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

  Embarrassed, Micah held up his hand. “I’ll be all right. They’ve got enough on their hands fighting my fire.”

  The pastor peered into his face. “It’s your livery, but it’s not your fire. We’re a community, and we stick together.” Seth dropped onto one knee when the silence lingered. “You seem like you’re carrying a mighty big load beyond your loss here.” He waved toward the smoldering building where flames still licked the wood and thick smoke boiled into the night sky.

  Micah stiffened, trying to remember that this man had saved his life. He’d lost his livelihood and his home, and very possibly his son’s carelessness had caused this fire. Another month or so into the summer with drier conditions and the entire town could’ve gone up in smoke. What wasn’t bothering him might be a better question to ask.

  He lifted his head and met the pastor’s eyes square on. “Nothing I care to talk about.” He bowed his head again and stifled a cough with his sleeve. “Have you seen my boy? Zachary went to get help and ring the bell, but I haven’t seen him since I came out. Can you find him for me?”

  The pastor nodded, then rose to his feet. “Of course. But remember, Micah, even when things look bleak, God’s light can illumine the darkest corner.” He pivoted and began to head across the street.

  “Maybe,” Micah muttered. “But right now I need to know my son is safe.”

  “Mr. Jacobs!” A girl’s shrill voice penetrated the hum of voices on the street and Lucy Galloway skidded to a stop beside him, wringing her hands. Katherine Galloway followed a step behind her daughter, and another redheaded woman he didn’t recognize stopped beside her. “Are you all right? Where’s Zachary?”

  “You haven’t seen him either?” He tucked his injured arm against his side, grabbed hold of the hitching post rail with his good hand, and dragged himself to his feet, stopping to lean against the post to steady himself.

  Katherine touched his arm. “You’re hurt. Has the doctor seen you?”

  He pulled away, frowning.

  Her hand dropped to her side and she stepped back, a wave of red suffusing her cheeks.

  A sense of desolation swamped Micah. So many people, all eager to help, but none of them able to understand the depth of his anxiety and inner turmoil. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve got to find Zachary.” He set his teeth and planted his foot on the ground, determined to search this entire town if he had to. Searing hot agony tore through his body. Biting hard on his lip to keep from crying out, Micah fought to relax his jaw before he drew blood.

  His good foot swung out quickly, taking his weight, and he tried again. One more step. He could do this. One at a time. Pain lanced up his leg and he swayed, then started to pitch forward.

  Katherine clutched his shoulders, and he caught a whiff of rosewater as his nose buried itself in her soft blond curls. She held on, allowing him to catch his balance.

  The redheaded woman hurried to his other side and grasped his good arm. “Maybe you’d best sit down, Mr. Jacobs.” Her firm voice brooked no nonsense, and with Katherine’s help, they settled him on the edge of the boardwalk.

  Katherine slowly released her hold, leaving him alone again in a sea of people. Those scant moments she’d held him the anxiety had lessened and he’d felt comforted and … what?

  Connected.

  For the first time since Emma’s death, he’d once again experienced a true connection with another human being.

  He ran his hand over his face. Foolishness. His emotions were getting the best of him. “Please.” He met Katherine’s compassionate gaze. As a mother, surely she’d understand. “Can someone try to find Zachary?”

  A shock went through Katherine at the raw pain swimming in Micah’s eyes. She wanted to hug him again and reassure him all would be well, but that wouldn’t be seemly. Besides, who was she to promise his son would return safely when her own husband had died in a tragic accident? All she could do was pray and try to offer comfort if this didn’t end well, but her heart longed to do more.

  The ring of people jostling behind her quieted and someone bumped her arm. Lucy squealed and jumped forward. “Zachary! You’re all right.”

  The boy smiled at Lucy, then knelt beside his father. “You’re hurt.” The words were strained and laced with alarm.

  The anxiety eased from Micah’s face, leaving it relaxed and almost at peace. He held out his uninjured arm and drew his son into a fierce embrace. “When you didn’t come, I feared you’d gone back into the house.” A shudder shook his frame. “Where have you been all this time?”

  Warmth flooded Katherine’s soul as the blacksmith held his boy. How many men would publicly show this kind of affection to a nearly grown son? In her humble estimation it took a strong man who knew his own worth to do so.

  Zachary eased away from his father and rocked back on his heels. “After I rang the bell, I tried to find the doctor, but he wasn’t home. By the time I got back, the livery had caved in, and flames were shooting everywhere. When I didn’t see you, I feared the worst.”

  He shot a look at Lucy, then hung his head. “I kind of got sick for a couple minutes and didn’t move.” The boy turned back to his father. “Then Pastor Seth found me leaning against a tree and told me you were safe.” His face contorted in a grimace. “How bad are you, Pa?”

  Micah grunted. “Twisted my ankle is all, and my arm is throbbing. I think I’ll be fine.”

  “But your leg is bleeding too.”

  “It’s only a cut. I’m sure it won’t amount to anything.”

  Katherine touched Zachary’s shoulder, and the boy swiveled toward her. “We’re thankful you and your father are safe, but I think he’s hurt a little worse than he’s willing to let on.” She hated to challenge Micah in front of his son, but if she remembered anything about men, she knew Micah’s pride might not allow him to admit his level of pain. Sure as anything he’d probably try to hobble his way back home….

  Then she realized he didn’t have a home. Neither of them did.

  She plunged forward. “The doctor needs to look at you.”

  Zachary scowled. “The doc isn’t home. Someone told me he’s tending a man at a mining claim and might not be back before morning.”

  Katherine nodded. “That settles it, then. Both of you are coming to the boardinghouse with me.”

  Micah’s mouth gaped, and he snapped it shut. Go home with her? Why ever would he want to do that? He shifted his weight and grimaced as his shoulder and ankle gave him sharp reminders. Good thing he’d worn lace-up boots or—if the ache and swelling were any indication—he’d probably have had to cut the boot off later.

  Zachary placed his hand on his arm. “Pa?”

  “Yes?” He knew what was coming. The boy was smitten with Lucy and would push him to stay there till they could find a new place to live. Well, he wouldn’t think of it. No, sir. It wasn’t fitting … Katherine Galloway being a single, attractive woman and all.

  “Why did the barn burn down?” Worry clouded the boy’s face, and his voice trembled.

  Micah swallowed the harsh lump in his throat and scrambled to find an answer. He had little doubt his son had left a lantern burning, but this wasn’t the time to speak the words. Not with strangers standing around. “I’m not sure. We may never know.”

  Zachary nodded slowly, but the confusion lingered. “Do you think …?”

  “Let’s not worry about it now, Son.” He turned to Katherine, anxious to get the boy’s attention off the fire. “You have a room at your boardinghouse available then?” Suddenly he realized the cash money he’d stashed in his room would’ve burned with the rest. If he was lucky, he might find a handful of silver after the charred boards cooled. “I’m sorry. I can’t take charity.”

  Her brows rose a fraction. “Yes. I have several rooms available right now. Please don’t worry about payment. That’s what neighbors are for.”

  He tried not to scowl. “I won’t come unless I pay my way, and until I start working again, that won’t be possi
ble.”

  “I’m sure we can work it out when you’re feeling better.”

  “I’ll expect to sign a note and reimburse you. I won’t change my mind.”

  “Fine, Mr. Jacobs.” The warmth in her voice faded. “I’d hate to have your pride get in the way when you’re hurt, so I’ll agree to take your money. The doctor can see you there.”

  “Like I told you before, I don’t need a doctor. Can’t everyone let me be and quit worrying?”

  Katherine gripped Lucy’s arm. “I’ll go on ahead and get your room ready.” She stalked off, her posture stiff.

  Micah shook his head. What in tarnation put her in such a huff? A man had to keep a bit of pride intact, didn’t he? From the look of things he’d offended Katherine Galloway yet again.

  Hopefully his leg wasn’t broken and he could start rebuilding soon. In fact, living in a tent sounded downright pleasant compared to the alternative.

  Lucy tugged against her mother’s grip, anxiety mixing with anger at the distance they were putting between her and Zachary. She hadn’t even gotten a chance to speak to her friend, and now Ma was storming home with a bee in her bonnet. At least she knew Zachary was safe.

  “Ma!” Lucy dug in her heels a block away from home, dragging her mother to a halt.

  “What?” Ma swung around and glared, yanking her wrist from Lucy’s grip.

  “What’s got you so riled? You were rude to Mr. Jacobs, storming off like that. And you didn’t even tell Miss Carlson good-bye.”

  Her mother’s breath rushed out in a whoosh. “Leah. Oh, my gracious. I can’t believe I left her standing there with that man.”

  “That man? Ma, he was injured and almost died in the fire, and he was worried sick about Zachary.” Lucy didn’t care that her voice raised a notch or two. She’d take the scolding for being disrespectful if it came to that, but Ma needed to hear what she had to say. “You got mad at him for nothing.”

  Ma rounded on her. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, young lady. I offered him a place to stay, and I didn’t intend to charge him, not after he’d lost his home and his livelihood. But no, his pride won’t let him accept kindness. He’ll pay me or not come. Then when I suggest the doctor stop to see him, he throws that in my face as well.”

  Lucy took a step back, a step away from her mother’s anger.

  Suddenly, Ma slumped and waved her hand. “I’m sorry. Let’s walk back to the house like two civilized people.”

  The silence stretched as they strolled at a more dignified pace through the moon-drenched night, toward the brightly lit boardinghouse.

  Lucy peeked at her mother. She no longer strode with her chin up but with lagging steps. Pity surged through Lucy’s heart, and she wanted to hug her. Was Ma thinking about the night Pa died? Was that why she wanted to help Mr. Jacobs and Zachary, because she hadn’t been able to help Pa? But she shouldn’t get mad at him for not accepting charity. Lucy didn’t know many men who would.

  “Ma?”

  “Hmm?” Ma slipped her hand into Lucy’s.

  Peace flowed through Lucy, and she squeezed Ma’s fingers. “Nothing. I love you, Ma.”

  “I love you, too, Luce girl.”

  “Are you going to stay mad at Mr. Jacobs?”

  “I reckon not. Unless he gets cantankerous or his pride flares up again. Then I might.” She grinned and Lucy giggled, then sobered.

  “It was real nice of you to offer to let them stay. I feel bad they lost their home and the livery.” Her stomach lurched. After losing Pa, the most important things in her life were her home, mother, and little sister. Losing any of them would tear her heart out. No wonder Mr. Jacobs was cranky. “He was awful nice to Zachary when he came back. I was worried he might shout at him for being gone so long, but he only hugged him. I thought for a minute he was going to cry.”

  Her mother didn’t speak, only gripped her hand a bit harder. Lucy knew what that meant. Ma wanted some time to think and not talk, which was all right with her. She had a lot to think about herself. Part of her wanted to shout for joy that Zachary was coming to stay at their house, but the other part was a little concerned.

  Grandma hadn’t seemed to like Mr. Jacobs very well, and before tonight, Mr. Jacobs had been really nice to Ma. What if Grandma was mean to him? She frowned and almost pulled her hand away but knew Ma would question her if she did. Scuffing her toe against the dirt as she walked, Lucy stared off into the night.

  They had enough upset at their house as it was, ever since Grandma had come. What if Mr. Jacobs went back to being really nice and Ma started to like him too much? It wasn’t that Mr. Jacobs wasn’t a decent man from what she could tell, but he was Zachary’s pa—she didn’t want him for hers.

  Chapter Twelve

  Home never looked so good, but Katherine couldn’t go to bed yet. She opened her front door as the clock on the mantle chimed midnight, and Lucy yawned. Patting her daughter’s back, Katherine smiled. “You’d best go right up to bed, sweetie. Morning’s coming all too soon.”

  “Yes, Ma. Are you coming?” Lucy placed her hand on the newel post at the bottom of the stairs.

  “Soon. I’ll see if Grandma is in bed or waiting up. I need to thank her for staying with Amanda.”

  “All right. Good night.”

  “’Night, honey.” As she watched her elder daughter climb the staircase, she couldn’t thank God enough that she and Lucy had such a wonderful relationship, quite unlike hers and her mother’s. But Katherine had worked hard to keep the doors of communication open with Lucy and bathe her actions in love—not something she’d experienced from her own mother while growing up.

  Katherine simply absorbed the quiet for a minute. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, trying to release all the worry, fear, and irritation that had assailed her this night. So much had happened since leaving only an hour or two ago. Micah Jacobs’s home and business had burned to the ground, and she’d invited him and his son to live here. Of course, she did run a boardinghouse, so it wasn’t as though she’d done anything immoral, but tongues might still wag. It didn’t appear that the man truly appreciated what she’d done, either. If she could do it over again, she was certain she’d make a different choice.

  A sudden image of the pain she’d seen reflected in Micah’s eyes drew her up short. How could she deny someone who’d lost so much and had no place to go? She couldn’t and regretting the offer wouldn’t accomplish anything.

  What would Mama think?

  Not that it was Mama’s business.

  After all, Katherine was a grown woman who could manage her own affairs, wasn’t she?

  Katherine brushed a loose curl from her forehead and headed toward the kitchen. Weariness settled in. It was past time for bed, but she’d promised Micah and Zachary a room. Thankfully she had clean bedding in the downstairs room already and didn’t need to do much but fill the water pitcher and turn down the covers. Surely Mama had gone upstairs after tucking Amanda in, but she’d best check.

  She stepped through the doorway of the dining room and peered into the kitchen. The light was dim and nothing stirred—only shadows danced on the walls.

  A chair scraped across the floor. “Katherine? I did not hear you come in. Are you and Lucy all right?” Mama rose from the far end of the table where she’d been sitting in the deepest shadow.

  Katherine pivoted, placing her hand over her rapidly beating heart. “You gave me a start. I thought you’d gone to bed long ago.”

  A strange look flitted across the older woman’s face, then quickly disappeared. “You have been away longer than I expected. I was not able to sleep.”

  Irritation? Or worry? But why would Mama be troubled about her and Lucy? They hadn’t been in danger. Besides, her mother rarely showed emotions that indicated she cared. On the other hand, Lucy was her granddaughter, and she may have been anxious for her sake.

  “I’m sorry if we worried you.”

  “Nonsense.” Frances drew herself to her full hei
ght and frowned. “I simply could not sleep with all the commotion in town and you out wandering the streets. What happened? Why did they ring the bell?”

  “You remember Mr. Jacobs and his son, Zachary, who came to dinner a few nights ago?”

  “Of course. I am not in my dotage, Katherine. What do they have to do with anything?” Mama scowled.

  Katherine motioned toward the table. “Would you like to sit down?”

  “No. Tell me what happened and I will go to bed.”

  “The livery burned down.”

  Mama placed her fingers over her mouth. “They didn’t die, did they? How awful.”

  Katherine’s heart twisted at her mother’s expression. She shouldn’t have been so blunt. She should’ve started by telling her no one was hurt. Why didn’t she think before she spoke? It was one of the many things Mama had chastised her for over the years. “No, I’m sorry. They’re both safe, but their home was above the livery, and they lost everything. Mr. Jacobs may have sustained a broken leg.”

  A man’s voice halting a team of horses sounded outside the window.

  “I didn’t expect them so soon.” Katherine ran to the window and peered out. “I invited Mr. Jacobs and his son to stay in an empty room. What was I thinking standing here talking?”

  Her mother harrumphed. “That is exactly what I would like to know. What were you thinking asking that man and his son to stay? If he has lost his business and home, it is likely he will not be able to pay. You cannot run a charity and hope to feed your family, Katherine. I always said you were too impulsive, and now you have proven it again.” She strode toward the hallway without looking back.

  Katherine balled her hands into fists, wanting to scream. Should she go after her mother and try to explain? It wouldn’t make a difference, as Mama wouldn’t listen anyway.

  Instead, she uncoiled her fingers and pasted what she hoped would pass as a smile on her tired face. Time to greet her new boarders and get them to bed before the rooster crowed his early morning song.