“Thank you for the sermon.” Mr. Winters arched a brow. “And it ain’t even Sunday.”
“Oh, now, Ed,” Doris admonished her husband, looking chagrined. “Birds fly and pastors preach.”
Next to Bethany, Luke chuckled. “Amen!”
Paden’s mustache twitched slightly, indicating his mild amusement. Then he slid his chair backward, scraping its legs against the wooden plank floor, and rose. As usual, he’d dressed in a black shirt and trousers, but he’d tied a red bandana around his neck. “If it is any consolation, Señor Winters,” he said, adjusting his gun belt, “I have every intention of finding those cattle rustlers, whoever they are. I gave Clayt my word.”
The man nodded in satisfaction.
Sheriff Montaño turned to Mrs. Winters. “Breakfast was delicious, as always. Please compliment Rosalinda for me.”
“I shall. Thank you, Sheriff.”
With one last nod in Bethany’s direction, he strode purposely for the door and out of the boardinghouse, leaving starry-eyed Trudy Winters gazing in his wake.
Bethany expelled a weary sigh. Would she ever be able to convince the girl to look beyond her romantic fantasies and see God’s plan?
Just then, Ralph Jonas burst into the building wearing a determined expression, which skirted on desperation. His dismal gaze fell on Bethany.
She slowly stood, noticing the mat in his blond, scruffy beard. What did this man want with her now? She couldn’t quell the aversion she felt at the very sight of him. He took care of his children little better than he cared for himself. Mr. Jonas’s ratty, off-white shirt and knee-worn brown trousers looked as though they could use a good scrubbing—or burning.
“’Scuse me, Miss Stafford.” The man sounded breathless. “But I need to speak with you. And, Preacher,” he added, his gaze hardening and moving to Luke, “I’ll thank you to stay out of my way.”
TWO
LUKE ROSE FROM HIS CHAIR. “WELL, GOOD MORNIN’ TO you too, Jonas.”
“I mean it, Preacher. I come here to speak with Miss Stafford…privately. So mind yer own business!”
All humor slipped from Luke’s expression. “Miss Stafford is my business. It’s like I told you before. My brother Jake and I sponsored her—”
“I heard ya then like I hear ya now.”
Jake pushed his chair back and stood. “Look here, Jonas…”
“Maybe Miss Stafford could speak to Mr. Jonas in the lobby,” Mrs. Winters suggested diplomatically. A worried frown crimped her brow. “No need for anyone to lose his temper. We’ll only be a few yards away.”
“That’d be fine.” Mr. Jonas thrust his ham-like hands into the pockets of his dusty coat.
“Providing Beth wants to talk to you,” Jake added, a wary eye on the rancher.
“Beth?” Luke asked. “You want to talk to him?”
“Well…” Glancing up at Luke, she found his blue eyes staring back at her, his golden brows raised in question. She wanted to refuse in case Mr. Jonas proposed again, but then she wondered if there was a problem with one of his children. “I guess it’s all right.” Bethany’s face flushed from being the center of such heated attention.
The muscle in Luke’s jaw worked, but he didn’t argue with her decision. His gaze moved to Mr. Jonas. “I won’t be too far out of earshot.”
Mr. Jonas grunted a reply, and Bethany followed him into the lobby, which really wasn’t anything more than a small extension of the dining room.
He continued his grumbling. “I’m so tired of that man poking his nose into my affairs. This here’s between you and me— nothing to do with him.”
“Luke is merely protecting me.”
“Ain’t got nothin’ to do with protecting.” Mr. Jonas rubbed his stubbly face. “It’s got everything to do with plain selfishness.”
Bethany inhaled sharply at the remark.
“And that brings me to the reason for my visit. I need a wife,” he blurted. “My children need a mama. The Winterses told me their daughter is too young to wed, and I reckon they’re right. She ain’t much older than my girl. The doc just turned me down, so you’re the only one left.”
“I’m flattered.” Bethany couldn’t keep the hint of facetiousness from her tone. Slowly she glanced over one shoulder.
“Luke?”
He stood beside her in a flash. “Trouble, Beth?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.”
“Ain’t no trouble here.” Mr. Jonas pulled himself up to his full height, which still came to just above Luke’s shoulder.
Jake stepped to Bethany’s other side. “What’s this all about, Jonas?”
Before the man could answer, the door to the boardinghouse swung open, and Dr. Annetta Cavanaugh walked in. Her gaze flitted around the group. “Hello.” Her tone sounded as arid as the desert wind.
The men inclined their heads politely, and Dr. Cavanaugh removed her sunbonnet, revealing her light brown hair. It was nearly the same color as Bethany’s, but thicker and with a slight wave to it.
Bethany smiled. “Good morning, Dr. Cavanaugh.”
“Miss Stafford.” The woman’s gaze briefly touched Bethany’s before flitting to the dining room. “I hope I’m not too late for breakfast.”
“Oh, not at all.” Mrs. Winters stood from the table and strode toward the small group in the lobby. “Please come in and sit down, Dr. Cavanaugh. I’ll ask Rosalinda to prepare you a plate.”
“Thank you.”
Bethany watched as the sturdy-framed physician came forward, but then paused in front of Mr. Jonas.
“If I advised you to take that child of yours home and put him to bed, what are you still doing here?”
“I’m a rancher.” Mr. Jonas hardened his gaze. “Not a nursemaid.”
“Little Jeb is ill again?” Bethany’s heart sank. The toddler took ill quite frequently, and she’d taken a turn caring for him, Lorna, and Michael, the three children who weren’t old enough to attend school yet.
“I’ll arrange for some help,” Luke promised.
“Sign me up.” Bethany gave him a smile.
He winked. “You’re top of the list.”
“Just pack your bags and plan on staying, Miss Stafford,” Mr. Jonas declared. “I believe it’s God’s will for you to be my wife. Why else would He have brought you here to Silverstone?”
“To teach school, for one thing.” Luke folded his powerful forearms across his broad chest.
Bethany took a step closer to him. “I must properly refuse your…um, kind offer of marriage, Mr. Jonas. I’m sorry. But I feel I’m called to be part of the McCabes’ ministry. It’s an answer to my prayers as well as theirs.”
“Doc, how ’bout you? Won’t you reconsider? I’m a reasonable man at home. I promise.”
“No!” Dr. Cavanaugh raised her chin.
“Look, Jonas,” Jake said, “you can’t just go around town asking women to marry you.”
“Yer right, McCabe. Them women got hearts of stone.” His beady eyes rested on Dr. Cavanaugh then Bethany, who resisted the urge to wither under his glower.
Dr. Cavanaugh obviously wasn’t cowed. “The ladies in this town have been very generous. They’ve sacrificed time with their own families to tend to yours, Mr. Jonas. Now take that child home and try acting like a man and owning up to your responsibilities instead of looking for someone else to do it for you.”
“Why, you…” Mr. Jonas lifted his hand, and Bethany was sure he’d strike Dr. Cavanaugh.
But then Jake stepped between them. “Don’t you dare lay a hand on this woman.”
“Get out of my way, McCabe. I don’t care if you’re a preacher or not.”
Jake didn’t budge.
Luke put his hands on Bethany’s shoulders and steered her back into the dining room.
Dr. Cavanaugh followed Bethany.
“Trudy, run and fetch the sheriff.” Mr. Winters stood with hands on hips, eyeing the men in the lobby area. “I don’t want trouble here.”
&n
bsp; “Yes, sir.” The girl quickly skirted around the men and ran out of the boardinghouse.
“Let’s sit down and drink our coffee.” Mrs. Winters’s gaze moved to Dr. Cavanaugh. “While you were talking to Mr. Jonas, I spoke to Rosalinda, and she’ll be in shortly with your breakfast.”
“Thank you.” Pulling out a chair, Dr. Cavanaugh sat down and arranged her dark brown skirt. Her blouse was an eggshell color with a high neck, and on it she wore a colorful broach. She appeared so calm while the trouble continued to brew in the lobby. Bethany couldn’t help overhearing.
“I tell you that woman is nothing but trouble,” Ralph Jonas said about Dr. Cavanaugh. “Hear how she spoke to me so disrespectful like? She needs a man to put her in her place.”
Bethany’s hand flew to her lips as Mr. Jonas attempted to enter the dining room. Jake stopped him easily enough.
“Why, I’ve never seen Ralph Jonas so prickly,” Mrs. Winters remarked.
“Oh, he and I have gone around once before. In my office. He raised his hand to me then too, but he never struck me.” Dr. Cavanaugh’s hand shook slightly as she sipped from her porcelain coffee cup.
“What would you have done if he had?” Bethany couldn’t seem to quell her curiosity.
“I would have probably shot him dead. I keep a small pistol on me at all times.”
Mrs. Winters gasped.
“The sheriff can’t protect me all the time.” Dr. Cavanaugh pressed her lips together for a moment. “A woman has to learn to protect herself.”
Bethany thought a shadow of fear had crept across Dr. Cavanaugh’s features. What had happened in this woman’s past to make her so…hardened?
“It’s a good thing you didn’t kill Ralph Jonas,” Mrs. Winters said, “because I hate to think of all his children being orphaned.”
“Might be better for them.” Dr. Cavanaugh’s cup rattled against the saucer as she set it down. “The man is an unfit parent.”
Bethany silently agreed. The man’s older children, particularly the boys, came to school unkempt. In many ways, Ralph Jonas reminded her of her own tyrannical father. He didn’t have a nurturing bone in his body. Hard work meant everything—except when it came to Bethany’s stepmother. She lounged around, reading books all day while Bethany served her, took care of the children, milked cows, mucked out the stalls, weeded gardens, canned preserves, cooked, cleaned…her chores were never-ending.
But then Luke came to Milwaukee to visit Sarah. He wanted to make Sarah the new teacher in Silverstone, but God orchestrated things so she had to remain in Milwaukee. Then, after meeting her at the Navises’s farm, Luke offered the position to Bethany. It seemed like a dream come true.
Until she arrived in Silverstone and met the stark reality of her new existence. She breathed in deeply. Next spring couldn’t come soon enough.
“Right now two-year-old Jeb lies in the back of Ralph Jonas’s wagon, sick with a fever.”
The physician’s remark pulled Bethany from her thoughts.
Dr. Cavanaugh sipped her coffee again, and tiny creases formed around her hazel eyes as she frowned. “I checked on him before I came into the boardinghouse. He’s sleeping, and the wagon is parked in the shade. I plan to care for him myself after I have a bite to eat.”
“Mighty kind of you, Doctor.” Mrs. Winters gave her an approving smile.
“But you see, I can’t make caring for the Jonas children a habit, or I’ll never get anything accomplished.”
Bethany spoke up. “I’ll help you once school is through today. Perhaps I can even dismiss the children earlier than usual.”
“That would be a help, Miss Stafford. Thank you.”
She smiled at the doctor.
Ralph Jonas obviously heard the offer from his stance in the lobby. “And plan on staying,” he called. “Mebbe one of these preachers’ll marry us after you make supper tonight.”
Dr. Cavanaugh and Mrs. Winters both turned to Bethany. She fought back the insult and disgust she felt at his crudeness. Slowly rising, she felt forced to take a stand. “I think not, Mr. Jonas. Thank you all the same. I will not marry you. Hear me? I will not.”
“That remains to be seen.”
Bethany’s shoulders sagged in a weary sigh.
“Obstinate old fool,” Mrs. Winters muttered.
“Look, Jonas,” Luke interjected, “under the circumstance, I don’t believe it’s a good idea for Beth to watch your kids and make your supper this evening after all.” He faced Dr. Cavanaugh. “Sorry, ma’am, but I’ve got to be up at the Whitakers’ today.”
“I understand. I’ll find another woman to help me today.”
Gratefulness enveloped Bethany. She’d hate to be on the Jonas farm without another man’s protection. No telling what Mr. Jonas was capable of doing in his desperate state.
She glanced at the timepiece pinned to her bodice. “I’m afraid you will all have to excuse me. I must run along or I’ll be late, and that will set a bad precedent.” She stood and glanced into the lobby. The sheriff had arrived, and young Trudy stood in the center of the throng.
Shaking her head, Bethany walked to the lobby and took hold of Trudy’s elbow. “Time for school.”
“Do I have to go?” She eyed Sheriff Montaño. “This is ever so much more interesting.”
Bethany gave her a yank. “School.”
“Mama!” Trudy looked for a backup.
“Mind your teacher, dear. I’ll send Rosalinda with your lunch.”
Bethany sent Mrs. Winters a grateful smile before propelling Trudy out the door.
Outside, the dusty air swirled on a light breeze. Bethany couldn’t help but peek in on Jeb as they passed the Jonas wagon. His eyes were closed, and he lay unmoving on a blanket. Lorna, his sister, sat holding baby Michael.
“You’re doing a good job, Lorna.”
A smile spread across the little girl’s dirt-stained face.
Putting her hand on Jeb’s chest, Bethany felt that he was still breathing. She placed her hand on his hot forehead and sent up a prayer that God would heal this little boy soon—and find him and his siblings a mother, one who could handle the likes of both them and Ralph Jonas.
Gathering her skirts, she moved away from the wagon, although it took every ounce of her will. She hated leaving the children alone in the wagon. But Mrs. Winters would likely come for them soon.
Meanwhile, Bethany’s students awaited her. “Come on, Trudy, let’s go or we’ll be late.”
“Hold up, Beth.” Luke strode from the boardinghouse and ran down the steps from the porch. “I’ll walk you and Trudy to the schoolhouse.”
“Thank you, Luke.” She glanced back at the wagon.
“And don’t worry about the Jonas kids,” he said as if reading her thoughts. “It’ll work out.”
Luke offered his arm, and his blue eyes met Bethany’s gaze. Her heart did a little flip as she slipped her hand around his elbow. It occurred to her then that Luke McCabe would be the only thing she’d miss when she left Silverstone.
Annetta Cavanaugh tried desperately to quell the fear mounting inside of her. Memories flashed before her. Gunfire. Gregory lying dead near the brick fireplace. Then the blow across the face that knocked her senseless. The killer’s leering grin. His hands on her body. Her screams that no one could hear splitting the night. Oh, God! Oh, God!
“Dr. Cavanaugh?”
Annetta wrestled from the grip of her past and stared into Mrs. Winters’s surprised face.
“Are you all right, dear? Why, you’re trembling.”
“I–I’m fine. I must have caught a chill.” She’d thought for sure she’d buried the past with Gregory and her dreams of becoming his wife. Then she’d sealed that coffin by coming out West to work as a doctor in Silverstone and starting a new life.
“Caught a chill?” Mrs. Winters eyed her speculatively. “Hmm...if you say so.”
Annetta realized the folly of her remark. Not many folks caught chills in this dreadful heat, unless they wer
e ill, of course.
She sighed and glanced over her shoulder. She wished Ralph Jonas would leave peaceably now. As much as she hated to admit it, he’d frightened her this morning with his forceful marriage proposal and then lifting his hand to her—
“Señor, you go now,” the sheriff said. “These women here, they do not want to marry you. Do not humiliate yourself further.”
Annetta winced. Would the sheriff’s rebuff only anger Jonas all the more? She walked to the windows and stared through the stiff white café curtains at the dirt street. This town wasn’t anything like Parkersburg—and that’s what she’d wanted. A place where nothing and no one would remind her of the horrors she’d suffered.
Except one ornery man seemed to accomplish the feat in seconds.
“Dr. Cavanaugh?”
She felt a hand on her shoulder and whirled around. Her back to the windows, she found herself staring at a metal shirt button until she lifted her gaze higher and higher still. Suddenly she found Jacob McCabe’s arresting brown eyes staring into hers.
“Pardon me, but…” He appeared chagrined. “Ralph left peaceably but asked if he could drop the boy off at your office.”
Annetta willed herself to relax. She needed to remember she was the physician in this town. Unemotional. Detached. Competent. “Yes, of course. I’ll care for Jeb today—as well as Lorna and Michael too, I suspect.”
“Actually, Mrs. Winters said she could mind the other two if you’d tend to the sick boy.”
“Fine.” Rubbing her palms on her dark brown skirt, she wished the good reverend wouldn’t stand so close, but, oddly, she felt safer than scared in his shadow. “Well, I’d best get back to the office if Mr. Jonas means to drop off his little boy.”
“I’ll walk over with you, seeing as I’m going that way anyhow.”
“That’s not necessary, Reverend.”
“I know.” A little grin tugged at his mouth. “But I aim to do it anyway.”
“Suit yourself.” It wouldn’t do to let him know how grateful she was for his presence. She had to prove herself better than any man in this town, which meant she couldn’t let memories disable her—
An Undaunted Faith Page 3
