The Jewel of His Heart (19 page)

In Lewistown, Juliana had retired for the evening, thoroughly satisfied with her room and with the proprietor and her daughters. She had found a new friend in Nellie, who reminded her of herself. She smiled, thinking that here it felt like a real home with a family. She sat with her feet curled up under her legs in the side chair, in her very own toile-decorated bedroom. She pulled the reading lamp closer and gingerly opened up Josh’s Bible. The smell of old paper and ink drifted from its parchment paper, not an unpleasant smell to her because she loved the smell of books. It felt peculiar to be holding something Josh had read, or, for that matter, lived by. Some of the pages had notations next to the verses.

Juliana had never owned a Bible, but her mother had quoted Scripture from memory. Many of their personal belongings, including their Bible, had been lost on their way to Lewistown, when their wagon had plunged into McDonald Creek and its contents were pulled downstream by the current.

Her eyes latched onto a Scripture underlined in Job 28:11: “He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light.” She wondered why he had this particular verse marked. What did it mean? She flipped through the Psalms, reading and feeling oddly at peace, until her eyes could barely stay open.

The Sabbath dawned bright and beautiful. Juliana dressed in the best blue dress she owned and carried her sunbonnet in her hand when she stepped to the stairway to join the others for breakfast. She wanted to pinch herself, she was so happy at this moment. Things were looking up! One thing was for certain: living here, Juliana would not go to bed hungry. Miss Margaret saw to that.

Breakfast smells enticed her as she entered the dining room to find Natalie and Louise already seated along with their mother. The homey scene of the table set with matching dishes, tablecloth, and napkins caused tears to form in Juliana’s eyes. In the table’s center was a beautiful rose pitcher and bowl. Such niceties Juliana had never been privileged to enjoy. Her room alone with its small reading area was more than she had ever hoped for.

“Good morning. Don’t you look nice.” Miss Margaret smiled approvingly at Juliana.

“Thank you, ma’am. It’s the only church dress I own.”

“It brings out the color of your eyes,” Natalie said.

“Thank you, Natalie.” Juliana took her seat with the others. She’d liked Natalie from the moment she had met her at the social club. Her sister, Louise, was a little shy and always spoke in a very soft voice.

“Is it all right if I walk to church with you ladies?” Juliana asked as she helped herself to pancakes and syrup.

Louise set her teacup down. “Of course you may. Reverend Carlson will be so happy to see you again. Where have you attended church before coming here?”

So innocently asked. Louise obviously knew nothing of why Juliana squirmed in her seat and made great pretense of slathering the butter on her pancakes before answering. “I wasn’t a member anywhere else. My parents moved a lot. Most of the time we worked six days a week, which didn’t leave us any free time.”

“Oh . . . I wasn’t trying to be nosy.” Louise poured more coffee for everyone.

“It’s okay, really. Albert invited me, and I told him I would come.”

“Our brother told us that he’d hired a young girl and that you were doing a terrific job,” Natalie said.

Juliana’s heart warmed at her comment. “I enjoy working with him, and I was grateful for the chance.”

“We’re very sorry for the loss of your mother. Have you no family left?” Miss Margaret asked, her eyes softening when she looked at Juliana.

“I’m afraid not.” She wasn’t going to tell them her father had abandoned them, but she figured the word had gotten around when her mother died and the Stocktons took her in.

“No matter, dear, you’ll have us now,” Miss Margaret said, patting her shoulder when she stepped to the sideboard for the cream. “I always wanted another daughter.”

“You do me an honor, Miss Margaret. I appreciate your genuine hospitality.” Juliana meant the words and hoped they conveyed her gratitude. Natalie looked over the rim of her cup at Juliana. “Are you going to be here for lunch?”

“No. I’m meeting a gentleman for lunch, but I’ll be back by suppertime.”

“Ooh, how divine. Do we know him, if you don’t mind my asking?” Natalie said.

Juliana’s lips twitched with amusement. “I don’t mind. His name is Josh McBride.”

“I don’t believe we know him,” Miss Margaret said.

“He’s a sheepherder.” She wanted to add that he had the most magnificent amber eyes and rich-sounding voice that caused her heart to flip-flop, but they would think her daft.

“I see,” was all Miss Margaret said.

Was that response disapproval? Juliana wasn’t sure.

“Sheep are very noisy, and their smell is disgusting,” Natalie said, wrinkling her nose as though the very odor had entered the room.

Juliana shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know that I’d agree. They have a peculiar musky smell, but they are sweet, gentle creatures, and Josh and his sheepherder, Andy, are really fine people.”

“I didn’t mean to imply that they weren’t,” Natalie quickly added. “I assure you, I was only speaking of the sheep. Sheepherding is the fastest growing industry in Montana.”

“I’m sure he’ll be quite successful then. Let’s finish our breakfast and clean up, or we’ll all be late for the service,” Miss Margaret said. “Juliana, do you know how to drive a team?”

“No, but I’m willing to learn if you’ll teach me.” She smiled.

“Louise can teach you. She’s quite skillful and has a way with horses,” Natalie said of her shy sister.

“Indeed?” Juliana threw Louise a warm smile, who blushed at the compliment. Reticent Louise. Who would have thought it? Juliana was beginning to think that life at the boardinghouse would not be dull—not dull at all—and she was looking forward to every moment.

22

Josh’s thick hair was neatly combed under his hat, and he was dressed in a dark woolen coat, a crisp white shirt, and a black string tie. He was uncomfortable in this Sunday getup. The collar felt tight, and the starch from his shirt scratched his thick neck, but he refrained from loosening the tie, wanting to look presentable when Juliana saw him. He wondered if Juliana had already arrived at church. He and Andy were already late getting there, and with all the rushing around this morning, it had put him in a strange dither.

Josh parked the wagon under a spreading cottonwood tree, where their lunch would be in the shade. Lots of wagons, buggies, and horses were parked in the church’s yard. Andy had ridden alongside the wagon in great spirits, chattering the entire way, probably with nervous anticipation of seeing the young gal he’d met the last time he’d attended church. Josh told him that he cleaned up good, hoping not to embarrass him, but Andy didn’t seem to mind at all. He tied his horse to the back of the wagon and slicked his hair down with his palm.

Josh stood outside the front of the white clapboard church, its bells pealing out across the valley as worshipers made their way inside. He gazed up at the white steeple that seemed to point the way toward heaven. It created a sharp contrast against the brilliant blue sky and the few puffy clouds.

“I think they must be inside,” he said. “Let’s go on in, the organ’s starting up.”

The door to the church stood open, and both men strode up the steps to a packed congregation inside. Andy found his friend and scooted in next to her. Josh scanned the crowd crammed like leaves in a tobacco tin for a glimpse of just one person. Why was it so packed? It wasn’t even Easter. As he looked a second time, he saw her. Juliana was sitting with two other young ladies and someone he figured to be their mother. He paused, looking down the pew and wondering if he should try to sit next to her. Their eyes caught and held briefly. Juliana shifted in her seat, but he felt a hand touch him from behind on the elbow. It was Marion.

“Josh, what a delight it is to see you. Come sit me with me. There’s lots of space,” Marion said, tugging on his coat sleeve. Before he could make a move, she latched on to his arm, pulling him toward the pew. He threw Juliana a helpless look, shrugged his shoulders, and sat down next to Marion. Juliana turned toward the altar as Reverend Carlson took his place at the podium.

“I want to welcome all of you this wonderful Sunday morning to our house of worship. And we want to do that right now— worship. Let’s turn to page 192, and I’ll lead us in this great hymn of faith.”

Josh knew Juliana was upset, but what was he supposed to do? The church pews were crowded. Marion opened her hymnal and held it out for them to share. Her smile was bright enough to light up a room.
Don’t go getting any ideas about me, Miss Redhead. I
only have eyes for one.
From where he was sitting, he could see Juliana’s dark curls escaping her bonnet, and her small shoulders set perfectly straight beneath her fetching blue dress. Now he felt bad that he hadn’t said no to Marion and forced himself between Juliana and her friend. Especially with Marion smiling at him like this.

Though a few windows were open, he was uncomfortably warm as the singing continued and wished he could slip off his coat. So much for being fresh when he had lunch with Juliana. Through his pants leg, he could feel Marion pressing against him, and he inched farther away.

Reverend Carlson was an effective speaker, and Josh had always enjoyed his sermons, but this morning he was having a bit of a hard time concentrating on what he said. He hadn’t been able to locate his Bible, so he couldn’t follow along with today’s Scripture reading. Marion quickly flipped open her Bible to 1 Thessalonians 5:18, holding it out so they could share, and he held one corner. The sermon topic was about being thankful no matter what happens because it is God’s will for those who belong to Christ.

The pastor’s voice was like a soothing balm, flowing from him in a rich baritone. “We need to trust when we don’t understand. Folks, God never changes, and His love for you never changes. We need to accept life’s circumstances with thanksgiving. That’s not always easy to do, is it?”

Josh saw Juliana glance over her shoulder to him as the pastor continued to speak, and he wondered what she might be thinking. Was she thinking about her own grief and situation?

At the conclusion, Reverend Carlson’s face took on a sympathetic look as he said, “Tell God what your needs are, and don’t worry about anything. Whether you’re currently living in sunshine or rain, He is there, ready to assist and give you comfort and peace.” Closing his Bible, the pastor bowed his head and dismissed them with prayer.

Everyone poured out of the church, greeting one another with a slap on the back or a handshake. Juliana followed Miss Margaret and her daughters out into the yard, and they stood talking with Cynthia and Esther.

“Juliana is my newest boarder, and we are delighted to have her, aren’t we, girls?” Miss Margaret said, beaming at her.

Cynthia nodded. “Yes, we’ve met.”

Esther forced a half smile. “Still working for the newspaper?”

Juliana noticed Esther’s emphasis on her job. “I certainly am, and I so enjoy working for Miss Margaret’s son.”

“Small world, isn’t it?” Esther said.

Miss Margaret’s bony hand grasped Juliana’s arm. “Isn’t it, though? But I believe Albert knew what he was doing when he hired an intelligent woman to help keep us all informed through newsworthy articles.”

Esther looked unconvinced. “Indeed.”

“Mother, we should hurry along so Juliana can go on her picnic,” Natalie reminded her.

Cynthia raised an eyebrow. “Picnic? With whom?”

As if Juliana couldn’t speak for herself, Louise answered, “She’s going with Josh McBride.”

“Really? Is that the man in question over there, engaged in an intimate conversation with Marion?” Cynthia asked.

“Thanks for reminding me, Louise. Yes, that’s Josh, and I don’t want to keep him waiting. See you all later.”

Leaving the ladies twittering behind gloved hands, Juliana gave a tiny wave of her hand and hurried across the grassy area to where Josh stood talking with Marion next to the wagon.

Clutching Josh’s Bible, her heart thudded as she approached him. “Hello,” she said, suddenly bashful. Had he asked Marion along? Three was a crowd. Maybe Juliana could make some excuse and go back to the boardinghouse. Suddenly she felt a little sick inside. Whatever was wrong with her?

The two stopped talking and turned to greet her. “I was waiting for you.” Josh smiled and took off his hat, revealing a mark clear around his thick head of hair like a permanent hatband. “Are you ready to go?”

Marion raised an eyebrow. “Going? Has someone invited you two to lunch? I was just about to do that. The chef has prepared a succulent goose with pearl onions and peas that would gratify any palate.”

Josh reached for Juliana’s hand to assist her into the wagon, and his hand felt warm and strong. “Not this time, Marion. We thought we’d take a ride while the weather is nice and have a picnic. But we sure appreciate your invitation.”

Juliana almost laughed but held herself in check, because the frown on Marion’s face looked pitiful. She felt a pang of sympathy for her friend.