“Want something to drink?”
“No, thanks.”
A quick nod, then he hurried around Leah and held out one of the chairs and waited for her to be seated before he sat in the chair on her right. He removed the stack of envelopes from his inside vest pocket and laid them on the table in front of him.
Leah scooted her chair closer to his, and her skirt brushed against his legs when she did. Lilacs and crisp spring air swirled around her. “Well, which one would you like to read first?”
He glanced down at the pile and thumbed through them until he came across one from Tennessee. “This one.”
“Any particular reason why you chose that one first?” Curiosity fluttered through her eyes.
“Yep.”
“Care to share?” She looked hopeful.
He debated whether or not to tell her. She might think he was strange if he did. Clasping his hands in front of him on top of the table, he drew in a deep breath and said, “Know this sounds odd, but ever since Michael brought Selina here, I’ve been hoping to find someone like her.”
She shook her head and grinned. “You sound like Michael.”
“Come again?” he asked, not understanding her meaning.
“Well.” She dropped her hands onto her lap. “Ever since Rainee arrived, Michael wanted someone just like her.”
“He did?” That was news to him. Shocking news at that.
“Yes.”
“Don’t get it. Selina’s nothing like Rainee.”
“I know. Everything in her letters indicated she was like her, but her friend had written the letters for her and lied so Selina would find a good husband. It was a deceptive thing for her to do, but I’m so glad she did. Selina is a remarkable person. And I’m so thrilled to have her for a sister.”
Everything Leah just mentioned made him rethink what he was about to do. What if he, too, got a woman who lied to him and wasn’t what she said she was? Or even worse, what if he found someone who interested him and she turned him down because he wasn’t what she expected? After all, he’d been turned down twice before. Could he handle another rejection?
* * *
Leah studied Jake’s face. It went from fear to confusion to sadness.
“Maybe I shouldn’t do this. Maybe I should just give up this whole crazy idea.” Jake plowed his hands through his bulky blond hair and sat back from the letters, staring at them.
“Why?” Leah couldn’t imagine what had caused him to change his mind so suddenly.
“Well, what if the woman who writes me is nothing like she portrays herself to be?”
Oh, that’s why. Leah let out a relieved sigh. “Jake, because Michael was needed on the ranch, he married Selina without going out to meet her. You don’t have to do that.”
“I can’t afford to leave, either.” Again his fingers forked through his hair. Only this time they went all the way down the back of his head until they reached his thick, muscular neck where they lingered.
“You don’t have to. You can have her come here.”
His hand dropped to the table. He frowned. “Why didn’t Michael do that?”
“Because Selina’s father wouldn’t let her leave until she was married. Michael had prayed about it and had peace so he married her sight unseen.”
Jake scooted back his chair, scraping it against the rough wood floor, and rose. Leah’s eyes trailed up his tall, broad frame, wondering what he was doing.
He went to the sink, which she noticed was stacked with what she presumed to be dirty dishes, though a large towel covered them. Nervousness permeated his every movement. “I know I already asked you this once, but would you like something to drink now?”
“Yes. Thank you. A glass of water would be great.” Her mouth felt dry as trail dust. She watched as he held the glass under the spout and raised and lowered the water pump handle in the sink. His broad shoulders and arm muscles bulged as he filled the glass. Only a few drips of water landed onto the dish towel. She hoped to find someone as tall as Jake. He had to be at least six-foot-four or -five. And at five-foot-eight-and-a-half, she was either the same height as most of the men she knew or taller. The thought of being taller than the man she married bothered her.
Jake turned and walked back toward her. What a fine male specimen he was. He would make some woman a good husband. Of that she was certain.
He set a glass of water in front of her and one in front of himself before lowering his bulky frame onto the chair. Worry creased his forehead. This time she thought she knew why.
Wanting to put his mind at ease, she laid her hand on top of his arm, and his hard muscle jumped under her fingertips. She removed her hand and rested it on the table in front of her. “Listen, Jake. Before you get too involved with someone, you could always make it clear you want to meet them in person and spend time getting to know them before either of you make any real commitment. And...” She sat back in her chair. “I don’t know what your financial situation is, but you could inform her that you would send her a round-trip ticket in case things don’t work out.”
His shoulders relaxed and the creases in his forehead disappeared. “That’s a good idea. Think someone would do that?”
“Of course they would. It’s done all the time. I know I’m going to. There is no way I’m going to marry someone without meeting him and without spending time with him and his family first.”
“You scared, Leah?”
Was she? “A little. But the sooner I get away from here, the happier I’ll be.”
“You sure about that? Won’t you miss your family?”
“Yes and yes. To be perfectly honest, the idea of staying here bothers me more than the idea of missing my family or the fear of the unknown does. I actually find that part rather thrilling.”
“What do you find thrilling?”
“The fear of the unknown.”
He narrowed his eyes and searched hers. “Why do you dislike it here so much?”
She shrugged, wishing she could confide in him about the nightmares and just why she hated this place as much as she did. But she didn’t want him to think she was being silly like Marie had, so she used her standard reply. “I miss New York City and the lifestyle I used to have back then. Plus, I want some excitement in my life. As crazy as this may sound, I crave adventure.” That part was true. She could use some adventure in her life.
“The Idaho Territory doesn’t provide you with enough adventure?” A hint of humor warbled his voice.
“No. It’s so boring here. Nothing exciting ever happens.”
“You don’t call the war with Nez Perce Indians exciting?” His blue eyes sparkled with mischief.
“There was nothing exciting about that war. Frightening was more like it.” She shifted in her seat. “But I don’t want to talk about that. Let’s take a look at those letters. Would you like to read them first, or do you want me to?”
“If you don’t mind, I’d rather you read them.” Jake opened the envelope from Tennessee and gave the letter to Leah.
Leah could hardly decipher the sloppy penmanship. “Hello, my name is Betsy. I’m a single mother of four young children.”
“Whoa.” Jake’s hand flew up. “Forget that one. Not ready to be a father yet. Especially to a herd of kids.” He frowned. “How old is she, anyway? Does she say?”
Leah scanned the letter. “She’s