AN: Yee-Haw! Thanks for all those kind reviews!
They make me do the "happyghost" dance.
I'd like to thank my prereader/ creative consultant / and fellow Jasper admirer "GeezerWench" :D for all her help!
Hope ya'll are having a great day, and please enjoy the second chapter of my mega holiday three chapter release!
The Whitlocks had spent just about every last nickel they had to their name in that store, but the wagon was full of needed supplies, and the ladies were happy.
They set up camp beside a nice Irish family down by the river, and started making dinner. Jasper couldn't take his eyes off of Bella. Her unbraided hair was shining like a dark bay filly in the sun. Charlotte had fixed the comb in such a way that let some of her hair hang free, and Jasper had never seen anything so alluring.
Bella had caught Jasper ogling her, but for once she didn't shy away. He was watching her with such adoration that she couldn't feel uncomfortable. On the contrary, she felt emboldened by his approval, and smiled at him freely, as she moved around the low fire, tending the pots.
Their neighbors were friendly. A thin, balding, middle aged Irish man named Liam, and his red-headed, chubby wife Siobhan. They were traveling to Oregon for land, as well.
They had come over to chat with the Whitlocks, and to invite them to a party. Their only daughter had found a suitor among the men who worked at the station, and they were to be married in the morning.
Apparently, the bride and groom to be were busy making rounds, inviting all the travelers, but soon after dinner, they returned to the campsite, and introduced themselves as Maggie and Riley. They seemed to be genuinely happy and in love.
Peter elbowed his brother in the ribs and whispered, "Looks like there's gonna be a preacher here tomorrow."
Jasper shot Peter a look. "Tossin' your rope before buildin' a loop don't catch a calf." He had seriously considered asking Bella to marry him, but since Peter had revealed just that morning that Charlotte had asked Bella how she felt, and her answer had been uncertain, he had decided to wait.
Peter just shook his head in consternation at his brother and busied himself by eating sunflower seeds. He had bought a gigantic bag of them after the shop keeper had agreed to lower his price. He looked like a squirrel nervously cracking the seeds open with his teeth and noisily spitting away the shells.
"Do you always have to be doin' somethin' with your mouth?" Jasper asked in a disgusted tone, as he scooted away from Peter.
Peter just grinned. "That's a good question to ask my wife."
"Ask me what?" Charlotte turned and stared at Peter, waiting for his reply.
"If'n I'm good at doin' stuff with my mouth." Peter's golden teeth were shining as he smiled widely.
"Ya'll need to shut up." Charlotte turned away in a huff.
Bella didn't understand what they were all going on about, so she just remained silent and watched as Jasper and Peter started to fight, playfully exchanging jabs. Jasper ended up on top of Peter, twisting his arm, and making him beg for mercy, before finally releasing him.
Everyone seemed to be in a joyful mood as the sweet sound of music started playing on the breeze. Jasper was hopeful that he might dance with Bella, so he brought out his jacket and lovingly wrapped it around her shoulders. "Would you accompany me to the party?" He asked, as he swept her hair back over her shoulder.
Bella looked to Charlotte, who was practically bouncing in anticipation. "I think we should go, it looks like fun," Charlotte said, as she took her husband's outstretched hand.
The hoedown was within eye-shot of their wagon, so they moseyed over to the friendly get together. Liam immediately welcomed them and offered the brothers some whiskey, which they politely refused.
They had come mostly to enjoy the music. Peter's heart broke a little as he listened to the fiddle being played. Jasper had traded both of their musical instruments for booze early into their journey: Jasper's banjo and Peter's fiddle.
It had taken Peter's anger weeks to subside, and he'd truly never gotten over it. He had loved that fiddle, coveted it, and he hadn't played since. His fingers ached to play again, and right then and there, he decided that after he danced a few songs with Charlotte, he was going to ask if he might play a song or two.
"C'mon darlin'." Peter tipped back his hat, and hooked his arm through Charlotte's, leading her into the dancing throng.
Jasper offered Bella his arm, and she balked. "Oh no, I can't dance."
"I'd love to teach you." Jasper put his arm around her waist. His hand was so large that it made Bella feel fragile and feminine. There was a gentleness about his touch. He would be a good teacher, of that she was certain, but she couldn't bring herself to try.
"I just can't, Jasper. I'm sorry."
"That's all right," he acquiesced. At least I won't have to fight off anyone else wanting to dance with her, he thought.
Jasper scanned the crowd, looking for that no good scoundrel, Garrett. He was nowhere to be found, so he allowed himself to relax a bit, and watched the swirling couples waltz by in time with the music.
Bella was having a wonderful time. More people were arriving, along with some more musicians. The evening air was brisk, and she was glad to be snug and warm in Jasper's jacket, the scent of it still enthralled her.
Peter had stopped dancing, abruptly, half way through a song. He had heard the most beautiful sounding fiddle, and it had reminded him of his lost love.
The owner of the fiddle was a scraggly-looking old man. His hair was unwashed and stringy, and he was missing plenty of teeth, but he played beautifully. Peter found himself drawn to the sound, like a moth to a flame.
After the song was over, he inched over to the old man and introduced himself. The man was an unpleasant old cuss, but Peter wasn't interested in him, he just wanted to get a closer look at the fiddle.
Peter almost dropped to his knees when he realized that the fiddle was his very own. He recognized every scratch on it. Something that he had feared lost forever was right there in the old man's hands, and he had to have it.
Peter asked if he might hold it, and the man spat out a dark stream of tobacco juice, which landed beside Peter's boot, before he granted the request.
"I'd like to buy this fiddle off of you, sir." Peter leaned down, and spoke clearly, so that the man could hear his offer over the music.
"It's not fer sale," the man grumbled, and grabbed the fiddle, tearing it from Peter's grasp.
"Just name your price, old timer. Surely, there's somethin' you need. I have plenty to trade."
"I don't trade." The man showed his toothless gums, in an attempted smile. "I gamble, son."
Charlotte was watching the whole scene and her heart sank. Peter was no gambler.
"I'll gamble you for it," Peter decided.
"What do you have to put up against it?" The man sneered.
"How 'bout a saddle?" Peter asked.
"Sounds fair. Ain't got any cards here." The man rubbed at the back of his neck. "All the gamblin' is done up by the station. Meet me up there with your saddle. I'd advise you against bringin' your wife," he said as he looked over Charlotte. "It's not a safe place for the ladies up there."
Peter turned to find his wife staring at him angrily, her mouth set in a thin, tense line.
"Are you out of your mind?" She came towards him, in a fit of meanness, and he nearly stumbled backwards.
"Char, don't you see? It's divine intervention. I'm sure to win."
"Isn't that the very attitude what got your brother in trouble? Look how he ended up."
"But, it's my fiddle; it's come back to me. I have to try." Peter pouted.
Lord, Charlotte couldn't stand to see her husband pout. "Fine, but if you lose the saddle, Jasper's gonna skin you alive."
"No, he won't. He owes me. It's his own damn fault that geezer has my fiddle, and Jasper isn't going to dissuade me from gettin' it back." Peter pushed through the crowd, and Charlotte scurried behind him.
When Peter found Jasper, he kissed Charlotte quickly on her cheek, told her to stay put, and then stalked off to retrieve the saddle without saying a word to his brother.
"What's goin' on?" Jasper wondered.
"Your brother is going to gamble against some old coot up at the station, and he's takin' the saddle." Charlotte crossed her arms over her chest.
"What? Why?" Jasper stammered.
"It's that blasted fiddle. He found his fiddle, the one you traded, and he wants it back."
Jasper could hardly believe it.
Peter rushed up to his brother, the saddle thrown over his shoulder, and leveled with him. "I'm fixin' to get my fiddle. Keep the girls away from the station. The old timer warned me that it wasn't safe for ladies."
Jasper couldn't argue with his brother, after everything he'd put him through, so he just nodded meekly and watched as he disappeared over the crest of a hill.
AN: The next chapter is in my grasp . . . Do you want it now or tomorrow? Now? I can't hear you. Please scream loudly into the review box. Typing works too.
:D