The Trouble with Patience (22 page)

At one end of Wallace Street, Jedediah left with his prisoner, and at the other end, Patience watched from her porch as the funeral procession for John Hargrove began to form. She'd been waiting for Judith to come downstairs, and Cody had offered to drive them to the cemetery overlooking a hill where the more “respectable” people were buried. She heard the door behind her open and Judith walked out dressed in full black mourning attire, including a black hat whose veil covered her still-swollen eyes.

Cody stepped down to help the ladies into the carriage. After they were seated, he asked, “Anybody else from here going?”

“No. Emily is going to have a light meal ready for anyone who would like to extend their condolences to Judith after the burial.”

“That's a nice thing to do,” he said with a nod as he climbed back up in his seat and picked up the reins.

Judith dabbed her eyes underneath the veil. “You and Emily
have been just like family to me, Patience. I don't know what I would've done without you.”

Patience patted Judith's arm. “You'd do the same for me, I'm sure.”

Cody clicked at the horse and steered it in behind the hearse headed to the cemetery just down the dirt road a ways. Patience found herself hoping Jedediah would be back from his delivery of Nathan in time to have a bite to eat with everyone. She was proud of the way he'd responded last night, how he diffused a volatile situation. But she was even more impressed when Cody showed up. The man's forgiveness of Jedediah surprised and delighted her at the same time. She could hardly wait to see Jedediah again, to talk with him about everything that had happened in such a short time.

After they arrived at the cemetery, Monty slowly walked over to Patience, head down and twisting his hat in his hands. “Miz Patience,” he began, “I guess—well, I sure got caught up in the moment with the crowd last night. I was enraged about John's death, 'long with everybody else. I reckon I was outta line. I sure hope Jedediah will understand and will—will still be speaking to me.” Monty had dark circles under his eyes. Probably hadn't slept much.

Patience wasn't sure what to say, so she simply nodded.

Reverend King from Virginia City had come to preside over the funeral, and the crowd of people who were there to honor John Hargrove watched silently as the casket was lowered into the ground.

“Dust to dust . . .” And the all-too-familiar words hung over them while Judith sobbed quietly, Patience's arm around her.

Though Jedediah failed to get back in time for the luncheon, in Patience's estimation the cemetery service and the meal at the boardinghouse had gone well. Judith held up as reasonably as could be expected.

When the guests had departed, Judith told Patience that she'd decided she was ready to go home. “I think I want to be alone now. I can't thank you enough for all you've done, both you and Emily.”

Patience nodded and took the woman's hand in both of hers. “I certainly understand.”

Monty, still looking a bit sheepish, stepped forward from the hallway. “I'd be happy to bring you back, Miz Judith.” At her nod, he turned to Emily. “How 'bout you ride along with us, and I'll bring you back. With everything going on lately, it'll give us time to catch up. That okay with everybody?”

“Perfectly fine, Monty,” Judith said.

Emily glanced at Patience.

“Certainly, she can go,” Patience agreed. “Almost everything has been picked up and washed and put away.” Patience patted Emily's arm, and Emily shot her a bright smile, hurried to hang up her apron, and grabbed a light wrap.

No sooner had Patience settled in the parlor, removed her shoes, and propped her feet on a footstool, than the doorbell rang. She was sure her guests were out or up in their rooms. In stocking feet she padded to the door and checked through glass panes. Jedediah stood there, a smile greeting her as soon as she opened the door. “Come in, Jed. I was hoping you'd make it back for the luncheon after John's funeral, but
everyone has left now. Maybe we can find something for you in the kitchen.”

She didn't say anything more when she saw Jedediah looking down at her feet, and she put one behind the other, trying to hide them. She didn't have small feet, and it embarrassed her to have him notice them.

He simply chuckled and held out his hand to her. “I see you're getting comfortable. Shall I come back another time?”

She felt her face warm, but she took his hand. “No, please stay. I left my shoes in the parlor. Follow me.”

“Please don't put them on for me. I'm sure you must be tired.”

“No more tired than you no doubt are.” She noticed shadows under his eyes, and he hadn't had a shave, but he was still handsome to her. “Did you turn Nathan over to the authorities? I hope you had no trouble with him. He does have a good side, believe it or not.”

“Yes, he was placed in a cell until a hearing, and more than likely a trial. One for cattle rustling and one for murder.” Patience motioned toward the settee, and both took a seat on it. “I won't stay long, Patience, because I'm tired. Where's Judith?” He leaned back, his head resting against the wall, and closed his eyes.

“Judith decided to go back to the ranch,” Patience told him. “I couldn't blame her for wanting to get away from all the well-wishers and be alone right now.” Patience reached over to pat his arm, and he cocked an eye at her. “Yes, you are weary, I can see,” she told him.

“But looking at you is probably just what I need,” he answered with a grin and covered her hand on his arm with his.

“Monty asked Emily to ride along,” she explained as she
straightened and pulled her hand back to her lap. “They'll return soon, I imagine. Would you like me to get a plate of food for you?”

“Nah,” he drawled. “I don't need food as much as some time to look at you.”

She laughed softly, her face coloring. “Looking at me isn't going to—”

But Jedediah had taken her hand back and was looking at the palm. “You have hardworking hands, Patience, but they are beautiful.” He placed a kiss in the calloused palm and gently placed her hand back in her lap.

Patience looked at this man who had at first seemed so rough and unpleasant, so utterly opposite the kind of man she'd thought she would find appealing, and she marveled at the change . . .
in him, or in me?
she wondered. She noticed his strong jaw, the care in his eyes—and maybe something more.

He smiled at her, straightened, and said, “I'm going to go get some sleep, my dear. Looks like you'd appreciate some rest yourself.”

She smiled in return. “To tell you the truth, I might enjoy a little nap before it's time to fix supper.” She thought they both might like to stay right where they were, but she moved to stand.

Jedediah was standing, and he reached to pull her up too. “All right, then. I hope I'll see you tomorrow.”

She walked him to the door. “Thanks for stopping by. I was worried about you, alone with Nathan and all, and I'm proud of you for not releasing Nathan to the crowd.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Really?”

She nodded.

“Then I'm a lucky man.” He squeezed her hand and walked
out to the steps, then turned to tip his hat with another smile. He strolled down the sidewalk, whistling.

She leaned dreamily against the doorjamb and watched until he was lost in the crowd.
He forgot to
pay me for the boxed lunches!
she thought with a little grin.
He'll have to come back tomorrow.

It was proving to be a fine morning, and Patience was in great spirits as she walked up the street to The Star Bakery. She planned to fill her basket with Hannah's baked goods for her boardinghouse guests.

Creekside was doing wonderfully well, and she was proud of the changes she and Emily had been able to accomplish—without much cash, but with ingenuity and hard work. All of it no doubt was helping them keep the rooms full.

Partnering with Emily had turned out to be the best thing that could've happened, but from the looks of her friendship with Monty, the young woman wouldn't be at the boardinghouse much longer. Of course, Patience was happy for Emily but wasn't sure how she would manage without her.

Patience opened the bakery door, and the bell tinkled a welcome. Hannah seemed happy to see her and hurried from behind her counter to give Patience a hug. “Well, my, but aren't you looking well and happy today?”

“Yes, I am, but you seem unusually cheerful yourself, Hannah.” Patience leaned back to look into her friend's face. “Now, maybe you and Joe—?”

“You might say we've become attached,” Hannah put in, her face flaming. She placed her hands on her cheeks and
chuckled. “I told him as long as he continues to stay away from the bars, there might be a future for us in our old age,” she said with another chuckle.

“Old? You're not old, and if Joe can put that glimmer in your eyes, then I say congratulations.” Patience hugged her back and placed her basket on the counter.

“Looks like you plan to shop,” Hannah said.

“I'm here for your cinnamon rolls for dessert tonight. I thought I'd give my residents a special treat, and it might even be good for your business too,” Patience said with a smile.

“Oh, dear, I appreciate that, but how many will you be needin'?”

“A dozen will do,” Patience answered.

“I'll go to the kitchen and see what I have.” Hannah hurried behind the curtain to her baking area, eventually bringing back a bag of the rolls. “There's only ten, but I could bake another dozen if you want to come back.”

Patience furrowed her brow in thought. “Actually, they're so large I believe I could slice them in half.”

“That should work. Now tell me, do you know if everything went all right with Jedediah and his prisoner?”

“Yes, Hannah, it did. We still don't know who murdered John, but Jed believes that Nathan probably knows who it was, even if he didn't do it himself. I was proud of the way Jed handled everything, and since I was stuck in the marshal's office for a while, we talked over a lot of things. It turns out Jed used to be a part of a secretive Montana vigilante committee, and he gave the order to hang Russell, the man I might have married. Nathan is Russell's brother, and they both turned to rustling cattle till Russell got caught. Nathan got away, and he's one of those who stole John's cattle.”

“You don't say?” Hannah cocked her head, but something about her expression made Patience take a step back.

“Hannah, did you
know
?”

“I—I'm afraid I did, Patience,” the woman answered, her voice full of contrition. “But I felt it was best to let you find out your own way. Besides, I wasn't sure you had come to terms with Russell's death. Please don't be angry with me. I was only trying to protect your heart.”

From
whom, Jedediah or Cody?
Patience felt a surge of anger. Hannah had no right—