by Kit Morgan
She giggled at that. “I do like him. I think he’s a good man. Quiet, but a good man.”
“He’s a mighty hard worker, I’ll give him that.” Jess looked up the street. “Has he … asked to court you?”
She stared at her folded hands in her lap. “No, he hasn’t.”
“Hmmm, maybe he’s waiting to ask my permission.”
She looked at him. “And you’ll give it, won’t you?”
Jess scratched his nose then studied her a moment. “What if I tell him no?”
“Then you might find a critter in your bed.”
Jess laughed. “I thought you’d say something like that. Guess I better say yes.”
Luella threw her arms around her brother and hugged him. “Thank you, Jess.”
“Don’t mention it. And please don’t put any critters in my bed. After all, I’m not the only one that sleeps in it.”
Luella released him and laughed. “In that case, I’ll use grasshoppers.”
“Oh please, no – Lillie will kill me!” He laughed, hopped down and went around the wagon to help her down as well. Together they went into the mercantile.
Ten
As soon as Luella and Jess returned to the ranch, she got to work. She’d chosen a dark green yarn for Jonas’s scarf, and bought enough to make him mittens as well. Ever since Jess had given her his blessing to court Jonas (should he ask), she’d been ecstatic. She could hardly stay still while meeting the locals. A Mrs. Tisdale, a kindly white-haired woman, kept giving her funny looks, and several other women whispered to each other as she hurried here and there, but she didn’t care.
She’d let her heart fly. After all, why keep her feelings hidden any longer? She couldn’t even if she’d wanted to. If everyone on the ranch could see how she felt about him, then Jonas obviously could too.
She knew he was attracted to her and could sense there was more. What she couldn’t figure out was why he held back. Maybe it was because he was just a hired hand and was afraid her brother and cousin would oppose the match. But as the new foreman, he’d have enough money to support a wife and a family. Now all she had to worry about was whether or not he’d set his heart free as she had hers.
But what if he didn’t?
She set the yarn in a basket along with her newly purchased knitting needles. Well, then she’d still make him a scarf for his birthday. No harm in that.
Luella took a few deep breaths. She had to control herself, rein her excitement in a little, lest she overwhelm the man when he got back from Sweetwater Springs. Instead she’d concentrate on getting things ready for his birthday. Should she decorate the dining room, or would that be too much? Hmmm …
“You look like you’re deep in thought,” Zadie said as she entered the parlor, little Trent in her arms.
Luella looked up. “He’s awake?” she asked in surprise.
“Yes, isn’t it wonderful?” She sat in a chair next to the sofa. “He’s been up for over an hour now.”
“That is good news.”
“Jess told Anson about the talk the two of you had today in Morgan’s Crossing. I’m happy for you.”
Luella smiled in relief. “I’m going to knit Jonas a scarf as a birthday present.”
“Who knows, maybe he’ll have something for you too.”
“On his birthday? That doesn’t make sense.”
Zadie rolled her eyes. “Luella, the man just got promoted, has bonus money in his pocket and is in Sweetwater Springs. Who knows what he’ll do?”
“Zadie, as excited as Jess has made me … I … I can’t presume Jonas feels the same about me.”
“I realize that. But you have to realize that the man is now in the position to court you if he chooses. Neither Anson or Jess will oppose it.”
Luella studied her a moment. “Does this have anything to do with that letter my parents sent?”
Zadie moved Trent to her shoulder and began to gently pat his back. “Could be.”
Luella frowned at her. “How long have you been planning this?”
Zadie shrugged. “We didn’t really plan anything – things just sort of worked out. You’re here, Jonas was here, you’re both of age, he’s a hard worker, he likes you and you like him. With the two of you both here on the ranch, nature was bound to take its course.”
Luella fell back against the sofa. “Yes, you’re right.”
“You see him every day, speak with him, have been getting to know him and he you,” Zadie added. “It’s inevitable.”
Luella smiled. “I thought Jess gave permission too easily.”
“Because he sees what’s happening. Why fight it? Besides, Jonas is one of the best hired hands he’s ever likely to find. Might as well make him part of the family.”
Luella sighed dreamily.
“But take my advice,” Zadie said in all seriousness. “Let him pursue you. Allow him to ask Jess to court you. Do things properly.”
“I’ve only been here a month,” Luella said. “Isn’t it too soon?”
“I was a mail-order bride – don’t ask me about too soon. Anson and I got married, then fell in love. But your brother and Lillie, I think he was in love with her in less than a week.”
Luella nodded. Her brother had found Lillie hiding in the barn, shot by her own father and bleeding. If he hadn’t found her when he did, it might have been too late. “They’re so happy,” she said. “I want what they have. What you and Anson have.”
“And you can, but be patient. Besides, a man likes to pursue a woman. You can’t make it too easy on him.”
Luella smiled. “Don’t worry, I won’t. Of course, it’s not like I can hide.”
Zadie laughed. “True – not when you see him every day. But that’s a good thing, right?”
“Yes, it is, but … well, I have a terrible poker face.”
Zadie laughed again. “I know. And though Jonas has a better one, I can still see he has feelings for you. It’s in his eyes.”
“Yes,” Luella agreed and fingered the pocket of her apron. She could see so much more in Jonas’s eyes: sadness, loneliness, pain. But she was seeing those things less and less. “Well, I’d better start supper.”
“I’ll help,” Zadie said.
“No, you take care of Trent. I can handle it.” Luella stood, stretched and headed for the kitchen. The wagon ride to Morgan’s Crossing and back had made her stiff. She should take a walk before preparing the evening meal.
She went out to the barnyard and surveyed her surroundings. The ranch was peaceful at this time of day. Caleb and Anson must have taken most of the horses out to graze – there were none in sight. She wasn’t sure where the mighty Julius was – either in a smaller pasture by himself or munching hay in his stall.
She walked down the small drive to the main road that led to Morgan’s Crossing. She liked her brother and cousin’s ranch, liked what they’d built up in so short a time. It was much smaller than her father’s spread, to be sure, but she’d discovered that she enjoyed the peaceful solitude here.
She didn’t experience much peace or solitude at home. Her aunt and uncle lived next door, as did her Great-Aunt Imogene and Great-Uncle Cutty, both in their eighties. The Jones Ranch in Clear Creek was almost like its own tiny town – and like here, several hours’ ride to the next outcropping of civilization. But here, she could breathe. She could live here with her brother and cousin, their wives and children, and hopefully a husband and children of her own.
But dare she let her heart fly any higher? It would be so easy to think it could happen with Jonas, just as Zadie said. He was on the ranch, Luella was on the ranch, it was only a matter of time and so forth. But things could still go wrong.
Luella sent up a silent prayer that whatever pain Jonas harbored would be healed, that he would become whole again, be ready to take on his new position as foreman and anything else the Almighty might have in mind. And if that involved her being a more permanent part of Jonas Cummings’ life, she wouldn’t argue.
> * * *
Jonas returned to the ranch as scheduled, brought the wagon to a stop behind the main house, set the brake and hopped down. When he’d left for Sweetwater Springs five days ago, he’d been a broken man. Today … he was still a broken man, but now he saw things differently thanks to the kindly Rev. Norton.
He went to the back door, knocked and went inside. “Hello?” he called, but no one answered. He passed through the kitchen into the dining room, then the parlor. “Where is everyone?” At this time of day he figured Luella would have started supper, but the house sounded as if it were empty.
Worried, he went up the stairs two at a time. “Hello?” he said softly. He didn’t want to wake the little ones if they were sleeping. He went to the end of the hall and back, gently knocking on doors. Nothing. “Consarnit, where is everybody?” he groused.
Jonas went back downstairs, out the back door, stopped short and smacked a palm against his forehead. “Of course!” He turned toward Caleb and Viola’s house, figuring the only thing that would draw everyone out would be if Viola had gone into labor. Sure enough, when he got there he could hear excited voices. He knocked only once before opening the door.
“Jonas!” Luella cried, a happy smile on her face. “It’s a boy!” She stood in the doorway of the bedroom, a tiny bundle in her arms.
Jonas could see Zadie and Lillie standing near the bed holding their own babies. An exhausted Viola laid there, her brow covered in sweat. A gentleman he recognized from town was tending to her, presumably Doc Rawlings. But how had he gotten there? He hadn’t seen another wagon …
As if reading his thoughts, Luella said, “Caleb rode to town as soon as she went into labor and fetched the doctor back. He’ll spend the night, then someone will have to drive him back in the morning. It’s getting too late to take him now.”
Jonas nodded, transfixed by the sight of her with a newborn in her arms. He took a few cautious steps forward.
Luella closed the distance. “Would you like to see him?” She folded back the blanket to expose the baby’s face.
Jonas nodded. He’d never seen a brand new baby. One a few weeks old, yes, but this child couldn’t have been born more than a half-hour ago. He was mesmerized by the tiny thing.
“Babies aren’t usually born cute as a button,” she told him. “But give him a few days and he will be.”
“Jonas!” Caleb called from somewhere in the room.
“You folks clear out now.” The doctor motioned Zadie and Lillie toward the door. “Caleb, you can stay.”
Caleb suddenly appeared in the doorway. “I’ll be back in a minute, Doc. I just need to speak with Jonas here.”
“Fine, fine.”
Caleb joined Luella and Jonas and took his son from her arms. “Ain’t he just the cutest thing?”
“Sure is,” Jonas agreed, then glanced around. “Where’s Wylie and Katie?”
“Anson and Jess took them out to the south pasture to check on the horses. They’ll be back come suppertime. We didn’t want them underfoot.”
“Good idea,” Jonas said. “You’ve got your hands full enough as it is. Congratulations.”
Caleb grinned. “Thanks. Maybe one day you’ll have a little one of your own. I never thought I’d live to see the day when …”
“He almost got sick,” Luella cut in.
Caleb straightened. “Luella!” He looked at Jonas. “At least now I know why a lot of doctors frown on the father being there when their wife’s giving birth.” He looked sheepish. “Yeah, I almost got sick.”
Jonas laughed softly, not wanting to disturb the sleeping newborn.
Doc Rawlings came out and tapped Caleb on the shoulder. “You want to let your wife hold him now?”
“Oh yeah, I guess I should.” Caleb returned to the bedroom.
Luella sighed in contentment. “Isn’t he the most perfect little thing you ever saw?”
Jonas nodded, glanced at Zadie and Lillie hovering near the bedroom with their babies and smiled. “They all are. Perfect in every way.” He took a few steps toward the front door. “I’d best unload the wagon.”
Luella followed. “I’ll help.”
He turned to her. “Luella, I don’t think …” He paused.
“What?”
“Uh, never mind.” With a sigh, he headed outside. Now was not the time to tell everyone.
Eleven
Luella took the box of supplies Jonas handed her while looking at the new plow. It took up over half the wagon bed, and she wondered where Anson and Jess planned to use it. It looked too small for planting huge crops. But didn’t she hear Zadie or Lillie mention they were going to plant a few things? She couldn’t remember, but with the families growing the way they were, a large kitchen garden might be in order.
“Those are food supplies,” Jonas told her as he hefted another box over the side of the wagon.
“All right.” She headed for the back door of the house and went into the kitchen, Jonas not far behind. They set the supplies on the table, turned to each other, and their eyes locked.
He swallowed hard. “Er … we’d best go get the rest.” He turned to leave.
“Jonas.”
He stopped, turned back and gazed into her eyes again, this time like a drowning man.
“I’m glad you’re back,” she said softly.
He shut his eyes, turned and left the house.
Luella stared after him, knowing something was wrong. But the pain in his eyes was different – it wasn’t the tortured look that hinted at some horrible loss. She wasn’t sure what it was now, but she knew she needed to find out before it drove her mad.
She went back to the wagon, where Jonas had removed everything but the plow and piled it on the ground. Without a word she picked up what she could carry and headed back inside. She wanted to talk to him, find out what troubled him so. Maybe it wasn’t any of her business – but if he was going to be the ranch foreman, shouldn’t she make it her business?
She carried her packages into the house and set them on the kitchen table next to the boxes. Jonas followed with what remained. As soon as he set them down, she took a chance and put a hand on his arm. “How can I help?”
He stared at her, glanced at the hand holding him and swallowed hard. “Luella, don’t.”
“Jonas, I will. Whatever it is you have to fight it, or learn to get along with it, or get rid of it if you can. I’ve watched you all these weeks, and I know your heart is heavy …”
He sighed and looked at the ceiling as if imploring the Almighty. “Luella, you are one of the most stubborn, notional women I have ever met.”
“Thank you, I try.”
He attempted a brief smile. “There’s nothing to tell …”
“There’s plenty to tell,” she argued. “Look, you don’t have to talk to me, but talk to someone.”
“I did, actually. In Sweetwater Springs.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear it.” Her eyes roamed his face as she licked her dry lips. For Heaven’s sake, she wanted to kiss him so badly!
“I spoke to a preacher. He was a nice old man. Gave me some good advice.”
She found herself staring at his mouth, which didn’t reduce the temptation any. “And are you going to take it – his advice?”
“Yes, part of it anyway.” She could feel the heat of his body as he drew closer. They were so close they were almost touching. Now it was her turn to swallow hard. She was surprised she didn’t gulp.
She tilted her head up to look into his eyes again … and the emotions she saw earlier were gone. He’d either shoved them aside or blocked them out, she didn’t know which. Hers, on the other hand, were bouncing all over the place. With every fiber of her being she wanted to take him into her arms and kiss him! That would be the most improper thing she could do.
Fortunately, she didn’t have to act on it. Jonas swept her into his arms, his lips on hers. The kiss was brief but powerful, as if he were trying to convey in that one moment everything h
e felt. But then he pushed them apart and took a step back. “Forgive me. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have ...”
“I’m not sorry.”
He closed his eyes again and clenched his fists. “You’re not making this easy on me.”
“Good. I don’t want it to be easy to pull away. I love you.” The words were out before she could stop them, no more than a volcano could stop itself from erupting.
“Luella,” he said with a shake of his head. “That’s not a good idea.”
She closed the distance between them. “Why not? Are you going to deny your feelings for me?”
He ran a hand through his hair, his eyes darting around the kitchen before settling on her again. “Good Lord, woman, are you always like this?”
“You wouldn’t want me any other way, would you?”
His hand fell to his side, and he looked at her with a new intensity. “No, I sure wouldn’t.” Then he took her in his arms again and made the previous kiss feel like a close call. He parted her lips with his tongue, delving into her mouth, searching, probing, his arms holding her ever tighter. And she kissed him back, her tongue working just as intently, as if both were looking for some secret passageway into the other’s soul.
Then they heard voices just outside the back door. Jonas quickly pushed them apart and stepped away from her.
Not two seconds later, Zadie and Lillie came through the door with the little ones. “Oh, Jonas, good, you’re still here,” Zadie said. “Anson and Jess aren’t back yet, and Doc Rawlings wants to return to town tonight. We decided to let him borrow a horse, and you can ride to town tomorrow and pick it up. Would you mind saddling Hamlet?”
Jonas took several more steps back, his eyes never leaving Luella’s. “No, ma’am. I don’t mind at all.” Immediately he left, heading for the barn.
“Luella,” Zadie said. “Are you all right?”
Luella fought the urge to touch her lips, putting a hand to her temple instead. “I think all this excitement has given me a headache,” she said, then realized she actually had one. But it wasn’t from helping at Viola’s – her head was still spinning from Jonas’s kiss. He was in love with her too! “Maybe I’d better go lie down for a while – do you mind?”
