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The young man shook his head sadly. “No, ma’am, and it pains me to tell you but I think I know why he hasn’t rit you back.”
Confused, Leah asked, “Why not?”
Ike’s words rushed from him like water over river rocks. “When I was in Julesburg yesterday I heard that Mr. Harris died. He got caught in that last storm and froze out by his pond.”
Leah gasped. Sorrow and despair hit her at the same time. Thomas had seemed so nice in his letters. It was a shame that he’d died. But what was she going to do now? Where would she go? Not back to Texas since there was nothing and no one there for her. Then the thought hit her. She tried to stand but dread weakened her knees so that she couldn’t rise from the chair. How on earth was she going to pay for the nights she’d stayed here and the food she’d eaten?
Jake moved to stand beside her. He placed a firm hand beneath her elbow. Was this his way of offering comfort? Why would he do so?
“Is this information from a reliable person, Ike?” Jake asked, bringing her thoughts into focus once more.
“Yep,” Ike said as Leah watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down as he swallowed hard before continuing. “The sheriff was talking to the undertaker.”
With Jake’s support, Leah got to her feet, picking Molly up. Her voice was strained as she said, “Thank you for letting me know, Ike. If you will excuse me, gentlemen, Molly and I will retire now.” She walked to the stairs with her head held high, refusing to let them see that her world had just crumbled at her feet and that she had no idea how to make it all right again.
Chapter Three (#ulink_899120bf-d837-5857-817f-0911634de5ba)
The next morning, Jake sat at the dining table facing his employers, Mr. and Mrs. Frontz. It was still early and everyone else rested in their warm beds, something Jake hadn’t done comfortably since Miss Hollister and his niece had arrived.
Mrs. Frontz yawned, then said, “Thanks for making the coffee this morning, Jake, but I wish you’d get on with whatever needs to be said. I have breakfast to cook.”
He lowered his drink. “All right, then, I’ll get to the point. Miss Hollister learned last night that her fiancé has passed away.” Jake watched both of them nod and focus their gazes on the cups in front of them. He couldn’t help but wonder how long they’d known about the demise of Mr. Harris. He shook his head and continued because that simple fact really didn’t matter right now. “That means she will be leaving soon.” Again he watched them nod.
“What does that have to do with us, son?” Mr. Frontz asked, raising his head and meeting Jake’s eyes.
The older man called everyone son, so Jake didn’t take any notice. “Well, if Miss Hollister leaves, I assume full responsibility for Molly’s care. So I guess I’m trying to tell you I’ll be leaving soon, too. I can’t raise a girl in the tack room off the barn.”
Mrs. Frontz’s face saddened. “Where will you go?”
“Back to Texas. I guess the family spread is mine now.”
He didn’t want to move back to Texas. Too many memories were there for both him and Molly. How would she feel going back to the place where her parents had died? But it was his only choice.
He didn’t tell them he had no idea what he was going to do on that small piece of land. He’d hoped to make enough money to start a horse ranch, but now, with a child to raise, Jake just wasn’t sure what he’d do. And he still had the problem of how to care for the child once he did have a work plan.
“Now, boy, you aren’t making any sense,” Mr. Frontz grumbled. “You’re going to leave a good job here to go to Texas. For what? So the girl will have a place to live? What’s wrong with living here?”
“Yeah, what’s wrong with living here?” Mrs. Frontz echoed, fully awake now.
“I told you, I can’t raise her in the tack room. At least back in Texas, I have a cabin.” Jake didn’t like it any more than they did but what other choice did he have?
Mr. Frontz studied him over his coffee cup. He took a drink and then plopped it down on the table. “So are you saying that if you had a roof over your heads, then you’d stick around?”
Jake nodded. “I reckon so.” He loved working for the pony express and taking care of the horses. Most of them were mustangs and half-wild but he did love them. There were a few, like the one he allowed Molly to ride, that were tame. All of them were intelligent.
They sat in silence for several long minutes before Mrs. Frontz spoke. “You know, Charles. He could move into the old homestead. It needs a little work but it’s livable.”
Mr. Frontz nodded. “Yep, I could get the boys to clean the place today and have it ready to move into by this evening.” He picked up his coffee once more.
“I’m sure I could round up some sheets and other things you’ll need to make it a fine home for the little girl,” Mrs. Frontz added in a hopeful voice.
Jake shook his head. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. The other men aren’t going to like that I have a nice home to live in when all they get is a room that they must share with each other.”
“You leave the boys to me. Besides, the cabin’s not that much bigger than their room.” Mr. Frontz pushed his chair back. He dropped a big, callused hand on Jake’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re staying. I didn’t look forward to replacing such a good stock tender.” He shoved his hat on his balding head and stomped to the back porch.
Jake studied the grounds in the bottom of his cup. That was one problem taken care of, but he had others to deal with.
Mrs. Frontz laid her hand on his. “Something else is bothering you. I can tell. Want to talk about it?”
He looked into her bright blue eyes. “I’m just thinking that if Miss Hollister leaves I’ll need to hire someone to watch Molly.” Jake sighed, his choices in babysitters were majorly limited here in South Platte. Other than Mrs. Frontz, there were only a handful of women and most of them were past their prime and unhealthy. The others were too young and looking for a husband. Jake Bridges had no intention of letting any of them look at him as husband material.
“I’ll be happy to watch her for you,” Mrs. Frontz volunteered.
No, Jake knew he couldn’t ask her to take on Molly’s care. Her slumped shoulders spoke of how tired the older woman was. She already cooked and cleaned from sunup to sundown. He couldn’t imagine her trying to keep up with an active four-year-old child, too. “That’s nice of you to offer but I’ll think of something. She’s a handful and you already have plenty to take care of with the riders.”
She nodded and stood. “Yeah. Speaking of the boys, they’ll be down soon needing breakfast. Who’s up first today?”
Jake grinned ruefully. He noticed she hadn’t argued with him about Molly’s care. “Ike.”
“I’ll make sure he gets an extra helpin’ this morning.” She muttered to herself as she pushed through the kitchen door.
Well, having a house to live in would be a big help but what was he to do about Molly’s care? Jake knew he couldn’t take her to the barn with him every day or have her follow him about the place while he made repairs. She needed a woman’s care. A soft whisper filtered through his mind. She needed Leah Hollister.
What would Leah do now that Thomas Harris was no longer available to offer her marriage? Would she return to Texas? To what? Why had she left in the first place? There were so many things he didn’t know about her. But he did know that she cared for Molly. She’d also shown no special interest in him or the other young men.
Would she be willing to marry him to assure herself that Molly would have a home? As far as he knew, Leah and Thomas hadn’t really known each other before she agreed to be his bride. Perhaps she’d consider replacing Thomas with himself.
It sounded crazy as Jake ran the thoughts through his mind but a marriage of convenience might be what both of them needed. He sighed and took a sip of his now-cold coffee. Of course, he’d have to tell her that he couldn’t offer her a real marriage, only friendship and a home. Would that be enough to keep Leah here with Molly?
Long before he could actually see her, the sound of her skirts swishing against the hardwood floors alerted him to Leah’s arrival.
Molly entered the room seconds before Leah. His niece looked sweet this morning with her hair up in two braids like pigtails. Her cheeks were pink, as if she’d just endured a good scrubbing. She swung the rag doll by one arm. He reminded himself he would have to rearrange his entire life to accommodate Molly and prayed Leah would go along with him for the same reason.
* * *
Leah came to an abrupt stop when she saw Jake sitting at the table. A quick glance about the room revealed that he was the only one there. Molly waved as she skipped past him and headed for the kitchen.
“Good morning.”
The richness of his voice flowed over her like melted butter over hot potatoes. She offered him a smile and replied, “Good morning.”
Leah pressed on to the kitchen to talk to Mrs. Frontz about working to pay for her room and board. She’d lain awake most of the night and had come to the conclusion that this was the only way to pay back what she owed. She wasn’t good at cooking, but Leah did know how to clean. Maybe Mrs. Frontz would teach her how to cook and then she could help out in both the kitchen and with the housework.
“Do you have a few minutes to spare this morning? I’d like to talk about last night and I have something I need to ask you.” Jake’s deep voice interrupted her line of thought.
Leah turned to face him. He cradled his coffee cup between his two large hands. Rich brown eyes surveyed her face. Wasn’t it bad enough that he’d witnessed her reception of last night’s bad news? Did he really want to talk about it now?
“I should probably go help Mrs. Frontz with breakfast.” Her hand flapped toward the kitchen of its own accord. She hoped he’d not noticed her lack of helping in the past.
“Please. I promise I won’t take long and I’d like to talk without Molly’s little ears hearing.” He gestured for her to sit across from him.
He seemed determined, so Leah thought she might as well get it over with and sat down.
“Thank you.” He rubbed the checkered tablecloth absently as if having difficulty forming his next words. “I’m sorry to hear about Thomas Harris. I understand he was a good man.” Jake paused and took a sip from his cup.
Honestly, Leah didn’t know if Thomas was a good man or not. They’d only known each other through the sparse letters they’d shared. She nodded, hoping Jake would continue.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you’d never met, is that right?”
Leah sighed. “That’s right.” What was his point? Was he going to suggest that since she had no marriage prospects she wasn’t fit to watch Molly any longer? Did having one’s fiancé die make her unfit? The irrational thoughts raced through her mind.
“So there is no chance you were in love or anything like that?” Jake leaned his arms on the table and stared into her eyes.
Feeling uncomfortable, Leah answered. “No, we weren’t in love. Mr. Harris needed a wife to help out on the ranch. His mother is getting up in years and she hinted that if he should marry, his wife could take over the cooking, cleaning and such.” Leah didn’t mention the grandchildren Mrs. Harris had wanted and now would never have since Thomas was an only child. She wondered what would happen to Thomas’s mother now that he was gone.
“So would you say it was a marriage of convenience for both of you?” Jake pressed, never taking his gaze from her face.
Leah felt heat crawl up her neck into her cheeks. This wasn’t a conversation any woman wanted to have with a man she’d met only a few days ago. “Mr. Bridges, would you please just tell me where we are going with this conversation?”
He nodded. “After you answer my question.”
“Fine. Yes, it was more of a marriage of convenience, but I would have made him a fine wife.”
Jake leaned back in his chair. “Good.” He continued to study her long and hard.
She pushed up out of her chair. “Well, if that is all you wanted.”
“Wait.”
Why she did as he said, Leah didn’t know but she found herself back on the hard wood seat. “Why?”
Jake leaned forward once more. “I want to offer you the same deal as Harris.”
“What?” The one word squeaked from Leah’s throat. Was he offering to marry her? Was this God’s answer to her prayer? It was so sudden.
He reached across the table and snagged one of her hands. Leah wasn’t sure if he was trying to be endearing or simply holding her hand to keep her from leaving the room.
“I don’t understand. What exactly are you proposing?”
“Well, I can’t promise you love but I can promise you a home.” He raked his fingers through his hair with his free hand. “Molly needs a mother and I have to work. So if you and I were to marry, she’d have someone to take care of her and you’d both have a home.”
Home.
The word sank into Leah’s heart. Hadn’t she always wanted a home? Just last night she’d pleaded with God and asked for a home. She didn’t ask for love. No one could or would love her, and if they claimed to, she’d always wonder what their motives were. After all, her own parents had given her away and they were the people she’d expected to love her forever. Love wasn’t something she could rely on, her whole life she’d relied on herself, not her parents and not a man. No, as long as love wasn’t involved, Leah felt sure she’d be all right. She raised her eyes and studied Jake. He wasn’t offering love, or even pretending to offer love, but he was offering her what she’d always wanted. A home.
“Look, I know it’s not much, but it’s all I can give you. I’m not a man who is going to fall in love with you. But I can offer you a house, food and a life with a little girl who needs you more than you’ll ever know.” His eyes pleaded with her to understand what he was proposing. “You will never want for anything as long as you are my wife.”
Leah couldn’t find words to express how she felt. It was a lot to take in. She’d gone from having no plans or future, to having a man offer her marriage and a daughter. She loved Molly, and yet she still couldn’t get out the word yes.
Molly burst out of the kitchen door and ran to Leah. The little girl grabbed her free hand and tugged for Leah to follow her to the kitchen.
Leah gently pulled her back and said, “Go tell Mrs. Frontz that I’ll be there in a few minutes.” It was only after the little girl hurried away that she remembered Molly couldn’t or wouldn’t speak. How was she going to tell Mrs. Frontz what she’d said?
Leah turned her attention back to Jake. He still held her hand firmly in his. “What about friendship, Jake? Can you allow yourself to be my friend? My best friend?” Leah didn’t need love but she did need friendship.
He squeezed her hand gently and warmth filled his voice. “I will give you friendship and respect, and I believe we will get along fine, Leah. Just don’t ask for my heart, my love or more than hand-holding.” He rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand before releasing it.
His words both shocked and comforted her. Leah inhaled deeply. As she exhaled Leah whispered, “Then I’ll marry you, Jake.”
“Thank you.” He got up and came around the table.
Leah stood also, unsure what he planned to do. Just moments before he’d said she should expect no more than hand-holding from this union. She turned to face him. Did he plan to seal their engagement with a kiss? Her heart quickened. Her first kiss from a man—her soon-to-be husband.
Jake took both of her hands in his, leaned down until their foreheads were touching and in a warm, low, gravelly voice whispered, “I promise, I’ll be the best husband I know how to be now, and with time I’ll hopefully get better at it.”
Electricity snapped between them. Leah felt as if every hair on her head stood on end. It took her voice away once more. She nodded against his head.
He released her hands and straightened to his full height. “Now that that’s settled, I better get back to work.”
Leah watched him go through the door to the kitchen and heard the back door close. She took a deep breath punctuated with several even gasps. Her heart thumped madly. Her mind was a crazy mixture of hope and fear. The one clear thought she latched on to was that she was a soon-to-be bride once more.
What did the future hold for her? Leah rested a hand against her chest in a feeble attempt to stop its erratic pounding. Momentary panic gnawed away at the new hope she’d just experienced. Had she jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire?
“Lord, I hope I haven’t just made the biggest mistake of my life.” Leah realized she’d said the prayer aloud and quickly looked about. Fortunately she stood alone in the room. The words hung in the air, as if taunting her as she headed to the kitchen. Was this the biggest mistake of her life? What if she married Jake, then her true love came along? Was there such a thing? She shook the fanciful thoughts from her mind. No one else had ever loved her, so she effectively squashed such fairy-tale images. She felt an acute sense of loss. Would she forever be unlovable? And even if she did find love, would she be able to trust that it was true? Could she count on another person not to abandon her?
* * *
The heavy smell of bacon and eggs greeted her as she entered the overheated kitchen. Mrs. Frontz stood beside the stove dishing up breakfast. She glanced over her shoulder. “Good morning, Leah. I hope you had a good night’s sleep.”
Leah didn’t want to lie to her hostess, so she simply answered with, “Good morning.”
For the first time since her arrival, Leah took a good look about the kitchen. It wasn’t very big. Pots hung from hooks over the stove. A cabinet held other dishes. Molly sat at a makeshift table, made from two large barrels with a board stretched over the top, munching on a buttered biscuit. Her doll was propped up against another large bowl filled with biscuits.
“I hope you don’t mind that I gave the small fry a biscuit,” Mrs. Frontz said as she tipped scrambled eggs into a large bowl.
“Not at all. Is there anything I can do to help?”
The woman smiled over her shoulder at her. “Nope, I’m used to doing things my way. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes. Why don’t you go sit at the table? The men will be arriving any minute.” If she found it curious that Leah was in her kitchen, Mrs. Frontz didn’t let on.
Leah frowned. After the previous night’s events, the last place she wanted to be was alone at the table with Mr. Frontz and the pony express riders. Besides, she couldn’t bring herself to eat breakfast again, at least, not without making arrangements for payment for the meals she’d already eaten.
Mrs. Frontz turned toward her. “Is something on your mind this morning?” she asked, picking up the cooked eggs and a platter of bacon.
“Yes. I was wondering if you could use some help around here.” Leah pressed on before the older woman could protest. “I have recently learned that my fiancé has passed away and I now find myself in debt to you and Mr. Frontz for my previous meals and my room.”
Mrs. Frontz motioned for Leah to pick up the bowl full of biscuits that sat on the table in front of Molly. “Yes, I heard about that, but I don’t want you to feel indebted to us.” She pushed through the kitchen door and walked to the table where she spaced the food out on the table.
“I can’t stay here and not work for my keep,” Leah protested, handing her the bowl.
