His gaze locked on Phoebe’s and he nodded. Despite silly superstitions and the rampant lure of home brewed whiskey, with God’s help, he could stay in this backwoods hollow and make a good life for them and any children God decided to send.
Phoebe smiled and laid his hand back in his lap. “Then I accept your proposal, Jacob Wright. But we keep it secret for now. Even from my family. Viola has loose lips and will feel rejected by you. The news would be all over by daylight tomorrow.”
“Our secret it is.”
The blush returned to her cheeks and she rose. “I’ve got chores to do.”
“First, tell me why you headed to Dixon’s store so early this morning.”
She glanced around the room then bent to whisper in his ear. “I had an errand to run for Pa. I’ll tell you later. When no one’s around.”
“I hope so, Phoebe. I don’t want any more secrets between us.”
“I promise.” With a swish of her skirt, she headed back to the dishes.
Jacob sat and let his legs hang over the cot. A bullet graze shouldn’t be enough to keep a man down. There had to be something he could do around the place to help. Besides, he couldn’t keep an eye on his beautiful Irish hillbilly by lying around in bed. The thought of her wandering the countryside trying to put a stop to moonshiners sent a chill down his spine. They hadn’t killed anyone yet, and he didn’t want her to be the first.
“What are you doing out of bed?” Phoebe planted fists on her slender hips.
“I’m going to do something around here to earn my keep. I can at least help the little ones with their chores.” Jacob stood and balanced with one hand on a nearby chair. With a deep breath, he took a step then another. “See. Almost as good as new.”
Phoebe rolled her eyes. “Foolish man. Don’t let me stop you from doing something idiotic.”
Jacob laughed. “Okay, I won’t.” He shuffled to the front door and swung it open. His smile faded.
Eli Coffman frowned from the top step.
12
“You’re staying here?” Eli’s face turned the color of a ripe tomato. “I didn’t hurt you that bad.”
“Just for now, Eli.” Jacob stepped onto the porch. “At the Lillies’ request. The doctor said to take it easy because of the stitches.”
“Pshaw. Stitches ain’t nothing. You’re being a pansy. Ain’t fittin’ or fair that you stay here. How am I supposed to win Phoebe’s heart with you staying under the same roof? Plus, it don’t look right.”
Jacob laughed and leaned against the railing. “I think there are more than enough chaperones. What do you really want, Eli?”
“I came to apologize. In my drunkenness, I could’ve hit Phoebe instead of you.”
“Well, go ahead.” Jacob inclined his head toward the door. “Knock. She’s home.” He left Eli’s mouth hanging open and sauntered to where the horses grazed behind a split-rail fence. The nearby barn sported a door hanging from one hinge. Something Jacob could do.
He headed to a shed and retrieved the necessary tools. Within minutes, the door swung freely and without a squeak. The stitches in his side wouldn’t allow him to do lifting of any kind, but he could feed the chickens that clacked nearby.
“Hey, Peter, I’ll do that.” Jacob took the bucket from the boy and began scattering the feed.
“Okay. Are you doing all my chores today?” Peter climbed the fence and straddled a post. “’Cause my next one is sweeping out the hen house. I hate that job. It smells something awful. Then Noah and me have to clean out the hog pen. Why is that, Jacob? They’re just going to get it all dirty again.”
Jacob laughed. “I’m not sure my side is up to sweeping or mucking out a pig pen. I’d best do this and see what else I can help with that’s relatively easy.”
The boy stared at the ground. “Are you going to marry Phoebe? Because if my pa don’t come home, we need a man of the house. JJ thinks he’s it, but he’s still a kid, despite his big head. I miss Pa.”
“He’ll be back, Peter. Trust God. If something had happened to your pa, you’d have heard.” He laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder.
It wasn’t right that Ben Lillie kept his children and mother worrying. Jacob fought back the temptation to tell Peter his pa only kept away out of a misguided notion of keeping his family out of harm’s way. If the man followed the Lord, he should place his trust there, and care for his family.
Loud voices carried from the house. Jacob shoved the bucket back at Peter. Holding his hand firmly against his side, he dashed to the house, and barged through the door.
Phoebe yanked her arm free of Eli’s grip. “How dare you question my virtue.”
“I have every right as your future husband.” Eli’s face contorted. “Only a harlot lets a man she isn’t married to sleep under the same roof.”
“I never said I’d marry you.” Phoebe backed against the counter. When she grasped the handle of an iron skillet and raised it above her head, Jacob rushed in.
“Whoa.” He took the pan from her hand then turned to Eli. “I told you, nothing is going on here. I’ll move back to my place tonight if that will set your mind at ease.”
“But—“ Phoebe stepped forward.
“No.” Jacob set her weapon of choice on the counter. “I won’t be party to ruining your reputation.”
Eli lifted his chin. “Good. Now we’re back on fair ground.” The man spun and stormed from the house.
The man was insane. Did he honestly believe his heavy-handed ways would win Phoebe’s heart? Jacob shook his head then grinned at Phoebe. “As much as I would’ve loved seeing you bash his head with a skillet, what were you thinking?”
She shrugged. “He grabbed me.”
Jacob lifted her hair. “Are you sure you aren’t a redhead under there?”
“Stop.” She slapped his hand away but not before he saw her smile.
Jacob moved to the cot and sat down. He’d be fine at home. The bad thing was he couldn’t keep an eye on Phoebe. During his travels, he’d come to recognize human nature. Eli Coffman carried a short fuse. It was only a matter of time before he blew. Jacob didn’t want Phoebe caught in the blast. As soon as he could move without his stitches pulling, he’d scour the mountain for Ben Lillie and convince him to come home.
*
Phoebe handed Jacob his jacket. “Not too strenuous. If you start bleeding, or the wound gets inflamed, call the doctor.”
Jacob cupped her face. “Yes, mother.”
She turned her lips to his palm. “I’m serious. People die from infection.”
“I’ll be fine.”
Phoebe watched him leave. Her heart dropped. She should be going with him, setting up house in the little cabin. Instead, she stayed here to carry on a pretense with a man she despised. It’d better be worth it, Pa.
She hadn’t told Jacob Eli would be picking her up after supper for a stroll in the moonlight. He’d be livid if he found out. Beneath his angelic appearance lurked…something, held in check. She felt it. Jacob carried a burden she wanted to ease, a strength she wanted to rely on, and a sense of right and wrong she appreciated. But over all that, he seemed capable of great rage if pushed far enough. She’d seen it in the way his eyes hardened when he looked at Eli.
“You should be ashamed of yourself.” Viola climbed from the loft. “Throwing yourself at two men. I saw you make plans with Eli, then kiss Jacob’s hand. And people think I’m the one with loose morals.”
“How long have you been up there?”
“Long enough to know you’re up to something.” Viola crossed her arms. “So, what is it? It can’t be that you’re undecided. There’s no comparison between Jacob and Eli. One is clearly a better choice.”
“Why do you care?” Phoebe removed her apron and hung it on a hook. “You’ve been seen with that dark-haired Wood boy. John, right? He’s more your age. Stick him with him.”
“I’m a woman now. I want a man.”
She wanted Jacob, Phoebe knew. Well, she co
uldn’t have him. For once, a man preferred Phoebe, and she wouldn’t give him up without a fight. Not even to her sister. When he looked at her, her blood coursed with a fiery intensity. When he touched her, she almost forgot the reasons she’d vowed to stay pure until marriage. Phoebe shook her head. No, Jacob Wright was a treasure worth fighting over.
Viola plopped in front of the radio and studied her nails. “I wonder what Eli would say about you kissing Jacob? He might find that bit of news interesting.”
“Why would you do something like that?” Phoebe’s heart threatened to burst through her ribcage. “I’ve done nothing to hurt you. You’ve got beauty, brains, and any beau you want. Why are you so set on taking mine?”
“I find the men in the hollow simple. Boring.” Viola flipped her hair. “Jacob comes from a different world. He’s exciting and handsome. He could take me away from here.”
Phoebe squared her shoulders. “He doesn’t want you.”
Viola’s eyes turned to ice. “Well, if I can’t have him, neither can you.” She rose and stomped out of the house.
Phoebe fell into the nearest chair. Why did her sister hate her so? God, please let Jacob be made of sterner stuff than Viola could penetrate. Phoebe would wither and die without him as sure as the leaves dried up in winter.
A banging on the front door pulled her from her musings. With a sigh, she grabbed her pa’s flannel jacket and tossed it around her shoulders. A stroll during the winter. What was Eli thinking? She opened the door and stepped outside.
Viola flashed her a grin and sashayed around the corner of the house. Phoebe frowned then forced a smile to her lips and greeted Eli.
“Ready for our walk?” He tucked his tongue into his cheek and marched off. Phoebe shrugged and followed, almost running to keep up with his furious pace. “Where’s the fire?”
“Don’t feel much like talking.” Eli shoved his hands in his pockets.
“Okay. We don’t have to.” Phoebe cast a sideways glance at him. His jaw twitched from the pressure he exerted. Something had him riled. She searched her mind for a way of calming him.
“I’m real sorry you didn’t win the cake bid.” Phoebe tried to sound flirtatious, but the words came out a whisper.
“Sure you are.” Eli hunched his shoulders then led her off the road and onto a little-traveled path.
“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere we can be alone.”
Phoebe’s steps faltered. Being alone in the woods with Eli could not be good. “I can’t be gone long. I’ve got chores to do.”
“Won’t take long.”
She shivered from more than the cold. They reached a small clearing, and Eli turned to face her. His face resembled the rough bark of an oak. Phoebe shrank back from the heat of his stare.
“Seems you’ve been kissing the teacher.” Eli shook his head. “You ain’t the woman I thought you were. Now, don’t get me wrong, Phoebe. I still want you for my wife, but you need to be taught a lesson.”
“Excuse me?” Viola did it. She betrayed her. Phoebe could hardly believe it.
“It’s got to be me or the teacher.” Eli sneered. “And it’ll be me, ‘cause the teacher won’t be around if you choose him.”
“I’m just using him, Eli. It doesn’t mean anything. I’m trying to find my pa. Jacob is helping.”
He leaned close, his tongue leaving a wet trail up her neck and over her jawline. “That’s real good. Your pa using you like a stool pigeon. You’re pa is fine. I see him every day, working the still, running the whiskey. You name it. We’ve a big order to fill. Now, you don’t look surprised to hear the news. Why is that? Could be Ben is using you to ferret out the traitors.”
Phoebe shook her head, swallowing bile, and backed up until a tree stopped her retreat. “I’ve been helping Pa. That’s why I know. He sends me on simple errands to fetch stuff and send messages. I swear.” She turned her head and closed her eyes.
“That’s good. Soon, you can help first hand.” Eli pressed against her.
Tears squeezed from her eyes. Her bosom heaved.
Eli laughed. “Got you all excited now, don’t I? Well, what would that pretty teacher think if I was to defile you? Would he still want you? ‘Cause I would.”
She shoved against him. He stumbled back, giving her a moment to flee. She slapped aside branches as she ran. His footsteps thundered behind her.
Eli grasped her hair and pulled her to an abrupt stop. She shrieked as he spun her around then pummeled his chest. His lips peeled back from tobacco stained teeth.
The first punch knocked her to the ground. The second made her world grow dark as he lifted her dress.
13
Jacob lit the lamp in the center of his table and leaned his head on folded arms. He’d proposed to Phoebe. Not the romantic gesture he’d always envisioned, but he’d done it nevertheless. He’d chosen to leave behind the wildness of his past and promised to love one woman for the rest of his days.
When Phoebe had laid her soft lips against his palm, he’d wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and kiss her until she swooned. Melt her prim and proper exterior. But the thought of being brained with an iron skillet held him back.
He straightened and smiled. God’s blessings continued to shower upon him. Finally, his past deeds were laid to rest. A bright future beckoned.
The front door shook as someone banged on it. Jacob lurched to his feet and yanked it open. JJ bent over panting for breath.
“What is it?” Jacob’s grip on the door handle turned his knuckles white. The look on the boy’s face stabbed him.
“You’ve got to come. Phoebe went for a walk with Eli and hasn’t come home. I ran by his place before coming here. He was sitting down at the dinner table. Said he left her hours ago.” JJ raised a tear-stained face to Jacob’s. “Something’s happened to her.”
“I’ll get my gun.” Jacob grabbed his pistol from the mantel and hurriedly shrugged into his jacket. Why did she insist on investigating alone? Her disappearance had to have something to do with the moonshine. “Did Eli say where they went for a walk?”
“He said up around the courting tree, but I’ve been there. No sign of her.” JJ grabbed Jacob’s arm. “I’m a good tracker, Mr. Wright. If they’d been there, I would’ve seen signs.”
Fear gripped Jacob’s heart with a marble fist. Phoebe knew these woods. She wouldn’t be lost. He agreed with JJ. Something had happened to her. Lord, don’t let us be too late. “Grab the lantern. We’ll check the trails opposite the tree.”
“I did.”
“Then we’ll head farther up the road. She can’t have vanished.” The boy’s face fell with Jacob’s sharp words. “I’m sorry.”
JJ nodded. “I know. I’m scared too. Viola’s done nothing but cry since she heard. Said it’s all her fault, but I can’t make any sense of her words.”
What had the fool girl done now? Jacob closed the door behind them and took the lantern from JJ. Together they set off at a jog. Pain throbbed through his side with each jar of his foot striking the road. Jacob grit his teeth. He’d worry about his injury later.
God, please. He didn’t know what to pray other than those two words. If he prayed for her to be safe and found her injured or worse, what would that do to his faith? His spirit yearned for the surety of a possible answer. Life had taught him you didn’t always get what you prayed for and sometimes, what you prayed for wasn’t really what you wanted. In this case, he wanted Phoebe to be alive. Something he wanted more than anything he’d ever asked for.
The burning in his side made keeping up with the jogging JJ difficult. The pain subsided some by holding his arm firm against himself but that kept the gun sticking out at an unnatural angle. JJ halted fast enough for Jacob to collide with him. The barrel of his pistol jabbed the boy in the back.
JJ spared him a cool glance, then dashed to their right. Inside the tree line, he slowed, his gaze sweeping the ground around them.
“What, exact
ly, are you hoping to see?” Jacob leaned against a tree to catch his breath.
“Phoebe would’ve stayed close to the road for a walk with Eli. He might have been able to lure her a few feet away, but no more than that. Plus, she wouldn’t have wanted to be gone long. Despite her acting like she liked him. I know better.” JJ scooted some leaves with his foot. “My guess is, they weren’t walking more than twenty minutes. Thirty at the most. If I’m figuring right, they would’ve stopped somewhere along here or on the other side. Shine that lantern a little closer, okay?”
“You’ll make a good lawman someday, James.” Jacob stepped up and lifted his free arm. With the glow from the lantern, he could discern where the ground showed signs of a struggle. Packed dirt swept free of leaves. Bushes sported broken branches. He whipped around. “Phoebe!” Her name echoed through the night’s frosty air.
He moved in a zig-zag pattern across the road and back, then across again, holding the lantern above his head. This wasn’t like her to be gone past dark. Too many responsibilities waited for her at home. Even he knew that. His heart pained with each beat, hammering hard enough he feared it’d bust out of his chest. When he’d begun to lose hope, he spotted a foot sticking from beneath a juniper bush.
“JJ, over here.” Jacob set the lantern on the ground and shoved aside the branches. Needles poked his hands as he dug her out. “Oh, sweetheart.” He fell to his knees at her side and scooped her into his arms.
JJ grabbed the lantern and followed as Jacob rose then sprinted down the road toward the house. Jacob cradled Phoebe’s swollen and bleeding face against his chest and drove away all stabs of pain from his side. Her moans as he ran signaled to him she still breathed. God had answered his prayer. Again, not as he’d expected but at least the big guy still listened to a sinner such as he.
When the house came into view, JJ dashed ahead and flung open the door. Jacob followed and, with as much care as possible, laid Phoebe on the cot he’d occupied recently. He stared at her battered face.
Woman of Courage (Four Full length Historical Christian Romances in One Volume): Woman of Courage Series Page 78