As Patience began her supper, Emily told her what she knew about the incident. “It appears that one of the rungs on that old ladder was cracked, and your dress must’ve gotten tangled in a piece of split wood when you tried to step down. The marshal heard you scream and ran to you.”
“Mmm . . . I vaguely remember seeing someone, but I thought it was Cody. Maybe my mind’s befuddled, Emily.” She took another bite of the bread, butter liberally spread on it.
“Well, Cody was there too, but the marshal took over and sent him to fetch the doctor,” Emily explained. “I heard the scream and got here just as Cody left.”
“Nice of the marshal to help.” She took another bite of bread and looked over at Emily. “What? Why are you giving me that look?”
“Oh, I’d say that the marshal was doing a little more than just a nice thing. I think he’s interested in you,” Emily answered, eyebrows arched. “I saw his expression when he was feeling for a pulse in your neck—fear, then relief.”
“You must be joking. It’s his duty to help. He was probably wondering if I’d be bringing him breakfast biscuits again,” she tried a little chuckle but quit when it hurt her side. So it was Jedediah who took care of me.
Emily was shaking her head. “No, it was more than duty, Patience. He carried you up here after the doctor said you could be moved. He was very attentive and has already come again to check on you. I told him you might be able to receive visitors in the morning if he wanted to stop by then.”
Patience felt warmth spread to her face. Jedediah’s arms had lifted her, carried her right into her bedroom. “I’m sure he thought I was nothing more than a clumsy fool. Emily, I can’t thank you enough for being my nursemaid. But I feel pretty good now that I’ve had something to eat.”
They continued talking, finding out they shared more than a few similarities. Patience told her new friend about her family and her near engagement to Russell, then his death, and Emily shared how after her parents had died from an outbreak of diphtheria she’d become the ward of her uncle, who gave her everything she needed growing up. She had the sense that Emily was about as lonely as she was.
“Oh, goodness! Look at the time. And I have to be up early.” Emily stood, lifting the tray. “Do you need help getting ready for bed?” At Patience’s shake of her head, Emily said, “Fine then. If you need anything—anything at all during the night—just give me a holler. I’m sure I’ll hear you across the hall. I’ll stop by in the morning before I leave for Longhorn’s.”
Patience gave her arm a squeeze, then slowly stood and followed her to the bedroom doorway. “Emily, thank you again. I enjoyed getting to know you better, even if the circumstances were not the best. If there’s anything I can do to repay you, please let me know.”
Emily shrugged. “It’s what friends do for each other. Don’t forget, you don’t need to get up early to prepare breakfast—everyone has been forewarned.” She slipped from the room, and Patience closed the door to prepare for bed.
She soon found herself between the covers and allowed the warmth to envelope her like a cocoon. She thought about what Emily had said concerning Jedediah’s interest in her. Her friend had seemed pretty certain about it, but Patience wasn’t. Jedediah? Interested in me? Emily must be mistaken. Still . . .
Jedediah had trimmed his mustache, splashed on a bit of toilet water along his newly shaven jawline, and donned a clean chambray shirt. Outside he spied a patch of blue bachelor’s buttons growing alongside the stage depot. He looked around to see if he was observed, then quickly bent to pick a bunch. It was mid-morning by then, so he’d decided to check in on Patience. He did need to pay her for the boxed lunches, so he had a good reason for the visit.
He sauntered down the boardwalk past his office, but slowed as he neared the Creekside Inn. The cowboy—he’d forgotten what he’d said his name was—stood high up on a ladder, slapping yellow paint on the outside of the inn. The same yellow that was matted in Patience’s hair. What in tarnation is he doing that for? Is he a good friend of Patience? Jedediah intended to find out more about the stranger. Why hadn’t he offered to finish the painting for Patience? After all, that was part of their agreement.
Feeling silly with the wildflowers in hand and an observer up on the ladder, he turned back in the direction he’d come and saw Hannah sweeping the sidewalk in front of her bakery. He’d have to give Patience the money later—when Mr. Cowboy wasn’t around.
“Mornin’, Miss Hannah. Maybe you’ll find a place for these,” he said, thrusting the bouquet in her hands. Her mouth dropped open as he strode on past her.
“Thanks, Jed, but where ya off to in such a rush?”
Jedediah heard the exasperation in her voice, but he didn’t look back.
By the time Emily peeked in on her, Patience was slowly getting dressed, careful of the bruise on her side. Though she was still stiff, she was grateful her headache had subsided.
“I’m leaving now,” Emily told her, “if you’re certain that you can manage getting your breakfast. I didn’t want to wake you earlier.” Emily stepped into the room and helped Patience with the buttons on her dress.
“I’ll be just fine,” Patience assured her. “Maybe I’ll have just a piece of toast this morning, and I can easily manage that. In fact, I feel quite well, except for the soreness in my shoulder and ribs.”
“Good! Now, don’t overdo, and I’ll see you after supper or as soon as I can get away from the café.”
Patience assured her she would be careful. After she left, Patience tried brushing her hair up into its usual chignon as gently as she could. Tenderness from a bruise and swelling on the side of her head caused a sharp intake of breath. Instead of her comb, she used her fingers to make a loose knot at the back of her head. It would have to do for now, even if Jedediah stopped by, as Emily had indicated he might. She pinched her cheeks to add a little color and was glad for the green sprigged dress that brought out her eyes. Patience sighed. If she couldn’t be tall and willowy like Emily, with her golden hair and honey-colored eyes, she could at least be bright and cheerful.
This kind of thinking got her absolutely nowhere.
After downing another two cups of coffee, Jedediah leaned back with his boots propped against the porch railing and surmised that he was simply confused. Considering how he’d reacted earlier, it all made no sense. Patience, with her lovely eyes and witty tongue, along with her deep faith, left him bewildered and wondering. He believed in God, but she seemed to take her faith a step further—writing “devotionals,” whatever they were, and spouting off about them. And then, of all the nerve, suggesting he might have regrets in his past. Why would she presume such a thing about his life? She didn’t know him from Adam. Why should he care how many devotionals she wrote? They meant nothing to him, and there was nothing between him and Patience.
Except for some reason or other, she stuck in his craw. He knew little about her—who her parents were, where she came from—and maybe he didn’t need to. Forget whatever Hannah said or thought. He and the Patience woman would mix like grub worms in a tomato patch—pure disaster. Especially if she knew me for what I really am.
He’d walk over there now and pay her what he owed her, then leave it at that. At least until he needed lunches again.
Patience was sitting in a rocker on the front porch, chatting with that cowboy still up on the ladder, when Jedediah walked up. Hadn’t this dude finished yet? For goodness’ sake! He could’ve had the entire front painted by now. Cowboy’s slow. Or maybe he wants to paint at a snail’s pace to hang around longer. He hoped the slowpoke wasn’t charging her for the job.
“Why, Jedediah, good morning. It’s good to see you this beautiful day. I wanted to thank you for coming to my aid yesterday.” She gave him a little smile. “Forgive me if I don’t stand. My head still feels somewhat strange at times.”
Her usual rosy cheeks were pale, and her eyes seemed dull as she gazed at him. A dark blue bruise swelled the side of her face.
“I’m sorry it happened, but glad you’re up and feeling better.” He placed one foot on the top step, removed his hat, and leaned an arm across his knee.
A light pink now bathed her face. “Thank you. Emily said you sent for the doctor and—and carried me inside.” She nervously fingered the fringe on the shawl draped across her shoulders. “I hope it wasn’t too much of a bother.”
Cowboy cleared his throat and turned to them from the top of the ladder. “I was the one who went after the doctor for you, Patience.”
“Sure ’nuff, you did. Because I asked you to, cowboy,” Jedediah drawled.
“Cody. My name is Cody.” He flashed an annoyed look at Jedediah.
“Got it. Cody.” Jedediah winked at him, then handed Patience an envelope. “This is payment for the lunches you made. Everyone said to tell you they were delicious,” he said, fully aware that Cody had one ear cocked to their conversation. Wasn’t he way too young for Patience?
She nodded, glancing inside the envelope. “I’m glad you all enjoyed the lunches. Just let me know when you think you’ll need them again.”
“I’ll do that. You take it slow for a few days.” Jedediah could have sworn her eyes softened when she looked into his. He smiled at her, watching her full lips lift at the corners with a sweet smile.
“Oh, don’t worry. Emily’s making sure of that,” she said. “I’m not cooking for the boarders for the next day or two.”
“Do you need for me to get you over to Longhorn’s for supper then?” Now where did that come from? he berated himself. But it was asked, and now he couldn’t back out without looking ridiculous.
“No need—I’m taking her myself,” Cody called down from his perch.
“Did I ask you?” Jedediah straightened, irritated, and stared upward. “The lady can speak for herself.”
“I don’t require anyone to take me to supper,” Patience announced archly. “But Cody was nice enough to ask me earlier. Maybe you’d care to join us?” Her smile was sweet and, Jedediah thought, genuine.
“I’ll pass,” he told her. “I’ve got to get back to work. Riffraff passing through Nevada City are always keeping me on my guard, you know,” he said with a quick glance at Cody. He put his hat on and noticed Cody eyeing his badge, the muscles in his jaw flinching hard. Maybe he hadn’t seen it yesterday. Good! At least he knows who I am now.
Patience stood and reached over, almost touching his arm, but drew her hand back. “Perhaps another night . . .”
“We’ll see.” What the devil was wrong with him? Eating alone was becoming tedious and lonely. However, Cody had his eye on her, and who was he to get in the way of that?
Patience chuckled, though it sounded forced. “I wouldn’t want to twist your arm.”
“You’re not. It’s just that I’ve got a lot of things to do . . . and it looks like you won’t be needing my help with painting now.”
Patience was looking down at her shoe tops. “I see. Well, in that case, thank you again for your help. Cody was free for now and wanted something to do and offered to do some painting for me. I’m on my way inside to rest now.” She slipped through the doorway and disappeared, leaving him to wonder.
Was it something he’d said? He never could understand the workings of a woman’s mind. Who could?
Cody lifted the brush from the pail with a distinct harrumph, and Jedediah stared hard at him, then stalked off. Good luck, cowboy. Maybe some of her manners will wear off on you.
8
Throughout supper at the Longhorn, though Cody was both handsome and attentive, Patience’s mind kept wandering back to Jedediah. She was embarrassed to have her invitation to join them turned down, especially in front of Cody. What was she thinking? She’d clearly mistaken Jedediah’s interest in her accident for romantic notions. She shook her head briefly, and Cody looked puzzled. At least he seemed interested in their friendship, and she forced herself to pay attention to what he said.
The Longhorn was the nicest place to eat in town, and any other time Patience would have thoroughly enjoyed it, but not tonight. The decor was homey, with blue-checked tablecloths and blue spatterware. This was the first time she’d eaten here, and she could see how it could be a cozy place to enjoy eating with friends. But even though their dinner of thick steaks and potatoes looked delicious, her inward turmoil distracted her.
She leaned back in the comfortably upholstered chair with a sigh.
“Your appetite seems to have disappeared. Are you sure you’re feeling better?”
Patience laid her fork down. “Yes, I am. But a steak as large as this one is more than I can manage.” The truth was, her jaw hurt when she chewed. It was a wonder that she hadn’t lost her teeth from the fall.
Patience tried to take the focus from herself. “Tell me, have you had any jobs of interest materialize yet?”
“Not yet, but I’m not too concerned. When I’m finished painting, I’ll help you out with a few things that you need done around the inn. If I don’t find something soon, I’ll move on to the next town. That’s the life of a cowboy. I’m used to it.” His eyes held a certain melancholy when he looked into hers. “I have some money saved to tide me over until something turns up.”
If he stayed in Nevada City, Patience knew he’d have the ladies swarming around him with his dark good looks and affable personality. “Tell me about your family, Cody.”
His shoulders stiffened as he cut into his steak. “There’s not much to tell. My pa taught me how to handle cows and horses at a young age, but he fell on hard times after my mother died, so I struck out on my own, working here and there. What about you?”
“I inherited the Creekside from my grandmother after she died. At first I wasn’t sure I’d want to stay, but it seems preferable to living with my mother.”
Cody arched a dark brow. “She wants to be in charge?”
“Yes.” Patience didn’t feel compelled to share details with him.
They were interrupted as Emily stopped by their table. “How’s your dinner? I asked the cook to make sure your steak was especially tender for you, Patience.”
“It’s really wonderful, but I’m afraid it’s more than I can eat. Please thank the cook for me, will you? I’m going to take the rest home with me, if that’s all right.”
Emily’s face looked tired, but she managed to smile at them, assuring Patience that would be fine and she’d wrap it up as well as pass along her thanks to the cook. She’d been on the job for hours, and Patience knew her feet and legs must be very weary. She felt sorry for her new friend, making a promise to herself to have a nice cup of tea and biscuit ready for Emily when she returned tonight.
Emily glanced over to Cody. “Will you be having dessert?”
He gave her a smile. “Sure. Do you have vanilla custard? That would be easy for Patience to eat.”
“Coming right up. I’ll take these plates if you’re through.” At Patience’s nod, she began clearing the table.
“Emily—perhaps coffee too?” Patience suggested.
Emily nodded, and after she left, Cody asked, “Why aren’t you married?”
His rather direct question took her by surprise. Swallowing hard, she answered, “I came close to it . . . or at least I believe I was about to become engaged, but a tragedy occurred.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“The man I hoped to marry was hanged for cattle rustling,” she blurted out, and all the pain and memories of Russell’s death came flooding back. Suddenly the room was stifling hot—whether from the heat that rushed to her head or heat from the kitchen mixed with the summer air, she couldn’t have said.
Shock registered on Cody’s face and his brows creased into a tight line. “You don’t say? You don’t look like the type of lady who would be . . . well, would be involved with someone like that, if you don’t mind me saying so.”
She heard regret in his voice. “That’s because he wasn’t that type of person.”
He
gave her a curious gaze. “Do you know that for sure? Sometimes we can’t always see the real person. Do you know who—well, who hanged him?”
This kind of talk was making her as uncomfortable as her corset. “Cody, if you don’t mind, I need to get back to the inn. I’m suddenly feeling very tired.” She moved her chair back. “Please tell Emily I’m sorry about the dessert. Maybe she can take a break and enjoy it with you—looks like she could use one.”
Cody’s eyes narrowed with surprise. “I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well.” He stood and reached for his hat. “I’ll be glad to walk you back and skip the pudding myself.”
“No, no. I’ll be fine. It’s only a block. Really, just relax and enjoy your dessert. Perhaps I’ll see you in the morning?” she said, gathering her shawl about her.
“Yes, of course. Try to get some sleep, and thank you for having dinner with me.” He bowed his head slightly.
“You’re welcome.” She hurried out of the restaurant, gulping in the much-needed evening air, hoping to clear her fuzzy thoughts.
She needed to get out of this corset that threatened to shut off her breathing entirely. She’d laced it as tight as she was able to without causing more pain, to give the appearance of a smaller waist. And she’d wanted to wear her favorite green dimity dress from last year that seemed to have gotten smaller.
Thankfully, the sun already had slipped behind the mountains, and the fresh air cooled her face and neck. She dabbed at her upper lip and picked up her pace. She lifted her head and saw Jedediah walking toward her.
He tipped his hat, slowing his steps. “Evening, ma’am. Going to a fire or running from someone?” he asked with a sardonic grin.
“Don’t jest with me,” she scolded, suddenly feeling strange. She pulled her shawl tighter about her, and marched right past him, her heels ringing against the boardwalk.
———
Jedediah paused with his hands on his hips and stared at her stiff-backed form receding down the boardwalk. Snubbing him only confirmed that something he’d said or done had upset her. Probably didn’t like me joking about her evening with Cowboy not going like she’d hoped.
The Trouble with Patience Page 6
