Who the heck is that? Jeff wondered.
As soon as the man saw Jake standing there, he let go of Randy Harkner’s arm and put on a smile, holding his hand out to Jake. “Jake!” he said jovially. “You should have come inside.”
Jake grasped his hand in what Jeff could tell was an unnecessarily firm handshake, keeping hold of the man’s hand a little longer than necessary. “Good to see you, Peter.”
The man he’d addressed looked a little nervous. “Preacher Zilke gave a very good sermon.”
Jake finally let go, and Jeff noticed Peter flex his hand a little, as though it hurt.
“I heard the sermon from out here,” Jake answered. “And last I knew, my wife was a pretty able woman…able enough to get down the steps without your help.”
“Jake Harkner, don’t be rude,” Randy told him as more people exited the church.
“It’s all right,” Peter answered. “I’m sure your husband is still feeling the strain of the last three weeks.” He held Jake’s eyes the whole time he spoke. “I saw you ride in yesterday, Jake. I’m glad you made it back in one piece.”
Jake took Randy’s arm. “Are you, now?”
Peter nodded. “I most certainly am. I wouldn’t want to see the look on your good wife’s face if you didn’t make it back, and that’s the God’s truth.” Peter didn’t back away, and Jeff suspected Jake respected that. It meant Peter was likely being genuine and wanted Jake to know it.
Jake held his eyes a moment longer. “And a good wife she is.”
“Jake.”
It was one word, spoken by Miranda. The look she gave Jake said it all. She was warning him to be polite.
Jeff smiled at the simple, quiet command. The woman could stand right up to Jake Harkner. Jake immediately softened and actually smiled. He met Randy’s eyes then. “Maybe your good friend here would like to stay and watch your son marry Katie,” he told her.
His wife’s face lit up and Jake nodded toward the Donavans’ wagon in the distance. Randy turned to see Lloyd standing with his arm around Katie. “Lloyd!” She hurried down the steps and out to greet all of them, embracing her son and then Katie.
Jake kept his eyes on Peter a moment longer. “Thanks for giving her something to do when I’m gone. She needs that. Just make sure it’s only work you offer her.”
Brown shook his head. “Jake, get the chip off your shoulder. That woman is so devoted to you it’s ridiculous. And you know I highly respect her. I most certainly would like to stay and see Lloyd get married, if you really mean that. All Randy talked about while you were gone was getting those two together.”
Evie and Brian walked out of the church, and young Stephen made a beeline for his father.
“Daddy! Daddy!”
Lloyd swept the boy into his arms, and Jake watched as Evie and Brian also walked out to greet the Donavans. “Some family, aren’t they?” He looked back at Peter.
“I never had children, Jake,” Peter answered rather wistfully. “You’re a lucky man.”
Jake studied him. “Well, I’m sure you are more deserving of a family than I am.” Jake put his hat back on and walked down the steps toward his family.
Jeff decided to step back from things for a while. This seemed like something too personal—Jake’s son getting married and all. It was Sunday, a family day. He turned his attention to Peter. The look of love in the man’s eyes was startlingly evident.
Well, well. This was interesting. Peter apparently felt a strong affection for Mrs. Jake Harkner. Jeff turned away and started back for the Guthrie Inn. Within a block of the church, he noticed three well-armed men on horses, eyeing Jake and his family. None of them looked friendly.
“Hey, kid,” one of them called out to Jeff. “You there—four-eyes, in the fancy hat!”
Jeff knew he’d better stop. He looked up at them. “What?”
“You a friend of Jake’s?”
“I’m just a reporter from Chicago.”
“What are you doin’ in Guthrie?”
Jeff swallowed. “Just business.”
“What’s all the commotion over there?”
Jeff shrugged. “I guess Jake Harkner’s son is getting married today.”
The man who’d asked the questions guffawed. “Well now, ain’t that just sweet, Gordy? Lloyd’s gettin’ married. Ole Jake’s family is growing. Can you beat that? Jake Harkner, the family man.”
The one called Gordy grinned. “Warms the heart. Once Harkner is dead, there’ll be one more pretty woman added to his family for us to pick from.”