Pioneer Love: Damaged Hearts Head West: Mail Order Bride 5 Bundle (10 page)

Chapter 6

Ryan repositioned himself so he was sitting in front of her. That was such glorious news. Then he stopped himself, how could he think such a thing when she was suffering so.

He looked at her with such concern in his eyes that Jolene found herself confessing the whole thing to him. Confessing the reason she had fled from home and the reason she never wanted to go back. Every time Anna had asked her about Jonathan it had taken all her strength to not shrink back and scream. Yet the words came easily to this stranger, this handsome man, when she could not tell them to her best friend. "I was madly in love with Jonathan,” she said thought her voice was merely a whisper, “and he with me.”

Ryan leaned forward and there was something in his eyes that made her continue. It was gallantry or courage or something and it pushed her onwards.

“Even though we were courting we would sneak off to meet each other and be with one another without the pressures of society and rules. A few months before Anna left to meet you, Jonathan finally proposed and we let everyone know that we were in love and soon to be married. The first month was spent happily and we were preparing for the wedding, but then he started to want more from me now that we were engaged. I kept telling him that once we were married I'd be his forever and there was no rush. I thought he understood and agreed with me but a week before I came here he...." Tears fell from her eyes and she choked up, but it felt so good to finally say out loud what had happened to her that she continued. "...he took me into the woods for some alone time, as he put it. We were sitting together having a nice afternoon all alone when he started kissing me. We had kissed a few times before but this time was different. There was an urgency about him… and he kept… even when I pushed him away and told him to stop. It was then that he.... he hit me. I tried to run, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back and then… and then…" The tears were falling in earnest now and she couldn't continue.

Ryan had never felt so shocked and sick in his entire life. This courageous woman sobbed before him. It was obvious that she was trying so hard to be strong. What could he do to help? His first instinct was to find this Jonathan and to rip his head off his shoulders. But that would not help Jolene now. Softly he reached out a hand to comfort her but she shrank away as though a snake were coming to attack. He hastily withdrew his hand. "He… he...” Ryan could not say the words, could not make her hear them. This poor woman had been beaten and soiled in the eyes of society. No wonder she came out here to hide. Anger surged through him and it took everything he had to not scream and shout. “What kind of a sick man couldn't wait a month for his own marriage!” he said through gritted teeth. “I could kill him right now! Does Anna know about this?"

Jolene sat up and taking the handkerchief he offered she wiped away her tears. "No, and I don't want to tell her about what happened to me either,” she said her head held high her lip quivering. “Frankly, I don't even know why I told you but I trust you not to tell anyone. It is bad enough that I have been soiled but if anyone found out… I could not live with the shame and I would either have to marry Jonathan or stay a spinster for the rest of my life.”

“That is ridiculous,” Ryan said and he could feel the fury building up inside. He must control it for all that mattered now was Jolene. “Understand me now. You have a home here for as long as you want, but you should tell Anna. She is your friend she will understand and help you.”

Jolene shook her head. “Anna always looked up to mine and Jonathan's relationship and I don't want her to know what he did. Will you please keep this secret for me?"

Ryan looked at her; his fury was under control but barely. Now all that mattered was that he made her feel safe and he would do this for her. He would do anything for her. "You have my word but don't you think it would be better for you if you told her. You'd have someone to talk to about it."

"I just talked to someone about it, you. And I feel much better now that it's out there.”

He watched as she kept her back straight and he thought he had never seen anyone so brave in his entire life. How much he wanted to pull her to him and tell her everything was all right.

“I thank you for listening,” she said with hardly a quiver in her voice. “More than that I thank you for not saying I'm used goods or disgusting in your eyes."

Anger surged through him and once again he wanted to rip Jonathan’s head clear off his body. But she was right there were many who would think that. He had to protect her, had to let her know he would never feel that way. "Don't ever say such things about yourself,” he said in the gentlest voice he could muster. “You are not used goods or any such thing and if I ever get my hands on that piece of scum, he won't walk away."

Despite the dire situation, a smile appeared on Jolene’s face. "All right, tough guy,” she said. “I could not ask for a more gallant man, but now it's time to head home, don't you think."

Ryan felt a touch of loss. He did not want to go back but wanted to stay here and talk some more. Wanted to find out all about her and what she wanted. But it was too late she had already got up.

Dusting down her dress she untied Lighter.

“Let me help you on,” he said and held out his hand. Jolene flashed him her hazel eyes put a delicate boot on his hand and sprung lightly into the saddle.

She waited until he had Bella untied and then looked over her shoulder. "Race you back," she called and with that she took off.

As Ryan jumped into his saddle and put his heels into Bella’s side, he noticed she was giggling and looked much more carefree than she had in a long while.

When they finally made it home in time for dinner, they were out of breath and laughing together as if the entire world were one big joke.

Anna saw the horses come back in and walked down to the stables to meet them. “Dinner is ready,” she called and then she noticed Jolene's dirty skirt. “Come,” she said taking her friends hand. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

When they were safely tucked away in her bedroom, Anna could wait no more. Ever since Jolene had come back something was different. But today she had her old confidence back or almost back. "There's something different about you today," Anna said expecting her friend to confide her secret.

Jolene laughed. "Don't be silly,” she said looking a little sad again. “There is nothing different about me. You're just seeing things and fixating on anything so you don't have to think of your father leaving tomorrow."

"Hmm, I guess you must be right," Anna mused. "I don't want Papa to leave and I've asked him to stay, but he insists on going back and keeps saying that he's dawdled long enough. I wonder what that is all about."

"Must be Mrs. Hawkins. The two of them were rather chummy at your wedding,” Jolene said.

“Really?” Anna asked. “No, I cannot believe that of my father. He is so stuck in his ways I cannot ever see him marrying again.

“You are right,” Jolene said. “Now, let's go back to dinner already. The men must be waiting for us and your father needs all the time he can get with you." And with that, they left to join their dinner party.

Chapter 7

The next day after they had all said their goodbyes' to Mr. Montgomery, Anna planned to spend some time with Jolene. To finally catch up and just talk about all she had been missing. When she turned around Ian was stood there with two bags.

“What is going on?” Anna asked.

“We are going to our cabin, Ian said. It is by a lake, very secluded and very romantic.”

Anna felt herself go weak at the knees but then she looked at Jolene. “I can’t,” she said. “My friend has come all this way to be with me. I can’t just leave her all alone.”

The look on Ian’s face was comical and almost enough to change Anna’s mind. That was when Jolene took her hands.

“Look at me,” Jolene said.

Anna pulled her gaze off the injured face of her husband and looked at her best friend.

“Go,” Jolene said. “I am happy to stay here a few days, read, ride, and just enjoy the countryside. “Go for me and be happy.”

Anna bounced on her feet. “Really,” she asked.

“Yes go and be happy.”

Anna hugged Jolene and then she turned and limped to the waiting carriage. Ian offered her a hand and she climbed aboard.

“How could I be so lucky,” she said to Ian as he jumped aboard.

“I am the lucky one Ian said.

Jolene watched the carriage pull away and part of her wanted to run after it. Part of her wanted to tell Anna all that had happened, but she knew she never would. How could she spoil her friend’s memories? Now she was alone with Ryan and part of her wanted that as much as she wanted to chase after Anna. What was wrong with her?

The two of them stood at the front of the house watching the dust where the carriage had been. There was an awkward silence for a minute before Jolene turned. "Well, I guess I'm off to the little library to find something to read," she said.

"Miss Jolene,” Ryan said. “Would you like to accompany me in receiving our new guests? The stage is coming in and they will be arriving shortly? If you're not busy, that is, of course." His neck went slightly red as he said this.

Jolene found a smile creeping onto her face at his embarrassment. How could such a big strong man be embarrassed in front of a little, soiled thing like her? Unless that was it, maybe he didn’t really want her there. Her face dropped and she wanted to turn away.

“Whatever you are thinking you are wrong,” Ryan said. “Come help me out and let me show you the ropes.”

How could she doubt this man? He had shown her nothing but courtesy. "I'd be delighted to. Thank you, Mr. Ryan."

They went to the reception area where Ryan showed her the basic workings of the day, starting with the bookkeeping.

“That is it,” he said as he closed the ledger “I’m a little out of practice. Since Anna and Ian announced their engagement I have let Ian run the boarding business and I have worked on the ranch.”

“I should have know you were a cowboy,” Jolene said.

Ian flashed his big green eyes and gave her a smile that made her stomach turn over. “And why is that?” he asked.

Jolene could not believe that she was feeling so much like herself. It was as if she could be another person out here and she did not want to go home. “Because you are a little rough around the edges,” she said.

Ryan opened his mouth to reply just as the first guests started to arrive.

Giving them his best smile he receiving them in style, winking at Jolene  when no   one was looking. Then he gave them all the tour, eventually sending them to their allocated rooms with one of the servants.

Jolene enjoyed watching him. How he smoothed down the feathers of the difficult customers and made the shy ones feel valued.  After the tour she suggested a few ideas on how to better the service. Ryan smiled at her a lot and Jolene found herself returning the smile. This man was easy company and she was not nervous with him. That in itself was a major breakthrough for her. After her incident with Jonathan she had been afraid to be alone with any man, maybe she had been wrong. Maybe not all men were bad.

When all the guests were settled they stopped by the activity room.

Ryan had noticed the piano several times as he had given the tour and this time he couldn't help but stop by it. "Miss Jolene, I was wondering if you'd be up to playing the piano for a bit."

Jolene looked up into his hopeful eyes and couldn't turn him down so instead she smiled and nodded her head. "I'd love to Mr. Ryan." She took a seat and began to play. Melodious, melancholy music gushed from her fingers to the keys and from there reached Ryan's ears. Her eyes were closed and she seemed to have gone into a trance as she played, her body swaying to the tune, her fingers flawless as they played.

Ryan could not help but stare at this magnificent sight in front of him. She was beautiful, magical and a ball of sunshine. He could not believe that someone would be stupid enough to throw a lifetime with her away and his blood boiled at the thought of what that monster had done to her. He swore to himself that as long as she was under his roof, he would protect her from any harm.

The music came to an end and Jolene played the last notes, a tear rolled from the corner of her eye and traced a sad line down her cheek. The last key was struck, the last note played and finally she opened her eyes as if waking from a daze.

Her eyes turned to Ryan's green ones and the way he stared at her was enthralling. A ferocity streamed from his eyes, but instead of scaring her she found it calling to her in a strange yet familiar way. Heat chased up her neck and across her cheeks. And then the fear was back, quickly she got up from the bench and put some distance between them. "Well, that's it for now,” she said. “I think we should head to the reception and see if anyone needs anything."

Ryan shook his head slightly as if with wonder. "That was beautiful, Miss Jolene. You have a rare talent."

"Thank you, Mr. Ryan, but we really must go check up on our guests," and she headed out the door with Ryan in tow, still slightly under the spell her playing had put on him.

They went out to the reception and making sure that none of the guests needed anything and that the books were up to date, they retired to the family living room. There they sat for hours, discussing music, art, books, food, and anything else that struck their fancy. Jolene felt herself in a kaleidoscope of emotion. One minute she felt safe with this man the next she remembered Jonathan and the way he punched her stomach. She knew her face was showing her distress and silently thanked Ryan when he did not mention it.