The Jewel of His Heart (16 page)

She looked down, studying the hardwood floor for a moment as if there were a message written on the worn planks. “And you’re one of them?” Her dark eyes snapped as she looked up.

“I was thinking about Mark and Albert, but—well, yes, me too.” He reached out to lightly touch the ugly bruise above her wrist. “I’m sorry for whatever happened, but if you want to talk about it, I’m here for you.” Her skin felt warm and silky to his touch, and he felt a small shiver pass through her body. “God didn’t intend for man to live alone.”

“Well, where was He when my mother died, and all those years we were struggling and waiting for my daddy to return like he promised? Tell me that, will you?” Her voice was shaky, and a sob shook her thin shoulders, but she took a deep breath.

He dropped his hand from her arm. “He was right there, Juliana,” Josh said. “We don’t always know why things have to happen the way they do, but we must trust that He knows better than we do how it’s all going to work out.” Apparently he seemed to bring out her hurts easily without even trying. He didn’t want to make her angry—far from it. He would have continued, but Marion walked up with clean sheets.

“Here we are. It won’t take but a moment to throw these on the bed, Juliana. The maids have all gone home for the night. And Josh, you should be sitting down! What’s gotten into you? You could swoon and hit the floor.” She pushed him right back to the window seat, where he sat and directed his gaze to the two women making the bed.

Heaving a deep sigh, Juliana placed the handful of laundry outside the doorway and turned to assist Marion.

“I’m not helpless, just a bit woozy, but I’ll get out of the way of a commanding female.” Josh chuckled. He concluded that Marion was a take-charge, no-nonsense person. Again she reminded him of his sister April.

Marion rolled her eyes but said nothing, and in a flash she and Juliana had the bed sheets tightly folded under the mattress and smoothed out on top. “Juliana tells me you’re halfway through building your house. That’s so exciting. You’ll have to tell me about it at breakfast tomorrow.” With a flick of her wrist, she plumped the bed pillows and turned to him. “It’s all ready when you are. Be sure to come down and have breakfast in the morning before you leave.” She flashed him her sweetest smile. “A man like you needs a hearty breakfast to start his day.”

Josh shot a look at Juliana, who hadn’t opened her mouth since Marion arrived, and observed a thoughtful look on her pretty face. He watched as she walked over to the bureau and pulled out her dressing gown and a change of clothes.

“Take your time tomorrow. There’s no rush. I have everything I need.” Juliana gave Josh a feeble smile, perhaps to indicate that she wasn’t angry at him. “That lump on your head has grown quite red and large, so just stay as long as needed.”

“Thank you for allowing me to take your room for the night, Juliana. I’ll have to think of a way to repay you.” He threw her a mischievous look.

Marion snorted. “No need for that, is there, Juliana?
We
are allowing her to stay until she decides what she wants to do.”

Juliana had a hurt look on her face but only said in a quiet tone, “Yes, Marion’s right. I’m just charity.” Then she stalked out of the room, her black heels making a pinging sound on the hardwood floors.

Marion shrugged her shoulders at Josh. “Whatever is wrong with her?”

Josh considered answering her question but thought he’d better keep his thoughts to himself.

After Marion left, he yanked off his boots and removed his clothes. He left his long handles on and laid his pants and shirt in the chair by the window. He reached inside his saddlebags and pulled out his Bible. The turned-down sheets looked inviting and his head still pounded, but first he took the powder with a glass of water before crawling beneath the covers. A faint scent of soap filled his nostrils, and it was a comforting smell. One he remembered from home and his sweet mother’s attention to detail. He missed her and her fussing over him, and hoped the hard feelings between him and his dad would not keep her from visiting him. His mother was a gentle, kind-hearted soul who never stood up to his dad, though Josh knew many times she had her own ideas about things. One thing was for certain, he wanted his wife to be an equal partner with him. Not someone to boss around.

Leaning his head back on the fluffy pillows, he opened his Bible to the book of Psalms, one of his favorites. He read for a bit but was having trouble concentrating because of his headache—and the image of Juliana’s wounded face and pinched lips earlier. How he wanted to wrap his arms around her and make her feel she was special and loved! Perhaps tomorrow he might push a little harder about the bruise if he had a minute alone with her.

He was sure Andy was wondering why he hadn’t shown up tonight, but he probably wasn’t too worried about him. The thief wouldn’t come back to the camp a second time since he hadn’t found anything.

Josh’s head began to nod, and the Bible slipped out of his hands and slid to the floor.

19

Juliana followed Marion down to her room, a large corner suite. Her father had the exact same suite on the opposite corner on the third floor.

Inside Juliana was seething about Marion’s comment to Josh about allowing her to stay. If her memory served her right, it was Marion who’d decided she should move into the hotel until she could get on her feet in the first place, despite her protestations. But from the way her friend was flirting with Josh and fussing over him, it seemed suddenly Marion wanted her out of the picture. Now she was feeling like a burden, and she decided it was time to see if she could afford to rent a small room in the boardinghouse. She was already making payments for Choco to Marion. Would she have enough left over for anything else? It was too soon to hope for any kind of raise from Albert. Maybe she should have just stayed at the shack near the miners’ camp, but she’d made a promise to her mother.

Marion interrupted her thoughts, motioning to Juliana to enter her suite. It was a richly decorated room and sitting area illuminated by brightly lit wall sconces that cast a soft yellow glow. A beautiful brocade settee and English writing desk were placed near the large windows covered in heavy, cream-colored drapes. A small table next to the settee held a clock and a silver tea service. Marion’s bed was covered with a cream-colored coverlet, and strewn against the headboard were ruffled and lacy pillows.

Such luxury Juliana had never seen. This was the first time she had ever been invited to Marion’s personal room, and somehow she felt totally out of her element. She shouldn’t be here at all.

While Juliana was agape, taking it all in, Marion pulled open the heavy double wardrobe doors. She removed her dress as she talked over her shoulder. “Josh is such a nice man, don’t you think?” Before Juliana had time to answer, she went on. “Such muscles—my goodness! And those eyes! They look clear to one’s soul.” She turned toward Juliana. “You’re not listening. What’s wrong?”

“I feel like I’m inconveniencing you by sharing your room. Are you sure there were no vacancies? I don’t want to put you out any more than I already have,” Juliana said, her feet rooted to the floor.

“Now what’s that supposed to mean? Yes, I’m afraid all the rooms are booked tonight.”

“Well, it’s just that . . . you made it clear I was a charity case.” Juliana’s breathing felt constricted. She always felt this way when she was anxious about something. It was never pleasant to tell someone how she felt if she was upset.

“Oh, that . . . Well, we both know it’s temporary,” she said. She stripped down to her chemise, then pulled her nightgown over her head. Tiny blue ribbons edged the delicate, rounded yoke, while fine Hamburg-embroidered tucks fell clear down the front with ribbon insertions and embroidery on the cambric gown. Juliana was sure she’d never seen a nightgown quite like it before. “I thought you were jealous of how Josh was giving me his undivided attention,” Marion continued.

Juliana had looked away, but she snapped back around to give Marion a chilly stare. “I’m not jealous! Josh doesn’t belong to anyone, as far as I know.”

“Don’t be so touchy. We have to share this bed tonight.” She made a clicking sound with her tongue against her teeth, then started pulling down the comforter and pillows. “Well, don’t just stand there. Change your clothes and get comfortable. I’m sure someone is still in the kitchen. I’ll ring us a pot of chamomile tea.” She reached for the fabric braided rope as she put on her slippers. “It’ll settle your nerves.”

“There is nothing
wrong
with my nerves!” Juliana stalked over to a chair in front of Marion’s dressing table, sat down, and began removing her shoes.

“So you say.” Marion’s left eyebrow arched. She stepped over to the window and looked down at the streets below, where the gaslights created soft shadows.

“I guess it’s time I look for some other place to stay. I’ve been charity long enough.” Juliana slipped on her nightgown of rough muslin, knowing full well it paled in comparison to Marion’s. The hardwood floor was cold on her bare feet, but she didn’t own any slippers. She wished she’d grabbed a pair of stockings earlier.

“Are you implying I want you to leave, Juliana?” Marion cocked her head and regarded her. “I never said anything of the sort. You’re my friend,” she said, pulling her robe on.

“Nonetheless, I feel clearly that I’m in the way, and I shall look for something tomorrow that I can afford. But I don’t want to sound ungrateful. I appreciate what you’ve done for me by allowing me to stay here. I’ll figure out some way to pay you back once I pay off my debt for Choco.” She thought she glimpsed a slight curve bordering on a smile on Marion’s lips.
Ah ha! She was hoping
I’d leave.
How quickly their relationship had changed once a man entered the picture. One more reason to stay away from men.

“As you wish. You seem a bit miffed that Josh was being quite nice to me. Is that what’s upset you?”

Juliana rolled her eyes. It had been apparent to her that Marion was gushing attention on Josh, to the point it almost embarrassed her. “That has nothing to do with anything. I didn’t act any different than I normally do. So what are you trying to say?”

A knock on the door stopped Marion from replying, and she opened it as the maid carried in a pot of hot tea and placed it on the table next to the settee. “Here you are, mum. You’re in luck—I was just about to close up the kitchen. Your favorite chamomile tea, and I brung along a couple of sugar cookies too.” The young girl bobbed her head at Marion and then at Juliana.

“What a dear you are. Thank you, Nellie,” Marion said. The maid lingered a moment or two, waiting for a tip, but when none was forthcoming, she left in a flash, no doubt tired from her long day at the hotel. Juliana felt uncomfortable for Nellie and wished she’d had her coin purse with her. She knew what hard work for little pay was like, and she figured Nellie counted heavily on her tips from the hotel’s patrons. Maybe Marion figured since her father owned the hotel, no tip should be expected.

“Please, Juliana, sit down, and I’ll pour us some tea.”

Juliana hesitated briefly. A cup of tea was very tempting, so she padded over and sat down while Marion poured the two cups and offered her sugar and lemon. She shook her head at the lemon but placed two sugar cubes in the delicate china cup.

“Back to our conversation. What I was trying to say was that Josh is fair game. Before, you told me you weren’t interested, but I couldn’t help but detect a certain way you look when you’re around him. I’m not sure he shares the same sentiment as you, dear friend. You’re a little young for him.” Marion stirred her tea, gazing at Juliana. “He needs someone a bit older. Maybe someone like me.”

Juliana almost choked on the sip of tea. “I never indicated he needed someone older, Marion. I do like him. He’s a very nice gentleman.” Her heart pounded against her ribs. “You’re right. He was looking at you intently. You’re a nice-looking woman, have a viable standing in the community, and are closer to Josh’s age.” Marion flinched. “Could be he is interested. Maybe he’ll ask to come courting.” She eyed her friend. “Is that what you hope for?”

Marion shrugged her shoulders. “I won’t deny I find him attractive. I wouldn’t want to step on your toes if you have feelings for him, but you can’t have Mark and Josh. That just won’t fly.” She waited for Juliana’s reaction.

Juliana stared down into her teacup. What
did
she feel for Josh? Truth was, she was very attracted to him and felt her insides tremble whenever he came near. She felt comfortable with Mark, but more like friends than anything else. Was she unconsciously leading Mark on? She hadn’t meant to.

“Marion, I like Josh and Mark as friends, nothing more. Besides, they’re not really interested in me. I think they just felt sorry for me when my mother passed.” But even as she said it, Juliana was thinking about the kiss in Josh’s kitchen. In fact, she had been thinking of it earlier when Josh touched her arm, which had set off an alarm throughout her body.

“I wouldn’t be too sure of that, especially where Mark is concerned.” Marion dismissed the subject with a shake of her head. “Now that that’s settled, let’s have a cookie before lights out.” She munched on her sugar cookie as she sneaked a peek at her friend.

Juliana remembered how Josh’s eyes had seemed so full of compassion when he asked her about the bruise. She wondered what it would feel like to have his strong arms around her, holding her close enough to hear his heartbeat . . . Ah, she’d never know. She’d observed the way he looked at Marion, who had so much more to offer. It was clear that Marion had designs on him too. Josh must think Juliana was merely a child.

Still, there was that kiss . . . But she didn’t want to get too close, or her heart might be broken.