Wanted: A Trusting Heart (Silverpines Book 12)

by Barbara Goss

  *******

  After Jake had left, Dawn retreated to her room to contemplate her marvelous morning. Had she really thrown herself into Jake’s arms? Had she really kissed him with all the emotions she’d been bottling up for him?

  She smiled. It had been heavenly.

  Dawn trusted Jake and his word. Why or how, she didn’t know, but Jake was steadfast, loyal, and trustworthy. She’d known him almost five months and during the time he’d stayed at the ranch, she’d come to know him well.

  She relived the kiss that had rekindled her heart, and she felt her whole body respond to the memory. Yes, they would definitely have a good marriage despite their heritage. It was like they were attuned to one another. She wondered if Laura felt the same way about Max.

  A thought jerked her from her dreaminess. She was to meet Thomas Ainslee in just four days! Should she tell Jake about him? Was there any way for her to get out of meeting him? She’d need to confide in Laura.

  Chapter Eight

  “What should I do, Laura?”

  Laura stood, feeling her belly—it had just started to pop out a bit, due to her pregnancy. She smiled and then focused her attention on Dawn. “I’d go meet him, show him where the hotel is, and then tell him you’ve just been spoken for.”

  “But he’s coming all this way just to meet me.”

  Laura shrugged. “That’s about all you can do. Just be polite and your usual, sweet self.”

  “Jake wants to see me today. This is going to weigh on my mind and spoil our outing.”

  “Don’t let it.” Laura rubbed her belly once more. “Look, Dawn: the babe is growing.”

  Jake picked her up in one of his finest buggies and insisted they go into town for lunch.

  Dawn felt uneasy. She’d never once stepped into the café, and she wondered what her reception there would be like. She was unsure if she could handle any derisive remarks, especially accompanied by Jake, and she inwardly shivered.

  They walked into the café, and Jake escorted her to a table. When they were seated, Jake kept his eyes planted on her while she glanced around.

  The other diners stared at them and whispered, but Jake reached for her hand and squeezed it. “Keep your eyes on me and on your plate when it comes. What you don’t see can’t hurt you.”

  Dawn gave a slight shudder. “I can feel their looks.”

  “They're probably just shocked to finally see me with a woman.” He chuckled, which made Dawn smile.

  The meal was pleasant, as was Jake’s company, and Dawn soon forgot the gazes and whispers—Jake’s presence seemed to void everything else around her.

  More stares followed them as they strolled, hand-in-hand, down the wooden walkway together. More people stared. Some raised their eyebrows, but no one said a word. Dawn figured that Jake’s strong presence made the difference. Laura had been right: no one wanted to get into a fight with a tall Texan wearing two holstered guns; that was for sure. Dawn relaxed and enjoyed the afternoon.

  When they returned to White Oaks, Jake helped her down from the buggy. His hands lingered on her tiny waist for far too long. “Do you suppose we could find that bench in the orchard again?” he asked.

  Dawn smiled. “I’m sure we could.” She led the way, pulling him along.

  They reached the bench and sat down before she noticed he’d been carrying something. Jake held out a box wrapped in white paper. “I think it’s proper for a man courting a woman to present her with a gift now and then.”

  Dawn gingerly took the box and removed the white paper. She gently opened it and gasped. “A miniature piano.”

  “Open the top,” Jake prompted.

  Dawn lifted the piano lid and the sweetest music escaped from it. For some reason, the music brought tears to her eyes. She wasn’t sure if it was the soft notes of the tune, or his thoughtful gesture, but it took her breath away.

  “It’s lovely. Do you know the name of that song? I love it.”

  “Fur Elise. It’s written on the bottom of the music box.”

  “Oh! Such a lovely song title, and the music is so soothing.

  "I’ll treasure this gift, Jake.”

  “The moment I saw it in the mercantile, I knew. The piano and its beautiful tune fit you and our relationship perfectly.”

  Dawn lifted the lid again and rested her head on Jake’s chest as she listened again.

  “And,” Jake said, “we ventured into town together, and we did just fine. Now, do you trust that I can handle the situation?”

  When she nodded, he kissed the top of her head. “Though I love kissing your head, I’d much rather find a pair of lips begging to be kissed.”

  Dawn lifted her head and pressed her lips to his. She’d never felt safer or happier. Dawn was half-French, she had a last name, and she’d found true love. Never in her life had she been that happy.

  “I’m sorry that I doubted your ability to handle…you know, us.”

  “I am too, but I’m glad we've finally leaped over that obstacle. Now, we can just enjoy being together.”

  *******

  Jake returned to the livery to find Marty underneath a buggy. “You oiling wheels again?”

  Marty slid out from under the vehicle. “Nah, the brakes needed adjusting on this one.”

  “Is there anything I need to know?”

  “No. All’s well here.” He gave Jake a crooked smile. ‘”You sure returned in a happy mood. That lunch date must have been special. Mercy Logan again? She’s sure a looker.”

  Jake shook his head. “Mercy was not my lunch date, and I’ll have you know she’s unattached and eager to meet someone. Too bad you aren’t a bit older, Marty.”

  “She’d never look my way,” Marty said as he wiped his hands on a rag. “So, who put you in such a joyful mood if it wasn’t Mercy?”

  “Dawn.”

  Marty looked puzzled. “Dawn’s the Indian living with Laura and Max, isn’t she?”

  “Yes, that’s right. She is. Do you have a problem with that?” Jake replied, piercing Marty with his eyes.

  “Ah…no. I was just surprised, is all.”

  Jake puffed his chest out proudly. “I’m going to marry her, though I haven’t asked her yet.”

  *******

  Dawn set the music box on her bedside table. She’d play it every night before falling asleep. The tune put her to dreaming of Jake’s kisses that had begun so tenderly and had ended up so frantic and fiery.

  The thought of having to meet Thomas Ainslee brought her mood down, considerably. Why had she given the letter to Laura to send to the Groom’s Gazette? She usually wasn’t that impulsive. If she’d only have waited, and yes, trusted in Jake, she wouldn’t be in this mess.

  She’d take Laura’s advice and simply meet the man. She'd explain that in the interim between posting the ad and his response, another man had asked to court her and she’d accepted. It wasn’t as if she’d invited him to Silverpines. For all he knew, she could be out of town upon his arrival, or she hadn't received his letter. The thought of not showing up and letting him think that was the case was tempting, but she knew she should do the right thing and meet him to explain.

  Laura had offered to go with her, and that made her feel a bit better about the situation.

  When the day she was to meet Thomas had arrived, Laura was sick. She’d been vomiting just about every day, and Max had always made her rest in bed. Though Dawn felt badly for Laura, she felt frightened at having to meet the man on her own.

  Laura tried to convince Max to go with her, but Max had a man coming to buy some horses, and he couldn’t afford to pass that up, so she was forced to go alone.

  Dawn peeked into Laura’s room to check on her before leaving for town to meet Thomas. “Are you all right, Laura?”

  Laura peeked at Dawn from beneath her quilt. “I’m fine, now, but I don’t think I can stand six more months of this.”

  “I wish I could give you some wise advice about your condition.”

  �
��I guess it will all be worth it in the end,” Laura said. “Are you leaving now?”

  “Yes. I’m nervous, Laura.”

  “You’ll do fine. Come right home after you tell him so I don’t worry.”

  “I will.”

  Laura sighed. “I still think you should have told Jake about it. He’d have gone with you, I know he would have.”

  “I don’t want him to know I sent for a mail order husband.”

  “Hurry back, then, and be careful. Max saddled a horse for you.”

  “I will.” Dawn leaned over and kissed Laura’s cheek. “Now, go back to sleep.”

  Clad in a navy-blue riding skirt, Dawn mounted the horse and trotted down the lane to the main road. Her mind seemed to be running faster than her horse. Should she have told Jake about Thomas? What would his reaction have been? It wasn’t right to start their relationship by keeping something from him, but she felt guilty about it. Writing for a husband had been a silly, impulsive thing to do, and she should have thought about it longer before rushing into it.

  She wished she knew what type of man this Thomas was. Would he curse at her when he found out she was no longer interested, or would he be understanding and kind?

  Dawn gently prodded the horse into a canter. She’d best get it over with.

  *******

  Jake had planned to take Dawn to the hotel that evening for a special dinner—he felt ready to propose. There was no doubt in his mind that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. In preparation for the event, he went to the barbershop for a haircut. As he was coming out of the shop, two men were leaning against a fence. He recognized one of them as Otto Reynolds, a man he’d fired recently. He tipped his hat in their direction and walked to his horse, but stopped short when he heard what sounded like an Indian war whoop. He spun around to see the two men standing there, laughing.

  Jake switched directions and walked toward them. “What’s your problem, Otto? Do you have something you want to say to me?”

  “No.” The man guffawed loudly. “If you want to marry an Indian that’s your business.” Their laughter was cut short when Jake grabbed Otto by the collar and threw him into the nearby water trough. The other man started to run, but Jake caught him by the seat of his pants and tossed him into the trough as well.

  Jake turned, walked to his horse, and rode away.

  Chapter Nine

  The train depot was crowded—a sign that a train was due soon. Some people carried luggage preparing to depart, while others stood anxiously, awaiting passengers. Dawn stood amidst the crowd of waiting people, praying Thomas would be a good sort.

  When someone bumped into her, she turned to see the blonde woman Jake had called Mercy. “I don’t think we’ve met,” Mercy said. “I’m Mercy Logan, and I'm fairly new in town.”

  “How do you do. I’m Dawn Girard.”

  “Are you waiting for someone, too? I’m waiting for an elderly aunt from California,” Mercy said.

  “Yes. I’m waiting for a friend.” What else could she say?

  As they waited, Dawn studied Mercy. She was tall, slim, fair, and beautiful, yet Jake had chosen her over Mercy, which gave her a warm, fuzzy feeling since it meant his feelings were not based on appearances but on the person. Mercy’s beauty had no effect on a man whose heart was elsewhere, and she almost felt sorry for the woman

  When she looked beside her again, Mercy had vanished, which was strange.

  Just then, the sound of the train’s whistle sounded, bringing the crowd around her to attention. It wasn’t long before the huge, black engine screeched to a stop in front of the platform, spitting steam from the its stacks and momentarily obliterating her view.

  As passengers stepped off the train, Dawn wondered how she'd recognize a man she’d never met. She hoped he’d spot her first and approach her, but no one did.

  The passengers headed to the depot for refreshment or to leave with someone who’d been waiting for them. She heard the conductor call: “We’re boarding in fifteen minutes.”

  Dawn wasn’t sure if she should go into the depot or remain where she was and hope Thomas would approach her as she was the only person left waiting for a passenger.

  Mercy appeared at her side again. “Dawn, I went on the train to help my aunt, and a young man asked me if I knew you, and if I would give you a message.”

  “A young man?” was all Dawn could think to say. “What’s the message?”

  “It seems he’s in need of help disembarking as he sprained his ankle while boarding in California. He wondered if you might come and assist him. I’d do it, but I need to care for my aunt.”

  Dawn felt a bit of relief. If Thomas was injured, perhaps he wouldn’t mind having to go back home again. “Which car is he in?”

  “The second car. In the back. He was sitting next to my aunt.”

  “Thank you.” Dawn boarded the second car and looked around, but she didn’t see anyone. She walked down the aisle and was wondering if he had somehow found someone to help him when she felt someone press a cloth to her face from behind her. The cloth smelled of something lethal. Despite her struggles, she was helpless, and she soon knew nothing more.

  Dawn stretched and realized she wasn’t waking up in the morning in her bed. Where was she? She felt the movement of the train, snapped her eyes open, and gazed around in surprise. She was on the train! She recalled the cloth being pressed to her face from behind her. Who would want to knock her out and put her on a train headed for—she had no idea where.

  She sat up straight and saw a ticket lying on her lap that had been punched by the conductor. Dawn's mouth fell open in shock—her final destination was Seattle, Washington!

  First of all, train tickets weren’t cheap—who had wanted her in Seattle so badly they’d spend that much money to get her there?

  Second of all, she had no luggage or money. Dawn wasn’t the type to panic, but she had to figure out what she would do next.

  When the conductor called out the next stop, whatever the town was, Dawn decided she had to get off there and figure out what to do.

  “Next stop, Olympia!” the conductor called.

  *******

  Laura paced on the front porch. It was getting dark, and Dawn still hadn’t returned. It wasn’t like her to not send word if she wouldn’t be home on time. Dawn knew she and Max worried.

  The front door opened, and Max stepped out. He put his arm around his wife. “Do you think she met up with Jake?”

  “She would have sent a message.”

  “I told Jake to hold onto that letter to the newspaper. He must've posted it. I had no idea he'd done that. Did you know?”

  Laura shook her head. “No, I thought he was going to hold on to it. I was surprised when she got a reply to the ad.”

  “I don’t want you upset over this. I’ll go into town and see if I can find her.”

  “Thank you, Max. You might take Jake along. Surely, he should know if she’s missing. I’m worried that this Thomas Ainslee may not be a reputable man. What if he’s kidnapped her or something?”

  Max hugged his wife. “Stop worrying. I’ll get Jake and we’ll find her.”

  Laura jerked into sudden awareness. “I hear a horse coming down the lane. Dear Lord, I hope it’s Dawn.”

  As the rider came closer, Laura sighed. “It’s Jake.”

  Jake stood on White Oaks' porch, dressed in his best suit and a string tie. He was carrying a bouquet of flowers. “What do you mean, Dawn is missing? We’d planned on going to the hotel for dinner.”

  Laura wiped tears from her face. “You tell him, Max.”

  “She went to meet her mail order husband. I thought I told you to hold on to that letter to the Groom’s Gazette?” Max said.

  “What? I didn’t post it.”

  Max frowned. “Well, someone did!”

  “I’d forgotten all about it. It must still be on the table in my office. I haven't looked at it since the day you gave it to me.” Jake scratched his
head. “Why would she go and meet him? Surely she hadn’t planned on going through with this mail order husband stuff.”

  Laura stepped forward. “A letter showed up from Sacramento, California. A Thomas Ainslee had answered her ad and said he was coming here to meet her on November the seventeenth. There wasn’t a return address, and at the time the letter arrived, it was only a week to the meeting date. Dawn felt she should, at least, meet him and tell him she was being courted by you.”

  Jake threw his arms into the air. “And you let her go alone?”

  Laura began to sob, and Max hugged her to him. “Don’t blame Laura! We didn’t want that letter sent. If anyone’s to blame it’s you for posting it.”

  “I didn’t post it!”

  Laura wiped her eyes. “I planned on going with her, but I was ill and just couldn’t.”

  Jake glanced at his brother, frowning.

  Max said, “I had a man coming to buy six horses. I couldn’t leave.”

  “Why didn’t she tell me?" Jake asked. "I would have gone with her.”

  Laura answered, “She didn’t want you to know she’d sent for a mail order husband.”

  Jake let out a large groan. “I’m going into town. I’ll find her.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Max said.

  “No, you stay here with Laura. She’s upset, and she needs you. I’ll report back here.” Jake jumped down from the porch and onto his horse and raced down the lane.

  Jake tied his horse and walked down the wooden walkway, asking everyone he met if they’d seen Dawn, but no one had. He went into the café and asked the owner if Dawn had been in that day. Then, he went into every business that was still open and inquired after her.

  By then, Jake was scared. What had happened to Dawn? He walked to the train depot, hoping she might be there talking to that Thomas fellow, but instead of seeing Dawn, he saw Mercy Logan sitting on a bench outside the depot.