“Thank you, Mr. Dietz,” Iris said.
“It’s Charlie.” He grinned and Emily saw that he had a front tooth missing.
“And I don’t know if I ever said it—” Mr. Webster took a seat at one end of the long table. “—but you ladies can call me Web. Everyone does.”
Emily sent a polite smile to both men, trying to imagine Mr. Ollie, the polite gentleman and sophisticated attorney, in this setting.
Rez walked in moments later and hung his hat on a peg near the doorway. “My apologies for being late.” He moved in beside Iris.
Emily scooted over on the bench to make room for him.
“May I say all you ladies look lovely this evening.”
More inane flattery. Looking down the way, Emily saw Rez flash a charming smile at Iris.
Deidre took her place at the other end of the table.
“Let’s pray before this food gets cold.”
At Web’s request, Emily bowed her head, praying along silently as he asked the blessing on their food.
“And thank You, Lord, for Deidre’s capable hands that prepared this food. In Christ’s name . . . amen.”
Placing the napkin across her lap, Emily’s respect for Web grew because of his acknowledgment of Deidre’s efforts in making this meal. Poppa always thanked God for Momma and the things she did around the house.
Emily felt sudden and unexpected pangs of homesickness.
The eating commenced around her, and Emily saw Charlie dig into his meal. She smiled at his exuberance. Momma liked to say there was nothing like watching a man enjoying a home-cooked meal. Emily served herself and passed the dish on. She wasn’t the least bit skittish about tasting hare stew. Between Poppa’s and Grandpa Ramsey’s extravagant palettes, Emily and her brothers had tasted a variety of strange fares and delicacies.
“Jake told us that you’re both schoolteachers.” Accepting the tureen, Deidre smiled, ladled a portion onto her plate then handed it to Jake. “I’m sure it’s a rewarding profession.”
“Most certainly.” Emily spoke up as Iris had just taken a bite of food.
“What grades do you teach?”
“I teach third grade. Iris teaches fourth, although we work at different schools.”
“All the interesting people we get to know and situations that arise give us something to discuss at suppertime.” Iris gave Emily another nudge. “Never a dull conversation around the table, right, Em?”
“Right.” Emily couldn’t help a smile, thinking of what their fellow boarders were saying tonight. They up and left for the Pacific Coast . . .
“How refreshing.” Deidre glanced at her husband. “Web and Charlie aren’t much for table talk, although when Jake joins us they perk up. The topics are usual centered on the ranch or Jake’s work.”
Having grown up with two brothers, Emily could relate to that outnumbered-by-men feeling. “While we’re here, Iris and I are pleased to discuss more genteel topics with you.”
“Oh, yes! And I have the June copy of Vogue magazine,” Iris added. “I purchased it for ten cents during our layover in Milwaukee. We can admire all the latest fashions.”
“Ten cents!” Web wore an incredulous-looking frown.
“That’s nothing, Web.” Jake grinned. “I understand that some ladies pay a dollar and a half for a hat.”
“What?” Web pulled his head back. “For a hat?”
“A perfectly beautiful hat!” Emily knew he teased her. “One that Jake ruined.”
His smile widened. “I reimbursed you.”
“True.” Emily accepted the plate of biscuits and passed it to Deidre. She hoped she sounded nonchalant, but inside she felt so hurt that Jake loved someone else.
“How did you ruin her hat, Jake?” Deidre’s brown eyes lighted with curiosity.
“I landed on it.” He shook his head. “Long story. I won’t bore you with details.”
“Oh, but I’m happy to tell you all about it.” Iris wiggled with excitement.
Emily pressed her elbow into Iris’s arm, but that didn’t deter her. She relayed the entire incident, and then told of how she’d written an article about Jake’s apprehending the wanted man and how he was related to Mr. Ollie, another of Manitowoc’s heroes.
“Did you know that Mr. Ollie often defended clients who couldn’t pay him?”
Both Jake and Deidre nodded.
“He was a man whose desire was to truly see justice served, even for the less fortunate among us.”
“What a marvelous thing you did, writing that article, Iris.” Deidre blinked back tears.
“Oh, honey, now don’t cry.”
“These are good tears, Web.” She smiled right through them. “Don’t be alarmed.”
Emily had to swallow her own bit of emotion. Beneath the table she found Iris’s hand and gave it an affectionate squeeze. She never felt more proud of her best friend than right now.
CHAPTER 19
SOMETIME AFTER SUPPER Jake walked home to collect the brass lockbox that Mr. Schulz had given him. He’d already selected the items he wanted and now left the rest to Deidre. He knew she’d adore the earbobs, sapphire pendant, and other trinkets that their mother’s mother once wore. There was even a set of matching cufflinks for Web. He most likely wouldn’t have much use for them out here, but one never knew when an opportunity might arise and then he’d have them.
In his cabin he walked to where he’d left his jacket over a small pile of his belongings, including the lockbox. Thoughts of Emily filled his mind. She looked awfully fetching at the supper table tonight. But she looked sad too. Or tired. A good night’s sleep would fix that.
He picked up the lockbox and held it in his hands, felt the ornate carvings on the cover beneath his thumbs. He could practically hear Granddad’s voice saying, One day you’re going to have to put your heart on the line, Jake. You’ll find it’s more difficult than risking your life.
Put his heart on the line. But could he make a woman happy? Emily? What would it take? What if he couldn’t please her no matter what he did? What if she got so forlorn that she took her life, like Ma? Jake didn’t think he could survive the anguish.
Put his heart on the line. What if Em was being coy, suffering from the wedding bell blues, as Jake had heard it said. Almost at once he banished the idea. He knew Emily well enough to know she didn’t fit coy. He hadn’t always been a saint. And yet he’d also sensed her romantic interest in him—at times. But was it as fleeting as her interest in Andy? Maybe she changed her mind as often as the wind changed directions. No. Emily didn’t seem that sort either. Emily was genuine.
A breeze fluttered the faded curtains Deidre had hung on his back window. They were about all he’d had in here to make this place a home.
Funny how he’d felt more at home in Granddad’s house.
As he walked slowly back to the house, he thought about his visit to Manitowoc, how he’d remembered his manners, avoided saying the word ain’t, which had always vexed Granddad whenever he and Jake were together. He would miss that old man. But Granddad would have approved of the way Jake had done his best to reveal the kind of man he really was, a man of faith, character, and moral principles. He wasn’t a hardened deputy, like some men became. Granddad had taught him to do it all to God’s glory, and Jake tried. He used his gun when his life or innocent people depended on it, and he saw every man, even the worst, as a soul.
Nearing the house, Jake spotted Deidre and Emily on the back porch. It was getting to be about the time of year when Deidre would want the eating table moved there so they could enjoy their meals out of doors. Ma used to teasingly put on airs and call it her “verandah.”
He removed his hat as he stepped onto the covered portico. “Ladies.”
Emily gave him a smile. “Hi, Jake. I wondered where you’d run off to.”
“Just had to retrieve something from my cabin.” He walked to the end of the porch to where they sat.
“Emily’s showing me a new stitch.” Dei
dre’s expression looked more relaxed than Jake had seen in a long while. “I’m accustomed to sewing needles over knitting needles.”
He sat on the rail. “I guess Em would be the one to show you, seeing as the women in her family are experts in the stitching field.”
“I just learned about her grandmother’s boutique.” Regret strained Deidre’s features. “I wish I would have visited Granddad in Wisconsin.”
“Travel has come a long way even since I first ventured east with him a decade ago.” Jake’s gaze settled on Emily.
“It was my first trip west by rail,” Emily commented.
“What did you think of it?” Jake was eager to find out.
“I’m glad you were there to protect Iris and me.”
That made him feel good.
“It’s nothing like riding the train out East,” Emily continued. “I didn’t realize what a collection of people rode the train, some not so decent.”
She’d learned that lesson well. Jake felt a measure of satisfaction there. “What are you attempting to create, Deidre?”
“Well . . . ” A blush crept into Deidre’s face. “A baby’s blanket.”
“Who’s expecting? He thought of the women in their congregation that met here on the ranch. Web owned the best accommodations, and Fallon didn’t have a formal church building yet. “Must be Mrs. Vincent.”
“Wrong. It’s me!”
Jake stood. Had he heard correctly? “You?” His sister was twenty-nine, and that seemed rather old to begin having babies. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Deidre’s smile never faded. “Dr. Morrison in Glendive confirmed it a few days before Granddad died. I never got a chance to tell you since you hadn’t been home much before you turned around and left for Wisconsin.”
“Well, what do you know?” He lowered himself back onto the porch rail.
Deidre laughed and leaned toward Emily. “He’s in shock.”
“Seems so.” Emily rolled her pretty blue eyes.
“When’s the baby due?” Jake regarded his sister. She didn’t have that full, ripe look about her, like he’d seen in some women.
“Around Thanksgiving, we figure.”
“Are you sure, Deidre?” Seemed so incredible. She’d been married all these long years and no baby until now? Miraculous. But that was God.
“Of course I’m sure. Do you think I’d rush off to a doctor for nothing?”
“Well, no.”
“And Dr. Morrison’s the one who told me the baby’s why I’ve experienced all these stomach ailments. Those and some other symptoms. All makes sense now. They weren’t ailments at all.”
“I’m sure you must be so happy.” Emily placed her hand on Deidre’s wrist.
“Oh, I am.”
The news sunk in. “I’m going to be an uncle!” Jake let out a hoot.
Deidre kept smiling
“Listen to you. I should think you’d scare babies, Jake Edgerton.” Emily jerked her chin in a teasing little way.
“Oh, children adore Jake.”
“I’m not as scary as I seem.”
“I suppose that’s true enough.” Emily sent him a grin before looking at Deidre. “He knows how to dance too. I guess that’s something in his favor.”
“I suppose.” Deidre went along with the ribbing, but her eyes went from Jake to Emily as if she were figuring out another secret. His, this time.
“You’re very gracious to praise my dancing, Miss Sundberg.” Jake shook his head at her. He couldn’t rid himself of the magnitude of his sister’s news, though. “A baby. Imagine it.”
Deidre quieted for several moments. “I must admit that I’m a little scared of this baby.”
Jake stared at his sister. “Scared? Of the baby?”
“I mean . . . I wonder if I’ll turn out like Ma.” Deidre plunged her gaze into her lap along with her knitting. “Emily, I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable, but I’m presuming you know the situation since your family was close to Granddad.”
She nodded. “You’re not making me feel the least bit uncomfortable.”
“Everyone says Ma was touched, and I’m scared . . . ” She looked up. “Well, Jake, what if Ma passed it on to me?”
Jake’s mouth went dry. He’d never thought of such a thing.
“God does not give us a spirit of fear.” The confidence in Emily’s voice brought his reasoning back to life. “But He gives us the spirit of love, power, and a sound mind—or so the Bible verse goes. I don’t recall it verbatim.”
“She’s right, Deidre.” Jake recognized the passage. He sent Emily a grateful nod.
“Yes . . . love, power, and a sound mind.” His sister gave Emily a large smile. “I’ll search for that passage tonight and read it before I go to sleep.”
“You might even repeat it to yourself all day long.”
“Yes . . . ” Deidre inclined her head. “I will. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
Deidre’s gaze returned to Jake then to the lockbox he still held. “What have you got there?”
Jake lifted the lockbox. “This belonged to Granddad. Just after he fell ill, he instructed Mr. Schulz to collect his valuables so Aunt Bettina wouldn’t get her hands on them.” He ran his palm over the polished brass cover one last time. “I took Granddad’s watch and . . . a couple of other things.”
A pretty blush colored Emily’s cheeks.
“Now I’d like you and Web to have the rest.”
“Thank you, Jake . . . ” Deidre set aside her knitting and accepted the proffered lockbox. She traced the carvings with one finger.
“Captain Sundberg said Granddad gave his daughters one just like it, but I never saw Ma’s around here.”
“I did. She kept important papers and money in it. But Ma hid it after Pa was killed. She feared it would fall into criminal hands, should our home be invaded again.”
“So where is it now?”
“The Lord only knows, Jake. I’ve looked everywhere because the original deed to this property was in there. Boyd even crawled under the house checking for it.” Deidre shrugged. “It’s gone.”
Jake thought it over. He hadn’t been home a lot after Pa was gunned down. After school he worked on a neighboring ranch. On Saturdays he cleaned the sheriff’s office in Terry. As the man of the house he had to bring in some sort of income, meager as it was. But his cleaning job at the sheriff’s whetted his appetite for first revenge and then justice. The years went by. He watched and learned from various lawmen, practiced his gunmanship, learned Montana and federal laws. His mind as well as his body had been elsewhere until the day when Ma . . .
He turned to Emily and saw her thinking almost as hard as he’d been. Her blue eyes met his gaze, and a sort of little light burst into them as if an idea struck.
“Maybe that’s what your mother was after on the day she died.” She looked at Deidre then back at Jake. “Mr. Ollie and I always believed your mother’s fall was an accident.”
Jake hated to shoot down her optimism. “It’s a good thought, Em, but unlikely. There’s nothing up there on Suicide Bluff but a long and deadly way down.”
Deidre agreed.
“Suicide Bluff?”
“Legend has it,” Deidre explained, “that Indians, whenever they felt ashamed or they were terminally ill, would walk up the bluff, pray to their gods, and then fling themselves over the edge.”
“How dreadful.” Emily paled.
Jake couldn’t abide this conversation any longer and changed the subject. “Open up that lockbox, Sissy, and see what’s inside.”
Carefully Deidre lifted the lid. Glimpsing the contents, she gasped with such delight that Jake smiled.
“Just look at these earbobs!” She held a glittering ruby dangle to her left lobe and an emerald one to her right. “How do I look?”
“Like you’re all set for Christmas,” Emily laughed.
Jake grinned and watched the two ladies pick through the treasures, although he mostl
y watched Emily. When she smiled, the whole world seemed a brighter place.
“Wouldn’t Web, Charlie, and Rez have a shock if I started wearing fancy jewelry while I did my chores?” Deidre giggled.
“I’d say it becomes you, Deidre.” The joy in his sister’s gaze was priceless.
“Thank you.” She smiled into his eyes. “You didn’t have to share, but I’m so glad you’re a generous man.”
“You’re welcome.”
She stood and kissed his cheek. “I’ll go put these away for now.”
She turned to Emily. “Excuse me.”
“Of course.”
Deidre walked into the house, leaving Jake alone with Emily on the wide porch. For whatever reason, it seemed unusually quiet. He glanced up the road and glimpsed Rez and Iris. All seemed well there. He turned back toward Emily, and she picked up her knitting.
“Haven’t finished that sweater yet?”
“I keep getting interrupted.” She widened her gaze to emphasize her point.
He grinned and moseyed across the porch. He sat beside Emily and caught a faint floral scent that didn’t come from his sister’s garden. He wanted to put his nose in her hair and inhale deeply.
“Don’t tell me you’re interested in learning to knit,” she teased.
“All right, I won’t.” He stretched his arm across the back of the bench. “I’ll just watch you, if that’s okay.”
“I don’t mind.” Her knitting needles clicked as she wrapped the yarn around the one and then wove it in and out, wrap around, in and out. Jake felt cross-eyed watching her work so fast.
Then he thought about what she’d said and smirked. “Me and knitting needles. That’s about as funny as Iris on a roundup.”
Emily sounded like she choked, but then her giggles came bubbling out just like this morning in the dining car. Jake basked in the sound of her laughter and his smile turned into a chuckle.
“What’s so funny out here?”
Emily coughed in obvious discomfort as Deidre walked onto the porch.
“I’m just helping Em. She’s got something in her throat.” Jake hid his smile and gently rapped Emily between her shoulder blades.
Threads of Love Page 18
