by Annie Boone
Jeb interrupted her. “Because you need to know that I care for you. That I truly, deeply, care for you, Rowena, and you deserve to know that above everything else.”
Her mouth hung open as Jeb gently touched her wrist. She didn’t pull away.
“I shouldn’t have gone along with it—the not telling you part—and I know it was wrong. But I didn’t know how else to talk with you, to get to know you. The last few months have been the best in my life, and I didn’t want that to stop. For me, it has been like I was always waiting on you to get here. To Rocky Ridge and me.” He laughed lowly and then his chuckle faded as the train came into the station.
Rowena kept staring at Jeb, her brow furrowed. With her heart pounding in her chest, she gripped her bag tightly against her as a defense. The man had been in the heat too long and was mixing up his words. “I think you should sit down,” she managed. “You must be tired.” And she looked down as he gently grasped one of her hands and pulled it towards him.
“I care for you more than I have cared for anyone else,” Jeb told her. “Please, let me make this up to you. You are a beautiful woman, Rowena, and I admire your strength and your character. And, the truth is that you deserve better than to be kept in the dark about important matters. So let me fix this, please. I love you, and I want you to stay. With me.”
She felt the air leave her lungs as she gaped at him. Exhaling sharply, she stepped back and bumped into the wall again. A lump formed in her throat and she eyed him suspiciously as he stepped closer. “You w-what? I don’t understand… I…”
“All aboard!” Rowena jumped at the exclamation from the platform. She looked through wide eyes as the other people around them began to board the train. She recalled the handwritten free pass in her pocket that would allow her to get to Denver. But her legs felt sluggish and she couldn’t move. She also recalled that she had no money. But the most important detail she recalled was Jeb’s admission. He loved her. She shook her head and tried to straighten out her thoughts.
“Please. Stay a little longer, at the very least. Give me a chance to right this wrong. I’d like another chance. Please?”
“My train…” she leaned in that direction, but still couldn’t move. Groaning in frustration, Rowena shook her head. All she wanted to do was yell and scream at him, wondering why he was trying to confuse her. But as she opened her mouth, she realized what he was really saying.
The man was proposing to her.
“What?” She blinked. “Wait, I… you…”
“I love you,” Jeb told her firmly. “Please, let me show you that I’m sincere. I know you don’t trust me because of the matchmaking with Susannah. But I want you to see that my motive was never to deceive you. I only wanted to get to know you.”
She looked away, but didn’t take a step to board the train.
“If you decide you can’t forgive me after I’ve tried to make it up to you, then I’ll buy your train ticket. Wherever you like, no matter what. But I want to prove to you, Rowena, that I’m better than this. And I want to be better than this, for you.”
There was something in his gaze that made her forget about the train. She didn’t hear the last call, nor the whistle that blew as the machine started off again. But she realized in this moment that she had her freedom. He was asking, not telling her to stay. It was her decision to make.
All Rowena knew was the look in his eyes, something she had only ever seen once before. It was in the gaze that Lucas had had for Susannah, and something in her heart said that it was good. So Rowena used the freedom she worked so hard to hold on to.
“All right,” she said finally. “I’ll stay.”
Chapter Nineteen
“I think it would be more along the lines of luck,” Lucas’s low voice could be heard in the hallway. “If anything.” They could see his shadow through the crack of the doorway. Rowena heard Susannah chuckle behind her.
“I don’t know,” Susannah sighed deeply. “It turned out all right now, didn’t it?”
Rowena rolled her eyes with a snort. Twisting her hands together in her lap, she turned to the mirror, hardly recognizing the young girl staring back at her. If anything, she didn’t look like a girl any longer, but a woman.
“By luck or the grace of God,” Lucas reminded her, drumming his fingers against the wall. “And that’s why we’re changing that advert. You’re going to be completely clear about this. I think Rowena here will be more than eager to keep you in check.”
The woman just huffed but when she caught Rowena’s gaze in the mirror, she offered a sheepish smile. “I know he’s right, but he doesn’t have to be so happy about it,” she whispered with a wink.
“I heard that,” Lucas snorted.
Rowena just rolled her eyes, knowing she shouldn’t get involved when the Jessups were teasing each other. Instead, she glanced at the mirror again. In such a short amount of time, it seemed so impossible for everything to have changed. “Thank you,” she nodded to Susannah when the woman pinned the final curl.
Mrs. Jessup beamed. “You’re a lovely bride, Rowena. Jeb won’t know what to say. I can’t wait to see the look on his face. Now, are you ready?”
“I can’t wait to see Jeb, either. I just hope he didn’t cut his face shaving this morning.” Rowena laughed and looked at herself in the mirror again. “Yes, I’m ready.”
“Horses are ready, too,” Lucas called from the other side, his hearing practically perfect. “And they’re probably cold. And I have your cloaks right here.”
Humming, Susannah obeyed and opened the door to her husband. They talked quietly as Rowena studied herself one last time. Dark curls framed her oval face, with that pointy chin of hers. She didn’t like it, but Jeb did. He seemed to like just about everything if it involved her. And at the thought of the man, she couldn’t help but smile.
It had been a long journey, she acknowledged. The Jessups had apologized, and set her up in the town’s hotel for a few days until Rowena recovered from her hurt. After enough talking and clearing the air, she had grudgingly returned to their home. Repairing the relationship had been difficult but with Jeb’s convincing, Rowena had worked on it and the two women had developed a steady friendship as a result.
That was when she wasn’t spending her time with Jeb, of course. She hadn’t known what she was getting into after accepting his idea to stay longer, but today she wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. The man had settled her doubts, erased her fears, and today she felt like a whole new woman.
Standing up, she went to meet the Jessups in the front of the house. Rowena walked carefully as she glanced around there, realizing that this was no longer her home. For the better part of the year it was everything she had known. There was so much that had happened, good and bad, so many lessons that she had needed to learn.
It made her think of that night. “I would never hurt you,” Jeb had offered that grin of his, putting out a hand. “Come on, or you’ll miss the best part.” It was in the middle of a rain storm, and he had come out riding to meet her for their usual Tuesday supper. It had rained all day, so Rowena was certain he wouldn’t come. Yet he had, and then he had dragged her out into the rain.
She had scoffed. “You might not, but the weather says otherwise.” Crossing her arms, she wrinkled her nose. Already the dampness was affecting her hair and she fixed her braid. “It’s not safe out there.”
Jeb’s frown caught her off guard just then because so little bothered him. “But…” he trailed off with a furrowed brow. “Rowena, I really do want you to see this. I swear, I’m not putting you in danger. I want to share something that I’ve been wanting to show you for a while. You’ll be safe with me.”
She had gathered her courage and reluctantly stepped forward, knowing what she had to do. Lightning struck again behind her and she whipped around, but by then it was already gone. So she took a deep breath, and touched his arm.
“Do you promise me that we’ll be safe?” She meant for the words to come
out stronger, but they came out as a soft whisper.
“Of course,” he told her. “I would never let anything bad happen to you.” Those words were so simple to him. Even after she had told him all about her struggles growing up, the man hadn’t changed the way he saw her or treated her. Jeb brought his horse around, and she climbed up in front of him as they started out into the storm.
The rain poured and even with his hat she didn’t know how the man could see anything. But she trusted him as he asked, and allowed him to take her to the place he had in mind. They stopped in a field where he jumped down and held his arms out to help her down.
She stumbled into his arms from the horse, and realized he was laughing as he took off his hat. Shaking his head, he took her hand and turned her around where he pointed to the tall peaks ahead where the storm raged on.
At the first strike, Rowena jumped for she was certain they were too close. But Jeb’s hand tightened around hers, and her heart pattered. By the third strike, Rowena started to realize why they were there. The brightness of the lightning lit up the valleys below and the mountains above, creating a wondrous view. Relaxing, she leaned against Jeb and he wrapped an arm around her. They were soaked, but it didn’t matter.
It was then that Rowena realized this overwhelming and exhausting feeling in her heart was something more. He had wanted so badly to show her this view. It made her grin as she thought about his childish antics. But they were fun to indulge, and he was good company. Rowena had thought that she needed to be alone to have her independence, but she was learning that was not the case. Turning to the man who had dragged her out into the middle of a storm with a promise only their God could keep, Rowena had wrapped her arms around him and leaned up to kiss him.
“Do you hate the view that much?” he chuckled against her lips.
His breath was warm against her cheek as she hugged him tightly, trying not to shiver. “It’s spectacular. I understand what you mean now,” she added, speaking of several things in one. And she kissed him again, to make sure he understood.
As they pulled away reluctantly, knowing how improper this was, Jeb’s grin broadened. “Good,” he said finally. “I couldn’t be happier.”
And they stayed there watching the storm until she began to shiver. Once they returned to the house, he stayed late so the two of them wrapped themselves tightly into blankets around the Jessup fireplace to talk quietly and share a piece of sweet potato pie. By morning, they had a wedding date.
“Whoa, Lucas!” Susannah laughed as they hit a hole in the road and Rowena jerked back from her sweet memories. Clutching her cloak tightly, she pulled up the hood and looked around. They were nearly to town. In fact, if she turned to her left… yes, there was his house. Their house, she corrected herself.
It had three rooms now, a cozy little place that she was ready to share with Jeb. If she looked hard enough, she could see the three flower pots beside the front door with small sunflowers struggling to grow.
“Here we are!” Lucas called as the chapel came into sight. She turned, her heart hammering as they arrived and headed inside. Her fingers fumbled for the clasp of her cloak and her gaze fell upon Jeb.
Their eyes met, and instantly they grinned. Before she knew it, Susannah had put the bouquet in her hands and she was facing Jeb Harbin as Pastor Simmons talked. He was a lovely speaker, but it was hard to focus on anything but the tall man before her with that dashing and devilish grin.
“Hello,” he whispered to her.
“Hello,” she whispered back.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes. Are you ready?”
“More than ready.”
“Good.”
“Very good.”
It was a blur all until the pastor proclaimed the close. “Before God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Rowena looked up to Jeb who took a step closer, though not quite closing the gap. It was just enough of an invitation. And he waited with a big grin and those bright eyes. She was free to do whatever she wished. And she knew exactly what she wanted to do with that freedom. Rowena stepped forward and only then did Jeb wrap his arms around her, and their lips met for their first kiss as a married couple.
Every kiss was a promise that banished her fears. It was as though the past had never happened, for the pain and doubt left when Jeb was there. He cared for her in a way that she had never known was possible.
She thanked God quickly for Susannah and Lucas. Without them, she’d never have met Jeb. Then she thanked God for Jeb who had shown her in so many ways what love really meant.
It’s not quite the end!
* * *
Did you enjoy Rowena and Jeb’s love story? It seemed like they might not make it. Trust is so important and when it’s broken it’s difficult to get it back. I’m so glad Rowena was able to find her way to Jeb and to God.
If you want to find out how Susannah helps another young woman change her life and meet the man of her dreams, turn the page for a sneak peek!
Preview – Olivia and Simon from the Colorado Matchmaker Series
I
Olivia and Simon - A Preview
Chapter One
Rocky Ridge, Colorado; 1881
Bedsheets, check. Curtains, check. Pillows, check. Fresh pot of flowers by the window, check. Susannah Jessup rocked back and forth on her feet, reviewing the room one last time. One last time for the day, anyway.
With a critical gaze, she surveyed the set up and tried to imagine coming here for the first time, and that she had never set foot here before. Would she be comfortable, feel safe? Finally satisfied here was nothing else she could do, Susannah closed the door behind her and checked on the next room.
The boarding house had six rooms, meaning that six young women were able to reside there, to live and adjust and create a life. There were four on the ground floor, with two in the attic. After glancing in the last room, Susannah stared at the hall, pausing reflectively.
“It’s going to work,” she whispered to herself firmly. But this wasn’t a concern of hers. She believed with all her heart that soon this house would be bustling and full of life, of people learning and growing. It wasn’t quite the same thing as children, she acknowledged, but it would still be lovely. And she was happy.
Lost in her thoughts, Susannah went to her new office where she found her files, wanting to make sure she hadn’t forgotten a thing. Shuffling through them, the folders were resorted once again as she changed her mind on who to focus on next. After Jeb Harbin, it was hard to decide which man to start with, especially since she didn’t have any other women there yet.
The new file on top was Simon James. It was one of the newest ones, for he was a friend of Jeb’s and she had practically promised him everything before finishing his portfolio. A good young man, he used to work on the railways before coming out west to start over again. Though he lived with his sister and her family, he was clearly working hard to make his own way. Jeb had mentioned the man to her several times before Mr. James ever stepped over her threshold.
Hopefully, Susannah prayed, there would be someone there for him soon. The man had been through his share of troubles, and she wanted him to find something good in life. And finding love would be a very good thing.
What could be better than love? To find someone to cherish through the sunlight and the dark nights, someone to laugh with and cry with, someone to build a fuller life with. The world was complicated enough and if she could help, Susannah would do whatever she could to bring people together. Now that she had Simon James on the string, she just needed to find someone right for him.
With the evening progressing, she returned to the kitchen to finish up the supper she had left on the stove. Humming, she brought out the hot cast iron pot and turned, setting it just on the table as her husband, Lucas, walked in.
It was nearly impossible to hear him until he showed up in the room, but she was slowly getting better at not jumping. Heart hammer
ing, she took a deep breath and tossed the nerves aside. Giving him a look, she set the food down and closed the stove. “There you are. You’re a little late, aren’t you?” She paused, noticing he was limping. Hastening to his side as he sat, Susannah frowned. “Whatever happened?”
She pulled out her towel at the sight of blood. Below his knee, the pant leg was soaked in it. The only reason she didn’t scream was because she was used to his occasional injuries, and he didn’t look to be in too much pain.
“It was just a horse,” he informed her hurriedly. More than anything, he sounded irritated as he shifted in his set and sighed. “He was nervous, and the bridle was too tight. I fixed it.”
She gave him a look. “But you didn’t fix yourself.”
“I did,” he frowned, and pulled up his pant leg for her to find a bandage, already blood-soaked but he raised an eyebrow not understanding how his effort fell short. “See?” He was dangerous enough for people, but apparently he was also dangerous to himself. His days of being a Texas Ranger had taught him to bind injured body parts, but there was little finesse to it. “See? Nothing to worry about.” But he stopped as she went to a corner cabinet, pulling out fresh bandages.
“You and your horses,” she murmured, returning to his side. “You and your trouble. Was there no one to help you?”
Lucas watched as she started pulling the bandages away. “Yes, half the town. But nobody goes after a horse racing down the streets. It was Farmer Calloway’s new stallion, just arrived from Texas, apparently. He spent a fortune but didn’t know how to treat him.”
Sighing, Susannah dumped the bloody bandages in a bowl and started running them under the sink. The fresh cut was nasty but it was hardly bleeding and that was a good sign. She tended to it and cleaned it as he told her the story.