Mrs. Darlington’s smile was as wide as any Juliette had ever seen on the nurse’s face. “Annie is making fine progress. As I told you, I’ve worked with women who’ve been violated by men.”
Juliette cringed at that, but Mrs. Darlington didn’t seem to notice. “The trauma can, on rare occasions, paralyze the victim. In this case, Annie’s vocal cords seem to be affected. Or it may be the fear of speaking her feelings that paralyze her. At any rate, I’ve managed to gain her trust enough to answer some questions.”
“Answer questions?” Juliette’s brows rose. “Has Annie spoken?”
“No, but she has written her answer to the first question about her feelings. I asked her to name some of the things she’s loves.” She handed Juliette the slate.
There could be no mistake. She recognized Annie’s handwriting.
I love the way the first rays of the morning sun streak across my bed.
I love the way my kittens circle my skirt when they want to be fed.
I love the way the sparrows sing as they flit from tree to tree.
I love my sister and brothers because they always love me.
“It’s a poem.” The elation in Mrs. Darlington’s voice indicated her excitement over the method Annie used.
“Annie has always enjoyed poetry.”
“It’s the first real breakthrough, Miss Kendal. The first time Annie has communicated her feelings.”
“Do you think she’d communicate this way with me?”
“No, I wouldn’t recommend you try yet. I must be very careful in the emotions I evoke, and you, being her sister, might touch on something that would send her back into her hiding place.”
Juliette nodded her understanding, though she wished she could truly speak to Annie before she left. Mrs. Darlington was right, Juliette’s leaving might in itself send her back. Yet, the nurse had instilled her with hope, and she now trusted the woman.
“Very well. I appreciate all the effort you’re using to help Annie.” She returned the slate to Mrs. Darlington’s hand.
“It’s a long journey, Miss Kendal, but I believe your sister will regain her speech afore too long.” The nurse stood. “I will advise you of any further developments.”
“Thank you. I pray it will be soon.”
How wonderful if Annie regained her voice before Juliette had to return to Georgia. Would Annie think she was abandoning her? She rubbed her suddenly throbbing temple. Now she’d have to formulate some explanation to Annie that she’d understand.
If only Jake would return and help her sort this all out.
But the next few days passed with no word from Jake. Rhyan sent daily telegrams about Carianne’s progress with no mention of Jake, and everyone assumed Jake decided to stay with his boss until Carianne was released from the hospital.
Why did Jake not send Juliette a telegram? A letter? Something? Mr. Ward would soon receive her letter. Her time was running out.
***
Light shone at its brightest from the tiny window near the ceiling of Jake’s seven-by-seven cell. It must be near noon of yet another day in this dank, stinking place. That light was the only evidence of God in this place.
His stomach growled from hunger. They hadn’t brought him his mush and rank fatback today. He ought to get some sleep while he had the lone bed to himself. Later in the night, they’d bring some drunk in who’d vomit all over the covering, forcing Jake to move to the farthest corner. The one adjacent to the iron bars so he could breathe without inhaling the worst of the stench.
The smell of sweat, whiskey, and excrement was overpowering, even now. Nobody ever cleaned the cell. And during the afternoons it got unbearably hot. His wild days had landed him in jail too many times to count, but this was as close to hell as he’d ever been.
The only good thing about this torment was his leg got plenty of rest, and it was growing stronger. In fact, he didn’t bother with the crutch to walk the short distance around the cell.
Nothing but thoughts of Juliette kept him from joining the other inmates and cursing and screaming throughout the day and night. Kept him sane. He pulled up every memory of her from that first time when he’d regained consciousness from having his leg severed in a bear trap. And gazed into her beautiful, clear blue eyes. He recounted and savored each moment, even those when death had hovered over him.
He built onto the memories with imaginations of the future. Building Juliette’s house. Marrying Juliette. Raising a family with Juliette. Ah, his Juliette waited for him. Maybe he should have written her a letter to tell her where he was and why he hadn’t returned, but truth be told, he didn’t want her to know he was in this awful place.
Not that she hadn’t seen him in worse shape. She’d held his head as he retched, bathed his naked chest and shoulders, combed his hair, and even shaved him once when Thad was busy. This was different, though.
A woman as fine as Juliette should never know about such vile things as a jail cell, or that he was in one, even when the reason he was here was noble. He hoped Rhyan hadn’t told the people back in Westerfield. Word would have gotten to her.
Heavy footsteps and clanging keys heralded the jailer, probably bringing him the slop they called a meal and a cup of water.
Sure enough, the hulking giant appeared, breathing hard through bad sinuses, but he didn’t carry a tray. A key ring hung from a ham-sized hand.
He slammed the door open. “Come on, cowboy. Your lawyer is here.”
The lawyer, Sam Jolly, who was aptly named since he laughed at everything, had been by twice without telling Jake anything. He didn’t get his hopes up as he followed the guard.
Jolly leaped from his chair at the small table provided for conferences, jostling the table with his protruding belly. His hand thrust out, and he grinned broadly from above a full beard. If the beard had been white instead of brown and his suit red instead of black, he’d have passed for St. Nicholas.
“Mr. Gresham, I have wonderful news. Mrs. Cason has improved such that Mr. Cason is comfortable leaving her bedside for a while.”
That was good news. Jake sat across from the lawyer. “Did he come with you?” Maybe he was in the outer room, making arrangements to get Jake out of here.
“No, he had to see the railroad authorities, to arrange for their charges to be dropped. Fortunately, they have offices here in the city.”
“How long will that take?”
Jolly’s smile faded. “I’m not sure. He’ll have to petition the prosecutors. There is the inevitable paperwork.”
Jake’s shoulders bunched and his head fell back. “I can’t be released on bail in the meantime?”
“I’m afraid not, but it shouldn’t take long—a couple of days perhaps—sometimes next week at the latest.”
Jake groaned. “That should be long enough to drive me totally insane.”
The lawyer reached inside his coat. “Oh, I did remember to bring your Bible.” He laid the small testament on the table, the same one he’d taken on his scouting trip to Georgia. The one that gave him the words to hang onto when he’d been trapped in the swamp. The one Juliette read to him, giving him the strength to hold on.
He took it eagerly. “Thanks. It’s brought me through some tough times already.”
A sympathetic look crossed Jolly’s face. “I know this is an ordeal, Mr. Gresham, but I promise you there are some important men working on getting you released.”
Jake nodded. Yeah, and the most important one was Jesus Christ. Who could stand against Him?
Chapter 22
Juliette had never been so acutely aware of time, and how quickly it passed. She couldn’t pass a clock without glancing at it. One of her oldest memories surfaced, a precious memory of her mother who had an hour glass marked off in increments of five minutes.
When Mama baked cookies, she’d turn the glass over and tell Juliette to call her when the sand showed twenty minutes had passed. Juliette had stared at the sand as it slowly dropped. Impatient, she’d trie
d to hurry the speed by shaking it once but had only succeeded in slowing it.
Oh, if only she could slow the time now. If only God would delay her arrest until Jake got home.
She was now convinced Mrs. Darlington could restore Annie’s mental health, and that the Casons would take care of her siblings. But what of Jake? This would hurt him most of all because he loved her and rested his future in her.
If she could be assured he’d be all right in the end, she could face anything else.
And maybe Effie could give her some assurance.
She hadn’t been in Westerfield long before all the town gossips had shared all the information about all the people they felt a newcomer should know. And Effie’s story might help her understand how Jake would take the betrayal he was bound to feel.
Effie would be in the nursery this part of the day since it was Davy’s naptime, and more than likely, she was bottle feeding the baby.
She knocked lightly on the door so as not to disturb the sleeping Davy. When Effie opened for her, she found both children asleep, and a book in the nanny’s hand. “Sorry to disturb you.”
“Not at all. Come in. I was reading a bit of Jane Eyre. Have you read it?”
“Yes. It was very good. Could I speak to you for a moment?”
“Of course. I’d love a little chat.” She laughed, setting her bookmark and laying the novel on the table between two matching burgundy leather chairs. “We have at least ten minutes before Master Davy awakes.”
Juliette sat opposite Effie, and wondered how she could bring up such a personal issue out of the blue. She really didn’t know the woman very well, but what she did know gave her confidence she could trust her discretion.
There was no way to be subtle, so she blurted, “Dorcas mentioned you’d broken an engagement and never married.”
Fortunately, Effie wasn’t affronted. She laughed gaily. “And I know Dorcas told you what a mistake I made.”
Juliette smiled, relaxing a little. “I usually ignore Dorcas’s commentary, but I was curious why you haven’t married—and if you ever regret your decision.”
“No. It turned out well for both James and me. We were great friends since childhood, and he fancied himself in love with me. I should never have accepted his proposal in the first place, but everyone was pressuring us. Anyway, as the day approached, I knew it would be a mistake.”
“How did he take it?”
A scowl drew the fine lines on Effie’s forehead together. Juliette guessed she must be somewhere between thirty-five and forty, but was still an attractive woman.
“I’ll be honest. He didn’t take it well. Neither did either of our families. I felt bad about it at the time, but I realized I only wanted to marry for a home and children, and that wasn’t fair to him.”
Juliette bit the inside of her lip. That certainly didn’t apply to her and Jake. “But he got over it?”
Effie nodded. “Indeed, within two years he’d fallen in love with and married the woman meant for him. I became friends with his wife, and when I go back visiting, I always call on them.” She smiled. “You aren’t thinking of breaking your engagement to Jake?”
She slashed the air with her hand. “No—I love Jake with all my heart.” But she had to break the engagement if she were imprisoned. She’d have to give him the freedom to find happiness with another. Effie gave her some hope he could.
Effie reached out and patted her knee. “That’s good, because you know they’ve almost finished yours and Jake’s house.”
“No, I haven’t gone out that way since he left. I wanted to wait until he retuned…so he could show me.” Hopefully, he’d find another woman to take her place in that house. That thought pierced her heart, and she grasped the locket like her inner self refused to let go.
She didn’t want Effie to think her questions related to her situation. “But why haven’t you married, Effie. There are so many eligible men on this ranch.”
Effie threw up a dismissive hand. “Posh, all the eligible men are much younger than I. Besides, I’m quite happy taking care of other people’s children.”
She certainly looked happy.
Little Airy let out a howl, and Effie sprang to her feet. “How can such a tiny baby sound so loud?” She chuckled. “I’ll have to see to her. She’ll wake Davy, and he’ll be asking when his mama and papa are coming home—over and over again.”
That was something Juliette wanted to know as well. And if they would be bringing Jake with them.
Effie trekked toward the cradle, adding over her shoulder. “Airy’s finally gotten used to the goat milk and knows when it’s mealtime. I won’t be long.”
“You have your hands full, so I’ll be going. We’ll talk later.”
As Juliette exited the nursey, she saw Harriet coming towards her in a hustle. Nothing usual in that. Harriet always moved in a hustle.
“There you are, Miss Juliette. I’ve been looking for you. Sheriff Vaughn is downstairs, asking for you.”
Juliette had been expecting this moment. Still, adrenaline shot through her like a bolt of electricity, and she staggered.
Harriet shot out a hand to steady her. “Are you all right, dear? He didn’t come about Jake. I asked. He wouldn’t tell me his purpose, but said it didn’t involve Jake.”
Juliette forced her lips into a reassuring smile. “I know why he’s here. Thank you, Harriet.”
Descending the stairs, she heard voices coming from the parlor. At the bottom, she pulled in a fortifying breath of air and squared her shoulders. Making her way to the parlor, she sent a glance around the elegant furnishing. It was nice living in luxury while it lasted.
She spotted Sheriff Vaughn immediately. Since he dropped in the library often when making the rounds of the town’s businesses, she’d recognize him even without the badge. She didn’t know the man conversing with him, but he wore a badge too. They both turned as she entered the room.
“Miss Kendal, do you know Saul Greer?” Sheriff Vaughn asked.
She furrowed her brows. Having met so many people since working at the library, she couldn’t be sure. “N0, I’m afraid not.”
The strange lawman was several inches shorter than Sheriff Vaughn with salt and pepper hair falling over a broad forehead. His clean-shaven face revealed thin lips and ruddy cheeks. “Sheriff of Wilcox County, Miss Kendal. I knew your pa well. I figure this must be some mistake, but I have orders to bring you back to Georgia.” His warm brown eyes held pity. “I’m sorry.”
“I see, if you’d give me—” She hadn’t notice the lady standing by the hearth, examining a portrait of Oliver and Opal Cason, her back to them. The woman turned.
“Miss Lydee.” Juliette crossed the room and fell into her friend’s embrace. “What are you doing here?” That sounded abrupt, but she wanted to know.
“I couldn’t let you travel with Sheriff Greer unchaperoned. How are you, my dear?”
“I…I’ve been well, and you?”
Sheriff Greer interrupted. “You ladies will have lots of time to talk on the train.”
“The train leaves in less than an hour, Miss Kendal,” Sheriff Vaughn added. “We’ll give you a little time to pack.”
“Yes, of course.” She wouldn’t need to pack much. “Excuse me.” She gave Miss Lydee’s hand a squeeze, and turned.
“I’ll come with you,” Miss Lydee hooked her by the arm. She and Juliette passed the lawmen without a glance.
At her room she opened the door and moved aside for Miss Lydee to enter first.
“Oh, my,” Miss Lydee gushed. “What a beautiful room. What a magnificent house.”
“It is, but I’m going to miss the people more.”
Miss Lydee lifted her hands in a shrug. “You’ll be back. After all, Jake will be waiting.”
Juliette sucked in a breath and strode to her wardrobe. “I wish I had your confidence.” She pulled out a couple of her plainer dresses, tossing them on the bed, then looked through her nightgowns. Would she wi
sh to wear a nightgown in a jail cell? She threw one on the bed, not willing to ask Miss Lydee if it would be needed, although that lady would surely know, since she and her sister helped the sheriff care for the inmates.
“Where is Jake?” Miss Lydee asked.
Juliette closed the wardrobe and sidled around Miss Lydee on her way to the chest of drawers. “Mrs. Cason is recovering from surgery in Chicago. Jake went with Mr. Cason to help him.”
“Then he won’t know?”
No, he wouldn’t know. She shook her head and hugged herself. Oh, how her arms longed to hold him, if only one last time. She’d have to leave him word.
After adding her unmentionables to the pile and pulling her valise from underneath the bed, Juliette turned to Miss Lydee. “Would you pack for me while I write Jake. To explain. I should also write a note for Mrs. Cason about the library, and—” She paused, scanning the room. “All.”
“Go ahead, dear. Take your time. If we miss the train, we can catch the next one. That letter to Jake is more important. I don’t know what he’ll do. I’ve never seen a man more smitten.” She chuckled as she unlatched the valise. “And I’ve known a few smitten men in my day.”
Juliette noted the little French clock on her bedside table. No, the lawmen wouldn’t wait. She had little time to put her feelings on paper. Everything needed spread out over the secretary in her writing nook in front of the window.
She scarcely noted the view outside of the well-manicured front lawn blending into the pastures beyond. Cowboys on horses, chasing cattle, seemingly all the way to the horizon. She dipped the nib into the ink pot, and wrote the first words that came.
A shaft of sunlight shot through the clouds, sending a beam on the turquoise of her locket. She had to make it clear to Jake he was free to stand with her, regardless, or go another way. Find another love to wear this locket. Live in his house. Give him children and build a future together. Forget her, if he wished.
She lifted the locket from around her neck, remembering when she’d put it there and had not taken it off since. Unwittingly, a tear fell on the paper, making the ink smear. She tried to blot it, but made it worse.
Escaped (Intrigue Under Western Skies Book 4) Page 19
