Brides of Idaho

by Ford, Linda;

  “Good to hear. Good to know you’re close by to keep an eye out for them.”

  Joanna bristled. “They don’t need me to watch over them anymore.”

  “Girl, as the oldest, you’re responsible for them.”

  “You came all the way here just to tell me that?”

  “Nope. In fact, I kind of figure now they have husbands maybe you can move on.”

  She kind of figured the same thing.

  “You were always a good one to run a house. I figure you and me could join up. You can come with me and run my house now.”

  If she ever wondered whether she had her father’s wanderlust, his offer convinced her otherwise. “Pa, I plan to settle down someplace.”

  “That a fact?”

  “You’re welcome to stay as long as you like. There’s plenty of room here. I’ll send a message to the others, and they’ll come and visit tomorrow.”

  Her pa looked around. “Nice place you got here. I just might light awhile.”

  “You’re always welcome.” She wondered how long awhile would be this time.

  Pa pushed away. “I’ll join the others outside.”

  She waited until he left to release her pent-up emotion in a loud whoosh.

  Rudy stood in the kitchen doorway, a towel around his waist. “Everything okay?”

  She hesitated, not sure how to respond. “Everything is as usual.”

  He chuckled. “You mean he’s here today, gone tomorrow?”

  “I don’t expect him to stay. If I had to guess, he’s outside right now listening to tales of excitement and adventure. Having a family could never compete with that.”

  “Most men would disagree.”

  She crossed the room and stood close enough to wonder if she saw a flash of longing in his eyes. “Do you wish you had a family?” A wife?

  “I have Freddy. That’s the most family I’ve ever really had.”

  Their gazes held, searching past what was to what might have been. What might still be.

  “Life is full of opportunities,” she whispered. “If a person is willing to reach out for them.”

  He brushed her cheek with his knuckles. “Are you thinking about joining up with your pa?”

  He’d misunderstood her meaning.

  “Not at all.” She pushed past him before she could demand to know why he was so blind to her love. She would put it in words but feared if she did it would scare him away.

  She could only pray Pa wouldn’t entice Rudy to join him in seeking adventure.

  The next morning, Rudy took the message of their pa’s visit to both of the sisters. They showed up at the stopping house a short time later, escorted by their husbands. Both men gave the older man accusing looks. They’d seen how his defection had hurt their wives. They wouldn’t be letting him hurt them again.

  Rudy felt the same way toward Joanna. If only he could prevent the man from saying or doing something to hurt her again.

  Mandy was cautiously eager. “Hi, Pa. I knew you’d come back.”

  “Always do,” the man said.

  “Just about long enough to upset our lives, and then you’re gone again.” Glory wasn’t the least bit welcoming.

  At the way she flashed defiant looks at Levi, Rudy wondered if he’d dragged her down the hill.

  They stayed and visited all afternoon, listening to their pa’s stories of adventure and gold finds.

  “I notice he doesn’t seem to be offering any of his gold to the girls,” Trace murmured as he went to the stove to pour himself a cup of coffee.

  “I doubt he has any gold.” Rudy had seen no evidence.

  “Any idea how long he plans to stay?”

  “Joanna says not long. He asked her to go with him.”

  Trace drew back and stared at Rudy. “She’s not going, is she?”

  “Told him she had other plans.”

  “Right. California.”

  “It’s getting a little late in the season for that, isn’t it?”

  “I’d say she has a few days yet before she’ll have to postpone the trip until spring.”

  Rudy lifted the stove lid and stirred the fire. He’d thought she wouldn’t be leaving… that those plans had fallen through because of the fire. Surely she wouldn’t leave while her pa was here.

  Might be a good thing if the man hung around a bit.

  Chapter 15

  Five days later, Mr. Hamilton was still there. In fact, he’d settled in like he meant to put down roots.

  Rudy had given up the bedroom for the man, even though the older man said he didn’t mind sleeping on the floor. Rudy kind of hoped a comfortable bed would make him linger… just long enough to make travel west too risky.

  He needed time to carry out his plans.

  Maybe tonight he’d get an opportunity to talk to Joanna. Having her pa around served a purpose but made it harder and harder for Rudy to be alone with her. And oh, how he missed it.

  The cart was finished. He thought he’d take her to the shed and show her what they’d made. That way he could more likely have a bit of time alone with her. He counted the hours.

  The dining room door opened, letting in a draft of cold air. Winter edged closer every night.

  “Hello, Joanna. Are you there?” A woman’s voice filled the air.

  Rudy looked up from the bench he was constructing along the new wall. It would give her a sturdy place to set the laundry tubs.

  “Sarah.” Joanna squealed and dashed for the door. “What are you doing here?” She dragged a very pretty young woman into the kitchen. A black coat covered most of what she wore, allowing only a glimpse of a white blouse and dark skirt with a plain vest to match. An inadequate number of pins corralled her mass of blond hair so that much of it tumbled to her shoulders and beyond. Her blue eyes flashed with interest while she looked around. Her gaze lit on Rudy as he hunkered down, securing the bench to the wall.

  “Hello. You must be Rudy. Joanna mentioned you in her letters. I’m her friend Sarah. I’ve come to convince her to join me in traveling to California.”

  Rudy rose slowly, wiped his hand on his pants, and decided against shaking. Instead, he nodded. “Pleased to meet you.” Though pleased was not the right word. He didn’t want someone pulling Joanna away.

  “Sit down and tell me everything.” Joanna filled the kettle and sliced a piece of cake for her guest.

  “You go first.” Sarah took in the new wall. “Is that where the fire was?” Her gaze rested forcefully on Rudy, and she measured him.

  He drew himself tall, somehow knowing he must pass inspection.

  “Rudy’s done a good job of rebuilding it.”

  “It looks finished.” Sarah’s words rang with conviction. “No reason to stay in Bonners Ferry.”

  “Unfortunately, the sale fell through.”

  “So you said.” Sarah again measured Rudy. What was she scheming?

  “I haven’t had time to write and let you know Pa showed up.”

  That got Sarah’s attention. “Here? How long is he staying?”

  “He doesn’t say, but even if he did, I wouldn’t expect him to settle anywhere. But you know, he’s getting older.”

  “Maybe he prefers a nice warm house for the winter.”

  “Maybe.”

  “So let’s talk about this California trip.”

  “Sarah, I thought you’d be gone by now. If you delay too long, you’ll have to wait until spring.”

  “I have no intention of spending a snowy, cold winter here when I could enjoy sunshine and warm ocean breezes.”

  “I’m sorry I’ve caused you so much wasted time.”

  “That’s why I’m here. To get you to reconsider. It seems to me, there’s a way you can arrange your affairs so you can leave. With your pa here, there’s no reason you can’t leave him in charge until another buyer comes along.”

  Rudy stared at Sarah. He shifted to meet Joanna’s gaze. Her eyes were wide. Did this mean she welcomed Sarah’s suggestion?
/>   That blond woman had no right to come and put a wrench in his plans.

  Rudy grabbed the hammer and jerked open the outside door. He would not stay and listen to them. He stomped to the shed, put the hammer away, and stared at the finished cart. So much for a moment alone with Joanna tonight. So much for taking one step at a time toward the Mansion of Happiness.

  Freddy was down at the ferry, one of his favorite places, talking to the ferryman.

  The place closed in around Rudy. He saddled his horse and rode away as fast as he could.

  He rode south, retracing the journey that brought him here weeks ago. He’d come looking for his brother, Joe, intent on turning Freddy over to him then riding back to his own life.

  He now realized his rootless life was his way of running from his emotions. He realized a number of things had changed for him. He no longer looked at his past with the same amount of pain. He loved Freddy as if he were his own.

  He reached a spot that allowed him to stare into the distance and reined up to contemplate.

  Freddy was now part of his life.

  Joanna owned a large portion of his heart.

  She’d convinced him to read the Bible. One verse clung to his thoughts. “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.”

  He knew it was true because God said it, and God wasn’t like men to say one thing but mean another. He thought of something Levi said in one of his sermons. “We must know in order to believe. Then we must believe in order to know.” He’d gone on to explain how we might puzzle about the truths in the Bible, but to claim them for ourselves we have to make a choice to believe as well.

  Rudy knew God meant it when He said He loved him.

  All there was left to do was believe it. God, I believe You love me.

  Light seemed to fill his heart. Yes, God loved him. Had loved him all the years he’d spent running. What a waste.

  Exactly.

  He wasn’t about to waste another day. He headed back to Bonners Ferry.

  “I can’t go,” Joanna insisted again as Sarah continued to try her persuasive arguments. Yes, it was possible she could leave the stopping house in Pa’s care or even ask Austin and Cora to run the place until it sold.

  But if she left, how could she ever hope her love for Rudy would have a chance? So often she saw something in his eyes that gave her hope. On more than one occasion she’d been certain he was about to say something. Each time he jerked back. Afraid.

  She understood his fear. Shared it to some degree.

  Loving required a willingness to take a risk. Both of them had been hurt by unrequited love, and it had made them cautious.

  She was willing to allow him all the time he needed.

  But when he rode out of the yard in a hot hurry, her heart clambered up the back of her throat and stuck there. She’d only been able to breathe normally when she saw Freddy down at the ferry. Rudy wouldn’t go without him.

  She listened to Sarah’s excited plans and answered questions, but a good portion of her mind waited for Rudy to return. Would she always live with this fear that he’d ride out without a backward look?

  Not until she heard him ride into the yard and enter the dining room did her lungs relax.

  Sarah tapped Joanna’s elbow. “I said, my aunt says there are plenty of opportunities. There’s a position for a housekeeper in one of the fancy hotels, if you’re interested.”

  Joanna managed to bring a portion of her thoughts back to the conversation. “I can’t go.”

  Sarah sighed impatiently. “What’s holding you back?”

  Joanna shook her head. She wasn’t about to confess she loved a footloose cowboy and hoped he returned her love.

  She heard Rudy moving around the dining room; then his footsteps headed for the door. He opened and closed it. His boots thudded on the porch. Then his horse whinnied.

  Joanna sprang to the window. Rudy sat in the saddle, his bags in his hand. He reined around and rode from the yard.

  She fell back into her chair. What was holding her back? Nothing. But her throat closed off so she couldn’t answer Sarah.

  Glory clattered into the kitchen at that moment. “Hi, Sarah. Come to say good-bye to Jo?”

  “No. I’ve come to convince her to go with me. After all, what’s to keep her here?”

  “You mean besides her lovely sisters, the stopping house, and a man who adores her?”

  “What are you talking about?” Sarah’s eyes narrowed as if she meant to take care of such a man.

  “She’s talking nonsense,” Joanna managed to squeak out.

  “Oh, come on. I’ve seen the way Rudy looks at you.”

  “Yes, well, he just packed his bags and rode out. He’s leaving.” Just like Pa always did.

  “He’s moving into my shop.” Glory crossed her arms, a satisfied look on her face.

  Joanna’s mouth fell open. She couldn’t speak. But a question hammered at the inside of her head, and she forced her tongue to work. “Why?”

  Glory snorted. “Seems that’s a question you should ask him yourself.” She planted her face a few inches from Joanna’s. “Unless you’re too afraid.”

  “I’m not afraid.” But she was.

  “Of course you are. Love is risky. But let me tell you, it’s worth it. And not everyone is as careless about our feelings as Pa. Now, I can’t promise you that Rudy won’t want to move on at some point. But so what if he does? Marry him and go with him. You know moving on isn’t so hard. We’ve done it dozens of times. So stop running from what’s in your heart. Go to him. Ask him what he thinks, how he feels.” She waited. “Go.”

  Joanna hesitated.

  Glory pulled her to her feet. “Now.”

  Joanna managed to make her legs move toward the door. What if she told Rudy she cared, and he laughed? But then, what did she have to lose except the possibility of love?

  “Sarah, I’ll be back. Wait for me.” She stepped from the landing, her feet already moving at a good clip. By the time she reached Glory’s shop she was at full gallop. Not even bothering to knock, she burst in and skidded to a halt, panting for air.

  Rudy stood next to a row of freshly dusted shelves, his hat on his head. “I was just about to step out.”

  “Oh.” That didn’t sound very welcoming. Maybe this little visit wasn’t a good idea.

  “Yup. Going to find you and tell you I’m staying.”

  Joanna started breathing again. “You could continue to stay at the stopping house.”

  “Could, I guess. But seems if I’m going to court you properly, I shouldn’t be under the same roof.”

  “Court?” Her hopes raced for the sky. “You’re going to court me?”

  His expression grew guarded. “If you’ll let me.”

  She chuckled. “Rudy Canfield, I think it’s time we stopped tiptoeing around what we feel. Or at least, what I know I feel and what I think you feel.” She swallowed. “It’s hard to put our hearts on the line when we’ve been hurt so many times. But some things are worth the risk. Rudy, I love you.” There. She’d said it. She met his gaze boldly, waiting his reply.

  An array of emotions chased across his face. Surprise widened his eyes. Uncertainty drew worry lines across his forehead. Hope smoothed them away then belief brought joy to his face and lifted the corners of his mouth. “You love me?” He let out a whoop that made her jump; then he grabbed her shoulders. “Joanna, I love you. With my whole heart. I never want to leave you. Ever.”

  Her heart took flight like a happy meadowlark. Her eyes filled with tears of joy. And her smile claimed a large portion of her face. “How long have you known?”

  “I fought it for a long time because I didn’t believe anyone could love me.”

  She smoothed her hands over his stubbly cheeks. “Loving you isn’t hard.”

  He turned his mouth to her palm and kissed it. “I think I started to love you the day you stomped into my campsite and demanded justice for a stolen pie.” He grabbed her hands and pressed them
to his chest. “When did you start loving me?”

  “I loved you from the start. In fact, I think I’ve been loving you long before we met.”

  He blinked his confusion.

  “I needed a man who knew how to love me past the hurts. That was you. I have waited for you most of my life.”

  “Joanna, I love you. Can I court you?”

  “You could do better than that. You could marry me.”

  Both of them laughed and sealed their love with a kiss.

  Epilogue

  A month later

  Pa, you look just fine.” Joanna admired her father. He’d shaved and donned new clothes for the wedding.

  “You remind me of your mother in that dress.” His eyes shone with tears. “She was one good woman.”

  “Yes, she was.” It no longer hurt to think of how Pa had worn their mother out, dragging her from place to place. Her mother did it out of love. She’d do the same for Rudy though, for now, he wanted to stay and run the stopping house.

  She smiled at her sisters, who both wore dresses for the occasion.

  “I hope this is the last time,” Glory said. “These skirts and petticoats tangle around my ankles and about trip me up.”

  Mandy laughed. “They don’t look right on you either.” Then before Glory could start a ruckus, she turned to Joanna. “But you look radiant in that dress.”

  Joanna went to the mirror. She’d gone shopping in Sand Point with Sarah. All the wedding dresses were too fancy for her. She couldn’t imagine wearing one. When she saw this gown of blue sprigged lawn, called a summer dress, she decided she could be comfortable in it for an afternoon and even wear it again, should the occasion arise.

  Rudy had assured her he would be happy to marry her in a split skirt. “I love you as you are.”

  “Thank you, but I think my mother would be pleased to think I wore a dress for my wedding.” She said the same to her sisters, and both agreed. In fact, they both said they would wear dresses for the same reason.

  This was for Mother.

  Glory and Mandy sauntered up the aisle.