Redemption (8 page)

“Don’t count on that too much,” Alicia murmured under her breath as she stepped up her pace. One good thing about being tall was that she marched along rapidly when the spirit moved her. This evening she felt the need for action. If she were a child she’d be running right now, away from her angry exchange with Jake. If she exerted herself with a brisk walk, maybe she’d be tired enough so that she might actually sleep tonight.

Somehow that prospect didn’t seem likely, she thought. Jake McPherson was a stubborn man, she’d known that from the beginning. If he wouldn’t talk to her, she’d go over his head. One way or another, she’d find out what she needed to know.

In one corner of his parlor sat a grand piano, covered with dusty sheets and taking up a large part of the room. Unless she missed her guess, Jake was determined never to touch the keys again. A tragedy in itself, if what she’d heard about him was true. Catherine’s mother had shown her a poster advertising Jacob McPherson’s debut concert in Green Rapids eleven years ago.

Any man who played well enough to perform in front of the whole town must be talented, she’d decided. Somehow, his love for music must be regenerated. How it was to come about, she had no idea, but she hadn’t been called obstinate and bullheaded by her father for nothing. If Jake married her, he might as well know right off that she planned to bring some purpose to his life.

“I’
M GOING TO ASK YOU
for your help, Rachel.” She’d thought it over, and approaching her would-be sister-in-law seemed like the best path to take. Rachel looked up from her sewing machine and arched an eyebrow at Alicia, nodding serenely.

“What do you want to know?” she asked. “Let me tell you right off that I’ve been waiting for you to begin asking questions. And I don’t mind providing answers. I wouldn’t do anything in the world to hurt Cord’s brother. He’s been my brother, too, for a long time now,
and I love him dearly. But the man is like a wounded bear, and he’s needed somebody to pull the thorn out of his paw for a long time.”

“That story was about a lion, not a bear,” Alicia said with droll humor. “Since you’ve managed to read my mind, I’ll only ask one thing of you. Tell me about the piano in the parlor and about his training. What he’s capable of.”

“That would take a while,” Rachel said, lifting the skirt of Alicia’s dress to check the stitches. She held it before her, shaking it and then turning it so that the sleeves were before her. “I just have to hem these by hand and we’ll be done,” she said. “You’re going to look lovely, Alicia.”

“Pretty is as pretty does, my mama used to say. What do you suppose that means?”

Rachel shrugged. “Probably not much. We’ve already had this discussion, anyway. Jake likes the way you look, and that’s all that matters.”

“You think so?” She cleared her throat, hoping to disguise the wistful note she’d inadvertently allowed to creep into her voice. “He thinks I’m efficient and capable and will make a good mother for Jason. Let’s not pretend this is a love match, Rachel.”

“I didn’t mean that it was. I don’t think anyone falls in love that quickly. But I do think that, given time, you’re going to be very happy with Jake. I’ll remind
you of this conversation one day,” she said with a smile. Leaning forward, she touched Alicia’s hand. “I like you, my friend, more than I’d thought possible. I’m hoping we’ll be sisters in every way there is.”

“Oh, please, don’t make me blubber,” Alicia said, feeling tears of gratitude well up. “I’m not a sentimental woman, but that sort of talk will turn on the water-works if you’re not careful.”

“A few tears never hurt anybody,” Rachel said, threading her needle with care. She looked over at the kitchen range. “Why don’t you put my irons on the front of the stove, and you can press this when I’m finished.”

“All right.” Alicia rose and did as she was asked. The dress was beautiful, rose-colored and nicely fitted across the bodice. Her waist was defined by the lines of the pattern Rachel had used, and at first Alicia had felt uncomfortable at the accentuated display of her womanly shape.

“You have good lines,” Rachel had said firmly. “I believe in showing off your good points.”

Alicia had given in to Rachel’s superior knowledge as far as fashion was concerned. If the woman said the dress was becoming to her, she’d just have to take her word for it. Alicia’s own sense of style was sadly lacking, a fact she had admitted to herself years ago.

She set up the ironing board, and was soon at work pressing the dress. Rachel sat watching, chatting quietly.
“Jake spent years at the conservatory in New York City, played in concert halls and was an acclaimed success,” she said. “Then the war came along. His father had a fit when he put on a uniform and picked up a gun. He’d already bought the piano for Jake’s use and had it installed in the parlor here.”

“But Jake couldn’t play it afterward, could he?” Alicia asked. “Not without having a foot to touch the pedals.”

“That’s the wonderful part of this story,” Rachel said. “A piano tuner came one day, a blind fellow, old and wise. He told the blacksmith how to fit the piano with wires that connected with the pedal. Then they built a pedal that could be used by Jake’s right knee. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked.

“I’ll never forget the morning he first sat down and played.” She shivered as if the memory was one that brought a thrill to her very being. “After his marriage to Lorena he worked for the opera company, making arrangements for touring companies to visit Green Rapids, setting up concerts for various artists. It brought some culture to this town, something we’ve lacked ever since Rena died.”

“Then Jake withdrew,” Alicia murmured, holding her iron in the air as she whispered the words.

“Yes.” Rachel’s eyes filled with tears. “Rena would hate it if she knew that Jake buried his music in the
grave that day in the cemetery. I think he was so angry, he just determined never again to gain any pleasure from the instrument he loved. And he hasn’t. He just sat and brooded. Until you came along.”

“He still broods a bit,” Alicia said. “He’s a difficult man.”

“But you love him, don’t you?” Rachel asked softly.

Alicia shot her a surprised look. “I hope it doesn’t show. I’ll never tell him. I wouldn’t put him under that sort of obligation.”

“I’ll never tell,” Rachel said firmly, lifting her hand to make an X over her breast. “Hope to die if I tell a lie,” she intoned with a smile.

“I haven’t allowed myself to even think about it, not till this minute,” Alicia said. “I know what I’m risking in this marriage, Rachel, but I know it’s the right thing for all of us. Especially Jason. He needs a mother as much as any little boy I’ve ever seen in my life. I think I can fill the bill.”

“I know you can,” Rachel told her. “Your presence in that house will work a miracle. Maybe not this week or even this year, but someday, down the line, things will do a complete turnaround for you and Jake. You’ll be glad you took the chance.”

“I’m getting a little nervous,” Alicia said. “The big day is only forty-eight hours away. I know there isn’t much preparation to do, just final cleaning in the parlor,
and a meal to put together. I’ve hired a lady in town to help me. She’s cleaned floors, and together we washed every window in the house. I found some pretty new curtains for the parlor. They let in all the light, and Jake hasn’t complained about them.”

“I doubt he will,” Rachel said bluntly. “He’s appreciative of everything you’ve done. He may not say so, but I can’t even begin to describe to you the difference in the man. It’s almost like he has a new lease on life.”

“Well, he’s not very happy with me right now,” Alicia said. “We aren’t talking, to tell you the truth. I asked him about the past, about what he was like before Rena died, and he threw a fit.”

“That sounds like Jake,” Rachel said, laughing and shaking her head. “The first time I ever saw him he scared me half to death. He was wild and woolly and ranted at me like a madman.”

“That sounds familiar. You must be acquainted with the sign on his door that dared anyone to rap on it?”

“It was effective, you have to admit that. How did you have the nerve to get past it?”

“I’ve always had more guts than brains, my mama used to say. In fact, I took it down one day and put it in the trash bin, and he hasn’t mentioned it. I suspect he thought he’d do well to pretend he didn’t notice it was missing.”

Alicia looked down at the watch she wore pinned
to her dress front and sighed. “It’s past time for me to leave. It’ll be dark by the time I get back to town as it is.”

“Well, get going, then. I’ll have Sam bring your buggy up to the house for you.”

“It’s Jake’s buggy, you know,” Alicia told her. “He’d had it stored at the livery stable and told me I might as well use it. He sent Jason to the livery and gave orders that he wanted to buy a new mare to pull it. Then gave me the whole kit and caboodle. He said it was a wedding present.”

“What did you get for him?” Rachel asked, rising and going toward the back door.

“I’ll decide that tomorrow. I don’t know what to choose. I’m going to the general store in the morning.”

“Did he get you a ring?”

Alicia nodded. “He sent a note to the jewelry store—you know, that new little place by the bank. Directed the man come to the house with a whole assortment of rings, and he chose one for me.” She blushed and smiled, remembering. “Actually he had me pick it out. Said I’d be the one wearing it, and I’d better find one I liked, since I’d have it on my finger for a long time.”

“Sounds like a man with a plan,” Rachel said.

The buggy was brought from the barn, and once Alicia had folded her dress with care and placed it beside her on the seat, she was ready to leave. Impetuously, she
hugged Rachel and listened to her voice whisper words Alicia had never thought to hear from another woman.

“I love you, sister of mine.” Rachel reached to brush back a wisp of hair that had fallen against Alicia’s cheek. “Be happy.”

Her natural reserve almost kept her from replying, but she’d learned over the past weeks to let down her guard, and now she did so, gladly and freely.

“I love you, too, Rachel. Thank you.”

“W
HAT’S THIS
I
HEAR
about a wedding?” Mr. Harris leaned over the counter toward Alicia, his voice booming. “Minister’s wife said tomorrow’s the big day.”

The eyes of several women turned in her direction and Alicia froze where she stood. After a moment she gathered her nerve to speak. “That’s right, Mr. Harris. I’ll be the new Mrs. Jacob McPherson by this time on Saturday.”

That was enough to set tongues into action all over the store, and the ensuing flurry of conversation brought a smile to Alicia’s lips. From behind her, one of her students tugged at her skirt. “Ma’am?” the child said, gaining her teacher’s attention. “Ain’t you gonna be our teacher anymore?”

The murmurs of the store patrons stopped dead as Alicia bent to answer the little girl. “Of course I’m going to be your teacher, Beatrice. Did you think I could just leave all my children to fend for themselves? I’ll be your teacher for the rest of the school year.”

The girl hugged Alicia impetuously. “My mama said you was gonna have your hands full just keepin’ Jason in line, without taking care of a whole schoolhouse full of children.”

Alicia laughed, wondering if the “mama” in question was the lady with crimson cheeks, standing just to her right. “Jason and I get along very well,” she assured the child.

“It’ll be the boy’s pa she’ll have to contend with,” another lady offered, shooting a pitying glance at Alicia, who had now become the center of attention.

“I get along nicely with Mr. McPherson, too,” Alicia said sharply in her best schoolteacher voice. She surreptitiously crossed her fingers at the gravity of her fib. Although she supposed it could be said that getting along didn’t always mean agreeing on every subject.

“You got a new dress for the big day?” Mr. Harris asked. “If not, I’ll warrant I can help you find something.”

Alicia shook her head. “Rachel McPherson made me a dress this week. It’s really quite lovely.”

“How about a new pair of shoes? Maybe a pretty nightgown?” Mr. Harris was persistent, and his questions made Alicia blush furiously.

“I have shoes enough,” she said. “And—” she glanced around at the women who were now actually
circling her “—I don’t think I need another nightgown. I already own several.”

Enough was enough, Alicia decided firmly. “Actually, I’m here to find something appropriate for Mr. McPherson—for a wedding gift.” She looked at all the ladies in turn. “Perhaps one of you ladies has a suggestions for me?” she asked smiling sweetly.

As do all women when asked for their advice, the ladies warmed to the subject and, in turn, to Alicia. “How about a pocket watch?” one asked.

“Maybe a book of poetry?” said another, to which Alicia almost laughed aloud. Visualizing Jake reading a book of poetry was an exercise in disbelief.

“A pair of cuff links? Or maybe—” the lady paused “—maybe a ring?”

Another woman spoke up. “I’ve heard that men are wearing wedding rings these days. My sister’s husband has one. Says it keeps the women at arm’s length.”

What would Jake say to that? Alicia wondered, then decided she’d be better off to settle for the cuff links. Although where he would wear them, she had no idea. The man hadn’t darkened a church door in almost three years, and didn’t seem likely to make a habit of it in the future.

“What is he giving you?” one of the ladies asked, her eyes bright with curiosity. Leaning toward Alicia, she seemed almost to be holding her breath.

“Actually,” Alicia said with satisfaction, “he gave me a buggy and a new mare to pull it. He wants to make certain I have transport when I want to go somewhere. He’s kept it at the livery stable up until now, but he’s having a shed built for it right soon.”

“A horse and buggy? He hasn’t gotten you a ring?” another woman asked, disappointment edging the words.

“Yes, he bought me a ring. In fact, he had me make the selection myself. The new jeweler in town came out to Mr. McPherson’s home and offered us a nice selection to choose from.”

“Well, I have a real dandy pearl-handled penknife in this glass cabinet I’ll warrant any fella would like,” Mr. Harris said, pointing at a shallow case where several knives were displayed. He opened the lid and drew forth a specimen that brought a sigh from a young boy who watched from down the counter.

“This’n is made from German silver, with a genuine pearl handle and four blades. You won’t find a better knife anywhere. Any man would be proud to own it.” He leaned closer and the boy, who had pressed his way nearer, edged forward, the better to inspect Mr. Harris’s offering.

“It’s only two dollars,” the storekeeper said, intoning the price with awe, as though his product was of much greater value than that paltry sum.

Two dollars was a lot of money in any man’s language,
Alicia thought privately, but if Jake would like the knife, she was willing to raid her bank account for it.

“That’s a dandy,” the young boy said, now standing beside her. “If I ever get married when I get old, I’d like to have one just like it.”

To Alicia’s ears, the boy’s reverence signified approval, and she turned the knife over in her hand, admiring the pearl finish. “Lined with solid brass, too,” Mr. Harris added eagerly.

“I believe I’ll purchase it,” Alicia said. “Does it come with a case?”

“That’s ten cents extra,” he told her. “For another nickle, I’ll put it in a nice box, too, and you can wrap it up when you get it home.”

“That sounds like a deal to me,” she told him, relieved that the decision had been made. Around her the ladies were conferring; one of them spoke up to ask if Alicia would like to join them at a quilting bee the following Tuesday. She offered a regretful smile.

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have my hands full, just moving my belongings and settling in at Mr. McPherson’s home this week. Perhaps another time, thank you.”

She paid Mr. Harris, then watched as he fit the knife into an appropriate case and searched for a suitable box. Finally, the deed was done and Alicia counted out the money for her purchase. It left her exactly forty
cents in her reticule, but since there didn’t seem to be anything else she needed, she was satisfied.

And then she spied the jar of candy sticks. “I believe I’ll take a half dozen of those for Jason,” she said. “Various flavors, please.”

As Alicia left the store, she once again felt all eyes focused on her, and knew the women were bursting with questions, none of which they had the courage to ask.

She was just as glad. Her arrangements with Jake were personal and private, and sharing any of their bargain with an outsider was unthinkable. Her steps were brisk as she marched down the sidewalk and headed for her rooming house. The carpetbag she’d already packed was waiting inside her bedroom and her trunk was open, almost filled to the brim, just a few items left to be added.

With only her wedding dress hung on the wall, the room seemed empty as if she’d already taken her leave. Alicia stood inside the door and leaned against it. She would sleep in that bed tonight for the last time.

She thought of the large room she would have as her own in Jake’s house. There would be a place to put her beloved books, drawers for her small things and a wardrobe in which to organize her dresses and shoes. The larger bed from the other room was yet to be moved in, but Cord had said he would come into town this afternoon and do that for her. He’d promised to
pick her up and carry her things to his surrey and transport them.

She would leave behind only a few things for now, all of them a part of her wedding apparel—the dress Rachel had made and the petticoats she’d purchased to wear beneath it. Her best shoes sat near the window and her nightgown lay across the bed. An assortment of personal items sat on the dry sink.

She went to the window as the sound of voices caught her ear and she saw the surrey at the front gate. Cord was speaking with Catherine’s father and then the two men walked toward the house, Cord looking up as though he felt her gaze upon him. He raised his hand in greeting and she waved back, then picked up her carpetbag and placed it outside her room in the hallway.

With a flurry of movement, she tossed her slippers and wrapper into her trunk and closed the lid—then awaited Jake’s brother. He was there in moments, peering in the open door and grinning in her direction. “You all ready?” he asked.

At her nod, he bent and picked up the heavy wooden trunk, placing it on his shoulder and making his way toward the staircase. “I’ll get the carpetbag,” she said, coming behind him, but Catherine’s father was there beside her and beat her to it.

She felt cosseted, a rather pleasant experience, she thought. She was used to fending for herself, as she had
for her whole life. Now it seemed she had two gentlemen toting and carrying for her. She followed Catherine’s father down the stairs and out the front door. Cord was already stowing the trunk in the backseat of the surrey and her carpetbag was placed beside it.

“Let’s get going,” he said, offering his hand so she could climb up on the seat. She accepted it readily, and her thoughts immediately flashed to the touch of Jake’s hand on the occasions when it had brushed against her own. There was no flare of heat, no tingle of awareness to be gained from Cord’s callused palm against hers.

It was just a hand…whereas Jake’s strong fingers and wide palm seemed imbued with the ability to make her aware of each muscle and sinew that covered the bones beneath his skin.

Cord picked up the reins, urging his horse to a trot, and headed for the big house just a quarter mile away. The man was strong, tall and capable, but she felt no shivering response to his smile, knew no aching need for his approval. Rachel had been right. Love had entered the picture.

The surrey drew to a halt before the sagging gate and Cord murmured disapproving words under his breath. “I’ve already bought new hinges,” Alicia said, aware of his irritation at the sight.

He shot her a look of surprise. “
You’re
going to fix it?”

“Jason will help me,” she told him. “We worked on
the porch step a while back and Jason has learned some skills over the past weeks.” Then she smiled.

“Jake is going to have a shed and lean-to put up out back so we can keep the horse and buggy he gave me for a wedding gift, handy for me when I want to go out.”

“I heard Jason helped board up the schoolhouse windows with you,” Cord said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “He bragged to Matthew that he could handle a hammer better than Miss Merriweather.”

She shrugged. “He’s learning. He’ll be helping supervise the shed building.”

The trunk was carried upstairs and Jason lugged the carpetbag, eschewing her offer to take it herself. “Pa says I’m to help you with whatever you need,” he told her earnestly. “He told me I’m old enough to pitch in with whatever needs doin’.”

“Shall we tackle the gate this afternoon?” she asked in a low voice. “After your uncle Cord leaves, we should have time to work on it before supper.”

The beds were exchanged quickly. Clean sheets that had not seen the light of day in years were in the airing cupboard and smelled of lavender.

“Mama always liked to have her sheets smell nice,” Jason said, sniffing the fabric as he carried them into Alicia’s new bedroom.

“You miss your mama, don’t you?” Alicia asked.
She snapped the first sheet and watched as it drifted down to cover the mattress.

“Yeah, I guess. But not so much lately,” he admitted. “It’s nice having you around to do stuff for us.”

“I hope you won’t change your mind about that,” she said, holding the first of her pillows beneath her chin in order to slide the embroidered pillowcase into place.

“Why should I?” Jason asked, rocking in the chair by the window.

“There are some new rules I think we should put in place,” she said quietly. The second sheet went on and was tucked in at the bottom, the corners neatly squared. She tossed a quilt over the top and propped the set of pillows against the counterpane.

Jason had watched her, his eyes narrowed. “What kind of rules?” he asked.

“We’ll work that out one evening next week, I think,” she told him. “Your father will want to be included in the list-making.”

Cord stuck his head in the doorway. “I’m leaving now,” he said. “We’ll be here right after noontime tomorrow for the ceremony. Rachel’s cookin’ up a storm out at the ranch. She said not to worry about the food. She’s handling everything.”

“I feel like I should be doing something,” Alicia protested.

Cord looked around the room and then stepped
back, motioning toward the wide staircase. “I’d say you’ve already worked a miracle on this place. That parlor hasn’t looked so spiffy in years. I like the new curtains you hung.” He grinned. “Jake looks better in broad daylight, don’t you think? I thought for sure we’d never get him out of the dark, Alicia.”

His grin faded and he stepped a bit closer. “You’ve been good for him. I hope he’ll give you a decent life here.”

“I’m planning on it,” she said, reaching to tug at a lock of Jason’s hair. “We’re going to be a family.”

“Why don’t you run on down and give my mare a drink from a bucket, Jason?” Cord asked. Jason nodded and clattered down the stairs.

“I want to tell you something, Alicia,” Cord began, his face a bit flushed as if he were embarrassed by the words he would speak. “I wasn’t in favor of this wedding when Jake told me what he was planning, and I know you heard me carrying on in the parlor. But I need to let you know I’ve changed my mind. If ever a man needed a woman to look after him, it’s my brother. I hope he’ll give it his best shot, really try to make you happy here.”

“I’m of the firm belief that we all make our own happiness, Cord,” she said. “I’ve never looked to another person to make my days happy or my life complete. I’m simply hoping Jake and I will get along well and give Jason the sort of home he needs.”

Cord’s voice lowered as he looked intently at her, as if he could read the meaning behind her words. “I hope for more than that. My brother is capable of loving deeply. He’s been hurt, but the man has much to offer, if he’ll just give you room in his life. You’re a woman who deserves to be loved. I’d like to think that Jake will realize that one day.”