by Lynn Landes
“It’s none of your business, Irwin!” Fury has him working until the sun starts to sink and sweat pours off his body.
“You plan on leaving any work for the rest of us, Son?” Rooster asks as he dismounts.
Eli jerks up and mops the sweat from his face with a handkerchief. “Don’t worry, there’s plenty of work left.”
“True, but we hired a crew to do this. You have a guest to see too, from what you’re Mother tells me.” Rooster pushes back his cowboy hat and stares at his best friend son. Pain radiates from him and wonders what it will take to heal the damage to his soul.
“I was thinkin’…” Rooster says, and Eli grins. He always starts his sentences that way.
“Oh, no,” Eli runs a hand through his wet hair and stuffs his hat back on.
“Smart ass,” Rooster snaps. “I was thinkin’ about what it must have taken for a young woman to leave her family to care for those fighting for our country.”
Eli turns away and starts to walk through the field back to his horse. Rooster follows. “Not only that, Eli, but what was the cost to stay, when everyone else ran.”
“What do you mean, stay?” Eli stops and turns back, anger ripples to the surface, though he isn’t sure where it’s coming from.
“Those hurt or dying were left behind while their brothers in arms ran. Ran to the next battle and left behind the wounded to die in the mud,” Eli drops his head at the image of his baby brother screaming in pain, begging for help. “She heard that scream, and she answered. What must that take?”
“How about money,” Eli snorts.
“Shame on you!” Rooster shouts and shoves him. “Not everyone in this world is out to get you or your money.”
“Rooster?” Eli is shocked. Rooster never raises his voice.
“And, what if he did promise her something in return. Does that matter? Oliver was held in the arms of an Angel for the last few seconds of his life, and she gave him comfort so he could die in peace. Is that not worth something to you?”
“Of course, it is!” Shame ripples over Eli. “For God’s sake, you don’t even know her.”
“I don’t need to Son. Her actions speak loud enough. That’s a heavy burden to carry alone, and you aren’t making it any easier on her.”
Eli sighs in frustration. “Your right. I will spend some time with her and make this right.”
“Good, but first get cleaned up. You stink!” Rooster stomps back to his horse and mounts up.
Savannah is working in the garden, weeding and enjoying the sunshine when a shadow falls over her, startling her.
“Miss Ward, making yourself at home, I see,” Eli teases.
“Oh! I didn’t know you were home, Mr. Irwin.” Savannah finishes pulling the weeds and placing them in her basket before standing up and straightening her sun hat.
“Obviously. Where is my Mother?”
Savannah dusts the dirt and grass from her simple skirt and walks towards the shade of a tree. “Your Mother insisted on weeding the beds. I promised to work in the garden if she promised to lay down for a nap.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Eli barks, “but I hired staff to care for the gardens. You don’t need to earn your keep, Miss Ward.”
A huff of irritation erupts from Savannah. “I only wished to help. Your mother has no business on her knees…”
“I’m aware of what my Mother needs, Miss Ward,” he grumbles.
“Enough!” Felicia says from the doorway. “You two squabble like siblings. This is ridiculous! I don’t need you to fight over my care.”
“I beg your pardon, Mrs. Irwin. I’ll just get cleaned up for dinner. Excuse me.” As a parting shot, she shoves the basket of weeds into Eli’s stomach, savoring the rush of breath.
“You should know what do to do with these. You seem to reap weeds wherever you go.” Savannah stomps inside and up to her room.
Felicia has to smother a laugh at the look of outrage on Eli’s face. “Don’t you dare laugh, Mother!”
“Why are you so hard on her, Eli? She’s a kind, God fearing woman, with no agenda as far as I can tell.”
“I don’t know, but I promise to try harder to make her comfortable. For you.” He offers her an arms and guides her back inside. “Now, what’s for supper? I’m starved.”
Chapter 15
Kristin glances through the kitchen door and into the Saloon. “What are you doing, girl? Get that food to table two, before he sobers up!”
She jumps, “Yes, sir.” Walking quickly, she places his food on the table in front of him.
“Here’s your order, Sir.”
Fred’s eyes light up when he glances at Kristin’s figure. “Well it’s my lucky day, beauty and she’s good in the kitchen. Are you good in any other rooms?”
“That’s a horrid thing to say,” Kristin spins to return to the kitchen, but Fred stops her with a hand on her wrist.
“Forgive me,” Fred sips his beer and runs his thumb over her wrist enjoying the thump of her pulse.
“Take your hand off me,” she snaps and her eyes narrow as she decides which bone to break if he doesn’t get the message.
Fred immediately releases her with a sniff of indifference, “Alright, if you can’t provide that type of service, perhaps you could give me some information. I can pay for your time.”
Kristin smiles and nods, “I’m listening.”
Fred dives into his food, ignoring the look of disgust at the way he eats and talks with his mouthful. “I’m looking for a woman, named Savannah Ward. Ring any bells?”
“You’ll have to be more specific. We get a lot of visitors.” Kristin is surprised at the coincidence but covers it well.
“Came in two days ago on the train. Staying at the Becker House hotel.” Fred drains his third beer and hands her the glass.
“Let me ask around and see what I can find out.” Kristin hurries to the bar and asks for a refill. She decides to keep Mr. Anderson serviced with a constant stream of beer. Perhaps he will loosen his lips. Maybe Eli would like to know someone is searching for his new girlfriend.
Three beers later, and two shots of whiskey and Fred Anderson’s lips are loose. Kristin smiles and wipes down the tables being sure to listen to him. He’s talking to one of the Saloon girls and spilling all kinds of information. Kristin grabs a third shot of whiskey and moves back to Fred.
“Dahlia, could you give us a minute?” Dahlia jumps up and hurries away in relief.
“Yes. I’ll be back. Don’t keep him too long. He’s paying for my time tonight.” Dahlia straightens her dress and hurries away.
“Sweet flower,” he slurs and smiles as Kristin slides another shot of whiskey to him.
“Okay, Mr. Anderson. This one is on the house.”
After he struggles to drink it, she thinks he’s ready to talk. Sitting down she leans forward, “Fred, I found the girl you’re looking for checked out this very morning. She’s staying in the country with a family named, The Calhoun’s.” Kristin slides him a map drawn on a napkin and waits for him to take it.
“Perfect,” he slurs. “Now I can get this job over with.”
“What job, Fred?” she asks softly.
Fred can barely keep his eyes open, and she wonders how much Dahlia will fleece him for before the night is over.
“Senator wants those pictures. The girl has ‘em,” Fred mumbles and then turns to look for Dahlia. “Flower!” he shouts.
Pictures? This girl might be more trouble than she first thought. “I did what you asked, Mr. Anderson, how about my money?” she insists.
Fred whips around to her and sneers, “Don’t you know better than to deliver before you’re paid?” Dahlia returns and Kristin jumps to her feet.
“Make sure he pays you first, Dahlia. He’s likely to forget,” Kristin snaps.
Chapter 16
Dayton smooths his jacket and settles into his seat on the train from Pennsylvania to Ohio. He was lucky enough to secure accommodations in coach class,
but he will be traveling by the fastest route until Iowa.
The woman across the aisle from him smiles at the well-dressed gentleman and encourages her two children to leave him alone. Dayton glances out the train window, now to figure out what to do about Savannah Ward. Before boarding, he sent a telegram to Washington, then mailed the copy of the photo to a friend at the U.S. Marshall’s office.
“Evidence on Buren. Stop. As suspected. Stop.”
It was strange strapping on his colts before leaving Glenn’s home. He didn’t think he’d need them so soon, but he’ll do whatever it takes to keep Savannah safe. The only question is, will she stay in one place long enough for him to do his job?
“That frown can only be woman trouble,” the older man across from him says with a laugh.
“You have no idea,” Dayton snorts and glances out the window.
He’d hope to put the business of war behind him, but it would seem that God has something else in mind for him. Kentucky was a neutral state during the beginning of the war. Neither, Union nor Confederate. The truth is much deeper than that. Kentucky was a major stronghold for the Union forces, and Dayton chose to serve in a unique way. How will Savannah feel about that?
It would seem that they both have secrets. His will not stop him from dreaming, and maybe Miss Savannah Ward needs to find a new dream to hold onto.
Chapter 17
“Savannah, you must be bored to tears. Why don’t you and Eli go for an evening ride?” Felicia suggests after dinner.
“I’m quite happy with your company, Felicia,” Savannah explains.
“Afraid you’ll dirty your dress, Miss Ward,” Eli quips.
Savannah glares at him, “Sir, I’ve had worse on my dress that dirt.”
Felicia gasps as the unwanted images flood into her mind. First her son, then her husband. Her hand covers her mouth, and she fights back the tears.
“I’m so sorry, forgive my stupidity, Felicia,” Savannah says, grabbing her hand in hers.
“Forgive us both, Mother. I don’t know why, but I can’t seem to resist taunting Miss Ward,” Eli teases, trying to get his mother to smile.
“One thing I noticed about the Irwin men is their mischievous smile. Did your husband have it?” Savannah asks.
Felicia smiles, “My, yes, the boys both resemble him, but he had such charm!” She smiles a shakily and pats Savannah’s hand.
“Well, we can’t hope for every trait to be passed along,” she says with a smothered smile.
Eli jerks and then laughs, surprising both women. “I’ll give this round to you Miss Ward.” He sits down next to the fire and waits for the women to stop laughing.
Considering Eli’s current jovial mood, Savannah decides to approach them about Oliver’s bag. “As we are all together, could we perhaps talk about Oliver’s bags?” Savannah suggests.
“Yes, please.” Felicia turns to Eli who nods silently.
“Very well. As I said in my letter, Oliver was shot in Virginia,”
“What was he doing in Virginia?” Eli demands.
“I don’t know.” Savannah turns to his mother, “but I met Oliver the day he was brought in. We cared for him until he passed.” Savannah quickly glosses over the wounds, care, and pain, as to not distress Felicia any more than necessary. “He was determined to see his bag of tintypes returned to you.”
Savannah turns and looks Eli directly in the eyes, “More specifically, I am to give them to Eli and no one else.”
Eli jerks as if struck. “Why me? He knows I could care less about his hobby,” he waves his hand, dismissing Oliver’s work, and Savannah is enraged.
“He died for that “hobby” Mr. Irwin. It was much more than that to Oliver.”
“How do you know that, exactly, Miss Ward? You knew him for a few weeks, we knew him for a lifetime,” Eli snarls.
Savannah takes a breath to control her temper and looks at Felicia. Pale and trembling she seems to be on the verge of a fit, “Perhaps we could table this conversation until your mother feels better.”
“Let me set your mind at ease, Miss Ward. I don’t care what you do with Oliver’s tintypes. They are just useless tokens of the past,” Eli snaps.
A hiss of outrage erupts, “Then I will keep them and do as I see fit. I had hoped to surprise you, but that is obviously not going to happen. I’ve spoken to a publisher about having them made into a book. If you are acceptable, I would like to move forward with that, in honor of Oliver’s life work.”
“A book!” Felicia smiles and sits back. “How wonderful, don’t you think, Eli?”
“Finally, the truth comes out!” Eli leaps to his feet, “You’re hoping to make your fortune by stealing my brother’s work?”
“Oh, good heavens,” Savannah jumps to her feet. “You’d try the patience of a saint!” She marches over to him and lowers her voice. “You can’t have it both ways, Eli! Either you call them trash, or you think I’m going to make a fortune with them?” Savannah pokes him in the chest, and Felicia’s eyes grow large. “The fact is, Mr. Irwin, that I do not need your money, and I certainly don’t need you!” She turns back to Felicia, “Please think it over and let me know tomorrow what you’d like to do with Oliver’s things. Good night,” she sniffs back tears of frustration and stomps to her room.
“Eli Irwin, you are a fool,” Felicia sniffs and climbs to her feet. “That young woman came here at your brother’s request, and for some reason, he chose you to protect his legacy. Why can’t you see that?”
Eli watches her leave, and paces in front of the fireplace. Memories flash of a childhood, laughter, and joy. Eli slams from the house to escape the past.
Chapter 18
Dayton is jerked awake by the sound of a baby screaming and he’s assaulted by the smell of too many bodies crushed together in a muggy train car. His eyes are blood shot, his suit, once crisp and clean is now wrinkled and his face is covered in a day’s growth of dark black beard. The brakes squeal and the cars shudder as they begin to slow down to refuel.
“Where are we?” Dayton asks the woman across from him.
“Ohio,” she smacks her sons’ hand when he tries to grab a toy from his brother, and they start fighting.
Dayton glances away determined to get on the next connection, every second seems like an hour! The passengers are herded onto the wooden platform while the engineers refuel on coal and water. When the first sprinkle strikes a collective groan ripples through the crowd. It is not a covered platform.
He stomps over to the ticket counter, “I need the next passage to Iowa, money is not an issue.”
“Must be nice,” the clerk snorts.
“Excuse me?” Dayton glares.
“I, uh, I said, let me check for you, Sir. I’m afraid you are on the only train for Iowa. You can pick up the next train from that station.”
“Excellent.” Dayton stomps back over to stand in the rain. There is no cover to be found. All the passengers wait together huddled like cattle in a field. He whispers a prayer of protection for Savannah and closes his eyes as the rain beats on him.
Chapter 19
Fred wakes up to a pounding headache and dry mouth. “Oh,” he groans and rolls over grabbing the basin to vomit in. He won’t be going anywhere today. Savannah Ward will have to wait. “I hate whiskey!” struggling to his feet, he realizes he’s still dressed in yesterday’s clothes.
Last night flashes in images of drinking, girls, and card games. His eyes fly open wide, and he pats himself down and finds his wallet still intact. Relief is instant. He begins emptying his pockets on the end table, ignoring the napkin and collapses on the bed to sleep off his hangover.
Kristin hopes that she bought this Savannah Ward some time, but she’s terrified to get involved. “You’re a fool, Kristin,” she mumbles to herself as she folds the sheets. Eli made it clear at the hotel the other day that nothing she could ever say to him would make up for the past.
“Mama, look!” Three-year-old Lucas calls from beh
ind her and holds up a flower.
“Is that for me?” she gasps and drops down to look him in the eye. She ruffles his blonde curls and stares into his chocolate eyes. It strikes her hard that God’s plan is always better than ours. Did it hurt losing Eli? Yes, still does, but she wouldn’t give up Lucas for anything in the world.
“Yep, I founded it.” Lucas throws his arms around her neck and squeezes.
“Oh, Lucas, your hugs are magical. I needed that,” she presses a kiss to the side of his blonde head. “Thank you.” She sets him back, “Let’s put it in some water.”
“I can do it!” he jumps up and runs to the kitchen of the rental house, and she follows slowly, watching him.
Kristin sighs, “Lucas, how would you like to have a picnic today?”
He whirls around, “Really? Can I bring my stick?” he pleads.
“Of course, how would we get on without it?” she teases. “Go get your shoes, while I pack a lunch.”
Kristin knows the ride to the Irwin farm. She’s used to make it in record time. It’s a quick ride on horseback, and soon they are on Eli’s land.
“Lucas are you ready?” she asks.
His little body is vibrating with excitement at the thought of a ride on horseback. Though he was disappointed that he couldn’t ride alone yet, she quickly made him feel better when she promised a run.
“I’m ready, Mama!”
Kristin kicks the horse, and they lean together and give the horse freedom to run. His squeal of excitement has her laughing out loud. Kristin savors the feel of the wind and sun and doesn’t think twice about how they look flying across the open land.
Eli and Rooster are just walking to the house for breakfast when they hear a child’s excited laughter. Both men smile in response when the rider trots into view. The sight of Kristin on horseback smiling and enjoying herself is a gut punch to Eli.
