The Trouble with Patience (12 page)

Brilliant rays through the cell window played across the floor and bed, and Jedediah saw the old man's whiskered face
twitch. “Rise and shine, old man!” Jedediah called. “I've got your coffee ready.”

Joe groaned, then rolled to his side and opened one bloodshot eye. He finally got himself up to a sitting position. He leaned over, head in his hands. “Just let me be for a minute, will ya? My head's a poundin'.”

“Nope, we gotta get going, Joe,” he said as he opened the cell door. “Here's some coffee that'll help.” Jedediah held the mug lower, and the fragrance wafted up into the man's face.

“Yeah,” he mumbled, “does smell good.” He held out trembling hands, and Jed placed the mug into them. Joe took a sip, then another. “Tastes good too,” he added. “Ya got anything in this place ta eat?”

“Nope. If you can pull yourself together, we can go grab a bite at the café.”

“Got yerself a deal, Marshal. Give me a minute or two.” Jedediah took his second cup of coffee and waited on the porch.

He loved watching his town spring to life—shopkeepers opening their shades and flipping over their signs to O
PEN
. He was happier in this mining town, working to keep order, than in any of the places he'd been. Certainly better than traipsing across the country trying to find meaning to his life.

Joe finally walked outside, his face still dripping from his attempts to wash up. “Could we go first over to The Star Bakery?” he asked, avoiding eye contact with Jedediah.

“Why? You want to eat there?”

“No.” He looked up at the marshal, then quickly away again. “I want to ask Hannah to the dance, but I need your support.”

“Me? Come on, you're a grown man, Joe. I don't think—”

“Maybe so, but I need ya there. Please.”

“Well . . .” Jed considered it for a while and grinned. “I guess
it'd be a shame to miss out on seeing how this conversation's gonna go—sure, I'll come.” He held Joe's arm down the steps.

They walked in silence to the bakery. Jedediah opened the door to the jingle of the bell. “Go right ahead. I'm right behind you,” he said with a sweep of his hand.

Hannah was sliding pans of biscuits in the oven and looked over her shoulder. “Howdy, Jed.” She nodded to Joe. “Biscuits are baking now, so you'll have to wait a few minutes for a nice hot one.”

Jedediah nudged his friend inside, and Joe straightened his shoulders. “Go ahead,” Jedediah told him through barely moving lips.

“Uh . . . mornin', Miss Hannah, . . . uh, we're not here for a biscuit. I . . . uh . . .” Joe turned to look at Jedediah, despair written all over his wrinkled face.

“Well, what is it?” Hannah questioned. “You want something different? I have cinnamon rolls too, but they won't be ready till eight o'clock.”

Jedediah walked over to the counter and leaned against it, arms folded, as he watched Joe struggle.

“Naw . . .” Joe removed his hat and nearly wadded it up in his hands. “I wanted to find out—well, I'm askin' if I can . . . escort ya to the Hargroves' dance. Before you say no,” he rushed on, “I jus' want ya ta know I'd sure be honored.”

“Land o' Goshen!” Hannah exclaimed. “You reek of alcohol and Lord knows what else. Before I'd even consider it, Joe, you'd have to get yourself cleaned up—in more ways than one.”

“I admit I have a drink or two sometimes, but I'm no drunk—”

“Humph!” Hannah put in, arms akimbo on her ample hips.

“So I take it that's not a no?” He gave her a lopsided grin, then glanced at Jedediah.

Jedediah watched Hannah roll her eyes toward the ceiling. “It's not a direct no, Joe—but I expect you to shave, wash up, and find some decent, clean clothes. I know you're not a pauper!”

He looked at her for a moment. “I never had much reason to dress up for nobody before.”

“Then you need to change your way of thinkin' and do it for yourself! And last but not least, not a single drop between now and the dance. You think that over when you've got your wits about you again. Now, I've got lots to do this morning, so come back later after you've had a chance to clean up, and we'll talk.”

Joe clapped his hat back on his head, smiling broadly. “I'll do that . . . yes, ma'am, I will!”

“Come on, Joe. Let's get out of Hannah's way,” Jedediah said. The two of them left, and once they were out the door, Jedediah clapped his hand on Joe's back. “I'm right proud of you, friend, mustering up the courage. At least she didn't say no.”

Joe held out his hands. “Lookee here, Jed. My hands are shakin', and it ain't from no alcohol this time.”

“The worst is behind you now, Joe. You'll just have to wait and see what her answer might be. It seemed to me her face went all soft when she was talking to you.”

Joe stared back. “Is that right?” He rubbed his jaw, looking incredulous. “Well, I'll be jumpin' Jehoshaphat! I just could have me a chance yet. Let's go eat. My stomach is 'bout to gnaw my backbone—”

“And we've got some work to do before you see Hannah
again,” Jedediah said. “I imagine we'll have to change the water in the tub a few times.” That got a chuckle out of Joe.

Jedediah doubted most of Hargrove's ranch hands even had a suit, but they all tried their best to clean up well in order to impress the young ladies. The one thing he was not comfortable in, though, was his Sunday-go-to-meetin' suit. Comfort to him meant jeans, worn boots, and a flannel shirt with his badge pinned on it. But tonight he'd do his part to follow accepted dress codes. He wrapped a black string tie around his collar, redoing it so it wasn't too tight, put on his Stetson, then stood back to stare at his reflection in the old mirror. Best he could tell, he didn't look too sorry, and with his hat on, one might even consider him good-looking.
At least my mother would
, he told himself with a wry grin.

He couldn't help but chuckle, though, at the face staring back at him. Who was he trying to kid, with his leathery skin the color of bark, and the deep crease between his eyes from frowning at the sun too long?
Let's face it—I'm not a looker. The
only reason Millie accepted my invitation was so she could
attend the dance.
And if he was honest, the only reason he'd invited her was because he'd been miffed that he hadn't asked Patience before Cody did.

He knew there'd been some murmured rumblings around town about “Millie's past” in Kansas City, but was there anybody in Nevada City that didn't have a past—including him?

He'd stalled long enough. Time he left to get the rig harnessed up and go get Millie.

Millie chatted the entire way to the party, leaving Jedediah little chance to get a word in edgewise. He didn't really mind, though. He didn't have that much to say anyway.

She wore a bright red gown with a rather daring neckline exposing her creamy neck and shoulders. She carried a shawl, placing it in her lap instead of around her bare shoulders. The dress was startlingly bold, he'd thought when she'd answered the door, and her cheeks held a dusting of rouge, but not too much, he figured. She talked mostly of the places she'd been and the different odd jobs she'd worked.

“So what exactly do you do now, Millie?” he finally ventured when she stopped for a breath. “Why, I thought you knew,” she replied, turning to look at him. “I know the rumor has it that I am a wealthy widow, but that's far from the truth. I'm a companion to old Mrs. Brock. She fell and broke her hip. She ain't been right since.” She fiddled with the bows on her gown. “But she pays me well, and so she should. Not many could put up with all her demands. It's a pity her husband passed first, I tell you.”

He was surprised she spoke so frankly of her employer. “Why's that?”

“Well, he was a darling and had plenty of money from his mine. I think he would have been a lot easier to work for.” She shrugged those smooth shoulders. “I don't mean to complain. At least I have decent employment.” She moved closer to him on the seat until they were almost touching. “And a handsome man to escort me to the dance.” She blinked at him with long, pretty eyelashes.

Jedediah stiffened and swallowed hard, suddenly uncomfortable with Millie's too-close proximity and overly friendly personality. Maybe he'd made a bad judgment call.

He flicked the reins across the horse's back, anxious to get on to the Hargroves'.

Music could be heard long before Patience and Cody arrived at the dance. As they drove up in the rig Cody had rented for the event, lanterns glowed in the twilight, and everything looked festive and inviting. Cody ran around the buggy to help Patience step down while she looked around in delight. She was sure she'd never seen so many people at one time or so many horses and buggies arrayed in a row outside the barn.

“Folks from Virginia City were invited too,” Cody said, “since not much separates the two towns but a short ride down the road, Mr. Hargrove told me.” Cody held out his arm to Patience. “Did I tell you yet that you're looking most lovely tonight, Patience?”

“No, you didn't, but I thank you for saying so.” She glanced down at her hand on his arm, feeling a bit awkward since she was not used to receiving compliments.

The Hargroves stood at the entrance to the barn, smiling and greeting each of their guests as they arrived.

“So glad you could come,” Mrs. Hargrove said in her genteel, southern drawl. “I'm Judith Hargrove, and this is my
husband, John.” She held out a gloved hand to gently shake with both Cody and Patience. “And you are the young lady that runs the Creekside Inn, aren't you, my dear?”

“Yes, ma'am, I'm Patience Cavanaugh,” Patience answered over a warm handshake from John.

Judith gave her a warm smile. “From what I've heard, you're doing a fine job too!”

“I'd like to think I am,” she murmured.

“I'm glad to see you made it back with a woman by your side, Cody,” John remarked with a grin at his newly hired ranch hand.

“Yes, sir. I wouldn't miss this dance since it's been said on good authority it's the best in these parts.” Cody placed his hand at Patience's back. “Shall we go inside?”

“There's plenty of food and dancing. I hope you young folks enjoy yourselves tonight.” Judith motioned them into the barn with a wave of her hand.

“I'm sure we will,” Cody replied. Patience quickly caught sight of Monty and Emily dancing and smiled at Emily as she whirled by. The smaller guests were running about the perimeter, entertaining themselves with a game of hide-and-seek, and older ladies managed the refreshment tables, keeping the long tables inside and out filled with an array of delicious food and desserts.

Cody swept Patience out onto the floor. “The food can wait until we kick up our heels, right?”

Patience had never had much opportunity for dancing, but she gamely tried to keep up with Cody. Several dances later, a gentleman with white hair and a big smile stepped over to the little group of fiddlers and called for the crowd's attention.

“Folks, Mac here will rosin up his bow and start to fiddle
us a quadrille. Now grab your partner's hand, and let's make up four couples into a square.”

“I don't know how to do this dance,” a young cowboy called out.

The older man laughed. “You'll get the hang of it—learn as you go.”

Patience wasn't sure herself what was about to happen, but Cody led her to a group of three other couples and they all formed the square.
Maybe
Cody has done this before
, she hoped. He saw her questioning look and whispered, “Just follow my lead.”

Patience heard lots of laughter and clapping from folks standing off to the side, cheering them on. Soon everyone was having a good time just trying to figure out the next steps—or the next “call,” as Cody explained to her.

Jim, the caller, slapped his thigh in time to Mac on the fiddle. “Bow to your partner! Now prom-e-nade your partner, boys,” he sang out while all the couples stepped around the two lines they'd formed.

“Now swing your partner, round and round,” Jim called out in rhythm.

The couples finished the move exchanging partners. Patience found herself holding the new partner's sweaty palms, but she was sure she was more nervous than he was.

“Now allemande left,” Jim called above the fiddle's music and the laughing couples who either went the wrong way or fumbled catching their next partner's hands. But Jim smiled and kept right on going. “Do-si-do . . . now back to back.” Patience was getting dizzy, overly warm, and confused, but found herself laughing along with the rest of the dancers. She was enjoying herself until she looked across the room and
spotted Jedediah. Millie, who was in a bright red dress, was laughing gaily as she held tightly to his arm. She was sort of pretty in an unusual sort of way. Jedediah locked eyes with Patience for a moment before the next dance move required their full attention.

Jedediah was clothed very differently than his usual attire. Tonight a black frock coat and tie, with his hair all slicked down, made him seem rather genteel compared with the rough-and-ready marshal she was used to seeing. Patience missed a step and turned back to Cody and the dance.

Jim was calling out, “Allemande right. Now swing your partner down the middle,” as the fiddler kept up the tune. “Now pass through,” Jim instructed, grinning at the dancers, and the couples crisscrossed the floor, arm in arm. “Circle right. Now prom-e-nade your partner.” Patience enjoyed his singsong style. Despite her nerves, this was the most fun she'd had in a very long time.

After all that, to Patience's surprise the couples ended up with their original partners, and Jim then called the whole dance all over again. After the second set, she and Cody agreed they were both out of breath and in need of a break and something to drink.

Millie kept a firm grasp of Jedediah's arm throughout the evening, even while they were getting their refreshments, and it made him wonder if she was afraid he was going to abandon her. He didn't care all that much for a woman clinging to him tighter than a bat in daylight—seemed too desperate for his liking. Millie might be attractive, but he was beginning to
think there wasn't much going on in that space between her ears. All those heavy curls piled nearly to the beams of the barn probably took all her concentration to keep upright. He almost chuckled out loud at the thought.

“What are you smilin' 'bout, Jedediah—or can I call you Jed?” She leaned closer and looked up at him with a come-hither expression.

“Aww, nothing. Just thinking how we were all stumbling around out there on the dance floor. I do hope I didn't step on your toes too much. And, yes, you may call me Jed. Most folks do.”

“Oh, I was hopin' it could be my special name for you,” she said coyly. When he didn't respond, she added, “Why don't we go have somethin' to eat? Most of the food tables are outside, and it won't be so crowded—”

“Sounds like a good idea to me,” Jedediah agreed quickly and escorted her through the crowd. They walked straight into Patience and Cody, coming close to upsetting their plates of food.

“Excuse us,” Jedediah said, reaching out to steady Patience's plate. She gave him a smile, then glanced at Millie.
Wonder if Patience is admiring or
comparing
. Jedediah wasn't sure.

“No harm done,” Cody said. Jedediah noticed the other man's eyes sweep the length of Millie, and he thought she gave the man a friendly smile.

“This is my friend Millie. Millie, these are other friends of mine, Patience and Cody.”

“How do you do.” Patience nodded without offering a hand since she was holding apple cider in one hand and a plate in the other.

If Jedediah hadn't been on his best behavior, he might have
stood stock still at Patience's appearance. Her gown was a lovely green—
Her best color
with those eyes
, he thought—trimmed in black at the demure bodice, with black embroidered swirls circling the skirt like feathers. But unlike Millie's more revealing gown, Patience's had long sleeves and an appropriate neckline for both femininity and modesty, as well as nights that were always cool when the sun went down.

“Hello. I enjoy meeting new people,” Millie said, barely glancing at Patience but taking the moment to throw Cody a broad smile.

“Are you from around here?” Cody asked. “I don't recollect seeing you in town, Miss Millie.”

“No, I'm not. I'm here working as a companion to Mrs. Brock for the time being or until something better turns up.”

“Millie, why don't we get out of the way and let these folks settle down with their food?” Jedediah started to move away.

“Would you care to join us?” Patience asked. “We're going over to sit with Hannah and Joe.”

So Hannah came through for old Joe
, Jedediah mused with a little smile.

Millie waved her hand. “No, that's all right. You go on ahead. Jed and I already have a place picked out, right, Jed?” She looked up at him with a coquettish smile and drew his arm closer.

Jedediah could see Patience's lips press together, and as he passed her, he whispered, “Save a dance for me.” Patience flushed with pleasure, making her even more appealing.

Jedediah found he didn't mind at all when a tall cowboy asked Millie to dance. In fact, he was relieved. Cody was
nowhere in sight, and after the cowboy had left, he noticed Patience talking to Emily. He'd spoken to Monty and Emily earlier, and it was obvious they made a handsome and lively pair.

Now
or never
, he decided, and walked up to the two ladies as the announcer hollered out that the next dance would be a waltz.

“I see you're without a partner for the waltz, Patience. How about we give it a whirl?”

“It's the one dance I'm familiar with, Marshal.” He saw her give a quick glance around, no doubt for sight of her errant escort. She turned to Emily. “You don't mind if I excuse myself, Emily?”

“Of course not. I'll watch you two and wait for Monty.” She smiled at them both.

Jedediah held out his arm, and Patience laid her hand on the top of his as he led her onto the crowded dance floor. He knew how to waltz, but not as deftly as Patience, apparently. They twirled this way and that, and soon the steps seemed as smooth as a Vermont maple syrup. Emily waved and smiled as they swung by her.

This was the closest Jedediah had been to her since he'd carried her into the house from her collapse on the boardwalk. Ever since, he'd felt like putting his arms around her again—
at least most of
the time
, he amended with a quick grin. Her green eyes sparkled like emeralds under the lights, along with the jeweled combs holding her dark hair in a fancy upswept style—just the right touch for her green gown. He caught a whiff of her scent as they swung around.

His throat felt dry as he searched for something to say. “Are you enjoying the dance, Patience?”

She tilted her head back to look up at him. “Yes, Jede
diah, I am . . . or should I call you ‘Jed' like Millie does? But maybe you're saving that for your
closest
friends?” There was a twinkle in her eyes.

He hurried to correct her. “For one thing, she is not my closest friend by a long shot, just someone I asked to the dance since—well, since my
first
choice was already taken,” he said meaningfully. “But I'd like it if
you'd
call me Jed.”