A Shelter of Hope (41 page)

“WELL, IF YOU AREN’T the popular one,” Nellie said, bringing in not one but two bouquets of flowers for Simone’s inspection. The Harvey House mother beamed a smile at Simone. “I’m glad to see you up and dressed. You look so much better. These ought to perk you up even more.”

Simone shook her head and finished securing a pin into her hair. “Where in the world did those come from?”

“The two gents who are awaiting your arrival in our downstairs parlor,” Nellie replied. “Same two gents who brought you here in the first place. That nice Mr. O’Donnell and his friend Mr. Matthews.”

Simone nodded. She had known without asking that this would be the case. Una had told her the night before that both men seemed very concerned for her welfare. She had teased Simone about keeping a stable of beaus, but Simone hadn’t taken the matter seriously. Zack Matthews had his heart set on one thing alone, and that was solving the Davis murder case. In speaking with him on the long ride back to Florence, Simone had been amazed to learn that Matthews had followed her from Wyoming, all on the chance that he could solve the case and bring in the murderer of Garvey Davis.

He had also confided that he’d never really believed Simone to be the murderer. He did worry that she’d been a pawn in her father’s schemes but was happy to be proven wrong on that matter. Jeffery, ever attentive and concerned for her well-being, had said practically nothing as they’d ridden across the windy prairie. He seemed greatly preoccupied with something else, but he gave Simone no indication of what that might be. She supposed he was anxious to get back to work and to Chicago.

“You’d best go down and speak with those boys,” Nellie said, interrupting Simone’s reflections and placing the flowers on the desk. “They’ve been here constantly nagging me for information. Poor Una was stuck answering questions all morning. They aren’t likely to go away until they’ve talked to you and seen for themselves that you’ve survived your ordeal.”

Simone discarded her thoughts and nodded. “I know you’re probably right.” She gave her appearance a hasty assessment and smoothed down the form-fitting bodice of the red gingham gown. “I suppose I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

“You look mighty pretty in that dress. I’m sure you’ll have both of those men eating out of your hand.”

Simone laughed. “I’ll point them to Mr. Harvey’s dining room if they so much as attempt such an act. Nowhere in my line of duty am I required to hand-feed customers.”

Nellie laughed at this and stepped into the hallway. “You could probably make those two do anything you suggested.”

Still smiling, she followed Nellie downstairs and into the parlor. Both Zack and Jeffery stood in welcome to greet her. Jeffery grinned from ear to ear, while Zack looked rather embarrassed by the entire matter. Simone understood Zack’s reaction. She felt rather embarrassed herself.

“Simone, come sit here,” Jeffery said, coming forward. “We don’t want you to wear yourself out.”

Unused to anyone pampering her like this, Simone stiffened slightly. “Jeffery, I assure you I am fine. Nellie took good care of me these past two days, and there is nothing more that need be done for me.”

She turned to Zack, who was twisting his hat in his hands. What a contrast between the two men. Zack in his faded jeans and broadcloth shirt. Zack with his tanned face and windblown hair. He seemed to be a deep thinker and a man of few words. He didn’t mind that his appearance was less than orderly. As she looked at Jeffery she saw nothing but perfection. He was impeccably dressed in his brown serge suit, his hair had been carefully parted down the middle and slicked back on either side with tonic water. She could smell his cologne from where she stood, while Zack smelled of nothing more than soap and summer air.

“I … uh … just wanted to let you know,” Zack began awkwardly, “I’ll be taking your father … uh … Mr. Dumas back to Wyoming today. We leave on the afternoon train.”

“I see.” Simone looked at the floor and tried to feel something other than relief that this man she’d called Father would soon be far away from her. “Forgive me if I sound harsh. I really don’t mean to be, but I’m glad you’re taking him away.” She looked up hesitantly. “I just don’t think I could go through the trial.”

“I don’t think there’ll be much of a trial. I mean, I heard his confession and I have both yours and Mr. O’Donnell’s sworn statements. I figure given the circumstances, the charges against you for theft will be dropped, and there should be no need for you to come back to Wyoming.”

“Thank you.” Her voice betrayed her obvious relief.

“I think you should know that given the situation,” Zack continued, “and the violent nature of Mr. Davis’s demise, your … Mr. Dumas will probably face death for his actions.”

Simone nodded and lifted her eyes to meet Zack’s compassionate gaze. “I know. I’ve thought of nothing else for some time.” She paused and looked at Jeffery. “It could have been me. And because of the horror of what I’d experienced, I thought I wanted him dead. Now I realize taking his life won’t change what he’s done. When I think of how close I came to …” She paused and shuddered. “It could have been me. He could have killed me or left me to hang for Garvey Davis’s death.”

“Shhh,” Jeffery interjected. “God interceded. He knew the truth of the matter and didn’t allow an innocent person to be blamed for something they didn’t do.”

“It’s more than I can begin to understand,” Simone said softly. “I stand amazed that such a miracle could take place on my behalf. God really heard my prayers.”

“I don’t suppose you want to see him before we leave,” Zack said as if to introduce the idea to Simone.

“No, I don’t want to see him. I never want to see him again. He’s caused me nothing but heartache. I really want to forgive that man for all he’s done to me, especially for taking away my mother and brother.”

“I thought you said they deserted you,” Jeffery interjected.

Simone shook her head. “My mother left to bring the law back with her. She intended to return, but Louis Dumas killed her and my baby brother.”

“What!” Zack and Jeffery declared in unison.

“It’s true,” Simone replied, looking from man to man. “He used to taunt me with that fact. He came home and found they were gone and he went off in search of them. When he returned, he told me how he’d killed them and how my mother would never come back to help me again.”

“Did he ever tell you where he put their bodies?” Zack questioned, then realized the delicacy of the situation. “My pardon.”

Simone shook her head. “No, he never said a single word about what he had done with them afterward.” She felt a heavy sadness overwhelm her. “I wish I knew where they were.”

“But you do know,” Jeffery replied. “You told me yourself that your mother had accepted Christ as her Savior. You’ll see her again one day in heaven.”

Simone realized he was right, but it didn’t lessen the sense of loss. “I’ve spent a lot of time being angry over things I couldn’t control. Now I feel God has finally given me hope for the future.”

Zack smiled. “He’s good to do that.”

She nodded. “I guess I’m just starting to see that for myself. It’s a wondrous thing.”

“Perhaps your earthly father is still living,” Zack offered. “You might find out one day who he is and where he lives.”

“Perhaps,” Simone replied, “but I’m sure a search like that would take a great deal of time and money.” She sighed and smiled. “Besides, I have a job with Mr. Harvey’s company. I have a contract that I must see through, and I’m thankfully no longer a wanted woman.”

“Oh, you’re wanted,” Jeffery whispered, leaning very close.

He seemed not to mind that Zack could hear his words, but Simone felt her face grow hot.

“Well, I’d best be going,” Zack said, finally breaking the silence. “I have to collect my things before I head out.”

“Thank you again,” Simone said, stepping forward to offer her hand. “I’m still overwhelmed to realize that God brought you here. I thought for a time it was His curse that you should be able to track me down, but now I understand that what I saw as harmful, God meant for good.”

Zack smiled and shook her hand very gently. “I’ll send you a letter and let you know what happens.”

“Thank you. I think that would be most helpful.”

He nodded first to her, then to Jeffery. “If you folks get up Wyoming way, look me up.”

With that said, he took his leave. Simone had no time to think about Zack Matthews’ departure because no sooner had the screen door closed behind him than Jeffery pulled her into his arms and surprised her with a kiss. His lips were warm against hers, and Simone felt a sensation of heat spread out from the union.

“I’ve wanted to do that since you first came into the room,” he told her.

Simone pushed him away. Her head was swimming dizzily from the contact. She couldn’t understand why this man had such control over her emotions. When Jeffery was near, rational thought fled.

“Don’t do that,” she admonished. “Someone will see you.”

“I don’t care,” Jeffery replied. “I intend to do it quite often.” He moved toward her, but Simone sidestepped him and positioned herself behind a chair.

“Stop it, now, and listen to me.”

Jeffery laughed. “All right. But if you’d honestly rather talk than kiss, I can see I have much to teach you.”

Simone nodded. “That’s along the lines of what I’m trying to say. I have a lot to learn. I’ve scarcely seen much of life, unless you count my seventeen years of torment in a mountain cabin in Wyoming.”

“You’re only seventeen?” Jeffery questioned with a grin. “You know that goes against Fred Harvey’s rules.”

“So does hiring a woman without a thorough background check,” Simone countered. “I’ll be eighteen come spring and that isn’t that far off. Fire me if you must, but it won’t change anything.”

“But you care for me,” Jeffery replied.

Simone bit at her lower lip. It was hard to know how to deal with her emotions and Jeffery at the same time. “Yes, I suppose I do.”

“Ah-ha!” Jeffery said, jumping on her words. “I knew it!”

“But I also care about Rachel and Una and my job,” Simone replied.

“But you care about me more, now, admit it,” he countered, his face smug with assurance.

“I’m just starting to care about a great deal. You have to understand, Jeffery, that I’ve buried my feelings for so long that I don’t know quite how to deal with this storm that’s raging inside of me.” Tears welled in her eyes. “It’s all so new to me. For so long no one cared about me, and now so many people seem to want only my happiness.”

“Now, Mr. O’Donnell,” Nellie said, sweeping into the room unannounced, “you can’t be wearing this poor girl out. We’ve just got her back on her feet.”

Jeffery gave Simone one final look of longing before turning to Nellie. “Yes, I know. However, I want to let Miss Dumas know that her old job is open and waiting for her in Topeka.”

Nellie shooed him toward the door. “Nonsense. We need the girl here. Now, you go on about your business. The noon meal is on the table, and if you don’t get in there, you won’t get fed.”

Jeffery laughed. “Then I would have to report you to Mr. Harvey, and you know the customer is always right.”

Nellie laughed and followed him from the room, leaving Simone to stare after them. Her heart felt full with emotions she couldn’t even begin to put into words.

“I’m really free,” she whispered to herself. “I don’t have to go back to that cabin and way of life. I don’t have to worry about being hunted down.”

She gripped the back of the chair and looked across the room to the lacy curtained windows that opened out to give vision to the world beyond the Harvey House. She had hope for her future … and freedom to live her life as she chose. To ask for anything more seemed utterly and completely selfish.

“But I do need more,” she whispered and glanced heavenward.

“I need direction on where to go and …” She fell silent, thinking of Jeffery. How did he fit into all of this?

“I need to know what to do with him, Lord,” she prayed aloud. “I don’t want to hurt him, but neither do I want to get hurt again. I’m just so afraid to open myself up to what he has in mind.”

THIRTY-FOUR