Prisoners of Love: Cinnamon Page 10

  Jed peeked at him through his swollen eye. “Contact my Papa. He’ll know what to do.”

  “I’ve already sent a note. I’m sure Pastor Nelson has a whole lot of experience getting his sons out of jail.” Jones shook his head and walked to the front room.

  “Jed, why did you come back to Dodge City?” Mindy took his battered hand in both of hers.

  He rolled his head to the side and looked at her. “I love you, Mindy. I don’t care that you were raised in a brothel or you used to serve drinks in a saloon.” The emphasis on ‘used to’ got her attention. “I told the members of the Grace Christian Church of Trinidad that I had no intention of staying there if my wife wasn’t welcome.”

  She sighed. “That sounds good, but you can’t expect to be a preacher anywhere as long as I’m your wife.”

  He straightened up and despite wincing, he eased his arm around her shoulders and drew her to his side, resting her head on his chest. “I want to be your husband more than I ever wanted to be a preacher.”

  Mindy gasped and leaned back. “Jedediah Nelson, you’ve wanted to be a preacher your whole life!”

  Jed cupped her chin with his hand. “No, Mindy. I’ve had a lot of time to think while I was waiting to come for you. I might have wanted to be a preacher, but not for the right reasons.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He sighed and looked out the window of the jail, the small square only showing blue sky and a puff of a cloud.through the iron bars. “If I am honest with myself, I chose this path because my papa and brothers had. I never questioned it, never thought about having choices, just followed their path because it was expected.”

  “But—“

  “Nelson, you have a visitor.” Marshal Jones pointed over his shoulder with his thumb.

  “Papa!” Jed stood as his father walked behind the marshal and stopped in front of the cell.

  Papa Nelson shook his head and leaned his forearm against the bars. “Son, what the hell have you done?”

  Chapter Ten

  Jed felt as if he were ten years old and had gotten caught swiping a cookie from the counter before they’d cooled. “Hi, Papa. I’m surprised to see you here.”

  “Not nearly as surprised as I am to find you two in jail.” He straightened up and turned to the marshal. “Can I get them out of here?”

  The marshal shifted a toothpick from one side of his mouth to the other “As long as you make sure they stick around for their court hearing.”

  His father glared at them. “Oh, they’ll be around for their court hearing, I can guarantee that.”

  Marshal Jones reached for the ring of keys hanging on a hook by the door. He slid a key into the lock, turned it, and swung the door open. “Out.”

  He and Mindy followed his father out of the jailhouse and into the street. The bright lights from the saloons and brothels lit up the street as they began to walk. “Papa—“

  “Say nothing, son. Once we got the note from the marshal, your mama held supper and we’re expected there right now.” He looked at the two of them. “You both need to do some cleaning up before your mama sees you.”

  Papa turned and strode down the street, with Mindy and Jed following behind. During the short walk to his parents’ house, he had already formed the words he would say when they all settled down after supper.

  His mama acted as unaffected by their presence as if they’d arrived for a visit. Noting their bruises and Mindy’s torn dress, she said, “Papa, go into my room and get one of my shawls to cover Mindy until we can get her clothes.” She eyed Jed’s swollen eye and battered chin. “Son, get some ice from the cold box and put it on that eye. Then fetch a shirt from Micah’s room.” She shook her head. “He won’t mind you using his shirt. He’s off tonight, busy courting Miss Brennan.”

  By the time Jed and Mindy had cleaned up and returned to the kitchen, his parents had settled at the table. After bowing his head in prayer, Papa passed the bowl of chicken stew. Jed opened his mouth to say something, and Papa waved his hand. “Later, son.”

  The meal passed in pleasant conversation about the latest news of Papa’s church, Mama’s sewing circle, and her work with the families in dire need of help. He and Mindy kept their heads down and ate, agreeing once in a while, and nodding at the appropriate time.

  Since they really hadn’t had a chance to talk since he’d arrived back in Dodge City, Jed had no idea what was going through Mindy’s mind, but he knew where they were headed. He was anxious to have his say, but bowing to his papa’s request, they finished their meal in silence. Mindy was going to put her ring back on, and they would continue with their marriage. But things were going to change.

  Mama and Mindy gathered up the dishes and piled them in the sink. Mama poured coffee for everyone and placed a pie in the center of the table. The two women took their seats.

  “Son, I heard what happened at your church in Trinidad.” His papa stirred his coffee, then after taking a sip, glanced up at Jed. “Elder Perkins came to see me today. It seems he received a telegram from the church members. They want you two to return to the church.”

  Jed placed his spoon alongside his cup, and took a deep breath. “No.”

  Mindy’s head jerked and she turned to look at him. “Jed, if this is because of me—“

  “No.” He took her hand in both of his and held it. “It’s time for me to say something I should have said a long time ago.” He cleared his throat and turned to his papa. “For years I have loved working with you in your church, and with mama in her church activities. I always thought I would follow you and my brothers into the same work. There seemed to be no other way for me to live.”

  He let go of Mindy’s hand, and pushed his chair back to stand. He walked to the sink, and turning toward the table, he crossed his arms over his chest, leaned back, and looked his papa square in the eye. “Preaching is not what I want to do with my life.”

  “Go on.” Papa nodded, not looking the least bit surprised or upset.

  “I loved my job at the newspaper. I love art, and drawing. And not only that, I’m good at it. Very good.” There, the words had finally been spoken. Something he should have done years ago. He glanced at Mindy who sat with her hand covering her mouth, looking for all the world like she was about to cry. Mama withdrew a handkerchief from her apron pocket, and handed it to her.

  “I know that,” his papa said. “Your mama and I have known for years that your calling was not for preaching, but for expressing yourself through your art work. What you have, Jedediah, is a God-given talent. To throw that away would be a disservice to yourself and an affront to your Maker.”

  Jed dropped his hands and stared. “But, why—“

  “Why did we allow you to train for the ministry, and encourage you to accept an assignment?”

  “Yes.” He moved back to the table and stood behind Mindy, placing his hands on her shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze. She reached back and covered his hand with hers. As long as he had Mindy with him, he could do anything. He felt immensely better already.

  “You were so determined to follow your brothers, we decided to allow you to do just that. Had you found a true calling in the ministry, we would have been happy. But only if you were happy, as well. Based on the letter you sent me, and what happened after that, and now your announcement, it seems we were right all along. You had to see for yourself where your passion lay.”

  Jed ran his fingers through his hair and grinned at Papa. “How did you get to be so smart?”

  “I raised four good boys who turned into very fine men.” He winked at Mindy. “Am I right, little lady?”

  “Oh, Papa Nelson.” Mindy covered her face with her hands and cried. Jed took the seat next to her, and pulled her against his side.

  “Since I had a feeling you would be back—although I must admit I didn’t expect to have to get you out of jail first—I spoke with Mr. Bender at the newspaper, and he is anxious to have you return to your old job. With a raise.”
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  Relief flooded Jed’s body, warming his heart, and soul. He would be able to earn a living doing something he loved. Mindy would not have to suffer alone with trying to learn all she needed to do with Mama close by to help out.

  “Where will we live?” Mindy wanted to know.

  “You can both stay here in Jedediah’s old room until you can get your own place. You’ll have to get someone to pack up your things in Trinidad and ship them up here. With as bad as most of your congregation felt with the trouble they caused you, I think you can find someone to do that for you.”

  Jed cleared his throat. “Before we go any further, I have something to say.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew Mindy’s ring. He turned to her, and took her hand in his. “Mindy, this is the last time I’m putting this ring on you. You are mine forever, and no matter what rough times come along, we will face them together. Please don’t ever leave me again. I love you.”

  Tears shining in her eyes as he slipped the ring on her finger, she said, “And I love you, too, Jedediah Nelson. Forever.” Despite their audience, Jed gave her a kiss full of promise for what was to come when they were alone.

  “So, I heard the newspaper almost had to shut its doors because the best artist they ever had skipped off to Trinidad.” Micah entered the kitchen and grinned at his brother. “I knew you didn’t have what it takes to preach.”

  Papa shook his head. “Did I say four very fine men? Maybe I meant three.” He gestured to the pie sitting on the table. “What do you say, Mama, how about putting a knife to that pie and sharing it?”

  Epilogue

  Seven months later

  Dodge City, Kansas

  Mindy hauled her swollen body out of the chair and groaned.

  “You’re just a bundle of nerves today, girl. You got too much belly on you to be popping up and down like that.”

  Mindy looked at her ma who sat in her kitchen, drinking a cup of tea, and looking for all the world like a normal person. Calico dress, no face paint, her hair in a neat braid wrapped around her head. Mindy still had a hard time coming to grips with Ma. Once she and Jed and got their own little house, the first thing Ma did was hint—quite strongly—that she was ready to retire.

  It had taken some convincing on both her and her Ma’s parts to assure Jed that Lizzie was, indeed, retiring and wanted to live with her ‘respectable’ daughter. Not able to deny his wife anything, he’d allowed Ma to move into the spare bedroom, and so far it had all worked out just fine. Ma had even gone to church with her one Sunday, and the roof had remained intact.

  Mother and daughter spent time learning the basics of housekeeping. Several burned dinners, rock-hard biscuits, and uneven hems on dresses were all part of the learning process, Mama Nelson said as she shook her head at the women’s efforts.

  “I’m just so ready for this baby to be born.” Mindy rubbed her back. “I feel like I’ve been as big as a house forever.”

  Ma’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you keep rubbing your back?”

  “Because it hurts. It started last night, and kept me awake for hours. It seems to be getting worse. It’s probably all the weight in my front.”

  Her ma stood, her face pale. “I think I should go fetch Mrs. Nelson.”

  “Why?” Mindy reached for her back again just as water gushed from between her legs. She looked at the puddle on the floor, horrified. “Ma!”

  “I’ll be damned,” Ma blurted out. She jumped up and headed for the door. “You’re about to have that baby, girl. You go on to the bedroom and get yourself into a nightgown. I’m going for Mrs. Nelson.”

  “Ma, don’t leave.” Mindy reached out.

  “Get your backbone up, girl. I won’t be but a half hour or more. It’s gonna take a lot more time than that for that brat to come screamin’ outta you.” She gave Mindy a nudge on her shoulder. “I don’t know nothin’ about birthin’ since I hollered all the way through yours, so I need to get Mrs. Nelson here. That fool woman did it four times.”

  Ma grabbed her coat from the hook by the door, and rushed from the house, leaving Mindy wringing her hands. Oh God, she wished Jed was here with her. A sharp pain caught her unaware, and she sucked in a deep breath, holding it until the pain passed.

  She managed to get the water cleaned from the floor, and then wrestled out of her dress and into a nightgown. She was in bed no more than a few minutes when a blast of cold air whipped through the house as the front door flew open and slammed against the wall. “Mindy!”

  Mindy breathed a sigh of relief at Jed’s voice. “I’m in here, Jed.”

  He hurried into the room. Mindy took one look at his worried face and burst into tears.

  Jed joined her on the bed. “Are you all right? Are you in pain? What can I do? Why isn’t my Mama here? Is the baby coming?

  She cried through all his questions, then finally got ahold of herself. “I’m fine, but the baby’s coming, and I’m scared. Ma went to fetch Mama Nelson.” She wiped her cheeks with her hands. “Why are you here?”

  “Your ma stopped by the newspaper only long enough to tell me to ‘get on home.’ She skittered away before I could ask any questions.”

  Mindy grabbed Jed’s hand as another pain gripped her, running from her back to her front. She stared, mesmerized as her stomach clenched as the pain grew, and then relaxed. “Did you see that?” she panted.

  “Yes.” Jed stared at her stomach and licked his lips. “Sure did.”

  “What the hell are you doing here, boy?” Ma strode into the room with Mama Nelson right behind her.

  “You told me to get on home.”

  “So you could pace up and down in the parlor. Men don’t belong where women are birthin’.”

  Jed raised his chin. “I’m the baby’s father, and Mindy’s husband. I will not leave her.”

  “Suit yourself,” her ma said. “But I guarantee you won’t last long.”

  Mama Nelson grinned at the words passing between her son and his mother-in-law. “I think she’s right, son. Once things get really going, you’ll want to leave the birthing work to us women.”

  “I’m staying.”

  ***

  Three hours later, with Mindy’s screams that the church people in Trinidad would blush at, Jed fled the room as if the demons from hell were on his heels. He kissed Mindy on the cheek and mumbled “I’ll be praying for you.”

  Lizzie cackled as he raced from the room.

  He thought it might do well for him to seek out his father. After all, Papa had been through this four times. How the man handled it more than once was a marvel. Jed swore at that point he would never touch his wife again. He’d never seen anyone suffer as much as she had. And Mama said it would still be hours before his child made an appearance.

  Jed found his papa at home, his jacket off, sleeves rolled up, collar missing. “What brings you here in the middle of the day?”

  “The baby is coming.”

  Papa leaned back in his large leather chair, where he sat while working at his desk. “Ah. So that is where your mama has disappeared to. She was gone when I came back from visiting the Widow Spencer.”

  Jed took the seat in front of the desk and ran his fingers through his hair. “How did you ever manage to get through four births?”

  “I prayed.”

  “I did that, too. This time it doesn’t seem to be working. I’m still scared to death that something will happen to Mindy and the baby.”

  “Prayer doesn’t keep you from being scared, son. It works as a way to keep communication open between you and the Lord, so when you need help, he’s there for you.”

  “Mindy needs help now.”

  “The Lord knows, Jedediah, He knows.” Papa stood and swung his jacket on. “Come. Since your mama is busy helping birth your child, we should go get some supper.”

  Once he and papa finished their meal at the Dodge City Cafe, they took a stroll through town, and then, too anxious to be away from home, they returned to Jed’s house. They could he
ar Mindy from half a block away. “Sounds like it’s getting close,” Papa said.

  Jed broke out into a sweat. “I certainly hope so.”

  Frantic movements in the bedroom, encouraging words from the two mothers, and Mindy’s groans almost drove Jed back out of the house again. Instead, he paced up and down, his stomach in knots.

  Never again. They would have separate beds. Separate bedrooms. Hell, he might move Mindy into another house.

  About an hour after they’d returned, and Jed had almost worn out the rug in front of the fireplace, he stopped and tilted his head in the direction of the bedroom door. “Did you hear that?”

  Papa grinned. “Sounds to me like your little one has finally made his appearance.”

  Jed waited about five minutes, then, growing impatient, eased the bedroom door open. Mindy lay in the bed, sweat beading her forehead, but a huge smile on her face. Mama wiped down a small body, then wrapped the baby in a blanket and handed the child to Mindy.

  “Come here.” Mindy reached her hand out to him.

  “Are you all right?” he whispered.

  “Yes, I’m fine. Come meet your daughter.”

  “A girl?” He was thrown for a minute, since all his mama had ever produced were boys.

  He moved closer to the bed and gazed down on a tuft of dark red hair. “She has your hair.” Gingerly, he sat alongside Mindy, and put his finger out to touch the softest skin he’d ever felt in his life. This was his daughter. A human being he and Mindy had created out of their love for each other. He told himself he was merely tired when tears formed in his eyes.

  “So what do you think, son?” Papa had joined the group around the bed.

  “I think we will have to come up with a girl’s name. We’d only thought about boys.”

  Mindy leaned down and kissed their daughter’s head. “I want a perfectly normal name for our daughter.”

  “Do you have one in mind?” Jed asked.

  She looked up at Jed. “How about Mary?”

  “That’s a fine name.”