Chapter Fifteen
Her elbow slipping off the arm of her chair jarred her awake. Jenny’s eyes darted around as she tried to find her bearings. Awareness flooded back as she took in the polished brass fixtures, beveled mirrors, and thick velvet drapes with tasseled tiebacks. The first-class Pullman parlor car was luxurious, and a far cry from the sparsely padded benches that had been the best feature of the train car they’d taken from Laramie. Thoughts of Will intruded and she knew she’d have ridden a pony cart had it been necessary to get to her brother. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she straightened, arching her back in a full stretch. Across from her, Heath lowered his paper and smiled.
“Good afternoon, sleepyhead. Feel rested?”
“No. I think I could sleep for a month and still be tired. What time is it?” Jenny inquired, her voice with a husky rasp from sleep.
“I believe you have my pocket watch, sweetheart.”
“Oh!” Searching her jacket first, and then her skirt, she located the gold watch engraved with his initials in a deep side pocket. Thumbing the clasp, it popped open. One o’clock. She frowned up at him. “Did I make you miss lunch?”
“No, we’ve got another thirty minutes. Would you like to join ma and pa in the dining car? They are saving our places.”
“I’d like to freshen up first. I’ll only be a moment.” She reached under her plush bench seat for her handbag. As she stood, the car shimmied and jerked, knocking her off balance. With a high-pitched yelp, she fell forward right into Heath. He caught her and guided her safely into his lap. She stared at him in surprise, and then glanced around to see who might have seen. Thankfully, the car stood empty except for them.
Heath eyed her with concern, his hand cupping her cheek. “Are you dizzy?”
“No. I think I slept too hard and don’t have my rail balance yet.” She tried again, holding onto the back of his velvet-covered seat while his hands supported her.
“I’ll walk with you.” Heath rose, his fingers curling firmly around her upper arm.
“I’m okay now, Heath. Truly.”
He went with her despite her demurrals and waited outside as she used the sweet-smelling soap and soft towels in the well-stocked necessary to wash her face and hands. The train had absolutely everything.
The dining car was crowded; the only two open seats were at the table with Henry and Letty. Mr. Bennett was seated at the far end of the car catching up with an acquaintance he hadn’t seen in a while. Noticing it was as well appointed as the parlor car, she slid onto the tapestry bench and admired the linens and fine china. She suspected the water goblets were crystal. Impressed and unused to such luxury, she felt a little intimidated.
Until now, she hadn’t noticed how well turned out Letty was in her finely stitched blue traveling dress. She had a beautiful mother-of-pearl brooch pinned near her shoulder and her hat was one of the finest the milliner in Laramie sold in her shop. Henry was wearing a finely tailored suit. She glanced at Heath, who was mouthwateringly handsome in his three-piece suit consisting of sack coat, matching waistcoat, and trousers in a gray pinstripe. His tie was a black damask string tie, casually knotted, but in a fashionable style she’d seen in the tailor’s window and the Montgomery Ward catalog. In her old blouse and skirt, she felt underdressed and like a poor relation. What little appetite she had fled.
Her lunch arrived: beef tenderloins with gravy, green beans almandine, and fancy whipped potatoes artfully arranged in a grooved pattern as if from a pastry bag. What she tasted was delicious, but mostly she picked at it.
“Eat, Jenny,” Heath pressed.
“Moping around and picking at your food won’t make the train go any faster, girl.” Henry raised his brow as he nodded at her plate, looking so much like her new husband, it was eerie.
Letty gave her an encouraging smile as she took a bite of her beef. When she followed it with a sip of her coffee, Jenny noticed how the diamonds in her wedding ring glittered and shone. There were several of them, one large pear-shaped diamond in the center ringed by smaller stones all around. Her chin dropped, taking in her own borrowed ring from Janelle. There hadn’t been time, she understood that and had accepted Heath’s promise to rectify the situation as soon as they got home. It was a reminder that she’d had to settle for less than her dreams, and so had Heath, who was the real victim in this spur-of-the-moment marriage.
Thinking of what a real wedding ring from Heath would be like, her eyes fell to Letty’s hand. Her ring was grand and obviously costly, as were her clothes and the first-class accommodations. She had no idea the Jacksons were so well to do. The ranch was prosperous and the Jackson name garnered respect; until now she hadn’t realized why. Jenny felt worse. Heath could have married anyone, but instead he’d been stuck with a no-account girl with nothing to offer except a mountain of debt inherited from a family that turned out to be as poor as Job’s turkey.
“Sweetheart, are you feeling all right?” Heath’s voice in her ear startled her and she dropped her fork with a clatter. Hastily, she picked it up and took another bite, grimacing at the beef that had grown cold. She reached for her water glass. Seeing her hand tremble, she pulled it back.
As observant as he was, Heath didn’t miss her tremor and wrapped his hand around hers, stilling it. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“Worried about Will mostly, and tired.”
His furrowed brow told her he didn’t believe her. “You’re wound tighter than a three-day clock, so I’m thinking there’s more that you’re not telling me.”
She forked up a bite of potatoes, also cold, without answering. “Is there dessert?” she inquired, glancing at Henry, who did a poor job of smothering a laugh. He winked at her, Letty at his side hiding a smile behind her napkin.
“Please don’t encourage her, you two.”
“There is nothing to encourage or discourage, Heath.”
“You’re hiding something. Whether it is now or later, you’ll tell me. The question is what consequences will later bring.”
“Heath! Your parents.”
“Don’t mind us, girl. I’m enjoying this. It’s high time my eldest boy found him a high-spirited woman. A word of caution, son; I see hellfire beneath her still waters. It’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for.”
“Henry, dear,” Letty cut in, casting an apologetic smile toward Jenny, “you’re stirring the pot when they have enough worries with all that’s going on.”
The dessert arrived at that opportune moment, of all things, lemon chiffon cake. Taking it as a bad omen, Jenny pushed it away, a bitter taste in her mouth, without taking a single bite.
“That’s another thing,” Heath commented. “You had lemonade at Janelle’s the night you cut your hand.” He turned his head and murmured for her ears only, “We’ll discuss dishonesty along with consequences, but later, while in private, without my father as an audience.”
She swallowed hard, wondering if consequences meant what she thought it did.
“Since you’re done, Jenny, we’ll head back. I think another nap is in order since you’re so tired.” He rose and assisted her from the bench. As she walked with him back to their car, she reconsidered her feelings about him taking charge and shouldering her burdens. She scoffed silently, as if she had a choice.
* * *
By day, their parlor car was spacious and plush, by night it turned into a sleeping car. The berths unfolded from the ceiling, where they had been hidden nearly invisible. Prepared by an attendant, a thick pad that served as a mattress was made up with sweet-smelling linens, a down comforter, and several down pillows. Not as nice as the bed at the hotel, or as large, but it would more than do. There was a modicum of privacy if you didn’t count the rows of other berths, probably a good dozen, lining the walls.
Heath was speaking softly with his pa when she came back from the necessary. Eying the sturdy ladder, she didn’t hesitate to climb right up and crawl into the berth fully clothed, firmly drawing the heavy curtain behind her.
Her head brushed the ceiling as she wiggled around to slip under the covers; once, her elbow bumped the wall. It was a snug fit with only her, but Heath’s shoulders were nearly as wide as the narrow bed, if he joined her, she would be squashed against the wall or at risk of falling out into the center aisle. She flopped back onto the pillows thinking of the cuddling he’d spoken of yesterday. That was most likely not going to happen.
He was irritated with her, though not overtly so. He’d been caring and solicitous all afternoon, and at supper, he’d been very polite, but she could tell by the set of his jaw that he was displeased. She’d been told the cushioned chairs below folded down into beds. Maybe he’d sleep there. That idea brought her relief and disappointment all at once. She huffed out a loud breath in frustration. The man was putting her at odds with her own feelings.
The curtain opened with a snap and Heath appeared. He handed in her nightgown. “Get changed. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” With that curt order given, he yanked the curtain closed.
She stared at the heavy drape, deciding he was more than irritated. Angry was more like it. Gazing down at the soft cotton he’d handed her, she frowned at the girlish gown with the high ruffled neck and gathers at the sleeves, both adorned with pale pink ribbons. She didn’t want to wear it, preferring to sleep in her clothes, if necessary.
Wanting to blame Luke, who had packed it, she realized she couldn’t. All of her nightgowns were the same, appropriate for an unmarried girl. If she’d had a proper courtship and wedding, she’d have had a trousseau, with proper women’s clothing and nightwear. She contemplated all the other things she’d missed with her impromptu wedding. She didn’t have a real wedding dress; although the one Janelle had lent her was pretty, it wasn’t the same. She didn’t have hundreds of guests to share in her happiness, only Heath’s family had been present. There was also no diamond ring and no honeymoon. Worst of all, no husband who loved and adored her, and thought about nothing else but the joyous life they would build together. All of her dreams had been dashed and her future happiness uncertain. She tried to tell herself that for Will, it was worth it. Broodingly, she indulged in a bout of the sulks, curling up on her side as she fought back tears while feeling sorry for herself.
* * *
Having to wait in line reminded Heath too much of sharing a washroom with his two brothers after moving from Virginia. Not much older than Jenny at the time, he’d wondered what his pa had been thinking to drag them into the wilds of Wyoming to start from scratch. Back then, Laramie was little more than a tent camp and the winters were shockingly cold, snowfall measured in feet rather than inches as it was back east. They hadn’t wanted to leave their home behind, but after the long, arduous war, they’d needed a change.
Their hometown had been ravaged by fighting, pitting neighbor against neighbor, brother against brother, Yankee against Confederate in the same household at times. His pa had sided with the North, which was an unpopular decision in the new confederate state. Blessedly, their plantation was located in a western county, which became part of the state of West Virginia when it broke off. Although the three brothers had been too young to fight, it was a grueling, bloody war and had left an enduring impression on the family.
Afterward, tired of the acrimony and strife, pa had sold everything, packed up his family, and traveled west like so many others.
In retrospect, it was the right decision. Their 50,000 acres had been dirt-cheap. When the railroad came through a few years later, the value had skyrocketed. Pa could have sold out and been set for life, but he was already on his way to being a successful ranch owner. With the train stopping in Laramie, he became even more so. Stock cars instead of cattle drives improved efficiencies of getting the cows to market and their small operation quickly grew into one of the most prosperous ranches in the territory almost overnight.
Silverbend Ranch was Henry Jackson’s livelihood and his sons’ legacy. They all worked hard overseeing the thriving operation, except Aaron, who had chosen a different path. He helped in other ways by representing the interest of the ranch, taking a hard line with rustlers, and dealing with other prevailing threats, of which there were many. A rancher’s life was made easier if the local law wasn’t corrupt and more so if they were family.
The success of the ranch and their newfound wealth had been another reason Heath had chosen not to marry. He couldn’t tell if the women who had been after him for years were interested in him or his money. He’d experienced a money-hungry woman firsthand and it hadn’t been pleasant. Fortunately, with Jenny, he knew that wasn’t the case. She wasn’t interested in money and had proved it by turning down good offers from several wealthy men. She’d had no desire to be near him, let alone wed him after overhearing his heedless rant to Janelle and had in fact evaded him in the weeks that followed. He remembered her telling his ma back in Bennett’s office that she’d rejected them because she’d didn’t love any of them. Fate had dealt Jenny, a tenderhearted romantic, a bad hand by forcing her to marry for expedience to save her brother and farm.
The washroom door opened and next up, he entered with his shaving kit in hand. After their first night together, he noticed Jenny’s tender skin bore the brunt of his day’s growth of beard. Reddened, abraded areas had colored her chin and cheeks and he’d vowed to shave before coming to her at night. Not that he expected any amorous happenings to occur in the crowded car, but he didn’t want the goodnight kisses he had planned to leave her skin raw. As he stared at his scruffy face in the beveled mirror in the dimly lit room, he wondered how she’d feel about a beard.
Whipping his shave cream into a lather, he thought of his new wife as he’d left her. She’d been quiet since lunch and he wanted to know why. It frustrated him that she wouldn’t confide in him and had fibbed that nothing was wrong when something obviously was. If they’d been home, he’d have paddled the truth out of her. As it was, in their less than private confined space, that wasn’t an option.
Thinking of taking his hand to her pert behind and watching it turn pink made his mind wander over the rest of her delightful body. Breasts fuller than he’d imagined with berry-hued tips that rose to firm points beneath his tongue, a soft, slightly curved belly that spread into full hips with the right amount of padding to grab onto, and between her rounded thighs lay pretty red curls and the sweetest temptation he’d ever seen. She’d wept on his fingers when he’d touched her, her honeyed juices so abundant that the taking of her virginity had been blessedly pain free. If she’d have cried or been in serious discomfort, he’d have been hard pressed to stop dead in the middle of the deed. Thankfully, she had responded beautifully and their first joining had brought them both pleasure.
His cock stirred. Regrettably, further newlywed explorations would be postponed until Omaha at least, especially with his parents in a berth across the way. He shuddered. If that didn’t douse his fire, nothing would. He finished up and hurried back to her, resigned to several more uneventful and uncomfortable days ahead.
He called her name softly in quiet warning so as not to startle her before sliding the curtain back. He’d been gone so long, he’d expected her to be fast asleep and was surprised when she rolled a half-turn toward him. Noticing she hadn’t changed as he’d bidden, he frowned. Did everything have to be a fight with her? They definitely needed to work on her following his orders, in addition to honesty. He sighed, conjuring up patience from somewhere down deep. Climbing up beside her, he eased the heavy drape closed.
“Sit up,” he said in a hushed tone so as not to be overheard. Pleased when she did so without question for a change, his hands went to her blouse. “You can’t sleep in your traveling clothes, darlin’.”
“I felt uncomfortable changing surrounded by all these people.”
A valid concern, he allowed. “I’ll keep you safe, sweetheart. You’ll rest better in night clothes.”
He had her stripped in no time and dropped her nightgown over her head. Once she pushed her arms through the tangled sleeves, he tucked her under the covers. Having removed his vest and coat before shaving and left his boots down below, he only had to pull off his shirt. That left him in his trousers for sleeping. Lying back on the pillows, he slipped between the soft sheets. It was a tight fit for his shoulders so he rolled to his side, his back to the curtains as he curled around Jenny.
He lay quietly against her, listening to her breathe and inhaling her scent. The day had been arduous, even though he’d done nothing but sit, eat, and read. Wondering why he was able to work a ten-hour day at the ranch without being as exhausted, he let the sway of the train lull him and his eyes drifted shut.
They popped open again when Jenny stated in a barely audible whisper, “You’re angry with me.”
“No,” he answered in a voice equally soft. “I’m disappointed and a bit exasperated, but not angry.”
“I’m sorry, Heath. Please be patient with me. It’s all so new.”
“I know, Jenny, but one thing you must learn about me, here and now, is that my patience is sorely tested by falsehoods, half-truths, and omissions. Remember how I said I never lie? That’s because I have experienced how deceit can cut, and cut deep. I’ll accept nothing less than honesty from you, wife, with that will come trust. Mistakes can be forgiven if owned up to, but believe me when I say that once trust is broken, it can’t always be repaired. I’d hate for you, indeed for both of us, to learn that lesson the hard way.”
She nodded, her silky hair brushing along his jaw. They lapsed into silence. As Heath closed his eyes again, he heard a sniffle. By the light of the sconce on the wall, he rolled her to her back. Angling her face up, he found tears.
“Darlin’, don’t cry.” Her tear-drenched face tore him up inside. She’d shed too many tears of late. Cupping her damp cheek in his palm, he kissed them away. “What’s wrong, Jenny? Let me make it better.”
“You were gone so long, I thought you’d found some place else to sleep.”
“There was a long line for the washroom. What’s more, my place is beside you now. You’ll sleep in my arms every night. Got that?”
Her hand came up and she scrubbed her face with her sleeve. “I’m sorry. I normally don’t cry at the drop of a hat, or act so rudely, and get short-tempered, but my world is in turmoil and I’m not myself.” As she spoke, her voice was steadily rising.
“Quietly, sweetheart,” he urged, but once started, she couldn’t seem to hold back the flow of emotion or her words.
“A few short months ago, I had a loving happy family and my only worry was what to wear to the next dance. Now it’s turned topsy-turvy with saloon fights, facing down drunks over the barrel of a gun, being beaten by an uncle I didn’t know I had, losing my parents, getting married under duress—”
“Hush now—”
She went on, however, as if she hadn’t heard.
“That’s only the tip of the iceberg. It’s all been too much. I rationally think that nothing more can possibly happen to one person. Yet, I get the feeling another disaster is right around the corner. I can’t eat or sleep, let alone think straight—”
He cut her off, smothering her unchecked rant with his lips, kissing her until she was breathless and relaxed in his arms. Only then did he lift his head. “Feel better after getting that out?”
“Uh-huh.”
He smiled at the slightly dazed look in her eyes. “If we were home, I’d have let you really blow off some steam, but as you said, we’re surrounded by strangers.” He let his lips brush over hers in a lingering kiss. When he was done, he asked in a whisper, “Think you can sleep now?”
She shook her head, burying her face in his neck.
“I know something that will help, but you’ll have to be very quiet. Can you do that?”
Her answer was a nod and a muffled, “mm-hm,” against his skin.
He rose up on an elbow. His eyes met hers, welcoming how they flared wide as his hand slipped beneath the hem of her gown. Very softly, he ordered, “Spread your legs for me.”
She hesitated, but only briefly before she shifted, one of her legs nudging his, her hip brushing the firm ridge of his cock. Stifling a groan, he found her with his fingers, pleased at the wetness that had gathered with only a few kisses. He dipped a long finger inside her as his lips traveled over her face, along her jaw, and down to what he could reach of her throat over the high-necked gown. It was in his way. Not willing to relinquish the treasure he had in his hand and unable to undo the buttons single-handed, he gave her another command.
“Unbutton your gown. I want to taste your skin, not laundered fabric.”
Once again, she didn’t question and began unbuttoning the tiny round buttons. His lips trailed in her fingers’ wake as she unwrapped soft, scented skin, which he tasted as the material parted. When he reached the valley between her breasts, he nudged the gown aside, baring a nipple and capturing the tight bud in his mouth. The whole time the finger between her folds never ceased moving.
“Heath,” she breathed. “It’s happening again.”
Reluctantly, he left her breast and his mouth covered hers. At the same time, he slipped in a second finger, his thumb finding the point that would send her over the edge. A few strokes later, she came apart. He swallowed her cries, taking them in his mouth as his lips formed a tight seal, hoping no one heard for her sake but at this point no longer caring. He was hard and aching for her, and although he hadn’t planned to take her, he had to.
Rolling on top of her, his hips settled into the cradle of her thighs. With little guidance, his cock found her entrance and slid inside. She was tight, hot, and wet. It was pure heaven and all he could do not to howl with pleasure while driving into her, taking her fully, vigorously, and noisily. Heath lowered his head, burying his face in hair. He breathed in, her heady scent not helping matters at all.
Next to her ear, he murmured softly, “Help me out, darlin’. If I move, the berth will creak and all twenty passengers in this car will know what we’re about.”
“How,” she gasped, her hips lifting and pressing into his. As if to prove his words true, the berth groaned beneath them.
“Lie still, but tighten around me.”
Instantly, his cock was squeezed as her internal muscles clamped down. Man alive, that felt good. He drew in a shuddering breath and urged, “Let go, and then do it again.”
It didn’t take long for her to coordinate her movements. Soon, while he was buried in her depths lying motionless, she brought him to a spectacular completion. The undulating tightening of her channel was all it took. A small grunt and an exhalation of pent-up air was the only sound he made as his seed surged hotly inside her.
As he recovered, still lying on top of her, he felt her trembling, heard the juddering sigh leave her body as if she had climaxed too. He pushed up and knew with a glance that she had. If her flushed cheeks didn’t give her away, the hazy look in her sleepy eyes and the faint curve of her lips did. His mouth curved upward to match as he lowered his head and brushed her lips with his own. Then he withdrew, rolled them as one to their sides, eased her gown over her hips, and pulled up the covers. As he curled his front along her back, he relaxed, slipping his hand inside her gown and cupping her breast possessively.
He thought to ask if she was ready to sleep now, but her deep, steady breathing told him she’d already found it. He buried his face in her sweetly scented hair and with a smile on his face, found it too.
* * *
The next morning, noise from the other passengers had her stirring. Her eyes popped open and she stared at the polished black ceiling for a moment before turning her head on the pillow. Heath was also awake and appeared to have been quietly watching her. She followed his gaze to where her breasts poked out between the open neck of her gown.
“Oh!” Her hands moved to cover herself, but a large hand blocked her. Lightly he stroked a hard nipple, constricted in the cool morning air that had invaded the car. He gave it a small pinch as he leaned in, and with his lips against hers whispered, “I look forward to waking to that pretty sight every mornin’, darlin’.”
He let her go, and under his appreciative eyes, she busily buttoned her nightgown. Once sufficiently covered, she began searching for her skirt and blouse. She pulled back the bedding at the foot of the berth, but they were nowhere to be found. She eyed the curtain. Maybe during sleep, or other activities, they had been kicked to the floor. Her cheeks flamed thinking of her clothing lying about on the floor, practically announcing to all what they’d been doing.
“Something wrong?” Heath asked from his repose on the pillows where he’d been watching her panic very calmly. She noticed that while she’d been frantically searching, he’d done up his trousers.
“My clothes are missing. I think they fell on the floor.”
“No, I hung them out for the porter.” Seeing her raised brows in question, he explained. “There’s a hook outside for clothes that need to be steam cleaned and pressed. You leave them out at night and by morning, they’re good as new, fresh for another day of sitting and tedious boredom. Such is train travel.”
“That doesn’t seem possible.” She was amazed, feeling a bit like a Vanderbilt or a Rockefeller. No, like a Jackson… “Do you always travel in such luxury? The cost must be exorbitant.”
“Yes, and praise be to George Pullman for making it possible. If you’ve ever traveled long distance in a standard car, you’d know what I mean. It’s comparable to a ten-day cattle drive, except my horse is more comfortable.” He huffed a small laugh at that.
Jenny returned his smile, which was nice to see instead of the somber mood from the day before. His sleep-tousled appearance was also nice, the ruffled overlong hair with the uncooperative lock that always seemed to fall over his brow, the dark scruff of beard, the warm drowsiness of his eyes, not to mention the husky sound of his morning voice.
“Long trips were intolerable before Pullman,” he continued, her scrutiny apparently unnoticed. “Jolting poorly sprung cars, unregulated heat in the summer, frigid cold in the winter, and do I have to say how uncomfortable sleeping upright is? As far as cost, the service alone is worth the added expense, but don’t you worry, we can afford it.”
Her face blanched and she grimaced. Although she smoothed it away quickly, it wasn’t nearly quick enough and Heath noticed.
“What was that look? Are you worried about money? You must know the ranch does quite well. You don’t have to worry about going without ever again.”
“It’s quite a change going from destitute to having an abundance. It’s rather intimidating too. Your family is quite cultured. There were three forks, as many spoons, and two crystal glasses at luncheon. I didn’t know what to do.” This was all said in a small voice as she bowed her head and picked restlessly at the linens. She could almost hear the cogs in his brain turn as it all clicked for him at that moment.
“That’s what had you all bristled up yesterday.”
“I only have the one nice dress, Heath. I was saving it to meet with the judge.”
“We’ll get you well turned out soon enough, darlin’. There hasn’t been time.”
She turned to him abruptly, expressing her concern. “I don’t want you to think I’m angling for gifts and nonsense, Heath. It’s just that…” Her voice trailed off, unsure of how much of her feelings to reveal. When she looked up at him, he was watching her expectantly. The frustration on his face so intense, she thought he might pop.
“Just that what, Jenny? You can tell me.”
“I don’t want to embarrass you,” she began quietly, “or your family. You’re from back east, refined and cultured. You know how to dress, use fancy table settings, and drink from elegant goblets, and you’re influential, hobnobbing with important people and all. I’m only a poor farm girl.”
Heath had to know she was serious, but he laughed, to which she took instant umbrage.
“Never mind,” she huffed, looking away. She would have stormed off if there were somewhere to storm off too. Plus, he was blocking the exit to the berth. She settled for turning away, adding stiffly, “Would you be so good as to retrieve my skirt and blouse, please?”
“Hell, I hurt your feelings.” He dragged her to him, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her tight to his chest. “Sweetheart, I wasn’t laughing at you or your concerns.” He spread light kisses along her uninjured cheek. “I was picturing Henry Jackson being refined and cultured.” Nudging her gown aside, he kissed along the curve of her neck. “You’ve probably noticed that my pa can be quite charming and genteel one moment, the next he’s spouting some outrageous comment. Last week, for example, ma asked him if he liked her new hat. He took one look at it and outright horse laughed, kind of like I did just now, except he made it worse by telling her flowers and feathers on a woman’s head were as useful as a fart in a whirlwind.”
She giggled. She couldn’t help it. It sounded exactly like what Henry would say. “What did your ma do?”
“She wasn’t pleased and quietly plotted her revenge. You’ll learn ma always gives as good as she gets, knowing her limits with pa, of course, after thirty some years as his wife.”
“Tell me what she did. I can’t wait another minute to hear.”
“Well, after he left, she disappeared upstairs. She didn’t say another word about it, but pa sure did the next morning when they were about to leave for church.”
He paused there, leaving her hanging while he chuckled at the memory. It was maddening. Feeling left out of the joke, she nudged his shoulder, prompting him with a drawled, “Well?”
“Sorry, but I can still hear him howling his outrage. You see, ma didn’t get mad; she got even and pasted every one of those feathers and flowers all over his favorite bowler hat. He bellowed so loud when he found it, I could hear him all the way to the barn.”
“Oh, no! What did Henry do?”
“Nothing at the time, he couldn’t. Ma was already in the buggy and heading down the lane. That afternoon she came home with three brand new hats, more outrageous than the one he’d made fun of.”
Jenny laughed, picturing it in her mind. “I can imagine them just so, Heath. I love your parents.”
“I know, darlin’. I told you that story to show we’re like everyone else. We laugh and cut up most of the time, and enjoy life. That doesn’t mean we don’t argue and fuss sometimes, but with love and respect at the heart of it all.” He paused and brushed some loose hair back behind her ear. “I’m sorry that this has been so hard on you, sweetheart. Soon it will be over and we’ll get on with our lives. And we’ll all get to see your beautiful smile, and hear your brother’s laughter each and every day.”
The memory of Will’s laughter was murky. He had been suffering too. She prayed Eugene was treating him well, as unspeakable images invaded her thoughts shoving out anything else. Silly hats, train rides, and passionate kisses meant little if they didn’t get him back. Yet, as they kept telling her, worry wouldn’t make the train go faster.
“I’m ready to have something to laugh and smile about for a change. I’ll try to put my worries aside until we arrive in Omaha.”
“That’s my girl.” His hand cupped her chin and his lips found hers, lingering until his belly grumbled. Sheepishly, he grinned. “I’ll get your clothes, darlin’. Then, we’re for the dining car. How do flapjacks and bacon sound?”
Without waiting for a response, he parted the curtain a touch to grab his crisply pressed shirt. After slipping it on, he hopped down from the berth, handing in her neatly ironed skirt and blouse.
“Hurry, Jenny. I’m starved.” With a wink, he was gone, leaving her to struggle into her clothes in the confined space in private.