Love Inspired Historical November 2014 (58 page)

“That's good.” He moved back again, pulling her along with him.

Leah gulped as her feet glided smoothly on the ice.

“Don't panic. I've got you.” Jake's fingers slid down her arms to her wrists. “See? This isn't so bad, is it?”

Staring into his eyes wasn't bad at all. Falling on frozen ice, well, that would be very bad. “It's not all good,” she answered.

His laughter caused her to smile, too.

Jake switched his grasp to her fingers, slowly linking their hands together. The he slid his hands down to her fingertips.

Leah wondered how he could move so gracefully on the ice. The man was skating backward, and that just seemed unnatural. “How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Go backward?”

Jake laughed once more. “I can't explain it but someday, after you've learned to go forward, I'll show you.”

Leah noticed that her breathing wasn't as quick as it had been. Her heart wasn't struggling to leave her chest and her legs had firmed up. She grinned.

He continued to stare into her eyes. “Did you see me skating with Molly earlier?”

“Yes.”

He rubbed his gloved thumb against hers. “Good.” Jake tilted his head to the side. “Now, look over my shoulder and find something to focus on.”

“Okay, but why?” Leah did as he said. She saw a tree on the bank and stared at it.

Slowly Jake untangled his fingers from hers. “I'm going to move behind you and skate with you like I did Molly.”

Leah held her breath and tried to retain her balance without him helping her. She focused on the tree as he'd instructed. The sound of a loud plop broke her concentration.

A squeal of fright had her jerking her eyes from the tree, turning her head at a fast pace, and just as she realized it was Molly she'd heard, Leah's feet went out from under her and she, too, fell with a loud plop. She turned to check on Molly. If the little girl was hurt, Leah was determined to go to her. Even if it meant crawling on the ice to do so.

Agnes stood beside the little girl, helping her up. Leah sighed with relief. She looked up to find Jake standing beside her. His grin surprised her. He wasn't angry that she'd fallen?

“See? That wasn't so bad.” He held out a hand and Leah let him help her up.

She laughed. “No, that wasn't bad at all.” She didn't elaborate on the fact that her backside stung a little from the fall.

“Good. Now again. Focus on me.”

She allowed him to pull her close, his big arms sliding around her waist as he stared into her eyes. No, this wasn't bad in any way, form or fashion. Uneasiness settled over her. Even without love, Leah felt sure she could gaze into this man's eyes forever. And those kinds of thoughts were dangerous to her heart.

* * *

It was late in the afternoon when they tromped back to the home station. Leah felt as if she'd worked all day. Her legs seemed weighted down but her heart seemed to have sprouted wings, giving her a light happiness that she hadn't felt in a long time.

Jake walked beside her with Molly on his shoulders. The little girl would rest well tonight. Her cheek lay on the top of his head and she'd closed her eyes.

The sound of the stagecoach arriving drew her head up. Leah watched as it came to a stop in front of the house. Unable to see if there were passengers aboard, she listened for the sound of extra voices.

They rounded the stagecoach just as a woman in a new green traveling dress stepped down. Leah admired the way she seemed to glide down the steps, her hand tucked daintily in Mr. Edwards's big hand.

Jake stopped walking.

Leah turned to him and saw that his eyes had grown round and his jaw had dropped. His face paled as if he'd just seen a ghost.

“Nellie?”

A light, tinkling laugh floated to them. “You remembered.” The stranger stepped from the stage and waited until they reached her side. Then her arms wrapped around him in a tight hug.

Nellie's blond curls fell over her shoulders as she gazed up at him. Leah couldn't believe how green the woman's eyes were. They looked like emeralds and sparkled with happiness. Who was this woman and what did she want with Jake?

The stagecoach tilted as another person got off. He was a tall man with a top hat and waistcoat. His brown hair and dancing blue gaze landed on Leah.

“Come along inside everyone. There is a hot supper waiting for all of us,” Agnes said, stepping around the group.

Leah turned to Jake. “I'll take Molly.” Her voice sounded tight in her own ears. She raised her arms for the little girl to slip into.

Jake nodded and handed the child over. His eyes never left Nellie's face. “What are you doing in Colorado?” he asked.

She'd never heard his voice sound so husky. Leah lowered Molly to the ground. “Come on, sweetie. Let's go help Agnes.” Leah pulled the child behind her.

Molly pulled her hand from Leah's. She turned and stared at Jake and Nellie. Her lower lip trembled and tears filled her eyes. “Mama?”

Only Leah heard the whispered word. Tears began to stream down the little girl's face. Leah tried to pick Molly up but the little girl shoved her away.

Jake's head was lowered and he was listening intently to Nellie. Their voices were low and they seemed unaware of everyone around them.

Distressed by Molly's tears and her refusal to be comforted, Leah called out, “Jake.”

It might have been the urgency in Leah's tone, or maybe he'd been aware of her the whole time, but for whichever reason, Jake looked up. His eyes connected with hers and he tilted his head sideways as if to silently ask, what?

She motioned toward Molly.

His long legs had him standing before them in an instant. He knelt down in front of his niece. “Molly, what's wrong?”

Her little hand shook as she pointed at Nellie and whispered once more, “Mama?”

She'd spoken! Her gaze moved to Jake. Jake knelt and stared at the child, the expression on his face revealed her own surprise and wonder.

Molly had finally spoken.

Chapter Eleven

H
ow could he have been so stupid? Why hadn't he realized the impact seeing her mother's twin sister, Nellie, would have on Molly? Seeing her had thrown him for a loop, as well. He'd never even thought about Nellie arriving in Colorado. She looked so much like Sally that at first he'd been fooled, as well. But when she began talking, Jake remembered how different from each other the twin sisters had been.

Feeling like a heel, Jake tried to turn Molly so that she would look at him. She refused. Molly only had eyes for her mother's twin.

“I want my mama!” Molly wailed as she tried to pull away from Jake. Her little arms reached for Nellie.

For a brief moment, Jake saw Nellie's face soften. But as if she realized she was about to give in to caring emotions, Nellie's features hardened and she snapped, “Mama? Hardly.” Nellie walked toward them. She flicked her hair back over her shoulder with a manicured hand. Ignoring Molly, she walked on by them. “Did someone say something about eating? I'm starved. Marshall, bring my bags.”

Jake's heart went out to Molly. The little girl's face was filled with hurt and confusion. She finally turned her face to him.

“I'm sorry little one. She's not your mama.” Jake held her little face in his hands. “Nellie is your mama's sister, like I'm your daddy's brother.”

He was startled when she jerked her face from him and rushed into Leah's open arms. Jake heard the sobs tear from her small broken heart. His gaze moved to Leah's.

Leah held fast to the child and patted her back. “It's all right, Molly. You'll be all right, I'm here.” Her troubled eyes searched his. “I'd like to take her to our room.”

Jake knew she was asking his permission. He nodded, unsure why she felt she needed to ask. “If you need me, call down the stairs. I'll stay inside.”

She nodded and carried Molly into the house.

Jake turned to see the man Nellie had referred to as Marshall struggling to carry five large suitcases.

“Women can be a handful sometimes, can't they?” Marshall set the cases down.

Jake didn't comment on Marshall's statement, instead he said, “Here, let me take some of those for you.” Jake wondered what Marshall's relationship was with Nellie but didn't ask as he picked up two of the cases. What were they doing here? Jake knew better than to ask. In the mood Nellie was in, he wouldn't get an answer anyway. He'd wait—Nellie would tell him why she was here soon enough.

“Thank you.” Marshall grabbed the other two. He looked over his shoulder. “I'll come back for those, Mr. Edwards. There's no need for you to have to lug them in.”

The stagecoach driver answered, “I got them. Let's get inside where it's warm and there's sure to be hot food for our bellies.”

Jake led the way to the house. He wanted to know more about this Marshall fellow but now wasn't the time. When he stepped through the door he heard Nellie attempting to give orders to Agnes.

“Shouldn't you have the place settings out already?” Nellie asked. She was sitting in Leah's usual place.

“You're welcome to help, if the way I'm preparing the table isn't up to your standards.” There was an edge to Agnes's voice that indicated Nellie had gotten off on the wrong foot with the older woman.

Nellie ignored her. “Jake, come sit by me. I want to hear all about your new life.” She patted the chair where she expected him to sit.

“How long are you staying?” he asked, instead of doing as she bid.

Marshall answered, “A couple of days.” He looked to Mr. Edwards for confirmation. “That's when the next stage to Denver will be coming through, right?”

Mr. Edwards nodded. “Yep, if she don't run into Indians or some other kind of trouble.”

Jake slipped into the chair beside the stage driver. He knew about the earlier attacks but wanted to see what the stagecoach driver might add and asked, “What other kind of trouble?”

Agnes set a bowl of hot rolls on the table and turned to leave again.

The older gentleman grabbed one of the rolls and tore into it with his fingers. “Attacks. Mostly happens at night. Can't tell who the enemies are, so we've gotten to where, if we travel, it's during the day.”

Jake thought about that for a moment. He glanced at Nellie, who seemed to be absorbed in looking the place over. “What's the purpose of the attacks?”

“Well, so far we've lost horses, and every so often a passenger will lose money and jewels.” Edwards took a big bite of the bread and sighed. “I declare, Mrs. Frontz, you make the best grub on our route.”

The older woman set ham and beans out on the table. “Thank you, Mr. Edwards. That's mighty kind of you to say.”

Jake noticed she hadn't brought out any plates or bowls. He couldn't help wondering if she intentionally left them till last just to irritate Nellie. As Agnes started back to the kitchen, Jake rose. “I'll help you finish setting the table,” he offered, following her into the kitchen.

In a hushed voice, Agnes hissed, “That has to be the rudest woman I've had the displeasure of meeting in quite a while. I hope she's no kin of yours.” She handed him a stack of bowls.

“No, but she was my brother's sister-in-law.” He gathered up a handful of spoons.

“Oh, I'm sorry. I'll try to abide her.” Agnes patted his arm. She scooped up another plate with ham slices on it.

Jake opened the door and allowed her to pass in front of him. His gaze moved up the stairs and he wondered how Leah and Molly were doing. Even before he set the bowls and silver down, he'd made up his mind to go check on them. He walked to the stairs.

“Jake, where are you going?” Nellie pouted from the table. “I was hoping we'd get a chance to catch up.”

He turned to face her. “I don't know if you noticed, Nellie, but my niece is pretty upset and my fiancée is trying to comfort her. I'm going to go check on my family.” Jake had already had about all he could stand of Nellie, and to think he had two more days of listening to her whine and be rude.

As he climbed the stairs he realized he'd referred to Leah as his fiancée and family. Why had he done so? Was he trying to prove to Nellie that Sally's up and marrying his brother hadn't bothered him as much as she probably thought? Or had he begun to think of Leah as family?

Jake stopped just outside the bedroom door. He heard voices from inside and it suddenly dawned on him that Molly was speaking.

“Leah, are you going to be my new mommy?”

He leaned forward and listened for Leah's response.

“Molly, I can never take your ma's place but I do want to be like a mother to you.”

“Why?”

“Because I love you as if you were my daughter.”

“Why?”

“Well, I never had a mother, and when I met you you'd just lost yours. I guess I felt a kinship with you. We seemed to belong together, and over the past few months I believe we've started to love each other, too.”

“I love you, Leah. But I don't think I will love my aunt.”

Silence filled the space. Jake chanced glancing into the room. Leah had her back to him and was facing the window. He could see that she held Molly in her arms.

Leah spoke again. “Don't you remember your aunt Nellie?”

“No, Ma didn't like her. It was a long time ago but I 'member Ma told her never to come back to the farm.” The top of Molly's head rubbed against Leah's shoulder.

“I'm sorry to hear that.” Leah rested her head against Molly's. “But you know what?”

“What?”

A smile filled Leah's voice. “I'm glad your aunt came today.”

“Why?”

“Because she reminded you how to talk.” Leah hugged the little girl close.

Molly looked over Leah's shoulder. “Hi, Uncle Jake.”

Leah turned to face him. “I didn't hear you come in.” Her voice was soft and she radiated love and warmth.

Jake felt sure the emotions were for Molly and not him, but they still left Leah with a soft glow about her face. He couldn't help comparing her to Nellie. Where his brother's sister-in-law was rude, Leah was kind. Nellie had a striking beauty that soon turned cold; Leah had an inner beauty that sent off warmth and love to those around her. Of the two, he'd choose Leah's beauty over Nellie's any day.

He knelt down and held his arms out to Molly.

She climbed out of Leah's lap and hurried to him. “Leah's going to be my new ma,” Molly announced as she hugged him around the neck.

Leah stood facing them. Jake held Molly close and mouthed, “Thank you” to Leah.

She offered a sweet, sad smile.

Without thinking, Jake stood, picking up Molly, and then he held his arm out to Leah. He watched as she slowly walked toward him. When she stepped into his embrace, Jake knew this truly was his family.

He still didn't trust it would last, but for now he was content. Jake inhaled Leah's sweet fragrance. He refused to fall in love with her. Jake reminded himself that his heart couldn't stand another breaking, but he would always cherish this moment.

* * *

Leah dreaded the moment when Jake would quit reading for the night and they'd all be spending another evening in Nellie's company. Her husband, Marshall, was a kind man who followed Nellie around like a dog on a leash. It really was sad watching the way she ordered him around.

Jake sat with Molly on his lap. He finished reading about Noah and the flood. The little girl had listened quietly. At times her eyes had grown big but she'd held her questions until he finished and shut the Bible.

Molly laid her hand on his cheek and asked, “How did that Noah man get them animals to go on the big boat?”

Jake grinned at her. “Noah had lots of help from God.”

“Oh, so God made them go on?”

He nodded. “Yep.” Jake grinned, knowing another question would soon pop out of his niece's mouth. She'd been asking questions or talking non-stop since the moment she'd started talking.

Her little face twisted as another question worked its way through her mind. “How come the bigger animals didn't eat the littler ones?” she finally asked as she patted the stubble on his cheek.

“Well, I believe God shut their mouths and wouldn't let them,” Jake answered. He looked about the room at everyone. Each person nodded their agreement except Nellie.

Agnes darned a pair of socks; Ike worked on a length of rope. Leah wasn't sure what Ike was doing, or was going to do with the rope, but his fingers worked the threads. Mr. Frontz sat with a catalog of some sort in his hands. Leah didn't think he was really reading it but was listening to the soft conversations going on around them.

“That book isn't real. You know that, right?” Nellie asked as she pulled at the lace on her dress.

Jake shook his head. “I believe the Bible is real, Nellie.” There was a warning tone in his voice that she simply ignored.

“Oh, really? Well, I have the same questions that Molly does. How can it be real? I mean, you expect us to believe that every animal came by twos.” She laughed bitterly.

For the first time, Leah looked beyond the hateful words, the cruel looks and the mean-spirited actions of the young woman. She saw Nellie now as a scared, confused woman. “What makes you think it isn't real?” Leah asked in a soft tone.

“How can it be? The stories are just that, stories. There is no God.” Nellie stood up and walked to the fireplace.

Its crackles and pops were the only sound in the room for several moments.

Jake's jaw worked. The pony express riders looked uneasily at one another.

Mr. Frontz yawned. “I believe we will be retiring now.” He stood, took Agnes's hand and they left the room.

“'Night,” the three riders said in unison as they each picked up their belongings and headed for the front door.

Leah watched them leave. She saw the anger in Jake's gaze as he stared at Nellie. The young woman seemed unaware of his emotions.

“Perhaps we should retire, too.” Marshall stood and held his hand out to Nellie.

Nellie continued to stare into the flames. “You go on, I'll be up later.”

He dropped his head, and like an obedient servant, Marshall followed the Frontzs up the stairs.

“Jake? Would you tuck Molly in for me tonight?” Leah turned to face him. She wanted to talk to Nellie alone.

Molly laid her head down on Jake's shoulder. Her thumb had worked its way into her mouth.

His gaze searched hers, then he nodded.

“Thank you.” Leah waited until they were up the stairs. She heard the bedroom doors shut behind Marshall and then Jake and Molly.

Leah moved to sit on the chair by the fireplace. From this vantage point she could see Nellie's face. “Why do you think there is no God?” she asked.

A tear slid down Nellie's face. “How can there be?” Misery filled her voice.

“What do you mean?” Leah wanted to understand. She felt she needed to understand the emotions that Nellie was going through.

“If there was a God, He would have spared my sister and her husband. I begged Him not to take them. But what happened? Sally died first.” She slapped her hand against her leg. “I bet you didn't know that twins can sense things about each other, did you?”

Leah shook her head.

“I knew the moment my sister became ill. I begged God not to take her like He had our parents. I asked Him to let me arrive in time to help her.” A sob caught in her throat. “But did He?” She slapped her leg again. “No, and do you know why?” Nellie didn't give Leah a chance to answer. “I do. It's because He doesn't exist.”

“You don't believe that, Nellie. You are angry and hurting.”

Nellie spun to face Leah. Anger radiated from her very being. “How can you know what I believe or don't believe?”

“You prayed. Nonbelievers don't pray to a God they don't believe in,” Leah answered in a quiet voice.