The Widower's Wife

by Prudence, Bice

  “I don’t think you have to worry about her going anywhere.” Marcus smiled and Jillian laughed heartily.

  As they neared the house, Jillian could hear some commotion. She tugged on Marcus’s arm to hurry him along. When they turned the corner and the barnyard came into view, Jillian’s hand flew to her mouth to stifle her laugh.

  The chickens had escaped their pen and were running all over the yard while Bethany, Jenny, Lisa, and even little Brenn chased after them. Brenn must have finally managed to get the latch on the door open—something he’d been threatening to do since Jillian arrived. She had counted herself lucky that so far, he hadn’t accomplished it.

  Just then, as Bethany was inches away from catching a hen, it flew up and startled her, knocking her down on her backside and sending her dress flying up over her head. Jillian’s mouth dropped open, and Marcus burst out laughing beside her. Bethany abruptly pulled her dress back down, looked over at them staring at her, and, with an indignant look, quickly righted herself.

  “Don’t just stand there laughing at me! Stop it this instant! Get over here, and help us.” Marcus didn’t stop laughing, but he did help. Jillian did too, and before long, they had all but one chicken back in the coop.

  “Hello, Pa,” Jenny called, and Jillian turned to see Dalton standing directly behind her. She didn’t know how long he’d been standing there watching, but by the look on his face, he was quite amused. Just then Marcus hollered, still chasing the last chicken.

  “Jillian, it’s headed your way!” Just as she turned, the chicken took flight, heading directly toward her face. Startled, she backed up quickly, lost her balance, and fell back into Dalton, sending them both backwards into the nearby water trough.

  Immediately, Marcus and Bethany both doubled over with uncontrollable laughter. Jenny and Lisa fell down in a fit of giggles. Before long little Brenn, who didn’t like to be left out, started laughing as well. Only two members of the group weren’t laughing, and then much to Jillian’s chagrin, only one of them wasn’t.

  Jillian struggled and finally managed to get herself off of Dalton and out of the trough. He made no immediate move to get up. He just kept laughing right along with the rest of them. As she stood there dripping, Jillian looked over at her brother and felt her temper rising.

  “Marcus Grey, you did that on purpose!” Marcus’s expression instantly became one of innocence, but he wasn’t fooling her.

  “Come now, Little Sis, how could I have done that on purpose?” He grinned mischievously. “I don’t . . . speak . . . chicken.” Everyone started laughing again, which only caused her frustration and embarrassment to increase.

  “Oh, you make me so angry sometimes, you scoundrel!” She stomped her foot. “Why you are still such a boy, I will never know!” She ran dripping wet into the house and to her room, where she could still hear the sounds of laughter coming from the yard below.

  Marcus walked over and held his hand out to Dalton. He took it and Marcus pulled him out of the trough. Still laughing, Dalton asked, “Did I just see her stomp her foot? I seem to remember her doing that once before.”

  “If you haven’t noticed, Dalton, our girl has a bit of a temper. She can be a real spitfire, if you really manage to get her goat,” answered Marcus.

  “I trust that you know what you’re talking about.” Dalton slapped Marcus on the back. “Well, I guess I best be getting out of these wet clothes. Do you suppose you could round up that last renegade chicken?

  “I’m sure I can manage it.” Marcus headed in the direction of the barn where the lone chicken was idly plucking at something on the ground.

  “Thanks for completing my day with a good laugh,” Dalton called over to him. “It’s been much too long,” he added with conviction as he walked into the house to change.

  Marcus put the last hen away and looked over at Bethany. She had just finished brushing the dirt off the children and was trying to brush the dirt off the backside of her dress. He walked over to her.

  “Do you need me to help you with that?” Her head snapped up and she blushed with embarrassment.

  “Honestly, Marcus, Jillian’s right. I think you are still just a boy sometimes!” A mischievous look crossed his face again, and Bethany, knowing what Marcus was capable of, looked suddenly worried.

  “If I were still just a boy, Bethany Johansen,” he growled with a smirk on his handsome face as he walked closer to her, unknowingly causing her heart to race, “I wouldn’t be strong enough to do this.” Swiftly, he reached down, scooped her up into his arms, walked quickly to the water trough, and dropped her in. A look of complete shock registered on her face as she was suddenly engulfed in the cold water. “There now,” he said with finality, “you and my sister always did like to do everything together.” With that, Marcus turned and walked toward the house, picking Brenn up on his way, and motioned to the two astonished little girls to follow him inside.

  Seventeen

  Jillian rolled over in bed and stretched. Mornings always came too soon on a farm. She realized she’d slept a little late, so she got up and dressed quickly.

  A week had already passed, which meant she only had three more days with Marcus and Bethany. She and Bethany had given the men the silent treatment for a day after the water trough incident. Then Jillian had realized she was wasting precious time with her brother. Though he had apologized on numerous occasions, she still wasn’t certain he felt remorseful enough, but she finally forgave him anyway. She had forgiven Dalton for laughing as well. Bethany followed suit and was soon back to swooning over Marcus. Jillian walked into the kitchen, which almost smelled of fried eggs. Dalton and Marcus were both dressed and talking at the table.

  “Good morning,” she said, smiling. She looked over at Marcus. “You’re up early.”

  “Dalton and I are going out to do a bit of riding around this morning,” Marcus explained.

  “Oh?” she said with a questioning look. “Anything interesting out there I should know about?”

  Marcus answered quickly. “No, I just wanted to see a bit more of the land around here.”

  “Well, I’ll make you some breakfast so that you can be on your way.” She turned and started gathering the things she needed for hotcakes.

  “No need, Little Sis. Dalton here has already made me some breakfast.” Jillian raised her eyebrows again and looked over at Dalton.

  “What? I can cook—a little anyway.” Dalton looked out the window. “I was on my own for a while.”

  Jillian was instantly flustered. She hadn’t meant to upset him. She thought of her walk with Marcus on his second day here. She hadn’t missed the rather fresh looking flowers lying at Laurellyn’s headstone. They hadn’t been more than a week old. She wondered how often he still went there. Dalton stood up.

  “Well, Marcus, we best be on our way.” He took his hat off the hook by the door and placed it on his head. Marcus stood up and did the same but then walked around the table and kissed Jillian on the cheek.

  “We should be back by midday, Little Sis. Maybe you could convince Bethany to bake some more of those delicious biscuits. The more I eat, the more I think about putting a ring on that girl’s finger!” Jillian beamed and playfully swatted him on the behind with her wooden spoon as he walked away.

  While Marcus waited outside, Dalton saddled his horse, a chore that took longer than usual because Dalton’s thoughts went to Jillian. He envied the relaxed and playful relationship she shared with her brother. He thoroughly liked Marcus and their friend Bethany. Their visit had been a welcome change, bringing fun and laughter to his home once again. He noticed how Jillian’s eyes always seemed alight with joy these days. He suspected it was because she felt loved and valued by her brother and her friend.

  The thought caused guilt to well up inside him. She had treated him a lot better than he had been treating her. He wasn’t proud of the man he had been of late. He needed to do right by his wife. Slowly, he led his horse out of the barn toward Marcus, who
had climbed up on his horse and was patiently waiting. When Marcus had asked him to go riding around to look at the available land in these parts, Dalton wondered what the man was thinking. This morning he intended to find out.

  “Well, Marcus,” he said, as he swung his leg over the saddle, “are you ready to see some of the most beautiful land God ever created?”

  Marcus grinned. “I’m counting on it!”

  Jillian sat down at her vanity that evening. She was especially tired and looked forward to getting a good night’s sleep. The men had come home from their ride just before the noonday meal. After they had eaten, they headed out to the fields to work for a while. She was glad to see Dalton and Marcus getting along so well. Jillian was just taking her hair down when she heard a soft knock at her door.

  “Come in!” she called. Dalton had ridden over to Uncle Ned and Aunt Betty’s home after dinner. He had a matter to discuss with Uncle Ned, and he hadn’t returned yet. Marcus had taken Bethany out for an evening stroll, but Jillian had heard Bethany come in a moment ago, and then she’d heard Marcus’s horse ride off, so that meant it was either Bethany or one of the children at the door.

  “Jillian, am I disturbing you? Can we talk?” Bethany asked softly.

  “Of course, Beth, come in.” Jillian finished letting her hair down and began brushing it.

  Bethany floated into the room and dramatically fainted backward onto Jillian’s bed, bringing her hand to her forehead. Amused, Jillian turned in her chair and gave Bethany her full attention. Bethany sat up and smiled.

  “He kissed me, Jilly. We were just standing there on the porch and all of a sudden, he took me in his arms and kissed me.” She lay back on the bed again, and then just as quickly sat back up. “Not just a little peck, either. I thought that I was going to faint dead away, right there.”

  Jillian laughed as she got up from her chair, sat down on the bed next to her closest friend, and took her hands.

  “Oh, Beth, I’m so happy for you!” She released her hands and gave her a quick hug. “I knew he would eventually get up the nerve, but it certainly took him long enough.” Jillian smiled genuinely at Bethany. “I have never wanted anyone but you for a sister.”

  “Don’t be silly, Jilly. He only kissed me! He didn’t ask me to marry him.” Bethany stood up, walked over to Jillian’s vanity, and sat down. Jillian turned to face her.

  “I know my brother, Beth. He never would have kissed you in such a way if he wasn’t thinking about marrying you.” Bethany squealed and ran back over to the bed to hug Jillian.

  “Do you really think so?” she asked excitedly.

  “Yes, silly. I know so,” Jillian answered. “Now you’d better go get some sleep so I can get mine. I get up a lot earlier than you, remember?” Bethany gave her friend another long hug and danced to the door. Before leaving, she turned back to Jillian.

  “I love you, Jilly. Thank you for letting me come and visit you. It’s been a dream!”

  “I love you too, Bethy. Now get,” Jillian teased.

  Despite what she said about needing her sleep, Jillian lay awake for a long time. She was genuinely happy for Marcus and Bethany. They were both wonderful people and deserved all the happiness life could afford. But her thoughts kept turning back to Dalton and herself. She thought about the times he had kissed her, how he’d caused her whole body to tremble with exhilaration. It had been so long since they had had any physical contact at all. Even when he helped her into or out of the wagon, he let go of her hand as quickly as possible. She wanted to be close to him, wanted him to hold her like he had before. Sighing deeply, she rolled onto her side and held her pillow in her arms. Would they ever have their chance at happiness?

  “I love you, Dalton.” she whispered to no one. At last, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

  Jillian held on tightly, not wanting to let go. She had started crying the moment she woke up and realized what day it was. She could feel her brother’s heart beating beneath his lapel. Marcus’s checkered shirt and denims had been replaced by his usual clothing. Bethany stood off to the side. They had said their tear-filled good-byes earlier, before Marcus arrived. Now she was having a hard time letting her beloved brother go. She knew she was being selfish by wanting him to stay—Mother and Father were surely missing him too—but she didn’t know when she would ever see him again. It was he who finally broke their embrace. Marcus put his hand under her chin, lifted her face up, and wiped the tears from her eyes.

  “You’re going to cause a flood with all those tears, and then you’ll have Dalton upset with me. First a fire, then a flood!” he teased.

  “Marcus, don’t try to make me smile. I don’t want to today. You’re both leaving, and I can see no earthly reason to be happy,” she complained.

  “Oh, but you’re wrong, dearest sister of mine. There’s always a reason to be happy, even in good-byes. If there were no good-byes, then there would be no hellos. You see?” He smiled at her. “Besides, I don’t want to remember a frown on your face as I ride away. I might think you don’t like me anymore.” Marcus pretended to pout.

  Jillian whimpered, “You know that’s not true.”

  “Well then, give me a smile so I can remember my beautiful sister just as she ought to look,” he coaxed.

  “I just wish we had more time! I wish I could ride to the station with you both, but I can’t leave Brenn.” The poor little boy had come down with stomach pains in the night. He seemed so little and helpless that she couldn’t bring herself to leave him and she didn’t want to risk having Aunt Betty or Uncle Ned catching anything from him either, so Dalton was going to take them to the station alone. They also wouldn’t have to borrow the Flannigans’ wagon this way. She knew it would be for the best, but it was still difficult.

  They all walked down the porch steps and over to the wagon. Jenny and Lisa were crying now too. Marcus opted to forgo the proper kisses reserved for ladies and gave them both hugs and kisses on the cheek instead. They were now extremely fond of Marcus and would miss him terribly. Jillian gave Bethany one last hug, and before letting her go, she whispered in her ear, “As soon as he proposes, you be sure to send me a telegram right away.”

  Bethany blushed deeply. Marcus gave his sister a quizzical look before stepping past her to help Bethany into the wagon. Jillian winked at him, trying to tease him a little. When Bethany was seated, Marcus walked back over to Jillian and took her into one final embrace.

  “Are you telling secrets about me, Little Sis?” he whispered, just loud enough for her to hear.

  “No secrets, dear brother, only predictions.” This made him raise an eyebrow, and she smiled widely at him. He hopped onto the wagon seat with Bethany and Dalton.

  “Now, that’s the look I want to remember,” he declared.

  Dalton flicked the reins, clucked to the horses, slowly turned the wagon around, and headed down the road away from the house.

  Jillian watched as three of the most important people in the world to her rode away. She turned quickly and dismally gathered the children back into the house.

  Jillian looked out the window yet again. It was late, and she was worried. Marcus and Bethany’s train didn’t come through until five-thirty, so she knew Dalton would get home late, but it was already after nine, and he should have been home over an hour ago.

  She went to check on the children. Lisa and Brenn were sleeping soundly, but she knew Jenny would still be awake. The two of them had spent the evening completing the last of her makeup work, and then they took turns reading from the book of fairy tales. By working together each evening, Jenny had not only caught up but was excelling in her studies. Earlier that evening, Jenny had been concerned when her father failed to return, especially because Dalton had promised to read to her when he got back. Jillian knocked lightly on the door to Jenny’s room and peeked inside. Jenny was sitting up in her bed with her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. Her head was down, so she guessed the girl was still worried about her father. Jill
ian walked over and sat next to her on the bed.

  “Hello, sweetie. Are you ready to go to sleep now?” Jenny looked up, and Jillian could see the tears welling up in her eyes. Jillian gathered her in her arms. “There now, don’t cry. Everything is fine. Your father has been delayed is all. He’ll be home soon enough.” Jillian tried to soothe Jenny’s worries, even though her own were growing with every passing minute. Finally, Jenny lay down and fell asleep, and Jillian tiptoed quietly from the room.

  Immediately she looked out the window again. It was almost ten o’clock. Jillian grabbed a quilt from the chair and went to the hook by the door. Reaching up, she grabbed Dalton’s coat, slipping her arms into it as she opened the door and went out. She shivered briefly. The nights were getting cooler now. Jillian sat down on the porch steps, leaned against the railing post, and laid the quilt over her lap.

  “Where are you, Dalton?” she whispered into the night air. She leaned forward, put her elbows on her knees, and covered her face with the sleeves of his coat to keep her nose warm. She breathed in deeply , inhaling his familiar scent.

  Before long, Jillian found herself fighting sleep. She didn’t want to go back inside until Dalton was safely home, so she took the quilt from her lap, tucked it under her head, and lay down on the porch steps, deciding to rest her eyes for just a minute or two.

  Dalton wearily drove the wagon past the gate and made his way toward the house. Old Decker’s bridle lay on the bed of the wagon along with his rifle. What had started out to be a very simple trip to the train station had turned into a long and tedious ordeal.