Chapter Sixteen
A heavy throng of passengers clogged the busy platform, some stopped in clusters to greet loved ones, chatting and embracing, while others struggled with carts loaded down with trunks and other cumbersome pieces of baggage. Jenny clasped Heath’s supportive hand as he helped her down the metal steps from the train, the whole time her eyes searching the crowd.
“Look at this crush. We’ll never find them.” As soon as she’d uttered those words, she spotted Aaron. Standing taller than anyone in the crowd, his back was toward the depot building further down the platform. He lifted a hand in greeting, having spotted them at about the same time.
“There’s Aaron, but I don’t see Will!” Panic was evident in her cry. She leapt over the last two steps and, grasping Heath’s sleeve, was ready to make a dash in Aaron’s direction. Her impetuous sprint was stopped short by her husband’s arm around her waist.
“Whoa, darlin’. You can’t dart headlong into this press. Wait until the crowd thins out a bit.”
Impatiently, she stood on her toes, shifting from side to side trying to see her brother through the people milling about, but there were too many blocking her view. “Can you see him, Heath? All I see is Aaron. Dear Lord, what if he didn’t find him? What if Eugene still has him? They could have gotten off anywhere along the way.” A heavy weight settled in her chest. It was as if her worst nightmares were coming true.
“Jenny,” he began, as his fingers wrapped around the back of her neck and squeezed reassuringly. “Be patient a few minutes longer until we can speak to Aaron. I don’t think he’d be standing there so calmly if things hadn’t gone exactly as planned.”
His touch had a calming effect. He also had a point, but she wouldn’t feel better until she saw Will with her own eyes. The crowd shifted then and Heath said, “I see Will. Aaron’s got him.”
“Where?” She leaned into him, straining on her toes. A portly man shifted left and Jenny caught a glimpse of auburn hair. As relief rushed through her, she whispered a prayer of thanks. “Hallelujah!”
When the breaks in the crowd grew more frequent, Heath placed a firm hand on her back and affirmed, “Let’s get you to your brother.”
As they approached, Will called out her name and raced toward her. His high-pitched shout was like music to her ears. Breaking free of Heath’s protective hold, she rushed to him and gathered him into a crushing hug. Drawing in her first untroubled breath in days, she glanced over Will’s shoulder at Aaron. “Words cannot express how grateful I am.”
“No gratitude is necessary, Jenny. Even before you and Heath tied the knot, I considered you family. That extends to young Will here, as well.” He reached out his big hand and ruffled her brother’s hair. Will turned wide eyes up to her.
“You tied knots, Jenny?” Will asked, his face filled with wonder. “You must be real good, Mr. Heath, ‘cause Papa could never teach her to tie even a square knot.”
Laughing, she pressed a kiss to the top of his head. “Not that kind of knot, Will. I’ll explain when we get to the hotel.” She didn’t want to let him go, but he was pulling away. “You look well. Are you okay?”
“I am, but you don’t look so good, Jenny. What happened to your face?”
“I had an accident before leaving Laramie.”
“Did it hurt when they sewed up your lip?” His hand went to his own lip and he made a face. “Bet so. I didn’t look near as bad after that fight with Jimmy Sloan. You best have a better story than an accident for papa.”
“For papa?” Jenny repeated, confused.
“Yeah, Uncle Eugene said papa was staying here in Omaha, but he didn’t say where. I wanted to go see him right away, but Marshal Aaron said we had to wait until you arrived. Can we go now?”
Jenny’s shocked eyes flew to Aaron. He shook his head ever so slightly.
Unsure what was going on, Jenny didn’t know how to respond to her brother, so she hedged for time. “Why don’t we get settled at the hotel, first,” Jenny suggested. “We can talk more there and sort everything out.”
“No. I don’t want to wait anymore. Uncle Eugene was going to take me, but I haven’t seen him since we got off the train. If he’s gone, how will we find papa?”
“Will—” His distress was breaking her heart. How did she tell an eight-year-old that his father was dead? If that snake Eugene were here, she’d wring his neck.
“Your sister’s right, Will. We need to get things sorted, but the train depot isn’t the appropriate place.” The authority in Heath’s tone rang clear and her brother quieted in response. “Have you got a buggy, Aaron?”
“There’s a hired cab waiting at the foot of the stairs.”
“Pa, would you and ma take Will to the cab while I fetch the baggage and have a short word with Aaron?”
“Certainly, son.” Henry, who had been standing by watching quietly with Letty, held out his arm to Will. “C’mon, boy, I want to hear all about your first train ride.”
After a hesitant glance at Jenny and receiving her nod of reassurance, Will went along with Henry. As soon as he was out of earshot, Aaron explained.
“Your pa isn’t here, Jenny. Harper told the sheriff that he died in Kansas City, which is where your uncle hails from. Not taking his word for it, I wired the sheriff. He verified that Eustace died of a knife wound a little over a week ago as Harper told you. I’m very sorry, Jenny.”
Hearing it from a reliable source made it more real and though she’d had time to absorb the information, the pain swept through her as if it just happened. She blinked rapidly to control the tears that threatened. Will needed her to be strong, not fall to pieces. Heath’s hand curled around her neck as he brought her close and enfolded her in his arms.
As she fought back her grief, she listened to the men’s conversation.
“The bastard used that ploy to get Will to come along with him without any trouble,” Heath suggested. “What a rotten trick to play on the boy, knowing his father was dead.”
Aaron agreed with a scowl. “He’s an oily cuss, that’s for certain. A bit of fancy Dan too. It’s odd for such a portly man to wear lace and velvet. If he is Eustace’s brother, they don’t resemble each other at all.”
“Did Harper say anything else?”
“No,” Aaron said, “except that he was hiring an attorney for the meeting with the judge this afternoon. He didn’t know who I was and I didn’t offer. He has no idea that you and Jenny are married.”
“We should go,” Jenny interrupted, wondering if all of this drama would ever end. “I don’t know how, but I have to break the news about pa to Will.”
Heath’s hand stroked up and down her back as he murmured against her temple, “We’ll do it together.”
“I’d wait, but he won’t stop asking. He’s stubborn that way.”
“Sounds like a family trait,” he teased gently.
Ordinarily, she would have laughed if her heart weren’t so heavy for Will and the blow he had coming. A thought occurred to her and she pushed back in Heath’s arms. “Will he have to be in the courtroom to meet with the judge, do you think? It’s going to be upsetting, and after hearing about pa—”
“We’ll ask Bennett when we get to the hotel, have him explain the situation to the judge, if need be.”
“He shouldn’t have to hear all this nasty business about papa. It was difficult enough for me to learn he wasn’t the man I thought he was. Furthermore, Eugene Harper is not a nice man. His mouth is vile. I can’t imagine what he’ll have to say about me and I’d rather Will not hear his filth.”
The thought of seeing her uncle made her cringe. Unintended, her hand went to her cheek, still tender after several days, moving down to stroke over her lips and the four perfectly spaced threads. With skill and a steady hand, Janelle had sewn her up with small, precise stitches in hopes that it wouldn’t scar. Jenny prayed that was true as every time she looked in the mirror, she remembered that awful night.
A rumbling noise like a growl had her turning. It was coming from Heath, whose eyes were locked on her mouth. Her hand dropped away.
“Maybe Will should learn directly how vile he is,” Aaron proposed, his face grim, as he too stared at her injured lip.
Although she could see Aaron’s point, it was too harsh a lesson and she wanted to protect him if she could. “He’s only eight.” Her eyes flashed to Heath, seeking his support.
His hand rose, his fingers gliding ever so gently over her bruised cheek. They shared a lingering glance, before Heath’s troubled eyes softened. “I’m sure the judge will keep that in mind, darlin’.”
* * *
Within an hour, they were settled at the Omaha Inn, only a short ride from the depot by hansom cab. Three rooms were reserved. Will was to bunk with Aaron as he had for the past two nights, the two couples getting the other rooms. Jenny was hanging up her dress trying to smooth out some of the wrinkles while Heath polished his dress boots with the shoeshine box provided in each room. A knock came at their door. When Heath answered, Will bounded in followed by an apologetic Aaron.
“Sorry, brother, but he wouldn’t settle down. He said he wants to get sorted.”
Heath didn’t think Aaron looked the least bit remorseful, the glint in his eyes more amused than anything. Still a newlywed himself, he knew the temptation a soft flat surface in a private room posed, but he’d never had an eight-year-old boy to contend with.
“Jenny! Look!” Will’s excited shout was near deafening in the small room as he jumped on the bed and started bouncing. “The beds have springs.”
The adults watched as the boy flew up toward the ceiling a time or two before Heath stepped in. Catching him by the waist in midair, he set him down with both feet on the floor.
“Land’s sake, William Harper,” Jenny exclaimed as she walked toward him. “You almost hit your head.”
To Heath’s amusement, Jenny seemed more fascinated than reproachful, which was confirmed when she sat on the bed and bounced, testing the give of the mattress herself although more sedately.
“Ain’t it a wonder, Jenny?” As Will sat next to her, his added weight set Jenny to bouncing and she fell into him. “Wait ‘til you sleep on it. It’s like a cloud.” Soon they were both laughing as they bounced on their behinds.
Aaron, who was observing their antics alongside him, said quietly while sporting a wide grin, “You’re gonna have your hands full.”
Heath nodded, unable to take his eyes from the two laughing faces bobbing up and down on the bed. Knowing there hadn’t been much to cut up over lately, he let them have their moment. Soon enough reality would creep back in.
“Has he been like this the whole time?” Heath asked.
“Only while he’s awake,” Aaron deadpanned.
Heath laughed. “Boys will be boys, as ma always said.”
“I never understood what she meant until two days ago,” Aaron returned with a chuckle. “You know I wasn’t only referring to young Will there when I said you’d have your hands full.”
“Yeah, I kind of got that, Aaron.”
“Congratulations by the way. I’m happy for you and Jenny, and Will’s a good kid, very polite.”
“Mama wouldn’t have had it any other way,” Jenny interjected. At some point, she’d put an end to their silliness and both she and Will sat perched on the edge of the bed breathless while they listened. Jenny was quiet, but Will, with an excess of energy to burn, kicked his booted feet out in front of him.
“Easy, Will,” she said, resting a hand atop his knees.
He stopped moving, but his mind was going full speed and the questions started. “How come you’re sharing a room with Mr. Heath?”
“That’s one of the things we have to tell you, bub. Heath and I got married.”
His big eyes shifted from Jenny to Heath, before sliding back. “But you told Missus Janelle he was a good-for-nothing lout,” he stated bluntly, not the least bit concerned about who was listening.
Jenny didn’t look his way, but Heath noticed she glanced at Aaron, who was listening with rapt attention, a broad grin on his face.
“What else did she tell Missus Janelle?” Aaron prompted the boy with a grin.
“Oh, she said lots of other things,” Will disclosed, bouncing again.
Jenny jumped in. “Never mind Will, he’s a talker. Give him an audience and he could yammer on for days—” She hoped to move on to an entirely different subject, but Will went on chattering as if she hadn’t spoken.
“She said Heath was… obtuse, I think that was the word.” He shrugged, plainly not know its meaning. “Jenny said that talkin’ to him was like trying to scratch your ear with your elbow. Only she didn’t say ear, she said a word that I’m not supposed to say. Rhymes with glass—”
“William Harper!”
“I wasn’t going to say the ‘a’ word, Jenny. I swear. Though you said it.”
“This is all very enlightening.” Heath’s comment came out slowly as his gaze fastened on Jenny, watching her squirm. She nudged her brother with her elbow. He paid her no mind, however, and went on.
“I don’t know about lightning, but it seems odd to me that she’d marry you.”
“Why is that, Will? Don’t you think I’ll make her a good husband?”
“It’s not that. I told her to marry you the night you brought us to the ranch.”
“You did? Imagine that.” His eyes shot to Jenny, who was glaring at her brother.
“But she told me she wouldn’t.”
“That reminds me, Will,” Jenny interrupted, noticeably looking for a change in subject. “How did you get back to the farm that night? I thought you were in bed.”
“I followed you, well, sort of.”
“What do you mean sort of?”
“I laid in bed a while, but it was too early to sleep. Then I got thinking.” His very serious gaze switched to Heath. “You should know that Jenny’s not a good rider. She got thrown into a puddle on Main Street once.”
“Will! That was at least ten years ago.”
“The way pa tells it, you haven’t got no better since.”
“Finish your story,” Heath encouraged, unable to hide his grin, well entertained by the two.
“Well, I got worried she’d get thrown on a strange horse, so I went to the stable, got me a horse of my own, and followed.”
Jenny gaped at him. “How did you manage that?”
“You were right, Jenny. They had so many horses, no one noticed one missing. One was already saddled, so I borrowed it, like you said.”
“Land’s sake,” she exclaimed, rubbing her eyes.
“Sounds like security is a bit lax at the stable, I’ll have to fix that when we get back.” Heath looked at Will and warned, “We’ll also establish some rules for riding, Will.”
His eyes got wide as he realized he’d told on himself, but he nodded, with a grumbled yet polite, “Yes, sir.”
“Now finish telling me why you’re so surprised your sister married me.”
“’Cause she didn’t want to. I didn’t think she liked you much. She told Missus Janelle she’d rather jump off a six-foot fence into a pile of porcupine quills than marry your sorry—”
The rest came out muffled behind the hand Jenny had clamped tightly over her brother’s overactive mouth. Aaron’s uncontrolled laughter filled the room.
Heath, who was struggling to hide his own amusement, walked over to stand in front of the pair on the bed. Drawing Jenny’s hand away from Will’s mouth, he tugged her to her feet, sat in her place, and then pulled her smartly onto his lap.
“Tell me something, Will.” Somehow, he kept a straight face. “When did she say this, exactly?”
Will’s face turned a bright crimson. The same shade, Heath noted, as Jenny’s did when she was embarrassed. “I shouldn’t a said that, huh, Jenny?”
“No, Will. That was something you overheard and listening to other people’s conversations is called eavesdropping, which is something you know you’re not supposed to do.”
Heath caught her eyes and held them until her face heated to a fiery red as well. This eavesdropping pair was like peas in a pod. Interested in hearing the rest of the tale, he clamped an arm around Jenny in warning while encouraging Will with a pat on the shoulder. “We’re family now. There are no secrets among family. Right, Aaron?”
“Un-uh!” Aaron backed up a step, his hands raised as if an outlaw held him at gunpoint. “I’m not getting in the middle of this squabble.”
“What squabble?” They all turned to see Letty frowning at them from the open doorway, Henry peering in over her head. “Now that Jenny and Will are reunited, I thought this would be a happy group.”
“I would have thought so too,” Henry added. He eyed Will up and down, before taking in the rest of the group. “The boy looks right as rain, although the two of them look fevered. Their faces are as red as a jaybird’s arse in pokeberry time.”
“Henry! What a thing to say in front of the boy.”
While Letty fussed at Henry, Aaron roared with laughter and Will giggled. Jenny, not the least bit amused, whispered in Heath’s ear amidst the chaos.
“I can explain, honey. I said all those things after that night you drove me home when you—well, you remember what happened, don’t you?”
How could he forget? He’d spanked her for the first time and she’d been madder than a wet hen. He didn’t say that though, only stared at her, his brow raised at the unnecessary reminder.
“Obviously, you do. I was a little put out with you.”
With that understatement, he was unable to contain his amusement any longer and grinned.
Her face reddened further. “Well, then, yes, what I said, um—it was quite a while ago.”
“Not so long, Jenny,” Will piped up. “I remember—”
“That’s enough, Will.” She shushed her brother. “I suppose I should have mentioned that he has a bad habit of repeating what he hears. He doesn’t always get things right, however.”
“So you didn’t say I’m a good-for-nothing lout or call me obtuse?” Heath’s question was intentionally direct, his stare unwavering. He wasn’t about to let her wriggle out of this.
“Um…” she stalled, trying to come up with a pacifying answer.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Out of the mouths of babes, comes truth and wisdom.” With his hand at her lower back, he pressed her to him and said softly in her ear, “We’ll discuss your truths tonight, Mrs. Jackson, while I impart some of my wisdom.”
She twisted in his arms to face him. “What does that mean?”
Heath was teasing her, which he found highly enjoyable, but she hadn’t clued in yet. All flustered, with bright eyes and cheeks full of color, she was even more beautiful. His hand flexed on her back, moving down until his fingertips rested on the upper curve of her hip, the heel of his hand on her bottom.
“Tonight,” he repeated. “For now we need to get things sorted before our appointment.” He glanced indulgently at Aaron, who was rubbing a damp eye with the back of his finger. “If you can get a handle on your hilarity, we can get started.”
“Of course,” Aaron said, still chuckling. “You must know after the time you and Luke give me over Janelle, that I’m enjoying the boot being on the other foot.” Clearing his throat, he took a deep breath, trying to settle. “And Will there, well, he’s more entertaining than a traveling troupe.” Aaron failed miserably in his efforts and guffawed loudly again. “Sorry, but I keep imagining Jenny jumping in a pile of porcupine quills rather than marry you. It’s too funny.”
“You know, darlin’, I’m feeling your pain about now,” Heath murmured while glaring at Aaron.
“What pain?” she asked, also frowning Aaron’s way.
“The pain of having younger siblings. When it comes to little brothers, you can’t live with ‘em, you can’t kill ‘em.”
“Hey,” Will’s boyish voice interjected. “That’s exactly what Missus Janelle said about husbands.”
That announcement was followed by a long pause, as all eyes shot to Aaron. He had abruptly stopped laughing and now appeared gut kicked by a mule. Heath couldn’t help it. It was his turn to bust a gut laughing because Janelle had taught him the expression in the first place. He was joined by Henry, followed by Letty and Jenny.
Several moments later, having recovered, Aaron shook his head and chuckled too. “As you said, brother, out of the mouths of babes…”