Well, you didnt try very hard, Maude.
True. The kitchen echoed with her jolly laughter. Youre paid up for the entire month of August.
That cant be. He wouldnt do that. He doesnt even like me. But he kissed me. The remembered tingle of his lips caressing hers heated her face.
Maude set a plate of sugar cookies on the small round oak table. A man doesnt gotta like you in order to love you.
Libby stepped over to the table, the kitchen as crammed with breakable knickknacks as the front room. I want you to refund Jacob his money.
Cant do it. Maude grabbed a pitcher tinkling with ice. She poured two cups. This came over from Traces diner. The best in town.
Not even the sight of the luxurious lemonade soothed the ache in her chest. Maude, its simple. You find Jacob at his livery and give him his money.
He wont take it. Besides, after he gave me thirty-two dollars for this month, he and I made an arrangement. Hes giving me free care of the horse Ive got over at his livery, and I give you free room and board. Its a fair deal for me.
You cant do that. I wont be obligated to him. Shed caused him enough trouble. Thinking of the baby growing in her belly, Libby blushed.
Pish posh. You listen to me. This world is tough on a woman alone. If a well-off gentleman wants to help you outwith no expectationsthen I would let him. A girl needs all the help she can get.
Not this one. Libby sank into the offered chair. You dont understand, Maude. I owe Jacob more than I can pay him.
Hed given her beautiful dreamsfor as long as they lasted. Shed wasted all his time corresponding when he could have spent the time finding another woman who would be good enough for Emma. Not that Libby blamed him. Oh, no. She blamed herself for making promises she could not honor, for letting Jacob down.
Maudes hand covered hers. Its a matter you must take up with him. He and I have an arrangement I like. And hes good to my horse. Have a cookie, now. Theyre fresh from the diner, too.
Jacob secured the Bakers palomino in his stall, trying not to remember.
Jacob? Her voice. Elizabeths.
He didnt realize she wasnt a dream until he turned. The wide front doors of the bam framed her slim shape, allowing glimpses of Main Street with its dusty boardwalk and painted shop fronts. The hot, early September wind breezed the green fabric of her plain calico dress.
She looked beautiful to him with wisps of honey blond hair whipping around her oval face.
She self-consciously dipped her chin. I hope Im not bothering you.
Not at all. He stepped forward.
I need to speak to you about my rent. She tucked her lush bottom lip between her teeth, looking uncertain.
He grabbed hold of the worn-smooth handle of his favorite pitchfork. Seems to me your rent is a matter you should talk about with Mrs. Baker.
Her eyes searched his. I know you are the one, and it has to stop. Not that I dont appreciate it.
He wished so much could be different between them. Im glad to help out, Elizabeth. You refused my money, if you remember.
She remembered the heat of his mouth over hers, burning a blessed sensation straight through her belly. In the dim interior of the barn, she could see only Jacobs shadow. She moved closer. Make him understand how important this is to her.
The comforting scent of wood smoke and new hay filled her nose. The same scent clung to Jacobs clothes the few times shed been close to him.
I want to pay my own way, Jacob. I need to do it.
Jacob moved toward her with a slow, hesitant gait, gripping his pitchfork. Maybe I need to help you.
But you should be trying to find Emma a mother, not worrying over me. Although she wanted him to.
Somebody has to care about you. Have you given a thought to what you will do when that baby comes?
He eased into the spill of sunshine through the wide stable door. He wore trousers and no shirt. Sweat glistened across the mesmerizing expanse of his muscled chest, touched by the sun.
She had never seen such a chest. She had never seen such a man. He isnt yours to touch, Libby. Her face hot, she dipped her chin. Im getting along considerably well at the boardinghouse, and Ive found a job.
Not as a seamstress, he corrected, as if he knew all about her position serving men their meals.
It was the only job I could find. Mr. Oleson offered to hire me as a dancing girl in his saloon, but I had to decline. Apart from my...condition I dont know how to dance.
Jacobs rich chuckle vibrated across her skin. I know a few dances. My mother taught me.
My aunt thought dancing was sinful. Libby fingered the soft bundle she held. I suppose the sort of dancing in Mr. Olesons parlor might be considered that.
The new minister in town thinks so. Hes started to picket some of those establishments.
Sometimes the women joining him spill over onto Leahs front steps and keep away the hotels business. It makes her furious. Libbys smile faded. Will you stop giving Maude free board for her horse?
No. His eyes turned somber, pinching thoughtfully in the corners. You need my help, Elizabeth.
What kind of woman did he think she was?
No, I dont need you, she said, chin lifted. Ive never depended on a mans generosity, and Im not about to do it now. I have always managed just fine on my own, no matter what you think of me.
Face flaming, Libby turned, the bundle in her hands forgotten as she walked as fast as she could toward the street.
Dont leave. Please. His voice echoed in the loft overhead. Do you have a moment?
Libby considered his words, then stopped. She couldnt look back at him. I was on my way to the hotel.
Let me buy you a glass of lemonade over at the diner so we can talk.
Talk. Libbys stomach flipped over. Looking at him made her want him. He wasnt hers to have. II start work soon.
Jacob nodded, as if that suited him fine, and held up one finger indicating she should wait.
Wait? She should hightail it out of here and put as much distance between them as humanly possible. He didnt want her, would never love her. But she wanted him to.
Jacob appeared from the back of the stable, now wearing a plain blue muslin shirt, open at the collar. It had been tucked hastily into his trousers and looked sadly wrinkled.
Has Jane left?
What gave you that idea? He smiled ruefully. I never learned how to iron. Without Jane, I use the laundry in town, but by the time I get the clothes home, they look like this.
What does Emma say about it?
She says I ought to get myself a wife. That theres a nice lady living in town I could ask. His joke failed. The light left his eyes. Im sorry. I wasnt thinking.
Its all right. But it wasnt. As they walked the half block together, she felt his gaze stray to her stomach.
He held open the door of the diner and smiled as if... Libby tried not to complete that thought. He was just being polite.
Well have two glasses of lemonade, Jacob informed the young woman who wandered into sight. Lets sit near the window, he said to Libby.
Libby sat down while Jacob folded himself into a too small chair. The opened window gave her something to look at besides Jacob.
I guess I really just wanted to know how you are doing. If you need anything. Concern rumbled in his voice.
And brought tears to her eyes. She blinked hard. How is Emma doing?
She misses Jane. I havent found anyone to replace her yet
Would he find someone to replace me? Libby laid the cloth bundle she carried on the clean table. She waited as the young woman placed two ice-filled glasses between them. Fresh, sour-sweet lemonade scented the air.
What do you have there? he asked.
Something for Emma. If you will let her have them. Waiting for his rejection, she unwrapped the small bundle of clothes. Folds of happy calico and gingham peeked out from the soft flannel. Aprons. Bonnets. Dresses. Nightgowns. Shoes.
Elizabeth, I dont think He fisted his hands. Emma will get her hopes up.
Then dont tell her they are from me. Say you bought them. Its important to me she has these for her doll.
Why?
Libby rubbed the condensation from the glass. I had planned to finish the clothes before I arrived, but time got the best of me. It isnt Emmas fault I didnt sew them before I arrived.
Jacobs face twisted. Emma will know they came from you.
I see. All these pretty things. Libby folded the flannel back over the clothes. The fabric was already cut and would only go to waste. I couldnt bear that. I didnt think it would make you angry.
Jacob raised his gaze to hers. Im not angry.
Then youll give them to her?
Yes. Jacob reached for the bundle. Emma will be thrilled with these pretty things.
Thank you. Libbys throat tightened, and she did not say the words. It was enough to know she would make Emma happy.
You have a talent. His gray gaze caught hers. Held.
Libby longed for his touch. Unable to look away, her heart hammered. Im just an ordinary seamstress.
Seems with this skill you could find work in town.
I just started doing piecework for Mr. Ellington. Mostly altering and mending and hemming. It isnt much, but enough to fill my Sundays.
Thats good. Jacob wrapped his able fingers around the thick, cold glass and drank deeply.
She sipped the ice-cold lemonade, too. My time is up. I dont want to keep Leah waiting. The hotel has been so busy lately.
Is she treating you right? Kitchen work cant be easy.
She could hear his thoughts. For a pregnant woman like you. Libby looked down. Leah is a generous boss. Im lucky to be working for her.
A flicker built in her heartthe beginnings of hope. Maybe he would look past her pregnancy. Maybe he wanted to marry her for herthe woman with whom hed exchanged hopes, stories and words from his heart.
Libby stood, fishing for coins in her skirt pocket. Goodbye, Jacob.
And it was goodbye.
Its my treat. His firm voice stilled her hand, and he laid an array of small coins on the table.
He cared about her. And it hurt more than his hatred.
Take care of yourself, Elizabeth. He stood, his unreadable gaze trapping hers, causing a tingling warmth through every nerve in her body.
He was never going to kiss her again. Libby turned away, not looking back, fighting the weakness for him in her heart.
Shed never ached for a mans touch. Shed never felt this way about anyone.
Chapter Six
Miss Hodges! Miss Hodges! The childs voice rang like a merry bell above the din of the dusty streets.
Libby turned, her errand forgotten at the sight of Emma Stone, dressed in a white calico dress, trimmed with lace and velvet, racing down the boardwalk, braids flying.
She glanced around for Jacob and relaxed when she saw he was nowhere near. She wanted to see him; she didnt want to see him.
Emma bounced to a noisy halt on the boardwalk, her brown braids slamming against her back. I saw you and I just had to come over. I like your dress.
And I like yours.
Emmas grin flashed.
Libby smiled back. Dont tell me your pa is letting you run all over town by yourself.
No. Emma laughed. I ran away.
From your pa? Confused, Libby glanced down the street. Shoppers traveled from one shop to another, men hauled freight through the busy town.