Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
The trail of dust following Zach away carried with it Amelia’s dry dreams. She needed to accept the facts. He didn’t want her here. Hadn’t from the first day, despite the precious moments they’d shared. It was time to move on.
She served breakfast and did the dishes. No doubt Jacob would arrive soon to court her. Whatever that meant. In preparation for the noon meal, she prepared a pot of soup and left it to simmer.
“Someone coming,” Kat called through the open door. “Looks like your Dakota friend has borrowed a fancy buggy.”
Amelia removed her apron, dusted her skirts, and smoothed her hair before she joined the others on the porch.
A black buggy drawn by a fine black horse glistened in the sunshine. Jacob arrived in style. Somehow, it didn’t fit with the picture she had of a plain-living, hardworking man. Perhaps he meant to impress her.
“I’ll go out and greet him. The rest of you stay here.” Feeling no need for hurry, she took her time as the buggy raced closer. When she made out the driver through the haze of dust, she wished she’d run down the road and waylaid him. Told him to turn around.
Sobel. What did he want?
“Whoa.” He pulled the horse to a halt. “Good morning, Miss Amelia.” He touched his hat brim, which did nothing to convince her he was a gentleman. Merely a snake who imitated the manners of others.
She answered with a curt nod.
“I hear you’re in the courting mood.”
Could snakes wriggle their eyebrows? This one sure did.
“Yes indeed.” He again adjusted his hat as if it were so new it didn’t quite fit. “I was in Golden Valley last night when a certain Mr. Jacob Wells rode in. The news is he’s come to court you.” Sobel leaned forward, touching Amelia’s chin with the tip of his crop.
It took every ounce of her self-control not to jerk away.
He sat back. “Seems word has gotten out that young Zach isn’t interested. But, girl, you didn’t have to go to Dakota to find someone else. I’m right here. Got lots to offer you.” More waggling of his brows.
“Come up.” He patted the seat beside him. “I’ll take you on a tour of my place. You’ll love my big house. You can have as many servants as you want.” His glance slid past her to the trio on the porch. “I’ll get you a nanny for the little one.”
Momentarily speechless at the man’s gall, Amelia soon regained her voice. “Mr. Sobel, I am not now, nor will I ever be, interested in your offer. I suggest you turn your buggy around and go find someone else to make your proposal to.”
His face darkened. “You’re making a mistake.”
“It’s mine to make.”
When he secured the reins and moved to get down, she backed away. She had no weapon to fend him off with, but she wouldn’t run from him, leaving the others vulnerable. Instead, she gritted her teeth and curled her fists. “Please leave.”
“I’ll leave in my own time.” His harsh tone sent tremors across Amelia’s neck.
Pa came to Amelia’s side. “I suggest you do as the lady asks.”
“Who’s going to make me? You’re nothing but a befuddled old man.”
Amelia flinched at the rudeness.
Pa moved forward, a heavy branch in one hand. “I may be confused much of the time, but I’m not now. I wouldn’t suggest you continue to challenge me.” Pa stood straight and tall, his shoulders back. He slapped the length of wood into his palm with a resounding smack.
Amelia almost laughed.
Sobel blinked. Shifted as if ready to step down, then reconsidered, and took up the reins.
“You’re making a big mistake,” he hissed at Amelia. “But my offer is now closed.” With that, he drove away.
Amelia waited until he was down the road to burst into laughter.
Kat joined them, holding Poppy, and they all chuckled.
“Pa, you were wonderful,” Amelia said.
“That’s the Pa I remember.” Kat’s eyes clouded with tears.
“Gampa.” Poppy leaned toward Pa.
He twisted the branch in his hand. “Where did that come from?” He tossed it to the side.
Kat closed her eyes. “And just like that, he’s gone.”
They had barely returned to the porch when dust rose from the road. That would be Jacob. Amelia remained on her chair as the wagon approached.
Only again, it wasn’t him.
But at least she could make out that it was a woman. Dare she hope the word wasn’t out that she sought courting? Because she wasn’t. Didn’t need it. Didn’t like it. Didn’t welcome it.
“It’s Mrs. Morrow.” Kat laughed. “Gil’s going to be surprised.”
Pa moved to the step, tenting a hand over his eyes. “Evelyn.” His gait unsteady, he trotted toward the wagon.
Kat put Poppy down and rushed after him. “Pa, it’s Mrs. Morrow. Not Ma.”
“Take me.” Poppy’s voice threatened tears.
Amelia scooped up the baby and hurried after the others.
Pa stood at the woman’s side. “Where’s Evelyn? Why didn’t you bring her?”
“Hello, Norm. Evelyn isn’t with me today.
” She nodded to Amelia. “I heard a young woman was here. Allow me to introduce myself. Mrs. Morrow, Gil’s mother.
” She climbed down. “You could say what’s going on here is the talk of the town.
How Zach took you home, but now another man is here for you.
” She shook her head. “Strange thing, that is.”
“Sobel was here a bit ago offering to court her too. Pa chased him off.” Kat’s voice rang with amusement as she described what happened.
“’Pears I got here just in time.”
In time for what? But Amelia didn’t ask.
Pa circled the wagon, looking into the back. “Evelyn?”
“Poor man.” Mrs. Morrow joined Pa. “She’s not with me today. Come. Invite me in for coffee. It’s a long, dusty drive from town. And that stagecoach ride from the fort is like being scrubbed on a washboard.” She hooked her hand into Pa’s arm and guided him to the house.
When they were seated at the table with fresh coffee in three cups and water in two, Mrs. Morrow turned toward the bunkhouse visible through the window. “How’s my son doing?”
Amelia had no intention of reporting on Gil’s excessive drinking.
“He’s drunk as often as he’s sober.” Apparently, Kat didn’t share Amelia’s hesitation.
“And Amelia is going to leave. Marry that Dakota man.” The words might have been bitter medicine, the way she spat them out.
“Who’s going to watch Pa and cook meals?
I can’t do both, though I’ve tried in the past.”
“Don’t you worry, dearie. I’m here to straighten out Gil. He will do his job if he knows what’s good for him.”
At Mrs. Morrow’s hard tone, Amelia almost felt sorry for the man. Not that he needed to take over cooking, cleaning, and watching Pa. She’d gladly do it. If only Zach would ask.
Minutes later, Mrs. Morrow tipped her cup and swallowed the last of its contents. She pushed to her feet. “I’ll find my son. Thanks for the coffee.”
As the door closed behind her, Kat sprang to the window. “Now comes the fun part.”
Unsure what she meant, Amelia focused on tidying the kitchen. Jacob would soon be here.
Kat’s laughter drew her to the window. Mrs. Morrow emerged from the bunkhouse, emptied three bottles of whiskey on the ground, and called over her shoulder to Gil. He slunk out with a change of clothes and a towel in hand and made his way to the water trough.
“Doesn’t he even get warm water to wash in?” Amelia asked.
“She’ll get him sorted out. Trouble is, he soon returns to his drinking.”
They all turned toward the trail at the rumble of another wagon.
“It’s your farmer.” Kat clearly didn’t approve of the man. She took Poppy’s hand and led her outside. “I’ll keep her so you can concentrate on him.”
Her disgust would have been amusing except Amelia’s insides were tense. This was what she planned when she traveled west—a marriage of convenience. One that offered her and Poppy stability and acceptance.
Though she had yet to tell Jacob the circumstances of her child’s birth.
She would do that today, and if he found it unacceptable—
They spent the morning walking across the hills. He told her of his hopes and dreams for his life—a successful farm, a growing family.
It provided the opening she needed.
“I need to tell you about Poppy.” They stopped in a sheltering grove. She relayed how she and Callie had become friends, how Callie had strayed into an unsavory life and come home to have her baby. The words felt stiff and harsh, unlike her relief in telling Zach.
Jacob brushed his hand to her shoulder—the first time he’d touched her. She didn’t draw back, even though it felt strange. They were getting married, and he’d soon have the right to touch her whenever he chose.
“I do not hold Poppy responsible for the choices her mother made. Nor do I consider it anyone else’s business.” His firm response was everything she could ask for.
“Thank you.” The heartfelt words emerged in a whisper. There existed no reason for her not to proceed with wedding plans.
At his suggestion, they turned back to the house, and he spent time getting to know Poppy. Unfortunately, the child clung to Pa.
Gil and his mother joined them as Amelia went inside to make the noon meal.
Kat nudged Amelia. “He smells better, doesn’t he?”
He definitely did.
The day passed with agonizing slowness.
Suppertime arrived. They didn’t wait for Zach. Everyone seemed to be of the opinion that he wouldn’t join them.
She walked Jacob out to his wagon when he prepared to leave.
“I see no reason to wait.” His gaze skimmed the yard as if anxious to be done with it. “I’m satisfied with our arrangement. The sooner we start our new life together, the better for everyone. Would you be agreeable to coming to town tomorrow and getting married?”
Amelia’s insides churned like troubled water.
She must accept that her place wasn’t here, even though she wished it could be.
Her bones ached with disappointment. But there was no need to stay.
Gil was sober and would remain so for however long he did.
His mother was here and said she could stay a few days.
“I think that’s for the best.” Her fingers protested at how hard she clutched them together.