerked her eyes toward Ryder. "Wh-why would you buy their home?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
When she didn't answer, he said, "I want to marry you sweetheart and make this our home."
A cry of pain wretched itself from Jenny and she quickly looked away. "No, Ryder. I can't marry you. I've already told you it would never work."
"Honey, it would. I know you have feelings for me, and God knows I have feelings for you."
"No!" Jenny said vehemently.
"Won't you at least come inside? It's cold and we can start a fire to warm ourselves and talk things out."
"No! I won't go inside. Take me home." Hurt threatened to swallow her alive.
"All right. But you haven't heard the last of this. I can make you happy, Jenny. I can give Joy her rightful name. Have you stopped to consider that she is a bastard child in the eyes of the law? In so-called righteous society, she would be spit upon."
"Of course I know that. Joy and I were rejected by a few righteous folk in our own community, but my family stood up to them, so they keep their remarks to themselves now."
A pained expression entered Ryder's eyes and he reached a hand toward her face. "Jenny, please–"
"Take me home, Ryder."
Not one word was spoken on the return trip; not even when Ryder assisted her from the buggy and she ran into her cottage.
* * *
Christmas came and went and on New Year's Day, Ryder moved to his ranch. Major repairs and remodeling had been completed and Luke and Angel continually described them to Jenny. She knew what they were doing—trying to get her to reconsider Ryder's proposal. Her whole family was in cahoots with him.
When she finally exploded at a family gathering in February, shrieking that she didn't want to hear anymore news about how well Ryder's ranch was coming along, her father shook his head, sighed, and said, "You need to wake up and smell the coffee, Jenny. You're in love with that man. He's in love with you and offering you the moon, but bitterness has rooted itself in your heart."
After that day, no one brought the subject up again.
Ryder still visited Joy at least once or twice a week and Jenny remained in another room during their visit.
In March the weather warmed slightly and a foretaste of spring emerged in buds that would soon erupt into profusions of colorful flowers. While Ryder played with Joy in the cottage, Jenny sat wrapped in a blanket on the front porch trying to erase the memory of his kisses that always popped into her mind at the most inopportune times.
She heard the screen door open. "Hi, Mama," Joy said happily from the shelter of Ryder's arm. "Yder take me to see Eva."
Jenny looked sharply at him.
He said, "I need to discuss something important with you, Jenny."
Before she could respond, he was walking the distance between the cottage and the main house. A few minutes later he returned and sat in the other rocker. Jenny's heart pounded.
He said quietly, "Before you say anything, hear me out."
She watched him warily.
"I want you to come to Dallas with me."
Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to refuse, but he lifted his hand to stop her.
"Hear me out, Jenny."
She shut her mouth.
"There's something important in Dallas that you must see, and if, after seeing it, you still refuse to marry me, I'll leave and only visit Joy periodically. I'll never bother you again; I promise. You see, Jenny, this is just as hard on me as it is on you. I can't go on like this. I wanted to shower you with words of love on our wedding night, but I will say this now, even though you do not believe me. I love you and I've done everything in my power to prove it to you. I'm sorry for my cruelty in sending you away, but like I've already explained, I thought I was doing it for your own good. If what I show you in Dallas doesn't change your mind, I'll leave."
Wanting to end the constant war within her heart, Jenny accepted. "All right, Ryder. I'll go with you." In Dallas, she would reject him for the final time.
Chapter Fifteen: Dallas
The travel time to Dallas took a full day—stagecoach to Bingham and then railway to Dallas. By the time they arrived at the Jefferson Hotel, where Ryder had booked two rooms and two nights, Jenny was exhausted. They had only shared small talk during their journey and she was glad of that. At the hotel, Ryder took charge and within a short time she'd had water delivered to her room for bathing and dinner after that. She was grateful that Ryder had not insisted they dine together in the hotel restaurant. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts. The daily newspaper came with her dinner and she thumbed through it while she ate, gasping when she saw an advertisement.
The dazzling
PRINCESS PRISCA will be performing for three nights only at Sally's Theater located next to Sally's Saloon. Don't miss the magnificent singing voice of PRINCESS PRISCA—March 25, 26, 27!
Prisca and Joe were in Dallas and tomorrow was their last performance! She longed to see them again. It had been almost four years since their stagecoach journey together. Should I tell Ryder? Maybe not. I'll make an excuse to retire early and then steal away.
Knowing she might see her friends again brightened what had otherwise been a trying day.
* * *
The next morning, there was a knock on Jenny's door bright and early. The excitement of being in the big city, possibly meeting up with her friends, but mostly wondering what was so important that Ryder had insisted it would change her mind about marrying him, had kept her awake until almost midnight. After that, she'd fallen into an exhausted and dreamless sleep, but morning light drifting through her curtains had awakened her at dawn. When she opened her door to Ryder, she was already dressed and famished.
Ryder looked surprised. "I thought I'd have to pound on your door to wake you. Do you want to eat now or wait?"
"I'd like to eat now."
"Good choice. Are you ready?"
"Yes. I just need to grab my reticule and bonnet."
Their meal was pleasant enough as they discussed the weather and general topics always covered when people were being polite. At the end of the meal, Ryder asked, "Is there any place you'd like to go?"
Jenny wondered how shocked he would be if she said, Sally's Saloon, and the thought made her grin. Ryder reached and smoothed a finger across her lips and his touch caused her to inhale sharply.
"What's that grin, Jenny?"
She glanced away.
He said, "Something private, I can see. Maybe someday you'll trust me enough to share it with me."
Jenny lifted her water glass and sipped just to have something to distract her from Ryder's touch and attention.
Ryder beckoned the waiter over and asked for their check and then turned his attention back to Jenny. "There's a park just down the street. Would you like to go for a stroll? We have a few hours free. I have a carriage meeting us at the hotel at two."
"A stroll would be nice."
For the remainder of the morning, Jenny enjoyed the lovely park with musicians, candy and food venders, and a magician, all vying for the attention of visitors.
Shortly before noon, Ryder escorted her back to the hotel dining room for a light lunch. After lunch he walked her to her room and said he would return at ten minutes to two.
Fingering the lovely hair ribbons Ryder had purchased for her and Joy from one of the park venders, she held them to her heart and lay down to rest. Unable to stay still for long, she rose to change her clothing, selecting the nicest of the three dresses she had brought. Even so, it seemed old-fashioned and homely after glimpsing the latest fashions during their outing.
Studying her reflection in the tall mirror, she envisioned herself in a lovely dress and fashionable hat like Prisca had worn. I may not have a fancy hat, but I have these beautiful ribbons. She wove the lavender ribbon into her hair and tied a bow. A knock distracted her.
When she opened the door and saw Ryder, she couldn't breathe. His manner of dress had always been tailored, and his black coat with matching vest and slacks made her realize just how opposite they were. He was the handsomest man she had ever seen and she was a backwards country girl. Quickly, she averted her gaze so he couldn't read how much she admired his looks.
He reached his hand and fingered the ribbon, and then said solemnly, "Let's go, sweetheart. It's time to determine our future."
Jenny still couldn't bring herself to look into his smoky eyes.
When she pulled on her bonnet and began tying it beneath her chin, Ryder said, "Wait," and slipped a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. Unable to resist his magnetism any longer, she lifted her eyes to his and then lowered them to his mouth. If she stood on tiptoe, her lips would reach his and she could taste him again. She started to lift onto her toes and then caught herself on a gasp. Swiftly turning away, she reached for her small purse and said, "I'm ready."
The carriage Ryder had ordered was comfortable and fashionable and Jenny wondered at the money he must be spending on their Dallas excursion. He appeared to be even wealthier than her brother, Luke
Throughout the ride, Ryder's fidgeting unnerved Jenny. Her intuition screamed, He's nervous. The great Jake Ryder is nervous.
The coach meandered through tourist areas with more hotels and then into a lovely residential section with towering townhomes. After that, they entered the heart of a district teeming with a variety of lovely shops, varying from seamstresses to tailors, pastry shops to fine dining restaurants, glassware to pottery studios, and art galleries. The coach halted in front of a sophisticated looking gallery with a beautifully engraved sign that read, "Margot's House of Art."
Ryder exited the carriage and lifted his hand to help Jenny down. When she encircled his wrist to lower herself and felt his racing pulse, she remembered his words. It's time to determine our future. Her own heart pounded.
As soon as they stepped inside the lovely gallery, they were greeted by a beautiful middle-aged woman with slightly graying hair and dressed in a gown exquisitely overlaid entirely with cream-colored lace. The low-cut bodice would have been indiscreet had it not been for the lace allowing only peeks of her ample bosom. Ryder cupped Jenny's elbow and drew her alongside him.
"Madame Dubois, I'd like you to meet Jenny Samson."
The elegant lady turned her gaze from Ryder and extended her hand to Jenny. Their eyes met and the woman inhaled sharply, her face registering surprise. She shot a glance back to Ryder, said something in French, and then returned her gaze to Jenny. In a lilting, accented voice, she said, "I am honored to meet you, Jenny Samson. Welcome to my gallery. You must call me by my first name, Margot. It is a great tribute that Ryder has brought you here and chosen to display his latest portraits in my humble gallery."
Jenny murmured a polite greeting, but her mind was spinning. Ryder is displaying artwork?
A glance passed between Ryder and Margot that Jenny did not understand and then Ryder bent to Jenny's ear. "Come with me, Jenny. I want to show you something." Reaching for her hand, he entwined his fingers with hers and the action sent her already racing heart into a sprint. Something significant was about to happen, of that she was sure.
Ryder walked to the entrance of a room located at the back of the gallery and stepped through, gently pulling her behind him. Inside the dimly lit room, she blinked, waiting for her eyes to adjust. Ryder was blocking her view of the far wall. He released her hand and stepped aside.
Jenny lifted her eyes to two paintings lit perfectly by oil lamps softly flickering on the adjacent walls. Both paintings were magnificent. Both paintings were of her.
Slowly, she stepped forward, blinking back tears.
Ryder said softly behind her, "I finished the one we began and then I painted you from memory." He was silent while she absorbed the information. Finally, he said, "After I saw your paintings at my friend's house, I rushed home and entered the studio, something I hadn't done since I sent you away. When I uncovered the unfinished portrait, I saw what you had tried to make me see, and I knew I had to finish it. After its completion, love compelled me to paint you in the glory of your passion." Ryder made a choking noise and said, "I'm so sorry, Jenny. Again, I ask you to forgive me and give us a chance."
For a long time, Jenny said nothing, and then she hung her head. In a voice equally emotional, she responded, "Ryder, I'm not the same person I was. I've lost my capacity to balance joy and sorrow. I only feel sadness. I would destroy you."
"Jenny, it's my fault, but I can change that if you'll let me."
Slowly, she turned to face Ryder.
He looked from her eyes to the paintings, and then captured her gaze again. "Marry me, Jenny. You were my salvation, let me become yours."
&nb
sp; Lowering her lashes, she said, "I'll give you my answer after we return to Two Rivers."
Ryder looked disappointed, but responded with, "Fair enough."
* * *
At dusk, Jenny pulled her cloak around her shoulders and slipped from her room. She had told Ryder she wanted to retire early. Now, slinking out of the hotel, she felt like a criminal. Ryder would be upset if he knew she was going to a saloon, but after his revelation and renewed appeal that she marry him, she needed to speak with Prisca.
Jenny walked a safe distance from the hotel and then asked an older gentleman strolling in front of her if he would hail a coach for her. Although he gave her a censorious perusal, he stepped to the curb and called to an approaching carriage, even opening the door and assisting her inside. When he asked her destination so he could advise the driver, and she told him Sally's Theater at Sally's Saloon, he choked and cautioned, "It's not proper for a lady to wander the streets alone or seek out a saloon. Please let me direct the driver to your family."
Jenny gulped, but said firmly. "No, sir. There's someone I need to see at the saloon."
The man shook his head and called her destination to the driver. The horses lurched and Jenny lifted her eyes to the darkening sky, feeling both excitement and fear.
After what seemed an eternity, the coach pulled to the front of a brightly lit saloon with cowboys in Stetsons and women in cleavage revealing colorful silks and satins either entering the saloon or lazing on the portico. Next door, a vendor shouted, "Don't miss the show! Last night to enjoy the fabulous voice of Princess Prisca! Buy your tickets here!"
Jenny was painfully aware that the saloon patrons watched her and whispered as she stepped to the ticket booth. "One ticket, please," she politely requested.
The man inside the booth said, "Ma'am, you sure? This don't look like a place for a proper lady like you."
"Yes, I'm sure."
The man shrugged, told her the amount, and counted back her change after accepting her coins. With her ticket in hand, she stepped past the hawker and into the theater. Her breath hitched. Never had she seen such grandeur. Bound by golden tassels, red velvet drapes hid the stage and also covered the walls. The flicker of gas lamps reflecting off the tassels cast sprinkles of golden light throughout the room.