The Major's Daughter

by Regina Jennings

  “Only a month? You can’t be profitable that way. What’s your angle?”

  “I’ll keep the best lots for myself. In fact, I’ve already got a dugout built and a summer crop in on the plot. Just a few acres, mind you, but enough to give me some sustenance in the fall.”

  Patrick’s brow furrow deepened. “You can’t claim land beforehand. That’s cheating.”

  “I’ll be on the line with everyone else at high noon,” Frisco said. “We all have the same opportunity to run. All I’ve done is sweeten the prize at the end. It’d be even better if I had an expert saddlemaker in town.” He nudged the paper toward Patrick. “Far be it from me to change your plans. Go ahead and buy that train ticket, but know you have a place in Redhawk with me if you don’t succeed.”

  “Thanks, Frisco,” Patrick said. “I’ll be just fine, and you will too, as long as you keep your socks dry—”

  “—and your stomach full.” Frisco hadn’t heard the saying since he’d lost contact with his friends, but it brought a bittersweet smile to his face.

  Frisco had always been a man of vision, but his visions weren’t always shared by the other boys in the orphanages. His friend Patrick had intervened repeatedly and if not saved Frisco from every beating, had at least prevented them from being worse. Frisco’s offer was generous, but it would benefit him as well, for more important than the big lot in the new city was the fact that he’d be the founder. The fatherless would be a city father, the homeless would be responsible for a whole community. Having someone with Patrick’s character and loyalty would prove invaluable to his dreams.

  It would be a win for everyone, and Frisco could think of nothing that motivated him more.

  Chapter three

  Caroline smoothed the Irish point embroidery that embellished her sleeve. She’d thought it so fine when she’d chosen it at the emporium in Galveston. Turned out it wasn’t quite nice enough for the Strand, but she could wear it with pride in the territory.

  Through the window of the stagecoach, she could see the white buildings of the fort looming ahead. The dairyman waved as he drove the cows in for their afternoon milking. The schedule of the fort was more familiar to her than the face of the grandfather clock in her father’s parlor. What use were chimes when you had bugles calling out the hour?

  How dare those people at the mercantile accuse her of being fribble? Caroline pounded her hands against her knees, earning a questioning look from Amber. She scooted toward the window, turning her shoulder away, and watched the familiar buildings pass. As if she couldn’t run the race. She had as good a seat as any of the troopers who served at Fort Reno. And she was tough too. Between Cheyenne uprisings, prairie fires, and marauding outlaws, Caroline had faced dangers throughout her life. Why did people assume a woman in a pretty dress was helpless? Give her a pistol on the shooting range, and those women would eat their words.

  It was that attitude that had kept her from ever feeling like she belonged among the debutantes in Galveston.

  When they rounded the corner in front of the ordnance storehouse, the full parade grounds came into view. She saw more soldiers and troopers than usual. And no wonder. The next few days would be momentous. They were changing the land to the east of the fort forever. Never again would it be vacant prairie. With the shots of the guns and cannons, civilization would put down roots on the empty creek banks and open plains and would never relinquish its hold.

  Coming back to the fort at twenty-one years of age, all Caroline could think of was that it wasn’t her house and it wasn’t her future. Every adult at Fort Reno answered to her father. Looking for freedom, she’d gone to her grandmother’s in Galveston, only to find a society more rigid than the military post she’d fled. But in a week, everything here was going to be different.

  The world was changing, and hopefully it would include a place for her.

  The stagecoach usually stopped in front of the adjutant’s office, but Caroline had informed the driver of her destination, so they were delivered right to the porch steps of the center house on Officers’ Row.

  As she waited for her bags to be unloaded, Caroline scanned the grounds surrounding her father’s house. Would he allow her to put in a garden? On her trip home, Caroline had determined not to go without the finer items she’d used for her toilette, even if she had to produce them herself. She’d already visited a farm in Texas and had a list of herbs and flowers to plant before the summer heat became too intense.

  “Caroline!” In the doorway of their home, fourteen-year-old Daisy bounced on her toes. “She’s home,” she yelled over her shoulder before bounding down the steps and into Caroline’s arms.

  After a suffocating hug, Daisy held Caroline at arm’s length. “Don’t you look fine? Grandmother turned you into a real lady, didn’t she? Your dress is beautiful. Did you bring me one? Or a dozen?”

  “I have a shirtwaist that you—”

  “Ambrosia Herald!” Daisy squealed. She released her sister to catch Amber in an embrace. “I didn’t know Caroline was dragging you here. Does Uncle Bradley know? He’ll be rolling in clover when he finds out. You can share my room. Let Caroline sleep with Allie Claire. She whirls like a spinning jenny.”

  “Where is Allie Claire?” Caroline turned to the house just as her stepmother, Louisa, came outside holding three-year-old Allie Claire’s hand.

  Louisa pulled Allie Claire forward and motioned to Caroline. “It’s your big sister Caroline. Does she look like you remember?”

  Allie Claire’s blond hair framed her cherub face in bouncy ringlets. “Do you have a present for me?” she asked as she skipped forward.

  To a three-year-old, memories weren’t as important as presents. Caroline held out her arms to catch her precious half sister in a big hug. Allie Claire had the same fragile beauty that Louisa possessed but with a stubborn streak that Caroline had to acknowledge as a family trait. “Hmm . . . I wonder if I can find something in my trunk. It seems there was something for a little girl inside.”

  “Allie Claire, that’s not polite.” Louisa wrapped an arm around Caroline’s waist. “I’m trying to train her up right, I promise.”

  “Don’t worry,” Caroline said. “Daisy asked too, and she’s eleven years older.” She gave her stepmother and former governess a quick peck on the cheek. “I’m sorry for not telling you that Amber was with me. We made the trip so quickly—”

  Louisa beamed. “Nothing makes me happier than having the lovely Miss Herald visit us. And nothing will make my brother happier either.”

  Amber smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Adams. As you know, this is my favorite place on earth.”

  “I have the feeling that might change in a few weeks when Bradley’s enlistment is up.” Louisa caught Allie Claire by the bow of her pinafore as she tried to run to the parade grounds. “It won’t be the same without him.”

  Caroline bit her lip. Had Bradley shared their plans of homesteading nearby?

  Evidently not, because Amber only shrugged and said, “You never know what the future holds.”

  Interesting. But Caroline had other issues on her mind. “Where’s Father?” she asked.

  “He’s at the adjutant’s office, lining out the plans with Lieutenant Hennessey. He didn’t know you were coming today, or he’d have come home when he heard the stage. But come inside. I don’t mean to keep you waiting at the doorstep. Let’s get you washed up and fix something to eat.”

  Although not old enough to be Caroline’s mother, Louisa had taken to the role with her typical enthusiasm and skill for all things dramatic. Next thing you knew, she’d be licking her thumb and scrubbing the soot off Caroline’s face. But Caroline was no longer a child. She was itching for freedom, itching to make a contribution of her own.

  She tried to imagine what it would be like to be the mistress of her own domain. How splendid it would be to welcome guests into a home that she’d provided, especially after a difficult journey. But as long as she was at the fort, she’d never be independ
ent.

  Her shoulders drooped as she followed her stepmother inside. She’d have to keep her eyes open for the perfect opportunity. If she didn’t find it here, she didn’t know where else she could turn.

  Amber was at the fort. When Corporal Bradley Willis saw that parasol on the major’s porch, he’d known that his sweetheart had arrived and it was only a matter of days before she was his.

  Bradley brushed down his horse, swiping so fast that the brush caught and spun out of his hand. He picked it up and went slower, not wanting to cheat his mount out of proper care. It didn’t matter how quickly he finished, he wouldn’t be allowed to see Amber until after roll call. With fresh straw spread, the tack and gear hung up, and hay filling the trough, Bradley joined the rest of his unit as the troops assembled in the spacious room in the top story of the commissary for a briefing.

  “You’re just in time,” Lieutenant Jack Hennessey said. “How’s the line holding?”

  Bradley shook his head. “You can’t shake a bush without some early-comer falling out of it. It’ll be a wonder if there’s any land still available by the twenty-second. We marched them back across the line to wait, knowing full well that come nightfall, they’ll be sneaking across again.”

  “What do they say when they’re caught?”

  “Everyone has an excuse as to why they’re out there—business with the tribes, just crossing, working for the railroad. All we can do is escort them back to the line.”

  “Captain Woodson reports the same thing from Camp Price,” Lieutenant Hennessey said. “Come by the office before stable call and file a report.”

  “Yes, sir.” Bradley liked Hennessey, but he’d be glad when the yes, sir-ing and saluting stage of his life was behind him. He sat by Private Gundy, who slapped his leg just to watch the dust fly.

  “Just got in, huh?”

  “Yep.” Bradley rubbed his nose to stop the tickle. “Ain’t never seen anything like it. People everywhere.”

  “My unit is going out tonight. Gotta wonder, if there’s this many people willing to break the law from the start, what kind of territory are we starting?”

  It was a fair question. Who knew there were so many people willing to sacrifice their honor for a piece of land? Sure, it was quite a prize, but Bradley’s sense of fair play meant that he despised the cheaters.

  The room jumped to attention when Major Adams entered. Before God and witnesses, Major Adams had married Bradley’s older sister, making them brothers-in-law. Family. Kin. But on paper, Major Adams was Bradley’s superior and the commander of the post. The U.S. government cared more about that paper than they cared about God and witnesses.

  “At ease.” Major Adams arranged his papers on a small metal stand, taking all the time afforded a man of his position. The room stilled in expectation. “Men, we are at the cusp of the most unique event ever to take place in this country, and perhaps the world. For the average man out there, this is a time of great opportunity, great advancements, and great mischief. It’s our duty to anticipate trouble for an event that has no precedent, to make this fair for everyone, and to thwart those intent on cheating.”

  Bradley was up for the challenge. He would be on the line, holding back the crowd, ensuring the integrity of the run. He wouldn’t leave a second early, but as soon as the gun fired, it was every man for himself. He already had ideas about where he wanted a claim. He’d even mailed Amber a picture he’d drawn of the land he had his eye on. He’d make the run, and in a few weeks when his enlistment was up, he and Ambrosia would be married with property. It was the best shot they had.

  “Today we’re announcing that any man caught in the Unassigned Lands without authorization before noon on the twenty-second is disqualified from the race and from ever holding a homestead claim in the United States.” Major Adams paused while the magnitude of the decree settled on the soldiers and troopers. “No more placing them behind the border only to see them return the next day. There will be consequences. To that end, you must record every name of those you catch and submit a list daily to your officer. They will be compiled and then checked against the claims offices after the race is over.”

  Bradley nodded in agreement. Everyone knew that a man caught squatting on land today would be back out there before Monday. Maybe the threat of never being able to claim land would stop them.

  “On the day of the race, you will be stationed ten yards in front of the line at intervals of a mile or so where there are crowds waiting. With over three hundred miles of border to cover, some of you will need to patrol the less-populated areas as well. You’ll disperse from camp early to get into position. At five till noon, you should notify the runners of the time so they can make final preparations, but you must continue to hold the line. Do not let anyone cross until the fort’s signal. At high noon, the fort’s cannon will discharge. If you are not within earshot of the cannon, it’s up to you to discharge your weapon at noon.”

  Major Adams paused as he met the eyes of his men. “When the cannon sounds, you must prepare yourself for an onslaught of humanity. Many of you have been charged by hostile people before, and you’ve had to fight for your lives. This is different. You can’t shoot them. You can’t reason with them. You can’t help them. All you can do is get you and your horse out of their way.”

  Bradley leaned forward. His leg bounced with anticipation. Unleashed chaos. What could be better?

  “Immediately following the starting gun, your assistance will be required in any of a thousand ways. There will be overturned carriages, thrown riders, and injured participants. We also foresee disputes over property being a rampant problem, so follow the crowd if there’s nothing to prevent you. While you aren’t judge and jury, you should act to settle disputes if the evidence is clear. If not, try to keep everyone alive until they can bring the matter to court.”

  The major leaned against the podium. “Men, as of noon on Monday, that land on the other side of the fort is going to look a lot different. As best we’re able, we need to see that the honest settlers have as good a chance as the crooks, because the last thing the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes need is a bunch of thieving scoundrels as neighbors. Do you understand?”

  Bradley’s yes, sir joined the others, and then questions were addressed. Bradley looked around the room. He knew of several men planning to make their own claims with the others. And why not? The land was worth more than they’d make in a year in the cavalry. They had fast horses, and they’d be at the line. Throw down a stake, then get back to work sorting through matters until their next leave, when they could file at the claims office. It seemed straightforward. They didn’t have an advantage over any other man who’d picked his mount and waited for the gun.

  It was that sense of fair play that had Bradley raising his hand. Worry flickered across the major’s face. Major Adams was always on edge when he had to acknowledge Bradley in public. Bradley had too much fun at his brother-in-law’s expense in private, but so far he’d managed to show proper respect before the other enlisted men. Major Adams might be family, but he was still the commander and would do what was necessary to keep Bradley in line.

  “Corporal Willis, your question?”

  “Yes, sir. When we request our leave to file our claims, will we be able to get half days, or should we take the whole day off? I’d imagine at the beginning the Kingfisher office will have a line as long as Methuselah’s beard, but by next week—”

  Major Adams lifted his hand. “I don’t understand. What do you mean, file your claims?”

  “I mean once the race starts, we’ll be free to run along with everyone else. It’d only take a moment to drive a stake, then back in the saddle and off we go to look after . . .” Bradley’s words slowed as Private Gundy jabbed him with his elbow. Major Adams’s stern jaw looked sharp enough to split oak. What had he said wrong?

  “Corporal Willis, there seems to be a misunderstanding, and in case you aren’t the only one deluded, I’ll address this to the whole company.”
The major stepped out from behind the podium and clasped his hands behind his back. “You are enlisted with the U.S. Army. You serve this government, and your time is not your own. You are not free to pursue your own interest while wearing the uniform. Do you understand?”

  Although Major Adams claimed to be addressing the whole group, Bradley felt like he was speaking directly to him.

  “There will be no claims made by any soldier or trooper under my command. How can enforcement be impartial when you are competing with the civilians? Furthermore, any soldier who attempts to make a claim will not only be prevented from registering it, but he will also be discharged from his post. Is there any further clarification needed?”

  Bradley slouched in his chair. He and Amber had thought they had it all figured out. He’d do his duty on the starting line, then wheel around and stake the plot he’d been hankering after. Amber could hold it until he could go to the claims office. But now? What kind of future could he offer her if he didn’t have a farm? He might as well stay in the cavalry.

  Bradley turned his head toward the window. She was here at the fort. She’d come all this way because she believed in him. Against her better judgment, she saw potential in him. He couldn’t let her down. He had to think of something.

  Chapter four

  Caroline watched as Allie Claire fed her baby doll with a tiny spoon. The child moved slowly, balancing the pinto bean toward the doll’s bored face. Caroline opened her mouth wide, as if the doll could be compelled to cooperate by her example. But the spoon rammed into the doll’s painted nose, and the bean rolled across the parlor floor.

  “Baby is hungry,” Allie Claire said as she picked up the bean with chubby fingers.