22

Strange as it seemed, Patience found herself somewhat reluctant for her mother to leave for her home. This last week they had seemed to find additional common ground. There was less sparring about how Patience should run the boardinghouse, although occasionally her mother would make a complaint—a “suggestion,” she called it—about Patience’s menu. There was either too much salt or not enough, chicken served too often, and couldn’t they have more beef? This was cattle country, wasn’t it? And on and on. There was no pleasing the woman completely, but for some reason she wasn’t taking it to heart like before. They had even laughed together on occasion.

“I’m going to miss everyone here,” Charity told her daughter as they worked together on packing. “I never knew that such busyness could be enjoyable. Living alone is very quiet, and even though I like that too, I sure am going to find it rather lonely.”

Patience didn’t feel like the statement was an accusation. She paused as she folded another shirtwaist. “You can come back and visit as often as you like. You may have to room with me, though, if there are no vacancies.” She looked at her mother fondly.

Charity folded her nightgown and robe, placing it in her case, and smiled. “I just might take you up on that. Maybe for the holidays?”

“Absolutely.”

“Or perhaps a wedding?” A brow shot upward and her mother smiled knowingly. “I was wrong about Cody, Patty. It’s apparent to me that Jedediah is more suited to your liking.”

“I do care for him, but I’m not sure of his feelings for me.” Patience hoped to change the subject. She lifted the two remaining dresses and began folding one, when something fell to the floor at her feet. She saw her mother’s diamond brooch lying on the bedside rag rug. “Mother! Your brooch!” she called out as she bent to retrieve it.

Her mother’s mouth dropped open. “Oh my!” she said, accepting it from Patience’s hand. “I don’t remember putting this in my pocket. I thought we all had looked everywhere. Now I feel truly awful that I accused Emily of taking the brooch.” She sighed heavily.

Patience laid a hand on her mother’s. “Don’t worry. I don’t think Emily ever knew you had done so.”

“You have a very nice partner here. The two of you work so well together. I’ve been meaning to tell you that.”

“Yes, I agree. Emily has a good head and an even better heart. That’s why I knew she would never take your cameo. No harm has been done, and you now have your brooch back.”

Charity beamed. “I’m so happy that you found it, and from now on I’ll be more careful with my valuables. Will you let Jedediah and the residents know that we found it?”

Patience nodded. “Yes, of course. We must get finished or you’ll miss the stage.”

Charity leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’m very proud of you. I realize you had heavy responsibilities taking care of me after your father died. I don’t think I ever showed my appreciation, but I want you to know I’m very thankful. I wish you great success.”

Patience had a lump in her throat. She could never remember a time at home when her mother had talked to her this way. Maybe advancing age was softening her outlook. “Thank you” was all she managed to choke out as she put her arms around her mother’s shoulders and felt the return hug. It was a new beginning.

After they had said their goodbyes at the depot and her mother boarded the Wells Fargo stagecoach, Patience stood and watched the mailbag being stowed on the top. She finally was mailing her compiled devotionals to Emily’s uncle, and the package was going on the same stage as her mother. Emily had happily tucked in a note of introduction. A tiny spark bubbled in her heart with hope the editor might actually like it. She had dedicated it to her mother. She wondered what her mother would think if she knew. She smiled to herself as she waved the coach around the bend and out of sight.

Jedediah had the impression the townsfolk were giving him the cold shoulder—as if he were protecting the man guilty of John’s death. John Hargrove had been admired and respected around the whole area, so it was no surprise that they wanted someone to pay. Jedediah decided the porch with his afternoon cup of coffee wasn’t the place to be with folks casting hard stares his direction, so he went back inside.

He’d stopped by to pay Patience for the lunches, but Emily told him she was at the stage depot with her mother. Tomorrow he’d be transporting the prisoner to Helena to see that justice was done, so he probably wouldn’t see her for a few days.

He checked on the man—Nathan Watkins was his name—to be sure he was still in the cell, although there was no way he could’ve escaped.

“How long you plan on keepin’ me locked up?” The prisoner glared up at him from the cot.

“I’m hauling you over to the judge in Helena for a hearing. Then you’re his problem, and I say good riddance!” Jedediah growled back.

“So why didn’t you just hang me like you did Russell Watkins?”

Jedediah froze. How does he know about Russell? He said “Russell Watkins.” Is he . . . ?

“Why? He a friend of yours?” Jedediah tried to keep his tone nonchalant.

“More than a friend—he was my older brother, but you hanged him.” The man dropped his face into his hands. “It should’ve been me,” he said, his voice so low Jedediah could barely hear the words.

Jed grunted. Nathan was a decent-looking fellow. Should’ve been married with two kids bouncing on his knee by now, but instead he’d turned to stealing. Jed stared through the bars at the man.

Nathan continued to hang his head for a moment. When he finally lifted it, his eyes appeared vacant. “And now it’ll be me,” he said under his breath.

Through gritted teeth Jedediah responded, “Then you’ll receive your just reward, if I have anything to do with it.”

“I reckon, but I didn’t kill John Hargrove,” Nathan declared once more.

“Then who did?” Jed banged his hand against the cell bar and it rattled ominously.

“I don’t know.”

Jedediah tried to stare him down. “Know, but won’t tell?”

“I may be a rustler, but I ain’t no murderer!”

Jedediah stalked back to his desk, but he couldn’t concentrate. With the grim looks he was getting from the townsfolk, he wasn’t sure he should venture out to get their suppers. Maybe Joe would drop in. Besides, now his appetite had all but disappeared.

Jedediah awoke to Patience standing over him. He jerked upright and blinked at her. “I must have fallen asleep,” he told her, “but what a nice way to wake up—your beautiful face right above me.” She gave him a coy smile, then straightened, but he took her hand. “I’ve missed you,” he admitted, and saw her sweet smile of surprise.

She whispered with a soft tone, “I missed you too.” She looked down at his hand holding hers, and he chuckled at her discomfort over his compliment.

“I’ve never—well, no one’s ever called me ‘beautiful’ before, Jed,” she said, pressing her free hand against her face. “Do you really think that’s so?” she whispered after a glance over her shoulder at Nathan in his cell.

Jed slowly stood and pulled her by the hand over to the corner, out of sight of his prisoner. “You sure are, Patience,” he said, still holding her hand and staring into those green eyes. “You’re beautiful in a lot of ways, not only in the way you look. I noticed it when you were taking care of Judith Hargrove, how gentle and caring you were.” He put his arms around her, and he could feel her hug him back.

“Someone could come in any time, Jed,” she finally whispered as she pulled away, and reluctantly he let her go.

“Is that food I smell?” he asked.

She laughed. “Is that all you can think about?” She led him over to the basket she’d placed on his desk.

He chuckled. But then he said, lowering his voice, “Hardly—lately all I can think about is you.”

“I like to hear that, Jed. Thank you. Now, this is your plate, and I made one up for the prisoner.”

“Sounds like a fair deal to me,” he quipped. “Hope mine is bigger and better.”

They stood in front of the cell door with the plate of food, and Jedediah unlocked it.

Nathan jumped up off the cot and stared through the bars, his jaw hanging open. “What the devil are you doing here, Patience?”