“Perhaps.” With eyes dancing, she waggled her brows. “Let me show you to your room so you can freshen up before we eat.”
Carly followed her friend up the stairs, remembering so many things from the past. Leah, the blond mail-order bride who’d come to marry Luke, had stayed in the first room on the left, while Shannon, the Irish bride, had the one to her right.
“My girls stay in the green room now, and we divided your old room in half. Alan stays in one side, and we use the other for stage drivers who occasionally overnight here, but with the expansion of the railroad, I don’t expect stagecoaches will be around much longer.” Rachel opened the second door on the left.
“Too bad there isn’t a train that comes to Lookout.” Then she could have avoided that uncomfortable ride with Mr. Corbett, and he wouldn’t have gotten shot.
“I hope you’ll be comfortable here.” Rachel pulled back the blue and white gingham curtains and lifted a window. “Of course, in exchange for your help, your room and board is free. I know you’ll need some extra for expenses, and if we have lots of customers, I’ll gladly pay you a small salary.”
“I never expected you to pay me.” Carly set her satchel on the bed and glanced around the cozy room painted white. A lovely wedding quilt in various shades of blues and white covered the bed. “I offered to help you because you’re my friend, and if it hadn’t been for you, I probably would never have met the Lord.”
Rachel wrapped an arm around Carly’s shoulder. “The help I need goes beyond the bonds of friendship. I basically need someone who can take over and run the boardinghouse after I have the baby—at least for a few weeks.”
Carly smiled. Maybe things were finally looking up for her. “You’ve got yourself a helper.”
Chapter 12
Jack stared at her image in the long mirror at Dolly’s Dress Shop. The bottom of the fitted bodice of the dark green dress angled down to form a V at her stomach, accentuating her narrow waist. The neckline also tapered to a V and was edged with wide lace, which lay across her shoulders. The short sleeves ended just above her elbows, but six-inch lace attached to the cuffs flounced across her lower arms. The full overskirt swirled when she twisted from side to side, but a stabbing pain in her knee made her grimace.
“What’s wrong? The dress looks lovely with your coloring.” Dolly Dykstra stared at her in the mirror, concern etching her features.
“Oh yes, I love it. But I twisted too far and made my knee hurt.”
Tessa hiked her chin and fluffed her curls. “Your ma says you should still be abed.”
Jack glanced at Penny, who rolled her eyes. Stifling a smile, she glanced back at the mirror. She actually looked pretty. She still loved donning britches, but she had to admit, if only to herself, that she was learning to enjoy dressing up.
“Don’t you just love the shirred-up bottom of the green fabric and how it reveals the lace-trimmed underskirt?” Penny’s eyes grew dreamy as if she imagined herself in the gown.
“I do love it, Mrs. Dykstra.” Jack smiled at the older woman. “You outdid yourself.”
Dolly puffed her chest and smiled, her chubby cheeks a bright red. Jack was glad she had ordered the dress, but she wasn’t sure, as fancy as it was, if it would be suitable for a church dress. She’d hoped to be able to use it for more than special occasions.
She might look pretty at the Saturday social, but she sure wouldn’t be dancing. An image of Noah Jeffers flashed across her mind. Would he be disappointed? Would he even be at the dance?
“I plan to wear a beautiful pale copper and soft sea green brocade tea dress that Mother ordered from Boston,” Tessa announced. “It has pearl buttons. There was even a very similar dress on the cover of Ladies’ Home Journal.“ Tessa hiked her chin and planted a smile on her face, obviously proud that her dress was much more elaborate than Jack’s.
“I’m sure it will be lovely.” Jack ignored Tessa’s barb, as she did most times Tessa had to prove whatever she had was better than someone else’s. She’d long ago decided if she wanted to be friends with her, she’d have to overlook Tessa’s need to put herself above others. Jack didn’t care. She despised hot, fancy dresses and much preferred the cooler calicos.
“That pine green color looks beautiful with your reddish brown hair.” Penny stood off to the side, along with Tessa. Jack appreciated her friend’s effort to make her feel better.
“I agree.” Dolly pushed her large frame up from her chair and tucked a strand of gray hair behind her ear. “If you could stand on that crate for me, I’ll measure the hem, and then you ladies can be off to tend to whatever it is you need to do.”
Ever helpful and considerate, Penny hurried over and held out her hand, assisting Jack as she climbed onto the box. “Yes, you should finish here, so you can rest your leg. We want it well so you can go to the social tomorrow.”
Tessa swirled sideways and back, her blue skirts swishing. “I thought you weren’t going.”
Jack shrugged. “I changed my mind.” Or had Noah Jeffers changed it for her?
Tessa’s blue eyes sparkled, and her face took on a dreamy expression. “I can hardly wait to dance with the new minister. I’m sure he’s an excellent dancer.”
Penny scowled and glanced sideways, shaking her head. “How do you know he’ll come? Reverend Taylor never did.”
“Oh, I just know. Reverend Taylor was married, but a handsome man like our new parson has to be looking for a wife, and I plan to be there for him.” Tessa picked up a fan from a nearby display and snapped it open. She held it across her face, leaving only her blue eyes showing. “I’ll make myself irresistible.”
Penny coughed and held her hand over her mouth, eyes dancing with mirth. Jack stared at her own image again. She was tall and lanky, where Tessa was shorter and had much fuller curves. Didn’t men prefer women with curves? And blond hair?
She shuddered. What did it matter? She didn’t want to attract a man. Then why was she going to the social?
“Hold still, Miss Jacqueline,” Dolly said. “I know you like to be moving constantly, but if you want a straight hem, don’t move.”
Jack forced herself to stand quietly, even though her knee was screaming at her. She’d have to spend the rest of the day off of it. Maybe she could work some more on her story about the reverend. And maybe if he showed up, she could wheedle some more answers from him about his past.
She thought back to their encounter at the church several days ago. She’d never seen a man with such dark eyes who wasn’t an Indian or Mexican. Noah’s skin was nicely tanned but didn’t have the coloring of those other races. And he was so tall. And strong. She heaved a sigh, drawing Penny’s gaze. The young woman lifted her brow and grinned, as if she could read Jack’s mind. She turned her face away, staring at Dolly’s crowded store, and hoped her friend hadn’t seen her blush.
Bolts of fabric lined the shelves of one whole wall, with all manner of sewing tools, thread, and buttons lining the drawers of a glass-topped credenza. The place was small but well-organized.
“All right, missy, you’re done. Take care of the pins when you remove the gown.”
Jack slid behind the dressing screen, undid the practical front buttons, and let the garment pool onto the floor. As she put on her navy skirt and shirtwaist, she couldn’t help the envy that surged within her. Would Tessa turn the reverend’s eye with her fancy dress and beguiling ways?
Something else bothered her even more.
Why did she care?
Jack stood on the boardwalk outside of Dolly’s store, glad to have her final fitting complete. She’d return tomorrow morning to pick up her dress, just in time for the evening social. A whack sounded to her right, and she turned to see what it was.
Tessa tugged her arm, pulling her attention back. “Let’s go over to Polly’s Café and have some pie.”
Jack shook her head. “I’ve got to head home. Emmie will be waking up from her nap soon, and I’m watching her and the other children so Ma
can rest.”
“Oh my …” Penny heaved an exaggerated sigh. She stood in the space between Dolly’s Dress Shop and the freight office, looking down the alley.
Jack stepped off the boardwalk and stood beside her. Another whack echoed between the buildings. Past Dolly’s purple dress shop, across the alley in Bertha Boyd’s backyard, a bare-chested man was cutting wood—a very well-built man. She tried to swallow, but her mouth was so dry she couldn’t even work up a good spit.
“What’re you two gawking at?” Tessa shoved her way in front of Jack. “My goodness, what a fine-looking man.”
“Why, isn’t that the new pastor?” Penny glanced at Jack before resuming her staring.
“It is—and he’s shirtless. Oh my …” Tessa fanned her face and started toward the alley. “I need a closer look.”
Jack followed. She just might have to keep Tessa from getting into trouble. Penny trailed after them.
They stopped at the back corner of Dolly’s building and lingered there. Noah Jeffers lifted the axe and brought it down hard, splitting the log in half. A memory flashed across Jack’s mind of another time and another woodcutter. She winced, remembering the mean trick she and her two best friends had played on Butch Laird, the town bully. Yet Noah Jeffers was not a thing like Butch Laird, other than having the same color hair. And maybe eyes—or were Butch’s brown?
Tessa leaned in close to Jack and Penny. “Have you ever seen anything so … so manly?”
He turned slightly toward them, picked up the half log he’d just cut, and set it back on the chopping block. Jack couldn’t help noticing the dark hair that covered his chest and tapered down his flat stomach. The muscles in the minister’s arms bulged as he lifted the axe again. His skin glistened with sweat across his broad shoulders when the axe hit its mark. Jack knew that watching him wasn’t right, but she couldn’t tear her gaze away.
“How do you suppose a preacher got so—uh—muscled?” Penny asked, without ever looking away. “And his back is so tanned. He must chop a lot of wood.”
“We should go. If we startle him, he could slip and hurt himself.” Jack pulled at her friends’ arms. “It isn’t proper for unmarried women to be watching a man without his shirt on.
“Oh, posh. Men remove their shirts around ladies all the time.” Tessa tossed a glance back over her shoulder at Jack. “And are you saying it would be all right to observe him if we were all married?”
“I don’t know.” Penny’s voice quivered. “I think we should go, like Jacqueline said.”
Jack straightened, watching as the minister picked up an armload of the quartered sections and carried them to the woodpile that sat along the backside of the house. Butch would never have been able to carry such a hefty load. She shifted her feet, knowing she needed to get home. Her ma was constantly tired and needed every chance she could to rest. And the longer she stood there, the guiltier she felt.
“Back up, or he’ll see us when he turns to go back to the chopping block.” Tessa shoved backward, not even bothering to turn around. Penny pivoted, and her eyes went wide, just as Jack backed into a solid body.
“What are you ladies up to?”
Tessa squealed and turned, holding a hand against her heart, but she quickly pasted on her trademark smile. “Why, you scared us half to death, Marshal. Don’t you know not to sneak up on a group of ladies?”
Ever so slowly, Jack glanced over her shoulder and lifted her eyes to her stepfather’s. “We … uh … just left Dolly’s shop and were … uh … heading home.”
Luke quirked a brow and stared at her. Jack had to work hard not to squirm. “Taking the alley is longer than just walking down Main Street.” The whacking resumed, and Luke’s gaze moved past her. A grin twittered on his lips. “Ahh … now I see what has y’all so captivated. I was wondering if you were ever going to take an interest in a man.”
Jack’s heart somersaulted. “No, Papa, you’ve got it all wrong. I … um, I mean … we …” What could she say that wouldn’t be a lie?
Tessa suddenly screamed. Luke’s hand went straight to his gun, and Jack spun around to see what had happened. Had the minister injured himself?
Tessa danced from foot to foot then jumped behind Penny. “A snake!”
Luke chuckled and stepped past them. “It’s nothing but a garden snake.” He picked it up and dangled it in front of them.
Tessa gasped and back-stepped, pulling Penny with her, as if she were a shield.
Jack shook her head. “It’s harmless.”
Tessa wheeled around and charged past Jack, holding her skirts high. “You know I despise snakes!” She disappeared around the corner in a blur of blue dress.
Luke tossed the offending critter in the tall grass growing under the back porch of the freight office. “I think it’s time you ladies moved along.”
Jack nodded and took one last glance at Noah Jeffers. Her heart jumped clear up to her throat. He stood there, leaning on the axe handle, watching them just as they’d watched him.
What were those gals up to? He’d heard the one woman scream and thought someone was in trouble, but then the marshal held a snake in the air. Noah chuckled. It sure wasn’t Jack who’d let out that squeal. A little ol’ snake wouldn’t daunt her any.
But why had she and her friends been in the alley?
His mind flashed back to another day and time. He glanced at the stacked wood, relieved to see it was all still there. Old Mrs. Linus and her sister, Mrs. Boyd, had been delighted to meet him and duly impressed when he offered to chop some wood for them as a courtesy. The tea they’d offered him had been as tasty as the tiny cucumber sandwiches they’d fed him, but that delicious stuff they called fudge had been his favorite. He’d chop wood every day for another taste of that sweet treat.
He set another piece of wood onto the chopping block, but a motion in the corner of his eye caught his attention. The marshal ambled toward him, wearing his trademark denim pants and light blue cambric shirt. The sunlight glimmered off the badge on his chest, and Noah couldn’t help noticing the gun that hung low on his hips. Noah’s pulse sped up, and he worked hard to look casual. It made no sense that this man should cause him to be nervous, but he did.
“Afternoon.” The marshal nodded his head.
“Marshal.” Noah held his tongue, figuring the lawman would speak his mind without any prompting.
He pushed his hat back off his forehead. “Were you aware you had an audience?”
Noah’s gaze darted toward the ugly purple building. They’d been watching him? He reached for his shirt.
Marshal Davis chuckled. “Too late for that.”
Noah tossed it back across the tree branch since his job wasn’t finished. “How long had they been there?”
“Not long. I saw them come out of Dolly’s shop and then duck down the alley. I wondered what they were doing and followed.” He shook his head and looked away for a moment. “You’re new around here, so you probably haven’t yet heard that my daughter can be a handful.”
Though he knew just which daughter the man meant, he asked, “You have more than one daughter, sir.”
Luke Davis grinned again. “Good point, Reverend. I was referring to my eldest. She’s actually my stepdaughter, but I think of her as my own. That feisty little Abby, though, sure is giving Jack a run for her money.”
Noah nodded. He’d seen traits of Jack in her sister. “Do you think you could call me Noah or even Pastor, instead of Reverend? I’m uneasy with that title.”
The marshal nodded. “I can do that.” He hooked his thumbs in his pockets and stared at Noah.
Struggling hard not to squirm, he picked up his axe and leaned on the handle. He could see the marshal was working up to something. Don’t ask. Not yet.
Luke’s mouth twisted sideways. “I reckon I should warn you about those three gals. My Jack’s never shown a great interest in men. I imagine that’s the fault of her first father.” Luke stared off in the distance, a muscle ticking in his
jaw. “Let me just say he wasn’t a kind man.”
Noah had heard a few rumors about James Hamilton when he previously lived in town, but being just a kid, he hadn’t thought on it much. Besides, the man hadn’t sounded all that much different from his own pa. He was well aware of the issues that surfaced when a kid lived with a cruel father. Could that be why Jack had always acted so tough?
“Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that I don’t think you have to worry about her or Penny, but I’d watch out for that Tessa Morgan. If she sets her hat for you, well … just consider yourself duly warned.”
Noah had seen the blond gal looking at him more than once, and she always tried to weasel up next to him if she saw him alone. He swallowed hard, then looked Jack’s stepfather in the eye. “I didn’t come here looking for a wife, Marshal.”
“Luke.”
Noah nodded. “God sent me here to share His Word with the people of Lookout.”
Luke pursed his lips. Then a wry smile tugged at his mouth. “I once thought God sent me back to Lookout for a certain reason, too, but things turned out far different from what I’d planned. Don’t close any doors on God. He may have more for you here than you ever expected.”
Noah’s heart leapt before he lassoed it back under control. Maybe he could find a home here and the friends and respect he craved. But Pastor Taylor would eventually return to town, and then Noah would no longer be needed. Yeah, he could start another church, but he wouldn’t do that. The parishioners would most likely stay with Pastor Taylor anyway.
“Well, guess I’ll be moseying along. Have a good day … Noah.”
Noah’s grasp tightened on the wooden handle as he watched the marshal walk away. He exhaled a sigh of relief, knowing he’d dodged another bullet. He turned the log on the chopping block to get the best angle, then lifted the axe, just as the marshal spun back around. The man strode toward him with purpose. He eyed the axe and slowed his steps.
Noah lowered the tool and waited. Sweat ran down his temple, but he didn’t swipe at it.
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