“There is,” he slowly replied, “but I’m not at liberty to go into detail about it.”
“Why can’t you tell me?”
“Because the matter is private. I…It’s just not something I can discuss.”
This answer didn’t please her, but she could tell he wasn’t going to tell her more, no matter how much she asked. It had something to do with her pa, no doubt. Her pa was so eager to see her married, he probably made an arrangement with Hugh, and if she guessed right, Hugh felt he was trapped and couldn’t get out of it.
“Alright,” she relented. “But I love your brother, and I have every intention of marrying him.”
“I fully support that,” he quietly said. “I won’t stand between the two of you. I will talk to your pa. I just need to find the right time and the right words.”
She released her breath. At least Hugh wouldn’t be forcing the issue with her. That made things a little easier. Not a whole lot, but enough. “I hope he listens to you because he won’t listen to me or Jack.”
“Can I ask a favor?” he asked.
Not sure if this would be good or bad, she said, “Maybe.”
“I need for your pa to be in a good mood when I talk to him, and it would help if you would play along.”
“Play along?”
“Just for a day or two. Please sit with me when we eat. All of my money is in this land agreement, and I’m afraid to jeopardize that. I just need a couple days. Can you hold out for that long?”
“If Jack doesn’t think I’m betraying him, I can.”
“Thank you. And he won’t because I’ll explain that we talked about it.”
“Alright.” She supposed this was the most she could hope for at this point. At least he wasn’t under the impression that she cared about him romantically. Turning her attention back to the wall where her pa hung up his tools, she said, “There are no other sickles. The one Pa took with him is the one he needs to work with. He only used it as an excuse to get you and me together in private so we could talk.”
His eyes lit up with understanding. “I see. In that case, I’ll get back to the harvest.”
“And I’ll give my pa the hat he conveniently left here.” She held it up and grinned. “I never knew he could be such a sly fox. I’ll know better next time.”
He chuckled and headed back to the field.
Shaking her head, she went back to the house.
Chapter Nineteen
“Jack, I need to talk to you,” Hugh said as the two entered the bunkhouse to get ready for supper.
Surprised since Jack had been the one to insist they talk up to this point, Jack asked, “What is it?”
“Remember when Archie asked me to get a new sickle for him this afternoon?”
Jack nodded as he picked up a bar of soap and dipped it in the bowl of clean water.
“It was a ploy to get me and Maybell to talk for a few moments alone.”
The soap slipped out of Jack’s hands as he turned to face his brother. “It was what?”
“I had no idea he was going to do that, and neither did Maybell. He went to the house and sent her to the barn to get his hat. Neither of us expected to see the other.”
“So what happened?”
“I told her what I told you, that I have no interest in her and that I will tell Archie when the time is right. I couldn’t very well talk to him during breakfast after all that happened.”
Yes, he could. He just chose not to. Jack retrieved the soap. “You will talk to him soon, won’t you?”
“I already said I would. The time needs to be right, that’s all.”
“I know.” He rolled his eyes. “I need to shut my mouth and let Archie do whatever he wants in the meantime.”
“That attitude isn’t going to help anything. We need to be patient. It’s all going to work out, but we have to be tactful about things. Storming out of the house at breakfast isn’t the way to get what we want.”
Jack washed his hands and then his face, wiping the day’s grime off. If only it was as easy to get things resolved with Archie. When he was finished, he took the small towel off the hook and dried off. “I know why people like you more than me, Hugh. It’s because you know how to deal with them better than I do.”
“Right. And because of that, we have to go along with Archie for a while. At supper, I need to sit with Maybell. I know you don’t like it any more than she does, but it’s temporary, Jack. This won’t be forever.”
“How long will it be?”
“It’ll be until I’m able to talk to Archie.”
“Got any idea when that will be?”
Hugh let out a long sigh. “It’ll be quicker if you let me handle things.”
“Fine. I’ll let you handle them.” Jack put the towel back on the hook then left the bunkhouse.
***
Jack tapped the edge of the placemat as he watched Archie smile at Hugh and Maybell—who were sitting together, again. It was already Wednesday evening, and Hugh still hadn’t spoken to Archie. What was taking him so long?
“The harvest is going well,” Archie said as he buttered his roll. “It certainly helps to have you two out in the fields.”
If Jack wasn’t preoccupied with watching Hugh’s arm coming close to Maybell’s, he would have appreciated Archie’s compliment more. While Archie made it a habit of commending Hugh for his work, he’d rarely mentioned Jack. Maybe now that Archie had Hugh and Maybell together, where he wanted them, it was easier for him to think well of Jack.
God knew Archie hadn’t been happy whenever he caught Maybell and him together, and he especially hadn’t liked it when Jack asked for her hand. But he was happy now. The old man couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear.
Maybell looked at Jack, and he detected the struggle in her eyes. She didn’t want to be going through this any more than he did. This pretense Hugh insisted on was only going to make things worse. The longer Archie believed his plan was working, the worse it was going to be when he learned the truth.
Jack turned his gaze back to his plate and poked a good selection of pot roast with his fork before eating it. The meal was just as good as the others Maybell had made, but it was still hard to enjoy it with Hugh’s arm almost brushing hers.
“We should be done right around the time of the square dance this Friday,” Archie rambled. “Hugh, we’ll go into town on Monday to see what we can sell.”
Hugh set down the punch he was drinking. “I’m sure you’ll get a good price. You had a good crop this year.”
“Thanks to the weather,” Archie replied. “You’ll learn that out here, good sunshine and a fair amount of rain are all you need. Those poor people in Table Rock had a flood nearly twenty years ago. Nearly destroyed everything. All but fifteen families stayed on after that. They’ve been slowly building the town back up. You have something horrible like that happen, and it makes you appreciate a good crop all the more.”
“I have no doubt of that,” Hugh said. He reached for another roll, his arm brushing Maybell’s.
Jack frowned. Did he do that on purpose? It was getting harder and harder to figure out Hugh’s motives. Hugh might’ve been kissing Winifred Preston the night they visited the Boyers, but he seemed to be sitting awfully close to Maybell.
Was it possible his sense of duty to Archie was winning out? Or maybe, deep down, he’d rather be with Maybell instead of Winifred? Jack wished he’d been there to hear Hugh and Maybell talk when they were alone in the barn. That way he’d have a better idea of what was going on. For all he knew, Hugh realized how wonderful Maybell was and changed his mind.
Maybell, to her credit, shifted away from Hugh and stood up. “I’ll get dessert.” She collected a couple of empty plates and went to the kitchen.
As much as Jack wanted to follow her, he didn’t dare, not with Hugh and Archie right there. Jack released his breath and turned his attention to Hugh, who was telling Archie about a fire at a factory back in Virginia. Jack then watched A
rchie, noting the enthusiastic way Archie responded to him. Archie would never respond to him that way. Jack was, and always would be, second best.
Jack wasn’t sure if he could put up with this for the rest of his life. He’d tolerated it growing up because he didn’t have a choice. But he had a choice now. He was a man. He’d gone to town and sold the watch and ring. He’d saved aside the coins Archie had given him the other day for his work. He was planning to use that money to help Hugh pay back the fifteen dollar loan. Even if Hugh was too stubborn to take it, he had planned to give it to the bank on Hugh’s behalf without telling him he was doing it. It was worth it to marry Maybell, after all.
But now he reconsidered his plan. Perhaps he ought to use that money to rent a place for him and Maybell. If the O’Mallerys needed help as much as Archie said, then he should be able to work for them. He might not be able to talk well when he was nervous, but that didn’t stop him from doing good work. If he wanted Maybell enough, he’d get that job.
He watched her as she came back into the room, setting the pie on the table and cutting into it. She put everyone’s slices on a small plate and handed it to them. When she gave him his plate, she smiled in a way that told him she was sorry she spent the meal sitting next to his brother. He returned her smile, a silent message he knew she didn’t want to do it but felt like she had no choice.
Yes, she was worth it. He’d do whatever uncomfortable thing he had to if it meant they could be together. Before the night was over, he’d talk to Mr. O’Mallery about that job.
***
Jack waited until Archie was in the parlor before he tapped on the kitchen window to get Maybell’s attention as she was washing the dishes. She jerked for a moment before she saw him and relaxed. He gestured for her to meet him by the side of the house that was furthest from where Archie was.
Once she nodded, he hurried over to the spot, careful to make sure Hugh hadn’t seen him. It could be that Hugh was telling him the truth. He hadn’t known Hugh to lie to him before, but he also hadn’t known Hugh to take so long to get something done either.
“Jack,” Maybell whispered, and he turned his attention to her.
He closed the distance between them and brought her into his arms for a long hug. How he’d missed this. Cutting down wheat all week from breakfast to supper then running back out to the fields before the sun set hadn’t left him any time to be with her. He had no idea the harvest season could be so busy.
After he gave her a long kiss, he pulled away from her and kept his voice low so no one would overhear him. “I have to go back out to the field in a few minutes, so we don’t have much time.”
“I know. I’ve missed talking to you.”
“I’ve missed talking to you, too.” He squeezed her hands. “I can’t help but notice Hugh hasn’t talked to your pa yet.”
“No, he hasn’t.”
“I’m going to talk to O’Mallery about being a hired hand at his place. Your pa said he’s looking for someone who can fix things, and I can do that.”
“You’re thinking of leaving?”
Noting the worried frown on her face, he said, “You’d come with me. We’ll get married and find a small place to rent until I can afford to buy our own land with our own house. I got some money. It’s not a lot, but it’s enough to get us started.”
Her frown disappeared and a spark of excitement lit up her eyes. “Yes, Jack. I’ll go with you. Maybe it’s what we have to do in order to get my pa to finally understand we’re meant to be together.”
“I doubt he’ll let us be together any other way, especially since Hugh refuses to talk to him. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting tired of waiting for Hugh to do what he promised. I’ll go talk to O’Mallery, and if he hires me, will you marry me?”
“I’ll marry you even if he doesn’t hire you, Jack. He isn’t the only person in the area who could use a good man to fix things.”
He was surprised by her confidence in him. If only she knew what things had been like for him in Virginia. But maybe it was better she didn’t. He’d come to Nebraska for a fresh start, and he was getting that with her. He was going to have a wife, children, and a home all his own. It was better than he’d dare dream.
“I’ll talk to him tonight,” Jack told her. “After I’m done in the fields.”
“But that’s so late.”
“There’s no other time, and quite frankly, I’d rather marry you sooner rather than later.”
With a nod, she smiled. “I’d rather marry you soon, too.”
“Then I don’t want to waste any more time. So, how do I get to O’Mallery’s farm?”
She told him, and then he gave her another kiss, giving himself permission to linger a bit before he ended it.
“I better get back to work before your pa looks for me.”
“I love you, Jack.”
His smile widened as he kissed her again. “I love you, too, Maybell. We’ll make it work. I promise.”
He squeezed her hands one more time then hurried to the barn to grab his sickle to cut down more wheat.
***
The sun had set a half hour before Jack was able to step up to O’Mallery’s porch, hoping the man wouldn’t mind being bothered so late. Taking a moment to gather his courage, he told himself he could do this. He wasn’t just doing it for him. He was doing it for Maybell.
He knocked on the door. It opened, and an older man looked at him, his eyebrows furrowed. “I don’t recall seeing you before.”
Jack took his hat off. “N-no, sir.” He stopped and reminded himself it was better to talk slower if it meant the man could better understand him. “I-I work for Archie S-Smith.” Well, it wasn’t perfect. He’d just have to press through the stuttering. “M-my name is Jack Warren.”
After a moment, the man smiled. “Oh, right. Archie said he was hiring two men. Is Archie alright? Does he need something?”
“Who is it, Pa?” a five-year-old girl asked, coming up to the door and peering up at Jack.
“No one, honey. Go on back to your ma,” he told his daughter.
The girl gave Jack one last look before running up the stairs.
The man chuckled. “She’s been fighting her ma on going to bed. Name’s Ray O’Mallery.”
Jack shook his hand.
“Want to come in?” Ray asked.
“N-no,” Jack replied. “I-I came so late, and i-it’s the harvest and all. I-I heard you w-were looking for a hired hand.” He cleared his throat. “I-I might not look like m-much, but I-I’m a hard w-worker. You got s-something to fix, I-I can fix it.”
“But I thought you said you were working for Archie.”
How much did he tell this stranger? Did he reveal everything or only tell him as much as he needed to know? And, more importantly, just how much did he need to know?
“M-my brother is there,” Jack finally said. “I-I won’t be needed after the harvest.”
Which was true. There wasn’t going to be much to do at all during the winter, and Hugh could handle those chores.
“Oh, alright. I’ll tell you what. If you can fix the buggy in my barn, you got a job if Archie doesn’t need your help anymore. Wait here and I’ll get a lantern.”
Jack nodded and stepped back from the door as he went into the parlor. From the top of the stairs, Jack could see the girl peeking down at him.
He wasn’t the only one who saw her for Ray called out, “I told you to go to your ma, Corrine.”
She bolted up and scampered down the hall.
Jack chuckled. Maybe someday he and Maybell would have a daughter who was curious about everyone who came up to their doorstep. Right now, he could only imagine what his future held. One thing was for sure, though. By taking control of things, he had no doubt he was building the best possible future for him and Maybell. The best, he knew, was yet to come.
Chapter Twenty
Friday came, and Maybell paid careful attention to the way she got ready for the square dance.
She hadn’t had a chance to talk to Jack beyond the simple greeting since he was helping her pa and Hugh finish up with the harvest. That morning and at supper, her pa was still insistent that she sit next to Hugh. And on his way out the door after supper, her pa had said, “If you want to give Hugh a goodnight kiss, that’d be alright with me,” and winked at her.
As annoying as it was to still be shoved at Hugh, she was looking forward to getting a chance to dance with Jack. She hoped Hugh didn’t think she’d be dancing with him. If so, he was in for a surprise.
After she tied the green bow in her hair, she stepped back to look at her reflection. The matching green dress took her a few long nights to make, but she was happy with the way it turned out. For luck, she put on her ma’s cameo then headed out of her bedroom.
By the time she made it to the porch, Jack was waiting for her at the bottom step, dressed in a nice blue and black plaid shirt and a good pair of denims. He was holding his hat, twirling it in his hands. He was always attractive, but he was especially so when he dressed up.
She smiled as she shut the door behind her and stepped over to him. “Good evening, Jack.”
He turned to her, his grin widening, showing off those adorable dimples of his. “You’re beautiful,” he said. “Well, you’re always beautiful, but especially so in that dress and with your hair down.”
Pleased, she kissed his cheek. “Thank you. I want to look good for you.”
He took her hand and squeezed it. “You do.” He glanced at the barn. “Hugh hasn’t talked to Archie yet. At this point, I don’t think he’ll do it. He’s been promising me all week he’ll talk to him, but before we got in from the field, your pa was telling Hugh to show you a good time.”
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