Juliette took one of the chairs. “I’ve been guilty of that too many times.”
“Lucky for you, the library is already cataloged, so all you’ll have to do is take care of new volumes and record those that are lent out.”
“I can do that. Will I live at the library?”
“There is an apartment for the librarian, but there’s your sister to consider.”
Juliette’s spine stiffened. How much did Carianne know about Annie? “She can live with me and help me with odd jobs. That shouldn’t be a problem.”
“No, except from what I hear Annie is afraid of strangers, and you’ll get a steady stream of strangers at the library. I think we should try to get Annie help to restore her speech, don’t you?”
“Of course, that’s what I hope for.”
The smile tipping the edges of Carianne’s mouth hitched a bit and stayed there as she spoke. “I took the liberty of contacting a friend of the nurse we hired for my mother-in-law about Annie’s case. She’s worked with Dorothea Dix in one of the largest sanatoriums, and she’s interested in patients who are traumatized, so if—”
Juliette cut her off by bounding to the edge of her chair and shaking her head. She knew who Dorothea Dix was. She worked with the insane. The things she’d read about those sanatoriums raised her hackles. Helpless patients tied to their beds. Being locked in with violently insane inmates. “I won’t allow Annie to be put in an asylum.”
Carianne reached out to pat Juliette’s knee. “No one will do that. This nurse simply wants to examine Annie and see if perhaps she can help. I promise you no one can take Annie anywhere without your permission.”
Juliette filled her lungs with fortifying air and released it slowly. This lady was being as nice as she could be to her and her family. She shouldn’t be so high-strung. “I’m sorry for the outburst. It’s just that I think Annie will regain her speech in time. As a matter of fact, I believe moving here and accepting your gracious hospitality will be good for her. I noticed in the carriage ride out here she enjoyed playing with Katherine’s baby. I saw glimpses of the old Annie.”
Carianne cocked one tawny brow. “She likes babies? I have an idea. Since you’ll have to spend time at the library, leave Annie here to help out in the nursery. Effie could use the help, and that will engage Annie in a useful occupation. Effie Sykes is the children’s nursemaid.”
That was a wonderful idea and a solution to the problem of what to do with Annie while Juliette managed the library. But would it work? “I can’t thank you enough for that opportunity.” She bit her lip, feeling compelled to add, “You should know that Annie likes to wonder about at times, and she could get lost in this big house.” Not to mention, she might get lost on the grounds.
“I’ll tell Effie to keep an eye on Annie until she gets used to the house. And before you ask, your brothers have settled in well. Deck has a separate room in the bunkhouse, and they will stay with him for a while at least. The hands can sometimes rough-house, but you may be sure Deck will take care of them.”
Juliette wasn’t worried about the boys, especially since they’d be together. And she trusted Deck. “Thank you…that is a relief. Jake told me you don’t usually hire boys under sixteen years old.”
“They’ll have to go to school, but there’s no reason why they can’t work afterwards, and earning a little money of their own will be good for them.”
Carianne stood, as did Juliette, tears suddenly rising in her eyes. “You’re so kind to us. I’ll do the best job I can at the library.”
“Our only purpose in life is to love God and each other. How could I not help?” Her new boss lady drew her into a hug. “It’s our pleasure to do what we can for you, Juliette. We shall be your friends, not employers. You can start at the library tomorrow, if you wish. Katherine can take you into town and introduce you to Maggie, who’ll show you the necessary tasks and train you in our cataloging method.”
They walked to the door, arm in arm. When Carianne released her, instead of exiting, she propped against the door, her brows lifted in a question. “Now that we’ve settled you and your family, perhaps you’d be kind enough to tell me what you did to our Jake?”
The question rattled Juliette. Was something wrong with Jake? Worry made her ask, “Is Jake all right? I know the journey tired him.”
“We had the doctor in to examine him, and he’ll be fine with some rest—and with you nearby.” A teasing light came into her eyes. “No, I was not speaking of his physical state. What did you do to change him? Jake is a different man from the one who left for Georgia.”
“He…Jake almost died. That’s bound to change a man.”
“Yes, and he told me he accepted Jesus as his Savior. That accounts for most of the change, but not all. He has new desires, new plans.” She tilted her head. “He wants to build you a house.”
The tears threatening spilled down Juliette’s cheeks. “He told you that?”
“He did. Jake is like a brother to us, and I could not be happier that he found you. He wants to bid you goodnight.” She held out a hand. “He’s forbidden to climb the stairs. Come with me, and I’ll take you to him.”
Juliette stepped forward, then stopped. “I’m not dressed.”
“Your wrapper looks perfectly decent to me.”
Obviously Carianne was not one to quibble with propriety. Juliette followed her down the long hallway and descended the stairs, though another long hall, trying to take note of her surroundings so she’d be able to return to her room.
But when Carianne stopped at a door, she said, “I’ll wait for you and show you the way back.” She swung the door open and stepped back for Juliette to enter.
The door was left open so apparently Carianne did have some care for propriety.
Jake’s eyes were closed, and Juliette feared he was asleep, but as she approached his bed, he smiled before opening them. “I’ve missed you.”
She took his outstretched hand. “It’s only been three or four hours.”
He rubbed her knuckles with the pad of his thumb. “Seems much longer. How do you like Sollano?”
“It’s…a little over-whelming. Just like I’d picture it in my mind in some ways and surprising in others.”
“And the people?”
She smiled. “Wonderful. Very gracious. Very welcoming.”
“Glad you came?”
“Very glad. Just to be near you is reason enough. The only drawback is Mr. Cason isn’t here to secure a lawyer to run Abner Wexman off.”
Jake’s brow crunched. “Yeah, that’s a delay, but Carianne said he’d be back day after tomorrow, and he’s the type to set things in motion fast. So nothing to worry about.”
She was worried. “I just hope Abner doesn’t move in before we stake our claim.”
He smiled in that way that made her heart flop. “If he is, he can be removed.”
That was true, but what might he find in the meantime. What if Abner got a mind to plow up the garden? She felt her pulse kicking up and pressed a hand to her chest. That wasn’t going to happen. No one—not even Abner—would plow a garden that was still producing.
Jake must have read the fear in her eyes. “No one said anything to upset you, did they?”
She shook her head. “No…no, everyone has been kind.”
“That’s good. If they had, I’d have gotten up from here and cracked them over the head with my crutch.”
She couldn’t help but laugh at that image. But why waste their time talking about Abner Wexman? “Carianne said the doctor examined you. I was worried the long journey would cause a relapse. Is everything all right?”
“Yeah, the doc changed the bandage and splint, but he said I have to take it easy. Can’t get back on the job for two more weeks, which means I can spend the time with you.”
“You forget. I have a job at the library. I could hardly believe Carianne hired me on the spot with nothing but your recommendation.”
“Now that’s trust for y
ou. She takes my recommendation for a librarian, and I haven’t read more than three books in my life, and one of them is the Bible. And I haven’t finished that yet.”
“Well, I’m going to do my best to earn her trust…and yours.”
“You already have mine, Juliette.”
They stared into each other’s eyes for several long moments. “I’d better go and let you get a good night’s sleep. Carianne is waiting outside. She’s probably wondering how long it takes to say good-night.”
She put her fingers to her lips and lowered them to his lips. “I’m glad you’re doing well. Now I can rest easy.”
He gripped her hand and pulled her down to him, lowering her lips to his. It was a chaste kiss, but the tears she’d been fighting spilled over when he said, “I’ll sleep well because I’ll dream about you. I love you, Juliette, and I’m going to become the man you deserve.”
But did she deserve him? “I love you, Jake…and…no matter what happens, I’ll always love you.”
She raised her head, but he kept a firm hold on her hand. “The only thing that’s going to happen is I’m going to get well and build us a house and marry you, and then we’ll be happy, you know why?”
“Why?”
“Because you’re my Juliette. No one else can make me happy, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life making you happy.”
She closed her eyes and slipped her hand from his. “And I’ll do my best to make you happy. Good-night, Jake.”
Please Lord, let it be so.
Chapter 14
Jake swung his bad leg over the edge of the wagon seat. His crutch slipped and his foot hit the ground, shooting pain all the way to the top of his head. He hung onto the side of the wagon bed and waited for the agony to subside.
He’d have to learn to get off the other side and put his weight on his good leg. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea to drive into town by himself, but he’d spent all day yesterday lying around and hobbling to and from the stables. He wanted to meet Juliette when she got off at the library and take her home. Surprise her. Maybe steal a kiss or two away from the watchful eyes at the ranch.
Besides, he wanted to see Clay Simmons, his best friend. They’d worked together on Sollano for three years before Clay got anthrax and couldn’t take the physical demands of being a cowboy. He’d bought out Mr. Farmer’s tannery and moved it to town, building a living quarters onto the back of the shop. Clay and Maggie Comings were supposed to get married last year, but a fire burned down the shop and their house. So Clay was re-building and Maggie committed to teaching school another year.
If anyone knew anything about building a house, Clay would.
Once Jake got the crutches in position, he could get around almost as well as with two good legs. The smell of sawdust assailed his nose as he entered Clay’s shop. The charred remains of the old shop lay in a pile at the edge of the place.
He went through the open door. The inside was far from completed, but hammering told him Clay was somewhere in the back.
“Hey,” he hollered. “I’d help you if my arms were free.”
Clay appeared from around a corner, wiping his hands on a rag, a welcoming smile on his thin face. Clay had never regained much weight after his illness. “Hey, heard you got back. How’re you doing?”
“I’ve been better—and worse. Lots worse.”
“We were all praying for you. Glad to see the prayers were answered.”
“Yeah, me too. Have you made any progress on your house?”
“No, but I’ve got the lumber ordered, maybe I’ll get the shell and roof on by winter.” His chuckle held no mirth.
Winter? Jake didn’t want to wait that long to get his house finished, and he didn’t even have any land, much less lumber. “So you and Maggie aren’t getting married this year? Y’all could make do somehow.” She’s not exactly living in a palace now.” Everyone knew the Comings farm was the poorest in the county.
“No, but I’d like to give her better. Besides, she signed up to teach another year, and the new board doesn’t want married women teachers.” Clay cleared off the rubbish from a stool and shoved it behind Jake. “Where are my manners? Get off that bad leg.”
“That’s all right. I have to go meet Juliette in a few minutes. Do you mind giving me your pricing list for the lumber you’ve ordered?”
“Sure, I’ll jot it down and bring it to you later. Tom Amerson told me your Georgia sweetheart is a real beauty. Where are you going to build?”
“Well, I don’t know yet. I thought about that place near the river about three miles outside of town to the west. It’s wild and grown up now, but I think it would make a fine building site, if I can convince Rhyan to sell to me.” He laughed. “And give me a mortgage.”
“He probably would, but you know that area floods every other year.”
“The house won’t be all that close to the river.”
“Still, your basement would flood.”
“I want to build the house on pillars like Juliette’s house in Georgia.”
“Have you talked about it with Juliette?”
“No, I wanted to surprise her with the plans.”
Clay shook his head. “Bad idea. Some women like surprises, but nothing as big as a house. Maggie really likes Juliette, but says she’s a sensible woman to the core.” Clay wiped the sweat off his neck with the rag. “I really hope it works out for you two. Both Maggie and I wish you all the best.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.” It was going to work out, but maybe Clay was right. Jake would take Juliette by the property on the way to the ranch. “She’s sensible all right. I’ll show her the property on the way home, just to see what her reaction is. But no need to discuss houses until I talk to Rhyan.”
“By the way, Rhyan sent a telegram that he’d be on the morning train.”
“Yeah, Carianne told me. I’d better be going. As soon as my leg heals, I’ll help you with your house.”
Jake propped on the crutch as he hefted himself into the wagon seat, released the brake, and took up the reins. He touched the brim of his hat in farewell to Clay and rolled down the near empty street to the Western Gates.
Juliette’s dappled gray mare waited across from the entrance. Apparently, the stable hand had already brought the horse around, which meant Juliette would be leaving soon.
Maggie and Juliette came out talking. Juliette bent over to lock the door, while Maggie looked around and spotted him. She waved. “Hey, Jake, how’s the leg doing?”
He stretched it out the side of the wagon so she could see. “Doing good. I won’t be able to go to the dance Saturday night, but maybe the next.”
The women trekked toward him, Maggie with arms crossed. “Yes, you will go to the dance. You have to take Juliette so everyone can get to know her. Or are you afraid some other fellow might steal her away?”
Maggie was just teasing, but her words cut into his marrow. Nevertheless, he forced a smile. “I will take her, and all the fellows can dance with her if they’ve a mind to, as long as they know I’m taking her home.”
Juliette gently lifted his leg and propped it back on the floorboard. “I have no desire to dance with any other fellow, but I’ve promised Maggie I’d go to the dance, if you’re able.”
Maggie waved good-bye, her knowing laughter floating after her. Juliette tied Sweetie Pie to the back of the wagon, then took her place beside Jake and slid an annoyed look his way. “Why are you traipsing all over town? Didn’t the doctor say to take it easy for two weeks. It’s only been two days.”
“I know what the doctor said, but it was a beautiful day, and I wanted to escort a beautiful lady home.”
Her eyes softened as she gripped his forearm. “I just want you to take care of yourself. There’ll be time for dancing.”
The concern in her eyes made his stomach flop, and he wanted to kiss those ruddy lips in the worst way. But not while Maggie was in sight. She’d stop at the post office and mention it to Dorcas Wagn
er, who’d report to Myra Landry, who’d make a beeline to Rachel Hadley. Before nightfall, it would be all over half of Nebraska.
As much as he hated it, he’d have to protect Juliette’s reputation with the town’s biddies.
He flicked the reins. Best to change the subject. “How’s it going at the library? Do you like it?”
A deep sigh escaped her lips. “I do like it—and Maggie. She’s very patient, which is good because the Dewey method is so different from the cataloging I learned. And it’s so busy. We had fifty-seven patrons today, most came in on the train to do research. Still I had to find the books they wanted, and I know some of them got annoyed with how long it took me.”
“Yeah, this is the biggest library between the Mississippi and California, or so I’ve heard. A lot of college students come in from all over.”
She stretched her arms overhead and relaxed, inching a bit nearer to him. “I hope I learn to manage before Maggie leaves. There’s no way to get bored, though. That’s the good thing. Before you know it, it’s time to close for the day.”
“That’s what I like about ranch work. You never know what the day’s going to hold, but times flies.” He was glad she found her new job and home agreeable. Worry had nagged him that she’d miss the lush Georgia countryside.
They passed under the Sollano sign, and he pulled the wagon to the side of the rutted road.
She sat up straight, putting some distance between them. “Why did you stop?”
He pointed toward the west, and she turned her head in that direction.
Sunlight streaked through the trees gathered along the river bottom and along the stream snaking toward the south. Beyond that oasis of green, a sea of virgin prairie painted a golden background. “That’s where I want to build our house.” He held his breath, waiting for her reaction.
Escaped (Intrigue Under Western Skies Book 4) Page 12
