“I know, but we still need to eat.”
Elizabeth followed her down the back stairs and into the kitchen. The space was cool and lacked the usual aroma of Martha’s cooking.
“Sit down and let me get the coffee,” Elizabeth told her.
Martha took out a stool and sat with a sigh. “Even that little jaunt down the stairs about did me in.”
Elizabeth stoked the fire in the cookstove then found the smaller coffeepot and took off the lid. “You should still be in bed.”
“I couldn’t rest knowing Jude and Grace are still out there.”
Elizabeth took the coffeepot outside and worked the pump handle until a stream of water came rushing out. She filled the pot, went back inside and set it on the stove. While Martha looked on, she took a cup of roasted coffee beans, put them into the grinder and sat at the worktable.
She ground the beans, inhaling as the air filled with the refreshing scent.
“How is Gretchen?” Martha asked.
“She’s sleeping, but she looks much better now that she knows she’s safe from Mr. Dew. I told her he’s behind bars and will be facing prosecution.”
“I wish I could have been the one to help her.” Martha clasped her hands together on top of the table. “But, then again, maybe not. I think it was good for you to see that side of Jude’s life.”
Elizabeth didn’t meet Martha’s gaze but continued to grind the beans. “I shouldn’t have left Grace and Rose by themselves. If I hadn’t...” She couldn’t bring herself to finish the statement.
Martha reached out and squeezed Elizabeth’s hand. “We all make mistakes we have to live with. Some are worse than others. But—” she paused “—I don’t think you made a mistake.”
“If I hadn’t left, Grace would still be here.”
“Maybe.” Martha shook her head. “Or maybe not. Remember the night Jude and Ben caught her with Hugh by the barn? She could have left that night, or any other night, for that matter. Grace is a grown woman. You’re not responsible for her forever.”
Elizabeth brought the ground coffee to the pot. “But I made a promise to my mother.”
“How long was that promise intended to last? For the rest of Grace and Rose’s lives? Even your mother wouldn’t have been responsible for that long.”
Elizabeth poured the coffee into the basket and put the lid on the pot. Martha was right. How long did her mother intend for her to be responsible for her sisters? Surely, one day Rose would be grown and capable of making her own choices. Would Elizabeth have to follow her around for the rest of her life to make sure she made only good ones? That was preposterous and would be unfair to her sister.
“As much as we hate to see our loved ones make bad choices,” Martha continued, “there comes a point when we must let them go. Grace is responsible for what she’s done and she’ll have to pay the price. Yes, you and Rose will, too, in some ways, but Grace has to walk out her journey. Only God can direct her steps. Not you.”
It was true—but it still hurt.
“And what about you?” Martha asked.
Elizabeth came back to the table and sat across from Martha. “What about me?”
“No one can make choices for your life, either, save you and God.” Martha lowered her chin and looked intently at Elizabeth. “Have you decided what you’ll do concerning Jude?”
The very thought of Jude forced Elizabeth off her chair. She needed to be doing something. She didn’t want to sit around all day and mope about what she couldn’t have. “What should we make for supper?”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“What is there to say?” She took a deep breath. “I’ve decided to leave Little Falls and go back to Rockford.”
Martha didn’t look concerned, but rather curious. “Why would you do that?”
“To spare Grace her embarrassment.”
“And to run away from Jude?”
Elizabeth swallowed and looked down at her hands.
“He loves you, Elizabeth.” Martha stood. “Just tell him how you feel. I know you can work things out.”
“There’s Rose to consider, too.”
“He loves Rose, just as you do. Tell him how you feel and let him decide what’s best for him.”
The thought of being rejected by Jude, just as she’d been rejected by James, left a sour taste in her mouth. But what if he didn’t reject her? What if Martha was right and he did love her?
The sound of horses’ hooves seeped through the walls of the hotel and Elizabeth’s heart picked up its pace. She raced to the back door and saw the barn had been opened.
With a trembling hand, she turned the knob and stepped out into the alley. Was Grace with him? Had he found her? The questions begged for answers, so she ran across the alley and entered the barn.
Jude stood beside Lady, unbuckling the saddle. His hair was tousled by the wind and his casual clothes made him look as handsome as ever.
But he was alone.
“Did you find her?”
Jude looked up and she wanted to melt into his beautiful brown eyes. They held so many emotions, some good and some bad, but over it all, they were full of pleasure at seeing her. “I did.” He walked away from Lady and pulled a letter out of his pocket. “She wanted me to give you this.”
Elizabeth took the letter, disappointment tightening her chest. Why wasn’t Grace with Jude? “Where is she? Was she with Hugh? Did she look well? Was she scared?”
“I’ll tell you all about it once you’ve read the letter.”
She quickly opened the envelope and pulled out the letter. It was written in Grace’s handwriting and was less rushed than the one she’d left last night.
Dear Elizabeth,
I’m sorry I left the way I did. I can imagine you’re worried for me and rightly so. As I laid awake in a stranger’s parlor last night, I had time to think. I realize I made a hasty decision to run away with Hugh, but given enough time, I would have married him either way. I love him and I know that’s hard for you to understand. When I look at Hugh, I don’t see the anger and recklessness that others see. Instead, I see the pain and sorrow of childhood memories he’s shared with me. He made poor choices, just as I have, and he regrets many of them.
He asked me to be his wife and Ben married us just a short time ago. Jude tried to talk me out of it, but when he realized I wouldn’t change my mind, he looked on as our witness. We are leaving for Montana now and will break away from all the others. Hugh wants to try his hand at ranching and I want to start over with him.
I pray, given some time, you will come to understand why I chose this path for my life. Don’t hold any regret or guilt over me. I knew what I was doing and I’d do it all over again. I’ll write when we’re settled.
Love, Grace
Elizabeth lowered the letter and found Jude watching her. “She’s married?”
He nodded. “Ben performed the ceremony.”
Her legs felt weak and the exhaustion from the past twenty-four hours had finally taken their toll. She sank onto a clean pile of hay. “I can’t believe she’s married. This whole time I thought she’d return to me and we’d leave here together.”
Jude walked over and took a seat beside her. “Are you unhappy?”
Elizabeth looked at the letter again and couldn’t deny her sister’s excitement. “I’m sad that I might never see her again and I didn’t get to say goodbye, but I’m happy that she and Hugh are hopeful.” She met Jude’s gaze. “I pray they have a good life together. Grace and Hugh have a lot to learn, but then, we all do, I suppose.”
Jude picked up a piece of hay and played with it between his fingers. “Some of us more than others.”
Martha’s words floated back into Elizabeth’s mind. She needed to speak honestly with Jude, but the words froze on her tongu
e as nerves bubbled up inside her.
He dropped the piece of hay and reached over to take her hand.
The simple gesture was all the invitation she needed to lean against his shoulder, thankful for his courage and perseverance. “Thank you for finding her.”
“You’re welcome.” He ran his thumb over the top of her hand. “Lizzie.” He paused. “I don’t want you to go.”
She closed her eyes, wishing she could stay close to him forever, but frightened it might not last.
He turned her hand over and traced each fingertip with his own. “I have something I’d like to say to you.”
His touch was like nothing she’d ever felt before. “I have something I’d like to say to you, too.”
He sat up straighter and faced her. “Please let me speak first.”
His face was so dear to her she wanted to memorize every line of his features. “All right.”
“I love you, Lizzie.”
She inhaled a soft breath. “You do?”
“I know I don’t have much to offer. No respectable past, no family and nothing of great value but a hotel that you rightfully own, as well.” He smiled, yet she could see the fear of rejection in his eyes. “I don’t have much but a heart that adores you and arms that yearn to hold you for the rest of my life.”
Tears gathered in her eyes, yet she smiled as she placed her hand on his cheek. “You have more than you realize, my love. You’ve captured my heart and it will be yours forever.”
“Truly?”
“I love you, too,” she whispered. “And I don’t have much, either. But I have full confidence in you and I know we can do whatever we set our hearts and minds to.”
He put his hand over hers, joy in the depths of his gaze. “I feel called to continue helping women like Violet and Gretchen, but I cannot ask you to risk your life like you did last night.”
“I was called last night, too, Jude. I can’t deny God’s will. I want to help.” She dropped her hand from his cheek and paused. “But there is one more thing.”
Concern edged between his eyebrows. “What is that?”
“Rose.”
He grinned and all the worry left his face. “What about Rose?”
“Will you love her like I love her?”
His eyes caressed her face. “I already love her like a daughter and I look forward to watching her grow into a beautiful, capable young woman, just like her older sisters.”
“Do you mean that?”
“With all my heart.” He leaned forward and set his forehead against hers. “There’s just one more thing to discuss.”
Her stomach filled with butterflies. “What’s that?”
“When shall we get married?”
“As soon as possible.”
He shook his head in amazement. “I never imagined I’d ever be so blessed to hold you in my arms and one day call you my wife.”
“Are we done talking?”
“Why?”
“I’d like to be kissed now.”
He laughed and pulled her close, his eyes full of the love she could no longer deny. His lips touched hers and she melted into his embrace, loving the strength in his arms and the softness in his kiss. She had never felt as warm or complete as she did in that moment, and she marveled that it was just the first of countless kisses that would fill her life.
Chapter Twenty-One
Jude stood at the front of the little white church in his best suit and polished shoes. It had been the longest two weeks of his life since he’d proposed to Elizabeth. The wait to be married had almost been more than he could bear, yet the day had dawned with brilliant sunshine and the promise of perfect weather. Outside the church, the sky boasted a blue sky and a soft breeze. It was even better than he had hoped.
The church was bursting with their friends and neighbors. Back at the hotel, the ladies had prepared a wedding feast that would not be outdone for some time to come. In the evening, there would be a ball to honor the newly married couple.
He looked forward to all of those things, but it was the days that followed the wedding celebration that he most anticipated. When he and Elizabeth would live life together, side by side, day in and day out, for as long as they both should live.
Ben stood beside Jude and grinned. “Are you nervous?”
Jude shook his head. “I’m too excited to be nervous.”
The doors opened at the back of the church and the whole congregation rose to look at the bride.
Elizabeth stood there for a moment alone, and Jude’s heart beat like a drum. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever met and he still couldn’t believe God had brought her to his hotel. Just the thought of that first night, when she had barged in and accused him of squatting on her property, brought a smile to his face.
She wore a blue gown that Charlotte had made for her. It matched her eyes to perfection and accentuated her slender body. Her brown curls were pinned up, and she wore blue earrings that caught the sunshine and glinted.
Pascal appeared on one side of her to offer his arm. She’d asked him to give her away in place of her father and Pascal had been honored.
Rose stood on the other side of Elizabeth, wearing a pretty new dress and holding a handful of wildflowers she’d picked the day before when Jude had taken her and Elizabeth to the river. Rose caught sight of Jude and waved, her curls bouncing with her excitement.
The three of them walked down the aisle together and Martha motioned Rose to come and sit with her in the front pew.
Elizabeth’s gaze rested on Jude and her blue eyes sparkled with love and happiness.
“Who gives this woman in marriage?” Ben asked.
Pascal puffed up his chest, yet his face revealed some of his nerves. “I do, in her father’s memory.” He nodded, looking relieved that he’d delivered the important message.
Elizabeth smiled up at Pascal and then looked back at her groom as Pascal set her hand in Jude’s.
She wore gloves, but he could still feel the warmth of her skin beneath his and it sent pleasure racing up his arm and into his chest. From this moment forward, he could hold her hand in public, kiss her when he pleased and embrace her without concern for her reputation. In a moment, she would become his wife and the world would know they belonged together.
Jude wrapped his fingers around hers and stood a bit straighter with her by his side.
“Dearly beloved,” Ben began. “We are gathered here today in the sight of God and these witnesses to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Marriage is commanded to be honorable among all men, and therefore it should not be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
Jude squeezed Elizabeth’s hand and she glanced up at him and smiled.
“Jude.” Ben spoke in a grave voice. “Do you take Elizabeth to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, for as long as you both shall live?”
There was not a doubt in his heart. “I do.”
“And do you, Elizabeth, take Jude to be your wedded husband, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful only to him, for as long as you both shall live?”
She did not hesitate. “I do.”
“Do either of you have a token of your commitment?”
Jude took a gold band out of his pocket and placed it in Ben’s hand. It had been her mother’s wedding band and
she had entrusted it to him the night before.
“May this ring be blessed as the symbol of this affectionate union.” Ben smiled at Jude and then at Elizabeth. “These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. May these two find in each other the love for which all men and women yearn. May they grow in understanding and in compassion. May the home which they establish together be such a place that many will find there a friend, and may this ring on Elizabeth’s finger symbolize the touch of the Holy Spirit in their hearts.”
It was the same blessing Ben spoke at all the weddings he performed, and Jude had heard it many times, but this time it sounded different. It was spoken over him and Elizabeth, and carried more meaning and depth than he’d ever realized.
Ben handed the ring back to Jude and said, “Put this ring on your bride’s finger and repeat after me. Elizabeth, with this ring you are now consecrated to me as my wife from this day forward.”
Jude turned and faced Elizabeth. Behind her, many friends looked on, but he saw no one except her. She looked up at him with such love and adoration, he wished the wedding was over and he could pull her into his arms. Instead, he slipped the ring on her left ring finger and repeated his vows.
Ben continued. “I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity, and with this ring, I thee wed.”
Jude held her hand and said, “I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity.” He hoped his eyes conveyed all the love he felt. The smile on her face told him it did. “And with this ring, I thee wed.”
“By the power vested in me by the Territory of Minnesota and by Almighty God,” Ben said, closing his Bible, “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Jude could not contain his joy. He grinned as he pulled her into his arms and placed a tender kiss on her lips.
She wrapped her arms around him and returned the kiss with as much delight. When she pulled away, she smiled up at him. “I love you, Jude.”
“I love you, too, Lizzie.”
The congregation rose to their feet and applauded the happy couple. Martha, Pascal and Rose clapped the hardest. But others were there to share in their happiness, too. Abram and Charlotte Cooper, Timothy and Pearl Hubbard, Judge Barnum, Dr. Jodan, Roald Hill, Pierre LaForce and many of the other men who had tried, but failed, to win Elizabeth’s heart.
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