Jake didn’t know if love would ever be enough to make him eat fish bait. Just the thought of that stuff made him squirm.
They visited for about forty minutes and left.
Forest dirt, fern, kinnikinnick bushes and pine trees surrounded them as they walked side by side to the main ranch yard.
“So, what do you have to do now?” Leah asked.
“A few more chores before I head home. You?”
“Since Mother hired Veronique to help around the house, there isn’t much to do anymore. We all pitch in and help with the cooking and laundry, so it doesn’t take nearly as long as it used to. Sometimes Veronique’s sisters, Colette and Zoé, come and help, too. Because of that, I’m able to go to town a lot more now.”
“What do you do in town?”
“Visit with friends. Shop. Work on quilts. Stuff like that.”
“I see.” They reached the barn door.
After a few minutes of neither of them saying anything, Leah looked up at him and said, “Well, I think I’ll go visit Rainee for a while. I’ll see you later, Jake.”
He gave a quick nod, and she headed in the direction of Haydon and Rainee’s house.
He got to work filling a bucket with fresh, clean water and gathering everything else he needed to doctor the Palouse horse. Who’d-a thought the horse would have spooked at Kitty? That sweet little pig wouldn’t hurt a leaf. Butterfly must not have agreed, though. When Kitty got too close to her, she took off running and ended up scraping her shoulder on a tree branch. Nothing anyone tried had helped Butterfly to get over her fear of pigs. Even getting her around Kitty hadn’t worked.
Tethered outside, Butterfly pawed the ground and shifted her spotted rump around. She turned her neck and stared at Jake with those blinking doe eyes, probably wondering what he was up to.
Jake picked up the full bucket of water and a clean rag and headed to the front of the horse. He patted the mare on the neck. “Who names their horse Butterfly, anyway? This is one interesting family. I’ll tell you that.” His voice drifted into the midmorning void.
With one hand he held on to the lead rope and with the other he dipped the rag into the cool water and blotted the wide scrape across the horse’s shoulder to soften the dried blood. On first contact, she shifted. “It’s okay, girl.” Jake patted her neck again and she stopped moving, so he continued to work at cleaning the wound.
“How’s Butterfly doing?” From several yards away, Haydon dismounted his horse and came around to the front of the Palouse.
“Doesn’t look too bad. Scraped the hide off is all it looks like.”
“That’s good. Hate to see her all scarred up.”
“Don’t think that’ll happen. The hair should grow back just fine.”
“From the looks of it, I agree.” Haydon stepped away from the inspection of the animal. “When you get finished here, what’re you going to do?”
“Was going to head home. Why? Need something?”
“Yes, actually, I do. Could I get you to do me a huge favor? Unless you have to get home right away.”
“Nope. No rush. Got up earlier this morning and did everything I needed to. Wheat’s doing fine. What can I do for you?”
“Can you run into town for me? I’d send one of the other hands, but Jess keeps them so busy, none of them have time to go.”
“I can do that. What you need?”
Haydon pulled a list out of his pocket and handed it to him. “You’ll need to take the wagon. Just have them put that stuff on my account.”
Jake looked at the list and nodded.
“Well, I’ve got to get back out there.” Haydon untied his horse and swung onto the saddle. “Thanks, Jake. I appreciate this. I’ll pay you extra for your time.”
Jake wanted to argue with him. But when Michael offered him the job, Jake had offered to help without pay, saying that’s what friends do. He’d never wanted to take their money, but none of them would hear of it. They refused his help even unless he agreed to let them pay him. Jake had to admit, as much as he hated taking it, the extra money came in handy. Especially because he was looking to marry soon.
* * *
Leah knocked on Rainee’s door. Children’s voices and scuffling noises came from inside. The door flew open. “Auntie.” Rosie threw her arms around Leah’s waist. She returned her niece’s hug and kissed her on top of her head. The girl released her and glanced up at Leah with those fawn-colored eyes that matched her mother’s perfectly. Rosie even shared the same fawn-colored hair as Rainee.
“Hi, Auntie.” Emily’s arms slipped around Leah. Her hug wasn’t as exuberant as Rosie’s. It was more dignified. Emily might look more like Haydon with her blond hair and blue eyes, but she acted more like the Southern belle portion of her mother.
“Mother’s feeding Haydon Junior. Want me to go tell her that you’re here?” Emily asked.
Leah glanced toward Rainee’s closed bedroom door, debating what to do. “No. I can come back later.”
“Ah. Please don’t go, Auntie,” Rosie begged.
“Yes. Please don’t go. Mother bought us a new book and we were reading it. Won’t you please join us?”
“You could read to us.” Rosie clapped her small fingertips, her eyes wide and expectant.
How could Leah say no to them? She didn’t have anything planned, anyway. “Okay.”
They each grabbed one of her hands and led her into the living room. Leah admired Rainee’s new furniture. The old furniture was so worn out, yet Haydon couldn’t convince Rainee to order a new set, so he had. The blue material with small, light gold roses, the button-tufted backs and mahogany-legged sofa and the matching chairs were beautiful. The pattern reminded her of the English tête-à-tête sofa they had back in New York. New York. Her heart flipped at the thought.
Rosie tugged on her sleeve. “Aren’t you going to sit down?” Emily looked up at her from the couch. There was just enough space between the girls for her to fit.
Knowing she would be leaving soon, she wanted to spend as much time with her nieces as possible. She smiled and sat down between them. “Yes, I am. Now, who’s going to read to whom?”
“You first, okay?” Rosie gave her that hopeful look that melted an aunt’s heart into submission.
Leah took the book from Emily and read the title. “Hans Brinker, or, the Silver Skates: A Story of Life in Holland by Mary Mapes Dodge. I haven’t read this before. This will be fun.” She settled comfortably into the sofa and both girls tucked into her sides as she read.
“Oh. Hi, Leah. How long have you been here?” Rainee headed toward her and took the seat across from them.
“Not sure. Enough to read—” she looked down at the open book “—twenty-four pages.”
“Did the girls offer you something to drink?”
Emily’s eyes widened. “Sorry, Mother. We forgot.”
“That happens. Would you care for some tea or something, Leah?” Rainee started to rise.
“No. I’m fine. I can’t stay too much longer anyway. I need to help Mother and Veronique get lunch ready.”
Rainee looked at the girls. “You two run outside and play. I want to visit with your aunt Leah for a bit.”
“Ahhh,” Rosie whined.
Emily stood and grabbed Rosie’s hand. “Come on, Rosie. We’ll go play hide-and-seek. You can hide first.”
Rainee sent Emily a smile of approval, and the girls headed out the door.
Her sister-in-law shifted her body toward Leah. “So, how are you and Jake doing?”
“Me and Jake?” Leah tilted her head, wondering what she was talking about. Rainee knew she and Jake were only friends.
“You two have been spending more and more time together. I just assumed you were...you know...getting ready to make an announcement.”
Leah’s mouth widened along with her eyes. Her lips moved but no words came out.
“Oh. I am so sorry, Leah. I... Oh, my. I have really done it now. I have quite jumped to conclusio
ns and embarrassed you.”
Leah wondered if other people were thinking the same thing. She hadn’t realized she and Jake had spent that much time in public together. And even though she’d gone to his house many times, it was only with Abby, and no one else knew of those visits. Did they? Surely not. “We’re just friends, Rainee.”
“I see.” She didn’t look convinced.
“I do enjoy Jake’s company. He’s a very nice man, but that’s as far as it goes. Truly.”
Rainee still looked unconvinced but said nothing further.
Leah chewed on her lip, wondering if she should confide in Rainee about her plans. All the years she’d known her, never once had Leah heard Rainee talk about others, unless it was to say something good about them. The decision was made. “Rainee, can I tell you something? If I do, will you promise me you won’t tell anyone? Not even Haydon? That it won’t go any further than this room, even?”
“Of course, Leah. You have my word it will go no further than you and me.”
“Okay.” Leah shifted in her seat. “I placed an advertisement in the New York Times for a husband.” Leah waited for the shock to show on Rainee’s face, but it never came. That gave her the courage to plunge forward. “I’ve already responded to a gentleman’s post, and I’m waiting to hear back from him to see when he’s coming for sure.”
“I see. Where is he from?”
“New York City. Well, he’s actually from England and has recently moved to New York. His name is Mr. Fitzwilliam Barrington.”
“Fitzwilliam? As in Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy from Pride and Prejudice?”
“Yes.” Leah’s insides played leapfrog. Excited, she scooted to the end of the couch and poured out the whole story. “So, you see, Jake and I really are just friends.”
“Well.” Rainee smiled. “I wish you both all the best. I know it works. That is how I ended up with Haydon, as you very well know.” Happiness set its glow onto her
sister-in-law’s face. “I pray you will find a man as wonderful as your brother.”
“Who do you hope will find a man as wonderful as me?” Haydon strode over to Rainee and kissed her on the cheek and said hi to Leah.
Leah’s insides quivered from anxiety. Had Haydon heard their conversation? Please, Lord, no. “Hi, Haydon.” She stood. “Well, I need to get home and help Mother. I’ll see you two later.” She turned and headed for the door.
“Okay. See you later.” Haydon held up his hand and gave a quick wave.
“’Bye, Leah. Thank you for stopping by.” Rainee stared after her.
Leah nodded and as fast as possible closed the distance between Haydon and the door.
“Who do you hope finds a man as wonderful as me?” she heard Haydon ask.
Leah listened for the answer as she reached for the brass doorknob.
“We were just talking, Haydon. Now, what are you doing home in the middle of the day? And to what do I owe this honor?”
Leah breathed a sigh of relief. She opened the door and closed it behind her. That was a close call. A little too close.
Chapter Eight
The list Haydon gave Jake included dropping a bridle off at the smithy; picking up grain, chicken feed and horse liniment; and getting the Bowens’ mail.
Jake was surprised when the postmaster assumed that meant all of the Bowens’ mail, including Leah’s. On the top of the stack was a letter addressed to Leah from Fitzwilliam Barrington—New York, NY. If memory served him right, he was the man coming to possibly court Leah.
Outside the post office Jake looked around. The urge to yank the letter off the top of the pile and burn it was powerful, but he couldn’t. Not and live with himself, anyway. Unable to bear looking at the thing, he tossed the mail under the wagon seat and headed to the Barker Hotel and Restaurant to grab a bite to eat before heading back to the Bowen ranch.
Annabelle Schmidt, one of Mr. Barker’s waitresses, walked up to his table. “Hi, Jake.” Dreamy eyes gazed down at him. The petite woman had made it clear she wanted to be his wife. He’d been flattered, but he couldn’t see himself with her. A farmer needed a woman of strong constitution to survive that lifestyle. Leah could, but she didn’t want to. Annabelle wouldn’t survive a day.
Would the women who responded to his advertisement be able to? It was something he needed to make sure of before he sent for any of them. Good thing he hadn’t sent that letter off to Miss Raquel Tobias yet. It sounded like she lived in comfort. What if she was a frail, delicate woman? That wouldn’t do at all.
Jake hurried through his lunch of roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy and apple pie. The best thing he could do was to get away from Annabelle, who kept coming by in between customers and flirting with him. Normally he was a slow eater, but this time he devoured his meal within minutes, paid his bill and excused himself. He all but ran from the place and to the wagon, thanking God he was able to get away.
Back at the Bowens’ place, he hopped down from the wagon just as Leah stepped off Haydon’s porch. She looked his way and gave him an exuberant wave, warming his heart with her sweetness. If only he didn’t have to give her the letter that might very well take her away from him. But he did. He motioned for her to join him.
Her smile reached him before she did. “Hi, Jake. Did you need something?”
“Yep. The postmaster gave this to me.” He handed her Mr. Barrington’s letter.
Without looking at it she tilted her head, then gazed up at him with a frown. “Why would he give you my mail without my consent? Not that I mind or anything, but I’m curious.”
“Haydon asked me to get the ranch’s mail.”
“Oh, I see.” Leah’s focus shifted to the letter. “Oh my, Jake. It’s from Mr. Barrington.”
He already knew that, but it wouldn’t do any good to tell her that. “Didn’t you just write him a few days ago?”
“Yes.” She did a quick hop of excitement. “It must be good news for him to have written back so quickly, don’t you think?”
Now it was Jake’s turn to frown. Barrington wouldn’t have gotten her post already. Curious about what it said, he hoped Leah would share it with him. Then, as if she’d read his thoughts, she tore open the letter and read it aloud.
Dear Miss Bowen,
Forgive me my impatience, but I could not wait to see if you would respond to my post. I had to meet the woman who has intrigued me. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of booking tickets on the train forthwith. My sister Elizabeth and I will be arriving at Paradise Haven, if my calculations are correct, within a day or two after you receive this post. Please do not trouble yourself to make accommodations for us as we will book rooms in the nearest hotel.
All I can hope for is that you are not yet attached. If you are, I, of course, will be disappointed, but my sister and I will then use this time to take in the countryside out West.
When we arrive, I will send word where we are staying. If you would like to meet me, then send word back with the carrier. If I have been too presumptuous, then inform the carrier that you do not wish to meet me, and Elizabeth and I will be on our way.
Sincerely,
Fitzwilliam Barrington
Leah studied the envelope. “Sweet twinkling stars above. Judging from the postmark, and if his calculations are correct, he’ll be here in three days. The fourth of June.” Leah slid her attention from the letter onto Jake. Joy, confusion and uncertainty crawled across her face.
“How do you feel about that?”
She looked around the yard with a blank expression before landing her attention back onto him. “I’m not sure. Of course, I’m excited and scared and apprehensive.” All the things he’d seen on her face. “What should I do, Jake?”
“What do you mean, what should you do?”
“I know he said I didn’t need to, but should I head into town and make accommodations for him and his sister? Should I invite them to stay here? Would Mother even allow such a thing? I mean, she did with Rainee, but that was differe
nt. Haydon had his own house.”
Why was she asking him? He didn’t know the answers. If he had his way, he’d advise her that as soon the carrier came she should tell him no.
“Oh, no.”
“What?”
“I haven’t even told Mother anything about him yet.”
“You haven’t?”
“No. I was waiting to hear back from him, then I was going to tell her. Of course, I’ve already been preparing for this day and made a couple of new dresses, but I had thought I would surely get into town for some more material to make at least one more dress before...”
New dresses? Jake was struggling to keep up with her. The topic had gone from what should she do to she hadn’t told her mother and then on to new dresses.
He glanced at her simple yellow garment. “Why’d you make new clothes? What’s wrong with the ones you have?”
She looked down at her dress as if seeing it for the first time. “What’s wrong with it? Everything is wrong with it. I need to go. I have to tell Mother.”
He’d never seen Leah this scatterbrained before. “Want me to go with you?”
She tilted her head and frowned.
“For moral support,” he clarified. “That’s what friends do.”
“Oh. Oh.” Understanding replaced the frown. “Of course. Moral support. Friends. Yes. Right.” She pressed her finger against her lips and her eyes glanced around before landing back on him. “No. No. I better not. As much as I would love for you to, I need to tell her myself. But thanks for the offer just the same.”
“You’re welcome.” He didn’t feel all that welcoming, however. Panic gripped him when he realized she really was about to walk out of his life. “Oh, Leah, before I forget. I know you’re gonna be busy with everything, but I was wondering something.”
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