A Love to Heal a Broken Heart: An Inspirational Historical Western Romance Book

by Lilah Rivers

  “She’s just a genius,” Amy explained.

  “You’ll get no argument from me.” He took another bite from the cake, a dollop of icing landing on the tip of his nose. Amy reached over, scooped it off with her finger, and ate it, the two sharing a sweet smile.

  Jodi savored the pleasing warmth of seeing her best friend so happy, so much in love. Her confession had been a revelation to Jodi. If Amy could be vulnerable to such feelings, perhaps so could I or anyone else, without having to suffer overmuch as a penance. We are all of us faulty in some way; so long as we try everyday to be better, to live more closely to the teachings of the Christ, the will of God, then we are still honoring Him and ourselves and each other.

  But Amy’s sorrow had led to her fulfillment, and Jodi could only feel melancholy that she was unlikely to find the same kind of happiness. Unless God wills it, she knew. And Jodi also knew that despite the things she’d told Amy and told herself, she did not want to live without love, to become a spinster. She longed for a love comparable to Amy’s for Clinton, and his for her—not him, of course, but it.

  Love.

  Seeing her best friend and hosts sharing that wondrous union, Jodi could only pray that she’d find something like it, too.

  Chapter 18

  Jodi rode with Amy and Clinton in the same family carriage they’d used to pick her up at the train station. Just being in the carriage brought back recollections of that memorable reunion, such relief to be in her old friend’s arms again.

  But that day held other memories for her, as well—memories of a handsome new face, and a quiet somber quality Jodi still found intriguing even weeks later. She tried not to think about him, concentrating instead on the vast New Mexico desert, orange rocks rising in fascinating formations from the barren ground. It had seemed like a different world to Jodi when she’d first arrived. But the familiarity was beginning to grow, the purview of her experience expanding with every inch forward. Jodi felt more at home than she'd felt in Rhode Island since before she could remember.

  But her mind kept drifting back to Scott—that impressive physique, his tall and proud posture; shoulders back, chin forward, burning blue eyes and curly, black hair. She couldn’t help but recall his appearance at the ranch, his stolid manner. He’d clearly refused her attention, however, and Jodi still struggled to release the feelings which that inspired.

  There were also too many questions surrounding what had happened.Was he really taken by surprise to be invited into my company? Could he not see in it the same act of generosity and love on Amy’s part which I saw? Perhaps what he sees moreover is simple distaste. Perhaps it’s not merely the circumstance, perhaps I’m still not facing my own problems.

  Perhaps it’s just me.

  The carriage brought them all closer and closer to Angeldale proper, where the baking sale would take place in the church.

  He’ll be there, Jodi felt certain; Amy tells me everybody in town will pass by. And then what? Will he just avoid our booth? Probably. Maybe that'll be for the best. I wouldn’t want to make his day unpleasant with my company.

  I guess God just didn't intend for us to be together.

  But as the carriage carried them all closer to town, Jodi couldn’t deny the growing nervousness in her stomach. And it wasn’t nervousness of a bad sort, either.

  If I see him, Jodi silently decided, I’ll be polite but not assuming, courteous, Christian. But that's all.

  The streets began to become more populated around the carriage as they rolled into town. Men and women on the wooden sidewalks on each side of the wide, flattened thoroughfare, cafés and shops lining the streets; Angeldale seemed alive with activity. Jodi was willing to chalk that up to the relative quiet of life on the ranch. But she also knew it had as much to do with her nervousness as anything else.

  Unless I’m wrong about how he feels, Jodi corrected herself. I mean, no point in deciding beforehand how things are going to go. I’ll let the God handle the big things. Thinking about dozens of tasty cupcakes boxed and ready to sell, Jodi thought, I’ve already taken care of the details.

  But it was too easy to look back and know that she couldn’t trust her own instincts, at least not to the point of taking definitive action. I’d hate to make the same mistake all over again at the nod of a hat. At what point am I beginning to embarrass them, reducing their own standing in the community, just because I’m a dummy?

  The First Baptist Church of Angeldale rolled up on the left, the unmistakable spire drawing them and a crowd of pedestrians and horses toward it.

  Well, if it’s what God wants, or does not want, surely He’ll give me a sign. Like a loving parent, He won’t leave me to flounder. So please, Lord, one way or the other, give me a sign. I promise, I will perceive it. And I will act in accordance to Your will, as always. But if Your will is that we be together, Scott and I, not only will I do everything I can to see to it, but I’ll do more.

  Just give me a sign.

  Chapter 19

  Clinton led Amy and Jodi to where they would be setting up their booth in one row of several. The church was crowded and cramped with vendors, and they hadn’t even opened to the doors to the public.

  “Looks like it's going to be quite a turnout,” Jodi remarked.

  “Oh, sure,” Amy said. “First of all, it’s a good cause; the church’s Widows and Orphans Feeding Fund.”

  Clinton leaved over. “Founded by none other than my lovely wife here.”

  Jodi said, “Lovely… and humble.”

  Amy shrugged and gave a little wink. “We all have to give back somehow.” Those words rang in Jodi’s heart and in her brain, right and good and proper. She only hoped she could give back in a manner suitable to the measure of her gratitude.

  Jodi recognized most of the women from her visits with the Burnetts to church services on Sundays, but she’d remained quiet and they'd often returned to the ranch quickly afterward. Everybody was very pleasant and welcoming, and Jodi felt as warm and accepted as she had in a long while.

  “Mayor Thorndyke,” Clinton said, Jodi and Amy turning to follow his line of sight. The short, portly fellow was balding, a smile curling between his wiggly jowls. He looked at the booths as he passed, his attention now on Jodi and the others.

  “Mister and Mrs. Burnett,” he called out, extending his hand to Jodi. “And this must be the new visitor I’ve heard so much about.”

  Jodi gave that some thought. “You—you’ve heard of me?”

  “Nothing in particular, of course. But we’re a small town, the good word travels.”

  “Good? I hope.”

  Amy set her hand on Jodi’s arm. “Better than that. Mayor Thorndyke, my best friend Jodi Hoffman.”

  They shook hands. “It’s an honor, Mayor.”

  “The honor is mine entirely,” the mayor replied with a little bow as he held onto her hand, “and the pleasure.”

  Jodi was charmed, and impressed, and even a little amused.

  Amy said, “You’ll be testing all the fare again this year, Mayor?”

  “Well, it’s a matter of public safety, part of my mandate!” His big belly demonstrated his commitment to public safety, where food was concerned.

  Amy handed him one of their cupcakes, and Mayor Thorndyke immediately lifted it to his big, round face. It didn’t take long before the dessert seemed to disappear, a few ravenous bites leaving a creamy residue around his lips. His eyes rolled back into his head, jowls wobbling as he gobbled it down.

  Jodi, Amy, and Clinton shared a glance as the mayor devoured the morsel.

  Once finished, the mayor said, “That was the single best thing I have ever eaten.”

  “You’re too kind,” Jodi assured him.

  “I’m too fat! But if that's the price for such deliciousness, then a happy fat man I shall stay!” They all shared a laugh, a few kinds words of parting, and the mayor moved on to another round of delighted food gobbling.

  The church filled with citizens, families strol
ling from booth to booth, smiling and laughing and delighting in one delicious confection after the next. But with all the people in that cramped space, where there weren’t many windows, the atmosphere was quick to fill up. It got stuffy fast, and hot. Jodi tried to ignore it at first. She was so busy thanking people for their flattering reactions to their cupcakes, serving them while Amy collected the money, that it was easy enough for an hour to pass before Jodi became too uncomfortable.

  But her breathing did become strained, and she kept waving her hand in front of her face and neck to cool her. Finally, Amy asked, “Doesn’t get this hot in Rhode Island?”

  “I don’t think it gets this hot on the surface of the sun!” They shared a little chuckle.

  “First time I did this, I almost passed out,” Amy admitted.“Why not take a little break?”

  Jodi looked at the thickening crowd in front of their booth. “You think you can handle it alone?”

  Amy looked around, raising her hand to wave someone over. “There’s Clinton, he’ll help. Go outside, take a break.”

  “I wouldn’t mind some fresh air, I have to say.”

  “Then don’t say,” Amy prodded, “go.”

  Jodi smiled, nodded, and stepped out from behind the booth. She squeezed her way through the aisle, always feeling like she was pushing against the current. Her breath became shorter, and she felt smaller and smaller among the big ranchers and cowboys filling the room.

  When she looked up,she found herself face to face with Sheriff Scott Covey. He stopped just in front of her, too, their eyes locking.

  “Oh, Sheriff Covey,” Jodi said, a lump rising in her throat. “Um… nice to see you.”

  “And you,” he answered politely. “How has everything been at the ranch? No more sign of rustlers, interlopers?”

  Jodi had to quickly remind herself what he was talking about. “Oh, um, no, none. Thank goodness.” They stood together in an awkward silence. “I was just stepping out for some air,” Jodi told him finally.

  Scott offered a little smile. “I was just stepping in for something to eat.” He glanced over Jodi’s shoulder, his height making it easy and natural. “Anything especially good?”

  Jodi looked behind her, their booth obscured by the crowd. My cupcakes, she thought. Everybody’s loving them! And what did Amy say? I won't be single for long? Now Scott shows up like this, all of the sudden, looking for something to eat?

  Well, if this isn’t a sign… it’s just going to have to do!

  Jodi pretended to think about it, rolling her eyes and biting her lower lip. “Let me see what I can do.”

  “I’ll meet you out front.”

  She pushed her way back through the crowd toward her booth, arriving just as somebody was pointing out the last two of her cupcakes.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Jodi said, “I just promised these to a widow… and her orphan. It’s, y'know, a holy thing.” Quickly, she took the cakes and slithered away, able to hear Amy stifling a cackle of laughter. She worked her way back through the crowd, holding the cupcakes up over her head to keep them from being crushed as she attempted to talk her way toward the exit. “‘Scuse me, pardon me, pardon, sorry, watch out, excuse me, sorry—”

  She finally made her way to the exit and stepped out onto the street. Scott turned with a little smile. “I was almost ready to put a posse together!” They shared a chuckle as she handed him the dessert.

  “This may not get you through the desert, but it may just put a smile on your face,” she told him.

  Scott pulled off a piece of the little cake and ate it. Hardly the ecstatic responses others had given her, Scott nodded quietly as he chewed the pastry.

  “Well?”

  “Good.”

  After a lingering pause, Jodi said, “Just… good?”

  “Very good,” Scott amended. “Take a little stroll?”

  She nodded and they turned to walk leisurely down the street and around the block.

  “And how have you been?”Jodi asked.

  “Well, thank you. Glad things are quiet back at the ranch.”

  “Yeah.” They walked on a bit further, the quiet becoming awkward. Jodi was trying to figure out what to say, while Scott was stammering a bit, himself. But he was the one to speak first.

  “I had a very good time at dinner last week. Thank you again for the company.”

  “Well, I was a guest myself.” After another long pause, Jodi added, “I had a good time, too. I wasn’t sure if you would have agreed, but I’m glad to hear it.”

  Scott gave a slight nod. “I should apologize about that, I might have been a little preoccupied.”

  “With the investigation?”

  “Oh, to a certain extend.”

  Jodi nodded as they walked on. Could it be, she wondered, could it be that he was preoccupied less than the investigation and a bit more with me? Could it be that things still aren’t as they may have appeared then?

  “I wonder,” Scott began, clearly wrestling with his feelings, or at least with showing them. “I think it would be quite rude not to have you all to my place for dinner—in exchange, I mean.”

  “Of course,” Jodi agreed. “That would be… socially acceptable.”

  “It would. But I live in a small place, not adequate for entertaining so many people. And, of course, my cooking skills—well, I think ol’ Doc Mortonson would appreciate the evening more than my actual guests.” They laughed a bit, and Scott went on, “I could never make something like this, that’s for sure.”

  Jodi smiled. “Perhaps it would be rude of us to overburden you that way.” She had already decided what she wanted to say next, but she felt compelled to forestall it as if it just occurred to her. “On the other hand, I think it would satisfy your social requirements if you were to take one of us to dinner—perhaps at a good local restaurant.”

  Scott grinned back, seeing where she was going. “That might just do the trick, yes.”

  “And, being the sheriff, my guess is that whoever your guest might be would be sure to enjoy herself… or himself.”

  He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I think you’re quite right—in every respect.”

  “Do you now?”

  “Of course, I do. Jodi, let us not dance around this any longer.” After a suspenseful moment, Scott went on, “Clinton and I shall dinner so that I can replay his generous offer to me. And it’s all your idea!”

  Jodi’s blood ran cold.

  After a stunned silence, Scott broke out laughing. Jodi’s blood warmed again, laughter and relief brimming in her voice. Once their laughter died down, there was no more awkwardness, no more stilted silence.

  “See? I was right.” After a mischievous little pause, Jodi added, “It did put a smile on your face.”

  One a quizzical pause later, Scott said, “Oh, the cupcake. Right.”

  Chapter 20

  “Well, well,” Amy commented excitedly, pouring three cups of tea set out on the kitchen table. “A date!”

  Jodi wanted to bashfully contradict her old friend, but she couldn’t. A date, Jodi had to admit, that’s precisely what it is.

  And on a Sunday!

  But she had to ask, “What will people say? I mean …”