Sarah's Heart (21 page)

 
Before long, the residences grew farther
apart, replaced by a vast expanse of plowed furrows already sprouting a new
crop. Sarah licked her lips in recognition. “Looking at those stalks makes my
mouth water. My mother used to boil corn in water and milk then drench the ears
in butter. What I wouldn’t give for a taste right now.”

“Sounds like someone
is hungry and we still have a few hours until lunch.” He adjusted the brim of
his hat and stared straight ahead.

“I guess I shouldn’t
have missed breakfast, but I got so excited about shopping.” She playfully
poked him in the arm. “It’s your fault.”

Jonathan steered the
dappled mare off the trail and headed for a stand of trees in the distance.
Sarah clung to the seat’s edge as the rig traversed the bumpy terrain. She cast
a puzzled look at Jonathan, but he simply grinned and reined the buggy to a
halt in the shade of a towering oak. “I think I have just the answer to your
problem.”

“What problem?”

He jumped down and
disappeared behind the rig. Curious, she hung over the side and peered around
back. “What are you doing?”

Jonathan reappeared
holding a blanket and a basket, his broad smile restoring his charming dimples.
“I took the liberty of changing our lunch plans. I hope you aren’t upset, but I
had the hotel pack a picnic for us instead.” He raised the wicker container.
“We’ve got fried chicken, biscuits, some fruit, and a jar of lemonade.”

 
“It sounds wonderful, but I’m curious.” Sarah
raised a brow. “What made you change your mind?”She held out a hand, inviting
help down.

Jonathan set the
basket on a nearby tree stump and tossed the blanket over it. “Selfishness I
guess.” Encircling her waist with his hands, he lifted her with ease and set
her on the ground. “I thought we might be able to get better acquainted in a
more private setting.” He cocked his head inquisitively. “But if you’d prefer,
we can still have lunch as previously planned.”

Sarah lifted her
skirt and stepped over a fallen limb, then gazed up at the leaves fluttering on
the branches overhead. “No, this is fine. We have shade, a nice breeze, and
since I’m starving, I guess it’s a good thing you planned this.” She laughed
and patted her stomach. A little voice in her head warned her to beware but she
turned a deaf ear. Jonathan had been nothing but a perfect gentleman.

“Wonderful!”
Jonathan spread the blanket then gestured. “Have a seat, and let me serve you.”

Sarah knelt,
then
sat, curling her legs under her skirt and arranging it
so it didn’t wrinkle. She sniffed the air. “I smell the river.”

“It’s not far from
here.” Jonathan dished up a plate and handed it to her. “But I would have
guessed chicken as the aroma you detected.”

She’d already
discovered a benefit of being in a town on the south bank of the Missouri. The cool
breeze coming off the water and the occasional melodic toot of a far off
riverboat horn drifting through her open window had lulled her to sleep. If
given a choice, she’d live closer to hear the water lapping at the bank.

Jonathan sat
cross-legged, balancing a plate on his knee. “The Missouri is the main reason Mr. Whitney is
interested in businesses here. The area is growing faster than ticks on a
spotted hound, and for now, the river is the main source of getting supplies to
the west coast. If the survey that’s being done rules in Mr. Whitney’s favor
with regard to the railroad, Independence will become an even more popular hub
to the Pacific Ocean.”

Sarah swallowed a bite
of meat,
then
licked the oily sheen from her lips.
“What could keep that from happening?”

“Not
what, who!
Senator Thomas
Hart Benton!
He’s fighting against Mr. Whitney, proposing a more western route originating
from St. Louis.
Depending upon the survey’s outcome, Congress is likely to decide where the
tracks run.”

“While it might
interest some, I find political issues rather boring.” She took a sip of tart
lemonade and struggled not to pucker.

“Truly?
I’d have taken you for someone interested in
the women’s suffrage movement.”

She flicked her
wrist. “I know very little about it.”

“You really should
become more involved. The cause could use someone with your spunk.” He laughed.
“In 1848, the first women’s rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York.
It caused quite a stir. While I personally find that most women are like you
and have no interest in voting, there are those who are passionate about
achieving equal rights.”

“I applaud their
courage and fight, but right now I have problems of my own to solve.” She wiped
her hands then rearranged her skirt. Straightening her legs, she leaned back on
her palms. “Since you brought up equality, shouldn’t that apply to everyone,
regardless of who they are?”

“Would you like an
apple?” Jonathan changed the subject.

“No thank you. I’m
quite full.” She realized her attempt to turn the conversation to Wolf wasn’t
going anywhere. “I’d like to request a favor though.”

“Ask away, fair
lady.” He crunched into the large red piece of fruit.

“When we return to
town, could we drive by the docks? I’ve never seen a riverboat.”

“My
pleasure, indeed.
But
before we do that, I want your opinion on the site that I’m proposing for Mr.
Whitney. Should we get started?”

Sarah nodded. Lunch
and a visit to the docks would suffice for her, but she’d already agreed to
view his intended purchase. A worrisome fear returned and niggled at her. She
prayed the land in question wasn’t the same acreage Wolf prized. But from
Jonathan’s description at supper of the other party involved in the sale, and
Wolf’s reaction, she had reason for concern. She pushed the thought aside. What
were the odds…what with so much open range around and people rushing to buy,
like Jonathan said?

With the remains of
lunch tucked away and the buggy jiggling down the trail, she leaned back and
enjoyed the ride. The air grew hot, but thankfully, the canopy provided shelter
from the ferocious sun. Sarah watched the countryside spring up around her, a
waving sea of grass along the road, with an occasional grove in the distance.
Sadly, it reminded her of traveling with Wolf, and she put her hand to her
bosom to still the ache. Jonathan rambled on but, lost in
thought,
Sarah only heard bits and pieces about his plans for making big money. No
matter how hard she tried to avoid picturing Wolf’s face, he invaded her every
thought.

“Here it is.”
Jonathan’s voice brought her back to the moment. He tugged the reins, halting
the buggy alongside a split-rail fence. The trip hadn’t taken long.

Her gaze settled on
an old barn, standing precariously on property knee-high in grass and weeds
browned by the sun. Her first impression was that it appeared no different than
the land they’d passed.

 
Jonathan leapt out and walked around to her
side, tilting his hat brim against the sun while surveying the area. “It’s
really quite the perfect place. Close to the road, not far from the river, but
with its own water supply. Come. Let me show you the creek.”

Taking his offered
hand, she stepped down. “It is a lovely area,” she fibbed, trying not to wrinkle
her nose. The land’s only appeal was the mention of a creek. She felt parched.
Stifling a sigh, she crooked her arm through Jonathan’s and walked carefully
along the rutted road to a place where the aged fence had fallen.

She peered at the
tall blades barely moving in the breeze then back to Jonathan. Surely, he
didn’t expect her to wade through a sea of thistles in her new dress. Besides,
she’d seen a creek before and there was lemonade left over from lunch.

Without warning, he
swept her into his arms. “Can’t risk ruining that new gown, now can
we
?” He stepped over the downed wood and trudged through the
grass toward the shade.

She locked her arms
around his sweat-dampened neck, praying he kept even footing. Thistles be
damned, she didn‘t like being carried. “Honestly the last thing you need in
this heat is to heft me around. Put me down. I can manage.”

“Pshaw, you’re light
as feather.” The perspiration beading his top lip and the thrumming of his
heart against his shirt belied his protest.

The land cleared
beneath the tall elms. Huffing, Jonathan set Sarah on her feet and fanned his
suit coat. “It has gotten warmer. Would you mind if I removed my jacket?”

“Not
at all.
I’m surprised
you’ve kept it on so long.” She smoothed her skirt, wondering where the breeze
had gone.

Jonathan shed his
jacket, then his hat. His usually well-coiffed hair lay in dampened curls, one
flopping over his forehead. He swiped his forearm across his brow, removing all
traces of sweat. “I do believe I picked the hottest day to suggest this outing,
and it’s not even noon yet.”

“Well since we’re
here, tell me where you’d propose building the station?” Waving her hand in
front of her face, she tried to create a breeze. She had no interest whatsoever
in Jonathan’s project, but she feigned it for the sake of politeness.

He glanced around
and pointed to the old barn.
“Probably where that piece of
rubble sits.
God knows another good windstorm will take the whole thing
down.” His gaze spanned the fenced acreage. “This is a fair-sized piece of
land. With the depot there, we can build a new and bigger barn to house the
horses and buggies of those driving here to catch the train—maybe over here
closer to the trees. Of course, the station would also have a kitchen, a nice
lounge for the passengers comfort while waiting, and…needed facilities of
course.”

 
Her thirst increased. “How far is the creek
from here?” She looked but didn’t see it.

“There, beyond those
rocks.” His swept his chin to the right.

She gazed in the
general direction.
“Where?
I must be blind.”

Jonathan walked
around and stood behind her. Extending his arm over her shoulder, he pointed.
“Just pretend you’re aiming a rifle and use my finger as your sight.” His warm
breath washed over the side of her face.

Disturbed by his closeness,
she stepped away. “Uh…I...think I see it. Since we’ve come this far, I’d love a
drink of water.” Fearing he might carry her again, she hiked up her skirt. “I’m
sure I can maneuver through the shorter grass.”

“Oh,
but there are far too many rocks and stones for such delicate feet.”

Before her protest
left her lips, she was in his arms again. She had nothing to do with her hands
except lock them about his neck again as he walked toward the water. His
continued insistence on sweeping her off her feet perturbed her. About to
insist he put her down, Jonathan’s eyes widened and he came to abrupt halt.

“Well, well, isn’t
this a pretty picture.”

 
Sarah’s head whipped around in the direction
of an all-too-familiar voice.

Chapter Twenty-One

Sarah blinked,
reluctant to believe her eyes. Wolf knelt at the creek, his hair and face
glistening with water. Rivulets ran down his bare chest as he stood. He turned
steely eyes directly on Jonathan. “What are you doing on my land?”

Lowering Sarah to
her feet, Jonathan cleared his throat. “I… I believe this isn’t officially
yours yet. If I recall correctly, the banker told me you still have quite a
sizeable amount to pay on your loan, and only a short time to do so.”

Sarah’s face,
already warm beneath the sun, burned when Wolf’s gaze rested on her. The thing
she feared most had happened; the land in question was the
same
plot he
wanted, and by appearances, she was in cahoots with Jonathan.

“Wolf,
what a surprise to see you.”
She found her voice. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye at Maggie’s.”
Lowering her gaze, Sarah fidgeted with her skirt, her anger brimming to the top
again at the uncaring manner in which he’d left. What if she did choose to
support Jonathan in his quest? Certainly, her opinions held no weight with
Wolf.

“Is there something
wrong with your ankle?” His brow rose.

“No.” She held her
head high. “Being a gentleman, Jonathan didn’t want me to soil my new dress or
injure myself.”

“A
gentleman?
I
hardly think he qualifies.” Wolf glared at Jonathan then looked to her with a
smirk on his face. “I think ‘thief’ is a better description.”

Jonathan took a
menacing step forward but Sarah yanked on his arm and held fast. She shook her
head at Wolf. “You’re wrong. Jonathan is merely representing a client from New York. If the bank
hadn’t shown him the property, he never would’ve known about it. But,
I
had
no idea this was the land you’re trying to buy.”

Wolf’s gaze swept
over her. “Trust me, this
will
be my land. I’ve already signed up to
scout for the army, and they’ve given me a generous advance on my salary. With
the growing unrest between reds and whites, there aren’t many men standing in
line for the job. I’m on my way to the bank to make a payment, but I stopped
here to take some measurements.