Do Not Forsake Me(22)

Jake glanced over at Katie to see her mother placing some flowers in her hair. “She’s strong, Lloyd. It will be hard at first, but she’ll manage.” He looked back at Lloyd. “Besides, this job won’t last forever. And I’ve told you more than once that you don’t need to do this. I’m the one who has no choice. Maybe now is the time for you to—”

“No! You know how I feel about that. Do you really think I could let you ride off into backcountry alone, where most of the men you’re after would love to put a hole in your back? It’s not going to happen, and Katie knows that, so stop trying to make me quit.”

Jeff glanced sidelong at the two of them. Jake walked a few feet away for a moment, clearing his throat and lighting another cigarette. “Then I guess I’ll have to do my best to make sure Katie doesn’t end up a widow for a second time,” he told Lloyd.

Lloyd put his hands on his hips, and Jeff picked up on the distinct feeling that both men were trying to treat lightly much deeper feelings. “I guess you will,” Lloyd answered.

Jake came closer and shook his son’s hand firmly again. “I hope you’ll be as happy as your mother and I are. Living with a Harkner is hard on a woman, Lloyd, so you have to be extra good to her when you’re at home.”

“I know. I will be.”

Jake left him to go and greet his soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Lloyd just then caught Jeff watching and listening. “Who the hell are you?” he asked. Apparently the younger Harkner could be just as intimidating as his father.

“Oh—Jeff Trubridge, Mr. Harkner.” He rose and came down the steps, putting out his hand. “I’ve been making friends with your father—came out here from Chicago to do a story on him.”

Lloyd’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t shake his hand. “A story? What kind of story? My pa doesn’t like people snooping around his personal life, and he sure as hell doesn’t ‘make friends’ with just anybody. I highly doubt you can call him friend yet.”

“Oh, I’m—I’m well aware of that. I’m just waiting for the chance to talk to your mother—all of you, in fact—so I can make it clear what I want to do. I’m told your mother is the decision maker in the family.”

Lloyd just scowled at him. “My mother is the decision maker on a lot of things. Does she know about this?”

“I…I’m not sure.”

Jake came walking back then with his arm around the lovely young redhead who’d come in on the wagon. Jeff realized she must be Lloyd’s wife-to-be. She looked at bit taken aback by Jake’s embrace and was blushing profusely.

“Lloyd, thanks for bringing another beautiful woman into the family,” Jake joked. He looked down at Katie. “You will soon be my son’s wife, Katie, so you will be loved like a daughter. And Randy is going to be thrilled about this. Church will let out soon. I can’t wait to tell her.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek, then shook Pat Donavan’s hand when the man joined them.

Lloyd reached out and put an arm around Katie, then nodded toward Jeff. “Is that kid okay?” he asked Jake. “He said he’s writing a book about you. You’ve never allowed that before.”

“I haven’t decided for sure yet. It’s all up to your mother. And I have a few questions for this kid before I answer any more of his, but yes, I think he’s okay.” He turned his attention back to Lloyd and Katie. “Good Lord, you two make one hell of a handsome couple,” he commented. He pushed back his hat. “Let me tell Randy about this myself as soon as church lets out. Let’s walk over to that shade tree by the wagon while we wait.”

Jeff waited impatiently, wishing he could hear everything being said. He watched Jake’s interaction with the Donavans and his soon-to-be daughter-in-law…his relaxed attitude around his son. He noted how happy Lloyd looked, but more interesting was Jake’s demeanor. Seeing him merely as a family man, anyone who didn’t know him would have trouble believing the kind of past the man had led, or how ruthless he could be. Jeff still couldn’t quite get over that.

Finally the church doors opened, and Jake left the others to hurry up the church steps. He leaned against the railing, still smiling. Jeff rose and stepped aside as people began pouring out of church, many of them again greeting Jake on their way out, some warmly, some looking away nervously, a few women actually casting him fetching glances.

Jake’s smile faded then when his wife finally exited…on the arm of a well-dressed, graying, but well-preserved man who made ready to help her down the steps.