A New Life In California: Book 3--Search For Meaning Series

by Angela Dempsey

  While he was asleep that night he was attacked by a couple of outlaws. They beat him badly; they stole his valuables including some of his money. He was knocked unconscious; they thought he was dead. They took his mule and supplies. Bullet managed to run away. He returned to Jake after the robbers left, nudging him with his nose.

  The next day a man came along and found him. He loaded him on the back of Bullet. The man took him to his house. His sister greeted him when he arrived; then gasped when she saw Jake on the back of the horse. “Is he dead?”

  “No, he’s not dead, but he is badly beaten. Help me get him inside.” When they got Jake on the bed she started tending to his wounds. She wrapped his ribs with the help of her brother. There were multiple cuts and bruises.

  She was mostly concerned with the bump on his head. She had seen men die from smaller bumps. She was raised in a logging camp. Her family spent many years logging. The next day her brother rode off to the logging camp. He said he would be gone a month. She assured him she would be fine. She would stay with the stranger and try to help him recover.

  She thought he was a nice-looking man underneath all those bruises. She wondered if he was spoken for or had a wife. She pushed the thoughts aside and went about her chores for the day.

  She fed him a little broth when he woke up enough that she felt safe trying. She also dropped water in his mouth. It was two weeks before he woke up enough to speak.

  She entered his room to see his eyes open. “Well, it is about time you woke up. I’ve been concerned about that bump on your head.”

  Jake sits up, “Who are you? Where am I?”

  “My brother found you near the river. You were in bad shape. You have bruised or maybe broken ribs; you were covered in bruises and cuts. I am Patsy, by the way. I have been taking care of you for two weeks.”

  Jake looked surprised, “Two weeks!” He sat up, swinging his legs over the edge. “I’ve got to be going. Where are my clothes?”

  He stood too quickly; he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, followed by nausea. He sat back down.

  She smiled at him. “I think we need to get you well before you get on your horse.”

  He agreed with her. She brought him a meal. He ate every bite. She told him he needed rest to take a nap. She promised to check on him later.

  He was trying to remember how he got to the river where he was found. He remembered he was on his way to find Lucy. He felt his heartbreak. He knew by now she would be wondering why he was not in Kansas with her. He knew she would feel betrayed and unloved.

  He fell into a restless sleep. When he woke he had been dreaming of the outlaws that beat him and left him for dead. He also realized everything he had was probably gone.

  “Patsy…Patsy…he yelled.” But there was no answer. He tried to stand. He managed for only a couple of minutes before needing to sit back down.

  He prayed that Lucy would have faith and believe that he was in love with her. He didn’t care about Henry Daniels. He wished for her sake, that nightmare had not happened to her, but it didn’t change the fact that he loved her.

  He lay back down on the bed. He felt as unsteady on his legs as a newborn calf. Letting out a deep sigh, he leaned back to rest and think about Lucy. He couldn’t wait to get her in his arms. With thoughts of her in his mind, he drifted off into a deep sleep.

  The next morning, Jake woke bright and early. He could hear humming in the kitchen. He thought about how curious it was for Patsy to be alone. She was pretty enough to take her pick of men. He wondered why she was here alone. She did mention a brother, but Jake has yet to see or hear him.

  A little while later, Patsy entered his room with a plate of food. “I brought you some breakfast.”

  Jake smiled, “Thank you! I heard you humming this morning.”

  She blushed, “I hope I didn’t disturb you.”

  He smiled at her, “Not at all, it was nice; reminded me of my ma.”

  She stood smiling as he shoveled in the food she brought him. “It looks like you have your appetite back.”

  It was his turn to blush. “Sorry, ma’am I forgot my manners.”

  “I am glad you are enjoying it. I like having someone to cook for every day. My brother is out with the timber company; logging. He is normally gone most of the spring and summer; taking care of the house and farm falls on me.”

  “That is a big task for one person. I am sorry that you are left all alone. I thought someone like you would have a husband to help you.”

  She blushed, “I had a beau once, but he got tired of waiting on me to marry him. My ma died when I was fourteen. My pa became sick when I was sixteen. He needed me to take care of him. He was sick for three years. I didn’t feel like I could leave him. He died a year after my beau married someone else.”

  Jake felt bad for her, he could hear the regret in her voice. It is strange how things work out sometimes. He smiled, “Maybe someday you will find the right person for you.”

  She smiled reluctantly at him. “I think that probably will not happen.”

  “You never know.”

  She took his empty plate from his hand, their hands touched and their eyes met for a moment. She blushed then turned and went back to the kitchen. He could hear her humming. She would make a good wife for someone. She needed help around the farm. She was a very beautiful woman.

  A couple of hours later she returned with some hot water and clean towels. She helped him remove his bandages so he could take a bath. She left him while he cleaned up. She had gone through his saddlebags and washed his clothes. Most everything else was stolen by the men who beat him up. Fortunately for him, most of his money was stashed in his boots. They got a small amount he had in his pocket.

  He was grateful and thankful for this sweet woman. She carried a large burden, yet took time to care for him and help him recover. He was deeply touched by her kindness. He felt a pain prick his heart when he thought about how pretty she was too. Thoughts of Lucy flooded his mind. She would be hurt if she knew he even thought of Patsy as pretty.

  She returned a while later to find him sound asleep again. She watched him as he slept. She felt a deep attraction to him. She wondered if he would ever want to stay with her on the farm. She smiled at the thought. She allowed herself to dream for a brief moment. Then she picked up the wash basin, scolding herself for thinking he would ever want to be with her. She quietly slipped out the door to continue with the tasks of the day.

  Chapter 4

  Elise was working in the kitchen. She started thinking about her cousin Lilly. She remembered the day she was born. She helped Mary Ellen deliver her. She was a wonderful little girl. Elise couldn’t believe how fast she had grown up into a beautiful young woman.

  She prayed and thanked God for his help with Lilly’s big decisions. Lilly had two young men trying to get her attention. There is Zain Morgan. Charles and Mary Ellen like him the best for her. He is strong and kind. His family is back east somewhere. He came to Kansas in search of better opportunity.

  Charles hired him on the spot to work at the general store. He gladly accepted the job. Then he met Lilly and was even more excited that he was offered the job. They allowed him to move into the room downstairs in the back of the store.

  Zain was tall and strong. Lilly loved to look into his brown eyes. She loved the way his hair curled up in the back, underneath his hat. He had kind eyes and she was quite taken with him.

  Clay Roberts was ruggedly handsome. He had a bit of a wild streak. The first time he laid eyes on Lily she was waiting behind the counter in her father’s store to total his purchases. He thought she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.

  She noticed his eyes on her and blushed slightly. Then she looked away. She was attracted to him immediately. He was so handsome and had that smoldering look that made her feel like he knew how to treat her.

  He grew up in a mining town. He had seen his fair share of dance hall girls and the women at Madam Maria’s. He was w
ise beyond his twenty years. He came east to Kansas to find a nice girl and settle down on a farm somewhere. He still liked to have a little bit of whiskey from time to time.

  He didn’t imagine such a fine girl would want him. But he also knew life was short and we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow. He boldly walked up to her and introduced himself to her. He asked if she would like to take a walk with him sometime. She smiled and shook her head yes.

  Zain was jealous and upset to see Clay walking with Lilly. He knew if he didn’t step up things he was going to lose her. He was already too fond of her to think about her being with anyone but him.

  Clay came by every evening to talk to Lilly. She still treated Zain like she always did before she started talking to Clay. Zain asked Lilly to the spring dance. She told him she had already accepted an invitation from Clay. But she would save him a dance. Zain mumbled something like ok that’s fine; before walking off in defeat.

  Mary Ellen could see the whole situation unfolding before her eyes. She knew that Zain was sweet on her. She knew he would be a better match for Lilly. He would be a better husband. She could tell right away that Clay was a drifter. She knew she would never have a stable life with him. But he was a handsome young man, much more so than Zain.

  She encouraged Lilly to talk to her about the two of them. She gently tried to guide her toward Zain. He would attend church with her. She didn’t know if Clay would ever attend.

  The evening of the dance arrived. Clay showed up right on time to pick her up. He talked at length with Charles before he informed Lilly that Clay was there to pick her up.

  Clay’s eyes lit up when he saw her coming down the stairs. She was a vision in a lavender dress with lace and ribbon trim. She had her long blonde hair pulled up and curled; her curls cascading down her back. The lavender of her dress made her eyes look almost lavender. He wanted to get lost in her beautiful eyes.

  He finally found his voice. “Hello, are you ready?”

  She smiled and he melted at the look in her eyes. “Yes, I am ready.” He held out his arm and she placed her hand in the crook of his elbow.

  They walked part of the way to the town hall in silence. He finally spoke, “You look beautiful.”

  She blushed, “Thank you. By the way, I hope you don’t mind I promised Zain I would dance one song with him.”

  Clay wasn’t happy about that at all. But managed a smile, “Sure, since you and Zain are friends.”

  It made her happy that he didn’t make a scene. But she felt a little guilty for making that promise. When they arrived several couples were already on the dance floor. They talked with a few of the people they knew.

  She found herself looking for Zain. She didn’t see him anywhere. Clay finally asked her to dance. She let him lead her to the dance floor. As he twirled her around she looked deeply into his eyes. She started searching for something that she didn’t see.

  Clay was handsome; she enjoyed his stories of grand adventures. But she didn’t see the love and tenderness that she saw when she looked in Zain’s eyes. She wondered what the future would hold if she chose a life with Clay.

  As Clay swirled her around the dance floor, her eyes met the stare of Zain across the room. He smiled at her when he noticed her eyes on him. He was kicking himself for not asking her before Clay.

  Zain tried to not stare at her. But she was so beautiful he was mesmerized by her. She kept looking his way as she was moved around the dance floor. At one point she had a look of almost regret in her eyes. Zain shrugged his shoulders, as if to say, it’s ok. She smiled at him.

  After several songs, Clay led her to the refreshments. She got a glass of lemonade and a couple of cookies. They went to sit down on a bench along the wall.

  A young man approached them and asked Clay if he could talk to him outside. Clay got up and walked outside with him. Lilly was concerned that she had never seen that young man before; she wondered why he needed to talk to Clay.

  She slipped outside, at first she didn’t see either of them and then she heard voices. She walked over to the edge of the building. They were around the corner. That guy was threatening Clay. He told him if he didn’t help him with the bank job he would tell his pretty little girlfriend he was a thief.

  Lilly gasped, she couldn’t believe her ears. That was enough to get Clay’s attention, as well as the other young man. He came at her, grabbing her by the arm. Clay tried to get him to leave her alone. He hit Clay knocking him out cold.

  That guy was quick; he had her by the arm before she could run; Lilly screamed. She tried pulling away from him, when she did it tore her sleeve and she screamed again.

  The next thing she knew she had been shoved to the ground and Zain was fighting with the stranger. He landed a good punch to the face; she knew Zain would have a black eye. The people started to gather outside watching the fight. Then Zain landed a knock-out punch to the guys face. Blood oozed from the guy’s nose, it was probably broken.

  A couple of older gentlemen took the stranger and Clay to the sheriff. They would wake up in a cell. Lilly would probably have to go see the sheriff in the morning.

  Zain turned to Lilly, who was trying to gain her composure. “Are you ok?”

  She started sobbing; he took her in his arms. “It’s ok, you will be fine. Shh…shh…sweet Lilly. Do you want to go home? I will walk with you if you do.”

  She could manage to shake her head, “Please.” Then realization hit her and she said, “Not yet, I owe you a dance.”

  He told her they could dance another time. She insisted they have one dance before they went to her house.

  They went back inside, Zain took her into his arms. She looked into his eyes, she saw what she was looking for; she saw love. She knew that he was the one that would always be there for her.

  At that moment, she knew he was the one God had made for her. She would be by his side until they were old and gray. They would have many adventures together. She could see her children as she looked at him.

  After the song ended, he insisted on taking her home. It was starting to get late. His eye was swelling from the fight. It was starting to turn black.

  When they arrived at the store, she looked closely at his eye. She offered him a cold cloth. He told her he would be fine. Charles down the stairs, he looked confused by the fact that Zain was standing there and Clay is the one who met Lilly.

  They explained what happened to Charles. He thanked Zain for looking out for his daughter. He knew he was right about him. He insisted that he come upstairs and let Mary Ellen look at his hand and eye.

  Mary Ellen couldn’t believe the story that she was told. She knew she would be having a long talk with Lilly about Clay once Zain went down to his room. She made some coffee and gave Zain a piece of cake. She thanked him for protecting Lilly.

  They all had a nice conversation for about an hour. Zain decided he didn’t want to wear out his welcome. Lilly said she would walk him down. Once they got to the bottom of the steps, she suddenly felt extremely shy. He asked her if he could walk with her to church Sunday morning. She told him that would be nice. She thanked him again for protecting her. On impulse, she leaned in and hugged him. He hugged her back.

  She felt right being in his arms. She liked how he felt holding her. It was a brief hug but left her heart soaring.

  When he shut the door to his room, he thanked God for the turn of events. He was thankful that he finally had her attention. He knew she was finished with Clay. He could see something new in her eyes. For the first time in a long time, he knew he was going to get exactly what he wanted. He wanted a life with Lilly by his side.

  Elise was preparing a few things for Lilly’s wedding. It would be in two weeks. She asked Lucy to help her.

  Elise shared Lilly’s story with Lucy, hoping it would cheer her up. Lucy decided to answer an ad to be a mail-order bride. She drafted several letters before settling on the full truth. She told the man that she was attacked and now was expecting a child.

/>   She originally was going to tell him she was a widow, but after much thought and soul-searching, she told him the whole truth. She even told him the truth about waiting for Jake to come and marry her.

  Lucy asked Cooper if he would post the letter to Oklahoma for her. He looked at her, “Are you sure this is what you want? You are welcome to stay with us as long as you need.”

  She replied, “No, I need to think about my baby’s future. I need to get over my schoolgirl dreams and face the future.”

  Cooper looked sympathetic, “If you are sure, I will be going tomorrow to town, I will take care of it.”

  She smiled, “Thank you.”

  Chapter 5

  Charles had a surprise for his daughter. He had been doing a study course by mail, to become an ordained minister. He was enjoying teaching the bible. He completed the course and was going to receive his certificate any day.

  He will be able to perform their wedding ceremony. When he told her she was relieved that they would have someone to do the ceremony. She was happy and looking forward to marrying Zain.

  Charles asked Zain if he would be willing to stay with them after the wedding to help with the store until they could save some money. Charles told him it would free him up to take care of the congregation until they can get a new preacher.

  Lilly was working in the store one afternoon. Charles and Zain were out making deliveries. Clay entered and walked up to the counter. He asked if they could talk. She shook her head yes.

  “Lilly, I know there was a problem the night of the dance. I am sorry for what happened. I don’t know what else to say except, I really like you. I wish you would give me a chance.”

  “Clay, I am sorry. Zain and I are getting married in two weeks.”

  “That is why I am here today. You haven’t married him yet. Please give me a chance.”

  “Clay, you are a nice enough guy. I have to question your choice of friends. But Zain is the man for me. I really hope you find someone to make you happy. But the answer has to be no.”

  He looked so disappointed, she felt sorry for him. Even though she had been attracted to him, she knew Zain was the better choice.