JAMES Read online

  The screech of a blue jay had her searching the branches above. A flash of blue caught her eye as the bird launched out of the tree and winged away down the hillside. She followed its flight until it disappeared over the church. For a moment she was filled with envy. If only she could jump from a branch and fly away. But where would you go?

  There was nothing left in Louisiana. Her parents and brother were all dead, the house and land had been sold, the money going to pay their debts. She missed the scents of her farm and the river that ran near it, but that was no reason to return. She searched for the flow of water on the other end of town, from which King’s Ford took its name, but couldn’t see it from here. Perhaps she would take Robbie on an outing tomorrow and go to the river.

  Closing her eyes again, she turned her thoughts firmly from the very handsome Reverend Hathaway, imagining walking beside the river instead.

  “Esther? Esther.”

  She slowly responded to the voice softly calling her name. She’d fallen asleep. “Yes?” She had to force her eyes to open.

  “Look,” he whispered, pointing toward the spot between them, where Robbie was…

  She sat up. “He’s lifting his head.” She didn’t have to look at James to know his broad smile mirrored her own.

  “He was trying to push up and see around you when I walked up.” The pride on James’ face was wonderful to see. He would be a good father to Robbie. “But isn’t he too young for that?”

  “Not if he’s two months old or more. At least that’s what Elda Owens told me this afternoon. The doctor might have been mistaken about his age.”

  “Which means whoever left him on my doorstep had cared for him for at least eight weeks or more.” James rose and took a step back, never looking away from the baby. “And he’s not quite as big for his age as we thought.”

  Esther rose, as well. “Who would leave their child like that? He’s not even mine, but I’d gladly starve to keep Robbie with me and healthy.”

  “Perhaps they were,” he mused. “Starving, I mean. This might have been their last option to be sure he survived.”

  That sobering thought stayed with Esther as she folded the blanket and they returned to the cabin.

  “Doc stopped by as we were finishing up. He’s had no new cases of influenza in the last three days. He said if no one else falls ill in the next four days, we will have weathered this thing.”

  “That’s wonderful news. Once he’s certain, I can begin looking for work and someplace to live.”

  “That isn’t necessary.”

  “It is,” she insisted. “The parsonage is your home. You shouldn’t have to keep sleeping on the floor in the church. It isn’t right.”

  Her earlier daydreaming rose in her mind, along with the heat of a blush. Fortunately, James didn’t seem to notice.

  “You could marry me.” The words came as such a surprise, she couldn’t respond. “I know we’ve talked about it before and you said you wouldn’t consider it, but, Esther, you are a beautiful woman and a wonderful mother. I would do all in my power to—”

  “No.”

  “But Esther—”

  “No!” She waved him away when they reached the cabin. “You see to Robbie’s bath. I have… I have things to do.”

  “Bath? I’ve never bathed an infant.”

  “Neither had I until a week ago,” she fired back. “He’s your son. It’s time you learn.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  The next four days passed quickly. James visited various households and tried to keep up the morale of the rest of the townspeople. Though it was still warm during the day, the mornings and evenings had finally begun to cool. Fall was coming.

  Esther blew a strand of hair out of her eyes. Between keeping up with Robbie and cooking three full meals a day, she was wearing down. To help Ina, she’d also taken on the cooking for some of those who’d fallen ill. She’d made more bread and soup this week that she could remember. They’d gone through so many chickens that the town would need to focus on raising chicks for a while instead of gathering eggs.

  Saturday morning, James left immediately after breakfast to visit his flock and check in with Doctor Finney. When he didn’t return for dinner, she knew he was probably sitting down to eat the midday meal with one of his parishioners.

  “Doc thinks it’s over,” James announced as he walked into the cabin about an hour before sunset. “There’ve been no new cases in more than a week. He feels certain we’re out of danger of further contagion.”

  “Hallelujah!”

  “Amen,” he added, relief in his tone. “We lost three. Mrs. Masters’ boarder, Mr. Washington, who started the outbreak, the Davis’ young son, Benjamin, and Mr. Ames.”

  “Mr. Ames? Poor Mrs. Ames. And a little boy? His mother must be devastated.” Esther felt tears well. How well she knew what the woman was going through. “I’d like to visit her, perhaps after the funeral.”

  “She would appreciate that, I’m sure. Benjamin was the youngest of five, only three years old, but losing a child isn’t easy, no matter how many in your family. They’ll bury the boy on their farm, so there won’t be a funeral, at least not one I’ll officiate. They’ll honor their Jewish traditions.” He went to the washstand to clean up for dinner. “Delores Abel told me she sent for her sons when Abraham took ill. After breaking his wrist, she knew he wasn’t all that strong anymore. She expects the boys to arrive tomorrow.”

  “I’ll take some food over for her and see if there’s anything I can do.”

  “I ran into Elda Owens this morning. She and Dorothea Meier were heading to the Abel place this afternoon. They’ll help Delores prepare the body for the wake.”

  “Then I’ll ask them what’s needed. Will there be a wake for Benjamin?”

  “Probably, but Ira wanted to discuss it with Ruth before he made any plans. We’ll have a funeral for Mr. Washington once the grave is dug. As soon as the Abel boys arrive, we’ll have Abraham’s funeral.”

  “Will you need me to play the organ for them?”

  “You’re already doing so much. I hate to add—”

  “I don’t mind. I know I’m not really part of King’s Ford yet, but this is something I can do for the families.”

  James laid his hands on her shoulders. “You’re a good and generous woman, Esther Travers. I’m sure singing favorite hymns would be a great comfort to the families.”

  Something warm rose within Esther, bringing with it a sense of belonging, a feeling that being here, with James, was right. But she didn’t want to marry again. Why not? a voice inside her argued. James is nothing like Claude. He’d be a good father and husband.

  But men change. She’d learned that the hard way. Claude had said he wanted children, but when she told him she was expecting, he’d cursed at her and accused her of having lovers. That the baby couldn’t be his.

  “Esther? Is something wrong?”

  “No.” She realized she’d been staring at James while memories of Claude cascaded through her mind. “I’m fine. I need to check on Robbie.”

  “Let me.”

  “Is that wise?”

  “None of the homes I visited this week had anyone ill. If there had been, I wouldn’t be here.”

  “I’m sorry.” She flushed with embarrassment at having lost her temper. “I know you would never put us at risk. If you would stay with him for a while, I’d be grateful. I need to deliver this soup to Ina. She said something about actually eating some herself, this time. I shouldn’t be long. I fed him just a bit ago, so that should hold him until I get back.”

  “Take as long as you need. We’ll be fine, won’t we, my little man?” He sat on the floor beside Robbie. “Maybe we’ll take a walk in the sunshine. Would you like that?”

  Esther smiled at the image he made, sitting on the floor, conversing with a baby.

  “Esther!”

  She turned back, her smile disappearing. “What’s wrong?”

  “He smiled.” James looked up,
a grin splitting his handsome face. “I asked if he wanted to go outside and he smiled at me.” He looked back at the baby. “I choose to take that as a yes.”

  “See that he doesn’t get too much sun.”

  “You have my word. If we aren’t here when you return, we’re still touring the town.”

  And showing the baby off to everyone they pass. Yes, James Hathaway was very different from Claude.

  “Enjoy your soup, Ina. And get some rest.” As she closed the front door behind her, Mrs. Meier called her name and waved her over to the mercantile.

  “There you are. I told Elda I’d go to the parsonage to see you, and have a peek at that baby, truth be told, but here you are, saving me the walk.”

  “I brought some dinner for Ina and Doc. I worry they’ve been so busy caring for others they’ve almost forgotten to eat. I stayed much longer than I planned, catching up on things.”

  “It’s good for Ina to have the company. We just came from helping Delores with the laying out.”

  “I plan to play for the funeral service. Reverend Hathaway thought it would be all right.

  “All right?” Dorothea patted her shoulder. “Honey, Delores will be thrilled. She’s wanted to give up that organ for more than a year, but she refused to leave the Reverend without music on a Sunday morning.”

  Esther thought of the sounds she’d heard her first day at the parsonage. The Reverend would probably have been better off.

  “Her boys should be here this afternoon. She sent word when Abe took ill and they live only a day’s ride east of here.”

  “I didn’t realize they were so close.”

  “They still work the ranch that Abe and Delores homesteaded over sixty years ago. Once the boys were old enough to take over, they gave them the ranch and bought a small patch of land here in King’s Ford. Delores said it was far enough away that the boys had to take responsibility, but close enough to get home quick if there ever was a need.”

  “I’m sorry I won’t get to know Mrs. Abel. She sounds like an amazing woman.”

  “She’s been through her share of heartache and can still laugh. That says a lot about a woman, I think.”

  Esther had to agree. “Did she say anything about the funeral?”

  “Her eldest boy was going to see the Reverend himself, but you tell him I’ve let Hank Givens know where she wants the grave dug. He said he needs to dig one for that boarder, the one who brought the sickness here.”

  “Mr. Washington,” Esther supplied.

  “Well, Hank said he’d find some help and get to them both this afternoon.”

  “I’ll pass that along. I should be getting back. Robbie will need to be fed soon.”

  “How’s that little one doing? I never imagined, when the Reverend asked me to box up what the tyke might need that he’d still be with us.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  Mrs. Meier looked away, over Esther’s shoulder. “Babies are not as sturdy as some would think. A draft, no mother’s milk…” The woman blinked away tears. “So many things can take a young one from us.”

  Esther went with an impulse and hugged Dorothea. No words were necessary between two women who shared such a loss.

  “You go take care of that beautiful child.”

  “Come by the parsonage soon. I’d welcome a chance to talk to another woman.”

  Dorothea laughed. “Not much in the way of conversation with a month-old baby.”

  “Actually, we think he’s at least two months old. He lifted his head the other day. James was so proud…” She trailed off, mortified at what she’d said. “I mean, Rev—”

  “Oh, now, don’t fret. I’d be surprised if you didn’t try to catch the man. He’s handsome and kind and earns his daily bread, so to speak. Just don’t slip like that in front of Elda Owens. She’ll have you two married as fast as another preacher can get here. She’d love to remove the temptation for Zelda.”

  Before Esther could insist there was nothing between her and the Reverend, Dorothea was shooing her off. “Go on home, honey or the Reverend will be here looking for you.”

  There was nothing to do but leave. All the way to the parsonage, Esther berated herself for becoming so comfortable talking with Dorothea that she’d forgotten to mind what she said. “James—no, Reverend Hathaway. I must start addressing him as Reverend.”

  When she reached the edge of the churchyard, she heard Robbie crying. Hurrying into the cabin, she had already undone two buttons of her dress before she realized James wasn’t alone. Pulling the edges of her bodice together she reached for the baby. “I apologize, Reverend. If you gentlemen will excuse me.”

  She didn’t wait to see if they stepped outside, just pushed through the curtain and dropped onto the bed. Once Robbie had latched on, she felt the heat of embarrassment sweep up her face. What must James think? And his visitor? Good lord, she’d begun to undress in front of a stranger.

  “So that’s the baby’s mother? Is she from King’s Ford?” Tobias Abel looked much like his father, tall and so thin he could stand in for his own scarecrow.

  “No, that’s Mrs. Travers. We don’t know who Robbie’s mother is. Mrs. Travers came here from the Dakota gold country. Her infant died at birth the same night Robbie was left on my porch. She agreed to put aside her grief and care for the boy. Without her, I doubt the boy would be thriving.”

  “Well, he’s certainly got a set of lungs on him, I’ll give you that.” Tobias glanced toward the western horizon. “Going to be a nice day for the services tomorrow.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that. We’ve had enough rain here to last us for a while.”

  “Unfortunately, we got more than rain out of that last storm.” They meandered around the house and started up the hill toward the cemetery. “We were still cleaning up damage when Ma’s letter arrived. That’s why we were an extra couple of days coming.”

  “I’m sorry you weren’t able to see your father before he died. He fought as long as he could, but the influenza was too much for his lungs.”

  “He was such a stubborn man. I didn’t think anything could kill him. But I suppose time takes everyone eventually.” He stopped in front of Emma’s grave. “Her baby?”

  James nodded. “Mrs. Travers’ daughter, Emma.”

  “Tell her I’m sorry. But it’s good she’s here, where folks can help. Pa always liked this town. Said it would grow to be a good one in time. It’s appropriate he’ll be planted here.”

  “Will your mother be all right, leaving him behind?”

  “Her friends have promised to look after the grave. She says that’s enough. My brothers and I will bring Pa to the church by eleven o’clock, if that suits?”

  “We’ll be waiting to send him off in style.” James shook the offered hand and watched as the eldest Abel strode down the hill to his waiting horse. Seeing him swing into the saddle, he was struck with an image of a very expectant Esther climbing on and off her horse, staying in the saddle day after day. “How did she manage to get all the way here?”

  He started down the hill, wondering why he’d never asked her that. All was quiet as he reached the back door of the cabin. “Esther?”

  “Come in. We’re finished.”

  He found her at the table, chopping meat into the vegetables that had been simmering by the stove for some time. He’d been here for hours alone and hadn’t thought to help with the meal. He just assumed she’d come home and cook for him. He silently vowed to stop taking advantage of her generosity. “Forgive me for not…”

  “I’m so sorry.” She spoke over him.

  He stopped and studied her face. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Esther.”

  “I do,” she insisted. “I came in here half undressed in front of you and your guest. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  “You were thinking to take care of Robbie. Neither of us took it amiss.”

  She wasn’t convinced. “I also slipped and called you James when I was talking
with Dorothea Meier.”

  “I believe Mrs. Meier knows my first name,” he teased.

  She was too upset to smile. “But it isn’t proper. And someone in town is going to insist I’m taking advantage of you. Dorothea said, if Mrs. Owens heard about it, they’d force us to marry, just to remove you as a source of temptation for Zelda.”

  “Esther, stop. No one will force us to do anything. Besides, I’m the one taking advantage of you. Of your generosity and kind heart. I was here for several hours with only Robbie to keep me busy, and I didn’t think to start supper.”

  She stared at him a moment, then glanced at the knife she held as if she’d forgotten it was there. “You don’t have to do that. I’m capable of cooking…”

  “You’re more than capable, my dear. But my point is, I’ve come to expect that you will feed me and that’s not right. I may not be as accomplished in the kitchen as you are, but I can help.”

  “That isn’t necessary. You’ve given me a place to live, and food to eat.”

  “And a baby to care for,” he added.

  “Still, I don’t expect—”

  “Perhaps you should.” He eased the knife from her grasp and laid it on the table. Taking her hand in his, he lifted her chin with his other until she had to look at him. “I have to be honest with you. I wouldn’t be at all upset if we had to marry.”

  “Don’t say that.”

  “Esther Travers, you’ve made a place for yourself in my life, in my heart.”

  “Oh, James.” Tears welled, but he wouldn’t stop now.

  “I can accept that you don’t love me, that you don’t think of me that way. But will you grant me permission to try and change your mind?”

  She didn’t nod or say yes, but she didn’t say no, either. James took heart in that. He didn’t want to push her, however, so he changed the subject.

  “My guest was Tobias Abel, Mrs. Abel’s eldest son. We’ll lay Mr. Washington to rest after our regular worship, then have Abe’s funeral around eleven. I’ll want some music as the family arrives, and a hymn to begin the service. Then another as we leave to take him to his final resting place.”