Chapter 19
What to do first? Jesse wondered as he walked. Maybe the pastor. That will tell us a lot about whether we can do this tomorrow. And maybe Kristina will be there too, if they're married.
Arriving at the church, he pulled open one of the heavy doors and entered. At first it seemed the building was empty, but then he realized that the front row was occupied by a couple. A strawberry blond woman sat on the lap of a black-haired man, clutching him as they devoured each other's mouths in a wild, indiscreet kiss.
“Ahem.” Jesse cleared his throat. The woman jumped to her feet, her hands pressed to her burning, freckled face. I know that face. I've known it my whole life!
“Jesse?” No longer embarrassed, she flew to him and hugged him tight.
“Kristina, it's so good to see you!” He returned the embrace. “I've missed you.”
“Missed you too!” she squealed.
“And I sure didn't expect to find you sparking with someone. Kristina, really!”
She giggled. “Jesse, this is my husband, Cody Williams.”
Jesse regarded the handsome, black-haired man who stood by, looking on in uncertainty at the stranger hugging his wife.
“Reverend,” Jesse said, “Kristina and I have been friends since we were babies. Her dad practically raised me, so please pardon the informal greeting.”
The young pastor made a face and pulled his wife out of Jesse's arms, hugging her himself. “No harm done, but you'll understand if I don't take too kindly to see someone clutching my Kristina.”
“I understand,” Jesse said, amused by his jealousy, not to mention his twangy Texas drawl. “I'll keep that in mind.” Far from offended, Jesse was overjoyed at how passionately his friend was loved. Of course, anyone who could get past Kristina's strong personality and stubborn German-ness… and her freckles, would have to love her beyond a mere attraction.
“What's going on, Jesse?” Kristina asked from her husband's embrace. “You seem like a man on a mission.”
“Oh, um…” Suddenly Jesse felt shy. “I need your professional services. Both of you.”
Kristina's mouth dropped into a happy gasp, but Cody regarded Jesse coolly.
“I… um… I need to get married.” There, he'd said it. “So I need a pastor and a musician. Can you help me out?”
“Sure,” Kristina said. “When?”
“Tomorrow?” Jesse suggested.
“I've never known a town like this one,” the pastor drawled, “for people wanting to marry on a whim. Hasn't anyone heard of planning a nice wedding?”
“Sorry,” Jesse said. “There's no time for that.”
Cody furrowed one eyebrow. “Did someone's virtue get compromised?” The glare he focused on Jesse had turned decidedly hostile.
“Thoroughly,” Jesse admitted, a hint of sarcasm creeping into his tone in response to the pastor's glower.
“Hey, now, you two!” Kristina wriggled out of Cody's arms and stepped away so she could face both men. “Cody, I love you. You know that. Jesse is my friend, almost like a brother. There's no competition here, stallions, so stop feeling your oats.” Both men nailed the tall woman with a stern stare, but she didn't flinch. “I'm not kidding. Stop.”
At last Cody chuckled, and Jesse couldn't help but join him. “That was stupid,” the pastor said. “It's just… I've been listening to my wife sing your praises all this time. All the fun you four rascals got into together. I think…” he glanced at Kristina. She looked back, daring him to speak. “I think she might have been sweet on you for a while there. Sorry. I got a little jealous.”
Kristina blushed but regarded the men steadily.
“It wasn't precisely a secret,” Jesse replied. “But I wasn't right for her. I always knew it. Now I know why.” He extended his hand. “I'm glad to meet you, Cody. And I'm glad Kristina has a husband who can, at times, be a little jealous. She needs it.”
Kristina rolled her eyes. “If the humiliating journey down memory lane is through, gentlemen, I believe we have business to attend to?”
“Sure thing, Cody agreed, visibly fighting a smile. “We can do a quick wedding tomorrow, right, Kris?”
“Of course,” Kristina insisted. “But you'll need to talk to Becky and Lydia…”
“We talked to Miss Carré over breakfast, and Addie is with Becky right now.”
She shook her head. “Mr. Pragmatic West. Have any pieces you want played?”
Jesse shrugged. “I'll ask Addie, but for me, it's whatever you think is fitting.”
“Okay,” Kristina agreed easily. “Want me to round up Allie and Wes? We can all have lunch at my house and work out the details.”
“You're an angel, Kristina,” Jesse said fervently. “Thank you. And thank you, Reverend Williams.”
“Call me Cody,” the young man insisted.” If you're sort of Kristina's brother, then you're family.”
I like this fellow. He's the most relaxed pastor I've ever seen, now that he's stopped competing.
“Well, Jesse, you'd better scoot. I have to round everyone up and get the food ready. Meet me at the vicarage at noon,” Kristina urged.
“I'll be there, with Addie,” Jesse insisted.
“I can't wait to meet her,” Kristina said, her eyes glowing.
She's happy for me. He risked the pastor's wrath to give his friend another, less intense hug, and then walked back out of the church and into the street.
It was too soon to check in on Addie, and so he wandered, trying to take in the changes to the town he'd grown up in, and the things that had stayed the same. Eventually his aimless wandering led him to the cemetery. Without reflection he entered the wrought iron gate and stared unseeing over irregular gray stones that seemed to be pushing their way up through the level, grassless soil. So bleak were the colors there that the odd wreath or sprig of dried flowers seemed almost violent in its vibrancy. Or maybe it's just my eyes. He closed them for a moment, and looked again. Still the scene seemed to dig straight into his brain, bringing with it strange thoughts.
In some ways, the cemetery is as important to a town as the church or the hotel. Here lies history, not in ink, but in bone. Here lay Gertrude Heitschmidt, Kristina's mother. A fresher grave held Calvin Heitschmidt, aged 20. Jesse swallowed. He hadn't know the young man had died. What a waste of a promising young life. Another grave. Deputy Wade Charles. Aged 33 years. The death date was the same as for Calvin. Jesse wondered at that. Did Calvin die in the train robbery? He's been away for years. Must have been a coincidence.
At last, under a small but shady aspen tree, a round stone in a gray as somber as sorrow itself bore the name Lily Wilder. Born 1866. Died 1884. Beloved by all. Rest in peace. Jesse fell to his knees in front of the grave of his first love. The weasels were chewing on his innards again. What is wrong with me? I'm getting married tomorrow. How can I still be hurting this badly?
And yet there was no denying the tears welling in his eyes. “Lily,” he murmured.
“Jesse,” a soft female voice said. He looked up, dragging his sleeve across his cheek.
“Kris?” The woman standing above him was none other than Kristina. She knelt beside him and wrapped her arm around his waist.
“Watch it,” he joked, “Cody won't like that.”
“Cody will understand,” she insisted. “He trusts me. Needed to say goodbye?”
He closed his eyes. “I can't. How can I let her go?”
“You don't have to,” Kristina said. “She's always with you. But she's at peace now, Jesse. And so are you, aren't you? Getting married? Are you and Addie happy together?”
A burning wetness slipped down Jesse's cheek. “I love her.”
“That's good, Jesse,” Kristina said.
“It's wrong,” he retorted, as much in response to his own confused feelings as to Kristina's comment. “How can I love Addie so much and still miss Lily just as if she'd died yesterday?”
“Because you're that kind of man,” Kristina replied. “Yo
u have a loving heart. I don't think it's any disloyalty to Lily for you to love Addie. In fact, I'm pretty sure Lily would approve. She didn't have a selfish bone in her body. She would want you to be happy, and if it wasn't with her, she wouldn't begrudge you someone else. It doesn't mean you didn't truly love her, or that you're over her. If your Addie is a good woman, she can share your heart with Lily's memory.”
“She can. She does.”
“Then let it be okay, Jesse. Let yourself care for Addie. Don't deny her your love. You were made to be loved. And you have been. Twice. By good women from the sound of it. That's a blessing, not a problem.”
“I had so little time with Lily.”
“I know, Jesse. She was a spring blossom. She faded quickly, but what time she was here, you made her really happy. You know you did.”
Images danced behind Jesse's eyes. Going for a moonlit walk with Lily because she didn't enjoy the noise and fuss of the barn dance. Sitting beside her in church, their hands discreetly laced together on the pew. Stealing kisses at every opportunity.
Reality refocused into Kristina's freckled face. Tears streamed over the spots and along her snub nose. “You ran away from this,” she said. “You didn't let yourself grieve. But that meant you didn't get to enjoy the good memories either. It hurts more if you fight it, Jesse. Don't fight. Let yourself admit how much it hurts to lose someone you love, even if you have the love of others. Those who care will share your pain with you, and your joy.”
“You must be the best pastor's wife ever,” Jesse said, hugging Kristina tight.
“You're going to be okay, Jesse,” she said.
The sun filtered onto his face, warming his skin. A cool breeze tapped gently against his cheek. It felt like a kiss. Jesse looked up into the leafy branches of the aspen and saw a gentle gray dove regarding him with solemn black eyes. It cooed once and then took wing, disappearing onto the endless horizon.
He rose, helping Kristina to her feet. “Come on,” he said as love and hope burst bright as a prairie sunrise burst in his heart, chasing the darkness and shadows away and leaving him clean. Lily was still there, a warm, wonderful memory of innocent love. But her presence took nothing away from Addie. “I need to go find my girl. Tell her… tell her everything. Tell her how much she means to me.”
Kristina smiled through her tears. “I'm so glad you're home, Jesse,” she said.
“So am I, Kris,” he replied. “So am I.”
From his vantage point high on an upper floor of the Occidental Hotel, a silent watcher regarded the streets. A blond man in a dark suit strode, his step buoyant, past the edifice. The watcher ground his teeth, recognizing the man as the one who had raided his hideout months ago. I will make that bastard pay, he vowed, along with this entire damned town.
He eased the window away from the casement, hoping to hear as well as see. He didn't have long to wait. The man ducked into the general store and returned a moment later with a short, plump, red-haired woman, who clung to his arm.
“Addie, sweetheart, is your new dress going to be ready?” he asked.
“Yes, Jesse,” she replied, turning sickly adoring eyes up at her suitor. “How did you do?”
“I'm all set,” he replied. “We can do this tomorrow, just like we hoped. Shall we let Lydia know?”
“Oh yes,” the woman called Addie replied. “I can't wait. It's hard to believe we're finally getting married, Jesse.”
Addie and Jesse. The watcher stored the names away for later use. They'll be hearing from me again soon.
“I don't think it's so surprising,” Jesse replied. “After all, I love you. I've loved you since… I don't even know when. A long time.”
The woman froze. “You mean it, Jesse? But what about…”
“I can love you without forgetting her, right, Addie?” He patted her arm. “Don't get me wrong, she was a good woman. But you're in every way her equal. I'm not sorry we're together. I'm glad. I can't wait for us to be married.”
He leaned over and kissed the woman on the forehead.
Even from his vantage point in the window, the watcher could see the girl beaming.
Smile for now, pretty lady. Enjoy your wedding day. Some time soon, you'll be making my acquaintance. And then, I don't think you'll look so happy anymore.
Grinning, the watcher closed the casement and returned to his room. This is going to take some serious time and planning, but I will have my revenge.
Dear Reader,
I hope you have enjoyed this romp through the Old West with Jesse and Addie. As you may have guessed from the last section, there's more to come, with the final installment, High Plains Passion, which is Lydia and Dylan's story.
If you did enjoy High Plains Heartbreak, it would mean a lot to me if you'd stop by Amazon.com and leave me a review. Thanks.
Love always,
Simone Beaudelaire
Other Books by Simone Beaudelaire
When the Music Ends (The Hearts in Winter Chronicles Book 1)
When the Words are Spoken (The Hearts in Winter Chronicles Book 2)
Caroline's Choice (The Hearts in Winter Chronicles Book 3)
When the Heart Heals (The Hearts in Winter Chronicles Book 4)
The Naphil's Kiss
Blood Fever
Polar Heat
Xaman (with Edwin Stark)
Darkness Waits (with Edwin Stark)
Watching Over the Watcher
Baylee Breaking
Amor Maldito: Romantic Tragedies from Tejano Folklore
Keeping Katerina (The Victorians Book 1)
Devin's Dilemma (The Victorians Book 2)
High Plains Promise (Love on the High Plains Book 2)
High Plains Heartbreak (Love on the High Plains Book 3)
High Plains Passion (Love on the High Plains Book 4)
Devilfire (American Hauntings Book 1)
Saving Sam (The Wounded Warriors Book 1 with J.M. Northup)
Justifying Jack (The Wounded Warriors Book 2 with J.M. Northup)
Making Mike (The Wounded Warriors Book 3 with J.M Northup)
High Plains Heartbreak (Love On The High Plains Book 3) Page 17