“I thought you should tell her,” Burt said. “Bethany will no doubt want her home for the funeral.”
“I don’t know what my wife has been through. She might not be well enough to go to Connecticut.” Caleb stood and paced. “I’m sorry, Burt. I haven’t gotten my wife back, and now you’re telling me she has to leave.”
“It’s all too much, I know.” Burt rose from his seat. “I’ll let you decide what’s best.”
“Is there anything I can do for you and June?”
“Nah. June is driving me crazy with all her plans to have Bethany come live with us. I don’t think my sister is going anywhere. Not for now. This has been a blow to her. First, no word from her son, then Jessica’s disappearance, now this.” Burt reflected. “Thomas shouldn’t have had to run the law firm by himself. My silent partnership seems selfish to me now.”
Caleb listened, sad for his older friend. “Burt, he made his own fate. You can’t be blamed for anything. Besides, if you hadn’t come out here, I never would have met Jessica. We owe you our happiness with many more years to come.”
“Yes, I suppose you could look at it that way, too. Who knows, I’d probably be in the grave with him if I hadn’t left. When I think of my son and nephew following their own lives, I have to be grateful in a way. No one needs to work themselves to death.”
Caleb couldn’t help think that Will and Jacob had simply found another path to the same end.
Before leaving, Burt opened the subject of the reward money. “As you know, the detective Thomas had hired turned up little information. We had several fellas coming around to offer their help—and some claimed they saw her—but none had anything concrete.”
Caleb knew his wife’s family had gathered their resources for a reward, and five thousand would attract attention. It would also attract every thief trying to get rich quick. His own money would be put to better use, although he hadn’t heard from Rex, and with Jessica safe, the point was moot. He simply acknowledged the information.
Burt lowered his head, then looked into Caleb’s eyes. “What I kept from you is that Frederick Moore added five thousand to the pot. He came to Dunbar’s about a month ago, claiming how overwrought he was over her disappearance. We needed as much reward money as we could get our hands on, Caleb. He made sure we had it in an account to earn interest. I know how this sounds, but trying times—”
“I understand, but Frederick? What the hell has he to do with this? I thought he left her high and dry? Earn interest? For whom?” His anger seethed, thinking of Jessica married to such a scoundrel, and a man handpicked by her own father.
“I think it’s his guilty conscience,” Burt replied.
“I hardly believe that, Burt.” Caleb paused. “There’s no point in it now.”
Burt stroked his silver-streaked beard. “I think the boys should get the reward. After all, they found her.”
“It’s not my decision to make, but I’d advise you to give Frederick’s part back to him.”
Burt nodded. “It may be the best course of action, but as far as I’m concerned, he owes this family something. The boys could finally settle down, and you and Jessica could benefit by it as well.”
“I know you mean well, Burt, but I would prefer you leaving Jess and me out of this.”
Burt nodded. “It will all work itself out, I’m sure.”
Watching Burt’s carriage saunter down the road, Caleb was restless. Again, he would have to muster up his patience, which grew thinner each day. He was saddened for Jessica, and he knew the death of Thomas would be hard for her to take. First, she had to be in his arms, then he’d decide what to do next. He made up his mind on one thing—she would not be traveling to Connecticut. Another stab of jealousy hit him. Jessica and Jacob together. Come back to me, Jess.
Chapter Forty-four
The trio were two full days into their journey away from Medford and heading toward Clermont City. After coming together in Medford with Jacob, Jessica held herself in check. It would be too easy to fall back into their love affair. Will rode just a horse’s length in front. She touched Jacob’s back this morning, their third day, then placed her head on the soft leather of his new coat. The smile on his face when he glanced back at her warmed her heart, then it thumped hard as her mind went to Caleb. She straightened up and looked out at the scenery.
The mountains stood in the distance, the open land around them filled with light then shadows as the puffy, white clouds swept across the sky. There were wild, picturesque hills nearby with snaggy-toothed rocks protruding along the green slopes. Farms dotted the landscape. Jessica yearned to have her paints and paper to capture what she saw. Humming, she let it pass by her, setting it to memory.
The early November air was fresh, and she felt cozy in her new wool coat, leather boots, and the knitted scarf and hat Loretta had thrown in for good measure. Jacob’s warm body added to her comfort. She let herself be with him without judgement. It was temporary, and for now, she would indulge in their togetherness. He was a part of her, and she would not let guilt take that away. They stopped for a quick lunch of dried meat, cheese, and apples. They spoke little, then they were back on the trail.
Jessica grew weary of riding, yet she reminded herself that she was safe and Jacob was the one at the reins. The air grew colder as they entered a canyon, the jagged walls of rock towering up alongside them. She looked up at the rocky edges and noted their color and form. The muted reds and greens, dark yellows, and earthy browns swelled her artist’s heart. She wondered if Caleb had left her room undisturbed. Jacob’s words rang in her head. Surely, Caleb hasn’t found another wife. She sighed and shifted her weight. The saddle felt as if she were sitting on the rocks she surveyed.
Cutting through the serenity, a sharp ping ricocheted from the rock face. Another, then another, and her brother looked back at Jacob with urgency written on his face. The dirt in front of him danced as the bullets landed only feet from his horse. Drake reared up, and Will struggled to get control. Jacob took his gun out of its holster. “What’s going on?” Jessica asked, alarm bells ringing in her head.
Jacob shouted to Will, who had turned Drake to face his cousin. “Who?” he asked.
“Don’t know,” Will responded. He pointed to the trail leading out of the canyon just as another bullet hit the ground.
In one unified motion, the horses were in full gallop. Jessica held on tight, overcome by the fear she thought she had left behind. Out of nowhere came a rider from the left of them, his face masked by a ragged, faded kerchief, his gun pointed at Will. Jessica heard him cursing at her brother and the two exchanged gunfire.
“Jacob!” she shouted. Jacob fired a shot, then another, but they went wild. He turned his horse toward a nearby hill, and they rode higher up the small mountain. Will was no longer in sight, and only the crack of the gunshot could be heard. They reached the highest point and Jacob stopped his horse. He dismounted, then helped Jessica. He pulled her down to crouch beside him near a large rock. She followed, then tried to peek over the edge.
“Stay down,” he whispered. She dropped to her belly. Jacob crawled over to the rock’s ledge. “Good, he’s still riding south,” she heard Jacob say.
“He’s safe?” Her breathing was irregular and she felt dizzy.
“For now.” Jacob returned to her. “A man may be dead down there, so don’t look down.”
Jessica raised her hand to her mouth. She made the sign of the cross, and before her hand could finish, Jacob grabbed it and was leading her back to Otis. “We have to get out of here.”
He looked around. “Down that way. Can you make it?”
She looked at where he pointed. It was rough, and her new boots were causing sores on her heels, but she was sure she could climb down into the valley on the west side of the hill. She nodded.
“Stay close. We’ll have to get Otis down.”
It took longer than expected. The land was gravely dangerous with slippery grasses between sharp rocks. O
tis was difficult to encourage, but the two of them managed to coax him all the way down, his breath visible in the air with every snort and whinny. Once on the valley floor, Jacob gave his horse a quick drink and then they were off. The wind had picked up, blowing dirt into them. Jessica closed her eyes and buried her face into Jacob’s back. Her thoughts went to the times she and Jacob raced in the field near their homes in Hartford. The time her horse went lame, and she had to ride to the stalls with him to get the stableman. How he commanded his horse to gallop, and how she had held on for dear life as they laughed freely. The wave of sweet nostalgia gave way to fear. Jacob moved Otis forward. “Yah!” he shouted, and she held on tighter.
“Will is headed south to a place we said we’d meet if we were ever separated in these parts,” Jacob called back to her.
His voice was caught by the chilly wind as they cut through the landscape. “When will we be there?” she asked.
“A few days, maybe more,” he said. “We’re still heading south, Jess.”
~
The cave-like alcove in the hill gave Jessica and Jacob a place to bed down. Jacob lit a small fire, and they huddled together in front of the blaze.
“It’s getting cold. We’ll have each other for warmth, though,” he said. His arm was wrapped around her, and she placed her head against his chest.
“Jacob, tell me what happened today. A man might be dead and Will is gone. I’m afraid for him.”
Jacob kissed the top of her head. “I can’t tell you not to be afraid, Jess, but Will got away. This isn’t the first time he—we—got chased by someone whom Will had cheated at cards. This guy must have found out we were up in Medford again.”
She lifted her head and turned to face him. “This is about gambling? Cheating at cards?”
“Or a woman,” Jacob said matter-of-factly.
She was sitting upright now. “Not the first time? Good God, Jacob!”
Jacob reached around her and poked a stick at the fire. “Jess, calm down. I told you my life wasn’t legit. Did you think I was kidding?”
“How can you go on like this?” she asked.
“Come here. You feel so good. It’s the most comfort I’ve had in years.”
Jessica remained seated upright, staring at him with tightened lips.
“All right, Jess, I’m sorry. We’ve both been through a lot. Get back here. I’m sorry.”
There was nothing she could say. He drew her to him and wrapped his coat around them. His chest was warm and his heart beat strong.
“Are you taking me home, or do I have to find a stagecoach station? I’ll get there one way or the other.”
“I know you will. I was hoping you’d want to be with me.”
“I will not stay with you. This life, this awful life you lead, is not for a woman—not for this woman anyway. I have a husband and a proper home.” His chest heaved, and the breath he let out touched her face. The urge to be with him rose, yet she did not let it sway her.
“I wish to God your home was with me,” Jacob said, “but I have no one to blame. I chose my life. I told you someday I’d be legit and have my own business. You didn’t wait. You didn’t have faith in me.”
An awkward silence followed. “I tried,” she whispered.
He grunted and cleared his throat. “Did you? How long before you married him? A month? Two?”
“I don’t want to talk about this, not now. We’re here together. For some reason, we’re together.”
He touched her cheek. “Are you warm enough?”
“Yes,” she replied. “Tired mostly.”
“Very tired? We might not have a chance to be alone like this again. Our timing is unpredictable.”
Jessica chuckled. “To say the least.”
He reached down and brought her lips to his. She kissed him, and the fury of passion ignited in her with a flush of heat. She pulled away, and he brought her back to him. This time, her head was buried in his chest. It wouldn’t be right, yet there they were, away from everything that held them apart over the years. He removed her coat, then his own, and covered them with the blankets. Otis whinnied in the background, and a few crows gave their last end-of-day caws. The sun set early this time of year. They had a long night to share and no one to tell them it was wrong.
Chapter Forty-five
Jacob took them along the Rogue River to the hiding place he hoped Will had escaped to.
The river’s edge was cold and uninviting. The wind nipped at Jessica’s ears and nose. She bravely rode behind him, hiding her face in his back. “How far, Jacob?”
“Not long now, Jess,” he answered.
He told her he would have to take all the back trails he knew still remained—Indian trails, some overgrown, some still intact, others barely recognizable. Towns were being built up at an accelerated rate. “Damn civilization!” Jessica heard him curse on the most challenging paths.
They kept each other warm each night under the stars and in between the trees. A few kisses and sleep would take them. Last night, the kisses turned more passionate, reaching a dangerous boiling point. Jessica had to force herself to pull away. “I can’t, Jacob.” She had taken her blanket and slept on the other side of the fire. He didn’t say a word, but she knew he was disappointed. He kept her at arm’s length all day.
Finally, after nearly exhausting themselves and Otis, they came to a dense, wooded area. They walked into a small clearing by a huge boulder. Jessica smelled smoke. She looked at Jacob with wide eyes. “Could it be?”
Jacob let out two short yelps, then a longer one. They waited. Two long yelps and a short one came back. Jacob grabbed Otis’s reins and practically ran with his horse. Jessica followed, hiking up her skirts and coat to step high over undergrowth.
Will stood by his campfire with a cigarette in one hand and a cup in the other, grinning from ear to ear. “Hey, it worked!” he said to Jacob.
Jacob went up to his cousin, took the butt from his hand, and pulled a long drag on it.
Letting out the smoke, he nodded. “Yep.” His own grin matched his cousin’s.
Jessica leapt for Will. “Thank God you’re well!” She hugged him, then scolded him.
“I want to strangle you, Will Messing, for giving me such a scare! Gambling? I swear, I don’t know how you’ve survived this far. Either of you!”
Will shrugged. “It’s good to see that you both made it out.” He turned to Jacob. “We have to talk.”
Jessica waved her hand at them. “Go. Just make sure I get home soon.”
Will and Jacob walked deeper into the woods out of earshot. “Jesus, that was Thompson I shot. Thankfully, he didn’t die. I saw him get back on his horse and ride after me for a while, then turn around. Damn!”
Jacob walked back and forth. “He won’t travel out of Oregon. You best never come back this way, cousin. Shit, I thought he was dead. Glad he isn’t.”
“We’ll get to Clermont City. It’s safe there,” Will said.
“Yeah, there aren’t any dirty saloons,” Jacob lashed out.
“I need to get a different way of life, Jake. I’ve decided I don’t want to die young.”
“Glad to hear it,” Jacob said.
“For now, let’s get Jessica home. She’s been through enough, Jake.”
~
Arriving in Brandon, California on a warmish day at the end of November gave Jessica an uneasy feeling. Clermont City was only a day’s ride. Her apprehension didn’t make sense to her. This was her goal, after all. She felt alone and couldn’t wait to be in her husband’s arms. The past many weeks traveling with Jacob was not her life, nor would it ever be. She didn’t wait for him. She married Caleb, and that was the way it was. She eased her shoulders, trying to calm her anxiety. Her and Jacob’s love sat heavy in her heart, and she felt a pang of nostalgia for everything they were and everything they had become to each other.
The small, dusty town showed no signs of real comfort. Jacob stopped the horse in front of a line of store
fronts that included a saloon. He and Jessica joined Will, who was already heading for a drink.
“Can we eat first?” Jessica asked wearily. She put her hand on her stomach and felt her ribs protruding under her bodice.
A passerby said, “They serve food and drink in there,” and continued on his way.
They entered the dimly lit saloon and sat down at one of the small, worn, wooden tables. The smell of baking bread, mingled with the lingering odors of stale coffee, cigarette smoke, and booze, gave Jessica pause. She felt nauseous.
“What is it, Jess?” Will asked. “Are you feeling all right?”
“I’ll be fine.” She ordered a cup of tea and placed her hand to her mouth.
The men ate gladly of the offerings of biscuits and gravy and a slab of pork belly. They settled in with a shot of whiskey in their coffees and talked about their next route.
Jessica sipped her tea and nibbled on a dry biscuit. Her mind was cluttered with so many thoughts, her emotions were turned upside down. While Will and Jacob discussed business, she went outside for air.
~
Jacob and Will came out of the saloon, their bellies full and their spirits intact. Jacob was about to call out to Jessica when a man bumped into him. A short man, his head down, wild hair sprouting from his head offered, “’Scuse me.”
“Hey, Levi,” Will said casually.
Levi Landsburg looked up at the two men, squinting his eyes, then he opened them wide. “I’ll be a son of a bitch!” he exclaimed.
“It’s been a long time,” Jacob announced with a grin.
Levi scratched his unkempt hair. “Well, I’ll say it has!”
They shook hands and gave each other a pat on the back, then Will embraced the small man, almost picking him off the ground.
Levi caught his breath, and his face lit up to see his two friends. “What are you boys doing these days?” Before they could answer, he added in a lower voice, “Glad to see you made it out of Colorado.”
Sacred Terrain (Traveled Hearts Series Book 2) Page 20