Joline's Redemption

by McDonough, Vickie;

  Phillip grinned. “You really don’t know?” He shot Jack a quick glance then focused on turning the team.

  “Know what?”

  “And Emily thought I was blind when it came to romance.” Shaking his head, Phillip chuckled softly. “That woman is in love with you.”

  Jack felt as if someone had walloped him in the chest with a fifty-pound bag of feed. Was that why Cora seemed to show up every time he stepped outside? Why she brought him goodies and wanted to spend time with him? He blew out a sigh.

  “It’s not a death sentence, you know. Unless you don’t feel the same.”

  He liked Cora—a lot—but did he love her? He wasn’t even sure what love felt like. The only people who’d ever loved him had been his family, but he ran away from them when the pain of what he’d done had become overwhelming. He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “I don’t have anything to give a woman. Don’t even have a house of my own.” He couldn’t tell the man that his job was in jeopardy, too. Nor could he talk about the restlessness he’d felt of late. There was something God wanted him to do, but he didn’t yet know what it was or where that task might take him. How could he commit to a woman with that hanging over his head?

  “A home is important, but your relationship with the woman is foremost. If you truly love her, you’ll find a way to make things work.”

  But did he love Cora? He did enjoy her cooking and appreciated her help with the boys. She was a good woman, whom any man should be proud to call his own, but was she the woman for him? And that remained the crux of the matter. He didn’t know.

  “Emily and I were dirt poor when we first started out. All we had was the homestead my uncle sold me the rights to. But now we have a nice house, a barn, and over a hundred head of cattle. We’re doing all right for ourselves—except that we haven’t been able to have children.”

  “I think you’ve solved that problem this weekend.”

  Phillip’s gaze shot to his. “Are you saying what I think you are?”

  Jack nodded. “I am.” He pointed to a light yellow house. “That’s the Sommerses’ house.”

  A wide grin spread across Phillip’s face as he slowed the wagon in front of Cora’s home. “Whoa, Fred. Sadie.”

  Jack tied the team to the hitching post while Phillip helped Emily and Lee from the buggy. Nick hopped out on his own. Jack winked at him, but the boy’s expression remained sober. He was smart enough to know what was happening. Maybe he needed to have a talk with the boy.

  After he knocked, Cora opened the door, her wide smile welcoming. “Come in, everyone. We’re excited to have all y’all join us.”

  Jack stood back to allow the McGradys to enter with the boys; then he followed, locking eyes with Cora. She flashed him a special smile, which sent his innards into turmoil. “Cora.” He removed his hat. “It was good of you to invite us for dinner.”

  “Mama suggested it when I told her what you told me this morning about”—she glanced toward the others—“you know.”

  “Still, I do appreciate it.”

  She closed the door and shifted into hostess mode. She approached the McGradys. “In case you don’t remember, I’m Cora Sommers.”

  Cora’s mother glided out the dining room door. “Welcome to our home. Dinner is ready, so let’s move into the dining room.”

  Lee gazed up at Mrs. McGrady then slid his hand into hers. Nick frowned, crossing his arms, but he didn’t say anything.

  “Something sure smells delicious.” Mr. McGrady held out his arm, and his wife looped hers through it. Then he looked down at Nick. “Would you like to go first?”

  The boy’s solemn expression turned to surprise, but he nodded and followed Mrs. Sommers into the dining room. He started to sit but then pulled out a chair and shyly smiled at Emily.

  “Why, thank you, Nick. What a gentleman you are.”

  Nick took the chair next to hers, his cheeks red.

  Lee scrambled into the chair to Emily’s left, leaving Mr. McGrady the chair at the end. By his pleased expression, Jack doubted the man minded sharing his wife. He stood behind a chair on the far side of the table, waiting for the women. Mr. Sommers moseyed in from the kitchen, carrying a platter heaped with sliced ham, and greeted everyone. Jack’s mouth watered. Most Sundays, he was invited to the homes of his parishioners and enjoyed a wholesome meal, but the rest of the week, he had to endure his own cooking. A man could only tolerate so many meals of brown beans and burned corn bread.

  As the meal progressed, Jack learned more about the McGrady family as Cora and Mrs. Sommers guided the conversation, and the more he heard, the more he felt at peace with the couple taking the boys. God had been faithful to answer his desperate prayers by supplying a kindhearted Christian family as parents for the Beatty boys.

  Emily sliced Lee’s meat for him and wiped his face a time or two and engaged Nick in conversation. The boy’s eyes lit up when he learned they had horses on their small ranch, although Lee was more impressed with the fact that the McGradys had two dogs and three barn cats.

  After dinner, Jack took a walk with Phillip and Nick while the women entertained Mrs. McGrady. Lee remained behind, asleep with his head on Emily’s lap.

  As soon as they were clear of the house, Nick looked up at Phillip. “You came for us, didn’t you?”

  Phillip stopped suddenly and nodded. “We were hoping that you boys would still be unclaimed and that you might like us and want to come home with us.”

  Nick scowled. “How come you don’t got no kids of your own?”

  Jack touched the boy’s shoulder. “That’s a rather personal question.”

  Phillip held up a hand. “It’s a fair one, given the circumstances, and I don’t mind answering it. My Emily has not been able to have children. We’ve longed for some for years, but God hasn’t seen fit to bless us. I think maybe He had other plans.”

  “You mean like me and Lee?”

  “Yes. We’d be good to you boys, and I would expect you to be kind to Emily. She’s a sweet woman with a big heart. I think she’s already falling in love with you and your brother. I don’t want to see her get hurt.”

  “I wouldn’t hurt her. I can tell Lee already likes her … and, well … I reckon I do, too.” The boy shrugged. “Been a long while since we had a ma.”

  Jack bent to look Nick in the face. “So are you saying you want to go home with the McGradys? It’s your choice to make. No one is going to force you to go if you don’t desire to, but you understand that I can’t keep you, even if I’d like to.”

  Nick studied Jack then Phillip and nodded. “I guess so.”

  “You guess you want to go with them?” Jack asked. “It’s a big decision, and you need to know for sure.”

  Nick looked up at Phillip. “Can I have a horse of my own?”

  Phillip looked to be fighting a grin. “Every man who works on a ranch needs his own horse. But first, I expect you to go to school and get an education. It’s important that you know how to read and cipher. You need those skills to run a ranch, and mine will be yours and Lee’s one day, if you decide you want us for your parents. But a horse shouldn’t be the basis for your decision.”

  “I know. I think y’all will be good to us and treat us fairly.”

  “We will.” Phillip grinned. “So, you’ve made the decision, then? Do you want to come home with Emily and me and be a family?”

  Nick nodded. “Can I still remind Lee about our other family? I’d hate for him to forget.”

  “Of course you can. We’ll always be grateful to your parents for having you.”

  Nick blew out a loud sigh. “All right. We’ll go with you.”

  Phillip stuck out his hand, and Nick shook it. The boy finally grinned.

  Jack fully relaxed for the first time since meeting Mr. Beatty.

  Less than an hour later, Jack and Cora waved good-bye to the new family. She turned toward him. “I think they’ll be happy together. Did you see how Lee couldn’t take his eyes off E
mily?”

  “I did. And it was nice of Phillip to allow Nick to drive their surrey, even if it’s for a short while.”

  “So, what are you going to do now?”

  Jack frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “I suppose your place in the church is secure since you found a home for the boys.”

  Jack shrugged. “I reckon, but the fact that they were willing to boot me out for such a thing still bothers me.” He stared off down the road, unable to see the buggy any longer. “And I feel like there’s something God wants me to do, only I don’t know what it is.”

  Cora was quiet for a long while. “I think I might know.”

  His gaze shot to hers, hoping she wasn’t suggesting they marry. He couldn’t do that until he was certain of his feelings for her and he knew better what his future held. Her sad expression took him off guard. “What are you talking about?”

  She ducked her head, her hand going into her skirt pocket. “I should have given you this the day I found it, but I was … scared.”

  “Scared?”

  “Never mind.” She tugged out a scrap of newsprint and shoved it at him. “Here.”

  Curious, he unfolded the tiny paper and stared at an ad for horse liniment.

  “The other side.”

  He turned it over, and his eyes instantly latched onto his name. His heart jolted as he scanned the paper. Searching for Jack Jensen of Kansas. Living near Guthrie. Ask for us at post office. Lara and Jo.

  Chapter 15

  Jo stirred the peas on her plate as she waited for Jamie to eat his mashed potatoes. What was she going to do? Things had been going so well at the store, and then Mark had to go and ruin everything—again—and he wasn’t even in town yet. Worrying about Badger finding them was bad enough, but now she had to be concerned that Mark would learn she was at her sister’s and come looking for her.

  She mashed some peas with her fork and mixed them with a dab of potatoes then fed a bite to Jamie. The boy eagerly took it then frowned and spat it out. The glob ran down the towel she’d tied around his neck.

  “He not—uh … does not like peas.” Sarah fought back a smile. “He smart. You not trick him.”

  “You’re right. Maybe I need to smash them up better. He noticed the skins, I think.”

  “You’re not eating much. Aren’t you hungry?” Lara took a bite of stewed chicken.

  Jo shrugged. “I am, but I have a lot of things on my mind right now.”

  “What kind of things?” Lara lifted one brow at Michael. “It’s not polite to reach across the table, son. Ask for someone to pass something if it’s that far away.”

  Michael ducked his head. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Gabe pushed his plate back. “That was a fine meal, sweetheart.”

  He glanced at Sarah. “And thank you for your help with the meal, little lady.”

  Her cheeks turned a deep reddish brown, and she ducked her head. “I like to help Miss Lara.”

  Sarah’s speech was definitely improving. Either Lara was helping her or the girl was listening and trying to mimic them. Whichever, Jo was glad.

  “Sarah is quite the student.” Lara patted Sarah’s hand. “She is already reading short words.”

  Jo smiled at the girl. “That’s wonderful. I’m proud of you.”

  Sarah stared at her, and if Jo wasn’t mistaken, moisture dampened her eyes. Once again, Sarah looked at her lap. Had no one ever told her they were proud of her?

  “Before you know it, she’ll catch up with Michael.” Lara glanced at her son, as if the challenge might stimulate him to work harder.

  “Huh-uh.” He drew the syllables out to make one long word.

  “Huh-uh is not a word, son.” Gabe sat back in his chair.

  “You say it.”

  Gabe frowned. “I do?”

  Michael nodded.

  Gabe looked at Grandpa. “Is that true?”

  He made an exaggerated effort of rubbing his jaw and appearing to be thinking; then he grinned. “Uh-huh.”

  “Ha! Grandpa is old, and he still needs to work on his manners.”

  Everyone at the table chuckled at Michael’s observation. Jamie squealed, as if enjoying the light atmosphere. Jo smiled, but it did little to remove the heaviness from her spirit.

  “Guess we all need to work on that.” Gabe gently elbowed Michael. “I challenge you and Grandpa to a checkers game as soon as you’re finished eating. Whoever wins the most games is the winner.”

  “I’m done.” Michael shoved his plate away.

  “Finish your peas first.” Gabe pointed his fork at Michael.

  Jamie grunted and tugged at the towel tied around his neck, indicating he was done.

  “Looks like Jamie wants to play checkers, too,” Michael said.

  Grandpa pushed back his chair. “I’ll take the li’l squirt.”

  After wiping off her son’s face and hands, Jo lifted him up to Grandpa and watched them leave the room. She rose and started stacking the empty plates then carried them to the dry sink counter. She would actually miss her family when the time came for her to leave again. When she’d first run away from home, she’d been in such a foul mood that she hadn’t missed them in the least. Well, maybe Michael and Grandpa, but certainly not Lara or Gabe.

  Sarah scraped the plates into the slop bucket. “This is full. I will take it to the hog.”

  Once the kitchen door shut, Lara rounded on Jo. “What’s wrong? And don’t bother denying it. Ever since you got home from work, your lips have been puckered like a hem with the thread pulled too tight.” She crossed her arms. “Did Baron do something that upset you?”

  She didn’t want to answer, but she couldn’t let her sister think badly of Baron. “No, not at all. He’s always been a perfect gentleman.”

  Lara’s posture relaxed. “Well, I’m glad to hear that. So what is it that’s troubling you?”

  She set several cups on the counter then went back for more. Lara’s hand stopped her.

  “Sometimes it helps to share our problems. You’ve nothing to fear from me, Jo. I love you no matter what, and I always will.”

  Jo hung her head. She didn’t deserve that love. If only Lara knew how far she had fallen. She never would, not if Jo had her way, but still, maybe she could help with the current problem. She looked at her sister. “Baron got a telegram today stating that Mark was returning to Guthrie by the fourteenth.”

  Lara frowned. “So, that’s not good news?”

  Jo blew out a loud breath. “I knew you wouldn’t understand. Mark left me. He found out I was pregnant again, and instead of battering me so I’d lose the baby like he did with the others, he simply left town.”

  The color drained from Lara’s face. “Oh, Jo. I had no idea things were so bad for you. Why didn’t you come home?”

  “Because I couldn’t face you, especially with you and Gabe so happy.” She crossed her arms, wishing she hadn’t revealed so much. When people knew your weak points, they often used them against you.

  Lara pulled out the nearest chair and dropped into it. “I’m so sorry. What are you going to do?”

  “Stay here until he’s gone. I will not see him.”

  Fingering a frayed place on a napkin, Lara shot her a glance then looked away. “Did you … divorce him?”

  Jo sniffed a sarcastic laugh. That certainly wasn’t necessary. “No.”

  “So you’re still married to the man.”

  She hated seeing her sister hurting. Unsure what to do with the odd feelings, she pulled out a chair and sat. A part of her wanted to tell Lara everything. If she couldn’t tell her sister, who could she tell? And yet, some parts were too heinous for Lara to hear. “I have something to tell you, but it’s not easy to hear.” She drew in a strengthening breath. “I found out that the preacher Mark hired to marry us wasn’t a real one.”

  Lara sucked in a gasp. Jo could see her patching together what that meant. Tears glistened in Lara’s eyes, and she reached out and clasped Jo’s
hand. “I’m so sorry. I know how much you loved him.”

  “Thank you.” Jo tugged her hand free. “I’m not sure I really did love him. Oh, I was charmed by him and in love with the dream of marrying a handsome, well-to-do man, but I don’t know that I ever truly loved Mark.”

  “Your life must have been so hard after you found out.”

  “I didn’t find out until after he left town. The ‘preacher man’ found out Mark was gone and took delight in informing me of their little secret.”

  “You must have been devastated.”

  Jo nodded. “I was at first, but now I’m glad I was never truly married to the louse.”

  Lara was silent for a long while, and Jo could just imagine what she was thinking. “If you feel that having me stay here—a woman who had a child out of wedlock—will affect your reputation, we can leave.”

  Lara’s gaze shot up. “I won’t hear of it. You’re far more important to me than my reputation.”

  Touched by her sister’s passionate tone, she shook her head and fought not to show how much Lara’s confession meant to her, especially after all she’d done. “You have to think of your family.”

  “It’s nobody’s business who I host in my home, so get that thought out of your mind.”

  Jo nodded, unable to talk because of the tightness in her throat. She’d been so wrong about her sister in the past. Why hadn’t she noticed years ago? It would have saved her so much pain and sorrow. And to think how much she’d hurt her family. Footsteps sounded outside, signaling Sarah’s return. Jo jumped up. She had to get out of there before she started blubbering like a baby. “I … uh … need to check on Jamie.”

  “Just remember … you’re safe here. Gabe and I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  She nodded again and fled the room, but instead of heading to the parlor where the men and boys were, she turned and rushed up the stairs.

  Baron stared at the calendar. Today was Monday the seventeenth. The train on the fourteenth had come and gone, but Mark wasn’t on it. Had the telegram merely been a joke to rattle him, or was it for some other purpose? Or had something happened to his brother? Baron had waited at the depot until the train had prepared to depart again, but Mark did not get off.