by Trumbo, Kari
Aiden pulled himself up and sat against the wall, reached for the bowl and balanced its warmth on his chest. Jennie handed him a spoon and he took his first mouthful. Ruby sure could cook, that was fact. He closed his eyes and savored the bite.
“I talked to Beau about your job. He isn’t sure what he can do about it, because he has to go find his own job tomorrow. He’s hoping to find something soon.”
Aiden finished his bite and swallowed. “I’m guessing I’m not in a hotel, so this must be a house. How did all of you get into a house so quick?”
“The hotel manager didn’t want to deal with all of us taking all his rooms. He had this house available, but it’ll be for sale. We don’t know how long we’ll be able to stay.”
Aiden frowned. “My pack is back at that old shanty and it isn’t locked. I have a little in my money belt, but I don’t think I have enough for new boots. If I don’t have those, I can’t work in the mine.”
She pulled the two dollars he’d paid for his shave from her apron and left it on the table. “Maybe you aren’t supposed to. Isn’t that dangerous work?” Jennie grabbed a cup of water and held it to his mouth.
She looked so worried about him. He didn’t deserve anyone as pretty as her to pay him no mind. Aiden took the cup himself and drank, then handed it back to her. “Dangerous or not, it’s what I know and I need to keep my promises.” He ate a few more bites as he tried to think of a way to explain it to her without digging deep into his family and why he left. He’d been so young and foolish then, and he didn’t want her to think of him like that. A man had to act like a man, but he hadn’t then.
“What promises? I don’t understand why you must do it if there’re other jobs available. Why would you risk getting hurt?”
Aiden shook his head. He didn’t want it to matter to her, whether he got hurt or not. “Those promises are between me and those I made them to. At some point, I have to go back and make what I did right.”
Jennie’s eyes pleaded with him to share with her, but he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t say what he knew would make her run. It was selfish to want her attention for the brief time he’d be there, but his da had always said he was selfish. This just proved again his da was right.
“Money is money, no matter where you earn it. You’re hurt and you can’t work in the mine for a while. Once you heal a little, why not try working somewhere else, somewhere safer?”
“Mining’s all I know. You just wouldn’t understand.”
She clutched his arm and the warmth of her hands sent shock waves through his thin shirt all the way to his skin, and much deeper.
“So, help me understand! Why can’t you at least think about doing something else?”
She will never understand and it’s better to keep my promise, then return home. He pried her hand from his arm and set his jaw, then looked away from her and closed his eyes. “As soon as I can walk, boots or no, I’m going back to my home outside of town.”
He heard her gasp and felt her knee nudge the bed as she stood and left. You can find someone else, Jennie, someone who isn’t beholden to a promise and a family that will never love him.
*~*~*
Jennie closed the door behind her and leaned against it. She was trapped inside this big pretty house. Back in Cutter’s Creek or even in Yellow Medicine, if she’d needed a minute of peace, she could leave the house and go for a walk. She couldn’t do that here, it wasn’t safe to go out walking alone. Though she could probably take Jack, even that wouldn’t deter someone who really wanted to take her, and Ruby would never allow it.
She trudged up the stairs and flopped on her bed, no longer hungry. Her sleeve had to be repaired or she’d only have the dress she was already wearing. The bite on her arm throbbed but she ignored it. Picking up her small sewing kit, she focused on the sleeve’s torn edge. Holding the needle tightly, she agonized over the stitches to make them perfect.
Hattie sauntered into their room and pulled out the chair by the small desk. She sighed loudly. “I just can’t believe we’re stuck here in this house with nothing to do. Beau made a long speech at supper about how we’re to stay in the house while he’s out looking for work and should only leave with him. He’s decided this house won’t work for us since we’re used to our freedom, but we must stay here until we can get a homestead. He fears we may not be able to file for a homestead without filing for a claim, but he doesn’t know for sure because he hasn’t checked with the land office.” She rolled her eyes. “Why did we come here again?”
Jennie didn’t want to argue with Hattie, didn’t even want to talk to her. “We’re here because it’s a brand-new state, and Beau likes new places without lots of people, and Ruby would do about anything Beau said.” Jennie tried to ignore Hattie and concentrate on her stitches. Over the last month, Hattie had been steadily getting under her skin, and her complaints were only making Jennie more furious.
“Well, Deadwood certainly doesn’t fit that. It’s bigger than where we came from!” Hattie stomped her foot.
“I don’t know, Hattie. Why don’t you ask him? I’m sure he thinks he’s doing what’s best for us and he’s certainly giving it more thought than Pa ever did.”
“Yeah, but at least Pa wanted us to get married. I don’t see how we’re ever going to find someone if we’re forever stuck in the house.”
“Reverend Level will start his preaching this Sunday, Beau and Ruby will take us over to hear him preach. Then you’ll get to meet some of the townspeople.”
“You have an answer for everything, don’t you? Why are you so glum? Did Aiden finally tell you to skedaddle with your grumpy ways?” Hattie laughed loudly, leaning forward in her chair.
Jennie gasped and tears stung her eyes. She certainly hadn’t meant to be grumpy with Aiden. He was healing. “How could you say such a thing?”
“Oh, Jennie, I didn’t mean anything by it and you know it. It’s just that every time you turn around, you’re all sulky. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” Hattie winked and grinned.
“Maybe I don’t want to catch flies at all.” She shoved the needle into the fabric and into her finger. She groaned, clutching her finger into a fist.
“You aren’t fooling anyone.” Hattie stood up and strode across the room, standing in front of her and narrowing her eyes. “Did you think no one noticed you dashing from Aiden’s room up the stairs to avoid all of us? Don’t you think we all knew exactly what happened? That you spoke your mind and you pushed him away … again. Men aren’t hard to understand, Jennie. They want what they want. You either stand with him or you stand against him. I guess you just need to figure out if Aiden is worth standing for, or if you’ll step aside.”
“You seem to forget that he hasn’t paid you the slightest bit of attention, Hattie.” Jennie glared up at her. She was not going to let her anywhere near Aiden, not when it was obvious he had no intention of sticking around anyway. He’d head out as soon as a new gold rush hit.
“Only because he’s still hoping you’ll settle down and pay attention. A man’ll only wait so long.” Hattie flounce her hip out and turned.
“What about Beau. You are two years younger than me and he hasn’t given you permission to even look yet.”
Hattie’s arms stiffened at her sides and her fists clenched into quivering balls of anger. “He didn’t give you permission either, Jennie. He just never held you back. If you don’t want Aiden, step back, because I know a good man when I see him and if I don’t get him, I’ll find another way out of here. I’m ready for life, Jennie, and this ain’t living.”
“He’ll be gone in two days and you’ll never see him again, Hattie,” Jennie screamed jumping from the bed. She wanted to throttle her sister, but she’d never listen anyway. Hattie had always been stubborn.
Hattie winced and turned her head back to Jennie. “How could you have done such a thing? He’s a good man, Jennie. Don’t let him go.”
Jennie threw the dress down on the bed and Hattie turned to face
her.
“My whole life, the only thing that’s ever mattered is getting out. All Pa ever wanted was for all of us to come of age so he could get rid of us. Now I have a choice. I don’t want to marry just because I can. I don’t want to marry just anyone. Look at Ruby, the man Pa found for her nearly killed her!”
“Then she found Beau. Marriage doesn’t have to be terrible, Jennie. In fact, it looks like it could be a lot of fun.”
“Ruby picked Beau! That’s completely different. I didn’t pick Aiden and he didn’t choose me, either. He isn’t the man you think he is, Hattie. He’s been bitten by gold fever and as soon as Beau knows that, he’ll make him leave.”
Hattie screwed up her face. “He didn’t choose you? Is that what you really think? When you jumped out of the back of the wagon yesterday morning, I heard him scream and I jumped to look out the front. He was running toward our wagon with a look like I’ve never seen before. He was terrified. You didn’t see him cradle you in his arms when he reached you, but we did. You might not want to admit it, but that man cares about you and you’d best consider that before you talk to him again.” Hattie turned and left the room.
Jennie sat on the edge of the bed. A man shouldn’t care about her, none of them. She wasn’t ready for something as important as a man’s heart.
Chapter Nine
AIDEN LET HIS HEAD bump against the wall behind him, the sound keeping time with his heart. His feet throbbed their protest at the end of the bed. At least the vinegar had taken care of the smell. He’d been sure his feet were rotting and while they still hurt, they felt better. He threw back the covers and stared at them. Jennie had wrapped them in clean bandages and Ruby had come in to tell him the boots couldn’t be repaired and he’d need new ones.
He shook his head, wondering what Boom must have thought when he was gone without word or even a note. Maybe Boom couldn’t read, anyway. Course, if he made it to his feet, maybe he could get back to the shanty. Aiden picked up one leg and let if fall off the side of the bed. As his foot hit the floor a searing pain ran its way through his foot and up his leg and he bit back a yell. Jack poked his head in the door and tucked it low, growling at Aiden.
“It’s okay, boy. It’s just time for me to get out of here.”
Jack growled again and Beau appeared behind him at the door. He crossed his arms over his chest and waited. Aiden scowled and lifted his other leg, letting it fall beside the other.
“So, that’s how you’ll handle this? You’ll run? Here, if you’re going to be as stubborn as a mule, let me help you.” Beau strode into the room and yanked Aiden to his feet by his elbow.
Paid shot up Aiden’s legs and sweat erupted all over his body. The pain burned and throbbed. Balance fled him and he wobbled, tottering beside the bed. He threw his arms out, but there wasn’t anything to hold on to besides Beau, and he wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of granting him help. He fell back onto the bed with a bitten off curse.
“Want to try again? Goodness knows, there’s nothing more important than getting back to your home so you can catch a ride to the mine tomorrow morning. Never mind that we’ve welcomed you in since we met you. Are you a man? Are you going to let a few words from Jennie stop you? Get up. Leave.”
Aiden clenched his teeth against the wave of nausea, then shook his head. “What do you know about it? Did she go running to you after I told her I was leaving?”
“She didn’t have to; the walls are thin. I’m going to say what she was too smitten to say. You don’t need to work in those mines to fulfil any promise. You can stay here, work hard, and go pay whoever it is you need to. Deadwood is a booming town. Miners spend money here. But, if you’re going to return to mining, you leave Jennie alone. I won’t have her mourning over you. She’s had it tough enough.”
“I am a miner, it’s what I know.” It even sounded hollow to his own ears and hearing that Jennie was smitten had hit him hard in the chest. He’d hoped he’d read her wrong, but if Beau had noticed, then he was right. He didn’t want to carry her heart, he couldn’t even be trusted with gold. “I don’t want to disappoint Jennie, but the fact is, this’s who I am. She can accept it, or she’ll have to find someone who’ll live up to what she wants. Maybe that isn’t me.”
Beau crossed his arms and stood back, giving him space to think. “It could be. The choice is up to you. You’re welcome to stay.” He turned and walked out of the room, returning a few minutes later to drop an old pair of boots by the bed.
“Jennie told me the money by the bed was for boots. They’re old, but they’ll do until you can buy another pair. Ruby also insisted you take this pair of socks she knitted.” He tossed them on the bed. “Let us know your decision.” His angry footsteps stomped down the hall, leaving Aiden alone.
He looked at the empty door then felt something cold and wet touch his hand. He patted Jack on the head without looking at him. He could make the decision to just leave, but they sure were making it hard. They wanted more from him than even his parents had, and the pressure laid heavy on him.
The dog lifted his head sharply, planting his cold wet nose against his wrist. Aiden frowned. “You want to stay, don’t you, boy?”
Jack laid his head on Aiden’s lap, his eyes shifting all around.
“What if I don’t belong here? I might cause more trouble staying here than I started a year ago when I left home.”
Jack’s dark brown eyes stared up at him as a small area of drool formed on Aiden’s pants.
“I can’t go home until I prove I was right, there’s money to be made in mining.”
Jack shifted and laid down at Aiden’s feet. Even the dog had given up on him.
“Don’t turn your back on me, Jack. It’s important.”
Jack lifted his head slightly and tipped his nose down. The dog was rolling his eyes.
Aiden threw up his hands. Even his dog was on Jennie’s side.
*~*~*
Jennie heard Beau and Ruby talking in the kitchen, which was situated beneath her room. Beau hadn’t yet left to look for work that morning, but would soon. Jennie wouldn’t go down and disturb them; they got so few moments alone. The front door closed with a click and Jennie pushed herself up out of the bed. Hunger gnawed at her; she hadn’t gone back down to eat the night before, after her argument with Hattie.
If Aiden wanted to go, she wasn’t going to watch him make that choice. She’d also heard the argument between Beau and Aiden. The whole house had. Her feet dragged getting ready, unsure if Aiden left or not, and praying he hadn’t made that choice on her account.
She wrapped her robe around her dress to ward off the chill in the house and padded down the stairs. Ruby waited in the kitchen, looking quite green as she stood by the pail on the dry sink.
“Ruby, what is it?” Jennie rushed over and hugged her older sister close as she quaked.
“I’m so sick, never felt so sick in my life.” she sniffed. “I don’t know if there’s something wrong with me or the baby. Beau wants to take me to visit the doctor when he gets home.”
Jennie led her over to the table and sat Ruby down, then rushed to get her some coffee. Ruby hated tea so perhaps the warmth of something familiar would help calm her stomach. She set the steaming cup in front of Ruby then ducked out of her robe and strapped on her apron. “You sit, I’ll take care of breakfast. I’m so sorry, Ruby. Just rest.”
Ruby rested her head against her hand and stared down into her coffee. “I’m not that far along, but we’re hopeful that it’s just a bug.” She laid her hand on her stomach and shook her head.
“Well, don’t go thinking you did anything wrong. People get sick all the time, it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong.” Jennie rested her hands on her hips and swallowed back her own tears. It was bad enough Ruby would have to hide her illness from the others, because they didn’t know, but she shouldn’t feel bad about crying in front of Jennie. “Ruby, just remember what Ma used to say, every life, under heaven, has a purpose. I don’
t know what’s happening, or why, but I do know that He can give you hope.”
“He did.” A tear slid its way down Ruby’s cheek.
Jennie turned, unable to blink back her tears anymore. It confounded her why the Lord might give, then take away, but the Lord had His reasons, and she’d just pray that the sickness had nothing to do with the little life growing inside Ruby. She cracked eggs into a bowl and cooked them up, dishing up portions for all her sisters, and for Aiden, in the hopes he was still there.
She looked over her shoulder at Ruby and her sisters as they slowly filed into the kitchen and sat at the table, ready to eat. She left her own plate at the table and took Aiden’s into his room.
He opened his eyes as she walked in, then pushed himself up on his elbow. His hair was tousled with sleep and he was showing a bit of orange shadow around his jaw.
“It smells wonderful.”
She waited for him to finish sitting up then set the plate on his lap. “I need to change your bandages. We worked hard to clean them up, wouldn’t want the infection to get worse.”
Aiden sighed. “Jennie, go sit with your sisters and eat. I won’t go running off you.” He laughed. “Probably best if you have breakfast before you deal with a man’s feet, anyway. Might not want to afterward.”
Something about his freshly risen appearance and his humor sparked something within her and built to a sweet glow. “Thank you, Aiden. I’ll return in just a bit.”
“I know you think I am, but I’m not a complete monster. Go. I’ll still be here when you get back.” He laughed and picked up his fork.
He couldn’t have been more wrong about how she felt for him. Jennie took a few steps toward the door, but stopped next to his bed.
“I never said you were any such thing.” She leaned down and ran the back of her fingers down his bristly cheek. She had to know what the stubble felt like against her hand. It wasn’t soft anymore, yet the slight contact set her pulse racing.
Aiden reached up and captured her hand, holding it against his cheek. “You’re too sweet, Jennie girl, to be wasting any of your time on me.” He let go of her and fixed his focus on eating.
