Joline's Redemption (38 page)

“Shh …” Lara gestured for her son to leave. “Tell your pa we're on our way.”

Michael pushed away from the window, skipped a step, and then broke into a run. “They're comin', Pa! They're comin'.”

Lara shook her head. “That boy only has one speed, except when it comes to doing chores and schoolwork.”

Jo laughed as she took one final glance in the mirror. She wanted everything to be perfect today.

Lara opened the bedroom door. “Are you ready, Jo?”

Jo considered her sister's question. She'd never expected to be a blushing bride, but God had taken her ruined life and washed her clean. He was giving her an amazing man to marry—a man who was willing to overlook her past and see her potential. A man who would be a wonderful father for Jamie.

“Let's go.” Sarah started for the door. “I am sure Baron is eager to get the wedding started.”

Jo smiled and followed the two out the door. “I sure hope Jamie is being good for Baron's folks.”

Lara nodded. “They certainly are taken with him.”

As they exited the house, Jo's heart rate kicked in as if she'd run a race. In a way she had—a long, winding race that had finally brought her to the place she truly believed God wanted her to be.

They stepped into the back of the church, and Grandpa was there to meet them. His glistening gaze latched onto hers. “My, my. Don't you look pretty.”

“Thank you—” Jo's throat caught as emotion overwhelmed her. She murmured a prayer of thanksgiving that God had allowed her grandpa to be here today so he could escort her down the aisle. She looped her arm through his.

Jo peered down the aisle and saw Baron, looking so handsome in the blue suit he'd had made special for today. He straightened as their eyes locked.

Lara slipped in front of her with Sarah behind her, breaking her view of Baron. The piano began, and Lara stepped forward. A few moments later, Sarah moved toward the front of the church.

Jo glanced around the almost-full sanctuary. There were more people in attendance than she had expected. Her heart was filled to overflowing, and she couldn't stop smiling.

Grandpa patted her hand, and then they stepped out, moving toward the man she'd spend the rest of her life with. Jack stood at Baron's right side, ready to marry them, with Gabe and Marshal Bob smiling broadly on his left, but she only had eyes for one man. As she approached, Baron's gaze never left her face.

She made the same pledges to Baron that she'd made to his brother, but this time they were filled with love and promise instead of lust and selfishness. And her brother married them, so she had no doubt as to the authenticity of the parson.

In a mind-numbing flash, the ceremony was over, and Jo and Baron turned to face the audience.

Jack stepped up beside them, winking at Jo. “It gives me great pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Baron Hillborne.”

A cheer rang out, followed by Jamie's loud, “Mama!”

Jo smiled and stepped forward with her new husband, eager to begin married life.

August 4, 1893

Jo glanced up at the cloudless sky as she walked back to the store after eating lunch at Maureen's house and then putting Jamie down for a nap. Maureen loved Jamie and had proven to be the perfect solution to her need for a babysitter while she worked in the store. Though she loved spending time with her son, she was eager to get back to her new husband.

As she stepped into the back of the store, the familiar scents of spices, leather, and coffee greeted her like an old friend. Her heart did a little flip when Baron's gaze met hers. It amazed her that she loved him more now than when she married him a month ago. Excited voices pulled her through the supply room and into the store.

Luke stood with his back to her, waving one arm through the air like a bird's wing. Something white bounced up and down in his hand. Jack leaned against the counter, looking a bit bored, while Baron listened with interest.

“It says right here in the
Wichita Times
that more land will be opened in the Cherokee Outlet land run than was in the rush of '89. I'm gonna get me a claim this time.”

Jack shook his head. “I don't mean to discourage you, but there's bound to be thousands more who want land than there is land to go around, just like before.”

“That's probably true.” Jo reached out her hand. “May I see the paper, Luke?” She quickly scanned the information. “Did you read this part that says the officials aren't going to let anyone who rode in a land grab before ride in this one?”

Luke's head jerked toward her. “Where does it say that?”

“Right there.” She pointed to the paragraph and handed the paper back to him.

Luke blew out a loud sigh and crossed his arms. “Well, that sure is disappointing.”

Baron tapped his lips. “I imagine participating in such a historic event must be mighty exciting.”

“It's like nothing you've ever done before,” Luke said, his voice awestruck. He looked over his shoulder. “Tell him, Jo. You know how exciting the rush can be.”

She walked past Luke and her brother and took hold of her husband's outstretched hand. “You forget … I didn't ride in the run. That was Lara. I was too young and stayed with Grandpa and Michael back at our campsite where the run started.”

Luke's gaze swiveled to her brother. “Ain't you never ridden in one, Jack?”

“Nope. I was living in Texas when the land rushes took place.”

Luke slapped the paper against his leg. “I can understand them government people not letting a man who won a claim ride again, but it don't seem fair to not let those ride who didn't win land. I've got a hankerin' to get some land of my own.”

Jack clapped the cowboy on his shoulder. “You've got things good at Gabe's place. Maybe you shouldn't be lookin' for greener pastures.”

“I know, but it's so much fun to ride in those land runs. The excitement beforehand is like nothing I've ever experienced. Then it gets all quiet when everyone's waitin' on the race to start. Then they shoot guns or a cannon, and the loudest cheer you ever did hear rises up, and the race begins. I sure was lookin' forward to ridin' in another one.”

“Wait a minute.” Jack eyed Luke. “You couldn't have been old enough to ride in one of the other races. What are you, twenty?”

“Twenty-three. Just had my birthday last month.” He grinned, looking proud. “I rode in the 1891 land run to settle the Sac and Fox land.”

“I do remember the excitement.” Jo nodded. “I've never seen so many people in one place. The rows and rows of men, and a few women, lined up for the race ran as far as the eye could see in both directions. And there was such a blithe atmosphere—a hopefulness—that is hard to explain if you weren't there to witness it.”

“I'm sure that's true, but think what things were like for those who didn't get land.” Jack pushed up from the counter. “We probably should be gettin' back. Gabe'll be wonderin' what happened to us.”

Luke nodded and turned toward Jack. “I don't suppose I could talk you into riding in the race for me, huh?”

Jack shook his head. “No, thanks. My poor old horse would never make it.”

Baron cleared his throat. “My father and I have been discussing trying for a lot in one of the towns, like Mark did. It worked out well for him.”

Jo lifted an eyebrow. It was the first time she'd ever heard Baron compliment something Mark had done. “You're not considering opening a new store, are you?”

Jack glanced at her, grinning, and pulled his hat down on his forehead. “C'mon, Luke. Time for us to go. You don't want to witness a lovers' spat.”

The young cowboy glanced from Baron to Jo then to Jack. “Huh? What are you talkin' about?”

Jack gave Luke a nudge. “Outside, cowpoke.”

Wearing a baffled expression, Luke waved good-bye.

Jo crossed her arms and stared at her husband. “So, that's what you and your father have been powwowing about. You really expect me to up and leave my family again?”

Baron shrugged. “Not necessarily.”

“You do know that if you win a claim, you'll have to live on it for five years to get ownership of the land.”

“Hmm … I was thinking if we won a claim, we could start a new store and hire someone to run it for us.”

“Not unless you're willing to put the land in their name. As I said,
you
have to actually live on the claim in order to own it. I remember hearing Grandpa say there's a provision where you can leave for up to six months, but then you have to return to the land or lose the title to it.” She returned to the storeroom and grabbed the broom then started sweeping. She never expected Baron would catch the land run fever as Mark had.

He reached for the broom. “Jo, we were merely discussing it. I wouldn't make such an important decision without talking to you about it, so don't get upset.”

His reassurances warmed her. “I'm not upset.”

He lifted a brow. “I've been married to you long enough to know when something is bothering you.” He took the broom from her hands and leaned it against the counter then wiggled his finger. “Come here, wife.”

She was tempted to run and make him catch her, but sure enough if she did, a customer would walk in. She moved closer, her heart picking up its pace. “What is it you want, dear?”

“I missed your company. You were at Mother's for a long time. And I'm hungry.”

“Ah … now we get to the crux of the matter.”

“Not true.” He narrowed his eyes, giving her an expression that stirred her insides. “I missed you far more than I hunger for food.” He tugged her close, glanced over his shoulder at the door, and then kissed her soundly.

Jo loved his kisses, which were gentle but possessive. But they shouldn't be expressing their affection in the store, where anyone walking past could see. She loosened her hold on his neck, causing him to relax his hold on her waist. “As much as I'd love to continue, we shouldn't be doing this here.”

He blew out a sigh. “I know.” Then he grinned and waggled his eyebrows. “We could always close early.”

Jo smacked him on the chest. “You goose. Your mother has your lunch ready. When is your father due to return?”

Baron stepped back. “He went to the barbershop and to run several errands. He should be back anytime.”

“Well, you go ahead. I want you to eat before the food gets cold.”

“All right. If you're sure you don't mind running the store alone.”

“I'll be fine. Run along.”

He nodded, stepped close, and stole another kiss. Grinning wickedly, he grabbed his hat from the hook in the storeroom and placed it on his head; then he winked. “I'll be back in a half hour.”

“No rush. I'm sure your mother would enjoy spending some time with you.”

He waved as he exited out the back.

Jo smiled, feeling more contented than she could ever remember. She picked up the broom again, sweeping the dust out the front door and off the porch. She leaned against a post and surveyed the town. Guthrie had grown and done well for itself since it was established in a single day. Mark had told her the story of his train ride to Guthrie the day of the land run and how he thought he'd missed out on getting land. He'd been fortunate to find a claim in a good spot that had somehow been overlooked by the other Boomers.

She remembered the early days of the store and how hard it had been to sell stock out of a tent. It had been impossible to keep dust off their wares back then. That was one thing she wasn't looking forward to if Baron decided to ride in the run and start a new store.

Footsteps sounded behind her, and someone turned into the store. She pushed her feet into motion and went inside. The man stood in front of the rifle case.

“Can I help you?”

He glanced around then turned to face her, a leering smile tugging at his thick lips. “Well, howdy there, Sapphire. Ernie told me he'd seen you, but I didn't believe 'im.”

Jo's stomach knotted at the same time her shoulders and neck tensed. She recognized Frank Bennett from the bordello. He'd been one of Ruby's regulars, but he'd often eyed Jo from a distance. She shuddered at the memory. Her gaze darted to the counter where Baron stored his gun. Forcing herself to relax, she smiled, praying she could edge closer to the gun without him noticing. Denying she'd been Sapphire would do no good. “What do you want, Frank?”

He grinned. “So, you remember me.”

She casually moved to the end of the counter and slid behind it, putting a barrier between them. She prayed her father-in-law would return, but then, she didn't want him to get hurt if Frank got rough—and after witnessing Ruby's many bruises, she knew he could. “Of course. But you didn't answer my question.”

His grin widened, and he slithered closer. “I reckon you know the answer.”