Frank stared broodingly after the retreating couple. “Yes. He plans to go on to the university after that to get a law degree.”
She remembered his insulting look and thought she wouldn’t want such a man representing the law. Why was gentle Amy, with her high ideals, seeing him?
“Some people have all the luck.” Frank’s bitter tone surprised her. She assumed he was thinking of Jason’s refusal to allow him to attend Windom Academy. Or perhaps, she thought, noticing his gaze still following Amy and Ed, perhaps he is thinking of Amy.
“What do you think of Miranda Sibley turning up on Grant Tyler’s arm?”
The words seemed to scream at Pearl and Frank as they passed a group of young men, although they were spoken no louder than any of the other comments and were not directed at them. Indeed, the speaker didn’t seem aware that they were in the vicinity. Pearl and Frank exchanged glances of dismay.
“Can’t blame a lady for accepting the attentions of an up-and-coming young man like Tyler. Too bad Sterling left his architectural practice to move back to the farm. What can a farmer offer her after all?”
The others in the group nodded agreement, and indignation rose in Pearl’s throat. “Foolish men! Don’t they know that it’s farmers who keep this town and all the towns around alive?”
Frank’s lips were drawn in a line so tight they might have been stitched together. “They’re just repeating what they’ve heard.”
“Dr. Matt says when the town was young, the farmers and townspeople were like a family, excited to build up this new land together. Now they act like enemies.”
“Not all of them, but too many,” he agreed. “Dad thought it was because the farmers are primarily Scandinavian immigrants, not Easterners like Dad and most of the townspeople. Did you read the letter in the newspaper written by a local farmer? Says the townspeople wouldn’t be crying hard times so loudly if they lived like most of the farmers—taking their children out of school and putting them to work when they need money. It’s those farmers’ children who lose out in the end. And just when they need to know more than ever about new farming methods and improved machinery.”
His vehemence surprised her. No wonder he was so upset at not attending Windom Academy.
“Some say if a man doesn’t leave the farm for an education and a profession in town, he doesn’t have any future at all,” he continued. “Perhaps they’re right. Perhaps that’s why Miss Amy is with Ed Ray. Perhaps no woman thinks there’s a future with a farmer.”
The hopelessness in his tone dismayed her. “Frank Sterling, no woman of value would give up a man because he’s a farmer.”
“Are you speaking of Miranda?”
She whirled about at Jason’s question, dismay flooding her. When had he come up behind them?
“We weren’t speaking specifically of Miranda.” Annoyance and surprise edged Frank’s statement.
Jason’s eyes probed Pearl’s, searching their depths in the flickering lantern light. Is he trying to decide whether Frank and I are telling the truth, she wondered, returning his gaze steadily. “It seems I owe you a second apology.” His words were soft, and she felt their sincerity.
Before she could respond, Jason strode away.
Pearl’s hand slipped to her neck. She could feel the pulse beating there, fast as a typist beating out letters on one of those noisy little machines. Why did Jason have to overhear her comment? Surely he must feel that she’d insulted Miranda personally, even though she hadn’t mentioned Miranda’s name. First, she overheard Miranda refuse him, and now, he overheard her effectively say that Miranda was not a woman of value. It was as though she was determined to earn his scorn.
“Hey Sterling! What’s this we hear ’bout you gettin’ a new little filly out to your farm?”
Pearl’s blood ran cold at the sneer in Ed Ray’s voice as he called to Jason from the group of young men. She knew instinctively he was referring to her.
Amy was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps another gentleman has claimed a dance with her, Pearl thought irrelevantly.
Beside her, Frank muttered something she couldn’t understand. Pushing his empty punch cup into her hands, he started toward the men.
Jason spoke to Ed in a low voice, but though she strained, she couldn’t hear his words.
“What do I mean?” the heckler asked with a laugh. “Why, that pretty little music teacher. Don’t have more than one lady calling on you regular, do you?”
Dread rooted her to the spot.
CHAPTER 6
She’s just been helping out, you say? And what kind of favors does Miss Wells do for you boys?” the awful voice rang out again. It seemed to Pearl that everyone in the vicinity had stopped to listen.
Crass laughter put wings on her feet. Dropping the punch cups heedlessly, she grasped her skirt and rushed toward the group. If they were going to insult her, they could do so to her face.
She gasped and stopped short at the sight of Frank drawing back his fist and aiming it at Ed’s surprised face. Jason shoved him aside before he could land his blow and grasped Ed’s narrow lapels. Every plane and line of Jason’s face were rigid as he demanded in a frighteningly even voice, “I’d take back those words if I were you.”
Suddenly Dr. Matt was there, looking positively spectral in the lamplight. His normally laughing eyes were like volcanoes filled with fire and fury. He grabbed tight to Jason’s arm, and his voice had the deceptive softness of the sheath that covers a hunter’s deadly blade.
“Now Sterling, you don’t want to hit these gentlemen. I’m sure they were just about to apologize for their mistaken comments. Isn’t that right?”
Embarrassed, the young men couldn’t mutter their apologies fast enough. Jason’s hold on Ed’s lapels slowly released, and Ed quickly followed the others in their retreat.
Would their reaction have been different if the adoptive father of the woman they were deriding had not been a prominent citizen like Dr. Matt? she wondered. He had come to Chippewa City twenty years ago, when the town was new and struggling. Like the other old settlers, he was held in awe by later citizens—the more so because of the community’s love for the man who had given so much of himself to help their families over the years.
Jason’s hands were balled into fists, she noticed as Dr. Matt released his arm. To think Jason had been intending to fight those—those poor excuses for men because of the statements they were making about her! Her stomach turned over at the thought. He and Frank against so many. They could have been seriously hurt because of her.
She walked toward them slowly, aware that Dr. Matt was staring at her but refusing to return his gaze. Disappointment for her loss of reputation would be in his face, and she didn’t want to see it. The tip of her tongue ran lightly over her suddenly dry lips. She stopped in front of the two men, but it was Jason’s gaze she met, quaking. Her hands wanted to grip her skirt, to grip anything to give her added courage. She made her fingers hang quietly at her sides. “I’m sorry.”
“You’ve no reason to apologize. You’ve done nothing wrong. It’s those men’s minds that are evil. I should have realized what I was exposing you to when I allowed you to help us out.”
He turned to Dr. Matt, straightening his broad shoulders and looking him in the eye with that steady gaze of his. “I’m the one to apologize, sir, to Pearl and to you. I should have had more sense. She’s a fine woman. I assure you I’ve made no unseemly advances toward her in the time she’s been helping us, and I have only the utmost respect for her. I should never have willingly exposed her to such vile speculations and comments.” He swallowed hard, and Pearl saw his Adam’s apple jerk. “If any man put my daughter in such a position, I expect I’d want to wallop the tar out of him.”
Pearl felt her eyes widening. Why didn’t Dr. Matt tell Jason he’d never consider any such thing? She wanted to speak, but her throat seemed paralyzed.
She’d never seen Dr. Matt’s face so angry. What thoughts were going on beneath his scowl?
After what seemed hours, his scowl softened slightly. “I admit the thought of a thrashing crossed my mind, but I think we can get by without it.”
She heard a soft whoosh and realized Jason had been holding his breath waiting for Dr. Matt’s response.
“Thank you, sir. I will never again put your daughter in such an untenable position. You have my word.”
Dr. Matt held out his hand, and Jason met it with his own in a solemn handshake. “I’ve asked her not to go to your farm again, but I appreciate your taking the decision out of my hands.”
Both men seemed to have forgotten she was there. Pearl took an impulsive step nearer. “Your family still needs assistance, Jason. I want to continue helping.”
Disbelief washed over Jason’s face. He opened his mouth to reply, then snapped it shut. A second later he spoke, his voice rigidly under control. “I appreciate your good-hearted desire to help my family, Miss Wells, but it won’t be necessary.”
His cold dismissal sent chills down her spine.
Matthew seemed to relent slightly at the distress in Pearl’s face. He rested his large hand on her shoulder. “The fact is, Boston and I did discuss the possibility of Boston accompanying Pearl on her trips out to your place until you could arrange to hire someone to help with the housework and all.”
Pearl gave a little gasp. They hadn’t told her! What a wonderful solution!
Matthew’s brows met again. “But in light of what happened here tonight, I don’t think that will be possible.”
“But…!”
“Of course not, sir.” Jason’s smooth acceptance interrupted Pearl’s protest. “It was kind of you and Mrs. Strong to even consider such a thing. Mighty kind.”
He nodded at Pearl, and her heart ached at the stranger’s face he wore. “I appreciate the help you’ve given more than I can say. Good night.”
Dr. Matt’s hand slid gently around her arm. “Come, dear. I’ll walk with you to the buggy and then find Boston, so we can go home.”
She stumbled once, walking as she was with her head turned over her shoulder so she could watch Jason. How could her desire to help Jason be turned into something so terrible by those young men? It seemed everything she did regarding Jason turned into a disaster lately.
Anger seethed in Jason’s chest as he walked through the dance hall. How could he have been so blind? He should have realized what would happen with Pearl coming out to his home daily. It would have been different if one of his parents were alive; their presence would have protected her. But as it was—he knew men’s minds, should have known what people would say. What if he’d destroyed her reputation for good? To think it took something like this to make him aware! Young men publicly ridiculing her, and she and her father there to hear it.
His gaze darted about the room. He’d had more than enough “fun and relaxation” for one evening. He just wanted to find his family and start home.
Where was Frank? He’d been beside him facing that disgusting crowd outside. When had he left? He moved slowly about the room, but after an entire trip around it, he still hadn’t located him. Heading for the door, he passed Dr. Matt, still looking for his wife.
Outside again he looked up and down the street, vainly hoping for a sight of Frank. Rows of buggies, wagons, and horses lined each side as far as he could see. People from the dance lingered in front of the building, getting some cool air.
He wandered a few feet down the plank walk, wondering where to look next, his patience growing thinner by the minute.
A scream tore through the night. Pearl! He raced toward the place he’d seen Dr. Matt’s buggy before the dance, his shoes pounding on the wooden planks. Horses pranced and whinnied nervously, rocking buggies. A pistol shot rang out, and dread scorched through him. Please, Lord…
If only there were a lamp in this part of the street! He was vaguely aware of feet beating behind him. Another scream pierced the darkness, this time masculine.
A couple fell from the tangle of horses and buggies onto the walk, struggling wildly. Jason leaped for them, tearing the larger figure away and throwing him against the wall of a store.
“He has a gun!”
He saw the pistol glint in the attacker’s hand at the same time he heard Pearl’s warning. He caught the man’s arm and threw it against the wall. The weapon clattered to the walk. Jason braced his body against the man, holding him captive, ignoring the oaths spewing from him on rancid breath.
In a moment other men from the dance were surrounding them. Jason gladly turned the tramp over to them, eager to see for himself whether Pearl had been harmed.
Someone lit one of the buggy’s lanterns, and Jason’s heart spun crazily at the sight of Pearl’s torn dress and dirt-smudged face. She was assuring others that she was all right, but he pushed through them and grasped her arms, needing to prove it was true.
Her eyes sparked with anger, not the tears he’d been afraid he would see. She clutched the buggy whip in one hand. “Are you sure you’re all right?” His voice shook.
“Yes, but… Jason, he was going to take the buggy, and—and Angel! I couldn’t let him take Angel!”
He fought a losing battle with a smile. “Of course not.”
“He didn’t see me in the buggy at first. When he took Angel’s harness and started to lead her into the street, I took this.” She held up the buggy whip. “And jumped down. He had a p–pistol, and I hit his arm with the handle of the whip. I—I didn’t know how to use the other end.” A small laugh escaped her. “Haven’t I been telling you I can take care of myself?”
Amusement fled. Relief fueled anger. “You could have been killed! No horse is worth risking your life!”
“I couldn’t let him take Angel!”
He pulled her into his arms, exasperation flooding his chest. “I can’t believe you took such a foolish chance,” he whispered fiercely against her neck. “Thank the Lord you’re safe!”
“Sterling!”
Jason started at Dr. Matt’s bellow and felt a tremor run through Pearl. He released her immediately, allowing his hands to stop at her waist only long enough to steady her.
The crowd who had formed had been concerned with the tramp and been ignoring the couple. Now they turned their attention to Jason and the Strongs, curious.
Pearl quickly explained the situation to Dr. and Mrs. Strong, needing to begin again when middle-aged, Norwegian Sheriff Amundson arrived moments later. It didn’t take long for the sheriff to haul the tramp off to the jail beside the large schoolhouse on the bluff.
Dr. Matt’s anger diminished when he discovered Jason had captured the tramp, but Jason knew he wasn’t completely forgiven for embracing Pearl in public.
When he returned to the dance to again look for Frank, he realized that the terror he’d felt for her had left him badly shaken. Or perhaps it was the relief of knowing she wasn’t harmed.
Or the way she’d trembled in his arms and rested against him so trustingly.
Foolish thought!
Still, the memory lingered. And when Miranda moved into his line of vision, laughing at something Grant Tyler said as they waltzed past, Jason’s heart didn’t miss a beat.
It was two hours before Frank stumbled into the hall. His eyes were unnaturally bright, and his breath smelled like a still. Jason helped him to their wagon in disgust. Just what he needed on top of everything else—a drunken brother. He’d never known Frank to drink before. Why did he have to begin now? Between that and the episode with Ed Ray, the Sterling family name was going to be mud in town after tonight.
Pearl looked about at the ripe golden wheat on either side of the dusty road. Farmers were out in force today. Threshing machines hummed and whirred as numerous teams of weary draft horses circled. Chaff filled the air. Prairie chickens were everywhere, snuggling close to the wheat and wild grass or bursting into the sky in a brown rush of wings that startled Angel every time.
Almost to Jason’s farm, Pearl leaned forward slightly to g
lide a hand down Angel’s neck. Her heart beat quicker with every passing mile. Other than church last Sunday, she hadn’t seen him in the two weeks since the dance.
She’d missed him and his family horribly. Mostly him, she admitted. She’d tried to pray for him and his family whenever he came to mind, instead of dwelling on the yearning for him that seemed a constant part of her now. When the prayers were done, he lingered in her thoughts in spite of her efforts to rid them of him.
The feel of his arms about her the night of the dance, of his breath warm on her neck, would steal through her other thoughts again and again. Working with her music students didn’t keep him out of her head for long. With Jewell’s baby due soon, she’d spent much of her free time helping her sister-in-law with errands that were far too heavy for a woman in her condition. Even then her thoughts would stray to Jason.
After his order to stay away from the farmstead, she didn’t expect him to be glad to see her. He’d be less so when he heard the reason for her visit.
Angel wanted to turn down the lane to the farmstead, knowing oats and cool water waited there. Pearl urged her on and, a few acres farther, pulled her to a stop at the edge of a field where some men were working. Was Jason among them?
It was only a couple minutes before the men caught sight of her. One walked toward her, the wheat bending gracefully before him. It was Jason, she saw as he drew near, and her courage almost failed her. She slid off Angel’s back before she could turn the horse and hurry away.
Grasshoppers jumped against her brown divided skirt, but she paid them no mind. She played anxiously with Angel’s reins, wrapping the leather around her hands and unwrapping it again, watching Jason come closer.
He stopped a few feet from her and nodded a greeting. He smelled just as she’d remembered he did when he came in from the fields—of kerosene and sweat and rich earth.
His gaze was studying her face, every inch of it, as if he’d never seen her before. It didn’t help her fleeing courage to have him watching her like that.
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