Train Station Bride (12 page)

Jake drove Julia home in his wagon and left the rest of the men to finish the day’s work late afternoon. She was clinging to the seat, he imagined, too dog-tired to sit up on her own.

“What in God’s name have you been doing, Julia Shelling?” Flossie asked as she held open the back door.

“Bringing in corn,” Julia said breathlessly and slid into a chair.

Flossie stirred the potatoes on the stove. “What did my brother have to say about that?”

“He wasn’t too happy,” Jake said as he came into the kitchen. He walked to his wife, barely in her chair and lifted her hand. “These blisters will need broken.”

“I wanted to help,” Julia said and accepted a cool glass of water from Millie. The liquid ran down her chin and onto the front of Jake’s shirt.

“I put clean water in your room. Go wash. You’ll feel better,” Flossie said. She shooed Julia till she began up the steps.

“What were you thinking, Jake. Letting Julia work out there. She’s no farm girl,” Flossie chided.

“She wouldn’t listen to me. I told her twenty times to get on home.” Jake plopped down on a chair. “She feels bad ‘cause she thinks this is her fault.”

Flossie turned from the stove. “What’s her fault?”

Jake shared Julia’s suspicions. “She’s convinced this Smith character’s behind my losing hands.”

“None of that would surprise me from what Julia’s told me of her family. She’s scared to death you’re going to take an offer from her father and send her home to Boston.” Flossie turned to face Jake. “You know that’s why she jumped in your bed her first day here.”

“I know. She told me.” Jake slowly rose to his feet at a knock at the front door. “I wonder who that is? If it’s that Smith fella, he’s in for a lot worse than getting thrown out on his ass.”

Jake recognized Julia’s mother immediately. Similar features and exactly the same hair color. That was where the similarities ended. For every soft quality of Julia’s face her mother’s contrasted with a hard edge. Her father was mid-fifties, well-dressed with dark hair only slightly gray at the temples. They looked like the people on the front of the new Montgomery Wards catalog.

“May I help you?” he asked.

* * *

Julia was so bone tired; she didn’t think she could move. But she was hungry, too. She lay flat back on her bed while her stomach rumbled. She’d never fall asleep like this. Julia peeled off the work boots, washed her hands and face and pulled back her knotted hair with a string. She would eat some stew with Jake and Flossie and fall into bed in an hour. At the top of the steps Julia heard Jake speaking to someone in the front hallway.

“Well, she’s lying down. You can visit her tomorrow.”

“Which room is hers? I’ll go see her myself.”

Julia sat down on the step when her knees gave out. Her mother was here.

“Why don’t you at least ask these folks if they want a drink or to sit a spell?” Flossie said.

“The serving girl seems to have more sense than Julia’s husband,” William Crawford said.

And her father, too, now referring to Flossie as the serving girl. Julia stood straight and prepared herself. She was no longer under their control. She was Jake’s wife, she chanted. Julia glided down the steps from the landing as if in a ball gown.

“Mother, Father. What a surprise.”

“Good Lord, Julia. What are you wearing?” Jane Crawford asked.

William Crawford turned his ire on Jake. “You have my daughter working as a field hand?”

“I helped in the fields today. Mr. Smith paid off Jake’s hands to leave in the middle of harvest,” Julia said. Her insides were churning, and she felt as if she were twelve-years-old but she was determined not to let her parents see her anguish. Julia slipped her arm through Flossie’s. “This is my sister-in-law. Flossie. Have you met my husband?”

“Get your things, Julia. You’ve caused your mother considerable worry. And change clothes, for God’s sakes. You’ll not be getting on the train with us looking like a field hand,” William said.

Jake started to laugh. “You people are amazing. Do you think you can waltz into my house and tell my wife to pack her things?”

“We’re saving you considerable embarrassment, Mr. Shelling. And you’ll certainly be compensated for your trouble,” Jane Crawford said and smiled. She turned to Julia. “Come along, Julia. This nonsense has gone on long enough.”

“What are you talking about? What embarrassment?” Flossie asked.

Jane Crawford looked Flossie up and down and lingered long enough on Flossie’s scar to cause Flossie’s cheeks to redden. “You don’t know Julia as well as we do. She needs care. Needs to be looked after and kept out of trouble.”

Julia was scared she was going to be sick to her stomach right there in the hallway. Her hands were shaking with embarrassment, and her face a pasty white color. “I’m doing just fine, Mother. I’m staying here.”

William Crawford threw his hands up in the air. “Obviously you’re not doing fine, Julia. Look at yourself.”

* * *

Jake stepped in front of Flossie and Julia. He was intent on blocking the women from the poison being spilled in his own home. Julia looked as if she was going to crumble into a heap, and Flossie’s hand absently went to her cheek as she did for years after her accident.

“This is my home, my property and that’s my wife and sister behind me. You’re Julia’s parents. If she wants to speak to you, I’ll allow it. But I won’t allow any more of your threats. No court in the land will side with you. She’s my wife. If you want to visit, fine. But no more upsetting either of them. Do you understand?”

William Crawford threw a quick glance to his wife and looked at Jake. “Why don’t you and I talk alone?”

“No,” Julia shouted.

One arched brow raised on Jane Crawford’s face. “It certainly is well within his rights as father to get to know the man you married, Julia. I’m sure
he
has nothing to hide.”

“We’ll sit in the kitchen. Together,” Jake said.

Flossie brewed coffee. Jane Crawford dusted her chair with a hanky before seating herself. Julia sat down across from her mother and Jake stood behind her.

“Julia’s been working on the harvest with me because all of our field hands were bought off with your Mr. Smith’s two hundred dollars. I don’t want my wife working in the sun, sweating and toiling, but I’m damn proud to say she did it anyway.”

Jake rested his hands on Julia’s shoulders. “She’s been aching to hear news of home, especially when Smith said he had no personal news. I imagine this is as good a time as any to get acquainted. You’ve met Flossie here. She’s married and has two children. She lives just south of here with her husband Harry. My other sister Gloria and her husband Will had their first child about a month ago. We might have lost Gloria if not for Julia’s help. Now what of Julia’s sisters?”

It pained Jake to no end to be civil. These were the very people that made Julia feel obligated to shuck corn. Sanctimonious, snobby city folk that they were sitting here at his kitchen table trying to make Julia uncomfortable. But they
were
her parents, come all the way from Boston.

William and Jane Crawford stared at Jake. “This is hardly a social call,” William Crawford said.

Jake’s hold on Julia’s shoulders tightened. “I can’t imagine what else it would be.”

“Mr. Snelling,” Jane Crawford began.

“Shelling.”

“Oh, yes, that’s right. There seems to have been a mix-up at the train station,” Jane replied as she stared at Julia. “From the letters Julia left, we were under the impression she was marrying a storekeeper she had corresponded with. We can’t imagine what mischief she’d gotten into to marry the wrong man,” Jane said as she trilled a laugh. “Your sister’s found the report quite exceptional.”

Julia’s neck reddened, Jake saw, as he stared down at her. “Julia got into no mischief, Mrs. Crawford. The mistake was mine. Although now, I’m thankful I made the error. Now what of her sisters and her friend Eustace?”

Flossie smiled as she sat down. “And your grandson? Does he call you Nana?”

Jane Crawford stared daggers at Flossie. “William is his name. He is fine.”

“Eustace is the maid,” Julia’s father said. “We know nothing personal about her.”

* * *

“How are Jennifer and Jolene?” Julia asked.

Never had her family’s coldness been more evident. Nothing in her past until her marriage had given contrast to the life she’d led. These two finely-dressed strangers were sculptures of people. Not real life honest to goodness, living, breathing humans, faults and virtues tied together. Her new family, Jake’s family, meant more to her in two months than her own parents.

“Did Jillian start school?” she asked.

“She started a few weeks ago,” Jane Crawford said and stared at Julia. “I believe she may be having some trouble adjusting. She says she’s feeling quite abandoned.”

Julia’s lip began to tremble. She knew her mother had noticed. She had the look of smug self-righteousness Julia had seen so often. “No one has abandoned her. Surely it’s just nerves.”

“I don’t know, Julia. Jillian seemed adrift when we left her in her room.” Jane Crawford arched a brow. “She’s never been good at making friends. Little experience with girl’s her own age. But I believe this separation will do her good in the end.”

Julia had tried to explain to the girl she needed a life of her own. A home of her own. But what would a ten-year-old interpret Julia’s plans as other than abandonment. Jillian had begged Julia to marry a man in Boston so they would remain close. But Julia knew she needed to get far away. Away from her mother’s control and the constant reminders of her own failures. Poor Jillian would be adrift and lonely at boarding school. Much like Julia herself was. Her years at school remained firmly entrenched as some of the most miserable time of her life. Tears came to Julia’s eyes.

“Separation isn’t enlightening for everyone, Mother. Sometimes it’s sheer hell.”

“Your language, Julia,” her father chided. “We’ve raised you better than that.”

Jake cleared his throat. “Maybe Julia’s sister would like to spend Christmas or even next summer with us.” Julia touched Jake’s hand as it touched her shoulder. “We’d be happy to have her.”

“Jillian Crawford has a duty to the family as do all my children. There is nothing to be learned here that will help her in that endeavor. And really, do you think I’d let her live in this, this,” Jane said with a sweep of her hand, “hovel?”

“I’m only thinking of my wife’s happiness. And I imagine we could keep Jillian fed and clothed will she visited. Even in this hovel,” Jake said.

“We’re not here to discuss Jillian. We’re here to take Julia home,” William Crawford said.

Julia shook her head to dismiss the heartache she was feeling for Jillian. “No. I’m not going. I’m married and happy. Go home and tell your friends whatever you will. I don’t really care.”

William Crawford eyed Jake and Flossie. “There are private matters we wish to discuss with our daughter. If you’d excuse us.”

Flossie raised a brow at Jake and left the kitchen. “There’s nothing for you to discuss that I’m not privy to. Julia’s my wife. I’m staying,” he said.

Jane Crawford smiled benignly. “Of course, Mr. Shelling.”

“No, Jake. I’ll be fine. Go on with Flossie. I’ll be there in a moment.”

Jake leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be in the sitting room if you need me.”

“How attentive your new husband is, Julia. Dare say, I’ll be telling your sisters you’ve bewitched him with your favors.”

Julia’s father stared at her as Jake left the room. “You do realize Jillian will be losing her inheritance if you stay, Julia. Your mother and I will tend to her education, but she’ll be no heiress,” he said.

Julia fully anticipated this tactic from her parents. Her heart was racing when she replied what she only recently comprehended. “Money isn’t everything, Father. Jillian is beautiful and smart. She’ll need no inheritance to gain a man’s favor. And certainly, I’ll provide whatever assistance I can.”

“Surely you won’t be waiting for our will to be read, Julia,” Jane Crawford said. “One never knows if a parent has had a change of heart, possibly favoring a more … eligible recipient.”

“You would deny me my share?” Julia asked. “I’ve done everything my whole life for the good of the Crawford family. Until it’s broken my heart. And you deem me unworthy?”

William Crawford took Julia’s hand in his. “Now you know dear, Jolene feels it is highly irregular to split the family inheritance four ways. After all …”

Julia snatched her hand away. “I know, I know. I know all about Jolene’s feelings. They’ve been shoved down my throat for twenty-six years. Jillian is one matter, but you would write
me
out of your will because I married and moved away? That’s what you’re saying, isn’t it? I would think you’d be happy I’m gone. I’ve done nothing my whole life but embarrass you.”

“Don’t use that tone with us, Julia,” Jane Crawford said tightly. “Any embarrassment you’ve caused has been of your own design. Crawfords do not run away from home. Crawfords do not disregard their family name. Crawfords do not desert their family.”

Julia stood now shaking with anger. “I am no longer a Crawford. My name is Shelling. Shellings, I’ve found, think more about the people they love than what everyone else thinks. And I didn’t run away from home. I ran away from you, Mother, and your constant belittlement. The Shelling name means more to me in two months than the Crawford name ever will.” Julia looked up to see Jake standing in the doorway. She hadn’t realized she’d been screaming. Julia was sure his intense gaze was the only thing keeping her on her feet.

Jane Crawford rose slowly, gathered her purse and lightly touched her husband’s arm. “Come along, William.” She stared at Julia. “Julia is burning bridges she may need in the future. Let her find out on her own what her folly will bring.”

“Why? Why do you care Julia is married and moved?” Jake asked. “You don’t want her in Boston.”

“My family is my life’s work, Mr. Shelling. I don’t expect or accept impertinence. Especially from one as misguided as Julia.” Jane Crawford tilted her head and smiled tightly. “Julia needs to remain at home. With us. She needs my guidance.”