Jamie

by Caroline Clemmons

  Olivia handed Mama her share of the delicacies. “I’m sorry, ladies, I didn’t bring you anything. I’ll go back while you visit.”

  One of the women said, “No, dear, we’re just catching up with Fiona before we leave.”

  After introductions to Patience Farmer and Sara Miller, Olivia took her seat. Patting the chair beside her, Olivia said, “Cat, sit here beside me.”

  The little girl looked from her to Yancey Quinton. “I want to sit by Mr. Quinton.”

  Annoyed the man hadn’t taken the hint and instead hung around, Olivia tugged Cat to sit beside her. “No. He has people to see and we’re going to wait here for your father. I’m sure he’ll come for us soon.” She sent Mister Quinton her most severe stare.

  Instead of taking the hint, Quinton took the seat beside Cat. “I’ll be happy to wait here until he arrives to whisk you away.”

  Under her breath, Mama murmured, “I’ll bet you will.”

  He leaned forward. “I beg your pardon, Mrs. Fraser. I don’t believe I heard you.”

  She couldn’t see Mama’s face when she looked at her friends, but spotted her angry expression when Mama turned back and glared at him. “I told Cat to sit still.”

  Olivia wondered why Yancey Quinton was determined to linger with them. She suspected his goal was to antagonize Jamie. Short of being outright rude, she saw no way to discourage him.

  On the other hand, she didn’t trust him not to fill Cat’s head with nonsense, so she didn’t turn away. She faced straight ahead with Cat’s hand in hers. Why didn’t Jamie hurry?

  Chapter Twelve

  Jamie watched Olivia out of the corner of his eyes while he pretended to listen to Doctor Miller, Nick Farmer, and Zac Turner. How dare his wife get chummy with Yancey Quinton? And in public with his mother and daughter present. His anger rose with each moment.

  When he was finally able to extract himself from friends congratulating him and sharing concerns about the organization and town, he headed for his wife. Jake must have been watching him because he came running.

  “Bobby’s folks already took him and left. Are we going home now, Papa?”

  Jamie forced a smile for his son. “You bet we are. Do you know where Uncle Ethan got to?” He took Jake’s hand and weaved through the diminishing crowd.

  “He’s talking to Uncle Gideon. They’re over there by the door.” His son pointed.

  Jamie spotted the two brothers and halted. “Walk—no running—over there and tell Ethan that I’d like to leave now? Ask him to help me get Grandma to the buggy. Can you do that for me?”

  “Sure, Papa, and I’ll go wait by our buggy.” Jake set off at just short of a run.

  Fighting to keep his temper from erupting, he strode toward Olivia. As he approached, Yancey stood, wearing what appeared a triumphant grin from ear to ear. Damn the man.

  “I have been enjoying the company of your delightful family.” Yancey gave one of the mock bows he favored.

  “So I see, Quinton. While I wait for Ethan to help our mother down the steps, perhaps you’d step over to the side with me.”

  “Happy to be of service. Ladies, your charming company has been delightful. Please excuse us.”

  When they were out of Olivia’s earshot, Jamie pinned the other man with a fiery gaze. “You have a hell of a nerve sitting with my wife and daughter. I’m telling you right now to stay away from both of them. Do you understand?”

  “You are such an insecure man, Fraser. Do you doubt this wife too? Perhaps you should look to yourself for the fault and not innocent bystanders.”

  “There’s nothing innocent about you. You cozied up to my wife and daughter deliberately. I’m warning you, if you come close to either of them again, I’ll choke you with my bare hands.”

  “I think not, Fraser. You take care of business at home and there will be no need to worry about outside influences. Don’t repeat your mistakes and blame others.”

  As he was ready to take a swing at Quinton’s jaw, Gideon clapped him on the shoulder. “Nice to see you installed in your office, Jamie. I believe Ethan is ready to help you with Mama. Shall we go?”

  Jamie took a deep breath but glared at Quinton. “Believe what you wish, Quinton, but heed my words. Keep away from my family.”

  He turned and walked to where Olivia and Cat waited. Ethan had helped Mama stand, so he strode quickly to her other side. His jaw clenched until he thought his teeth might crumble.

  Mama clutched his arm. “Jamie, calm down. You know Olivia and I had nothing to do with that man sitting by us.”

  “Sure, Mama, if you say so.” He wouldn’t comment in front of Ethan and others. But when he got home, he’d have a few words with Olivia.

  His wife.

  All the way home a red haze burned in front of his eyes. If he had his way, Yancey Quinton would drop dead and rot where he lay. He tried to give a person the benefit of the doubt, but not that one. There was no good in Quinton, and that was a fact.

  And Quinton was after his wife. Again.

  The others chattered on the way home, but he tuned out their comments. Since grade school, whatever he had, Quinton wanted. Jamie’s grades were better, he performed better in games. Time after time, Quinton tripped him, attacked him, and leveled slurs against him.

  His parents had told him Quinton was jealous and would change as he matured. Not so far. If anything, the man’s skill at trickery had increased over the years. In Jamie’s mind he still saw Lucy flirting with Quinton and him leading her on with his brand of false charm.

  He wouldn’t tolerate the man targeting Olivia, certainly not Cat. He’d make sure Olivia understood her duty once they were home and alone.

  ***

  While the two brothers helped their mother upstairs, Olivia carried a sleeping Cat and Jake stumbled along with her. Beth waited in the foyer while the rest of them went upstairs. The outing had tired Mama Fraser, but visiting with her friends cheered her. She chattered all the way up the stairs.

  After putting Cat and Jake to sleep without a story, Olivia went to help Mama get ready for bed. Her mother-in-law still had trouble rising from the chamber pot chair and wouldn’t ask her sons for aide.

  “Being off my feet is ridiculous, Olivia. Tomorrow, I’m coming downstairs unassisted. Time I was up and around.”

  “I know you’re tired of being out of the action, Mama, but don’t abuse your ankle.”

  “You’re a good daughter. Off to bed with you now.”

  Olivia looked forward to her own chance to lie down. At least she’d seen Jamie installed as Master of the local Grange Hall. He must be so pleased.

  Ready to congratulate him again, she opened the bedroom door and found him pacing by the windows. He whirled as she entered. One glimpse of the expression on his face had her wishing she were on the other side of the closed door.

  “What’s wrong, Jamie? This was your big night but you look angry.”

  He braced his legs as if on a ship. His fists hung at his side. “What the hell do you mean cozying up to Yancey Quinton?”

  Shocked, she gaped at him. “Are you insane? I did my best to discourage the man. After he flattered Cat enough to turn her head, he stuck to us like glue. Ask your mother if you don’t believe me.”

  “He wouldn’t have ‘stuck to you like glue’ without some encouragement from you. I saw the two of you walking from the refreshment table and then he sat with you. That must have started talk—and with Patience Farmer there, the biggest gossip in town.”

  She strode to within a foot of him and met his glare with one of her own. “Mrs. Farmer knows full well he wasn’t welcome. Would you have preferred I make a scene? Then she really would have had something to fuel her gossip.”

  He spat out, “She doesn’t need fuel, she makes up her own.”

  She poked his chest. “And how is that my fault, Jamie Fraser?”

  He turned and sank onto the rocker and leaned back, staring upward. She didn’t know whether he actually saw the ceil
ing or recalled other images in his mind. Pain etched his face.

  Fear clawed at her insides. “Jamie, talk to me. What’s the real thing that’s upset you? This is about something else, isn’t it?”

  He waved away her concern. “Nevermind. I should have known this would happen. He’s like a great vulture waiting to snatch anything that’s mine. Women are charmed by him.”

  “Not this woman. He fit my idea of a snake oil salesman and gave me the shivers. But he told Cat she was as beautiful as her mother and Cat was enchanted. She insisted he carry her punch and then sit by her.”

  He stared at her. “Cat asked him?”

  Oh, no, she didn’t want him to make Cat cry again over her mother. “You mustn’t be angry with Cat. Jamie, you know how important it is to her to be as beautiful as her mother.”

  Narrowing his eyes, he stood. “Or are you using Cat as an excuse to make yourself blameless?”

  “What? How can you think I would do such a despicable thing? You had better reconsider that right now, Jamie Fraser.”

  He crossed his arms. “Or what? You’ll run to him?”

  She took another step toward him. “Or I’ll smack you in the head with the heaviest object at hand. I ought to for even saying such an idiotic thing. I don’t understand you. People tell me how kind and helpful you are.”

  She poked his chest again. “I’m waiting to see that side of you. If there is that side to see.”

  Turning and walking slowly, he laid another log on the fire then unbuttoned his vest. “I’m going to bed.”

  She readied herself for bed and lowered the lamp. “Goodnight.”

  His mumbled reply was unintelligible.

  For the second night since they’d been married, they didn’t touch.

  His unreasonable accusations had turned his triumphant evening to shambles. A great undertone of hurt lay behind Jamie’s actions, of that she was certain. She speculated but had no real idea why he had acted so discourteously. Why wouldn’t someone tell her the full story?

  The next morning, she awoke and hurried to help with breakfast. Working with Milly was pleasant and companionable. Olivia had slid the biscuits into the oven and was starting on the flapjack batter when Mama Fraser limped in.

  Milly threw up her hands. “Don’t tell me you managed the stairs on your own.”

  “I did, though slow as a tortoise. My, it’s good to be in here again.” She nudged Olivia out of the way. “I’ll stir up the batter.”

  Olivia hugged Mama’s shoulders. “Let me know if you get tired and I’ll take over. In the meantime, I’ll set the table.”

  Humming to herself, Mama set to making flapjacks and stacking them on a plate atop the warming shelf over the range.

  Ethan and Beth arrived at the same time Jamie and the children took their places. Jamie didn’t look at her.

  Beth said, “We should have stayed in town last night instead of making that cold buggy ride twice.”

  Jamie said, “I thought you ladies from Chicago were used to cold weather.”

  “My family had a closed carriage….” Beth stopped as if she’d revealed too much.

  Olivia set the biscuits and butter on the table. “That must have been nice, Beth. I walked most places and sometimes thought I’d freeze before I got home.”

  Beth took a sip of coffee. “I know the snow has melted for a while, but I just can’t keep warm.”

  Mama said, “After breakfast, I have a suggestion that might help, Beth.”

  Jake swallowed the huge bite he’d taken. “Sometime when we go to Angel Springs on a Saturday, can my friend Bobby come stay all night with us so he can see my fort?”

  Olivia smiled at him. “That sounds like a good idea. Then we could take him back on Sunday when we go to church.”

  Jake beamed. “We’d have lots of fun.”

  Mama laughed. “I’m sure you would. You two little scalawags would have a high time, wouldn’t you? I remember when your uncles and your father used to have friends come for a stay.”

  “But Papa had brothers so he had someone to play with. I don’t have anyone but Cat and she’s a girl.”

  “You’re right that they played together a lot. You forget that although they’re all grown now, when they were young, they were not the same age and had friends their age like you and Cat do.”

  Appearing puzzled, Jake looked at his sister then at his father.

  Jamie smiled for the first time since they’d been at the Grange Hall. “Uncle Caleb and I are the same difference in age as you and Cat. When I was your age, your Uncle Gideon was a baby and Uncle Ethan hadn’t even come yet.”

  Jake looked at Olivia then back to his father. “Are you gonna get a baby?”

  Jamie’s gaze met hers, but his expression was inscrutable.

  As calmly as she could, Olivia shifted her attention to her stepson. “We might someday. I hope if that happens you’ll be all right with the idea of a brother or sister.”

  Jake frowned. “A brother might be good, but don’t get another girl.”

  Cat glared at Jake. “You should get a girl ‘cause I want a sister.”

  Olivia passed the ham to Beth. “Enough chatter. Eat your breakfast now. We have to do our chores and get ready for church.”

  Olivia didn’t have time to press her lavender dress so she chose to wear her gray wool trimmed in garnet velvet. Although one of her older dresses, she’d always felt well-groomed in the ensemble, which shed wrinkles well. With it she wore a matching hat trimmed with ostrich plumes and gloves the same shade.

  She’d managed to get Cat’s hair to curl, though not as well as it had been yesterday. Wearing her blue dress, the girl looked as if she’d stepped from a master artist’s painting.

  “Do I look beautiful?” Cat tiptoed to peer into Olivia’s mirror.

  “You do, but remember that how you act is more important than being pretty.”

  Cat appeared skeptical.

  When they were back downstairs, Mama laid a hand on Olivia’s arm. “Would you find the quilted wool petticoat in my cedar chest for Beth to wear? She might not mind the cold so much while wearing that.”

  “Certainly. Beth, come with me and we’ll get you fixed up.”

  Mama waited in the parlor with Ethan while the others quickly prepared for their trip to church.

  In addition to the warm petticoat, Olivia found a wool chemise and helped Beth don the extra garment.

  Beth stood in front of the mirror. “Oh, thank goodness. This is the warmest I’ve been since we arrived unless I was a few inches from the fireplace.”

  When they were ready to leave, Mama allowed Jamie to steady her. “I can walk through this house on my own, son. Just help me on the steps and into the buggy.”

  The morning was cold with a gray sky and a bitter northerly wind. Olivia wouldn’t have minded a woolen chemise for herself and decided to invest in them at the first chance. The heavy lap robe helped, but the stiff breeze stole her breath.

  From behind her, Ethan said, “Looks like snow again. Hope it holds off until we’re home.”

  At church, they hurried in and sat beside Ruby. Olivia saw two young women whispering and looking their way. Ruby’s cheeks were red.

  Olivia smiled at Ruby. “So nice to see you again, Ruby. I’ve missed talking to you each day.”

  When Ruby turned her way, tears glistened in her green eyes. “I’ve missed you so much. Not everyone in town is nice. That Gloria Spalding is vicious.”

  “Mama said Gloria had her cap set for Gideon. But he didn’t choose Gloria. He’s happily married to you.”

  “He didn’t choose me, either, and those women know that. They’re so mean and say awful things about me and the baby.”

  “Don’t let their pettiness ruin your enjoyment of being married to a fine man like Gideon. You’re the perfect couple.”

  “I think so, but I’m not sure anyone else does.”

  Before Olivia could ask what Ruby meant by that, Gideon took the
pulpit. His sermon was a pointed one in which he mentioned the story of men condemning a woman. He asked who among them could cast the first stone and he looked pointedly at Gloria Spalding before gazing around the congregation.

  Miss Spalding gasped and turned red so his point must have hit home. Not that Olivia expected a change of heart in the woman. Poor Ruby must be the object of rumors spread by Miss Spalding and her clique of friends. Gideon ended by reminding the congregation to love one another as their Lord first loved them.

  After the service, Ruby hurried to take her place beside her husband and greeted people as they left the church. How brave Ruby was to face her tormentors like that. Olivia hugged Ruby as she left the sanctuary and Mama and Beth did the same.

  “Are you coming to dinner?” Mama asked Gideon.

  “Yes, sitting around the table with family will be welcome. We’ll follow behind you.”

  Jake tugged on Gideon’s sleeve. “Can I ride with you?”

  Gideon hoisted the boy into the air. “Sure. We can always use another man on the trail.”

  Jake giggled until his uncle set him on the ground. “I’ll be the lookout in case there’re robbers waiting to waylay us.”

  ***

  Later that evening, Olivia was in Cat’s room helping her ready for bed. Olivia brushed a strand of Cat’s hair. “Do you know what false flattery is?”

  “Flattery’s when you say something nice. What’s the other kind?”

  “When you say something nice because you want something from someone. For instance you might say, ‘Olivia, I love the way you sew’ but what you really mean is you want me to sew something for you.”

  "But that’s not false."

  “If the only reason you say something nice is to get something you want, then it’s false. If you pay a compliment because you mean it, that’s good.”

  Cat appeared to mull over what she’d heard. “When Papa says I’m beautiful, is that false flattery.”

  “No because he believes you are beautiful. But you must be careful of strangers who tell you that. Do you understand?”

  “You mean like Mr. Quinton last night?”

  “Exactly. You don’t know him, Cat, so you don’t know if he’s telling the truth or not. So you simply say ‘thank you’ and don’t believe that he’s being truthful. Or if he is being truthful, ask yourself if he’s telling you nice things because he wants something.”