“Other accommodations? Hmmm …” She glanced in the direction of his homestead. “I see.”
Yep, she’d figured it out.
Jesse drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. “That boxy-looking wagon up ahead, coming this way, is your uncle’s.”
“Good. It’ll be nice to see him again. We obviously have much to discuss.”
They sure did.
Jesse ran his finger along the inside of his collar. He’d been in on some tense meetings in his life, but he’d give his pa’s pearl-handled pistol if he could somehow skip out on this one. But he couldn’t. Miss Hermaning would be the one to decide this matter, and he was no closer to guessing how she’d answer than he was an hour ago.
Taking a step back, Jesse waited for the gavel to fall.
Chapter 4
As the black wagon drew nearer, Leah breathed a wordless prayer, unsure what to ask God for. To leave this town with her family—the only family she had left? Yes!
She gazed toward the approaching vehicle, marveling that two adults managed to reside in such a contraption while traveling from town to town. She recalled it being a shining black, with Uncle Robert’s name in gold letters painted on the sides. Now it looked worn and dusty. It creaked and clattered as the wheels hit ruts in the dirt road.
At last Uncle Robert reined in the two mules. Should she pray for her relatives to get settled somewhere and send for her?
Doubtful. Those benches by the church tree proved that tithes weren’t exactly pouring in, so they’d never be able to afford to pay for her transportation. And praying to go home—that would be asking the impossible.
But all was not lost. She had her new teaching position here in One Way, and lonely as it might be, she could carve out a life for herself. As far as marrying the sheriff, should that be her uncle’s wish, Leah would politely refuse. Goodness, but she didn’t even know the man, although Jesse Waite would have her vote for sheriff.
“Are you ill, Miss Hermaning? You look a bit peaked.”
She felt it, but nodded and smiled for the sheriff’s benefit. “I’m eager to get this day over with, that’s all.” And climb into a cool tub of water! Was it too much to suppose her accommodations, wherever they may be, would include a bathtub?
The wagon came to a stop in a swirl of dust. The sheriff helped Aunt Estelle from the conveyance.
Her feet had no more than hit the dirt street when she engulfed Leah in her embrace. “Leah, sweetheart, you’re the picture of your late mother, bless her heart.”
Leah returned her hug. “Thank you. I’m glad to see you, Auntie, and you, Uncle.” Her gaze rested on the stoic-looking man moving their way.
Her uncle merely tipped his hat to her, silent as usual. For a man who earned his living by talking, he certainly kept his peace when out of the pulpit. Or, in One Way, when away from the tree.
“Your uncle and I are staying at Mrs. Rigley’s boardinghouse. Let’s step inside the parlor. All of us need to have a nice, long talk.”
All of us? Yes, Leah knew what was coming. An offer of marriage … either that or the sheriff wanted to place her on probation.
“You’re a good girl, Leah. Always have been, aside from that demonstration incident.”
“Estelle, we agreed not to mention that.” Uncle Robert trailed them to the door. “Remember?”
“I’m sorry, Robbie. My memory isn’t what it used to be.”
Leah glanced at Sheriff Waite. Had he heard? Did he know of that “demonstration incident”?
Aunt Estelle stumbled, and Leah caught her arm. After the older woman had recovered her footing, Leah searched for a stone or weed growing up from under the porch. She saw nothing but smooth wooden planks. Nothing lay in the way that Auntie could have tripped over.
“Goodness, but it’s dangerous out here. A woman needs a good, strong man just to help her into the house.” Aunt Estelle fluttered her bony hand toward Jesse.
He hastened to catch up and took Aunt Estelle’s other arm.
“Not me. Her!” Auntie said in a stage whisper. “Robbie will look after me.”
Leah couldn’t hold back a grin. So that was her sweet auntie’s game. Even as silly as it was, Leah’s heart warmed at the attempt. But her aunt would be disappointed when she refused to marry the kindhearted sheriff.
Jesse offered his arm to Leah.
She hesitated as he regarded her with something unreadable in his eyes. “There’s no need. Unlike my dear auntie, I’m having no problems walking into the boardinghouse.”
He continued to hold out his arm. “It’s my pleasure, Miss Hermaning.”
My, but he must want to get reelected awful badly. Was he really that desperate? However, his voice had deepened and turned husky, as if he meant every word, and the sudden tenderness in his eyes made her bite back the teasing remark she’d been about to make. She reached out tentatively, unsure why this simple gesture seemed so monumental. Hadn’t dozens of men offered their arm to her in escort in her lifetime?
Yes, but always under obligation. Never for the sheer pleasure of accompanying her. And yet that was exactly what she now saw in Jesse’s gentle expression.
How could that be? Jesse Waite was handsome, manly, interesting—and she was plain, dull Leah Hermaning, the old-maid schoolteacher.
Would it be a sin to enjoy his escort, just this once?
Leah thought not. And as she slid her hand into the crook of his arm, she imagined for the first time how it must feel for a lady to have a man cherish her.
Aunt Estelle chattered on about the funeral they’d just come from, the hot August weather, and heaven only knew what else. At least Auntie carried the conversation, leaving Leah free to ponder the man beside her.
“Are we in the parlor yet, Robbie?”
“Almost.”
Couldn’t Auntie see that they’d just entered the cramped foyer? Leah stopped short and turned to Jesse. “What’s wrong with my aunt?” She spoke in a tone meant for his ears only.
“Eyesight’s been failing for a while now. She’s been falling, losing things … can’t walk around town by herself anymore.”
What a pity for her sweet aunt who loved so much to read her Bible. Leah had been foolish to get sentimental over a man offering his arm while her aunt struggled to see what was ahead of her.
The older couple eased onto one of the room’s two settees, Aunt Estelle perched on the edge like a little brown wren. Leah started toward a surprisingly plush-looking armchair by the empty hearth, but Uncle Robert waved her toward the second settee facing his.
“Jesse, seat yourself next to Leah there.”
Removing his gun belt and holster, the sheriff followed Uncle Robert’s instructions. It made for a tight fit on the settee, his arm pressed against Leah’s.
Aunt Estelle sighed happily. “We think this will be a delightful arrangement. You might not immediately agree, Leah. You’ve got your mother’s stubborn nature. But I promised her that I would make sure you were always taken care of, and I intend to keep my word. Nothing could please us more than to see you—”
“Estelle, please …”
The elderly woman clamped her lips tightly together and ceased her rambling.
Leah felt as though a fist had slammed into her midsection. So her suspicions were correct. But how could her aunt and uncle put her on the spot like this? And poor Sheriff Waite!
She slid her gaze to him. He’d doffed his hat at the door and now sat smoothing its brim, a slight tremor in his fingers.
“Leah, there has been a change of events since I wired you about coming to One Way.” Uncle Robert’s tone was the same he used to admonish his congregation. “As you’re aware, I had arranged for you to become the town’s first official schoolteacher.”
“And you would have been, too, if Luther Welton hadn’t—”
Would have been?
“Estelle, dear, allow me to finish.”
“Of course, Robbie. Go ahead.”
Leah sq
uelched the urge to run. But run where?
“Unfortunately for all of us, Miss Collette Welton’s fiancé broke their engagement. For that reason, Luther Welton, the superintendent of the school, replaced you with his younger cousin Collette for the teaching position. Even though Mr. Welton agreed with our decision to hire you at first, we had no recourse after he changed his mind. Mr. Welton is a powerful man here in town. Half of One Way backs his every decision.”
“I have no job?” She had no school? No livelihood? And ten cents to her name—no, this couldn’t be happening.… “There must be other employment for me.”
“I’m afraid not. You see …” Sheriff Waite hesitated, shifting. “I know the lawmen in all the surrounding towns, and I’ve queried all of them. Seems there’s no respectable positions available for a female.” The sheriff set his hand over hers. It felt warm, comforting. “Miss Hermaning, believe me. I tried my best.”
“I’m sure you did.” She forced a jagged breath through her constricting chest.
“Leah, even though the ministry kept us away much of the time, we’ve always loved you like the daughter we never had.” Uncle Robert left his seat and now stood near the wooden fireplace mantel. His voice was low and fatherly, as if he truly cared about her welfare. “And it’s with deep regret I tell you that your aunt’s eyes have been failing her for a while. We’ve heard of a doctor in Portland, Oregon, who is familiar with advanced medical techniques. He replied to our inquiry and believes he can help. We’re eager to get there as soon as we can, before your aunt gets any worse.”
“But Uncle Robert—”
He held up a hand.
Leah swallowed her protest. “When will you leave?”
“Tomorrow. At first light.”
“But … I hoped we could spend some time together.”
“We can’t waste a moment more.” Uncle Robert’s voice said his mind was made up. “We need to be up in Glendive by Saturday evening. An evangelist is purchasing our wagon and mules for his ministry.”
“Selling your wagon?” They had owned and operated their ministry from it for as long as Leah could remember.
“It’s the only practical thing to do, although we’ll receive a mere pittance for it and the animals.”
“How will you get to Portland?”
“On Monday, your aunt and I will board the Northern Pacific in Glendive, and we’ll reach our destination on Wednesday. Your aunt sees the doctor Thursday afternoon.”
“So you see, dear,” Auntie said, squinting at Leah, “we’re on a very strict schedule.”
“Take me with you,” she begged. “I’ll help you as we travel, and I’ll take care of Aunt Estelle. I’ll do anything you want.”
“We don’t have the funds. We’re not getting much for our wagon and mules. But even if there was a way to take you along, your aunt and I don’t believe it’s God’s will.” A weighty pause. “Sheriff, why don’t you take a turn to speak?”
Leah held her breath, not trusting herself to glance at the handsome man beside her.
He cleared his throat. “Miss Hermaning, I know this is sudden …” His voice wavered as his calloused palm tightened around her hand. She looked at him then, and he stared into her eyes as if—as if he sincerely meant the words to come.
But how could he?
The softness in his gaze said otherwise. “I’d be honored if you’d … that is, I’d like for you to … well …” He inhaled then blew out his breath. “Miss Leah Hermaning, I’d consider myself blessed if you’d become my wife.”
Chapter 5
She didn’t seem too surprised by his proposal, although the look on her face, which could only be described as utter dismay, did nothing to assure Jesse that she’d accept his offer. Rather than love and adoration, expressions he would have liked to see in the woman he hoped to marry, he saw disappointment and sadness. But what more could he expect, given the circumstances? No woman would jump for joy at a marriage offer like this.
But what set him back the most was the shame he sensed in her. She’d done nothing wrong. Sure, Miss Estelle had told him of the trouble Leah had gotten herself into, but, wanting the facts, Jesse learned the details for himself. He found no crime and saw no shame in what she’d done.
However, he figured Leah Hermaning was a woman who needed a man’s protection, especially out here. She needed a place to call home. He needed a wife to run his homestead, a help meet, as the Bible called it. He liked her a whole lot already, and he could tell she liked him, too.
Sounded like a perfect fit to Jesse.
And then there was the upcoming election. Being a family man would undoubtedly give him a leg up, although it surprised even him that his intentions went beyond the immediate future. Even if he lost to Welton, Jesse knew that he and Miss Hermaning would have a happy future together. The peace he felt inside told him so.
Now, if only she’d see it that way.
“But, Uncle …” She swiped her eyes with the back of one hand. “I can’t marry a man I don’t know just because it’s convenient.” She glanced Jesse’s way. “No offense intended, Sheriff.”
“None taken.”
“Now, Leah, in time you’ll see that marrying Jesse is the best you could hope for, all things considered. He’ll take care of you. And it will be good for him, too.” Reverend Hermaning hesitated. “You might have heard that an election is coming up next week.”
“I heard.” She sounded so hurt that Jesse could have kicked himself with his own spurs for springing marriage on her this way.
But there wasn’t time for courtship—not if she wanted her aunt and uncle present at the wedding.
“Miss Hermaning, believe me. The election is not the only reason I’m proposing. I need a wife. I want a family.” Jesse rather enjoyed the pink blooming in her cheeks. Real sweet.
“Leah, dear, your aunt and I would have failed in One Way without Jesse. At first, we had no success at all. Sunday after Sunday, we set up church under that tree by the river, and each week for the first three months, we sang hymns alone, and I preached only to your aunt.”
“And that got old in a hurry.” Miss Estelle rolled her failing eyes. “Wouldn’t you agree, Jesse?”
He cleared his throat and worked the smile off his face. Since the day they’d met, he’d found Miss Estelle’s childlike candidness amusing.
“We called on every home in town and a lot of them outside the town, but nobody wanted to come to church or hear our message of salvation through Jesus,” the reverend continued. “We were so discouraged, we wanted to move on.”
Miss Estelle sighed. “I did everything I could to get Robbie to quit this town. I didn’t understand why we couldn’t seem to bear fruit here. We’d been successful everywhere else we’d lived.” She pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed the sudden tears. “I thought we were out of God’s will. It was a hard time for me.”
It was the first time Jesse had ever seen sadness in the older woman’s eyes. But when she pulled a second hanky out of the other sleeve and handed it to Leah, he realized his intended was all teared up, too—
Well, she was almost his intended.
What could he say to make her understand there was no shame in his proposal? Sure, there’d been no flowers or sweet words of love, but he could easily make that part up to her in the future. And who knew whether deep love could come from this awkward beginning?
“Miss Hermaning, I’m sorry you’re taking my offer of marriage so hard, but—”
“Jesse, you’re a smart man, but you don’t know much about women.” Miss Estelle blew noisily into her hanky. “She’s upset about my hard times, not your marriage proposal.”
“Oh?”
Miss Hermaning gave a bob of her head. “I had no idea you suffered so, Auntie.” She sniffed.
“Dry your tears, ladies.” The reverend peered at his niece, his thick dark brows pinched together. “Leah, the reason I told you this story is because I thought it’d make a differenc
e to you. You see, one Sunday morning, Jesse showed up under that tree. After hearing the Gospel, he repented of his sins and became a Christian. Word got around, and the next week we had three families at church besides Jesse. Since that day, we’ve seen his faith tested and grow.”
“So you see, dear, why your uncle and I are so fond of him. He’s a product of our ministry—the ministry we thought was dead. However, if Jesse isn’t reelected, there’ll be no church building.”
“Why can’t the church meet in the schoolhouse?”
“We don’t have one. School will meet in Luther Welton’s barn. He’s the man with the money in this town, and he’s the only man with the space. We’re still a pioneer town, and everybody besides Luther built as small as they could with high hopes to expand later.” Jesse sat back on the settee. “Unfortunately, the town board has to approve all construction, and its members are waiting on the election results. Building the church will have to wait until spring—and to see who wins next week.”
“What does a sheriff have to do with the town board’s decision?”
“Here in One Way, Miss Hermaning, the sheriff sits on the board and has the deciding vote.”
A spark of understanding lit in her gray eyes. “And let me guess—Mr. Welton is dead set against the idea of a church, but his plans for his hotel and gaming facility will be approved if he’s elected sheriff.”
“You hit the nail squarely on the head.” Jesse grinned, pleased to see the light of concern in her gaze. Another woman might not care about anything but herself.
Miss Hermaning rubbed her temples as if combating an oncoming headache. “It’s too much to think about. I’ll need time to make a decision.”
“I’m afraid we have no time, my dear.” The reverend clasped his hands together as if the decision had been made, and Jesse’s heart went out to Miss Hermaning.
Sitting forward, he took her hand and stood. “Will you come for a short stroll with me as you think about my offer?”
The Yellowstone River couldn’t run as deep as Leah’s feelings of humiliation. At least there was some dignity and acceptance in spinsterhood. But this sort of marriage—one arranged for a purpose and without love, without friendship even—that was a sham. She wanted no part of it!
The Convenient Bride Collection: 9 Romances Grow from Marriage Partnerships Formed Out of Necessity Page 9