She rushed to him. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
He gathered her into his embrace and rested his chin on top of her head. “Philip…” He tightened his hold on her.
She pulled away and stepped back a bit. “Please don’t tell me he’s gone.” Tears clogged her throat, and she couldn’t say another word.
He grabbed a large, colorful handkerchief from his back pocket and gently dabbed at her cheeks. “You did realize how weak he was, didn’t you?”
The gentle way he said the words soaked into her aching heart. She stared into his eyes, reading the pain and peace. Such a change had happened to this man. Had it been only yesterday? Things were happening way too fast for her. Her whole world was changing at breakneck speed. She needed something solid to hold onto.
“I knew, but I hoped I was wrong.” She crossed her arms, holding tightly to her upper arms. “Such a special man.” She couldn’t continue.
Jeremiah pulled her close to him once again. This time she didn’t resist. Tears streamed down her face, accompanied by sobs from deep within. The salty water pooled on the front of his shirt under her cheek. She let his soothing words wash over her and his arms give her comfort as he whispered into her hair. God had given her a special gift to help her face this flood of grief.
Jeremiah’s heart broke right along with Madeline’s. He’d never given in to tears, even when he was being beaten as a boy. But this shared loss opened a place in his heart where deep hurt had hidden. His quiet crying mingled with hers as they shared this burden, making it lighter.
When they both came to the end of their tears, he once again pulled out his bandanna and dried her cheeks, still holding her in his embrace. She stared straight into his eyes. He knew she saw his tears as well, but he didn’t care.
“I’m glad I have you, Jeremiah. I couldn’t get through this alone. Philip.” She swallowed. “Philip knew we needed each other.”
“I agree.” Yes, he needed her in a way he’d never needed anyone in his life. Facing a single day without her was unthinkable. Thank you, Philip…and God.
A throat cleared behind him. Jeremiah turned but kept his arm around Madeline’s waist. Sam and that lawyer guy stood in the doorway, waiting to be acknowledged. Jeremiah led her toward the sofa.
“Come in and join us.” Jeremiah sat close beside her, the desire for her to be next to him overwhelming.
When the two men took the wing-backed chairs across from them, Jeremiah noticed the morning light coming through the windows behind them. “Sam, I just now remembered you said Philip wanted us to talk to this man.” He looked at the lawyer. “Why would he say that?”
Mr. Sanderson’s bearing belied the early hour. His suit didn’t show a crease, and not one of his white hairs was out of place. “Mr. Smith had me draw up a will for him. He wanted the provisions followed to a T.”
How could that be? Jeremiah didn’t think Philip had ever met the man. “Just when did you write this will?”
“Yesterday afternoon, when you went back to the ranch. Mr. Smith sent the pastor to get me. He wanted everything in order.” Sanderson’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he cleared his throat. “I believe Mr. Smith knew that his death was imminent.”
Jeremiah felt Madeline tremble. He glanced down at her, and she leaned even closer to him.
“When will we have the reading of the will?” Jeremiah didn’t really care when it would be, but Madeline might.
“We can do it right now, if that’s all right with you and Miss Mercer.” The lawyer waited for them to nod their approval. “Pastor Oldman, would you ask Mr. and Mrs. Sneed to join us?”
After Sam left, the lawyer took over the proceedings. “We’ll read the document as soon as they arrive. Actually it’s a very simple will.”
Jeremiah didn’t care what was in it. He didn’t need the money, and neither did Madeline. But he knew they must go through the formalities.
Evidently the Sneeds had already been contacted, because they didn’t have to wait for the couple to dress. Within a few moments, Sam returned with them in tow.
Sam looked first at Madeline, then at Jeremiah. “I can leave, if you want me to.”
“Please don’t go. Your presence is comforting.” She pulled her own hanky from her sleeve and dabbed at her nose before settling back beside Jeremiah.
The lawyer dug in his satchel for papers, then shuffled them into order. He read the usual legalese about Philip being of sound mind and then continued, “First, I want to be buried today. Don’t want much fuss. If Jerry will allow it, I want to be buried under that lone tree on the hill at the ranch. He’ll know which one I’m talking about. Maybe he can start a family plot in that pretty place.”
Even without Philip’s accent, the words sounded like what he would say in person.
“And I don’t want a big ceremony. Just friends at the graveside. Sam’ll say all the right things.” The lawyer paused and looked at the preacher.
Sam nodded. “Be happy to.”
“And I know you’ll be sad, but don’t make it too long. I’ll be jumping and running all over glory with Jesus.”
How the man could read Philip’s words in such a monotone, Jeremiah didn’t understand. Those words carried a huge load of emotion.
“I want to match Madeline’s father’s bequest for the Sneeds. They’ve become good friends, and I appreciate them taking care of Madeline and helping me.”
Jeremiah wondered that the old man had enough air to get all this information to the lawyer. Maybe that’s what robbed him of his breath, making him so weak last night. But he was glad Philip had done this for Madeline’s former servants. They deserved every penny.
“I want a matching amount to be put in trust for Pearl when she is eighteen.”
Madeline shook with a sob. Jeremiah cradled her up close to his side.
“My house will go to Madeline and Pearl, so they have a home here.”
Just the right thing. Jeremiah was glad they wouldn’t have to live at the hotel any longer.
“The rest of my money should be divided evenly between Madeline Mercer and Jeremiah Dennison. Of course, since they’re courting, it’ll all come back together soon.” Mr. Sanderson looked up at them. “At this time, he gave a cackle, as if he had made a joke.”
“He was serious.” Jeremiah glanced around at all those in the room. “He was the only other person who knew I’d decided to court Madeline and she’d agreed. Just like Philip to tell everyone first. Musta gave him a real charge.”
Mr. Sanderson divided the papers, handing a copy of the will to the Sneeds, one to Madeline, and one to Jeremiah. “My business is almost finished here. Miss Mercer, after the burial service, could you meet with Mr. Johnstone and me before we go back to Boston?”
“I’d be glad to, Mr. Sanderson, but“—she glanced up at Jeremiah—“I want Mr. Dennison to be present too.”
Something inside Jeremiah’s chest expanded almost too big to be contained. Madeline was treating him as her protector. Just what a husband was supposed to be.
Dear Lord, I don’t deserve this. Please help me be the man she needs.
The simple service on the hillside at the ranch touched Madeline more than any funeral she’d attended in a large church in Boston. Philip was laid to rest in the place he chose under the wide-open sky. She’d found a black dress at Skinner’s Mercantile that was made from a lighter weight fabric than the mourning dresses she’d brought on the trip with her. The wind blew her skirt around her while the men filled in the grave. One more man she loved would be waiting for her in heaven.
“Are you ready to go?”
She was so lost in thought that she hadn’t noticed Jeremiah come up beside her. “Yes. I’m ready for things to settle down.”
He led her to the wagon and when she put her foot on the step, he circled her waist with his hands and swung her up. He made her feel light as a bird. She unfurled her parasol to protect them from the sun on the trip back to town.
“Mr. S
anderson has gone on ahead. He and Mr. Johnstone will be waiting for us when we get there. Are you sure you’re up to another meeting with them?” Again Jeremiah was protecting her.
“It’s all right. I want all of this to be over.”
She enjoyed the ride. She’d noticed the ranch house quite a ways farther into Jeremiah’s property from the hill where Philip was buried. “Tell me about your house.”
He told about living there for several years and not really making any changes. Then, after he’d added onto Philip’s house, he’d decided to build onto his own. He wanted it to be a place where he could invite friends from town to celebrate holidays and other things.
“I ordered furniture for the rooms before I knew you. Philip had ordered his furniture from the Montgomery Ward catalog, so I did too. I hope you like it. If not, we can change it. I had no idea I’d be courting a wonderful woman so soon.”
His words brought warmth to her face. Maybe he’d think she’d been in the sun too long.
Maddy had never even seen a Montgomery Ward catalog. She’d heard about them, but she just went to a store and bought what she wanted or needed. She wondered what kind of furniture Jeremiah would order. No matter what style it was, she decided to be satisfied with everything he ordered. What would be most important to her was making a home with him.
She wondered how long he planned to court her. Should they wait several months to show honor to Philip?
When they stopped in front of the hotel, Jeremiah’s gaze traveled over her face, as if he were memorizing every feature. She could almost feel it as a caress.
“I need to take the wagon down to Swede.”
She wasn’t ready to be separated from him right now. “I’ll go with you. We can walk back here together.”
“If you’re sure.”
At her nod, he clicked his tongue to the horses and headed toward the livery stable. Outside the door, he helped her down, then hollered into the shadows, “Hey, Swede. Here’s the wagon. Madeline is with me.”
The blond giant came out into the sunshine, smiling broadly. “Good day, Miss Mercer. Ja, nice to see you.”
“You too.”
Jeremiah placed a proprietary hand on her back and escorted her up the boardwalk to the hotel. On the way, they greeted several people from church. From the speculative smiles, word of their courting had evidently spread through town. Madeline didn’t mind one bit.
At the hotel, Mr. Sanderson and Mr. Johnstone waited in the parlor for them. After several minutes of discussion, Madeline gave Jeremiah a questioning look. He must have understood what she wondered, because he nodded.
“Mr. Sanderson, we’ll look forward to having regular monthly reports from you on the finances, and Mr. Johnstone, you will keep us informed about the business. Right? We’re putting our trust in you, even though you haven’t really earned it.”
Both men assured Jeremiah that they would take care of Madeline’s affairs.
“I’m sure, after we’re married, Miss Mercer and I will come to Boston often as well.”
When they finished taking care of business, the lawyer and her business partner took their leave, planning to ride to Los Cerrillos right away so they could catch the next eastbound train.
Madeline and Jeremiah were finally alone in the parlor. She glanced up at him. The light in his eyes warmed her from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. His gaze mesmerized her. She couldn’t look away, even if she’d wanted to. But oh, she didn’t want to. She swayed toward him, and he pulled her into his arms.
“When I awoke this morning, I was dreaming I held you in my arms. My lips“—his head dipped until their noses were only a hair’s breadth apart—“were almost touching yours. Anticipation filled me with the thought of finally kissing your beautiful mouth.”
She would have swooned if he hadn’t been holding her.
“May I?” He waited for her reply, giving her a chance to say no. What a gentleman!
She lifted up on tiptoes, angling her face slightly so her lips finally touched his. Tentatively. She’d never done this before.
He let his lips linger softly against hers for a moment before cradling the back of her head and pulling her even closer. His touch like a butterfly landing…lifting…landing…caressing ever so lightly. Bringing a deeper desire for more. Then his mouth moved against hers more firmly.
With the meeting of their lips, she felt her very soul fuse with his. As their mouths shared their love, her spirit danced within her. This man of God loved her in a way she had never imagined. She couldn’t get enough of the nectar of his kisses. Tasting, knowing the love they shared.
When their lips parted, Madeline breathed deeply, taking in the outdoorsy, masculine scent of the man, so much a part of him. Now so much a part of her.
Finally, her life was settled. Nothing could ever disturb it again.
Chapter Twenty-nine
A new day—and hopefully a more settled one.
Pearl’s hand gripped the spindles on her crib, and she stared at her mother. Maddy started toward the baby bed. Her daughter reached higher and tried to pull herself up.
Maddy swooped her into a hug. “I didn’t hear a peep out of you all night.”
Actually, she wouldn’t have minded if Pearl had awakened. Feeling the loss of Philip, she would’ve loved snuggling her baby close to her breast and singing her back to sleep.
While washing and changing Pearl, Maddy kept chattering to her, and her daughter babbled nonsense right back. Soon they were both giggling. When she was finished, she swept her baby into her arms and hugged her close, savoring the baby smell.
After dressing Pearl, she took her down to Sarah in the kitchen.
“Are you sure you don’t mind watching her while Jeremiah helps me move our things into Philip’s house?”
Sarah took Pearl and hugged her. “Such a pretty girl.” She sat in one of the chairs beside the table where Caroline was preparing breakfast. “Pearl and I will have a good time. Would you like Frank to help the two of you?”
“Thank you, but I don’t have that much to move. I’m sure Jeremiah and I can manage.”
Caroline filled a plate with bacon, scrambled eggs, and biscuits. “Here. You need to eat because you have a lot of hard work ahead of you today. Just sit down and enjoy this. I’ll pour you some tea.”
“You’re right.” Maddy took the plate and sat in the chair closest to Sarah. Pearl reached toward her plate. “How soon can I start feeding Pearl scrambled eggs?”
“It wouldn’t hurt to let her try some. Just be sure you mash them into tiny pieces. Even a bit of biscuit won’t hurt her.” Sarah turned the baby in her lap so she faced her mother.
Maddy put a tiny bit of egg on her fingertip and held it out to her daughter. Pearl sucked on the end of her finger, and Maddy felt a tiny scrape. “Ouch.” She ran her finger along Pearl’s swollen gums. “Could she be teething? I think I feel the tip of a tooth.”
Sarah wiped her hand and felt inside the baby’s mouth. “I believe you’re right. I’ve heard of babies starting to teeth this young, but it’s a little early. No wonder she was so fussy yesterday.”
“You didn’t tell me she was fussy while I was gone.” Maddy reached for her fork. “I’m sorry I left her with you.”
“Now don’t be worrying about that. I love this little girl. A little fussiness didn’t hurt me. But we may have more of this for a while.” Sarah hugged Pearl closer to her chest, but the baby wiggled and whined until Sarah sat her back up. “She really isn’t a tiny baby anymore. She has a mind of her own.”
What Sarah said was true. Pearl was growing and changing faster than Maddy had anticipated. Of course, that’s what children did, but she didn’t want her daughter to grow up too fast. She’d wanted to experience and savor every moment. And it would be all right for her daughter to have a mind of her own. Maddy wanted her to grow up strong—able to care for herself. If Maddy hadn’t been able to think for herself, her life in Boston would hav
e been a lot different from what she had here in Golden.
Maddy buttered her biscuit and spread pink jelly on it. She took a bite, wondering at the strange but delicious taste. “What kind of jelly is this?”
“Prickly pear. Mrs. Stone makes it for us every year.” Caroline continued to stir a pot on the stove.
“What’s a prickly pear? I haven’t seen any pear trees.” Maddy took another bite. “But it’s delicious.”
Caroline laughed. “Actually, it’s a cactus fruit. They’re hard to work with because of the spines on the plants, so I’ve never bothered. But Sam really likes this jelly.” She turned back to her cooking.
Maddy still had a lot to learn about this rugged country and the people who populated it. She finished eating and took her plate and mug to the sink. After rinsing them off, she turned toward Sarah. “Are you sure she won’t be too much bother?”
“Our little Pearl of great price? A bother? Never.”
“So this is where all the women are hiding.”
Jeremiah stood in the doorway, almost filling it completely and her heart as well. A towering man, all strong muscles and handsome features. Learning more about this man was something she looked forward to the most.
“Madeline, are you ready to start?”
“Yes.”
When they stepped out on the boardwalk, Madeline noticed a large wooden trunk in the wagon. “What do you have there?”
“It’s empty. I brought it so we could pack away those things of Philip’s that we want to keep.”
The life-sized memories she carried of him wouldn’t fit into something as small as a trunk. She put one foot up on the step of the wagon. “That’s a good idea.”
Jeremiah swung her up the rest of the way. She could get used to being handled by this man.
“After we clean out all his things, we can come back for your trunks and move them into the house.” He climbed up beside her, his solid frame so close their hips and shoulders connected with every sway of the wagon.
Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico Page 26
