A Moment in Time (20 page)

“Can I feel it?” he asked.

Marty sat back on the edge of the bed and positioned his hand on her stomach. Just then the baby shifted again, and Jake’s eye widened.

“Feisty little fella,” he declared.

“Could be a little filly,” Hannah said, smiling. “Either way, I think we’d better speed up our work on clothes for the baby.”

Alice read the last of her mother’s letters and sat back in her chair to take it all in. The truth was there on the pages. Her mother had loved her most dearly, had pleaded with Alice’s father to be allowed to come back into her daughter’s life—only to be rejected.

The letters written by Alice’s father had been brief and to the point. They were also ugly and heartless. He had threatened his wife with arrest and ruin if she so much as showed her face in Denver again. He threatened to take Simon from her and have the boy sent far away. He threatened to disappear with Alice so that she might never find either of them again. The words were heartbreaking. He even threatened her mother’s life.

Alice could scarcely believe her father’s cruel nature. How could he have been so loving toward her and so hateful toward them?

She decided to look through the rest of the papers and items in the bag. There was very little left to her. A small framed picture of Alice, a letter opener, and a pipe were all that remained of her father’s personal effects. The other papers proved to be notes he had made for himself and half-
written letters that were never finished. Then Alice spied the large envelope at the bottom of the bag. She took it up and wondered if the gold certificates were inside. Opening it, she found a single sheet of paper.

NEVER AGAIN
were the only words written.

She had no way of knowing if it was her father’s writing or someone else’s. The large block letters could have belonged to anyone. It was a mystery that would most likely go unresolved. One thing was quite clear, however. There were no gold certificates, plates, or other counterfeit materials. If there had been, they were long gone. Mr. Smith would never have what he sought, and hopefully that would include Alice’s whereabouts.

The night was perfect for a party. To celebrate Jake’s and Hannah’s birthdays they had cleared the Barnetts’ yard of obstructions, set up a half dozen tables, and made an area for dancing. Hannah and Alice had worked hard to place dozens of lanterns around the area. Some hung from the large cottonwoods, while others were affixed to the fence posts or positioned on creative stands. It definitely lent an air of something special to the party. Parties like this were always a time of great joy. Local ranchers gathered together and discussed the cattle business while their wives swapped recipes and gossip. And, of course, the children entertained one another with games of hide-and-seek and tag.

These
are the best folks in the world. Not one of
them needs to be cut from the herd.
Robert smiled and nodded greetings to the various people who caught his gaze. He loved it here. The heavy humidity of the day had lifted a bit, and now in the cool of the evening, these Texans were ready for a hoedown.

Robert’s stomach growled, and he had to admit that most
of his excitement centered around the food. His father and Tyler Atherton had decided to roast a pig, and the aroma of cooking meat had plagued him since yesterday. Not only that, but the tables were all but bowing from a bevy of dishes his mother, Marty, and Alice had worked to prepare. All of his favorites were present: cheesy grits, jalapeño corn bread, corn salad, and molasses baked beans, just to name a few. There were also at least a dozen pies of varying kinds and a chocolate pecan cake. Robert had eaten various renditions of the latter on many occasions and always found he could put away a good portion of the cake by himself.

Then there was the food other folks had brought to share. People had been gathering since early afternoon, and now there were probably eighty or so spread out across the yard, dancing to the tunes the musicians were playing. Inevitably when there was a party, those who were musically inclined knew to bring their instruments without being asked. Tonight they had three guitars and two fiddles. They made for a nice little band and as soon as the skies had grown dark and the lanterns had been lit, they’d begun to play.

Someone took the opportunity to call a square dance, and the crowd split up into paired couples and then squares of eight. Robert decided to take that opportunity to help himself to the food table.

“I don’t suppose you’ve had a chance to speak to Jess yet, have you?” Robert looked up to find Tyler Atherton with plate in hand.

“No, sir. Not yet, but I will.” Robert helped himself to a large slice of the roasted pig. “I figure to get her alone tonight and explain it. That way she can have friends around to take her mind off of the matter.”

“Could be she’ll be all the more embarrassed for it,” Mr.
Atherton replied, “but I trust you to be as easy on her as possible.”

“Absolutely. I care very much for her.” Robert continued heaping food on his plate as Tyler dug into the roasted pig.

Earlier that day he’d managed to speak to Mr. Atherton by himself. Pulling him away from the roasting pig, Robert had spoken his mind. Tyler Atherton had listened without interruption.

“I love Jess,” he’d said, “but not in a way that would lead us to marriage. She’s like a little sister to me. I would do anything to keep her safe and protected. I would give my life for her, Mr. Atherton, but I cannot marry her.”

Mr. Atherton hadn’t seemed at all surprised. Robert had always known the man to be rather casual in the way he dealt with life, but he was, in fact, quite astute.

“You’re in love with the Chesterfield gal, aren’t you?” he’d asked. Robert couldn’t deny it and Atherton nodded. “I could see it in your eyes—the way you look at her. Reminded me of how I felt about Carissa. You know, I want exactly that for my Jessica, and if it’s not to be with you, then I want her set free to find that person.”

Now all Robert had left to do was break the news to Jessica.

The opportunity to do just that came some time later, after Robert’s second plate of food. Eating with some of the older ranchers, Robert enjoyed their stories of cattle drives to Kansas and the hardships of days gone by. Reluctantly, he got to his feet and searched the dancers for Jessica. She didn’t seem to be among them. He was about to take his search to where the other women had gathered when Jessica approached him to ask for a dance.

“They’re playing a waltz,” she said with a coy smile. “Wouldn’t you like to dance with me?”

All evening Robert had avoided Alice, but now with Jessica standing before him, it was Alice that he longed to dance with. He took hold of Jess and led her toward a quiet spot under a tall sugarberry tree. “We need to talk.”

Jessica looked up at him. “Talk?” She gave a tug and broke free of his hold. With great flourish, Jessica whirled in a circle, her skirt splaying out around her. “Isn’t this the most beautiful gown? It’s perfect for dancing, and I want to dance.”

“I know, but this can’t wait.” Robert knew what needed to be said, but finding a way to do it gently was harder than he’d thought. “Jess, I’ve been trying to talk to you for a long while now, but you won’t hear me out. I talked to your pa this morning—”

Her face lit up. “To ask for my hand? How wonderful!” She looped her arm through his. “And now you’ve brought me away from the crowd to propose. This is perfect. We can announce it tonight.”

He pulled free and took hold of her shoulders. “No! Listen to me, Jessica. I am not going to marry you.” He hadn’t meant for the words to come out so harsh. He softened his tone. “I will always care about you. Like I told your pa, I would even give my life for you. You’re like a member of my family—a little sister who I dearly love. But, Jess, I’m not in love with you.”

“But you love me, and out of that a deeper love can grow,” she said, smiling.

Robert shook his head. “No, Jess. It’s not going to grow deeper.”

Jessica lost her smile and fixed him with a stare. “You love her—that scar-faced mousy blonde. You love her, don’t you?”

“It’s not like you to belittle those less fortunate than you,” he reprimanded.

“You love her, don’t you?” she pressed.

For a moment Robert didn’t say anything. He didn’t want to declare his love of Alice to Jessica. What he felt was private and personal. He needed to speak with Alice and share his thoughts with her—not Jess.

“Answer me, Robert. You love Alice Chesterfield.”

“I do,” he said, blowing out a heavy breath. “I didn’t start out to fall in love with her. I wanted to be her friend and help her adjust to life in Texas. I had no notion of anything else. The love just happened.”

“But not for me,” she said, her voice cracking slightly. “Why can you love her . . . and not me?” A single tear slid from her eye, and Robert reached out to touch it. In the lantern light it glistened for a moment and then faded. She bit her lower lip and said nothing more.

“But I do love you, Jess. Just not that way. Falling in love is a matter of the heart. You can’t force it.”

“I didn’t think you’d have to,” Jessica replied. “I thought . . . well . . . I’m pretty.”

“Jess, it has nothing to do with looks. You’re a beautiful woman. You’re smart and talented—everything that a man could want.”

“But not for you.”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Jess.”

She lifted her chin, appearing to regain some of her steam. “Not as sorry as you’re gonna be.” She sniffed. “You’ll see. I’ll make someone a wonderful wife, and we will travel and be wealthy. I’ll be the most beautiful woman in Texas, and he will be the handsomest man.”

Instead of making Robert jealous, as he was sure she was trying to do, he smiled and nodded. “I bet you will be. I hope
that for you and so much more. I still want us to be friends, Jess. We’re practically family.”

She started to walk away but then turned back. In her expression Robert saw hurt mingled with anger. “I don’t want to be friends with you, Robert Barnett. I’d rather have a rattlesnake for a friend.” She stormed off in a huff.

Robert might have chuckled at her reference to the snake if it hadn’t been such a serious moment. He watched Jessica approach one of the local rancher’s sons. Apparently she asked him to dance, because he willingly followed her to the area where other couples were doing a reel.

“She’ll be all right,” Tyler Atherton said, coming up behind Robert.

“I hope so. I sure don’t like lettin’ her down, hurtin’ her.”

“I heard everything you said, Robert. It takes a big man to be honest in the face of such a thing. I’m proud of you for treatin’ her with respect.”

Robert looked at the older man. “Thanks. That means a lot comin’ from you. My pa says he doesn’t respect anybody’s opinion more than yours.”

Atherton smiled. “We’ve been friends a long time—gone through a lot together. I feel the same way about your pa.” He slapped Robert’s back. “And I have a feeling I will always think highly of you, as well. I would have liked havin’ you for a son-in-law.” The older man squared his shoulders. “Now, come on back to the party. There’s still more cake, and I have a mind to get me another piece.”

Robert laughed. “I can definitely see the benefit of that.”

“How are you feelin’?” Jake asked Marty. He knew she’d been worried about him ever since he’d been kicked. He knew
that it compounded her worries that he would die like her first husband. “You know I’m concerned that you aren’t takin’ it easy enough. I know you’re thinkin’ you gotta get things done because the baby will probably come sooner than August, but you can’t do everything.”

“I know,” Marty replied. “I’m trying to be cautious and take things slow, but there is a great deal to oversee. As for how I feel, I’m a little tired, but otherwise fine. The real question is how do you feel? You know I think it’s much too early for you to be out here carrying on with the others.”

“Even your sister said I was doin’ fine, and it’s not like I’m up there square dancin’. Marty, you gotta stop worryin’ about everythin’.” He put his hand on her stomach. “For the sake of our children, if not for yourself.”

“I can’t help it. I love you so very much. I don’t want to lose you.” She stared off at the dancers and musicians. “I know that you’re in God’s hands, but—”

“But?” Jake interrupted. “But God isn’t big enough to handle this? But God won’t give you your own way all the time? Grief, Marty, you either trust Him or you don’t. I’m not sayin’ that we won’t have doubts about Him, but I am sayin’ that we don’t need to. We know He’s faithful.” He turned her to face him. “Marty, if I drop over dead tomorrow, will you stop lovin’ God again?”

She still wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I . . . don’t know. I don’t like to think I would.” She shook her head. “I’d like to say my faith is strong enough to get me through anything, but I know better.” Finally she raised her gaze to his. “I’m a coward.”

Jake chuckled. “Marty, there’s no one less cowardly in the world. You are a strong woman, but unfortunately, you think it’s your own strength that makes you so. It isn’t. We don’t do a thang in our own strength, Marty.”

“You’re sounding more and more like a Texan and less and less like a banker,” she told him.

He nodded. “That’s who I am, Marty. You gotta let me be who I am. And, you’re gonna have to let our boys be who they are.”

“Our boys?” She smiled. “So you already plan for a houseful of boys?”

“Didn’t you want to adopt three of ’em?”

Recognition dawned on her. “You mean you’d be willing?”

“I love children, Marty. I love the idea of helpin’ those needy ones. If you love those children, then I know I’ll love ’em, too. I want you to wire Mr. Brentwood and have them sent down on the train.”

She threw her arms around Jake’s neck. “Oh, thank you. Thank you so much! I’ve missed those boys more than I can say. I really want them to be a part of our family.”

Jake kissed her soundly on the mouth and smiled. “Then that’s what I want, too.”

Marty reached up and touched the smaller bandage Hannah had put on Jake’s wound. “I’ll try to be accepting and understanding. I really want to trust God more.”

“Then do it, Marty. You’ve always been a woman who went after what she wanted.”