Come Home to Me (20 page)

Annabelle!
What was that little twit up to now?

“Would someone mind telling me what I’ve done?” he said, gritting his teeth. He looked straight at Elijah Edwards. Powell snorted.

“You violated my daughter last night,” Edwards shouted. He seized Jake by the shirt, his face inches away.

Dumbfounded, Jake raised his eyebrows. He what?

“Violated your daughter? Edwards, you’re out of your goddamn mind!” Jake gripped Elijah’s wrist to pull his hand away. Marcus Powell shoved his rifle into Jake’s lower back.

“She’s at the wagon with my wife. Luckily there’s a doctor here.” Edwards released his hold. “How could you do that to my little girl?”

That little girl is nothing but a little tease.
Jake knew Annabelle would get herself in trouble someday, the way she flirted with men. He shot a dark look at Marcus Powell. She’d had herself wrapped around that no-good creep, too.

“I didn’t touch your daughter, Edwards,” Jake said between gritted teeth.

“She says you pulled her into the bushes last night, and . . . and . . .” Edwards wiped a trembling hand over his face. “Harriet found her cryin’ this morning, her dress torn, and she’s been bleedin’.”

Jake scoffed. “I ain’t that desperate. If I want a woman, I don’t need to force myself on one. And certainly not a little girl.”

“Let’s cut all the talkin’,” Powell roared. “We gotta decide what to do with him. Shoot him, like the bastard he is, I say.”

Jake wheeled around, and swung at Marcus. His fist connected with the man’s face, sending the coward stumbling to the ground. Several men grabbed him, and Jake realized it was futile to fight back. His arms were yanked behind his back, and someone tied a rope around his wrists. His mind raced. How was he going to convince this mob that he hadn’t raped anyone? He didn’t have an alibi. He’d been alone with his misery over Rachel’s misunderstanding all night. It would be his word against Annabelle Edwards’. And by the looks of things, he’d already been tried and convicted.

“I want to talk to Annabelle,” Jake said loudly. “I want her to look me in the eye, and in front of all of you say that I did what she’s accusing me of.” What he really wanted to tell Elijah Edwards was that his daughter was nothing but a little hussy, but he wisely kept that thought to himself.

“You’re going to do right by my daughter, Jake, or so help me, I’ll let this mob kill you,” Edwards said. He shoved Jake in front of him, pushing him toward camp. Do right? What the hell did he mean by that?

“I don’t know what you want me to do to make it right, Edwards,” Jake said over his shoulder, stomping toward camp. The angry mob behind him followed close on his heels. “I ain’t done nothin’ wrong.”

“Harriet may not like it, but my daughter has some addle-brained female notion that you fancy her. She admitted she was with you, and things got out of hand. You’re going to marry my daughter.”

“What?” Jake roared, and stopped in his tracks. He wheeled around, glaring at Edwards. Seven shotguns pointed at him instantly. “Like hell I’m going to marry her.” Jake’s heart pounded in his chest. He’d heard of shotgun weddings, but never in his wildest dreams had he thought he’d ever take part in one, much less be the intended groom. Hell would freeze over before he married Annabelle Edwards.

Rage consumed him. Somehow, that little twit had planned this. Staring from one man to the other, his glare rested on Marcus Powell. The man looked much too gleeful. Jake’s eyes narrowed. He’d bet his horse and saddle that Annabelle had used her charms on that stupid sodbuster, and she might have gotten more than she bargained for.  Rather than go down in shame, she was using her unfortunate incident to snag Jake. Where was a rape kit and DNA test kit when you needed one? Shit!

“Let’s go, Owens,” Marcus growled, wiping at the blood that still trickled from his nose.  Elijah Edwards nodded to Jake to keep moving towards camp. Elijah had always been a levelheaded man. Jake hoped he could talk some sense into him. As the father of the violated girl, he had every right to be mad as hell.

“The doc is also an ordained minister, so that serves our purposes well. He can perform a wedding right now,” someone said.

Jake gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw. As they entered the camp and headed for the Edwards’ wagon, people looked up from their morning chores and cooking fires with keen interest at the procession. Some fell in step beside the group, whispering excitedly, wondering what the commotion was about.

Out of the corner of his eye, Jake saw Rachel standing by her wagon, staring after them. Their eyes met, and the stoic look on her face tore him to pieces. Little David pointed at him, and took off running toward him. He called to Jake in his babbling baby language. Rachel grabbed for the toddler and pulled him back. Something twisted and wrenched at Jake’s heart. How could he know moments of absolute happiness such as he’d experienced less than two days ago, only to have the world sink into a dark abyss in the next second? Jake tore his eyes away from the girl he loved, and hardened his face.

Just before the Edwards’ camp, Harriet Edwards rushed towards him, and soundly slapped his face. The sting was a lot harder than the blow he’d received from Rachel weeks ago.

“How dare you do what you did to my little girl?” the wide woman screeched.

“I didn’t do anything to your precious daughter,” Jake said between clenched teeth. “Where is she, so she can tell me to my face what I’ve done?”

No sooner had he uttered the words, and Annabelle appeared from around her parents’ wagon. Unusual for her, she averted her eyes, her head dipped to the ground.  Jake cursed under his breath. If his hands weren’t tied behind his back, they’d be wrapped around her little conniving neck.

She glanced up from beneath her long lashes, and scanned the crowd around her. A sad smile formed on her lips, just before she met his dark stare. Jake’s eyes narrowed.

“I forgive you for what you did, Jake,” she said in her irritating sing-song voice. “I only wanted you to kiss me, but you wouldn’t stop. You told me how much you’ve wanted to be with me.”

Jake lunged for her. Several arms immediately pulled him back.

“You’re lying, Annabelle,” he sneered.  “Would you like me to tell these good folks how you’re the one who’s been coming on to me for weeks? Is this your desperate final attempt to get my attention?”

“How dare you accuse my daughter of such a thing?” Harriet darted between him and Annabelle, her hands on her hips. She looked like a bird of prey, ready to swoop down from the sky to snatch the unsuspecting rabbit off the ground. Jake didn’t relish being the rabbit. He sure as hell wasn’t going to run scared.

Harriet abruptly turned, and placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Are you sure this is what you want, my darling? Marriage to this, this vile man?”

“Yes, Mama,” Annabelle said quickly.

The crowd behind them murmured loudly. “Get the preacher,” someone shouted.

Jake’s mind raced wildly. How was he going to get out of this? His thought locked onto the fact that this wouldn’t be a binding marriage if he was forced to say
I do
to Annabelle. Once they reached Oregon, he was heading back to the twenty-first century anyways, and Annabelle would be out of his hair. He didn’t see any other alternative. The angry mob behind him would sooner shoot him than let him go free.

Jake’s heart sank. All the plans he’d formed in his mind. The girl he loved was lost to him forever. His chest heaved in a heavy sigh.  Maybe death by firing squad was his better option than a lifetime of misery without Rachel. Her opinion of him was bad enough already. What would she think of him now? An icy grip squeezed at his heart. There was no possible way to salvage this.

Chapter 20

 ”Jake Owens didn’t violate Annabelle Edwards.”

At hearing those words, Jake spun around so fast he nearly fell over. His heart pounded more fiercely than before. Rachel! She stood just outside the half-circle of people who had come to witness the show. People’s voices rose in loud murmurs. Several stepped aside to give her room to walk forward.

Rachel’s hard stare met his eyes briefly before she focused on Harriet and Annabelle. Her hands were clasped firmly in front of her, and she walked toward the Edwards woman and her daughter, her chin held high. She stopped right in front of the girl, who’d suddenly shifted her feet uncomfortably.  Jake’s jaw muscles relaxed for the first time since his abrupt wake-up call.

Rachel turned to face the crowd. She looked toward Elijah Edwards. The silence that fell was deafening. What was she up to?

“Jake Owens couldn’t have done what Annabelle claims,” Rachel said loudly. Jake noted the slight unsteadiness in her voice. She cleared her throat. “He couldn’t have done it because he was with me the entire night.”

The crowd roared. “Then how come he was asleep down by the river when we found him?” Marcus Powell called.

“He left my bed before dawn,” Rachel said. She didn’t miss a beat.

“I knew it!” Harriet Edwards screeched. “The shame of it. Her husband isn’t even cold in his grave, and she’s already got another man in her bed. Probably even before her husband died.”

Rachel faced Mrs. Edwards. “You’ve done nothing but spread rumors about me since we left Kannesville, Mrs. Edwards. Believe what you want about my morals, but at least I don’t accuse an innocent man of violating me, like your daughter did.” Harriet’s mouth dropped open. She sputtered like a fish out of water, gasping for air. Elijah Edwards stepped up to his wife.

“I think enough’s been said here today.” He glowered at his wife, and then his daughter. “You’ve got some explaining to do, young lady,” he addressed Annabelle.  The girl stared blankly at her father. She didn’t look remorseful, only upset that her plan wasn’t working out. Turning to Jake, Elijah quickly unwrapped the ropes that tied his hands to his back. Jake massaged his aching wrists.

“I owe you an apology,” Edwards grumbled, and held out his hand. Jake shook it. “I’m dropping all charges,” he shouted to the crowd.

Jake didn’t hear anything else. He turned to Rachel. The expression on her face hadn’t softened. There was no hint of a smile or warmth in her eyes. Abruptly, she darted from the throng of people, and rushed back in the direction of her wagon.

“Rachel, wait.” Jake sprinted after her, and grabbed hold of her arm. She wheeled around and stared up at him.

“Why did you do that?” He stepped closer. He wanted to pull her to him, hold her in his arms like he’d ached to do for nearly two days, and kiss her. He fisted his hand at his side. The emotionless expression on her face told him he’d better not act on his impulse. She’d completely shattered her reputation with her lie. Any shred of doubt the people in their group had that Rachel was a moral woman had flown out the window with her claim that she’d been with him. She’d made a huge sacrifice for him today. An indescribable feeling of warmth flowed through him. His heart swelled, and he thought it might burst through his chest.
I love you!

Rachel yanked her arm away.  She inhaled a deep breath, and narrowed her eyes. Damn! She was still mad at him. “You’re a lot of things, Jake, but I don’t believe you’d stoop so low as to ever violate a woman.”

Her eyes betrayed her angry façade. Hurt and anguish shone in her glistening blue pools.

“Rachel,” he pleaded. “Listen to me, please.” He reached for her hand, and held on tight when she tried to pull it away. Her icy glare shot daggers straight into his heart.

“Let go of me, Jake,” she said under her breath, and continued to struggle for release. Jake stepped closer, and grabbed for her other hand. He glanced around camp. No one seemed to pay them any attention.

“Careful, Rachel. You don’t want to make a scene.” He leaned forward and whispered in her ear.

“I believe I’ve already done that,” she said heatedly. “Maybe I should have just let Annabelle Edwards have you. Maybe it would serve you right.”

“Dammit, Rachel, hear me out.” The urge to pick her up and toss her over his shoulder hit him. He’d carry her off like some caveman and pin her to the ground until she heard his explanation. He released her hands instead.

“I have a lot of work to do.” She spun around, and dashed away before he had the chance to say anything else.

Jake kicked at the dirt. He should be elated that this fiasco with Annabelle was over. Why did he feel so miserable, then? With a heavy sigh, he headed back toward the river to gather his gear and find his horse. Women! Obviously their irrational behavior hadn’t changed over the centuries. She couldn’t stay mad at him forever. At some point, she would have to listen to him. His mare snorted, and sniffed at his shirt, nudging him in the chest. Jake stroked her soft nose. “At least you enjoy my company, huh, Princess?”

He returned to camp several hours later. Rachel had obviously been busy washing clothes. Shirts, kids britches, and a couple of dresses fluttered in the breeze, draped over the wagon’s tongue. After the three-day layover here at the fort, the journey would resume bright and early in the morning. Most folks were busy getting their clothes washed and necessary wagon repairs finished. The livestock was showing the strains from the journey, and no doubt appreciated the few days of rest to graze the sparse grasses along the Platte.

Jake stepped around Rachel’s wagon. Neither she nor the boys were in camp. He spotted Mary Holland folding blankets at the camp closest to Rachel’s, and headed in her direction. Tommy and Billy sat on the ground near one of the wagon wheels, playing with marbles in the dirt. They both looked up and waved to him.  David spotted him and toddled toward him, a drooly smile on his chubby face.

“Ma’am,” Jake greeted Mary Holland. “Hey, partner.” He scooped David in his arms and held him high above his head before settling the boy on his shoulders.

“Mr. Owens,” Mary nodded. The corners of her mouth twitched, and she lowered her head in an obvious attempt to hide her growing smile. Jake could feel her scrutinizing eyes on him. He had a suspicion that Rachel confided in this woman, but he couldn’t be sure. Suddenly tongue-tied, he didn’t know how to start a conversation with her. If the kids were with Mary, where was Rachel? David babbled loudly above his head.

“Rachel’s gone to find Mr. Wilson,” Mary said abruptly.

“What for?” Jake frowned.

“She wanted to make sure he would allow her to continue on to Oregon come morning.”

“Why wouldn’t he?” On second thought, he wouldn’t put it past Wilson to deny her the right to stay with the train, now that she was alone.

“She doesn’t have a husband, and with three small children, she might not be able to keep up.” Mary looked at him as if he were daft.

“I told her I’d look out for her until we reach Oregon. If Wilson has a problem with that, he can talk to me.”

Mary draped her blanket over the wagon’s tailgate, then faced him fully. With one hand on her hip, she glared at him. “Until you reach Oregon, Mr. Owens? Then what? What will she do in Oregon, all by herself?” She raised her eyebrows expectantly. “I’ve seen the way you look at her. Anyone with a pair of eyes in their head can see what’s on your mind when you look at her.”

“Oh yeah? And what’s that?” Jake challenged. Was he that transparent?

“You’re in love with her.” Mary stepped closer to him. “And if you had anything more than straw between your ears, you’d see that she’s in love with you. How could you betray her like that and go seek out the first woman of ill repute you came across?” Her eyes narrowed, and she leaned closer to him.

Jake wasn’t sure if Mary referred to the laundress at the fort or Annabelle. His mind was still stuck on
she’s in love with you.
 

“What she did for you today took a lot of grit,” Mary continued. Her stare was downright uncomfortable.

Jake rubbed the back of his neck. “I know that,” he said between clenched teeth.  “I didn’t cheat on her. I tried to tell her that last evening, but she wouldn’t hear me out.”

“Rachel told me she saw you go into the laundry shop with a woman who appeared to be working there. And not as a laundress.”

“I thought she was someone else. I was in that shop for no more than five minutes.” He should be telling Rachel this, not her friend.

She’s in love with you.
Mary’s words replayed in his mind. “How can I explain it to her when she won’t even hear me out?”

“You’ll think of something.” Mary’s answer was less than satisfactory. Jake had never much cared when a woman walked away from him. Fact was, he usually did the walking. He wished Mary Holland would clue him in as to how he could make Rachel stop long enough to allow him to explain.

“What the hell am I supposed to do?”

Mary’s eyebrows furrowed. “And here I thought you were a smart man, Mr. Owens. What do you think you should do?” Shaking her head, she turned her attention back to her laundry.

****

“Who’s gonna take care of your team of mules?” Frank Wilson asked, shaking his head. “We’ll be heading into the mountains soon, Mrs. Parker. Do you understand what that means? You’re a young woman with three small children, and no man. I can’t have any stragglers.”

Rachel gaped at the bull-headed wagon master. He refused to listen to her. He’d adamantly told her she could not continue with the train unless some family would be willing to take her on. Under no circumstances would she be allowed to go with her own wagon. Rachel knew she couldn’t impose on anyone. Everyone already tried to lighten their wagons as much as possible. No one would take on four extra people. And what about her belongings and provisions?

“Mr. Wilson, please,” she tried again. “I won’t slow you down. What am I supposed to do if you won’t let me continue on to Oregon?”

Wilson stared at her. He rolled a cigarette, and struck a match against his boot. Taking a long drag and slowly exhaling the smoke, he said, “There are folks here turning back all the time. You can go back to where you came from with one of those outfits.”

“I can’t return home. There’s nothing for me there. I have to go on to Oregon.” Rachel couldn’t believe the man. No wonder Jake constantly argued with him. 

Wilson merely shrugged. “Ain’t my problem.”  He blew more smoke out of his mouth and without another word, walked away.

Rachel stomped her foot. “Damn him,” she uttered under her breath. What was she going to do now? Glancing around camp, she suddenly felt utterly alone and lost. Women finished up their laundry chores while men repacked wagons or made adjustments on their rigs. At many camps, pieces of furniture or other items an eager family had thought to bring along were piled next to their wagon. People were preparing for the hard journey ahead through the Rocky Mountains, and sadly had to part with their precious heirlooms. Only the most basic necessities were repacked.

Rachel sighed. She’d left everything back in Ohio. Her mother’s furniture had gone to the buyer of the farm. Thomas didn’t want to bring anything that would remind him of Polly. The only item she hadn’t been able to part with was her mother’s wedding band, and that was stored safely in a satchel in her trunk.

Slowly, Rachel walked past families preparing to continue the journey west. An Indian woman shoved a pair of moccasins under her nose, eager for a trade. Rachel shook her head and skirted around the woman. Her mind raced, sorting through possibilities on how to continue her own journey with the train. She knew Mary and Ben Holland would take her, but how could she impose on them? They were newlyweds, and needed their space. Perhaps if she sold her wagon and team of mules, she could buy a horse and pack only a few items with her. The boys could take turns riding, and sometimes ride with the Hollands. They might even allow her some room in the wagon for her dry goods. She shook her head, dismissing the idea. Alone, it might be possible, but not with three children.