by Sherry Kyle
“What’s got you tongue-tied this evening, Jonas?” Yvette looked up at him with warm brown eyes.
“Well…...I…...” Jonas stumbled over his words. He rested his forearm on the mantel.
“Please, Jonas. What do you need to discuss?”
“Gabi.” The sound of his own voice surprised him.
“Gabi? Her eyes widened.
“I was hoping you could help her pick out material for a dress. Like the ones you wear. She’d feel like a woman from town if she looked the part.”
“I’ll do better than that.” Yvette patted Jonas’s arm. “I own a few dresses that I don’t wear anymore. We’ll take them to my seamstress and have them altered.”
“Thank you. That’s mighty nice of you.”
“Don’t think a thing of it. I want Gabi to be happy here. You can’t imagine what a big help she is.” She clutched her hands together. “There’s nothing like a beautiful dress to keep a woman’s spirits high.”
The comment sent doubt niggling in his gut. How could he propose to a woman who needed fancy dresses to make her happy?
Gabi stuck her head in the door. “Excuse me. Captain Zubriggen is here to see you.”
At the mention of the name, color drained from Yvette’s face. She swayed on her feet. Jonas caught her around the waist to steady her.
Who was this Captain Zubriggen? And what did he want with Yvette?
Chapter Twenty
Jonas headed toward the doc’s office. Afterward, he’d gather his horse and wagon from the boardinghouse and head straight home to Harmony. Last night had been uncomfortable, to say the least. His plan to propose stalled when the tall, regal-looking captain swept in and ripped Yvette’s attention away. What relationship did the two share? Yvette’s deceased husband Adrian had worked for the man, but was there something else between them?
He pushed his hat low across his forehead and headed toward the infirmary. If it made Ma happy, he’d pay a visit to the doc, though he didn’t see the need. The bump on the back of his head had already receded and the headaches had diminished.
He passed Cayucos General Store. Tobias’s horse and wagon were parked out front. He was tempted to peek through the window to see if Elena was there, but held back. She’d journeyed thirteen miles to visit Lars. What right did he have to snoop? He continued down the walk, his hands deep in his trouser pockets.
His ma and sisters wanted a full report and assurance he’d be all right, and asked that he come back to the boardinghouse before heading home. He didn’t argue. Maybe he’d have a chance to find out the reason for the captain’s visit. Part of him was already looking out for Yvette’s welfare.
He stepped over the threshold to the doctor’s office and turned the doorknob. Locked. Cupping his hands around his eyes, he peered into the window. It was dark inside. A note tacked to the doorframe read
Back before sundown.
Doc
Just his luck.
Oh, what did it matter? He was fine. His mother would have to understand his need to return to Harmony Valley and the farm. He turned to leave when Mr. Burkhart came up the walk, his cane assisting his wobbly gait.
Jonas stepped toward the elderly man. He didn’t see much of Yvette’s grandfather when he was at the boardinghouse. The rumor around town was the man kept to himself. “Doc’s not here.”
“I’m not here to see Doc.” Mr. Burkhart grabbed a post from the white picket fence surrounding the infirmary. “I’m looking for you.”
“Me?” The scowl on the older man’s face made him feel like a kid caught snitching cookies.
“Relax, son. Walk with me.” Mr. Burkhart pointed toward the pier with his cane.
Jonas remained silent and allowed Yvette’s grandfather to take the lead. The two walked side-by-side toward the water’s edge. Jonas instinctively held out a hand a time or two when Mr. Burkhart stumbled, but each time he righted himself with the use of his cane. Curiosity itched in Jonas’s thoughts. Whatever brought the reclusive man out of the boardinghouse must be important.
Mr. Burkhart stared out at the ocean, his mouth shifting from side to side as if deep in thought. Finally, he broke the silence. “Got a question for you.”
“All right.” Jonas was careful to keep his voice light and carefree.
“Will you protect Yvette?” Worry lines etched the old man’s eyes.
Besides his pa’s wish to help him make amends and marry Yvette, he also needed to keep her safe? Jonas searched Mr. Burkhart’s face. “Protect her from whom?”
The old man’s knuckles turned white as he clutched his cane. “Captain Zubriggen.”
Jonas’s jaw flexed. “Why does she need protection from him?”
“The man is up to no good. He’s been asking to spend time with Yvette and I don’t trust him.” The older gentleman pointed to a nearby bench. “I need to sit a spell.”
They ambled to the bench and sat. Jonas removed his hat and held it between sweaty palms as he rested his elbows on his thighs.
Mr. Burkhart eyed him sideways. “Did you make a promise to your pa before he died?”
So, the old gentleman was in cahoots with his pa.
Jonas expelled a breath. “So, you’re in favor of Yvette marrying me?”
“The sooner the better.”
Something didn’t sit right in Jonas’s stomach. “Has she been expecting a proposal?”
“Every time you’ve come to town.”
She’d been waiting for him to ask for her hand? His head spun. Was the dizziness due to the recent blow to his head or the stab to his heart? Jonas wasn’t ready to head straight to the preacher. He coughed. “Is she willing to live in Harmony Valley for a time before we wed?”
“She will.” Mr Burkhart’s words flew out of his mouth without a moment’s hesitation.
His plan to scout for cow thieves in exchange for Yvette learning the ways of dairy farming would happen sooner than he thought. A month sounded reasonable for Yvette to learn how to be a farmer’s wife—and they’d be able to get to know one another in the process.
“But how can you run the boardinghouse without her?”
“I’ll manage. Between your ma and sisters, they’ve been doing a wonderful job. But if it becomes too much, I’ll hire more help—or sell the place.”
Jonas shook his head. “I don’t think it’ll come to that.”
If he had to, he’d send Nicolas home. Didn’t seem right for Yvette and her grandfather to take full responsibility of the boardinghouse. If only he were able to stay away from the saloon. In the meantime, Nicholas had proved himself a fine worker—loyal too.
“Time’s a wasting.” Mr. Burkhart prodded. “The captain has returned to his ship for now, but plans to come back to the boardinghouse.”
Jonas stood and bent down to help the elderly man to his feet, but Mr. Burkhart waved him off.
“Go on. I’d like to stay here.”
Placing his hat on his head, Jonas left Mr. Burkhart sitting on the bench. He walked past the infirmary and Lars’s mercantile. Tobias’s horse and wagon were nowhere in sight. Elena must have gone back to Harmony.
Waves of confusion tossed in Jonas’s mind like a steamer lost at sea. Had Yvette been playing him for a fool these past few weeks? When he’d asked her if she would ever marry again, she said she would if the right man came along. Obviously, Yvette, her grandfather, and his pa thought he was. The right man for what, he didn’t know. But he’d keep his promise. Of that he was sure.
With long strides Jonas made it back to the boardinghouse. The sun shone directly overhead. Lars’s carriage was out front along with Tobias’s wagon.
The big red door to the boardinghouse swung open. Yvette held Willie on her hip and looked at him, fear darkening her eyes. “Have you seen my grandfather?”
“I have. He’s down by the pier.” He removed his hat and approached on shaky legs. He’d get through this like he had all the other times when life got tough. “There’s something I want
to ask you.”
Lars guided Elena’s chair closer to the dining room table. She enjoyed the way he treated her like a lady. After she chose silk fabric for her wedding dress, Lars had invited her and her mother to spend the lunch hour with him at the boardinghouse. Honey-baked ham with pineapple sauce was the special of the day. Elena inhaled the delicious aroma as she situated her napkin on her lap.
“Can I bring anything else?” Brigitte’s eyes held a note of sadness. She continued to wear her black mourning dress.
Lars looked from Elena to her mother as he twisted his water goblet. “Everything appears to be in order. Thank you.”
Elena had never seen Lars look so nervous. He’d wear a hole right through the white tablecloth the way he twisted the stem of his glass around and around. His mustache twitched. Did he have something important to say? Lars was a man of few words. When he spoke, she needed to pay attention.
He took a sip of water and cleared his throat. “Now that you have material for your dress, we should set the date for our wedding.”
A bite of ham lodged in Elena’s throat. She swallowed hard. Am I ready to decide on a date?
“That is a wonderful idea.” Mama nudged Elena’s arm with her elbow.
“How long will it take you to make my dress?” Elena’s voice squeaked.
“Elena, you know I can whip up a dress in no time.” Mama smiled.
That’s what she was afraid of. “But Mama, this isn’t an ordinary farm dress.”
“How does two weeks from Sunday sound?” Lars brows rose a notch.
Elena shoved a forkful of yams into her mouth. She glanced into Lars’s expectant eyes and nodded.
“Wonderful.” Mama clasped her hands together.
“Splendid.” Lars lifted a hand to capture Brigitte’s attention.
Jonas’s ma came up to the table. “What can I get you?”
“Cherry pie.” Lars grinned like a child at Christmas.
“Mr. Rissler, you’ve hardly touched your ham. Is something the matter?”
“It’s delicious, marvelous. But I’m in the mood to have dessert first. What do you say, ladies?” Lars winked.
Mama laughed. “My, you are a spontaneous fellow.”
“Not ordinarily, but this is a cause for celebration.” Lars turned toward Brigitte. “I’m getting married in seventeen days.”
“Congratulations.” Brigitte smiled. “Three slices of cherry pie coming right up.” She wiped her hands on her apron and turned toward the kitchen.
Seventeen days.
The countdown began. Would Elena be ready to spend the rest of her days with the man seated opposite her? It wasn’t as though she disliked him. No, not at all. Lars was a well-to-do, prim and proper man with kind eyes. And a good heart.
Mama dabbed her mouth on a napkin. “We’ll start on your dress the minute we return home to Harmony.”
“I was hoping to speak with Yvette. Being from town, she knows the latest fashions.” Elena searched the room for the brunette. If Yvette lived with them in Harmony, she could tell her first hand what a proper lady would wear on her wedding day.
What would Yvette wear when she married Jonas? A sting of jealousy shot through Elena’s veins.
Brigitte placed three plates of cherry pie in front of them. Vanilla ice cream oozed down each slice, and the smell of warm cherries filled her senses.
Lars caught Elena’s eye. “You’ll be beautiful no matter what dress you wear.” He smiled.
“Now there’s a man who appreciates you for who you are.” Mama patted Elena’s arm. “Please excuse me a moment.”
Where was Mama going? Did she think the two of them needed time alone? Elena watched her mother’s retreating back as she made her way across the floor.
Lars tasted the pie and ran his tongue over his lips. “Delicious!”
Elena followed suit and took a bite. Before she had a chance to swallow, Lars asked, “How soon after we marry do you think Samuel will live in Cayucos?”
The pie lodged in her throat. She pushed it down. What an odd question for him to ask the moment her mother was out of earshot. “Have you spoken to my pa?”
“No, not yet. But I plan to speak with him as soon as we announce our wedding date.”
How quickly the conversation switched from their wedding to her brother. A niggling feeling gnawed its way into the pit of her stomach.
“It will be hard for my papa to let Samuel go, but I know he’d rather see him settled in your home with less physically demanding work. My brother tires easily working on the farm.”
“This day is turning out better than I imagined.” Lars folded his hands across his midsection. “I’m pleased you and your mother came to town.”
Elena pushed her pie away. She had seventeen days left in Harmony. How many of those would be spent teaching Yvette the ways of dairy farming? Teaching her to have the life Elena wanted?
She swallowed the emotions rising in her throat.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Can we talk in private?” Jonas gripped Yvette’s elbow and guided her down the walkway of the boardinghouse.
“Do you want Willie along, or should I ask one of your sisters to tend to him?” Yvette carried the baby in her arms.
The sweet little boy was dozing on his mother’s shoulder. “He’ll be fine with us.” Jonas steered her around the back.
Yvette took two steps for his every one. “What’s your hurry?”
He didn’t want the captain returning before he had a chance to ask for her hand. How could he explain to Yvette the conversation he had with her grandfather? Or rather, should he? At this point, the raven-haired beauty was expecting a proposal, but could he ask before he fully understood the situation? Pa, what were you involved with?
“Jonas, you’re squeezing my arm.”
“I’m sorry.” He loosened his grip. “Can I ask about Captain Zubriggen?”
Yvette’s face clouded. She looked away.
“I can’t protect you if you don’t tell me what’s going on.” Jonas led her and Willie toward the wooden bench by the large sycamore tree.
Yvette went willingly and released a shaky breath. “Adrian might have been involved in a shady business deal with Captain Zubriggen. He came last night to look through Adrian’s things.” She raised her chin, a stubborn set around her jaw. “But I wouldn’t let him.”
Jonas rubbed at the back of his neck, Pa’s desperate words replaying in his mind. Help me make amends. Had his father been involved in something underhanded? The whole idea was preposterous. Pa had been a man of integrity and faith.
And now he was gone and Jonas couldn’t ask him. But he could look after Yvette and her child and keep them from harm’s way. Maybe that’s what Pa had meant—and the reason for his request.
Time to ask.
He knelt down on one knee. “I will protect you with every ounce of my being. Yvette Burkhart, will you marry me?”
Before she had a chance to answer, the sound of clapping reverberated in his ears.
“Very touching.” The sarcastic remark drew Jonas to his feet.
Yvette brought Willie to her chest. She glared at the newcomer. “Captain, you know how to spoil a moment.”
“I wondered why the two of you disappeared behind the building.” A smirk twisted the arrogant lips. “Did you unearth buried treasure?”
“I don’t have what you’re looking for.” Yvette’s voice wavered.
“That means you haven’t searched hard enough.” The captain came within a few feet of Yvette and her son.
Jonas stepped between them. “If the lady says she doesn’t have what you’re looking for, she doesn’t have it.”
The captain stared hard into his eyes. Jonas didn’t dare look away, or even blink, even though he had no idea what this showdown was about. His spine stiffened. Finally, the man’s eyes narrowed.
“We’ll see about that!” The captain arched a brow, tipped his hat, and stalked away.
Yv
ette let out a breath. Her eyes misted and she laid her cheek against Willie’s soft one. “Jonas, what should I do?”
He covered her hand with his own. “Marry me.”
She blinked away the tears. “Thank you.”
What kind of answer was that? Jonas squeezed her hand. “Is that a yes?”
Her eyes misted over. For a moment they flickered over his head, toward…the ocean? No matter. The next instant they focused on him and a lovely smile curved her lips. “Yes, indeed.”
Elena ran a brush through her long hair as she readied for bed, her mind drifting to the agreement she and her mother had made with Lars over lunch. Seventeen days till her wedding. No longer would she picture her life in Harmony, but in Cayucos with Lars.
A soft rap on her bedroom window brought her to her feet. Was it the wind? A tree branch? Elena cupped her eyes near the windowpane and squinted for a better look.
Her heart tripped. Jonas was on the other side of the glass, signaling for her to join him outside. She jumped back. What could he possibly want at this time of night?
Without hesitation, Elena stepped into her boots and slipped an overcoat around her shoulders. What was it about this man that drew her like a hummingbird to nectar? Quietly, she slipped into the dark of night.
The full moon cast a white glow over the softly rolling hills. Its glow lent a romantic cast to the man standing before her. Jonas was as handsome as ever. Lord, help me not to think of him in that way. She stiffened her spine. “Why are you here?”
“There’s something I need to ask you.”
Two years ago those words would’ve been sweet to her ear. But way back then they would have meant something completely different.
“You know you can ask me anything.” Elena gathered her hair to the side and twisted the strands into a braid with nervous fingers.
The whimpering of a baby sounded from around the side of the house. Elena stepped toward the noise, but Jonas held her back.
“I brought Yvette and Willie.”
“Now? At this late hour?”
“Your ma and pa agreed she could come.” What was the rush? Was he so eager to dump his intended and her child on them?