The Widower's Wife (21 page)

So that’s where my fried chicken has been disappearing
, Jillian thought, smiling. She had assumed Dalton was given to midnight cravings of her fried chicken. Lisa went on begging. “Oh please, Ma, can we? Can we?” Jillian looked over at Aunt Betty, who had just come out of the house carrying Brenn, with a questioning look. Aunt Betty just smiled without offering an explanation. Jillian reached down, picked Lisa up, and sat her on her hip. Although she was light enough to carry easily, Lisa was really too old to be carried about, not to mention the fact that Jillian was usually carrying Brenn around instead. But today, she picked her up in order to calm her down. She was even more excitable than usual, and that was saying a lot for Lisa.

“Now, suppose you slow down, honey, and tell me what it is you’re wanting so badly,” Jillian encouraged. Lisa’s expression changed to one that said she couldn’t believe her ma didn’t know what she was talking about, especially after all that begging.

“Why, to keep one of Sable’s kittens, of course!”

“Oh, of course,” Jillian replied. “What was I thinking? Well,” she said, setting Lisa back down, “I think we’d better ask your pa first, since it will probably be living in the barn.” Lisa looked over at her pa hopefully.

“Well now, I don’t know.” He rubbed his chin like he was thinking about it. “A kitten is a big responsibility. You sure Digger won’t mind having something taking your attention away from him?”

“No, Pa, puppies love kittens. They like to chase each other.” Everyone laughed at that, and Lisa seemed to suddenly remember that there were other people watching her. Marcus walked up to her, got down on one knee, lifted one of her small hands, and kissed it.

“How do you do, little lady? You must be Lisa.” For the first time since Jillian had met her, Lisa was speechless. She smiled shyly and hid behind Jillian but did not take her eyes off of him.

“Lisa, this is my brother, Marcus,” Jillian said proudly. Lisa still said nothing; she only stared, wide-eyed. Marcus laughed and stood back up. Meanwhile, Aunt Betty had walked up to them, and Brenn reached out for Jillian. She took him into her arms.

Dalton had helped Bethany down from the other side of the wagon, and she walked around—a little stiffly, Jillian noticed—to join them. Jillian smiled at her friend with sympathy.

“Aunt Betty, this is my brother, Marcus, and my childhood friend, Miss Bethany Johansen. Beth, Marcus, meet our wonderful Aunt Betty.” True to character, Aunt Betty gave them both a welcoming hug. Jillian looked over at Jenny, who was still standing on the porch. “Jenny,” she coaxed, “come over here so I can introduce you.” Jenny walked slowly over. Marcus bowed deeply, took her hand, and kissed the back of it. Jenny turned three shades of red.

“And how do you do, m’lady?” Turning his head to Jillian, he continued, “Now, Jillian, you neglected to describe in your letters what beautiful ladies there are in these parts. I am quite sure I would have come to visit you sooner if you had.” Marcus had worked his magic, and poor Jenny turned an even brighter red, if that were possible. Jillian looked at her brother endearingly. She had missed him so.

After all the introductions were made, Aunt Betty steered everyone into the house for some before-dinner refreshments. Meanwhile, Uncle Ned came in from the fields and the introductions went the rounds again. It was an enjoyable evening. Marcus entertained everyone with stories about Jillian as a child, and she and Bethany told some funny ones about Marcus, leaving Nathan out, of course. Aunt Betty had cooked a wonderful meal, and even though they had eaten a late lunch at the café, everyone enjoyed it thoroughly. Marcus even succeeded in making Aunt Betty blush with his compliments on her cooking. Jillian finally noticed Bethany trying to hide a yawn, so she stood up and began cleaning things up.

“We’d better be getting the children home to bed. I’m sure it’s been a long day for you too, Marcus and Bethany.” She looked at Bethany and said, “Besides, we need to get you settled in.”

Lisa and Brenn had fallen asleep, so while Dalton picked up Lisa, Marcus carried Brenn, and they both headed out to the wagon. Jillian hugged Aunt Betty and Uncle Ned and thanked them both. Taking Jenny’s hand, Jillian and Bethany followed the men out. Dalton had put one of the quilts into the back of the wagon and laid Lisa on it. He then helped Bethany onto the back seat and Jillian up into the front before going over to untie the horses. Marcus walked over and lifted Brenn up to Jillian. She bent down and kissed Marcus on the cheek, being careful not to wake the sleeping boy in her arms.

“Thank you, Marcus, for coming.”

“I’ve missed you,” Marcus said. “Besides, I couldn’t stop worrying.” He glanced over at Dalton, who was busy with the horses. “I’m beginning to think it was all for nothing.” Leaning in closer, he whispered, “I think I might just like this fellow of yours. Too bad, though,” he teased. “I haven’t given anyone a good punch in quite a few months!” With that, he winked at her and stepped back from the wagon.

“We’ll see you in the morning.” Jillian called and waved as they were driving away.

“I’ll be there first thing,” he called. “Good night, Bethany. Night, night, Little Sis,” he said before walking back into the house.

Jillian sighed and kissed the top of Brenn’s head contentedly. She felt so surrounded by love that her heart was bursting at its seams.

Looking up at Dalton, she could tell he was deep in thought. Jillian wondered if his thoughts were running along the same lines as hers, considering the peaceful expression he wore.

Jillian was in love with Dalton McCullough, fully and deeply, and had been for some time. She was finally willing to admit it to herself. With the realization of what true love really felt like, she knew now that she had never loved Nathan. Her feelings for Nathan had been an infatuation. He had been flirtatious and charming, and she had been young. She’d confused her feelings of flattery at his attentiveness and being enamored with his good looks with being in love. She knew now that had he ever really kissed her, she would have realized it immediately.

As Jillian looked at the handsome and kind man sitting next to her and relished the warmth of his sleeping child in her arms, she knew she truly loved him and belonged with him. The constant stirring in her bosom and the whisperings in her heart attested to the fact that they were meant to love each other. But how she could ever tell him? Just then he looked down at her, and her heart skipped a beat. She smiled warmly at him, and he returned her smile with one of his own.

Oh, Dalton
, she thought.
If only we had met in another time or by any other way, maybe this wouldn’t be so difficult
. Jillian somehow knew, however, that this was how it was meant to be. She thought of Lisa and Jenny, now both sleeping on the quilt in the back of the wagon and looked down again at the sleeping babe in her arms.
Yes,
she thought again,
this is meant to be
. She could only pray and hope that there was some way for her and Dalton to finally realize the greater love that lay in store for them.

The next day dawned bright and beautiful. Marcus, true to his word, had ridden up on one of Uncle Ned’s horses right after breakfast. He was wearing a pair of jeans, a checkered shirt, and a cowboy hat. Jillian couldn’t believe her eyes. They all came out onto the porch to greet him, except Dalton, who was already out working. Hopping down deftly from the horse and sauntering over, he kissed Jillian on the cheek. Afterward, he kissed Bethany’s, Jenny’s, and Lisa’s hands, all in succession. All three blushed, and he looked proudly over to Jillian. She gave him a pitiful look, shook her head, and walked back into the house to finish cleaning up after breakfast. He was incorrigible! He talked with the others on the porch for a while, and then popped his head through the door.

“Jillian, how about a walk after lunch today—just you and me?” She nodded her head in agreement, and he smiled handsomely at her. “Wonderful. I’m going to ride out to the fields and see if I can give Dalton a hand.” Jillian looked nervous. “Don’t worry, little sister, I will come and tell you first if I have reason to believe your husband is in need of a good whoopin’.” She smiled at him and decided he deserved a little teasing back.

“I’m not sure you got a very good look at my husband yesterday, Marcus dear. I’m not so sure you’d be the one doing the ‘whoopin’,’ as you say!”

Marcus faked a hurt look. “Why, my dear sister, are you telling me that you doubt my ability to be your champion after all these years of being just that? Have I been replaced?” Jillian laughed and threw the dish towel at him.

“Oh, go play in the corn. I’ll see you at lunchtime.” He laughed heartily and ducked back outside the door. A few minutes later she heard him ride off, whistling as he went. Bethany joined Jillian in the kitchen, picked up another dish towel, and helped her dry the dishes.

“Did you see the way he looked in those new clothes?” Bethany said dreamily. “I thought I’d just died and gone to country heaven when he rode up.” Jillian laughed. Bethany had always been the more dramatic of the two.

“He’s my brother, Bethany. I wasn’t thinking of how good he looked,” Jillian giggled. “Though, I have to admit, I was shocked when he rode up. I would never have imagined . . . .” Suddenly she was overcome by another fit of giggles, and Bethany chuckled right along with her. It felt good to laugh. By the time they stopped, their sides hurt. “Oh, Bethany, it’s so good to have you both here. I haven’t laughed like that since . . . .” She couldn’t remember how long it had been, and the thought was very sobering. Bethany gave her a hug, and then pulled her back to look into her eyes.

“Are you happy, Jilly? Please tell me you’re happy. I’ve been so concerned.” Without warning, Bethany had tears in her eyes.

“Yes, I’m happy. I love the children. They mean so much to me already,” she replied honestly.

“But do you love Dalton? Does he love you?” All of a sudden, Jillian was fighting tears too. She sat down at the table, and Bethany sat next to her.

“I do love him, Beth.” She swallowed hard. “But I don’t know if he loves me.” The tears she had pent up over the last few weeks began to flow freely down her cheeks. “Sometimes I think he’s starting to love me back, but then something always happens. He loved his first wife so much. When I first came, the pain in his eyes was so intense. After a while it seemed to lessen some, and I began to hope. One day he came in from the fields and kissed me. He kissed me like I never thought a man could kiss a woman.” Jillian blushed as she remembered how it had made her feel. “A couple of days later, he kissed me again, but not since then. A man couldn’t kiss a woman like that if he didn’t have feelings for her, could he?” She stopped when she noticed Bethany was staring oddly at her. “What? What did I say?”

“You’ve been married to him for months now, and he’s only kissed you twice? What’s going on between you two?”

Jillian was suddenly embarrassed. She had forgotten that she had never told Bethany about their prenuptial arrangement. She explained it fully right then, telling Beth how she and Dalton were doing their best to keep the arrangement but that it was much more difficult than she’d thought it would be. When she had finished her tale, Bethany’s face registered disbelief.

“That’s why the two of you sleep in separate rooms?” she asked. Jillian nodded. “How do you stand it? He’s so handsome!” Bethany teased, trying to lighten the mood. Jillian smiled back at Bethany. How she loved her dear friend. Jillian had greatly missed having a confidante. She stood up, gave Bethany a quick hug, and changed the subject.

“It’s almost lunchtime already, and I haven’t gotten anything started,” Jillian complained. She quickly gathered the vegetables for the soup she was planning on making. “The men will be home soon, and there will be nothing for them to eat.”

“I’ll help.” Bethany picked up a carrot and started slicing it. “I kind of like this domestic thing. Maybe Marcus will see me cooking and get some ideas.”

“Oh, I don’t think you need to worry about that, Beth. I think you put plenty of ideas into his head already.” Bethany blushed and Jillian laughed. She was glad for the lighthearted mood once again.

The men came riding in on their horses about an hour later, talking and laughing. It did Jillian’s heart good to hear Dalton laugh. Marcus had always been able to bring out the happier side of anyone he met.

After lunch, Dalton went back to work by himself, and Bethany offered to watch the children so Jillian and Marcus could go on their walk. They set off to the south over the meadows. After walking in silence for a few minutes, Marcus cleared his throat.

“So tell me, little sister, how have you been these few months?” He looked over at her for a second and added, “I mean, how have you really been? Don’t just tell me what you want me to hear.”

“Well, I’ve been happy—most of the time. I mean—” Jillian paused to think of how to answer him better. “I like it here, Marcus. I love the children, I love where I live, and I love this land.” She lifted her arms up and held them out. “Just look at how beautiful it is. Did you ever see such a variety of wildflowers?”

“You did always love flowers,” Marcus chuckled. “Ever since Grandma Lizzie came to live with us. What were you, about five years old?” Jillian nodded. “I remember how you would follow her out to the garden every day. Mother used to scold you for getting dirt stains all over your pretty dresses. She never really minded you gardening with Grandma, only she wanted you to change into something more expendable first. But you were always so impulsive and impatient. As soon as Grandma would walk by with her gardening hat and tools, you would stop whatever you were doing and follow her. You even made Bethany mad at you a time or two.” He looked out at the fields of flowers again. “It’s no wonder you love it here. It is beautiful.” He turned and looked at her seriously. “What about Dalton, Jillian? Do you love him?”