Choosing Love (Hero Hearts: Historical) Read online

  Chapter Twelve

  Early the next morning, Rebecca made her way down to the kitchen, where Katherine was cooking eggs for breakfast. “Hank was here, just a moment ago,” she said as Rebecca took a seat at the old pine table. “Old Man Jenkes died during the night. It was peaceful, the boy said. May he rest in peace now.”

  “It’s sad news, but not unexpected,” Rebecca said blankly.

  She could muster little emotion for a man who had lived a long life and for whom death may have been more of a blessing than a curse given how much pain he had suffered in his final days. Her main concern with his death was Allison. And possibly Coby.

  She had barely slept a wink all night, worrying about her parents. The terrible calmness that had accompanied those final exchanges of their argument the night before was disturbing. They’d given up.

  “Your mother is to take a late breakfast. She has one of her headaches.” Katherine turned her head and spoke over her shoulder. Rebecca wasn’t surprised that Mama needed to lie in bed and recover from her argument with Papa last night. She wished she could spend the day in bed, too. But, Allison and Coby would need her and she had to go to them.

  “I shall check on her, but then I must go to Allison, and Mr. Jenkes.” Rebecca mentioned nothing of her fears that Mama may not be with them in Springville for much longer. She doubted that Katherine was unaware of everything that went on in the little ranch house. Katherine was too clever, and too discrete to ever gossip about it though.

  “Your Papa said he’d get the gig ready for you. He intends to go with you, I think.”

  Rebecca forced herself to eat the plate of eggs that Katherine set in front of her. Every mouthful seemed to make her gag, but she knew she would need something to sustain her through what may be the hardest day of her entire life thus far. She would have to be staunch, to support her friends in their grief and keep her own anxieties to herself.

  There were many people milling around in the yard, as there had been ever since Old Man Jenkes fell ill. Rebecca didn’t even try to make out faces. She was here for Allison and Coby. She marched up the steps onto the porch and let herself into the house. She knew she would find Allison in Old Man Jenkes’ room, preparing him for Mr. Carnes the town’s only undertaker.

  When Rebecca entered the chamber, Allison was looking into the man’s wardrobe. Rebecca hurried in to assist her friend.

  “Thank you.” Allison let out a long breath. “I need to choose his clothes.”

  There were tears pouring down her cheeks, but Allison barely seemed to notice them. Rebecca reached out and tenderly wiped them away, moving to take Allison in her arms. “I am so very sorry. I know this is hard,” Rebecca whispered as she cradled Allison against her. Allison wrapped her arms around Rebecca, and Rebecca felt the tell-tale shudders as her friend began to sob.

  “I cannot believe he’s gone,” she spluttered, looking up and into Rebecca’s eyes.

  “The world will not be the same without him,” Rebecca said, not really sure what she should say, but that sentiment was at least the truth.

  “He is with Mother now,” Allison said, wiping her tears and blowing her nose loudly. “He always missed her, though he was not always the best of husbands to her when she was alive. He loved her in his way.”

  Coby had entered the room while they talked. He stood in the corner, his eyes red raw. It was clear he’d been crying heavily, though he’d retreated to deal with his grief alone. Rebecca moved to take his hands and stood on tip-toe to press a tender kiss to his cheek. He gave her a weak smile and squeezed her hands. He seemed to be unable to say a word, so tentative was his hold on his emotions.

  “Tell me what you need me to do,” Rebecca said, turning back to Allison.

  “I’m sure you saw, that many people have come to pay their respects,” Allison said. “We must feed them. Could you help Janice and Hetty in the kitchen, perhaps? I will be down, as soon as I work with Mr. Carnes to get Papa ready for them all to see him.”

  Rebecca nodded. “I’ll send Hank home, too,” she said. “He can bring Katherine back with him.” Allison gave Rebecca a wan look, but it was clear she was grateful.

  In many ways Rebecca was glad to have something practical to keep her hands busy and her mind occupied. If she had to think about her own family’s troubles, or the terrible sadness that both Allison and Coby were feeling it would have been too much to bear. Under the direction of Janice, the Jenkes’ cook, Rebecca rolled out pastry and baked pies and cakes that would feed hordes of people.

  The crowds in the yard came and went throughout the day, but there always seemed to be another mouth to feed. Some offered to help. Many seemed only to have to come to be seen and to somehow be witness to a family’s misery rather than to pay their respects to Old Man Jenkes. Rebecca was disgusted by them. But, she held the majority of her contempt for Allison and Coby’s siblings and their families. They gossiped and giggled and relaxed all day. Not one of them seemed in the least upset at the passing of their father and not one was polite enough to even disguise it.

  Dusk was falling when many of the townsfolk made their way up to the house, their working day done. Mr. Galsworthy was amongst those who came solemnly to pay his respects. Rebecca was with Allison when he arrived, and she watched as the young school master took off his hat and gave the old man in the bed a small bow before standing in silence for just a few moments.

  When he turned to move towards Allison, Rebecca could see that he was clearly moved. He took his eyeglasses off and placed them in his shirt pocket. His eyes were full of compassion as he took Allison’s hands in his own and murmured a few words of comfort.

  Rebecca’s stomach fluttered uncontrollably as she waited for him to speak to her. He was so close to her that she could smell him, soap and fresh-smelling citrus balm. She waited nervously, praying that nobody would see how much she wanted him to notice her, how much she had come to care for him. But, he did not say a word. He nodded to Rebecca, and then left the room.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Feeling suddenly overwhelmed at being so close to Miss Holdsworth, Hayden hurried from the parlor. He regretted that his curt nod might have seemed impolite at best, but he didn’t trust himself around her. He longed to tell her just how he felt about her and he was sure if he even so much as uttered her name everyone would see just how deeply he cared for her. It would be impolite and selfish to do so and he had no doubt that Coby Jenkes would not see another man’s interest in his future wife as a good thing.

  Coby was standing out on the porch, looking out at the crowd of people in the yard. Hayden moved towards him and shook his hand. “I’m sorry for your loss. Your father was very kind to me.”

  “Papa liked you. Said you were good for the town,” Coby said, barely taking his eyes off his older brother, Jed, who was standing amongst a large group of people by the barn opposite. “I know he’d be glad you came.”

  “I respected him, and he did a lot for the school. If there is anything I can do for any of you, please just ask.”

  “As a matter of fact, I was going to come see you. Allison and I wondered if we might prevail upon you to speak the eulogy at his funeral? We’d hoped to keep it a small family service, but as you can see it looks unlikely that we will be able to do that. I don’t think either of us could bear to stand up in front of everyone to speak about him.”

  “I would be honored.” Hayden was moved that they’d asked him to do this for them. Though he felt he was probably not the best man to do such a thing, now was not the time to say so. If Coby and Allison truly wished him to speak of their father, then he would ensure that it was done to the very best of his ability.

  “They’ve been here all week,” Coby said, nodding towards his siblings. “Not one of them visited with Papa while he was in his sick bed. Not one of them held his hand as he drew his last breaths. But, they’re all here, waiting to pick over his belongings and making sure he really is gone.”

  “I’m sorry
it turned out this way.” Hayden wasn’t really sure how to respond. It was clear that Coby was angry but it wasn’t clear why. Was it entirely because his brothers and sisters were callous and unfeeling? Or perhaps he was simply angry that his father was gone. Hayden didn’t have answers to that question. “Did your father have a will?”

  “I believe so. Don’t think Papa was a fool. He knew who cared and who didn’t. My older siblings all left home as soon as they could. They only came back when they wanted money, or needed Papa to wield some influence on their behalf. Vultures, the lot of them,” Coby said, then spat over the rail of the porch into the bushes. “I’ve just lost my father, I won’t lose my home as well.”

  His piece said, Coby spun on his heel and entered the house, leaving Hayden alone on the porch. Hayden wondered what had made the normally quite taciturn man confide in him. He and Coby could hardly have considered themselves friends. But, if Coby needed someone to speak to, to let out his feelings then Hayden would be glad to listen.

  Whispers and chuckles sounded around Hayden as he made his way across the yard to where he’d hitched his hired horse. He kept his head high and ignored as much of it as he could. He knew they weren’t laughing at him, or at Allison and Coby. They simply didn’t care enough for this to be anything more than a pleasant get-together that they could all enjoy. It must be very hard for Allison and Coby to bear, though. They were both genuinely sad to have lost their father.

  He could hear their criticisms of the ranch coming from the crowd, of the primitive way of life here in Springville. He wished he could turn on them and point out in detail why they were wrong on every count, but he knew it was not the time or the place to do so.

  Biting back his own frustrations at them, Hayden was just adjusting his stirrups when he heard light footsteps hurrying up behind him. He turned to see Miss Holdsworth standing before him. She was a little breathless, and was anxiously brushing a few loose curls back behind her ears. “I—I just wanted to say, thank you for coming. I know it means a lot to Allison, and to Coby of course.”

  “You did not need to hurry down here to say that,” Hayden said, suddenly feeling nervous. This was not the ideal place to speak with Rebecca. He feared he would give away his feelings in front of the gathered mass of the Jenkes clan. The last thing he wanted was to give them any fuel to feed their disdain of Coby, Allison and the ranch itself.

  “I just wanted to speak to you. Just for a moment.” She turned her head away from him and looked away into the distance. “I was just so glad to see a friendly face, and then you didn’t even greet me.”

  “I’m very sorry, that was rude of me.” Hayden looked closely at her. She had dark circles under her eyes, which were unusually dull today. She looked tired, and as though she might collapse at any moment. “Are you quite well? Should you perhaps take a rest? Get off your feet?”

  “I’m fine,” she said impatiently. “I have to be strong for Allison, and for Coby, of course.” The addition of Coby’s name seemed like an afterthought. Hayden knew she was not enamored of the idea of marrying Coby Jenkes, but there seemed to be something else going on between them. Something she was unable to speak of. Possibly?

  “Is there something else? I would gladly be a friend to you, if you need one,” he said, hoping to encourage her to unburden herself.

  “It’s nothing. It will all resolve quickly on its own.” Her response was quick. Too quick to be believable. Hayden didn’t miss the furtive glance she made, seeing if there was anyone within earshot.

  “If it is upsetting you, it is hardly nothing,” Hayden said, taking her hand.

  “Today should be about Old Man Jenkes and him alone. But, I overheard my mama and papa arguing last night. I fear that Mama may well be leaving us to live in Fort Worth with my aunt and uncle. It will likely be a permanent move.”

  Her words came out in a rapid burst, as though she could no longer keep them in. Hayden wished he could cradle her against his chest and reassure her that everything would work out for the best. But, with the eyes of the entire Jenkes clan pinned upon them, he didn’t dare such a bold move. “That’s a great burden to bear,” he said, finally.

  “It’s hardly a surprise. Mama has spent more and more time there in recent years and they have fought about many things for as long as I can remember.” She then looked up at him with wide eyes. “I shouldn’t have said that.” She covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes pleading with him. “Please forget that I said anything. It isn’t right for me to tell my family’s secrets to someone who is barely more than a stranger. I don’t know why, but I feel as though I have known you for years, though that isn’t so. You’re so easy to talk to.”

  Hayden had barely had time to take in Rebecca’s words before she turned and fled, her face flushed red and embarrassed that she’d shared her worries. He wished he could call her back, to reassure her that her secrets would always be safe with him. He’d love for her to know that he longed to be there for every single burden and help her with every single one of them.

  But as he mounted his horse, he saw that Coby Jenkes had emerged back onto the porch, and was looking over at Hayden with narrowed eyes. Miss Holdsworth was speaking with him. She looked flustered, but it appeared that Jenkes was being kindly enough. Hayden turned, urging his horse to a canter. It was best if he got on his way.

  Chapter Fourteen

  There seemed to be much talk in Springville over the following days. Most of it was speculation about Old Man Jenkes’ will. Had he cut out his elder children and left everything to Coby and Allison? Had the absentee children been allowed to inherit a fair share of the ranch? If so, what would change? Had the man had a will at all?

  On the day of the funeral it seemed like the entire county was present when Hayden stood at the lectern to deliver a heartfelt eulogy. He’d written a first draft then worked with Coby to refine it. They’d worked well on the tribute together.

  People were standing in the aisles, and crowding the back of the church, spilling out onto Main Street. Hayden wondered if many of them had ever even met the old rancher, but he knew that Old Man Jenkes would have been secretly proud that so many people had turned out to see him on his way.

  As Pastor Fletcher said the final prayers over the coffin and dismissed the congregation, a hubbub of whispers broke out. The coffin was escorted out of the church and into the churchyard, where only the Jenkes’ siblings would be present – not even their children, wives and husbands would attend this most private of internments.

  The will was to be read in the private chambers of Milton King, the lawyer handling the Jenkes estate. Rumor had it that Frederick Gardener had left Springville for the city because he was angry that his father-in-law had not chosen him for the job. Hayden shook his head wondering why the man couldn’t see why the man had chosen someone else.

  He watched as the group left the graveyard and made their way across Main Street to King’s small office, beside the saloon. But, though nobody had been invited to these private, family moments not a single person moved away from the church. Everyone wanted to know who the winners and losers would be.

  Hayden frowned, and made his way to leave to go to the school. He didn’t wish to be part of the spectacle. He bumped into Miss Holdsworth and her parents at the edge of the crowd. As usual, Mrs. Holdsworth was cool and aloof, as if what was going on was of little interest to her. Rebecca looked sad, small and so very alone, even as she clung tightly to her father’s hand. “Good day,” Hayden said to them.

  “Good day, Mr. Galsworthy,” Mr. Holdsworth said. He nodded towards the gathered crowds. “You’d think they might have something better to do.”

  “We live in a small town, I suppose,” Hayden said. “Not much happens here, a family as volatile as the Jenkes family is as good as the serials in the newspapers, I suppose.”

  “I need to get back to the ranch, but I don’t dare leave Rebecca,” Mr. Holdsworth said. “It’s only right that she wait for Coby.”
r />   “She might come and wait with me at the school, rather than wait here,” Hayden said. “I can send word to Mr. King’s clerk that she can be found there.”

  “That is good of you,” Mr. Holdsworth said. Rebecca’s face seemed to lift a little, her eyes brightening at the suggestion.

  “But, it’s hardly proper,” Mrs. Holdsworth said primly. “She has no chaperone, and I doubt that Mr. Jenkes would be happy to know his fiancée has been left alone with another man.”

  Rebecca’s face fell once more. “Mama is probably right. I should wait here.”

  Her father gave Hayden a look that could only be interpreted as frustration at his wife’s insistence upon silly rules that made little difference to anything. But, Hayden knew that there was more underlying the strain between the two following Rebecca’s unintended confidences. He couldn’t help but wonder whether Rebecca simply wished to be as far away from her parents as she could, at least until they resolved their differences. “Mrs. Temple is at the school with the little ones. I know she would appreciate some help, it would be quite appropriate, I can assure you.”

  “Oh, Mama, may I?” Rebecca begged. “The children would help to keep my mind busy while I wait.”

  “I don’t see why not,” Mr. Holdsworth said firmly, taking his wife by the arm and beginning to lead her away before she could say anything. He nodded to his daughter, “I shall come and fetch you at dusk, from the Jenkes’ ranch.”

  “Thank you, Papa,” she said, turning to Hayden beaming. She waited until her parents were out of earshot. “I cannot thank you enough. It has been unbearable at home in recent days. I know Mama is only staying until the funeral today is over. Things must appear to be done right.”