The Final Vow (Hearts of Hays Series #2)

by Barbara Goss

  Breakfast seemed quieter than usual, Laura thought. No longer shy about grabbing from the platters, she helped herself to hotcakes and sausage. She felt hungrier than usual. She prepared to give the blessing when Jesse spoke.

  “I’d like to say the blessing this morning.”

  Laura smiled. Meg nodded, and Cassie winked at Laura.

  “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this food and everyone with whom we share it. Most of all Lord, thank you for last night. You heard our prayers, and you answered them. Thank you also for sending us Laura. Amen”

  When everyone had eaten, he turned to Laura. “Today, I’d like to do our riding lesson early if it’s all right with you. I’m in no mood to work on that fence.”

  “I’d love to.” She wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Now?” she asked eagerly.

  He nodded. “Meet me in the barn.”

  As they trotted slowly side-by-side, he turned to her and said, “Laura we need to have a little chat. Will you share your elder tree with me?”

  “You know about my elder tree?” she asked.

  “I watched you for days when I thought the bandit might show up.”

  “Which is why I felt so safe,” she said. “Of course, I’ll share it.”

  Once they were comfortably sitting beneath the elder tree, Jesse took her hand. In the distance, birds chirped, and some landed on branches of the elder. Somewhere bees buzzed, and the nearby creek gurgled.

  Jesse began hesitantly. “Laura, there are things I need to talk to you about, things that are important. They may change the way you feel about me, but they have to be said.”

  “That sounds scary,” she said, biting her upper lip.

  “I rehearsed this in my head this morning in bed, and now I feel tongue-tied.”

  “Jesse,” she said, touching the hand holding hers tightly, “there is nothing you could possibly say that would upset me.” She hoped her words encouraged him.

  “I need to know whether you plan on going through with your final vows. It’s important because… well, because I need to know.”

  Laura thought she understood. “Oh, Jesse!” she sighed. “I’m so confused. I have all kinds of thoughts in my head. I wish I could stay here…” she saw his eyes light up, “but I still feel guilty and with mixed emotions.”

  “Laura, I-I think I’m in love with you,” he spurted quickly. “No, I mean to say, I am… in love with you.”

  She gasped. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest.

  “There, I’ve said it and I’m not saying it to confuse you more but to state my feelings. If I don’t, I think I’ll bust with the joy of this love that I feel for you.”

  With tears in her eyes, she admitted, “I feel the same.” She got up and walked to the horses.

  Jesse caught up with her and spun her around to face him. He lifted her chin and kissed her. Her mouth felt warm and to his delight, she returned his kiss—somewhat. He knew she’d never kissed like this before. She probably didn’t know how to respond, but nature took care of it, and she did return the kiss after a slight hesitation. She even put her arms around his neck to pull him closer. Jesse thought he’d died and gone to Heaven. They stood embracing, and Jesse thought it the best feeling to have her pressed to his heart. Then, he looked down, and saw tears on her cheek.

  “Hey, why the tears?” He caught a stray tear with his thumb.

  “This might be hard for you to understand,” she said between more tears. “I have never lived with a family, dressed in pretty clothes, or sat at a family table. I most certainly have never kissed anyone before. It’s overwhelming!” She then burst into full-blown crying.

  Jesse guided her back to the elder and led her down beside him and took her into his arms.

  “Look, I do understand.” He kissed her forehead. “We can take this slow, if you want.”

  She laid her head on his shoulder. “I love you, too. I have the same feelings, I just don’t know how to react to them,” she sniffed.

  Jesse hugged her to him. “I love holding you so that you are pressed right against my heart.” He looked down at her. “I’ll back off a bit and give you space to get used to these new feelings. Will that help?”

  She nodded. “Can we go back now? I have some praying and thinking to do… alone.”

  He kissed her forehead. “Certainly.”

  Jesse kept an emotional distance from Laura, the best he could do while living in the same house. He didn’t avoid her or not speak with her, but he didn’t press her for answers she couldn’t give him. He still pulled out her chair for her at dinner, winked at her when she said something clever, and he still walked her to her room at night holding her hand. He avoided hugging or kissing her, which became more and more difficult.

  Laura did much praying and asking God to show her some sign of what He wanted her to do. She didn’t want to break her promise to Him, and she needed to know that He supported her decision should she decide not to take her vows. So far, she had not received an answer.

  On Sunday, they all went to church. Since it wasn’t necessary to hide Laura now, or to pretend to be Jesse’s fiancée, they introduced her as herself—their houseguest. The church service seemed different from what Laura was used to, but she found it comforting. The service was less ritualistic and more casual, but she thought it had its benefits too. It was a perfect fit for where they were, in the plains of Kansas where dinner was supper.

  Introduced to so many people, she knew she’d never remember the names—except for one: Elizabeth Healy. Cassie whispered, “Elizabeth Healy.” A tall, slim, blonde woman with a bold smile greeted Jesse almost the moment he walked into the church.

  Laura felt very plain compared to Elizabeth. She’d always wished for straight, fine hair like Elizabeth’s, not thick, curly hair like her own hair. Elizabeth’s attention to Jesse aroused a feeling in Laura she couldn’t recognize, but didn’t like either.

  After the service, she was introduced to the minister, Reverend McCarty, a fatherly figure whom she liked immediately. Meg then introduced her to the owner of the local newspaper, the German-American Advocate, Charles Miller. He shook her hand, “Laura MacDonald… I’ve heard the name before. Have you ever been to Hays or Ellis County before?”

  “No, I’m from Boston,” she replied.

  Charles rubbed his chin. “Strange. I know the name but can’t think of where I heard it.” He shrugged, “Pleased to meet you, Laura.”

  Jesse tried to avoid Elizabeth Healy because he knew she wanted more from him than an occasional wink, but he just never felt like giving any more. Her father ran the bank in Hays, and she as an only child, was quite used to getting whatever she wanted. Jesse considered her pretty, but he just wasn’t attracted to her in that way. But, he’d always been flattered by her attention—until now.

  He tried to turn when he saw her coming his way after church. Laura, Cassie and Meg were chatting with people and hadn’t come out of the church yet.

  “Jesse!” she called.

  He spun around and greeted her casually.

  She smiled coyly at him. “Who is the young woman with your family? Is she the nun I heard about?”

  Jesse inwardly groaned. He supposed it no longer needed to be a secret, but word sure spread fast. “Yes, her name is Laura. She’s our house guest.”

  “Oh. Is she going on to that mission or whatever?” she shrugged.

  “I hope she doesn’t.” Jesse wanted his statement to say it all. He wanted Elizabeth gone before Laura came out and saw her.

  Elizabeth said simply, “Really,” but it wasn’t a question, just a word. “I was thinking maybe you’d like to go to the church picnic with me next week?”

  “No. You know I never go to them… ah, here comes Laura now.”

  Laura glanced around trying to spot Jesse in the crowd now filing out of the little church. She finally spotted him talking to Elizabeth Healy on the front steps. She hesitated to approach him, but he waved her over.

  �
�Laura, I’d like you to meet Elizabeth Healy. Elizabeth, this is our houseguest from Boston, Laura MacDonald.”

  Laura offered Elizabeth a smile. Elizabeth looked at her strangely; and, for a moment Laura thought she wouldn’t return the smile. Finally, she gave Laura a lopsided grin. Laura didn’t like the way Elizabeth looked at her or her cold grin. She remembered Cassie telling her about Elizabeth and Jesse flirting. Could this be the sign she waited for? If Jesse belonged with Elizabeth, then maybe it was a sign. Laura excused herself and caught up with Meg and Cassie. As she joined them, she heard part of their conversation.

  “…I just don’t like her.”

  “Cassie,” Meg scolded, “we are just leaving church, and you say something like that?”

  “Well, I don’t. She’s a snob.”

  Meg looked at Laura and whispered, “Elizabeth Healy.”

  Laura nodded. “It appears Jesse likes her.”

  Meg said, “I don’t dislike her, but she isn’t right for our Jesse. I think he is flattered by her attention, but not really interested. He’s had plenty of opportunities to court her, but he never has. It should prove my point.”

  Jesse caught up with them before they reached the wagon.

  Cassie sneered, “What, not bringing Elizabeth home for Sunday dinner?”

  “What?” asked Jesse, giving Cassie a confused look.

  “Cassie!” Meg warned. “Stop teasing your brother.”

  Jesse blushed and took Laura’s arm to help her into the wagon. “Elizabeth is a friend, nothing more. I’m not looking—I’ve found what I want.” He winked at Laura.

  “Good!” Meg and Cassie said simultaneously, and then laughed.

  Laura smiled. Not a sign from God, but she felt relieved.

  As Jesse started the wagon toward home, a man’s voice halted them. “Stop, wait!”

  They all turned to see the owner of the newspaper chasing them. He stopped the wagon. “What can I do for you, Mr. Miller?” Jesse asked.

  “I remembered where I heard the name Laura MacDonald before. It might not be the same Laura as your guest, but I’m sure I saw an ad regarding that name. Stop by my office tomorrow. I’ll let you read what I have, and you can decide.”

  “I’m sure it’s someone else, but I’ll stop by.” Jesse waved and turned the wagon toward home.

  That night when Jesse walked Laura to her room at bedtime, he held her hand a bit longer than usual. “I know I promised not to pressure you, but I have to tell you Elizabeth Healy is just an acquaintance, I never courted her. She means nothing to me and never has. I needed you to know that.” He squeezed her hand and turned away. “Goodnight!”

  “Jesse!” she called.

  He spun around. “Yes?”

  “I’m glad.” She gave him one of her best smiles. “Goodnight, Jesse.”

  In the morning, he went into town for supplies and stopped in to see Higgins. “Higgins, you got a few minutes?”

  “For you? I got a few.” He nodded to the empty chair.

  “What became of our train robber?”

  “It seems he wasn’t merely out cold. He suffered some kind of concussion or something according to Doc Hall. If he survives, he’ll spend some time in jail. He’ll probably be sent to Leavenworth. It’s mainly a military prison, but seeing that he robbed a train, it’s where he’ll end up, being a federal offense and all.”

  Jesse nodded. “Any luck with your inquiries about Laura?”

  “Nothing. Searching by telegraph is slow. It probably would have been faster to take a train there and ask in person.”

  “I’m really not interested, anyway,” Jesse said. “So, no need to push it. I’m hoping she won’t want to go to Texas or back to Boston.”

  “Ahh, that’s the way of it then?” he winked.

  “It is,” Jesse confessed with a smile.

  Higgins stood and shook his hand. “I wish you the best. You deserve it Jesse.”

  After leaving Higgins’ office, he remembered Charles Miller wanted to see him, so he headed over to the newspaper office.

  Jesse was welcomed into Miller’s plush office. He looked around and said, “Very nice, Charles.” He was impressed with the huge desk and furniture that would put most living rooms to shame. His feet sank into plush carpeting.

  “Thank you. I figure since I have to be here all day, I may as well be comfortable.”

  Jesse agreed, and then got down to business. “What did you want to show me?”

  Charles dug into his file cabinet and pulled out a newspaper. He had an ad circled. “Take a look at this. I did some checking, and this ad appeared in every big-city newspaper in the country and ran monthly for at least a year! Have you any idea what it must have cost someone?”

  Jesse leaned over to read the small ad.

  Offering a fifty thousand-dollar reward to anyone giving information

  as to the whereabouts of one, Laura Ann MacDonald, born 10 February,

  1864 in Boston, Mass. Contact The San Francisco Morning Call newspaper

  c/o Sam Morgan

  “Can I take this with me?” Jesse asked.

  “Sure,” he said, handing him the paper. “If I can help you contact this Morgan, just ask. If your Laura is the same one that is.”

  “It’s a common name, but Boston, hmm,” Jesse said, pocketing the paper. “Thanks Charles.”

  Jesse rubbed his temples as he walked to his horse. He wondered what he should do with this information. If some relative wanted to find her, she had a right to know even if it meant he’d lose her. Nevertheless, he didn't want to build up false hopes in Laura if it turned out to be a different Laura MacDonald. The city and year of birth fit, yet still a common enough name. On the odd chance, it was his Laura, he knew he had no right to keep it from her. Everyone needed a real family, but especially an orphan like Laura.

  When Jesse reached home, he found Laura, Meg and Cassie sitting on the porch with cool glasses of lemonade. After greeting them, he asked Laura if he could have a word with her. She immediately went into the house with him and into the living room. They sat together on the sofa.

  “What is it, Jesse?”

  “I wanted to let you know our bandit had a concussion or something and is still under doctor’s care. When he recovers, he’ll be sent to Leavenworth prison.”

  “I’m glad! We won’t have to worry about him stalking us anymore.”

  “I’m also putting out the word that I'm selling Adonis. I’ve tried everything, and that horse is just too wild for me to tame. Maybe someone more experienced can break him.”

  “Sad to see him go after his performance, but I agree. He’s dangerous.”

  “I also stopped to see Charles Miller at the newspaper office.” Jesse pulled out his copy with the ad circled and handed it to Laura.

  Laura read the ad. She looked confused. “Jesse, I have no idea when I was born. No one ever told me. However, last year they said I’d become of age, and it’s when they allowed me into the convent as a novice nun. Could I have been eighteen?”

  Jesse did some quick math in his head. “It would be about 1864. It’s a popular name though; just don’t get your hopes up. I’ll look into it if you want me to. It has to be what you want.”

  Laura read the ad again, and yet again. “Can I take this ad?” When Jesse nodded, she said, “I’ll let you know.”

  In her room, Laura read and reread the ad. Could she have a family? Should she pursue this? Of course, she reminded herself; it may not be family looking for her. It could be another with the same name. Should she have Jesse look into it? She knelt down and gave the matter to God in prayer.

  7

  Joe Healy banged his fist on the dining room table. “Tell Elizabeth to get down here now!”

  “She won’t,” sighed Martha Healy. “She is having one of her outbursts.”

  “Tell me again, why?” he demanded.

  “Because the man she has wanted since the age of five isn’t interested. He is infatuated with the nu
n from the train robbery.”

  “For… that girl can’t have everything she wants. You’ve spoiled her rotten, Martha.”

  Martha wrung her hands. “Me? You are the one she runs to whenever she wants something.”

  “If she won’t come down, I’ll go up.” He stormed up the curved staircase and pounded on the door of her room. “Let me in this minute!”

  No answer.

  “Baby, maybe I can help, just open the door, and we’ll talk.”

  The door opened, and a red-eyed Elizabeth let him into her room.

  “How can I fix this for you, sweetheart?”

  “I don’t know,” she pouted. “Can you send the nun back to her convent or to the mission in Texas?”

  Joe Healy thought about this. “Well, maybe I can, if she wants to go. I can buy her a ticket at least.”

  “Well, I know she won’t want to go. She has Jesse.”

  “Are you sure? I heard she was just a houseguest.”

  “I’m sure. The way he looks at her.” Elizabeth sniffed into her handkerchief. “I’d give anything if he looked at me like that.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  At breakfast, Meg addressed Jesse, “I need flour and a few other things from town, could you take the wagon into town today?”

  Jesse nodded. “Would you like to come along, Laura?”

  “I would,” she said, with those excited eyes Jesse loved. “I wondered if I could possibly talk to your minister, if he is available. He may be able to give me advice.”

  “He would be perfect. We’ll stop there, too.” He turned to Cassie. “Do you need anything Cassie?”

  She shook her head. “No, I’m going to work in the garden today.”

  Jesse hooked Pedro and Moses to the wagon and waited for Laura. He thought her talking to the minister was a good idea and wished he’d thought of it. Maybe the minister could give her peace of mind about not taking her vows and to not feel guilty over it. He would also enjoy some alone time with her—something he got very little of since their agreement.