Gus didn’t move while Jack limped across the street toward her.
When he stopped a stride away from her, she blurted, “Are you taking me to Sheriff Draven?”
His brow furrowed. “Do you have need of a lawman?”
“No.”
“I’m relieved to hear that. It’d pain my heart to learn you were in trouble. You must tell me though. It’s the only way I can protect you.”
And who would protect him?
Someone nudged her elbow. Gus now stood close to her as well.
And if something happened to Jack who’d look after his grandfather?
Gus prodded Jack a fair bit harder in his arm. He gestured with his chin down the street into town. “Yer both moving too slow. Let’s go home ’n jabber where it’s warm.”
Jack held out his hand. She took it without thinking.
A spark lit his eyes followed quickly by the return of his frown. “Your hands are cold as ice. Don’t they have a stove in there?” He took hold of her other hand and rubbed them both between his.
Heat raced through her veins. “Not in our rooms upstairs.”
“I guarantee you’d never be cold upstairs at Peregrines.”
“You have a stove on your second floor?”
“No. But you’d never need one.” He raised her hands to his lips and blew warm air on them. “You’d have a mountain of blankets and me.”
She swayed toward him.
“Well, I need a stove,” Gus muttered. “And I know where to find one. I’ll see you two at home. A hot breakfast ’n coffee are calling my name.” Gus strode off at a spry pace.
She and Jack followed him immediately, in accord and without comment. Jack didn’t let go of her hand. They walked in silence, passed the jail and its sheriff, passed the dry goods store and her snowshoes.
Gus halted by the blacksmith’s shop. “I need to get something from Culver.”
Jack heaved a sigh. “What happened to wanting to get home?”
“Change of plans for me ’n you. You ’n Birdie need time alone.”
“We’ll have time when we all get home.”
“No time like the present. Go on without me.”
Jack shook his head. “You know I can’t do that.”
“Then ask Birdie yer question while you wait for me here. I won’t be long.” Gus went inside.
His abrupt departure after his puzzling conversation with Jack spiked her worry. “Should we go after him?”
“We’d receive a scolding if we did. Besides, he’s safe with Culver. The man’s a gentle giant. We first met in the war.” He turned to face her. “Birdie, we need to discuss your coming to Noelle.”
Her gaze plummeted to the toes of her boots. “You didn’t want me to come.”
“What? That’s not true. Why would you say that?”
“You wrote your letters like a warning.”
“I didn’t want you to have a hard life.”
She shrugged. “Life is seldom easy.”
“Easier for some,” Jack replied. “My past is a heavy burden.”
As is mine.
“I want an honest future, but I’ve lied to you. I’ve withheld information about my family because I wanted you to come to Noelle and then—even more—I wanted you to stay. I never did find the items that were misplaced in the office. I suspect Gus has squirreled them away somewhere. And there’s Lorena.”
Curiosity raised her gaze to meet his. “You said you’d been married in your letters.”
“Then I said no more. Lorena is a lie of omission.”
“She stole a piece of your serenity, and Gus’ as well.”
Surprise widened Jack’s eyes. “He’s spoken of her?”
“Only to say she was different. He mentioned her while talking about your grandmother and parents.”
“She stole a lot more than my composure.”
An ominous chill gripped her.
“I don’t think Lorena was ever honest with me. She was a thief.”
Her world spun in a dizzying blur. She blinked rapidly and locked her gaze on the solid structure of the blacksmith shop where Gus had disappeared. “Is that why she—went missing?”
“The Braverys discovered she’d run off with a cardsharp, changed her name, and turned to bank robbery—with her adulterous lover by her side.”
“I’m so sorry.” For Lorena and for me. For the hurt I must cause. I must leave you as well.
“I’m not sorry. Suddenly I’m glad she left.”
“That can’t be true.”
“Actually, I’m more than glad. I’m elated. If she hadn’t gone, I’d never have written my letters to you. I’d never have met you. Although you share the same size, you are complete opposites. You are everything I want, Birdie. I had to tell you about Lorena because I didn’t want any deceptions between us when I asked you to marry me.”
Her heart leapt with hope. When he asked? Was he asking now?
Gus raced out of the smithy. “You won’t believe what Culver told me. No one in this town sleeps!”
“Surely some must,” Jack replied in a tone as weary as it was amused.
“Culver got married last night to the gypsy woman ’n now he’s a father.”
“You know fatherhood doesn’t happen that fast.”
“In this case it can,” Birdie said. “Kezia brought her six-month-old daughter to Noelle.”
A smile curved Jack’s lips. “Well then, Culver’s been doubly blessed.”
“Yup, and the town received its own blessing. Culver told me what Horatio and Maybelle did.”
Jack rubbed the back of his neck. “Hate to ask, but what did they do?”
Gus stared at the sky as if lost in thought. “Dang, can’t remember now.” He shrugged. “But I’ll never forget Culver’s most fantastical news!”
Birdie already knew what Gus was about to reveal. A rich Englishwoman named Arabella had arrived yesterday and moved into the cathouse while she visited the mine’s assayer, Hugh Montgomery. The haughty woman claimed to be a duchess and had usurped Maybelle’s standing as the snob of La Maison.
With a broad sweep of his arm, Gus gestured to the town around them. “A tall tale about a lost shipment of stolen gold spread like wildfire last night. They say Sheriff Draven is calling it a fool’s gold—lost for more than a decade up in Canada.”
Birdie yanked her hand free from Jack’s. He reached out to take hold of her again, but stopped short. “Don’t run away from me again.”
“I must.”
“What’s going on?” Gus’ gaze darted between them. “Didn’t you ask her yer question?”
“I told her about Lorena.”
“You can’t let her leave us. You have to—”
Jack seized his grandfather’s shoulder. “We’re not rushing Birdie into anything. We all need time to think. Shall we continue our walk to the office where it’s warm?” He took a step in that direction, stopped, and waited for her to follow.
When she did, he thrust his hands deep in his pockets and fell into step beside her. Gus stomped ahead of them, stabbing the snow with his walking stick even more irately than before.
“Birdie…” Jack lowered his voice to a whisper. “Whatever’s happened in our pasts, today we can begin anew by being honest with each other.”
Honesty was a luxury that life had taught her she couldn’t afford. “You need a wife who can give you a straightforward future.”
“I can’t go anywhere without you, nor do I want to. A man’s future is not entirely up to him. The woman he wishes to spend the rest of his life with has a say as well.”
His words warmed her then made her shiver. With her in his life, would Jack’s future be long or short? She wrapped her arms around her waist. “What if I say you don’t deserve to be saddled with more sorrow?”
“I can handle anything with the right woman by my side.” They strode in unison, their footsteps crunching the snow. He’d once again shortened his longer stride to match hers,
but she’d always walked at a brisk pace, so they reached the office all too quickly. “It’s a leap of faith. When you’re ready, I’ll be waiting to jump with you.”
CHAPTER 12
Perched on a stool behind her end of the counter, Birdie’s gaze kept drifting from her sewing to the back of the office. What did Jack’s carpentry shop look like on the other side of the wall? What would he look like working there? Sawdust in his hair. Sweat on his brow. Shirtsleeves rolled up.
He was waiting. She was avoiding.
She wished he’d come out and spend time with her. She wished she had an excuse to go to him. But not to talk. No questions and answers. Just them together.
She should be wishing for an excuse to leave the office and retrieve her snowshoes. Whatever else happened, that was a must. She owned them, and Mr. Fulton had said to pick them up any time. But snowshoes were an unusual purchase. They were meant only for walking—away.
They and their purpose were best kept a secret. She must hide them at La Maison.
A soft knock tapped the front door. So soft that Gus’ head stayed down on the other end of the counter. He needed to start sleeping at night.
Her gaze darted back to the door. The knock had reminded her of how hesitantly she’d stood outside this office two days ago. Her second knock had been much louder.
That didn’t happen today. Silence filled the room.
She hastened to reach the visitor before they grew discouraged and left. When she opened the door, a puff of brisk air spilled in along with a distinctive creak of the wood.
Gus, being well-conditioned to the sensations, woke up and hollered, “Come in. Come in. Get yerselves out of the cold.”
Penny Jackson stood on the porch, her eyes wide with surprise. When she rushed to obey, she slipped on her first step.
Birdie grabbed her arm and steadied her while tugging the now blushing woman inside. She shut the door firmly against any escape. “We’re going to have to fix that step. Grandpa Gus informed me yesterday it was often slippery. Didn’t you, Grandpa?”
“Yes, I did. Tell my grandson. He’s the carpenter. We don’t want any ladies unwilling to join us because of faulty craftsmanship. Like those windows.”
Penny gaze rose to the glass. “What’s wrong with the—? Oh, I see.”
“Yes, they’re a tad high,” Birdie said with a grin, because the height of the windows didn’t bother her at present. Not with such a lovely visitor in her grasp.
“I wasn’t sure if I should come in,” Penny said, “but I couldn’t resist seeing all of the fabrics you said where inside the bundles you brought from Denver.”
Now that Pearl’s amethyst dress was done, Birdie’s fingers itched to start another tailored-made project. Penny’s gray eyes and auburn hair would go well with almost anything. Quelle femme chanceuse! Penny’s groom was lucky as well.
“Do you favor a certain color? Perhaps chiffon or taffeta or maybe a simple gingham? I shouldn’t say simple. I can show you a half-dozen patterns to choose from. Tell me what you like.”
“Oh, I can’t buy anything. I thought I might—”
“Bien sûr. Part of the thrill is simply in the looking and the”—she winked—“touching.” She drew Penny behind the counter so they stood surrounded by fabrics.
Gus put his head down and was soon snoozing again. She adored the old man but there was nothing like having a woman nearby who might share her obsession…
All too soon, Penny was retreating toward the door. “Thank you for such a warm welcome. I almost forgot my troubles. Unfortunately, I have to go now.”
“But you just got here.”
Penny laughed. “Birdie, I’ve been here for at least a half-hour.”
“Really? It only seemed like a minute. I hope you’ll come back.” She bit her lip to stop further words from spilling out. Like how she wanted desperately to stay in town, to remain forever with Jack and Gus, and have Penny for a friend.
“I certainly will be back, soon I hope, and I may need your advice on…on what I should wear as a wedding veil.”
Birdie’s thoughts raced with ideas. “Earlier this year in Denver, I acquired an exquisite rose-patterned lace from France. We could—” No, they could not. She might not be here tomorrow. But she could make Penny’s veil this afternoon in case she had to leave tonight. In case? Didn’t she mean when?
Jack’s suggestion that she take a chance with him was playing havoc with her resolve.
She’d pin a note to the veil with Penny’s name and the words “paid in full.” That way Penny could pick it up whenever she liked. Right now Birdie had her own item to claim.
“We can discuss the details later.” She forced a smile to soften the lie. “Might you be heading into town?”
Penny nodded.
“I’d like to visit a few places. Would you mind if I walked with you?”
“I wouldn’t mind at all.”
“I must tell Jack I’m stepping out. He’s working in his carpentry shop in the back. His grandfather shouldn’t be left alone these days.”
Penny glanced toward the other end of the counter where Gus slept. “I heard.”
No surprise there. Talk spread fast in small towns. The two miners were proof of that. They’d say more if she didn’t tell them what they wanted to hear.
What would the town say if she left? Nothing good.
She’d be endangering Noelle’s chances to secure twelve marriages and win their railroad line. None of them would want her to stay if they learned about her past. Better for them and her if she left soon.
Mostly best for Jack. Her gaze went to his shop. He’d suffered too much already.
“What’s wrong?” Penny’s worried eyes scanned her face.
When had she become so poor at hiding her emotions?
She didn’t even try to force a smile this time. “I’m concerned about Gus. Will you watch him while I speak to Jack? I won’t be but a moment. Still, a lot can go wrong even in that short a time. If Gus wakes, can you distract him if he tries to go outside?”
“I can and I will.”
“Merci.” Birdie strode down the row dividing the freight stacks, heading into new territory. She’d wanted to see Jack’s carpentry shop and him, and now she would. She paused with her hand raised to knock on the back door. Another moment of hesitation.
Jack had said this was her home. She could go anywhere she pleased. She’d only get one chance to see him in this room. If she couldn’t stay with him forever, she’d take every memory she could cram into one last day.
She turned the handle, slipped in, and closed the door behind her.
And stood awestruck. Sweat beaded more than Jack’s brow. His arms were bare, but so was his chest. He’d taken off his shirt.
The saw in his hand fell with a dull thud on the nearest surface. Both of his hands were free to hold hers again. Or even better, he could wrap his arms around her and hold all of her.
She gulped for air. Separated from the stove by a wall, this room wasn’t even warm. He must have been working extra hard. Laboring with his corded arms, broad chest, rippling abdominal muscles. She gulped for more air. Did he sleep in the nude?
This was definitely an intrusion.
Jack limped quickly toward her. “What’s happened? You look flustered.” He glanced over her head at the door behind her. “Did someone come in and bother you?”
“Actually, the opposite. A friend visited. She’s waiting for me to walk with her into town.”
The tension in Jack’s body eased. “I’ll come with you.”
“And Gus?” She tried to keep her gaze on his face, but it kept darting downward. The man had a spectacular physique.
“He can join us.”
“Your grandfather is so exhausted he can’t keep his head off the counter.” And she couldn’t keep her eyes off Jack. “Do you realize that you don’t have your shirt on?”
“This is why…” He raised his fingers to touch her check. “You’re
blushing.” He took a step closer to her. A wince and frown replaced his smile as he rubbed his thigh. “Who’s your friend?”
“Penny Jackson. One of the brides.”
“Silas’ intended,” he replied. “The bad luck bride.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Gus said people were calling her that in the saloon last night. Being a fellow widower, I’m sympathetic to Mrs. Jackson’s loss and her hope for a marriage that lasts. She needs every friend she can get. Are you delivering your other friend’s dress?”
“I didn’t want to go without telling you.”
“What’s the hurry? Can’t you deliver it tonight? Or even tomorrow?”
“I need to run another errand as well.”
“Birdie, you can’t outrun your past. You should stay. We can—”
“Is that my future with you? You telling me what I can and cannot do? I’d never stay in a marriage so smothering.”
Jack reeled back like she’d struck him.
She reached out to him, but he sidestepped her and limped back to his saw. He yanked his shirt from a nearby wall peg and donned it. “If you’ve set your mind on leaving, I can’t stop you.”
“I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
He shrugged and kept his gaze on the task of buttoning his shirt. “I’ll be here. Waiting.” His hands paused, but his eyes remained downcast. “Are you going to meet those miners and help them find their stolen gold?”
“No! I’m not a thief. I’m not Lorena.”
“You’re right. You’ve shown me that. But you’re still leaving.”
“Not this afternoon.” She winced when she realized the revelation in those words.
He nodded. “It’s only a matter of time.”
“I don’t want to leave. I have to.”
“Be careful. Birdie—”
“I’m stronger than I look.”
A sad smile curved his lips. “I no longer question that.” He squared his shoulders and turned to face her fully. “I wanted to say—Birdie Bell or Bernadette Bellamy, whatever your name, I’ll never regret that you joined my life even if only for a few days. Thank you for coming to Noelle.” He picked up his saw and resumed his work. “I wish you only happiness and safe travels.”
The Calling Birds_The Fourth Day Page 8
