Читать книгу Jade - Ruth Langan, Ruth Ryan Langan - Страница 11

“Reverend Weston, look what Agnes made for you.” Lavinia Thurlong had a death grip on her daughter’s arm, shoving her forward until she was standing directly in front of the handsome minister.

“It’s a blackberry pie.” Agnes blushed and giggled as their fingers brushed.

“Thank you, Agnes. That’s very kind of you.” Wade gave her a gentle smile and set the pie on the windowsill of Durfee’s Mercantile. Once a week he held services in the back room. The people came from miles around to hear his ringing sermons.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Jade step down from her carriage, flanked by her three sisters. He fought to cover his surprise.

“Agnes is the best pie baker in Hanging Tree.” At the moment it wasn’t her daughter’s baking skills that interested Lavinia. The only thing she had on her mind was snagging an eligible bachelor for eighteen-year-old Agnes.

Agnes was a pretty little thing, with a headful of dark curls, big brown eyes and a dimple in each cheek. The trouble was, all the cowboys for miles around were sniffing after her. And none of them was what her mother considered proper husband material.

Now, Reverend Wade Weston, on the other hand, was handsome enough to make even Lavinia’s heart flutter. And every mother knew that a man of God would make an excellent husband. After all, the town minister and his family always had a place to sleep and food on the table. Not like farmers, who had to scratch a living from the soil. Or cowboys, who were always off chasing a dream, or another herd of mustangs. And from Reverend Weston’s sermons he was known to be kind, considerate, thoughtful. In short, every mother’s dream.

“I guess she takes after you, Lavinia,” Wade said, keeping his smile carefully in place as Jade trailed her sisters up the steps.

Lavinia blushed nearly as much as her daughter. With matching smiles the two women filed into the room and took their places alongside their neighbors.

“Morning, Wade.” Diamond greeted him affectionately.

“Good morning, Diamond.” He accepted her handshake. “Where’s Adam?”

“Out with the herd on the north range.”

“Send him my best.” He turned to Pearl, who was lowering her parasol. “I see Cal didn’t join you.”

“He and the boys are with Adam. This time of year there’s just too much to do out on the range.”

“I understand.” He smiled at Ruby, who was adjusting her shawl to hide her revealing neckline. “I’m happy to see you, Ruby.”

“You would have seen a whole lot more of me if Diamond hadn’t reminded me to cover up.” She knotted the ends of the shawl and tossed them carelessly over her shoulder before sauntering inside the mercantile. “Wouldn’t want to create a scandal,” she muttered.

The eyes of every man in the room riveted on her as she followed her sisters up the aisle to a row of vacant seats.

Wade was still chuckling when he turned to Jade with his hand outstretched. “Good morning.” He kept his tone deliberately bland, though he felt suddenly too warm.

This day she was wearing a gown of pale blue silk, with mandarin collar and black frog fasteners. Her long hair had been twisted into an elegant knot on top of her head, with little tendrils slipping loose to kiss her cheeks and the nape of her neck.

“I’m glad you came with your sisters. I was afraid you might begin to avoid Sunday services.”

“And miss hearing you warn the good people of Hanging Tree about the evil woman in their midst?”

He nearly laughed at the sparks that shot from her eyes. She was daring him to rile the congregation. And he was a man who had always loved a challenge. But he wasn’t here to cause trouble. He would rather prevent it whenever possible.

She shot a look at the steaming pie. “An admirer, Reverend?”

“It’s Wade,” he said with a wicked smile. “And the pie is from Agnes Thurlong.”

Jade returned his smile with a sugary one of her own. “A fine choice. Agnes is shy and sweet. She’d never give anyone a moment of trouble.”

Unspoken laughter warmed his voice. “I see you came to town prepared to goad me into a fight.”

Jade lifted her chin a fraction. “I came today because Diamond suggested that Sunday assembly would afford me an opportunity to face Lavinia and the others who have begun a whispering campaign against me.”

Wade wanted to tell her they weren’t whispers. They had grown loud. And ugly.

“I’ll warn you again, Miss Jewel. Tread carefully. Even neighbors can become a dangerous mob, given the right set of circumstances.”

He saw the way her eyes narrowed, and realized his warning had fallen on deaf ears.

“I also came today to thank my guardian angel.”

If he was surprised, he managed to hide it. “And how would you recognize this paragon?”

“At the end of your service you always ask if anyone has any news they wish to share with the congregation. I’ve been thinking that I would plead for my guardian angel to reveal himself so that I can properly thank him.”

Wade couldn’t hold back his laughter. “I’m sure such a request would bring dozens of men leaping to their feet for the chance to be…properly thanked by Miss Jade Jewel.”

She felt her cheeks grow hot. “I believe you’re having fun at my expense, Reverend Weston.”

“I told you. It’s Wade. And I’m not making fun of you. More than half the men in this town would give a great deal to have Miss Jade Jewel indebted to them.”

“I think you have me confused with my sister Ruby.”

“If you believe that, you underestimate yourself, Miss Jewel.”

She didn’t allow herself even a moment to bask in the glow of his praise. After all, he was merely being kind. It was his job to say such things to people, in order to keep them coming to his service. Besides, sooner or later he would show his true colors and take sides with the townspeople against her.

“I’ll say good day. I’m sure you’ll provide us with plenty of food for thought, Reverend Weston.” She emphasized his title before pulling her hand free and brushing past him.

“I’ll try my best, Miss Jewel.”

Wade spent another half hour greeting the farmers and ranchers and their families who took advantage of Sunday-morning services to stock up on supplies and visit with their neighbors. While he made small talk, or listened to their litany of problems, he found himself glancing across the room to where a slim young figure in a silk gown the color of Texas bluebells sat beside her sisters.

A number of people nudged each other, whispering and pointing at the four fascinating Jewel sisters. But it was Jade who caused the greatest interest. Each day, as the Golden Dragon took shape, the rumors spread.

Whenever their eyes met, Wade felt a growing admiration for the woman who was the object of so much speculation. Whatever she was feeling, she kept her spine straight, her gaze level.

By the time he started his sermon, he had found his inspiration. And by the time his sermon ended, even Lavinia Thurlong and Gladys Witherspoon agreed that the preacher had never displayed more zeal.

The topic of his sermon had been the danger of idle gossip.

“Does anyone wish to share something with the congregation?” Wade asked at the end of the service.

When no one stood, he stared pointedly at Jade. Feeling the heat of his gaze, she refused to look at him. Instead, she kept her eyes lowered and studied her hands, folded primly in her lap.

She’d had plenty of time to mull over her intention. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that Wade was right. If she foolishly announced to the entire town that a mystery man had saved her from a gang, she would then have to describe in detail what had happened. And the thought of making public her encounter was most unappealing. It had been difficult enough just telling the marshal. Besides, throughout the entire sermon she had felt the hostile stares from the congregation. There was no way she wanted to draw any more attention to herself.

“Well, then.” Wade gave them the benediction of his smile. “I hope you will all leave with a lighter burden than when you entered.”

He walked to the door and opened it, then stepped out on the porch, shaking hands with the people as they took their leave. When the Jewel sisters stepped outside, he had a smile and a kind word for each of them.

Jade steeled herself as she was forced to offer her hand. “That was a lovely sermon.” She absorbed the jolt as she looked into his eyes.

“I’m glad you liked it.” His big hand engulfed hers. There was a hint of laughter in his voice. “I did it for your benefit. After all, you’re going to need all the cooperation your neighbors have to give, once the Golden Dragon is completed.” Before she could respond he added, “I thought you were going to ask about your mystery man. What happened, Miss Jewel? Lose your nerve?”

“I…thought about it and decided you were right. It would be foolish to make a spectacle of myself. I’m sure he had a good reason for not wanting to reveal himself.”

“I think you did the right thing. Still,” he added with a growing smile, “it would have been interesting to see how many men would admit to being your guardian angel.”

She pulled her hand away and took a step back. Once again he was laughing at her. She found his sense of humor wearing thin. “Good day, Reverend Weston.”

“Good day, Miss Jewel,” he muttered as he turned to Rufus Durfee and his family.

With Sunday services concluded, most of the ranchers and their families enjoyed a brief respite from their rigorous chores. The children played tag around the trees, while the men loaded their wagons with supplies. The women spread quilts on the grass and gossiped with neighbors while laying out the food they’d brought from home.

“Come on.” Diamond looped her arm through Pearl’s, and motioned for Jade and Ruby to follow. “Let’s get to Millie Potter’s before all the food is gone.”

Millie Potter’s boardinghouse always enjoyed a rush of business on Sunday. Besides her regulars, like Marshal Quent Regan and Dr. Cosmo Prentice and the other bachelors, there were those ranch families prosperous enough to indulge their taste for Millie’s fine cooking.

Potter’s Boardinghouse sat at the end of the dusty road the townspeople referred to as Main Street. The house reflected the woman who owned it. Neat as a pin, with the floors and windows sparkling, it boasted a formal parlor and a dining room big enough to hold a dozen or more comfortably. The dishes might have been mismatched, and a few of them cracked, but the food more than made up for it.

From the kitchen wafted the wonderful fragrance of freshly baked bread, and the spicy perfume of apples and cinnamon.

The door was opened by thirteen-year-old Birdie Bidwell, a neighbor of Millie’s who helped out with the chores to supplement her family’s meager income.

“Hello, Birdie,” the sisters called as they stepped inside.

“Good morning, Miss Diamond, Miss Pearl, Miss Ruby, Miss Jade.”

“Birdie,” Jade said with a warm smile, “Pearl tells me you’re her best pupil.”

“Not for much longer,” the girl said. “Pa thinks it’s a waste of time for a girl my age.” She held out her hands. “I’ll take your shawls.”

When Ruby reached for hers, Diamond shot her a withering look. At once the buxom beauty smiled and said, “I think it’s a bit chilly. I’ll just keep my shawl, if you don’t mind, Birdie.”

If the girl was puzzled, she kept her thoughts to herself. The summer sun was already high in the sky and threatening to turn the day into a sizzler. But if one of the Jewel ladies wanted to keep her shawl on, it certainly wasn’t her place to ask questions.

As she hung the other shawls, her hands lingered on Jade’s.

“What is this made of, Miss Jade?”

“Silk.”

“It sure is soft,” the girl said, running her callused palms over it. “It must cost a fortune.”

“I suppose so.” Jade gave the girl a gentle smile. “Maybe when you’re older, you can buy a silk shawl.”

As she walked away, Birdie shook her head. Silk was all right for a fine lady like Miss Jade. But the most she would ever hope for was a new gown of simple homespun. Birdie had never worn a new gown. All her clothes were made over from her mother’s castoffs.

She gave one last glance at the fine Jewel ladies, then hurried off to finish her chores.

“Morning, Millie,” Diamond called out as she entered the dining room. “Can you accommodate us today?”

“Good morning.” Millie tucked up a stray strand of flaming hair before lifting the coffeepot. “Take a seat. You know there’s always room for my best customers.”

Her smile bloomed when she caught sight of the preacher.

“You’re just in time,” she called.

He made his way across the room, stopping to talk to the other guests before pausing beside Jade. He held her chair and settled in beside her. His thigh brushed hers, and she felt the heat all the way through her skirt.

“I would have thought you’d be at Agnes Thurlong’s, having a leisurely Sunday meal with her family,” Jade said.

“And sit idly by while they try to ensnare me?” His smile grew. “I thought I’d be safer here at Millie Potter’s.”

Just then Millie and her young helper began to serve the meal. As she paused beside Wade, Millie placed several biscuits on his plate. “I baked these especially for you,” she murmured. “With extra sugar and cinnamon just the way you like them.”

Jade nearly choked on her laughter. Everyone in Hanging Tree knew that Millie, a widow, was hoping to snag a daddy for her three little girls. And who better than the town preacher?

“Oh, yes,” Jade said in an aside. “You’re definitely safer here.”

She savored her moment of victory while, beside her, Wade Weston dug into his meal in silence.

“That’s an awfully big building you’re putting up, Miss Jade.” Marshal Regan forked eggs onto his plate and passed the platter to Doc Prentice. “Folks in town are concerned.”

Jade felt the curious looks from the others. “Concerned, Marshal?”

“That your…business might attract the wrong sort.”

Jade gave him a cool, reassuring smile. “I think you and the people of Hanging Tree will be pleasantly surprised with the results. The Golden Dragon will be a place of music, culture and fine food. I intend to run the Golden Dragon just the way my mother did in San Francisco.”

“Sounds like a mighty big job for one little female,” Doc Prentice muttered.

Jade lifted her chin and bit back the words that threatened. Instead, sipping her tea, she merely smiled. She would show them. She would show all of them what one little female could do.

Beside her, Wade Weston detected the tiny flicker of emotion. The lady was very good at hiding her feelings.

Doc turned to the marshal. “I hear there was another shooting.”

The lawman nodded. “The other side of Poison Creek. Six outlaws ambushed Samuel Fisher on his way home from the sawmill where he’d been working for Farley Duke. Samuel was lucky to escape with his life. If it hadn’t been for his wife and four boys riding up just then, he swears he wouldn’t have made it.”

“Did he recognize any of the gang?” Doc asked.

“Not a one. Had their faces hidden behind bandannas. But from the sounds of it, they’re the same ones that have struck before.”

“Maybe it’s time to swear out a posse and go after them,” Doc suggested.

“I don’t like to take so many men away from their families. Especially with a vicious gang like this.” Quent Regan washed down his meal with hot black coffee, the fourth of the morning. “These outlaws seem to enjoy killing.”

“You think they’ll strike again?” Diamond asked quietly.

Quent shrugged. The badge pinned to his shirt winked in the rays of sunlight streaming through the dining-room window. “I don’t know what to think. But I’ll tell you one thing. No one’s going to terrorize the citizens of my territory. Not while I’m marshal. My deputy and I are taking every precaution to protect the town.”

Pearl shivered. “Such violence. I’m afraid I’ll never get used to it.”

“It’s part of Texas,” Diamond muttered.

“It’s part of life,” the marshal added.

“But it doesn’t have to be.” Wade’s words, though spoken softly, held a hint of steel.

Jade turned to study him. In profile, he didn’t resemble the man who had spoken so lovingly from the pulpit. With flaring nostrils and tightly clenched jaw, he looked as though he could lead a posse himself.

“It’s easy for you to say,” the marshal remarked, “when you carry a Bible instead of a gun. But you don’t earn your living chasing outlaws.”

“In a way, I do.” Wade’s tone softened, though the fire was still in his eyes. “You chase them to punish them, while I chase them to offer them the chance to seek forgiveness from those they’ve harmed.”

“Well,” Quent said, fiddling with his knife, “you may offer them forgiveness, Reverend. I offer justice. At the end of a rope.”

Doc Prentice nodded, his pencil-thin mustache twitching as he smiled. “It’s how our town got its name.”

Everyone knew that the doctor, though a relative newcomer to Texas, had a fascination for the history of the town.

“Have there been many hangings?” Pearl asked.

“I’ve been told there were dozens,” Doc replied.

“Was there an actual tree?” Jade asked.

“It’s gone now.” Doc Prentice helped himself to another biscuit and slathered it with Millie Potter’s wild cherry preserves. “They say that old oak was here a hundred years or more. It stood on a hill just outside of town. The branches stuck out like long, spindly arms. Just perfect for hanging a man. The first hanging was for cattle rustling. Folks came from miles around. Afterward they stayed and had a picnic on the banks of Poison Creek.”

He popped the biscuit into his mouth and chewed, then washed it down with a swallow of coffee. “After that it became a kind of tradition. Folks would flock to a hanging, then stay around to visit with the neighbors they hadn’t seen since the last time.”

Jade shuddered. “I can’t imagine having a picnic after such a horrible event. It seems so uncivilized.”

The marshal nodded in agreement. “Most of it was before my time. I hear it got so bad, folks were eager for the next hanging, just so they could have an excuse for another picnic. The sheriff finally had to request a federal judge be sent all the way from St. Louis.”

“What good would that do?” Jade asked.

“He figured a cool head was needed to keep the townspeople from making hasty decisions that might cost an innocent man his life.”

Beside her, Jade realized that the reverend had gone very still. When she glanced at him, he lowered his gaze. But in that brief moment when their eyes met she caught sight of a blazing anger. His hands were clenched so tightly in his lap, the knuckles were white from the effort.

Suddenly he pushed away from the table. “If you’ll excuse me,” he called to Millie Potter, “I have a lot of visits to. make today. I promised Yancy I’d bring him some more tobacco. And I told the Thompsons I’d stop by and share a Bible reading with their boy who was thrown from a mustang and suffered a broken arm. Since the widow Purdy took another spell, I thought I’d stop by there, as well.”

“Sounds like you have a full day, Reverend.” Millie filled the marshal’s cup, then set down the coffeepot and wiped her hands on her apron before crossing the room. “But I should have expected as much. After all, it is Sunday. Will I see you later?”

He shrugged. “There’s no telling. If I find myself too far from town, I’ll just sleep along the trail.”

“Then you’d better take this.” She handed him a linen-wrapped bundle. “Just in case.”

“Thanks, Millie.” He turned to the others at the table and said his goodbyes.

Jade watched him pull on a cowhide duster and take his leave. She found herself wondering at his reaction to the marshal’s words. She’d sensed anger in him. And pain. Not so surprising, she told herself. After all, he was, as Marshal Regan said, a man who carried a Bible instead of a gun. The thought of mob violence would be repugnant to such a man.

Still, for a man of peace, his reaction had been almost violent. And his violence, though carefully banked, was frightening to behold.