Sacred Terrain (Traveled Hearts Series Book 2)

by Veronica Mahara

  Bethany gently pulled away. Jessica waited for her appraisal. “Let me look at you. When did you grow into a woman?”

  She met the question with a smile. Then it was her turn to appraise her mother. Bethany’s height hid her thick waistline and ample bosom, yet she looked more matronly than Jessica remembered. “Mother, it’s so good to see you. You’re looking well. How is Father?”

  “Your father is doing just fine. On the mend. Winnie has him well in hand. He sends his love and wishes he were here.”

  The thought of her strong-minded, active father lying in bed saddened her. Biting back her emotions, she turned to Caleb. “Mother, this is my husband, Caleb. Caleb, I’d like to introduce you to my mother, Bethany Messing.”

  Her mother’s demeanor changed from warm and caring to cool and distant. Perhaps all was not forgiven.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Messing.” Caleb’s cordial response did not thaw the ice forming around her mother’s gaze.

  Bethany took a step back and looked him up and down. Jessica grew nervous and ushered them into the house. “Mother, I’m sure you’ve missed Aunt June’s cooking. I can see she’s prepared a banquet for us.” Looking back at Caleb, Jessica found nothing in his expression that would cause dismay. In fact, he smiled at her with a wink. She felt her tension ease.

  “Yes, and it’s all too much,” her mother exclaimed. “My goodness, she and Hannah wouldn’t let me lift a finger, either. June, you’d think we were feeding a regiment.”

  “Our Hannah was very good in helping me.” June smiled at Hannah, who stood apart.

  “Yes, I suppose it’s good to keep busy,” Bethany said. After Hannah left the room, she commented, “She’s thinner than the young girl I remember. The hardship of losing her husband, I suppose. I can’t imagine. …” Bethany took in a sharp breath and waved away any act of sympathy from her daughter.

  The smell of the food added to Jessica’s queasy stomach. She picked at her plate while her family feasted. Broiled salmon surrounded by steamed vegetables. Hot rolls and farm-fresh butter, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a dessert table laden with small pies and a two-layer chocolate cake.

  “Thomas will have to eat sensible foods,” June commented, lifting a rounded spoon of potatoes to place on Bethany’s plate.

  “He’s as stubborn as a mule,” Bethany retorted, receiving the food. “What’s the latest news from your brother, Jessica? Does he ever write?”

  “No, I haven’t heard from either one of them.” Feeling she had responded too quickly, she added, “I’m sure they will write soon.” Then she noticed her aunt tilting her head toward her mother with expectant eyes. June was ready to burst with the news of the baby. “Mother, Caleb and I have good news.” Jessica paused at Bethany’s dour expression.

  “Well, what is it, Jessica?” her mother demanded.

  “Caleb and I are in a family way,” she answered with dampened enthusiasm.

  Bethany placed her fork to the side of her plate. She looked across the table at Caleb with one raised eyebrow, as if she were expecting an explanation from him for his actions.

  “We are very happy, Jess and I,” he said. “We hope you can be happy for us, Mrs. Messing. Perhaps you may offer us your advice on raising children. Your own daughter has turned out well.” The room held its breath as Bethany surveyed her new son-in-law.

  “Thank you for the compliment.” Her response was curt, and Jessica swallowed the lump rising in her throat.

  “Mother?”

  “Children are always a blessing.” Her mother arranged her silverware, then took a sip of wine. “I suppose this seals your fate, my daughter.” Before Jessica could respond, Bethany continued. “Your father will be very pleased. I’m sure we’ll be able to make things more comfortable for you here, though I’d hoped you’d come home with me. But I see now that would be unthinkable. I had plans for you, Jessica.”

  Recovering from her mother’s comments, Jessica found her tongue. With a raised chin she answered, “Yes, my fate is sealed. And I couldn’t be happier.”

  Her mother went on as if her daughter hadn’t spoken. “Now that a baby is on the way, we must find you a suitable home in town with plenty of advantages for the child, including a good education and, hopefully, culture. June, we’ll go shopping in the city. I want to see San Francisco for myself. I’ve heard so much about it. Jessica, according to your aunt, you’ll need just about everything.” She placed a fork pierced with salmon in her mouth.

  “We have a home, thank you,” Caleb said, his hand on Jessica’s back.

  As if sensing a brewing storm, Burt rose with his glass in hand. “To the coming of new life and new ideas.”

  June looked up at the large man. “New ideas? Whatever does that have to do with preparing for a baby, for goodness sake?”

  Bethany was not amused. “My brother is trying his diplomatic best to let me know that I need to mind my own affairs.”

  This was what Jessica had dreaded. Taking a bite of potatoes, she tried to gain the strength of mind she had developed in her years away from her parents, but she couldn’t think of anything to add in her defense. The subject was put aside as her mother and aunt talked between themselves, catching up with each other’s lives. She knew her mother would take up her case more fervently once she had visited their home. Caleb had already expressed trepidations about being a father, and now this. She felt her belly tighten, and she had to breathe in deep and slow to keep it from getting worse. Caleb’s warm hand moved over her back and she relaxed, if only for now. Her mother’s visit to their homestead was yet to come.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Their simple home on Rail River Acres looked glorious in the clear, crisp light of the winter sun. Its brilliance shone through the kitchen and pierced the parlor. The new garden was beginning to burst with cool-weather crops, while the turned-up, raised beds waited for the early spring. A pot of daisies on the porch still held a few blossoms. Although the acreage was rough, it was a lovely homestead and admired by those who came to visit. She and Caleb were very proud. Today, however, Jessica almost felt sorry for the place, knowing that her mother would soon be there to judge it as inadequate.

  When she stepped onto the porch, Jessica saw Caleb sitting on the bench, smoking a cigarette, coffee in hand. He kept silent about his mother-in-law’s disapproving comments, which she had peppered into the conversation throughout the evening. She wondered if he would hold his tongue today.

  “You’ve been awfully quiet, Caleb.”

  “I’ll be saying ‘no thank you’ to your parents’ offer for help, and that will be the end of it. You can take my lead or argue with your mother. It doesn’t matter to me.” His bluntness put her on guard. “If she wants to purchase a small gift for our baby, that will be fine … but that will be all. I can support my wife and family without anyone’s help.”

  Jessica wanted to weep with joy—he said “our baby.” At the same time, she found his naïveté about her mother to be amusing. “And I wish you a great deal of luck in convincing her of that.”

  “I’m serious, Jessica.” He stubbed out his cigarette into the small, silver tray next to him and tossed his remaining coffee over the railing. Stepping off the porch, he leaned against the house with one boot-clad foot on the bottom stair. “I’ll bet she has Burt looking for houses as we speak.”

  His tall frame against the house made her lust for his touch. “Will you come up here and kiss me?”

  “You come here.”

  The look in his sensitive, blue eyes invited her to step onto the stair, and he brought her against him. Their passionate kisses aroused her, and if it weren’t for her family’s imminent arrival, she felt he would have taken her into the bedroom. Her condition hadn’t diminished his desire for her. She wondered if it was right, but it hardly kept her awake at night.

  The sound of the carriage on the bridge made them reluctantly pull apart, but before Jessica was completely off the step, he pulled her back,
touching her chin. “Tonight.” She smiled, butterflies dancing in her chest.

  Burt’s covered carriage always looked out of place on their land. Bethany alit from the carriage with his help as if she were going to a formal affair. Unfortunately, Boones didn’t understand and leapt on her before he could be stopped. She gasped in surprise as Caleb found the scruff of the puppy’s neck and pulled him away. Bethany wiped off her dress and seemed to tolerate the sudden attack, to Jessica’s relief.

  They began their tour, and her mother seemed interested in the land and its buildings. When they came to the outhouse, Jessica held her breath. This would be the end of all the pleasantries. “And what little building is this?” her mother asked.

  “The privy, Mother.”

  Bethany turned to the house. “The back porch is very nice.” The tour continued. Her mother even went down to the river with them in her fine clothes without one word of complaint. Jessica was so pleased, she felt as light as a feather. Later, she served tea and coffee, along with a crumb cake she made with her own hands. Although a little dry, everyone seemed to like it. Caleb gave her a wink, and she knew he was pleased. The conversation was easy, and Jessica felt her morning nausea lift.

  At the end of the visit, her mother gave her a hug and before entering the carriage said, “This will make a lovely place for a holiday or a day in the country, my dear, and you both have done wonders with the land. I can see the river would be nice for a picnic with the children, and they could learn their equestrian skills in that field.” She glanced at Caleb. “But you surely can’t have a baby here.” Before he could protest, she continued. “I’ve asked your uncle Burt to scout out houses in town for us. We can look at them tomorrow. I’m sure we can find something more suitable. This … cabin can be let out, and there you’d have an income. See how it will all work so fine?”

  June was already in the carriage and didn’t hear Bethany’s speech. Burt was about to help his sister in when it began. Jessica’s eyes widened as she looked at her uncle, and her high spirits crashed back to Earth.

  “Now, Bethany, I said we would feel out the situation, but I gave no guarantees. Can’t you see the work Caleb has done here? This is their home.”

  “Caleb, don’t you want the best for your family?” Her mother wasn’t letting up.

  Caleb stepped toward his mother-in-law and Jessica froze. Clouds moved over the sun and her world went gray. “I thank you, Mrs. Messing, and Mr. Messing for the generous offer, but we will not be moving. You’re welcome on our land any time, and I hope you can both visit when the baby is born, but this is where we will be.” He stood as proud as any man could, and she loved him all the more for it. “I’ve earned this land, and the right to live on it, and your daughter has chosen to share this life with me. There will be no further discussion on the subject of moving.”

  Her mother cocked an eyebrow at him so high, Jessica could feel the strain. “Is that so? Putting my daughter in danger each and every day out here in the wilderness? It doesn’t appear as if you’ve taken her or your unborn child into account, but merely your own selfishness. How can I leave with a peaceful heart knowing this is what I can expect my grandchild to grow up in, let alone the physical work my daughter must do to make this a proper home? No indoor plumbing?” She turned to Jessica. “How can I report this situation to your father without him relapsing?” Smoothing the bodice of her waistcoat, she continued. “I see your expression, Mr. Cantrell. Yes, my daughter comes from good society. Plowing and milking and feeding chickens are not part of her upbringing. Jessica, how could you stoop to such a laborious life?”

  “Beth, please,” Burt implored his sister. “It’s not that different out here. As you said, the town is close. Children grow up healthy on these lands. The work is satisfying, and Oakland and San Francisco are near enough for all the city they could want.”

  “What’s going on out there?” June piped up from her seat in the carriage.

  Burt took his sister’s arm. “They clearly don’t need help from you and Thomas.”

  Jessica’s mother looked at Caleb and said in a tight, cold voice, “Excuse me.” She entered the carriage. Burt shrugged his shoulders at the couple and patted Jessica on the arm.

  “It’ll be fine. This is all new to her,” he said in a whisper.

  Her family was not completely out of sight when Caleb let loose of his anger. “Damn her!” He retreated to the barn, Boones not far behind.

  Jessica huffed and looked at the polished carriage making its way over the bridge and away from their home. She wrapped her arms around herself. What would her father say about all this? Perhaps it was a good thing he wasn’t here, after all. With a look at the barn, she knew to leave Caleb to himself.

  Entering the house, she went to her art room, her refuge. The smell of her paints, the squares of color in her open case, brushes waiting to be picked up … all of it brought a peace to her and today was no different. Touching her belly, she felt a joy, one her mother couldn’t take away. Beneath the joy, she felt guilt. Jacob’s letter called to her. She had lied again to hide their forbidden love. How could she let the family know Will and Jacob were safe without exposing the letter? It almost met its fate in the hot stove, but she couldn’t burn it or the other tokens that stayed in the box. Just as she couldn’t let him go.

  Resolved to keep it hidden, she peered out the window and caught sight of the sun’s rays escaping from the clouds. Beams of soft, blue gray lit the land. Her and Caleb’s land. My life is my own, my heart is my own.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Enduring the rest of Bethany’s visit was easy for Caleb for he made himself scarce. Along with his job, there was always something to do around the land and in his workshop. Then there was the saloon. A drink with Levi was a good escape. Tonight, he chose just that.

  A sharp December wind picked at his coat as he walked the wooden boards to Clermont Saloon. He was early, and he sat down to wait for Levi. Motioning for a drink, Caleb noticed a thin, road-weary man dressed in a grubby suit. His hair was a tangled mess and stuck out from under his worn hat, and his boots were muddy. Not an unusual site in most other town saloons, but here in Clermont City, he stuck out like a sore thumb. The barmaid delivered Caleb’s drink, and right behind her was the bedraggled stranger.

  Tipping his hat back, he said, “I was wonderin’ when I’d find you.”

  Caleb’s throat tightened and his heart raced. He took a swig of beer and wiped his mouth.

  “Who the hell are you?”

  The man stuck out his hand. “Rex Conrad, at your service.”

  Without meeting the stranger’s hand, Caleb sat back in his chair. He searched his face for recognition. “I don’t know you. I’m afraid you have the wrong man.”

  With a laugh, the man withdrew his hand. “You’re the one. Harper Davis gave a good description, and Soaring Feather gave me the name of this town. Not many men lookin’ like you in a place like this. Maybe you should’ve cut that hair and darkened it so as not to attract any trouble.”

  “And what trouble would I be attracting, Mr. Conrad?”

  “Ho! You can call me Rex and I’ll call you Caleb, or is it just Cantrell?”

  Feeling he had stepped into a trap, Caleb rose and pardoned himself. As he went to the door, Rex pulled his arm. “Let’s not call attention to ourselves. We can have a nice chat right here. Ya haven’t finished your drink.” The barmaid came back to the table. Rex called to her, “Get me the same as my friend.”

  Sitting across from the stranger, Caleb’s mind went in different directions. A scout from Colorado? A past trade coming to haunt him? This man couldn’t be a marshal.

  After taking a long drink of beer, Rex leaned forward. His eyes were a cloudy, brownish green. His breath was putrid, and his body odor was rank. Caleb brought his glass to his nose.

  “I’m the scout they sent to find ya. Colorado Springs ring a bell?”

  With a steady hand, Caleb set down his beer. The hop
e of putting his past behind him was suddenly shattered. A streak of pain went up his wounded shoulder. “Soaring Feather?”

  “Now don’t ya worry ’bout the ol’ Indian.” Rex ran his finger around the rim of his glass. “I let him off with only a warnin’. Abettin’ an outlaw is a crime, but he told me where ya were, so I was mighty charitable.”

  “If I hear otherwise, you’ll be mighty sorry.”

  “Ho! You’re in no position to threaten me.” He rubbed his chin whiskers and smiled, revealing brownish teeth. “Now let’s get down to business. I’ve come all this way through the hellish land of this country lookin’ for you and the others. Before ya think I’m goin’ all the way back there with you and them in tow, let me tell ya, I’d rather jump in the ocean and swim to China.”

  Sensing the man’s desire to be free of his career as a scout, Caleb grew confident.

  Leaning back in his chair, Rex dipped his head. “Tell me, those three dead men in that cabin, whatcha got to do with it? And I know when a man is lyin’.”

  Caleb wasn’t sure Rex was all that intuitive. He could outwit him. “I’ve been to Colorado Springs in passing, but what’s this about dead men in a cabin?”

  Cocking his eye, Rex sized up Caleb. “So … as innocent as ya are pretty.”

  Ignoring the barb, Caleb took a sip of beer.

  “Three men dead in a cabin ’round the same region you and the Keaton group camped. One and one makes two. Don’t suppose ya knew they worked for the law.”

  A chuckle escaped Caleb, and he wiped the moisture sitting on his upper lip. Adjusting his body, he looked at Rex. “Get to your point.”

  In a lowered voice, Rex told Caleb what he wanted—rifles, a handgun, ammo, and cash.

  It was another trade, simple and direct, but Caleb had no store of rifles or ammo and most of his cash had gone into his land and. … His mind went to Jessica. He had to find a way to get rid of this man. Just then, Levi came into the saloon and headed right to Caleb’s table. With a quick nod, Caleb signaled for Levi not to approach him. Levi turned to the bar and sat on a stool. His back to Caleb and the stranger, he hunched over and ordered a drink.