He nodded and rolled over. She knew this was hard for him. She was his wife, but still not willing to act like one. She was grateful he was so patient. She kissed his shoulder spontaneously, wrapping her arms around him. "Thank you."
If he wondered what she was thanking him for, he didn't ask.
* * *
Benjamin and Johanna walked across the field hand in hand, shoulders back and putting on a strong unified front. They didn’t hurry. That obviously bothered Edmund Berkeley as he nearly danced around with the anger that throbbed from his body like an open wound. No one in Benjamin’s family had invited the group in, and all of them stood around casually, but with rifles in the crook of their arms or pistols on their hips. Even some of the children were carrying weapons. It had to have been a little intimidating. Goodness, it intimidated her. But if it bothered anyone who had come with her father or Mr. Berkeley, they didn’t show it.
When the two finally walked up close to Benjamin’s family, Benjamin stopped her a good twenty feed away, then did the talking. “Well, hello there, Mr. McDonough. What can my wife and I do for you today?” She loved that he called her that to her father, but she worried over the effect it would have on Mr. Berkeley. She didn't know the man, but according to her grandmother, he wasn't a good one.
She was right to have been concerned. Edmund turned to her father and hissed. “Wife? Wife? You said she was available! How can she be his wife?”
Father put up his hands, trying to placate his friend. “Just hold on there, Edmund. It will be clear in a moment.” He then turned back to Johanna and Benjamin, his eyes flashing, though his voice seemed casual and calm. “I fear there’s been a mistake here, Mr. Jarrett. I didn’t tell you to marry my daughter. I told you to take a couple of weeks and see if she’d fall in love with you.”
“Which I have!” Johanna said loudly, unable to help herself. She tipped her chin upward. “Benjamin is kind, honorable, and a good provider. You’ve nothing to fear for me in staying here.” And wild horses couldn't drag her away.
Her father worried his hands as he slowly walked toward them. “Well, you see, that’s where you’re wrong. I promised you to Edmund first—”
She interrupted him. “Yes, but then you gave Benjamin a chance, which he took. I love him.”
She felt him jump at her words. It was the first time she’d said it out loud.
Father was close enough to touch her now and spoke quietly. “It doesn’t matter, my little Jo.” He reached out and touched her face, then put a hand on her shoulder. “You’re not actually married.”
“What?” Benjamin and Johanna cried out together. Johanna looked across the way and saw Edmund’s cruel smile. It made her suspicious. What had he done?
“I heard about what you’d done and went to talk to the pastor the next day. He’s gone, along with all his people, and there’s not a record anywhere to prove you spoke your vows. You’re not married,” he repeated. He actually looked like he was sorry to tell them that, which surprised Johanna.
Benjamin looked at Johanna and she back at him. They knew the truth, and she was pretty sure by the smirk on Edmund’s face that the man had something to do with the pastor’s disappearance as well as the lack of proof of their marriage. He had sent men after Johanna while she was in town, after all. If he’d take a chance of hurting her and Benjamin in the open like that, there was no telling what he’d do to the old preacher and his few assistants.
“Father, you know this is Edmund’s doing. We were wed! Grandmother was there to witness it. Why don’t you ask her?” Johanna scanned the crowd for her grandmother, wondering why the cantankerous old woman hadn't started beating her father over the head with whatever was handy.
Mr. McDonough shook his head. “I love my mother, but she didn’t want you to marry Edmund from the start. Of course she’s going to say whatever she needs to in order to avoid it. And aside from that, she’s a woman. I can’t trust her. Period.”
Johanna felt like she was about to explode. Benjamin leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Let me handle this, would you? Why don’t you go and stand with my mother and sisters. You shouldn’t have to deal with this kind of abuse.”
She shook her head. “This involves me, too. I’ll stay.” She wound her arm through his to show their unity.
Benjamin shrugged and turned back to her father. He looked like he was trying to dampen his own temper as much as she was. This was ridiculous. They were married. No one had a right to challenge them after they had spoken their vows in front of a pastor.
Benjamin spoke anyway. “With no proof, how then do you propose to settle this, sir? I won’t let her go.”
“Yes,” her father said, pulling at the hair on his chin. “I’ve been thinking on that. A wager wouldn’t be fair, since Edmund is so wealthy. A test of strength isn’t fair to him, because you’re so strong. So, I’ve got a proposal for you. One that is fair to both of you, and will give you a chance to genuinely win her hand with my blessing. But if you lose, then you must let her go with Edmund, without a fight. Interested?”
The fire in her gut was very hard to control, and again, Benjamin seemed to reflect her own feelings. He answered through gritted teeth. “Not really, no, but I don’t see that I have any choice.” Johanna pressed a kiss to his shoulder, feeling the dampness of his shirt against her lips, trying to give him what little courage she had remaining.
“No. You don’t. Not really.” He waved for Edmund to join them. The man walked as if he owned everything around him, and it irritated Johanna.
When Edmund reached them, he completely ignored Johanna, and nodded at Benjamin, extending his hand, his voice filled with forced friendliness. “It’s nice to meet you, Benjamin Jarrett. From what my men tell me you’re quite good at wrestling and wrangling.”
Having lived in New York City herself, Johanna could hear the dropped Rs and separated vowels of the upper class. Benjamin didn’t take the man’s hand, nor did he answer, just glared at him until Edmund dropped his hand. It made Johanna glad to see the man given the set down he deserved.
“All right then, men. It’s a contest for my daughter’s hand, and to do that, you’ve got to prove that you can take care of her. There are three categories: providing for her physical needs, providing sustenance, and responding to unforeseen problems. You may use your people in any way you deem appropriate, but you may not sabotage one another’s work, nor may you purchase items. This is about finding a way to make do with what you’ve got. Edmund you are at a disadvantage in some areas, not being at home. I’m sure the Jarretts will be kind enough to lend you some of what you need. Isn’t that right?” Mr. McDonough looked back and forth between the two.
Edmund snorted. “I don’t need their help. I can do it on my own. There’s enough in the woods to allow me to forage.”
Benjamin raised an eyebrow, and Johanna shook her head. The man was not only prideful, he was an idiot if he was turning down help. But who was she to argue?
“You’re sure?” Johanna’s father asked Edmund.
The man nodded, glowering.
“Do you both agree to the terms then?” Father asked.
They both nodded. “What if I don’t agree?” Johanna asked, miffed that they would dismiss her so easily. She was the one who would suffer if the contest turned out badly.
Her father looked at her. “I've decided it's fair,” he said.
“Even though I love Benjamin. You would make me marry a man I neither know nor love if he wins a contest?” She hoped her voice showed the disbelief and scorn she felt. She and her father had their differences, but he couldn't do that. Not when he knew she loved another.
Her father had the decency to redden just a bit. “Yes, Johanna. In this case, it must be. Someday, I’ll explain.”
“Explain now—” she started, but Benjamin squeezed her hand and gave her a look. She could hardly believe it. He wanted her to be quiet. He was willing to do this insanity and take a chance on losing her. That
or he was extremely confident he would win.
Benjamin turned to the two men and added something. “The offer remains standing if you need something from us, Mr. Berkeley. Never let it be said that the Jarretts were too proud to offer help when it was needed.” That made Johanna feel a little better, though if Edmund could have killed Benjamin with his eyes, he would have. Johanna wanted to grin, but resisted the temptation. No point in making things worse.
Father looked from one to the other, then nodded. “Good. You have one day to complete the requirements. If at any time you are unsure, please come and speak with me. I will be using my people to set up scenarios that require you to solve problems, but I will be around.” He pulled out a watch, then put it back in his vest pocket. “You may begin now, and the test goes until the sun sets.” He made shooing motions with his hands and both of the men left.
Chapter Sixteen
Benjamin ran to the barn and dug out his fishing baskets. They were quite ingenious, if he did say so himself. They allowed the fish to swim inside, but not back out. He took as many as he could carry, then ran for the creek and lowered them into the water where he knew the fish liked to gather, tying them off to the branches along the way.
With that done, he ran back to the barn and to the paddock where his horses were kept. He took his two most reliable mares, and after haltering them, he took them into the barn, where he loaded both of them with trapping equipment of all kinds. Once they were loaded up, he led the mares by hand into the woods and began to set traps in the less traveled areas, hoping he could catch some food for dinner. If he could get these snares set up early on, they would have a chance to snare something while he was working on the other tasks set for him.
He spent a couple of hours setting traps for rabbits, pheasants, wild chickens, and a few for larger game like deer or elk, though he didn’t expect to catch one. They were pretty good at eluding his traps and he usually had a better chance getting venison with a gun than by guile. It was more of a true test of his skills anyway, and he was certain his father-in-law would appreciate that.
Once he’d used up everything he brought with him, he made his way back through the forest and toward the barn, only to see that most of their animals were loose. Some of the cows and goats were in the garden, demolishing his greens. Others were running away from the kids who tried chasing them down with lassos. Without thinking, he handed off his second mare to one of the older boys—Isaiah—then rode at top speed after the animals farthest away, not even bothering with a lasso. Instead, he whistled for his dogs who joined him quickly, and together they guided the animals back toward their pens.
With that done, Benjamin dismounted and took the lassos from the kids and headed for the fields. Three goats, a pig, and cow were grazing on his greens. It wouldn’t do to get mad, though he was. What kind of a test was this? Was Mr. McDonough trying to destroy his family’s chance at surviving the winter? His two brothers and sisters-in-law joined him, each with lassos, and approached individual animals. The pig was easy to catch and his brother Matthew guided it back to the pen. His sister-in-law, Annabelle, got the cow and did the same. That left William, Benjamin, and Ruth to capture the wiliest of the creatures—the goats.
With a combination of herding, yelling, and lassos, the goats were finally returned to the paddock.
Benjamin spotted Mr. McDonough and stormed toward him. He had little thought but to punch him in the face, but Johanna met him part way there. “Be calm, Ben.”
That softened him immediately. His family called him Ben all the time, but this was the first time she had done it. She took his arm, then stopped in front of him. He would have run over her if he didn’t stop and face her himself. She took both hands and met his eyes, an earnestness in them he hadn’t seen often. “He means well. You weren’t here. It wasn’t supposed to be like that. Just a few cows to be chased far into the field. One of Edmund’s men ‘forgot’ to close the gate and let the others out. I don’t care what Father said about no sabotage. I see Edmund’s men doing it already. Be careful.”
She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, then paused and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly, right there in front of everyone—Edmund, her father, Benjamin’s family—with some of the nieces and nephews giggling and making kissy sounds.
When she stopped, his head spun. “You’d better win this thing,” she muttered. “I meant what I said earlier.” He had to win. He couldn't give up kissing her for anything.
He was puzzled. “Which part?” His mind was fuzzy from kissing, and he couldn't quite follow her thinking.
“That I love you,” she said with all sincerity and not a single blush.
That alone said volumes. Benjamin grinned, kissed her and whispered in her ear. “I love you, too.” Then turned and walked toward the creek, a happy whistle on his lips.
* * *
Benjamin approached the creek, his step slowing. Something was wrong. He walked to the first trap and pulled on the rope to bring it in. It pulled easily, with no drag, and a sense of dread began to fill him. He realized why when the end of the rope rose to the top of the surface but there was no basket attached to it. He looked at the rope, wondering if it had rubbed against a sharp rock and been severed, but there was no fray. It was a straight cut as if with a knife. “Where on earth is the basket?” He wondered out loud, scanning the currents, and finally saw it caught in some branches that dipped like fingers into the water.
Without a thought, Benjamin jumped into the water and waded across its width to retrieve his fish trap. He walked back across the creek, unable to climb up the steep bank on the other side, but walking out easily on the side closest to his farm. He sat on the grass next to the rope and examined his fish trap made out of thin sticks and twine. The spot on the back where the rope attached to the basket proved him right—the rope had definitely been cut, which proved Johanna right as well. Edmund was cheating.
It made Benjamin furious, but he didn’t know what he could do. There was no real proof it was Edmund. The man would most likely argue that it was cut by a rock, just as Benjamin had thought at first, and if the sides of the basket weren’t sliced as well, it could be believable. It made Benjamin want to go to Mr. McDonough, but Benjamin needed more proof first. He’d collect it, and then hopefully Edmunds trickery would make him lose the contest. It was the best he could hope for.
Benjamin set to work repairing the fish basket, weaving in more line, and tying knots where there was enough thread to do so. He untied the rope from the tree and moved on to the second basket, and then the third, and on and on until all seven of his baskets had shown sabotage of some sort. All the fish were gone, if there’d been any to begin with.
He had a different plan this time. Edmund couldn’t sabotage his traps if he didn’t know where they were. Benjamin went quite a ways down the creek to where it joined with a river. There he tied his baskets underwater and put some bait inside in a little bag. The fish would be able to smell it, and it would draw them in. The current was faster here, but there were still eddies along the banks that gave him places to put his traps. He’d probably get a better catch here anyway.
Now that he was sopping wet, boots and all, and over a mile from home with no horse to carry him, Benjamin sighed and began the trek home, his boots squishing with each step and everything dripping.
At least he wouldn’t be hot in the close to noon sun. That was something.
Chapter Seventeen
Johanna saw Benjamin plodding across the field and waved at him to come to her. He changed direction from heading toward his own home to his parents' house. The closer he got the more she could read his face and not just body language. Something was wrong. He was irritated and angry and looked almost defeated. She ran the last few yards out to meet him, taking his arm.
“What happened?” she asked, wanting to help him.
Benjamin shook his head, so she shook his arm.
“Tell me what happened,” she sai
d again, trying to take on some of her grandmother’s no-nonsense tones. She was getting frustrated by his lack of response. How could she help when he wouldn't tell her what was going on?
He took her arm and said through gritted teeth, “I’ll tell you when we get inside. I don’t want to repeat myself, and there’s no telling who’s listening around here.” He looked around him as if he expected one of Edmund's spies to pop out from behind every bush.
Johanna glanced around, and sure enough, everywhere she looked were her father’s or, more importantly and in larger numbers, Edmund’s men. She shivered, then looked at him and nodded.
Once inside, he sat down at the long bench and table they used for family meals and put his head in his hands. She sat down next to him. “Benjamin. You’re soaking wet. Will you please tell me what happened?”
He looked at her, then glanced up at his ma and pa, then to his brothers and their wives and beckoned them over with his head. They all came without a spoken word. Benjamin leaned over to his brothers. “Can you have your kids go and play outside around the house and be really loud so no one can listen in?”
They looked like twins in their surprise, but they nodded, then spoke quietly to their children and sent them outside. Inside the house was quiet and still, but outside it sounded like mayhem. It made Johanna smile. She wanted a family like that someday.
Benjamin leaned forward, Ida Mae coming from a back room right then, and Benjamin waved her over as he began to speak. She sat next to Johanna.
“They’re cheating,” he said. First there were silence and shocked looks, and then everyone began to ask questions at once. Benjamin put up his hands trying to quiet them, then leaned over to Johanna. “Do you see now why I wanted to wait and tell everyone at once?”
She nodded. Having to go through this half a dozen times or more would have been torture for everyone involved.
Johanna (Dakota Bound Book 1) Page 9
