“Sure thing. But shouldn’t you wait a little while? It’s pouring rain out there.”
Hardly noticing what he said, Lexie headed out the door into the deluge. She ducked her head, lifted her skirts, and stomped down the muddy street toward the river, glad for the rain. It would be a lot harder to stay angry if the sun were shining.
The usually crowded sidewalks and streets were almost empty as folks darted into doorways and buildings.
Lexie adjusted her hat, thankful for the wide brim. As a gust of wind caught her hat, it tilted. A cascade of water poured over the brim, making its way past her collar and down her neck, soaking her to the skin. She squealed and shivered, stopping in the middle of the street. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.
But she was only two blocks away from the dock and the Julia Dawn and that…that…Oh, she couldn’t think of a word bad enough, and even if she did she couldn’t say it. Lifting her shoulders, she started up again with new determination and headed to the other side of the street, every mud-soaked step adding to her anger.
She arrived at the landing and shielded her eyes as she glanced across the ancient double-decker boat. In typical Missouri fashion, the rain stopped suddenly and the sun came out. A roar of satisfaction exploded from the deck of the Julia Dawn. So this was the treasure for which Jack Sullivan left his children? This decrepit old thing? She squinted her eyes and perused it. Actually, although old, it was obviously kept up well, even sporting a fresh coat of white paint. The decks were covered end to end with crates and barrels. Apparently Mr. Sullivan’s business was booming.
Now what should she do? She hadn’t really thought that far ahead. She certainly couldn’t go onto the dock and start shouting for the man. Lexie tightened her lips and stood, waiting for her target to show himself and hoping it would be soon.
She watched as hands lowered the plank across to the dock. Others waited, crates on their shoulders. They didn’t waste any time. Well, good. Maybe Mr. River Captain would make his appearance soon.
Stevedores waited on dock for the signal to come aboard and help with the unloading. A man appeared on deck. He laughed and slapped one of the men on the shoulder then started down the plank.
Lexie straightened, her throat dry and her hands trembling. It was him. She inhaled deeply then stepped forward.
He stepped onto the dock and glanced around, starting when his glance fell upon her. Confusion clouded his eyes then worry.
Lexie bit her lip. She was probably imagining the worry. After all, what made her think she could read the emotions playing across his face?
She caught her breath as he started toward her. Her heart pounded furiously. Now why did he affect her like that? Placing her hands on her hips, she forced herself to glare at him as he drew near.
“Miss Rayton? Has something happened to one of the girls?”
Oh, what an actor he was. “And would you care?”
“What?” He moved forward and gripped her shoulders. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“Let go of me.” She shook herself loose. “Why would I be here if something was wrong?”
Relief crossed his face. “Well, I reckon that means they’re okay, but when I saw you waiting…”
“Mr. Sullivan, I had no idea your boat was coming in today. I overheard it while I was shopping.”
“Oh.” He frowned and peered into her eyes. “Why would you think I wouldn’t care if something happened to one of the twins?”
The anger that had been brewing since he’d left rose up like a tornado whirling toward her, raging and unstoppable.
“Why? Why? You dare to ask why after you said you might actually give them away? Put them in an orphanage? And then, to go off and leave them all this time?” Her mouth dropped open. “You…you…What kind of monster are you?”
Jake stared at the woman before him. Her face contorted with anger, and the fists against her hips appeared quite capable of lashing out as well as her tongue lashed with senseless, angry words. Was the woman mad? Or just have a violent temper? Perhaps she resented being left with the responsibility and the financial burden. Worry made its way into his mind. Had she treated the twins like this? Or worse? Might she have struck them?
His own anger arose to match that of Alexandra Rayton. He’d thought her lovely and sweet, in spite of her unreasonable actions on the day they’d met. But apparently he’d misjudged her again. If she’d laid a hand on one of those little girls, he’d…“Miss Rayton, I can assure you, I won’t burden you with Tuck and Addy any longer. I’ll be at your farm to get them as soon as I can go home and fetch the wagon.”
Her hands uncurled and something like dismay washed over her face. “Oh, but I didn’t mean you should—”
“I think I know very well what you meant, ma’am. I’ll be there before sundown.” He tipped his hat and walked away toward the livery.
He’d planned to spend a few hours checking around Forsyth for possible foster parents, but that would have to wait. He needed to make sure the girls were all right. The Julia Dawn would have to leave again tomorrow to pick up another load of construction materials in St. Louis. He scrunched up his forehead as he stepped into the livery. He didn’t know what he could do for the present except take the twins with him downriver.
After renting the same roan he’d had last time, he headed back to the boat. He found Pap Sanders getting ready to leave to get supplies for the galley. “Wait a minute, Pap.” He knew Pap would take the news in stride. “I’m gonna have to bring those twin girls I told you about along with us on this trip.”
A look of surprise crossed the old man’s face and just as quickly disappeared. “Okay, I reckon we’ll need a change of sorts in the galley supplies then.”
“That’s right. Do you need me to make a list?”
“Nah. Had two sisters of my own. I know what to buy to keep ’em healthy and happy.”
Jack nodded. “Well, maybe get a little something special, just to make things pleasant for them.”
“What about sleeping arrangements?”
Jack scratched his head. “I reckon we’ll need to fix up a corner of my quarters for them.”
“Leave it to me, Cap’n. Don’t worry about a thing. Them little gals’ll have a nice little place of their own by the time you get back here t’morry.”
Jack heaved a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Pap. Well then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
With a great deal of the weight lifted from him, Jack rode out of town and headed for his uncle’s farm. Things were still too new for him to consider the farm his. Red and gold leaves rustled beneath the roan’s hooves. Although he appreciated the beauty of the landscape, he knew that winter would be here soon. He hated it when he had to dock because of ice on the river. Some years he hardly lost any time at all, but there had been those times when he’d been holed up in his quarters at some harbor or another for weeks. A few times, out of boredom, he’d tried hotels, but it didn’t take long for him to return to his boat.
But not this year. Unless he found a home for the girls, he’d have to find a decent boardinghouse for him and the girls if the winter got bad. He’d never had to worry about anyone but himself before. His crewmen were all independent and would have resented any attempt on his part to take care of them.
But maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. Something like butterfly wings tickled his stomach. It was almost like having a family of his own. The picture he’d carried around in his mind for weeks invaded again, and he shook his head. How could anyone so beautiful be so mad-dog mean?
Chapter 7
How could I have been so foolish?” Tears flowed from Lexie’s eyes, soaking Aunt Kate’s shoulder. “When will I ever learn to control my horrible temper?”
“Now dear, don’t fash yourself so. Chances are he’d have come after the girls anyway.”
Lexie sat up straight. “I shouldn’t have let him take them. I should have hidden them.”
“Lexie, don’t be saying things like tha
t.” Will walked over and put his hand on her shoulder. “He’s their father. There’s nothing you can do.”
“What if he takes them to an orphanage, the way he said he might?”
“Surely he wouldn’t do that,” Aunt Kate said. “That may have been worry talking.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Yes, I do.” But Lexie caught the hesitation in her aunt’s voice.
Will picked up his hat. “I have to get out to the field. I left Old Stubborn untended.”
Lexie grabbed her brother’s hand. “Did he say anything to you, Will?”
“Nope. Just tipped his hat and drove off with the twins. But Lexie, if worse comes to worse and he does take them to a home, maybe then we could do something. Legally I mean. Hey, I don’t want those little things in an orphanage either.”
“Yes, you’re right.” Lexie jumped up. “But I’m not going to wait. I’m going into Forsyth tomorrow to see a lawyer just in case.”
“If it’ll make you feel better. But I think you should wait.” The door slammed shut behind him.
“Your brother’s right, you know.” Aunt Kate rose from the sofa. “You may do more harm than good if you go off on a tangent before you even know what his intentions are.”
“But what if he takes them to St. Louis and dumps them there?”
“Alexandra, calm down and try to think straight. Does he really seem like the sort of man who would do that?”
“But he said…”
“Child, people say a lot of things they don’t mean when they’re worried or upset. And you’re forgetting something else.”
“What?”
“Have you prayed and put this in God’s hands?”
“Well, no.” A twinge of conscience poked at Lexie. When was the last time she’d prayed? She’d been so busy taking care of the girls she had hardly given God more than a passing thought.
Aunt Kate reached over and smoothed a lock of hair that had fallen across Lexie’s forehead. “The preacher will be here this weekend. Maybe you should have a talk with him.”
“But what could he do?”
“Probably nothing about the situation. But perhaps he could pray with you and even give you some advice based on scripture.”
“All right, Aunt Kate. If you think it will do any good, I’ll talk to Brother Collins.” The elderly preacher would probably just pat her on the head and tell her not to worry. That’s what he’d done when she shared her concern about Will when he was behaving so strangely. Of course it turned out Will was just falling in love. So the preacher actually got it right. All her worrying hadn’t helped a bit.
She followed her aunt into the kitchen to begin preparations for supper. But all she could think of were two blond-haired, blue-eyed little girls holed up at the Sullivan farm with a father who didn’t seem to care much about them. And to think, she’d actually been sort of attracted to the awful man.
Jack threw out the burned fryer pieces. Too bad he didn’t have a dog to take care of the waste. Why had he thought he knew how to fry chicken? Especially in his present state of mind. “Sorry, girls. Guess it’ll have to be pancakes for supper.”
“Miss Lexie makes really good fried chicken.” Addy gave a mournful last look at the chicken then sighed.
Frustration boiled up in Jack’s throat. “Well, you won’t be eating any more of her cooking.”
Tuck frowned. “Why are you so mad at Miss Lexie? She’s real nice.”
“Why am I…?” Jack took a deep breath. “Why is she mad at me? Why did she come to the docks and yell at me for going to work?”
Addy gave her sister a strange look and Tuck nodded. “I don’t think that’s why she’s—”
“But don’t worry, girls,” Jack interrupted. “You’re going with me on the Julia Dawn.”
“Huh?” Tuck screeched and jumped up. “You mean it?”
Addy’s screams joined Tuck’s. “You mean it, Mr. Jack? You’re gonna take us with you on the boat?”
“Of course. What did you think I was going to do with you?”
“Orphans’ home,” Tuck said.
Jack looked at the girls, and for the first time, he saw the fear in their eyes. He hunkered down and put his arms around them. “Forgive me for saying that. I don’t think I ever really intended to do that. And now? Why, they’d have to tie me to a tree to get you girls into an orphanage.”
Four soft arms wrapped around his neck, squeezing hard. A soft voice said, “I love you, Mr. Jack.”
Something clutched at Jack’s very core and his eyes misted.
“I love you, too, Addy.” He knuckled Tuck’s nose. “And you.”
Tuck grinned. “Okay, but can we say good-bye to Miss Lexie and Miss Kate before we go?”
Jack frowned and stood. “No, you can’t. And I don’t want to hear any more about the subject. For the life of me, I can’t imagine why you’d want to spend one minute with that foul-tempered woman.
Addy opened her mouth and then shut it as Tuck nudged her in the ribs.
Now what was that all about? Obviously Miss Lexie, as they called her, had the girls fooled. Well, they’d get over it. He’d keep them so busy with chores and sightseeing on the Julia Dawn they wouldn’t give Alexandra Rayton a passing thought.
“Come on, let’s make those pancakes and get ready for bed. We’re leaving bright and early.”
“He actually said he’d never leave them with me again.” Lexie stabbed furiously at the weeds with her hoe, bumping the plant laden with small green tomatoes.
“Lexie, be careful before you chop down the tomatoes instead of the weeds.”
At the sound of her brother’s voice from the next row, Lexie looked up at the plant, relieved to see it intact. Will was right. The tomatoes were coming along nicely, and Aunt Kate wouldn’t be happy if one of the heavily laden plants got demolished.
She leaned on her hoe and wiped her arm across her face. Even this early in the day, the sun bore down blistering hot.
Will had stopped at the end of the row to get a drink of water. He brought the dipper to Lexie.
She drank deeply then wiped the moisture away from her mouth. “But I don’t understand why he’s so angry with me. I’m not the bad person. He is.”
“Lexie, will you please just drop it? They’re probably already headed downriver. There’s nothing you can do. And you seem to be getting a little obsessed. After all, you’ve only known the twins a short while.”
His exasperated tone shot through her. And a niggling of doubt wormed its way into her thoughts. Why had she become so attached to Tuck and Addy in a few short weeks? Maybe Will was right. There was nothing she could do. “If you think you can manage without me, maybe I’ll go to the general store and see if Mr. Hawkins hired anyone yet. Maybe he’ll hire me. It’s too easy to dwell on things working in this field.”
“Sure, go ahead. Maybe that way the tomatoes will survive.” He smiled, and she felt her lips turning up at the corner.
“Thanks, little brother. I’ll see you at supper.”
After helping Aunt Kate with a couple of small chores, she cleaned up and drove to Hawkins’s store. She left Jolly at the hitching post, nosing around in a feed bag. “Good morning, Mr. Hawkins.”
“Miss Lexie, what can I do for you today? Got a shipment of new dress goods in yesterday.”
Lexie composed her face and smiled. It wouldn’t do to appear nervous. “Thank you, but I’m not here to shop. I was wondering if you’d filled the employment position yet.”
“No, I sure haven’t. Do you know someone who is interested?” He gave her a hopeful glance.
“Yes sir, as a matter of fact I do. How about hiring me?” Her lips trembled as she smiled again.
“You? You want to work in my store?” He scratched his head. “Well, I hadn’t actually considered hiring a woman. Don’t they need you to help out on the farm?”
“No, sir. My brother has hired two hands to work until after harvest.”
“Hmmm. Well then. I don’t know. There is some lifting.”
“I’m very strong, sir.”
He licked his lips and, pulling out a bandana, wiped his face, obviously in deep thought. Humph. Probably trying to find a way to let her down gently.
He straightened and looked her square in the eyes. “I reckon I’m willing to give it a try. After a week, if either of us don’t think it’s working out, we’ll part as friends. That agreeable to you?”
Light filled her heart and she felt a grin splitting her face. “That sounds very agreeable to me. You won’t regret it. I promise I’ll work hard.”
He chuckled. “I’m sure you will. What in the world put working here in your head? I’m sure your aunt could keep you busy at home.”
“That’s true. And of course, I’ll continue to help Aunt Kate. But to be honest, Mr. Hawkins, I need to keep my mind occupied and off some worries.”
“Worries? Well, I’m a good listener if you’d like to spill them on me.”
Lexie looked at the kind face. Somehow she thought it would be a lot easier to unburden on him than Brother Collins. Before she knew it she was telling him the whole story.
“Whoa, whoa, back up there a minute.” He held his hand up. “Where did you get the idea Jack Sullivan was their pa?”
“What? Why, they told me, of course, when he was injured.”
“And how long did they stay with you?”
“Several weeks. Why?” What in the world was he talking about?
“Miss Lexie…”
“Please, since I’m going to be working here, will you call me Lexie? After all, you’ve known me a long time.”
“Very well, Lexie. I think you’d better come over here and sit down.” He pulled up a stool then got her a glass of water. He stared at her a moment, and then a chuckle exploded from his lips.
“Sorry, this really isn’t funny, but, honey, Sullivan found those girls holed up at his uncle’s house. They’re orphans. Not his kids at all. Matter of fact, I’ve been asking around for him to find a family that could take them in.”
White River Brides Page 5