Jake's Honor (Cowboys 0f Coulee Crossing; Romancing The West Book 1) Page 17

  Thelma stopped him. “Where ya think yer goin’?”

  “To speak to Connie.”

  “I done learned to care for that gal. I don’ want her hurt.”

  “Nor do I. I’ve come to make up for a mistake I made.”

  “Or make another one?”

  He ground to a halt.

  “That gal needs lovin’.”

  “I’m about to offer her that.”

  “Then do it right.” She let him pass.

  He proceeded slowly. Could he do it right? He certainly meant to try. He saw her through the screen, ironing a garment. Megan played nearby. It was the baby who noticed him and toddled toward the door.

  Connie turned to stop her. She saw Jake and stared.

  “Can I come in?”

  She nodded and set aside the sad iron. She waited for him to enter.

  He stepped inside, scooping up the gurgling baby, kissing her on the forehead.

  “Why are you here?” Connie whispered.

  “I have things to say to you.”

  Her expression offered no welcome. But then, he’d not given her any reason to think he saw her the way he did. “Connie, I said all the wrong things. No wonder you refused to marry me.”

  She didn’t respond, just watched him.

  He closed the distance between them, longing to erase the caution in her eyes, longing to let his love pour forth. “Connie, I once said that maybe someday you would realize who you are. And you have.” This wasn’t going the way he wanted. “I said Celia would want us to marry.”

  She shook her head.

  “But that isn’t why I asked you to marry me. Connie, I love you so much I can’t breathe without you. I miss your smile, your laugh, your cheerfulness, your kindness. Connie, because of you, I’m no longer afraid to let love into my heart.” He waited for her reaction; his lungs unable to function for fear she would say his feelings were not returned.

  “Are you saying some risks are worth taking?”

  “Yes.”

  “I am not Celia. Not in the least bit like her.”

  “I would say that’s a good thing.” He edged closer. “You know what I thought about you and Celia a few days ago? I was attracted to a piece of glass and overlooked a diamond.”

  She raised her eyebrows in silent question.

  “Celia was pretty glass. Connie, you are a diamond. Precious, real, lasting. Please tell me you love me. Or say you don’t, and I’ll leave.” He could hardly get the last word out.

  She studied his mouth, his cheeks, his hairline, finally brought her gaze to his eyes. “Jake, I’ve loved you since you stopped that runaway wagon.” A darkness flooded her eyes. “But you never saw me.”

  “I was a stupid boy. But now I’m a wise old man. I’m sorry I hurt you. But glad you waited for me to grow up.” He pulled her close with his free arm. “Do you forgive me for my past?”

  Megan patted his chin with fingers wet from sucking them. He didn’t care. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. And returned his gaze to Connie. “Am I forgiven?”

  She nodded. “I like the man even better than the boy.”

  “I love you with my whole heart. Will you marry me?”

  She lifted her face to him. “Jake Hooper, I love you and will marry you.”

  He kissed her, but Megan’s fingers were in the way. He put her on the floor by his feet and pulled Connie into his arms, kissing her soundly. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, and she sighed. After a moment, she leaned back to look into his eyes. “Megan comes with me.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  She grinned. “You know, I think Celia had this figured out. She must have known how I felt about you. You were right when you said this is what she would want.”

  “Nice of her to think of me, but this is what I want.” He kissed her again so she would be very clear of his love.

  * * *

  Connie didn’t want to ever let go of Jake. To know he loved her as Connie. Not Celia’s cousin. Her heart was so full, it pressed tears to her eyes.

  He tipped her chin up. “Are you crying? What did I do?”

  “You did everything right. These are tears of joy.”

  He pulled her to the tiny sofa, and they sat side by side. Megan scooted over and leaned against Jake’s legs. He picked her up and held her on his knee.

  “This is perfect. The three of us happy together.” Her heart was full to overflowing.

  “What do we do next? Do you want to come back to the ranch? Or to Willow Creek, so I can court you properly.”

  “You want to wait to get married?” The idea disappointed her.

  “I don’t want you to feel rushed. This is a big decision. Take as much time as you need to be comfortable with it. When we marry, I hope we’ll live on the ranch.”

  “With the others?” She’d do it if that’s what he wanted but—

  “I chose a site for a house for us.” He told where he wanted it to be. “But it will take a few weeks to get it built.”

  “Do we have to wait until then?”

  He looked deep into her eyes. This time there were no barriers between them, and his gaze found a resting place in her heart where it claimed residence. “Like I said, I don’t want to rush you. You choose the time and place.”

  She brushed her fingers along his cheek. “I choose here. I choose now.”

  He blinked.

  “I’ve waited long enough. I know what I want and where I want to be. Jake, I want you. I want to share life with you. Wherever that might be.”

  He kissed her.

  “If you’re sure?”

  “I am.”

  “Then let me see what I can arrange. I’ll be back as soon as I’ve sorted things out.”

  And so it was that later that afternoon, with Thelma and Sergeant Jones as their witnesses, they stood before the preacher and exchanged vows as old as history. They kissed for the first time as man and wife. They received congratulations, then Jake led Connie away, saying he had a surprise for her.

  Thelma kept Megan. She had offered to keep her overnight.

  Jake paused at the restaurant to get a basket then led the way to the banks overlooking the Oldman River. He spread a quilt and they sat side by side, enjoying the picnic. Connie paid scant attention to what they ate. Her heart was too full for such minor details. They talked about the future. They reminisced about the past. They rejoiced to be man and wife.

  They stayed there until the sun dipped toward the west, then made their way to the little cabin where they were to spend their first night as husband and wife.

  They packed up all their belongings the next morning. Thelma brought Megan over.

  “I’m sorry to leave you without help again,” Connie said after thanking Thelma for caring for Megan and giving her a home and a job when she needed both.

  “Ya go and be happy. Tha’s all that matters. I’ll find someone to help. Maybe my niece’ll come back.”

  “That would be good.” She hugged the woman and waved as they drove away.

  Hours later, they had passed Willow Creek, where Jake picked up the mail, and approached the bridge that had frightened her so much the first day she arrived at the ranch.

  Now she worried about facing his family. “What are they going to say about you marrying me?”

  He hugged her and laughed. “They will say it’s about time we came to our senses.”

  She laughed but sat up straight as they approached the house.

  Audrey rose from the rocking chair on the porch and shaded her eyes to see who it was.

  Connie could see that she smiled. Then she called, “Boys, Jake is back.”

  Jake’s three brothers erupted from the barn, saw the wagon and the passengers, and trotted out to greet them.

  Jake jumped down. He lifted Connie with Megan in her arms and set her on the ground, his arm around her. “May I introduce my wife? Connie Hooper and our daughter, Megan.”

  Thanks to Celia’s a
ctions, the baby was legally a Hooper.

  Jake received congratulatory slaps on his back, and every one of the Hoopers hugged Connie and kissed Megan.

  They went inside, a happy, noisy bunch.

  “What are your plans for living arrangements?” Blaze asked.

  “I started to dig the well.” Levi was obviously anxious to see them settled.

  “We’ll stay here until the house is built,” Jake said.

  “Is that all right with you?” Connie asked Audrey, realizing she might not relish having another woman in her kitchen.

  Audrey looked up from the letter Jake had handed her. “It’s from Emma. She says her mother is very ill and asks if I would be able to visit and encourage her.” Her voice was unsteady. “I wouldn’t have felt I could go, but with Connie here to take over the house, I can leave for a few weeks without feeling like I abandoned my responsibilities. That is, if you don’t mind looking after this bunch?”

  Connie chuckled. “I won’t do as good a job as you do, but I can assure you, they won’t starve.”

  “Then I will make that trip.” She folded the letter and put it in her pocket. “Emma’s mother is a dear friend who offered me so much support. I’m glad to be able to do something for her.”

  A little later, Jake took Connie to the place where their house would be built.

  “It’s a perfect site.” She sighed, imagining their life together.

  Jake turned her into his arms. “Our life together won’t likely be perfect, but with God’s help we will grow together, and our love with become stronger and more beautiful.” He smiled into her eyes. “I’d like to dedicate this place and our lives to God.” He bowed his head. “Father God, I know I’ll make mistakes, but please, make me see them quickly and correct them as soon as I see them. Bless our home. Bless our lives, our marriage, and our children with Your love and care. Thank You for leading us to each other even when I was too blind to see the mistakes I was making.”

  Connie hugged Jake. “They weren’t mistakes. They were growth opportunities.”

  He chuckled. “I like that.” They sealed their love with a kiss.

  It might have taken Celia’s help to get them together, but it was love that healed all the hurt places in her heart.

  No longer did she feel she was a nuisance or second choice.

  Jake’s precious love made her feel cherished above all else.

  Sneak peek of Cash’s Promise

  A horse thief in skirts? In all his years Cash Hooper had never heard of such a thing.

  He barely finished that thought when another screamed through his head. The horse was going to kill her if she got any closer. “Stop. Stay away,” he yelled as he kicked his mount into a gallop and raced down the hill hoping to get there in time to prevent it from happening.

  The horse was temperamental with a nasty habit of rearing and striking out with his front legs. Cash couldn’t count the number of times he’d ducked or stepped back in time to miss those sharp hooves. He’d been working on teaching Thunder not to do it.

  The woman’s skirts flared out, and Thunder reared back. His front legs came off the ground.

  Cash bent low, urging his mount to a faster pace, but the distance seemed not to decrease. He couldn’t hear any sound above the pounding of hooves beneath him and the thunder of his own heartbeat. Yet sounds from the corral rang through his head.

  The noise Thunder made when he was angry could best be described as a roar.

  The squeal he was sure the woman would be making as she looked up and saw the horse rearing above her.

  And then the sharp crack as the hooves met flesh and bone.

  The woman folded to the ground and remained there.

  He heard a groan that he realized came from his own throat as he raced onward. He reached the pen where Thunder was corralled. Cash freed his boots from the stirrups, leaned over, and grabbed the top rail, launching himself from the saddle to the ground. Slightly off balance, he half staggered, half ran toward the woman now prostrate on the ground.

  Thunder retreated to the far corner of the pen and snorted.

  Cash ignored the animal except to make sure he stayed back. He fell to his knees beside the woman. Blood poured from a cut on her forehead. Her eyes were open but didn’t appear to focus.

  She groaned and tried to sit up. Her eyes closed, and she fell back to the ground.

  “Take it easy. You’ve been hurt.” He couldn’t decide if he should help her up or leave her to get up on her own.

  “That horse kicked me.” Her voice faded to nothing.

  “Ma’am?” Had she passed out? “Ma’am?” He nudged her shoulder. No response. He sat back on his heels. Cash could hardly leave the woman on the ground in the middle of the pen. Especially in her condition. No mistaking she was heavy with child. Seemed there was only one thing he could do although her husband might take offense at Cash’s action.

  He slipped his arms under her knees and shoulders, got awkwardly to his feet, and made his way to the gate. He managed to slide back the bar, ease through the opening, and slide the bar back into place, making sure the gate was secure. Now that he had found his missing horse, he didn’t intend to let it escape. How had this woman managed to corral Thunder? No doubt with her husband’s help.

  They reached the door of the house. The Hooper animals had better accommodations than this shack. He knocked. No sound within. He kicked the door open and stepped in.

  The house was even less attractive inside. Three walls were sod; earthen colored and unappealing. Only the front wall was made of logs. Two narrow windows let in weak light. The room contained one bed shoved against the wall, a crude wooden table, two chairs, a small cupboard, and a stove. A wooden trunk stood at the end of the bed. A few hooks on boards affixed to the sod held various things. Some clothing. Some household items.

  He carried the woman to the bed and laid her down. Blood continued to seep from her cut. He found a rag hanging behind the stove, poured water on it, and took it back to the bed to dab at the blood.

  The woman moaned and blinked at him. The way she squinted informed him that the light hurt her eyes or else she was dizzy.

  “Where’s your husband?” He had only once met the man who lived here. Sherm Kallum. An unfriendly sort. It surprised Cash to think such a man had a wife.

  The woman mumbled something and closed her eyes.

  Cash watched her. After a moment he decided she was unconscious again and swabbed at her wound. The bleeding had slowed. An egg-sized lump swelled on her forehead. No doubt her husband would be angry at what happened though Cash didn’t see how they could hold him responsible.

  What business did they have penning his horse? Had they meant to sell it?

  She wakened again and sat up, swaying enough for Cash to worry she might tumble and injure herself further. With a groan, she pressed her hand to her head. “It hurts.”

  “I ’spect so. Do you recall what happened?”

  “That horse kicked me when I wasn’t looking.”

  He almost grinned at the annoyance in her voice.

  “That your horse?” He kept his voice neutral.

  She squinted at him. He could tell she had trouble focusing. “Who wants to know? Is the room turning?” She lay back, covering her eyes with her hands. “Ohh, I’m dizzy.”

  He waited until she breathed easier. “Mrs. Kallum, isn’t it? Where’s your husband? I should let him know you’ve been hurt.” He knew by the way she tensed that she’d heard him. He waited for her answer.

  After several seconds he wondered if she intended to ignore his question.

  “I’ll go have a look around. See if I can locate him.”

  “Don’t bother.”

  “Ma’am?” Seemed like the first person she’d want at her bedside would be her husband. “It’s no bother.” His nerves prickled. Was the man hiding outside somewhere, prepared to defend himself? He no doubt knew that horse stealing was a hanging offense. Cash settled back on t
he chair he had drawn close to the bed to think through his options.

  “Ma’am, is he armed?”

  She turned her head toward him. “He’s dead, if you must know.” She groaned and covered her eyes again. “Could you please make the room stop spinning?”

  “Sorry, I can’t. Does it help to close your eyes?”

  “Marginally.”

  He digested the information she’d given. “Dead, you say? So, you’re the one who stole my horse?”

  “You gonna hang me?”

  “That’s not my job, but it is the punishment for stealing a horse.”

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