Blowing on Dandelions: A Novel (Love Blossoms in Oregon Series) Read online

  Contents

  Cover

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  AfterWords

  Author’s Note

  Great Questions

  A Sneak Peek at Book 2: Wishing on Buttercups

  Chapter One

  About the Author

  Extras

  To every woman

  whose heart has been wounded by someone she loved.

  And most of all, to the woman who inspired this story

  when she shared a small part of her broken heart with me.

  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High

  shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress:

  my God; in him will I trust.

  —Psalm 91:1–2

  Acknowledgments

  So many people worked to make this book a success that I’m afraid I might forget someone. However, I’ll do my best here to give honor and thanks where it’s due. First, all glory goes to: God, my Father; Jesus, my best Friend; and the Holy Spirit, my Guide and Comforter. Without the three-in-one Godhead, I’d be unable to accomplish anything worthwhile. God gives me the strength to get through each day and the creativity to put the words on paper. I write for Him first. If He’s satisfied, I know the rest will fall in place.

  My biggest thanks goes to my family—most especially my husband—for being patient as I work through my deadlines while being supportive of my book chatter, travel, and all it takes to bring a new book into the world. My children, Marnee and Brian, Steven and Hannah, my mother, Sylvia Gould, who is one of my closest friends, and my husband’s parents, Chuck and Dolores—all have offered encouragement and support. Also a special thanks to my church family who remember to pray as I write each new story and eagerly await each new one. You are special to me.

  The writing of a book is never just about the author; it takes a team working behind the scenes to bring it to life. First are my critique partners, who brainstorm with me, then help me hone and polish my work. I’ve been honored to work with Kimberly Johnson, Sherry Kyle, and Karen O’Connor for almost three years now. Sherri Sand and Judy Vandiver also read and critiqued my manuscript when it was finished. Sherri spent several hours showing my husband and me around Baker City, Oregon, pointing out historical landmarks, and answering numerous questions that have contributed greatly to the setting of the book. Two advance readers, Tammy Marks and Kristy Gamet, who have been with me since my first book released, eagerly await each new manuscript and devour it, giving me valuable feedback. Wilburta Arrowood, Kimberly Johnson, and Stephanie Whitson spent time on the phone brainstorming the story line, and Colleen Reece and Janice Olson assisted with title suggestions. I love all these wonderful ladies, who are an integral part of my team. In addition, many thanks go to the women who answered my call to fill out a questionnaire about their own relationship with their mother. These women were a tremendous asset.

  My publishing team starts with my agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, who champions my work and helps find it the best possible home. Tamela, a friend as well as a business associate, works diligently to make my career succeed.

  This is my first book with my new publisher, David C Cook, and I’m beyond excited to work with them. They graciously accepted my request to assign Ramona Tucker, the editor who worked on my last three books. I love this woman and highly value her expertise and editing. I’m so blessed to partner with her on all three books in this series. Most of my early contacts at Cook have been with Ingrid Beck, who welcomed me and made me feel part of the Cook family right from the start. I look forward to getting to know more of the quality people at my new “home.”

  And, last, to my readers—I value each and every email I receive, as well as the posts on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest, and I’d love to have you drop by. Thank you for your faithful support!

  •My Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/miraleeferrell

  •Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MiraleeFerrell

  •My personal website: www.miraleeferrell.com View pictures of my book research and travels, family photos, upcoming speaking event updates (via my blog link), and find announcements about future books.

  •You can also drop me a note at [email protected].

  Chapter One

  Baker City, Oregon

  Late May, 1880

  Katherine Galloway’s soft exhale sent the dandelion fluff dancing on the warm current of air, but it didn’t bring the anticipated relief. Gripping the stem, she sat in the grassy field with her eyes closed and waited. Why didn’t it come? It had always appeared years ago when she needed it. How long had it been since her mind had drifted away to a place where nothing could hurt her? Fifteen years? Twenty?

  She shook her head, and an errant curl tickled her cheek.

  More. Many more. But always her memory returned to those times when the dandelion fluff had carried her away to a place where mothers were loving and kind, and little girls didn’t need to be afraid of cutting words or sharp voices.

  Had she ever known a time like that, other than in her dreams? Katherine had thought she did, but now she knew: it was all an illusion, like the sunbeams glinting off the bits of white that were settling to the ground. Seeds—that’s all they were. Seeds that brought unwanted weeds when they matured. Just like her life.

  Unwanted. Unwelcome. Unsung.

  At least by the one person who had mattered the most while she was growing up.

  Katherine pushed to her feet, letting the dandelion stem dangle from her fingers. There was no fantasy world where thirty-two-year-old women—or little girls for that matter—could ride the dandelion fluff and become someone they weren’t. No. It was time to put the past behind her. Mama was coming to stay at her house tomorrow, and somehow Katherine had to survive.

  An hour later a wagon rumbling down the dirt road churned out a billowing cloud of powdery dust. Katherine waved a hand in front of her face and coughed. Time to face the future and try to forget the past. School would be dismissed soon, and she’d need her two daughters, Lucy and Amanda, to help ready the house for Mama’s arrival.

  Katherine clutched her dark blue skirt and lifted it a couple inches as she moved from the grass onto the road. If only Daniel were alive … He’d always known how to deal with Mama’s irascible behavior.

  Katherine pushed aside the pain that threatened to swamp her. After almost three years of widowhood, she should be
able to move on, but so far it hadn’t happened, and she doubted it ever would. Katherine struck off down the road, barely noticing the sun that glimmered on the unfurling green leaves of the oak trees or the birds that sang in the branches above her head. Late spring had arrived, and her heart longed to soar with the larks, but the thought of Mama’s arrival slowed her steps.

  June, Katherine’s unmarried older sister, had been Mama’s companion all of June’s adult life, but her sudden passing several weeks earlier had left Mama alone and unattended. Not that she really needed tending. If anything, her sickly half sister had required more care than her mother did, but June had never allowed her frail condition to get in the way of ministering to their mother. Katherine sighed, saddened anew over the loss of her only sibling.

  “Ma!” Her sweet, six-year-old Amanda’s voice trilled a high note, and the patter of feet on the hard-packed dirt road drew Katherine to a halt. She pivoted, watching her younger daughter fly toward her.

  A glance beyond Mandy didn’t reveal thirteen-year-old Lucy. Katherine had instructed both her girls to head straight home after school. Of course, Lucy might have allowed Mandy to come alone, seeing how the schoolhouse was such a short distance.

  Katherine held her arms out to the golden-haired girl, knowing her daughter would launch into the air when barely within reach.

  Sure enough, Amanda giggled and leapt forward, landing in her arms. “Swing me in a circle, Ma!”

  Katherine peered around but saw no one watching who might judge her unkindly. Stop that. She didn’t care for the direction her thoughts had taken her. Mama always worried what others might think. Katherine had resolved early on that if God blessed her with children, they’d get all the hugs, kisses, and laughter she’d longed for.

  She stiffened her spine. It mattered not one whit if anyone watched. She spun the little girl another time, Mandy’s giggles flying as wide as the skirt she wore and beyond.

  Then Katherine pressed a long kiss onto Amanda’s pink cheek. “Where’s your sister?”

  The sweet smile faded. “Don’t know.”

  “Is she still at school, or did she go home?”

  The little girl shrugged. “She ran off, so I came to find you.”

  “Ran off where?” Katherine placed a finger under Amanda’s chin and lifted it. “Are you hiding something, Daughter?”

  Amanda’s deep blue eyes dropped. “She told me not to tell, or she’d whip me later when you’re not looking.”

  “Lucy is not going to whip you. I’ll see to that. Now tell me what she’s up to.”

  A huge sigh followed. “I suppose I have to, or you’ll whip me.”

  Katherine’s mouth dropped open. “Where in the world is all this whipping nonsense coming from?”

  “Mary Jane Winters says that when she grows up, she’s going to whip her children every day, even if they aren’t naughty.”

  “Whatever for?”

  Her daughter squinted up against the bright sun. “Because they probably want to be naughty, and if you whip them ahead of time, it will stop them from doing something bad.”

  “And how old is Mary Jane Winters to have such great wisdom?”

  “Nine, and she’s going to have at least a dozen babies when she gets married, so they can do all the chores, and she can sit and eat candy.” A smile broke her solemn features. “I guess you shoulda had more babies, Ma. They could do some of the chores at the boardinghouse.”

  Katherine quirked an eyebrow. “Honey, more children often mean more work. Besides, God gave your father and me what He wanted us to have. Now quit changing the subject and tell me where your sister went.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Amanda scuffed her black boot against the dirt, covering it with dust. “She ran off with a boy.” She made the word sound like her sister had disappeared with a two-headed monster.

  Katherine would’ve laughed if alarm bells weren’t ringing in her head. “Which boy? Where?”

  “Zachary, some new boy at school. I think she’s sweet on him. I saw them sitting together at dinnertime under a tree, and she shared her food with him.” Mandy tugged at her mother’s arm and skipped in place. “Come on, Ma. I’m hungry.”

  Katherine blew air out in a puff. “Let’s get you home. If Lucy doesn’t arrive soon, I’ll go look for her. Did you see what direction they took?”

  “I think to Snider’s General Store. I heard the boy say he brought money, and he’d buy her a treat.”

  “All right.” Katherine stroked her daughter’s blond curls. “Thank you for telling me, even though your sister asked you not to.”

  Amanda raised troubled eyes. “I’m not in trouble?”

  “No, darling, but your big sister will be when she gets home.” Katherine took her daughter’s slender hand in hers and stepped out at a brisk pace. Her arm swung in a wide arc as Mandy hopped and skipped beside her, kicking up dust as she went.

  God had blessed her when He birthed this little girl into their family. Strong-willed Lucy was a blessing as well, but she’d always been more of a challenge. This newest episode was one of several recently and not something Katherine cared to deal with right now.

  For the thousandth time she wished Daniel hadn’t died and left her alone. He’d know what to say to Lucy and how to deal with Mama when she arrived….

  Katherine tilted her chin up. No more self-pity nonsense today. Tomorrow would bring enough troubles, and she wouldn’t borrow against that time. She’d make the most of this beautiful day and pray that somehow Mama had changed in the past two years.

  Chapter Two

  That boy was late again. Micah Jacobs hefted a bag of grain onto his left shoulder and stepped out of the feed store facing the main street of Baker City, Oregon. He squinted against the harsh glare of the late-spring sun and tugged the brim of his hat with his free hand. School had been out for at least thirty minutes, more than enough time for his son to arrive at the store and help load the grain for the livery.

  Micah had hoped that moving here from the city and buying a business would interest Zachary. At nearly fifteen, the boy only had two more years of schooling. He should be planning how to make his way in the world, not mooning over books. Their family had a history of working with their hands—his father and grandfather before him had carved out a living in a smithy—but Zachary hadn’t shown an interest in shoeing, working as a wheelwright, or helping at the livery.

  Micah slammed another bag of grain onto the pile and shook his head. Zachary’s sight would be damaged if he continued to pore over those schoolbooks hours on end. Books had never done Micah any good, and they wouldn’t earn a living for his son. Maybe things would’ve been different if his wife, Emma, had lived, but regret wouldn’t pay the bills.

  He stepped onto the wheel of the buckboard and swung onto the seat, settling down and unwinding the reins from the brake handle. “Let’s go, Charlie. Get along there, Mable.” Cracking the reins against the black rumps of his mules, he turned them toward the livery. After three weeks, he’d hoped profits would’ve been better. The mining boom had seemed to promise prosperity to any who ventured to this town, which was situated not far from the Oregon Trail, but so far it hadn’t happened.

  A flash of gold registered on the edge of his vision. Micah swiveled just in time to see a little girl with blond curls escape her mother’s hold and dash across the dusty road—right into the path of his mules.

  Katherine stopped in front of Connors’ Mercantile and gazed at a lace-edged tablecloth. Did she have enough money for something so extravagant? Mama probably wouldn’t approve.

  Amanda tugged her hand free, and Katherine pivoted to call her back, then froze. Mandy had bounded off the boardwalk and right into the path of an oncoming wagon.

  Katherine’s heart stuck in her throat. With handfuls of her skirt clutched in her fists, she finally managed to gasp, “Amanda. Stop!”

  The driver of the team hauled back on his reins the instant Amanda appeared to register Katherine’s wo
rds and halted her flight. The black-bay mules slowed to a stop, snorting their displeasure and pawing the ground.

  Katherine reached her daughter and scooped her into her arms, wanting to shake her and hug her at the same time. “What were you thinking? That wagon almost ran over you.”

  The driver jumped down and strode to where they stood. “Is your little girl all right?” Concern laced the gruff edge of his voice.

  “Yes, I think so.” She raised her eyes, and a jolt hit her heart. Beneath a wide forehead, brows were drawn over intense green eyes, and a hat was pushed down over his dark brown hair. A firm jawline gave him a no-nonsense look, but his kind gaze belied the frown tugging at his mouth.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am. Guess I had my mind on something other than my driving.”

  Gratitude swelled in her chest. This stranger could have easily berated her for allowing Amanda to escape her care, but he’d chosen to take responsibility for the near mishap. “Thank you, but I should’ve kept a tighter grip on her hand. She was anxious to visit the store across the street, and I was distracted due to my older daughter not returning home.” Realizing she was rambling, Katherine set Amanda back on the ground and leaned over to the child’s level. “You need to apologize to Mister …” She gazed up at the man.

  He tipped his hat, and a smile broke the serious plane of his face. “Jacobs, ma’am. Micah Jacobs, late of Seattle, Washington.”

  “That’s a long way to travel, Mr. Jacobs. What brought you to our fair city?”

  “The need for a change. I purchased the livery and smithy three weeks ago.”

  “Ah, a fellow businessman. I wondered what would happen to the livery when Mr. Sykes decided to pull up stakes and leave.”

  “Fellow businessman? Do you and your husband run an establishment in Baker City?”

  She extended her hand while keeping a firm hold on Amanda with the other. “I apologize. I’m Katherine Galloway. My husband passed away nearly three years ago, but I own the boardinghouse on the far edge of town.” She tipped her head to the south. “My older daughter, Lucy, helps me when she’s not in school, and Amanda here keeps me on my toes when she’s home.”