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Sue enjoyed the symphony. The music reminded her of different stories she had read, so while the music played, her mind took her to one of the many books she was familiar with. Jake must have noticed her pleasure, for he rested his hand on hers and smiled at her during the performance. She blushed at his action. She didn’t understand why he was being so affectionate but found that she liked it. On the train ride home, he squeezed her hand. “What did you think? Did you enjoy the symphony?” “Yes,” she replied, acutely aware of the feel of his strong hand around her smaller one. “It was a thrilling experience. I can see why you go to them as often as you do.” “I must admit that it was much better with you there.” She smiled. “I’m glad you took me along. The Sunday before we got married, I visited Belinda, and she made marriage sound dreadful for a woman. She made it sound like the husband was allowed to go out and do whatever he wished while his wife had to stay home and plan dinner
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The pretty twenty-two year old nodded and walked to the front of the desk. “May I be of assistance to you gentlemen?” Ben took a good look at her and smiled. “Actually, yes. Would you help me find a book I’ve been looking for?” She smiled back. “What is the book called?” “I’m not sure but it is about two young star-crossed lovers whose parents are enemies, so they get married without their parents knowing but it all ends in tragedy when both die.” “Are you talking about William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet?” Sue asked in disbelief. Of all people, Ben York didn’t strike her as a literary enthusiast, much less a romantic. “Yes, that’s the book,” he replied. Turning to Miss Stallone, he asked, “Can you help me find it?” She giggled. “I know where the book is.” He eagerly followed her as she went to the appropriate bookshelf. “Well, it looks like I have you all to myself,” Ethan said. “I’ll help you with those books if you’d like.” “I have to be honest with you, Mr.
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Jake enjoyed the weekend more than he had enjoyed any of his past trips to New York. On Friday, after Sue checked into her hotel room, he checked into his and ordered six red roses, a box of chocolates and a light floral perfume to be sent to her room. Ever since he saw how happy she was to receive flowers from Donald Cline, he thought she might like receiving similar gifts from him. When he went to her room to take her to dinner before the play, she was more delighted with his gifts than he hoped she would be. She’s definitely not hard to please. He liked that about her. During dinner, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She wore a red dress and the diamond necklace and earrings he had given her. He marveled that she could be content to wear the same jewelry all the time. It was nice to enjoy her without worrying about other men trying to grab her attention. During the play, he had more fun watching her than he did the performance. Her excitement was infectious and at o
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When Jake came home that evening, his mood was worse than it had been when he woke up. This time ten more bachelors sent Sue flowers. He recognized a couple of names. He sighed. What am I going to have to do? Get all these men into a room and tell them to leave her alone? Then an idea came to him. Why not? Lydia ran over to him. “Sue’s home early, sir!” “Go stall her,” he ordered. “How?” He watched as Sue walked down the sidewalk. Why does she have to look so nice? “Take your son out there. She goes crazy every time she sees a baby.” Lydia nodded and went to wake up her sleeping child. Jake started throwing the flowers into a trash can, but the trash can got too full. Lydia quickly ran to the front door and opened it just in time to stop Sue from entering the house. “Would you like to see Timmy?” “Uh...sure. Can I see him inside the house?” “No. Actually, he needs some fresh air. He’s been cooped up all day.” She shut the door before Sue c
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Jake noticed the frown on three of the men’s faces as they took in her premarital appearance. As each man said what he wanted, she served it to him. When she reached Jake, she asked him what he wanted. “I’ll take whatever you have left,” he told her. You are the sweetest, most lovely woman in the world. And anyone who can’t see that doesn’t deserve you. “Actually, I just remembered another dinner party I have to go to,” Mr. Ronald said. “I apologize, Mr. Mitchell.” “No apology necessary,” he stated. Three down. Seven to go. A couple of men choked on their food. Sue came out and brought Jake a plate of meatloaf and the lumpy mashed potatoes. “I’m sorry, Jake. I didn’t have the heart to give you the casserole again.” “You’re doing great,” he whispered. He ate his meal without flinching. The more he tasted the stuff, the less he shuddered when he took his first bite. She looked uneasily around the room as the men gagged on her food. “I
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Trye as Sue might, she couldn’t figure Jake out. He was an enigma. He intrigued her in a way she didn’t want to admit. Was he really interested in being intimate with her? The idea pleased her in a way she didn’t anticipate. As much as she wanted to be mad at him for making her go through all that work and spreading all those lies about her, she was flattered that he pursued her so romantically afterwards. He made her feel beautiful and soft. She wasn‟t even aware that she enjoyed receiving feminine gifts like flowers and perfume until he sent them to her. He cared about what she wanted and what she thought. He liked to talk to her, and she felt that she could talk to him about things she couldn‟t discuss with anyone else. For the first time in her life, she felt desirable to a man. She wanted to be with him. She had lied to Ethan Bower. She wasn‟t simply fond of him. She loved him. It seemed that he felt the same way. All of these thoughts went through her mind as she
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The Wedding that Almost Happened An hour before the wedding of Jake Mitchell and Johanna Clarke on June 3 at the First Baptist Church on Adams Avenue, Jake made the startling announcement in front of family and friends that he wouldn’t be marrying Miss Clarke. He gave no explanation for the decision and he showed up in front of everyone without his tuxedo jacket on, which demonstrated his lack of respect for his guests. Mr. Mitchell might be better off remembering in the future that when he goes out in public, he should be properly attired, as is befitting his social status. A heartbroken Miss Clarke, a beautiful bride, didn’t get the joy of being wed. She spent the afternoon being comforted, and no one knows why Mr. Mitchell left her at the altar. Sue sighed and put the newspaper back in its proper place. She wondered how many bachelors were trying to get her attention and she didn’t even realize it. Jake noticed, however, and got jealous. She couldn’t imagine someone being
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That afternoon, Mrs. Walker called Sue over to the front desk while she was putting some books away. Sue finished putting the last book on the bookshelf and walked over to the older woman who was smiling at her. “What can I do for you, Mrs. Walker?” she asked. “I need you to help Miss Stallone deliver some new books to the ladies‟ luncheon at the college campus. Mrs. Monroe and her group wish to donate some new books to the library there.” She nodded and helped Miss Stallone carry the boxes to the carriage waiting for them. She sat across from Miss Stallone who was grinning from ear to ear. “I take it things are going well for you and Ben York,” Sue noted. She blushed. “I try not to be obvious about it.” “Be obvious about it, Betty. You should enjoy it. Ben is just as infatuated with you as you are with him. He’s not really interested in books. He comes by the library to see you. He’s a good, honest man, and I think you two will do well together.” “Tha
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It was about time Jenny‘s brothers stopped their harassment, Owen thought as they took in the bright, shiny deputy badge that Sheriff Meyer returned to him. Owen‘s chest puffed up with a sense of pride as he closed the door of the jailhouse and placed his hat on his head. ―Afternoon, gentlemen,‖ he said and buttoned his coat. ―Getting ready for Christmas?‖ ―We had some errands to run,‖ Tom replied. ―Even if women say they don‘t want anything but our love, they don‘t mean it.‖ Joel snickered. ―And you had to learn that the hard way.‖ Tom‘s face grew red. ―I can‘t wait until you get married, Joel. I don‘t care what you argue about. I‘ll take her side each time.‖ ―Unlike you all, I have no desire to tie the knot,‖ he replied and gave them a smug smile. ―I‘m going to stay single forever.‖ ―Since when?‖ ―Since I saw how you all ended up. No woman is going to tell me what to do.‖ ―Oh really?‖ Dave asked. ―Then what are you doing in town looking for gifts?‖ Joel sighed. ―I g
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Jenny flung a dish at Clyde‘s head. Drats! She missed! ―Get off my property!‖ She picked up another plate from the stack she held to her chest and threw it at him. Again, he expertly dodged it as he made his way to the porch. She grunted and threw the whole stack at him. This time two plates hit him in the face. He yelled and touched his cheek which had a bloody cut on it. Glaring at her, he took a step toward her. ―Not this time, Jenny! I‘m getting my boy.‖ She grabbed her broom and swung at him. Unlike last time, he jumped back. She stepped forward but someone came up behind her and held her arms in place. She screamed and kicked at her captor, but his hold only grew tighter. ―Get the boy and let‘s get out of here,‖ the man growled at Clyde. ―Run!‖ she yelled at Jeremy who was supposed to be in his room. She prayed he would make it to the attic before Clyde found him. Clyde climbed the rest of the porch steps, and as he passed her, sh
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Owen recognized that gruff voice anywhere. And there was no way he was going to play possum now. He leapt over the counter, nearly knocking over the startled owner who ran to retrieve his gun. ―This is my store. You have no business being here!‖ the owner barked. Then he fired his rifle at the doorway. Owen didn‘t bother seeing if the man hit Big Roy or not. He just ran. He ran down the narrow space that led to the backdoor and found himself in another alley. The scene was eerily familiar. Except this time Mitch and Lance weren‘t chasing him. Nope. Big Roy was doing the honors this time. Owen raced past the dumpsters. He heard a door open and almost got hit with a bullet. He swerved to the right and found himself on a less traveled part of the business district. He bent to hide behind stagecoaches and buggies as he scampered as fast as he dared without giving Big Roy ample opportunity to get a clear shot. Where was Irving anyway? Some stellar deputy he was turnin
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It was a week later when Big Roy finally arrived in Omaha. And Owen had just finished breakfast when the fateful knock came at the door. He put his napkin down and went to answer it. ―Amos?‖ he asked, surprised to see the boy with his two friends standing on his porch, holding fishing rods. ―Isn‘t it a little cold to be fishing?‖ It was December after all. ―Big Roy‘s in Omaha,‖ Amos said, looking unusually excited by the prospect. Owen‘s eyes grew wide. ―How do you know this?‖ ―We saw him. Oh, he‘s big and angry alright. He was asking where you were.‖ ―You didn‘t tell him, did you?‖ Owen demanded as he watched the boy practically dance with glee. Was everyone but Jenny and Jeremy eager to send him to an early grave? ―Course not! We‘d never do that,‖ Amos assured him. ―In fact, no one‘s telling him anything. But Irving wants you down at the jailhouse.‖ Amos motioned to his fishing rod. ―You don‘t need to worry about a thing. We‘re ready to help you!‖ Amos and h
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Jeremy ran to the front door and jumped into Owen‘s arms. Surprised, Jenny turned from the sandwiches she‘d been making and went over to him. ―They let you out of jail?‖ ―As long as I promised not to run away.‖ He gave Jeremy a big hug. ―I missed you, squirt.‖ ―Was it scary in there?‖ Jeremy asked. ―No, but it was lonely. It‘s good to be home with my family.‖ He leaned forward and gave Jenny a kiss. ―I can‘t believe how much I missed you two.‖ ―We missed you too,‖ she said, hugging him as much as she could with Jeremy between them. ―I was just making supper. Are you hungry?‖ ―I didn‘t get much to eat, so yes.‖ He set Jeremy down and took off his coat and hat. ―It‘s nothing fancy. Just sandwiches,‖ she warned. He put up his holster on the hook next to his coat and hat. ―After eating nothing but beans and jerky, sandwiches will be a treat.‖ He turned to them and gave them another hug. ―It feels so good to be back home.‖ She laughed and hugged him back. ―It
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Jenny heard Sally knock on the front door but hesitated to answer it. No one had been out to see her since the day they found out about Owen, probably because Mary managed to talk them into giving Jenny time to herself, so she didn‘t know why Sally came out. She pushed the curtain aside in the parlor. Sally was alone. She exhaled. At least, the cavalry wasn‘t coming out again. She quickly thought of a way to distract her sister from the matter at hand and opened the door while Sally was in mid-knock. ―Oh good! I wanted to talk to you.‖ Jenny pulled her into the house and peered out the door. Good. Sally really was alone, just as she thought. She shut the door and turned to Jeremy. ―Take your blocks and play upstairs. I have to talk to your aunt.‖ Jeremy obeyed and went up the steps. As soon as he was in his room, Jenny led Sally into the kitchen and sat her down. ―Would you like a snack?‖ ―No thanks,‖ Sally said. ―I came to talk to you.‖ ―Yes, and I‘m glad yo
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She relaxed. ―Oh. I thought you meant...‖ She had thought he meant that he didn‘t want her to stay married to Owen. But he hadn‘t, and she didn‘t want to explain it. Looking at Irving, she knew that they wouldn‘t have made a good match. She would have married him for her son, but he wouldn‘t have been her first choice. She glanced inside the jailhouse. There, in the cell, sat the man she would have chosen. Returning her gaze to Irving, she asked, ―So I can talk to him?‖ ―Follow me.‖ He led her into the building. ―Meyer, I got the wife wanting to see her husband.‖ Jeremy broke free from her and ran over to the cell, calling out ―Pa!‖ Owen‘s face lit up and he eagerly ran over to the bars so he could hug Jeremy... Well, as much as he could with the bars between them. The tender moment brought tears to Jenny‘s eyes. How many times had she seen fathers and their sons and wished Jeremy could have a pa that loved him too? Wiping her eyes, she turned to the sheriff and de
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Jenny didn‘t feel like dealing with anyone at the moment. Her mind was a jumble of thoughts, and her relatives weren‘t helping. Her brothers and Sally sat around the kitchen table trying to decide what to do about the situation while Greg, Jeremy, and Isaac played with the dog in the backyard. Mary stayed out there to watch them from where she sat in the chair next to the house. Maybe Jenny shouldn‘t have come to Sally‘s house after they left the jail. Maybe she should have just gone home. She watched the children as they laughed and took turns throwing the ball for the dog to catch. It was simple for them. Children didn‘t sit and analyze things. They either liked something or they didn‘t, and they acted accordingly. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and rested her forehead against the cool glass of the window. Her hand fell to her abdomen. She should‘ve realized it sooner, but she and Owen had stayed up well into the night to enjoy lovemaking. The fatigue was ea
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Owen jumped up as soon as the door to the jailhouse opened. He rushed over to the bars to see if Jenny came. She did. But she also brought Sally and her four brothers with her. Four very angry looking brothers. He immediately stepped back as the four glaring men surrounded the cell. He examined the bars. He hoped the steel was strong enough to keep them out. They looked like they were ready to rip him apart and feed his remains to the vultures. ―You‘re lucky you‘re in there!‖ Tom barked, pointing an accusing finger at him. ―Because if you weren‘t, we‘d run you out of town.‖ ―How could you do this to our sister?‖ Richard demanded, shaking the bars. Owen swallowed the lump in his throat and backed up until he hit the wall. He glanced at the small window and wondered if he could escape if he squeezed through it. No. That was ridiculous. He was much safer here with the bars protecting him than in the open where these men could chase him down. ―First Clyde an
