Brides of Idaho (49 page)

Freddy looked interested—for about one second. He shrugged. “Don’t matter.”

Rudy let the statement pass without comment. He finally found a half-decent shirt and a pair of patched overalls. “At least they’re clean. Put them on, then we’ll see to your hair.”

He tried to tame the thatch of black hair, but it was thick with dirt. And long enough to tie back. Tomorrow might involve finding a barber as well.

They returned to the dining room to wait.

Cora slipped out, fresh and pretty in a pink dress, her fair hair tied back with pink ribbons. A beautiful girl.

Joanna followed on her heels. She wore a newish-looking split skirt. He’d seen her in nothing else. But she wore a blue shirt that made her eyes seem a deeper brown. Her hair had been brushed until it gleamed. She’d tied it back with a bit of leather that held a row of beads. Her cowboy boots were soft suede.

He thought he’d never seen a better-looking woman—a woman ready to face challenges, yet—from the few days he’d known her—with a tender touch and an efficient but kind manner.

“Something wrong?” she asked.

He’d been staring. “No. I like your hair.” He slammed his hat on his head and bolted for the door. Now she would wonder if he’d lost his mind. He wondered the same thing.

But outside, he had no place to run, not if he wanted to accompany her to church. And he did. He hadn’t spent fifteen minutes greasing down his hair and Freddy’s only to change his mind. He ground to a halt and waited for the others.

Cora and Joanna came out arm in arm, with Freddy lagging behind.

Joanna met Rudy’s gaze, darted her attention away, then brought it back and gave a fleeting smile.

He’d embarrassed them both. He couldn’t explain why he’d complimented her hair when he normally kept his thoughts to himself.

“Let’s be on our way,” she said, clinging to Cora’s arm as they strode through the heart of Bonners Ferry and headed up the hill.

Rudy followed, mentally kicking himself with every step.

They arrived at a large, sun-drenched clearing with a breathtaking view of the river valley. Three buildings gleamed in their newness—a large house he guessed was the mission, a church with a steeple, and beyond, a barn with about a dozen horses in the pen outside.

A handful of people made their way into the church. Joanna led them to join the others gathering for worship.

The interior was surprisingly bright, with a row of windows facing east. They made their way into a wooden pew, the seats and backs polished smooth. Someone had spent hours turning the rough lumber into something worthy of a church.

Cora slipped in first, then Joanna preceded Rudy. He considered shoving Freddy in front of him, but for some inexplicable reason, he shoved him behind and seated himself next to Joanna.

Her arm brushed his as she straightened her skirt, and he felt her stiffen. Wanting to put her at ease, he whispered, “Joanna, I didn’t mean to speak out of turn. I’m sorry.”

She grew very still. Then she tilted her head close to whisper, “It’s not your fault. But I’m not used to compliments, and it surprised me. No apology necessary.”

Nor, he guessed, did she want him to retract his statement. She’d likely not heard near enough praise. He could remedy that. He whispered, “I meant it. Your hair is very pretty.”

She smiled, keeping her attention on her hands where they lay in her lap. “Thank you.”

Then the preacher announced it was time to begin.

“That’s Levi,” Joanna whispered.

He’d guessed as much when he saw the vest. He wasn’t sure what to expect from a rawhide preacher—thunder and damnation probably.

They began with hymns. There were no musical instruments, but the congregation sang in beautiful harmony. Beside him, Joanna’s rich alto voice blended perfectly with Cora’s sweet soprano. Somewhere nearby, a deep bass joined in.

He’d attended many services growing up, the singing accompanied by a reedy organ and led by a monotone preacher. But never had he heard singing like this. And somewhere deep inside, he felt a warm touch, as if the presence of God hovered near. A bubble of unadulterated joy tickled a corner of his heart, creating a totally unfamiliar and not unpleasant sensation.

Levi started to preach. Ah, but the man was gentle and persuasive enough to half convince Rudy to throw himself on God’s love and mercy.

But preaching didn’t reach into the real world. Rudy waited for the feeling to pass. Just like this sense of peace and contentment at Joanna’s side would pass, replaced by the reality of life the moment they stepped from this place.

The service ended, and they filed outside where Joanna introduced him to Levi and then Trace, Mandy’s husband.

The feeling of something deep and special clung like it meant to set up a homestead.

For the life of him he couldn’t decide if he wanted to fight it or see where it went.

J
oanna looked around the table. For the first time there were eight present—the three sisters, husbands of her younger sisters, Cora, and now Rudy and Freddy. She could not explain why she should think it seemed satisfyingly complete, despite Austin’s absence.

Levi, as was customary, rose to give the blessing, then they all turned their attention to the food. Joanna paused, the bowl of potatoes in her hand. “I’m going to miss these family dinners.”

Levi looked at each of the sisters. “Seems a shame to break up the buffalo gals.”

The three girls groaned in unison, and Trace chuckled.

“I suppose it’s too much to hope we could get through a meal without this being brought up,” Joanna grumbled, not daring to look at Rudy. She could feel his grin.

“The buffalo gals?” His voice rang with amusement. “There has to be a story behind that.”

“There certainly is, and it’s about time you heard it.” Trace filled his plate and tasted his food as he drew the minute out. “Ouch.” He jerked his feet away from Mandy and gave her a reproachful look, but other than that paid no mind to the kick she’d delivered. “You see, these girls have followed their pa all over the West. Seems the man has tried everything from work on railroad to gold mining to”—he shot a teasing grin at Mandy—“buffalo hunting.”

Trace and Levi laughed heartily.

Joanna hoped her sisters would make their husbands pay when they got home but guessed it wouldn’t happen. Their annoyance as they studied their husbands was liberally laced with admiration. Being in love sure took the teeth out of a good disagreement.

“They showed up one day asking after their pa, and someone said, ‘You mean the old buffalo hunter?’ So they started calling the girls ‘the buffalo gals.’ Suits them, wouldn’t you say?”

Rudy grinned at Joanna, his eyes flashing with amusement and something more, something that slipped right past her hard-learned lessons and plopped all soft and mushy into the bottom of her heart.

“It suits them to a tee.”

Was it only her imagination that read admiration and warmth in his voice?

Glory snatched the bowl from Levi’s hands. “Who can blame Joanna for wanting to move on when she gets this kind of abuse every time you see her?”

“Abuse?” Levi stared at Glory like she’d appeared out of nowhere. “It’s frank admiration of how tough and self-sufficient you gals are. Isn’t it, Trace?”

Trace draped an arm over Mandy’s shoulders, pulled her close, and kissed her nose. “Very true.”

“Yuck,” Freddy said.

Glory and Levi chuckled, but Mandy’s eyes glowed with love.

Joanna groaned in mock despair. “I fail to see that my little sisters are self-sufficient anymore.”

At that, both husbands roared with laughter. It was Levi who finally was able to speak. “They don’t need us for anything except”—his eyes filled with warmth—“except love.”

“We all need love,” Trace said.

Freddy made a rude, disbelieving noise, but Glory and Mandy murmured agreement.

“Seems I’m on my own, then.” She lowered her head to study the food on her plate, but she could not stop her gaze from darting to Rudy. She wondered if he, at times, felt the same strange loneliness that crept up unannounced and uninvited to wrap her heart in wintery cold.

Something in his look called to her, asking for something, but she couldn’t say what.

“Joanna.”

Levi’s voice rescued her from her tangled thoughts.

He considered her kindly. “Are you sure you want to sell this place and move?”

“Of course she does.” Glory leaned forward to peer around at her husband. “Of course you do. Levi, don’t you be trying to persuade her to stay and keep an eye out for us. Joanna, we’re all grown up now. You don’t need to worry about us anymore. You can do what you want with your life.”

“I’m just saying… “Levi held out his hands. “Joanna, make sure it’s what you want and not what you think everyone expects of you.”

“I appreciate your concern, Levi, but I’ve always done what I wanted.”

Both Glory and Mandy spoke at once, voicing protests, each trying to outshout the other.

Trace reached for Mandy’s hand to silence her.

Levi laughed, his eyes adoring his wife.

“You have taken care of us as long as I can remember,” Mandy said. “Even before Ma died. By then you’d been acting like both Ma and Pa for years. I don’t even remember Ma.”

“She was sick a lot. I think she got tired of living.”

Glory snorted. “More like wore out from following Pa around. Some men just aren’t made for staying. Thankfully, I found one who is.”

“Me, too,” Mandy said.

Again Joanna felt cold and alone and dared not look toward Rudy. He’d made no secret of the fact he wasn’t the sort made for staying. Footloose and fancy-free. And she would do well to remember it. But what difference did it make? Her plans didn’t include staying either.

Thankfully, the conversation turned to other things, and the rest of the meal passed pleasantly enough. Yes, she would miss these Sunday afternoon family gatherings. But there had to be something more out there for her.

Had she inherited her pa’s wanderlust? Heaven forbid.

Everyone moved at a leisurely pace on Sunday, so it was much later before the meal was over and the dishes done. Levi and Glory were the first to leave, saying they must check on the folks at the mission.

As Trace and Mandy prepared to depart, Joanna noticed a longing look in Cora’s eyes. “You go with them. You haven’t had a visit in a while. I’ll manage supper on my own.”

“I’ll help her,” Rudy offered.

“Me, too,” Freddy added.

With those two offers, Joanna didn’t feel quite so alone.

Cora accepted with a grin and left with her brother and new sister-in-law.

Rudy and Freddy ducked into the far bedroom and changed out of their Sunday clothes; then Freddy hurried to take the ashes out. Rudy followed, whistling under his breath. Through the window Joanna watched him set out the washbasins. Every few minutes he would glance toward her, mouth some words, and chuckle.

She could read his lips. Buffalo gals. So he thought that was funny? Let him laugh. Everyone deserved to enjoy a bit of humor.

After he did this the fourth time, she no longer felt so charitable and marched from the kitchen. He saw her coming, leaned back on his heels, and grinned.

His smile welcomed and teased at the same time. Something wrenched within her, a sensation both sweet and painful. She didn’t waste time trying to figure out what it meant but steamed forward, not pausing until she was practically toe-to-toe with him. “You think being called the buffalo gals is funny?”

“Sure do, ma’am. Funniest thing I’ve heard since—well, never mind. It’s plumb sweet, that’s what it is.”

Sweet? She crossed her arms. “You stop to think we might not like it?”

He sobered. “Can’t see why you wouldn’t. I think the Buffalo Gals of Bonners Ferry are going to put this place on the map.”

“It’s already on the map.”

“Then you’re going to make it famous.”

“I’m not staying to see if your prediction comes true or not.”

Every remnant of his smile fled, and his eyes grew hard as stone. “Nope. You’ll be leaving on the first train out of here.”

She snorted. “There’s no train, and I’m not leaving until I sell this place.” Why was she always insisting she would soon be gone? To Levi, to her sisters, and now to Rudy. They already knew it, and yet over and over she repeated it.

“Guess there’s nothing to make you want to stay.” It wasn’t a question but an acknowledgment of the facts. No reason she should take objection to it, but she did.

“My sisters are here.”

“Obviously not enough.”

“You’re talking in riddles.” Then it hit her what he likely meant. “You saying I’m like my pa?”

“I expect you have your reasons for wanting to leave. We all have our reasons.”

She couldn’t think. Couldn’t speak. She wasn’t like Pa. She kept telling herself that. She didn’t want to leave to get away from painful memories or to avoid responsibility. “Sometimes we need a reason to stay.”

Freddy sauntered into sight, carrying the cat over his shoulder. The animal seemed completely comfortable though Joanna couldn’t see how it was possible.

“You have a reason to stay someplace now.” Rudy nodded toward Freddy. “Him.”

Her confusion and anger dissipated like early-morning fog. “He seems almost happy at times.”

“Still hates me a good percentage of the day.”

She’d promised to help them and instead had got all twisted up with her own feelings. She wouldn’t let it happen again. “I have a suggestion. Why don’t you two make something together?”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Surely you can think of something.”

“Maybe.”

The customers began to congregate, and Joanna hurried away to finish supper preparations.