“Why are you dressed like this? It’s nearly dinner. Where have you been?”
“I was just straightening up. I’m afraid I’ve lost track of time.”
As she passed him, Frederick grabbed her arm. “What’s that smell?” He took her hand to his nose and winced. “My God, what is it?”
“Turpentine. It’s used to dilute oil paints.”
“What have you been up to?”
Tired and hungry, Jessica had little patience with his demands. She searched for an answer.
“Well? What is this all about?” He shook her arm.
“Let me go.” She released herself from his grip. “I want to study in oils, and I’ve been taking lessons from an artist I met at a gallery.”
Frederick’s expression went from anger to amusement. “Is that so? He folded his arms in front of him. “Hmm … let me think on this. Lessons? Where? From whom?”
“She’s very good. Collected by some of the city’s most famous art collectors. She has a lovely home not far from–”
“She? What would a woman know about teaching art? I will hire a professional to teach you. He will come to the house, and you’ll no longer need to travel who knows where for instruction. For God’s sake, my dear, have you lost all sense of decorum? If you must have a hobby, I will personally see to it that you do this correctly.”
“Frederick, this isn’t England. Women take lessons of all sorts outside the home.” She waited for his rebuke.
“That may be, but you are married to an Englishman. What am I to do with you? Have you not enough to keep yourself occupied? Do I need to hire spies to keep an eye on you?”
“Of course not. I’m not a child.”
Frederick grabbed her arm again and brought her face inches from his. The force of it brought tears to her eyes. “You are not your own person, either. You are a part of me.” He let her go and she stumbled backward, just catching herself before striking the wooden table.
Furious, her breathing became labored, and she looked at him from under her brows. “I am not a part of you. I shall never be a part of you.”
Frederick cocked his head. “Pull yourself together.” He turned and walked away.
Her chest rose and fell, and her hands balled into fists. She could barely restrain herself from running after him and releasing her anger. She paced, searching for a way to be free of him, the hopelessness of her circumstance hitting her. “Jacob, where are you?”
~
Carson City, Nevada–September 1886
“Let him go, Jake. He’s not worth it!” Will shouted. It didn’t stop Jacob from addressing the vagrant whose collar he fisted. “You son of a bitch. If I even catch you walking on the same side of the road as me, I’ll beat you within an inch of your life.”
“Jake, he’s got a gun!” The sorry traveler drew a small pistol from behind his back with a shaking hand. In a flash, Jacob drew his own gun. No one moved.
Will stood close now, his own pistol at the ready. “It looks like you’re out numbered. It’s too nice of an evening to die. Now get!” he said.
The small man shoved his gun into his thin, worn coat. He slowly turned and scurried through the tall ponderosa forest and down a slope. Still, Jacob did not relax his stance.
Will lowered his weapon. “Jesus, Jake. He was just an old man looking for food. How he got that gun, I’ll never know. He’ll probably kill someone before he gets it stolen from him. I hate that he stumbled onto our camp.” He looked around. “Hope he keeps his mouth shut.”
Jacob sat hard on the trunk of a fallen tree, still feeling his chest rise and fall. His cousin stood over him.
“Let’s go into town and rest up.”
A few chips flew from Jacob’s heel kicking the trunk. “No. I’m tired of it. I’m tired of the whole lousy business. And I’m sick and tired of watching you get plastered, then gamble away our money. Christ! We work hard for that cash, and you treat it as if it’s your last day on earth.”
“Well, maybe it is.”
“Don’t give me that shit. Rest up? I’m more tired from one of those ‘restful nights’ than I am riding next to your sorry ass all day, trying to figure out how we’re going to recover the money you lost.”
“Look, it’s been a long hot day, and we’ve got little to show for it.”
With Jacob’s nerves on edge, it only took one snap of a twig under the foot of an old man to unleash his anger and frustration. He was in no mood to prance around like a peacock in some saloon. He got up and walked away. After, a while he heard Will behind him say, “I’ll stop being an asshole if you will.”
Jacob tugged on his cigarette. “Yep.” Tobacco smoke swirled overhead before disappearing into the trees.
A long silence followed. Jacob, his back still turned to his cousin, spoke in a low voice, “I never thought of myself as someone who could kill another man.”
The sentence hung in the air. “Ah, you weren’t going to kill that old man.”
Jacob turned to him. “You know what I’m talking about.”
“Look, it’s done and behind us. Don’t forget you saved a man’s life.”
“Caleb?” Jacob let out a puff of air. “Shit, it’ll just be a matter of time before some other bastard guns down that son of a bitch.”
“It could’ve been a lot worse and you know it. We could be the ones lying in that cabin or shot in the camp. We did what we had to do, Jake. It’s over, and no one has to ever know about it.”
Jacob faced his cousin and their eyes met in silent agreement.
“I think we should go to Clermont City. I need to feel a real bed under me and some home cooking. We’ll wire my uncle Austin and let him know we’re coming.”
In the early dawn of the following day, they headed out in the direction of Jacob’s distant kin.
Chapter Forty-one
The carriage came to a stop in the half-circle driveway in front of Uncle Burt and Aunt June’s white bungalow. Their home sat on nearly an acre of land away from the tidy streets in the town of three thousand. It wasn’t the stately house they had left behind in Hartford, but it was quaint and charming. Jessica felt right at home the moment she stepped through the doorway when she and Frederick visited almost a month ago. The edge of their land met a sweep of sun-scorched hill, hugging their little cottage. She knew her aunt missed her sister-in-law terribly, yet she saw the gleam in June’s eyes when she showed her the patch of land where she would cultivate her garden and the spacious pantry in the kitchen that would be filled with jarred vegetables by the end of next spring.
“Oh, the climate was made for me, Jessica!” her aunt had exclaimed. Uncle Burt was equally enthusiastic. He had claimed the large shed in the back of the house as his “workshop”—a word Jessica never before heard come out of her uncle’s mouth. Besides his new woodworking hobby, her uncle found employment with Dunbar’s Real Estate Company as their legal advisor. Jessica was happy her aunt and uncle were content with their new lives and that they were so near, or at least only a carriage ride, a ferry crossing, and another carriage ride away. It took nearly four hours from her home across the bay to reach Clermont City. This weekend’s visit was overdue.
When the door to the carriage opened, June came running from the porch. Wringing her hands, she announced, “Jessica, my dear, I have news of your brother and Jacob! Come inside quickly.”
The driver came around and helped Jessica step down, her heart in her throat. Frederick followed and once they were both inside, her aunt wrapped her small, plump arms around them both in turn. “I have good news.”
Smelling a touch of alcohol on her breath, Jessica knew something was up. Her aunt had a penchant for taking a glass of fruity schnapps whenever her nerves got the best of her.
“Jessica, my dear. Your brother and Jacob are on their way to my brother’s home as we speak.” June waited for a reaction with wide eyes.
“Aunt June, are you sure?”
“Why, yes! Your uncle Austin received
a telegram yesterday and brought it right over.” Taking the thin, brown paper from her skirt pocket, she handed it over with a rosy smile.
Holding Jacob’s words in her hands sent a tremble through Jessica, and she had to sit down. Weeping, she whispered, “They’re alive.”
June patted her back. “Yes, my dear, you just let it out. They’re fine, and we are all greatly relieved and grateful.”
“Where exactly are they?” Frederick asked.
“We don’t know for sure, but Austin thinks they may be just a few days away. Jessica, you must stay with us until they arrive.”
Later, in the stuffy upstairs bedroom, Frederick sat on the one chair in the room while Jessica quietly arranged their clothing in the tall, cherry wood chest of drawers. A bank of windows let in the warm sunlight. He turned and pushed up one of the sashes. A pocket of wind blew in, making the white, sheer curtains billow, and he played with one of the panels. “June certainly knows how to spring a surprise.”
“She’s just happy about seeing her son.” Jessica spoke to his reflection in the mirror. She placed her perfume, powder, and brushes on the glass-and-silver vanity.
“And does he know that? Good God, they’re in for a shock. When was the last time any of you had news from them?” He moved to the bed and lie down on the large mattress, its springs squeaking in protest. Feeling his agitation, Jessica decided to ignore it and remained at her task.
“By the way, my love, how do you feel about seeing your cousin again? He seemed eager to leave once we were married. Was it business that took him away, his pride, or perhaps jealousy?”
“I’ll be very happy to see him and Will, of course. What does our marriage have to do with it? Jacob was pleased for us. I’m grateful my cousin and brother made the effort to return for our wedding.”
“Look at me.” Frederick sat up and brought his legs to the side.
She draped a shawl over the bench at the foot of the bed. When she looked at him, she saw anger brewing behind his eyes.
“I’m aware of your feelings for Jacob. It’s hardly worth you hiding them any longer. I forgive your schoolgirl crush and only hope you are thoroughly over it.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
Not wanting to provoke him, she turned away and placed her hat on the hook near the door. “I have been nothing but a good and loyal wife to you.”
“Are you denying your affair with him? Are you? Did anything happen between the two of you as I courted you? I know I wasn’t your first. You think you could fool me? The looks you gave each other … like two love-struck puppies.”
“Please, Frederick, don’t be vulgar.”
Rising from the bed, he grabbed her shoulders. “Bloody hell. I’m talking about this childish affair the both of you carried on. How do you think that makes me feel?”
Her body stiffened, and she pulled away. With her emotions running high, the words came pushing to the surface. “I will always love Jacob and be in love with him. That’s something you can never take away from me.” The room fell silent, and she didn’t wait for his response.
She left the room, hearing his portentous laugh behind her.
In the hallway, she gathered herself. Her aunt couldn’t see her in such a state. Although her act of courage made her feel powerful, she knew she would eventually have to pay the price for her honesty.
Chapter Forty-two
Standing at the front door with Will, Jacob was greeted by his uncle Austin. Travel-weary, he hoped at least two nights’ sleep and some home cooking would do him good. His aunt Laura stood just behind her husband.
“Well, look at the two of you. You’re certain to be Jake.” Jacob shook his uncle’s hand. “And you’re Will.”
Will shook Austin’s hand. “Good to meet you, sir.”
From the shocked expression on Laura’s face, Jacob knew their unshaven faces and long hair made them look like the outlaws they’d become. He removed his hat and elbowed his cousin to do the same.
“You must be hungry and tired. Come on in, we’ll get you some food,” Austin said. Short and round as his sister, June, he had the same red hair, pleasant smile, and bright eyes. “Now make yourselves at home.”
Catching the dismay that flashed on his aunt’s face, Jacob knew they weren’t to make themselves too comfortable. Yet she kindly offered to take their worn leather overcoats. “We don’t want to be a bother,” Jacob began as he reluctantly removed one of his crusty, brown boots. “Just a few nights until we find other accommodations. Maybe something in town for a while.” He removed his other boot and placed it by the one his aunt had put in the corner of the vestibule. It looked as out of place on the scrubbed, white washed floor as he felt.
Austin led them to the tidy sitting room just off the main hallway. White, crocheted doilies dotted every piece of furniture. Searching for the least ornate seat with no luck, Jacob sat on the edge of a small, velvet sofa. His cousin was trying to get comfortable on a high-backed chair.
Aunt Laura announced she had made lunch and excused herself. Despite her hospitality, her pinched expression revealed her disapproval.
The small sandwiches hardly met Jacob’s appetite. He looked at the tiny quarter of bread in his hand with humor, remembering his mother’s delight in serving tidbits of food before a big supper. His nose told him his aunt had no such plans—there were no smells of food cooking. “So where have you fellas been?” Austin inquired. Leaning forward in his chair, he was clearly eager to hear their stories of adventure.
Laura spoke just as Jacob was about to answer. “For goodness sake, Austin, why don’t you just tell them?”
The room fell silent. Austin scratched his chin under his full beard, then clasped his hands in front of him. “I’m not supposed to let you know this. June will have a fit with me, but I just couldn’t let you boys walk into it without warning.”
“My Lord!” Laura looked at her husband, then back at Jacob. “Burt and June moved out here this summer. They’re living just at the end of town. Will, your sister and her husband, Frederick are already living in San Francisco. We’re to take you to your father’s with the pretense of showing you the town so they can all surprise you. I thought it was a silly idea from the beginning.” Having said her piece, she studied her next bite of food.
Jacob’s jaw went slack. He turned to Will, who looked equally stunned at the news.
“Now, see there, it’s quite enough to be told like this,” Austin stated. “Oh, wait until June gets ahold of me.”
“Well, we certainly didn’t expect that,” Will said flatly.
Jacob calculated how long it had been since they last corresponded with their families. Was it possible that all this could have taken place since Jessica’s wedding? He finally spoke. “Thank you for telling us, Uncle, but I wouldn’t worry about Mother. I’m sure she’ll be too taken with our arrival to notice if we’re surprised or not. I can’t believe my parents would take on such a journey. They never spoke of this to me.” His last comment was mostly for himself. His father and mother had a life beyond his own knowledge or understanding of them.
Just then his uncle stood. “Why don’t we go into my study and have a real drink?”
As they were being led down the hallway, Jacob glanced back to see his aunt brushing off the seat he had been occupying. He could only smile.
The leather and horsehide-covered furnishings in Austin’s study were far more comfortable. Jacob and Will sat down as he fixed them each a glass of whiskey. Jacob had almost forgotten what it tasted like. He and Will had only found moonshine on the road. Austin refilled their glasses, and they savored the second round more slowly while he brought them up to speed on the family’s affairs.
“So there it is, boys. Now, they’re expecting me to take you over after I’ve sent word to them that you’ve arrived. June’s got a banner to put up on the front porch welcoming you back into the fold. She’ll be mighty disappointed if she doesn’t get to put that banner up
and surprise you. How do you want to do this?” A short silence followed.
“I don’t suppose we could sneak up and surprise the hell out of her?” Will suggested, laughter in his voice.
Jacob could only chuckle at the irony of it all. He hadn’t taken a moment to think about seeing Jessica. He’d half-listened to Austin talk about her and Frederick. He wasn’t prepared to take it in. Being so close to her gave him an uneasy feeling, yet he ached to have her in his arms.
“Is my sister at the house now?”
Jacob’s heart flopped. He drained his glass.
“They were here on Saturday and Sunday for a visit. June wanted Jessica to stay until you arrived, but Frederick didn’t much care for the idea. I’m sure she’ll return as soon as she knows you’re here. She sure is anxious to see you both. I don’t think there’s been a family gathering that’s gone by without her and your parents talking about where you two might be.”
Jacob wished she hadn’t put herself through the worry. She would not appreciate the man he’d become. With her out of town, maybe somehow he would be able to avoid her. He decided that his and Will’s stay in Clermont City would now be drastically cut short.
“Why don’t I leave you boys to talk it over between yourselves, and let me know what you come up with.” Austin drained the last drop from his glass and left the room.
Jacob’s insides revolted against the liquor. Coughing from acid burning his throat, he felt as if he and Will had walked into a trap.
“Christ! I wasn’t prepared for this,” Will said.
“What will we tell them we’re doing?” Jacob asked.
“I don’t know.” Will bit his lip. “Well, I suppose we can tell them how we did so well with Keaton we were able to go out on our own, and that we killed a couple of guys in the process, and we spent most of our money on women, and we’re ready to kill each other … something of that nature.”
Traveled Hearts (First In Series Book 1) Page 18