Finding Promise (32 page)

Jake and Cole exchanged a knowing glance. It wouldn't make a difference one way or the other.

Rodriguez walked into the room and saw Juanita on the floor. “Newcombe's dead,” he said as he kneeled down. Juanita was on her side, so Rodriguez could see the lethal wound in her back. Jake and Cole backed away. They could do nothing for her now. Seeing the hopelessness of Juanita's situation, Rodriguez crossed himself before saying a quick prayer. Taking her hand in his, he asked, “Are you in pain?”

Her eyes were filled with tears, but she said in Spanish, “No. I'm afraid of... Hades.”

Hardly able to form a reply for the lump in his throat, Rodriguez took a deep breath and whispered, “Ask for forgiveness now, and you will see God today.”

Juanita mumbled words that only Rodriguez could hear. When she finished she opened her eyes and stared at him. “I do remember you,” she whispered in a fading voice.

“I remembered you all these years,” Rodriguez answered softly.

She closed her eyes and smiled. “I see Him,” were her last words.

Selecting the site where the friar's hut once stood, Jake and Cole dug the grave while Rodriguez prepared Juanita for burial. Even the bartender had helped by hammering together some planks for a coffin. When the grave was covered, Rodriguez said a prayer.

Jake and Cole walked away to gather the horses and to give Rodriguez a few minutes alone with her. They knew Rodriguez had some unresolved feelings about Juanita, but they didn't push. He would tell them when he was ready.

Jake rode beside Rodriguez as they left the village. “If you ever want to talk about it, I'll listen.”

“Thank you, my friend,” Rodriguez said.

 

 

The trip to Rodriguez's family ranch was a quiet affair. Jake and Cole both knew they hadn't heard the complete story about Rodriguez's relationship with Juanita, and they gave him time to grieve. Jake had his own thinking to do. He still hadn't come to terms with what he planned to do about Promise. He couldn't seem to get her off his mind, no matter how long he was gone.
Hell's . . . church bells!
He smiled to himself, thinking the twins would give him heck if they heard he'd almost messed up. He missed his nephews and couldn't wait to get home to see them. They were corkers, that's for sure, and Victoria and Colt would have their hands full if they had another boy. It was disappointing he wouldn't be there to see the boys Christmas morning, but he'd find some presents for them in Santa Fe. Thinking about his family, it dawned on him that he thought of Victoria as his sister-in-law now, and he was no longer obsessing about her.

As soon as they reached Santa Fe they sent a telegram to Colt.

Jake also stopped at the general store and picked out presents for everyone. He wasn't going to come home empty-handed and disappoint the boys.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Jake's telegram arrived on Christmas morning, right after Colt presented the boys with their new saddles. Though disappointed Jake would be away for another Christmas, Colt reminded himself his brother was safe and there was always next Christmas. He had so many blessings when he thought of his family and the new baby that was soon to be added, that nothing could ruin his day. He had more than enough to thank the Good Lord for at the dinner prayer.

Colt helped Victoria unwrap their gift from Promise, and their smiles told Promise she had pleased the couple with the family portrait that included their beloved dog, Bandit.

Victoria was moved to tears by the painting. If she didn't know better, she would have thought the family had posed together for Promise. “How did you do this? Colt certainly didn't sit still long enough for you to draw him!”

“It wasn't easy, but whenever I saw him sitting still for a minute, I tried to sketch him. The boys were almost as difficult. Bandit was the easiest,” Promise teased.

Victoria dried her tears on her handkerchief. “It's a lovely gift. I will treasure it always.”

Promise handed another large package to Colt. “This is for the three brothers. I'm sorry Jake isn't here to see it.”

“Would you like to wait until he returns?” Colt asked.

Finally, the opportunity presented itself to ask what she'd wanted to ask all day. “When do you think he might return?”

“It depends on the snow. It could be a few months.”

“He can see it when he comes back, but I want to see it now,” Luke cut in.

Promise smiled at his eagerness. “Okay, go ahead. It is Christmas after all!”

Colt handed the large present to Lucas. “You can open this one.”

Luke ripped into the package. His and Colt's mouths dropped open when they saw the painting. Promise had painted the three brothers outdoors with the mountains in the background. Colt was in the center, one arm looped over Jake's shoulders, his other arm over Lucas's. Somehow Promise had captured their personalities. Lucas's dazzling blue eyes and mischievous nature nearly jumped off the canvas. Jake's intense black eyes revealed his serious nature, and Colt's physical stature expressed his authority, but his eyes were full of love for his brothers. Colt knew without walking outside that the painting was an exact replica of the mountains behind the house. It was the scene he saw every day of his life. But he could hardly believe that Promise had captured the sun shining at just the right angle to see the cross reflecting on the mountains.

“Oh my,” Victoria said and started weeping again.

Colt pointed to the cross. “You saw that?”

“Yes, a few times.”

“A lot of people never see it.”

Lucas said, “Promise, I swear I'm stealing you from Charles! You are beautiful and talented.”

Charles was sitting across the room, absorbed in a book that Colt had given him about breeding cattle. Hearing his name, he glanced up and said, “Pardon?”

“I'm stealing Promise,” Lucas repeated.

“Okay,” Charles replied, then promptly stuck his nose back in the book.

Everyone laughed, but secretly Promise was relieved that Charles seemed to be over his obsession to make her his wife. She had worried that he might try to give her an engagement ring again for Christmas, but he'd given her a lovely cameo brooch. She'd had Colt pick out a Western saddle as her gift to him.

Christmas Day was almost perfect, with one exception. Jake was not there for the festivities, and no one felt his absence more than Promise. Her present to him would have to wait. It was a painting of him by the campfire. She'd painted it from the sketch she did that night on the trail. She was thrilled she'd completed all of the paintings because she had a feeling that once she returned to Charleston, she would no longer have the heart for painting. She'd been inspired by her surroundings, and by Jake. She'd take her memories with her in the form of the many sketches she had of Jake and his family.

 

 

“This woman you found is still at your ranch, señor?” Margaretta, one of Rodriguez's sisters, asked while they were having dinner. Rodriguez had told his family about the cattle drive and the events that had taken place.

“Yes, she is looking after my sister-in-law until she has her baby,” Jake replied.

“Which could be any day now,” Cole added.

Jake remembered Colt saying they could have a Christmas baby. Wouldn't that be something, to have a new baby when he got back home! He hadn't purchased a present for a baby, something he needed to do before he got home. But what did you get a baby, particularly if you didn't know if it was going to be a boy or a girl? He asked the women that question, and they were still discussing it an hour later. Jake decided he would pick something up in Denver for the baby since he had to stop there to pick up a present for Promise.

 

 

Colt snuffed out the last candle on the Christmas tree in the front room, and was ready to join Victoria in bed when Promise ran into the room. “Colt, I think Victoria is ready.”

“I'm coming up now,” he answered, thinking she meant Victoria was ready for bed.

“I mean the baby is coming now,” Promise stated impatiently. “I've already told Mrs. Wellington.”

Colt whipped around to face her. “Now?”

“Now. Mrs. Wellington said there wasn't time to send someone for the doctor because that would take hours in this snow. I'm going to boil some water and get everything ready.”

Colt hurried for the stairs. “Luke!” he yelled.

“Something on fire?” Luke shouted, running from his bedroom.

“No, the baby's coming!” So many thoughts were racing around in Colt's head. The doctor expected the baby to be large, and he wondered if Mrs. Wellington could handle it if anything went wrong. Should he send someone to town for the doctor?

“You want me to help deliver the baby?” Luke asked, thoroughly confused. He'd helped deliver his share of colts, but never a baby.

“No, go help Promise with whatever she needs,” Colt said.

Promise heard the exchange and laughed. She could hear the excitement and trepidation in Colt's voice.

The boys ran into the hallway. “The baby's coming?” they exclaimed together.

“Yes, so you two can stay up, but go see if Promise needs help,” Colt told them before he went into his bedroom. He didn't think they needed to see Victoria right now.

“Yippee!” they chorused and scrambled down the steps.

Colt took a moment to calm himself before he stepped into the room. No matter what happened, he told himself, he'd seen many animals born, so he could handle this. He was determined to stay calm for Victoria. He opened the door and stepped inside. When he saw the pain etched on his wife's face, it was all he could do not to scream in frustration.

Mrs. Wellington handed him a damp cloth. “Wipe her forehead and try to keep her calm.”

Colt sat on the bed beside Victoria and put the cloth on her forehead, thankful he had a task. “Can I do anything else for you, honey?”

“No, I . . . just . . . need . . . to . . . have . . . this . . . baby,” she said calmly between contractions.

Colt smiled at her control. He'd never seen a woman have a baby, and the longer he sat there, he wasn't sure he wanted to see his wife endure this much pain. It was breaking his heart to see her like this, and there wasn't a thing he could do to help her.

Mrs. Wellington told her to scream if she wanted, but Victoria knew the boys were up and didn't want to worry them. Promise and Luke carried water into the room, but Luke didn't stay. He decided to go find some cigars and whiskey in preparation for the big event.

They waited and waited, each of them wincing whenever Victoria had a contraction. For such a tiny woman, Colt was surprised at her strength each time she gripped his fingers.

Three hours later, just before midnight, a new McBride came into the world.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

“I thought you might stay with Rodriguez. It looked like you were getting mighty friendly with Margaretta,” Jake teased.

“I couldn't let you ride all this way alone. No telling what kind of trouble you might get into,” Cole responded.

Just one week after Christmas, Jake had been itching to leave New Mexico. Cole thought he was crazy to travel in such inclement weather, but he didn't try to dissuade him. On their way back to Wyoming they'd stopped in Denver, and also paid a visit to John and Nettie Hollister. They were invited to spend the night, and as usual, Nettie prepared a fine dinner, and then breakfast to send them off to face their cold journey home. It was still snowing when they left Denver, but Jake was determined to go.

“Why do you think Rodriguez didn't come with us?” Cole asked.

Jake had given that question some consideration. “I think he had some things to work out, and I think he missed his family.”

“Yeah, I think he did. He has a fine family.”

“The sisters are especially fine,” Jake teased. “I expect we'll see Rodriguez in the spring. He'll come for his horses.” Rodriguez had loaned them two extra horses for their trip home. He'd left some horses at the ranch, so he told them he would come to Wyoming in the spring for them.

Cole smiled. “Yeah. If he doesn't come back in the spring, I might have to take them to him. Then I can see those pretty gals again.”

“What about Promise?” Jake asked.

Cole expelled a loud breath. “What about her?”

“Well, it looked like you two were getting pretty close.”

“I don't know how many ways to say this to you, partner, but Promise has her sights set on someone else, and here's one guess—he's one dumb son-of-a-buck!” That said, he rode off at a faster pace before he got the urge to land his fist on his friend's jaw.

Jake grinned. He just wanted to see where Cole's head was as it related to Promise. He had his answer.

 

 

The two of them were nearly frozen when they rode up to the ranch in mid-February. They were met at the stable by some of the ranch hands, who helped them remove their gear from the horses. Suddenly, a loud cry came from the house. Cole and Jake looked at each other and smiled.

“I guess that is your new niece or nephew,” Cole said.

The little cry warmed Jake's heart, and he was grinning from ear to ear. “Sounds like.”

Cole knew Jake was itching to see the new baby and Promise. “Go ahead and see that new baby. I'll finish here.”

“Don't take too long. It's time for dinner, and I know everyone will want to see you.” Jake grabbed the packages and headed toward the house. It was Sunday, so he expected everyone to be at home.

The boys ran from the side of the house, shouting, “Uncle Jake, Uncle Jake!”

Jake dropped his packages as the boys hurled themselves at him. “My favorite nephews!” Jake said, hugging them to him.

The twins laughed. “We're your only nephews.” Seeing the packages, they said, “We missed you at Christmas. We got presents for you too.”

“What makes you think these are for you?”

“Aw, we know they are,” Cade said.

“Yeah,” Cody agreed. They helped Jake with the packages. “Come on, we got something to show you. Boy, are you gonna be surprised.”

“I bet I am.” Wanting to surprise everyone, he headed for the front door instead of going through the kitchen.

“Promise is still here too. We don't want her to go home,” Cody said.

“And wait till you see the painting she did of us and Ma and Pa and Bandit,” Cade told him.

“It made Ma cry,” Cody said, making a face.

“That was nice of Promise,” Jake said.

Cade looked at him like he had grown two heads. “To make Ma cry?”

Jake chuckled. “No, to give her a painting of you handsome boys.”

“Yeah, Promise is real nice,” Cody said. “She's putting supper on the table.”

“Good, I'm hungry enough to eat two growing boys.”

“Aw, Uncle Jake, you wouldn't eat us,” Cade said.

“Not if dinner is good. What are we having?”

“Fried chicken, taters, and gravy,” Cody told him.

“You like that,” Cade added, remembering how much fried chicken his uncle could eat.

“Yep, I do. Are we having apple pie?” Jake asked hopefully.

“I dunno,” Cade said. “Do you know, Cody?”

“Nope. Maybe it'll be apple pie.”

“I sure hope so. I'm partial to Promise's apple pie,” Jake told them as he opened the front door.

Walking from his office, Colt was the first to see his brother. “Jake, what in the world are you doing here?”

“I missed home,” Jake replied, stacking his packages on the floor.

Colt thought his brother looked tired, which was understandable riding home in this frigid weather. He pulled Jake into his embrace. “Thank God you're back. We missed you too.”

“Look, Uncle Jake,” the boys said, taking his hand and turning him around so he could see Promise's painting of the three brothers on the wall.

“Wow! How did she manage that?” Jake stared at the impressive painting. “She even saw that cross that you showed me on the mountains.”

“She's something, isn't she?” Colt put his arm over his brother's shoulder and led him to the dining room. “We have another surprise for you,” he said, beaming.

“I've already heard it, but is it a niece or nephew?”

As they entered the dining room, Jake's eyes landed on Victoria holding the little bundle in her arms.

“Jake! How wonderful to have you home. Come see little Tate.”

Jake shook his brother's hand. “Congratulations, brother. Tate, that's perfect.” He hurried across the room to see his new nephew, and took him from Victoria's arms as comfortably as if he held babies every day. “Now this is a big boy,” he said, feeling the baby's weight. “He's going to be just like his pa. And look at all that black hair!”

“The doc said he thought he was bigger than me.” Colt beamed proudly like a new father should.

Jake gave Victoria a concerned look. “Are you okay?”

“I'm fine,” Victoria responded.

“Don't let her fool you. It was a long Christmas night, and she was in bed for three weeks afterward,” Colt added.

“He was born on Christmas Day?”

“Right before midnight,” Colt said.

“Ma says he's gonna be tall,” Cody said.

“Yeah, and Pa said the way he eats, he'll be as big as us in no time,” Cade added.

Colt pulled the twins into his arms. “I'm counting on you to watch after him and make sure he's a good boy, just like you two.”

Their faces lit up at his words. “We will,” they said in unison.

“Jake, why did you come home in this weather?” Victoria asked.

“I found something awhile back, and I had to see if I lost it.”

Colt exchanged a look with his brother, his meaning not lost on him. “I don't think you did.”

“What?” Victoria said.

Jake barely heard her question because the baby was looking at him and cooing, and Jake was making baby talk back to him. Colt couldn't stop grinning as he watched his brother hold his new son.

No one saw Promise and Charles walk into the room.

“What did you find and lose, Uncle Jake?” Cody asked.

“Jake! What are you doing here?” Promise hadn't expected him to be back for months, and she couldn't believe he was standing in front of her.

Jake turned to her. She was wearing his favorite blue dress, and she looked so beautiful he feared his heart would burst at the sheer joy of seeing her.

“Everyone keeps asking me that. Isn't anyone glad to see me?” he teased.

“We are!” the boys exclaimed.

“Of course,” Promise said, more thrilled than she could say. Silently, she thanked God for bringing him home. Watching him hold little Tate brought a lump to her throat. It was tempting to imagine him holding their baby, but she wouldn't allow herself to dream of something that would never happen.

“But what did you find and lose, Uncle Jake?” Cade repeated his brother's question.

“Promise.”

Everyone but Colt looked confused.

“What?” Promise asked, thinking he wanted to ask her something.

“But Promise is not lost, she's right here,” Cade said, and Cody agreed. “Yeah, you already found her.”

“Did I?” he asked.

Promise's eyes widened. What was he asking her? “Jake?” she whispered.

He planted a kiss on little Tate's forehead and passed him to his brother, then walked across the room and took the platter of chicken Promise was holding and handed it to Charles. “Sorry, Charles, but you will have to excuse us.” With that said, he took her by the elbow and headed for the door. Once they were on the porch, he removed his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. When he felt her shiver, he asked, “Are you cold?”

“No.” She wasn't cold, she was nervous. She'd planned what she would say to him when he returned, but right now she couldn't think of a single word. All she could think about was how handsome he was, and how she loved the way he smelled of outdoors and leather, and how grateful she was that he was home in one piece.

Jake stared at her, trying to gather his courage. All the way home he'd memorized the words he wanted to say, but now that he was in front of her, he questioned why a woman like her would want him. She was beautiful, talented, smart, and brave, and she could have her choice of any man in the world. Charles might be a better man for her. He hesitated. Nope . . . there wasn't a better man for her. He was the one. He gave her a brilliant smile. “Did you miss me?”

For months, she'd waited and waited for the Jake she knew when he first found her to surface, but he'd made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her. She'd lost hours of sleep wondering why he hadn't even said good-bye, and she hadn't forgotten how devastated she'd been. “I've been pretty busy,” she said hesitantly.

Oh, she'd missed him, he could see it on her face, but he'd hurt her, too. He needed to make up for that. “Too busy to miss me?”

“Well . . .” She faltered. She wanted to say no, but the lie would not leave her lips. If only he knew how much she'd missed him.

He moved toward her and she stepped backward into a column on the porch. Jake braced his hands against the column, fencing her in. “I missed you,” he said, lowering his face to hers.

She stared into his black eyes. “Really. Since you didn't say good-bye, I didn't think you gave me much thought.” Her words didn't contain rancor, just honesty.

“I was wrong,” he admitted. “I'm sorry.” He inched his face closer. “I gave you a lot of thought.”

He was so close she could see the playful glint in his eyes, feel the heat of his skin, and she wanted so badly to pull him even closer. What did he want from her? She'd vowed she wouldn't throw herself at him if she ever saw him again. “I'm glad you are safe.” And she was. She'd prayed and prayed that he would return home safely, and her prayers had been answered.

He took a deep breath and decided to jump in. He wasn't a man who equivocated about anything, other than his feelings for Promise. He intended to put an end to that today. He loved her, and he knew he would never be happy without her. The way he saw it, the rest of his life was riding on her response. “I found you, Promise, and I don't want to lose you. You might think Charles is the best man for you, but he isn't. I am.” Looking into her eyes, he couldn't tell what she was thinking. “I'm not letting you go.”

Promise could hardly breathe. He was saying the words she'd been longing to hear. Jake was the most wonderful man she'd ever known. He was the very kind of man she'd expected to find in the West. But she had convinced herself that he didn't want her. Tears started welling in her eyes.

Her silence made him anxious. “Do you plan on marrying Charles?”

She shook her head.

“Good. I wouldn't want to shoot him, but I would,” he teased. At least, he told himself he was teasing.

She had to ask the question that had been on her mind for months. “What about Victoria? I know you care for her.”

He didn't hesitate. “She's not the woman I've been thinking of day and night. Colt was right, I was envious of what he'd found. I wanted the happiness he had, not his wife, or his life. Promise, I've made a mess of things, but now my head is on straight. A smart man once said ‘the course of true love never did run smooth.' I'd say that pretty much sums it up, since you are my true love.” His big brother wasn't the only one who could quote Shakespeare. He reached in his coat and pulled something out. Promise couldn't see what it was, but when he lowered himself to one knee, she started shaking. “I won't lose you. You are going to marry me,” he stated, his voice deep and clear.

“Is that a proposal?” she asked, breathless. To her, it was the most beautiful proposal in the world. He'd said she was his
true love
, and that was all she needed to hear him say.

“Sort of.” He stood and leaned over. His face was so close to hers, if he leaned down just an inch more his lips would be on hers and he could kiss her senseless. His eyes lowered to her lips, and he was just about to give in to his urge, but he was determined to make a proper proposal. She deserved that. He also wanted her to know he could be a cowboy and a gentleman of the first order, just like she'd expected to find out West. He took her hand and held the ring to her finger. “Promise, I love you and have from the moment I found you. Will you marry me?”