“Ready?” Mark opened the front door and stood waiting for her.
“Albert, please tell Sally thanks for the muffins today.” Juliana waved briefly before following Mark outside into the late afternoon. Albert waved back, grinning at the two of them. Albert was wise, and she respected him. It was apparent that he and his wife had taken a liking to her, and it warmed her heart. Juliana wished for a time like that with her own father.
Mark took her arm and steered her in the direction of the hotel. “I dropped by to check on little Jane this afternoon.”
“I hope she’s feeling better. Marion and I paid her a short visit recently.” Juliana tried to match her steps to his stride.
“She is doing well. Her broken leg is curtailing her normal life, but it should heal nicely.”
Juliana nodded. “I can understand how she may feel, especially for an adolescent who is normally busy with her friends.”
The hotel was full of activity this time of day, with weary travelers checking in after a long day on the stagecoach or train. Marion stopped briefly from her work behind the front desk to say hello to them. Juliana went on upstairs to freshen up before dinner, leaving Mark to talk with a couple of local men in the lobby.
There was a note on her door and a brown package propped up on the doorjamb. Puzzled, she opened the piece of paper. It was from Josh.
Miss Juliana,
I brought your coat back since I was in town on business. Sorry I missed you. Maybe I’ll catch up with you later. You need protection from the cold spring mornings!
Your friend, Josh McBride
Juliana reached down and picked up the parcel, holding it to her chest while unlocking the door to her room. A distinct scent permeated the package. Not unpleasant, but the kind that tells you it has been in the possession of another, and with a masculine appeal because of its clumsy wrapping in brown paper tied with coarse string. How sweet of him to return the coat.
She untied the string and shook the coat to release the wrinkles. She glanced over the note again. His handwriting was bold script, legible, but with short, distinctive loops and characters. She found herself sitting on the edge of the bed staring at it. Something about it held her, just like the eyes that had drawn her when she first saw the sketch of him and his dog. She could practically hear his voice in her head. But why was she dwelling on that? What was happening to her mind? After all, he had signed it “friend.” What else did she expect?
She shook her head and sighed, folding the note and putting it aside. Time to freshen up and get back down to the dining room. She didn’t have time for woolgathering. Woolgathering . . . She laughed. How appropriate that particular word would come to her. She remembered Josh saying that people need a shepherd, like sheep do. Was that from the Bible? She couldn’t remember his exact words.
She smoothed her hair and washed her face and hands. Her hands were beginning to look softer. Where there were rough spots before, she now came home with spots of ink. But that didn’t bother her.
A sharp rap sounded on her door, and she opened it to see Marion in a blue dress with long sleeves etched at the neck and cuffs with delicate cream lace. Her hair was pulled up by a matching ribbon. “Marion, you look beautiful!”
Marion blushed. “Why, thank you. Are you ready to go down and meet Mark? I hope you don’t mind, but I invited Josh to have dinner with us too. He stopped by the hotel this afternoon.”
“Ah ha! That’s why you changed your dress—”
“No, not at all,” Marion interrupted. “After working behind the counter all day, my dress looked a little the worse for wear. That’s all.”
“Well . . . what I have on will have to do.” She looked down at her brown calico dress, pretending indifference. “Even so, you still look nicer than me.” She grabbed Marion’s arm as they headed down the stairs. “Let’s go. I’m famished. What do you think Pierre has on the menu tonight?”
Juliana’s mind was not on dinner but on how mousy she looked next to her friend. But why should she care? Hadn’t she said a dozen times that a man was not a pressing need in her life just now? Survival was first and foremost.
17
Josh and Mark rose from their seats when Juliana and Marion approached the table.
Josh noticed that Marion had changed her work dress and looked fresh as a bluebell on the mountainside. But it was Juliana who drew his attention. She seemed somewhat quiet as Mark pulled out a chair for her, and she busied herself with adjusting her skirts before looking at him with a half smile on her lips. Maybe she was just tired. He’d get a full smile out of her.
Even though she was wearing a serviceable work dress, he thought her large, thoughtful eyes and dark hair framing her face were prettier than he remembered. She was tall and slender, almost too thin, but curvaceous enough in all the right places, and striking. That was the word—not beautiful but striking. He pulled out a chair for Marion next to him.
“Thanks for the dinner invitation. I hope I’m not intruding,” Josh said, casting a thoughtful look at Mark.
“Think nothing of it. Now we’re a balanced table.” Mark turned to smile warmly at Juliana.
“Josh, thank you for bringing the coat to me.” Juliana’s eyes latched onto his, and his heart began to thump.
“I was afraid you might have need of it. The spring mornings are still cold.”
“I will need it, but the coat is a loan from Marion, and I know she appreciates its return.” She nodded toward Marion.
Josh directed his gaze to Marion. “You’re a good friend to Juliana.”
“It’s easy to be her friend. Who wouldn’t like Juliana?” Marion beamed at her.
“I’d have to agree with that,” Mark said, giving Juliana’s arm a squeeze.
The possessive touch did not go unnoticed by Josh, and he turned toward Marion. He hadn’t noticed before how attractive she was. She had pulled up her cherry-colored hair, exposing her slender white neck with just a sprinkle of freckles on fine porcelain skin. Her hazel eyes sparkled with mischief, and she talked in an easygoing manner.
But all of it only made him think of Juliana’s chestnut hair, large blue eyes, and creamy beige complexion.
“Josh, what brings you to town and away from your sheep? Don’t the sheep need a shepherd?” Marion spoke teasingly, giving him her full attention.
“Indeed they do. I have a young fellow who works with me named Andy,” Josh said. He didn’t want to reveal too much. If he didn’t know better, he’d think she was flirting with him.
After placing their orders for dinner, everyone relaxed. Juliana looked around at her friends and, with a reporter’s eagerness, said, “Tell me all your news!”
Mark leaned in toward them. “I received news from a colleague of mine that Colorado has a new kind of photography. It’s called an X-ray.” Mark’s face lit up with excitement, and he tapped his fingers on the table. “This is exciting news in the medical field.”
“Oh, Mark, tell us all about it, please.”
Josh watched as Juliana gave Mark her rapt attention. Maybe it was just the journalist in her. Or did she find his field intriguing?
“Yes, what does that mean?” Marion asked.
Mark had an audience now. “It’s a way to take a picture of, say, your hand or another part of the body without the flesh, and one can see the bones underneath.”
“Did your colleague discover it?” Josh’s eyebrows lifted.
“Oh heavens, no. It was developed by a German physicist by the name of Roentgen last year. Then a professor at Colorado College, Dr. Cajori, and his associate, Dr. Strieby, read about it and decided to experiment for themselves. Other medical colleges were doing likewise. The first X-ray was done successfully at Dartmouth College in Hanover on the wrist of a fourteen-year-old boy.” Mark paused and drank from his water glass.
At that moment, their entrées arrived, and for a moment it was quiet as they began to eat.
“So what do X-rays mean for the medical f
ield?” Josh asked as he spread butter on his roll.
“It means we can take a picture of a part of the anatomy and be able to make an accurate diagnosis. Like a broken bone, or to pinpoint a bullet.” Mark sliced the meat on his plate like a surgeon making his first cut.
“That’s so exciting! That would have come in handy when Jane was struck by the wagon, right?” Juliana eyes widened. “I just had a thought. Wouldn’t that same thing be useful somehow to check how deep a bad spot is on one’s tooth?”
“I don’t see why not. That’s very astute, Juliana. I’ll see what I can find out.” His adoring look at Juliana turned Josh’s stomach. She seemed to be basking in it since her cheeks were rosy. “In fact, I’m thinking of catching a train down to Denver to see it firsthand. This would be invaluable in treating my patients.” Mark turned back to his dinner. “Delicious steak, don’t you think, Josh?”
“Sure is. I couldn’t have cooked it any better myself.” Josh smiled at Juliana and wiped his mouth on his napkin, but she glanced away. He sensed her excitement but wasn’t certain it was from the X-ray news or because she was happy to be with Mark. He thought Mark was a fine person and liked him, but not with Juliana. Very selfish thinking indeed, he admitted. He also knew Mark was a strong pillar in the community. Doctors were always well thought of because they were so few and far between in the West. He would make a name in society as the town grew larger and more influential people settled there. He was surprised Marion didn’t show an interest in him. Even Josh could tell Mark was good-looking.
“Josh, I’d like to hear a little bit about you. You’re not originally from Montana, are you?” Marion asked.
“No, I’m not. I was born and raised in Colorado.”
Marion leaned in closer. “Oh? I’ve never been there. What made you leave?”
Josh carefully chose his words. “Well, I wanted to try something different before I got too old and ran out of courage.”
“You aren’t old. And are you glad you came to Montana?” Marion’s eyes softened as she gazed at him, but Josh kept his guard up.
“Yes, yes, I’m very glad I did,” he answered her with a smile, and he noticed a faint pink stain her cheeks. Gracious! I think she’s flirting with me. He was flattered, but he quickly directed his gaze to Juliana to get her reaction. She just sat there calmly picking at her vegetables.
“Anyone for dessert?” Mark asked, pushing away his empty plate.
Juliana regarded the connection she saw between Josh and Marion. Her friend was leaning in close to Josh and laughing at something he said under his breath. They seemed more suited to one another age-wise, so it didn’t matter. Or did it? As she watched Marion openly flirting with Josh, she realized once again how lovely she was. Of course Josh would enjoy her company.
Juliana had a funny feeling in her stomach, and suddenly she wasn’t very hungry. She felt hot underneath her calico dress. It was obvious Josh liked the attention Marion was giving him. Juliana breathed a sigh. Wasn’t she the one who’d said they might be well suited when Marion had teased her about him? Marion had admitted there was something strangely attractive about Josh.
Josh shot her a glance, but she diverted her gaze, realizing she had been watching them openly. She turned back to Mark. “I’d like to write an article for the newspaper about the X-rays. May I quote you?”
Mark touched her hand. “That would be just great if you would do that. Our community needs to know about this wonderful discovery.”
Josh could tell Juliana looked pleased that she had stumbled on a newsworthy article for the Gazette. That showed intelligence, and he admired that. So why did he have a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach? Well, she hadn’t so much as looked at him through the whole meal. Had he overstepped his bounds when she was at the ranch? He watched as she lifted her cup of coffee to her lips, and her sleeve fell away, exposing an ugly bruise. An old one, because the color was already turning yellow green. How had she gotten that? As if sensing his gaze, she quickly pulled her sleeve back down. He continued to look at her as if it would make her take notice of him.
Marion tapped him on the arm. “Would you like another cup of coffee, Josh?” She held a carafe in her hand, poised to refill his cup.
“No thanks, I’ll pass. I’m going to go on back to the camp. I don’t like to leave Andy and my flock for too long. If you all will excuse me . . . Thanks so much for including me at the last moment.”
“Oh, so soon? Will we see you tomorrow?” Marion asked with obvious anticipation, her hazel eyes searching his face.
Josh pushed back his chair. “I can’t leave Andy for too long to run things by himself. He might send Shebe after me.”
“I see. I haven’t heard you speak of her.” Marion’s face fell.
Josh winked at Juliana, and she finally smiled mischievously. “I didn’t? Well, she likes to know my every move. You know how women are.” Chuckling, he bid them good night and plunked down a few bills for dinner, and they murmured their good-byes.
Marion’s disappointment was obvious by her deflated look. He could almost imagine what was going on in her head as she tried to figure out who Shebe was, and that rather tickled him. But then Marion was too much like his sister—a little pushy and controlling.
He smiled, thinking of his sister, April. In spite of her bossiness, he really missed her and her exuberance for life. He wondered how she was doing now that Crystal and Luke were married. He felt sorry for her, but that was in the past, and he was determined to keep it there. Now Josh was feeling sorry for himself. He had lost the love of one woman, and he didn’t intend to lose Juliana’s. He just wasn’t good at conveying his feelings, and maybe he held them too close to his heart. He hoped it wasn’t too late to let Juliana know how he felt. His heart felt full to bursting as the image of her floated across his mind, and he remembered how she’d looked at dinner tonight.
He headed toward the livery where he’d left his horse, enjoying the evening chill to clear the cobwebs in his head. The street was quiet with few people milling about. The moon had partially slipped behind the clouds high above the mountains, lending an eerie effect to the shadows of the clapboard buildings. He liked it best when the stars were out. He thought about how the moon always hung steadfast every night, and it reminded him of God’s constant presence. Did Juliana believe that? Would time be able to heal her distrust?
As he stepped down to cross the street, he caught a flash of movement from the alley out of the corner of his eye. But when he turned to take a look, a hard blow at the side of his head made his knees buckle. As he sank to the ground, he saw some stars he didn’t intend to as his eyes slid closed . . .
18
“Mister, can you hear me? Are you all right?”
Josh struggled to open his eyes, and a figure swam in his line of vision. What had happened? He shook his head and blinked hard until the person became clearer. Pulling himself up to lean on one elbow, Josh realized he was lying in the dusty alley. He had a sharp searing pain on the side of his head, and when he reached up with his hand, he felt a lump and wet, sticky blood. He winced, feeling woozy from the blow.
“Here, let me help you up,” the stranger said, brushing the dust off Josh’s backside. “Let’s get you down inside the hotel where we can get you checked out. Looks like someone tried to rob you. Can you stand?”
“I think so.” But as the stranger pulled him to his feet, Josh’s legs felt wobbly. “I think someone took a swipe at my head.” He had trouble focusing on the face before him.
The man steered him back toward the nearest door of the hotel and into the lobby. “I’m Albert Spencer, and you would be . . .”
“Name’s Josh, Josh McBride. Thanks for your assistance. How long was I out?”
“I don’t rightly know, but it looks like you might need a stitch or two on that head. I was staying late at the newspaper tonight and was walking home when I saw you in the shadows.”
“Do you own the Lewistown Gazette?
”
“I do for a fact,” Albert said, guiding him to the settee in the lobby. “You rest right here, and I’ll go fetch the doc.”
“No, don’t do that. I’ll be okay once I sit a few minutes to clear my head. Could you please ask at the desk what room number Juliana Brady is in, and then go knock on her door and ask her to step down here?”
“Juliana?” A big smile split Albert’s face. “You know her? She works for me at the paper.”
“I just had dinner with her and Mark Barnum.”
A sudden rustling of skirts came toward them. “Josh! What happened to you?” Marion bent down to investigate the large bump on the side of his head.
“I wish I knew. Someone came out of the shadows and walloped me on the head.” He forced a lopsided grin. He was having a little trouble bringing her face into focus.
“Albert, why don’t you take him to the library, and I’ll fetch something cold for that lump.” Marion touched Josh’s scalp tenderly. “I’ll be back in a moment or two.” She scurried toward the kitchen.
Albert put his hand under Josh’s arm for support, but he was able to stand without wobbling. “I feel okay now, I reckon,” he said as they made their way to the library door. Albert swung the heavy oak doors aside, where inside a crackling fire popped and snapped. Josh took a seat in an overstuffed chair near the fire. The only other light was from the wall sconces, making the room cozy and appealing with its bookshelves lined with books and art adorning the wood paneling.
True to her word, Marion came back and stood over Josh with a cold rag in her hand, which she pressed lightly to his head. He got a whiff of a delicate rose-water scent that clung to her arms.
“Ouch!” He grabbed her wrist in midair.
“I’m sorry, I was trying to be gentle. Here, you hold the cold rag against your head and just lean back and rest.” Marion’s face was etched with concern. “Why do you think someone would do this to you?”
The Jewel of His Heart Page 11