by Lydia Olson
“For what?”
She gave a small shrug. “For being helpful. You were right, four hands were indeed better than two.”
With that she gathered the silverware and began to put it away. “You should get some sleep,” Jane told him. “You have a long day of work in the morning.”
Milton nodded. He felt better about going to bed now that things were clean and put away. He could tell that she wanted to be alone with her thoughts.
“I’ll be upstairs if you need me,” he said.
Jane said nothing. Milton worried that talking about her family might have undone some of the efforts he had made to make Jane feel more comfortable on the ranch.
Sighing, he began making his way toward his room. Let’s hope her father comes to his senses, Milton thought. If he didn’t, Milton was worried that he would have to involve himself further, which was the last thing that he wanted. Who knew that my wife’s family would cause unrest in a house they do not even reside in? he thought dismally.
Chapter Thirteen
Denver was a bustling town. It made sense since the railroad passed through it. It was still awe-inspiring for Jane, who hadn’t spent much time off her father’s ranch. “How do you rest with all this noise?” she asked Serena.
Serena laughed, tossing her golden hair back lightly. She was good-natured, like her sister, and Jane had been surprised to get an invite for lunch at her house. She considered not going, but she liked Serena and didn’t wish to offend her in any way.
“I love the sound of the hustle and bustle,” Serena said. “I don’t think I would be able to live on a ranch. Much too quiet for me.”
Jane raised a skeptical brow. People were busy everywhere as they did their shopping and hurried to and fro. There were large groups of ladies gathered in fine, brightly colored dresses, gossiping under their parasols. Horses neighed and frankly, she had a greater chance of stepping in horse droppings here than she ever did on the ranch.
“Denver’s a very vivacious town,” she conceded. “But I’m a ranch girl.”
Serena laughed, as if Jane had said something truly amusing. Serena was a bit more airy than her sister, but she was a nice companion for the afternoon. Jane had decided that coming into town once in a while wouldn’t be so terrible. She had decided that she would take the opportunity to procure things that they could not make on the ranch.
“We should head to the general store,” Jane said.
“Are you in a rush to head home?” Serena asked.
“No,” Jane said. In truth, she did want to be on the ranch. Town was interesting enough, but she did not care for the hustle and bustle. The buildings were incredibly tall, everything was too loud, and she worried that someone would steal her small purse or bump into her as they rushed past.
“You and Milton are perfect for one another,” Serena commented.
“We are?” Jane wasn’t so sure. She liked Milton, and she had come to care for him greatly, which was odd considering that they had only known one another for such a short time.
Serena gave her a nod. “You are much more personable, of course.”
“Milton is personable,” Jane countered. She did not like what Serena was implying about her husband. He could be a little blunt in his manners, and he did not like to leave the ranch, but he was a good man. He had made sure that she settled in well to the ranch. “He’s just a bit more private.”
“I didn’t mean to offend,” Serena said. She reached out and grabbed Jane by the hand, stopping her from moving forward. “I was simply commenting that you are a good match for Milton. He spends too much time alone on that ranch. It’s good that you are there with him.”
Jane felt her cheeks flush. She hadn’t meant to be so defensive, but she felt it was her duty as Milton’s wife. “It’s alright,” she said. “I know you did not mean anything by it.”
Serena smiled and squeezed her hand. “Let’s go before all the good treats in the store are gone.” Jane laughed. Serena had barely been able to contain herself at the idea of purchasing some sweets. It was childlike but sweet, and it made Jane like her even more. Serena was the type of person who clearly enjoyed life. It made Jane want to do the same.
“I need to pick up some thread,” Jane said. “I have a few dresses that need mending.”
“You should have said something,” Serena said, as they walked into the store, “I would have taken you to the dressmaker. She can design anything.”
Jane said nothing. She appreciated the offer, but she did not see the point of purchasing new dresses, considering that she had brought plenty with her. Jane had always worn Kate’s secondhand gowns, and she didn’t see the need to refresh her entire wardrobe. But she didn’t want to say anything that might offend Serena.
“I think I’ll just get the thread for now,” she told her. “Next time you can take me to see the dressmaker. Perhaps, I’ll get a new dress for the holidays.”
Serena clapped her hands together excitedly. “You’ll be able to find thread in the general store,” she told Jane. “They seem to have everything.”
As they walked inside, Jane was sure that this must be true. The inside of the store was gigantic.
“Afternoon,” the storekeeper said. He was dressed in all white, except for his black vest, and he had a long, wiry mustache that made Jane giggle.
“Afternoon,” Jane returned. Serena dragged her toward the back of the store. Jane assumed that was where the sweets were.
“I’m going to get some thread,” Jane said, untangling herself from Serena. She did not care too much for candy, as it was something that she did not have very often.
Perhaps, I will pick some up for Milton, she thought. She wasn’t sure if he liked it or not, but she thought it would be a nice treat for the two of them to share.
Jane was also interested in completing her errands and returning home. She missed Milton. They hadn’t seen one another since last night, and she felt an odd emptiness in her heart. It made her anxious to get back for dinner. Tonight, she hoped that they might have an intimate meal, just the two of them.
Walking through the aisles, Jane searched high and low for thread, but she couldn’t locate it. This place was much larger than the store where she grew up, and she was finding it frustratingly difficult to locate anything.
This is ridiculous, she thought. No single store needs this many items. Jane continued to keep her eyes peeled as she made her way back toward Serena. She was certain that her new friend would know where to locate the thread.
“My father says that you’ll be staying in town for some time now,” Serena’s voice carried over the aisles.
“Indeed,” a male voice replied. “He’s helping me with the purchase of some land.”
The voice sounded familiar, but Jane was sure that she was mistaken. I’m going mad, she thought, as she crept closer toward Serena. Her friend was within sight, but Jane stayed close to a shelf that could hide her.
“Are you enjoying Denver?” Serena asked, her tone polite.
“Immensely.” The man tipped his hat slightly in Serena’s direction. “After all, there are so many lovely women.”
Jane’s stomached dropped as she heard Serena laugh. Her companion had turned slightly, and Jane could see his face. Standing in the general store in Denver was Brandon Eimer. He was dressed completely in black, which made him look like a criminal waiting to rob a stagecoach.
What is he doing here? she wondered frantically, as she pressed herself further and further into the shadows of the store.
If she had been alone, she would have run out as fast as she could; however, she did not care to abandon Serena, nor did she care for the many questions that would no doubt follow her departure.
After a few minutes, Brandon turned and began walking out. Jane stayed rooted to the ground. She felt flushed, and sweat began beading across the back of her neck as she watched him move away. He was facing away from her, which was for the best. Jane didn’t want to be discove
red, but she was so flustered, she couldn’t think of anywhere to run.
Maybe this is just a coincidence? She thought. It wouldn’t do to panic. Not just yet. Brandon was the man her father had intended for her to marry, but she had never formally been promised to him. They’d only ever met a handful of times, and while he’d been inappropriately flirtatious to Jane, he hadn’t shown her any more interest than he had shown Kate.
He’s not here for me, she told herself. And even if he were, I’m already married. Jane breathed a sigh of relief, as she began to get her bearings again. When Milton told her that they would be marrying the moment she stepped off the train, she had been taken aback. Now, she was glad for it.
“Did you find the thread?” Serena asked. Her rose colored dress swooshed as she walked toward Jane. The sound of it and her voice brought Jane out of her thoughts.
“No,” she said.
“I should have showed you. This place is like a maze.”
“Who was that man you were talking to?” Jane asked. She needed to try to gain as much information about Brandon as possible. She wanted to know why he was in Denver. Something in her stomach was telling her that his presence meant nothing good for her, and she prayed that she was wrong.
Serena’s light eyebrows knit together at Jane’s abruptness. “Mr. Eimer?” she asked.
Jane nodded.
“He’s a new client of my father’s.”
“What is he doing in Denver?” Jane asked, her words brusque. Maybe Milton and I have more in common than I originally thought. Jane was not normally so brusque in her mannerisms, but she felt a sense of fear inside that made her desperate.
“He’s purchasing some land,” Serena said. Her eyes were wide. “Do you know him?”
Jane shook her head. “No,” she said. Serena was giving her an odd look, and she could tell that her friend was uncomfortable by her outburst.
“I should start making my way back to the ranch,” Jane said. She wanted to be out of town as fast as possible. She did not want to risk running into Brandon anywhere else. She already wanted to return to the ranch, but now she absolutely needed to.
“Is everything alright?” Serena asked.
Jane nodded swiftly, but she was already starting to walk toward the door. “Thank you for a wonderful lunch.”
“How will you get home?” Serena asked. Sara had taken Jane into town on a wagon. She was vising with her mother, and Serena and Jane were supposed to return after their excursion.
“I’ll be fine,” Jane said. “Please tell Sara that I’ll see her on the ranch.” Jane practically ran out of the door. She had no idea how she was going to get back to the ranch, but she knew she couldn’t stay in town any longer.
Standing out on the street, she felt completely exposed, and she nearly started crying. Get yourself together, Jane told herself sharply. There were plenty of coaches in town who could take her to the ranch. Milton had given her money, so she would be able to pay for it.
Sighing, Jane lifted up her skirt and started walking toward the center of town where she could get a coach. She continued looking around her as she walked. She might have stayed with Serena, but she would not feel comfortable in her home, knowing that Brandon employed her father.
“Everything is going to be alright,” she told herself softly as she walked. She had been on the ranch for a little over a month, and just as she had found her footing, something from her past had come to destroy it.
Well, I won’t let Brandon Eimer destroy my happiness, she thought. She had already taken one risk by joining the marriage agency, and it had turned out better than she could have hoped. She was ready to do whatever she had to in order to keep the happiness she’d found.
Absolutely anything.
Chapter Fourteen
Milton was sitting in the house waiting for his supper, which was an odd occurrence. He hadn’t waited for a meal in years. Before Jane, Sara had always left him a plate of whatever she was making for Hank that night. These days, Jane cooked and the group ate together.
Milton hadn’t realized how much he had come to appreciate the good food and company until it was unavailable.
Where is she? he wondered as he sat at the kitchen table.
Sara and Jane had gone into town that morning to spend time with Sara’s sister, Serena. Milton had thought getting off the ranch would be a nice change for Jane. She didn’t complain about the ranch. In fact, she took to the ranch quickly and engrained herself so well in it that the men had noticed her absence today.
I noticed it too, Milton thought. It wasn’t just that he missed seeing Jane during supper. He had missed her presence at lunch and during the morning chores as well. Though she was only in town, not even a half an hour away, Milton hated that she wasn’t home.
Now, as the sun started to fall in the sky, he grew more and more worried. Jane should have been back quite a while ago. Tapping his hands on the lace covering of the table he tried his best to calm his nerves. Milton was not the type of man who was easily shaken, but not knowing where she was worried him.
As he sat at the table, watching the sun get lower and lower in the sky, Milton did his best to contain himself. She’s probably enjoying some female company, he thought. Matthew’s sisters, Serena and Sara, could overtake any conversation. They were probably talking Jane into an early grave, and she was too polite to say anything.
I’m sure that’s what it is, Milton thought. That’s what he kept telling himself, but it didn’t do anything to alleviate the knot in his stomach. He felt a dread he hadn’t experienced since his mother left him. Jane isn’t your mother, he reminded himself.
Jane was a good and godly woman. His mother had been someone who wanted more than her lot in life. She thought that she would find that in the arms of another man. Being a rancher’s wife didn’t appeal to her, and though she dealt with it for a time, the moment that something better came along, she happily left.
Milton hadn’t heard from her since. Jane would never do that, he thought desperately. She had fled a father who had wanted to marry her off and had left a note. He chuckled to himself as he thought about it. He’d been so worried that Jane would turn out to be like his mother that he’d been trying to find ways for her to be more invested in the ranch and the town. Now he worried that he might have gone too far.
The sound of the front door opening and slamming closed shook Milton out of his reverie. He stood up from the table. He prayed that it was Jane walking through the door.
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” Jane exhaled, out of breath. She rushed into the kitchen so quickly that he had barely heard the sound of her shoes on the hardwood floor. It was as if she had floated into the kitchen in her haste. “I should have left town earlier.”
Milton said nothing, but he looked closely at his wife. Her dark red hair had come out of its braid and most of her curls hung limp against her face. The bottom of her dress was covered in brown mud, and her noticed a great deal of dust on her shoes.
“Are you alright?” he asked, rushing toward her.
She nodded quickly. The gesture caused the last of her braid to fall out. Jane seemed upset, and Milton was determined to discover what was wrong. “I’m fine,” she said. “I just need to get something cooking. I’m sure that you are hungry after such a long day.”
Milton grew more and more worried by her behavior. Jane was not acting like herself. She seemed out of sorts, and Milton was determined to discover why.
“I’m fine,” Milton said. “But why are you covered in dirt?”
Town was surprisingly dirtier than the ranch, but still, Jane shouldn’t have been covered in muck.
“I walked back,” she admitted simply.
Milton’s jaw nearly dropped to the ground in shock. “You walked?” he repeated, his voice incredulous. He couldn’t believe that Jane walked. It was nearly three miles on dusty road, and the temperature dropped in the evenings to quite chilly these days. “Why would you do that? Did Sara fall
ill?” His heart started to hammer in his chest at the thought. Sara was many things, but she wasn’t someone who would have left Jane alone to fend for herself.
“Sara’s well,” Jane said. “I decided to leave town early, and I didn’t care to wait.” She grabbed a pan and the loud clang of it echoed through the kitchen. “I thought I would be able to hire a wagon to bring me back, but no one wanted to travel this far out.”
Milton’s jaw dropped slightly. He couldn’t believe that Jane walked so far. Denver wasn’t a dangerous town, but anything could have happened to her on the road.
“You walked all this way?” he asked again. He was trying to control the anger in his voice. He couldn’t believe that she had put herself in danger.
“I had no choice,” Jane said.
