Threads of Love

by Andrea Boeshaar

“My bodice?” Iris glanced down. “But then I’ll lose it for sure.” She thrust her reticule at Emily. “Here, you keep mine too.”

  “Oh, all right.” Emily removed her traveling jacket and unbuttoned her shirtwaist. Iris handed her the folded bills, and Emily placed hers on her left side, closest to her heart. That’s how she’d remember which bundle belonged to whom. Stuffing the bills downward, she managed to tuck them securely into her tight-fitting corset. “Our funds won’t go anywhere that I don’t know about now.” She hoped they wouldn’t chafe any more than her corset did at times.

  “Perfect.”

  Emily redressed while Iris read from a menu she’d procured when they boarded last night. Oatmeal, poached eggs on toast, fresh fruit, hot rolls, cocoa. Who would have thought a dining car could provide such a wide variety?

  They made their way out of the ladies’ parlor, crowded with women wanting to freshen up. As they entered the dining car, Emily spotted Jake sitting at a table set for two. He looked rough, like he hadn’t slept much last night either. His gaze snagged hers, and she saw his tired, red-rimmed eyes. The male server, in white sleeves and cap, poured him another cup of coffee.

  “Good morning, Jake.” Iris waved cheerfully.

  He finger combed his brassy-blond hair back off his forehead and dipped his head slightly.

  “He must not be a morning person,” Iris whispered.

  Emily couldn’t contain a smile. But Iris always had that effect on her. In fact, Iris could make even the grumpiest of their housemates grin at the breakfast table.

  The server, with the coffee pot still in hand, approached them. “Please seat yourselves, ladies.”

  “Thank you.” Emily and Iris spoke in unison, and Emily spotted a vacant table. She pointed it out.

  “A pity we can’t join Jake, but his table will only seat two.” Iris whispered the comment.

  “Something tells me he’d prefer if we didn’t join him.” Emily led the way down the aisle. On one side tables covered with white linen cloths were set for four patrons, and on the other side smaller covered tables were set for two, such as the one Emily had selected and like the one at which Jake sat.

  The car was filled nearly to capacity, and sounds of people’s chattering and dirty dishes being cleared from place settings caused Emily to have to speak above the din. However, she soon realized she’d lost Iris. Turning, she saw her friend had paused to speak with Jake.

  Emily sat down, wondering if she’d eat alone. Would Iris abandon her to sit with Jake? The idea caused her appetite to wane.

  Then, before she could even unfold her linen napkin, Iris made her way down the aisle. She pointed to a table for four, being reset by a server, and a moment later, Jake followed in her steps. So Iris’s cheery disposition won even him over this morning.

  Emily moved to the other table, claiming the chair beside Iris. Jake sat across from them, facing the entrance. He tossed his hat on the empty chair.

  “Mornin’.” Just a grumble.

  “Good morning, Jake.” Emily gave him a smile. Maybe he’d cheer up.

  “I asked Jake to join us.”

  “How nice.”

  “Look, Em, the saucers say, Good Morning.” Iris’s twittered out a laugh. “What a lovely way to start the day. Isn’t it, Jake?”

  “Lovely.”

  Who could miss the facetiousness in his tone? Emily glanced at the single-page menu beside her green and white porcelain plate.

  “Emily said you’re headed to the Pacific Ocean, eh?”

  “That’s right. Unless we get a better offer, of course.”

  “Iris!” Emily’s cheeks began to flame.

  “Another offer?” Jake sounded none too amused. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Well . . . ” Iris glanced at Emily.

  “Wait, I get it.” Jake raised a hand to forestall further comment. He narrowed his gaze, first at Iris, then Emily. “Do either of you know where in Idaho you’re even going?”

  “Idaho?” Emily pictured the map of the United States in her mind and felt sure the Pacific Coast didn’t reach that state.

  “We’re not going to Idaho.” Iris had just uttered her last syllable when a server came to take their orders. She and Emily ordered cups of tea, and Jake asked for more coffee. All the while Emily wondered why Jake thought they were headed to Idaho.

  Andy! She dropped her gaze and ran a finger along the hem of the tablecloth, wondering how to tell him otherwise without betraying Iris in the process.

  “Ladies, what do you call a woman who chases a man clear across the country?” Jake’s voice was razor-sharp.

  “Depends why she’s chasing him.” Iris didn’t look a bit daunted.

  “How about a woman who throws herself at a man? What would you call her?” Jake’s dark gaze drifted to Emily.

  Me? Emily tried not to react, but his comment met its mark like a knife in her chest.

  He turned the blade. “I certainly wouldn’t call her a proper schoolteacher.”

  “Jake!” How could he purposely wound her like that?

  Without another word Emily stood and strode from the dining car. She blinked back the now scalding tears and returned to the ladies’ parlor, where, thankfully, a dressing room stood vacant.

  Inside, she put her head in her hands and sobbed.

  “Even Ruth in the Bible came to Boaz and lay at his feet. Notice he didn’t come to Ruth?”

  Jake had heard just about enough of Iris’s prattle. She’d been going on and on for several minutes now, defending the right of single women to pursue eligible men. “I think you’d best go check on Emily.” He’d regretted his thoughtless remarks as soon as he’d spoken them. “She looked upset.”

  “And why wouldn’t she? You insulted her integrity.” Iris tipped her head and peered at him through her spectacles like he was one of her grade-school kids.

  The waiter brought Iris her tea, and she thanked him with a smile before staring back at Jake.

  He glared at her. “What are you doing on this train, Iris?”

  “I told you last Saturday. I’m husband hunting, and for your information, this trip was my idea.”

  He sighed audibly. His body ached from lack of sleep and his heart ached too. “How ironic that Andy Anderson rode the same line to Idaho.”

  “Is that what you think? Emily is chasing Andy?” Iris leaned forward, wearing her sternest expression yet. “You couldn’t be more wrong. She simply agreed to accompany me.”

  Iris needed accompanying, that’s for sure. Jake shook his head in wonder.

  “And if you weren’t my destiny, I believe I’d hate you for hurting Emily so deeply. Except I couldn’t in all good conscience. Hatred is a sin, and as you know in your line of work, many crimes are committed because of it. Look at Cain and Abel. Cain was so jealous of his brother because he’d found favor with God that he murdered him.”

  Spoken like a little Sunday school teacher.

  Wait. Jake brought his coffee cup to his lips and halted. Did she just say he was her destiny? “Back up, Iris.” He set down his cup.

  “What do you mean by I’m your destiny?”

  “Must I really explain it to you?”

  He laughed. So Iris’s husband hunting had led her to follow him.

  “I’m not your destiny, Iris.”

  “I hoped you’d invite Emily and me to your ranch in Montana.”

  Jake froze, tipped his head. “What did you just say?”

  “Surely you heard me.”

  “I’m doubting my own ears.”

  “Emily and I have never been on a ranch before, and if we visited yours, we’d have something to tell our students this fall.”

  “No.”

  She pouted ever so slightly.

  Jake softened his tone and glanced around the humming dining car. No one seemed to have overheard his terse reply. “It’s not my ranch, Iris. It belongs to my brother-in-law. Lots of hard work goes on there. It ain’t no pleasure resor
t.”

  “We’re your friends. We stuck by you when you needed us most. It would only be mannerly of you to invite us.”

  She’d resorted to guilt now. Unbelievable. “Iris, now look. I’m flattered you’d like to visit, but my answer is no.” He sure didn’t want to spend any more time around Emily than absolutely necessary. At Iris’s disappointed expression, he stiffened his resolve. “The best thing for you and Emily to do is ride the train as far as Glendive and turn yourselves right around.”

  “But—”

  “And I’m not your destiny.” He aimed his forefinger at her and gave her a hard look. “I made my feelings known last Saturday. I don’t know why you can’t get that through that blonde curly head of yours.”

  “You just leave my blonde curls out of this.” She appeared genuinely insulted.

  Jake knew he’d lost control of this conversation. A man could start feeling crazy, talking to Iris Hopper. He stood. “’Scuse me.” He needed to get some sleep before dealing with these ladies any further. Lord, I’d rather deal with outlaws!

  CHAPTER 16

  EMILY SPENT THE morning in the ladies’ parlor, crying, praying, thinking. She’d presumed all along that Jake wouldn’t be pleased when he encountered Iris and her on the train, but to say such hateful things was unforgiveable! She fingered the silver necklace he’d given her. Her anger ebbed. It was her Christian duty to forgive him . . . but she didn’t have to speak to him ever again!

  At lunchtime Iris entered the car and suggested they share a noon meal to save on money. Seating was limited in the dining car, so they shared a table with a friendly couple, Reverend and Mrs. Carlson. They were Minnesota natives who’d heard God’s call to spread the gospel in a remote town north of Billings. After eating, they proceeded to the observation car where they could sit comfortably and enjoy the scenery. Two long padded seats ran the length of the car beneath the windows so more than just four passengers could converse.

  “My dream is to someday open a school for all the children in the area,” Mrs. Carlson said.

  “Are you a teacher? Why, Emily and I are teachers too.”

  “Yes.”

  The two of them seemed even better company.

  “We’re excited about ministering to the people of central Montana.” Enthusiasm shone in the reverend’s face.

  “I hope you know how to use a gun.”

  Emily started when she heard Jake’s deep voice. Why hadn’t she seen him enter the car? He sat down beside her, forcing her to scoot over, which caused Iris to slide down the padded bench.

  “And I hope you’re not afraid to use it.”

  Questions pooled in the reverend’s eyes. “Do we know each other?”

  Since Iris was busy bending Mrs. Carlson’s ear, Emily introduced Jake.

  “Deputy Edgerton is a friend of my family’s.” Certainly not hers—not anymore. “He hails from Montana.”

  The reverend’s features relaxed, and he extended his right hand across the aisle. “We’ll practically be neighbors.” His blond brows drew inward. “So we are embarking on a rugged piece of country, eh?”

  “That’s right.”

  Jake removed his black jacket, eased back, and made himself comfortable. Emily wondered if he wasn’t angry with her anymore. She fingered the delicate cross at her throat. Forgiveness. Jake caught sight of her actions and the taut lines around his eyes disappeared as if he understood. He sent her a short smile.

  Then while Iris and Mrs. Carlson talked about teaching children, Jake and the reverend discussed outlaws, buffalo, and cattle drives. Emily sat in between the four of them, listening to snippets of each conversation but participating in neither.

  “I’d love to be able to teach every child in town to read.” Vonda Carlson’s green eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, and Emily admired her goal.

  “Typically cattle drives are in the spring and roundups are in the fall.” The low timbre of Jake’s voice resounded next to her. “I don’t have anything to do with the operations though.”

  “You’re a sheriff’s deputy?”

  Emily forgot to specify.

  “US deputy marshal, but I assist the sheriff if need be.”

  “Gunfights?” The reverend leaned forward and all but whispered the word.

  “Sometimes.”

  Emily glanced around the car. Every lady seemed blissfully unaware of the nature of the men’s conversation. Lucky her. She got to hear it all. Worse, Emily’s interest had genuinely been piqued.

  After dinner with the Carlsons that night, Emily, Iris, and Jake returned to their seats in the passenger car.

  “What an enjoyable afternoon.” Iris sat by the window.

  “Very nice.” Emily lowered herself into the seat across from Jake.

  He met her gaze for several seconds. “We’re fortunate that it’s been an uneventful ride so far.” Removing his hat, he raked his fingers through his golden blond hair and dropped the Stetson and a newspaper into the vacant seat beside him.

  “I thought our day was quite eventful.” Iris extracted a book from her cloth bag. She stuffed her reticule inside it.

  “Jake means as far as outlaws robbing and killing passengers.”

  “Emily, oh my! What a remark.” Iris appeared aghast.

  Emily realized she’d listened far too long to Jake’s conversation with the reverend. “My apologies, Iris.” She glanced at Jake and spied the grin tweaking the corners of his mouth.

  “Let’s only think of the blessings of this day, shall we?” Iris said.

  “You’re right, of course.” With that, Emily removed her knitting from her bag and set to work. Besta always said idle hands were the devil’s tools.

  Jake watched the wooden needles in Emily’s hands fly in and out of what appeared to be a man’s sweater. Now and again she would glance up and smile, but she made no attempt at conversation.

  In the adjacent seat Iris had nodded off and snored softly. Realizing it, Emily deftly removed the book from Iris’s lap and tucked it away. Then she resumed knitting.

  “Making that for Andy?” Jake couldn’t keep the edge out of his tone.

  “Not anymore.” She sent him a glare. “And for your information, I’m not chasing Andy. I couldn’t care less about that man. But in the future I’ll thank you to mind your own business.”

  Jake rubbed his jaw. So now it was his turn to feel the icy sting of the Sundberg woman’s cold shoulder. Well, he probably deserved it.

  He sat back and watched Emily resume her knitting. Glory, but this woman could stitch! “I’ll bet your father is worried sick about you, just like Granddad was all torn up inside when Aunt Bettina ran away from home.”

  “You dare to compare me to your selfish aunt?” A glance at Iris’s sleeping form. “How could you, Jake? And the cruel things you said this morning wounded me deeply. I thought you were my friend.” She touched the silver cross, resting at her throat, and his heart bent. But when he saw tears glimmer in her eyes, he crumbled.

  “Don’t cry, Emily. I’m sorry.” He leaned forward and touched her hand. “I am your friend, that’s why I’m angry. Can you understand?”

  She shook her head.

  “I didn’t liken you to my aunt, but rather your father’s worry about you to my granddad’s worrying over Bettina. See the difference?”

  Again a wag of her head. Her chin quivered.

  He tried another approach. “What if something bad happened to you, Em? How would your father feel—or the rest of your family, for that matter?”

  “Something bad could happen to me just crossing the street. You know that firsthand.”

  “Reckon I do.” He offered his handkerchief, but she refused it and fished a dainty hanky from her reticule. Then she dabbed the corners of her eyes.

  “Emily, I’m sorry. I had no right to speak to you the way I did.” He took her free hand in both of his, glad that she didn’t pull it away. “Will you forgive me?” He couldn’t be more earnest. “I wanted to drive ho
me my point is all. You have such a fine family where mine is . . . well, I really don’t have a family to speak of anymore. I just would hate for you to worry your folks or lose their trust.”

  “I left a detailed letter, Jake. Once Poppa gets over his initial outrage, he’ll understand that I have to make this trip. He left home at age fifteen out of sheer rebellion, but I left simply to prove my independence.”

  “All right.” He’d leave it at that, although he wouldn’t be surprised if the captain boarded the very next train west. “But you didn’t answer my question.”

  “I forgive you.”

  “Thank you.” Releasing her hand, Jake sat back. Being Emily’s friend accounted for something.

  With nimble fingers, she unpinned her hat and placed it in her lap. Iris’s head dropped onto Emily’s shoulder.

  “Look at her, Jake. She’s so trusting and naïve.”

  Jake wanted to chuckle. Look who’s talking?

  “I couldn’t allow Iris to go on her adventure alone. She bought tickets for both of us before she even told me her plans. She was so determined to ride this train west, and I know how she is.” Emily didn’t even try to whisper. “There’s no talking any sense into her.”

  “I believe it. And what’s this about my being Iris’s destiny or some such nonsense?”

  A pretty blush tinted Emily’s cheeks. “How do you know?”

  “Iris flat-out told me.”

  “Oh, my . . . ” Emily closed her eyes in a moment of what seemed like brief embarrassment. “Jake, I’m afraid Iris has her heart set on you.”

  “So she says.”

  “You don’t believe her?”

  “Nope.”

  A frown puckered Emily’s brow. “Why?”

  “Because her admission lacked feeling and conviction. I suspect if she really felt that I was her destiny, she wouldn’t have found it so easy to blurt it out. My opinion is Iris Hopper is a professional manipulator.”

  “No, she’s not!”

  “And you’re a loyal friend to the end, Emily Sundberg.”

  She seemed to swallow an awaiting retort. “That much is true. And that’s why I couldn’t bear the thought of poor Iris on this train alone.”