“I wouldn’t be too sure of that, especially where Mark is concerned.” Marion dismissed the subject with a shake of her head. “Now that that’s settled, let’s have a cookie before lights out.” She munched on her sugar cookie as she sneaked a peek at her friend.
Juliana remembered how Josh’s eyes had seemed so full of compassion when he asked her about the bruise. She wondered what it would feel like to have his strong arms around her, holding her close enough to hear his heartbeat . . . Ah, she’d never know. She’d observed the way he looked at Marion, who had so much more to offer. It was clear that Marion had designs on him too. Josh must think Juliana was merely a child.
Still, there was that kiss . . . But she didn’t want to get too close, or her heart might be broken.
For hours Juliana lay in the dark, listening to Marion’s deep breathing. She was unable to sleep and stared out into the darkness, playing everything over again in her head. Her friend was a take-control kind of person and relished it. She was sure Marion didn’t mean anything by that. It was just the way she was.
Face it, Juliana! Josh and Marion would make a nice couple. He had seemed intrigued with Marion this evening as she plied her charms and fussed over his injury. Why would he bother with Juliana, who was poor as a church mouse, when there was pretty, wealthy Marion just dying to give him all the attention he wanted? If I were a man, I would be fascinated by her too.
A little knot lodged in her chest, and a tear slid down her cheek. She brushed it away, sighing deeply, and hid her face deep into the down pillow.
The early breakfast crowd was keeping the waiters hopping this Saturday morning as Josh sipped hot coffee after placing his order for eggs and biscuits. His head felt clearer and had finally stopped throbbing, so he would eat as quickly as he could and then head on back to the camp with his supplies.
He glanced around the dining room, hoping Juliana would appear before he left. He was kind of glad he hadn’t run into Marion this morning, because he wanted to speak with Juliana. Marion struck him as someone who took her time with her toilette and probably was used to sleeping a little later, though he knew she helped her father out at the front desk from time to time.
Since it was Saturday, Juliana wasn’t working. Otherwise he’d have had a good excuse to walk her to work. Was she sleeping with her beautiful hair spread out across her pillow? Or choosing what dress to wear? He had noticed that since he’d first met her in that pitiful, threadbare blue dress, and after she started her job at the newspaper, she had bought a couple of new dresses.
He was glad he’d met Albert, who seemed a likable fellow and protective of Juliana. He wondered how Juliana would spend her Saturday. Josh and Andy usually made it to church on Sundays, but sometimes not, depending on what was happening with the herd and the weather.
He paid for his breakfast without catching so much as a glimpse of Juliana and was in the lobby just as Marion came hurrying over to him.
“Good morning! How’s your head? I see it’s purple and blue now.” Marion drew closer, inspecting the wound on his head.
“Much better. Thanks,” he said, taking a slight step back.
“Have you had breakfast? I was just about to go find a table.” She was impeccably dressed in a crisp white shirtwaist and navy skirt. Her hair was swept up into some sort of roll, and when she moved her head, her black earrings bobbed against her jawline. She looked professional but approachable.
“Yes, I’ve already eaten. I’m about to start back to camp. Thanks for taking care of me last night.”
“Oh, I was hoping we could breakfast together.” Her bottom lip pouted. “I wanted to hear all about your new home. I’m quite the decorator, having had this entire hotel to do, both upstairs and down.” She straightened her shoulders with pride.
“You’ve done a magnificent job too. I’m almost finished with my house. When it gets completed, I’ll have you and Juliana over to have a look. You could bring Mark along too. By the way, have you seen Juliana?”
Marion stiffened. “Why do you ask?”
“I just wanted to thank her for allowing me to use her room last night on a moment’s notice.”
Josh watched Marion purse her lips in a tight line before answering. “She was gone before I was up this morning.”
“So early? She doesn’t work today, does she?”
“No, she doesn’t. I think she has her mind set on finding another place to live.” Marion made a pretense of adjusting the cuffs on her sleeve.
“I see. Well, I must be off now.” Josh doffed his hat to her and was aware that she stood watching him leave.
The sun had long been up and dissipated the clouds that had drifted in over the mountains the previous evening, and the morning was bright and clear. When Josh stepped out onto the boardwalk, he saw Juliana at the corner of the street, tying her bonnet under her chin. She paused as if to decide which way she should go. If he hurried, he could reach her before she crossed the street.
Shifting his saddlebag across his shoulder, he jogged over to her. “Howdy, Miss Juliana.”
Startled, she turned to see who was next to her. “Hello, Josh. I thought you’d left by now.” She tilted her chin up to meet his gaze.
“I’m on my way over to the livery to get my horse and wagon. I thought maybe I’d catch you at breakfast.” Their eyes locked, and finally she looked away as though something across the street had caught her eye. Underneath the serviceable bonnet, her face looked tired and drawn.
“I wasn’t hungry, so I skipped breakfast this morning because I have something I must do.” She offered him no explanation. “Marion was looking for you, though.” Her voice trailed off.
“I saw her as I was leaving. But I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated the use of your room for the night. It was quite pleasant knowing you’d slept there,” he teased. “May I walk with you?”
“Yes, all right. Is your head feeling much better?” She stole a glance at him.
“It is, though it looks pretty ugly. Mark told me it could have been much worse if the blow had hit my temple. So I’m grateful for that. Nothing was stolen, but I have an idea what the thief was after.” He matched his stride to hers. “Where are you heading?”
“I’m looking for a room to rent. I can’t stay at the hotel forever. I fear I’ve worn out my welcome, so I thought I’d try the boardinghouse up the street.”
“How could a sweet thing like you ever wear out your welcome?” Josh asked. Instantly her cheeks flushed prettily, making her all the more desirable.
“Let’s just say I have my moments,” she said quickly, seeming to recover from the compliment.
“Apparently. Did you get into a tussle with someone to receive that ugly bruise? If someone is giving you trouble, I’d like to know.”
“Why, Josh? You’re not my protector.”
“I’d like to be if you’d let me, Juliana.”
“You don’t give up, do you?” She slowed her pace in order to look up at him, but her eyes held a twinkle that indicated she wasn’t trying to be too resistant.
“Not when it involves you.” Josh paused in the street, shifting his weight to one hip. “Did you know that when you look up like that, your eyes sparkle just like those Yogos I showed you?” Josh could hardly believe he’d blurted that out, but that’s what she did to him whenever she was around—she stirred up his senses with feelings that had been long buried. It was all he could do not to reach out and touch the bruise, then pull her to his chest, which now felt tight. His eyes swept over her lovely face as surprise registered in her eyes.
“Josh, please. You’re making me blush.” She jerked her eyes away and looked down at her shoes. The morning breeze tugged at a few strands of her hair that had escaped her bonnet and drew them across her face. She reached up and tucked them back into place.
He reached out and grabbed her hand. “It’s true, Juliana. I wasn’t trying to embarrass you.” He noticed that she let him continue to hold her hand
in his. While she still had a few calluses, they were softer than before. He wanted to kiss each of those hard spots, but not right now. “I guess what I’m trying to say is . . . I’d like to court you.”
There! It was all laid out now, no hiding behind false pretenses. He held his breath, waiting for an answer.
20
Juliana stared at Josh. Had she heard him right? Was he actually asking to court her? Juliana couldn’t stop the hammering in her heart, and she took her hand out of Josh’s because she couldn’t think clearly with him holding it. She took a deep breath and looked at his eager face and eyes full of hope. He wore an expectant expression that spread across his face and furrowed his brows, as if he was holding back something else he’d like to say. A passing couple, who were trying to handle their three active children on the boardwalk, caused him to pull her into the shelter of the porch of the general store.
“Josh, I’m flattered,” she stammered. “I—”
“That is, unless you and Mark have an understanding, of course.” He let out a whoosh of air.
A giggle escaped her. “No! We do not have anything of the sort. We are merely friends.”
“So, is that a yes, then?” He still held her elbow, and she could feel the ripple of muscles in his forearm against her side. Who would have thought a quiet, gentle man like Josh could demonstrate so much anticipation at wanting to know her better? She was more than a bit surprised but secretly delighted.
“I guess it is. Yes, I’d like that very much.” She felt her cheeks burn. “But can we continue walking? I want to see about that room at the boardinghouse.”
He dropped his hand from her elbow. “I’ll walk you to the boardinghouse. The livery is just ahead. So what about after church tomorrow? Maybe we could ride out to the countryside and see all the wildflowers. I promise to have you back before supper so you’ll be rested for work on Monday.”
Juliana thought a moment before answering. “I did tell Albert I would go to church tomorrow. Maybe we could leave from there. Should I bring my horse?”
“No, I’ll drive the wagon, and we can go after the service.”
“What about lunch? I don’t have a kitchen to fix anything.” She chewed her bottom lip, already feeling nervous.
“Don’t you worry about a thing. I’ll have Andy pack us some sandwiches to munch on. How’s that?” His face beamed like a child who had just been given a stick of candy.
“That sounds nice, Josh.” She paused as they reached the front of the boardinghouse. “Wish me luck.”
“Do you need help with your belongings if you get a room? I can stay a while longer to help.”
“That’s very sweet of you, but I . . . really own very little.”
“All right then. I’ll be seeing you at church.” He tipped his hat, and once again she saw the purple lump. It didn’t seem to be hurting him, but it looked awful.
“See you tomorrow. Take care that no one is following behind you. Another conk on the head, and we might not be talking like this,” she teased.
“So you do have a sense of humor. That’s good to know,” he said. He backed down the boardwalk with a broad smile and bumped into a passerby. Juliana laughed as he hurriedly apologized to the man and strode toward the livery. Watching him go, she noticed that for all the strength of his physique, he had a fluid way of carrying himself. Broad shoulders, muscular neck and back, with a broad forehead underneath a thick head of hair . . . Josh was nice to look at, and his voice resonated deep within his chest and intrigued her. The sound of it lingered long after he spoke.
She allowed a pleasant feeling to wash over her. She had a suitor!
Juliana jerked her mind back to the task of looking for a room, then marched up to the front door of the boardinghouse with renewed hope in her heart and a bounce in her step.
A slightly stooped elderly lady in a knitted shawl covering her thin shoulders answered the door. Juliana recognized her as Miss Margaret from the social club. She motioned for Juliana to come into the foyer with a sweep of her bony, blue-veined hand. The foyer had a light lemony smell with its gleaming hardwood floors, and a round table in the center held an array of flowers.
“What can I do for you, little lady?” Miss Margaret’s voice held a slight tremble, as did her hands.
“I saw your sign in the window for a room to rent,” Juliana said. “Remember me from the Ladies Social Club meeting?”
“Oh, yes, dear. Please come in. You hardly look old enough to live alone, much less rent a room. Are your parents with you?” The older lady peered over her round spectacles, pulling her slipping shawl further up onto her shoulders.
“No, I’m afraid it’s just me, ma’am. I’ll be eighteen in a few months,” Juliana said, then quickly added, “but remember that I work for the newspaper, if you need references.”
The older lady squinted. “I see. There’s no need for references since you work for Albert Spencer.”
“That’s right. Do you know him?”
“Well, indeed I do. He’s my son.” The old lady chuckled. Albert must have favored his father because Juliana saw no resemblance to his mother.
“Come, I’ll show you the room that has just been vacated. It’s on the second floor, but you’re young and shouldn’t have any problem doing stairs. I, on the other hand, try to avoid them as much as possible.”
Juliana followed Miss Margaret up the beautiful winding staircase and turned to the right of the spacious hallway. The delicate smell of rose water wafted ahead of her. Miss Margaret’s keys jangled from a chain at her waist as she picked the proper one to turn the key in the lock, and then she pushed the door open.
Juliana followed her inside and clapped her hands to her chest. Sunlight bathed the room, which was painted in a shade of blue like the Montana sky. The bed was white ironstone, neatly made up in a blue and white spread of toile with matching draperies. Blue Willow plates adorned a plate rack, and two wingback chairs created a small sitting area. “My! What a lovely room. I daresay I can’t afford this one. Do you have something a little simpler?”
“What? This is my favorite room, but if it doesn’t suit your taste, I’m sure—”
Juliana interrupted, “Oh no, no. It’s not that at all. It’s exquisite. But I don’t think I can afford such a room. Do you have something smaller?”
“I’m afraid not, dear. All the rooms are quite large. I designed them that way when we built this house. As to whether or not you can afford it, why don’t you let me be the judge of that?” Her smile was contagious, and Juliana knew she had found a friend. “I’m sure we can come to an amicable rate to fit your pocketbook. Call it a favor for my son.”
“I can’t let you do that. I wouldn’t want to take advantage of my employer.”
“He never has to know, but I figured if he hired you, you must be special. You aren’t a man, and you’re so very young. This is just delicious and surprising.” Miss Margaret opened a door to reveal a real closet for her things and extra blankets on a shelf. In the shack she’d shared with her mother, Juliana had only a shelf for her clothes.
“When do you need the room?”
“Today, if we could work something out.” Juliana didn’t want to get too excited. She had never lived in anything so grand. Lord, if You’re really there, like Josh says you are, please let me work something out with Miss Margaret that I can afford, she prayed.
“Excellent. My daughters Natalie and Louise live with me and have their own rooms. You met them at the ladies social circle. They’re several years older than you. They help me run the place now that my dear husband has passed on. I’d never be able to do this by myself. Right now we have two vacancies, so it’s a little quieter around here.”
“I’m sorry about your husband. Your daughters were both very kind to me when I attended the meeting. But not everyone was as kind.” She was remembering a couple of the ladies who’d acted a little snobby toward her.
“Yes,” Miss Margaret said. “That would be Es
ther, who’s never worked a day in her life for anything, and Cynthia, who tries to run everything, although I’ve heard Marion can be a little controlling too.”
When Juliana didn’t say anything, Miss Margaret walked toward the door. “I’m old, so I can get away with speaking my mind. Sometimes the women need to be put in their place. Anyway, come along, and we’ll go downstairs and find you a key. We have breakfast at 7:30 and dinner at 6:00 sharp if you intend to have your meals here.”
“I’d like that, Miss Margaret.”
Miss Margaret beamed at her, and Juliana could tell she was pleased to have her as a new boarder. “You’re allowed to use the kitchen if you’d like on Saturday.”
“I work every weekday, so it would be nice just to be able to brew a cup of tea.”
They reached the landing downstairs, and Miss Margaret guided her to a cozy parlor that held a writing desk and found an extra key. They settled on an amount for the room and food that Juliana thought was more than generous. The older lady grasped Juliana’s hand and welcomed her into her home. Something told Juliana that her experience here would be more than that of just an ordinary boarder as she walked back to collect her things from the Stockton Hotel.
Juliana’s stomach growled at the scent of bacon frying when she passed the hotel’s dining room. No time for that now, and no money either, after paying Miss Margaret. She had only a few coins left.
Marion caught her eye and waved. It was as good a time as any to tell Marion she was moving out, so she approached her table.
“Goodness. You were out and about early this morning,” Marion said, setting down her fork. “Take a seat and have some breakfast.” “I’m not hungry,” she lied, remaining standing. “I was in luck. The boardinghouse had an empty room, and I’ll be moving my things over there this morning.”
The Jewel of His Heart Page 13
