Love Inspired Historical November 2014 (51 page)

“How so?” Jake hadn't ever really thought about him.

She glanced at him. “His life seems very adventurous.”

Again Jake felt at a loss. “Really?”

“Well, he was telling Mr. Dalton and me about the time the Indians chased him to Denver. They seemed to think he had something they wanted, but since he didn't stop and ask them what, he said he'll probably never know why they were chasing him. And, when I asked if that happened a lot, he said yes, and that he's even been held up by new settlers, too.” Her eyes shone with excitement.

Jake nodded and tucked his hands deep into his coat pockets. He noticed that Leah shivered in her thin coat. Would she object to him buying her a new one? Maybe he'd surprise her with an early Christmas present. She couldn't object to that, could she?

“But he told me if I thought that was exciting, I should have some of the boys tell me about their adventures as pony express riders. Do you think the boys would share their stories with me about their rides?” She looked up and saw Molly try to pull the doors to the barn open. “Molly! Wait for us,” Leah said.

The little girl turned to face them. She waved her mitten-covered hand in a way that said,
come on!

“We're coming,” Leah called back to her.

Jake smiled at the way she could seem so young one moment and yet act so motherly the next. “I'm sure the boys would be happy to share their adventures.” He pulled the barn door open and grabbed Molly's hand before allowing her to run inside. “Molly, no running in the barn and remember to watch where you step.”

From the corner of his eye he caught the smile that trembled on Leah's lips. Jake turned to face her, took one of her hands in his and teased, “Leah, no running in the barn and watch where you step.” He glanced down at her scuffed boots. “We wouldn't want to soil those lovely slippers, now, would we?”

She laughed and gave him a gentle push. “I'm freezing. Let us in. We'll remember the rules.” Leah looked down at Molly who was smiling from ear to ear. “Won't we, Miss Molly?”

The little girl bobbed her head.

Behind them, Jake heard the front door of the cabin open. He hurriedly ushered them inside the barn. Just before he closed the door, he glanced over his shoulder to see who had left the house. Mr. Porter and Mr. Dalton stomped down the front steps and hurried to the stagecoach.

Good. With Dalton leaving, Leah could go back to moving about the house without a stranger gawking at her. What did he care? He didn't. Did he?

* * *

Exhaustion filled every bone in her body. Leah slipped into the dining room chair and sighed. How did Mrs. Frontz, a woman twice her age, do this every day? Cook, clean, cook some more, clean some more, it was an endless cycle. Leah had helped out at the orphanage but she hadn't cleaned up after four pony express riders and visitors who arrived on the stagecoach.

The highlight of her day had been when she'd been in the warm barn with Molly and Jake. Molly had been beside herself with excitement. Jake seemed to relish the child's enthusiasm and lifted her up so she could pet the horses. Not once had Molly acted afraid; in fact, Leah could see they would have to teach Molly the dangers of getting under the horses' hooves. She needed to have a bit of fear if she was going to be around the big animals. Leah enjoyed the brief tour of the barn and seeing the various mustangs.

Jake set Molly upon the back of one of the tamer horses. The little girl giggled and pulled her red ribbon from her hair. Molly leaned forward and tied it to the bridle.

When the three of them stepped outside, Leah noticed that someone had placed a sprig of mistletoe and a Christmas wreath over the doorway. A smile touched her face when Jake leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. For a moment, it felt as though they were a family celebrating the Christmas season.

Thirty minutes later, Leah went back to the kitchen to clean up, just so that she and Agnes could start dinner.

After the kitchen was cleaned, the beans put on to boil with a big chunk of ham hock and corn bread set to baking for dinner, Agnes showed her the other two guest rooms and asked if Leah would mind helping out with their cleanup. She agreed.

So, they dusted and swept the two guest rooms. Agnes showed Leah where she kept the clean linen and explained that when guests were staying, the rooms had to be freshened up every day. They didn't need to change the bedding every day, but the rooms would need to be dusted, swept and all the trash thrown out.

Then they swept the hall and dusted the staircase banister. Agnes hurried back downstairs to finish up dinner and since Leah didn't know what to do as far as meal preparation went, she set the table and poured coffee into mugs.

She smiled as she remembered filling Molly's and Jake's with hot apple cider. The knowledge that soon she'd be taking care of them both gave her a warm, fuzzy feeling deep in her chest. The sound of the men entering the house pulled her from those thoughts.

Chairs scraped against the wood floor as the men noisily took their seats. Leah looked up to catch Jake smiling across the table at her. Molly sat beside him, waiting for them to serve the meal. She lifted her cider cup to her lips and drank deeply of the sweet liquid.

Mr. Frontz made quick work of saying grace and then everyone was clanging dishes as they served themselves. Leah watched Jake take care of Molly's plate along with his own. They'd spent most of the day together and it looked as though Molly intended to keep him busy for the rest of the evening, too.

“Pass that plate of corn bread,” Agnes said, giving Leah's arm a little nudge.

“Oh, I'm sorry. My mind was elsewhere.” Leah picked up the plate and handed it to her new friend.

Agnes grinned. “I could see that.”

Heat filled Leah's cheeks. Had the other woman noticed she'd been staring across at Jake and Molly? What did it matter? Surely Agnes knew that she'd only been concerned with Molly's care. Leah dipped beans and ham into her bowl and passed the pot to Agnes.

“How did the housecleaning go, boys?” Mr. Frontz asked.

Ike answered in his soft manner. “I think it went well.” He shot a smile over at Leah. “It still needs a woman's touch, but it's livable now.”

Mr. Frontz's next question was more of a statement than a question. “Jake, how about tomorrow you take Miss Hollister to see her future home?”

Jake nodded his agreement while chewing on a big hunk of corn bread. Molly tugged on his sleeve, and when he looked down at her she pointed to herself. Leah watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed and then said, “Sure, Molly, you can come, too.”

The men began talking about horses and things that needed to be done about the station. Agnes caught her attention by saying, “Leah, we'll see what we have in the way of furniture. I'm sure between the two of us, we'll find plenty of stuff to decorate the old homestead. It's not that big.”

Decorate? Leah had no idea where to start with decorating a house. She'd never had a home, and Thomas's was supposed to have come already furnished. “I've never decorated a house before. Will you help me?”

Agnes laughed. “I can't say I'm any good at it but we'll sure give it our best. How does that sound?” She patted Leah's hand.

“Between cooking, decorating and learning how to be a mother, I think I have a lot to learn,” Leah said, just loud enough for Agnes to hear. She looked around the table to make sure none of the men had heard her.

“I'll teach you how to cook. As for being a mother, well, Charlie and I were never blessed in that department but I'll sure do all I can to help you.” She nodded her head sharply. “And that's a promise.” Agnes's eyes shone with unshed tears.

Leah's heart went out to her. She would never be a true mother, either, and felt at that moment a kinship to the older woman. Jake had made it clear—theirs was to be a marriage in name only. Leah covered their hands with her other one. “I'll try to be a good student, so I'm going to hold you to that promise.” She released the older woman's hands. To soften the mood, she grinned in what she hoped was a mischievous manner at Agnes and continued, “Because I need all the help I can get.”

When she glanced across at Jake he tipped his head slightly toward her. Admiration shone in his brown eyes. Had he heard their conversation? Or just seen the looks on their faces and knew they were bonding? Leah didn't know but she prayed that he wouldn't marry her and then up and move her away from Agnes before she could fulfill her promise.

Chapter Five

L
eah had surreptitiously watched Jake as he'd eaten his meal. Unlike the riders, and even Mr. Frantz, Jake's manners had been that of a gentleman. That was good. A gentleman would make a nice, thoughtful husband, right? And he'd taken care of Molly, too. He had wiped her little face when she needed it and carried on a conversation on the little girl's level even though she didn't respond with more than a nod or smile.

Oh, mercy. Leah sighed heavily, causing Jake to eye her questioningly. She smiled and shook her head. They stared at each other across the silence. Did he know the uncertainty roiling around in her head? His eyes darkened as he held her gaze. Her pulse accelerated and her breath seemed to have solidified in her throat. She gave a nervous little cough.

Wham!
The front door slammed open and crashed back against the wall. The men leaped to their feet. Leah's gaze flew to Molly, whose eyes were round with fright. Her lower lip caught between her teeth and she twisted her hands in her dress.

Jake's hand seemed to automatically reach for the little girl and he pushed her partially behind him, shielding her from the view at the door. His eyes widened and his other hand reached for the gun at his belt. Leah turned to see the commotion.

Two men covered in icy snow fell into the room. She recognized Mr. Porter immediately and gasped. He held Mr. Dalton upright against his own body with one arm around his waist. Dried or frozen blood smeared the left side of Mr. Porter's face.

Everyone acted at once.

Jake rushed to the door and looked outside. He closed the door swiftly against the blowing snow and ice that begged to enter the warmth of the room.

Mr. Frontz and the young riders helped Mr. Porter with Mr. Dalton. “What happened?” Mr. Frontz asked.

The boys half dragged, half carried the man's limp body to the couch. His coat fell open and Leah saw his white shirt was covered in blood. Her stomach lurched. What had happened? She felt a small hand clutch her skirt and looked to find Molly standing beside her chair. Big eyes looked up into her own.

“We were ambushed.” Mr. Porter's voice held fury and fear.

“Indians?” Mr. Frontz asked, leading the stagecoach driver to a chair at the table.

“In this weather I couldn't make out any skin color.” Porter slid into the chair Mr. Frontz held for him.

Agnes hurried around the table to the couch. “Leah, go heat some water. Molly, go get the clean rags from the upstairs closet.”

Leah and Molly ran to do as they were told. Leah took deep breaths as she poured water into a small pot. She put it on the stove to heat and then poured Mr. Porter a cup of hot coffee.

She carried the cup back into the main room.

“What did they look like?” Mr. Frontz's worried eyes met his wife's.

Mr. Porter shook his head as if to clear it. “They hit us so fast I didn't have time to really get a look at them. I heard shots, and the next thing I knew I was flying through the air. Must have hit my head because everything went black after that.”

Jake spoke from his position by the front door. “Did they follow you?”

Mr. Porter took the cup Leah offered him, his hands shaking. “No, they were long gone by the time I came to.”

Mrs. Frontz eased Mr. Dalton out of his coat and shirt. Molly ran to her, holding out the rags. The little girl stood staring down at the gaping wound in the man's shoulder.

“Molly, come help me with the water,” Leah called, to get the child's attention.

Molly didn't move.

Jake walked to Molly and gently picked her up. “Come on, sweetheart. Let's go help Leah in the kitchen.”

Molly buried her face in her uncle's neck. His long legs carried her past Leah, who held the kitchen door open. He gently sat Molly down on the stool she'd occupied earlier. “Are you all right?” Jake knelt down in front of her and swept the hair off Molly's forehead.

She nodded. Big tears filled her eyes.

“He's going to be all right, you know. Mrs. Frontz and Leah are going to take good care of him. Aren't you, Leah?” Jake turned to look at her. His eyes pleaded with her to help him comfort the little girl.

Leah moved to stand beside him. She dropped her hand to his warm shoulder. “We sure are. How would you like to finish your dinner in here with your dolly?”

Molly nodded her consent and picked up her doll. She hugged it close and stared at the two adults in front of her.

Leah removed her hand from Jake's warm shoulder and turned to see if the water was boiling. It wasn't, but she thought it might be hot enough to clean the man's wounds. She used the dipper and scooped water into a clean bowl.

“That's my girl,” Jake said. He extended his hand for the bowl. “I'll take the water to Agnes if you want to get her settled in here.”

She handed it to him. “Thank you.”

His hand brushed her cheek and he lowered his voice. “Are you all right?” he asked.

“Yes, I'm fine. Just a little startled, is all.” Leah tilted her head slightly, leaning into the calluses of his palm.

They scratched as he pulled away. “Good.” He walked out the door leaving her feeling bereft. There was no other way Leah could describe it.

Remembering that Molly was in the room, she turned to face the little girl. “I'll be right back with your beans and corn bread.”

Molly clutched her doll and whispered in her ear. Leah wished the child would talk to her. She scooped up another clean bowl for Mr. Porter's dinner and carried it to the table.

Two express riders were already back in their seats eating the rest of their meal. Leah placed the bowl in front of Mr. Porter and grabbed a clean spoon from her own place to give to him. “Please eat something, Mr. Porter. It will make you feel better.”

“She's right, Dan. You can't help him now. Let the missus take care of him. You'll need your strength when we go get the coach.” Mr. Frontz sat back down in his spot and nodded to Leah. She saw pride in his eyes and wondered if it were meant for her.

Before she headed back to the kitchen, Leah walked over to where Mrs. Frontz and Jake were tending the bullet wound in Mr. Dalton's left shoulder. “Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked, and once more her stomach rolled.

Agnes's gaze darted up to her. “We'll need to rip up one of the older sheets to make him a bandage. Would you mind seeing to that for me?”

“Not at all, I'll take Molly her dinner and then go get the sheet.” Leah turned to leave.

Ike stood a few feet away, watching. “Miss Hollister, I can take care of the girl, if you'll allow it,” he offered in his soft voice.

She looked to Jake, who nodded his acceptance. “Thank you, Ike. That would be most kind. Would you mind eating with her?”

“I'd be happy to.” He walked toward the table scooping up the two bowls. “Will, would you carry mine and Miss Molly's drinks to the kitchen for me? I'm going to have dinner with her this evening.”

“Sure,” Will said around a mouthful of beans and bread. He grabbed the remainder of what Ike and Molly would need for their meal then followed Ike through the kitchen door. Satisfied that the young men could handle the rest of dinner, Leah hurried up the stairs. At the top she took several deep breaths to calm her nerves.

Leah hoped Agnes wouldn't need her to help clean the bloody wound. She'd seen the bullet hole in Mr. Dalton's shoulder. Her stomach did a sort of fish flop at the thought. She inhaled deeply and told herself that if Agnes needed her, she'd do her best not to get sick at the sight of blood.

She found what she needed and then returned quickly with the sheet. Leah handed it to Jake, who stood a few feet away, watching Agnes wash Mr. Dalton's wound. The sight was ugly, to say the least. Leah looked away. “I'll go get a room ready for him.” Leah silently prayed Agnes would dismiss her.

At the older woman's nod, Leah hurried to the kitchen door and looked in on Ike and Molly. He glanced over his shoulder at her.

“I'll be back as soon as we get Mr. Dalton in his room,” she said, hoping Ike wouldn't think she was checking up on him.

He nodded, and said, “I was just telling Miss Molly a story. As soon as she's done eating, if it's all right with you, I'd like to take her out to the barn so we can comb down Ole Bessie.”

“Ole Bessie?” Leah asked.

Ike grinned. “Yeah, she's Mrs. Frontz's old mare. I take care of her, and tonight I could sure use some help.”

Relief filled Leah. She'd been afraid Ike and Molly would eat in silence, that a young man would not understand the need to fill the silence so Molly would be reassured. Her respect for him grew and she smiled her thanks. “I think that's a good idea. Thank you.”

He tipped an imaginary hat.

Molly jumped down and ran to hug her. Then she ran back to Ike and grabbed his hand. He stuffed corn bread in his mouth but allowed her to pull him to the back porch.

“Make sure she's bundled up good,” Leah called after them. She picked up Molly's doll and smiled.

Ike answered, “I will.”

“Where you going?” Jake spoke right behind Leah and she jumped with a hand on her heart.

“You scared me.”

He placed an arm around her shoulder, but looked questioningly at Ike.

“We're going to rub down ole Bessie.” Ike seemed to wait for instructions from Jake or for permission.

Comprehension dawned on Jake's face and he nodded as he saw Molly's hand clutched in Ike's. “Good idea.” He ran a hand over his face. “Take a couple of the guys with you. Better to be safe.”

Leah drew in a sharp breath. She hadn't even thought of the danger surrounding them. It felt good to have someone watching out for her and Molly. She felt an urgency to confide in him, to share her feelings. She turned grateful eyes to Jake. He studied her face, feature by feature, and she never spoke the words. But Leah knew from what passed between them that he understood more than she could ever have told him.

She reentered the main room and moved with haste and purpose toward the stairs. As she passed the couch, she heard Agnes say, “Let's move him to the table. That bullet has to come out.”

Leah stopped and turned. The men were already clearing off the table and carrying things to the kitchen. Thankful to escape, she hurried up the stairs. Once there, she wasn't sure what to do. She and Agnes had already swept, dusted and changed the sheets on the beds. She didn't know which room Agnes wanted him in.

Leah did know that she didn't want to head back downstairs. The last thing she wanted to witness was a man getting a bullet dug out of his shoulder. She bowed her head and took a moment to silently pray for Mr. Dalton and Agnes.

She finished and raised her head. There were only four rooms on this floor. The one she and Molly occupied, the library and two other guest rooms. Leah heard Mr. Dalton groan loudly and, not wishing to hear more, hurried to the last room down the hall.

It was the farthest from the room she shared with Molly. She told herself he would be more comfortable several doors down from a little girl's room. Molly tended to run and jump about a lot, and he'd need his rest.

The truth of the matter was that she couldn't bear to hear him in pain. She closed the door behind her and looked around. It was a nice room that appeared almost identical to hers. Chills ran up her arms. Even with the door left open all day, the rooms still remained cold. She reopened the door to let the heat from downstairs rise.

She moved to the bed and pulled back the covers. Next, Leah fluffed the pillows. Her gaze moved about the room once more, but everything seemed to be in order. She checked the water pitcher and saw that it was empty. Since she'd put fresh water in the pitcher in her own room earlier, Leah hurried to retrieve it. On her way out the door, she tossed Molly's doll onto the bed.

Another look about the empty bedroom proved there wasn't much more she could do. Taking a deep breath, Leah headed back down the stairs. She approached the table slowly and felt the blood siphon from her face.

Agnes was placing a big white cloth over the wound and said, “The bullet is in deep, it might even be in the bone. We've decided to wait until Doc can take it out.” She handed Leah the bowl, now filled with bright red water.

Leah tried to not look at it. Her stomach felt queasy again. She prayed she wouldn't get sick and hated this weakness of not being able to stomach the sight of blood.

Jake took the bowl from her shaking hands. “I'll take care of this.” He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “You all right?”

“Yes, thank you.” She took a deep breath while laying a hand over her upset stomach. “I'm just not good in these situations.”

He patted her shoulder and turned to dispose of the water. “Is Molly back?”

Leah followed him to the kitchen. “No, she's still out in the barn.”

“Good. I for sure didn't want her to hear the noise Dalton was making. That bullet is buried pretty deep.” He walked out the back door.

She eased onto Molly's stool, feeling faint. Poor Mr. Dalton. Leah could only imagine the pain a bullet would cause.

Jake returned with the empty bowl. “We better go help Agnes get him upstairs, and then Mr. Frontz wants to go get the stagecoach. It's going to take all us men to get it back.”

“Mr. Porter is going, too?”

He shook his head. “He has to.”

“But he's hurt.”

Jake nodded. “Yes, but he's the only one who knows where the coach is.” Jake must have seen the concern on her face because he pressed on. “He's not hurt that badly. I cleaned his head wound. Thankfully the bullet only grazed his temple. His head hurts, but he'll live.”

Leah sighed. “Well, I hate that you are all going out in the storm.”

He stopped and gave her an encouraging smile. “We'll be fine, you'll see.”