She wanted to believe it.
Jake filled the entryway, making an imposing figure. He still wore his buckskin jacket. He didn’t even acknowledge Emily or Leah. His gaze honed in on Valerie. “You and I need to talk, sis.”
Prickles of unease moved down her limbs. “Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of Emily and Leah.”
“What I have to say to you is private.” He inclined his head toward the kitchen door. “Come on.”
Valerie squared her shoulders. She was not about to be bossed. “What if I refuse?”
Jake’s expression said like he half expected that reply. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulled out a piece of paper. “I have a telegram here from my big brother asking me to look after you till he gets home.” He held it out so Valerie could read it for herself.
Unfolding it, she scanned the message. Sending my bride to JJ. Watch over her for me. Acclimation will be difficult. Make sure she stays put. Will wire funds for her needs soon. BDM
Refolding it, Valerie nibbled her lower lip. What did he mean by “make sure she stays put”? Did Benjamin think she’d run off? Where would she go? Didn’t he know she loved him and couldn’t see a future without him?
Bewildered, she handed the telegram back to Jake.
“On a side note here, we waited for you at breakfast. None of us could figure where you’d run off to. Finally Pa prayed over the food because it was getting cold. You might want to let someone know in the future when you decide to take off like that.”
Remorse fell over her. “My apologies.” She felt bad that everyone waited on her and here she sat at Leah’s house. “I guess I’m not used to being a part of a family.”
“In time you’ll get the hang of it. Now, c’mon.”
“There’s more?”
“There’s a lot more.” He leaned on his cane while holding his hand out to Valerie. “We’ll go talk in Pa’s office.”
Valerie figured there was no harm in a discussion since Benjamin asked Jake to look out for her. She refused to take his hand and brushed by him, waiting for his first move. She gave a single wave to her friends before following Jake down a hallway. They passed three bedrooms before they reached a closed door. Jake opened it and allowed Valerie to enter first.
“Straight down and to your right,” Jake said.
Another hallway and Valerie did as he bid her. Making the turn, she found herself walking onto the platform in the front of the church on which the pulpit stood. The place was cold as its heating source hadn’t been lit. Across the way, she could see another open doorway near the choir loft.
Jake pointed in that direction.
Valerie strode across the distance and entered the quaintly decorated office. Warmth enveloped her, and she spied a glow in the corner wood-burning stove. A braided rug covered much of the scuffed floor. Drawings, obviously made by children, were hung on one wall while a beautiful quilt with a large scarlet cross in its center occupied the space behind a cluttered desk.
“Please, come in and be seated.” Valerie jumped, hearing Reverend McCabe’s voice. He stood before one of the mismatched upholstered chairs arranged off to the side. “Sorry for startling you.”
She replied with a smile. Gathering her skirts, she sat down and folded her hands.
Jake took the chair beside hers, moving his cane out of the way.
“Becca will be joining us shortly,” Reverend McCabe announced. “But she said to begin without her.”
“I’m feeling a bit intimidated.” Not to mention vulnerable, but she didn’t say that aloud.
“We have nothing against you, Valerie. In fact, we’d like to get to know you. You’re family now.” Reverend McCabe had that same disarming manner as Benjamin, and it made Valerie miss her husband more than ever. “We’re also hoping you can help us.”
“Help you? How?”
“Allow me to start.” Jake shrugged out of his jacket. “Last year I had the privilege of riding with General McCulloch’s army.”
“Yes, Benjamin told me.”
“After I got wounded, I was so angry and bitter and consumed with hatred for the Yankees. I wished I could kill every one of ’em.”
Valerie shuddered at the admission.
“Then around Christmastime, things changed for me. God showed me that each man has a soul, and despite his political views, Christ came to Earth and died for him—like He died for me. I was humbled. I realized too that owning another individual, a slave, is just plain wrong. Viewpoints and skin color don’t matter to the Savior. He brought salvation to all mankind.”
“Sounds like Yankee thinking to me.” Valerie grinned and watched as he rubbed his hands together.
“Maybe so. But the point is, when I forgave, I was forgiven. My anger faded. I’m telling you all this because I can spot an angry and bitter person readily enough.”
“Me?” Valerie brought her chin back, shocked. She wasn’t any of those things Jake described.
“No, sis.” His expression softened. “Catherine.”
“Oh . . . ” Valerie’s tension ebbed, and suddenly she felt grateful that the McCabes hadn’t been fooled by Catherine’s subtle belittlements.
Reverend McCabe sat forward. “We’ve talked to Catherine, and now we’d like to hear your side of the story.”
“I see.” Valerie presumed her character had been maligned, and now she had a chance to defend herself.
She spilled the entire story, how it began New Year’s Day when Benjamin brought her to the Elliots and ended that tragic afternoon when her father lay dying in her arms. “I had no idea that he and the Laddens were Federal spies.” She turned to Jake. “Please believe me.”
He nodded. “I do.”
“Are you . . . well, you wouldn’t turn me over to Confederate authorities, would you?”
Sitting back he narrowed his gaze. “I just said I believed you. Now you have to trust me.”
She sent him a tight grin. “Trust doesn’t come easily to me anymore.”
“Understandable, seeing all you’ve been through.” Reverend McCabe wore a tender expression. “But I promise that you will be perfectly safe here. We’ll do everything in our power to see to it.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, getting back to Catherine. Did you know she planned to run away from home?”
“No. She showed up on the steamer, accusing me of cheating her out of her dreams to marry Benjamin and live here in Jericho Junction. She said she was seizing her God-given opportunities. But then she took ill the rest of our journey. I cared for her. Emily helped, of course, but she hasn’t been feeling well herself because of being in the family way.”
Becca walked in, smiled at Valerie, and sat down in the last vacant chair. “Please continue. Don’t let me interrupt. I had to see Sarah off to school and take care of the dishes.”
Reverend McCabe smiled at his wife then inclined his head, and Valerie went on.
“Well, as you may know, we encountered delays because of trouble with the railroad, and Emily and Catherine ran out of money, so I paid the rest of their way and mine.” She quickly amended the statement. “Actually, God provided for all of us. I take no credit for it. I only tell you this because Catherine seemed to be my friend when she needed me. But then she turned on me as soon as we set foot in Jericho Junction. But maybe even the night before then.” Valerie added her suspicions about the pocket watch theft.
“This is all quite troubling, not to mention disappointing.” Reverend McCabe shook his head. “We’ve known Catherine since the day she was born.”
“We’re aware too of her dreams to live out here,” Becca added. “She feels called to teach.” She looked at her husband. “I’m sure you could put a good word in for her at the school. You’re on the board.”
“I can’t do that, Becca. I have a moral obligation to make certain our teachers are upstanding and forthright individuals.” Reverend McCabe shook his head. “I’m afraid teaching is out of the question u
ntil Catherine gets her heart right with God.”
Valerie lowered her gaze. On one hand she felt the consequences were just deserts, but another part of her felt sorry for Catherine.
“Unfortunately, we can’t send her back to New Orleans. The fighting has intensified along the way, and it wouldn’t be safe. She’ll have to stay here, and we’ll all have to help her realize that her jealousy and bitterness might end up destroying her.”
Valerie inhaled a short breath, praying she’d overcome her anger toward Catherine lest it permanently mar her life.
“She mentioned your marriage to Ben being in name only.” Becca’s voice was soft. “Was that the agreement between you and my son?”
“I–I don’t know. I think I was in shock that day. I barely recall the ceremony. But maybe—” She remembered Benjamin’s kisses, which didn’t feel like he meant the marriage to be in name only. She shook her head. “Oh, I don’t know.”
Glancing down, she fingered Mama’s wedding ring, now hers. The sad truth was, if Benjamin didn’t love her, Valerie almost hoped for an annulment. She wouldn’t be able to stand the pain of living day in and day out with him, knowing her love would never be reciprocated.
“My feeling is,” Reverend McCabe said, “that when a man and a woman vow to spend the rest of their born days together, they ought to have a biblical reason not to uphold those vows.”
Valerie looked up and met his stare.
A hint of a smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “Let’s end our meeting in prayer, shall we?”
Closing her eyes, Valerie suddenly felt more confused about her marriage than ever.
***
Evening came, and Sarah couldn’t wait to dress for the St. Valentine’s Day dance. Valerie smiled at her eagerness. She curled and pinned Sarah’s hair before tying it off with pretty pink ribbon. If Adalia were here, she’d have done a far better job, but Valerie thought the style was becoming.
She stared over Sarah’s shoulder and into the mirror. “Who is that gorgeous creature looking back at us?”
“Why, I’m sure I don’t know.” Sarah batted her lashes.
“Hmm . . . well, whoever she is, she’ll be asked to dance the whole night long.”
Sarah scooted around and peered up into Valerie’s face. She frowned. “Only by boys and old men.”
“Never know. Leah said some local soldiers might attend.”
Hopefulness shone on Sarah’s face, and Valerie enjoyed the way her younger friend seemed pleased with her reflection. “Now it’s time to show you off to your family.”
Standing, Sarah held out her skirts and pirouetted. “I’ve never worn a dress this fine in all my born days.”
Valerie replied with a grin and stole a last minute to hang up garments in Sarah’s wardrobe. She glanced around to be sure she hadn’t missed something. This bedroom, which Sarah shared with Catherine, appeared as feminine as could be with its pink and yellow printed paper and white wainscoting that covered the lower half of the walls. All the furniture had been painted white, and the room’s accents were rose, from the covers on the two matching canopy beds to the frilly lacy curtains adorning the tall windows.
“Do you think I look like a wealthy young lady in a big city? Would I have fit in at the balls you attended?”
Valerie returned her attention to Sarah. “New Orleans balls are formal affairs. Elsewhere, I’m not sure.” She refrained from saying that the dress Sarah wore was an everyday silk and nothing remarkable, at least not in Valerie’s former social circles. Still, Sarah would have turned heads because of her flawless peaches-and-cream complexion, startling blue eyes, and her soft blonde hair. Her figure curved in all the right places, and the dress accentuated the fact. “But if you made an appearance at one of the Sunday afternoon socials held at my boarding school, I think every lady there would be green with envy.”
Sarah’s features heightened. “Really?” She ran her hands down the striped skirt.
“I mean it.”
“Then I’m ready to show myself to the world.” She smiled sweetly. “Beginning with my family.”
Valerie followed Sarah downstairs and into the drawing room where everyone waited.
Reverend McCabe stood at once. “Well, now look at you, my little girl.” He seemed a bit sad. “Hardly little anymore.”
“Or a girl, either.”
“I stand corrected.” Her father kissed her cheek.
“You’re beautiful, honey.” Becca hugged her.
Emily and Leah stood by smiling, but Catherine folded her lanky arms and frowned.
“A good Christian woman does not adorn herself in a way that might catch a man’s eye. Her beauty shines from within.”
“I think so too, Catherine.” Sarah glanced down at her attire. “But it’s not wrong for a lady to want to look pretty once in a while. Right, Pa?”
“As long as she’s modest,” Reverend McCabe added, “and conducts herself in a moral, upstanding way, you’re right. I see no harm in wearing a pretty dress.”
“But a dance, Cousin Daniel?” Catherine shook her head. “Shameful things.” She cast a glance at Valerie. “Daddy used to preach against dancing.”
“I know. Your father and I have discussed the topic many times, and I’m of a different persuasion. But I would submit to you, Catherine, that our shindigs aren’t anything like the balls and parties in New Orleans. Tonight, for instance, there’ll be plenty of chaperones about, and no alcoholic beverages will be served.”
Valerie thought that alone made a difference.
“This dance is a chance for townspeople to get out and see one another since the cold winter weather keeps plenty of them isolated.” Reverend McCabe smiled. “We clap and stomp our feet to the fiddlin’, and I must say it gets one’s blood moving again.”
Catherine replied with a prudish jerk of her chin.
Just then Jake hollered from the back of the house. Everyone’s attention turned, and he came in with a hurried limp. “Pa, Ma . . . everybody—”
“What is it?” Becca stepped toward him.
“It’s Luke.” Jake still sounded winded.
Silence filled the room.
“Picked up the telegram at the hotel minutes ago. He’s alive!”
Hoots of happiness erupted from the group. Embraces were plentiful. Leah cried tears of joy and hugged her baby tighter to her.
Becca’s eyes grew misty before she squeezed them shut. “Oh, God, thank You!”
Happiness engulfed Valerie. “I knew Benjamin would find him. I just sensed it all along.”
“You were right.” Emily locked arms with her. “Sometimes I thought Ben’s search for Luke was, to use the cliché, like looking for a needle in a haystack.” She appeared chagrined. “My faith was weak.”
“We all had times of doubt, my dear,” Reverend McCabe said. “I for one prayed for the best and silently feared the worst.”
Jake said, “As far as faith goes, God knows if it’s even a speck—the size of a grain of a mustard seed—it’s still mountain-moving faith.”
Sarah threw her arms around Valerie and jumped up and down, giggling.
“Stop it, silly.” Valerie laughed while being jostled.
“I’m so happy! My brothers are coming home!”
Which meant Benjamin would be home soon. Valerie felt her smile wane, feeling uncertain.
“Hey, now, wait just one minute.” Jake took hold of Sarah’s arm and pulled her toward him. He glanced over her apparel. “Where do you think you’re going, looking like that?”
“Like what?” She tipped her head.
“Like . . . pretty.”
Sarah blushed. “Thanks, Jake. I’m going to the dance.” She moved her hips so her skirt flowed side to side.
“Oh, no, you’re not.” Jake’s eyes flitted to his father. “Pa?”
“She has my permission to go, son. Your mother and I will both be there too.”
Jake narrowed his gaze as he looked back at Sarah. “Ma
ybe I’d best go along as well.”
“No!” Sarah turned to her father. “Tell him he can’t go, Pa. He’ll scare away any gentleman who comes within five feet of me.”
Reverend McCabe chuckled. “Jake’s a grown man. I can’t tell him where he can and can’t go.”
“Then I’ll tell him.” Sarah squared her shoulders and stood up to her brother. “You can’t go. I forbid you to follow me around tonight.”
Jake chucked her under the chin. “Don’t worry, baby sister, you won’t even know I’m there.” He moved toward Catherine. “Will you accompany me tonight?”
“What?” Shock stole over her.
“Come along with me to the dance. I can’t very well show up by myself. With all the single women in Jericho Junction, I’ll be mobbed.”
“You poor thing,” Valerie drawled with a laugh.
He sent her a quelling glance.
Leah set a hand on Catherine’s shoulders. “Go and protect this poor man since I’m not going.”
“I’m not either,” Valerie said.
“Me either.” Emily sounded just as decided.
“Well . . . I—”
“Say no, Catherine,” Sarah begged. Her jaw muscle worked and her cheeks flushed in anger. “I don’t want Jake there to spoil my fun.”
“Hmm.” Catherine eyed Jake. “Perhaps I’d better go along to keep peace between the two of you.”
“There’s the spirit, Catherine.” Jake chuckled.
Valerie hid a smile, but she could feel Emily’s shoulders shake as she laughed.
“Oh, you two—” Becca stepped between them. “Jake, I’m still in awe over the news about Luke. Will you let me read the telegram for myself?”
“Sure, Ma.” He handed over the piece of paper. “Oh, and that reminds me—” He pulled several envelopes from the inside pocket of his jacket. “I picked up the mail too.” A letter arrived for Mrs. Benjamin McCabe.” He held it out to Valerie.
“Let’s all sit down,” Becca said. “Valerie can read us the news from Ben.”
She hesitated, and Becca noticed.
“Forgive me, honey.” She placed a hand on Valerie’s arm. “I’m being presumptuous. Maybe it’s personal and you’d rather not share it.”
Unwilling Warrior Page 22
