Rafe opened his eyes and brought his hands up to rub his face. He groaned. Rosemary. On this steamer. He threw off the covers and swung his legs to the floor but made no effort to get up. Avoiding the Harpers became the main goal today. They’d be pulling into the dock at New Albany soon, so it was possible.
He lifted his head to stare at the wall. Rosemary’s beauty hadn’t waned a bit. No way around it, she appeared as gorgeous as he remembered. Blonde hair, blue eyes, flawless porcelain skin, the slight pout to her full mouth, and an eyebrow that had a tendency to lift as she twirled her lacy parasol. She wasn’t a short person, maybe medium build, with a tiny waist and that haughty way of carrying herself with her chin elevated.
Clad in the height of fashion, usually pastels, she displayed the manners of a high society lady. Rafe’s stomach tightened, as did his jaw. He still craved the sight of her, still cared for her, and at the same time detested her. He gritted his teeth. She was now married to Dale. Someone else’s wife.
Jubilee. What in the world had she thought about the Harpers? Particularly Rosemary, with her hands on his lapels. He ran a hand through his mussed hair. He and Jubilee had agreed to appear as a normal couple. Rosemary’s presence, however, would make that a difficult task.
He rose and dressed. No sense in making Jubilee wait. He steeled his innards against the inevitable meeting with the Harpers. Jubilee’s innocent eyes came to his mind. He knew Rosemary could eat Jubilee in one gulp. He had to protect her and himself. His best defense was his marriage.
Jubilee seemed subdued as they made their way to the Salon for breakfast. The rumor circulated that they’d be docking around ten o’clock. Rafe took a deep breath. The sooner the better.
They were seated without encountering hide nor hair of the Harpers, and Rafe relaxed a bit. He smiled at Jubilee, taking note of the fullness in her cheeks now. His gaze flicked to her dark hair, which shone like crystal. Never had he seen anyone with such shiny locks.
Many people frowned at her sun-darkened skin and sun-splashed hair, but he thought it gave her a healthy look. Her best feature, though, were those dark eyes, now looking quite puzzled as they gazed back at him. She differed so much from…his heart skipped a beat when he realized he was thinking of Rosemary.
“Is everything all right?” Jubilee’s brows drew together, and her lips pursed.
“Right as rain.”
Breakfast arrived with greasy gravy slung over hard biscuits, but they managed to polish off most of the meal and left the Salon in record pace. Rafe led Jubilee to the hurricane deck, hoping she wouldn’t mind the sun, given the early hour. They were the only ones on the top. He escorted her to a bench that would afford a wonderful panorama of New Albany once they came abreast of the curve.
“You’ll love the view from here,” Rafe said, almost convincing himself they weren’t simply hiding. It went down his gullet easier.
* * *
Jubilee opened her eyes and rubbed them with her fingers, taking a slow breath of air to awaken herself. She raised her head and realized they were still on the hurricane deck on the same bench. The sun’s rays shone bright, and her face grew warm. As she stretched her neck, something dawned on her. She’d been lying against his shoulder—asleep. Her eyes grew wide, and she covered her mouth with her hands. Glancing at him, she found him smiling and the sunlight caught the green in his hazel eyes.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
Rafe grinned. “Didn’t inconvenience me none. Look.”
He motioned ahead of them, and she noticed the steamer had slowed. Shielding her eyes with her hand, she saw the docks and scanned the houses and businesses along the banks.
“We’d better collect our satchels and get below.” He rose and assisted her. “The horn will soon go off and we don’t wanna be here when it does.”
They took the stairway and collected their baggage from their quarters. Rafe carried both of them in his right hand while she gripped his left, maneuvering through the crowd. The whistle blasted and Jubilee cringed, thankful not to be on the hurricane deck.
The captain skillfully slowed the huge ship to ease into the slope at the bank of the river, where several other steamers were beached. Excited chatter twittered all around and the throng pressed in from every side. By now, the heat had become oppressive. It took time to disembark on the dirt bank and climb to the wooden walk. Rafe hailed someone Jubilee couldn’t see and a shiver of apprehension shot through her.
A few moments later, the crowd parted and they were surrounded by a puddle of family, all talking, smiling, and hugging. Jubilee blinked and caught her breath, still not entirely awake. There were so many. Rafe pulled her toward two older people, the lady wiping her eyes and grinning at her already.
“This is my mother and father, Jennie and William Tanner.” Rafe introduced them. “And this is my wife, Jubilee.”
She smiled and was pulled into a hug by Rafe’s mother. “Oh, what a beautiful girl you are.”
Jubilee blinked. Beautiful? Then Rafe’s father embraced her, his height an obvious clue as to where Rafe had inherited his stature. Then the names began to fly, Everett, his wife Addie, with way too many kids, Forrest and Mollie, more kid names, then Anna and Amos, Phoebe, Isaac, Benjamin, Evanga-something and so many children running, jumping, and being held that Jubilee grew dizzy.
Then grandparents, Henry and Blanche Tanner, and Grandma Louisa, Jennie’s mother, leaning heavily on a cane. Jubilee moved to the edge of the crowd, her hand gripped in her skirt. Rafe pulled himself free from his father’s embrace and stepped to her, wrapping his arm around her back while he continued to talk. She hated to admit it, but his presence added a measure of security.
“We’ve brought our luggage, so maybe it’s best if we head to the house. I’m sure meeting everyone is a bit overwhelming for Jubilee.” Rafe chuckled.
“Oh, of course, dear. We are a bit much, I suppose. We’re so sorry.” Rafe’s mother wrapped her in another hug.
Jubilee breathed a sigh of relief as they moved off the busy platform. Horse-drawn buggies crisscrossed everywhere, but the Tanners wove confidently through the crowd, laughing and jostling the children.
She clung to Rafe, marveling at the easy atmosphere of the family. Grandpa Will swung one of the many smaller girls up in his big arms, thundering a laugh at her pouty expression.
“Never gonna get cherry pie with a face like that!” he teased before tickling the little girl. She burst into giggles and wiggles. Rafe seemed engrossed in full conversation on the state of his new farm with the eldest brother…Everett? Jubilee wasn’t totally sure. Sarah skipped to Jubilee’s left, eyes alight at every word Rafe spoke, punching in questions about his new place when she could. Jubilee swung her gaze around and noticed how tall the men were, and that most of the women were taller than she. Even Sarah towered half a head above her, and Jubilee remembered she was only sixteen.
Reaching the wagons, Jubilee learned they’d brought four. She and Rafe ended up in the driver’s seat of his mom and dad’s wagon, while they occupied the backseat. Sarah and a couple of the older children got in the back on a colorful quilt and made themselves comfortable, chatting and singing.
Rafe took a hold of the reins and gave a gentle slap on the backs of two fine black horses and they began rolling north. The road was busy with the docking of the steamer, and she surveyed the businesses that lined the main street while the Tanners talked.
Jubilee glanced at her husband, and he flashed an encouraging smile. Rafe’s father, Will, seemed abuzz about his son’s new farm, and Rafe’s eyes sparkled as he told him of the improvements he’d made since his arrival.
“The barn is one amazing building. You should see it, Dad. It’s one of the biggest I’ve seen. And it’s well built, all pegged together. I’ll have no problems getting the hay and feed stored for the winter. I’ll be able to house the cows and the young livestock on the coldest of days.”
Rafe continued talking about crops with his father for several minutes until his mother interrupted. “Now all this farm talk can wait, Rafe. I want to hear all about your sweet wife. Why, she’s hardly spoken a word, poor dear. Don’t you ever give her a chance to speak?” Jennie chuckled.
Jubilee turned wide eyes on him and he, taking pity on her, smiled and answered. “Well, Mom, she was just thrown in with about thirty strangers all loaded with questions and such, so I’m thinking she needs some time to warm up.”
“You must’ve had a whirlwind courtship, being as you were only gone from home a few months, Rafe. You left here so besotted with Rosemary, and the next thing we know you’re married.”
Rafe’s body stiffened. Ah, Rosemary. That explained a lot.
“Now, Jennie,” Will began, “no need stirring the pot before we even get them home. They’ll tell us when they’re ready.”
“Oh, Jubilee, don’t think I’m not thankful you’re here. I’m pleased as punch. Why that ole’ Rosemary…”
“Jennie,” Will’s voice rumbled.
This, however, did not put the woman off one bit. She leaned forward and patted Jubilee on the back.
“Oh, I’m sure it’s this way when you go home, Jubilee. We’re just all full of curiosity. I bet your folks are as curious about Rafe as we are about you.”
Rafe cleared his throat to speak, but in cut Jubilee’s quiet voice.
“Actually, I grew up in an orphanage in Pennsylvania. I don’t really know who my parents were.”
The silence thickened. Then Jennie answered softly. “Oh, I wasn’t aware. I’m truly sorry for butting in. Please forgive me.” She paused before continuing, “Well, I want you to know you’ve got a family now. If you ever need anything, you just ask.”
Jubilee’s hand buried itself in her skirt and began a nervous circle. This was going to be harder than she’d thought. Her mind rolled around as the rest of them conversed. They left the busy city behind as farmland surrounded them on both sides of the wagon. When they finally pulled into a long driveway, Jubilee noted a modest white house with a large porch, shutters at the windows and a nice-sized barn to the left, painted red.
They unloaded and everyone went their separate ways while Jennie chatted. She led them upstairs to a doorway on the right side of the hall.
“Now this was Rafe’s old room…well, the boys’ old room,” she amended. “You two can freshen up. We’ve got a big meal planned under the maples in the side yard. I guess I better get down there and help. We’ll give you both a couple of minutes.” She started for the door and suddenly stopped. “Oh. And a few people from the church may be stopping by toward evening. They all know you’re coming, so I thought I’d let you know.” She turned to them, gave a big smile, and dabbed her eyes. “I’m so pleased you’re here.”
She stepped from the room and snapped the door shut. Jubilee turned startled eyes on her business partner. Rafe seemed much larger in the confines of a small room. His face puckered in thoughtfulness.
“Well,” he brushed a big hand down his slightly bristled jaw. “I guess I didn’t think all this through.”
She glanced around the room. The bed to the left was large, with a trunk at the foot. Straight in front of them stood a dresser under the open window. A bedside table and a new chaise lounge to the right completed the furniture in the room. Jubilee froze. Good gracious, what now?
* * *
Rafe was all too aware Jubilee had become like a statue. His face grew warm. What must Jubilee be thinking? She couldn’t possibly think he’d planned this.
“I’m sorry, Jubilee. I honestly never gave much thought on the accommodations. I’d really rather not reveal the true state of our marriage if possible. That leaves us with sharing this room. I…” He picked up the satchels and set them on the settee and slid his hands into his pockets.
Glory, what to do now? What to say? “I’ll a…let you get ready and I’ll…” he cleared his throat, “do something else. Uh, I’m sorry.”
He strode to the door, stepped into the hallway and closed it with a click. Oh, lands, what a mess. Here he’d been congratulating himself for escaping Rosemary this morning. He’d gone from the pan to plop into the fire. Well, he supposed the chaise would be his bed for the duration. Short of telling his family about the arrangement, there was no other option.
He rubbed the back of his neck and took the stairs two at a time to join everyone, hoping Jubilee didn’t decide to rat him out. Not only would that stir up major complications and a flurry of pointed questions, but it’d get back to Rosemary and his former best friend, Dale. He’d already been made a fool once. He’d like to escape another round of that.
* * *
Jubilee inhaled a shaky breath and lowered herself to the chaise. The odd piece of furniture had only a back on one end and a long armrest along the backside. But Jubilee’s mind wasn’t on that so much as it was the sleeping situation. How was this going to work? Would she survive two weeks sharing this room with Rafe?
Telling his parents wouldn’t be an option. She had no desire to divulge the details of their marriage and its actual state. She gave a shuddering sigh and placed her hand on her throat. They’d have to share the room. Perhaps he could…. She glanced at the chaise. It was very small. Rafe was very large. She swallowed. Oh, dear.