The Jewel of His Heart (22 page)

Nellie and Juliana had managed to gather the remnants of the picnic and hitch the wagon to their horses. They said very little on the way back to Lewistown. From the bustling excitement as they drove into town, it appeared the news of the fire had quickly reached the townsfolk from neighboring ranches. A few people looked curiously at them as they made their way to the boardinghouse.

For her first time to drive a team and wagon, Juliana had done well. She stopped the wagon in front of the boardinghouse, and the front door flew open, with Miss Margaret and her daughters nearly tumbling over each other in their rush down the steps to reach her and Nellie.

“My goodness, are you two all right?” Miss Margaret hobbled to Juliana’s side as quickly as her cane would allow and took hold of Juliana’s arm, appraising the worn-out women.

“We’re okay. Nellie and I are just really tired and could use some water,” Juliana answered.

Natalie assisted them inside with Miss Margaret’s help, while Louise raced to get them water to drink.

“You poor dears!” Miss Margaret led them to the parlor. “Have a seat.” She was fussing over them like they were her family.

Louise brought water, and the two gratefully drank it. “Nothing has ever tasted so good!” Nellie remarked after emptying her glass.

Natalie shook her head in sympathy. “Please, tell us what happened. How did you get caught up in the goings-on of a fire?”

“It came out of nowhere, it seems.” Juliana pushed her hair off her face. Her dress was dirty, and she knew from the looks the ladies gave her and Nellie that they were a little the worse for wear. “Josh lost some sheep, but he and his sheepherder, Andy, are fine.” She stared down at her hands, which were blistered from holding the reins without the protection of gloves.

“How terrible. I wonder if it was just a wildfire that popped up. We haven’t had much rain, and things are dry around here,” Miss Margaret said. She sat on the edge of her settee with so much concern in her lined face that Juliana felt as if she was the one who needed a hug.

“That’d be hard to know for certain, unless someone actually saw it happen,” Nellie said.

“You’re right—we probably will never know.” Louise’s calm voice was like a soothing balm for Juliana’s heart.

“I say let’s run a hot bath for these two gals and rustle up some supper.” Miss Margaret stood up and started giving directions to her daughter.

“I must be going home. Me mum will be scared out of her wits wondering where I got off to. But thank you so much for thinking of me.” Nellie gave her new friend a quick hug.

“Thanks, Nellie, for all your help. I know Josh appreciates it. I’ll see you soon.” Juliana stood to walk her to the door.

“It was no trouble at all. Your Josh fellow looked like a mighty sad man. I’m hoping Andy’s cheerful nature will be able to perk him up after a few days.” She gave her thanks to Miss Margaret and her daughters for their kindness, and slipped out the front door.

After a warm bath and a bowl of thick chicken soup with crusty bread and milk, Juliana bade them all good night. She was so tired, and tomorrow was a workday. Before she closed her bedroom door, she turned to Miss Margaret. “If I can get Albert to let me return the buckboard to Josh, I’d like to pack him and Andy lunch. Besides, I could write a story firsthand.”

“Sounds like a good idea to me. In fact, you just march into work and ask my son for a couple hours off in the morning. If he gives you any trouble, just let me know. The girls and I will make up a hearty lunch for your young man and his friend. Now, don’t you worry any.”

“Miss Margaret, you’re just too good to me.”

“Off to bed with you. You look exhausted.”

In truth, Juliana could barely stand up and couldn’t wait to sink her head into her soft pillow.

Downstairs in the kitchen, Miss Margaret told Natalie and Louise about her plan to put together enough staples of food to last for a couple of days for Josh and Andy, besides making their lunches. There was no argument from them, and they started taking out of the pantry jars of pears, applesauce, and beans they’d canned themselves from last summer’s garden. In the morning they would make up sandwiches and other necessary items.

“So you think Albert won’t mind Juliana taking time off in the morning to drive the wagon back?” Natalie broke the silence as they worked quietly.

“Humph. Albert may be a hard worker, but he always has compassion for folks who need it. I reckon Juliana learned right quick-like how to drive that team.” Miss Margaret chuckled. “She’s tough, and she’s got spunk in her, that’s for sure. From what I hear from Sally and Albert, she’s had it hard in her young life.”

Louise put her arm around her mother’s shoulders. “You’re just the one to make her feel good about herself.”

Miss Margaret beamed at her daughter. “I sure hope so. It’s only been a few weeks since she lost her mother, and she hasn’t seen her father in a decade. I don’t think she trusts too many people.”

“Bless her heart,” Natalie said as she stacked the cleaned dishes from dinner.

“Yes, may God bless her really good,” Miss Margaret agreed.

A thick cloud of depression covered Josh like a mantle when he surveyed the acres of charred grass. He realized how quickly his circumstances had changed, along with his hopes and dreams, but most of all he was thinking of all the work and countless hours that had gone into building his house. The only good thing was that he hadn’t really furnished it yet.

As he walked around the ruins, a hard knot began to form in the center of his chest. He and Andy had buried the sheep in one gigantic hole, and he was worn out physically and mentally. His usual cheerful spirit was sinking just below sea level.

He slipped off Pete and let him wander about. He knew ol’ Pete wouldn’t stray very far from him. Sitting down on a large boulder near the clearing’s edge, Josh surveyed the land, trying to think things through. If he did rebuild, where? The first place he’d picked had been the perfect spot. But the new place would have to be farther away from this awful-looking, scorched landscape, because he couldn’t stand to look at it.

The taste of bitterness crept into his heart, and he clenched his teeth. Grasses would quickly return, but the trees would take years. He sighed and put his head in his hands, looking down at the space between his feet.

He heard the jingle of horses and buggy coming up the road. Lifting his head, he watched Marion drive a fine, matching pair of bays and a shiny black buggy over to where Pete stood. She wasted no time but scrambled down and walked over to where he sat.

“Josh . . . I have no words to express how sorry I am for what happened yesterday. What can I do, how can I help?” She gave his arm an affectionate pat.

For a moment he thought she was going to burst into tears. Grateful that she didn’t, he lifted his gaze to stare out at the rubble that was his home. “There’s nothing you can do,” he declared thickly. “Nothing at all.”

“At least you and Andy didn’t lose your lives. You can start over, build another house.” Marion knelt down next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“No, I can’t. There’s no money left, and I had a loan for my land. The house
was
my collateral.”

“I can help—”

“What’s the use? I lost part of my herd, most of the grazing land is burned to a crisp . . .” Josh slowly exhaled.

Marion shrugged. “Josh, there’s always hope, and there’s always help. I’m not without means. I could advance you the money until you sell the wool, or whatever it is you planned to do. All is not lost.”

He knew she meant it from the tone of her voice and concern in her face. “I can’t let you do that. What would people think?”

“That we’re partners?”

He froze and arched an eyebrow at her. “Partners?”

“Well . . . only if someone asks. I could care less about raising sheep,” she said.

He hesitated, thinking about her offer. It would be ready cash, and he had no one else he could turn to. He didn’t want to go back to Colorado and face his father with his failure. “Why would you want to do this for me?” It was an honest question.

“Because you’re in need, and I’d like to help because we’re friends. Right?” She leaned closer, looking up at him.

He stiffened. She was so close that he could smell rose water from the movement of her hair lifting on the morning breeze. Should he take her offer? Goodness knows, he didn’t have much left, just a few sapphires for safekeeping. He wasn’t sure how he was going to pay Andy his wages.

“Just say yes, Josh, and we can get to work on this,” she pleaded.

“Okay. We’ll talk about it. But it needs to be written up and legal,” he said. He reached for her hand in a firm handshake that she returned. “Pardner!” His spirits lifted a little, and Marion gave him a wide smile. She leaned against his shoulder, giving him a hug as his head touched hers briefly in gratitude.

26

The brilliant sun was already high in the azure sky by the time Juliana made her way toward Josh’s camp. Albert had assured her that her morning off would be time well spent. Upon her return she would work on the lead story about the fire for the newspaper. Albert said a couple of other farmers had suffered from the fire as well.

She’d slept soundly from sheer exhaustion but hurried through the morning. She loaded the wagon with Natalie and Louise’s help, then hitched Choco to the back for her return trip. She couldn’t get the vision of Josh’s drawn face out of her mind. She wished she could do something somehow. Was it just a few weeks ago she had stood in his kitchen discussing plans on where to place his stove? It seemed like years.

She sighed deeply. Every time she got discouraged, she’d try to remember what the reverend said about how God is there even when we walk through the bad times. She didn’t want to dwell on sadness. She’d done that long enough, and it was time to look forward to what the future held . . . maybe a future with Josh? Why else would he ask to court her?

Juliana’s heart skipped a beat. She would help him through this valley he was in right now. After all, he’d helped her in her time of need and made her start thinking about God again.

Andy removed his floppy hat and greeted Juliana with less than his normal cheery hello when she drove up. “If it’s Josh you’re looking for, he’s out at his ranch—or should I say what’s left of the ranch.” He walked over and assisted her down.

“He is? I wanted to return his wagon. I’ve also brought along a few supplies you might be needing, and a hearty lunch that Miss Margaret and her girls were kind enough to prepare for you and Josh.” She turned, lifting a basket from the back. “If you’ll get those other boxes there, I’d appreciate it.”

“Wow. That’s wonderful! It’ll be nice not to eat my own cooking for a change,” Andy said with a wink. “I’ll put these things away. Why don’t I take some of the lunch, and then you take the rest and go have lunch with Josh? Maybe that would cheer him up.”

“Okay, but I can’t stay long. I have to write a story about the fire for today’s paper. Did you get any rest?”

“Somewhat. I think we’re both in shock. We buried sheep, and all that digging plumb wore me out. Did Nellie get back all right?” His face lit up when he said her name.