For Love

Chapter 33

JASON

With Aaron and his men staying to help Jeremy and Swede with the body, Jason carried Laurie back to the saloon on his own. By the time they arrived at the saloon, both were cold, exhausted, and drenched. At first, he tried to carry her like a man should carry a woman, but it wasn't long before they both admitted it was impractical. In the end, he carried her on his back like he used to do with his brothers. It wasn't a pretty sight.

Thankful no one was outside observing them when they arrived. Jason put her down on the saloon's stoop and shook the rain out of his hair. "I'm sorry," he said again. "I didn't expect the storm to be that fast. We should have had plenty of time."

Laurie touched his face with tenderness, and released a curl plastered to his forehead before she entered the door he held open for her, saying, "Any other day, it might have been romantic."

Jason followed her into the barroom. A few regulars raised their heads in surprise, and Lottie gasped, letting go of Clancey's arm to race toward them.

"What are you two doing out in this? Jason, go get that tub! She needs to warm up!"

Laurie lifted her head to Jason and spoke so softly he had to lean forward. "I can't take a bath."

He opened his mouth to ask why, but she scooted into the backroom. He looked over at Clancey who was grinning from ear to ear at him. Inwardly he groaned. It should have been a romantic afternoon. A chance to talk about her past, and the chance to rebuild. The chance to start over, this time their home built on love, not survival.

But he was being selfish. Eli was dead. Nancy would have to be informed, though he doubted she would return to Seattle for the burial. And why should she? There wasn't much left of him. But knowing her, she would still grieve the death of her husband. After all, they had a child. Laurie had been right when she said children tied a couple together.

"Clancey, when the rain lets up a little, could you tell the reverend we need to set up services?" he asked, coming around the bar and pouring a shot of whiskey.

"Services? Bah, you're already married, man!"

Jason downed the liquor in one gulp. "Ah," he said, savoring the moment. It warmed him to the core. He should give Laurie a sip. It'd be good for her to warm from the inside out. "Not for me. For Eli."

"Och! Did ya find the man then? Lottie says he's been missing for over a week!"

"Yeah. Laurie stumbled across him by the cabin. At least, what's left of him."

"What's left of him?!"

"He's dead, Clancey. For some time, it looks like."

Clancey took his hat off and looked a little forlorn. "Ah, he'll be grinning at the daisy roots, is it? That's too bad. Himself was a good drinking buddy, that's the truth of it, God rest his soul."

"Look, just tell Reverend Adams that Jeremy and several other men are bringing the body to him for burial, all right?"

"Sure, Jason. I'll visit the good reverend and put in a word for poor Mr. Johnson."

Clancey's worried expression made Jason feel guilty for snapping. He put his hand on the captain's shoulder and said, "I'm sorry. It's been a canker sore of a day."

"Well, that's not too far to stretch the mind to suppose. How is, ah," he asked, gesturing toward the way Laurie had gone. "That's quite an ordeal for a lady."

Jason looked up at the ceiling and answered, "Not well, Clancey. Not well at all."

"Oh, it was a terrible fright for her, was it? She looked a might peaked."