The Homesteader's Sweetheart (16 page)

The thrill in her voice must’ve drawn Maxwell’s gaze up, because his eyes fixed on her face. Behind him, Ricky and Matty were now mimicking her excited hand gestures.

Emily didn’t seem to notice. “I love to read and my aunt has a well-stocked library. We’ve been corresponding about it.”

“You like to read?” asked Seb.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Oh, Miss Emily! Miss Penny’s been teaching Maxwell to read cause he didn’t get to go to school when he was younger.” Seb proclaimed the news proudly, happy to help his brother.

Maxwell turned desperate, pained eyes to Penny as Ricky and Matty dissolved into laughter, while Davy pretended a high-pitched rendition of a girl’s voice, “Oh, Maxwell, won’t you read to me?” before collapsing off the blanket in laughter himself.

“Boys,” Jonas barked and the three troublemakers scattered, running off and leaving behind their empty plates and utensils, callous laughter ringing behind them.

“I’ll deal with them later,” Jonas murmured, but Emily was already rising.

“I’m supposed to help with cleanin’ up,” the girl said.

“Oh, but—” Penny’s protest came too late. Emily was already scurrying toward the food tables.

Maxwell’s shoulders hunched, head lowering nearly to his chest, face scarlet. Oscar sat beside him, stoic, then reached one hand up to rest on his brother’s shoulder, showing his support. Sam sat silent and wide-eyed, watchful.

Seb looked to Penny, eyes wide. “Did I say somethin’ wrong? Miss Penny?”

She started to shake her head, trying to form words to explain that Maxwell hadn’t wanted Emily to know he couldn’t read.

What a mess!

“Miss Penny, I spilled on my new dress!” Breanna’s wail interrupted anything Penny might’ve said, either to comfort Maxwell or explain things to Seb. The young girl threw herself on the blanket at Penny’s knee, sobbing.

She met Jonas’s eyes as he rose. She desperately wanted to ask how he dealt with all these children on his own—because she wasn’t doing a good job at all! Look at the trouble she’d caused.

* * *

Working alongside Maxwell and Sam during the afternoon, Jonas wanted to say something to comfort his son after the disastrous ending to lunch. But he didn’t know what.

He had such limited experience with women and none with the proper way to court one. And part of him still had trouble believing that someone like Penny could be interested in someone like him.

How could he encourage Maxwell to pursue the grocer’s daughter with the disparity of their circumstances?

Surprisingly, it was Sam who broached the subject as they took a break around the water bucket.

Jonas didn’t catch all of the teen’s statement as he dumped a dipper of water over his head to cool off, but heard, “…if she doesn’t come around, there are other girls out there, ya know.”

Maxwell frowned, but nodded silently, crinkled eyes telling more than his stoic expression did.

“Plus, I’m sure my sister isn’t done trying to interfere on your behalf,” Sam said with a slap on Maxwell’s shoulder.

At that, Maxwell gave a half smile. “She doesn’t give up easy, does she?”

“No. And if that still doesn’t work, you can impress Emily with your riding in the Round Up.”

Jonas shook his head as both boys laughed and Maxwell’s spirits seemed restored.

What did Penny’s stubbornness mean for Jonas?

* * *

Shoulders aching from toting dishes to the stream and helping wash them, a task Penny felt comfortable she wouldn’t mess up, she couldn’t wait for the waning sun to finish its descent behind the mountains in the distance.

She was exhausted, both from the work and from worrying over Maxwell. Lunching with Emily and the other boys hadn’t turned out well at all. The girl continued to speak kindly to Penny when they passed each other, but Penny sensed that the young woman was now holding back.

However, even with all that going on, Penny had never felt so content in all her life. She’d been a part of helping the Smith family getting settled,
and
Penny had felt a part of Jonas’s family.

She sincerely hoped she hadn’t ruined Maxwell’s chances with Emily. She
was
a sweet girl. Then again, it would take someone with a strong backbone to survive around the White boys and their propensity for mischievousness. And yet, Penny felt right at home among them.

And Breanna’s crying jag kept Penny alert. She was concerned the girl’s out-of-control emotions might trigger a seizure, although nothing had happened yet. Penny had reassured the girl that the stain could be removed—she hoped—and if not, that she would sew the girl a new frock. She’d also made Breanna lie down on the quilt beneath their unhitched wagon and take a nap, hoping the rest would restore the girl’s cheerful spirits.

Finally, the men seemed to be wrapping things up. Penny watched with a hand shading her eyes as Jonas and Oscar climbed down from the barn roof, relieved when they set foot on the ground again. She’d been a little worried about them being so high up all day.

She set about rounding up the younger boys and Breanna, most of whom appeared exhausted but whined that they wanted to play for a little while longer. She took a stern tone with them and received a grudging acquiescence.

She was saying goodbye to the new acquaintances she’d made when a hard grip on her elbow jerked her head up in time to see the one face she did not want to see.

“Hello, darling. I’m surprised to see you at a gathering like this.”

“Mr. Abbott.” She hated the way her voice wavered and worked to steady it. “What are you doing here?”

She allowed him to pull her away from the curious stares of the remaining women. She suspected he might make a scene and she didn’t want anyone to see it if he did.

“The question is, what are
you
doing here? This common event certainly doesn’t seem your style.”

“I’m visiting my grandfather,” she said with a raise of her chin, trying to disengage her arm from his hold. “I’m surprised my father didn’t tell you.”

“Where is your grandfather? I’d love to meet him and say hello.”

“He isn’t here, actually. He’s been a bit under the weather, which is why Sam and I traveled to be with him and help out at his homestead.”

Mr. Abbott’s intense eyes narrowed and she regretted her impulsive comment. She’d made it sound as if she was here on her own, without anyone watching over her.

Where was Jonas or one of the other boys?

“It is time for pretenses to end,” Mr. Abbott said. “I want you to return to Calvin with me so that our courtship can proceed. I’m sure your brother can help your grandfather with whatever he needs.”

“I have responsibilities that I won’t shirk.” Penny tried again to disengage her arm from his hold. “I’ll return to Grandfather’s homestead until he doesn’t need me anymore.” And she had no intention of courting with Mr. Abbott in any case.

“While your independence is admirable, my dear, it is unnecessary. Your father has agreed to the match, and you’ll soon bend to my will.”

She struggled against his hold. “Your highhandedness does not put you in my good graces.”

He chuckled, a sinister sound that had her glancing around for any source of help. Why had she moved away from the crowd? It would have been better to be embarrassed than to be alone with Mr. Abbott. She was certain her father had never seen this side of the man, a calculating, controlling side.

How could she escape his attentions?

Chapter Fifteen

J
onas’s continued awareness of Penny all afternoon kept him from his very best work, but the Smiths’ barn would be water tight, at least. From his high perch, he continued to catch glimpses of her fluttering around the gathering, washing dishes in the stream and chattering with the women.

She and Ricky brought water a few more times, Penny always gifting Jonas with a beautiful, warm smile he couldn’t fully interpret. Was she…
glad
to be here with him?

To his relief, she didn’t seem to hold Ricky and the other boys’ behavior against them, though he felt sure she was going to give Jonas an earful later. He couldn’t say how he knew it, but he did. But she treated the boys as always, often ruffling their hair or giving impromptu hugs.

Again, acting like a mother might do.

Not his mother, but the way he’d seen other mothers act with their children.

Hope bloomed and ached in his chest at the same time. He knew how dangerous hope could be.

They’d mostly finished the structure and Jonas had visited the water trough again to wash the worst of the dirt off his face before heading to the wagon, when he saw a gentleman in a dark suit approach Penny amongst a gaggle of women.

Had the good-looking man been present the whole day? Jonas couldn’t say for sure. Jonas’s attention had been caught on Penny and he’d only been peripherally aware of the other projects and men working.

The man tucked Penny’s arm through his as if they belonged together. Jonas watched, unable to help himself, as she said something to him and allowed herself to be led away from the other women, around the corner of the brand-new structure.

Who was the dark-haired man? Someone Penny had met today? The familiarity of his actions disputed that notion, but…she hadn’t mentioned a beau, someone that would miss her in the weeks she’d been gone from her home in Calvin.

Jonas turned for his wagon, half-numb, blinded by emotion that hit him square in the chest. Every thought he’d considered today about Penny belonging with
him
seemed to mock him now.

He’d
known
she was meant for a high-society fellow. Known she wasn’t for him, but seeing her with this other man burned a hole in his chest.

“Pa, Pa!”

Matty approached at a run, his urgent shout bringing Jonas’s head around. Had one of the children been hurt? Where was Breanna?

“What’s the matter?”

“Penny—” Matty’s gasp surprised Jonas and he forced his face to blank.

“—talkin’ to fella—”

“She can talk to whoever she wants,” Jonas reminded his son, trying to keep any bitterness out of his voice.
How
had he let himself fall in love with her?

“—he grabbed her—”

What? Matty now had Jonas’s full attention. His son gestured in the direction Jonas had seen Penny and the stranger go off in, still gasping for breath.

“She tried to get away from him.”

Finally, a full sentence from the boy. Jonas didn’t waste any more time. He hurried toward the side of the barn, Matty on his heels. When he rounded the structure, he saw that Penny was indeed in a struggle with the taller man.

“Let go of me!” she hissed.

“Now—”

“She said let her go!” Matty exclaimed before Jonas could react, racing past Jonas.

The man looked up, caught sight of Jonas, and released his hold on Penny’s arm. She didn’t move away from him, though, only stood there in the deepening shadows rubbing her wrist.

“I’m afraid you’ve wandered into a family squabble,” the man said, voice even. With the sky darkening even further, Jonas couldn’t make out his expression, but he sensed waves of menace radiating off the man.

“Family? You ain’t Miss Penny’s family,” Matty spat.

“As a matter of fact, I’m her fiancé.”

The words stunned Jonas. He reached out to grab Matty’s shoulder and guide the boy away. This was obviously a personal matter.

“You are no such thing, Mr. Abbott.” This time Penny’s voice rang with vehemence and she moved away from the man, rushing to Jonas’s side and slipping into the circle of the arm he’d outstretched to grab hold of Matty.

She was shaking, and his arm naturally curled around her trembling shoulders.

Fiancé or not, Jonas couldn’t leave her this upset. He would bring her home and deliver her to her grandfather. Let Walt sort out whatever mess she was in.

“Your father sent me to bring you back to Calvin—”

“My father isn’t here,” Penny interrupted. Her words didn’t fully refute whatever this Mr. Abbott was saying, though. Jonas still felt as if he’d been bludgeoned.

“I don’t want to go with him. Please, can you take me home?” Penny whispered, lifting her face to Jonas’s.

He couldn’t respond over the blood rushing in his ears, but Matty said it for him.

“Yeah, Pa, let’s git outta here.”

“Penny!” Sam rounded the structure at a run, and joined the group as they moved away from Penny’s suitor, who said nothing more. “You all right?” he asked his sister in low tones.

Jonas allowed Sam to assist Penny onto the wagon seat as he gathered up the rest of his sons and Breanna.

The uncomfortable feeling of being watched didn’t fade as Jonas guided the wagon away from the Smiths’ new barn.

* * *

Penny held the quilt around her shoulders, still shivering. The same blanket on which she’d shared a meal with Jonas and his family and that he’d pushed into her arms when they’d reached the wagon.

She couldn’t get warm, not after that slimy Mr. Abbott had had his hands on her. She tried to focus on the sensation of Jonas’s strong arm wrapped about her shoulder. What she’d really wanted was to feel both his arms around her, offering her comfort.

But he hadn’t said one word to her since coming upon her and the awful Mr. Abbott.

Surely he didn’t believe the other man.

A glance at his stern profile told her nothing, other than he was probably upset. Or tired.

She wished she knew which it was. Her experiences with her father had taught her not to push with too many questions when he was in a foul mood, but she’d never seen Jonas lose his temper before.

Perhaps if she explained things. “Jonas, I—”

He sent her a quelling look. Even with his face in shadow, in the darkness, she could feel that he didn’t want her to speak.

“Please, if you’ll let me explain—”

“Not now,” he said, in a quiet, insistent voice. He glanced over his shoulder and she followed his gaze, realizing that although the children had been quiet in the wagon, they weren’t asleep, but attuned to everything passing between her and Jonas.

“Then when?” she whispered.

He shrugged and she knew he didn’t intend to hear her explanation at all. He probably thought she had encouraged Mr. Abbott’s attentions, even welcomed them. How little he must think of her!

That realization hurt.

She wanted him to think highly of her. To admire her, as she admired him. Maybe she was even falling in love with him.

But how could she love someone who wouldn’t let her speak her piece?

“I listened to you,” she almost blurted
talk about the boys
but stopped herself with a glance at the curious, shadowed faces behind her, “after the rainstorm,” she continued.

Jonas stiffened beside her.

“Without judging,” she added. “In fact, what you told me made me admire you.” Perhaps she shouldn’t have admitted that, but her emotions had gotten the better of her and she’d blurted it out.

“The least you could do is listen to me—”

“Fine,” he said grudgingly. “We’ll drop the children at home and then I’ll take you to Walt’s place. You can
explain
on the way.”

It would have to be enough, because he wasn’t offering more.

They rode the rest of the way in silence. Even the children remained quiet. Only the occasional jingle of the horses’ harness interrupted the peacefulness of the night.

The irony mocked Penny’s chaotic heart.

* * *

Jonas didn’t want to hear Penny’s explanations. He wanted her to go away, go home to her beau in Calvin, and leave him to his life with his children.

But he’d told her he would listen, and so he would.

Then
he’d ask her not to visit anymore. He’d figure out a way to get through the summer without her and hopefully she’d return to Calvin, where she belonged.

And then maybe he could get his dreams of having her as part of his family out of his head.

As soon as the wagon pulled into the yard, Oscar was at his shoulder, a fresh horse ready to head to Walt’s place. Jonas almost asked for a second mount, not wanting the closeness of Penny riding behind him. Almost. Sam had mounted up and ridden ahead after Penny had quietly told him she wished to speak to Jonas. He was already across the yard and would outdistance them quickly.

Jonas and Penny were barely past the barn when she started speaking, as if she’d held the words in during the wagon ride and couldn’t bear it any longer.

“My father wants me to make a good match. That’s why he sent me away to finishing school and when that didn’t take, he has now apparently chosen Mr. Abbott for me to marry.”

This was the explanation that was supposed to reassure him? That her father wanted her to marry well?

Jonas would never be considered a good match.

“I tried to talk to my father, tell him that Mr. Abbott and I don’t suit. We don’t,” she said when she must’ve felt Jonas’s muscles tense. “He’s… I can’t explain it any better than there is something disturbing about him. He looks at me as if I was a breeding mare—as if, as if he only wants one thing. We’ve barely spoken but I have no desire to be married to that man.”

She took a breath, he could feel her huffing as if her emotional words had taken a toll on her.

“I tried to talk to my father. I even tried to bring my mother into it. She understands that I don’t want anything to do with Abbott but she won’t stand up to Father.”

“What do you mean?” He hadn’t meant to speak at all, but she’d started talking about her mother and his curiosity overtook him.

“My mother…isn’t happy. I have no remembrance of her being completely happy with my father. Never. He is…a hard man, much of the time. I don’t know if she thought she was in love with him in the beginning, but the marriage they have is nothing like…”

She stopped speaking for a moment and when she continued, he could hear the tears in her voice.

“You knew my grandmother before she passed. You couldn’t have seen her and Grandfather together and not seen how in love they still were, even after all those years together.”

He nodded, unable to deny it. He’d been envious of the obvious love between Walt and Peg. He’d never seen anything like it, not between his parents or anyone else.

“
That’s
the kind of love I want to find. I won’t marry without it. When you arrived in Calvin and brought Grandfather’s letter, it seemed too good to be true. I thought if I could get out of town for a little while, perhaps Abbott would forget about me, but he’s obviously followed me here.”

Jonas could understand why the other man didn’t want to let her go. A vibrant, beautiful creature like Penny Castlerock was special. Based on Penny’s description of their true relationship—not really knowing each other, an agreement with her father—the other man’s proprietary behavior
did
seem out of character.

But it wasn’t Jonas’s place to intervene. He would let Walt handle things or make the choice to send Penny back to Calvin.

She quieted as they rode into Walt’s yard.

“I suppose you think I’m foolish for trying to avoid my problems, only you don’t know my father.”

No, but based on their two meetings Jonas could understand that perhaps the man wouldn’t accept anything other than total obedience from his daughter.

“And if you found this person that you loved, would your father accept your decision?” he asked, because he couldn’t contain the question.

“I don’t know.” Her voice was hesitant.

They drew near to the porch and Jonas helped her off the horse but maintained his seat. He looked down on her earnest face and his stomach clenched.

“I suppose if I truly fell in love the way my grandparents felt, it wouldn’t matter what my father said. I would choose to be with that man.”

He couldn’t voice the question deep in his heart.
And what if this person was poor? Would you go against your father for someone like me?

His questions remained unasked as he said goodbye and made sure she got inside Walt’s cabin all right.

But they remained in his heart as he wheeled his mount and cried out to God.
Will I ever be enough for someone to love?