Jericho took her hand. “And you would go with him?”
“Yes.” Li stood as tall as her small frame would allow. “I am not afraid. I know many will make fun of us and say cruel things.” She smiled. “But my hope will burn bright. Our love will win them over. Besides, I am helping the doctor, too, and he says I am a fine nurse.”
“It looks like the two of you have thought this out. I hope the best for you.”
With a nod, Li pointed to the church. “I will go back now and wait for my James to come out of the church. My husband.” She walked confidently away, head up, and full of hope.
Jericho wondered if she could be as brave as this young woman. She couldn’t be but eighteen and looked much younger.
With a halting prayer of her own, Jericho prayed for courage and mercy. That Del would be understanding of her past. That the hope that Li saw and felt so clearly in this land would overtake her.
“Well, Del will need help. He’s short on funds, and I can do something to help out.” She walked to Francesca’s shop and entered.
Francesca was helping a pretty woman who, despite her blond hair, favored Rachel, the judge’s wife.
Waving at her, Francesca pulled out another bolt of material for the woman. “Jericho, I’d like you to meet Sarah Newsome. She is the teacher but may be quitting soon.”
Jericho greeted the young woman.
Sarah held out her hand. “Delighted to meet you. Bridgette told me you would be coming.”
“Is she your sister?”
“Oh, no. Cassidy, Darcy, and Ailene are her sisters. The Howard girls, although they are all married now. Darcy is married to my brother William. He’s going to take my place as teacher.”
“I see.” Jericho really didn’t, but she was glad to meet another pleasant woman.
Francesca nodded at Sarah. “She is Rachel and Judge Taggart’s daughter. Well, stepdaughter. The judge sent for a mail-order bride, and Rachel came with ten little children behind her.” She laughed. “The judge sure got a surprise.”
Sarah drew in a breath of annoyance. “He adopted all of us. We consider him our father now.” She turned to Jericho. “You will not find a better man than Judge Solomon Taggart. Yes, we did surprise him when we arrived and tumbled out of the stagecoach. That was before Shirleyville had a train depot. But he has been a wonderful father to us and husband to our mother.”
“I met them briefly.” Jericho didn’t want to let on about the troubles at the church.
Francesca cleared her throat. “Yes, the dreadful business between your brother, James and that Chinese woman. The judge is no doubt looking for a way to undo the marriage. They were married by a sheriff I hear, not even a preacher.”
Sarah turned to her. “I’ll take the first bolt. Thank you.” She paid and left in a huff.
After the door closed, Francesca shook her head. “She’s a feisty one. Don’t let that sweet nature of hers fool you.”
Francesca was clearly one of those gossips that enjoyed the misery of others. Every town had them. And if she was honest, Jericho admitted she’d played in listening to them dish out misery, too. But she needed to work.
“Francesca, I came to see if that job offer still stands?”
“Why, yes, dear. Our town is growing, and more women means more dresses. Can you sew?”
Jericho shook her head. “No, I’m afraid not. I don’t mind learning.”
With a flip of her hand, Francesca walked around the counter and to the shelves. “For now, I don’t have time to train anyone, but I could use you to straighten shelves,” She paused and looked her over. “And model some of my latest fashions. You’re a beautiful woman, Jericho.”
Embarrassed, Jericho could only nod and follow her to the shelves.
“Yes, I think, if you don’t mind, I can put you in some of my new lines and let the women of Shirleyville see how pretty they could be in the right outfit.” She chuckled. “Of course, not many women in this town will be able to match your beauty, but they don’t need to know that, only try.”
Jericho was feeling less and less excited about working for Francesca.
Pulling out a bright lavender dress, Francesca held it up to her. “Yes, this is a pretty color on you.” Francesca pulled off the hat. “It will be a plus when your hair is longer. A shame about the candle accident.”
“Yes. It was.” Feeling as if she were sinking in quicksand, Jericho was at a loss as what to do. She did need the job. Del needed her help.
“Now, change into this dress. I’d like you to go to the hotel. You are still staying there, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Go to the hotel and eat at the diner. If anyone asks, tell them the dress and others of this style are at Francesca’s Dress Shop.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Jericho hesitated. “I really don’t have the money to spend in the diner.”
Francesca waved her hand and shook her head. “I will pay for your lunch. Just yours. Then at the end of the day, come back to the store and put the dress up and help me straighten the shelves.”
“Sounds simple enough.”
“You will do marvelously. After seeing you, half of the women of means in this town will be drooling for that dress. And those who can’t afford it will be pestering their husbands to save the money so they can have one. Trust me, dear. I know dresses and people.”
Jericho didn’t doubt that.
Francesca went to the wall lined with hats and chose one. Coming back, she handed it to Jericho. “And here. This hat will go better with the lavender.”
Dressed as if she were going to a formal dinner, Jericho left the dress shop. Well, she had a job. Not one she was proud of, but she’d earn some money. So far, Francesca had treated her well. Once the town figured out about her past, who knew what would happen.
With head up, Jericho walked toward the hotel and was aware people were looking at her. Unfortunately, most of them seemed to be men. The same old trouble from her past. She kept her eyes straight ahead and ignored some of the remarks from the men by the saloon.
She passed the banker's wife on the boardwalk almost to the hotel. The woman nodded and bid her a good day. But not before Jericho saw the woman eyeing the dress. Maybe Francesca was right.
Chapter 9
Del finished another chair. He’d gotten nothing but compliments on it, but no more orders. He knew times were tough for many, but he’d expected his business would be doing better. He couldn’t help but wonder if it people were holding his past against him.
The judge had stopped in and ordered a couple of chairs for George and his Chinese wife to be. He’d assured Del that things would pick up after the first of the month when the miners and cowboys got paid.
At least, Del had made enough to pay the banker back the shortage. For now, he was above water. Jericho had taken a job at the dress shop. Del wasn’t sure how he felt about that, but it did take pressure from him to take care of her.
He wanted to marry her today. In fact, they were to meet at the preacher’s and talk about that. Although Jericho had mentioned the past. Del wasn’t worried though because he’d paid for his trouble.
As far as he was concerned, he was starting fresh. And now that the bank was paid back, he was doing fine. The bell above the door rang. Del looked up to see a prosperous-looking man enter the store. Hoping for a sale, Del rushed to him. “Can I help you?”
The man nodded. “I was wondering if you can build a building.”
“A house?”
The man, dressed in a fancy suit and vest, grinned. “More like a new saloon.” He held out his hand. “I’m Peter Drake. If you’ve been to St. Louis, you might have heard of one of my saloons, The Royal Dollar. I intend to build another prosperous saloon and gambling establishment here in this town.”
Del eyed the man. Now that he looked at the man, slick described him as he had all the marks of a gambler. “Have you talked to the mayor and sheriff?”
“Yes, the first thing I
do when I come to a town. They informed me that I would have to build on the outskirts of town. That’s fine with me. I’m not worried about winning over business. Never met a mining town that could resist pretty ladies and the lure of winning money.”
Del shrugged. “I’ll be honest. I’ve never built a building on my own. I’m sure I can do it, though.”
“Good. Come on over to the hotel this afternoon, and I’ll show you my plans. If you need men to help, I’ll hire them.” Drake rubbed a hand over one of the chairs. “I’ll need furnishings, too.”
“Yes, sir.” Ignoring the small voice in the back of his mind, Del shook the man’s hand.
“I’ll see you this afternoon.” With a tip of his hat, he went to the door and looked out the window. “You have a lot of pretty women in this town.” He turned and winked at Del. “I think I might just marry one of them. I let one get away once, I won’t let that happen again. Good day, Mr. Selmer.” And he left.
A chill went down Del’s spine. The man would be a formidable adversary in whatever he did. Del rubbed the back of his neck. He’d better marry Jericho before she met Drake. Maybe he’d ask the preacher today.
That he shook his hand on building the gambler’s saloon had Del wondering if he had erred in judgment? All Del knew was there was an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach. The idea had been somewhat exciting at making a sizable sum of money, but that had changed into a hard lump that he couldn’t dislodge.
He’d talk it over with Jericho. She was wise about things. He glanced at the clock. It was time to meet her at the hotel. Del put up his tools, grabbed a jacket and hat, and left his shop.
The day was warm, with a hint of change on the way. Spring weather could give you just about anything, and Del liked it that way. He scanned the street but didn’t see Drake.
He couldn’t get the gambler and Jericho out of his mind. For some reason, Del feared the man would want her. Well, he could fix that today. After their talk with the preacher, he would ask her to marry him.
Del was sure she would forgive his past. After all, he’d paid his debt and was on his way to becoming a good citizen. From the start, they’d had something in common. A connection as if they were meant for one another. He wasn’t sure if it was love, but he figured they could make it work.
He entered the hotel and saw Jericho waiting on the settee. She was smiling and looking lovelier than ever in a new purple dress. Del hoped she wouldn’t be one of those wives who spent all their money on clothes.
“Jericho. Are you ready?”
She looked up, smiled, and took his hand. “Yes.”
Del was walking her out of the hotel when he saw Drake coming down the street. Hurriedly, Del turned Jericho toward the church. He didn’t want her seeing the man. After all, Drake was handsome, prosperous, and on the hunt for a wife, and Del didn’t want to give the man a chance at getting Jericho. Soon, they walked up the steps to the church.
Jericho seemed nervous and would barely talk.
“Is everything all right?” Del hoped she hadn’t changed her mind about him.
She nodded, looked at him with sorrow in her eyes, and then reached for the church door.
He went in front of her and held it open. “Preacher Bret, we’re here.”
Del needn’t have shouted as Bret was at the back of the church and had three chairs set up with a table in the middle.
Bret pointed. “I’m ready. I have lemonade and a few sandwiches for lunch. I was hungry and thought the two of you might be also.”
“Thank you, Preacher Bret.” Jericho sat down.
Bret claimed the chair in the middle and pointed to the one on his other side for Del. Then, he poured them all a glass of lemonade.
Jericho grabbed her glass and swallowed. “Thank you, I was thirsty.”
Del ate a sandwich and stared at Jericho. She was so beautiful.
Preacher Bret folded his hands and prayed that the Lord would be in their midst and watch over their words.
Del thought that was odd, but then perhaps the preacher was thinking of how Del would have to tell of his past. At least, Del had an ally in the preacher.
Preacher Bret started. “We’re here to clear the air. With any marriage, it’s best to start with a clean slate. As two people who know nothing about each other, sometimes the past can come between them. I talked with Jericho, and she wants to make a clean break with the woman she was so she can be the woman she wants to be for you, Del.”
Del smiled. “Good. I have some things to get off my chest, too.”
Bret nodded but kept his eyes on Jericho.
Jericho kept her gaze on her glass of lemonade. She cleared her throat and chased the drops of sweat coming off the glass. “Del, there are things you don’t know about me. I know I need to tell you, before, before it comes out by some chance meeting or a slip of the tongue.” She looked at him.
Del’s heart went out to her at the sight of tears trailing down her cheeks. “Don’t cry, Jericho. We’ll work things out.”
“Please, Del. Let me get this out.”
Bret put a hand over Del’s.
“Del, I have had a hard life. My mother died when I was seven. My father lost his job and then the house. We traveled from city to city as he drank away our hopes. When I was thirteen, he died. It doesn’t matter how. My father had lived without hope as if he were already dead for years. He left me in the care of Madame Charley.”
Del took a drink of lemonade. He didn’t like the look on her face or the warning gaze by Bret.
“Del, it wasn’t long, and I was a—”
“Harlot!” The word exploded out of Del. He’d not even felt it coming, but at that moment, he understood her short hair. The beauty and the way about her that drew men’s eyes to her.
“Please—”
“So, you’ve belonged to other men. How many? Or do you even know? How could you think I would want a woman like that?” He turned to stare at the Preacher. “You knew? Did Bridgette?”
The preacher shook his head. “I didn’t know until she came and told me the other day. I suggested you needed to be told. But she’s left that life. She’s turned—”
“Well, I don’t think she can become a virgin again, can she?” Del glared at her. “I was a thief, but I paid my debt. I’m clean. But you, Jericho, you can never be clean. The stain will always follow you.” He stood. “We’re done here, Preacher.” He didn’t wait for her and strode out the door, slamming it on his way out.
The day had lost its charm. Instead, he saw storm clouds to the north as a gust of wind sent leaves skittering across the road. How could they have used him so? His next visit was going to be to Bridgette. If she thought she could mock him by sending him used goods, she had another thing coming. He would demand his money back.
Rage built up inside him. Was he just kidding himself that this town could ever accept him? By the time he reached the courthouse, his blood was boiling.
Throwing open the door, he roared Bridgette’s name.
Her husband came out of his office. “What is it, Del?”
“Where is your wife?”
“She’s home. She wasn’t feeling well.”
Del pointed at him. “Did you know what Jericho was?”
He shook his head. “Come inside. What’s wrong?”
“A harlot. I bet you two had a good laugh. Taking my money for a woman who had been used by how many, Sterling? How many men have used Jericho, my mail-order bride?”
“I can speak for Bridgette. She didn’t know, or she would have told you. You know how she is?”
That stopped Del. It wasn’t Bridgette’s way to hide things. “Maybe. I want my money back anyway.”
Sterling nodded. “All right. I’m sorry it worked out this way. We were just talking about how well you two matched one another.” He counted out the dollars. “I’ll tell my wife to check on her brides a little closer from now on.”
Del picked up the money. He nodded. “I don’t like bei
ng made fun of.”
“I don’t blame you. Again, I apologize for Bridgette. I’m sure she didn’t know.”
“She probably didn’t. I guess another of Jericho’s attributes would be as an accomplished liar. Good day.” Del left the man standing there, still in shock.
He strode to his shop. Maybe he should find Drake and tell him he knew where he could pick up a saloon girl cheap.
At least, he now had enough money to carry on for another month, two if he watched his dollars.
As for Jericho, he didn’t care to ever see her again.
***
Jericho took the insults. The hurt that Del felt and had thrown at her. She shouldn’t have expected anything less. It was just how she’d thought it would go. But her heart ached so badly. The worse thing was that she’d hurt him.
She’d toyed with his hopes only to have them blow up in his face.
She looked at Preacher Bret, who looked as miserable as she felt. “It’s all right, Preacher. Del was right. I can’t undo what I was. He could pay his way out. I cannot.”
Bret took her hand. “Jesus paid for all the sin. In His eyes, if you repent and give your heart to Him and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then the Word says if your sin is as scarlet, it shall be white as snow. Not by your works for Del was right, you can never become a virgin again. But in Christ, you can be sinless. Cleansed by His works.”
She looked at Bret. “Will that bring Del back to me?”
“I don’t know. He needs time to think it over.” Bret folded his hands. “I’d hoped he’d be more understanding, but it seems he has bought the idea that he can work his way to heaven.” Bret looked at her. “In a way, you are a step ahead of Del. You understand that you can’t become clean without Jesus. I tell you this, Jericho, that in Christ, you are clean.”
“I want to believe, but my heart is dead.” She shrugged. “The other day, I met with Li. She told me how asking Jesus into her life made her heart and soul sing as never before. I assure you right now, Bret, my heart is black and dead. Thank you for trying.” Jericho stood and left the church.
She was alone now. Soon, the town would know. Would they run her out on a rail tarred and feathered? Her hair was already too short to cut and make a statement. Francesca would soon find out and fire her.
Jericho (Bridgette's Bridal Registry Book 1) Page 7
