The Problem With Jordan (3 page)

“He won’t take a stick to you, Jordan. A man doesn’t do that to another man’s wife. I would never take a stick to Alice.”

“That’s good to know!” she exclaimed in relief. “Are you going to come to the door with me?” she asked.

“I am. I want to make sure your apology is well received. I want to be sure they know it was your idea, even though I did intend to make you do it; I was pleased that you were planning to already. It’s good to acknowledge a wrong and offer to make it right.”

“That is what Aunt Hermione would say. I think she would have liked you.”

“I’m pretty darn sure I would’ve liked her, too,” he admitted.

After a while they rolled into town, and Cray was aware that they were being stared at. Folks were probably wondering all sorts of things, and none of it good. They didn’t know him well enough to know he wasn’t the type to harm a young girl. They went to the Evans’ house and parked the wagon in front.

Cray chuckled quietly when Jordan stood up immediately. He knew she wanted to rub her bottom, but she was also aware of all the eyes on them. He walked around the wagon, put his hands around her tiny waist and lifted her to the ground. They walked up the path to the porch and Jordan lightly knocked on the door. Cray heard Alice and the children approaching. She peeked out to see who it was, and then opened the door.

“Jordy and Mr. McCormick, please do come inside. May I offer you some lemonade? I just made it and it is so good!”

“If it’s no trouble, Alice,” Jordan replied. She was very thirsty.

“Have a seat in the parlor and I’ll be right back. I’m expecting Jim any minute, too. He had to go to one of the outlying ranches to shoe several horses, and he should be getting back soon.”

Jordan got on her knees on the floor and played with the children, who seemed fascinated with her thick red braid. Jordan giggled, and didn’t seem to mind when they tugged a bit. She knew their names and it was obvious they loved her. Timmy was all excited as he told her about the new puppies his Pa’s dog whelped a few days ago.

“Have you named them yet?” she asked the little boy.

“No. Pa said we gots to give ’em away when they gets old enough, and those folks will get to name ’em. I want to keep one,” he said, his lower lip pouting.

“And your Pa said no?” she asked with genuine sympathy. He nodded. “Well, I am sure he has a good reason, honey.”

“Would you like a puppy, Jordy?” Timmy offered with a big smile. “Then I could see it and play with it sometimes.”

“Mr. McCormick already has a dog, Timmy. I’m not sure how he feels about taking in another pet,” Jordan answered honestly as Alice returned with a heavy tray of glasses and a pitcher of lemonade.

“Let me help you with that, ma’am,” Cray offered and was instantly on his feet, taking the tray from her and setting it on the table.

“Thank you so much.” Alice smiled shyly at the big man. He didn’t look as fierce now as he had earlier. “Oh, I think I hear Jim. Yes, it is you,” Alice said, looking at the man with love in her eyes. “We have guests, dear.”

Jim kissed his wife’s cheek and rubbed his boys’ heads before turning to Jordan and to Cray. “Hi.” Jim offered to shake hands with Cray, and Cray stood to greet him in like manner.

“I hope this isn’t a bad time for us to come by?” Cray asked as Alice poured lemonade for all of them.

“No, not at all. I just got back from shoeing some horses on the Menke Ranch, and wanted to stop by the house and check on Alice and the kids before getting back to work.”

Jordan stood and approached Jim, a bit warily. “We’re here so that I can tell you how sorry I am for using Timmy’s name as my own. I was fending eggs from Cray, and I straight out lied when he caught me and asked for my name. I don’t know why I did that; Aunt Hermione would be so ashamed of me. I am really sorry and I promise I won’t ever do it again.” She bowed her head, and then continued, “Cray said he frightened you, Alice, when he came here to look for me, and I regret that more than anything, especially right now.”

“I regret that, too, ma’am. I don’t often lose my darn temper, but I had a full head of steam when I came here. I’m sorry I frightened you and the boys.”

“Oh, I am fine!” Alice was quick to forgive.

“Why Timmy’s name, Jordy?” Jim wanted to know. He clearly wasn’t happy with her.

“His was the first name that popped into my head, Jim. I didn’t know the newcomer was so big, and I was a bit trapped and scared. That’s not a good reason for lying, however, and I don’t blame you for being upset with me.”

Jim looked at Cray. “I just heard tell what happened at your place this morning. I don’t like it one little bit, and I don’t want to hear that this little girl is being harmed in any way.”

“He’s been kind to me,” Jordan said.

“He made you come here and apologize, didn’t he?”

“No, Jim, I didn’t. I was going to, but Jordan already planned to do so, and I am impressed with her for insisting we take care of the matter today and not let it fester.”

Jim nodded and then smiled. “In that case, Jordy, we accept your apology. I’m pleased it is sincere.”

“Of course, her apology is sincere, and, of course, we accept it!” Alice scolded her husband. “And what happened out at Mr. McCormick’s ranch this morning that has you being so rude to a guest in our home?” Her blue eyes were flashing.

“Some of the good citizens: the sheriff, the mayor, the reverend, the church ladies, and the storekeeper, all decided that since McCormick spanked Jordy for stealing his eggs, he would make the perfect husband for her. These two were victims of a shotgun wedding of sorts.”

“What?” Alice exclaimed, looking at Jordan, then at Cray. “You spanked Jordy?”

“I did, and I won’t apologize for doing it, either. And, she’s been warned that any more
fending
for food or anything else will earn her a good licking with my belt.”

“Oh, Jordy, I should have insisted you come here and live with us when Miss Hermione passed!” Alice said, tears in her eyes.

“I feel responsible for the fix you’re in,” Jim echoed his wife’s sentiments. “I should have found a way to help you, Jordy, and I owe you an apology for not trying harder.”

“I’m not in a fix. So far there is more to like about Cray than to hate; he feels the same way about me. He’s promised to keep me safe, and I believe he means it.” Jordan smiled at the man. “Jim, Cray knows the Bible verse the reverend quoted that says a man shouldn’t be harsh with his wife, and Cray believes those words.”

“Oh no!” Alice suddenly exclaimed. “Now that you’re married you won’t be able to come and help me when this little one arrives! What are we going to do, Jim?”

“Don’t worry, Alice,” Jordan soothed, and then turned to Cray to say, “Cray, I offered to come and help Alice with the kids and the house when she has the baby.” Jordan looked at him to gauge his reaction. “I hope you don’t mind?”

“I’m sure Alice is going to need your help, and I can see how good you are with the children. I think it is good of you to offer, Jordan, and of course I expect you to keep your promise. I’ll help, too, if there is anything I can do?”

“There won’t be too much, but we appreciate the offer, right, Jim?” Alice smiled.

“Yes, we do. You’re sure you won’t mind if Jordy comes and spends a few days?”

“It pleases me to hear she offered her time, Jim, and I want her to keep her promise. I’ll come and visit her here if that is acceptable to you?”

“Very,” the other man said. He seemed to make up his mind about something and then said, “I’m sorry I gave you such a rough time. The sheriff said he was sure of you, and that you were good for Jordy, but I believe in love.”

“Who knows? Perhaps that could come with time.”

“Jim, don’t worry,” Jordan whispered, her cheeks pink with embarrassment. “Cray doesn’t believe in forcing. I will be just fine. He reassured me and gave his word, right, Cray?”

“You have my solemn word, Jordan,” Cray promised again, this time for Alice and Jim’s sake. It was obvious they cared for the girl. “Now then, we have some shopping to do.”

“That really worries me. I’m not used to dresses, for one thing, and for another, what if I spend too much? I don’t want to get into trouble again until this first spanking wears off!”

“I’m not going to get mad at you for spending too much when I am right there with you helping you pick out some new clothes. Once we get settled in with each other we’ll sit down and talk about money and spending and budgets. Today, we are shopping, and if I get mad at what we spend, it will be at myself.” He grinned. “Jordan, shopping is my idea, all right?”

“All right, but if I start to get carried away, will you please tell me?” she pleaded.

“Sure I will.”

“Oh, Jordy, you need to get lots of pretty greens to match your eyes, and there are some shades of brown that your hair would make beautiful! I’ve always wanted to see you in dresses, and wearing a shawl instead of your Pa’s coat. You are such a beautiful woman, and it’s time you show it.”

“Thank you, Alice, for telling Jordan the same thing I’ve been saying. Would you like to come with us and help out? I’m not used to buying ladies’ clothing, and I think Jordan would love to have your advice and suggestions.”

“You won’t find much in the way of ready-made clothing that will fit Jordy, Cray. We’ll need to do a lot of sewing.” She made a face and then said in disappointment, “I would love to come and help, but I can’t take these little boys shopping. They would be bored and raising a fuss within a minute or two in the store. That’s why I normally send Jim with a list.”

“Sweetheart, this is important to Jordy. You go along and help, and I’ll stay here with our boys and spend some time with them. It will do you some good to get out for a while, and I don’t want you to hurry, either.” Jim turned to look at Jordy and Cray and said, “I would like to see our Jordy dressed all pretty, too, and I am beginning to think the town had the right of it by seeing you two together.”

Cray was
very
careful when he helped the very pregnant Alice Evans down from the wagon when they reached the General Store. The woman was doing him and Jordan a huge favor by coming with them to help pick out clothing and fabrics for Jordan. Cray felt it was more than generous for Jim to stay home with his sons so that his wife could help Jordan pick out clothing she was unfamiliar with. Cray knew that he would find some way to treat all of the Evans Family, but he would need to make sure it was in some way the little boys could participate, too.

The problem with Jordan was that she’d never dressed as a female. Her father dressed her in boys’ clothing when she was little, and her Aunt wore pants, too! It was a bit shocking to Cray, but since the pretty little redhead wasn’t arguing with him, he suspected she was anxious to dress as a lady, but she simply didn’t know how. He was determined to see that happen. Cray just knew she would be beautiful once she was dressed as a female should be dressed.

“Well, come in, come in!” Henry Atwater said with a big smile. “I didn’t think to see you again so soon. What can I do for you newlyweds?” he asked, trying his best to be friendly, while gathering all the information he could.

“My wife needs new clothing, Henry. Mrs. Evans is here to help with that. I trust her to know what my Jordan needs.”

“Very well. Shall I keep a running total, Cray, or add it up when you are finished?”

“I’m not going to penny pinch, Henry. My wife hasn’t had new clothing in a long time, and I want her to choose what she likes, and not be concerned with the price. She’ll also need some new boots and some shoes suitable for every day, and some slippers or shoes for Sunday and for good.”

“We can handle it all, Cray,” Henry promised, excited at the prospect of a good sale. He was also pleased to see that the man was going to treat his wife well. He’d worried about little Jordy ever since leaving the McCormick Ranch earlier.

“Alice, don’t rush or try to do too much,” Cray warned her as she plunged into looking at bolts of fabric. “I’m in no hurry to get back to the ranch, so please take your time and rest if you need to.”

“Don’t worry, Cray. This is going to be fun for me,” Alice insisted, and soon they were talking patterns and fabrics and trims.

Alice inquired as to readymade, and Henry shook his head and said, “Let me get Goldie to help you ladies. She knows all about that sort of thing, and I don’t.”

A few minutes later, Goldie Atwater came down to the store from their upstairs apartment. She was a good bit younger than her husband, but she was deeply in love with him… in spite of his difficult mother and the age difference. “Hello, Alice. Hello, Jordy. I wanted to come to your wedding this morning, dear, but Henry’s mother was feeling poorly and I needed to be here to care for her. She’s doing much better now, and we can enjoy shopping.”

“They will be a good long while, Cray. Do you need anything else?” Henry asked, hoping to entertain the younger man so he wouldn’t grow bored.

“I’d like to see wedding bands, Henry,” Cray whispered. “It didn’t feel right not to have a ring to put on Jordan’s finger this morning.”

“I sure hope you know that we prayed we were doing the right thing by you two, but when the Reverend said a prayer and we
all
voted the same. I hope you know that it was a vote of confidence in you that we chose you? Little Jordy is a handful, and you’ll need to be firm at times.” Henry was being honest. His own Goldie was a handful at times, and he’d used a hairbrush to help tame that temper she was so famous for displaying.

“I like these,” Cray said. “They look to be the right size, too.” He walked over to Jordan and said, “May I see your left hand, Mrs. McCormick?”

Jordan looked at him, puzzled until he slipped a gold band on her ring ringer. It fit perfectly.

“Do you like this one?” he asked.

Jordan nodded, too choked up to speak. She nodded again, and then again before whispering, “Thank you, Cray! It’s beautiful!”

“My pleasure, Jordan.” He left it on her slender finger, and then tried on the matching one he picked for himself. It fit, too. “We’ll take these rings, Henry.”

“Sure thing!” Henry was suddenly in a great mood. He was going to have an excellent day in the store in spite of being closed for a few hours while he went out to the ranch with the others earlier that morning. “What else can I show you, Cray?” Henry was amazed at the shopping Cray did. Some of it was very practical items for the ranch, some were items for the house, and he secretly bought a new wardrobe for Jordan to put her clothing in, and a sewing machine and almost every other thing the young woman would need to make her clothing! Cray was generous, and Henry couldn’t wait to share that particular news with Reverend John, the mayor and the sheriff. Little Jordy was going to have a much better life, which they’d all hoped for.

Cray wanted to get off on the right foot with his new bride. While there wouldn’t be any lovemaking for a while, he still wanted his wife to feel welcome and as though he valued her. He didn’t feel she’d had much coddling of any kind during her entire life. He also picked up a few extra grocery items. They were going to eat well until he got rid of that ‘starvation’ look in her eyes around food.

The sheriff came into the store in time to hear Cray voice an opinion on two fabrics. He hated the one, and it was immediately put back.

“You pickin’ out pretties, son?”

“I’m helping my wife pick out some new clothing, Sheriff. She needs a new wardrobe that shows her off as the pretty young lady she is.”

“I agree with you, Cray. It does my heart good to see that you’re the good man I thought you to be. We didn’t make that decision without discussion and thought and prayer. We put our trust in God, and I wanted you to know that.”

“Henry told me the same thing, Sheriff, and I believe you. In a year I’ll let you know if it worked or not.” He smiled a bit, and then said, “What can you tell me of Ike Kellogg?”

“Kind of a loner. The girls at the saloon keep their distance. Seems he likes to get real rough with them. What you askin’ fer?”

“He’s been giving Jordan a rough time for the last couple of years; threatening her. She hides from him when she sees him coming. He said some pretty nasty things about her to me before I told him she is my wife. That news seemed to upset him a lot; he couldn’t get away from my place fast enough.”

“Do you want me to talk to him and warn him off?”

“Can if you want, or leave it to me. I didn’t like what Jordan had to say about his threats to blacken her reputation, or the fact she’s been dealing with this by herself for far too long. Her Aunt Hermione caught him trying to rape Jordan, and she took a broomstick to him and ordered him away.”

“Oh God, that riles me! That poor old woman could hardly move, but I could see her defending Jordy with everything she had in her body. I’ll tell Ike to stop tormenting Jordy, or I’ll throw him in jail for a month. If he so much as looks at her wrong after that, I want to hear about it.”

“He promised her that if she told anyone at all of his advances or threats against her, that he would just claim she was after him, and sleeping around with any man who would have her. Jordan is an innocent, Sheriff. She doesn’t deserve a tarnished reputation, and I will be
very
angry if I hear one lie about her.”

“I hear you, son. I’ll do my best to stop it before it starts.” The sheriff left the store, forgetting about his pipe tobacco in his hurry to ride out and see Ike.

“Cray! Please make them stop! I don’t need this many clothes!”

He walked over to see what she had. “All I see are yard goods. Tell me what is what.” He listened carefully and then said in a gentle tone. “I would like to see you buy a few more pieces of yard goods, Jordan. I know this seems like a lot right now, but in reality, it’s only three every day dresses and one church dress. That isn’t much. Did you see if you have anything ready to wear that would fit Jordan, Mrs. Atwater?”

“I do have a dress, and a skirt and shirtwaist. We would probably need to hem the length, but that isn’t difficult to do,” Goldie answered, and then added in an honest voice, “They were ordered by a young woman visiting here, and then she upped and left town, and most women are too big in some areas to wear those things. They are of a very nice quality, too.”

“Could my wife try them on here?”

“Yes, of course.”

“But,
I
…
don’t
…
want
—”

Cray put his finger over his mouth to gently silence her. He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Do you want a spanking for acting like a child in here?”

She immediately shook her head no.

“Good. You are pleasing me very much, Jordan, by getting new clothes. Try these on and let me see. If they fit, then we’ll concentrate on some shoes and then we’ll stop for the day. When you have everything sewn up, then we can pick out some other things, or order from a catalogue.”

“You are being
too
nice, and I don’t want to take advantage of you!” She was careful to keep her voice down and
not
act like a bratty child. She did
not
want another spanking anytime soon!

“You aren’t taking advantage of me; I am enjoying this shopping. It has been a long time since I’ve had
anyone
to shop for, Jordan, and it feels good.”

“But, the money?” she whispered.

“I’m not worried. I can afford this, I promise. We’ll talk numbers soon, and then you’ll have a better picture of our finances.”

“Here we go. What do you think, Mr. McCormick?” Goldie held up wooden hangers that held a beautiful green dress, a rust colored skirt and a shirtwaist that had lace around the cuffs and collar.

“I like all of them very much. What about you, Jordan? Do you like them?”

“Yes, but they have to be very expensive!” She couldn’t help fretting over the money in spite of Cray’s assurances that he could afford everything.

“Henry will give them to you at cost, I’m sure. They’ve been in the storage room for nearly a year now!” She motioned for Jordan to follow her. “Come with me and I’ll help you change.” The woman surreptitiously picked up a pile of underclothing and took them along, too, winking at Alice. “You just sit there and rest a bit, Alice. I’ll help Jordan and then bring her out for you all to see.”

Cray got Henry’s attention. “I thought of something else, Henry; I need two baskets. You know, the market basket size.”

“Sure thing, Cray.” Henry was planning to paddle his wife for selling those garments at cost, but when he saw Jordan in the dress, he thought her beautiful. “You look right pretty, Miss Jordan.”

“Thank you,” she said, embarrassed.

“Jordy, with the right shoes, that dress won’t even need to be hemmed!” Alice exclaimed. “Isn’t she beautiful, Cray?”

“Yes, very beautiful,” he agreed. “We’ll take that one, Mrs. Atwater.”

Jordy hated being on display, but she changed into the skirt and shirtwaist and it was as if the garments were made for her! She liked the skirt and top better than the dress because she knew it would get a lot more use.

“We want that outfit, too, and Jordan will wear it home, please. Shoes? What size do you wear, honey?” The endearment slipped out without conscious thought and seemed so natural. The others in the store smiled at each other.

“I don’t know, Cray. Truly. I always just try on boy’s boots until I find a pair that fits, and I ain’t done that for at least four years now!” She was being honest.

“We’ll find out. Just take a seat, Miss Jordan,” Henry gently bossed. And then he measured her foot and picked out a serviceable pair for everyday wear. “Do you like these?” he asked.

“No. I hate them.” She wasn’t trying to be rude, just bluntly honest, which was her way. “I like the pair next to them.” They were simple, and black. Henry hurried to the back and returned with a pair. They fit perfectly. “I like these a lot. They’re pretty comfortable… for shoes.”

“Do you want to try on any of the others in that area?”

“No, these will do.”

“These are the ones you should try for dress shoes, Jordy,” Alice suggested. They had a heel on them, and buttoned up the side. “What do you think?”

“I’ll try them on,” she agreed, anxious to please Alice. Once they were on her feet, she tried to stand and almost fell, but Cray caught her.

“Easy now,” he whispered.

“I feel like a newborn foal trying to get his legs under him!” Jordan giggled as she walked in them, holding tight to her husband. “Oh, Cray, do you mind if I get these, too? I feel like a princess!”

“You look like a princess, too. Of course, you may get the shoes, I promised you would have whatever you need, and you need pretty things, Jordan.”

Henry totaled the purchases and Jordan gasped in shock when she heard the grand total. However, Cray took out his wallet and paid it without so much as blinking. Jordan couldn’t believe he was smiling!

“Cray!” she said in a strangled whisper. “That is a lot of money!”

“I bought some larger purchases, too, Jordan. I assure you it is all right. We’d best get Alice home before Jim comes looking for her.”