Where the Wind Blows (12 page)

The sun peeked in through Jessie’s bedroom curtains, bringing with it soft, yellow light and the possibilities of a day without the usual clouds and bitter cold wind. Jessie stretched and smiled, rolling over to her side. She pillowed her cheek on her hands.

Thanks to Mrs. Hollyhock’s special brew, she felt much better this morning. She hadn’t slept so well in years. Maybe that was why she was feeling so giddy. Jessie rolled onto her back restless, excited. She couldn’t shake the feeling of anticipation, like something mystical hung in the air, teasing her with hope and happiness.

A light tap sounded, and Mrs. Hollyhock’s raspy voice whispered through the door.

“Dearie, you awake?”

“Yes. Come in.” She sat up in bed and pulled the warm covers up to her chin, not wanting any of the delicious warmth to escape.

“Ah, I’m seein’ you feel much better this mornin’. You look like the cat that ate the cream.”

“I do?” Jessie laughed. “Well, it’s all thanks to you. I can’t remember the last time I awakened feeling so good. Thank you so much, Mrs. Hollyhock.”

“It was nothin’, child. It’s an easy recipe I’ll teach ya before I leave. I used to have some problems with my woman times, but it’s been so long ago I can hardly remember. You know there are
some
benefits of growing old,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. “I jist can’t seem to recall any of the others. Now, bundle up and run outside to take care of your
necessities, and get back here real quick. We got things that need discussing.”

Jessie didn’t argue. It was nice having someone else take charge. She wondered how Chase was taking this headstrong woman. No use worrying over it, though. Besides, he probably loved her, too.

After using the outhouse, Jessie hurried down to the creek and discreetly went about washing her rags and bundling up the clean ones she’d washed and left to dry the day before. She tucked the clean rags deep in her pocket. Pausing a moment, she turned her face to the sun, letting its warmth caress her skin and warm her.

Yes, it was true; she could feel it in her bones. Today was special. Smiling and humming a tune, she hurried back toward the cabin.

At the barn she paused. She could see a ray of light streaming from the dark interior. Was Chase in there? She hadn’t seen him since yesterday. And with a start, she realized she missed him. The attachment she felt toward him amazed her, especially considering how short a time she’d known him. She shook her head. Did she dare go in and say good morning?

No, better not. Mrs. Hollyhock had something she wanted to talk about. Turning back to the cabin, she hurried on her way.

In her bedroom, Jessie pondered what Mrs. Hollyhock was being so secretive about. The woman had fed Sarah and Gabe, then sent them out to collect firewood, telling Gabe to take some time before they were done. Whatever she had up her sleeve, it must be something important.

Mrs. Hollyhock handed Jessie a cup of tea and seated herself in the chair by the window. The sight of her there reminded Jessie of her time nursing Chase, which made her
feel slightly breathless. After the danger of his dying had passed, those days had been the happiest of her life.

“What do you want to talk about that’s such a secret?” Jessie asked, smiling.

“Jessie,” Mrs. Hollyhock began. She’d switched to her don’t-argue-with-me, I’m-in-charge voice, alerting Jessie to the seriousness of the topic. “I know Mr. Logan has been staying here for quite some time, and that you nursed him back to health after he was shot.”

Jessie sat up straight. Slowly, she nodded. “Yes, that’s true.” She wasn’t sure what direction this conversation was headed. In the relatively short time she’d known Mrs. Hollyhock, the old woman had wormed her way into Jessie’s heart. She was the only grandmother she’d ever had.

“You know I’m only thinking of you when I say iffen this gets out—that he’s stayed here with you with Nathan gone and without no other chaperone—you will be ruint for sure.” Pausing, Mrs. Hollyhock took a sip of her tea. Placing her teacup delicately back into her saucer, she waited for Jessie’s response.

Jessie sat speechless on the edge of her bed.

“Virgil will be here this mornin’ with the preacher from Clancy,” Mrs. Hollyhock went on. “You and Mr. Logan will be getting hitched.”

“What!” Jessie sprang to her feet. Even her wildest imaginings hadn’t prepared her for what Mrs. Hollyhock had to say. “You can’t be serious! Is this some sort of joke you’re playing on me?”

Mrs. Hollyhock stood up in a puff of mothballs and mint. Fussing with Jessie, she attempted to compose her. “Calm down, child, you’ll make yourself sick again. After you think on it, you’ll see it’s for the best.”

Jessie’s worst fears were being realized. Somehow Mrs.
Hollyhock had found out about Chase and would force her to trap him into marriage.

She just couldn’t do it. She wouldn’t. Not after all he’d done for her. He’d come back to help her out of the goodness of his heart. All the time he’d spent trying to guarantee her and the children’s safety. He’d almost been killed because of them. He could’ve washed his hands of the burden his friend’s wife presented him, and rightly so. But he hadn’t. And this is how she would repay him—saddling him to a wife and family he didn’t want. Well, she wouldn’t do it! Besides, she’d already asked him to stay, and he’d made his feelings about that perfectly clear. No, he didn’t want her.

But…having Chase to lean on and love…

“I won’t!” she cried, her voice breaking. “You can’t make me. I’m a grown woman, and you can’t force me to marry him.” Jessie’s voice grew louder until she was practically shouting.

But…Chase my husband, father to my children…

“It was completely innocent, nothing happened.” Even as she said it, Jessie’s face heated. Unable to look Mrs. Hollyhock in the eyes, Jessie turned away.

“Even if I believed it, which I don’t, nobody in town would. You’d be branded a loose woman, and soon all the no-accounts would be out here hounding you night and day. What kind of a life would that be? Most likely the district judge would come and take the children away from here, too.”

“I’ll move away to where nobody knows me. Start fresh!” Jessie pleaded.

“Think, child. Can you be moving around with children to feed? Do you have money for that? No place to stay, no man to look out for ya? It’s a hard world. You and the boy might make it, but the little one, she don’t stand a chance.”

Jessie’s hopes were slipping away. It was true what the older woman said about Sarah—how could she have forgot-
ten about her and Gabe? Well, there had to be a way. Surely Mrs. Hollyhock wouldn’t force her into a marriage if she thought she didn’t care for Chase.

“I don’t even like him. He’s a big bully, and”—she thought about Molly—“he probably already has a wife somewhere waiting for him to come home. Mrs. Hollyhock,
please,
” Jessie sobbed. “Don’t make me do this. I’ll do anything else. Anything. I don’t want to marry him.”

Mrs. Hollyhock studied Jessie as the girl beseeched her. Her face remained stern, but her eyes sparkled with a knowing glint.

“Well, my sweetie”—Mrs. Hollyhock put her arm gently around her shoulder—“I jist don’t believe what ya say about not likin’ him. I can see it in your eyes every time I mention his name. But it’s really your choice. Wed Mr. Logan and keep the children. Or start over, alone. The townspeople won’t let you keep the girl. Don’t you think she’d be branded for the rest of her life for the decision you’re making right now? The boy is old enough to go his own way, make decisions for hisself.”

Color drained from Jessie’s face as the old woman’s words sank in. She was trapped! One way she betrayed Chase, and the other she would lose Sarah. It felt as if her heart were being torn in two.

Suddenly the room seemed small and airless. She was suffocating. Jumping off the bed, she threw open the door—and flew straight into the hard wall of Chase’s chest. With an anguished sob, she buried her face in his protective embrace, drinking in the feel of him. Her arms snaked around his middle, holding tight. If only she could stay like this forever, never making the decision that would tear their lives apart.

Untangling Jessie’s fingers, Chase peeled them from around his waist. He tried to ignore how good it felt to have her
snuggled up to him. The next few minutes could change the direction of not only his life, but also Jessie’s and the children’s. He had to think with his head and not his heart.

Stepping around Jessie, Chase stared down into Mrs. Hollyhock’s wrinkled face. He’d almost swear the woman was enjoying herself. But did that make sense? If she loved Jessie as much as she claimed, she wouldn’t force her to marry someone she didn’t even like…would she?

“I’d like to talk with Jessie. Alone.” Chase drew up as tall as he could, embarrassed by his desire to intimidate this pintsized slip of calico with nerves of steel. “Go outside with the young’uns. I don’t want you listening through the door.”

Like a banty rooster, she drew up too, making her all but eye level with his waist. He would have laughed, but truly, she was proving to be a formidable adversary.

“All rightie, Mr. Logan, but don’t you try nothin’. Jist remember, I’m right outside. If I hear anything that sounds as if you’re mistreating Jessie, I’ll be back, packing my shotgun.”

She said it as if she really believed she could thrash him. The woman was unbelievable.

Unsteadily, Jessie followed Chase back into the bedroom. He closed the door.

The silence stretched between them.

Jessie stepped over to the bed and pulled up the covers. She patted and fluffed until Chase cleared his throat.

“I’ve been circling this thing for hours. All night, in fact,” Chase said with a sigh.

“I’m sorry, I had no idea…I can’t believe this is happening now after you were so good to come back to help me. For nothing. For nothing at all. This is what you get in return for your kindness.”

With a glance, Chase interrupted her. “I couldn’t help but hear your conversation with Mrs. Hollyhock. You don’t really like being forced into this sham, any more than I do.
But I don’t want to see you lose Sarah, either. And even more, I don’t want Sarah to lose you. I’ve become fond of her, and the thought of her being motherless after just being reunited…It’s not something I want haunting me.”

“Chase, I can’t let you do this,” Jessie said in a tiny voice. “I’ll work it out myself, somehow.”

“Let me finish.” Again Chase was struck by how young she was, and by all the hardships she’d already faced alone. “I think I have an answer that can work for both of us.” He paused to think the idea through his head one more time.

“We’ll go along with the old goat.”

“Chase!”

“She is an old goat, and you know it. We’ll get married today. After making you a respectable woman”—he paused again, this time a teasing half smile played on his lips—“and all the fuss in town dies down, I’ll ride off somewhere to work, and the same thing that happened to Nathan can happen to me. I’ll be trampled to death. It’s the best possible solution, and the only one I can come up with at this time.”

“Oh, how horrible.” The color drained from her face, and Chase feared she might faint.

“Well…
not really
! It’ll just look it when I send a telegram describing my demise.”

He waited for Jessie’s approval. When she didn’t say anything, he added, “You told Mrs. Hollyhock not ten minutes ago that you’d do
anything
to keep Sarah. Were you lying, Jessie?”

“No. But I just don’t know about your plan. It all sounds so involved.”

Chase knew she didn’t like him much, after what he’d heard her tell Mrs. Hollyhock, but what choices did she have?

Because of my losing her money…none.

“I can ride off today, and they’ll take Sarah and possibly
send her back to New Mexico. Or maybe a family here in town might want her. An extra set of hands is always useful, come harvest.”

Jessie winced. Why did he feel the urge to hurt her? “And Gabe? Well, he’s awfully attached to her, he’d probably go wherever she goes.”

“A marriage in name only,” Jessie whispered to herself. “And then we’d part ways? What if you find someone someday and really want to get married? Then what would you do?”

“Like I said before, I’m not the settling type. I’m happy coming and going when I please. But I could ask the same to you.”

“Well, I’m not really sure, but right now I don’t feel like I’d want to ever be tied to another man again. They’re not around much, and when you need them, they’re always away. As long as I can take care of my family by baking and sewing, that would suit me just fine. But, still…”

Chase glanced to the ceiling trying to understand what was holding her back. “Jessie?”

She turned and held his gaze. “A wedding vow is sacred.”

“Well then, if that’s how you feel, I don’t know what to say. Or do. What about Sarah?”

Jessie slowly took one of his hands and held it in her own. “I’m not saying I won’t marry you today. I’m just saying I’ll mean the vows that I say. I’ll do my best to love you as my husband, till death do us part. But then, I can’t speak for you.”

Chase felt his face warming.
Okay. We’ll cross the other bridge when we get to it. She’ll come to her senses. One obstacle at a time.

“Well then, that settles it. You get ready for your wedding, and I’ll go give Mrs. Hollyhock the news.”

Chase stopped when he saw Mrs. Hollyhock and Gabe near the barn door. Sarah, hampered by layers of clothing, scampered around, trying to capture maple leaves as the breeze tossed them about over the hard ground. Chase listened to the girl’s giggles as she darted here and there.

Sarah was a darling little creature, all fluff and softness. Her chestnut curls hung loose and danced about as she played. A sudden gust of wind scattered the leaves at her feet and sent her tresses flying. She’d be a real beauty when she was grown.

Chase’s instincts told him that he was making the right decision in marrying Jessie and giving the little girl a stable home for however long it might be. And possibly, if he was honest with himself, he was even a little excited. He couldn’t bear the thought of her going back to the orphanage. Or worse yet, growing up on the streets, as he had.

When Sarah spotted Chase, her eyes lit with pleasure and she flew as fast as her little feet would take her.

“Da!”

“Mornin’, Sarah,” Chase said, picking her up. He inhaled her sweetness of little girl and sunshine. “How are you?”

“Paying wiff Gabe,” she said, giggling and hiding her face in his shoulder.

Mrs. Hollyhock approached with a quizzical look on her face. “It’s Pa, already? Lordy, Mr. Logan, you work as fast as a robin on an anthill.” Her crooked finger tapped her lined cheek.

Since he was about to marry Jessie, Chase decided to
make peace with the old busybody. Things would be strained enough without him rising to her bait every time she goaded him. Besides, he wanted her to know he’d made the decision because it was the right thing to do, and not because he was forced into it.

“Jessie and I decided it would be best for everyone concerned if we got married today. Just wanted you to be the first to know.”

Sarah had no idea what was going on and proceeded to fluff her fingers through Chase’s hair.

That wasn’t the case for Gabe. Chase watched as the boy looked everywhere but at him. It took guts for Gabe to have stood up against him for Jessie’s sake. But he had. Gabe had acted like more of a man than he had, and Chase respected him all the more for it.

“It looks like we’re going to be having a wedding today,” Chase said, directing his look at Gabe. “Why don’t you get cleaned up and help Sarah, too. Mrs. Hollyhock, I’m sure Jessie would appreciate your assistance about now.”

“And where are you off to, Mr. Logan? Don’t want the bridegroom getting cold feet. Skedaddling when we ain’t a-lookin’.”

“No, ma’am, we wouldn’t want that.” Chase winked at Mrs. Hollyhock and grinned like the town fool. “I’m grabbing my soap and heading to the creek to get rid of this stubble on my face. Don’t want to scratch my new bride.”

Speechless, Mrs. Hollyhock watched as Chase jogged to the barn and disappeared inside. “I’m not so sure he ain’t tryin’ to pull the wool over my old eyes. Boy, you keep a watch on him for anything suspicious.”

Virgil arrived back with the Reverend Hawthorn in tow. All the men gathered in the small cabin. Chase hadn’t seen Jessie since their talk that morning. Sarah and Mrs. Hollyhock
were holed up with her in her room, doing whatever it was females did together. Chase could hear murmuring and other small noises coming from inside, all of which were making him very nervous.

His wedding! He’d never thought he’d see the day. Never felt there was a woman who’d take him on. But then, this was different—not like Jessie really had a choice in the matter. She would do anything for Sarah. Even marry him.

He ran his palms down his thighs for the fiftieth time.

“Forgive me,” the preacher said. “But I’d like to wrap this up as quick as possible and get back to Clancy. We’ve had strange things going on lately. It’s dreadful. A young girl was recently sullied and murdered, God rest her soul. Normally, our little town never sees any violence, none much to speak of, anyway. I’m a little nervous about being away too long.”

Chase stepped to the bedroom door and knocked.

“Jessie, it’s time. The preacher’s waiting.”

“We’ll be out shortly,” Mrs. Hollyhock snapped back. “It ain’t proper to be rushin’ the bride, Mr. Logan. Jist keep your pants on.”

Reverend Hawthorn coughed and rolled his eyes.

Chase gave the minister a knowing look.

Virgil stood quietly in the corner. He slipped his hand into the upper pocket of his clean white shirt and pulled out a pocket watch.

“What time is it?” Chase paced back and forth.

“Two forty-five.”

“Can’t really rush this kind of thing,” Reverend Hawthorn said, with an understanding expression of experience.

“Women,” Chase said under his breath. “All it takes is a couple of
I do’s.
Not all this fuss.” He was definitely losing his composure. The sooner they got this thing over with, the better.

The door opened. First came Sarah, with a light tiptoeing
march. She seemed to know something special was about to happen because she couldn’t keep the grin from her face. She was wearing a pink dress, and her hair was swept up and fastened haphazardly somehow on the top of her head, with wisps falling all around her face. She smiled prettily, and excitement shone in her eyes.

With his first glimpse of Jessie, Chase was smitten all over again. Even though she kept her gaze down, she was glowing from head to toe. He recognized her green wool dress as the better of the two that hung on the pegs in her room, but she had added her shawl, which was softly draped across her shoulders and tied loosely between her breasts.

Chase assumed Mrs. Hollyhock had helped fix Jessie’s hair, for he’d never seen it like this before. It was partially swept up and fastened at the top with a clip and adorned with pine needles and some other type of lacy-looking leaves. The rest of her hair streamed down her back like liquid gold, catching the light as she nervously walked to his side.

Chase wished she would look at him. He desperately yearned to see her face, to look into her eyes. Did she feel as crazy inside as he did? If she did, he couldn’t see it.

The Reverend Hawthorn lifted his little black Bible. Seeing Gabe waiting over by the door, Chase asked, “Would you stand up with me? Jessie has Sarah here. That is, if you want to.”

Gabe looked surprised and pleased. “Sure, Chase,” Gabe said, his voice unnaturally low and husky. He stepped forward, taking his place next to Chase.

“We all ready?” the preacher asked, glancing from face to face.

“As a cat in a creamery,” Mrs. Hollyhock chirped from the back.

Chase noted the woman had the look of contented happiness radiating from her creased old face.

“Git on with it,” she added.

Clearing his throat, the Reverend Hawthorn began. “Friends, we are gathered here today in the presence of God for the sacrament of marriage of Chase Logan and Jessica Marie Strong. Today the two will be joined in the sight of God and man.”

Chase took Jessie’s hands, which were as cold as ice, and wrapped them into his own.

“Do you, Chase, take this woman, Jessie, to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to take care of her, and keep her, and be true to her in sickness and in health, through good times and bad, do you promise to cherish and love her until death do you part?”

“I do.”

“Do you, Jessica, take this man, Chase, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, through good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, do you promise to honor and obey him until death do you part?”

“I do.”

“What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. In the eyes of God and the great territory of Wyoming, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride, Mr. Logan.”

Chase stepped closer, trying to read her expression. He gathered her close and brushed her lips with a brief kiss.

“Congratulations,” the Reverend Hawthorn chortled, slapping Chase on the back. “May you be blessed with many happy years and a house full of young’uns.”

Mrs. Hollyhock was instantly crushing Jessie in a hug, her spindly arms wrapped tightly around her. “Don’t worry, Jessie girl. This was the best thing that could’ve happened to ya. He’s a good man—you’ll see, and thank me later.”

Turning to Chase, Mrs. Hollyhock reached up on tiptoe and tweaked his cheek. Her smile was apologetic.

“Ah, heck.” Reaching down, Chase picked her up. She kissed him soundly on the lips, and they both laughed.

“Thankee, Mr. Logan. From the moment I saw you, you reminded me so much of my son, I jist knew you must have a good heart. Jessie will take real good care of it. I know she will.”

Sniffing, the woman turned away, dabbing a hankie to her eyes.

“Well, if we’re all done here, I need to head back to Clancy.”

“Thank you, Reverend,” Chase said, gently pulling Jessie back to his side. He chanced a quick look at her and saw her eyes widen. “We appreciate you coming all the way out here. Can I give you something for your trouble?”

“If you’re so inclined,” the man said, clutching his Bible to his chest. “Times are hard, and I always have a widow or two who can use the extra the church can send her way.”

Chase reached in his pocket and handed the man several silver coins. The Reverend Hawthorn looked overwhelmed by Chase’s generosity. “Oh, bless you, son. I’m sure the good Lord is smiling down on you today.”

Shrugging into his overcoat, the reverend turned around. “I almost forgot about the wedding papers. Without them the wedding wouldn’t be official.”

Walking over to the table, the man took from his bag a fountain pen and bottle of ink. Dipping it, he handed the pen to Chase.

Chase slowly scratched out an
X
on the top line. Turning, he handed the pen to Jessie, seeing the surprise in her eyes. Now she knew the truth. Her new husband couldn’t write his own name.

Jessie took the pen, dipped it, and quickly signed her name. She handed the pen back to the Reverend Hawthorn, and he filled in the date and location.

After Mrs. Hollyhock and Gabe signed as witnesses, the reverend carefully laid the paper down to dry.

“Children, gather your things and load up in the wagon. We’ll be starting for town shortly,” Mrs. Hollyhock said as she bustled about. “It was a beautiful weddin’, jist beautiful.” She looked as if she might start crying again.

“Where are you taking the children?” Jessie spoke up for the first time since becoming Mrs. Logan. Her voice had a ring of panic to it.

“Town, of course. A man and wife need a few days alone to get acquainted with each other. Ain’t that right, Virgil?”

Virgil just shrugged and nodded.

“That won’t be necessary,” Chase spoke up for Jessie. “We’re used to having them about. It’ll be too quiet without ’em.”

“Nonsense! Now don’t argue with me. I have plenty of room at my place. Besides it will give this young man a chance to meet some of the other boys in town.”

Seeing he wasn’t going to change the woman’s mind, Chase let it go. “Jessie, I’m going to saddle up Cody and ride with the wagon to the edge of the bluff and watch them till they are at the edge of town. I’ll be back within a half hour. Take care of everything that needs doing outside before we leave.” Chase’s tone left no room for argument. He pulled on his gloves and coat and headed out the door.