Jewel Page 5

  “I was on my way home from the Historical Society meeting, thought I’d stop and see how you were doing.”

  “I’m fine. Tired, though. Washday today.” Jewel was trying to work up the nerve to talk to her about the boardinghouse incident but wasn’t having much success. “How’s Pa?”

  “Doing well. He wanted to stay and play checkers at the general store, so I left him there. Miss Edna said if you have any rose canes you’re not planting, she’d like a few.”

  “Okay. After I’m done at Maddie’s tomorrow I’ll go by the store.”

  “Jewel? Are you sure you’re well? You look—”

  “Hello,” a familiar voice trilled. “Jewel, are you in the barn?”

  Abigail and Jewel shared a look. Caroline Ross?

  Sure enough, she and her hooped gown swayed into the barn. For the life of her, Jewel could never figure out how Caroline and the others drove with all that fabric billowing about. More importantly, Jewel knew Caroline had heard Hicks’s declaration at dinner and prayed the woman didn’t mention it now. “What brings you by?”

  Caroline grinned. “Who says there are no secrets in the Grove? When Hicks made that announcement you could have knocked me over with a feather. How long have you two sly ones been married?”

  Jewel’s worst fears had come true. She dragged her hands across her face.

  Abigail looked on in confusion. “Married?”

  Before Abigail could continue, Jewel said, “It’s all a mistake, Miss Ross. A very silly mistake.”

  She smiled. “Oh, I see. It’s still supposed to be a secret. Cat’s already out of the bag, though, don’t you think? You and Eli. That is something.”

  Abigail stared openmouthed.

  Caroline added, “And Jewel, you just glowed. We all noticed it.”

  “Glowed?” Jewel echoed.

  Caroline nodded, “You know? Glowed. As in a babe is on the way. Is it true what everyone is saying?”

  Jewel’s eyes widened like plates. She’d left the boardinghouse less than two hours ago, and already rumor had her carrying Eli’s child! She somehow managed to say, “As I said, Miss Ross, Hicks made a mistake. Everyone knows Eli and I aren’t married.”

  Abigail began to cough so violently, Jewel went hastily to her side. “Do you need water?”

  “No. A seat.” She sat down on a large crate and began to fan herself with her handkerchief.

  Jewel knew it was time to send Caroline Ross packing. “Miss Ross, I’m going to get Gail some water. Thank you for visiting. I’d be real appreciative if you’d tell folks that I’m neither married nor carrying.”

  Caroline winked. “The babe’s supposed to be a secret, too, isn’t it? I won’t say a word. I promise.” She headed toward the barn entrance, then stopped and look back at Jewel. “Congratulations,” she offered with a conspiratorial whisper.

  When she was gone, an appalled Jewel turned to a stunned Abigail who asked, “What in heavens was that about? You and Eli married?”

  Jewel sighed and told her the story, and when she was finished, Abigail gasped, “Oh my word!”

  “And now, apparently folks believe I’m carrying, too.”

  For a long moment all Abigail could do was stare in astonishment and disbelief. “Eli has to straighten this out right away. If Hicks leaves town because of the truth, so be it. Good lord, what was he thinking?”

  “About the Gazette.”

  “Whose first headline will be: Gazette Editor Eli Grayson Hung by Adam Crowley.”

  “I know. Maybe Pa won’t hear the rumors.”

  “Only if he’s deaf. I’m betting Caroline Ross is at this moment spreading the word to anyone who will listen.” Abigail leaned back against the barn wall, thinking. “If I can get to your father before he hears the gossip and explain things, maybe he can be convinced to wait and see if this will all pass over before he levels his bear gun on my son.”

  Jewel knew how much her father loved Abigail and that at times would listen to her when he refused to listen to anyone else. She had a way with him second only to Jewel, but he could be stubborn and bullheaded to a fault when it came to his daughter’s well-being. “Maybe he’ll fool us all and deal with this in a level-headed manner.”

  “Optimism is a virtue, dear, but remember that time you were ill, when Viveca first came to be the doctor here, and Adam had your brother shanghai her in the middle of the night to come tend to you?”

  Jewel did. Nate Grayson had been very upset by her father’s actions, but her pa hadn’t cared. Jewel’s health had been his only concern.

  Abigail roused herself. “I’ll go home and see if he’s there. Let’s hope we can get this all put to rest. As far as society is concerned, all we women have is our reputation and we can’t have yours trampled by something as foolish as this.”

  “Thanks, Gail.”

  “You’re welcome. Now you go on back to your roses and I’ll see to your father. Wish me luck.”

  “You know I do.”

  When Abigail was gone, Jewel finished up the roses and walked back to the house thinking this had to be one of the worst days of her life.

  Taking advantage of the day’s fading light, Eli was seated on the porch of his cabin organizing the items he planned to present to Hicks in the morning. “If the man doesn’t leave town after I tell him the truth,” he mused aloud sarcastically.

  His conversation with himself faded as he watched Adam Crowley ride up. Wondering what he might want and hoping nothing had happened to his mother, Eli stood and watched his stepfather dismount and march up to meet him.

  “Evening, Adam. Something wrong with Mother?”

  “No,” he answered tersely. “I need to talk to you.”

  Eli studied the granite-set face. “Out here or inside?”

  “Inside.”

  Eli led the way, and when the screen door closed behind them, Adam didn’t mince words. “What is this about you and Jewel being married?”

  Eli froze, then wondered if the old lumberjack would let him live long enough to provide an explanation. “It was a ruse.”

  Adam crossed his arms over his barrel-like chest and waited.

  Eli told him the story, leaving nothing out and making sure to place the blame squarely on himself. “Jewel was simply trying to help me.”

  “And now?”

  “Hopefully, after I tell Hicks the truth in the morning, things will quiet down. How’d you find out?”

  “Miss Edna’s store. Everyone in town’s talking. I even received a few congratulations on the upcoming birth of my grandchild.”

  Eli stared.

  Adam’s eyes gleamed grimly. “Thought that would get your attention. Not only are you and my Jewel supposedly married, but apparently she’s carrying your child!”

  The last part of the sentence was shouted so loudly, Eli swore the roof rattled.

  Eli was angry at the gossips, at the damage done to Jewel’s reputation, and at himself. She’d tried to warn him but he’d been so focused on his own needs, he hadn’t listened.

  “Son, I understand why you thought the ruse was necessary, the Gazette means the world to us all, but couldn’t you have gotten someone else? Why my Jewel?”

  “I’ll marry her.” Those were three words Eli never thought he’d hear himself say to anyone’s father.

  “What?”

  “I said, I’ll marry her,” he repeated, looking Adam square in the eyes.

  “The hell you will.”

  “I sell newspapers, Adam. People like scandal. No matter what we say about the ruse, some people are still going to believe the worst, and they’re going to talk about her from here to Chicago. I won’t allow it. She was just trying to do me a good turn.”

  “You honestly believe I’m going to let you marry my only daughter?”

  “Do you know of any other way to stop the gossiping, short of her moving away? The people in the Grove who are our friends will take our denials as truth, but what about the others. What about the
people who hire her to grow their roses. Some have been willing to overlook her color, but salacious rumors about whether she’s married or not, or carrying or not, could cost her her business.” Eli pulled in a deep breath, adding, “This mess is entirely my fault.”

  “Yes, it is, but at least you’re being honorable about it.” Adam studied him for a long time. “Suppose I say yes to your marrying her. What kind of husband are you meaning to be?”

  “I’ll not shame her and I’ll be faithful to her. That’s really what you’re asking, isn’t it?”

  “Damn right. This is my Jewel we’re discussing.”

  “I’m not going to pretend that I love her, but I will care for her, and provide for her to the best of my abilities until death parts us.”

  “She’s going to put up a whale of a fight.”

  “I know.”

  “Probably get out that bird gun of hers and shoot us both.”

  They shared a look, and for the first time since Adam’s arrival, Eli allowed himself a small smile. “That is a given, too.”

  Both men agreed that the sooner the vows took place the better everything would be, so while Eli went to get dressed, Adam rode off to fetch the reverend. Eli planned to meet them at the Crowley home in an hour. He imagined Jewel would explode when presented with his proposal, and expected no less.

  “Hell of a way to start a marriage,” he mumbled as he did up his tie in the mirror. Marriage. He paused a moment to contemplate the word. It was going to affect his life like nothing had since his ill-fated affair with Nate’s wife, Cecile. After the disastrous results, he swore he’d never rain havoc down on the life of anyone he cared about ever again, and because he’d known Jewel all her life she qualified as one of those people.

  No, he didn’t love her; he doubted he ever would, not in the way Nate loved Viveca, or the way Adam loved Abigail. There would be no grand passion in this, but he would treat her with kindness and respect. He’d told her she’d make some man a fine wife one day, he just didn’t know that man would be him.

  That evening at the Crowley home, Jewel’s brothers were engaged in an arm-wrestling competition, one of the thousands they’d had since childhood, and their boisterous cheers filled the air. As always Jewel played judge. None of the brothers trusted the others not to favor one contestant over the other, so over the years, she became responsible for making sure the grips were fair, that no one had his elbow over the line on the smooth surface of the huge tree stump used for the matches, or started too soon.

  Paul, being the oldest and the strongest, hadn’t lost to any of his brothers ever. His opponent this time around was Ezekiel, who was beginning to rival Paul in strength and determination.

  Jewel’s serious face showed the import of her task as she checked their grips, elbows, and stances. Their eyes were focused on each other, their hands locked. Once she was assured everything was as it should be, she signaled with her handkerchief and the battle began.

  Not that it lasted very long. The grinning Paul looked into his sibling’s straining face then slammed Zeke’s hand down flat for the win. Paul’s supporters yelled in triumph while Zeke’s offered up resigned smiles and their money.

  Jewel was just putting her winnings into the pocket of her denims when she saw Abigail drive up.

  “What she’s doing out this late?” Paul asked as they all watched her step down. “Hope nothing has happened.”

  Jewel could see by the stern set of Abigail’s mouth and the force of her cane against the ground as she crossed the field that something had. She hoped she hadn’t come to say Caroline Ross had been spreading more rumors.

  “Evening everyone,” Abigail said, then turned to Jewel. “There’s something we need to discuss. Let’s go to the house.”

  Jewel noted that her face gave nothing away. Paul and the others wore questioning looks but kept their curiosity unspoken.

  Once inside, Abigail took a seat in the parlor and set her cane near. “Would you close the door, please, Jewel.”

  Although Abigail’s face was still unreadable, Jewel got the sense that something was very wrong. “Pa’s not dead or anything?”

  Abigail offered a wisp of a smile. “No, dear, your father’s fine.”

  “Then what’s happened?” she asked, closing the door.

  Like her husband, Abigail didn’t mince words. “Eli has proposed marriage.”

  “To whom?”

  “To you.”

  Jewel was certain she’d misheard her. “Why?”

  “Because its all over town that you’re carrying his child.”

  “Everyone knows Caroline Ross is a busybody, no one’s going to believe her.”

  “Unfortunately, that isn’t true. Edna said you and Eli are being talked about just about everywhere. Your father is very concerned.” Abigail added, “As am I.”

  “You spoke with him, then?”

  “I did and he’s fit to be tied. Challenged Jim Miller to a fight a short while ago because of his disparaging remarks about the child being conceived out of wedlock. When he said you should be banned from the church, Vernon had to step in before they came to blows.”

  Jewel sighed her frustration. This was disastrous.

  “So, Eli will be here shortly, and your father’s on his way to get Reverend Anderson.”

  “What?” she shouted.

  When Abigail nodded, eyes sympathetic, Jewel stated tightly, “I’m honored that Eli wants to be honorable, but I don’t want to marry him any more than he wants to marry me.”

  “I know. It’s your reputation, dear. Maybe in another hundred years such things won’t matter, but they matter very much in this world today. And my son is a good man.”

  A frustrated Jewel put her hands over her face and peered at Abigail through spread fingers. “This is not what I want to do.”

  Abigail nodded. “I’ know, and I’ve spent the last hour trying to figure a way around it but nothing else comes to mind.”

  “And I’m supposed to be his wife, forever?”

  Abigail’s face told all.

  “There has to be a way out that doesn’t include this.”

  Gail met the stricken eyes of her stepdaughter, and noted how much she favored her late mother. “If you can offer a solution, it would be welcomed, but in the meantime, you should go and get dressed. The men will be here soon.” With caring in her voice, she asked, “Do you need assistance?”

  Jewel shook her head. “No. Thank you, though.” And with her back tense and her face stony, she exited the parlor.

  In her room, Jewel wanted to break something, shoot something, climb on the roof and wail like a child. She knew it was a terribly unchristian of her to think this, but was Eli drinking again? In her mind, he had to be, to come up with something this farfetched and think it would work—but then again, he’d thought fooling Hicks would work. She sighed at the injustice of it all. In spite of her silly adolescent feelings for him she had no desire to be his wife. She knew he had a penchant for the ladies, so would he be faithful to her and his vows? He’d boasted of his ability to be true with the right woman—one he hadn’t met yet, he’d been quick to admit—so where did that leave her? Realistically, it left her at the mercy of a society that refused to consider the idea of a woman being intelligent enough to make her own decisions, decisions that shouldn’t be driven by the aftereffects of gossip and innuendo.

  She opened her wardrobe and cynically eyed her choices. Her attention settled first on the stylish black walking costume she wore to funerals, but thought that would be a very childish way to protest. Almost as childish as considering running away from home, which had crossed her mind. But she wasn’t twelve years of age; she was twenty-four, fully grown, and a Crowley. She needed to act accordingly, even if she found the idea of the approaching wedding appalling.

  As she sorted through her dresses, a part of her continued to search for a way out of the noose. Then the answer came to her. It was going to cause the top of her father’s head to
fly off when he heard it, but truthfully, she didn’t much care. It was a way out and she’d take it.

  Filled with relief, she decided on the same blue outfit she’d worn earlier. The gown would always be associated with that evening’s disastrous dinner and there was no sense in attaching fresh bad memories to another set of clothing.

  She’d just finished brushing and retying her hair when a soft knock on the door made her turn. Walking over, she opened it to find her father on the other side.

  He looked grim. “May I come in?”

  She wanted to deny him but he was her father. “Certainly.” She stepped back to let him enter.

  “Are you ready?”

  “No,” she offered bluntly.

  “Jewel, I’m sorry, but Eli’s doing this for you.”

  “So I’m told.”

  Father and daughter eyed each other for a moment, then Adam said, “I know you’re angry but I won’t have your name dragged in the dirt.”

  “I understand that, but understand this—I’m going to be angry for some time, Pa.”

  “He’s promised to be faithful.”

  Not wanting to discuss her own fears on the subject, she turned from him and said coolly, “It doesn’t matter. This won’t be a love match, so he’s free to venture where he will as long as he’s discreet.” She pulled on her gloves.

  He stared.

  “I’m being realistic, Papa. I know men have their needs, and besides, I plan to have him divorce me in a few years anyway.”

  His eyes widened farther. “Divorce? What are you talking about?”

  “It’s my way out of this mess. I read about divorce in a pamphlet I saw at the Intelligence Society meeting last month.” At the time she’d no idea how valuable the article would be to her personally. “Divorce is a lot more widespread and accepted these days, especially out west.”

  “We’re not out west,” he growled ominously.

  “No, we’re not, but we’re not in the eighteenth century, when women had no voice in their futures, either.”

  Adam grabbed tufts of his graying hair. “I knew Abigail starting that Society would be the death of me. Do you think I want you to marry this way?”

  “Apparently you do, Pa, because you didn’t say no to him.”