Where the Wind Blows (13 page)

The wagon rolled away, bringing a sinking feeling to Jessie’s stomach. She was tormented between worry for the children and unease with being alone with Chase.

Sarah was so young. And they were so recently reunited. She was just now settling in. Would she be scared without her? She’d looked happy as a clam squished between Mrs. Hollyhock and Gabe. What if she woke up with a nightmare tonight and nobody heard her cries?

“You’re being an old worrywart,” she scolded herself. “Gabe has taken good care of her ever since they got here. He won’t let her cry. He woke up night before last when she had the nightmare. They’ll be just fine.”

Jessie went about trying to keep herself busy. When Chase returned, he’d be hungry. Neither of them had taken the time to eat a morning or noon meal. Fixing him something hot to eat was the least she could do. Besides, it was the best method she knew to settle down herself.

Quickly, she changed out of her good dress and slipped on her work dress and apron. Biscuits and gravy would have to do. Tonight she would take the time to prepare a nice supper. After all, it was a special day.

“I’m back, Jessie. Open the door.”

Jessie almost dropped the pan of biscuits she was taking from the oven. Setting it down, she quickly ran her hands down the front of her apron. Her stomach did flip-flops and she feared she might be sick. Maybe she should have stayed in her good dress. This one was so old, and she’d worn it
almost every day since Chase had arrived. Would he notice? At least her hair was still fixed the pretty way Mrs. Hollyhock had insisted she wear it. Not wanting to keep Chase waiting in the cold any longer, she hurried to the door.

Chase stepped in. “Thanks.” He smacked his hands together a few times and looked around. He looked nervous.

Her nerves tingled with anticipation and a little fear. Unease coursed through her body, just like the first time she’d let him in, not that many days ago.

“Sure smells good in here.” He glanced over her to the stove.

“Sit down and I’ll get some coffee. Everything is almost done.”

Jessie hurried over and poured from her old metal pot. This was so strange and yet so similar to when Chase had first arrived. It was unbelievable that so much had happened so quickly.

Uncomfortable with the silence, Jessie searched for something to say. For the life of her, she couldn’t think of a single thing. Finally she blurted out, “That sure didn’t take long.”

Embarrassed by the tenuous sound of her voice, Jessie turned back to her bubbling gravy. With her wooden spoon she attacked the lumps of flour with a vengeance, sending little puffs here and there.

Walking up behind her, Chase carefully picked up the coffee she’d poured but forgotten to give him. He silently returned to the table and sat down.

Her eyes squeezed shut in frustration. She felt like a complete fool. He must think she was a goose for being so jumpy. When he was so close, she felt as if she just might melt away right into her pan of gravy.

“I let Cody run. It’s been so long since he’s had a hard workout, I think he really enjoyed it. I know I did.” Chase
took a sip of his hot coffee and settled back into his chair. “Nothing like cold air to clear a man’s head.”

What was that supposed to mean? He needed to clear his head from the decision of marrying her? Or, how had he been so stupid as to let Mrs. Hollyhock force him into tying himself to some woman down on her luck? It could mean one in a hundred different things. Jessie felt irritated over each and every one.

The pan of gravy blurred in front of her eyes. She stiffened her back. “This is almost ready.” She wished she were anywhere, anywhere—even back at the orphanage—other than here at this moment with him sitting there watching her.

Taking a clean dish towel, Jessie pried the fluffy hot biscuits from the baking tin and piled them into a woven basket, then placed them in the center of the table. She plopped three into the middle of Chase’s plate. Quickly she turned for the gravy pan.

“Slow down, Jessie. This isn’t a race.”

Jessie could almost feel his gaze on her backside from head to toe. She could just imagine all the things he must be thinking.

“I know. But you must be starving. I just want to get you fed and this mess cleaned up. It’s been a long day.”

“About the longest day of my life, and it’s not yet half over.”

That was it! She couldn’t keep in her vexation another moment. If she did, she just might burst.

“Well, if you’d been a little smarter, you could have been miles away from here days ago,” she said over her shoulder.

Sputtering and then the sound of Chase’s cup slamming down on the table made her shudder.

“Just what are you insinuating? If you have something to say, spit it out.”

Jessie whirled about, spoon in hand, hair flying. “I’m insinuating,” she drawled out, mimicking him, “someone with a lick of sense wouldn’t have been roped into this stupid situation.” He was wiping his mouth on the back of his sleeve. “I just figured you were a little brighter than that.” She knew she should hold her tongue, but the little devil inside her wouldn’t keep quiet. “Guess I was wrong.”

Chase stood slowly, never taking his gaze from hers. She could see the muscle in his jaw clench and release. She realized too late she’d never really seen him angry before. She knew she was treading on thin ice but, hells bells, he’d asked for it. It felt good to release some of her pent-up frustration. Once she got going, it was darn hard to stop.

“Some men just can’t help playing the hero. Rescuing the damsel in distress.”

Taking her apron in one hand and the old wooden spoon in the other, she made an eloquent bow.

Chase’s eyes smoldered. “I wasn’t the one married to a man who went off and left me. Why was Nathan working halfway across the territory? Couldn’t he stand your sharp tongue? And sassy mouth? If he’d been at home where he belonged, maybe he’d be alive today.”

His words hit their mark, and Jessie’s anger faded quickly. She hastily swung back to the stove and wrapped the dish towel around the heated handle of the cast-iron fry pan. But when she went to pick it up, it was still too hot. She let out a yelp of pain. The pan crashed to the floor, slopping its contents all over.

Chase jumped up, took her injured hand, and plunged it in the bucket of water on the sideboard. As he held her hand in the water, he pulled the rest of her body close to his.

“Shhh…Don’t cry,” he murmured. “Soon the pain will ease up a bit.”

Jessie couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. All the hurt, fear, and uncertainties of the past week came rolling down her face. Big sobs racked her body.

“Jess, let me have another look at your hand.”

“It’s all right,” she said wiping the back of her hand across her eyes. “I’m just so sorry for pulling you into this stupid mess. I’ve ruined your life, and I feel awful about it.”

“Is that why you’re crying?” Chase chuckled as they rocked back and forth.

Jessie nodded, staring down at the gravy spattered all over the floor. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him.

“Well, stop thinking about it right now. We’ll work it out. I’m relieved it’s just our marriage situation that’s bothering you and not the burn on your hand. Now move over so I can try to save some of my supper fixings.”

The wagon rolled slowly through town, creaking and groaning as it went. Sarah was huddled next to Gabe, wrapped snugly in a warm blanket. The motion lulled the little girl, and she was sleeping soundly in Gabe’s protective embrace.

“Whoa now,” Virgil’s whiney voice called out. The wagon came to an abrupt stop in front of a store. Sarah stirred in Gabe’s arms.

“Well, children, here we are. Jist climb on out and I’ll show ya where you’ll be a-staying.”

Gabe untangled Sarah and slowly climbed off the wagon. A boy about his age watched them from the shadow of the livery-barn door.

“That there’s Jake. He’s one of the local boys I was talking about. ’Bout your age, I guess. Run over and say hello, iffen you want. I’ll watch after the little one.”

“No, I’ll just stay here with Sarah.” Gabe reached for the sleeping child. “I don’t want her to wake up and be scared.”

“Suit yourself.”

Mrs. Hollyhock sounded a bit miffed.

“I was only hoping that you’d make yourself some friends while you were here. I ain’t trying to tell ya what to do.”

Following Mrs. Hollyhock into the store with Sarah in his arms like a sack of potatoes, he looked around for a place to lay her.

“Go on up the stairs. There’s a little room on the left with a cot you can lay her on.” When Gabe hesitated, the woman squawked, “Quit your balking. No one’s gonna hurt her.”

The room was small and sparsely furnished. Beautiful
colored quilts sat about folded or hung on the wall, giving the room a cheery feeling. Gabe laid Sarah down and tucked the coverlet about her. “I’ll be right downstairs,” he murmured. Sarah rolled over, burrowing herself into the fluffy warmth of the covers.

Gabe hesitated at the top of the stairs. He was torn between his curiosity and his sense of duty. He wanted to see all the things for sale in the store, but how long would Sarah sleep? Deciding only to look around for a minute and then return, he headed down.

Voices stopped him midway.

“How is Jessie doing with the news, Violet?” a woman’s voice inquired.

“She’s doing better now, poor thing. Things have a way of working out for the best.”

Gabe couldn’t see the women, since he was still on the stairs, but their conversation was clear enough.

“What about that man, that Mr. Logan? Is he here staying in town, or did he ride on yesterday after he took the supplies out?” There was a ring of interest when the other woman said Chase’s name, and it made Gabe wonder what she wanted.

“I don’t want to be gossipin’ about my Jessie, but the news will be known soon enough,” Mrs. Hollyhock said in a wispy voice. “Jessie is now Mrs. Logan.”

The woman gasped. Gabe took one step back farther into the protection of the stairway.

“That’s not fair! She already had a husband, and now she up and marries Mr. Logan without even giving anyone else a chance to get to know him. Why, she’s only been a widow for a few days, for heaven’s sake.” Her voice rose a notch at a time as her outrage built.

“Keep your voice down. I don’t want to be upsetting the children.”

Blood rushed to Gabe’s face. How dare she talk like that
about Jessie. Whoever she was, she wasn’t fit to wipe Jessie’s boots.

“Beth, don’t carry on. You’re jist upset about Tommy. He’ll be coming back soon. I jist know he will. Then you and he can get married jist like you planned.”

“Oh, phooey.” The woman’s voice rang loud. “It’s been too long. I think he must be dead. He’s never coming back. Or worse, he’s run off to get away from this town and you. By now he’s probably up and married someone else.” She stomped around like a moose. “That’s so typical of Miss Sweet and Innocent. She probably got him to feel sorry for her, and before he knew what happened, snap, she caught him in her trap.”

“Hush now, girl, you mustn’t talk like that. Now go on home and get some rest. You’re overly tired.”

The sounds of swishing fabric and strained silence floated up to Gabe’s hiding spot. He could hear the rapid fire of the heels of her shoes ringing out on the old plank floor, sounding like his Colt at target practice. At this point he was in no hurry to meet Beth.

“I’ll see ya in the mornin’, dear. Sleep well.”

The other woman didn’t respond. The door closed with a bang, and the little bell above it tinkled out in protest. Gabe proceeded cautiously down the stairs.

“I reckon you heard all that caterwauling?”

“Yeah.”

“She’s really a sweet girl, it’s jist that she’s worried over Tommy being gone. Tommy’s my boy, and they’re engaged to be married. Tomorra she’ll see things differently.” Mrs. Hollyhock straightened the coffee and tea tins behind the counter. It was the first time Gabe felt a little sympathy for the woman.

“I didn’t like what she said about Jessie trapping Chase. That’s not the way it happened at all.”

“You know it and I know it,” Mrs. Hollyhock said, “but that don’t mean we can stop other people from thinkin’ it.”

“I could stop her from sayin’ it.” Gabe straightened his shoulders. “My pa used to tell me not to let a bully push me or anyone else around. And that’s what she is, a big, loudmouth bully.”

“Now don’t you go gettin’ ornery on me, too. I have enough to worry about without throwing you into the pot.”

The bell sounded again, and Gabe was suddenly hopeful it was Beth coming back. He’d give her the tongue-lashing she deserved. It wasn’t. The boy Mrs. Hollyhock had pointed out as Jake when they’d first arrived stepped through the door.

“Howdy, Granny.” He smiled. “You got any cleanin’ up you might need doin’?”

“Not today, Jake. It’s gittin’ late and your ma will be a-wantin’ ya home. Come back in the mornin’ iffen ya want, and I’ll put ya to work straightenin’ the back room.”

Gabe tried not to stare, but the boy’s untamed hair and unkempt wildness were intriguing. Fidgeting with a lantern globe gave him something to look at instead of Mrs. Hollyhock and her visitor. It slipped through his fingers and dropped onto the shelf, almost shattering it.

“It’s not broke,” Gabe said sheepishly.

Mrs. Hollyhock seemed not to notice he’d almost broken an expensive item.

“Gabe, this here’s Jake. Jake, this here’s Gabe. He’s new in town. Maybe tomorra, Jake, you could show Gabe around a little?”

“I reckon I could, if I got time. Pops don’t like me takin’ too much time off.”

“Before ya run off, let me pay ya for the work ya did for me last week.” She went over to an old burlap sack and took out four brown potatoes. Setting them on the front counter, she reached behind for the coffee tin and scooped out a cup of beans. “I’m addin’ a little sugar for the good job ya done.”

“Thanks.” Jake blushed.

Gabe figured he was embarrassed by the woman’s praise. Jake looked Gabe over curiously, taking in every detail.

“How ’bout a quick game of checkers?” Jake asked with a hitching of his head.

Gabe looked to see a barrel set on end and a couple of three-legged stools. An old checkerboard with black and white playing pieces sat just waiting for someone to take interest.

“What about your ma, Jake?” Mrs. Hollyhock asked worriedly. “She’ll be wantin’ ya home soon. You don’t need to go a-lookin’ for trouble. It finds you easy enough on its own.”

“Nah, she don’t care. She’s been busy with the cowhands from the Northbend Ranch. She won’t miss me,” he answered lightheartedly. “Come on, Gabe, let’s play.”

Gabe liked him. There was something about his scruffy looks and dirty clothes that had adventure written all over him. Pulling up a chair, Gabe sat and waited.

“What’s your color?” Jake asked.

“Black.”

“Well, iffen you’re set on stayin’,” Mrs. Hollyhock said, “how ’bout if I fix you boys a cup of cocoa? Got some fresh milk yesterday. Tommy used to pester me all the time for a cup of my special recipe.”

“Yes’m,” both boys sang in unison.

Mrs. Hollyhock busied herself with the cocoa making—a little of this, a pinch of that. She seemed busy, but Gabe noticed that she kept her eyes and ears focused on the boys.

“Where you from?” Jake asked.

“Virginia, originally. My family had a farm and a nice parcel of land. Sold it when we decided to come West.”

“Did ya come in a prairie schooner?”

Gabe nodded.

Shaking his head, Jake gave a long whistle. “I’ve always
wanted to travel in one. That would sure be somethin’. Where’s it now, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Don’t have it anymore. I burned it when my ma and pa and sister died. People said it was infected with the cholera. They wouldn’t let me drive it anymore.” Gabe looked out the window to the street.

“That’s tough.”

“Which one of you outlaws is winnin’?” Mrs. Hollyhock asked as she placed the steaming hot milk down carefully.

“Well, ma’am, he’s got me beat for now,” Jake said with a nod toward Gabe. “But I’m just about to see what he might have to wager to make this game a little more interesting. Then we’ll see what he’s made of.”

“Don’t you go bettin’ any of that hard-earned food, Jake,” Mrs. Hollyhock scolded. “You know how mad your mama can get. She’ll be expecting something for her supper tonight.”

“Nah, I wouldn’t do that, Granny.”

“Shiftless white trash,” Mrs. Hollyhock said under her breath as she walked away. “Using his earnin’s for her own selfish needs. Pitiful.”

“She really your grandma?” Gabe asked behind his hand. He couldn’t believe Jake would dare talk to her the way he did if they were really related.

“Mrs. Hollyhock?” Jake laughed. “No, just friends. I reckon I’ve known her just about all my life. It just feels like she’s my granny. Wouldn’t mind if she was, though. She’s taken care of me lots when my own ma has thrown me out.”

Gabe picked up his cup and blew on the hot, chocolaty milk. This was the first time he’d actually get to try some. He’d heard other folks talk about it, but the chocolate was always too expensive for his family. The sweet aroma tickled his nose and made his mouth water.

“Be careful—it’s hot,” Mrs. Hollyhock called.

With his first sip, Gabe was in heaven. He concentrated on the wonderful tastes of chocolate, vanilla, and something else, a flavor he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

“Umm,” Gabe moaned as he swallowed eagerly. Sarah would sure love some of this, he thought, and hoped that Mrs. Hollyhock had saved a little for her for when she woke up from her nap.

“Got ya.” Jake jumped three of Gabe’s black men with his white king. “That about does you in. Better luck next time.”

Jake stood, scooting his stool back carefully. He gulped down his hot drink and wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve.

“That was sure good, Granny. Thanks a bunch.”

“Mercy sakes, Jake. I told you before, you need to be a-learning some manners. You ain’t got no couth! You’re getting older now—you’re fifteen.”

“Nearly sixteen.”

“Well, someday you’re gonna want to go a-courtin’ some purdy girl, and her ma and pa won’t let you within fifty feet of her because you act like a billy goat in a mud hole. You’ll look back and wish you’d taken my words to heart and done somethin’ about it.”

“I s’pect so. But, I’m happy the way I am. Besides I ain’t plannin’ to stay here my whole life. I’m ridin’ on soon as I save enough money.” Jake announced with pride. He looked to Gabe for the boy’s reaction.

“Don’t you go sassin’ me, young man. I helped raise you from a wee babe.” She got a sad, searching look on her face every time she looked at Jake.

“You goin’ by yourself?” Gabe asked, placing his cup on the counter and wiping his mouth as Jake had done.

“Reckon I am. Or maybe I’ll interest someone else in a trip out West. I’m bettin’ there’s still lots of gold out there in the hills and rivers of California. Enough to make a man
rich for the rest of his life.” His eyes took on a dreamy look as he leaned back against the counter and closed them.

“Jake.” Mrs. Hollyhock snapped him out of his dreaming. “You’d better skedaddle home. It’s gittin’ late. Run along and we’ll see ya in the mornin’.”

Hefting his sack of goods, Jake thrust out his hand to Gabe. “It was sure nice meetin’ ya. With some luck Pop will let me off some tomorrow, and I’ll come by.”

“Sure.”

Jake was out the door and down the road in the paling evening light.

“He sure is something,” Gabe said with a shake of his head. “Making his own destiny and all.”

“That he is. But you best remember he has nothin’ here to hold him. Whatever he finds in California or wherever he ends up will be better than what he has now,” Mrs. Hollyhock said as her face scrunched up in a thoughtful look, pulling all the wrinkles together.

“Now you…,” she said, beaming, as she slid her skinny arm around his shoulders.

Gabe stiffened slightly.

“There’s a different story entirely. You’ve got Jessie and Sarah and now Mr. Logan, and they all love and depend on you. I jist wish Jake could find a family like you’ve got to take him in, teach him how to be a good man.”

Gabe slipped out from under her arm and walked to the stairs. It’d been some time since he’d put Sarah down. He wanted to run up and see if she was still asleep.

Quietly walking down the hall, Gabe peeked into the shadowy little room where he had left Sarah. He was alarmed when he saw her sitting silently on the edge of her bed, not making a sound.

“Sarah, honey, you’re awake. Why didn’t you call out for me?” Gabe crooned.

When Sarah saw him, she threw her arms around his neck and hung on for dear life.

“I was right downstairs in the mercantile and thought you were asleep. Don’t be scared anymore.” Reassuringly he rubbed her back and rocked back and forth.

“Ma,” Sarah cried.

“You’ll see her tomorrow, and until then you’re going to have a real fun time here with Mrs. Hollyhock and me. You remember Mrs. Hollyhock, the nice lady who brought us here?”

Sarah nodded her head but didn’t say anything.

“She has a cup of hot cocoa for you downstairs just waitin’ for when you wake up. You ready for it?” Gabe asked, hoping he was right and the little girl wouldn’t be disappointed. Again Sarah only nodded.

“Good, let’s go find it.”