An Inconvenient Marriage

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  He grinned. “You don’t want to be rid of an uptight, compulsively neat man?”

  “As long as you can handle the bad cooking, nagging, frigid, and figureless woman, I’m alright with you sticking around.”

  “You’re none of those things.” He leaned over and kissed her neck.

  She laughed. “I can’t wait to go to Greece!”

  “That’s just the beginning. I plan to take you to see the world.”

  “So you are planning on staying around for awhile.”

  “With you in my life, I have a good reason to. I didn’t realize how empty it had been until you abandoned me to help with Gloria and the baby. Next time, I’m coming with you.”

  She kissed him. “You’ve given me a reason to live too. Life is better when you have someone special to share it with. I’m so glad I didn’t have to marry Mr. York.”

  “We’d better help Jeremiah with those chores. The sooner we can get them done, the sooner we can have some fun.”

  ***

  The morning progressed smoothly. Sue was surprised by how well Jake handled himself with feeding the pigs and horses. She helped Jeremiah clean the horse stalls since Jake wasn’t ready for that much farming yet. He looked so different in Jeremiah’s farm clothes than in his usual suits. He was slowly getting over his fear of getting dirty, which she knew was hard for him since he spent so much time trying to be neat for the sake of what others would think of him. She took him on Bossy to check on the cattle, and she blushed when she noticed how close he sat behind her. She hadn’t been so aware of him before, but he wasn’t leaning against her and kissing her neck before either. “You’re getting more comfortable on a horse,” she told him. “Soon you’ll be able to ride by yourself.”

  “No. I like this method better,” he whispered as he hugged her.

  On their way back, she took him through the forest near the house. They got off of Bossy so she could lead her horse to the river for a drink. Meanwhile, Jake went to go to the bathroom. She petted the horse. She enjoyed Bossy even if no one else did. The horse seemed to be attuned to her thoughts. She waited for Jake to return but he didn’t. She frowned. He shouldn’t be gone this long. She decided to go look for him, so she took Bossy’s reins and led her through the trees. She stopped and listened. The water from the river didn’t mask the sound of people talking. She tied Bossy’s reins to a tree and moved towards the sound.

  She rounded a tree when she saw George and Brian talking to Jake. They were on two horses and George held the reins to a third one. Brian had a gun trained on Jake who didn’t show the least bit of fear. She was ready to go back to Bossy so she could charge at George and Brian’s horses when she stepped on a large twig. The sound through the quiet air was deafening. All three men turned to her. She knew why George and Brian were there. They want Jake to take them to the jewelry. Neither she nor Jake had a gun. Her heart pounded anxiously as Jake said something to the two men. How can he be so calm? Panic was already surfacing on her face.

  Brian nodded and Jake turned to walk to her. They were well out of hearing range of George and Brian when he reached her. She couldn’t read his expression. He’s put on his business face. He looks pleasant but serious. Why isn’t he afraid?

  “I shouldn’t have come here,” he softly told her. “They followed me. I have to go to the train station with them, and we’ll go to my father’s cabin. There’s dynamite in the basement. They will think I’m leading them to the jewelry.” He took a deep breath. “I have to make sure they don’t come back for you.”

  She shook her head as she forced his words to make sense to her. Everything’s happening too fast. The trees around her seemed to be spinning.

  “You will be provided for. Take my updated will to the lawyer.”

  That’s when it dawned on her that he wasn’t expecting to come back. He expected the dynamite to blow him up too. She put her hand over her mouth to cover her sobs.

  He gritted his teeth and looked away from her. “I can’t do anything else. They won’t stop until they get what they want or die.” When he looked back, he had managed to take control of his emotions again. “I’m very grateful that God brought us together.” He gently kissed her.

  She couldn’t hold back her tears. “Don’t go.”

  He looked up at the trees and closed his eyes for a moment. He slowly exhaled. “I love you, Sue. I’m thankful we had last night to be together.”

  She stood still as he turned and walked away from her. He’s not coming back. And I’m just standing here watching him go.

  He got up on the third horse and left with Brian and George.

  She continued to cry, realizing she didn’t tell him she loved him too.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Look at the trees, concentrate on balancing on the horse, remember where your father’s cabin is. But whatever you do, don’t think of her. He couldn’t afford to take his focus off his mission. He knew that when he set the dynamite off, he would die with George and Brian. I can’t let them live to harm her. She must be able to live. Don’t think of her. Focus. Keep your mind on business.

  He followed George. Brian followed him, his gun pointed at him. “So, George, how did you get caught up into this life of crime?” he finally asked. He knew that Brian wouldn’t kill him as long as he didn’t know where the treasure was hidden.

  “Don’t answer him, George. He’s trying to throw you off track,” Brian warned.

  “What difference does it make?” George shrugged. “He’ll be dead by tomorrow anyway.”

  “True enough.”

  George slowed his horse so he was riding beside Jake. Jake struggled to maintain his balance on his animal.

  “As soon as word got out about your father’s death, Brian approached me with a business deal. I almost didn’t take it, but once I found out that you were going to buy your own bank, I knew it wouldn’t be long before you took most of my customers and I’d lose a lot of money. You had no right to usurp my authority in town.”

  “I warned you that people like mercy more than equality,” Jake calmly replied. “If you had treated the Lewis family right, I would have stayed on at the bank.”

  “The little arrangement between you and Miss Lewis came at just the right time, didn’t it?”

  He shrugged.

  “My father always thought so highly of you. He would brag about your good business sense. You were always outdoing me.”

  “Was I?”

  “He’s doing that thing where he asks questions to get more information out of people,” Brian snapped. “Don’t talk to him anymore, George. This one can manipulate people to do his will.”

  “Can I really do such a thing?” Jake asked.

  “Shut up!”

  “What are you going to do? Shoot me? Go ahead and get it over with.”

  “I’d love to call your bluff, Mr. Mitchell, but I came for the jewels and I’ll get them.”

  Jake looked at George and shook his head in disgust.

  “What?” George angrily asked.

  “You’re being played for a fool and you don’t even realize it.” Jake looked straight ahead.

  “What? No, I’m not.”

  “Don’t listen to him, George. Just ride on ahead,” Brian ordered. “He’ll put ideas in your head just like he does with everyone else.”

  George looked disturbed.

  Jake chuckled under his breath.

  “What is it?” George demanded.

  “Ride ahead, George!” Brian yelled.

  “No! I want to know what Jake is laughing about.”

  “It’s nothing. He’s messing with your head.”

  Jake rolled his eyes.

  “I want to know, Brian. What is it, Jake?”

  Jake casually glanced at Brian who was glaring at him. He turned back and looked straight ahead again. “Brian’s right. I’m only manipulating you. Apparently, it’s what you’re good for since he does such a good job of it himself.”

  George�
�s face turned bright red. “What is he talking about?” He turned to Brian.

  “Can’t you see what he’s doing? He’s trying to divide us,” Brian replied.

  George looked uneasily between the two men. “I don’t know.”

  Jake picked up on his uncertainty. He was always easy to read. “Are you familiar with the book of Proverbs, George?”

  “No.” He looked startled by the question.

  “There is no honor among thieves.”

  George just stared at him.

  Jake hid his irritation. George was incredibly dense. “Do you honestly think Brian will split his half of the loot with you? Do you have a gun? Can you protect yourself?”

  “I don’t need to. I can trust him.”

  “Can you?”

  “Enough!” Brian barked. “Jake, if you say one more word, I’ll return to the Lewis farm and get your precious bride. I’ll be more than happy to be with her, used goods or not.”

  Jake tightened his hold on the reins. These men are dead men. I will not let them get near her. He straightened his back and steeled his resolve. “I apologize. I will do everything you say.”

  “That’s better. George, take a lesson on how to handle Mr. Mitchell. All you have to do is mention the Lewis woman and he gets very protective.”

  Jake focused on the path in front of him. He noted the number of trees, the patches of snow on the ground, the dead leaves lying on the forest floor, the gray sky. Just don’t think about her.

  The ride to the train station took a good half hour, and it was outside of town, so there weren’t many people around. Brian put on a red wig with a red mustache and added a fake mole to his cheek in order to disguise himself while George put on a gray wig and a gray beard so he could look older than his picture indicated.

  “Get three tickets to Detroit, Michigan,” Brian ordered Jake.

  “That’s not where the jewelry is located,” Jake said. “My father worked in Detroit. He didn’t hide jewels there.”

  “Fine. Then get tickets to the town where the jewels are located, and if you’re lying, we’ll find a way to make you pay.”

  As if you won’t kill me no matter what I do. Jake wasn’t stupid enough to believe that they would let him live. Jake didn’t protest. He went to the desk and paid for three tickets.

  “Are you Jake Mitchell?” the man at the desk asked.

  “Yes.”

  “I thought I recognized you. I’m Fred Green. The Lewises are good friends to me and my family. My family attended your wedding. It was a memorable event. Only the Lewis family would think to make a comedy skit for such an event. Have a nice trip.”

  Jake thanked him and went outside to wait for the train. He handed the tickets to Brian and George and sat next to them. It would still take a half hour before the train came. “Do you mind if I get a newspaper?”

  “No. Go ahead,” Brian replied.

  Jake took comfort in reading the paper. It helped block out the emotions that threatened to creep up on him. As long as he held them safely at bay, his head remained clear for the task that lay before him. By the time the train pulled up to the station, he had perfect control of his thoughts. He boarded the train. Brian and George followed him. He took his seat. Brian sat next to him and George sat across the aisle. He took a deep breath and stared out the window. He didn’t care to have a conversation with Brian. As the train moved forward, he took note of the trees and recalled the way Sue enjoyed looking at the way the snow rested on the tree limbs. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the seat. Don’t think of her. Keep your head clear.

  An hour after they boarded the train, Jake had managed to take a light nap. There was no sense in spending his remaining hours awake. He would rather just get it all over with and be with the Lord. Plus, when he slept, he didn’t think of her. He could focus on what he needed to do. He dozed off again after the train stopped at another train station. He wasn’t even aware of it when the train started back up.

  Brian bumped into him.

  “Leave me alone, Brian,” he snapped.

  “Oh, I sor is sorra, misser,” someone said. “Here. Let me get them there marbles I dropped when I bumped inta ya.”

  The voice sounded familiar but it was obviously a male voice.

  Jake crossed his arms, determined to go back to sleep.

  “Get out of here, you miserable old man,” Brian grunted.

  “Oh, don’ mind Pa. He has ‘emself a bad back,” came a familiar voice.

  “Yep. I ain’t as young as I use ta be,” the obnoxious man agreed.

  Jake felt someone touch his thigh. He jerked up and stared at the familiar middle-aged fat man with graying hair and a thick mustache who wore tattered old green and black clothes and a faded black hat. Was it her?

  “Da ya think it’s gonna rain or snow?” Jeremiah asked. He stood behind Sue but directed his question to Brian.

  “I don’t know and I don’t care.” Brian cringed as Sue leaned across his legs to get the marbles off the floor.

  Jake stared at Sue, dressed as an old man, in both awe and disbelief. Lord, how could I not love that woman?

  “Do you have the marbles yet?” Brian hissed at her.

  “All but one,” Sue said, using her masculine voice. “There it is. Excuse me, sir, if ya would jist move a little ova that a way...”

  Brian rolled his eyes and leaned away from Jake.

  She quickly slipped a note into Jake’s hand.

  Across the aisle, Gloria, dressed in a low cut dress sat in the seat behind George who couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Jeremiah sat down in front of George and scowled at him.

  “Da ya have the time, Misser...?” she softly asked.

  “Leroy. George Leroy,” George nearly panted. “It is three. Have you ridden the rails before?”

  “Oh my yes. In fact, I like ta ga on trips. I meet so many interestin’ people, ‘specially men.” She lowered her eyelashes and shyly looked up at him through them.

  “There I got ‘em all now,” Sue patted Brian on the back. “Thank ya sonny. These belong ta my son, Gerald.”

  Luke ran into Sue and nearly knocked her over. He let the mouse slip out of his hands. Sue juggled the mouse and fell forward again. She slipped the mouse into the back of Brian’s shirt.

  “What are you doing, you old coot?” Brian angrily snapped. He jumped off the seat and tried to pull up his shirt so that the mouse would scamper out.

  “My mouse!” Luke screamed as he reached up into Brian’s jacket pocket.

  Jake watched as he slipped Brian’s wallet to Jeremiah who quickly stood up and shoved it into his back pocket.

  George glanced over at the commotion. Gloria quickly leaned forward, so George returned his gaze to her. Jeremiah grunted and pretended to trip over Luke so he could whack George on the head.

  “Watch what you’re doing,” George growled.

  “Sorra, misser. The boy is a bumpin’ inta me ta get at that mouse o’ his,” Jeremiah sheepishly said.

  Jake was secretly relieved that Sue was playing the old man instead of Gloria’s role as the beautiful woman.

  Luke giggled. “The mouse jist ran down his pants.”

  “This isn’t funny, you little brat!” Brian shook his pants and hopped from one foot to the other.

  Jeremiah grabbed him by the ankles and helped Sue toss him upside down. They shook him.

  “We’ll git that rodent fo ya,” Sue assured him.

  Luke found Brian’s gun and put it under the seat.

  “Set me down right now!” Brian barked.

  Sue and Jeremiah quickly put him back down.

  “Misser, misser.” Luke anxiously tugged on Brian’s suit jacket.

  “What are you doing now?” Brian snapped and struggled to get the boy’s hands off of his clothes.

  “There! I git me my mouse ‘gain,” Luke cheered, holding it close to his chest.

  Sue patted Brian on the back and urged him to sit back down. Turning to
Luke, she said, “Son, if I had tol’ ya a once, I had tol’ ya a dozen times not ta touch oter people. Who knows what they be a carryin’? Now leave Misser...ah...Misser...” She snapped her fingers. “Well, what be yo name, son?”

  “Uh...Daniel.”

  “Misser Daniel...”

  “Is this really necessary? You got your marbles and mouse, now go old man.”

  “Oh what a neat tree outta that window!” Luke crawled over Brian until he sat between him and Jake.

  “Get out of here!” Brian demanded, his face red.

  Sue leaned against the seat in front of Brian. “Ya know, I was jist recallin’ a time when I first rode the mighta rails. It was the summer o’ 1869. Oh wait. That ain’t right. That was when I git me wisdom teeth pulled. Look in me mouth. Nit a single wisdom tooth a left, but that process, it sor did hurt me a somethin’ awful. That dentist didn’ give me anythin.’ No alcohol or nothin’. I ain’t never filt a pain like that befor an’ hope I won’t ‘gain. Thank goodness, that be over. Anywhoo, what was I a talkin’ ‘bout. Oh I ‘member. The first time I rode the rails. I was a wee lad like yoself. Shoo, son. Ya lookin’ like ya could be thirty. No more than thirty-one. How ol’ ye be ya anyway?”

  “Who cares?” Brian was irritated. “Leave me alone. George, maybe we should sit somewhere else.”

  “Oh no,” Gloria quickly gasped. “I git a run in me stockins’.” She bent over and lifted the hem of her dress up to her knee.

  Brian and George turned around to watch.

  Luke quickly nudged Jake and nodded at the note Sue had handed him. Jake took his cue to read the note. The Kidnapper skit. Remember to lead Brian and George to the horses. We’ll lasso them up. He quickly slipped the note into his pocket and crossed his arms again, acting as if nothing unusual was happening.

  “Will ya stop that?” Jeremiah snapped. “Ya actin’ all indecent in public.”

  “Oh.” She prettily blushed and put her dress back down. “I didn’ have a run afta all. How silly was that?” She giggled.

  “Yep. Silly alright,” he growled.

  “My mouse has a name. Wanna know it’s name?” Luke shoved the rodent in Brian’s face.