White River Brides

by Frances Devine

  Jack knew he was pushing the horse too hard, but he could only think of getting home to Lexie and the girls.

  Slow down, you idiot, lest Champion drop dead from exhaustion before you’ve had him a full day.

  Not that he would really push a horse, any horse, that far, but he pulled slightly on the reins until the horse settled into a canter. He’d purchased the golden palomino yesterday when he’d arrived back in Forsyth, but by the time his business was taken care of it was too late to start for the farm. If he got there in the middle of the night, it would create a problem.

  So he’d stayed, paid for bath and shave, and bedded down in his own bunk on the Julia Dawn for the night. After breakfast he picked Champion up at the livery stable.

  He patted his pockets to make sure the peppermint sticks he’d bought for Tuck and Addy hadn’t fallen out. He wanted to buy something for Lexie but decided that was a “better not” idea. Now that he had admitted to himself that his feelings for her went deeper than casual interest, he knew he needed to be careful. First of all, she might be better off with the new reverend who was smitten with Lexie, whether she knew it or not. She could already have feelings for the man. She didn’t take her eyes off his face during the sermon that Sunday. Of course, she had dinner with Jack and the girls, but maybe she was only being polite, especially since he hadn’t thought to bring any food.

  He passed up Hawkins’s store and took the worn wagon path by the river. His mouth was dry. Would she leave as soon as he got there, or could he hope she might stay and visit for a while? They could sit on the front porch and drink lemonade or something. That would be suitable, wouldn’t it? As long as they were outside. He gave a short laugh. He was pathetic, getting into a stew like this over a woman. Even if she did have hair like midnight and eyes like a stormy sea. He sighed. There he went again.

  He reined Champion in and sat for a moment, taking in the sight of his home. Funny how he’d come to think of this place as home. He never had before. A terrible screeching and pounding came from the house. What in the world was that awful din?

  He jumped off the horse and rushed onto the porch and pushed the front door. Locked. He pounded and heard footsteps rushing across the floor.

  “Who is it?” Lexie’s voice was nervous.

  “It’s me. Jack. Is something wrong in there?”

  “No, no. Just a minute.” He heard the bar slide back, and the door swung open to reveal Lexie’s white face.

  Wanting to kick himself, he realized he’d frightened her. “I’m sorry to have startled you,” he said, stepping through the door. “I thought something was wrong. It was stupid of me.”

  “No, not at all, Jack.” She spoke his name timidly, unaccustomed to using his first name.

  “Hi, Mr. Jack.” Tuck stood in the middle of the room, holding a fiddle in her hands. Addy was just rising from the chair in front of an organ he’d never seen before.

  “I see I’m just in time for a musical concert.”

  Addy giggled, and Tuck laid the violin down and rushed over, flinging her arms around him. “You’re finally home. What took you so long?”

  “Lot of freight this trip, Tuck. We had to run up into Illinois several times.” He felt himself relaxing. “It’s good to be home.”

  “Oh! You must be tired and hungry. Please sit down, and let me get you something to eat.” Lexie scurried toward the kitchen.

  He sat in one of the rocking chairs, with Tuck and Addy on each side. He wasn’t really hungry yet, but the sight of Lexie getting him something to eat was so charming he couldn’t refuse. “So, Tuck, is that the famous violin that came all the way from Ireland?”

  “Yes, sir. That’s Great-Grandfather’s fiddle all right.”

  “But where did the organ come from? I don’t seem to recall seeing that in my parlor before.” He scratched his chin.

  Addy giggled. “It’s Miss Lexie’s. She’s teaching me to play.”

  “Yep.” Tuck grinned. “We tried to play together for the first time today, but it’s not working out so well.”

  “Aha. That explains that awful screech and howl I heard when I rode up. I thought you were all under attack.”

  Both girls howled with laughter.

  Lexie came back in. “I put out some cold chicken and peach pickles on the table. And there is fresh bread. Girls, you may as well come eat, too. If you get hungry again later, you’ll find sliced ham and hard-boiled eggs in the pantry. I’ll just gather a few things up and go to Aunt Kate’s.”

  Jack frowned as dismay washed over him. “Please don’t go yet. I’d really like to talk to you about some things.”

  “Oh well, all right. I’ll just get my things together though. Then after we talk I’ll be ready to leave.”

  Now what was he going to talk about? He couldn’t ask to court her. It was too soon. He’d talk about the girls and ask how things had gone here on the farm. And why they’d had the house locked up tight in the middle of the day.

  Chapter 16

  Jack sat in a straight-backed horsehair chair on the front porch and listened to Lexie’s soft voice, interspersed with the chirping of crickets and an occasional snort from Champion, who grazed a short distance away.

  “Then last week, we helped Aunt Kate finish up the jelly.” A laugh rippled from her throat. “You should have seen Tuck. She had juice from the strawberries from top to bottom.”

  She leaned back and rocked gently in Uncle Pat’s oak rocker.

  Addy and Tuck tossed a ball to each other in the front yard.

  The peace that washed over Jack was unlike any he’d ever experienced. Was this what it was like to have a home and family? But Lexie and the girls were not his family, and he needed to remember that. “How are they doing with their lessons?” he asked.

  “Very well.” She clasped her hands together and her eyes shone. “Both girls are bright, and I’m so pleased with their progress. But a school will be starting in the spring. The community is planning a workday for the men to construct the building that will also be used for church services.”

  Jack nodded. Had it occurred to her that the girls might not be here in the spring? Should he remind her? He brushed the thought away. Not now.

  “So there was no trouble of any kind while I was gone?” He had suddenly remembered the locked door in the middle of the day.

  She hesitated for a moment. “No. No trouble.”

  He frowned. “Do you always lock the door in the middle of the day?”

  She took a deep breath then bit her lip. “I—I did promise everyone I’d be careful while we were here alone.”

  That was true. Relief washed over him. He had cautioned her several times, and he was sure her aunt and brother had as well. She had kept her word to do so. That was all.

  “I really must be going, Jack. When do you plan to leave?”

  He hesitated, feeling guilty for some reason. “I’ll be leaving again tomorrow afternoon.”

  She nodded. “Shall I take the wagon or one of the horses?”

  “I’ll drive you, of course.” He rose and called to the girls, who came scurrying.

  As the wagon bounced over the rocky terrain, he glanced time and again at Lexie. She and the girls kept a running game of who could spot the most wildlife. He suspected Lexie was using the experience as a science lesson.

  They pulled up at the Rayton farm, and Jack helped Lexie down from the wagon. He continued to hold her hand for a moment, reluctant to release the softness that was enveloped in his own rough hand.

  She glanced up at him and blushed, gently removing her hand from his.

  “Bye, Miss Lexie.” Tuck grinned. “Do we have to have lessons tomorrow?”

  “No, I won’t be there till early afternoon, and you’ll want to spend time with Mr. Jack. But I’m going to quiz you about the wild animals you saw on the way over here today. So perhaps you could each write down the ones you can remember.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Addy smiled and turned to her sist
er. “I can remember all of them.”

  “So can I.” Tuck frowned.

  “Now, girls. This isn’t a contest. It’s just for fun.” Lexie gave each a hug then turned to Jack. “Enjoy your time with them.”

  “I will. I thought maybe I’d take them to the river and try to catch some fish.”

  “They’ll love that.” With a smile and a wave, she headed for the house.

  The way home wasn’t nearly as much fun as the way over.

  “I miss Miss Lexie,” Addy said.

  “Already?” Jack gave a little laugh.

  “Me, too.” Tuck placed her hand on his sleeve. “Do you love Miss Lexie?”

  Jack coughed. “Uh, why do you ask?”

  “Because I’d really like for us all to be together, but Miss Lexie says you have to be married for that to happen.”

  He thought of her words later as he sat in the parlor. What kind of husband or father could he be? He thought of his parents. They’d been happy together. His mother would be ashamed of him for not staying faithful to God. Moisture filled his eyes.

  Lord, if I can really come to You, just as I am, then here I am. Please straighten everything out in my life.

  “I can’t believe Will is getting married in two weeks.” Lexie pushed up the sleeve that kept sliding down on her arm as she polished the furniture in her bedroom until it shone. She’d moved all her things into Will’s small room, and she and Aunt Kate were determined to have it looking nice for the new bride.

  “It was kind of you to give up your room.” Aunt Kate smoothed the ruffle of the new curtains she finished hanging. “You don’t have to, you know.”

  “I don’t mind. It’s only fair that Will and Sarah have the larger room. Especially since I’m away most of the time.” She gave a final rub to the tall chest and stood back to examine her work. “There, that looks better, don’t you think?”

  “It’s very nice, dear. And with this new coverlet you made for the bed, it looks like a brand-new room.”

  “The girls and I will come over next week to help with the rest of the fall cleaning. Then we can spend the following week baking.”

  “Mrs. Jenkins will appreciate the help, I’m sure. The whole community will more than likely turn out for the wedding and the dinner.” Aunt Kate stood in the doorway and glanced around the room, satisfaction on her face. “Well, I think we’ve done everything we can do in here. Let’s go sit a spell. I could use a glass of cold buttermilk. How about you?”

  “Sounds good to me, Auntie. You go get settled and I’ll bring the buttermilk.” Lexie bent over and removed a speck of lint from the braided rug, then followed her aunt out of the room. She went to the well by the back porch and pulled up the crock jug of buttermilk. She carried two full glasses into the parlor and found Aunt Kate running a cloth across the mantel. “I thought you were going to sit.”

  The older woman laughed and eased herself into the overstuffed chair in the corner. “I thought I saw a spot of dust on the mantel. I must have imagined it.”

  They sipped their drinks in silence for a few minutes.

  Lexie glanced over to see Aunt Kate eyeing her. Now why was she giving her that look?

  “Lexie, dear, what do you think of the Reverend Hines?”

  Surprised, Lexie shot a look at her aunt. “Why, I love his sermons. I know Reverend Collins was a godly man and very knowledgeable, but when Reverend Hines preaches he makes me want to get closer to God.”

  “That’s very good, dear. But I meant what do you think of him as a man?” Her eyes danced with anticipation.

  Lexie, stunned, stared at Aunt Kate. Apparently she hadn’t given up her desire to find a husband for her niece. Lexie cleared her throat. “I think he’s a very nice man and quite handsome. He’ll make some woman a wonderful husband.”

  Aunt Kate frowned. “You mean you’re really not interested? I thought you liked him.”

  “I do like him, but no, I’m not interested in him romantically.”

  “Oh dear.” Aunt Kate placed her glass on the table beside her. “That’s too bad, because I have reason to believe he’s quite taken with you.”

  Lexie’s mouth flew open. “Aunt Kate! You haven’t been discussing me with him, have you?”

  “Of course not. I wouldn’t presume to do that. Well, not exactly.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “He kept bringing your name into the conversation at the picnic. What was I supposed to do? Ignore him?” Aunt Kate frowned.

  “No, no, you’re right. I’ll simply have to find a polite way to discourage him.” Lexie sighed. Why couldn’t she have fallen for the reverend instead of…

  She tried unsuccessfully to banish Jack’s handsome face from her mind where it seemed to invade at will lately. She simply must stop thinking of him in that way. He certainly wasn’t interested in settling down with a wife and family. He was practically married to that boat.

  “Yes, if you’re sure you won’t change your mind, I suppose it’s best to let him know.” Aunt Kate stood and picked up her glass, then reached for Lexie’s. “I’ll just go rinse these out.”

  “I can do it,” Lexie protested, rising.

  “No, no, this will only take me a minute. Why don’t you wait for me on the porch and enjoy the nice fall air? Jack and the twins will be here to get you soon.”

  Lexie went to the small back room and gathered up her things, then walked out onto the wide front porch. Grandfather Rayton’s big, old rocking chair beckoned and she slipped gratefully into it.

  Red leaves floated down from the maple tree in front, and then a gust of wind caught them and they went skipping across the yard. Fall was her favorite season. A honking sound above drew her attention. A flock of geese, high in the sky, flew south in formation, indicating winter would be here soon.

  Lexie shivered and pulled her shawl closer about her. Why Will and Sarah had decided on the first Sunday in November for a wedding was beyond her. She had seen snowstorms that early. Well, just once. There she went again. Finding fault with Sarah, one of the sweetest girls she knew.

  So many changes had come in the past few months. She’d been so restless in the spring, longing for something to happen in her life. Well, a lot had happened, and she wasn’t sure she liked the changes. The job at Hawkins’s where she’d worked for a while, meeting the twins, and now, soon, Will’s wedding. But those were all good things, so what was bothering her? She sighed. Or rather who? Jack Sullivan. He was bothering her. And she wasn’t sure why.

  He was quite handsome with his strong chin and those deep-set eyes that seemed to see right through her. The way he looked at her sometimes took her breath away. After the misunderstanding that had caused her to despise him unjustly, she’d then found out the truth and had done a complete turnaround in her opinion of him. She’d begun to see kindness then a sense of humor. His hard work had impressed her.

  Of course if he had a romantic relationship with someone out there, he probably wasn’t working all the time he was gone. Still, she shouldn’t hold that against him. He had a perfect right to be in love with whomever he chose to.

  A sudden thought crossed her mind. Maybe he would get married and adopt the girls. Pain shot through her. Another woman would be tucking them in at night and teaching them their lessons. She would receive their sweet kisses on her cheek. Lexie saw them sitting out on the porch at night—Jack, Tuck, Addy, and his new wife.

  She knew her imagination was running wild again. This was ridiculous. She had Jack Sullivan married to someone who might not exist, and she had created a mother for Tuck and Addy. Would she ever stop floating away on these childish flights of fancy?

  “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

  Lexie’s mother used to quote that scripture f
rom Philippians 4 to her when her imagination would run away with her. She sighed and leaned back against the wide slats. Soon the creaking of the rockers as she moved back and forth soothed her troubled heart.

  Chapter 17

  Excitement ran through Lexie as she pulled the wagon in front of Hawkins’s. Wagons, buggies, and horses crowded the hitching post and yard. Tuck and Addy jumped down and ran to join the crowd already surrounding Willie Van Schultz and his friends.

  The week had flown by and Lexie was ready for Saturday. The girls had to be, too. They’d all worked hard this week helping Aunt Kate get the house into tip-top shape for Will’s new bride. Every night they’d gone home and tried to squeeze in a lesson or two. A little shopping, music, and visiting with neighbors were just what they needed.

  “There’s my little fiddler. C’mon, Tuck. Tune ’er up. We’ll wait for you.” Willie laughed and made room for Tuck on the bench where he sat.

  “You girls stay right here while I do the shopping now.” Lexie gave each girl a direct look.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Addy promised. “We won’t go anywhere.”

  Squeezebox Tanner grinned. “Don’t you worry none, ma’am. We’ll keep a eye on ’em.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Tanner.” Lexie went inside to the tune of “Old Dan Tucker.” If she was any judge, Tuck was getting pretty good on the fiddle under the tutelage of Willie Van Schultz.

  Jane Dobson and Aletha Humphreys bent over a fashion book, oohing and ahhing. Aletha glanced up, and when she saw Lexie, her eyes lit up and she nudged her companion.

  “Lexie, come look at these gorgeous dresses. All the latest Paris fashions.” Jane motioned for Lexie to join them.

  Sighing because she’d rather not but didn’t want to be rude to the younger girls, Lexie stepped over and looked at the open page. “That is rather lovely, isn’t it?” But the lace-frilled, beaded gown was a little too fancy for Lexie’s taste. “It might be better with a few less silk roses, don’t you think?”

  “Oh no.” Aletha gave her a look of horror. “It’s perfect as it is. I wouldn’t want to ruin it.”