Jewel's Dream (7 page)

“You must see a lot of them out here.” Jewel said. “The lights are always lit in New York.”

James reigned in the horse atop a small rise, and they sat there, looking out over mountains.

“You know, James, you never have told me what you think of me. Now that you’ve had a chance to spend time with me, I’d like to know.” Jewel said after a little while.

James paused before answering. He didn’t look at her, but said. “I think you’re fairly pretty.”

Jewel laughed, blushing. If the milky way itself wasn’t bad to look at, fairly pretty was high praise indeed. James sat quietly beside her, seeming to stew in his suit. She hoped her laughter hadn’t hurt his feelings.

“I’m not good at talking.” he said abruptly.

“An odd admission for a lawyer.” Jewel said, gently. James scowled at her. She reached out and took his hand. She knew this was forward, but her awkward Mr. Harland might need some help. Before she wrote him off, she wanted to give him a chance. Well, another chance.

“I’m sure you noticed that my parents are, well, I guess their cordial to each other at best.” he said, a grimace flashing across his face. “I don’t really know how to talk to people. Especially someone I like.”

“So you like me, then.” Jewel said as she nodded. She laughed again. He looked a little hurt. She’d have to give him more time to catch up, she realized.

“Well, you’re talking to me now,” she said quickly. “And you’re doing quite well. I’m enjoying talking to you, James.”

James snorted. “You’re probably the only woman in Laramie who’s ever said that. I’ve gravely insulted every female I’ve ever had a conversation with, according to them. A great number of the men, too, to be honest.”

“You didn’t mean to, did you? You weren’t being intentionally rude, were you?” Jewel asked. James might have been a little rough around the edges, but he certainly wasn’t malicious.
Or slimy.
she thought, Mr. Pendleton rising in her memory.

“No. I don’t
want
to be rude to anybody. It just sort of happens.” James crossed his arms, leaning back in his seat and looking up at the expansive sky.

“Your letters were lovely,” Jewel blushed a little as she spoke. “I have to admit I was a little surprised when I got here and you were so stoic. But I really could see a lovely soul in your letters. You were reserved, but sweet. I loved your letters, obviously, or I wouldn’t be here.”

“It’s a lot easier to talk to someone on paper than in person. I can rewrite a letter as many times as I need to until it comes out right.” James shook his head. “That’s probably why you’re the only woman who doesn’t think I’m a scoundrel.”

“It was still you who thought up all those words,” Jewel pointed out. “You’re a good man, under the cactus spines. And I’ve grown quite fond of you.” Jewel smiled at him again. She was trying to remain as positive as possible. She felt like James needed it and she knew she did.

James grimaced, looking guilty.

“That just makes me feel terrible. I’ve not been completely honest with you. I only need a wife for practicality’s sake. I wasn’t looking for someone I’d get along with.” James said.

Jewel gave him a gentle swat on the arm. “There, now. It’s speeches like that that make all the ladies hate you.” she said jokingly. She knew she was about to hear news that could be upsetting. Since she was already here and she knew that James wasn’t a typical man, she decided to wait and hear the whole story before she made a decision on how to feel about it. She wouldn’t let a crook in the road stop her from getting her dream if she actually had a chance to get it.

“But it’s true. I need a wife to improve my political standing and make my parents happy. Not to mention I’ll be needing a son to carry on the law firm.”

“A son I can probably manage, but I don’t think I’ll fit either of your other requirements. If anything, marrying a seamstress would make things worse.” Jewel said. James raised an eyebrow at her.

“Jewel, this isn’t New York. Nobody out here cares what you used to do. As long as you present yourself well
now,
that’s all that matters.”

“What about your parents? I’m sure they don’t want you to marry someone of my station.” Jewel said quietly. Her tone had grown serious, and she twisted her gloves in her hands. “I’m not just a seamstress, I’m a catalogue woman.”

To her confusion, James began to laugh. “It was all their idea in the first place. They’ve given up on finding a local girl who won’t flounce off the moment I open my mouth.”

Jewel stared at him, eyes and mouth opened wide in surprise. This part of his story was truly a surprise.

“Really? But they’re so, um, upstanding.” she said, fishing for words that weren’t rude. She’d wanted to call them snooty.

“I believe my father’s exact words were to ‘order yourself a wife from the Sears catalogue’,” James said drily. “As long as you’re not a saloon girl, I think they’re happy.”

“Well, I’d never seen a saloon in my life until last week, so I think I can meet that qualification.”
They don’t seem happy with anything
, she thought but didn’t want to say that out loud.

“Then you’ve got nothing to worry about.” James said with an air of finality. “And honestly, I don’t actually care whether they like you or not. You’re not going to marry my parents. You’re my wife.”

“Well, I suppose I will be your wife if you still want me. We do need to organize the whole “getting married” part, though,” Jewel reminded him.

Shifting in his seat, James pulled something out of his pocket. “I’ve actually had this since you got here,” he said, twiddling a small object in his fingers. “I just didn’t have the courage to give it to you.”

Jewel started smiling when he lifted her left hand.

“Jewel Wood, will you put up with an ill-spoken lawyer for a husband?”

“If you’ll put up with a wife who talks back sometimes, then I’d love to be your wife, James,” Jewel replied. “Besides, we can work on the ill-spoken part. You’re going to run for mayor, after all.”

“I am, am I?” James said. He slipped a ring over her finger, a plain gold band set with a deep green gemstone.

“Of course you are. I followed my dream. I always wanted to be something besides a servant and a seamstress in the grubby city. See how far removed from that I am now? You’ve got to follow yours, too. It’s time.”

“That doesn’t sound dreadful.” James said.

Jewel laughed. “I certainly hope not!”

“There’s more I need to say, Jewel,” he gulped and looked away from her. Then he took a deep breath and turned to look at her once more. He looked into her eyes and didn’t look away until he was finished with what he wanted to say. “I think you’re so beautiful. I’ve wanted to tell you since the day I saw you standing in the train station. I’m totally taken with you. I can’t believe my luck. Your spirit is sweet and lovely. Like a breath of fresh air. And I love it that you stand up for yourself. The day you told Pendleton off was terrific.”

“Oh, James. Thank you.” She was smiling broadly and she couldn’t stop. She’d hoped to hear such sweet things. Hearing it now was fine with her. It was worth the wait.

“I’ve fallen in love with you, Jewel. Deeply and completely. I didn’t know I could ever feel this way. I’d hoped to marry someone who could tolerate me and I’d never even thought about how I might feel for them. You have melted my heart.”

She lunged for him and threw her arms around his neck. She didn’t care one bit that her actions might be considered improper. Basically, her whole life had been at least a little improper, so this was nothing in the scheme of all that.

James kissed her then. It was the most tender kiss she could ever imagine. She no longer regretted following her dreams to Laramie, Wyoming.

To the horror of James’ assistant, the pair spent almost the whole day out gazing at the mountains and the sky. The schedule for the work day was completely forgotten. It was late afternoon by the time James brought the horse to a halt in front of the hotel, and Jewel hopped down.

“Ah, there’s our lovely couple now.”

Mr. Pendleton was standing in the doorway, glowering at them. Jewel was shocked by the snide tone of his voice. She thought he’d been put in his place already.

“You’re certainly suited to each other.” Pendleton said. “Word is that you’re not quite all you’re cracked up to be, little lady. Far from it.”

James looked from Pendleton to Jewel in confusion. A small crowd was gathering, as seemed to happen whenever Pendleton and Harland crossed paths, eager to see if anyone was going to start shouting. Jewel crossed her arms.

“If you’re talking about the notion that I’m some kind of rich woman from the city, I never said any such thing. You concocted that story all on your own,” she said.

“Yes, the truth has made it’s way to me. I’m surprised you’d go for someone like her, Harland. I would have thought you’d go for someone who could bring a little something to the table.” Pendleton gave Jewel a dirty look, to her indignation and James’ quiet fury. “Well, you’re welcome to her. She’s just not my type.”

“You’re right.” James said coldly. “She’s far too principled to put up with the likes of you.”

A few people in the crowd chuckled, and Pendleton snorted.

“I will kindly allow you the continued use of my hotel accommodations, as the lady is surely far too principled to stay at your house while unwed.”

James scowled at him, jumping from the buggy and roughly gesturing to the hotel boy to hold the horse.

“You’ve allowed her nothing, Pendleton. Every night she’s spent in your establishment has been paid for and you know it. Your services will not be necessary. Jewel, I think it’s time we go to the church. Don’t you?”

Now it was James’ turn to receive Jewel’s shocked stare.

“What? You mean right now?”

“Is that a problem?” James stared at her, his usual gruff self. To the surprise of everyone gathered around, Jewel smiled and shook her head.

“No, dear. It’s not a problem at all. It actually sounds like fun.”

Mr. Pendleton sputtered as Jewel and James walked past him into the hotel. When they reached her room, they discovered that Maria had run ahead of them and already started packing, and within ten minutes Jewel’s few possessions were back in her trunk.

Though most of the onlookers were awaiting their return, Mr. Pendleton had vanished. To Jewel’s surprise, people clapped when they emerged from the hotel.

“Heaven help us all. James Harland is getting married. The end of creation is upon us!” someone shouted from the back of the crowd. James treated them all to a vile glare, prompting more laughter.

“Hell’s frozen over, alright.” another man said, shaking his head. “You better soften him up, ma’am, for your own sake.”

“Don’t you worry about that. I can handle him,” Jewel said with a smile.

James gave the hotel boy a big tip to take Jewel’s baggage over to his house. Jewel hopped up into buggy, feeling lighter than a cloud. She’d have something
very
interesting to write in her diary tonight. She also would definitely have to send the details to her friends.

James gave the reins a shake and they rolled away, followed by the shouts and cheers of the crowd.

***

They arrived at the church and James went to Jewel’s side. After he’d helped her down from the carriage, he asked, “Are you truly in agreement with this? I don’t want you to think I was goaded into this decision by Pendleton. You know I love you and want you to be my wife, don’t you?”

“I’m in complete agreement, James. And yes, I know you love me. You made that quite clear earlier today. I’m happy beyond my wildest imagination.” She blushed a little as she answered him.

He smiled, dropped a quick kiss on her lips, and went in search of the parson.

Jewel stood on the porch and watched Maria and the rest of the Harland family arrive.

“Thank you for agreeing to stand up for me, Maria. I’m so happy to have you as my friend,” said Jewel.

“You’re more than welcome, um, Jewel. It seems funny to call you by your name,” she giggled. “I’m honored that you asked me.”

Jewel nodded at Maria and then turned her attention to the people who would be her in-laws in about thirty minutes. “Mr. and Mrs. Harland. Janice. It’s lovely to see you all. Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

Mrs. Harland walked to Jewel and hugged her tentatively. Jewel could tell that displays of affection weren’t easy for the woman and she accepted her attempt to welcome her into the family easily.

Janice stepped up with a large box. “We brought you this. It’s a dress,” she said sweetly. “I hope you like it.”

Jewel’s eyes filled with tears. “How did you know to do this? It’s so wonderful of you!”

“We shopped for it a few days ago,” replied Janice. “We wanted to get you something nice.”

“I wanted you to have something nice to wear for your wedding. I’m glad we got it in time,” said Mrs. Harland.

James returned with the parson right behind him. “So, I hear there’s about to be a wedding?” he said jovially.

“Yes, but I need to put on my new dress!” exclaimed Jewel.

“You’ll find a class room right in side. Janice will show you,” said the parson.

As she changed into the fabulously beautiful dress that Mrs. Harland and Janice had given her, she was happy and a little melancholy. She missed her family at a time like this. She also missed her friends. It would have been so much fun to have them with her to fuss over her dress and her hair.

This was God’s will just as it was happening. She pushed her sadness aside because her life as a married woman was about to begin. The reason she’d left New York was waiting for her and she was happy.

When Jewel was dressed and ready, she walked out and to the front of the sanctuary. Janice went to join the others at the front.

Jewel started the short walk to her love, James. They were aware that others were in the room, but they only had eyes for each other. Jewel’s mind flashed back to that morning. She had no idea how much her life would change in the matter of a few hours. She was so thankful for where she was now. Trusting God to give her signs, that’s how she’d made it here. She believed that’s how she would make it to the next milestone.