by Barbara Goss
“No. You Steeles think you can buy people. Well, you can’t buy me.”
Ross noticed McKenna was missing a chunk from the fatty part of his right hand. “I’m speaking for Joanna: she isn’t interested. A woman has a right to change her mind, and I am offering to pay for her fare plus a bit more for your inconvenience.”
McKenna threw his head back and laughed. “No, you’re trying to get rid of me so Jared can have Joanna.”
Ross stood. “Good luck with trying to persuade Joanna. Her mind’s made up.”
McKenna opened the door for Ross. “I made the mistake of drinking to calm my nerves before meeting her. I’m ashamed of my behavior, and I aim to show her I can be a gentleman.”
“I’m afraid you’ll both be disappointed, then. Good night, McKenna.”
“Good morning, Joanna,” Amelia said as she pulled a dining room chair out for her. “I’ll have Flora bring your breakfast out.”
“Thank you.” Joanna wondered at the overly cheerful greeting. Most days, Amelia and Ross ate in relative quiet. “You’re very cheerful this morning.”
“I had a good night’s sleep.” Amelia poured tea into Joanna’s cup. “So, what are your plans for today?”
“I finished more baby clothes, and I plan on taking them to the church.”
“Why don’t we take them on Sunday? We can help you carry them that way.
“They aren’t that heavy.”
Ross cleared his throat. “It’s only two days until Sunday. Why, by then you could probably make a few more. I hear the Coopers out on the Old Creek Road are having their seventh child any day now. They’ll be needing baby clothes and maybe some toddler things, too.”
“I didn’t know that. Thank you, Ross. I’ll go to the general store and get more material, then.”
“If Ross doesn’t mind me coming in late today, I’d love to accompany you,” Amelia said. “I’m looking for a new reticule and some accessories.”
Ross said, “Of course, dear. Take your time.”
Joanna smiled. “I’d love to have you accompany me.”
Amelia accompanied Joanna to the general store each morning before going to the hotel, hoping to hear some gossip. They heard plenty, but none of it pertained to Jared and Rebecca until the fourth day of the week Jared had left for Russell.
Joanna sifted through the materials, unable to decide on the right texture for a toddler's dress, when Amelia joined her.
“I still can’t find a decent reticule, and their accessories are somewhat blah. I guess I’ll have to resort to ordering from a catalog since Ross said we can’t travel to Kansas City right now. They have a fantastic selection there.”
Joanna didn’t look up from her textures. “Are the reticule and accessories for a special occasion?”
“No, I guess I’m just tired of the ones I have.”
“Shh,” Joanna said, grabbing ahold of Amelia’s arm. “It’s the same two women I heard last time.”
Joanna peeked around the rolls of material to see them standing by the bonnets. It was exactly where they'd stood the last time. She and Amelia moved closer to listen, hiding behind the rolls of cloth.
“My Harmon saw Joe Davenport and a saloon woman coming from the McPhersons’ barn around midnight night before last.”
“Oh, dear! Do you think his wife knows?”
“Millicent? Heaven’s no. She’d clobber him.”
Joanna and Amelia covered their mouths to stifle a laugh.
“What’s this town coming to?”
“Mercy, I don’t know. What’s your news? You said it was something really big.”
“You won’t believe this, but Irma Harding was sure she saw Rebecca Johnson inside a buggy last week. The buggy had curtains, but she saw her pull them aside and peek out.”
“Peek? How can she be sure it was Rebecca from a peek? And if it was her, where is she now?”
“No one knows. I’ve checked around and no one else has seen her.”
“Do you know where the buggy was headed?”
“It rode through town to the north.”
“Who lives in that direction?”
“Sawyers, Coopers, Wilsons, McKenna, Robins, and Meyers.”
“I hardly think she knows any of those people. Didn’t she live at the boarding house?”
“She did, and as far as I know, she had no friends other than Jared Steele.”
“Oh, we all know that.”
“Yes, we do.”
“Could she be visiting Steele, do you think?”
“I don’t know where he lives now.”
“Hmm, let’s see. It was over six months ago that she told everyone she was…you know. She's either birthed or is nearing birth time. Where would she go?”
“I think we need to visit Martha Goodman. Being the owner of the boarding house, she always knows everything about her renters.”
“Good idea.”
“Are you buying that bonnet?”
“No, I’m no longer in the mood to shop. I’ll come back for it another day.”
Their voices faded as they walked away.
Amelia and Joanna exchanged surprised looks.
Joanna spoke first. “Do you think this Rebecca is really back in town?”
“I don’t know.” Amelia looked deep in thought. “You don’t suppose this has anything to do with Jared’s trip to Russell, do you?”
“Definitely not. He told me he was going there weeks ago. He wouldn’t have a thing to do with that woman, anyway.”
Joanna turned to walk back to the cloth samples when Amelia touched her arm. “Did you know that Jared hired a man to check on McKenna’s whereabouts each night?”
Joanna swung around. “I didn’t know that.” She smiled. “He’s such a caring man.”
“He's worried about McKenna trying to do you harm, I guess.”
Joanna simply smiled.
“You care for him, don’t you?” Amelia asked.
Joanna didn’t want to reveal her feelings so she remained silent.
Chapter Ten
Bradley McKenna rolled over in bed and put his arm around the blonde lying beside him. “So, what will you do now?”
She stretched. “I still want to marry a Steele.”
“You could go for the old man. Heck, he’s got one foot in the grave already—he’s gotta be sixty.”
“That’s just it. I like my romantic romps, too.”
Bradley sighed. “You want it all, don’t you?”
“Why not?” she purred.
He ran his fingers up and down her arm. “A pig farmer’s not good enough?”
“No. You aren’t nearly rich enough. Besides, you sent for your mail order bride right after I accused Jared Steele for my so-called condition.”
“I happen to like my romantic romps, too, but I need to marry again and start a family.”
“I hope it works out for you. I'll really miss our romantic interludes.”
“I never was one for faithfulness. We could still see each other somewhere…while you go after the old man.”
“It’s a thought.” Rebecca tapped her chin. “That Jared's a strange fellow. I tried to seduce him several times and each time he backed away.”
“Go after the old man.”
“I doubt he’d give me the time of day after I accused his son like I did.”
“He doesn’t know Jared really didn’t impregnate you, so maybe he’d be sympathetic.”
“Maybe. So, how are you progressing with the mail order bride?”
“Miss Joanna didn’t like my drinking. That’s why I’ve quit. Since you aren't interested, I’ll get her back.”
“Didn’t you say she was living with Ross Steele and his wife?”
“I did.”
“Is she pretty?” Rebecca asked.
“Very. She reminds me of my late wife. I could easily fall in love with her.”
“I’m surprised Jared Steele hasn’t put his brand on her yet.”
“T
hey’re friends, but I seriously don’t think it’s more than that.”
“How do you know?”
“I followed Miss Rodgers to his place one day. They sat at the table and had tea. He left the door open the whole time. Jared never comes to town to visit her, either.”
“So, why the gunfight that took off half your hand?”
“He was just being protective, I guess.”
Rebecca stretched and yawned. “I need to make myself known again. I need to show myself in town. How do I explain where the baby is?”
“Easy. The upset Jared Steele caused made you miscarry.”
“Oh, that’s good, Brad.” She lay back with her arms behind her head. “You’re good. In fact, if you were rich, I’d just stay here. I quite like a lot of things about you.” She turned and rolled over to face him. “Especially this.” Rebecca wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.
Joanna tied off a thread and set the baby nightgown aside. She’d finished four of them that day. Someone’s baby would stay warm that winter. Joanna thought she might have time to sew one more nightgown, and she reached for more material. Someone knocked on the door. She dropped the piece of flannel, stood, and walked to the foyer. Joanna reminded herself to be careful: no one ever visited during the day.
She went into the sitting room and pulled the drapes aside, peeked at the front of the house to see Bradley McKenna, dressed in a suit and string tie and carrying a bouquet of flowers. Joanna sighed. She didn’t know what to do. It appeared he'd come in peace. She wouldn’t allow him to enter the house, of course, but she really should acknowledge him by going outside and talking with him.
Joanna unlocked the door, opened it, and slipped out. “What can I do for you, Mr. McKenna?”
He nodded. “Miss Rodgers.” He held out the flowers. “Can we talk for a moment?”
“Of course.” She led him to the garden at the side of the house where several stone benches overlooked a gorgeous garden. Joanna sat and waited for him to do the same.
She took the flowers and smelled them. “You shouldn’t have, but daisies happen to be my favorite flower. Thank you.”
“I haven’t had a drop to drink since the gunfight. I really want to do this right. I botched everything up by drinking to steady my nerves when we first met.”
Joanna scripted her words carefully. “You also said you were twenty-eight and that you were a rancher.”
“I may have exaggerated my age; I’m forty-one. I do have a ranch. A pig ranch.”
Joanna smiled at the term. “I’m not a gold-digger, Mr. McKenna. You could have told me the truth. The fact is, you lied, and that tells me more than I need to know about your character.”
“If I can quit drinking, I sure as…um…heck can quit lying, too.”
“But it’s there in your nature. It can’t be turned on and off like a lamp.”
Joanna watched his face change from hopeful to angry. “I will have you. I brought you here, and I aim to marry you. If I can’t do it the polite way, I’ll have to do it another way.”
Joanna felt threatened by his tone of voice and the look in his eyes and she backed away from him. “What do you mean? Are you threatening me?”
“I saw you going to Jared Steele’s cabin alone. His reputation in town is soiled enough, but when this gets around, you’ll both be recluses.”
“We left the door open. Jared and I are friends.”
“Tell that to the town folks. They already know what Jared Steele is capable of.”
Joanna stood and put her hands on her hips. “Are you blackmailing me?”
“I guess I am. Now, when can I arrange a date for the reverend to marry us?”
“When your pigs fly,” she said, and she ran out of the garden, up the front steps, into the house, and bolted the door behind her.
That night at dinner, Ross announced sourly, “My father now has an opponent for the mayor’s race, and you’ll never guess who it is.”
“Who?” Amelia asked.
“Bradley McKenna.”
Joanna choked on her soup and started to cough. Amelia went over to her and slapped her on the back. “Are you all right?”
She managed to nod and drink a sip of water. Should she tell them about McKenna having threatened her?
It was all her fault. She was foolish to have visited Jared at his cabin and now it might cost his father the election and what was left of Jared’s reputation. Joanna felt ill.
Ross and Amelia stared at her with concern. She had to say something.
“I’m just tired. I sewed too many baby gowns today.” She pushed her soup bowl away and stood. “Please excuse me. I need to turn in early.”
Once in her room, she undressed and crawled into bed. She was sure McKenna would use what he knew against Joseph Steele in the election. She’d met the elder Steele a few times, and she liked him. He was outgoing like Ross but kind and considerate like Jared.
What was she to do? She had to wait for Jared to return so she could ask his advice. Would she have to marry McKenna to save the Steele family? The very thought of it turned her stomach.
Joanna suffered through three days of tortuous thoughts before Jared finally showed up one evening. She was in the sewing room at the rear of the house having just finished the hem she was working on when she heard Jared’s voice. Her heart jumped in her chest at the sound. She put her sewing on the table and walked to the front foyer where he was standing with Ross and Amelia.
Jared smiled at her, and she smiled coyly back.
“Welcome home,” she said.
“It’s good to be back,” he said. He turned to Amelia. “I’d love to stay for dinner. Thank you for asking, but I must leave right afterward. I have something tied up outside.”
“What is it?” Amelia asked, running to the door. After peering out she said, “Oh, Jared! It’s adorable.”
Ross and Joanna rushed to the door behind her to see a darling puppy, tied to the porch pillar.
“You have a dog!” Ross exclaimed. “You sure need one out there in the wilderness.”
Jared smiled. “Exactly what I thought when I saw him. I haven’t named him yet.”
Joanna stepped out and stooped down to pet the dog. “May I?”
“Of course. He’ll be a good watchdog someday.”
Joanna stroked his head lightly. “Hello, puppy. My, but you’re a handsome one.” She looked up at Jared. “What’s his breed?”
“He’s a half German Shepherd and half collie.” Jared smiled. “The farmer I bought him from claims he’ll be a good watch dog as well as a gentle companion. It does get lonely out in that cabin.”
“You need a wife, not a dog,” Ross said.
Jared opened his mouth as if to reply, but Amelia interrupted. “Dinner’s ready. Let’s go in.”
During dinner, Joanna tried to think of a way to get Jared alone so she could tell him about McKenna’s threat, but she didn’t quite know how to go about it. She kept giving Jared looks she hoped conveyed that she needed to talk to him.
He must have taken the hint because after dinner he asked, “Joanna, would you like to accompany me in taking the dog for a walk around the property?”
Joanna flashed a quick smile in lieu of an answer. She pushed away from the table, and they walked to the front door together.
Once Jared had the dog tied to the leg of the stone bench in the garden, the two sat down. “What’s on your mind, Joanna?”
Joanna's words seemed to pour out. “McKenna came to see me a few days ago. He saw me going into your cabin, and he’s threatening to tell everyone unless I marry him. Now, he’s running for mayor against your father. He’s sure to use this against him and us. What should I do?”
“Calm down.” He put his arm around her and pulled her close with her head resting on his chest. “He can’t harm me or my father. He’s the town drunk, for goodness sake.” He rubbed her arms. “He can’t hurt us.”
“But he saw me going into
your cabin.”
“My only worry now is your reputation. I think we only have one solution, but I’m not sure you’ll agree to it.”
“What?” she asked.
“If you and I married, it might stop all the gossip, and it would leave McKenna with nothing.”
Joanna’s heart beat a bit faster. She pulled away from him and stared. Was he serious? Jared Steele: her husband? Why not? She loved him, and she was sure that, in time, he would come to love her, too.
“It really would solve all our problems. We’re friends and fond of each other, and I’m willing.”
“And,” Jared added, “in time, maybe we could…you know…become more than that.”
The warmth in his eyes told her it was true. They were halfway there because she already loved him.
“Let’s do it, then.”
“Are you sure you don’t need to think about this? We'll need to act quickly.”
“No. Is tomorrow too soon?”
Jared laughed. “A bit, but I’ll get the ball rolling. I’ll go to the courthouse and get a license.”
Joanna smiled up at him. “I think this calls for another friendly hug.”
Jared pulled her close and hugged her. “A kiss would really seal the deal.”
She looked up at him and nodded.
He took her lips gently and kissed her tenderly.
Chapter Eleven
Jared’s head spun when she returned his kiss. He had initially meant for the kiss to be brief, to seal their arrangement, but when she put her arms around his neck and moved the kiss to deeper depths, he knew he loved Joanna and their marriage would soon become real. He knew she was fond of him but could she come to love him? The situation called for them to find out.
He certainly hadn’t planned to marry, or start a relationship, but with McKenna threatening her, he had to protect her. Seeing her so upset had changed his mind about everything.
Little did McKenna know, the situation into which he'd put Joanna—becoming Mrs. Steele—would be the one to take her from him forever.
Jared finally and reluctantly ended the kiss. “I think we made the right decision.”
