He grunted. “If you are to be my wife, you have to trust me to take care of you. I can’t do that if I don’t know what is going on. I want to hear you promise you’ll tell me.”
Leah sighed. He was right. Married couples shouldn’t keep secrets. She raised her head and met his gaze once more. “I promise.”
A smile parted his lips. “Good. Now, would you like to know what I found out in Julesburg today?” He picked up his fork and turned to the roast beef.
What was it with men and their love of leaving a woman hanging with their words? He’d promised to check into finding another preacher to perform their wedding. Had he found one? She saw his lips twitch and realized he was deliberately not telling her. Leah gave in and asked, “What did you find out in Julesburg?”
Jake pushed his plate back and grinned. “Well, a preacher came through not too long ago. My friend said he thought the minister might be coming through again and has promised to send him our way, if he comes.”
At first Leah was excited but then she realized he said “if.” “What if he doesn’t come back through?”
“Then we’ll have to wait for Preacher John to come back.” As soon as the words exited his lips, Jake knew he’d said the wrong thing. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and looked away.
He admired her for trying to put up a brave front. “Yes, a spring wedding would be nice, too.”
Why was Leah so set on a Christmas wedding? He picked up his dishes and took them to the wash bucket. Before turning around to face her, Jake finished off the glass of cider. “Well, don’t give up hope. I’m trusting a preacher will show up before then.”
Leah offered him a wobbly smile. “Me, too.” She washed his plate and silverware, and rinsed them.
Jake picked up the dish towel and dried. “Tomorrow night I’d like to take some time and read to Molly from the Bible before she goes to bed. Pa read to us every evening before we retired and I thought I’d pick up where he left off.” He put his plate and cup away. Jake was glad Leah didn’t object. He hoped by reading to his niece they would grow closer.
He and Leah hadn’t talked about where she was in her relationship with the Lord and he wasn’t sure how to ask. Jake knew they shouldn’t marry if she wasn’t a believer.
“That’s a good idea, Jake.” Leah handed him the silverware. “I read every evening but hadn’t thought to read the Bible to her. I should have.”
If she read from the Bible, surely Leah was a believer. Jake worked up the courage and asked, “So, you are a believer?”
Leah nodded. “Oh, yes. I’ve been a Christian since I was eight years old.” Her pride in her faith spoke volumes.
“I’m glad. Where do you think would be a good place to start reading to her from? She’s only four, and I want her to understand what I’m reading.” He dried the fork and knife, taking more time than was actually needed.
She tossed the dishwater out the back door. “I’d start in Genesis. Molly won’t understand most of it but you will be giving her a foundation, and if you continue with the readings, she’ll learn.”
Jake hung the dish towel up and turned to face her. “We’d better get back in there before they come looking for us.” He opened the door to let her pass before him. He inhaled her clean scent as she walked past. Had she always smelled so fresh and wholesome? He pushed the thought aside. It wouldn’t do to allow any type of feelings to grow for Leah.
*
Saturday morning dawned bright and sunshiny. Leah awoke to Molly jumping on the bed beside her. “I’m up, you little monkey.”
Molly ran to the closet. She climbed onto the box that she used to get her dresses down.
Leah knew the child was excited because Jake had promised to take her ice skating. According to him it was going to be an afternoon of fun. Leah had her doubts, since she didn’t know how to skate. “Molly, we’re not going to the river until after lunch.”
Molly ignored her and pulled down her favorite blue dress.
“If you wear that one, you might tear it. Why don’t you wear the brown one?”
The little girl shook her head. Over the past few days, Molly had become more stubborn and forceful in what she wanted to do.
Leah tossed the covers off and immediately felt the coolness of the room. “Let me rephrase that. Molly—” she allowed a sternness to enter her voice “—wear the brown one.”
Again the four-year-old shook her head.
“All right, then, I guess you can stay with Agnes while we go skating.” Leah walked around the child and pulled down her own brown dress. It had seen a lot of wear and if she happened to rip the hem, it could be easily repaired.
Molly stomped her foot and held up the blue dress.
“You can wear the blue, if you want to. But you will not be going skating in it. Either put on the brown dress or stay home.” Leah turned her back on the little girl and pulled on her own clothes. She refused to argue with Molly.
She heard Molly return to the closet. Fighting the urge to look, Leah sat down at the dressing table and began to put her hair up. Since she was wearing her brown dress, Leah chose a blue ribbon to weave into her hair. Brown wasn’t her favorite color, either, but it was sensible to wear on an outing that could result in damage.
Molly came to stand beside her.
Leah turned to her and saw that the little girl had put on the brown dress. Her bottom lip stuck out in a pout. “Since you are being a good girl and doing as I asked, I’ll let you wear the pink ribbon today.”
Molly nodded, but her expressive brown eyes spoke volumes regarding her unhappiness. She cradled her doll in her arms as Leah pulled her hair up in a ponytail.
They finished dressing and went downstairs. The doll’s head bumped on each step. Molly seemed to have forgotten her misery over the dress and skipped to the kitchen.
Leah heard Agnes say, “Don’t you look pretty this morning.”
She pushed the kitchen door open and inhaled the sweet scent of baking ham. Her gaze moved to Agnes, who held Molly in her arms.
“I’m sorry we’re running so late this morning,” Leah apologized.
Agnes smiled. “You aren’t late. Today is Saturday. We agreed that you get to sleep in today and I get to sleep in tomorrow.”
“Yes, but I meant to come down sooner.”
The older woman sat Molly down and waved her comment away. “I saved you both a plate of eggs and bacon. Go ahead and sit down while I get them for you.”
Molly scrambled up on her stool. She smiled broadly as Agnes set the plate down in front of her.
“I declare, I think small fry is growing,” she announced as soon as Leah had finished saying grace.
Molly tucked into her breakfast as if she hadn’t eaten in weeks. She took a moment to grin up at Agnes.
Leah nodded. “I’m afraid so. I’m going to have to make her some new dresses at the rate she’s shooting up.” She wondered if she should mention to Jake that Molly needed two new dresses.
Agnes pulled a chair up and sat down, too. She cupped a mug of coffee between her palms. “What time are you heading out to the river?”
“Shortly after lunch. Why? Do you need me to do something for you?” Leah buttered a slice of bread and handed it to Molly.
“No. I was just thinking that if you and Jake don’t mind, perhaps Charlie and I could join you. It’s been ages since I’ve been ice skating.” Agnes rolled the mug in her hands. Her gaze locked on the liquid within.
Leah reached across and laid her hand on Agnes’s arm. “I think that’s a great idea. The more the merrier.”
Happiness filled the older woman’s eyes. “I’m glad you feel that way. I thought maybe we could slice up this ham, some bread and maybe cheese and take that with us.”
Molly clapped her hands and reached for another slice of bread. She held it up for Leah to butter.
“If you keep eating like this, I might have to get you bigger shoes, too. You are going to fill your little ones
up with bread and butter,” Leah teased her, handing back the bread. She returned her attention to Agnes. “I wish there was a place to sit out there. It’s going to be cold on that ice, and I’ll be honest, I’d rather watch than skate.”
Agnes tapped her fingers against the cup. “I’ll see what I can get the boys to come up with.” She raised her gaze to look at Leah. A teasing grin touched her lips. “I’ll dig out my skates and we can share them, I believe our feet are about the same size and then you can at least try it.”
Leah laughed. “We’ll see.” She took a bite of bacon and eggs, then sighed. Agnes’s meals always tasted better than her own.
Molly slipped off the stool, taking her doll with her. She went to a low cupboard and pulled out a pretty white tea set with pink flowers on it.
“Are you supposed to be playing with that?” Leah asked, worried the child would break it.
“I gave it to her yesterday to play with,” Agnes answered as Molly nodded.
“What if she breaks it?” Leah asked, still concerned.
Agnes smiled at Molly. “She’ll be careful.”
Leah buttered a piece of bread. She felt uncomfortable letting Molly play with the tea set but didn’t want to upset Agnes.
“The stage will be arriving a little before lunch. I thought I’d add some of that ham to the beans,” Agnes mused as she nursed her coffee.
“Do you think we’ll have any guests?” Leah dreaded having boarders. It had been a couple of days since Mr. Dalton had left. If he was any indication of how stage passengers behaved, she’d really rather not see anyone stay.
Agnes stood. “I’m not sure. We’ll need to clean the rooms and put fresh sheets on the beds.”
“I’ll take care of that,” Leah volunteered. She gathered up their dirty plates and carried them to the wash bucket.
“Good. That will give me a chance to mop the floors down here and dust.” Agnes grabbed the dish towel and began drying the dishes that Leah washed.
Leah hated to think of Agnes pushing a heavy mop about the floor. Lately she’d noticed that the older woman stood with her hand on her back more times than not. “If you’ll dust and sweep, I’ll be happy to mop once I get things taken care of upstairs,” she offered.
“Now see here, Leah Hollister. I’m not so old that I can’t do my share of the work around here. I appreciate all that you’ve done, but if you keep doing all the hard work I’m going to get fat and sassy.”
Molly looked up at Agnes’s sharp tone.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply you were,” she offered the woman a grin. “If you want to mop, I don’t have a problem with that.”
Agnes sighed. “I’m sorry, that came out sharper than I intended. You’ve been a big help to me and I appreciate it.”
Leah hugged her. “No harm done. Besides, I wouldn’t want you getting fat.”
Agnes laughed. “Are you implying I’m sassy?”
“Nope. Not me. I think I’ll head upstairs and get those rooms cleaned.” Leah released her friend and turned to leave. “Molly, are you coming with me?”
Molly shook her head and pointed to her doll and tea set.
“Leave her. Small fry can help me, if I need help.”
Leah nodded and then hurried up the stairs. There was a lot of work to be done and a short time to do it. The stage would be here soon and lunch would need to be ready to put on the table.
As she cleaned, her thoughts went to Jake. What was he doing this morning? She’d missed him at breakfast. Did he think about her as much as she thought about him?
She took a deep breath. Best not to worry about where he was or whether he was thinking about her. Leah didn’t want to become dependent on Jake. There was always the possibility that he’d change his mind about marrying her. New thoughts of abandonment tore through her mind. Would he leave her standing in front of the preacher, alone?
Chapter Ten
The stagecoach was late. Jake just hoped that it hadn’t run into any trouble. It was bad enough that Mr. Porter had been robbed a couple of weeks ago. With the Indians unhappy because new settlers were taking more and more of their land, and Julesburg attracting outlaws like flies on rotten fruit, traveling in these parts had become a dangerous business. He said a quick prayer for the stagecoach and any passengers it might have on it before tossing a small pair of skates over his shoulder and heading up to the house.
Jake opened the door to find Molly dancing about in her coat, gloves and scarf. Leah sat at the table dressed to match his niece. The only difference was the color of the ribbons in their hair. “Well, aren’t you two just the prettiest ladies.” Jake picked up Molly and swung her around.
“Thank you,” Leah answered for both of them.
His gaze met and held hers. “Ready?”
A look of dread filled Leah’s face. “Not really.”
Jake asked himself what could possibly be wrong. She’d seemed pleased at the idea a few days ago. “Have you changed your mind about going?”
“No, but I’ve never skated before. I’m just nervous about getting on the ice with them on.” Leah picked up the blades that Agnes was sharing with her and stood up.
He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “If we get out to the river and you don’t want to skate, you don’t have to.” Jake took the skates from her and placed them over his shoulder. Then he took both her hand and Molly’s in his. “I don’t want either of my girls to feel like they have to do anything that makes them nervous. We can have fun without getting on the ice.”
Jake felt self-conscious as he realized he’d just called Leah his girl. That wasn’t the way he thought of her at all, he told himself. She wasn’t his. They weren’t even married yet.
Was he letting her into his heart? Surely not! Caring for Leah too much could land him with a broken heart again. No, Leah wasn’t his girl and she never would be. Sally had been his girl, or so he’d thought until she’d up and married his brother.
Was it fair to compare Leah to Sally? He mentally argued with himself. Yes, they were both women and women were hazardous to a man’s heart.
To take his thoughts off Leah and women in general, Jake turned to Molly. “I found a pair of skates for you at the general store.” He dropped Leah’s hand and pulled the skates off his shoulder. “Here you go. What do you think of them?”
The little girl turned the skates about as if she were studying them so she could answer him. After several long moments, Molly gave him a big smile and hugged him about the waist.
He scooped his niece up into his arms and gave her a bear hug. “I’m glad you like them. Now let’s go see if you can skate on them.”
At her nod, Jake headed toward the river, aware that Leah followed close behind.
*
Leah sat on one of the many logs that someone had placed in a circle on the riverbank. A campfire blazed in the center. She marveled at how everyone had pulled together and created a fun place. Someone had roped off an area for skating and Jake had told Molly not to pass the ropes.
Jake held Molly’s hands and stood behind her as the two of them skated on the frozen water. She’d still not gotten up the nerve to join them. The sound of his laughter and Molly’s squeals told her that they were having fun.
She thought about him calling her his girl. Leah told herself it meant nothing; after all, he’d called Molly his girl, too. Still, her heart had done a little flip-flop.
Leah reminded herself that he couldn’t really think of her in that manner. And she refused to hold the hope that he could. He needed her to watch Molly, nothing more. Would that be enough to keep him from leaving her? Leah didn’t know. Would she ever be able to trust that he wouldn’t leave her? What about after Molly was grown? Would Jake leave her then? Again Leah didn’t know, it would be foolish on her part to expect anyone to love her forever considering her own parents hadn’t loved her enough to keep her with them.
“It looks fun, doesn’t it?” Ike asked.
&n
bsp; Leah looked about to see that he had sat down on the log beside her. Ike picked up a stick and poked at the fire.
“Yes, but I’m afraid to try it,” Leah confessed.
Ike looked up at her and studied her face before he asked, “Why?”
Leah picked up one of the skates and held it up for him to see. “These do not look safe to me.”
Ike chuckled. “Good point. I’ve never been fond of them, either.” He placed a few more small twigs on the fire.
She pulled her coat tighter around her. Leah continued to watch Jake and Molly. He spun his niece on the ice as if he’d skated all his life. Who knew? Maybe he had.
“Jake’s a good skater. Molly’s safe with him,” Ike assured her.
Leah nodded. “I know. I’ve been watching them now for about thirty minutes. You’d think they’d both be tired, but they sure don’t look like it.”
“Nope, he can skate like that for hours.”
She turned on the log to face him. “Jake comes out here and skates a lot?”
Ike nodded. “I think it helps him think.” He grinned at her. “My ma was the same way. In the winter, she’d strap on the skates and go to our little pond. Sometimes she’d be gone for hours, but she’d come home refreshed and ready to take on the world.” Sadness filled his eyes and he looked away.
Leah guessed Ike to be about sixteen years old. At the moment, it appeared that sorrow weighed on his shoulders like a hump on an old woman’s back. She asked, “What happened to your ma?”
He sighed. “She died when I was sixteen.”
Sixteen? Had she died recently, then? Empathy overwhelmed her. She’d lost both her parents before she could even remember them. This young man had just recently lost his. “I’m sorry.”
“Thank you, but it wasn’t your fault. It was mine.”
Shock washed over Leah. What did he mean, his fault? Before she could ask, Ike excused himself and walked away.
Leah turned her attention back to the skaters. Jake, Molly, Cole and Timothy moved along the ice. It looked as if they were gliding instead of skating.
Love Inspired Historical November 2014 Page 60