Lucy's Quilt Page 5

  “Well, my door is open.” Stone tugged on the reins and headed the horses back toward his ranch. “I think I’d better get these supplies to America, or I may have to come and live with you.”

  ❧

  Juliette watched her father pace the floor from her place behind the counter. It’d been two weeks since the bank had rejected his request for a loan. She knew he’d checked out every job possibility in the area, and nothing seemed promising. Their situation was growing more critical each day. “I’m worried about Mother,” she finally said. “I think she needs to see Doc Meeker.”

  “I know, but we can’t take her. Not now.”

  “Can’t? Why?”

  He sank onto a chair, lowered his head into his hands, and rested his elbows on his knees. “We don’t have money to pay Doc.”

  Juliette rushed to her father’s side and put her arms about his shoulders. “Really?”

  He lifted a weary gaze. “You’re the only one I can talk to, Juliette. Since the bank turned down our loan, we can’t buy the hotel. Our savings are nearly gone. Mrs. Stark has only given me to the end of the month. After that, we won’t even have a roof over our heads.”

  Juliette gasped. She had no idea things were this bad. “What can I do to help? I’ll do anything. Just name it.” She felt her father’s shoulders rise and fall, and she knew he was crying. She’d never seen him cry.

  “I don’t know. I just don’t know. I’m all out of answers. I thought sure the Lord would provide a way. He’s always taken care of us before. Where is He now?”

  “Caroline and I are strong, Father. We’ve already told you we could get jobs. Maybe Thomas Ward would hire me to work in his store, and Reuben is able-bodied. He could—”

  A frown blanketed John’s face. “My daughter, work as a clerk in that store? Never. Too many ruffians go in there to buy supplies. Besides, with your mother’s bad health, I need you here.”

  “But Father—”

  “No, Juliette. That’s my final word on the subject,” he said so loudly she was afraid her mother would hear.

  A knock sounded on the door. “Pretty late at night for folks to be out.” John dabbed at his eyes, then nodded toward Juliette. “You go on to bed. I’ll register whoever it is.”

  ❧

  “Evening, John. I know it’s nearly eleven, but I’ve been thinking about you and your situation.” Stone moved uneasily into the room. “I don’t mean to pry, but I’m wondering if you’ve come up with a solution yet. You know—about buying the hotel.”

  John slowly seated himself, then leaned back and locked his hands behind his head with a deep sigh. “I not only can’t get a loan, I can’t even find a job.”

  Stone pulled a chair up next to him. “I’ve been thinking. I–I guess I could give you the money.”

  “Give me the money? You know I’d never let you do that. We’re friends, but you’ve only known me a few months. You’d be crazy to do such a foolish thing.”

  “Then I’ll loan it to you. You can pay me interest.”

  John shook his head. “I have no collateral to offer you, nothing to secure the loan. No, Stone. I won’t take charity, and that’s exactly what it would be.”

  After an interminable silence, Stone spoke again. “Well then, I could buy the hotel, and you could run it for me.”

  John narrowed his eyes. “You, a rancher, buy the hotel? Don’t be ridiculous. You’re a better businessman than that. Besides, that wouldn’t be any different than giving me the money outright or a loan without collateral!”

  “All right, you won’t let me give you the money, and you won’t let me buy the hotel and let you run it.” Stone twisted nervously in the chair, its wobbly legs creaking beneath his weight. “I—ah—may have another solution. One I’ve been thinking about ever since you got turned down at the bank. I hope you’ll be interested.”

  Now he had John’s full attention.

  “Of course, I’m interested. I’m desperate. Tell me. What’s your solution?”

  “Your dilemma could provide an answer for both of us.”

  John straightened in his seat. “What, Stone? Tell me.”

  “I’ll loan you the money to buy the hotel, interest free—if you get Juliette to marry me.”

  Four

  John jumped to his feet. “What did you say?”

  “I said, get Juliette to marry me. It’s a good solution for both of us, John. Hear me out.”

  John frowned. “I’m listening, but I don’t like what I’m hearing. You want me to use my daughter as collateral?”

  “Sit down,” Stone demanded in a firm voice.

  With a scowl, his friend sat down but kept his gaze pinned on Stone’s face.

  “I’ve—I’ve been thinking about your problem.” Stone slowly lowered himself onto the sofa beside the distraught man. “I have a problem too. One I’ve never discussed with you.”

  John’s scowl turned into a frown. “You have a problem? What has that got to do with asking Juliette to marry you? And how would that solve my problem?”

  “Patience, John. Let me explain. As you know, I have two sons. They’ve been living with my sister in St. Joseph since—” He paused and swallowed hard. “Since Lucy—died. I’d like to bring them home. I’ve been putting it off because I felt incapable of being both mother and father to such young boys. I’ve even considered hiring a nanny—you know, someone to live in and care for my children and look after the house. But folks would talk, me being a widower.”

  “But you have America. Couldn’t she—”

  Stone laughed. “America? Do you realize how old America is? She’s far too old to care for two rowdy boys. I need someone with a lot of spunk to look after my children, be a substitute mother, and handle things on the ranch like a wife would.”

  “Why don’t you just marry one of the local women?” John asked with a shrug. “I can think of a dozen who would be happy to be your wife and live on your fine ranch.”

  Stone shot him an amused grin. “ ’Cause I can’t think of any of them I’d want to live with. That’s important to me.”

  “But you said I should get Juliette to marry you. I don’t understand. What does my daughter have to do with all of this?”

  “She’s the right age, she’s bright, and she needs a home for her and her son. It’d be a marriage of convenience for both of us—a business arrangement. We could even draw up papers. It wouldn’t be proper for me to hire a woman to come and live with me on the ranch, but no one would give it a second thought if I married her. I don’t want a real wife.”

  “I don’t—”

  “Think about it. I could give your daughter the kind of life you want her to have. All she’d have to do in return is be a mother to my sons and take care of my home. That’s it. And I’d give you the money to buy the hotel.”

  John stroked his face and stared off in space. “What about—”

  “I wouldn’t expect her to perform wifely duties, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’m not interested in her in that way. But I need help with my sons, and you need money. The end of the month is only a few days away.”

  “Even if I’d agree, she wouldn’t do it, Stone. She’s independent, that one. She has her mind set on marrying some fellow who’ll whisk her off her feet like her first husband did. I know she won’t settle for less. Besides, you’re nearly twice her age. I doubt she thinks of you as marrying material.”

  “She would if she knew it would save the hotel for her family. That daughter of yours is loyal to you, John. She’s told me time and time again how much she appreciated you allowing her to come along to Kansas. I think if you asked her, she just might do it. It’d be a good thing for that boy of hers too. She might do it for his sake.”

  John stared at the floor and rubbed at his chin. “I–I don’t know. If she married you, it’d be for life.”

  “Look, John. I aim to take care of her and her son as long as I’m around this old earth. It’s a good arrangement for all o
f us, and I’d be a good daddy to Andrew. You know how I love kids. If she ever wanted to leave me, I’d let her go.”

  John appeared thoughtful. “Would be good for her and her son, I have to admit.”

  “I want a fine Christian woman to raise my sons, and she’s that kind of person.”

  John straightened. “You’ve talked to her about this?”

  “Not exactly. I told her I was gonna ask for her hand in marriage someday. That’s all.”

  John seemed surprised by his statement. “How did she respond? She never said a word about it to me.”

  Stone grinned. “I don’t think she believed me.”

  John leaned back into the sofa and stretched out his legs. “I need time to think. This has come as quite a surprise.”

  “Take whatever time you need.” Stone rose and headed for the door. “It’s the best solution for everyone. All you have to do now is convince your daughter.”

  “I’m afraid Juliette won’t take to this idea too kindly.”

  Stone pulled on his hat and stepped through the open doorway. “Then we’ll have to convince her, won’t we?”

  ❧

  “You wanted to speak to me, Father?” Juliette asked as she came into the room.

  After several anxious moments, John turned to his daughter. “You know the trouble I’ve been having. Financially.”

  She nodded with anticipation. “Yes, I know. Have you found someone to give you a loan?”

  “Not exactly. But I have been offered a valid solution.”

  She clapped her hands. “Oh, Father. I knew you’d come through for us. What is your solution? Have you found a new job?”

  John’s heart pounded. “You’re the solution, Juliette.”

  Huge inquisitive eyes lifted to his. “Me? How? You know I’ll do anything I can to help. Just tell me.”

  “I–I know you’d like to find a fine man and marry again. Your son needs a father in his life, and—”

  “Father? Tell me. What’s your solution?”

  “I–I don’t think you’ll want to know.”

  “Of course, I want to know. Andrew and I are a part of this family. Now, tell me.”

  “Juliette—” John closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and blurted it out. “I need you to marry Stone Piper.”

  Juliette stared at her father, her face reflecting her shock. “What did you say? Surely I didn’t hear you right.”

  John blinked, then pressed his lips together in a straight line. “I–I said I need you to marry Stone Piper,” he repeated.

  “But why, Father? Why would you ask such a thing? Just a few minutes ago, we were talking about David and the importance of real love in our lives. I don’t understand.”

  “I didn’t want to ask you, but—” John pulled her to him and cradled her in his arms. “It’s the only way, Daughter. Trust me. The only way.”

  “I’m confused.” She lifted misty eyes to his. “The only way to what? Tell me. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  John breathed in a whiff of air to clear his head, then let it out slowly. He had to make her understand. “Remember when Stone came to me last night?”

  She nodded.

  “Since he’s my friend, I’d confided in him about my financial difficulties. He’d offered to take our family into his home until I could get a job and we’d find a place of our own.”

  “But—what has that got to do with me—and marriage?”

  “Patience, Daughter, I’m getting to that. It isn’t easy for a man to talk to his daughter about his inability to provide for his family.” He breathed in another gasp and continued. “I told Stone I appreciated his offer, but it would only be a temporary answer to a major problem. He came up with an idea that would help both of us.”

  “Marry me? How would that solve anything? And why would he want to marry me?”

  He brushed the hair from Juliette’s troubled face. “Yes, he wants to marry you. But,” he hurried on to say, “it would be a marriage in name only. What he really needs is someone to be a mother to his boys and run his household. There would be no—”

  “No love?”

  “Right, no—ah, love. It would be a simple business agreement between the two of you. In exchange, Stone will provide for every need you and Andrew will ever have. Just think of it, Juliette: You’ll live in a fine house, wear fine clothes, have all the things you’ve always wanted. You and your son would want for nothing. What a wonderful opportunity this would be for the two of you.”

  She pushed away and stared into his face. “But, Father, I don’t understand. Why would you want me to do such a thing? You know I don’t love him. What about all the talks you and I have had about love?”

  He struggled with the words. “Be–because, if you marry Stone, he’ll give me the money to buy the hotel, interest free.”

  Juliette backed off quickly. “You’d sell my life like this? Marry me to a man I don’t love? To buy a hotel?”

  He reached for her, but she screamed at him and shoved him away. “Never did I think my own father could be so cruel. I want no part of this plan of yours!” She gave him a cold stare. “Or did Stone come up with this idea?”

  He touched her hand, but she pulled it away.

  “Leave me alone. Don’t even touch me! I won’t do this! I won’t! Do you hear me? I refuse to marry Stone Piper! I don’t love him, and I will not marry him—no matter what!”

  “It’s okay, Daughter. Somehow I’ll work things out. I had no right to ask this of you. It wasn’t fair. Can you forgive your thoughtless old father?”

  She curled up in the corner of the sofa and buried her face in her hands.

  John sat down beside her, stroking her hair. “Please, Juliette? Please forgive me?” he begged softly. He’d never felt so low, so discouraged. Here he’d told his children he’d never allow them to help him support his family, and what was he doing? Asking his lovely daughter, his own flesh and blood, to give up her life to keep him from losing the hotel. “I’m so sorry. I wouldn’t blame you if you hated me.”

  She lifted a tear-stained face. “I could never hate you, Father, and I do forgive you. I know how hard all of this has been on you, and I ask your forgiveness. I had no right to scream at you like that, under any conditions. But please, don’t ask this of me. It’s—it’s too much.”

  She went on, “Think back to when David and I came to you, saying we wanted to get married. You lectured us about the importance of the marriage vows. How can you ask me to ignore those vows and marry someone as a business arrangement?”

  “What’s wrong? Juliette. Are you sick?” Caroline asked with a glance toward their father as she entered the lobby.

  Juliette shook her head and placed her hand on her abdomen. “No—I—something just upset me.”

  John stared at Caroline for a moment. Then, after flashing a quick glance toward Juliette, he motioned for her to join them. “I have a problem, Caroline. Juliette and I have been discussing it. I hadn’t planned to tell you—not yet, anyway. But you’re eighteen now, and after thinking it over, I’ve decided you’re old enough to handle it.”

  Without taking her gaze from her father, Caroline sat down by Juliette. “What is it, Father?”

  “Mrs. Stark has put the hotel up for sale and—”

  Caroline brightened. “We’re buying it? The hotel is going to be ours?”

  “No. I wish that were true. I’ve tried to buy it, but I can’t raise the money. It appears we may be moving soon.”

  “But if you don’t have the hotel, what will—?”

  “I don’t know what I’ll do for employment, but I don’t want you to worry about it. Don’t say anything about this to the other children, and please don’t discuss it with your mother. She has enough on her mind already. I just felt you should know.” He rose and gave them each a smile.

  “But, if you—”

  He held up a hand. “That’s all for now, Caroline. Now, go check on your mother and see if she ne
eds any help.”

  ❧

  The clock chimed nine times as her father entered the hotel that night. Juliette was waiting at the door. “Where’ve you been? Mother has been sick with worry.”

  “Walking, mostly. I needed time to think. You haven’t said anything to your mother or anyone about marrying Stone, have you?”

  She shook her head. “No, I haven’t. I was afraid you were going to tell Caroline this morning when you told her about the hotel.”

  “No, that part is between you and me and Stone. I’ve been chastising myself all day for entertaining such a foolish notion.”

  “It’s not you I’m mad at, Father. It’s Stone. How could he be so insensitive? To even offer such a thing to you was cruel, and to think he calls himself your friend.”

  He slipped the pad of his finger beneath her chin and lifted her face to his. “Don’t say that, Juliette. Stone is a good friend. He only wanted to help. That’s all. He never intended to cause any trouble. I’m sure of it.”

  “If he’s such a good friend, he should just give you the money.”

  “He offered, but I refused. That’s when he came up with this plan.”

  “The plan for you to sell me to him?” she asked indignantly.

  Father flinched. “No, I’d never sell you to anyone. Please don’t ever think that of me. That was never in my mind.”

  “Isn’t that what you intended to do? Marry me off to him so he’d give you the money you need?” Her tone was once again accusatory.

  “Oh, no, Child! You don’t understand! Stone wants to bring his sons home to live with him. Unfortunately, in addition to running his ranch, his duties as deputy take him away from home for days at a time. America is too old to care for little boys. Stone needs someone younger to live in, care for them, and manage his household. Someone who can be with his children all the time.”

  “If he has that much money, why doesn’t he just hire someone?”

  “He could hire one of the local women, but he’s too proper to have an unmarried woman living under his roof. Besides, a married woman would need to spend time with her family. He has his fine reputation to consider, so he came up with this idea. If you married him, he’d have someone to be a mother to his children and manage his house. You’d have everything you could ever want, and I’d have the money to buy the hotel and provide for my family. Really, Juliette, it’s not as bad an idea as it seems. You and your son would have a wonderful life.”