Joline's Redemption (6 page)

Sarah ducked her head, as if half expecting Lara to send her away.

Jo walked over to the girl and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. Sarah stiffened, obviously not used to physical touch, but she didn't move away. “This is my sweet friend Sarah. She goes where I go.”

Lara nodded and stepped forward. “Welcome, Sarah. I'm happy to have you stay in our home for as long as you'd like.”

Sarah glanced at Jo and then offered Lara a rare smile.

“Are you hungry? Supper is almost ready, and Gabe should be back from town soon.”

“We're starving.” Jo's stomach rumbled as if agreeing, and she and Lara chuckled.

Lara took the reins of the horse from Sarah and tied him to the hitching post in front of her house. “I'll have Michael take care of your horse.” She pivoted, keeping one hand on her stomach. “He will be so excited to see you again.”

Jo nibbled her lower lip as Sarah untied Jamie's bindings. “Do you think he'll remember me?”

“Of course he will. You won't believe how much he's grown.”

“I'm sure he has. He's almost nine by now, isn't he?”

Lara nodded, smiling proudly. “Let's go inside and talk over a cup of tea. It may be warm for March, but it's still too chilly for my liking to be outside without a cloak. Speaking of cloaks, where's yours?”

Jo glanced at Sarah, uncertain how much to tell her sister. “I'll tell you about that later. Right now, we could really use some food. We haven't had an actual meal for several days.” She had to keep things as vague as possible. She wasn't prepared to tell her sister the depths to which she had fallen. For all she knew, Lara might still believe she and Mark were together. She probably thought Jo had been living with him since she'd last seen them, nearly a year and a half ago, before she'd left Guthrie. It would be better for Jamie and her if that's what everyone thought—that she was a married woman in town to visit family. That would place a damper on her finding employment and earning money to get them farther away from Badger, though.

Jamie yawned and looked around, obviously curious about their new surroundings. As they walked into the foyer, Jo touched Lara's arm. Her sister turned with one eyebrow lifted. “I have to know…. Is Grandpa …?”

Lara smiled. “He's still with us, although he's not as hearty as he was before you left.”

Jo nodded, both relieved and a bit apprehensive. Grandpa had probably been upset that she'd up and left town without letting them know. She was sure they'd all worried about her back then. In the past, she wouldn't have cared, but after living in such a harsh environment, it felt good—far better than she expected—to be with family who loved her.

Stepping back, Jo waved for Sarah to enter. The girl seemed to have withdrawn since their arrival. Perhaps it was just the newness of the place. Or perhaps she was still uncertain whether Jo was serious about keeping her. She smiled, hoping to relieve Sarah's fears. “Come on in. Like Lara said, you're welcome here. These are good people, Sarah. They will love you without expecting anything from you.”

Sarah cast her a skeptical glance. What had the girl's life been like that she had such fears?

It couldn't have been much worse than Jo's, and yet, she'd known what it was like to live in a loving family and had thrown it all away. Jo swallowed the lump in her throat. Why had she been so stubborn? So inconsiderate of her family's feelings?

Lara walked into the large parlor, and Jo's heart flip-flopped. Michael and Grandpa sat at a table in front of a window on the side of the house, playing checkers. Michael had certainly grown. He no longer looked like a youngster but a half-grown boy. He looked her way then crinkled his forehead, as if he should know her. She stared at the boy, willing him to remember her. A gasp drew her gaze back to Grandpa. He had aged in the time she'd been gone.

“Jo? Is it really you, Punkin?”

She nodded and stepped toward him, unsure of his response.

He pushed up from his chair and started toward her, one hand shaking in the air as if he were rejoicing at a tent meeting revival. “Glory be! The prodigal finally came home.”

Jo hurried forward to keep him from walking so far. Grandpa reached for her and enveloped her and Jamie in a hug. After a long moment, he took a step back and swiped his eyes, making Jo's water.

“And who is this bright-eyed little feller?” Grandpa chucked Jamie on the chin, and her son grinned even though he laid his head on her shoulder as if not quite sure what to make of the man. He'd never been around men much, mainly just the women at the bawdy house.

“This is my son, Jamie.” Jo brushed her hand over Jamie's hair as she looked at Michael, whose blue-green eyes were wide open. “Do you remember me, Shorty?”

“You're my aunt Jo, ain't ya?”

She nodded and smiled, a bit disappointed when he didn't rush into her arms like Lara and Grandpa had.

“How come you got a kid?”

Jo felt her cheeks warm. Grandpa chuckled as he dropped hard back into his chair. She glanced at Lara, who shrugged and smirked in a playful manner. “Well, I was married, and a baby sometimes comes along after a couple marries.”

“I know.” He rolled his eyes. “Ma's going to have one. So, where's your husband?” He glanced past Jo. “Who's she?”

“Michael. Don't pester your aunt with questions,” Lara said. “Come and give her a hug.”

The boy rose, but he didn't look as if he was quite ready to welcome her back to the family. Jo never expected he'd be the one to hold back his affection. He'd always been so free with his hugs and kisses in the past. Had her leaving hurt him, too?

“It's all right. He doesn't have to until he feels comfortable.”

Jamie jabbered and waved at Michael, seeming delighted to see someone more his size. Michael studied him, and a tiny grin quirked up one side of his mouth, but then his gaze shifted behind her again. Sarah! She had almost forgotten about her. Jo turned and found her halfway hiding behind the doorjamb. She held the pillowcase with Jamie's clothes in the hand Jo could see. “Come and meet the others, Sarah.”

The boy's eyes widened as he stared at Sarah. “Is she an Injun?”

“Michael. That was rude.” Lara reached for her son's shoulder. “You need to apologize, and there's a horse out front that needs to be watered, fed, and then groomed. Please take it to the barn and tend to it.”

“Yes, ma'am.” He lowered his head and shuffled through the room, stopping in front of Sarah. The girl was only a few inches taller than him. “Sorry. I didn't mean nuthin'. I was just wonderin'.”

Jo held her breath as Sarah studied the boy.

After a long moment, she nodded. “I am part Cherokee.”

Michael's head popped up. “You really are an Injun?” he said with awe in his voice.

Wariness invaded Sarah's expression and posture.

Michael held out his hand. “It's a pleasure to meet you. Maybe me and you can be friends. I ain't never had an Injun friend before.”

“I'm so embarrassed,” Lara whispered under her breath. “Michael, go on outside.”

“Can she come, too?”

Jo glanced at Sarah, who seemed half-interested. “It's nice of you to ask, Michael, but we haven't had much to eat the past few days. I think it's best if Sarah stays inside for now. Maybe later today or tomorrow you can take her on a tour.”

“All right. See ya.” He gave Sarah a little wave and headed out the door.

Jamie squawked, as if not wanting him to go.

“I think my son is intrigued with yours. Sarah is the only other child he's ever been around.”

“I am not child.”

Jo's gaze shot to the girl, whose chin jutted up. She hated that her comment had offended Sarah. “I meant that you're the only small person Jamie has ever known. I suspect that's why he's enamored with my nephew.”

Sarah nodded. “I understand.”

Lara clapped her hands. “Well, now that we've all met, let's get you two something to eat, and after that, I imagine you'd like to clean up and rest a bit.” She started for the kitchen then paused at the bottom of the stairs. “Would you rather I show you to your rooms first?”

“Rooms?”

Lara nodded. “We have two spare bedrooms, so you don't need to share unless you really want to.” Her gaze shifted between Jo's and Sarah's.

“Let's eat first. I'm so hungry I could devour a horse.”

Sarah shuddered. “Horse is not good to eat.”

Jo blinked. She hadn't expected the girl to take her seriously.

“Well, not to worry, I have a big pot of beef stew on the back of the stove, waiting for Gabe to get home. I'll go ahead and dish you up some and then you can get cleaned up and rested. I'm sure you're exhausted after your travels. How long did you say you were on the trail?”

Jo shifted Jamie to her other arm, fully intending to avoid that last question. “It feels as if every muscle in my body hurts after riding that horse for so long and sleeping on the ground last night.”

“So, you've been living close by?” Grandpa asked.

“Um … yes.” Jo glanced over her shoulder, realizing her mistake. She'd have to be more careful. If word got out that they'd come from Oklahoma City, and Badger made it to this area, someone might add things up and send him her way.

“Please have a seat, and I'll get the food. What can Jamie eat?”

The chairs squeaked as she and Sarah pulled them out. Jo dropped down, more tired than she could ever remember being. Now that they had finally arrived, all the things she'd worried about seemed nonexistent. Although she still had to face Gabe, and he would more than likely be the hardest on her. He was within his right to send them packing after the way she'd treated her sister in the past.

Grandpa sat beside Jo, reaching out a finger to tickle Jamie's belly. Her son smiled and grabbed the finger, lifting it to his mouth. “That boy has teeth,” Grandpa said, tugging his hand away.

Jo smiled, and the relief she felt at seeing her grandfather again was overwhelming—and surprising. He'd always been special to her, except those times when she was unhappy with him. It warmed her heart that he was still alive to meet her son.

As Lara lifted the lid off the stew, a delicious aroma filled the room, making both Jo's and Sarah's stomachs grumble. She glanced at the girl and smiled.

Lara set a bowl of steaming stew in front of each of them, and they dug in. Jo savored the delicious flavors and the hot biscuits with melted butter. From the way Sarah was wolfing down her food, Jo guessed she felt the same. Lara always was a good cook.

Before Jo's bowl was empty, she heard the front door open and hard steps approaching the kitchen. Gabe was home.

J
o tiptoed from the bedroom that she and Sarah were sharing. She glanced back at the girl who had crawled in her bed, flashing a nervous smile. Sarah wasn't comfortable enough in the unfamiliar house to stay in a room alone, even though she was used to doing so at the bordello. Jo wondered if Sarah thought she might sneak out and leave her. She had hardly uttered a word since they arrived and seemed more withdrawn than she'd been on the trail. Perhaps it was just the newness of the house and the people.

She started for the back stairs to make one last trip to the privy, but the murmur of voices pulled her to the stairs that led to the foyer. Pausing where the wall ended and the railing started, she peered down. Gabe and Lara stood just inside the parlor, talking.

She couldn't make out Lara's soft voice, but she caught most of what Gabe said. “Wasn't with Mark … Lied to you … Don't want … hurt again … Hillborne in town …”

Jo sucked in a sharp breath. Mark was back in Guthrie? Why would he return now—just when she did? What would he do if he learned she was nearby? She crossed her arms to keep them from trembling. When thinking of returning to the area, she'd never once considered that Mark also might have decided to come back. But it made sense if the store was still there and stocked as it had been when he closed it. Perhaps he was only in town to sell it.

The voices had quieted. Her sister and Gabe must have gone to the kitchen. She slunk back the way she came and hurried to the rear stairway and went down to the privy. What should she do now? If she only had herself to think about, she'd get Badger's horse and ride off again, but she had Jamie—and Sarah. Both children needed good food and a roof over their heads, and this was the only place she knew where they could get that.

She would have to steer clear of Mark. She'd nearly lost Jamie once. She couldn't risk Mark finding out about him and deciding he liked the idea of being a father.

Back in her room, she huddled under the covers, shivering. With the threat of Mark in town, she wondered if they shouldn't pack up and leave. But where could they go with no money? How would they survive? She had to find a way to make some money. She'd never been one to sew much and didn't like cooking, but perhaps it was time she learned. Her sister would be more than happy to teach her, and one day, if things went the way she planned, she and the children would have their own place, and she'd need to know how to cook for Jamie and Sarah. She sighed, wishing now that she hadn't been such a tomboy. Fishing or trapping had always held more interest than cooking and cleaning. And besides, she always imagined she'd marry a wealthy man and have servants to do those things for her.

But nothing had gone as planned. She'd been so sure she knew what was best for her life, running away from her family when she was sixteen, albeit almost seventeen. And look where it had gotten her. Jamie was the only good thing to come from all the horrible things she'd endured. She supposed she should give herself some credit for helping Sarah escape the awful future she faced.