Jericho wanted to cry at their kindness. “I do, too.”
The judge ushered them into his study.
Jericho had never seen so many books. She breathed in the smell of leather, books, and tobacco. Looking around, she had to say she’d never been in such a lovely room.
Jericho walked to the shelves and began reading the titles. “Moby Dick, Pride and Prejudice.” Her fingers stopped at a section. “Charles Dickens. Edgar Allan Poe. Thoreau. I’ve heard mention of many of these, but I’ve never read their works.”
Rachel joined her. “Pride and Prejudice, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I suggest you start with it.”
“Thank you. You’re much too kind.”
“Nonsense. Books are meant to be shared so that they can be discussed, and we can all learn from them.”
Jericho smiled at her. “Thank you. I like that.” She took the book from Rachel. “I will start with this one.”
Bridgette, on the other hand, went through the shelves and pointed while her sweet husband walked behind her gathering a stack of books.
Rachel laughed. “Oh, dear Bridgette. You are such an optimist. I hate to tell you that babies do not let their mothers read. Not for long anyway.”
As if to prove her point, two young boys charged through the house chasing one another with stick guns. “Lawrence and Terrance, we have company.”
They were on the way out of the house when a buggy stopped in the drive. James and Li got out. Before anyone could say a word, James raised his hands. “Please, Mother, Judge, hear us out. We are legally married. We thought we could stay in the hotel, but we weren’t allowed to because they don’t want to let us in their establishment. What kind of town is Shirleyville?”
Rachel sighed. “Oh, dear. It’s a very good town. I warned you, and I’m sorry. Li, you are a wonderful girl and one that I know can make my son a fine wife. But the times we live in will make if most difficult. There is a lot of unrest because the Chinese workers took over the railroad and mining jobs.”
The judge had stayed back but walked to his wife. “You’re not likely to find it different anywhere else.”
James hugged Li to him. “Well, I love her. Philip doesn’t see anything wrong with us together. He’s offered us the loft after he and Sarah move to their new house. It will be convenient. At least until I go to Boston.” He kissed the top of Li’s head. “We’re both going to Boston. Philip said Li will make a fine assistant.”
Bridgette came from the house. “James and Li, I am so happy for you.”
Jericho watched as Bridgette whirled into the situation, bringing cheer and hope. Except Rachel did roll her eyes.
Bridgette looked at the judge. “What do you think the mayor could do to alleviate the situation for James and Li?”
Shaking his head, the judge gave her a concerned stare. “Not much. People need time to change. George is my best friend. We’ve been together early on. But I know many in the valley look down on him.”
George had come outside with a basket. “It because I short.” He laughed. Breaking the tension between Rachel and her son. “I brought you cookies.” He gave the basket to Bridgette.
The judge chewed on his pipe. “I’ll see what I can do. You can stay here if you like.”
James shook his head. “No, we’re married, and I want to provide for my wife.”
Sterling set the pile of books in a box. “I do have a small cabin near the house I could rent to you for next to nothing in the agreement that you’ll help me watch my wife.”
Li smiled. “That would be most beneficial. I have been trained in midwifery.”
Sterling shook James’s hand. “It’s a deal then. Get your things and come over when you’re ready. For now, I better get my wife home before she has that baby on the prairie.”
Soon, they were on their way again to Bridgette’s home. Sitting in the back, alone, Jericho had time to consider her life. She couldn’t stay at Bridgette’s for the rest of her life. She didn’t really think Del would ever want her.
She looked up at the mountains and wondered about her future. For now, she’d stay in Shirleyville, but eventually, she’d need to move on and find what her life held for her. The preacher had said that God had a plan for her life. Maybe if she was good enough, He’d tell her what it was.
***
Del couldn’t get Jericho out of his mind. No matter how many times he said to himself that there was no way he was going to fall for her, a fallen woman, she eased back into his thoughts. Then to see her with Bridgette and the mayor.
Well, it was clear to see that Jericho wasn’t being turned away by Bridgette or her husband. Not that Del wanted her punished or her life ruined. He just didn’t want to see her again. Ever.
He polished one of the chairs for Bridgette. He’d be done with the other in a few days and have to take them to her house. Where it seems, he would run into Jericho. Del had a sinking feeling that Bridgette was up to her shenanigans and was determined to make her matchmaking work.
Well, Del hadn’t cleaned up his life to throw it away on a stained dove. Once he made a go of his business, he was sure the right woman would come along. He wanted his life to be right. To give his future children a good heritage and so that they could be proud of their parents.
“Yes, that’s it. I’ll throw myself into my work and become a success.” Pleased with his plan, he began cutting out the pieces for another chair. He enjoyed sculpting the roses on the back and felt as if he were redeeming the plain wood into a masterpiece.
Bridgette had seen that in him. He’d told her that he enjoyed working with his hands and carving items. She’d encouraged him to try the carpentry, and he had been a natural. She’d sent letters to the warden, and he’d taken Del under his protection.
Most of the men in the prison were bad men getting worse. He heard the plans so many made about joining gangs, planning to rob banks and stagecoaches, even trains. The men were learning to be more cunning and dangerous.
Del had done the best he could to keep Jay away from them, but his brother was a likable man that made friends easily. And in prison, there was usually only the wrong kind of friends to make.
Put Jay's likable ways with his quick temper and the man was a mess. So, he’d been sentenced to six more months in prison. Del wondered what kind of woman Bridgette had picked out for Jay.
It seemed to him that Jericho would have been a good match for his brother. Then again, Del hadn’t been in the room with Jay and Bridgette when she’d interviewed him.
So why did Bridgette pick out a soiled dove for him? Then again, she apparently hadn’t known that Jericho was a harlot. Not that it matters as the woman had invited Jericho to her home.
He swung the hammer a little too hard and had to discard a chunk of wood. Mumbling, he realized he had to keep his feelings under control, or he’d run out of wood. Don’t think of her. Yet, he knew he could say it all he wanted, and Jericho would still be on his mind.
What he needed was another woman to take her place. He’d have to ask the sheriff for a list of the single women in Shirleyville. There had to be some.
Not able to get the thoughts out of his head, Del locked the shop and walked down to the sheriff’s office. He entered and saw Ronan cleaning a rifle and Levi sitting behind the desk, shuffling papers.
“Del, what can we do for you?”
Embarrassed to admit his misfortune, Del shrugged. “I was wondering if I could talk to you. Alone.”
Ronan looked up. “I get the hint.” He laughed. “That’s okay. I need to take Pearl to lunch. She’s tired of stew, and that’s about all she knows how to make. Although Eve has been helping her out. Levi, I’ll see you later.”
Del smiled. “He seems happier than I remember him.”
“A good woman will do that for a man.”
Taking off his hat, Del grabbed the chair in front of the desk and sat. “And that’s what I want to talk to you about. I need a good woman. To marry.”
Levi put down the papers. “Thought you had one. Jericho Winters, isn’t that the woman Bridgette found for you?”
“That’s the woman, but she’s, well, she’s got a rather tarnished past. I want a woman from a good background. One that our children and I can be proud of.”
“I see.” Levi frowned. “You do know that my wife’s mother was a saloon gal, and I tell you this. She’s the kindest, most caring woman I can think of. Many of us, men and women, have to live with the cards we’re dealt with. Sometimes it’s a hard hand and requires a hard road to go down.”
Del nodded. “I didn’t exactly have a great start, but I’ve paid my debt and turned my life around.”
“Then why not allow Jericho the same chance?”
Del shook his head and snorted. “Not like she can become a virgin again.”
“No, but she seems like she’s changed. She’s never gone near the saloon.”
“Not yet.”
With a shrug, Levi picked up a poster. “I think she’ll be fine if given a chance.”
“That door is shut where I’m concerned. What I wanted to ask is, do you know women in Shirleyville who are unmarried and would make good wives?”
Levi sat back and put his hands behind his head. “Well, let me think. There’s the dressmaker, Francesca. She bought the store from Dolly. The girl at the café, Glory. But watch her, she’s man-hungry.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
Levi nodded. “There are always people coming into town now. Keep your eyes open, and you’ll find one you can’t live without. That’s what happened to me. I wasn’t really looking, and Eve swept me off my feet.”
“Thanks, Sheriff. I have a lot of work to do. So, I better get back.” Del left the sheriff’s office and walked down the street. Most of the women seemed to be in the accompany of their men.
A cloud of regret covered him when he thought how he’d told of Jericho’s past to the sheriff. He hadn’t meant to, but he’d had to explain himself. Maybe to prove to himself why he wouldn’t consider her any longer.
Still, it bothered him that he’d spilled her past. Then again, if she’d been honest in the first place, none of this would have happened. Bridgette would have chosen another bride for him, and he’d never have met Jericho.
Chapter 12
Jericho settled in the guest room at Bridgette’s house. It was perfect. Away from the main house and connected by a breezeway, her room gave her the privacy she needed. The little cabin that James and Li stayed in was behind the house, and she could see it from her window.
It gave her warm feelings to think about how happy the couple was, yet sad that they faced so many hardships.
Bridgette had a fairly large household to manage with a cook and men in the bunkhouse. And her two sons were adorable. Tony and Federico were smart, courteous, and full of life.
The first few nights, Jericho had felt out of place, but Bridgette and Sterling had erased that feeling by the way they included her in their family. Soon, she was helping the cook with the cooking.
She’d made an offhand remark that she’d never learned to cook, and Margaret had taken her under her wing as a prize pupil. Jericho was pleased to announce that she could now make edible biscuits.
The days were spent with Bridgette. They would have tea and cookies. Read for an hour and then talk about the book they were reading.
Rachel had been correct about Pride and Prejudice. Jericho had wondered what it would be like but felt a kinship with each of the characters as they fell to the prejudice of the other. She had to admit, she had her own judgment troubles of others and determined to not assume she knew what someone was like or thought or felt.
“Are you ready to go to our reading corner?” Bridgette peeked in her room.
“Yes. Right behind you.”
Once they were comfortably seated in the cheery, reading room, Jericho settled in to read more of her book and grinned as Bridgette dug through her massive pile of books to find a new one.
Bridgette grimaced as the little one kicked. “You know, I think we are all prejudiced in one way or another. I thought Sterling was arrogant. When I first met Del, of course, he was robbing me, I thought him ignorant and worthless. Look at him now, a prosperous businessman.” She nibbled on the cookie. “Or at least he will be.”
Jericho stared at her. “Robbed you?”
Bridgette froze. “Oh, dear. I see he didn’t tell you of his past. He had some trouble with the law and spent a year in prison. Part of my deal with him and his brother was to give them half of their bounties and find them a mail-order bride. I should have told you.”
Jericho shook her head. “Well, what a pair we would have made. I’m not sure I would have come if you’d told me that. But you don’t have to sell me. I still think highly of Del. But I have reconciled myself to the fact that he doesn’t share the sentiment, and I am free to look elsewhere.”
“Good girl.” Bridgette pointed a cookie at her. “But I still feel that things will work out between you two. I just felt it was so right. I prayed over you both before sending you that letter. But you know how God has His plans, and they are often not for me to understand.”
Jericho laughed. “I think the Lord must get a kick out of hearing your prayers.”
Bridgette chuckled then caught her stomach. “Ow.” She looked at Jericho. “Ow and ow.” Then she relaxed. “I think this baby wants to be born.”
“Isn’t that early?”
“A week or so, but first babies can come early.” Bridgette frowned and then smiled. “The pain is gone. Just a false alarm.”
They went on to talk about Moby Dick. Jericho hadn’t read it yet, so Bridgette was telling her what she thought. “It’s a fantastic whale of a story. I can’t imagine those men who got on ships and sailed around the world. How exciting. Someday, I would like to go on a great ship and see the world.”
Jericho laughed. “I have no doubt that you will.”
“Ow. OW, here it comes again. Five minutes apart.” Bridgette looked concerned. “Li said the contractions would come like clockwork. If it happens again in five minutes, you better get her.”
Jericho nodded and stared at the clock. The ticks became louder and louder as they were both holding their breaths to see if the baby was intent on coming. Five minutes went by, and Jericho stared at Bridgette.
With a smile, Bridgette nodded. “Okay, we’re up to seven and no more pain.” She’d just taken a sip of tea when her eyes grew wide. Setting down the cup, she held her stomach and grimaced. “Get Li and send for the doctor.”
Bridgette ran for the cabin in the back. She knocked on the door, but no one answered. Tony came around from the house. “They left a little while ago. I think they were having a picnic.”
“Tony, do you think you could find them?”
He nodded. “I can get my horse and go look.”
Not sure if the boy was supposed to ride unsupervised, Jericho shook her head. “Send one of the hands.”
She rounded the house and went into the kitchen. “Bridgette is having her baby.”
Margaret shouted. “Oh, joy. Let’s get her in her bed.” She ran for the parlor and stopped. “No, you go tell Riley to ride into town for the doctor and the mayor.”
Jericho ran to the stables and found Riley. “Hurry. Bring back the doctor and the mayor.”
With everyone dispatched, Jericho ran back into the house and found Bridgette in her bed. She looked up and grinned. “Sorry, but I’m not having the contractions anymore. They stopped.”
“Well, we’re ready. Are you feeling all right?”
“Yes, but I am ready to see this little one. I never thought I would love having children so much, but I am in love with this baby already and can barely wait to hold her.”
“What if it’s a boy?”
Bridgette laughed. “You know I have called it a boy the entire time. Until today. I don’t really care. I will love it, whatever it is. I already have two sons and a
girl would be fun.”
“I bet she’ll be just like you. Beautiful, smart, and a whirlwind.”
Bridgette’s eyes widened. “Here it comes again.”
Jericho stood. “What do you want me to do?”
Bridgette grimaced but managed to get out the words. “Remain calm. Remain calm.”
“Okay.” Not knowing what else to do, Jericho paced around the room. “The doctor will be here soon.”
Bridgette shook her head. “It will take at least two hours to get to town.”
“Oh, don’t say that. Tony said Li and James are on a picnic.”
“Did Tony ride his horse?”
“No, I told him to tell one of the hired hands.”
Again, Bridgette’s eyes widened. “Noooo. Just pray he finds James and Li.”
“I can do that.” Jericho paced the room, praying the best she knew how.
Jericho prayed, paced, and prayed some more. Bridgette had grown quiet except for the groans.
“Do you want a drink of water?”
Bridgette stared at her. “No. Yes. Maybe. Don’t ask me questions.”
Jericho nodded and poured water into a glass and offered it to her.
Bridgette took a sip and set the glass down. “Thank you.” She shook her head and rubbed her belly. “I hope the doctor gets here fast.”
Jericho strode to the window to see if anyone was coming back but saw only empty roads and prairie.
Margaret rushed back into the room. “I have water boiling.”
“Good.” Jericho shook her head. “What do we do with it?”
“I don’t know. But it seems that is what doctors tell people to do.”
Jericho rushed to Bridgette, who was now blowing like a hot cat. “Are you alright.”
“No, I am, not, all right. I have a baby in me that wants out.” She continued to pant and groan. An hour went by and then two. And another.
Jericho wiped Bridgette’s forehead. “You poor, dear. Hold on. I’m sure someone will come soon.”
Before she’d stopped talking, Federico ran into the room. “Tony is coming with James and Li.”
Jericho (Bridgette's Bridal Registry Book 1) Page 9
