Jewel (4 page)

Jewel nodded politely and let Eli lead her from the dining room, all the while trying to ignore the diners looking after them with wide-eyed wonder.

O
utside, they walked over to the buggy. Jewel had steam pouring out of her ears. When he politely offered a hand to assist her up, she promptly slapped it away and got in under her own power.

“Did you have to kick me so hard?”

“I told you this was a harebrained plan.”

“That you agreed to.”

“I’m not speaking to you.”

With her arms clamped over her chest she looked like a female version of her father. He held on to his grin. “Jewel—”

She snarled, “If you don’t get this buggy moving, I swear I’ll drive off and leave you right here.”

Knowing this was not the best place to have this argument, he climbed up onto the seat and drove the buggy out of town. He waited until they reached the countryside before saying, “I didn’t know he was going to stand up and say what he did. When he leaves town, we’ll tell folks it was a mistake.”

“Yes, my mistake for saying yes. Good women do not go around pretending to be married when they aren’t.”

“I think you’re getting more riled up about this than necessary.”

“I’m not speaking to you,” she said again.

The whole thing was so absurd and she was so furious, he couldn’t stop the smile.

“This is not funny, Eli.”

“No it isn’t, sweetheart.”

“And don’t call me
sweetheart
.”

He hid his humor behind a cool tone. “My sincerest apology.”

“I don’t want an apology, I just want to be who I was when I got out of bed this morning. Jewel Crowley, spinster—not Jewel Crowley, supposedly married to the Colored Casanova of Cass County.”

He laughed. He couldn’t help himself. “Is that what folks call me?”

She didn’t respond.

“You could do worse, you know. In fact, I’d pick me over being a spinster any day of the week.”

A less self-assured man would have cringed under the glare she gave him, but he simply turned his attention back to his driving. He supposed the only way to make this right was to do what he should have done from the beginning, which was to tell Hicks the truth and let the consequences fall where they may. Reopening the
Gazette
had been a dream he desperately wanted to
see realized, but not at her expense. “I’ll tell Hicks the truth in the morning.”

“That would be best,” she replied tightly. Too late by far, but best.

“If he doesn’t want the
Gazette
in his syndicate, I’ll come up with another way to catch the brass ring.”

Jewel knew losing Hicks’s support would deflate all of Eli’s plans, but she didn’t offer any sympathies because it was going to take a month of Sundays to convince folks that she and Eli hadn’t secretly run off to become man and wife, if they could be convinced at all. In reality, convincing shouldn’t be necessary. Anybody with half a brain would know the two of them weren’t married, but as he stated earlier, small-town folks took their amusement where they could find it. The speculation and spectacle surrounding this debacle would be like finding gold.

“This will all be ironed out. I promise.”

She didn’t respond.

He looked her way. “Still not talking to me?’

“No.”

His chuckle softly rippled the silence. “Okay. Let’s leave that for a moment and go back to another subject. You’d really prefer spinsterhood over marriage to me?”

“Yes, because I like my life the way it is. I have my family, my committee work, and my roses. I don’t wish to be married to someone who has to look up
monogamy
in Mr. Webster’s dictionary.”

“Ouch, Jewel. I’d be monogamous with the right woman. Just haven’t met her yet.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Such disbelief.”

“Such balderdash.”

“Such truth.”

He met her eyes and the power in them seemed to reach out and stroke her. Unnerved, she looked away.

“Jewel?” he called softly.

She turned.

“I am sorry.”

“I know, Eli. Just take me home.”

When he brought the buggy to a halt in front of the Crowley home, she didn’t wait for him to help her down. As soon as he stopped, she hopped down and ran up the walk to the door. Regretting the mess he’d gotten her into, he waited to make sure she went inside before driving away.

Paul was in the parlor reading when Jewel came in. He took one look at her face and asked, “Did it go that badly?”

She pulled off her gloves and related the story.

His eyes widened. “Hicks told everyone you two were married?”

“Yes.”

“What did Eli say?”

“Nothing, and neither did I. We were so astonished, there wasn’t much we could say.”

“Is he going to tell Hicks the truth?”

“In the morning.”

“Let’s hope that will be the end of it. Poor Eli. There goes his hope for the
Gazette
.”

“Poor Eli? What about me? They applauded, Paul. Everyone in town is going to believe I’m his wife.”

“Could be worse.”

She glared.

He grinned. “Fixing this may be like trying to shove a bear into a mouse hole, but let things settle a bit. They may not go as badly as you believe.”

“Pa’s going to throw a fit.”

“There is that. He’s not going to like you being gossiped about.”

She pressed her hands to her head. “Nor that I brought it on myself. I think I’ll just kill myself now and save him the trouble.”

He smiled. Of all her brothers she loved Paul the best. Growing up, he’d stood up for her, and when the other four tortured her he’d come to her rescue. He was a good ten years older than she, but always had time to listen. Like now. “I’m going to change out of these clothes. Where’s everyone else?”

“Turkey hunting. Should be back before dark.” He looked at the misery in his baby sister’s face and said, “Don’t worry Jewel. I’m betting everyone will understand and it’ll just blow over.”

Tight-lipped, she hoped he was right, and left him to his reading.

Later, wearing her denims and brogans, Jewel went out to the barn to sort through the rose plants she’d been trying to get to all day. Roses
were her passion. In another month the Grove’s roses would begin blooming everywhere, and she was responsible for planting and caring for most of them. Her reputation with the thorny beauties was so well known around the county that wealthy White homes and churches also employed her services. Harrison’s Yellows were her favorites. They were showy, usually the first roses to bloom and were long lasting. They were also easily divided by a hatchet, which made them not as costly as other varieties to replace.

Jewel was in the process of making sure all the roots of the bare canes she planned to put in for Maddie Loomis in the morning were still nice and damp in the buckets she had them resting in when Abigail walked in leaning on her cane. “Evening, Jewel.”

“How are you?” Jewel loved her stepmother. Many of Abigail’s friends called her Gail. She’d been one of the many Grove women who’d helped raise Jewel after the death of her mother, and when Abigail finally relented and married Jewel’s father a few years back, no one had been happier.

“I was on my way home from the Historical Society meeting, thought I’d stop and see how you were doing.”

“I’m fine. Tired, though. Washday today.” Jewel was trying to work up the nerve to talk to her about the boardinghouse incident but wasn’t having much success. “How’s Pa?”

“Doing well. He wanted to stay and play checkers at the general store, so I left him there. Miss
Edna said if you have any rose canes you’re not planting, she’d like a few.”

“Okay. After I’m done at Maddie’s tomorrow I’ll go by the store.”

“Jewel? Are you sure you’re well? You look—”

“Hello,” a familiar voice trilled. “Jewel, are you in the barn?”

Abigail and Jewel shared a look. Caroline Ross?

Sure enough, she and her hooped gown swayed into the barn. For the life of her, Jewel could never figure out how Caroline and the others drove with all that fabric billowing about. More importantly, Jewel knew Caroline had heard Hicks’s declaration at dinner and prayed the woman didn’t mention it now. “What brings you by?”

Caroline grinned. “Who says there are no secrets in the Grove? When Hicks made that announcement you could have knocked me over with a feather. How long have you two sly ones been married?”

Jewel’s worst fears had come true. She dragged her hands across her face.

Abigail looked on in confusion. “Married?”

Before Abigail could continue, Jewel said, “It’s all a mistake, Miss Ross. A very silly mistake.”

She smiled. “Oh, I see. It’s still supposed to be a secret. Cat’s already out of the bag, though, don’t you think? You and Eli. That is something.”

Abigail stared openmouthed.

Caroline added, “And Jewel, you just glowed. We all noticed it.”

“Glowed?” Jewel echoed.

Caroline nodded, “You know?
Glowed.
As in a babe is on the way. Is it true what everyone is saying?”

Jewel’s eyes widened like plates. She’d left the boardinghouse less than two hours ago, and already rumor had her carrying Eli’s child! She somehow managed to say, “As I said, Miss Ross, Hicks made a mistake. Everyone knows Eli and I aren’t married.”

Abigail began to cough so violently, Jewel went hastily to her side. “Do you need water?”

“No. A seat.” She sat down on a large crate and began to fan herself with her handkerchief.

Jewel knew it was time to send Caroline Ross packing. “Miss Ross, I’m going to get Gail some water. Thank you for visiting. I’d be real appreciative if you’d tell folks that I’m neither married nor carrying.”

Caroline winked. “The babe’s supposed to be a secret, too, isn’t it? I won’t say a word. I promise.” She headed toward the barn entrance, then stopped and look back at Jewel. “Congratulations,” she offered with a conspiratorial whisper.

When she was gone, an appalled Jewel turned to a stunned Abigail who asked, “What in heavens was that about? You and Eli married?”

Jewel sighed and told her the story, and when she was finished, Abigail gasped, “Oh my word!”

“And now, apparently folks believe I’m carrying, too.”

For a long moment all Abigail could do was stare in astonishment and disbelief. “Eli has to straighten this out right away. If Hicks leaves town because of the truth, so be it. Good lord, what was he thinking?”

“About the
Gazette
.”

“Whose first headline will be:
Gazette
Editor Eli Grayson Hung by Adam Crowley.”

“I know. Maybe Pa won’t hear the rumors.”

“Only if he’s deaf. I’m betting Caroline Ross is at this moment spreading the word to anyone who will listen.” Abigail leaned back against the barn wall, thinking. “If I can get to your father before he hears the gossip and explain things, maybe he can be convinced to wait and see if this will all pass over before he levels his bear gun on my son.”

Jewel knew how much her father loved Abigail and that at times would listen to her when he refused to listen to anyone else. She had a way with him second only to Jewel, but he could be stubborn and bullheaded to a fault when it came to his daughter’s well-being. “Maybe he’ll fool us all and deal with this in a level-headed manner.”

“Optimism is a virtue, dear, but remember that time you were ill, when Viveca first came to be the doctor here, and Adam had your brother shanghai her in the middle of the night to come tend to you?”

Jewel did. Nate Grayson had been very upset
by her father’s actions, but her pa hadn’t cared. Jewel’s health had been his only concern.

Abigail roused herself. “I’ll go home and see if he’s there. Let’s hope we can get this all put to rest. As far as society is concerned, all we women have is our reputation and we can’t have yours trampled by something as foolish as this.”

“Thanks, Gail.”

“You’re welcome. Now you go on back to your roses and I’ll see to your father. Wish me luck.”

“You know I do.”

When Abigail was gone, Jewel finished up the roses and walked back to the house thinking this had to be one of the worst days of her life.

Taking advantage of the day’s fading light, Eli was seated on the porch of his cabin organizing the items he planned to present to Hicks in the morning. “If the man doesn’t leave town after I tell him the truth,” he mused aloud sarcastically.

His conversation with himself faded as he watched Adam Crowley ride up. Wondering what he might want and hoping nothing had happened to his mother, Eli stood and watched his stepfather dismount and march up to meet him.

“Evening, Adam. Something wrong with Mother?”

“No,” he answered tersely. “I need to talk to you.”

Eli studied the granite-set face. “Out here or inside?”

“Inside.”

Eli led the way, and when the screen door closed behind them, Adam didn’t mince words. “What is this about you and Jewel being married?”

Eli froze, then wondered if the old lumberjack would let him live long enough to provide an explanation. “It was a ruse.”

Adam crossed his arms over his barrel-like chest and waited.

Eli told him the story, leaving nothing out and making sure to place the blame squarely on himself. “Jewel was simply trying to help me.”

“And now?”

“Hopefully, after I tell Hicks the truth in the morning, things will quiet down. How’d you find out?”

“Miss Edna’s store. Everyone in town’s talking. I even received a few congratulations on the upcoming birth of my grandchild.”

Eli stared.

Adam’s eyes gleamed grimly. “Thought that would get your attention. Not only are you and my Jewel supposedly married, but apparently she’s carrying your child!”

The last part of the sentence was shouted so loudly, Eli swore the roof rattled.

Eli was angry at the gossips, at the damage done to Jewel’s reputation, and at himself. She’d tried to warn him but he’d been so focused on his own needs, he hadn’t listened.

“Son, I understand why you thought the ruse was necessary, the
Gazette
means the world to us all, but couldn’t you have gotten someone else? Why my Jewel?”

“I’ll marry her.” Those were three words Eli never thought he’d hear himself say to anyone’s father.