Margaret grabbed the boy and led him out of the room as the newly married couple ran inside.
James took off his coat. “I need soap and water.”
Li went to Bridgette and held her wrist. “Good. The baby will be here soon.” She lightly brushed her hand over Bridgette’s brow.
James dried his hands. “Did you send for Philip?”
Jericho nodded. “Yes, Riley went. He left maybe three hours ago.”
Li brought over some towels and sheets and draped a sheet over Bridgette’s legs. “Ready James.”
“Let’s see where this baby is.” He looked under the sheet. “Bridgette, I need you to push.”
Li went to her and helped her sit up. “Push.”
Jericho looked at Bridgette. “Push.” She really didn’t understand, but she wanted to encourage Bridgette.
“Stop!”
Li laid Bridgette down gently. “Easy. You can push when he says to.”
Bridgette groaned. “Get the baby out.”
Jericho paced and was surprised to see that she was panting as she nervously walked around the room.
James nodded to Li. “Push.”
Li again held Bridgette up. “Push now. Real hard.”
“Here it comes. One more big push.”
Bridgette pushed, screamed, and lay back.
James held up the baby, tapped her little behind, and smiled. “You have a beautiful little daughter.”
The baby cried until she was cleaned and put in Bridgette’s arms.
“Oh, my sweet baby. What a beautiful little girl. Now, we have to name you.” Bridgette kissed her baby. “I’ve always liked the name Charlotte. Sterling can come up with the middle name.”
“Did I hear my name.” Sterling stood in the doorway. “Who do I see that has graced us with her presence?”
Bridgette grinned. “Perfect. Meet your daughter, Charlotte Grace.”
Sterling kissed his wife. “You’re both beautiful. Never have you looked more so than at this moment.”
She held his hand. “I’m so happy I want to cry.”
Margaret came and took the bloody sheet from James. He followed and carried the basin of water.
Jericho felt as if she were intruding and followed the others out of the room.
The two boys stood by the door. Their eyes were big. “What is it?”
Jericho hugged them. “You two have a baby sister. Charlotte Grace.
Tony smiled.
Federico grinned. “Can we go see?”
Jericho opened the door a crack. “Is Charlotte ready to see her brothers?”
Sterling turned. “Yes, come in, boys.”
The two youngsters ran into the room to stand by their father.
Jericho shut the door and tried to remember any sweet memories of her mother and father, but there were none. How her life would have been different if her mother had lived and her father hadn’t fallen into drinking.
She said a quick prayer for baby Charlotte. That her life would never take the dark turns that hers had. That she would have a blessed life with all the goodness anyone could desire.
Jericho stared at the sunset as it displayed God’s glory as if all of creation was celebrating the birth of the baby. As Jericho stared at the scene and thought of the wonder of the baby’s birth, a stirring warmed her heart.
“If only, I could be born again.” Jericho dreamed of a perfect life. A mother who lived. A father that loved her and protected her. A life where Jericho wasn’t—
She stopped her dream. That wasn’t her life. She would have to deal with the cards that had been dealt her. That’s what her father had taught her. That was her reality.
Chapter 13
Del met with Drake and discussed building his saloon. That it had to be sitting on the line to the city, made him question how legitimate it was going to be. On the other hand, the amount of money he was going to make would set him up for a year.
Perfect, to have the extra money to help Jay with the sawmill and get it going. Plus, he could make the bid for the cost of lumber now and save money when the mill could provide the lumber at a much lower price.
With a slight smile, Del thought of the money he’d make while to a small degree putting one over on the gambler. That Drake was a slick customer, Del had no doubt. So, it made the bid even more thrilling, knowing he could save off the lumber.
But then Del couldn’t ignore the warning in the back of his mind that Drake had something up his sleeve. The first thing he’d do before signing anything would be to talk to Levi and see if the sheriff had anything on this guy.
Del handed the plans back to him. “When did you want to start?”
“I was thinking after June. No sense fighting the harsh weather.” Drake twirled his pocket watch and stared at him with dark eyes. “The real question is, do you think you can handle it?”
Del nodded. He actually did have the confidence he could build the saloon. It would challenge him, but he could see it in his mind. A gift, the warden had said after he designed and built the barracks.
Drake grinned. “I’m looking for good men and women to run my enterprise. Are you interested? I also need beautiful women to host men. If you know of any, send them my way.” He didn’t wait for an answer but walked out of Del’s shop and into the streets as if he owned them.
A cold blast of air blew in as he left. The weather was turning. That meant snow, and that meant slower business days. That Drake had money dripped all over him. But then again, Del had known men who appeared one way but in reality, were the opposite.
He wasn’t going to do a thing for Drake unless he got some money upfront. At least enough to cover the cost of the material. Del’s thoughts drifted to Jericho. He hoped she didn’t meet up with the gambler. That man would hire her for sure. Then she’d be back in the lifestyle she said she’d left.
As long as Jericho stayed with Bridgette, she’d be all right. Maybe Bridgette could find her a decent man that wouldn’t mind her past. Del knew for sure, it wasn’t him. He’d worked too hard to clear his own name and make himself a decent citizen to let it all go by marrying a soiled dove.
He finished the second chair for Bridgette and wrapped them for delivery. With a groan, he knew he had to take them out to her house. That and the cradle that Sterling had ordered him to make for the baby.
Del smiled. A little girl. Bridgette had been sure it was a boy, but Sterling had always said he thought it was a girl. For once, Sterling was right. Del laughed. That Bridgette, she was a force. He wondered how she’d do with a baby to care for.
Then again, knowing that woman, she could probably still handle the Bounty Brigade and her matchmaking scheme with six children at her side. He glanced outside to see darker clouds to the north.
He better hurry. He needed the money for the finished goods. The gambler hadn’t promised any money soon, so Del still had to make money to pay the bills. He had one extra chair that he’d drop off at the general store.
The banker had come in and given him an order for a table and six chairs. Del was thankful for the business. So far, everyone seemed to be helping him and no one brought up his past.
Too bad Jericho wasn’t so fortunate.
He ran to the livery and rented a wagon, drove back to his shop and loaded the chairs and cradle, and then grabbed his coat to deliver the goods to the Merritts. He would have given them to the mayor, but he was staying home with Bridgette and the baby for the rest of the week.
Del loaded the goods and covered them the best he could. With a warning glance at the clouds, he climbed in the wagon and took up the reins. “Go horses.” Del left Shirleyville with a mix of excitement at delivering his finished product and dread at seeing Jericho.
Then again, Jericho knew her place. She’d known right off that she needed to tell him what she’d been. Knew it wouldn’t work out. He put Jericho out of his mind and tried to think of the other women Levi had mentioned.
Francesca seemed out of his
league. Too fancy and high and mighty. Not to mention she was liable to hold his past over his head. He could see that in the woman. That Francesca was a gossip, and that also bothered him. Life was hard enough without neighbors who felt it their duty to spread the dirt, real and imagined, about others through the town.
Del decided that perhaps the best thing would be to send off for another mail-order bride. But then how could he know that he wouldn’t get the same?
“Work hard.” He could still hear the warden’s last words to him. “Don’t worry about anything, just work hard.” Del grinned and slapped the reins to hurry the horses. “That’s what he’d do for now.”
He drove the horses onward while watching the clouds to the north. They built onto one another, pushed together by the warm southern breezes. But Del knew that soon the dark blue clouds from the north would push down and spew cold ice and snow. They were due for a spring blizzard.
“Up horses, we need to deliver this stuff and leave before the snow.” He slapped the reins to hurry them along. The temperature was still warm, but every now and then, a cold gust would warn that the snow was coming.
He hoped that Jericho would be busy. He didn’t want to see her. He didn’t trust himself to blurt out that she could get a job with Drake at the new saloon. Just to hurt her. The raw anger of her betrayal or at least lie still made his heart race and his ire to rise. He tried to get her out of his mind. But he didn’t really want to hurt her.
Jay, he’d think of his brother. Del had received a letter from him. A few more months, and he’d be free. He told how he’d learned his lesson and wasn’t going to punch anyone. Del was glad to hear that but would hold his judgment until after he saw Jay.
His brother had promised numerous times to stop his thieving ways, but it wouldn’t take long, and Jay would be going the easy way out and stealing from someone. Del thought back to his parents.
Hard-working. They never had a thing, but they’d never resorted to stealing either. It was Del’s uncle’s kid who started them on the wrong road. Yet, that was all it took. One simple nudge down the wrong way, and both he and his brother were hooked.
“Not any longer.” Del’s thoughts went to the gambler. Peter Drake was another one on the easy road to perdition. Why would he want to help that man? Money. Wasn’t that always the answer that got him into trouble?
A gust of wind blew cold air over him. He buttoned his jacket and urged the horses on. The sooner he got to Bridgette’s, the better.
It was another hour before he turned down the road to their house. Tiny flakes of snow fluttered in the wind. It was a good thing he’d covered the items. Del drove to the front of the house and stopped the horses.
They were prancing and snorting from the growing cold and snow. Del tied them to the rail and took the cradle and went to the porch and knocked.
An older woman answered the door. “Yes?”
“I’m Del Selmer. I have two chairs and a cradle for the Merritts.”
Her face brightened. “Come in out of that cold.” She turned. “Mr. Merritt, the man with the cradle, is here.”
Sterling came from another room and smiled. “Del, so glad you made it. I really didn’t mean for you to have to drive out on a day like this.”
Del handed him the cradle. “I hope you like it. I made the roses like you suggested.”
Sterling unwrapped it. “It’s beautiful. Just like I imagined it. I can’t wait to show it to Charlotte Grace.” He looked up at Del. “Wait until you see her. She’s as beautiful as her mother.”
“I bet she is.”
“Come on, I want Bridgette to see it.” Sterling led him down the hall and knocked on the door. “Can I come in with a visitor?”
“Yes, dear. Your wonderful daughter ate her breakfast and is ready to see her daddy.”
Sterling opened the door and carried the cradle to Bridgette. He turned and waved Del into the room.
Bridgette was sitting up in bed, holding her baby. “Oh, Del, the cradle is perfect. Look Charlotte, see what your daddy bought you.”
Del gazed at the infant. So tender and pure. “She’s perfect, Bridgette.”
“Isn’t she. I’ve never been so happy.” Bridgette looked at him. “You haven’t changed your mind?”
He shook his head.
“Jericho is here if you want to see her.”
Sterling cleared his throat. “No matchmaking for you. Your job is taking care of Charlotte.”
“I know. But—”
“No, buts.” Sterling gave her a stern look.
Del grinned. He didn’t give Bridgette but a few weeks to a month at the most to stay in bed and out of trouble. “I have the chairs, too. I’ll go get them.”
Sterling nodded. “Do you need help?”
“No, I can bring them in myself.” Del left the happy family and went outside. The snow came down in bigger flakes now and covered the road. He better hurry so he could get back to town in time.
He’d just brought in the last chair when Jericho walked into the room.
She stopped as if she wasn’t sure what she should do.
Del nodded at her. “Jericho. You look good.”
“The chairs are beautiful.”
“Sterling had me make a cradle too. It’s in the room already.”
Jericho rubbed a hand over the chair. “You do excellent work.” She looked up at him and smiled. “Your business will be prosperous.”
“Thank you. I hope so.” As he stared at her, the old feelings ignited. He still loved her. But thinking of Charlotte Grace, Del knew he couldn’t give himself over to a tainted woman. He owed his future children more than that. “I better go before the weather snows me in.”
Sterling came out. “Nice work on the chairs. Have you received more orders?”
“Yes, I have.” Sterling pointed outside. “I better leave while I can.”
“I don’t know, Del. It’s looks pretty bad out there. Riley said he thought it would be a whiteout before the day was over. It’s a two-hour drive back to town on a good day. I’d feel better if you stayed. We have plenty of room.”
Del looked outside. The man was right. What had been flurries had changed to high winds blowing snow sideways, and drifts had started accumulating.
“I think you might be right. I’ll go put the horses up.”
Sterling nodded. “I’ll help. At this rate, just getting to the barn and back will be rough.”
Del put on his coat and went outside and was met by the brutal cold. He had to stay. It took him several attempts to untie the frozen rope. Shivering, he finally freed the horses and led them to the barn.
Sterling met him halfway to the barn. “You need to get one of those fleece-lined coats that Darcy and her mother make. The judge was right when he said the Howards could raise sheep in the valley.
“I think you’re right. As soon as I save up some money, I’ll get one.”
By the time they got the horses in stalls and fed and watered, the snow made seeing the house difficult.
Del closed the barn door behind him. “Thank you for convincing me to stay.”
“This kind of weather is deadly. Some ranchers freeze just trying to care for the stock in the barn.” Sterling went back in the barn and came out with a rope. “This should reach to the house.”
Del nodded and followed Sterling while helping him string out the rope and secure it to the porch of the house. The snow was blinding white and blowing so hard in the wind that it made it impossible to see anything.
“Glad you knew the way to your house.”
Sterling laughed. “I agree. This is no weather to be playing around in. I hope the town is safe.”
“How long do you think it will last?”
“No telling. I hope it stops by tomorrow. We have plenty of food, I just worry about the town. There are those around who aren’t as secure. We might need to get out and help them.”
Del nodded. “I’ll do what I can.”
“Good.
I’m sure we’ll need help. I’ll get Margaret to make some extra bread and stew that we can take to those less fortunate. That’s one thing I’d like to do for our town and surrounding ranches. Make some kind of group that can help others. The church tries, but it’s only one pastor. We have a town of people that can help if they want to.”
Del felt a warmth in his heart thinking about being able to help others. “I like that idea, Mayor. Count me in.”
“I will.” Sterling finished securing the rope and stepped up to the porch. “Let’s get in and have some warm coffee. I don’t know about you, but I am chilled to the bone.”
Del followed him and felt secure inside where it was warm, and the smell of food wafted through the house. And Jericho was here.
Chapter 14
Del stayed the night and had a wonderful fun dinner with Sterling, the boys, and Jericho. She was quiet and stayed away from him. But he felt the same attraction for her as when they’d first met. If only he didn’t know about her past. If it had been anything else, they could have worked it out.
The next morning, he awoke, ate breakfast with Sterling, and then they went outside to check the weather. The sun was out, and the snow was already melting.
“I think you can leave this afternoon. Most of the snow should be gone by noon. These spring blizzards come up quick but leave just as fast.” Sterling picked up some snow, packed it into a ball, and threw it out in the yard.
“Thanks for letting me stay. “
“Think nothing of it.” Sterling faced him. “You and Jericho, is there any chance that you two can get along?”
Del leaned against the corral. “I don’t think so. I tried last night. I still like her, but I don’t think I could marry her.”
Sterling nodded. “I understand, but Bridgette might not. Don’t be surprised if she doesn’t pull some surprises on you. But I’ll try to convince her to leave it be.”
“Jericho is a wonderful woman. I’m sure someone will marry her.” Del picked at a dripping icicle but saw Sterling’s sly smile.
Sterling walked toward the back of the house. “Help me chop some wood. The pile is in the back.”
Jericho (Bridgette's Bridal Registry Book 1) Page 10