Jake's Honor (Cowboys 0f Coulee Crossing; Romancing The West Book 1) Read online

  14

  Jake could have gotten any of his brothers to take Connie to the fort. But he didn’t. He’d given his word and meant to keep it even though every moment spent with Connie was filled with disappointment that hurt far more than he could have imagined. It made his bruised ribs seem like nothing more than the brush of butterfly wings in comparison.

  Hadn’t he seen this coming and warned himself not to get too fond of the pair?

  “Nothing lasts forever.” He hadn’t meant to speak the words aloud, but there was no pulling them back.

  “There is one thing.” She spoke so calmly he looked at her.

  From the peaceful look on her face, he had to accept that this was exactly what she wanted. He’d hoped for sadness, second thoughts, some reluctance.

  Instead, she looked eager, happy to be gone.

  Just when he thought the pain couldn’t get any worse, it deepened

  She smiled. “God’s love is forever. Eternal. Never changing.”

  He nodded. “I guess that’s so.” Somehow the knowledge didn’t do anything to alleviate the loneliness that threatened to engulf him.

  “I started reading Celia’s Bible yesterday and found great comfort in Psalm Twenty-seven.”

  Seeing as she was getting what she wanted, he wondered why she needed comfort. Of course, the path ahead for her, raising a child not hers, would be challenging.

  He settled into a glum silence. The wagon trundled onward. Megan gurgled and played happily on Connie’s lap. Jake tried to close his ears to her happy sounds, tried not to see her out of the corner of his eyes. Especially tried not to acknowledge how sorely he would miss them both.

  Willow Creek came in sight. He had never been so glad to see the little town.

  A wagon came toward them carrying a young man and woman and a load of household belongings. A cow followed, tied to the wagon. As they drew abreast, they both reined in.

  Jake introduced himself. “I’m one of the Hoopers from Coulee Crossing Ranch.” He introduced Connie and Megan. “They’ve been visiting but are on their way back to the fort.”

  The couple gave their name as Johnson. Mr. Johnson said they were headed south. “Got a job working on a ranch down there.”

  “Is that a milk cow?” Connie asked.

  “It certainly is.” Mrs. Johnson chuckled. “Can’t imagine being without milk and cream. Besides, we’ll be having a little one soon.” She colored up, embarrassed by the admission.

  “Very wise of you to bring the cow. Megan hasn’t had milk in weeks. I worry she might suffer for the lack.”

  The worry in Connie’s voice jabbed at Jake’s conscience. Audrey had long asked for a cow. He should have gotten one for her. Made sure Megan got the milk she needed.

  “I have milk you can have.” At her nod, Mr. Johnson got down and pulled a jar of milk from a crock filled with water. The milk would be fresh kept under those circumstances.

  Mr. Johnson handed the jar to Connie.

  “I don’t have anything with me to put the milk in.”

  “Keep the jar. I can replace it.”

  “Thank you. That’s very generous.” She took off the lid and held the jar to Megan’s mouth. The baby drank eagerly.

  “Best of everything,” Jake said as they continued on their journey. He waited until they were out of earshot to say, “That was kind of them, but I’m glad to hear they aren’t homesteaders.”

  “Why? What difference does it make?”

  “Homesteaders break land and fence it. Get enough of them in here and it will put an end to open range.”

  “Seems to me there’s enough land for everyone. After all, they want a share of it too.”

  He allowed that was so but rested his elbows on his knees and stared at the back end of the horses. Fitting view for the mood he was in.

  They stopped in front of the store that also served as post office. Despite the size of the town, the store did a thriving business as it was where travelers left the Fort Benton-Calgary Trail to cross the open plains. This was the last place for people to stock up for the trip. Next to the store was the original stopping house—a crude building where travelers could find a place to stay and food and water for their horses and cattle. On the other side of the store was the NWMP outpost building.

  Jake thought of letting the Constable know about Mr. Howard but there was no horse in front of the building. The Mountie was likely out patrolling.

  His gaze slid past the few other businesses before he turned his attention back to the wagon. He helped Connie down. “We’ll take a break here before we head for the fort.” He escorted her into the store. She’d already met Burnsie, the old trapper who had taken over the store before the Hoopers moved to the area. The man had a leathery face lined with years of experience. His hair and his beard were as white as snow, but his blue eyes were as sharp and clear as anyone’s. Jake wondered if Connie had heard Burnsie’s story.

  “Ah, I didn’t expect to see the pair of ya so soon.” The storekeeper eyed Connie and Megan then turned to Jake. “Thought theys might stay.”

  “I’m going to Fort Macleod,” Connie said, smiling her pleasure.

  Jake resisted an urge to grind his teeth. “I’d like to place an order.”

  Connie looked at various items as he dealt with the order Audrey had sent. She lingered at a display of books, chose a children’s one, and turned the pages.

  It gave Jake an idea. He leaned close to whisper to Burnsie, “Put that book on our bill. I’ll take it with me.”

  “Ah, the little gal will love it, she will.”

  “I’ll pick up the order when I return.”

  “And when might that be, eh?”

  “A day or two. However long it takes to get Miss Sewall settled at the fort.”

  “Ah, so be it.” He waved them away as if he’d had enough of them.

  Jake took the storybook as he left, tucking it into his jacket. He helped Connie and Megan to the seat and climbed up himself. They resumed the journey. But at least he had two things to help pass the time.

  “Did you ever hear about Burnsie?”

  “I only met him today and the day I arrived. He helped me arrange a ride out to the ranch.”

  He wasn’t going down that conversation trail. “He was a trapper most of his adult life. To hear him tell it, most of his childhood as well. Says he ran his first trapline when he was nine years old.” He chuckled. “I don’t know whether I should believe that or not.”

  “Is he given to telling fibs?”

  “Not exactly. But he likes to make a story bigger than it is.” He slanted a smile at Connie. “For the sake of a good tale.”

  “Of course.” She chuckled.

  Jake continued. “He tells all sorts of wild tales. Says he was mauled by a bear. I have reason to believe it’s true. He showed me the scars.”

  “That’s awful.”

  He grinned. “What? Seeing the scars?”

  “No, silly. Being mauled.”

  “Scars weren’t great to look at either.” He managed to sound a little confused.

  She squinted at him and must have seen he was teasing, because she laughed. “If you say so.”

  “None of his adventures slowed him down, but one winter he fell through an ice bridge. Didn’t realize he was on one. Says he fell thirty feet. Broke his leg. Was in horrible pain, but he knew no one was going to come looking for him. He dragged himself to some trees, built a shelter and a fire, and passed out. According to his telling, he fashioned a crutch and dragged himself back to his shack where he spent the rest of the winter living on beans and coffee. He limped out come spring and has never gone back.”

  “My goodness. It’s a wonder he survived. I did notice he has a bad limp.”

  Megan began to fuss.

  “Is she hungry?” Audrey had sent food enough for the day.

  “I’ll give her a biscuit.” Connie reached back to the basket and got one. She gave Megan another drink of milk. But even afte
r her snack, Megan kicked her legs and whined.

  “I have something that might help her pass the time.” He pulled the book out and handed it to Connie.

  “You got this at the store?”

  “I saw you looking at it.”

  “Thank you. That’s very kind of you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Shouldn’t her gratitude mean more than it did? But he didn’t want it to be seen as a good-bye gift. He wanted to have the right to buy gifts anytime he felt like it.

  Connie held Megan so she could see the beautiful illustrations in the book and read her the little poems. Soon the sound of Connie’s voice, Megan’s gurgles, and Connie’s occasional chuckle soothed Jake’s disappointment and he settled back to enjoy what might be his last trip with them.

  Connie slowly closed the book. “She’s fallen asleep.” She shifted Megan in her arms.

  They traveled in silence for the better part of half an hour before Megan stiffened and cried.

  Jake glanced at the sky. “Noontime. We’ll stop to eat.”

  “Good. Megan needs to move around some.”

  He pulled off at a grassy spot and lifted Megan down. She toddled about while he brought out the basket of food and Connie spread a quilt on the ground. She fed Megan first then Jake sat next to her as they ate, watching Megan explore.

  They finished the sandwiches and pie Audrey had sent, but still Jake made no move toward returning to the wagon. His excuse was that Megan needed to move about longer. But his real reason was he wasn’t anxious to reach their destination where he would be faced with saying good-bye.

  A few minutes later, Megan plopped to her bottom. Tears welled in her eyes.

  Connie hurried to pick her up and walked back and forth, singing softly. Within minutes, Megan was asleep.

  Jake put the basket back in the wagon and folded up the quilt. Then he had an idea. He knew how heavy Megan would get in Connie’s arms. “I could put the quilt at the front, and she could sleep there.”

  “That would be nice,” Connie whispered.

  Jake did so, and then lifted the sleeping baby and settled her on the quilt. She snuffled twice but didn’t waken.

  They resumed their journey.

  Connie’s head bobbed. She jerked up and sighed.

  “Do you remember Mr. Elman?” he asked.

  She straightened. “The teacher back in Broadstone?”

  “Do you recall how he always fell asleep in his chair after lunch?”

  She laughed. “I’d forgotten. Did you ever see him fall from his chair?”

  “Never did.”

  “He did in our class once. We all tried to pretend we didn’t notice. But of course, it was impossible. It only took one person to snicker, and we all burst into laughter.”

  “I wish I’d seen that. What did he do?”

  “He pretended he had gone down to look for something. His pen. Then he pretended to find it and went to the chalkboard and wrote out a list of assignments. He made us pay for laughing.” She grinned at Jake. “But it was worth it.”

  He fell into the laughter in her eyes, the warmth of her smile. If only he could stay there. Enjoy the sweetness every day of his life.

  He jerked away, reminding himself she wasn’t interested.

  She chuckled again and he forgot his reminder. “Do you remember Morton Hobbs?”

  Remembering, he laughed hard. “I don’t think he ever made it to school before the bell. Every day he got a tardy slip.”

  “Have you ever seen anyone move so slow? From our classroom we could watch him come down the street. I wouldn’t even call what he did a walk. I think a turtle would have been able to outpace him.”

  “Do you know what became of him?”

  “The family moved away. I’ve never seen him since. Fact is, I haven’t thought of him until now.”

  They talked about various teachers and other students though Jake had left school after the fifth grade, so he didn’t know many of those she mentioned.

  He purposely kept the horses at a pace that might rival Morton’s. Told himself it was out of consideration for the animals. But plain and simple, he was enjoying this time and had no desire to end it any sooner than he had to.

  But they would soon be approaching the fort. The end of the trail for him.

  * * *

  Connie shifted, her bones growing weary of the travel. Megan wakened, and Connie picked her up before she had time to be frightened by her strange surroundings. She let her drink the last of the milk. No doubt there would be milk cows at Fort Macleod. It was one advantage of going there.

  She would not allow herself to think of the disadvantages, of saying a final good-bye to Jake, of beginning a new life.

  A group of buildings was visible in the distance. “Is that the fort?”

  “We’re almost there.”

  Connie brushed the crumbs from Megan’s dress and smoothed her hair, then she did the same for herself. She’d seen the town before but only in passing, and her only interest in it had been to find a way to get to Willow Creek. She’d been full of anticipation and a little dread at knowing she might have to give up Megan to her father.

  Now she looked at the town that had grown up across the road from the North West Mounted Police fort. Mostly wooden structures, some of the buildings had false fronts. Others were squat and less pretentious.

  Where would she find a home? Find work to support herself and Megan?

  Panic threatened to overtake her as she clutched the baby.

  Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He will strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Believing those words and trusting them were harder than she’d imagined.

  She had nothing else to lean on but God’s promises. She slowed her breathing and studied each building they passed.

  “Where do you want to go?” Jake asked.

  She wanted to go home. She wanted parents who would welcome her and support her. She wanted someone who saw her for who she was. “I don’t know.” Her small voice revealed her fright.

  “Let’s stop here.” He indicated a general store. “They might know of something.”

  It was all she could do not to cling to Jake’s arm as they went inside. But she had to do this on her own both now and in the future. She marched to the counter where a man stood with a white apron tied over his clothes.

  “How do, ma’am. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m looking for a job and accommodations for myself and my niece. Would you know of anything?”

  He looked regretful as he answered. “There’s a boarding house down the street, but it’s mostly men, and no children allowed. Other than that, I have no suggestions. You might ask at some of the other businesses or the fort. They might know of something.”

  “Thanks.” She marched out; her head high. She turned to the right and went into the next business, received another unsatisfactory answer. She went to every business on the street including the saddlemaker and the blacksmith. The latter mentioned a house for rent, but when he gave the price, she knew she couldn’t afford it unless she found a job. Discouragement had about drained her, and Megan grew restless.

  Jake had gone with her to each place and said little until now. “Let’s take a break. We’ll eat at the restaurant. My treat.”

  She was too weary to argue as they retraced their steps to the eating establishment…one of the places where she had asked for a job and help in finding someplace to live.

  She sat down, let Jake order the meal. She fed Megan from her plate.

  “We’ll have to spend the night in the hotel,” Jake said as she toyed with her food.

  “I can’t afford to do that.”

  “My treat.”

  She lifted her head, prepared to argue, but he stopped her. “I said I would see you safely settled, and I will.”

  So, she nodded and murmured her thanks.

  A little later, she lay in bed in a hotel room. Jake was in the room next to hers. The walls were so th
in she heard the bed creak as he sat on it. Or lay on it. She had no way of knowing which. On the other side, she heard every word of a conversation between two men who discussed the items they needed to start a new household. She fell asleep to them making a list.

  Weary in body and soul, she slipped from bed the next morning before Megan woke, opened Celia’s Bible, and read several verses until she felt ready to face the day.

  God, I need Your help. Please provide for my need. Be my courage and strength.

  Megan sat up, looked at her strange surroundings, and wrinkled her face, ready to cry.

  Connie hugged her. “It’s all right, sweet baby. We will find some place soon. I promise. You and me in God’s care.”

  She dressed Megan. Jake knocked. She called for him to come in. He took the bag downstairs. She couldn’t refuse his offer to buy breakfast in the restaurant.

  “I’d like to check out the fort and see if they can offer any help,” she said as they finished the meal.

  “I’ll get the wagon.” She waited on the wooden sidewalk as he trotted off.

  The town was astir. People glanced at her as they passed. Most of them greeted her with a cheery, “Good morning.” At least she would be treated kindly here.

  Jake returned and they made their way to the fort. The guard directed her to the building where she could talk to the sergeant. Jake stayed at her side the whole time, for which she was grateful. So many men in uniform threatened to overwhelm her even though they all seemed polite.

  Having introduced herself and Jake, she waited as the Mountie considered her. “I know of only one place that might give you a job.”

  Her heart rejoiced.

  “However, I don’t know if it’s a position suitable for a young lady like yourself.”

  “Why not let me decide that?” She’d do anything except work in a saloon.

  He nodded. “The local laundry lady recently lost her helper. She let it be known she would hire someone else. As far as I know, no one has asked to fill the position.”

  “Tell me how to find her.”

  “Wait a minute.” Jake held up a hand. “Why wouldn’t you think it’s suitable?”

  The Mountie looked from Jake to Connie to Megan before he answered.