“That’s all right, Will,” Jonah replied. “I’m sorry we left you in town last night.”
“Oh, don’t trouble yourself over me, sir. Mr. and Mrs. Franklin run a very comfortable hotel.”
“What did you and Charles find out at Cyrus’s place? Did it look like he packed up and left?”
Will didn’t answer right away, and Jonah rose from his stool and stood in the doorway of the stall where he was working. The young man had a frown on his face. “It was the strangest thing, Mr. Kirby,” he said. “All his things are there except a few traps. Like he just went out to check his lines and never came back.”
Jonah frowned. He knew Charles and Will had gone out there thinking Cyrus might have had something to do with Henry’s death. Jonah had disagreed. Having worked with the man for several months, he just couldn’t see Cyrus harming anyone. He’d honestly thought Cyrus had his fill of Ostrander and moved on. This was unexpected. “You told the sheriff what you found?”
“Yes, sir. He said he would go take a look at Mr. Morgan’s place himself and might stop by the farm in a few days. When I told him about the missing traps, he wanted to know where he laid his lines.” Will pushed his hat back on his head and looked up from his milking. “About yesterday, sir, I know you told me not to go after Mrs. Kirby, but it just didn’t feel right not to.”
Jonah smiled and patted him on the back. “No, it’s all right. Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. Say now, I had myself breakfast at the hotel. Why don’t you let me finish all this? You and Mrs. Kirby can eat without the wee ones about.”
“Thank you, Will,” he said quietly. “There is something Mrs. Kirby and I need to talk about.” He walked out of the barn and stopped for a moment to look at the house.
He could see smoke rising from the chimney of the summer kitchen. Even though the weather had cooled a little, Adele liked to use the little structure behind the house as long as possible. She enjoyed cooking out in the fresh air.
Slowly, he walked around to the back and saw her pumping water to fill a wooden bucket. Her hair was up in its usual braided bun, but the memory of it falling softly to her waist, loose and free, filled his sight. He shook his head. If he kept thinking like that, he would never be able to say what needed to be said.
She started to reach for the bucket when he walked forward and grabbed it. “Let me get that for you,” he murmured.
Her brilliant blue eyes caught his. “Good morning,” she said, smiling.
“Good morning,” he said and looked down at the bucket. “Where do you need this?”
She cocked her head. “In the washtub, on the stove.”
As he headed toward the door of the summer kitchen, he heard her following him.
“I will move the trundle bed out of our room later. Anne can sleep in your room now.”
He stopped short of the kitchen door and took a breath. “I wouldn’t do that, Addie.”
“It is not very heavy. I am sure I can do it myself.”
“That’s not what I mean.” He looked out at the kitchen garden, glad he wasn’t looking at her. “Things need to stay the way they are.”
“Why?” Her voice was soft with confusion and hurt.
He laid a hand on the kitchen door frame to steady himself. “Because of Nate.”
“Nathaniel is gone, Jonah,” she said.
He looked at her and immediately felt like kicking himself for making her look so sad.
Adele took his hand. “I love you.”
Her words made him drop the bucket and gather her into his arms. “And I love you.”
“I know. You have for a very long time, haven’t you?”
He pulled away, hands on her forearms as he stared at her.
She smiled. “How long?”
He was so surprised that the words flew out of his mouth before he could stop them. “Since the day we first met. How did you know?”
She ran her thumb across his cheek. “That first kiss,” she said. “It said more than you know.”
He grabbed her hand and gently lowered it, and then he stepped back and ran both hands through his hair. “I shouldn’t have told you. This is all such a mess.”
“Why? I will always love Nathaniel, but he is with the Lord now. I love you. Now.”
“It’s not that. I promised Nate this would never happen.” He walked over to the pump and laid his hand on the cool, wet spout. “The night before you married him, he found out how I felt about you. He got angry, and I told him I’d never tell you how I felt.” He turned to go into the house. “Just leave the trundle bed where it is.”
“No.” Her answer stopped Jonah in his tracks, and he swung around to face her. The calm, yet resolute look in her eyes made them bluer than ever. “Last night, before we came home, I wondered what Nathaniel would think of my feelings for you,” Adele said. She took a deep breath and continued. “I asked the Lord if what I felt was wrong.” She walked up to him and stood very close. “He said no.”
Jonah stared at her. Lord, I promised. God placed the same answer on his heart as He had months before. Yet even with His blessing, Jonah still felt a sense of betrayal. “He was my best friend,” he murmured.
Adele took his hand. “Nathaniel was a godly man, Jonah. He would have wanted what God wanted.”
Tears sprang to Jonah’s eyes. The simple truth of her answer dissolved any other objection he might make, as easily as snow melted in the spring sunshine.
He pulled Adele into his arms, and as they embraced, he knew Nathaniel was smiling down on them from where he sat in heaven.
“They should be back anytime now, Addie,” Jonah said with a smile as he watched his wife look toward the road yet again. He and Adele were working in the kitchen garden while Will drove into Delaware and fetched Anne and Jacob.
“Do you think she spent the night well?” she asked as she reluctantly turned her gaze to him.
He stood and laid a few more carrots in the basket she held. “I’m sure Annie slept fine.”
“You had better remember not to call her that when she gets here,” his wife said with a reproachful smile.
“I know. I’ll get ‘the look.’”
Jonah’s habit of changing or shortening people’s names didn’t sit well with the little girl. Every time he tried to call her anything but Anne, her little face scrunched up and her bottom lip pouched out to the side. Jonah chuckled. She looked so adorable, he was tempted to call her Annie as soon as she arrived.
He knelt down and started to pull more carrots while Adele got another basket. But the sound of a wagon caused her to drop it and smile at him before quickly making off in the direction of the drive. He followed, and soon both of them were getting hugs from two very delighted children.
“Ma!” Anne squealed as she clung to Adele.
Jonah was gratified by the strong hug Jacob gave him. “I’m glad you’re home, Uncle Jonah,” he said.
Will jumped down from the wagon, and Adele turned to him as she picked up Anne and wrapped her son in a one-armed hug. “How is Mrs. Kirby?”
“Mrs. O’Neal told me to assure you she and the wee ones are right as rain.” He smiled and turned to Jonah. “Dr. Kirby was all ready to send his lawyer, Mr. O’Conner, back with me, but I told him it wasn’t necessary, seeing how the sheriff let you go.”
Jonah nodded. “I hope he can catch whoever this is soon. In the meantime, we need to keep a sharp eye out while we’re in the fields.” He looked down at Jacob. “I think it might be best if you stayed close to the house today.”
“But we’re getting ready to bring in the wheat,” the boy said.
“I know, but your ma needs a good strong boy out in the kitchen garden.” He gave his shoulder a squeeze. “I’m not trying to coddle you, Jake. I just want you to be safe.”
The boy nodded, although he was clearly disappointed. “Okay.”
“Go on into the garden. Your ma will be out in a minute.”
Jacob walked over
to the garden, and Jonah went into the house with Adele and Anne. Jonah’s old room was now done up for the little girl, and they both wanted to show it to her. Adele had even found a few of her old playthings. Jonah leaned against the door and watched the two walk in. Anne looked at the room and bed with wide eyes and looked up at Adele. “Little bed?”
“No more little bed,” Adele said with a smile. “That big bed is for you.” She looked questioningly at her. “Ma and Pa will be right next door.”
Anne looked from her to Jonah and then smiled. “Okay.” She climbed up and looked at the playthings on the bed.
Adele sat down on the edge. “Those are for you, Kleine. They used to be mine.”
The little girl picked up each toy and looked under it, her eyes growing sad. “Dolly?” she asked.
Adele looked over at Jonah, and he walked over to the pair.
“Where’s Dolly?” she asked him, taking one of his fingers in her little hand.
He looked at Adele.
“I am sorry, Anne,” she said gently. “I could not find my old one.”
Anne’s little face crumpled. She lay down on the bed.
“No Dolly,” she said tearfully, looking up at them.
Frowning, Jonah looked at his wife, who looked just as distressed if not more.
Anne lifted up her arms, and Adele immediately picked her up. The little girl let out a sob and buried her face in her neck. Jonah laid his hand on her back and rubbed it. He could just make out her words through her tears. “No Dolly.”
Adele bit her lip and rocked her until she fell asleep. After laying her in her new bed, they walked out to the hall, closing the door behind them. Adele looked at Jonah, close to tears herself.
He took her hand. “She must have had a doll she had to leave behind,” he said soothingly. “When she saw those toys, she must have thought you found it for her.”
Adele nodded, and Jonah pulled her into his arms. After a moment or two, she pulled back and looked at him. “She is ours now.” It was half a question and half a statement.
Jonah gave her a gentle smile and smoothed back a stray strand of her hair. “She is from where she stands. But we should wait a little longer before we do anything official. I hate to say this, but someone may still be looking for her.”
“But Jonah, it has been months. Surely someone would have come by now.”
A wave of tenderness swept over him. He wanted little Anne to be theirs as much as she did, but one of them had to be realistic. “Adele, you shouldn’t get too attached to her. If someone does come, imagine how heartbroken you’ll be.”
She looked him in the eye, and inwardly he groaned. She had that stubborn look in her eye. “I will go to town tomorrow and buy her a doll,” Adele said.
Jonah sighed. He knew better than to argue. “Of course. Fred has one.”
She looked at him for a moment. “How do you know that?” A sly smile crept across her face. “Jonah Michael Kirby! You were going to buy her one before this. You, who just said I should not get too attached.”
He felt his face redden. “I saw it there last week.”
She kissed him on the cheek. “I love you.”
She started to move away, but he held her fast, wanting one moment more with her in private. The fact that she was truly his still felt like a dream.
Her bright blue eyes glowed as she smiled at him. “Why do you look at me like that, Jonah Kirby?”
“I still can’t believe you’re mine,” he replied softly.
She responded with a long, lingering kiss.
Chapter 14
Next Sunday, Adele invited Reverend Warren and Minnie to dinner to celebrate. For the first time in almost a year, Jonah had gone to church with them that morning. He finally felt reasonably comfortable without his gun, although circumstances demanded it ride with them under the seat.
“We’d like to come,” the reverend said after services. “But we ended up walking this morning. Our mare is a little lame.”
“Ride with us. We have enough room,” Jonah replied. “I’ll take you back later and have a look at her if you want.”
“Oh, I couldn’t have you do that on the Sabbath, Jonah.”
“‘The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath,’” Adele quoted.
Reverend Warren laughed in agreement.
After dinner they settled into the parlor for coffee. Jacob had been excused to go outside, but Anne sat between Minnie and Adele on the sofa.
“It’s good to have you back,” the reverend said.
Jonah was standing next to him at the fireplace mantel, but he only half heard him. He was too busy looking at his wife. She and Minnie were fussing over Anne. Reverend Warren chuckled, and Jonah started. “I’m sorry, Reverend. What did you say?”
“I was saying how glad I am you’ve come back to church,” he said. “But I see your mind was elsewhere. I’m glad you finally saw the sense in what I said a few weeks before.”
Jonah smiled and felt his face redden a bit. “It’s good to be back.” He sobered a little. “I won’t ever go back to the way I was before, will I?”
“I can’t imagine you will.”
Jonah nodded. He suddenly knew how the apostle Paul felt when he spoke of the thorn in his flesh. But unlike Paul, Jonah couldn’t understand its purpose. He sent up a silent prayer, and the Lord reminded him of the correspondence between him and his brother. Daniel’s letters had been a balm to him in a way no one else’s could have been since they had both served in the war. He thought of Charles Franklin and other men he knew who had served. Perhaps he could reach out to them.
“Have you heard anything about Cyrus?” The reverend’s question broke through his thoughts.
Jonah looked at him. “No. The sheriff was here yesterday afternoon. All we found were his missing traps. The sheriff is going to come again tomorrow, and we’re going to go further into the northwest corner.”
“I hope you find something, for Mrs. Porter’s sake.”
Jonah nodded. Henry Porter’s funeral had taken place several days ago. After the service, Jonah and Adele had asked Henry’s widow, Eliza, if there was anything they could do. She thanked them but said she and her boys were doing fine for now. Jonah promised himself to check back with her soon. Henry’s oldest son was just a little younger than he had been when his pa had passed. He knew very well what the young man must be going through.
“Anne, I have something for you.”
Jonah looked and saw Adele hand the little girl a pasteboard box with a scrap of ribbon tied around it. He smiled as he anticipated her reaction to their gift. The china doll they had bought in town yesterday had hand-painted brown hair with a green-print dress and white apron. Mrs. Warren had seen them buy it and had praised their choice. He was glad she would have the opportunity to share this moment with them. Over the course of the last few months, she and the reverend had become more like family again, as they had been while Jonah’s ma and pa were still living.
Anne lifted off the lid and gasped. “Dolly!” she squealed as she took it out of the box. But as she took a closer look, her face fell. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Adele’s startled face. “Not Dolly.” She handed the doll to Minnie and climbed into Adele’s arms. “I want Dolly.”
“Well, my goodness,” Minnie said softly.
“I thought she would like it,” Adele said. She bit her lip and hugged the crying child closer.
“Give her some time,” Jonah said. He walked over and rubbed his wife’s back. “She might come to like it.”
“I should take her upstairs,” Adele replied. She looked over at Minnie and Reverend Warren. “I am so sorry.”
“Now, don’t you worry yourself,” Minnie said. “We understand perfectly.”
“We should be getting back anyway,” the reverend said. Minnie nodded and gathered her reticule and Bible.
“I shouldn’t be too long,” Jonah told Adele. He patted the little girl on the back. As he dro
ve the Warrens home, her little voice crying, “Not Dolly,” echoed in his ears.
It didn’t take long for Adele to get Anne to go to sleep. Her tears had made her sleepy. As Adele gently shut the door to the child’s room and made her way downstairs, she tried to fathom why the little girl had obviously lost her doll. Had someone taken it from her, or was it, as Jonah had guessed, that she had been forced to leave it behind?
Walking into the parlor, she picked up the doll from where it lay on the sofa and looked at it. She should put it away, but it was so pretty she decided to prop it up on a side table against one of the painted kerosene lamps. She hoped Jonah was right. Perhaps with time Anne would grow to like it.
Minnie had helped her clean up after dinner, so she took a basket and made her way out to the flower garden. It had not frosted yet, but since Jonah said it would soon, Adele started picking any flowers that were still blooming. She could put some of them in that lovely vase that had belonged to Jonah’s mother.
She had been at it for a while when the sound of whistling caused her to look up and see her son sitting in one of the apple trees in the orchard. She set her basket aside and walked over to the tree he was sitting in.
“Hello, mein Liebe.”
“Ma,” Jacob said as he scrambled down the tree and jumped down in front of her. “Can’t you call Anne that now?”
She chuckled as she ruffled his dark brown hair, then sighed as he tried to duck away from her hand. “You are getting too old for that, I suppose.” She saw a thoughtful look on his face. “Is something wrong?”
He cocked an eye at her. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Do you love Uncle Jonah?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I saw how you were at the fair and how you’ve been looking at each other.”
She took a deep breath and said a quick prayer asking the Lord to give her the answers her son needed. “Yes, Jacob, I do.”
“Like you did Pa?”
“Yes.”
He stopped, and she did, too. “So you don’t love Pa anymore?”
She gently grasped her son by the shoulders. “I will always love your pa, Jacob. Always. But I love Uncle Jonah, too.”
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