Fergus nodded, knowing what Jasper meant. “I’ll talk to Ma. She won’t judge or push Julip, but she’ll be ready to counsel her when Julip’s ready to talk. Since you’ve been married before, you know how women can be. Best to let the wife think it’s her idea.”
Jasper couldn’t help smiling. “Thanks for your advice, Brother-in-law.”
*
Fergus continued taking the children in every business downtown to kill time. Cullen, the post master, let them stamp the Clear Creek postmark on some letters and lay them in the mail bag that would be picked up by the next train.
Jasper took the children into the bank and opened a savings account for each child. Tara and Tyrell were thrilled to have little savings books with their names written on the front.
They stopped in the lawyer’s office to make an appointment with Lyle Elison so he and Julip could talk about him formally adopting Tara and Tyrell.
The Paulson Hotel was a big hit with their three-story staircase. Jasper was talking to Ethan and Helen, and their youngest daughter took Tara and Tyrell on a tour of the hotel. Before Jasper realized what was going on, the Paulson girl had Tara sliding down the staircase. Tyrell would have followed Tara if Helen hadn’t told them to stop.
“You’re going to have to be on your toes with Tara and Tyrell, Jasper. Remember when Burdette Jenkins fell off the school outhouse earlier this year?” Helen kidded him, but Jasper took her advice seriously. Jasper’s son was too small to climb on anything before he lost Billy.
“Yes, I remember. That’s one of the reasons I want to introduce the children to everyone in town—so people know who they belong to when they need help or get in trouble.”
The children wandered through Daisy Reagan’s pharmacy, staring at everything on the selves, but they kept their hands behind their back.
“How about we pick out something for your mother,” Jasper told the children as he pointed to the display of scented soaps and toilet water.
Daisy stepped forward to help them, opening a bottle and letting each of the children smell it. “What flower does it smell like, Tara?”
Tara shrugged her shoulders. “Don’t know. The cabin didn’t have any flowers around it to smell them.”
Daisy looked sideways at Jasper, probably wondering why Tara didn’t know the rose scent?
“Well, I’ll let you smell each flowery scent, and you can choose which one you’d like to give your momma.”
They left the pharmacy with gardenia-scented toilet water and soap, which reminded Jasper of his and Julip’s days in the South. Hopefully, it would trigger good memories instead of bad for Julip.
A sack of butterscotch discs from Taylor’s Mercantile was their next purchase.
Jasper was ready to go home when he saw Doctor Pansy opening the door to go upstairs to Jasper’s apartment. He had to keep the children occupied for a while longer then.
“Let’s go see Shepard’s Saddle Shop, and then see the horses in the livery’s corral.”
They ended up playing on the school playground where Jasper could see when Doctor Pansy left their apartment. If need be, he’ll find a place for the children to take a nap, because Julip needed help.
***
It took a while for Julip to realize the soft knocking on the door was real. Before she could get out of bed, the door opened, and a woman called out, “Julip, it’s Doctor Pansy. Mind if I come into the bedroom to talk to you?”
“Uh no, I guess,” Julip called out as she struggled to sit up in bed. She’d been exhausted from the trip and still half asleep.
Doctor Pansy stopped at the door, medicine bag in hand, and smiled at Julip.
“I’m so happy Jasper was able to find you and your children. He’d been worried sick about you after he realized Holly Clancy had met you a few years ago.”
“I’m glad he found us too. We’ve…had a rough time lately.” Julip said as she looked down at her hands.
Pansy pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down, scanning Julip’s body as she did so.
“Julip, besides wanting to be your friend, I want to be your doctor. I can see you and your children are malnourished, but you’re worse because you put your children first, as any good mother would do.”
Julip looked at the sincere concern in Doctor Pansy’s face. The woman was about Julip’s age, but Jasper told her the lady doctor had gone to school in Boston before moving to Clear Creek to practice.
“Can I examine you, and see if there is anything else, besides being underfed, that is wrong with you? Your children would do so much better if you got your strength back.”
“Did Jasper send you over to check on me?”
“He suggested it, but I had already planned to pay a visit to you this afternoon. If you want to talk about anything, it will stay between us, unless you want Jasper to know about it.”
Julip nodded, wanting to talk about her fears to this lady doctor. It would be so much easier talking to Doctor Pansy than a man doctor who would judge her for what she had to do.
“Doctor Pansy, I’m afraid I may be with child. I sold myself for money. I had to feed my babies,” Julip’s words turned into a sob as she explained her worries.
“Julip, I know Jasper well enough he’d welcome all children you could give him, whatever the circumstances. There are physical signs to tell if you are with child, so let’s start with that. When did you have your last monthly?”
“Two months ago,” Julip answered.
“Your monthly bleeding could have stopped because of your thinness and stress, instead of being pregnant. Let me check your body, and I can tell you what I think.”
Julip was relieved with Doctor Pansy’s careful examination.
“It may be too early to tell, but I think the lack of food has caused symptoms like a pregnancy. The physical signs aren’t there.”
“When can I be sure?” Julip asked.
“I’d expect your stomach may still be queasy a week or so as you adjust back to normal eating. If you don’t have morning sickness after that, I’d say you aren’t pregnant. I can check you again whenever you want.”
“Thank you, Doctor Pansy. I want children with Jasper, but…”
“Give yourself time to adjust to your new life in Clear Creek. I must say though, you have a wonderful husband. Please talk to him about your fears and worries.
“Jasper has told us about his life—and some of yours—as children before and after the war. I’m so happy you and Jasper are back together,” Doctor Pansy said as she patted Julip’s shoulder.
Julip walked Doctor Pansy to the staircase, feeling better than she had in months. She and the children were finally in a safe place, thanks to Holly’s mentioning her to Jasper and his traveling to Miller Springs to find them.
Chapter 8
“Thank you so much for remembering me, Holly,” Julip sobbed as she and Holly Clancy hugged as soon as they were in the café. The women hugged, talked, and laughed for several minutes before pulling apart.
Julip’s face beamed when she introduced Tara and Tyrell to the Clancy family. Nolan’s grandfather, Dan, was in the kitchen overseeing the cooking and opened a tin of cookies.
“Whenever you want, you stop in for a cookie from your Grandpa Dan, okay?”
“Are you really my grandpa?” Tara asked.
“Of course, and my wife is your Grandma Edna. I’m sure you’ll meet her soon, if not in church later this week.”
Jasper’s heart swelled with pride and gratitude. Not everyone in town would welcome his new family, but he’d made best friends by moving to Clear Creek.
Julip’s attitude and spirit had improved greatly with her nap and visit with Doctor Pansy. What did the doctor give her, or tell her? Jasper couldn’t wait for them to put the children to bed and talk.
This was their first night together after being on the train. Would she share the bed with him, or want to sleep with the children? He knew all they could do was talk and cuddle in her physical state, bu
t he craved having Julip in his arms. The simple kiss they shared for their vows was a sweet reminder of the love he had for this woman, and what it could become.
“Jasper?” Holly asked him, but he didn’t know what she wanted.
He looked up realizing everyone at the table was looking at him.
“Sorry?”
“Did you want the hot beef sandwich or the baked chicken meal?”
Everyone else around the table had apparently ordered, and he didn’t even remember them sitting down.
“Chicken. What’s the dessert tonight?”
Tara started giggling in her hands. “She already told us it was apple crisp.”
Jasper winked at Tara. “I already forgot.” The time on the train had been good to get to know the children and for them to become comfortable with him.
“Let’s say grace before our food gets here,” Jasper said as the four of them joined hands. Julip sat across from him, so each of them held a child’s hand instead of him getting to hold Julip’s hand, but the connection was still there.
“Thank you, Lord, for our family, the food to nourish our bodies and our new home. In your name, we pray, Amen.”
Jasper looked up to see tears and a smile on Julip’s face. Everything was going to work out.
*
The meal took longer to eat than normal because almost everyone in the café stopped by their table to meet Julip and the children. Tyrell sagged against the table, now sleepy from a big meal and a long day.
“Let’s go home and get these two in bed,” Jasper said as he picked up Tyrell, who immediately laid his head on Jasper’s shoulder and sighed.
“It’s been a long day,” Julip added. She still had a smile on her face, but there was a hint of worry in her eyes again.
They walked along the boardwalk between the café and their building in silence. Julip holding Tara’s hand and walking in front of Jasper holding Tyrell. How many months before they add another child to their family? It could be in six months or years.
“Up we go,” Jasper said as they reached their staircase. It was still light enough to see because of the transom window above the door, but he needed to install lanterns ready to light at the top and bottom of the staircase. Another thing to do on his long list to provide for his family and furnish their home.
Tonight, they started their new ritual of bedtime. Jasper wanted the children to always feel safe and loved. After the children had used the chamber pot and washed their hands and faces, Jasper followed Julip into the children’s bedroom. Tara and Tyrell changed into their night clothes without a fuss, said their night prayer, and climbed into their bed.
“This is your own bedroom, all to yourselves. If you need anything, Momma and I will be in the next room,” Jasper said after glancing at Julip. She took a deep breath but nodded her approval.
Julip leaned over the bed giving each child a kiss goodnight, and then Jasper did the same.
“Will we have to leave in the morning?” Tara asked with a yawn.
“No, Tara, this is our home now. You never have to leave it, at least until you’re full grown and want to,” Jasper said, happy to think of watching Tara grow up.
“Thank you, Poppa,” Tara whispered as she gave Jasper a hug.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart,” Jasper whispered back. That was the first time Tara had called him poppa instead of Mr. Kerns.
***
Julip had to wipe tears from her cheeks after hearing Jasper and Tara's exchange. Julip finally felt safe. She and her children finally had a home, food, and a wonderful man in their lives.
Our family. After all the months, no years, of worry and grief, her prayers for help were answered.
"Can we sit and talk a while, Julip?" Jasper asked as he closed the door to the bedroom, then motioned to the living room.
Julip sat down on the settee, and Jasper sat beside her, gently picking up her left hand and rubbing it between both of his. The warmth and connection between them felt so good.
"You seem to be better after a nap and talking to Doctor Pansy. Can I ask what she said?"
Doctor Pansy's words came back to Julip. Jasper's a wonderful man. Talk to him.
Jasper's first marriage made him fully aware of a woman's body, so it made it easier to talk to him.
"She said lack of food and my stressing most likely caused my monthly to stop, rather than being with child," Julip told him. "But I won't know for sure until I start eating regularly and don't have morning sickness."
Jasper dropped her hand and pulled Julip in a hug.
"I'm just so thankful you'll get well again. You looked like a walking skeleton the first time I saw you."
"Are you glad I'm not with child?" Julip had to ask.
Jasper pulled away to look at her. "I would have welcomed a child, no matter what, but I think you need to get healthy before we start adding to our family."
Julip couldn't help but blush, thinking of finally being with the man she'd loved for years. Jasper gently cupped her chin and looked directly into her eyes.
"Is it alright to hug and cuddle in bed until you're well?" Jasper asked, then wiggled his right eyebrow.
Julip laughed, knowing how long that would last until they both wanted to complete their marriage.
"Of course, Jasper. Thank you for being a kind, wonderful man. I loved you as a child, and I love you now as a man."
"And I've loved you forever," Jasper whispered as he wrapped his arms around Julip and started a long, satisfying kiss.
Chapter 9
Julip hummed a favorite tune while stringing the warp yarn on her new rug loom set in front of their store window. This first step took time, but she loved seeing the progress as she set the bout loops over the pegs on the rattle board.
The sunlight warmed her shoulders as well as giving her good light for this job.
Julip looked out the window enjoying the view of the town she'd grown to love in the past month. She put her right hand on her heart, thankful for their new life here and her improved health. Julip chuckled, thankful also that she was gaining weight and getting her bosom back.
And so thankful for Jasper's money as they finished furnishing their home. He wasn't rich but had the funds to buy dishes, skillets, bolts of material for new dresses...and whatever food she desired to prepare for their meals. Adolph Bjorklund's meat market was a daily stop for her now, so they had fresh meat, butter, eggs, and milk.
Julip was almost giddy about having a full pantry of food staples after having nothing to eat just a month ago.
The children had an extended family in town that they'd never had before. Besides their honorary grandparents, the Clancy's, the Reagan, Wilerson, and Elison families included them in family gatherings. Julip had time to work on the house, and now her loom because someone was always offering to take the children for a few hours of playtime with their own young children. When Tara started school next fall, she'd know all her classmates.
And Julip had gained her self-esteem back. Her monthly had returned to normal, and her past was behind her.
The door between the front room and the workroom opened as Jasper walked through. As by habit now, when she was busy with the loom, Jasper walked up behind her, wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.
“Mack and I will be working on the Webster house the rest of the day, repairing their porch. It’s on the far west end of Second Street if you need me.”
Jasper looked in the corner where the children had a play area. It was a place they could take naps or play with toys and still be within sight.
“Where are the children this morning?”
“Dan stopped by on his way home from having forenoon coffee at the café. He said Edna was waiting for the children to come over and bake some oatmeal cookies,” Julip answered, knowing full well Edna didn’t know the children were coming to her home but would welcome the surprise anyway.
“I’ll stop by and pick them up on my way home for
lunch then,” Jasper answered as he walked toward the back door to get the tools he needed for his repair job.
“Dan said to come to the café to pick them up at noon. Nolan was making beef stew, and Holly was making her—according to Dan—Holly’s award-winning biscuits…”
“Therefore, we’re eating lunch at the café,” Jasper finished her sentence. “Okay, I’ll meet you there later.”
Julip sighed, content to have two hours of uninterrupted time to herself.
*
“Well, if it isn’t Madame Grover,” the man’s voice behind her made Julip gasp and whirl around. Julip had locked the store door and had walked half way to the café.
Mr. Meaner? The man was in his forties and not bad looking, but he’d proven he was a snake the week after they moved into the cabin. What was he doing in Clear Creek?
Unfortunately, Julip was in front of Tolbert’s Barbershop, and Mrs. Tolbert walked out the door and heard the man’s words.
“Who are you talking to, sir?” Mrs. Tolbert asked with a frown. Of all the nosy people to be standing on the boardwalk, Mrs. Tolbert was the absolute worst.
“Why, the lovely Madame Grover standing beside you. I assume you’ve met the town’s new brothel owner.”
Julip couldn’t find the words to contradict the man. What was her former landlord doing in Clear Creek?
“This is Mrs. Jasper Kerns, sir. You must be mistaken,” Mrs. Tolbert rebutted him, but with a smirk on her face. The woman now knew Julip’s secret and couldn’t wait to spread the gossip around town.
“Have a good chat with your former ‘client,’ Madame,” Mrs. Tolbert tapped Julip’s forearm as she walked away.
“What are you doing here?” Julip whispered as she found her voice. She wrapped her arms around her body as if she could protect herself, but he’d already hurt her with his words now and his body in the past.
“I was on my way East and decided to stop by and pay a visit.”
“How did you know where I live now?”
“I just happened to ask at the Miller Springs post office for your forwarding address. Since I was going in this direction, I thought I’d take a layover on the train to check on my tenant—since she fled the cabin without a word to me,” Mr. Meaner replied.
Grooms with Honor Series, Books 10-12 Page 4
