by Tricia Goyer
Isaac faced the chubby, rosy-cheeked matron, her elegant purple city dress gathering dust that was carried in the breeze. His shoulders slumped. “Of course.” Even though he wished to search the passenger cars, just to make sure, he couldn’t refuse to help this woman.
“Oh dear,” the woman commented, more to herself than to him. “What is this place? Is this the depot? Where is the town? It is quite—primitive.”
Isaac walked to the conductor, who was helping the older man unload numerous trunks and valises onto the dirt.
“Sir.” Isaac grabbed a valise and shoved it under his arm. “Has anyone boarded here? A young woman?” Isaac grasped two more parcels in his hands.
“Well, now.” The woman’s husband twisted his curlicue mustache. “That’s just what we’d like to know. We’re looking for a Julia Cavanaugh. Have you seen her, my good man?”
Isaac gaped at the man, who was dressed in a black suit and white shirt with a beaver skin top hat as he’d seen in pictures of Abraham Lincoln. “You know Julia Cavanaugh?” He dropped the valises.
The woman jiggled over to him and thwacked his arm with the hooked handle of a purple and gray parasol. “I told you on the train. We came here to save her from a terrible gold miner.” She shuddered. “Weren’t you listening? Oh!” Her hand flew to her puffed red lips. “You’re not the gold miner, are you? I’m always getting myself into trouble with my blabbering words.” She eyed her husband, who gazed at her adoringly. “Though I don’t know why she wouldn’t want to marry you. My, but you’re a handsome one.”
Despite his anxiety over finding Julia, a laugh escaped Isaac’s lips. “I’m not the gold miner. I’m Parson Isaac Shepherd.” He removed his hat and offered his hand to shake.
“Mrs. Gaffin.” She took his hand in her flimsy one. “It’s nice to make your acquaintance. And this is my husband, Henry Gaffin.”
“Very well.”
Isaac ran his fingers through his hair, and suddenly it struck him who these people were. This was the woman who took Julia in after her parents died—something he should thank her for. She was also the woman who promised Julia to Horace as his bride—something he didn’t understand yet didn’t have the time to figure out. “I’ve heard so much about you, Mrs. Gaffin. Julia expressed her gratitude for your care on several occasions.”
A huge grin spread across the woman’s face. “So you know Julia that well, do you?”
Isaac didn’t bother hiding his feelings. “Yes, I’m very fond of her.” He grinned at his cool understatement, so inadequate for the deep emotion he felt. “In fact, I came here to try to stop her from returning to New York.”
Mrs. Gaffin squeaked with joy. “So my Julia’s going to get married, after all! Oh, I just knew the West was the place for her.” Her eyes fluttered to her husband, and she clapped her gloved hands together.
“You did well, my love.” Mr. Gaffin stroked her cheek with his finger. “Very well.”
A hawk circled overhead, and Mrs. Gaffin lifted her head. A wagon with a team of horses trotted up, and a scraggly cowboy lifted his hat at a woman with her three children who’d also disembarked from the train.
“Oh my, but this is a wild place, isn’t it?”
Isaac raised his eyebrows and returned to the conversation about Julia. “There is a problem, ma’am. I don’t know if Julia shares my feelings. That’s why I had to hurry here. To find out.”
“Oh, don’t be silly. I’m sure she does. She has good taste and is quite smart, too.” Mrs. Gaffin beamed. “Now the only problem is to get you two love puppies together.”
“Yes. Very well.” Mr. Gaffin slipped a pocket watch from his black overcoat, checked the time, and then replaced it. “Four o’clock,” he said randomly. “Do you know where the young lady might be?”
The train began rumbling, its smoke shooting high into the sky.
Isaac shook his head. “I don’t know. I thought she’d be here. I’d be happy to take you to my family’s ranch out in Lonesome Prairie. There’s a Fourth of July picnic. I can’t imagine where else she’d be, and if she’s not there, perhaps my sisters know her whereabouts.”
Even as he said the words, the muscles in his stomach tightened. He’d been gone for weeks and hadn’t heard a thing. What if she’d found a way to leave earlier?
“Wonderful.” Mrs. Gaffin clapped her hands. “I’m so thankful you know where to take us. Heaven knows I’d have had no idea where to look. I’d never thought of that. It’s a big place, you know.”
They managed to heave the luggage into the small depot, and then Isaac tramped off to the livery stable to rent a wagon since no hired drivers waited at the depot today. After getting the two city folks checked into The Spokane House, the three of them headed out to the ranch.
Lord, please let Julia be there, Isaac prayed. Help me find her, and when I do, give me the words to show my love. And whatever happens, help me to trust You.
“All right, Joshua,” Julia called to the five-year-old towhead. “Your turn.”
On the makeshift pitcher’s mound in the field below the ranch, Julia waited for Miriam’s second-youngest son to take the plate.
Upon arriving home, they’d settled Miriam and the baby into the house. After that, Julia had joined the other homesteaders as they gathered for the day’s festivities at Lonesome Lake. The first order of business had been for her and Sarah to search for Horace. Not finding him, Sarah had wandered down to the lake to listen to the brass band assembled for the occasion.
Although the music was wonderful, Julia instead rounded up the children for a game of baseball. She couldn’t help but smile as she taught them the basics of the game. I’ll be here to see them grow up. I’m not leaving them. This is my community now.
People from the ranches all around Lonesome Prairie and the neighboring townships had gathered near the lake. Now they milled about eating fried chicken, roast quail on sticks, pies, and cakes. One family even donated a fruitcake saved all the way from Pittsburgh. In about an hour the bronco riding would begin. Julia grinned. Finally she’d see a real live Wild West rodeo.
With the tune of “The Old Folks at Home” playing in the background, Josh pressed the bat on his shoulder and squirmed his bum, ready for the pitch. Julia lobbed it toward him. To her surprise, the youngster made contact, and the leather-stitched ball popped over her head.
“Run, Josh!”
The boy let out a whoop then set off toward first.
Shelby, perched at second base, fumbled, letting the ball drop to the ground.
Reaching the base, which was an old scrap of leather, the boy raised his hands in triumph.
Julia’s jaw dropped at Shelby’s uncharacteristic error, and she placed a hand on her hip as she turned to the girl. Shelby winked, letting Julia know she’d done it on purpose so that her cousin could make a single.
“Nice one, Josh.” Shelby picked up the ball and tossed it to Julia.
“Who’s next to bat?” she asked, swiveling around.
“I am.” It was a man’s voice. A voice that sent Julia’s heart straight to her toes. She froze and eyed Shelby, who covered her mouth and giggled. Julia gaped at the young girl, longing for help, but she didn’t know what type of help she needed. Maybe some way to protect my heart…
“It’s him. Look, Julia!” Shelby called, to Julia’s utter embarrassment.
Julia slowly rotated toward the plate, and there, holding the bat over his shoulder, stood Isaac. Seeing his sturdy build, his mouth curved in a smile, and his kind dark-brown eyes made her chest constrict, as if it were trying to hold in the flurry of emotions she felt for him.
She bit her lip, realizing that would be impossible. It was as if no time had passed since that night they’d found Bea together. Despite the hurt of the last weeks, she longed to be near him, to support and encourage him…to love him.
She sighed, knowing this was not to be. She jutted out her chin and squared her shoulders. “Hello, Isaac.” As hard as it was to keep
her legs from running to him, she shuffled her feet and smiled warmly. “Welcome back.”
Isaac winked at her, and a chill sent goosebumps to her arms. “Pitch me a fast one.”
She stood up tall, holding the ball to her chest. “You sure you’re ready?”
Isaac’s face brightened with a smile, making the lines in his cheeks form long creases. “Oh yeah.” He brushed his boot against the dirt. “Go ahead.”
Julia lifted her chin. “I should warn you. I’ve pitched ball in the streets of New York City since I was eight.”
Isaac’s brow wrinkled. “You think I’m afraid?”
In place of an answer, Julia hurled the ball as hard as she could. Isaac swung but missed, the thrust of his swing making him stumble and lose the bat. The team lacked a catcher, so the ball sailed into the field behind him.
The children chortled as Isaac regained his stance. And Julia treasured the humble way he laughed along with them. “Y’all like to see your parson make a right fool of himself, don’t you?”
Joshua abandoned first base and scurried to Isaac. “You almost fell right down on your rump, Uncle Ike.” He poked Isaac in his mid-section.
Isaac stumbled then purposely plopped down in the dirt.
Joshua held his tummy and giggled.
“You’ve got a mighty powerful finger there. Let me see it.”
Joshua showed him his finger, which Isaac perused with awe.
“You be careful with that thing. You’ll be knocking folks down all over the country.”
Joshua’s eyes opened wide. “Aw, Uncle Ike.”
Isaac stood and brushed off the dust. “All right. You young ones better fetch the ball.” He spoke with his gaze fixed on Julia, his mouth holding an awkward smile.
A handful of the players scampered past him, but Isaac paced toward Julia.
“That’s one fast pitch.” He reached her and stopped, his eyes locking with hers.
Julia’s heart pounded as he drew closer. She brushed her hair from her eyes. “I warned you.” She folded her arms.
“You did.”
A quiet moment passed between them, and Isaac’s gaze held Julia’s. She wanted to ask him what he was doing. Why he was paying attention to her. But the children circled around them, their voices rising like a cawing of a dozen crows.
“Is it my turn to bat?”
“No. You already had a turn.”
“Miss Cavanaugh, can you show me how you threw that so fast?”
“I think the parson needs to try again. It’s three strikes before you’re out.”
“C’mon, Miss Cavanaugh.” Christopher grabbed the bat as he twitched his hair back. “I’ll hit it all the way to the lake.”
Johannah ran up from behind the others, ball in hand, and tossed it to Julia.
Isaac gently removed it from her hand. “Shelby?” He stepped toward the girl. “You know how to pitch? I have something I need to show Miss Cavanaugh.”
Shelby snickered and walked to the mound. Taking the ball from Julia, she gave her a knowing smile.
Unable to contain herself, Julia stuck out her tongue. Then she held in a chuckle as she noticed Isaac’s eyes on her. Her face warmed at his laughter.
“You ready?” Isaac offered his arm, and his eyes softened. “If you don’t mind.” His voice suddenly sounded thick, earnest.
Julia looked into his face, searching for meaning. She longed to know his thoughts, his feelings. Hers were so strong, she was sure they were plain on her face. He must be able to notice her awkward movements and quick breaths.
She cautiously looped her hand around his muscular arm, and she felt his body relax. He escorted her toward the house.
“Isaac.” She slanted her head toward him as they walked. “What is this about?”
Isaac kept his eyes focused in front of him, but Julia saw the corner of his mouth tweak upward. “You’ll see.”
They approached the house, where several food tables were set up out back as they’d been on the night of Isaac’s birthday party. The firepit was lit, and the smoky scent of roasting buffalo meat made Julia’s stomach stir in hunger.
A group of people lingered around the tables, talking as they nibbled, and above the clamor Julia heard her name.
“Miss Cav’naw!” Bea’s voice hailed.
Julia’s eyes searched low for a toddler scrambling toward her, but she didn’t find the gold-haired bundle of joy.
Isaac raised Julia’s chin with his thumb, and his touch sent a gush of warmth through her. Glancing ahead, she spied Bea—her arms stretched out and a big smile on her face—in the arms of Mrs. Gaffin.
Julia’s heart danced at the sight of the one person who knew her better than any other.
“My dear girl!” Mrs. Gaffin wrapped her thick arms around Julia, squishing the little girl between them. Bea wiggled down and clasped Isaac’s leg. Julia felt her body relax as she breathed in Mrs. Gaffin’s familiar scent of rosewater, and she relished the comfort of her headmistress’s embrace.
Julia stepped back and gazed at the woman, taking in the sight of her cheery eyes, her plump cheeks, her wayward brown hair.
“My dear, sweet Julia.” Mrs. Gaffin dabbed tears from her eyes. “It’s so good to see you. How I’ve missed you. And my sweet girl, I’m so sorry for putting you in such a predicament. What was I thinking?”
Julia patted the woman’s shoulder, knowing she always meant well. “What are you doing here?”
Mr. Gaffin tweaked his mustache. “My dear wife has the most outrageous ideas, you see,” he interjected. “Well, you tell her, my dear.”
Julia watched Isaac scoop Bea into his arms. He raked his fingers through her curls as he stood next to Julia.
Mrs. Gaffin’s excited laugh exploded from her lips, and a surge of joy spread through Julia at the remembrance of that happy sound. But it was quickly followed by a blow of anxiety. “Mrs. Gaffin.” Julia lowered her head. “What do you have planned?”
Mrs. Gaffin touched Julia’s face. “You’re worried, dear, aren’t you?” She glanced at Isaac. “No need. I told you in the letter about your new work opportunity? Well, I was thinking that before you came back, you, Mr. Gaffin, and I could go on an adventure out West. I’ve heard the parks out here are breathtaking. All my friends have already seen Yellowstone.” She slipped a gaze at Julia. “But none have gone so far as Puget Sound.” She grabbed Mr. Gaffin’s arm and yanked him toward her. “So you see, my dear, if you want to come with us, you are welcome.” Julia’s headmistress glanced at Isaac again, and this time she added a wink.
Julia eyed her suspiciously. Why the attention to Isaac?
As the sounds of the community she loved echoed in her ears, Julia gazed at Mrs. Gaffin. A month ago she’d have jumped at the chance to be invited on such a trip, but as much as she loved Mrs. Gaffin, everything had changed in the last month. She’d changed.
Julia gripped Mrs. Gaffin’s hands in hers, her heart heavy to have to disappoint the woman she so adored. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Gaffin. You know I love you very much, and I truly appreciate your coming all this way, but I can’t go with you, not on your adventure—or back to New York.” She glanced at Bea in Isaac’s arms. “This is my home now.”
To Julia’s surprise, Mrs. Gaffin laughed and threw her arms around Isaac in a tight embrace. “Congratulations, my boy!” She took Bea back into her arms.
Then Mr. Gaffin shook his hand. “Very well, my good man.”
Julia’s mind tangled in confusion. “What’s going on?” She grabbed Mrs. Gaffin’s arm. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Mrs. Gaffin patted Julia’s hand. “Don’t ask me, sweetie.” She dipped her head toward Isaac.
Julia glanced at him. Isaac’s face glowed with an endearing smile as he slowly stepped toward her. The Gaffins and everyone else seemed to disappear into a haze as his gaze intertwined with hers. Julia’s chest throbbed as her heart hammered its speeding beat.
“Julia, I—well, I have so much to say to you
.” Isaac took in a breath. His gaze left hers momentarily as he skimmed over the prairie, landing down by the lake. “Will you go on a walk with me?”
Joyful expectation brimmed in Julia’s heart, but she tried to push it away. This man, this incredible man—he couldn’t be planning to say the words she longed to hear. Words of affection, admiration, love. But if those feelings did brew in him…
A thrill of hope rushed over her like the prairie wind. She slowly studied his eyes and then nodded. “Yes, I’ll go on a walk with you.”
And for the second time that day, Julia accepted the arm he offered to her.
Chapter Thirty-Four
The warmth of Julia’s hand on Isaac’s arm was like a deposit of hope. Hope that he’d escort her to many picnics, country fairs, hoedowns, and weddings throughout the span of years he prayed they would share together. His heartbeat paced expectantly as he reveled in her strong yet feminine frame ambling beside him, her wavy, sun-dappled hair twisted in a bun, her brown eyes holding questions he longed to answer.
“You look beautiful today.” He gazed at her as they passed alongside the baseball field and headed down toward the lake. Isaac spotted a hint of pink flush Julia’s cheeks.
“Thank you.” Her eyebrows scrunched in perplexed lines, but her lips formed a smile.
He glanced toward the rodeo arena set up for the day, where a crowd was gathering for the greased swine competition.
“Are you going to try that?” Julia asked.
Isaac enjoyed her mischievous grin. “Maybe. I won last year, you know.”
Julia twisted her head, her eyes narrowed in rebuke. “You’re not fooling me again. I don’t believe you for a minute.”
Isaac grinned. “You got me. I did try it once, though, over in St. Louis when I was about ten years old.”
Julia chuckled. “I can just imagine. Did the pig survive?”
“Well, yeah, he survived my attempt at him, at least. The question is, how did I survive.”
They reached the lake, and the band’s music grew louder. Isaac raised his voice as he led her toward the west side, where a wood-planked white bridge had been set up as a station to award prizes at the end of the day.