She wiped the tears from her face and gathered the baby close. Julianne looked up into the sky that peeked through the many trees.
“I’ll tell Caleb after lunch. Lord, please let him forgive me, too.”
The sound of male voices singing, Bringing in the Sheaves carried out the church doors. Julianne slipped back inside. Everyone was standing, so she took her place beside Caleb.
He leaned over and whispered. “Is the baby okay?”
Julianne tucked her hand into his. “He’s fine. Everything is fine.” She rocked Jonathan in time with the beat of the song.
For the first time in her life, she felt free. The song ended and Julianne handed Jonathan to Caleb. She quickly gathered their things and joined the loggers and the few families as they made their way out of the small church.
She hurried to help the other women set the food on the tables for the picnic. Julianne wanted to tell Caleb of her new commitment to God and to confess her lie to him so they could go back to being comfortable with each other. He hadn’t said anything, but Julianne sensed he knew she was hiding something from him.
“You’re awful chipper.” Maggie commented, setting a large potato salad on the table.
Julianne felt the older woman studying her face. She tried to hide her newfound joy from her friend. Caleb should be the first one to be told.
“You’ve changed. There’s a sparkle in your eyes that weren’t there this morning.” Maggie moved in front of her.
Julianne was forced to look the older woman in the eye. She opened her mouth to deny the truth of Maggie’s words and then stopped. Her lying days were over.
“I really want to tell Caleb first, Maggie.” She whispered, leaning toward her friend.
Maggie clapped her hands with joy drawing attention to them. “You’re with a wee one, aren’t you?” She grabbed Julianne and hugged her to her breast.
Over Maggie’s shoulder Julianne watched as Caleb’s face turned as white as new fallen snow.
One of the men from the sawmill burst into the churchyard, yelling, “We need every man on the west side. A fire is blazin’ and it’s headed this way!”
His shout drew everyone’s attention from Julianne, except Caleb’s.
Maggie ran to where Caleb and the men stood. “I’ll come and help.”
Caleb handed Jonathan to her. “No, Maggie we need you here to send food and water up to us. Would you see my family gets home okay?”
“You know I will.”
Chapter 14
Julianne watched Caleb leave with the men. What must he be thinking? She had to explain it to him. She felt momentary panic as her thoughts jumped ahead. Surely, he didn’t really think she was with child. Silently she prayed. Implored was more like it. Lord, what a mess this is. Please, please, dear Lord, comfort my husband and keep him safe as he fights the fire.
Maggie carried Jonathan back to Julianne. “I’m sorry. I wish it had been a better time to tell Caleb about the babe.”
“I’m not having a baby, Maggie.” Julianne took Jonathan.
“You’re not?” Concern filled her voice. “But Caleb… he heard me… I’m pretty sure Caleb thinks you are. Maybe you are and just don’t know it yet.” Maggie offered as she began filling a plate with food. “But since you don’t know fer sure, it will be a simple thing to straighten up when he gets home. Who knows, maybe he’ll think about it and decide he likes the idea.”
Julianne felt tears prick the back of her eyelids. She refused to cry. Maggie had no way of knowing their marriage wasn’t real or of the anguish she had just caused Caleb.
She followed Maggie to one of the many trees that surrounded the churchyard. Maggie spread out an old blanket, and the two women sank down on it to eat lunch.
Jonathan fell asleep to Julianne’s gentle rocking. She laid him down on the blanket beside her and looked about.
The two women that arrived on the boat with her sat together talking in soft whispers. Julianne couldn’t hear what they were saying but was pretty sure they were voicing their concern for their husbands. The older woman sat by herself, she held a new baby to her breast and sang Amazing Grace in a quiet soothing way.
“Well, if you weren’t happy cause you’re with child, what put that new sparkle in your eyes?” Maggie took a bite of fried chicken.
Julianne thought of the moments she’d spent in the presence of the Lord. She really wanted to tell someone and since Caleb wasn’t there...why not tell Maggie?
“Maggie, I opened my heart to Jesus this morning.” The words came out a whisper.
“Well, Glory Be! It’s about time.” Maggie set her plate to the side and hugged Julianne.
Surrounded in the happiness of her friend, Julianne poured her heart out. “All these months I’ve been afraid my uncle would come and snatch me away. Maggie it was as if God took that fear away.” She hesitated, “Don’t get me wrong. I’m still scared he’ll come, but now I know God will protect me.”
Maggie took both Julianne’s hands and searched her face. “This uncle, he’s the reason you been doing laundry and making money? If he came, were you going to leave Caleb and that baby behind and just keep running?”
“Oh no, I’d never even thought of that. I wanted to repay Caleb. He’s been talking about starting an apple orchard, but we don’t have enough money to buy the seedlings right now. I’m going to give him the money.” Julianne stared at her friend. She saw the doubt in Maggie’s eyes.
“You still think I took Sloan’s money don’t you?”
Maggie dropped Julianne’s hands and picked her plate back up. “It don’t matter none.”
Julianne’s heart constricted. It felt as if Maggie had taken a knife and twisted it. It did matter. If Maggie still doubted her, did Caleb? She wasn’t sure.
“I’m going home.” Julianne stood. She picked up Jonathan and her plate of untouched food.
Maggie jumped to her feet. “I’m going with you. I promised that man of yours I would keep an eye on you while he was gone.”
Julianne felt hurt turn to anger as it welled up and spilled over. She turned to the older woman. “I don’t need a babysitter, Maggie. Jonathan and I are going home alone.”
She didn’t give Maggie time to respond. Julianne put Jonathan’s things into their wagon and laid the baby down on the floor then climbed up. The blue sheet slipped easily over her head. Julianne picked up the baby and gently laid him in the folds. Then, she took the reins in her hands and turned the animals toward home.
Tears filled her eyes. How was it, that everyone still thought she was a thief? Even after all these weeks, they still condemned her for a crime she hadn’t committed. Julianne thought they’d grown to know and love her. Now she realized it was all just an illusion.
Julianne heard a horse following her. She was sure it was Maggie. Maggie was a woman of her word. It gave her some comfort to know her friend cared some for her, even if she didn’t trust her.
****
The next morning Julianne rose with a headache. She wasn’t sure if the headache was from worrying about Caleb fighting the fire, or if it was from the tears she’d cried all evening. “Probably, both.” She told Jonathan, taking him from the crib.
“You and I are going to the river today. I’m going to do this last basket of laundry, and then I’m telling Maggie I’m out of the clothes washing business.” She continued to talk to the baby as she got things ready.
“Things are going to change around here. I’ve had a lot of time to think about things, and I’ve decided to tell Caleb everything.”
Jonathan cooed up at her as she gently slipped him into her sling. “I know what you’re thinking. But I have to tell him that my uncle must have taken Sloan’s money. I couldn’t tell him before, and I really didn’t think it would matter. Now, I need him to know the truth and to trust me. If we are to be a real family, there should be nothing between us.” She lifted the basket and closed the cabin door.
Heading down to the river, she co
ntinued with her conversation. “I also told God I would tell Caleb about our little jaunts down here.” The baby smiled up at her.
“Oh, you like the sound of that do you?” She entered the clearing and looked up into the clear blue sky. “I just hope he doesn’t get too upset with me.”
Julianne set down the laundry and hugged the baby to her for several long moments. Thoughts of Caleb fighting the fire troubled her. She decided to pray for him.
But how did one pray? Really pray?
She thought back to the many nights that Caleb had prayed for them both before going to bed each evening. His prayers had sounded like he was talking to someone right there in the room with them. Julianne took a deep breath and began.
“Lord, please watch over Caleb and protect him while he fights the fire.” Julianne opened her eyes and stared down at Jonathan. His sleepy eyes reassured her.
Feeling as if someone were watching her, Julianne looked over her shoulder. The bush behind her moved ever so slightly.
Julianne saw Morning Star’s doe skin dress. She smiled and opened her mouth to greet her friend.
The Indian woman shook her head no and raised a finger to her lips. Her dark eyes darted toward the tree line and she repeated her earlier actions.
What was wrong with her? Morning Star had always come out of hiding before. The two women had spent several hours sitting on the bank with their feet in the river and playing with the baby.
Julianne looked about her and listened. For the first time, she noticed the silence. The birds weren’t singing. When she looked back to where her friend had stood, no one was there.
Her stomach heaved and rolled. Something was terribly wrong. She turned to pick up the laundry.
“Well, well. Look what I found.”
The voice came from behind her. Julianne felt the icy fingers of fear trickle down her neck. Every hair seemed to stand on end as his name ricocheted off the walls of her mind.
Marcus.
Had he seen, Jonathan? She took the sheet from around her head and wrapped it around the sleeping baby. Lord, please don’t let him hurt Jonathan.
“What’s a matter, Julianne? Don’t you recognize me?” The words were playful, but the meaning was not.
Her throat closed with a terror she’d never known before. Her mouth went dry. She heard his boots crush the gravel as he came closer.
Julianne prayed he wouldn’t hear the fear in her voice. “Hello, Marcus.” She laid the baby in the basket and turned to face her enemy. Julianne purposely moved away from the basket, praying he’d not pay attention to the precious bundle she’d just deposited inside.
“‘Hello, Marcus’?” His voice mocked her. “That’s all you have to say? ‘Hello, Marcus’?”
Morning Star moved silently behind him. She knelt to pick up a large rock.
Marcus grabbed Julianne by the throat. His fingers closed, shutting off her air. Julianne’s arms flayed through the air, and she clawed at his face.
Her vision blurred as she vainly tried to suck in air. Morning Star melted back into the forest. No help there. She flailed at Marcus, her strength waning.
“Marcus! I’m not paying you to kill her.”
Her uncle’s familiar voice seemed to come from a great distance away. The vise around her neck released, and she staggered. Julianne would have fallen, but Marcus jerked her forward and pinned her back to his chest with one easy sweep.
Julianne gasped for breath.
“Didn’t expect to see me did you, Julie girl.”
Chapter 15
Weary, Caleb made his way home. His arms ached, his back hurt, and the misery in his heart ate at him from the inside. For two days, as he’d fought the flames, thoughts and images of Julianne being with another man tormented him to despair.
He couldn’t bring himself to believe she had been unfaithful. More likely, she’d been pregnant when they married, she just hadn’t known it.
Had she been married before? Was she carrying a baby that was conceived before she came to the territory? It was possible. After all, what did he know about her life before she’d arrived here?
The horse picked up the pace as it neared the cabin. Caleb slumped deeper into the saddle. The canopy of branches further darkened his mood as he passed under them.
Why hadn’t she told him? Did she think he would have thrown her out? Could it be she still didn’t trust him? The questions troubled Caleb.
Well, his wife would find out that she could trust him. He loved her and had promised to protect her, in sickness and in health. Caleb sat up straighter in the saddle.
He urged the horse toward home. It was time he and Julianne put all their doubts and fears behind them and settled a few things. It was time he told her he loved her.
Caleb stopped the horse.
He loved her.
The thought took him by surprise. But, it was true. Caleb Hansen was in love with his wife. Not the mushy kind of love his sister had talked about before she’d married, but the deep soul searching kind.
A tug on the reins reminded him of the horse’s impatience to be home. He gave the anxious animal its head and soon was speeding down the path towards his own little haven.
As the horse entered the clearing, Caleb felt that something wasn’t right. It was as if the thought came from deep within him. Caleb slowed the horse to a walk.
The wooden structure rested snuggly against the mountain. But, no smoke drifted into the morning mist from the chimney, and it looked cold and vacant instead of warm and inviting.
Caleb turned the horse back into the tree line and circled the house. Nothing moved. He approached the barn from behind. The horse neighed. A soft moo answered from inside the barn.
He slid to the ground, tied the reins loosely to the saddle horn and let the horse go. His body blending within the shadows of the barn, Caleb eased his way toward the cabin. No sound came from within as he pressed his back against the wall.
Dread and unease threatened to overwhelm his good senses. He crept around to the front of the cabin and slipped inside the unbarred door.
The stillness grated on his nerves. He moved throughout the lower half of his home. Julianne and the baby were gone. Caleb hurried up the stairs. A quick glance about showed no signs of his family.
He descended the stairs two at a time. His tired, confused mind chanted. She’s gone. Julianne has taken the baby and left you.
Caleb dropped into the rocker. Why had she left? Was it because he knew about her unborn child? Didn’t she know by now how he felt about her? He hung his head. How could she? He’d never told her.
Where would she have gone? And did she have enough money to get there? His head came up. The money. Had she finally acquired enough to leave?
He stood and practically ran to the box he’d crafted for her. Caleb ran his dirty hand over the surface of the wood. An ache ran through his chest as he opened the lid.
He’d expected the box to be empty but the money was still there. “What is going on here?” His voice echoed in the empty room.
Once more, a heightened sense that things weren’t right struck him. Anxious to escape the disturbing feeling, he searched his mind for evident answers. The only way to get those answers was to return to the logging camp and find Maggie. Maybe, she would know where Julianne was.
He smiled. Why hadn’t he thought of that before? Julianne and Jonathan were probably staying with Maggie until he got home.
Caleb closed the box and hurried out to the barn. The horse had nosed his way inside and stood in the corner munching on hay. He stepped up to the animal and stuck his foot into the stirrup. Something moved in the stall on the opposite side of the horse. Caleb froze. His heart hammered in his chest.
As he reprimanded himself a young Indian woman materialize out of the shadows. She held a small blue bundle tightly against her chest. Dirty tearstains marred her light brown cheeks.
Caleb recognized the blue sheet Julianne used to hold Jonathan. His foot dr
opped from the stirrup and the dull ache of foreboding became so acute it was a physical pain. He pushed the horse out of the way and stumbled toward her.
“Give him to me.” She released the baby into his arms, her shoulders heaving, a hiccupped sob escaping as she stepped away from him.
Caleb unwrapped the baby and checked that his little body was unharmed. Jonathan slept contently, unaware of the fear welling in Caleb’s heart.
“Where is Julianne?” His throat was so tight his voice came out a whisper.
“Julianne.” The cry erupted from the Indian girl’s lips, and she ran.
Caleb chased out of the barn behind her. He couldn’t let her escape. He’d seen the fear in her eyes, and she was his only link to Julianne.
His boots thundered down the path leading to the river, but he refused to lose the only link with his wife. Julianne would never have willingly given up the baby. Had the Indian woman’s tribe taken Julianne captive? Caleb pushed the troublesome thought aside. The tribes in this area were peaceful people.
Jonathan awoke with a scared little whimper.
Caleb had no time to comfort the baby as he ran. He couldn’t risk the chance that the woman would hide from him. The Natives were experts at disappearing when they wanted or needed to. He would not give up ‘til this woman told him where Julianne was!
****
Julianne lay curled in a tight ball on her side. Her hands and feet were tied together in front of her. A dirty rag had been stuffed into her mouth, and then another rag had been tied around her head to hold the gag in place.
She’d almost escaped once, but that had been before her uncle caught her using her teeth to untie the knots.
How long was he going to keep her here? The run-down shack didn’t keep out the cold, the bugs or the snakes. Julianne shivered with chill and fatigue. The nerves in her hands and feet were numb. Her muscles screamed from the strain of the awkward position in which she lay. Her eyes burned from sleeplessness.
Shelter in Seattle Page 9