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

by Angela Dempsey

  Lucy smiled at him, she had been wondering if he would resent the baby. She worried he would not be able to accept and love the child. She knew he was a good man and he would try. But he just extinguished all her worries with his reassurance.

  He took the small bundle in his arms. Gene looked so small in Jake’s large hands. His round pink face contently asleep as Jake beamed down at him. She leaned back on the pillow; taking in the scene. She felt peace wash over her. She knew in her heart it would all be fine. She had worried for nothing. There was so much love in that room, a tree stump could have felt it.

  Jake talked to her about California. He told her more about his family and the neighbors. “Sweetheart you look tired, I will go let you rest.” He handed back little Gene. Then promised he would send Madeline back to help her. He kissed her forehead and she was almost asleep by the time he hit the doorway.

  Madeline returned and took little Gene from the arms of Lucy. She placed the sleeping infant in his cradle. Roy and Jake went out to check the herd. Jake was happy that Lucy survived childbirth. He felt peace wash over him. He didn’t realize how concerned he was until it was all over and she was safe.

  Jake knew he would do anything to protect her and Gene. She was his whole world and now that little boy was his world too. He was surprised at how much he already loved the baby, that wasn’t even a part of him. But he knew he loved him because he was a part of the woman he loved. He would be a good pa to the boy, or die trying.

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  Christmas came. Madeline and Roy celebrated with Jake and Lucy. They had a large meal and enjoyed time together. Little Gene was a good baby. He was already sleeping most of the night.

  Madeline made a wonderful Christmas. Lucy was getting her strength back. She helped Madeline some, but Madeline wanted her to take it easy.

  After dinner, Jake and Roy looked like they were two mischievous boys that were up to something. They told the women they bought them the same gift and they needed to open them together.

  Lucy and Madeline sat down beside of one another and opened the pretty paper. Inside of each tiny box was a locket. They were beautiful silver with gold trim. On the front of them was a gold rose. Lucy and Madeline looked at each other with surprise. Then they both stood and hugged and kissed their husbands for such a beautiful gift.

  Lucy made Jake two new work shirts. She also purchased him some new work gloves. She felt like maybe she should have done more, after seeing her locket.

  She made the comment to him. He told her she had already given him a wonderful gift of a son. She couldn’t keep from smiling. She kissed him again.

  Madeline had also made Roy a new shirt. She purchased him a new pair of boots because he was desperately in need of a pair. After they exchanged gifts, they all ate dessert. It was a good day for all of them. They enjoyed being together.

  Winter set in a few days later with a small snowfall. The men were glad it was not a deep snow. But the temperatures were bitter cold. Roy had to take the cattle water several times a day, because of it freezing.

  Jake continued to help Roy and work for Buck. Lucy worried about how hard he was working. She knew he didn’t really want Henry’s money. But she felt like she deserved it for all of her sufferings. He just stood by her and loved her. But she knew Jake wanted to prove to her that he could take care of his family.

  Lucy was thinking more and more about the trial that was set for early Jan. Jake was anxious to get to California. His mother had moved to a smaller town called Turtle Creek. Jake promised Clorinda that he would soon be there with his wife and baby.

  Lucy agreed to help Clorinda with her restaurant. She was excited to meet her mother in law. Jake had told her wonderful things about her. Lucy was sure they would be fast friends. It made her miss her ma. She knew how excited she would be about Jake and her new grandchild.

  CHAPTER 24

  January was mild with a little bit of snow. The ranchers were glad to have a little break from freezing temperatures. Roy was in the storage building when Jake returned to the ranch. It was late evening and already dark.

  As they talked, Jake looked around the building. He could see that Roy was in need of a new building. The one he had was over sixty years old. The sides didn’t match because over time boards were replaced when needed. It needed a whole new roof.

  A few minutes after Jake arrived and helped Roy with the last of the cleaning and feeding; they both went inside for supper. Madeline had made ham with green beans, potatoes, and biscuits.

  Jesse came to get Madeline. Emma is in labor and he is worried. Madeline rode back with Jesse. Lucy said she would take care of little Matthew. She cleaned up the dishes and went to feed baby Gene.

  Madeline checked Emma the minute she got in the door. She was progressing well with her labor. Jesse said she had been having contractions for about four hours.

  By the time their baby boy made his entrance into the world it was two in the morning. Little Rose was sound asleep on the couch beside of Jesse. He was thrilled when Madeline came down the stairs. “They are both fine. It is a boy.”

  Jesse got up and went up to see the baby and Emma. He was excited to have a son. When he entered the room, she was beaming at him; holding the tiny version of Jesse.

  He went over and sat down beside of her on the bed. She leaned up as he kissed her on the head. “He is beautiful. Thank you for giving me a son.”

  “What are we going to name him?”

  “Rose said, we need to name him bullfrog.”

  Emma laughed, “That is only because that was the newest thing she has learned to say.”

  After debating for an hour all the possible names they decided on Kevin Cooper Moore. Jesse left her to rest after a little while.

  The next morning, Rose was excited to see her baby brother. She wanted to hold him. Jesse sat her up on the bed by Emma. They laid him across her lap. She was beaming with excitement.

  They explained to her that he was heavy and she should not try to pick him up by herself. She held onto his hand and talked to him. She kissed his cheek and then she was ready to get down and go play with her kitten. Jesse lifted her down and she went downstairs.

  Jesse was smiling at his little girl. “She is growing up too fast.”

  “I was just thinking about that this morning while I was feeding Kevin. His little round face looking up at me; I was remembering how tiny Rose was and look at her now.”

  Jesse sent Madeline home with Roy around daybreak. He was going to stick close to the house for the next day or two. He insisted that Emma rest for a while longer.

  He went down to the kitchen and made coffee. He fried eggs and bacon. He brought her a plate up to the room. There was bread left from lunch yesterday that Emma had baked.

  She ate every bite of food he brought her. Then she insisted on getting up and doing some light work. He knew there was no holding her down. He gave his foreman instructions and stayed in all day with her.

  Jesse sent word to Cooper and Elise and they arrived that afternoon full of excitement. Rose was happy to see her granny and pappy.

  Cooper and Elise were both excited to see Kevin. He was asleep when they arrived. Elise picked him up and held him. Cooper hugged Emma and Jesse and said congratulations. The men went to the living room to stoke the fire. Jesse carried in more wood from the porch. Then they sat down to talk.

  Cooper told Jesse he was concerned that they were about to get a major storm. All of the signs are pointing that direction. Jesse said he hoped not, but that his guys were ready to handle things.

  Elise made dinner for all of them and insisted that Emma rest. Emma sat in the kitchen and talked to Elise. They discussed the children and how exciting it is to have a brand-new life.

  When supper was over the ranch hands all went back out to work. Elise helped Emma clean up the supper dishes. Then they kissed the children one more time before going back to their ranch.

  A week later they got a winter storm. It was
windy and cold. It snowed about six inches. The cattle were able to keep it mashed down. Jesse wasn’t too concerned. He just had to make sure to keep them well fed and watered.

  Emma was doing well and so was baby Kevin. Rose was showing a few signs of jealousy. She had been the center of their world, now she had to share that space with Kevin.

  Emma decided to do something special for Rose. She decided to bake cookies and let her help her. It took three times longer than if Emma had made them herself, but she enjoyed time with her daughter.

  As soon as Jesse came in the door Rose was excited. “Cookie…cookie.”

  Emma said. “She is telling you she helped make cookies.”

  He picked her up in his arms and then got them both a cookie. He sat down at the table with her on his lap. “Wow, that is a very good cookie.”

  Rose giggled in delight and then started eating her cookie. Emma watched at how Rose beamed at her pa.

  “I am going up to feed Kevin, don’t ruin your supper by eating too many cookies.”

  Jessie looked disappointed, “We won’t.” Then as soon as Emma was out of sight he got another one and broke it in two pieces. Sharing it with Rose, she giggled before taking her share.

  Emma yelled for Jessie, she sounded panicked. He sat Rose down and told her to play with her kitten. He rushed upstairs. Kevin was breaking out in a rash and had a fever.

  She was afraid it was scarlet fever. Jesse ran out of the house and saddled his horse. He went to get the town doctor as quickly as he could. Jesse heard of an outbreak of the fever in a nearby town. He was a little concerned.

  When the doctor arrived, he assured her it was not scarlet fever. He told her to bathe Kevin in chamomile tea. She felt better by the doctor’s diagnosis. She wondered what could have caused his reaction.

  She bathed Kevin twice a day in warm chamomile tea. Within two days he was back to normal. Emma was filled with relief. She felt guilty for assuming the worst. She repented, asking God to forgive her for her fear. He gave her that precious child, why would he not protect him?

  A couple of weeks she received a letter from Virginia. She wondered what it would say, she wanted to finish her wash. She took time from the wash to read it, before getting back to her chores.

  Dear Emma,

  We are all doing well and hope the same for you and your family. Every day that goes by I fall a little more in love with Houston. Derek loves his woodworking shop. We are starting to ship items back east to New York. That will give us the much-needed money to expand his business. I am excited about the house he is building us on our new property.

  I often think about my parents and the life I had at home. I used to spend at the least once a week at a concert or show. I have missed going to the theater. There is a new Vaudeville show that is in town for two weeks. Derek and I attended the other night. It was a grand show. There were comedians, singers and so many more acts. We saw a young girl that could pick up a grown man. The best part of the show was the illusionist. We are slowly working our way into the social circles of Houston. I hope it will give us even more opportunities.

  I have joined a committee to build a better school house for all of the children. The school building was badly damaged during a storm. We are constantly doing fundraising to make enough money. The building can be built by the men of the town. But there are a lot of other things needed by the school. We hope to have everything by next fall.

  My children are growing up so quickly. I am sure Rose is taking well to her role of being big sister. It is amazing how mature they get when there is a younger one in the house. Tell her I am happy that her kitty has kittens. How many did you manage to give away? I figured she would want to keep them all. I hope Kevin is still doing well after his breakout.

  Derek and I have been praying for Elmer. It is our prayer that he comes to know the Lord. It is so sad when people allow alcohol to control their lives. We are also praying for Jesse to have wisdom and strength to deal with the situation. I hate that Jesse had to pay so much money to get him out of trouble.

  Well Derek is waiting to take my letter to town with him. I will close for now. Tell Aunt Elise I will write to her soon.

  Sending love and prayers your direction,

  Virginia

  CHAPTER 25

  Lilly was working hard on cleaning the store. Business was always slow when it was snowy. It gave her some much-needed time to scrub and clean. She heard the door and went out to the front to see who was in the store.

  The mayor’s wife and daughter Ida were chatting happily over the material in the corner. Lilly went over and greeted them. Ida turned and said, “I am getting married.” She was so excited Lilly barely got out the words, “that is great,” before both women started talking about all the things she would need for her trousseau.

  They were talking over top of each other. Lilly just stood there smiling. Finally, after about forty minutes they were talked out. Lilly started with her catalogs. She showed them samples of material she could order for the wedding dress and other items.

  When they finished Lilly had the largest order she had ever placed. She asked them for a fifty percent deposit. The mayor’s wife gladly paid it to Lilly. She filled out the order form and got it ready to mail. The train would be in the next day to pick up the mail.

  The wedding was going to be in April. The dressmaker in town was going to be busy with all the things she needed to make. They bought some material that Lucy already had in stock.

  Ida’s fiancé Bo was the son of a store owner in Kansas City. He came to visit his sister and fell in love with Ida. He plans on owning his own store in another town somewhere other than Kansas City.

  When Lilly got the mail, she had a letter from her parents. Her mother told her of an opportunity to own their own store in Oakland California. The man who owns the general store is older and wants to go back east to be with his family. He wants to sell it and Charles thought they may want it.

  Charles and Mary Ellen have decided to stay in Oakland on a permanent basis. Mary Ellen missed Lilly and hoped they would think about moving to California. Lilly was excited about the idea and couldn’t wait to tell Zain.

  She took her time and made a nice meatloaf with all of the trimmings. She baked his favorite cake and had everything on the table when he got back from his deliveries.

  He smiled walking over he kissed her on the cheek. “Something smells good.”

  “I made your favorites.”

  “Whatever you want, my answer is yes.” He said laughing as he stuck his finger in the cake icing.

  She smiled, “I am going to hold you to that, now let’s eat.”

  He sat down at the table after washing his hands. He said grace then looked at her as he filled his plate. “Are you going to tell me?”

  “I got a letter from mama today. She said that the store owner, in Oakland, wants to sell his store. He is waiting for us to answer if we want it or not.”

  He sat back in the chair with a biscuit in his hand looking like he was thinking. “Do you want to move to California?”

  “I would like to think about it. I think it would be nice to be near them when the baby comes.”

  He had a surprised look on his face. “Baby?”

  “Yes, we are going to have a baby.”

  He pulled out his chair and pulled Lilly to her feet; hugging her. After a hug and a kiss, he sat back down. “Do you, really want to move to California?”

  “I have been thinking about it all afternoon. I think I would if that is ok with you.”

  “We will have to find someone to buy our store.”

  “Well about that…Ida’s fiancé is looking for a store. His family owns the largest general store in Kansas City. He is looking to make a name for himself. I am sure the mayor would love it if Ida and Bo were to settle here.”

  “Well let’s think about it for a few days and pray for guidance. If you really want to go, maybe we can work it out.”

  Two days
later, Bo entered the store and started looking around. Zain asked if he could help him. He said he would like to talk to him about buying the store. Ida really wanted to stay in Lawrence. Zain acted like he wasn’t interested. Even though he took it as a sign that maybe he should move to California.

  The men talked for a long time. Zain played it cool. He told him he would discuss it with Lilly and let him know in a couple of days. Bo said he would come back in a couple of days.

  As soon as he left, Zain went upstairs to find Lilly. “Well Bo came to see me just now; he made us a generous offer for the store. Enough that we can buy the one in California with a small amount of money left over for the move.”

  Lilly hugged him, “Does that mean we are going?”

  “If we can purchase the store in California, then yes.”

  She hugged him again, “It will be nice to have my ma there when the baby is born. I am going to go write to them right now.”

  “What is your hurry? The mail train doesn’t run for two days.”

  She smiled at him, “I want our answer to be on it.”

  The rest of the day Lilly thought about their move, she would want to go by March. She was sure the timetable would be acceptable to Bo and Ida; since they were soon getting married.

  Three weeks later, Lilly received a letter from her parents. They were excited that Lilly and Zain were moving. They said the store was all theirs. He would wait for them to arrive in March with the money.

  Zain started the ball rolling by finding Bo. He was happy that Zain was going to sell to him. He said he would have a bank draft in a week. He would give them until March 30 to be out of the store. That would give Bo two weeks to get settled in before the wedding.

  Lilly was too excited to wait. She started working on packing what they needed to move. She gave away some items to various friends and family in town.