Yesterday's Roses

by Heather Cullman

  Davinia, however, was unperturbed by Jake’s proximity. Glaring up at him, her hands firmly braced on her hips, she demanded, “Just what do you intend to do about this fiasco, Mr. Parrish?”

  “I need to know the nature of the fiasco before I can do anything about it.” Bracing himself securely on his cane, he leaned toward Hallie and demanded, “Exactly what happened, Dr. Gardiner?”

  Tightly reining her desire to demonstrate exactly what had brought her to this impasse, Hallie calmly raised her eyes and with a nonchalant shrug, replied, “Why some poor innocent beat me up and tried to rape me. Being the reprehensible wretch that I am, I defended myself. Surely, Mr. Parrish, you can see what a heinous criminal I’ve become and how deserving I am of my imprisonment.”

  Jake closed the narrow space between them in several long, uneven strides. With his free hand, he grasped Hallie’s upper arm and pulled her to her feet. As her battered face was touched by the light, he drew in a sharp breath. “And did he succeed?”

  With a short, bitter laugh, Hallie replied, “To beat me? As you can see, at that he was most effective. But at rape?” She was unable to stop the single tear that escaped from the corner of her eye. “At that he was no more successful than you.”

  Jake flinched at the accusing note in her voice. Is that really how she viewed what had happened in the parlor? Attempted rape? He could have sworn that, before the Donahue women had barged in upon their tryst, Hallie had been just as inflamed by passion as he. Had he been wrong about the willingness with which she had melted into his embrace and about the eagerness with which she had returned his kisses? Could it be that he had been so long without a woman that he could no longer differentiate between one who was willing and one who was not?

  Frowning, Jake raised his hand and gently smoothed away her tear with his thumb, his touch growing light as he traced the livid bruise on her cheek.

  “What I had in mind, Mission Lady, was an act of love, not violence,” he whispered. “I guess I went about it all wrong. I promise never to force my attentions on you again. Forgive me?”

  Hallie released a ragged sigh. Slowly, she reached up to the hand that was cupping her cheek and laid her palm against it, lacing her fingers through his. Then she nodded.

  “Hallie,” he groaned.

  There was such yearning in his voice, such a note of pain, that Hallie glanced up at his face in wonder. As their gazes touched, the tenderness in his eyes was enough to crack the fragile dam that held her emotions in check. With a strangled sob, she allowed the torrent to flow forth. She would have fallen weakly to her knees had Jake not caught her and crushed her against the reassuring warmth of his chest.

  Heartrending sobs racked her body as he held her, her tears falling as freely as the rain that splattered against the window. When she felt Jake’s hand move down her back in long, soothing strokes, Hallie buried her face in his shirt, not caring that she was making a mess of the immaculate linen. Unbidden, she reached up to clasp his wide shoulders, desperately seeking comfort from his closeness.

  In silence, Jake held her, mentally cursing himself for being an inadequate fool. Damn it to hell! Why did he always fail those for whom he cared the most? First he had failed Serena, and now Hallie. Both had found nothing but disappointment with him, found him not worthy of their love, found him lacking as a man.

  Jake’s arm tightened around Hallie in a fierce hug. Worst of all, he had failed to protect them. When he thought of that bastard hurting Hallie and touching her like that—

  With a groan, he buried his face in Hallie’s tangled hair. He would find the man who was responsible for abusing her in such a manner and make sure he never touched her again. He would make sure no one ever harmed her again, even if it meant defending her with his life. Anything. If only she would give him the chance to prove himself.

  Sucking in a deep, shuddering breath, he pleaded, “Trust me, Hallie. Please let me be the one to keep you safe.”

  But his pleas, which were little more than a longing sigh, were lost in the wrenching sounds of her distress and faded in the air, unanswered.

  Gradually the storm of Hallie’s tears abated until all that remained was the persistent rhythm of her hiccupping. Dropping a kiss on top of her head, Jake reluctantly released her and slipped his handkerchief into her hand.

  Hallie gave him a tremulous smile of thanks before pressing the soft linen square to her nose and blowing. Everything was going to be all right now. Jake was here. She found a dry corner of the handkerchief and mopped away the remainder of her tears, absentmindedly noting the monogrammed initials JVP. She sighed and gave her nose one final wipe. JVP—her wonderful Jake. She was safe now. Jake was here.

  Hiccupping more softly now, she looked up to thank him properly. But his attention had turned to signaling Officer Brady, who had been watching the exchange nervously.

  As the man came scrambling into the cell, Jake inquired through clenched teeth, “What exactly are the charges against the lady?”

  Oblivious to Jake’s thinly concealed wrath, Brady answered, “Why, she’s a thief and a whore. And besides that, she’s dangerous!”

  Hallie groaned to herself. Here it comes again.

  Jake’s eyes narrowed with fury at the slur to Hallie’s character. Forcibly containing his urge to wrap his hands around the jailer’s neck and wring an apology out of him, he barked, “Who leveled the charges?”

  “Nick Connelly.” Brady jerked his head in Hallie’s direction. “She kicked the poor man square in his privy parts.”

  Hallie let out a squeak of outrage. But before she could protest further, Jake interjected, “Square in his privy parts, you say?”

  Was that a note of satisfaction she heard in his voice? Hallie glanced up at Jake in wonder, only to find him staring down at her, his face awash with tenderness.

  Wrapping his arm protectively around her waist, he bent close to her ear and whispered, “Good for you, Mission Lady. I hope you kicked the bastard good and hard.”

  She moved closer to his side and nodded.

  Brady, who had missed the whole exchange, bobbed his head vigorously. “Word has it,” he continued, his voice taking on a tone of confidentiality, “that Nick is real bad off. The doctors say he’ll be ruined for life—if he lives at all!”

  “Tragic.” Jake winked at Hallie. “It seems we have a desperate character on our hands. I had no idea my fiancée had such an unfortunate temper.”

  “Fiancée!” chorused Davinia and Brady, while Hallie merely stared at him, her eyes bulging and her mouth gaping.

  Jake cupped Hallie’s chin in his hand and casually snapped her jaw shut. “Why, yes. I can’t imagine why Miss—or more correctly, Dr.—Gardiner, didn’t mention the happy news. You should have seen Judge Dorner’s face this afternoon when I told him the glad tidings. He was so looking forward to meeting my bride-to-be at his party this evening.” He frowned slightly. “I can’t imagine what he’s going to say when I tell him that the bride is unable to attend because his officers have locked her up.”

  Brady paled visibly. “I had no way of knowing that she was to marry you. But you see, she did kick Nick—”

  “I know where she kicked him,” Jake ground out irritably. “I’ve been kicked there a few times myself, and unless my betrothed has legs like a mule, which I assume she doesn’t,” he contemplated Hallie in a dubious manner until she stamped on his foot, forcing him to finish in a pained tone, “I seriously doubt that Nick is either half dead or ruined for life.”

  “But Nick said she was—”

  “A whore?” Jake snarled, his expression turning menacing. “Were you about to refer to my future wife as a whore, Brady?”

  Brady made a choking sound and gestured helplessly. “Well—”

  Jake cut him off with a sharp slashing motion. “I would be careful where I cast aspersions if I were you. I find I’m grow
ing touchy when it comes to the subject of Dr. Gardiner and very impatient with this whole episode. Now, I’d suggest you release the doctor into my custody.”

  “But I can’t just let her go,” whined Brady. “She has to see the judge.”

  “Fine. Then I’ll have Judge Dorner brought here.”

  Brady sputtered at that suggestion. “B-b-but—”

  “The judge was most anxious to meet my—oh, yes, he referred to her as the ‘luckiest little woman in San Francisco.’” Jake flinched as Hallie responded to his “luckiest little woman” remark with a sharp pinch to his arm. Quickly composing himself, he proceeded to beam down at her as if he were indeed the proud husband-to-be.

  Davinia Loomis, who had stood quiet witness during the exchange, made an exasperated noise. “Hell and damnation, Brady! Stop being such a durned idiot. We all know this woman is no whore, just as we all know what a goat Nick Connelly can be.”

  Brady chewed his lip indecisively. “But—”

  “But, nothing!” Davinia scolded. “Think, man. Do you really want to have to tell Judge Dorner that you’ve mistakenly arrested Jake Parrish’s fiancée?”

  Brady’s Adam’s apple bobbed convulsively at that thought, and he turned an alarming shade of purple.

  “Well, seeing as Mr. Parrish is such a good friend of Judge Dorner, I’ll release her. But only if he promises not to let her out of his sight until after she’s been to court.”

  Jake let his gaze caress Hallie’s face. “You have my word on it. I promise to be most attentive to Dr. Gardiner.”

  “As for the matter with Nick Connelly—”

  “Leave Nick Connelly to me,” Jake snapped. “I’ll make sure he receives proper compensation for his part in this matter.”

  Davinia chortled at the threat in Jake’s voice. “Compensation in the form of a fist in the face, I’d wager.” She chuckled and bent over to whisper into Hallie’s ear. “I’d hate to be in Nick Connelly’s shoes when Jake catches up with him. I have the very unchristian notion that he’ll get exactly what he deserves!”

  Hallie leaned forward to look out the window as Jake’s carriage came to a clattering stop. The Mission House at last. Never had the old frame building looked quite as welcoming as it did at that moment. The curtains had yet to be drawn for the evening, and the warm glow from the gaslights was spilling through the window-panes, infusing the raindrops beading the glass with a diamondlike brilliance. Visible to passersby was the charming tableau of several mission workers bedecking a Christmas tree with gaily colored ornaments.

  “Home,” Davinia boomed, breaking the awkward silence which had prevailed for most of the ride from the jail. “Don’t know how we can ever thank you enough, my boy. You went way beyond your Christian call of duty to pay for the burial of that Chinese girl.” She leaned forward to pat Jake’s cheek with motherly approval.

  “You know I’m always glad to help in any way possible. All you have to do is ask.”

  “Proves my point, eh, Hallie? Always said there was more to Jake Parrish than just that sinfully handsome face and that nice backside.”

  “Davinia!” Hallie gasped, genuinely shocked by Davinia’s reference to Jake’s buttocks, while Jake collapsed against his seat in a paroxysm of laughter.

  “It’s nothing but the gospel truth,” insisted Davinia, giving Jake a naughty wink. He emitted a loud whoop of hilarity in response. Training her gaze on Hallie, she frowned. “Never could abide folks who hem and haw about things that are common knowledge, and it’s common knowledge that Jake Parish has a fine backside. The ladies at the mission have been known to discuss the subject in great detail from time to time. I seem to remember you partaking in that particular discussion as well, Hallie.”

  Hallie shrank deeper into the engulfing folds of Jake’s heavy cloak, which was draped around her shoulders, and prayed, Please, God, let the ground open up and swallow me now …

  Though the ground remained firmly closed beneath her feet, God seemed to be in a magnanimous mood and she was saved the humiliation of having to respond by the driver, who picked that particular moment to open the door.

  Clasping Jake’s hand and giving it an energetic pump, Davinia said, “Well, thanks again and Merry Christmas. You can be sure I’ll include you in my prayers tonight. A man’s soul can never have too many prayers said on its behalf, you know.”

  Jake chuckled as Davinia ducked through the door. “Make sure you include my backside in your prayers too. It seems to be one of my few admirable traits these days. And Merry Christmas to you, too.”

  Hallie fumbled to remove Jake’s cape while Davinia was assisted out of the carriage by the driver. Avoiding Jake’s eyes, Hallie murmured, “Thank you. You’ve been extremely kind.” Folding the fine woolen garment in half, she extended it to him and made to rise. “I’ll meet you at the courthouse day after tomorrow. Nine o’clock sharp.”

  “No, you won’t.” He gently pushed her back against the seat. “You’re in my custody, remember? You’ll be staying at my house until after you’ve seen Judge Dorner.”

  “You can’t be serious!” she gasped. “I have patients to attend, and then there’s the mission’s Christmas celebration in the morning. I promised to play carols on the pianoforte.”

  “I didn’t know you played.”

  “‘Play’ isn’t exactly what I’d call what she does to the instrument. But she’s all we’ve got,” Davinia chimed in, poking her head back in the carriage. “What’s this about Hallie staying at your house?”

  “She’s in my custody until day after tomorrow. As her custodian, I’ve decided that she needs food, a bath, and a good night’s sleep, the last of which I doubt she’ll get here.”

  Davinia considered his words for a moment and then shrugged. “You’re probably right. Undoubtedly someone will send for her in the middle of the night, and she’ll go flitting off to their rescue. Besides, we wouldn’t want to break the law, would we?”

  “I can’t—” Hallie began as Davinia pulled her head out of the carriage to confer with the driver.

  But Jake cut her off, “You can and you will. As your legal guardian, I insist that you put that cape on before you catch pneumonia.” He studied her raptly for a moment. “Not that the view isn’t breathtaking, mind you.”

  She let her gaze follow his and was aghast to discover the source of his scrutiny. Her torn bodice was gaping wide open to reveal a shocking expanse of her breasts. Tossing the cape across her exposed flesh, she sputtered, “Will you stop ogling me like some kind of—of—callow schoolboy! If you were any kind of gentleman at all, you would’ve tactfully averted your eyes.”

  A slow, knowing smile painted itself across Jake’s lips. With a throaty laugh that sent shivers down Hallie’s spine, he mused, “But I’m neither a schoolboy nor, in this situation, a gentleman. I’m simply a man who enjoys the pleasure of looking at a beautiful woman. Especially one who’s offering so much to see.”

  With a gasp of outrage, Hallie clutched the cape tighter.

  Davinia thrust her head back into the carriage. “Make sure you bring Hallie by in the morning so she can hack her way through those Christmas carols.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of missing it.” He laughed, signaling for the driver to close the door. “It should prove to be an entertaining experience.”

  The horses had picked up their pace, their hooves drumming steadily on the deserted streets, before either of the occupants of the carriage spoke again.

  “So you like my backside, do you?” Jake inquired soberly.

  Hallie rolled her eyes to the heavens. Wasn’t it just like Jake Parrish to pursue such an improper topic of conversation? And what could she say? It wouldn’t do any good to lie. Davinia had already made sure he knew that she had noticed his posterior. What could she do but admit, “I-It’s very nice.”

  “Is that from a doctor’s, or a wo
man’s, point of view?”

  She sighed with exasperation. She’d answered his question. Why couldn’t he just let the subject drop? Adopting her most professional manner, spine stiff and tone brisk, she replied, “As a doctor, my primary interest in your backside would stem from the necessity to take your temperature or to give you an enema. Unless you’re prone to boils in that area, which, of course, would necessitate lancing. Seeing as you aren’t feverish, in need of an enema, or, I assume, plagued by boils, what do you think?”

  “I think I’m pleased that there’s something about me that you find attractive. It’s a relief to know that you don’t find me completely repulsive.”

  Hallie was stunned by his words and even more so by the bitterness with which they were uttered. Repulsive? Lord! Didn’t the man realize that she was infatuated with every last wonderful inch of him? She shook her head, perplexed. “What in the world would make you think I find you repulsive?”

  “I may be many things, but stupid isn’t one of them. You made your feelings quite clear this morning. I’m worldly enough to know when a woman doesn’t want me.” There. He’d finally said it. And it made him feel as sick as if someone had just kicked him in the stomach.

  “N-Not want you?” Hallie was dumbfounded. How could he think such a thing? Especially after the way she had responded to his caresses that morning. Didn’t he know that there was nothing in the world she wanted more than to be in his arms? She distractedly pleated the fabric of his cape between her fingers. Perhaps he was teasing her again?

  But as she glanced at his face, which was clearly illuminated by the carriage lantern, the naked vulnerability of his expression and the terrible longing in his eyes drove home the truth. He wanted her. Beautiful Jake Parrish wanted plain Hallie Gardiner. Impossible, but true.

  “Jake, I—” The words died in her throat. How many nights had she lain sleepless, tormented by the picture of his handsome face, wishing for a moment such as this? And when she had at last fallen into an uneasy sleep, how many times had she dreamt the hopeless dream in which he desired her as much as she desired him? In truth, there hadn’t been a day—or a night—since they had met when he hadn’t occupied her thoughts, and now that her dreams had turned into reality, she found herself as tongue-tied as a debutante at her coming-out ball.