“Never mind. We’ll talk again later. You’re safe now.” He touched her hand and she grasped it.
Will hunched in front of the fire, mumbling and cursing.
“Where is this Rail River?” Jacob asked.
Her heart pumped in her chest, but not out of fear or the adrenaline that moved her forward as she tried to escape. It was her love for Caleb and the pain she was about to deliver to the other man who also had her love.
The fire was full now, and she told the rest of her story.
“I remarried. My husband has land a few miles from Clermont City, our land by the river. He named it Rail River Acres.” She stopped to catch her breath. The look in Jacob’s eyes, his jutted chin, his body slightly withdrawn, pricked her heart. She would give anything to keep him from hurting. In a low voice, she said, “You were gone. I didn’t know where to find you.”
Will cleared his throat and sat back from the fire and congratulated his sister on her marriage while Jacob sat quietly. Finally, he spoke.
“That’s fine, Jess. Sounds like a good home. And you say your art was selling? That’s good, too. You can get back to it soon. I’m sorry you were taken from all of it.”
His tone opposed his words, and she was not at all convinced he was so easily resigned to her marriage. “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry, too, Jess.” Will patted her. “I’m happy we found you, Sis.” He turned philosophical. “Some say there are no coincidences and that all things are preordained. I have to admit, this seems to fit that thought. Don’t doubt for a moment if we had known, we would have been looking for you with everything it took.”
Jacob shook his head. “Also, we were tracking renegades and needed money. We tracked this tribe and … well, there you were. I’ll have to agree with Will on this much—it seemed destiny pulled us in that direction.”
Jessica’s mouth fell open. “You didn’t set out to find me?” Her thought that Caleb was close vanished. She had to get home. “Please, Will, send the telegram to the family soon.”
Will nodded. “We’ll find a town along the way, Jess. I promise.”
“I suppose whatever it is that brought you to me, I am so grateful,” she said. “I spent every waking moment planning an escape. It seemed so out of reach. I tried twice but was caught both times. She rubbed her ribs, still slightly tender from Mallow’s beating on that first night.
Will went to relieve himself in the woods, leaving her and Jacob alone.
Jacob scooted over and pulled her close to him. He whispered in her ear, “I don’t want to let you go.”
The years of love for him rose to the surface, and she buried her head in his chest, his smell as intoxicating as ever. She sat up, nervous now. The thought of him from a distance was one thing, but being so close confused her. Will returned and they sat apart again.
She passed the rest of the day quietly, resting on the blankets. The forest framed the blue sky. The smell of nature readying for winter gave her a sense of anticipation she could hardly contain. Her life would be returned to her. What of Jacob, her first and forever love? Her feelings for him must remain secret. She could not let their love re-emerge, no matter how much she wanted to touch him and talk with him intimately. Caleb waited. Jacob must have read her mind, for when she looked up at him, he frowned and shook his head.
Chapter Thirty-nine
The rising sun brought large beams of light through the forest and onto the open land. Jessica marveled at the sight. The trio were wrapped in wool blankets around a cold, charred campfire. She stirred at the intoxicating smell of a new day, cool, damp, and clean. Each whiff of pine needles, fir cones, and boughs of spruce filled her with joy. Jacob turned in his blanket and faced her. His smile was like honey on warm toast. She smiled back and he mouthed, “Good morning.”
Will tossed his blanket aside. Stepping high in his bare feet and long johns, he hurried into the woods, cursing the cold morning. Jessica laughed. Her brother was still her brother. Part of him remained the same and she was glad.
Jacob stood up and put his pants over his long johns. “I’ll make some coffee as soon as the fire gets going.”
Jessica didn’t turn away. During her time with the Klamath, she had grown accustomed to
seeing scantly clothed men and women, to the extent that she wondered why her people wore so many clothes and not just for warmth—all the petticoats and undergarments, gloves in the summer, hats, too. She stretched her limbs, the aches and pains so familiar to her now. After relieving herself in the woods, she was ready to help. She gathered sticks and thick branches.
“Don’t go off like that!” Jacob scolded her.
“I had to—”
“Let me know next time.”
“I think I can manage that without informing you first.”
Jacob scratched his head. “I know, sorry.”
Will was still away from the camp. Jacob moved closer to her and then gently pulled her forward as he lowered his head to kiss her lips. She didn’t stop him, in spite of her vow. She touched his handsome face, tan and beautifully etched, his knowing, dark-brown eyes with the bit of yellow flecks. Their love opened in her like a treasure chest full of riches. Regaining her sense of obligation to her life and her husband, she stood back, touching her mouth. “I’m sorry, that was—” Before she could get out the last word, his mouth was on hers again. So complete was his kiss, it made her feel faint.
He came away. “It’s always been wrong. It always will be.” His voice was hoarse and full of emotion. They could hear Will return to camp.
The coffee was strong, and the oak and fruit cakes were dry. Jessica dunked hers into her cup and slurped up the drippings. She realized her unladylike behavior and could only laugh at herself. The men chuckled. “Get me back to civilization!” She laughed.
~
Jacob saw in Jessica’s face the toll that life in the wilderness had taken on her. He loved her even more. Her thin, unkempt appearance made her more real to him than when she had adorned herself with expensive clothing and fancy hats. She was more mature and down-to-earth. He never imagined she wouldn’t wait for him. His words from his last letter—“Be free”—rang in his ears. He would have done whatever it took to have her at his side, but now she was another man’s wife and again his desires had no home.
“We’ll try to get you back as soon as we can.”
Jessica smiled at Jacob, then turned to Will. “Isn’t Medford where you convalesced?” Before he could answer, she continued. “I was happy to hear about Mi. Is that her name? Then I was so sad to hear she abandoned you.”
Will cocked an eye at his cousin. “And how do you know all this, Sis?”
Jacob cleared his throat. “One of us had to write to her. The world could have swallowed us up with no one the wiser.”
Jessica looked at her brother. “I was grateful to receive any news of you.”
“I hope you kept it away from our parents.”
Jacob noticed that Jessica’s face saddened as she wrapped her hands around the tin cup of coffee, and took a sip.
“Father had a heart attack at the end of last year. It was before I was taken. He was recovering, last I heard.”
“I knew he would work himself into the grave.” Will became agitated. “Does he think he is above death?” He shook his head. “I’m glad he’s still with us, though Lord knows when I will choose to see either one of them again.”
“Will, I hope someday you and Father will declare a truce. Life is too precious. Mother came out to visit us. It was good to see her, though she looked tired.”
“Our mother traveled across country? Alone?” Will laughed so hard he nearly fell over.
“The women in this family are braver than you think, Brother.”
“And what did she think of your new husband?”
“Not much. You know how she can be. Mother and Father wanted to buy us a home in town, and with the baby coming. …” Jessica bit her lip and averted her eyes.
“I didn’t … I mean … I wasn’t able to carry it to birth.” She lowered her head and took in a long breath.
“Ah, Jess.” Will leaned in and hugged her.
Jacob said nothing but thought plenty. She carried his own child and lost it, and now she’d lost another man’s child. Was it fate that made them suffer? Were their sins written in stone?
He ran his hand over his whiskers. “Jess, to be honest, we don’t know how long it will be before we can get you home to your … husband. And, Jess, I hate to say this, but don’t be surprised if he’s gone on with his life. I know men, and it doesn’t take them long to replace a wife.” He wasn’t sure why he wanted to add vinegar to her wounds, yet the words flowed easily. He pulled on his cigarette and stared into the fire, his words lingering in the air.
“Geez, Jake, for Christ’s sake.” Will turned to his sister. “He’s become quite the cynic.”
Jacob expected backlash from Jessica. Indeed, her chin was raised, her words tumbling out as if stored up for too long.
“I may not know men as well as you do, but I do know that Caleb Cantrell is not just any man. I’m sure he’s searched everywhere for me and hasn’t given any thought of replacing me. We had a good life together.” She glared at both men in turn. “Did you hear me?”
Jacob heard nothing after “Caleb Cantrell.” A cold chill ran up his spine at the mere mention of his name. “Who?”
“My husband, Caleb. He would never abandon me like that.”
Slowly removing the cigarette out of his mouth, Jacob enunciated every syllable and asked, “You’re married to Caleb Cantrell? Jesus.”
Will turned to his sister. “So this husband of yours … he isn’t a tall, blond fella with a shit look on his face, is he?”
“He’s tall and blond, but he has a beautiful face with the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen!” Her breathing was audible as she searched both men’s faces.
“I’ll be a goddamned son of a bitch.” Will sat back and crossed his legs and arms. “Pardon my language, Sis.”
A rush of regret flooded Jacob’s heart, burning his chest. “How the hell did you get involved with a man like him?”
“Stop it, both of you! This isn’t funny!”
Will rested his arms on his crossed legs. “Fact is, we’ve met your husband. This is a shock to us, too.”
She pulled back. “He never mentioned it to me.”
Will looked at his cousin, indicating he would let him explain.
Jacob snuffed out his cigarette. He spoke plainly. “It was on the trails a while back. We shared a camp with him and a few of his friends, then parted ways. My guess is, we didn’t leave much of an impression on him.”
“He did say he traveled around a lot. What was he doing when you met him?”
“He … he was trading, as we were. I think that’s why our paths crossed.” Will coughed.
Jessica smirked. “I see.” She huffed. “You traveled with him, didn’t you? You don’t have to hide his past from me. I know he led a somewhat lively life before we met. Was he a gunrunner, too?”
“Jess, if he didn’t tell you about his life, then I don’t think it’s right for us to say,” Jacob said.
“Oh, nonsense! I don’t care. He’s a devoted husband now. He works hard on our land to make a good home for us, and I work alongside him. He’s also a fine silversmith, and one day, he’ll have his own business, if he hasn’t already.”
“Good for you, Jess.”
“Don’t patronize me, Jacob.”
“I wasn’t. I really mean it. I just find it hard to believe we’re talking about the same man, that’s all.”
“Well, I guess a leopard can change his spots,” Will joked. “As long as you’re happy, Jess, then you’ve got my blessing … and Jake’s, too, right Jake?”
“Yep.” Jacob pushed out the word. Had she forgotten their lovemaking? Had the years erased her devotion to him? “I guess I’ve been fooling myself,” he said under his breath.
“All right, let’s get going. We have a six-day ride ahead of us.” Will stood and began to break camp. Jacob stared at the ground.
“Will, I want to talk with Jess a moment. Jess, will you take a walk with me?”
~
Jessica walked ahead of Jacob as they entered the dark forest, the sun slicing through in soft shafts of yellows, giving them the light they needed. She sat on the thick trunk of a fallen fir tree. Her skirt and pantaloons barely buffered her from its rugged, damp bark. Jacob stood in front of her.
“I still can’t believe this. Here you are. Here we are, together. How has fate arranged such a thing, yet you are married. Quite cruel, as I always expected fate to be.”
She reached out her hand, and he took it and sat down beside her. “I thought you didn’t care to be with me. You abandoned me. I had to live my life.”
His eyes held sorrow. “I know. I thought you’d be better off without me, without this complication we so naïvely wove for ourselves.” He looked away, and she wondered what he could say that would stop her yearning for him. She thought of her husband, and it restored her resolve to go home.
“My life is with Caleb now, and I must get back to him.”
He squeezed her hand. “I love you, Jess.”
“I love you, too, Jacob.” The words were smooth on her lips.
They sat in silence. Finally, with their fingers still entwined, they walked back to camp without a word. She would follow him to Medford with the hope that it would lead her back home one day. A faint feeling of wanting to be with him crept up inside her. She felt as if she were in another kind of abduction—one of the heart.
Chapter Forty
Rail River Acres–October 1889
Keeping to his life, Caleb avoided the widow Cabot as much as he could. The invitations from Sally kept coming, and he was keen to find an excuse to decline. Today, he found it hard to be alone. The stove was ablaze, a good book waited, and his duties around the house were finished —for now. He could relax in peaceful solitude, yet the company of soft voices and gay laughter tempted him to invite the Loggins and Jane over for dinner. He got up to look at what he had in the pantry. A rough stew was all he could manage still.
In the distance, he heard the sound of carriage wheels making their way over the planks of the bridge. He went to the porch and waited. Soon Burt’s carriage appeared from around the bend.
Stepping off the porch, he felt heartened by the company but his anxiety grew. When the carriage finally came to rest, Burt leapt from his perch and rushed over to him. Caleb was alert, his heart beating faster. Looking at Jessica’s uncle, he saw a flush of rosy exuberance in the man’s face.
“Burt, what is it? Come in and sit.”
Burt took Caleb by the shoulders. Taking in great gulps of air, he said, “Jessica is safe. The boys have her. Will and Jacob found her.”
Stunned into silence, Caleb stared at him. He stepped away and ran his hands through his hair. Turning to Burt, he asked, “Are you sure? Where did you get this information?”
Burt was already reaching into his pocket, revealing the telegram from Will.
It gave little information. They would be home in three or four weeks. Nowhere was the how, when, and where Caleb ached to know. His mind racing in too many directions. “Why on earth doesn’t he give their location? Damn it! I need to get to her.”
“Caleb, this is extraordinary news. What does it matter the circumstances? We’ll have our Jessica back in only weeks and my son and nephew will be with her.”
Coming out of his thoughts, it hit him—Jessica was safe. She was coming home. He took Burt’s shoulders. “My wife is alive.”
The men hugged, patting each other’s back. They came away with watery eyes. Caleb laughed and brushed away the tears. “My God, I can’t believe it!” He laughed again. Questions invaded his mind, pushing aside his joy and relief. He looked at
the ground, shaking his head.
“We’ll find out soon enough, Caleb. I have to get back to June. As you can imagine, she’s
in quite a state.”
“Say no more, Burt. June expresses what we’re all feeling.”
“Aye, and much more,” he said with a chuckle.
That night, Caleb could not find sleep. His mind was a flurry of questions. His body was ready to act. After examining the telegram, he came to the conclusion it was sent from a town up north. With a fresh horse and supplies, he could be there in less than a week. Even after agreeing with himself of the impracticality, Caleb still fought the urge to get riding. Again, he would have to wait … nearly a month. Why would they not bring her back sooner? What was Jacob up to? He was with Jessica, and Caleb’s jealousy was at a fever pitch.
He got up and paced the floor. The room was cold, the stove barely lit, and he hadn’t eaten. How was he going to wait for her return without going mad?
Chapter Forty-one
Late October 1889
Jacob, Will, and Jessica traveled north along the Sacramento River into Southern Oregon. Jacob felt the warmth of Jessica’s body at his back as they rode together, her arms around his waist when the trails got rough, her breath on his neck as she spoke to him. On day four, they camped along the Pit River before they began their easterly route to Medford.
The evening was dry and cold. Jessica huddled near the fire. The blanket over her body kept the heat in. She was reluctant to take it away, yet she needed to examine her body. The scars from her attempts to run away were fading. She turned from the men and rolled down her torn stockings. The memories of her time with Blue Heron and the camp were still too fresh. The bruises and scratches remained, and new ones from traveling dotted her inner thighs. She rubbed her legs and thought of Lea’s salve. Her scalp itched, and she knew she smelled pungent. The small town where they stopped to send the telegram held little in the way of accommodations, and they camped outside of it. The bruises would fade, the scratches would heal, but she wondered how she would resume her life after this. What would be expected of her? She was changed and didn’t know who she was anymore. Would she fit back into her life as wife, niece, daughter … artist? She covered her legs, lowered her head, and heaved a sigh.
Sacred Terrain (Traveled Hearts Series Book 2) Page 18