Judith Pella, Tracie Peterson - [Ribbons West 03]

by Ties That Bind

  His words were deflating, like having the air knocked out of her lungs by a sharp kick, but Jordana said nothing. Instead, she watched him as he struggled to continue.

  “It’s so nice to have a woman for a friend. I think of all we’ve been through, and I know we have a special bond that few men and women ever share, unless of course they are married.” He turned to face her and shook his head. “But I shall never remarry. I can’t ask any woman to share the kind of life I intend to lead. When I think of what happened to Peggy, and how if only we’d lived in a civilized part of the country—if only I’d never taken her from her family in the first place—”

  “She’d still be dead,” Jordana murmured.

  Rich’s face took on a curious expression. “What?”

  Jordana gave the horse one final pat and went to where Rich stood. “I said, she’d still be dead. God chooses the timing, in spite of our locations. You can’t tell me, Rich O’Brian, that you believe you somehow outdistanced or outsmarted God. Like Peggy’s death somehow took God by surprise?”

  “No, that’s not what I’m saying,” he protested.

  “Then what? You have somehow convinced yourself that life on the plains is too difficult for women to endure. Therefore, it sounds to me as if you might be saying God is incapable of caring for His people if they happen to spend their lives upon the open plains.”

  “That’s not it at all. Peggy’s family didn’t want her to go, and I took her anyway.”

  “Did Peggy choose to go or did you force her?”

  “She wanted to go, of course. We had great plans for our new life,” Rich admitted.

  “So she went of her own free will,” Jordana stated, “and even if you had forced her, do you suppose God would not have been able to keep her from harm? To watch over her tenderly as He always had? Rich, you take too much upon yourself.” Jordana smiled. “I think it’s why I get so frustrated with you and Brenton both. I am a woman of means and health. I desire nothing more than to live my life in the manner to which I feel called and comfortable. I trust God with the outcome, and I trust His guidance. I pray for it, in fact, but then I get up and about and do my business. And I trust that God is there all the time to lead me throughout my life.”

  “Some folks would call that foolishness,” Rich said softly. “Some would call it testing God.”

  “Why? Why is it testing God to venture forth into a new world, trusting Him for the right path, putting all the tomorrows into His hands? The Bible says in Proverbs that ‘a man’s heart devises his way: but the Lord directs his steps.’ I’m not ignoring God,” Jordana defended. “I’m merely doing my part.”

  “And then some,” Rich replied.

  His expression suggested pride in her, and a pleased chuckle escaped her lips. “I can’t help that I have a spirit for adventure. I am bold and courageous, and I believe I am that way because God made me that way. I am not afraid to step over the bounds of confining proprieties and set out for myself.”

  “I have the bruises to prove it, too.” This time Rich let himself smile, lightening Jordana’s worried heart.

  She had hoped he might speak to her of love, and yet at the same time she held her own confused heart at bay. How could she speak of love when she had so much to accomplish? So many places were yet unexplored by her, and the world lay before her like a spread of presents on Christmas morning. She had only to decide which one to unwrap first.

  “I’m glad we’re friends,” she finally said, eyeing Rich carefully. “I cherish what we have together. You have proven me wrong about men and women being incapable of stopping at friendship.”

  Rich opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it rather abruptly. “Come on. It’s getting cold out here. We should get you inside.”

  “I thought we were going to discuss the Montegos,” she said as he swung open the door.

  “I’m still not any closer to figuring out what to do with them than I was before. Dodge has put the word out that if anyone wants to turn in evidence regarding what Montego has been doing, that they would have instant pardon for their own actions, but no one’s come to claim such a prize. I’m hampered, too, by the fact that I can’t let myself be seen as the one trying to take the Montegos to task. I have figured that if and when I meet up with Baxter Montego, I shall make it sound as though I’ve had a close call. That someone in his organization is leaking information and that this person’s carelessness got me thrown into house arrest.”

  “What if he wants to know what you did to convince your captors otherwise?”

  Rich secured the door while Jordana pulled back on her mitten. “I shall tell them that I convinced Dodge that I was set up. I’ll tell him that Dodge and I go way back and that being soldiers we had a certain respect for each other’s word. It’s the truth, so it shouldn’t be hard to sound convincing.”

  “Then what?”

  “Then, hopefully, he’ll take the bait and realize that he can do more with me on his side than by trying to see to my defeat.”

  “And Isabella?” Jordana asked, trying hard not to sound jealous.

  Rich grinned. “I already told you that I wasn’t the marrying type.”

  Jordana looked away as her face grew hot. He’d very nearly read her mind. She was certain that Isabella would stop at no means to snag Rich into matrimony once her father was convinced that he wasn’t a threat to their plans.

  Rich must have sensed Jordana’s feelings, however, because he took hold of her arm and drew her back to face him. “If I were the marrying type, it certainly wouldn’t be to someone like Isabella Montego.”

  Jordana glanced up at him and smiled. “I would imagine she could do you more harm than I ever could.”

  Rich touched her cold cheek. “You might be surprised. There is more than one way to hurt a man.”

  Jordana could no longer bear his touch. She needed to put some distance between herself and Rich O’Brian or she was going to make a fool of herself. “I need to get back,” she said abruptly.

  Rich did nothing to stop her, which only made Jordana feel worse. Somehow she had to come to terms with the way she felt. If she didn’t, she was going to be very sorry. Of this, she had no doubt.

  26

  As the winter dragged on, the Laramie town council declared a winter ball to liven things up. Jordana allowed herself to get caught up in the spirit of the event, despite the fact that Rich appeared uninterested in inviting her to the dance.

  “They’ve closed the line between here and Rawlins,” Rich announced as they made their way to do a bit of shopping.

  Jordana had begged Rich to help her get to Sacramento, knowing that Victoria would be due to have her child very soon now; at least she had given that as her reason. But she knew it was more than this. Jordana had to get away from Rich. She couldn’t bear the way she felt when she saw him each morning. She wanted to run and throw herself into his arms, shower his face with kisses, and pledge her undying devotion. She tried to chalk it up to the approaching celebration, as everyone seemed to be in a mood for love—with exception to the good Captain O’Brian.

  Nevertheless, her desire to leave Laramie was constantly being thwarted, as now evidenced by snow beginning to fall on Rich and her, causing a thick white blanket to coat the now muddied offering from the week before. Snow made Laramie a much prettier town, but it also wreaked havoc with the railroad. But perhaps that was merely the hand of God keeping her here. But to what purpose? What was He about, anyway? Surely He knew how hard it was for her to be trapped in this place with Rich.

  “What will happen now?” she asked uneasily. She kept her focus on the passageway.

  “Well, until they get the tracks opened again, everyone is stuck here. All the westbound traffic has been held up here, and folks are overflowing the hotels and boardinghouses.”

  “Are there really that many people stranded here?” She had seen the crowds for herself, but she was still hoping it was merely her imagination.

&nbs
p; “I’ve heard tell that there are easily two hundred already and that more are pouring in by the minute.”

  “Hey, O’Brian!” a familiar voice called out.

  Jordana glanced up to catch sight of Patrick Worth making his way through the drifted snow to speak to Rich. She saw Rich visibly tense, his hand moving toward his pistol.

  “I just got into town,” Worth said. “Can you suggest a place to stay, I mean rather permanent-like?”

  “Permanent? You mean you’ve moved to Laramie?” Rich asked.

  Patrick nodded at Rich’s question, then turned to Jordana and tipped his hat. “My pardon, Miss Baldwin. May I say you look to be in particularly good health.” He smiled warmly at her.

  “Better than the last time you saw me,” she replied.

  “Many things are better since then,” Patrick said. Then he eyed Rich. “You can relax your gun hand, Rich. I mean you no harm.” He glanced around at their icy surroundings as if gauging its appropriateness for a discussion, then shrugged. “I’ve had quite a time of soul-searching since I last saw you. I talked to my ma and I read Peggy’s letters. I especially read those letters. I finally see the truth in all you tried to tell me before.”

  Rich did seem to relax. “I’m glad to hear that.”

  “I don’t know if we could ever be friends again, Rich, though I’d welcome it, but I want you to know you don’t have to watch your back from me anymore. Peggy’s death was a tragic accident. I see that now. There just ain’t no one to blame, and I could tell from her letters that the last thing she would have wanted was there to be hate and discord in the family.”

  “I think so, too, Patrick.” Rich thrust out his hand, and Patrick grasped it firmly. “Now, what’s this about a move to Laramie?”

  “I’ve got me a new job,” he answered. “So, what is the living situation?”

  “You sure know when to pick a time to show up. The whole town is overflowing as it is. Can’t you come back in a few weeks?”

  “Nope. I’ve been hired on by the Union Pacific. I’m gonna be a railroad guard here in Laramie.” He made the announcement so proudly that Jordana couldn’t help but praise him.

  “That sounds like a wonderful job, Mr. Worth. My congratulations,” she said enthusiastically.

  Patrick reddened a bit at the ears, but Jordana couldn’t be sure if it was from the cold or her compliment.

  “Well, that is good news,” Rich replied. “But things are filling up fast. Why don’t you come with me over to Nader’s Boarding House? That’s where Miss Baldwin and I are staying.”

  Worth eyed them suspiciously until Rich added, “We each have our own rooms, of course, and there might be yet another opening for you.” Again Jordana wasn’t certain, but it did appear as if Rich had also reddened a bit.

  Worth openly relaxed. “Sounds good. Lead the way.”

  But when approached, Nader shook his head. “I was going to ask the two of you if you were of a mind to share your rooms with other folks. I could cut down on your rent and pick up the balance from the others.”

  “No, thanks,” Rich replied for both of them. “I don’t think that is of any interest.”

  “Well, then your rent is going up,” Nader replied. “You might as well know that here and now.”

  “Going up?” Jordana questioned in clear dismay. “But I’ve paid up for the rest of the week.”

  “Well, things change,” Nader replied. “Either you want the room or you don’t. If you don’t, there’s plenty of folks who do, and I’ll not have any trouble at all in renting it out to someone else.”

  Jordana and Rich exchanged a glance that suggested they knew he’d do exactly that. “Very well,” Jordana replied, “but don’t expect me to recommend you to anyone else once this crisis has passed.”

  “Worth, you want to room with me?” Rich asked. “You’ll probably not be able to find anything else anyway. Come on. You can pay this old cheat later,” he added with a glare at the innkeeper. “I’ll show you what’s what.”

  Worth smiled. “I’d like that.” He turned to leave, then seemed to remember something. “Say, I hear talk about a dance going on day after tomorrow. You wouldn’t want to go with me, would you?” he asked Jordana.

  Jordana felt a sense of deflation but refused to show it.

  “She’s not interested in those things,” Rich replied before she could speak.

  “Rich O’Brian, you have no right to answer for me. I’d love to go to the dance with you, Mr. Worth. I appreciate that you would bother to ask me.”

  Pat smiled. “No bother at all. We can talk about the particulars later.”

  “That would be fine,” she replied with as sweet a smile as she could muster. She noted the scowl on Rich’s face and rather enjoyed it. She didn’t care if she’d embarrassed him by contradicting him. He shouldn’t have answered for her.

  ——

  By Friday the dance had been canceled, much to Jordana’s disappointment. Over six hundred people had crowded into Laramie, taking up every conceivable bed or open floor space. The dance committee deemed it necessary to use the party space for victims of the snow, and even Fort Sanders had opened its quarters to help as best they could. Lawlessness set in immediately, and it soon became evident that martial law was needed. The Union Pacific found passengers at near stages of rioting, and so with instructions from General Dodge, army soldiers were dispatched to guard the depot and were stationed elsewhere in town to help keep law and order.

  Of course, this didn’t necessarily meet with the approval of the townspeople, who were still reeling over their town losing its charter and being deemed a hopeless pit of scum and depravation.

  Jordana moped around after getting the news. She didn’t really care about the dance, but she had hoped for the diversion. Rich had been in a foul mood all week, but once the dance was canceled, he appeared in much better spirits. It seemed their attitudes had simply reversed.

  Unhappy with the crowds of people who streamed from one room to another inside Nader’s Boarding House, Jordana wrapped up in her warmest clothes and made her way to the stable, which seemed her only sanctuary as she had finally relented and allowed Mr. Nader to put three elderly sisters in her room with her. It was either that or watch him kick them back out into the snow, and Jordana couldn’t bear that idea. It was almost comical how all three slept in the double bed together, while Jordana slept on a pallet on the floor. At first the sisters wanted no part of that and insisted she share their bed, but one look at that situation and Jordana clearly thought it best and more comfortable to stay where she was.

  Jordana actually enjoyed the brisk breeze on her face as she made her way across the yard to the stable, but the dark, heavy clouds overhead did nothing for her mood. Everyone was certain it was set to snow again, and that could only mean further delay on getting Laramie emptied of its thronging crowds. And especially for her desire to also leave the town.

  Inside the stable, Jordana quickly resecured the door and pushed back the woolen scarf she’d wrapped around her head and face. The barn was cold, but it felt tolerable and certainly bore more hope for clear thinking than the house.

  “I thought that was you,” Rich said, coming from out of Scout’s stall. “What in the world are you doing out here? The temperature must be below zero.”

  “I couldn’t stand it anymore. There are three little old ladies in my room who don’t understand why, when I have such a sweet little figure and charming smile, I’m not already married with a brood of children. They, of course, never married, but that was because their mother needed them at home. Now that Mama has passed on to her reward, they are going west, where they are sure to find husbands.” Pausing, she gave an exasperated toss of her head. “But that aside, I came out here to give Scout some sugar.”

  “Sugar? For Scout?” Despite his surprise, Rich grinned broadly. “What about me? I’ve had to suffer with black coffee, cold biscuits, and canned meat. Something sweet would be a treat for me as well. W
here in the world did you get sugar for Scout?”

  “I bribed Mrs. Nader,” Jordana admitted. “I promised her that once the trains were running again, I’d see to it that she got a whole bolt of that blue calico print she so admired.”

  “Why wait? Surely you have enough funds that you could get it now,” Rich commented.

  “Yes, if I wanted to pay three or four times what it’s worth. Anyway, I got an extra blanket out of the deal, this sugar, and”—she paused, giving a conspiratorial glance around the barn—“this.” She pulled out a small bundle from her coat pocket. Inside she revealed four sugar cookies.

  “Oh, you are a crafty one!” Rich eyed the cookies with as much desire as Jordana had seen him show for anything.

  “I had thought to come and enjoy at least one of these, hopefully where no one would find me, but since you are here, I suppose it would only be fair to share.”

  “I think so,” Rich replied.

  She handed him a cookie and nibbled on one for herself after shoving the others back into her pocket. Reaching into her other pocket, she brought out a little handkerchief knotted and tied to protect the sugar inside. She put her cookie down on the edge of the stall, carefully watching that neither Scout nor Rich made a run for it while she untied the cloth. As if sensing that Jordana had brought him a treat, Scout stirred in his stall and quickly swung his head over the rail to greet her, nuzzling eagerly at the offering.

  “You’re spoiling him,” Rich said with cookie crumbs still dusting the front of his coat.

  Jordana shook her head and offered him a smile. “Like master, like horse.”

  Rich noticed where her glance had fallen and quickly cleaned off the crumbs. “At least I made you smile. I began to fear you were going to be moping about for the next week to come. You know there will be other dances, and you can rest assured that when they take place, yours truly will dance with you. I know you missed out on that at the party they had at Fort Sanders. Of course, you did get to dance with Isabella and you handled that so nicely. You led rather well.” His eyes glinted with merriment.