A Sleigh Ride For Rowena (Sleigh Ride), page 1
A SLEIGH RIDE FOR ROWENA
SLEIGH RIDE BOOK 2
KAITLYNN CLARKSON
Contents
COPYRIGHT PAGE
THANK YOU
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
EPILOGUE
NEXT IN THE SLEIGH RIDE SERIES
DID YOU ENJOY IT?
HISTORICAL TITLES BY KAITLYNN CLARKSON
CONTEMPORARY TITLES BY KAITLYNN CLARKSON
ABOUT KAITLYNN CLARKSON
COPYRIGHT PAGE
Copyright © 2024 Kaitlynn Clarkson
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Disclaimer
Although the places described in this story may be real, it is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to any event, either historical or recent, or any person, living or deceased, is completely coincidental.
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CHAPTER 1
January 1900
Rowena
Rowena peered out the window at the swirling mass of white outside. The wind had picked up overnight, whirling the snow into blinding white drifts. She wondered how she would make it to school today. And would her students get there? She frowned as she thought of trying to walk through the fresh snow for an entire mile. She’d never had to deal with snow of this magnitude in Salt Lake City, partly because it was a milder climate and partly because it was a well-serviced city with snow plows that kept the roads open. She felt a pang of homesickness as she thought of her hometown with its wide streets and magnificent buildings. Jackson was a primitive outpost by comparison, and although she’d grown to love the frontier town over the past six months, she would always hold a special place in her heart for the city she’d called home for almost all of her twenty years.
She sighed. She’d left her hometown for a reason, and this was the life she’d chosen instead. There was no sense in pining over what could never be. Perhaps she would return someday once she was ready to confront the past, but for now, Jackson was home.
Pushing aside the troublesome thoughts, she pulled out her small looking glass to check her appearance. She’d arranged her auburn hair into a low bun at the nape of her neck, and she patted it to make sure it was neat. Her blue-gray eyes looked back at her, serious as she considered the difficulty of getting to school after the snowstorm. Perhaps she should leave earlier than usual. She smoothed her dark blue skirt with one hand and flicked at a loose thread on her striped plum and dark blue blouse. She would have to tend to that in the evening. Satisfied that she looked respectable for another day of teaching, she turned to leave the small lean-to room with its colorful knotted rug on the floor and the warm, comfortable bed with the bright quilt made by her hostess. Rebecca and Zach had generously opened their home to her despite already having two girls, Lucy and Mary, with another baby on the way. The house was cheerful and noisy, but Rowena was grateful for their kindness.
“The wind was noisy last night,” Rebecca said as Rowena entered the kitchen. She turned to tend to the frying pan on the wood stove, cracking eggs with a brisk, practiced motion. The bacon sizzled in the pan and the kitchen was filled with the warm, savory aroma.
“It is,” Rowena agreed as she took a plate of bacon and eggs to the table.
Rebecca went on. “Don’t worry about how you’ll get to school today. Zach has it all figured out.”
Rowena looked at her in surprise. “You mean I don’t have to walk?”
Rebecca shook her head. “There are deep drifts after the snowstorm. No, Zach asked our neighbor over the hill if he would give you a ride on his sleigh as he goes past. He goes by around the same time you leave each day.”
Rowena thought of the large man who’d waved on his way past a few times. She hadn’t ventured over the wooded hill to the north of the house and barn. The road disappeared into the trees, and she’d never had any reason to go there, so she had no idea where their neighbor lived. She frowned as she wondered what the community would make of it. Teachers had certain expectations placed upon them, and she knew that unwed women had to be careful to maintain propriety.
“I am grateful,” she said, trying not to sound uncertain. “Walking would be difficult.”
“It would be more than difficult,” Rebecca replied. “I know it might be awkward riding with a stranger, but Zach won’t finish the barn chores until after you leave. He’ll bring the girls along later.”
Rowena fidgeted, unsure how to ask about the propriety of the matter. “Isn’t it … rather unseemly to ride with a man in his sleigh?” she blurted out at last.
Rebecca paused at the stove and turned to face her. “In other communities, perhaps there would be concerns. Some school districts have strict rules for their teachers. But remember, we don’t have a teaching superintendent out here. The community has banded together to build the school and pay the teacher’s wages. You only answer to the school board. Have they given you a list of rules that you must follow?”
Rowena shook her head. “They just told me they expect me to set a good example and do my best to teach the children. I was told that it’s been difficult to get or keep a teacher here so they aren’t making lots of rules for teachers to follow. I did receive a list of chores I’m responsible for aside from teaching.”
“Out here, it’s sometimes necessary for practical matters to come ahead of social expectations,” Rebecca explained. “Everyone understands that and they know the teacher can’t walk through deep snow to get to school. You don’t have any way of getting there unless you ride on a sleigh. The only person who can take you at the time you need to go is Jake. It’s not about being unseemly. It’s simply about the practical consideration of travel during winter.”
“Well, I will appreciate it,” Rowena said, trying not to sound ungrateful, but nervous expectation made her feel jittery in the stomach. What would it be like riding in a sleigh with a stranger?
Rowena’s duties included arriving at school at least an hour earlier than the students so she could light the fire and warm the room before they arrived. Zach’s solution was practical, so she would just have to swallow her discomfort and hope the ride to school went quickly.
“What’s the neighbor’s name?” Rowena asked as she took a sip of coffee with her breakfast. The bitter aroma filled her nostrils, a warm and comforting scent that reminded her of sitting around the kitchen table with her family.
“Jake Brooks,” Rebecca said in answer to her question. “He’s working as a lumberjack up the mountain during winter when he can’t do any farm work. Lots of the men do other things during the winter.” She rinsed a plate in the bowl on the bench, her hands flying with practised efficiency.
“Like Zach makes boots,” Rowena said, placing her mug on the table in front of her.
“It’s a good way to earn a little extra money,” Rebecca agreed. “Around here, boots are hard to come by, so Zach always has customers who need repairs or new ones. During the summer he’s too busy, of course, so everyone just has to wait for winter to get their boots from Zach.”
“Every town needs a bootmaker,” Rowena agreed. She paused. “Thank you for breakfast. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get ready.”
“Of course.” Rebecca took a bite of bacon and eggs as she hurried around the kitchen preparing lunch for the girls to take to school. “Have a good day, Rowena.”
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Rowena opened it to find the neighbor standing on the porch. He was tall and broad-shouldered, and bundled up in his thick winter overcoat, he reminded her of a bear. Dark hair peeked out from beneath his fur cap, and his bushy dark beard wore a sprinkling of ice crystals. Cheerful blue eyes regarded her appreciatively. She closed the door behind her, mindful of the precious heat escaping. It was cold enough to almost take her breath away.
“I’m Jake Brooks, the neighbor to the north.” He held out a large, gloved hand, his voice a deep rumble.
Rowena shook his gloved hand. “I have seen you in passing,” she murmured. “As you probably know by now, I’m Rowena Williams, the schoolteacher.”
“Pleased to meet you at last, Miss Williams,” Jake replied. “I’m sure Zach has told you of the arrangement to get you to school today.”
“He has, and I am grateful.” Rowena glanced at the sky; an occasional snowflake still drifted earthward, although the wind had dropped. “It would not be an easy walk today.”
“It would be an unwise walk,” Jake said seriously. “The drifts are deep and you could fall into one and be unable to escape, or lose your way. And that’s without the physical exhaustion you would encounter from plowing through deep snow for a mile.” He gestured behind him, where two large white horses waited patiently with the sleigh. “My team can handle it.”
“Thank you,” Rowena replied.
Jake descended the porch steps and held out his hand to help her down, but as she reached for his hand, her foot slipped on the snowy step. Before she could blink, she felt herself flying through the air as Jake tried to catch her, but she slipped through his grasp and landed with a thump in a snowdrift piled up against the porch. Snow went down her neck and her skirts were in disarray as she gasped with shock and cold. Winded and horrified after her snowy tumble, she struggled to sit up, trying to maintain some semblance of modesty, but the snow was soft and she only succeeded in digging a deeper hole.
Within moments, strong arms lifted her to her feet as shame brought a flood of heat to her cheeks. She risked a glance at the big man in front of her only to realize that his concerned blue eyes were studying her intently. She wished the snow would open up and swallow her whole.
“Are you all right, Miss Williams?” Jake asked, finding his voice at last.
She nodded, unwilling to trust her own voice. Her school supplies had fallen from the sack she’d packed them in and were scattered across the snow. The sight of the snow ruining her books galvanized her to action, and she tottered unsteadily towards the nearest one.
“Wait!” Jake sprang into action. “Allow me.”
“Thank you,” she mumbled, the icy fingers of humiliation still choking her heart.
Jake gathered her things and put them back into the sack. She noted that he handled the books with care, something she appreciated. When he was done, he handed it to her again.
“Thank you.” Her voice was clearer this time. “It seems that deep snow does not agree with me.”
Jake chuckled, a pleasant rumbling sound. “You’re not alone, Miss Williams. Every person here has taken a tumble or two during the winter months. Snow and preserving one’s dignity do not usually go together.”
Rowena laughed then, still feeling shaky. “That’s good to know. I felt as if the weather had personally singled me out for a little mistreatment.”
Jake’s blue eyes were merry with amusement. “We all feel that way when it happens to us.” He offered her his arm. “Although we risk further calamity, are you ready to proceed?”
She laughed again and took his arm. “Doesn’t the Bible say something about two walking together and falling into the ditch?”
“Only if you’re blind. I’m keeping my eyes wide open.”
“We should be safe, then,” Rowena answered, feeling strangely at ease with the large man beside her. Despite the awful tumble, she was unhurt, and Jake had managed to banish the humiliation that had threatened to overwhelm her.
Jake helped her into the sleigh and settled the blankets around her. Then he climbed up beside her and pulled a thick blanket over his own lap. He turned to her. “Have you been in a sleigh before?”
She shook her head. “I came from Salt Lake City. It doesn’t snow as much there, and the city officials keep the roads clear when it does.”
“There’s something special about a sleigh ride,” he said, surprising her. “It’s quiet, and sometimes you can almost hear nature breathing.”
His insight and sensitivity quickened her curiosity. “Have you always lived here?” she asked. “You seem to get along well with nature.”
He shook his head. “I’ve been here for three years. But I’m not one to abuse nature the way some do. I believe we should respect all living things. We need each other to survive.”
“How true,” Rowena mused. “Yet humans act as if we are the only creatures that matter.”
“I think we should all take only what we need from the land, but others see a way to make a profit from it, and then the natural world is out of balance.”
“Aren’t you a lumberjack?” Rowena asked, wondering if his stance conflicted with his occupation.
“During the winter months, yes,” he replied, steering the horses away from a large snowdrift. “I know it seems odd given what I’ve just said.”
“So, how do you reconcile your beliefs and your actions?” Rowena questioned.
He thought for a moment. “It’s not about refusing to use nature’s resources at all,” he said. “For me, it’s about using them responsibly. For example, I would never cut down every tree on my property or the land I’m working on. I prefer to harvest each one after I’ve considered its place in the forest compared with my use for it. That’s what I’m talking about. Sometimes I will leave a tree because it’s holding the soil on the hillside or providing shelter for younger trees.”
“Ah, now I understand,” Rowena said as they approached the silent schoolhouse on the edge of town. “I have never heard anyone speak of such matters before. It is most interesting. Thank you.”
“You are welcome.” Jake smiled at her as he drew the horses to a halt, then jumped down and walked around to her side of the sleigh. He extended a hand and helped her to alight, then offered her his arm.
“I’ll see you to the schoolhouse,” he told her. “Will the boys shovel the path later?”
“I hope so,” Rowena replied. “Some of them might not make it to school today.”
“If it doesn’t get done, I’ll do it when I return this afternoon,” Jake promised. “I’ll be back later to pick you up.”
Rowena looked at him in surprise. She had assumed she would have to leave early when Zach came to collect the girls. It would give her more time to do her after-school work if Jake came by a little later.
“That would be lovely,” she replied. “I appreciate your help. Thank you for calling for me later. I was wondering how I would get home.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Jake replied. “Zach told me you like to leave a little later so you have time to finish the day’s work after the students go home.”
“Yes, I do. It will be most helpful if I can leave a little later.” She smiled at Jake, who gave her a parting wave and headed for the sleigh.
“I hope you have a good day, Miss Williams,” he called over his shoulder.
Rowena stood on the porch watching as he climbed into the sleigh and flicked the reins. A moment later, the horses trotted briskly through the snow, fading into the whiteness that finally swallowed them up.
Rowena turned her attention to her duties, but her mind kept returning to the surprising encounter with a bear of a man with a deep, rumbling voice and an appreciation for nature. She found herself looking forward to the return trip that afternoon.
CHAPTER 2
Jake
Footsteps sounded on the porch as Jake finished his breakfast. He opened the door to find Charlie shaking the snow off his coat. He stepped aside to allow his neighbor and friend to enter the warmth of the cabin.
“Mornin’, Charlie,” Jake greeted him. “I thought we were meeting in the woods.”
The older man shook his head and his long gray beard swayed, dislodging a scatter of ice crystals. “Sorry, Jake,” he said with regret in his tone. “I was all set to help you today, but a huge raccoon broke into my cabin last night and made a mess. It almost scared the life right out of me. I couldn’t reach my gun without disturbing it, so I had to let it have its way for a bit until I could figure out how to scare it off. Now I need to secure the door and clean up.”
