by Annie Boone
A man tipped his hat in their direction. “Sure am, Sam. Why you need to know?”
Sam waved him over. “This young lady needs to see the Jessups. Can you take her with you? You brought the wagon, right?”
Michael nodded, glancing at the young woman curiously. She dropped her gaze, spotting the ring on his finger. “I sure did. I think I can manage that. Just give me five minutes, and I’ll be right over there.” Then he wandered the shelves, looking for whatever it was that he needed. After he returned with two bolts of thick cloth with some flour and sugar. Heaving everything onto the counter, he nodded to Sam and turned to Olivia. “Hey, there. I’m Michael. You’re heading over to the Jessups?”
“Yes,” she nodded hesitantly, still clutching her bag close. “That’s right. They, um—they’re expecting me.” Olivia wasn’t even sure that was true, but it seemed important to add some surety into the mix. They at least knew of her, or she hoped they did. If her letter had arrived, she wouldn’t be telling a fib.
The man grinned widely, accepting her words easily. Either he believed her because he didn’t mind, or it was because the Jessups were good people. Her stomach fluttered.
“Sounds good. They love company. Let me get all this loaded up, and we’ll deliver you right over there.” And he was honest, for soon she was settled onto his cart and headed down the bumpy trail.
As they came over the hill, Michael pointed out the house. Olivia Foster had never been so glad to see something in her life. The weariness seeping into her bones made it hard to keep her eyes open, even as it was a pretty sight. It was a lovely little place nestled against the mountains, surrounded in swarthy green with a pretty barn behind the main house. As they moved off the main road, she found there was already a woman standing on the porch, truly as though she had been expected.
The bumpy ride had grated on her nerves, and Michael had to help her down, shaky as she was. Olivia swallowed hard as he turned her towards the house, and saw the woman headed towards them. She was short with long blonde hair that trailed down her back and blew in the breeze. She was beaming as though they were old friends, her arms outstretched.
“Michael!” She proclaimed, clasping the man’s hands. “How good is it to see you! Is Eleanor well? And the girls?”
Chuckling, the man nodded and pulled his hair off. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it? All my girls are doing well, of course. It might be time for another supper, if you and Lucas are feeling up to it?”
She only grinned brighter. “We always are! Lovely idea there, just lovely.” Then she turned over to Olivia, looking her over for the first time. Her smile barely dimmed as she looked at the younger woman curiously. Then she sighed happily and put out her hands. “And you must be Olivia, I just know it. Miss Olivia Foster. Yes?”
The only thing that kept her jaw from hitting the floor was the fact that she was much too tired to do anything but offer a wane smile. “So my letter reached you in time. Good, yes. Good afternoon.”
“I’m Susannah Jessup,” the blonde friendly woman introduced herself. “And it’s about time you arrived! Welcome, welcome. My dear, you look exhausted. I’m sure you have had such a long journey, so let’s get you inside. Michael, would you like to join us?”
He shook his head. “Thank you but no, I’m sure Eleanor is waiting on me. Besides, we’re supposed to have a storm headed our way, and I want to make sure we’re all bundled down. Will Lucas return here soon?”
She nodded. “He will, yes. That’s good to know, Michael, thank you. We’ll see you soon. Give our love to Eleanor and the children.”
Tipping his hat, he climbed back into the cart. “Sure will. For now, I’ll be off. Stay safe in this weather, ladies.” And he was gone.
Before she knew it, Olivia was bustled into the house, parted from her bag, and wrapped in a blanket by the fire sipping cider in a very comfortable chair. Curled up in a rocking chair, the young lady sighed as she watched the embers grow red and the flames licking them all about. It was a lovely sight, and she was more than ready to soak it all in. Every muscle cried out in exhaustion, and nothing felt better than doing absolutely nothing for the first time in a long time.
“You look so comfortable,” Mrs. Jessup chuckled as she came over with her own cup of cider. “Good. Have you been traveling nonstop, then?”
She nodded hesitantly, trying to meet her gaze. It was embarrassing to already be so settled in, as though this were her home. “Yes, I’m afraid so. It took longer than expected.”
The woman leaned over and patted her knee sympathetically. “Indeed, it always does.” She stood up. “I had best start on supper. Sit yourself there until you’re nice and warm, why don’t you? Then you’re free to join me in the kitchen or go to your room. In the boarding house building, yours will be the first door on the right.”
“Thank you,” Olivia murmured gratefully and she watched the woman walk away. Leaning back in her seat, she let the warmth melt away her inhibitions, and she dozed for most of the day. After waking for good, she found the Jessups finishing up supper, but they saved a portion for her before sending her back to bed for the evening.
* * *
Early spring settled in, and so did Olivia. Susannah had a way of making her feel right at home, a feeling she hadn’t experienced in a long time. A daily schedule was instituted where she helped at the barn, practiced her stitching, and then helped in the garden. Soon she was practicing to better her reading as well, and her cooking. And that was all within the first two weeks.
Their only hindrance were the questions. Susannah wanted to know everything about her, and it made Olivia nervous. It wasn’t that most of her story was dangerous or terrible, but she didn’t like everything about her past. Bringing it up only brought back the doubts and the fears. In fact, it was the reason she was here.
Olivia often had the feeling of being watched, but could never tell if it was a good feeling or bad, only noticeable and worrisome. She didn’t want to rope anyone else into her troubles, especially since she prayed nightly that they were over.
“It’s good to have family around, when it’s manageable,” Susannah was saying as they worked on the laundry one day. “You were raised by your grandmother then, weren’t you? What was she like?”
She took a deep breath. “She was a wonderful woman. Quiet and kind, and she taught me how to knit. After my parents died, Grandmother did everything for me.” She paused, sighing with her hands soaking in the chilly water. “She would take me to church, you know, when she could manage it. But I’m afraid her body left her health failing for the large part of our time together. She died a few years ago.”
Susannah nodded with a sympathetic smile. “It’s never easy losing family. I recently lost a close aunt of mine. We only saw each other a few times during my life back east, but we have written often over the years and I always felt as though she were very close to me. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” Olivia nodded, brushing her strawberry blonde hair out of her face.
“What happened after that?” Susannah cocked her head. “You had a fiancé, didn’t you?”
Swallowing hard, she nodded again. “Yes, I… his family gave me a room in their home, to board until we married.” She cleared her throat. “But I’m afraid things didn’t go as we had planned. There was an accident. I’m here now, and I’m praying God will guide me in this new direction. When I saw your ad, it just felt right to come here.”
She changed the direction of their conversation, hoping that Susannah hadn’t noticed. The woman paused thoughtfully, twisting water out a handkerchief. Olivia looked down, taking a deep breath as she did so, praying the woman wouldn’t draw them back to the topic of her past again.
She didn’t see Susannah hesitate, wiggling her nose before putting on a smile again. “I know exactly what that’s like,” the married woman looked up and beamed. “And I am certain that He is.”
Chapter Six
“Supper?” Simon s
tammered, fiddling with his hat. “Again?”
Lucas Jessup grinned, crossing his arms. “You can’t be tired of my wife’s cooking already, can you? Even I’m not and I get that benefit every day.”
The man had around ten years on him, and twice the experience in life, in work, and with women. Simon could feel his face growing hot. “No, not that’s not it, Luc—”
Chuckling, Lucas shook his head and butted in. “It’s only a joke. And yes, again. We enjoy your company. Besides, it’ll be an evening for friends. We’ll have others over as well. We thought we would have you over, along with the Harbins.”
Church had come to an end and everyone was milling around the outside of the building to talk that Sunday before heading back home. They glanced around, and they found Jeb and Rowena Harbin talking to the pastor.
The man had been the first person to greet Simon upon his arrival, before he even found his sister in town. Jeb had brought him to church and to his house to meet Rowena. He’d been a friend to him. They talked little about serious things, but enjoyed jokes and often Jeb joined him on his excursions out to the tracks.
It took him a minute, but then Simon nodded. Lucas would know Jeb because Jeb was Lucas’s deputy. Somehow he hadn’t made the connection before, but the Jessups would know the Harbins. And the children knew him as well, when they were in town. All the kids in town knew Jeb Harbin. “Yes,” he said at last. “Of course.”
He was clapped on the back. “Perfect. Tomorrow, at five o’clock. Come hungry,” he added, and the man walked away. Simon’s gaze traveled after Lucas Jessup, but the man wasn’t going back into the crowd to his family. Instead, he waved to the Harbins and turned back into the street, towards his office. It was just at the end of the lane, and Simon watched him disappear.
“Simon, there you are,” Lillian touched his arm. “I’ve been calling for you. The children are ready to go. Are you?”
Blinking, he ruffled his hair and then put his hat back on. It was beginning to rain again and he adjusted his coat so the collar was turned up. Pulling on a smile for his sister, he nodded and glanced around. There he found her two kids arguing over a wooden toy. “Let’s be going then, shall we?” He wrapped an arm around his little sister and took the family back to the ranch.
They went inside, where Lillian started on a roast for supper and the children pulled out their hoops and sticks in the yard. Once they were settled, Simon needed his own distraction and went to find Frank out in the field with the cows. They worked together and it kept him focused on each task, fixing the fences and tending to the animals. It wasn’t until he was settled in his bed for the evening, exhausted to the bone, that he found himself thinking about the next day’s supper.
After all, he’d been through the entire process by then, and Mrs. Jessup had told him that his file was complete and she would keep an eye out for him. Since Lucas had mentioned there would be other guests, that meant it wouldn’t be on business. That’s when the thought came to him and he inhaled sharply. Did that mean she had found someone?
A knot formed in his throat, and Simon closed his eyes as he felt as though Jane were right there beside him. Her soft touch, her cool hands, her lips whispering in his ear. When he looked around, he found himself alone and started praying though he didn’t know why. Simon tossed and turned for most of the night, and woke up with every part of his body and soul aching.
The dread clung to him like a dark cloud as he went through his daily routine that Monday. First the barn animals, and then breakfast. He had to talk with the train station in town, so he took one of the horses and oiled a few spots on the tracks before heading home to clean up. It took him forever to try and get the rank oil off his hands and out of his clothes. But at last, he was dressed and started out of the house.
“Where are you off to?” Lillian noticed him on his way to the door.
Hesitating, Simon swallowed. “Oh, just over to the Jessup’s place. They invited me to supper again. Didn’t I tell you?” He tried to smile.
She raised her eyebrow. “You’ve been there quite a few times. Are you certain they aren’t done with their process or program, or whatever it is they call it? Or rather,” she inhaled, “you’ve completed it and they found you someone?” Lillian brightened as he shifted uncomfortably, still wondering the same thing. “Oh, I bet it is. Do you think it’s a girl from town? What about Amy? She’s awfully sweet, you know. I always told you—”
“I’m going to be late,” he said hurriedly, and went out the door. Taking the horse, he made his way down the lane and to the Jessup’s house. His thoughts wandered as they went down the lane, and Simon wondered if he was doing the right thing. By the time he arrived, he still wasn’t sure.
“There you are!” Mrs. Jessup beamed as Simon walked through the door. “Come in, come in. Everyone else is already here. No, it’s all right. You’re just in time.” She helped him with his jacket and hat, and guided him to the kitchen. “Let’s see, the Harbins are already here. You know them, along with Lucas, of course. Allow me to introduce you to Olivia Foster, a guest of mine. Miss Olivia, this is Simon James. He’s recently come west and works with the trains. Now that we’re all friends, who’s hungry?”
That earned a good chuckle from the party. It put smiles on everyone’s faces as they took their seats. Simon was the last one, fiddling uncomfortably with his chair as he swallowed and carefully shot another glance at Olivia. He could tell then that it was as he and his sister had assumed, that Mrs. Jessup had found him a possible match. She was tall, willowy, with redish-blonde hair and the lightest eyes. It had only made him more nervous, being that close to such a beautiful woman.
She even had lovely poise, and good manners. Simon couldn’t focus on anything else, and forgot to eat most of his food. He had no idea how it had even tasted. Most likely it was delightful, as the Jessups always fed him well. Trying to sort through his muddled thoughts was much too work.
Then the young lady laughed at something Jeb said, and he looked up again. “You’re too kind,” she blushed, and it only made her freckles stand out. “Truly, it’s Susannah’s recipe. I just followed it down to the letter, that’s all.”
“Oh, you’re too modest,” Mrs. Jessup shook her head. “No matter the recipe, the food comes together differently depending on the cook. And Mr. Harbin is right, it was delicious. If we’re all finished, let’s take a walk in the cool night air, shall we?”
Everyone immediately began to move. Simon was the last one up, glancing around the room before skirting a shy glance at Miss Foster again. Would he have a chance to talk with her? Clearly that’s why the Jessups had invited him over, but he couldn’t help wondering what the young lady was thinking as well. Did she know why he was there? Did she care?
The Jessups had linked up arms, as had the Harbins. With them already down the lane, it was just Simon and Olivia on the porch, standing apart and wondering if they should follow. He put out his arm with a smile, hoping she would take it.
In the light of their lantern, she hesitated as she gazed up at him with a curious expression. “Thank you,” she said at last, and slipped her arm through his. She had a gentle touch, and his heart hammered as they started down the path. Simon tried to think of something to say, hoping he wouldn’t ruin this evening.
Chapter Seven
She could see the hesitation in the handsome stranger and didn’t blame him. It had been a while since she had been around another man like this. In fact, there had only ever been Jack for her, and it seemed like they’d had a lifetime together. Though he’d only been gone these last five months, the fact that they hadn’t been married almost made this easier. Swallowing down the fear and the pain, Olivia offered him a smile. “Nice evening for a walk.”
They entered the lane and the two of them trailed slowly behind the other couples. “Yes, it’s a lovely night, indeed.” Simon answered after a moment of hesitation.
She glanced at him, almost surprised to find he was looking
upwards, and not at her. His gaze had reached her often enough, after all, throughout the meal. Taking a deep breath, she looked around them out of habit and then up at the sky.
“Would you look at that? I can see Orion.”
She pointed to the sky, and then he did the same. “And there’s Pegasus.”
Impressed, Olivia raised her eyebrow at him. “You know your constellations?”
He was quiet, but the man was passionate about his interests. “I do, yes. Sometimes I worked at night as a child on the tracks with my father, you see. He’d help me stay awake by focusing on the stars. I’d search for each and every one of them. He taught me to track their movements through the seasons.”
Nodding in fascination, Olivia glanced back up. “Oh, my favorite. Cassiopeia. She’s still up there. My grandmother had a hard time sleeping, you see, so the two of us would keep odd hours. Especially in the winter, with the cold. We would get wrapped up in our blankets and snuggle up on the bench outside, trying to beat each other to find each of them. They’re lovely, aren’t they? Almost like…”
“Guardian angels?”
She turned to him thoughtfully, for the exact same thing had been on her mind. Giving Mr. Simon James a good look over, Olivia pondered on the man. “Exactly,” she nodded, and they started to walk again.
The advert had been clear, that the boarding house accepted young ladies who wanted to come to Colorado for a new life. The basics of a new life for a woman in need included a husband. Susannah had broached the topic once she was well rested and settled in. While the conversation was still warm, there was much they hadn’t spoken of and little that Olivia felt clear about.
But she realized, she was enjoying Mr. James’ company.
“What do you do then, when you’re not counting the stars?” Her curiosity was real and the question wasn’t just mean to make polite conversation. For some reason, she hoped that came through. “Mrs. Jessup said you worked on the trains?”