Joline's Redemption (39 page)

Jo picked up a pad of paper, hoping to distract the man, and sidestepped closer to the gun. “I'm a married woman now. And my husband is due back any moment.”

“Ah, ah. Lying doesn't become you. I saw that fellow you was spoonin' with go out the back.” He rested his hand on his gun. “Lock the doors and turn the sign to C
LOSED
.”

She glanced down at the revolver.

“If you've got any funny ideas of pulling a gun on me, forget it. I'm a fast draw.” Then to prove his point, he yanked out his gun, spun it around on his finger, and shoved it back into the holster.

“Get on over there and lock the doors—and turn the sign to C
LOSED
while you're at it. Ya don't want no one comin' in and disturbin' us or gettin' hurt, do ya?”

Jo sucked in a breath.
No, Lord. This can't be happening.

B
aron strode down the alley, eager both to eat lunch and to get back to Jo. He couldn't believe how happy she'd made him. No wonder his mother had pushed him toward marriage for so long. He'd just needed to find the right woman. Yes, his wife was stubborn at times, but he was patient and flexible. There was generally more than one way to do something, and oftentimes, Jo's way made more sense than his.

He stuck his hand in his pocket and felt a piece of paper. He stopped suddenly and withdrew it, realizing he'd forgotten all about filling Finn Mulligan's order. If he continued on to lunch, the man would probably return before Baron did, and he wouldn't be happy that his order wasn't filled.

Sighing, he turned back to the store. Jo could tend to the order while he ate, and they would have a satisfied customer. And he might just steal another kiss while he was there.

He jogged up the steps and entered the supply room. Thinking to surprise her, he quietly stepped through the door they left open because of the August heat and to allow a cross breeze. But as he neared the door to the store, he noticed the front door had been closed.

“Now shut the back door.”

He sucked in a sharp breath. Had he walked in on a robbery? Quietly, he backed into the corner where Jo had hung several ready-made dresses so that he could assess the situation and see how many people he was up against.

Jo entered the room, walked to the door, and closed it. A stranger followed.

Baron struggled to come up with a plan. If only he could get the spare gun he had hidden in the inventory desk. But what if the man had a gun drawn? He couldn't see one in the man's left hand, but most men were right-handed.

Jo spun around, her face white. “All right. I've done as you asked. Now what?”

The stranger stepped another foot into the room. He was shorter than Baron but a bit on the stocky side.

The man nudged his chin toward the stairs. “What's up there?”

“Nothing much. Mostly only a few things we're storing. Look, my husband will return any moment. I'm also expecting his father to come back soon. You'd better leave while you can.”

Grunting, the man shoved Jo. She stumbled backward, falling onto the stairs.

Baron clenched his fist and gritted his teeth, waiting for the right moment to jump the man.

“Get on up there, Sapphire.”

Baron's heart lurched. The man knew Jo from before.

She glared at the stranger but turned and trudged up the stairs. The stranger followed closely on her heels. Baron slipped out from behind a bright pink dress with a full skirt and held his breath as he grabbed a cast-iron skillet that sat on the inventory desk. He tiptoed toward the stairs.

He swung the skillet, ramming it sideways into the bend of the man's knees. The man cried out and fell backward down the six stairs he'd climbed.

Baron pivoted toward the desk, yanked open the drawer, and pulled out his gun. When the man opened his eyes, he was staring into the barrel of Baron's gun.

“Jo, get the marshal.”

She cast him a grateful glance, hurried down the stairs, and slipped past the man and Baron into the store. He heard the door open and fast footsteps retreating.

The stranger sneered at him. “You the husband?”

Baron nodded.

“How can you stand to marry the likes of her?”

He ground his back teeth together. “I suggest you keep quiet and move into the store.”

The man rose and shuffled into the other room. “That marshal cain't take me in. I didn't do nuthin'.”

“Bob's a friend of mine. I'm thinking he won't see things that way.”

The confidence disappeared from the stranger's face, replaced by concern. “Listen, let me go, and I won't never come back here. A few minutes alone with her ain't worth going to jail for.”

“That's my wife you're referring to.” He'd never wanted to shoot someone before, maybe with the exception of his own brother for what he'd done to Jo.

Heavy footsteps came their way, and the marshal rushed into the room, his gun drawn. “What's goin' on here?”

“That man tried to kill me,” the stranger cried.

“That's not what his wife told me.” Bob's expression changed. “Did he tell you I stood up with him at his weddin'?”

Baron noticed the man's Adam's apple moved as he swallowed, and he was looking less cocky than before.

Bob waved his gun toward the door. “Let's go.”

Baron's pulse returned to normal as Bob escorted the intruder from the store. Jo ran in as soon as they were gone, and straight into his arms.

“Thank the Lord you returned when you did. I didn't know what to do.”

“God knew you needed me.” Baron kissed her temple then trickled kisses along her cheek until he claimed her mouth in a long, slow kiss.

Clapping and hoots sounded outside the open store door. Baron and Jo jerked apart. Heat warmed his neck, burning a trail to his ears. He'd been so relieved that Jo was safe that he hadn't noticed the crowd growing outside.

“They's still newlyweds, y'know.” Elmer Baxter poked a man in the ribs.

Chuckles echoed through the crowd as people turned away, returning to their own tasks.

Jo giggled. “I guess they'll all have something to talk about at supper.”

Baron wasn't quite ready for levity. “That man remembered you … from that place.”

Jo nodded. “We knew this could happen.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I sure didn't expect it would happen so soon.”

Jo walked over and closed the door, standing there for a long moment. Finally, she turned to face him. “I think we need to discuss the land run idea.”

He had mixed feelings about the subject. The land rush had been what brought Mark to Guthrie and into Jo's life. But then, on the other hand, if his brother hadn't come here, Baron never would have met Jo, and Jamie wouldn't have been born.

“What are you struggling with?”

“Many things. My parents only recently settled here. Your family is here—the store.”

“That's true, but we can always come back to visit them. Right now, we need to think of our family—you, me, and Jamie.”

“You're right. The Cherokee Strip run is next month, so that doesn't give us much time.”

Jo took hold of his hand. “No matter what, we need to pray about our decision.”

Baron smiled. He loved that Jo had turned her heart to God and saw the wisdom in seeking Him when an important decision needed to be made. “Once again, you're right, dear.”

Jo cuddled against his arm, smiling up at him. “I'll never tire of hearing you say that.”

“Which one? You'll never tire of hearing me call you dear or saying that you're right?”

She cocked her head, giving him a sassy grin. “Both.”

Baron chuckled and pulled her into his arms, so thankful to God for protecting her.

September 16, 1893
Orlando, Oklahoma Territory

Jo stared out the tent door at the huge crowd. The dust that had been prevalent for days finally began to settle as most everyone had stopped milling about because they were waiting for the race to begin. People had gotten into position at the starting line days ago. She remembered the same excitement that surged through the mass of Boomers right before the land run of 1889. Like last time, about ten minutes before noon, the noise of thousands of excited people eerily quieted to an occasional horse whinny, dog's bark, or baby's cry. All was quiet so no one would miss the starting gun.

Baron was somewhere near the front of the line. She smiled, thinking about how he'd been so excited that he hadn't slept but a few hours last night, even though Luke had relieved him where he and his horse stood in line. She stepped through the flap of the tent that held the store they'd operated for the past week.

Luke hammered the lid on the last crate in the tent—half-filled with vinegar bottles, just about the only liquid that remained from the rush this morning. He shook his head and chuckled. “I still can't believe anyone would buy castor oil or vinegar to drink.”

“I suppose if that's all they can find, they're happy with it, but it turns my stomach to think of it.” She shuddered. “I hated castor oil whenever Lara made me drink it when I was young.”

Luke grimaced. “Me, too. I'm sure glad we filled those extra barrels with water as Gabe suggested.”

The flap snapped, and Jack walked in. “It sure got quiet out there.” He glanced around the near-empty tent. “What else needs to be packed?”

“Not much.” Luke lifted the crate and headed out of the tent.

Jack moved toward a row of tables still standing.

“We're almost done. Just the tables, counter, and then the tent.” Jo examined the empty area, amazed they'd accomplished so much in the hour since they'd closed. While her back was to the men, she scratched at a trickle of sweat that ran down her chest. She longed for a soak in a tub, but that wouldn't happen for days, not with the drought they were experiencing.

Jack folded up a small table and carried it and another toward the exit. “I have to admit that husband of yours sure has a head for business. I never expected y'all to sell so much before the run.”

“I was hopeful. I'm glad he ordered another trainload of supplies to arrive in Perry tomorrow, though, or we wouldn't have enough for our store there—if we have one. Now we just need to pray Baron is able to get a town lot.”

“I've been prayin' all day. It's in God's hands.” He winked at Jo. “It always has been, sis.”

“I know. I'm learning that to be true.” Jo lugged one of the heavy tables toward the exit, following her brother. Though she was learning to trust in God more each day, her life was once again in turmoil. After that last encounter with a man who knew her from the bordello, she and Baron had made the decision to move, but where they were going to live still had to be decided. If Baron won a claim in Perry, they would make their new home there. If not, they'd return to Guthrie and rethink their plans. No matter what, she didn't want to be too far from her family. She'd already spent enough years away. If they made their home in Perry, they'd only be a short train ride from Guthrie.

Luke grabbed another table and carried it out while Jo attempted to drag the last one toward the exit. Jack nudged her aside and easily hoisted up the table then stood with his shoulder holding back the flap for her to pass through. “So, are you missin' that little scamp of yours?”

“Of course. And the big one, too.”

Jack grinned. “It sure was nice of your mother-in-law to offer to keep him so you could be here to support Baron.”

“I hope Jamie is behaving. Could you imagine trying to keep him corralled in a tent now that he's walking?”

He chuckled. “It sure would have added to our workload, especially since that scamp didn't just start walkin'. He started runnin' almost at the same time.”

“I suppose I'll find out what it's like if Baron gets a claim. I can't leave Jamie with Maureen for months until we get a house and store built.” She blew out a breath. “It makes me tired just thinking of chasing after him all day.”

Jack chuckled and handed the table to Luke. “You might have to rig up some kind of pen to keep him safe.”

Jo tapped her lips. “That's not a half-bad idea.” She turned and cocked her head. “So, are you missing that pretty wife of yours?”

“You know I am.” Her brother's ears turned red. “It worked out well for her to return home with her folks to fetch the rest of her belongings while I helped you. But after takin' so long to decide to marry, I'm wantin' Cora by my side again.”

“I understand. I miss Baron, too—and I just saw him a few hours ago.” Jo wiped the new layer of dust off the top of the sideboard that had served as her checkout counter. “If things don't go well with the startup of your church near Gabe and Lara, you might think of coming to Perry—that is, if we end up there.”