Rowena & Jeb

by Annie Boone

  She froze. If he mentioned it to Susannah, then the woman would know she hadn’t turned in yet. And then she would know something was up. Heart hammering, Rowena swallowed. “I’m afraid not. I was… I just wanted to put a book away. I had it out earlier, you see, and I… well, my head aches. So I wanted to rest now.”

  “Of course,” the man said finally. “Good night, then, Miss Oakton.”

  “Good night.” She hurried off, for she had much to do, and it was late.

  Chapter Seventeen

  It was only a small cottage with two rooms. With dark wood, the windows were just barely set in with painted shutters. A small dirt path led the way from the road, an outline of rocks to keep the weeds out. There was a backdrop of hills behind the home, so it was a breathtaking view from anywhere within the house. The back door had a porch, one that he wanted to expand.

  There was a lot he wanted to do, Jeb reminded himself. A never ending project, there was much to be accomplished to consider his home and land completed. And even then, there was constant upkeep and farming once he reached that point. Life was a project filled with tasks in between, with plenty of ways to be kept busy in order to keep surviving.

  Sometimes it was a lot of fun, he admitted, thinking of the good times. It was worth it, between all the complications and trials. Though it had been a hard life, he had plenty of good times with good company. Jeb’s thoughts wandered through many memories, until it moved towards the present, and she came to mind.

  Rowena Oakton was a beautiful young woman, clever and exciting to be around. Just the thought of her made his cheeks flush and his hands clammy. He closed his eyes, and could picture her there beside him in the house. The way she laughed, throwing back her head with those bright eyes. Even how she walked beside him, close and comfortable as though they had been doing this for years.

  Watching her come to love the Bible and God’s teachings had been a joy he’d never experienced. Being able to be part of her new understanding and grow with her had been inspiring and it had refreshed his own beliefs.

  His eyes opened and he looked around. And Jeb frowned, realizing she wasn’t around. It was in that moment then, he realized how much he missed her when she wasn’t around, and how much he wished she was there. That she was here, for all of this. He realized then that he wanted her there, for always.

  Biting the inside of his cheek, he tried to imagine asking for her hand in marriage. Would she accept him? He stood up and began to pace. He felt restless as he pondered the question.

  Lately she walked closer to him with their elbows occasionally brushing against one another. When they sat together in church, there was hardly an inch of space between them. Every part of him said that she was the one who he wanted to settle down with. Except there might be one little problem.

  Recalling his conversation with Susannah Jessup, he shook his head and dropped back into his chair. Looking up at the ceiling, he knew couldn’t do anything until he told Rowena what was going on. He couldn’t lie like this anymore, he couldn’t be dishonest about the way this had been initiated. It would be a relationship founded on a lie, on a scheme, and he couldn’t do that to her. And just as importantly, he didn’t want to risk losing her or her trust later if she found out.

  The guilt had been gnawing at him since he found out Rowena wasn’t aware of Susannah’s plan. She deserved the truth. Shaking his head, he tried to figure this out. How would he tell her? He jumped up began to pace again. He spent the evening trying to find the right words to say.

  He hardly slept the night through, and rushed to get ready for the day. After cutting himself twice while shaving, Jeb hastily dressed and headed towards the Jessup’s home—and Rowena.

  “Good morning,” Susannah offered a questioning smile when she opened the door. “Jeb, I wasn’t—we weren’t expecting you this early. Were we?”

  Shaking his head, he stepped through the door way and looked around doggedly. “Good morning. Yes, that is—I mean, no, I… Is Rowena around? I’d like to speak with her.” He turned and met the woman’s gaze with determination. “I’m going to tell her the truth.”

  Her lips parted in surprise before she shook her head. “Now, Jeb, I’m not sure—”

  “Where is she?” He couldn’t contain his impatience, though he felt bad for his rudeness. Frowning, Jeb headed into the kitchen with Susannah following right behind. “I can’t do this to her any longer, ma’am, I’m sorry.” When Rowena wasn’t found around here, they headed towards her room.

  He knocked on the door twice, and another when there was no answer. Brow furrowed, he looked at Susannah who shrugged. She looked as confused as he was. “I swear I haven’t heard her today,” she murmured to herself, and opened the door a crack. “Rowena? Are you awake? Is everything all right?” She peeked her head in only a little, until finally she opened the door completely.

  The room was clean and the bed was made. In fact, it was too clean. Frowning, Jeb glanced around and wondered what was wrong with this. Susannah stepped into the room, clutching the towel to her chest. She turned in a circle with darting eyes, biting her lip. After a moment, she hiccupped and looked at him, fear in her eyes.

  “What’s wrong?” he demanded.

  “She’s gone,” Susannah whispered. “All of her things, gone. I don’t… what happened?” But neither of them knew the answer. The woman frantically ran around the room, looking through the blankets and closet trying to find something she might have left behind. Maybe a clue or something. “Oh, no. I can’t believe she did this.”

  He swallowed hard, bracing himself. Her room looked as though it had never been slept in. Clearly Rowena wanted to make it appear as though she had never been there. Frowning, he shook his head. He’d been trained to deal with difficult situations with little or nothing to go on. The young woman had left by her own decision, gone without a word. Jeb knew that much.

  He knew Rowena liked it here, but there was much of her past he didn’t know. He knew she had fears and had faced trials she had yet to share.

  “I can’t believe it,” Susannah was moaning. “We should have told her. I know she heard us, I’m certain of it now. What was I thinking? No one should treat a girl like that the way I have. You were right, Jeb. What have I done?”

  Her words made everything click. As bold as Rowena tried to be, if she had heard, if she already knew… his breath caught and he couldn’t imagine the state the young woman would be in. If that’s how she found out, anyway.

  Without another word, Jeb turned and ran to the door. Susannah was in a state, but nothing could be done until Rowena was found. But where was she? Leaving behind his jacket and hat, he returned to his horse left saddled by the front gate and left at a gallop.

  The sun was bright as he gripped the reins and kept an eagle eye out for the world around him. Where would she have gone? Did she even know where she was going? Then it hit him like a bolt of lightning, and he pulled his horse to an immediate halt. He was letting his feelings drive his actions. Foolish!

  After spending years as a Texas Ranger, he had developed more than decent tracking skills. Turning his horse around, Jeb returned to the Jessup house, and started looking for tracks or anything that might be a clue for the direction she’d gone. It was nearly impossible to find a particular set since everyone walked around there all day long. He found several tracks and wandered around the garden and barn before he finally found something. There was a set of tracks that looked fresh leading down the road.

  Now, he went carefully, riding his horse down the trail. Looking as he went, Jeb tracked the trail all the way into town. It was nearly noon by then, and Rocky Ridge was bustling. The hope he’d been gathering in his heart faded away as he looked at the busy streets. There was no chance of finding her here, not now.

  Driving his horse through town, Jeb wandered the streets over and over, going in circles until he thought he was going to lose his mind. The best tracker on his team, he’d never failed to find what he
was looking for. In this case, he cared more than ever about what happened next. Jumping off his horse, Jeb ran into the restaurant, hoping to find her there.

  Perhaps she had stopped for something to eat. Sam called out to him, but Jeb didn’t hear as he skimmed the room once, twice, three times before he turned and ran out into the road. Deciding she might have headed to the hotel in town, he went there but Mr. Childers promised she hadn’t been there.

  He kicked a post in his frustration. Limping back into the street, Jeb groaned in frustration and started off for his horse. Having left the animal tied to a post, he tried to consider if he was missing something. If she had heard about being wrapped up in the scheme, Jeb told himself, she would have left. She despised lies and desired her independence.

  She would be alone. She’d be on foot with her few possessions in a bag since she didn’t own a horse. He hadn’t checked to make sure she hadn’t taken a horse from the Jessup’s barn, but he knew she would never have done that. Plus her footprints going away from the property supported what his heart knew about her integrity.

  She would have slipped out very early for the Jessups not to have noticed. Clearly she had headed into town, the only other place she knew. Where would she go next?

  “Hi, Mr. Harbin,” the children chimed as he passed by.

  Absently he waved, too distracted to help them jump rope or play with their hoops. Usually he had free time to teach them tricks and chase them around, but he couldn’t think of anything else right now. He needed to focus on finding Rowena, on finding someone who could help him. But then something came to mind.

  Searching the children’s faces, he looked for the right one. Playing hopscotch with her friends was the Childer’s daughter, Penny, and Jeb hurried over. If anyone was to have recognized Rowena in town, it would be Penny, for her family sat two rows behind them every Sunday.

  “Miss Penny! Do you have a moment?” The girl hopped over. Crouching down to her level, he looked at the young girl with a loud voice who had too much energy for her overworked parents. Trying to smile, Jeb took a deep breath. “I’m in a hurry, and I can’t find my friend. Do you remember the girl… the young lady I sit with in church? With the pretty brown hair like yours?”

  Petting her hair, the young girl nodded. “Yep, Momma said she came out of nowhere to Rocky Ridge. Father said her name is pretty, but I don’t remember what it was. Why do you sit with her?”

  Jeb could feel his cheeks heating up and he ruffled his hair. “Well, because I think she’s pretty, and I like her. But Penny, I can’t find her.”

  The young girl giggled. “Are you playing hide and seek?”

  For a moment, words failed him. “Yes,” he said finally. “Yes, and I’ve definitely lost in the game. But I need to find her to talk to her. Have you seen her?”

  Penny looked around carefully and then nodded several times. She leaned over and put a hand to her mouth to hide her words in a whisper. “I saw her this morning. She was going to the train station.”

  Jeb started, and stood to go. “You’re certain?”

  The girl gave him a look similar to that of any woman whenever she was questioned about what she knew. Penny’s lips pursed as she crossed her arms and Jeb stepped back with his hands up in defense. “You’re not very good at this game.”

  “I know,” he nodded and stood up. “Thank you, Penny! You’re a sweet girl to help.”

  Jeb left his horse and the children behind, running down the street. The station was only a few blocks down. Then he stumbled, recalling the train schedule. On Mondays there were only two trains that passed through, and the first one was due just about now. Had he missed it? Jeb glanced at the sun and prayed that it wasn’t too late.

  Chapter Eighteen

  She was hot, anxious, and exhausted. Rowena looked around the train depot impatiently, clutching her bag tightly. Her worn down boots were rubbing her heels painfully as she stood leaning against a wall. The sight around her was far from favorable, and she wasn’t in the mood for any more trouble.

  After yesterday’s discovery, she hadn’t been able to sleep. Though she had attempted to rest for a few hours, she was only in bed until she was certain that the Jessup couple was down for the night. Once the house was quiet, Rowena had finished cleaning her room and left the house. Knowing it would take time to walk the several miles into town, she spent all morning walking on the dusty road, determined to find her freedom one way or another. On her own.

  And now, hours later, here she was. Standing alone in the crowd, trying to blend in. She hadn’t had enough money to buy a ticket on the first train out of town, but the clerk had mercy on her. He’d given her a pass to ride to Denver.

  Her hope was simple. That the God she now trusted would look after her. That He would provide a job and a place to stay when she got to Denver. Maybe Denver would become her home.

  The paper with the note from the clerk weighed in her pocket. Her heart was so heavy about leaving a place she’d come to love, but the sense of betrayal by people she also had come to love was too much. The pass to get on the train signified another new start.

  Yet the train was late. She hadn’t been positive on the time, but the other folks waiting to board were just as antsy as she was. Rowena listened to the chatter, only growing more jittery as the time went by. What if it never came? If it didn’t come soon, she knew she would lose her nerve.

  She had wanted to turn back several times. Just the thought of the kind faces of Susannah and Lucas and Jeb made her throat close up. As much as they might have toyed with her, they had still treated her with more kindness than she had ever experienced before. Would she be able to find something like that again? Were there other people out in the world who were truly kind and caring?

  They had given her so much. And now she was leaving them, without a proper farewell. Her heart dropped and she sniffled. But then Rowena stomped her foot, gathering her resolve again. Ignoring the looks, she took a deep breath and reminded herself that she had been lied to, and what they had done was a cruel trick.

  “Rowena!” So lost in her thoughts, she didn’t hear her name being called at first. “Rowena Oakton!” Only when a hand brushed against her elbow did Rowena jump, gasping when she noticed Jeb in front of her. Her eyes widened.

  Jeb was covered in dust, his clothes a mess and his hair ruffled. His face had two small cuts and one had a bit of blood around it. She wasn’t sure why she even noticed the cuts, but something made her notice everything since this might be the last time she saw him.

  Panting, he bent over to catch his breath. He tried to talk, but the stammering and dust in his mouth stopped her from understanding anything he said. Stunned, she didn’t know what to do, so she pulled her bag closer to her chest, pressing herself against the wall.

  People were staring at them, and her cheeks heated up in embarrassment. Swallowing, she glanced towards the tracks again, wondering where the train was. Then she glanced back at Jeb who was coughing now. Fighting the urge to run away from him, something kept her from leaving his side. Biting her lip, she hesitantly patted his back. “Are you all right?”

  “No,” he wheezed. “Not until—at least until I—I can talk to you. I have to… have to tell you—all of it. Everything. I have to… tell you.”

  He wanted to talk? Rowena’s heart skipped a beat, but she shook her head. He just wanted to tell her what she already knew, and he was too late for that. Turning back towards the tracks, she started to edge away. But Jeb gulped in a deep breath and straightened up, inadvertently blocking her exit.

  “I wanted to tell you all along,” Jeb explained, trying to flatten his hair. “But I didn’t, I don’t know why I didn’t. The important thing is that Mrs. Jessup has been helping to set the two of us up, to work on her matchmaking skills for her business. I was already a client, and, well, she—I mean we—thought it might work. With you.”

  She raised her eyebrow and crossed her arms as he chanced a hesitant glance at her. He h
ad grown comfortable and more confident around her in the last few weeks, but now it was like they had just met again for he was fumbling over his words and unsure of what to say. Rowena sighed and was about to say something to stop him, but then she heard the far away whistle. The train was coming. She looked up and could see smoke over the ridge.

  Turning back to him, Rowena frowned at Jeb. “You’re making it sound like it was your idea,” she said finally. “And I know it wasn’t.”

  “I just wanted to—you knew?” He stopped short, his eyes widening in surprise. The hope left his gaze, and she saw the pain in his expression. Pain for her? Rowena hesitated, not sure what to think of that.

  Swallowing, she nodded. “I overheard the two of you yesterday. And then I found your portfolio. And my name.” Rowena pursed her lips and edged around him. “I know it was Susannah’s idea, Jeb, you don’t need to cover for her. Now excuse me, but I’d like to go now. I want to be in a place where folks won’t be playing games with me.”

  “But where?” Jeb asked her, a heavy emotion weighing within his voice. She paused and looked back at him warily. “Are you going back to New York? Are you leaving us, for good?”

  The look in his eye caught her off guard, and Rowena hesitated. She glanced over to the tracks, the train nearly there. Everyone around them was bustling, gathering their packages and preparing to board. Shaking her head, the young woman tried to find the right thing to tell Jeb before she left. But what else could she say? “I don’t know,” she told him simply. “Just away.”

  He barred her way again when she tried to step around him. Hands clasped together, Jeb tried to smile but it looked painful. Frowning, Rowena sidestepped in the other direction, but again he was there. Close, nearly touching, and in her way. She groaned in frustration and he winced. “I can’t let you go until I talk to you.” His stammering had stopped and he sounded sure and resolute.

  “What else is there to say?” She stomped her foot. “What? Do you think you can change my mind, or create a different story of what happened? You’ve already apologized. So that’s—”