He raised his head. “Here comes surprise number two.” Jackson turned her to look toward the hill.
At that moment, bright rays of color flooded the area. Eliza gasped as rainbows danced about them. She could see that the color came from small holes and cracks in the hillside.
“Oh, Jackson, it’s beautiful!” She clasped her hands in front of her and stared in wonder at God’s creation.
* * *
Jackson watched the surprise and awe that crossed her face. She was beautiful standing in the midst of the rainbows. Her brown eyes danced with joy and excitement just as he’d hoped they would.
“How did you know?” she asked, twirling around in a circle, trying to see all the colors at once.
He clasped his hands behind his back and rocked on his booted heels. “I stumbled across it the other day. My horse spooked at a rattler and brought me this way. Just when I got the horse stopped, the sun hit the side of the hill just right and I was bathed in the rainbows like we are now.”
Eliza ran her hands through the colors. “How is this possible?”
“That mound isn’t a hill at all, but a cave of clear stones that reflects the light.” Jackson stared at her glowing face. He wanted to create a mental picture of her and the pleasure she was expressing because of his surprise.
Her gaze ran over the hillside. “How can we get in?” Excitement filled her voice.
Jackson laughed. “You can’t.”
“But I want to see the stones.” Eliza turned pleading eyes to him.
He moved to her side and pointed up toward the top. “Eliza, the opening is way up there and it’s not safe.”
The rainbows were fading as the sun continued on its course. “I’ll be careful,” she promised. Her eyes begged him to show her the opening and the stones.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t risk you getting hurt.”
She nodded. “I understand. Thank you for sharing this spot with me. Maybe we can come again. I’d love to see the rainbows again and again.”
This was the moment he was waiting for. “What if I told you that you can see the rainbows every day?”
Eliza smiled at him. “I can’t come out here every day, Jackson.”
He pulled a chain with a large clear stone from his pocket. Jackson cupped the rock within his hand, not quite ready to reveal it to her. “No. But I could give you one of the stones to hang in the window and it will make rainbows for you.”
Her squeal pierced the afternoon air. A bird squawked and flew away. “Really?”
Jackson held the chain out to her. He watched as her eyes grew round and she took the chain. Then he slowly opened his hand to reveal the large clear rock.
She gasped and slowly pulled the chain and stone from his hand. He watched as she examined it. No words came from her lips, but her expressive eyes had much to say.
He’d worked many hours on encasing the stone in thin metal wire. It had taken him a long time to craft the chain that held it but the wonder and pleasure in her eyes made it all worthwhile.
“Oh, thank you, Jackson. I shall cherish this always.” She held the stone up to the light and rainbows exploded around them.
The joy on her face filled his heart. Jackson prayed she’d get her dress made by next Saturday. He couldn’t wait to present her with the wedding ring, made from a smaller version of the stone, and band he’d been working on for the past few days.
Jackson marveled at his own emotions. Bringing her joy felt right.
Chapter Seventeen
Eliza twirled in front of the mirror. The lavender silk of her wedding gown swished about her feet. Tiny cream-colored roses decorated the neck and short sleeves. The V waist made her look tiny. She smiled in spite of herself.
“It’s beautiful,” Eve gasped from behind her.
“Do you really think so?” Eliza asked as the sensation of warmth filled her cheeks.
Eve nodded. “You are beautiful. Jackson Hart is going to be so proud when you walk down the aisle.”
Would he? Since they’d returned from their outing on Sunday, he’d been busy. Always dashing off after bringing Peter home. Eliza fretted that he might regret asking her to marry him.
Eliza realized she missed his easy grin and warm voice. He’d seemed so sure the day they’d gone on the picnic and he’d given her the clear stone. Her gaze moved to the rainbows that reflected throughout her bedroom. She’d hung the stone in the window and awoke each morning with fresh rainbows dancing on the walls and ceiling.
Peter had begged her to let him take it down and play with it but she’d told him no. It was a special gift from Jackson, and she didn’t want it accidently broken. Since then, Peter had asked her again and again if they could go find him one.
“Are you going to wear a veil or a hat?” Eve asked, pulling her from her musings.
“Both. A hat with an iridescent veil.” She moved to the clothes chest and pulled it out of the hatbox. Eliza held it up for Eve to see. “I created it myself. I made the flowers from the extra fabric from the dress.” She ran her hand over the hat. The flowers were large, single lavender petals adorned with a lacy center to create an anemone-like bloom. Lace hung from the brim, creating a delicate veil that would cover half her face. Eliza handed the hat to Eve.
“Oh, Eliza. It is beautiful, too. I wish God had given me half your talent for sewing.” Eve ran her fingers over the soft flowers.
Eliza tried to lighten the mood by laughing. “You can sing. I can’t do that,” she reminded her sister.
The joy vanished from her face and eyes. “True, but what good has singing done me?” Eve’s mouth turned down at the corners. “So far, all it’s ever done is get me in trouble.” She continued to pout.
She took the hat from Eve. “No, you got yourself into trouble. Not your singing.” Eliza returned the hat back to its box. “Besides, when Seth comes back, it may not be all that bad.”
Eve flopped down on Eliza’s bed. “Oh, it will be bad. He’ll come back and hang me.” She dramatically flung her arm up over her eyes.
Eliza frowned at her sister. “You don’t believe that.”
“Yes, I do!” Eve popped up into a sitting position. “He’s going to find out that I killed Lucas,” she groaned as she lay back down and hid her face under her arm once more.
“You are being overly dramatic.” Even as the words passed her lips, Eliza wondered what Seth would find.
Eve stood and walked to the mirror. “I suppose I am.” Eve’s gaze connected with hers in the glass. “After all, I’m not positive I killed him. But...” Her face went pale. “There was a lot of blood, Eliza.”
Eliza saw real worry reflected in Eve’s eyes. She walked over and wrapped her arm around her sister’s shoulder. Even though Eve had a way of rubbing her the wrong way, Eliza still loved her and wanted the best for Eve. “The marshal is a good man. Give him time to figure out exactly what happened to Lucas. If you did kill him, Seth will give you the chance to defend your actions.”
Eve nodded. “I keep thinking I should leave before he comes back.”
“What would that prove?” Eliza dropped her arm and moved away. She straightened up the room and spread the wrinkles out of her quilt. “Besides, if you did kill Lucas and then ran, it makes you look as if you can’t be trusted. Then instead of thinking it was an accident, Seth and the jury will think you killed him on purpose.” She changed out of the wedding dress and hung it on the armoire.
Eve continued to stare into the mirror and play with her curls. “Do you think if Lucas is alive, the marshal will tell him where he can find me? I don’t know what I’d do if he shows up here.”
Buttoning her day dress, Eliza answered, “I don’t think Seth will tell him where you are, but then I don’t know what will happen. I do know Seth Billings is a good
man and will protect you should Lucas decide to come nosing around.” Eliza slipped her feet into a pair of shoes and then repinned her hair. She looked at her wedding dress and sighed. Once again, Eve had taken the fun out of her afternoon.
She walked back into the dress shop portion of the house and sat down at her sewing machine. Eve followed close behind.
“Are you going to sew now?” she asked, scooping up her pocketbook and heading to the door.
Eliza laughed. “I can tell by your quick exit that you know I am.”
“The noise of that thing gives me a headache.” Eve opened the door. “Oh, don’t expect me for dinner tonight. I’m going to have dinner with the Hardings. They are such nice people.”
Eliza barely got out the words, “All right,” and Eve shut the door. She sighed. Her sister sucked the energy right out of a room.
Thankful for a few moments of peace and quiet, Eliza walked to the kitchen. She put on a pot of tea and sat down at the table. The trees were beginning to bud and she could hear the birds singing outside the window.
So far the weather was staying warm. She prayed her wedding day would arrive bright and sunny. Even though they weren’t marrying for love, Eliza wanted to remember it as a happy day.
She poured herself a cup of tea from her new teapot. Jackson had been so thoughtful to have gotten it for her. He really was a good man. Eliza sighed. But was being thoughtful and a good man enough to keep them married for years?
* * *
Jackson smiled down at Peter. “What do you think?”
Peter turned the ring around, catching the light from the open doorway. The white stone flashed rainbows all about the smithy. He looked up with a wide grin. “Ma is going to love it. She won’t even let me touch the rock you gave her.” He frowned. “Says it’s too special to be played with.”
Jackson ruffled the boy’s hair and took the ring back. “She’s right. I had a hard time getting them.” He felt a moment of happiness knowing that she valued the stone he’d gotten for her.
The boy tilted his head up and licked his bottom lip. “I sure would like a stone like that. I'm sure George would want one, too.”
“I’m sure he would.” Jackson returned the ring to the small black box he’d acquired from Mrs. Miller’s general store. “But that cavern is a dangerous place. I don’t want you boys going anywhere near it, ya hear?”
Jackson wished he hadn’t told Mr. Miller about the spot in front of Peter. It hadn’t taken the boy long to ferret out exactly where the cavern was located.
“I hear,” Peter grumbled. His shoulders slumped as he returned to his broom. Peter focused on the floor as he swept.
Had he sounded mean when he’d issued the warning? Jackson wasn’t sure. He knew the boy was curious about the cavern and wanted a stone of his own. He’d only meant to warn the boy to stay away because it was dangerous.
“How about we take a break?” Jackson asked.
Peter looked up at him. “All right.” He leaned his broom against the wall and turned to face him.
“I’ll wager Mrs. Velarde over at the diner has some fresh cookies and cold milk. Why don’t we head over there and see?”
Jackson took off his leather apron and walked to the door. He hung a wooden sign that read Be Back in Fifteen Minutes on the door and waited for Peter to join him.
The little boy walked with his head down, studying the toes of his boots. Jackson didn’t know if he should say any more about the cavern or leave it. They continued on in silence. No, he’d leave it. If the boy wanted to say something more, he would.
The apple, apricot and peach trees around Cottonwood Springs were filled with red, pink and white blossoms. Their sweet fragrance mingled with the scent of fresh-cut wood from the sawmill.
Cottonwood Springs had turned into a nice place to live. It seemed that the gossips were happy to hear about the upcoming wedding, and he’d noticed several of the older ladies going into Eliza’s sewing shop. He prayed they would give up on spreading rumors about them for a while.
“Pa, do you think I can go play with George on Sunday?” Peter asked as they walked up to the door of the diner.
The bell jingled as they entered. “I’m not sure. We’ll have to ask Eliza.” He placed his hand on the boy’s slim shoulder.
They walked up to the counter, where Mrs. Velarde had several trays of cookies and pastries. Peter climbed up onto one of the tall stools. Jackson decided to stand beside him. He placed a large hand on the boy’s back to balance him until he was firmly seated.
“Well, hello, boys. What can I get for you this afternoon?” Mrs. Velarde asked, coming to stand on the opposite side of the counter.
Jackson grinned at her. “Peter here would like a cookie and a tall glass of cold milk.” He liked the fact that she turned to Peter to take the little boy’s order.
“Good choice, Peter. I have pecan praline, sugar and oatmeal raisin. Which would you like?” She reached under the counter and produced a white milk jug with little pink flowers on the side. Mrs. Velarde poured milk into a glass and set it on the counter for him.
Peter leaned forward and stared at the trays of cookies. “I think I want an oatmeal raisin, please.”
She winked at Peter. “Another good choice. I just put those out so they are still warm.” Her amber eyes turned on Jackson. “How about you, Mr. Hart?”
“Just a coffee for me.” He sat down on a stool beside Peter.
“Coming right up.” She pulled two cookies from the farthest tray and set them in front of Peter on a small plate. “That second cookie is on the house.” She winked at Peter again.
The bell over the door jingled once more. Mrs. Velarde sighed heavily when she saw her newest customer. Her mouth turned down. Jackson twisted on his stool to see who had caused the woman such unhappiness.
Eve Masters stood in the doorway, blinking. She looked around and then hurried to his side. “Oh, Jackson, I’m so glad you are here. I wanted to talk to you about the wedding. Do you think we can move to a table? I’d like to sit down and have a nice cup of tea.” She snapped her fingers at Mrs. Velarde.
The older woman turned to her and glared. “I’ve asked you not to snap your fingers at me, Mrs. Masters,” she reminded her in a stern voice.
Eve ignored her. “We’ll be moving to that table.” She pointed at the one in the window. “Please bring a pot of tea and more cookies.” Eve turned away before Jackson or Mrs. Velarde could respond.
Peter scrambled from his seat. He grabbed his cookies and followed Eve.
Jackson took the coffee mug Mrs. Velarde sat down in front of him and Peter’s glass of milk. He looked at the older woman and sighed. “I’m sorry about that.”
“It’s not your fault. She’s been difficult since the day she arrived.” She shook her red head and sighed again. “How can two sisters be so different?” Mrs. Velarde turned away, not expecting an answer.
He took the drinks and walked to where Eve and Peter waited. As Jackson slid into his chair, he told her, “That wasn’t very nice. Mrs. Velarde isn’t your servant.”
Eve waved her hand in dismissal. “She’s used to it, I’m sure.”
Jackson didn’t want Peter thinking he could treat people with such ill-mannered behavior. So took a deep breath and continued. “No she isn’t. So stop snapping your fingers at her and start treating her nicer. She can ban you from the diner and then where will you eat? And don’t say with Eliza because I won’t put up with that behavior at our table, either.” There, he’d said it. He held his breath waiting for tears or scorn to come from Eliza’s twin sister.
She surprised him by saying, “You’re right. I’ll apologize.” Eve stood and walked to the counter, where Mrs. Velarde was pouring hot water into a teapot.
Peter looked up at him. “Ma and Aunt Eve sure are diff
erent, aren’t they?”
Jackson was thankful that they were. He couldn’t imagine being married to the spoiled Eve. Eliza was kind to everyone and never asked for help. Sometimes he thought she might be too kind, but after witnessing Eve’s behavior, he’d take Eliza’s loving nature any day. He realized Peter was waiting for an answer and nodded.
Eve returned to the table and smiled at him. “All better. Now, the wedding is in two days. Where are you going for the honeymoon?”
Jackson spewed warm coffee across the table.
Eve mopped at the front of her dress with a napkin. “Don’t tell me you haven’t planned the honeymoon?” she sputtered.
“Well, no,” he admitted, wiping his mouth. “Sorry about that.” He indicated her dress and the coffee stains that were quickly spreading.
She shook her head and finished mopping up the spill. “It was my fault. I have a way of being abrupt.”
Mrs. Velarde hurried over with the teapot and a cup. She looked at Jackson and grinned. “I’ll get you a fresh cup of coffee. You sure you don’t want a cookie, too?”
Jackson was sure he’d choke on a cookie. The last person he wanted to talk to about a honeymoon was Eve. “No, thanks.”
“I wouldn’t mind a damp cloth, if you have one available,” Eve said, laying the wet napkin on the table.
“Of course.” Mrs. Velarde hustled off to take care of their orders.
Eve turned her gaze back to him. “Well, I have thought about the honeymoon. Kind of figured you wouldn’t have thought about it and I think it would be nice if you took my sister someplace nice.”
Jackson set his cup down. “Eve, I have a blacksmith shop to run.”
“Yes, and I have a sister who needs a honeymoon.” She leaned forward. “Plus, what would the gossips say if you didn’t take her away for a couple of days?”
He hadn’t thought about that. Since they were getting married on Saturday, he could shut the shop down Saturday and Sunday and reopen on Monday. Would that be long enough? It would have to be, but where would he take her? “I suppose you have an idea of where we should go.”
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