Joline's Redemption (13 page)

“No, you don't. Me and Lee ain't got nowhere to go.”

“I had two younger sisters to care for.” But he didn't. He could only think of his own pain back then.

“What did you do?”

“Well, we were fortunate that we had grandparents to go live with.”

“We ain't got none.”

“You've got me. I'll make sure to find you a good home with a couple who'll take good care of you.”

Nick studied him with watery eyes—eyes that had seen too much for a child his age. “You married to that pretty lady?”

Feeling his ears redden, he shook his head. “No.” But he had a feeling she'd like to be.

Nick dropped his head, sniffled, and then wiped his nose with his sleeves. “Lee will be sad.”

“It's the nature of things when you lose someone you love, but I'm sure you'll be a big comfort to him.”

“I'll try.”

Jack stood, surprised that Nick didn't cry over his pa. Maybe he would when he and his brother were alone. “Let's get you two to town, cleaned up, and get a good meal down you.”

Nick nodded then looked up. “How am I going to tell Lee about Pa?”

Jack offered a somber smile and held out his hand. “I'll help you.”

“Can we stay with you—at least for now?”

Jack's heart clenched. He hadn't thought much further than finding the boys. He wasn't cut out to be a father. He'd abandoned his whole family—and killed his parents. Just being a pastor was really pushing the edge of what he was comfortable with. If God hadn't saved him and changed him from a two-bit rustler and thief and given him a reason to live, he doubted he'd even be alive today. How could he refuse this soggy orphan? “I reckon I've got enough room. You and your brother can stay with me for now.”

Holding Jamie, Jo paced the hallway. She hoped to get him down for another nap, but he must have sensed the tension in the house, because he refused to let Sarah hold him, which was a rare occurrence. He fussed and she patted his back, murmuring softly.

Nearly an hour had passed since she left Lara's bedroom. She thought for certain the baby would have arrived by now. Was her sister having trouble?

The pounding of someone rushing up the stairs drew her attention. Sarah appeared first, followed by the doctor. A gush of relief washed through her at seeing the man. Sleepy eyed, Jamie rose up and waved at Sarah, who showed the doctor to the door and then stepped back. Jo hurried to her side so that she could peek in.

The neighbor, Mrs. Eastman, bent over the end of the bed. “I see the head. Go ahead and push when you feel the urge.”

“Howdy, Mrs. Coulter. Looks like things are progressing well.” The doc turned to Gabe, who had tried to stay away but couldn't. “I need to wash up, and I think it's time for you to step out.”

“But—”

The doc raised one hand. “Ever since a husband took a knife to me, thinking I was hurting his wife, I've never let another one in the room during a birthing.”

Gabe glanced at Lara, whose sweaty hair stuck to her cheek. “I'm fine, dear. Please make sure Michael is all right.”

He nodded and turned toward the door, but Jo could tell he wasn't happy about it. Gabe closed it and stood there a moment, breathing hard as if he'd been helping Lara. His hair was mussed, shoulders drooped. “I never knew birthing babies could be such hard work. It seems much easier when animals do it. Where's Michael?”

Jo shrugged and glanced at Sarah.

“Luke took him to barn.”

Gabe rubbed the back of his neck. “I think a walk would do me good.”

“Just don't be gone too long. Babies come quick at this point,” Jo said.

His hand froze in midair. “You think I should stay?”

“I would imagine the baby will be here within the next five or ten minutes.”

“I guess I'll go freshen up a bit and then get a cup of coffee.”

“It is hot on stove,” Sarah offered then ducked her head. She still wasn't comfortable near Gabe, even though he'd only been kind and courteous to them. “I fix you cup.”

“Thank you, Sarah. I would appreciate that. I prefer mine black.”

The girl nodded and rushed toward the stairs, as if eager to get away from Gabe, who turned and headed down the hall. He paused at the top of the stairs and turned, looking at her. “I'm glad you're here, Jo. It means a lot to Lara to have you here when the baby is arriving. Thank you for the help you've been.”

She nodded, more stunned at his gratitude than she would have been if he'd walked up and slapped her. Thinking back to the rebellious days of her youth and how she hated Lara bossing her around, she probably deserved the latter. Gabe's gratitude created a warm feeling in her chest that took hold and made her want to experience it again.

Jamie grew heavy in her arms, and she glanced down, glad to see he'd finally fallen asleep. As she walked into her room to put him to bed, she thought about the men she'd known. Most of them had been nice to her—even charming—but few were courteous. Baron Hillborne had been considerate and polite, even though she noticed caution in his blue gaze.

She laid Jamie in bed and covered him then walked to the window. Why had Baron sought her out at church? He must have recognized her from when she visited the store, but what could he want? Had he learned her name somehow?

She needed to stay away from the man—and yet a part of her wanted to know more about Mark's brother.

But getting to know him could be dangerous.

A quivering cry broke the quiet, and Jo spun toward the door. Lara's baby had arrived.

Three days after the birth of Elizabeth May Coulter, Jo sat in Lara and Gabe's bedroom, rocking her tiny niece. Lara had smoothed down the baby's fuzzy blond hair with a bit of hair oil, and the baby's long lashes rested against her rounded cheeks. Her pink lips moved in sleep as if she dreamed of nursing. “She's beautiful, you know.”

A proud smile graced Lara's lips as she sat on the end of the bed. “Gabe certainly thinks so. I've never seen him so proud.” Her smile faltered. “Tom was never this happy over Michael—and he got a son.”

“Your first husband was a louse.” Jo smiled, helping to soften the words even though they were true. “Does Gabe mind that you had a girl?”

Lara shook her head. “No. Not at all. He's just thankful we're both healthy.” She huffed out a laugh. “He said the next one could be a boy, but I'm not ready to journey down that path yet.”

“I should think not. I'm not ready to consider it, either.” Jo ducked her head, realizing how awful that must have sounded since she wasn't married. But Lara didn't know that.

Jamie crawled over to Lara's ankle boots, which lay under her dresser, and tugged one out. He banged it on the wooden floor and grinned, revealing his new front teeth.

“He's such a happy boy.” Lara rose slowly and went to rescue her shoes and handed him a rattle she'd taken off the dresser.

Jamie shook it and jabbered when it made a jingling sound; then he stuck the end in his mouth.

Lara reclaimed her spot on the bed and slipped one of her boots on and then tied it. Jo noted that her sister's taste in shoes had changed—or maybe it was simply the fact that she had money to buy a nice pair now. After donning both shoes, Lara stared at the floor for a long while.

When her sister got thoughtful, often a lecture followed. Feeling the sudden need to flee, Jo attempted to rise, but her bulky skirts and the baby in her arms hampered her.

“Do you want me to take Beth?”

“I thought you were calling her Lizzie.”

A teasing smile lit her sister's face. “That's what Gabe says, but I prefer Beth.”

“This may be one confused little girl.” Jo flashed an ornery grin. “I think I'll call her Liza—or Bess—just for the fun of it.”

“Don't you dare.” Lara glanced at Jamie. “How did you come up with your son's name?”

Jo shrugged. “It was hard. I finally remembered a boy back in grade school that I was sweet on—James ‘Jamie' Roberts—and named him that.”

“And Mark didn't mind?”

It was the first time her sister had mentioned him. How could she tell her sister that he had been long gone by the time Jamie arrived? “He didn't really care what we named him.”

“That's a shame. I thought Gabe and I would never settle on a name for Beth.”

Jo chuckled. “It doesn't sound like you have.”

Jamie crawled out the bedroom door, and Lara hopped up and went after him. She hauled him back into the room and gave him the rattle again.

“You shouldn't be lifting him.”

Her sister shrugged. “I feel fine except for being a little tired from waking up several times a night to feed Beth.”

“I remember those days.” Days when she was so alone and locked in a bordello, worrying about her future and Jamie's. Life here was so much better, but she couldn't afford to get settled. Badger might find her. She had to make plans for the future, and that included finding a job and making some money—and unfortunately, the only place she could think of to do that was in Guthrie.

“Jo, will you tell me where you were? What happened to Mark? I've been worried sick over you ever since the store closed and you left town.”

And there it was—the question she'd been dreading. “All I can say is that I was living in the Oklahoma City area.”

“So close?”

The disappointment in her sister's eyes made Jo squirm. Jamie crawled over to her and pulled up, standing beside her chair. He mumbled some baby talk, which Jo assumed meant he wanted her to hold him.

Lara rose and crossed to her. “Let me take Beth. It looks like someone needs you.”

She handed the baby to her sister then picked up her son, who felt so heavy compared to the baby. “I think he's ready for some lunch, isn't that right, son?” She tickled his belly, receiving a giggle.

“If you ever want to talk about things, I'm always willing to listen. Sometimes it helps to share and get another person's perspective. I don't care what happened or what you did. You're my sister, and I love you, no matter what.”

Jo nodded, warmed more than she cared to admit by Lara's comment. She wasn't fooling her sister by pretending to be distracted by Jamie. Once again, she was running away.

Would there ever come a time when she'd learn to stand her ground and not flee?

B
aron stood with the rest of the congregation at the minister's request. After a short blessing upon the church members, the minister finished his prayer with a hearty, “Amen. I hope to see all y'all next week.”

Baron picked up his hat from the seat, placed it on his head, and looked toward the back of the church. Two weeks had passed since Baron last saw Gabe Coulter in church. The Indian girl was with him today but not the pretty blond. Had she been a relative simply visiting the family—or perhaps she was a neighbor?

“Excuse me.” He worked his way through the crowd, hoping to catch Gabe before he left for home.

Outside, he scanned the area and found the man talking with someone else. Baron moved in his direction, squeezing past chatting churchgoers until he reached Gabe's side. Gabe glanced his way and nodded then finished talking with Mr. Hemphill, a local business owner. When Mr. Hemphill walked off, Gabe turned to face him and held out his hand. “How are you doing?”

Baron shook it. “Fine. Business is growing.”

“I'm glad to hear it. Lara's been making a list, so I reckon I'll be in one of these days.”

Baron nodded. “If you need me to, I'm happy to open the store for you after church. I imagine getting to town isn't always easy.”

“I appreciate that. We do stay busy, especially with a new baby in the house.” Gabe beamed proudly.

“So the rumor is true.” His mind scrambled to remember if the blond had been with child. Surely he would have noticed such a thing. “Congratulations.”