Love Is Patient Romance Collection

by Vetsch, Erica; McDonough, Vickie; Barton, Janet Lee

  Jody pushed Aaron off and looked for Anika. She’d been talking to the men at the door, and evidently one of them had hauled her outside when the cave-in started.

  Aaron shook his head, sending a shower of dust plummeting to the ground. He hauled her to her feet, looking worried. “Are you all right?”

  His concern touched a deep place in her heart. It would be so easy to love this man, if they weren’t adversaries. For a fraction of a second, she wanted to lean against his chest and let the security of his strong arms make all of this go away.

  A crowd had gathered outside, and Jody saw Tucker shoving his way forward. She knew he’d been out of town and was due to arrive on the train today. It looked as if she’d be losing her last ally.

  “Surely you see now that this escapade of yours is unsafe.” Aaron brushed off her shoulders, sending a delicious shiver charging down her spine.

  Jody closed her eyes, willing herself to be strong. She couldn’t give in now and let him win. “I suppose you’ll just have to tell your workers to stop.”

  The incredulous look Aaron gave her would have melted many a woman’s resolve, but she held her ground. Keeping one hand over her nose and mouth to keep the dust out, she slid her chair closer to the front door.

  “Are you all right?” Anika leaned in the doorway, her arm around her husband’s waist.

  The lawyer glared at Jody. “You all could have gotten badly injured. This is one of the craziest stunts you’ve pulled, not to mention it’s illegal. Mr. Garrett is well within his rights to prosecute you for trespassing.”

  Ashamed for raising her friend’s ire, she studied the ground where the remaining cookies lay amid a pile of debris. She sincerely hoped she hadn’t gotten her friends in trouble with their husbands as Aaron had said.

  But wasn’t that all the more reason to stay? If she left now, it would all have been for naught.

  “You go on, Anika. And thanks for being here today. I appreciate the support.”

  As Tucker led his wife away, Jody tugged her chair as close to the door as possible without actually going outside, then sat down.

  “Jo–dy!” Aaron ground out. “You cannot stay here. I won’t allow it.”

  She hiked her chin. “You can’t make me leave.”

  He clenched his fist. “I could pick you up and haul you right out that door.”

  She glared at him and tightened her grip on the arms of the chair. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  He looked as if he were seriously considering it. She smothered that small, rebellious part of her that wished he would and maintained her stare.

  Suddenly he pivoted and fled outside, down the stairs. Jody didn’t know whether to be relieved she’d won or disappointed that he’d given in so easily.

  Leaning her head back, she fought the tears that stung her eyes. Or perhaps it was just all the dust. Was she doing the right thing?

  When Aaron had asked what she hoped to accomplish, she had no answer to give. She just charged in, barely even asking God what to do and not taking time to listen to His answer. Why did she always do that?

  Was Aaron right? Would moving the orphanage be the best thing for the children?

  Now that her anger had subsided, she could see the benefit of such a move. But there were no funds for such a venture even if they had land.

  Yawning, she laid her head back. The heat of the day and the stress on her emotions, not to mention their near miss, had left her tired and unsettled. A little rest would make the long day pass more quickly.

  Jody jumped at the sound of someone marching up the steps and realized she must have dozed off. A shadow darkened the doorway. Aaron stood there, along with the sheriff.

  “There she is, Sheriff, just like I said. I’ve tried to reason with her, but she’s the most unreasonable female I’ve ever met. I want her arrested for trespassing.”

  “Arrested?” Jody’s heart stumbled, and her parched mouth suddenly went desert dry.

  Aaron nodded, but it looked as if the sheriff was trying not to laugh.

  “Are you going to come peaceably, Jody?” the sheriff asked, amusement lighting his eyes and making his thick mustache dance.

  Jody clung to the arms of the chair. “I’m not going anywhere, and you can’t make me.” She winced, knowing how childish she sounded.

  Aaron looked at the sheriff, and he nodded. Faster than greased lightning, they hoisted up her chair and carried her outside. The gathering crowd cheered and burst out in a gale of hoots and laughter.

  “That’s showing her who wears the pants,” a man hollered.

  “Git ‘er, Sheriff,” someone else cried out.

  Jody gripped the arms of the chair and wrapped her feet around its legs, hoping she wouldn’t tumble to the ground. Any other time this might have been fun, but now she was absolutely mortified. She knew her cheeks were flaming. How would she ever show her face in town after being thrown in jail?

  After some jiggling around, Jody found herself in the adobe jailhouse. The thick wooden door clicked shut, and the hot, stuffy room darkened. She sat there in stunned disbelief.

  How could Aaron do this, just when she was starting to care for him and even beginning to see how moving the orphanage might possibly be a good thing?

  She’d been on the verge of giving in, but not now. Even though the town would benefit from a new hotel, she would fight Aaron Garrett tooth and nail.

  Chapter 6

  Aaron fiddled with his hat while he waited at the orphanage office to talk with Mr. Jacobson. The sheriff had suggested he’d have far better luck with the orphanage director than he ever would with Jody.

  He pressed his lips together and sighed. It had been two days since Jody had spent those three hours in jail, and she still wouldn’t give him the time of day. He was certain he’d agonized over the event far more than she had.

  A flash of color caught his gaze. Outside the window, he saw Jody marching into view with a half dozen orphans following her like ducklings in a row. She tossed her head back and laughed at something a young boy said. Taking the boy’s hands, she spun around in a circle, looking lighthearted and carefree.

  The thought of that smile dimming when she saw him weighted him down. In spite of the trouble she’d caused, he couldn’t help liking Jody. In fact, he much more than liked her; he was deeply attracted to the stubborn yet feisty spinster. That in itself amazed him, since he was usually so busy he only admired most women in passing.

  But Jody wasn’t most women. She had ridden in and made her mark on his heart faster than a cowpoke could brand a calf, and she wasn’t even aware that she had.

  The front door opened, and the children hurried in on a gale of chatter and clomping feet. Aaron’s heart picked up speed. Jody entered right behind the youngsters.

  “No running, and you all need to get cleaned up for supper.” As she passed the doorway where he stood, her head turned, and her gaze collided with his. The smile on her face wobbled, then slipped. Her brows dipped. “What are you doing here?” Jody crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the door frame. In spite of her attitude, he was glad she hadn’t run off at the first sight of him, though he couldn’t help wishing she was happy to see him.

  “I have a meeting.” He stepped closer and didn’t miss the apprehension in her gaze.

  “With whom?”

  “Jacobson.” Aaron stopped a few feet away from her, admiring her wind-tossed appearance. “I wouldn’t mind having dinner with you again.”

  Surprise widened her eyes, and she stared at him in disbelief. “Why in the world would you want to spend time with me after what I did?” She straightened, looking as if she were ready to flee.

  Aaron shrugged, then allowed a smile. “Perhaps I’m a slow learner.”

  Her brows dipped. “Well, I’m not. I haven’t forgotten the way you embarrassed me in front of the whole town and had me thrown in jail.”

  She’d never forgive for him for that. Perhaps it had been a mistake, but i
t was the only thing he could think of at the time to protect her. That building could have collapsed at any moment, right on top of her.

  A door behind him clicked open, and Aaron turned to see Mr. Jacobson and another man he didn’t recognize. After the two shook hands, the stranger nodded as he walked past Aaron and out the door.

  “Come on in.” Mr. Jacobson waved his hand toward the open door of his office.

  Aaron looked over his shoulder, disappointed to find Jody gone. He knew he shouldn’t cling to hope that she’d ever like him.

  Taking a seat, he prepared himself for another battle. Perhaps he ought to just cut his losses and leave town, but he couldn’t. The image of a new orphanage, located just outside of town, had engraved itself inside his mind, and he couldn’t shake it loose. The children needed a champion.

  Mr. Jacobson sat down behind his old walnut desk and rested his hands on its top. “So how can I help you, Mr. Garrett?”

  Aaron shot a prayer heavenward. Lord, if You’re the One who put this plan for the children’s home in my head, then I need Your help to bring it to pass.

  “I won’t mince words, sir. I’d like to purchase the land the orphanage is on and help you relocate.”

  Mr. Jacobson’s brows rose, and an amused smile tugged at his lips. “Jody isn’t enough of a challenge for you? Now you have to take on the whole board of directors?”

  Aaron wasn’t sure if the man was teasing or serious, but he wasn’t going to back down. Mr. Jacobson lifted his hand in the air when Aaron pressed his lips together.

  “I’m well aware of your agenda, Mr. Garrett. I’ve talked with Jody—several times, in fact.” Jacobson tapped his fingertips together. “This might surprise you, but I’ve actually been praying that God would make a way for us to move.”

  Aaron’s heart skittered, then pounded a ferocious beat. He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.

  “This town has tripled in size since copper was discovered nearby. It’s not the sleepy little town it was when Jody was young.” Jacobson swiveled around and stared out the side window for a moment, then turned back. “I’ve talked with the board already. When I heard what you were about, I suspected you wouldn’t waste much time in coming here. The board has agreed that we will sell you this property under two conditions.”

  Aaron sat up, smelling victory—both for himself and for the orphans.

  Mr. Jacobson held up a stubby finger. “One—you and Jody must find a piece of land priced no more than what she and her friends have already collected. And two—you must persuade Jody that the move is in the children’s best interest. Expanding the orphanage has been her dream for a long while, and she needs to be involved.”

  Aaron slumped back in his chair. The first item was more than reasonable, but the second? Was it possible to reason with Jody McMillan?

  A smile tugged at his lips. Then again, he did love a good challenge.

  “So you gonna marry me or not?” Elmer stood in front of Jody’s desk, smelling like rank onions and covered in dust. His pudgy face was scrunched up, and a loud squeak sounded as he sucked on his eyetooth—a habit that never failed to irritate her.

  She sighed and glared back. “Not.”

  Elmer’s furry brows dipped. “Not what?”

  How did the dense man ever run a successful business? Jody grabbed her handbag, thankful the workday was over. “I am not going to marry you. Why don’t you ask the Widow Classen?”

  Elmer stroked his chubby jaw. “Perhaps I will. That sauerkraut of hers is right special.”

  Jody shut the door and hurried across the street toward the boardinghouse, hoping he wouldn’t follow. Her emotions had been swirling like a cyclone the past week. The board of directors had informed her that they’d told Aaron they would sell him the orphanage land if she and he could find a suitable place to relocate. Why did she have to help him find land?

  She felt as if her family had betrayed her. Tears burned her eyes, and she bypassed the front door and headed down the alley to avoid questions from well-meaning folks. Fifty yards behind the boardinghouse, she stopped near a large cluster of beavertail cacti. She loved their vivid pink flowers that bloomed every spring, brightening the barren landscape, but now the prickly pear cactus was just thick, rounded pads with sharp spikes.

  Like me.

  As if she’d pricked her finger on the barbed bristles of the cactus, she flinched.

  She wanted to argue with herself, but she knew the truth. She was as prickly as the beavertail around Aaron.

  The man both attracted her and infuriated her. She wanted to flee his presence, and yet she longed to run into his arms. How was that possible?

  She was fighting a losing battle. Tears burned her eyes and overflowed onto her cheeks. Was she upset about losing the home she’d been raised in? Or losing to Aaron?

  Tilting her heard back, she looked up at the light blue sky. Help me, Lord. Show me what to do. I don’t want to be a stubborn, prickly cactus.

  The memory of Reverend McCurdy’s Sunday sermon danced in her mind. He’d talked about having the faith of a tiny mustard seed. She knew the truth—ever since her parents had died, she’d had trouble trusting God. Oh, she believed in Him, but giving over control of her life and trusting Him were another thing.

  Now she’d been boxed in. She had no choice but to search for property with Aaron. She loved volunteering and working with the children too much to resist the board’s request and risk developing a chasm between her and them.

  She picked up a rock and tossed it at a yucca, relieving some of her frustrations. A roadrunner darted out from behind the spiny plant and took off across the barren landscape as if a coyote were on its tail. Nearby, a Gila woodpecker peeked its red-capped head out of the hole it had carved in one of the old saguaros. It flitted around, then took flight.

  Being around nature helped clear her mind and soothe her restlessness. Even though this part of the country was dry and desolate, God had created beautiful creatures and plants for His people to enjoy.

  She had longed for this freedom during her three hours in jail. Being shut away from the sun and wind had been horrible. Still, she knew Aaron would have been every bit within his right to have her locked away for a longer time, but he hadn’t. He’d only wanted to teach her a lesson.

  And he was right about moving the orphanage, too, although she still didn’t want to admit it. Since Aaron had come to town, she’d paid closer attention to the children playing around the train tracks. Twice, older boys had taunted the engineer and stood right on the tracks as the locomotive was approaching. Its loud, plaintive whistle had cried out a warning, and the boys jumped off the tracks only a moment before the train squealed to a stop. As if it had just happened, her heart pounded out a ferocious tempo.

  She looked heavenward. “All right, Lord. I’ll help Aaron search for a new site for the orphanage, but You’re going to have to do something about Elmer Brody, or I’ll be looking for a new job.”

  Chapter 7

  Jody fiddled with her skirt and tried not to let her shoulder hit Aaron’s as the buggy dipped into another ridge in the rough road. She’d had a nice time riding around with him this afternoon, but she wouldn’t admit it to anyone.

  “So did you prefer any particular property over another?” Aaron made a smacking noise that sounded like a kiss to the horse to encourage it to keep moving.

  A delicious shiver charged up Jody’s spine. She shouldn’t be thinking of Aaron and kisses in the same thought. After all, she was still upset with him, wasn’t she?

  She heaved a sigh. Arguing with herself could be so exhausting.

  Aaron nudged her shoulder. “You awake?”

  Jody hiked her chin. “Of course I am. I was just thinking.” Yeah, about the wrong thing.

  “So?”

  Jody shrugged. “I don’t know. I suppose the Nickerson farm is the best choice. It’s close to town, near the creek, and has plenty of room for the children to run and play.”


  “Not to mention the farm has that big, fenced-in garden.”

  “It’s sad the Nickersons died from that influenza epidemic we had here.”

  Aaron nodded. “Must have been tough on the people who found them dead.”

  Jody glanced at Aaron. “You don’t suppose there could be any disease lingering there, do you? I’d hate for any of the children to get sick.”

  “I seriously doubt it. Besides, the children will be getting a new dormitory. The Jacobsons could live in the old farmhouse—or perhaps use it for the office.”

  As they pulled into town, ideas were flying in Jody’s mind. Now that she’d caught the vision, she was starting to get excited about moving the children’s home.

  Aaron stopped the buggy in front of the café. “Supper?”

  A heat other than the sun’s warmed Jody’s cheeks. She probably should say no, but they’d had such a nice time that she couldn’t refuse. She nodded. “Dinner would be nice.”

  Aaron helped her down and kept his hands on her waist far longer than necessary. His gaze penetrated hers. She loved the color of his eyes. His tempting lips turned up in an enchanting smile.

  “I had a nice time today. You’ll have to favor me with another buggy ride soon, Miss McMillan.”

  Giddy—that was the only word that described the way she felt. When she wasn’t arguing with or being mad at Aaron, she truly liked him. His impeccable dress and fine manners made him stand out in this little country town, yet it was his kindheartedness and gentle spirit that truly attracted her. Still, it wasn’t proper to stand in the road staring longingly into a man’s eyes. She stepped back and bumped into the buggy.

  Aaron took the hint and offered his arm. “Shall we?”

  Jody returned his smile and looped her arm through his. As he reached for the café door handle, the church bell started clanging, and her heart jumped into her throat. What could be wrong?