The Jewel of His Heart

by Maggie Brendan

  Yogo Creek gurgled, cutting its path across the bench lands with an inviting, rushing sound that always soothed Josh’s spirit. Josh was tempted to take his boots off and wade in. The water would be chilly—it always was, no matter what the time of the year.

  He looped the reins over a scrub and yanked off his boots and socks, then threw them into the back of the wagon. He trudged down the slope, feeling the cool grass under his bare feet. The water felt invigorating, so he rolled up his pants and waded in. The shock of cold water on his feet and legs made him suck in his breath. He waded further into the stream and found a large rock that jutted out. He sat down and rolled back his shirt sleeves. It was peaceful here.

  He recalled the time back in February when he’d found the shiny blue stones and marveled at their translucent blue color. The last time he’d been to this spot was when he’d picnicked with Juliana. They’d enjoyed talking and discovering a little about each other, though she was bashful at first. The memory of him tossing her in the water brought a smile to his lips but an ache to his heart. He’d loved the sight of her that day, though she’d feigned anger with her pouting mouth.

  Josh leaned back and closed his eyes to enjoy the sun’s rays on his face. His heart thudded heavily in his chest when he recalled Juliana’s warm kisses and the smell of her hair. This wasn’t doing anything except making him feel lonelier than he ever had before. He should leave. He’d left Shebe to tend the sheep for long enough.

  For a moment Josh thought he heard a sound, and he strained his ears to hear.

  “May I join you?” Juliana lifted her dress cautiously and traipsed through the water barefoot, then shivered at the water’s coldness.

  Josh jerked around. Juliana dragged the hem of her dress in the water and walked toward him. He blinked hard, and as she drew near she saw his somber look and sad, weary eyes. He’d never looked more handsome. He was barefoot, with muscular legs dangling over the large rock, and he was leaning back on his strapping, tanned arms.

  “Jewel,” he whispered, “I was dreaming you’d come.” The thickness in his voice when he called her Jewel in his incredibly tender way made her heart skip a beat. Still, he seemed to remain guarded, not moving toward her. Juliana knew he wasn’t sure what to expect but was allowing her to make the first move.

  “Josh, I’m sorry if I sounded mean,” she said, drawing close enough to reach out and touch him. The water swirled around her legs in its icy grip.

  “You’re shaking,” he said. He held out his arms to her, pulling her up to share his space on the huge rock. The look in his eyes made her heart flutter against her ribs. He drew her close to him and tucked her under the shelter of his strong arms. She laid her head on his broad chest and could hear his steady heartbeat. This was where she was meant to be, wrapped in the safety of his strong arms. She never wanted to leave here, ever.

  “How did you get here?” he asked.

  Juliana laughed. “You wouldn’t believe it. Wes loaned me his horse.” She felt him stiffen. Looking up at him, she saw his amber eyes narrow.

  “Wes?”

  “It’s a long story, but let’s don’t talk about him. You don’t have anything to fear where he’s concerned, believe me. I like the soft-spoken, tenderhearted but strong type, and a man full of faith.”

  “And how did you tear your new dress, silly girl?” The impish grin teased her.

  “So you did notice, but you never said anything.” She folded her arms and pouted.

  “I never miss anything about you,” he said huskily, his hands stroking her forearms.

  “Well, I tore my dress chasing after you, big guy,” she said.

  “Is that a fact? Well, this guy is looking for a lady who knows what her goals are in life, has determination to get them, has faith in God, and wants to spend her life with an adoring husband who’s a little bit older. But she must be happy with the fact that he’s a sheepherder and will never take up mining, no matter how good the odds are.”

  She leaned her head back to look up at him, surprised at his last comment. “Josh, I never want to hear you say another thing about age. And what do you mean about the mining?”

  He took a deep breath and told her he’d sold his two claims to Hoover for a nice sum of money. “Mining is okay for some people, but it’s not for me, not after what I saw at the explosion. I want no part of that. I was paid well enough to put me back on my feet and rebuild my home, but make it larger. Would you be interested in helping me do that?” His eyes burned with passion.

  Was he asking her to be his wife? She knew what it took to have him sell his claims and give up the mining venture.

  Their eyes met. His lips were parted, and she moistened her own, expecting his kiss. But he only continued to gaze down at her through smoldering eyes. Josh’s fingers slowly traced the outline of her face while her heart beat wildly in her chest. She heard his breathing speed up.

  “You are so lovely, my Jewel.” Josh lowered his head to touch hers, and the familiarity of her flooded him, working its magic. “Did you know I dreamed several times that you were in trouble and I was to rescue you?” Those gorgeous blue eyes of hers flicked to his face, and his heart did a somersault. She made him feel like he was seventeen again, and he wanted to ride to Lewistown and shout from the rooftops that he loved her.

  “You’re kidding! I had a similar dream about you the night the wolf attacked Shebe. Isn’t that strange?” She reached up and encircled his neck with her hands, interlocking her fingers, and it thrilled him to have her touch him with this kind of intimacy.

  He bent down, and his lips touched hers in a lingering kiss, tasting their sweetness. “When two people are so connected, I think they instinctively know when the other one is in need. That’s what we are—connected.” Josh felt the tightness in his chest give way to peace and contentment while holding her this way, and he felt himself relax. He took one of her hands and circled her palm with his index finger. “You’ve been through a lot these past few months, and I’ve seen you become strong and independent. You were able to take care of yourself with determination, still hold your head high, and then begin to trust again. I admire that about you. I know how your father hurt you, but I promise I never will.”

  Juliana smiled. “I want you to be proud of me. That’s important. I want to trust you with my heart, and I believe that I can do that now, Josh.”

  Josh breathed deeply, savoring what she said. “Would you like to see my new house plans?”

  “I’d like that,” Juliana answered, her hands still in his.

  He pulled her up. “They’re in the wagon.”

  They sloshed through the cold water again and ran up the bank to where the wagon was parked. He lifted her up onto the seat, sprang up to sit beside her, and unrolled his house plans. Their heads bent over the plans together while he explained the different rooms and how they would be laid out.

  “I want your input on what should go where.”

  “You do? Why is that?” She peered up at him with a twinkle in her eyes.

  Josh tried to control his nervousness and exhaled slowly. “Because I want this to be our house. I want to fill it with love, laughter, and our children,” he said softly, blinking away tears. He reached over to his suit pocket and felt around for the box, but the pockets were empty. What had he done with the box? If he’d lost it, he was going to be worse than mad at himself. Suddenly, he felt sick to his stomach. This was the most important moment in his life, and he was bungling it.

  “Josh, what are you looking for?” Juliana’s brow lifted quizzically.

  He twisted in his seat and reached for her hand. “I want to ask you to be my wife because I love you, and I can’t imagine my life without you.” Finally! He’d said it. He didn’t have to wait a split second for her answer.

  “Oh! Josh, I’m so honored you want me as your wife.” He saw tears flood her eyes, making them sparkle just like the Yogos. “I love you so. I did from the first time you walked into the doctor’s
office the day my mother died.” She started crying softly. “Maybe even before that, when I saw your eyes in the sketch at the Stockton Hotel. I bought it today, by the way.” Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she reached up, touching his face, lips, and eyes, as if she couldn’t get enough of him.

  Josh’s heart pounded once again, and he cupped her small face between his hands. How could he be so lucky? “You’re the Jewel of my heart,” he whispered tenderly.

  He touched the hollow of her throat where her pulse beat, then leaned down to nuzzle her neck, showering her with light kisses. Juliana released a soft moan, and Josh heard her sharp intake of breath. He placed his hand at the back of her head, massaging her neck, then finally lowered his mouth to kiss hers with hunger and passion. Juliana returned his kiss with fierce tenderness, and he felt her tremble. When they embraced and he pressed against her, they nearly slid off the wagon seat. They pulled apart, laughing.

  Just then Juliana stepped on something, and she reached down and picked up the small box. “What’s this?”

  Josh felt his face warm. “That’s where it is,” he said, snatching it out of her hand. “I guess it fell out of my pocket. I wanted to give you this.” He snapped open the jewelry box, and lying against white satin was an exquisite silver ring set with a cornflower blue Yogo stone in its center.

  Juliana cried out, “It’s lovely! Oh Josh, I think I’m going to cry again.” Her bottom lip quivered.

  Josh chuckled at her reaction, then took the ring out and placed it on her left hand. It was a perfect fit. “You are now taken, Jewel. This is a commitment of my love for you until the day we’re married.” He felt his heart burn with love and desire as he looked into her eyes full of emotion. Tears slid down his face, and she kissed him slowly, lingering this time, until their tears united.

  Lewistown Gazette, May 1896

  Albert and Sally Spencer wish to announce the engagement of their protégé, Juliana Brady, to Josh McBride. Juliana is the daughter of the late Grace and Davin Brady of Topeka, Kansas. She is a journalist for the Gazette. Josh McBride is the son of Alice and Jim McBride of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Josh owns a sheepherding ranch in Utica. After a fall wedding and honeymoon, the couple will reside at his ranch.

  Miss Margaret laid the newspaper aside and expelled a sigh of relief. Her prayers had been answered, right on time. Not one minute too soon or one minute too late. Taking off her spectacles to wipe the tears from her eyes, she bowed her head in a prayer of thanksgiving.

  Author Note

  My brother was once the deputy superintendent of Glacier National Park in Montana. I visited Montana a couple of years ago to see his writing cabin after his death. There I discovered the story of the Yogo sapphire, and I was intrigued with the brilliance of the cornflower blue stone and the history behind it. Some of my story is loosely based on the sheepherder Jim Ettien, whose discovery would later become one of the largest and richest deposits of precious gemstones in North America—the Yogo dike. Though Ettien sold his share for a pitiful amount to Jake Hoover, who was the first to discover the unique sapphires in Yogo Creek, I took liberties in making it a profitable sale for the character of Josh.

  Yogos are found and mined only in the state of Montana. Most historians agree the term Yogo was derived from an Indian word meaning “blue sky.”

  The Yogo Gulch mine was controlled by the British for thirty-five years. The stones can be found in the crown jewels of England and in the personal gem collections of the Duchess of York, Princess Mary, Queen Victoria, and Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany. The British Museum of Natural History in London also maintains a Yogo exhibit, and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC has the largest cut Yogo—10.2 karats. George Kunz’s collections of Yogos are exhibited at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

  Yogos retain their brilliance under artificial light, making them unique from other gemstones. An estimated forty million dollars’ worth of Yogos have been produced from the Yogo mines of Montana. Today commercial companies work those mines.

  An interesting side note about sapphires: they were found in the breastplate of the high priest in the Old Testament (see Exod. 28:17–20). Their position in the breastplate was connected to religious beliefs.

  Jake Hoover’s partners, Mathew Dunn and George Wells, were historical characters as well. Charlie M. Russell, a Western artist, is the Charlie in my story. He was a protégé of Jake Hoover and resided in Great Falls, Montana, until he died. George Kunz of Tiffany & Co. was the true assayer who appraised the Yogos that Jake Hoover sent to New York in a cigar box. Kunz recognized the sapphires for their remarkable beauty and commercial potential.

  Sapphires are a symbol of love and purity. I feel very fortunate to own a small Yogo and diamond ring set in silver.

  Acknowledgments

  To my agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, who is always available with her cheerful attitude and help at any time.

  To my editor, Andrea Doering, and copyeditor, Jessica Miles, for their competent suggestions.

  To Cheryl Van Andel, senior art director, and Dan Thornberg, for fabulous book covers.

  To publicist Carmen Pease, publicity assistant Audrey Leach, and marketing manager Michele Misiak. I’m grateful for your tireless help in answering my many questions. You ladies are so gracious!

  To my critique group for their feedback of every chapter in its raw form.

  To all my writing friends of the ACFW. You rock!

  To Sylvia for putting up with me in Montana for three weeks as I began to flesh out my story. Love you, girl!

  To Dottie and gals at The Bookmark for their continual support. God bless.

  To my readers, who have honored me with positive praise of my first book in this series—many thanks!

  To my sisters, Doris and Dianne, who love me despite my flaws, and my brother Sam—the twinkle in your eye is your sweet confirmation.

  And to my Lord, who meets my needs at every turn.

  Maggie Brendan is a member of the American Christian Writers (ACW), the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and the American Fiction Writers Association. She was also a recipient of the 2004 Atlanta ACW Persistence Award.

  Maggie has experience in media and print production and has a particular interest in and affinity with Christian radio. She also writes reviews for some of her favorite authors, which can be found on her blog, http://southernbellewriter.blogspot.com. She is a resident blogger on www.bustlesandspurs.com. A screenplay of her first novel, No Place for a Lady, book 1 of the Heart of the West series, has been optioned to Starz Media for production by Hallmark. She has led a writers’ critique group in her home for six years and was quoted in Word Weavers: The Story of a Successful Writers’ Critique Group.

  Maggie is married with two grown children and four grandchildren. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, singing, painting, scrapbooking, and being with her family. She lives in Marietta, Georgia.