The Jewel of His Heart

by Maggie Brendan

  “Sit right here, Juliana.” Helen gestured toward the Victorian settee. “Marilee, please fetch another cup for our guest.”

  Marilee left the room momentarily and came back with a delicate rose cup and saucer. “I’m going over to Jane’s, Mommy.”

  “Supper is soon, so don’t be gone long, sweetie,” her mother said. Marilee gave her daddy a quick kiss and was out the door in a flash.

  Helen laughed, saying, “Ah, children. That one is twelve going on twenty.” She filled the cup with tea and handed it to Juliana.

  “I can’t stay long. I’m meeting Dr. Barnum for dinner.” As soon as the words slipped out of her mouth, she wished she hadn’t said them. Surprise showed on Helen’s face, but Juliana caught Harry’s smile.

  “Nice man, Mark. He’s a fine doctor too,” Harry said.

  Juliana sipped from the cup of tea. “I really came to talk to you about an idea I had for your new project.” She took a quick sip of her tea before continuing. “There may be a way to make money for the new school program.”

  Harry stood. “I’ll let you two talk. I have an appointment at the courthouse, but I’ll be back by suppertime.” He winked at Helen. “Juliana, I’m sure I will see you again.”

  “I’ll look forward to it.” Juliana found herself smiling at Harry. She liked him.

  Once he was gone, Helen turned to her enthusiastically. “So tell me, Juliana, what have you been thinking?”

  Juliana could see she had Helen’s full attention now. “I have some thoughts on ideas for a fund-raiser for the school.”

  “Any suggestion you have would be most welcome. Please share.”

  “Have you given any thought to an art show? I got the idea thinking about Mr. Stockton’s vast collection of art he has hanging throughout the hotel.” Juliana paused, waiting for Helen’s reaction.

  “Juliana, what a great idea! Who knows, perhaps we can persuade him to donate one or two.” She laughed. “Although that’ll take some convincing—”

  Marilee burst into the room, her ribbon sash flowing below her dress hem and a hole in her stocking. “Mama, come quick!” She yanked at her mother’s hand. “There’s been an accident. Jane and I were running, and I chased her across the street, but then she slipped and fell, and a wagon hit her. Hurry, please!”

  Shock registered on Helen’s face, and she shot up out of her chair. She ran to the front door and down the sidewalk, with Juliana frantically trying to keep up.

  Several neighbors were already gathered at the accident site, and upon seeing Jane’s limp body, Helen cried out. She and Juliana quickly bent down to check Jane’s breathing. “Thank God! She has a pulse.” Helen began to loosen Jane’s coat. A large purple bump was already forming over the girl’s right brow.

  “Do you think anything’s broken?” Juliana asked.

  “It’s hard to tell, but she probably has a concussion. Has anyone gone for the doctor?” Helen asked, turning to her neighbors.

  “He’s on his way, and George ran to get Jane’s mother,” someone in the crowd responded.

  “I don’t think we should move her,” Juliana said quietly, watching for any sign of motion in Jane’s face.

  Helen’s neighbor ran up and stood next to them, wringing her hands. “That horse and buggy just roared right past Jane like she wasn’t even there! I declare, I’ve never seen anything like it. He was in an all-fired hurry. I hope she’ll be all right.”

  Marilee’s eyes were as big as saucers, and Juliana got up to place her arm around the frightened young girl. “Don’t worry, sweetie. The doc’s coming.”

  Almost on cue, Mark hurried up to where Jane lay in the dusty street. He assessed her physical condition, looking for breaks, then pulled up her eyelids. “She’s probably got a concussion. You did the right thing by not moving her, because she may have a broken leg. Are you her mother?”

  “I am.” Cynthia Hood rushed to the circle gathered in the street. Juliana recognized her as the snoot from the Ladies Social Club. Cynthia fell to her knees at her daughter’s side, shock on her face. “Jane, please open your eyes.” She felt Jane’s face, gently nudging her, almost willing her to wake up. “What’s wrong with her, Doctor? Is she going to be all right?” Cynthia frantically looked into his eyes.

  “I think so.” Mark turned to George, his next-door neighbor, and motioned for him to assist. “We’ll need to get her inside and comfortable. Helen, since you’re just across the street, can we move her to your house temporarily?”

  “Of course, if that’s all right with Cynthia.”

  “Oh yes. Let’s get her off the street. Whatever you say,” Cynthia said.

  George and Mark scooped Jane up, supporting her neck and back, then carried her up the front porch into Helen’s home.

  “Take her up the stairs to that first bedroom. It’s the guestroom. She’ll be comfortable there.”

  Helen led the way. Juliana and Marilee stayed downstairs while Cynthia followed the men upstairs. Juliana gave Marilee a slight squeeze, and the girl leaned her head against her with a sob. “There now. Don’t cry. Mark is a good doctor, and he’ll know what to do.”

  “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have insisted on chasing her. Mama said I should act like a lady. She’s right,” Marilee said with a hiccup.

  “Let’s go sit down and wait, shall we?” Juliana led her to the parlor, where earlier they had enjoyed pleasantries. How fast things could change.

  It wasn’t long before Mark and Helen came downstairs.

  Marilee jumped up. “Mama, is she all right?”

  Mark turned to her. “She should be, in a few days. She’s going to have a bad headache, I’m afraid. And she’ll need some quiet rest.”

  Marilee sighed deeply, looking pitiful with her tear-streaked face, trailing sash, and ripped stockings.

  “Let’s get you upstairs and into the bathtub, young lady, so we can have our dinner. Cynthia will stay next to Jane and alert us if there is any change.” Helen pushed on her daughter’s backside, moving her toward the stairs. “You two go on now and enjoy yourself.” She nodded to Juliana and Mark. “We’ll take care of Jane.” “I’ll look in on her in the morning then.” Mark turned to Juliana, elbow out. “Shall we?”

  “If you’re sure you don’t need any help, Helen.” Juliana said.

  “Don’t worry about a thing. We’ll do exactly as Mark said. Now, I must bid you good-bye or Marilee will dawdle much too long with her bath.” Helen flashed them a knowing smile.

  11

  Howling winds blew down from the craggy mountain peaks where gathering dark clouds hovered above. The wind kicked up the dust in the busy streets of Lewistown, and shopkeepers’ signs rattled, their rusty nails squeaking against the weathered boards. The horses tied to hitching posts lowered their heads against the onslaught of dust in their eyes, while women pressed their hands down on their skirts to keep them from revealing the petticoats underneath.

  Josh clamped down on his Stetson, pulling his duster together to keep out the sudden chill. This could be another storm brewing before the temperatures warmed to a comfortable level when the lambing season began. He thought fondly of his herd and the new lambs he and Andy would be handling.

  A hot meal and a strong cup of coffee were what he was seeking tonight. Tucked under his arm was a copy of Moby Dick, which he intended to read while he ate his meal. Tomorrow he would head back out to his campsite with fresh supplies that should last a month or so. He missed Shebe and hoped Andy was taking good care of her. Next time, if the weather was clear, Shebe would come with him.

  Josh was glad that at the last minute he had donned his nice woolen pants and shirt underneath his heavy coat, and shined his boots before he left for Maggie’s restaurant. It was crowded tonight, and most diners were not dressed in their usual work garb. Maybe that was because it was Saturday. Out here, in the middle of nowhere, this was probably the highlight of the week for most people. He only had to look around to know that.

  A
s the waiter showed him to his table, he nodded to Sheriff Wilson, who shared a table with a couple he didn’t know. With the clatter of china, the clinking of glass, and the soft glow of gaslights, this would be a nice place to invite Juliana if he saw her again.

  If? Make that, he would see her again if he had his way about it.

  The small table near a window where he could look out onto the street suited him just fine. He placed his hat and book on the table, then peeled off his coat and waited for someone to take his order. He was mighty hungry, and the smells coming from the kitchen made his stomach sit up and take notice. He could eat a horse and snatch the rider!

  Quickly the waiter took his order, promising to bring his hot coffee first with lots of cream. Josh settled back, pulled his book to him, and flipped it open to the marked page. He enjoyed reading but hadn’t allowed himself the luxury of late because of his herd and the endless tasks that needed tending at his small ranch.

  The coffee arrived, and he helped himself to cream and sugar, making the coffee the color of caramel. It tasted delicious. Almost as good as Andy’s. After gulping down the coffee, he spied Juliana with Doctor What’s-his-name . . . Mark? Yes, Mark Barnum. Well, he wasn’t surprised. She smiled at Josh but then shyly looked away. He felt his face go warm despite the cold seeping through the windowsill he was sitting next to. A peculiar feeling inched its way up his chest, and he drew in a deep breath. My, but she was lovely to look at! She was laughing softly at something Mark was saying, and Mark’s eyes were locked on her pretty face.

  He quickly recovered and looked down at his book, suddenly unable to concentrate, though he continued to stare at the words on the page. How much did she like Mark? Maybe she felt friendship for him because he had tended to her dying mother. He stole a quick glance at the couple. Mark looked young and relaxed. He seemed to be closer to her age. Suddenly, Josh felt a bit old and tired as he compared himself to the competent, good-looking doctor. When he looked at Juliana, he couldn’t quell his rising feelings of emotion. Feelings he hadn’t felt in a long time.

  Mark would be able to give Juliana the kind of life someone as lovely and unassuming as she was deserved. Right now, all Josh could offer her was a smelly herd of sheep, hard work, and a small house in progress, with hope for the promise of a better future. He looked down at his rough hands holding his book. He couldn’t imagine touching her delicate, tender skin with them. The thought made his chest hurt. Better to get back to his reading while he waited for his dinner.

  Sheriff Wilson approached his table and paused. “How ya doing this evening, Josh?”

  “Doing pretty good, Sheriff. Got any leads on the bank robber yet?”

  “None that panned out so far. I expect the culprits are holed up somewhere in the mountains.” The sheriff ran his hand along the brim of his felt hat. “After trailing them all day, we turned up cold, but we’ll head back out as soon this latest storm passes.”

  “It looks like we’ll get something with the wind howling against the window here. Maybe a light dusting of snow. I’ve got to get back to my camp first thing tomorrow.”

  Sheriff Wilson shifted his weight and put his hat on. “Looks like your dinner’s arrived.” He moved aside to allow the waiter to place the order on Josh’s table. “Keep a lookout for those varmints out your way. If you see anything, let me know.”

  “I’ll do that, for sure, though we don’t usually see many people out where we’re sheepherding. The smell keeps most people away.” Josh chuckled.

  “You can say that again! Well, I’ll get out of your way so you can eat in peace.”

  Halfway through his meal, the thought occurred to Josh that he was tired of eating alone. Not only that, but he was lonely, and he’d had enough of living alone. He laid his fork down, not hungry for the rest of his dinner. He stole another glance at Juliana, and his brow furrowed in irritation. She and Mark were getting up to leave, and he watched as they moved in his direction.

  Mark held tightly to Juliana’s elbow but paused when they came near Josh’s table. “Hello, Josh. We meet again. You remember Juliana?”

  “Yes, I do.” He pushed back his chair and nodded to Juliana. His chest felt tight. “Lucky you, Mark. I would have asked this pretty lady out myself, but I figured, why would she want to go out with the likes of me, a smelly old sheepherder?” He chuckled as he rose from his chair, but his laughter sounded hollow to his ears.

  Mark merely cleared his throat and appeared uncomfortable.

  “Oh, don’t get up,” Juliana said. “And don’t sell yourself short, Josh. You’ve cleaned up quite nicely, I see.” She looked at his clean shirt and vest. “I thought you had already gone back to your campsite.” Juliana’s lips tilted upward at the corners, and Josh felt his heart skip a beat. Her pale blue eyes never left his.

  “I will be, first thing in the morning, ma’am. I trust you both had a good meal. I’m afraid I was so hungry that the food didn’t have time to hit the back of my throat!” Even as Josh said it, he knew it was a lie—most of the food was left half-eaten under his napkin.

  Mark smiled back at him. “We did indeed. I’m just about to walk Juliana back to the hotel.”

  “Then I’ll bid you good night. It was nice seeing you again.” He bowed slightly at the waist, pretending to be unaffected. How could another human being that he barely knew invade his thoughts this way? “If you’re ever out near my campsite, please stop by and have coffee with me and about two hundred fifty wooly beasts.”

  Juliana laughed. “I intend to do that.” Her eyes lingered on Josh, and Mark gave her a quizzical look. “I want to repay you for what you did for my mother as soon as I receive my first paycheck.”

  “Please, don’t concern yourself with that. I’m not worried about it.”

  “I insist. Thank you . . . We must be going. Good night, Josh.” As Juliana turned away, the open lace loop of her crocheted shawl snagged on the back of Josh’s ladder-back chair, pulling her backwards. She stumbled and bumped the table. The delicate water goblets and plates wobbled atop the table and threatened to hit the floor. Quickly she reached out to steady the glasses, while at the same time Josh stretched across her arm to lift the shawl off the chair’s back. Somehow she fell against him, and they both halfway sprawled onto the table, landing in the leftover food as the dishes clattered to the floor with a loud crash.

  Josh’s face was an inch from Juliana’s flaming cheeks, and time was suspended for a moment. He forced himself to refrain from reaching out to touch her high cheekbones. Her hair smelled like lavender, and he could almost visualize her washing her long hair and rubbing it dry with a towel. Placing her palms on his woolen shirt, she pushed herself away, then straightened her blouse.

  Josh shook his head to clear the vision in his mind. “I’m so sorry. I was trying to untangle your shawl.” His tongue felt thick in his mouth, but he scrambled to pull Juliana upright as the waiter came running up to help.

  “It’s okay. I thought I could prevent the glasses from toppling to the floor.” Juliana brushed her skirt with both hands, dusting off bread crumbs. “How embarrassing.”

  The patrons in the restaurant had turned to see what the commotion was, but they turned back to their dining and laughter once everything was under control.

  Mark grabbed a napkin from the waiter and gave it to Juliana to wipe her hands. “Here, let me get the back of your arm. Something is stuck to your shawl.” He wiped it none too gently before dropping the soiled napkin in the heap on the table.

  “Please, if you don’t mind, I’ll get this all cleaned up. Don’t worry about a thing,” the waiter said as he started picking up broken dishes.

  Josh somehow managed to mutter a thank-you to the waiter. He already felt like a big clumsy oaf next to the polished city doctor, not to mention how he’d embarrassed the young lady.

  Mark tugged at Juliana’s arm, indicating he was ready to leave.

  “We must be on our way now. Josh, maybe we’ll see you the next ti
me you’re in town for supplies. I’ll be sure to give you a wide berth.” All three of them joined in a nervous laugh.

  “You bet! I look forward to it,” was all Josh could say. He watched Mark put a protective arm about Juliana’s waist and guide her into the cool night air.

  12

  Juliana tapped the reins lightly across the hindquarters of her borrowed horse, Choco, as she headed across the valley floor. The air was crisp and cold, but she was warm under the layers of clothing Marion had insisted she wear. She’d borrowed a pair of faded jeans that made riding in the saddle much easier. She was certain that by afternoon she would be shedding the long woolen jacket.

  It felt good to be riding with the wind pulling at the tendrils of her hair from underneath the cowboy hat and the feel of Choco’s muscular body stretching out into a canter. This was real freedom, riding alone with the puffy white clouds draping like bridal satin across the ridge of the purple mountains to the west.

  It had been a couple of weeks since her date with Mark. He was a very nice man, attentive and sweet to her. The townsfolk held him in high esteem. Whether it was because he was the only doctor around for miles, or because they truly liked him, she wasn’t sure. But she figured the latter. Trouble was, even when she was thinking of him, the sheepherder’s eyes came into sharp contrast, making it very difficult to concentrate on anything else. She wasn’t happy about this, because it interfered with her idea of the future. She wanted to have her own home someday and be able to dress like her friend Marion. Not worrying about where her next meal was coming from would be good too. Maybe the ladies at the social club wouldn’t be so hoity-toity then.

  Today she was going to take up Josh’s invitation to visit his camp and ranch. More importantly, she would repay him the money for her mother’s funeral. It made her feel good to be able to do that. She really never wanted to be beholden to any man like her mother was. Juliana intended to work hard at her job and make Albert proud.