To Dream Anew

by Tracie Peterson

  Jamie let out a long sigh. “And is this God’s will for our people?”

  George shook his head. “I don’t know. I only know that God asks me to trust Him with every aspect of my life. I must trust Him with this as well.”

  “I don’t think God cares about the Blackfoot,” Jamie said sadly. “I’m not sure He cares about us at all. My father is dead. I cannot own the land he worked. My mother must live in fear. What hope is there for any of us?”

  “God is all the hope we need, Jamie. You must not let the way people act drive you away from the love God has for you.”

  “It doesn’t seem God has any love for the Blackfoot.”

  “I don’t believe that. I think that God has His purposes and ways, and I do not always understand them. However, I will go on trusting Him, just as Job did when bad times came. Besides, how do you know there will be bad days to come? You might well go and receive an education, and in doing so find a way to help the Blackfoot. Think of that. You might one day rise up to be a great advocate for our people.”

  “Do you think so?” Jamie asked, his voice edged with excitement for the first time since they’d come to talk.

  “I believe it is possible, because with God all things are possible. Your mother tells me that it says so in the Bible.”

  Jamie nodded. “I’ve heard her say that as well. I guess it must be true.”

  “I do not want you to hate me for my choices. I am doing what I feel is right. It doesn’t mean we can’t discuss the old days and some of the good times I shared with our ancestors. But it does mean that you and I both need to try harder to make changes here,” he said, pointing to his chest, “in our hearts.”

  Portia listened to Chester as he stormed through the house bellowing and accusing. She rolled her eyes as she heard him contend once again that the papers were his only chance of moving the Selbys from the Madison Valley.

  “You think in such narrow perspectives, my dear,” Portia murmured aloud.

  She pulled on her riding boots, listening to the rumble of thunder overhead. It wouldn’t be long now before the storm passed. There had been very little rain, only a sprinkling, in fact, but the lightning had been fierce. She knew it was the very storm she’d been waiting for. She would ride out, and if fires were not already kindled, she would intercede in the matter.

  “Jerrod, are you certain you haven’t seen those documents?”

  “You forced Roy and me from the house, because of her, ” Jerrod yelled back. “How would we have had any chance to get at your papers?”

  “Don’t take that tone with me, boy.”

  How irritating they were. How very childish. Chester’s tirade had gone on for nearly three days. It was unbelievable. He’d start in with first one person and then another. And always it was the same questions: “Where are my papers regarding the Diamond V?” “Did you see my documents?” “Have you been in my office?”

  She was weary of the entire matter, and if it would only benefit her to do so, Portia would have gladly eliminated the conflict. But she was still working out the details of how she might profit from her marriage to Chester Lawrence. She’d most likely have to kill off the boys. They’d be far too inquisitive—too aggressive.

  “Too bad we can’t have a good old-fashioned round of cholera,” she mused.

  Looking in the mirror to make certain her hair was in place, Portia paused. She didn’t like the way time was aging her. She looked more and more haggard as the days went by. Part of that came from living in the middle of nowhere, and part of it was from living with the Lawrences.

  She touched her hand to her cheek. It was almost leathery instead of soft and supple as it had been when she’d lived in the ease and comfort of Baltimore’s favored society.

  “I’ve grown old,” she breathed with a sigh.

  She thought back on all that she’d done—the lives she’d taken—the lives she’d wounded. As a child she’d often been lonely and sad. Most likely because her mother had also been lonely and sad.

  “I can’t change the past,” she told her image. She remembered arranging for her father’s death. She’d been certain that when the old man was dead and buried, she would feel the burden lifted from her soul. But it hadn’t happened.

  So often she’d rid herself of annoyances and interferences, and yet it never took away the deep, painful hole in her heart. She met her own gaze and was almost startled at the emptiness in her eyes.

  “Montana is killing me. There’s just no way around that. I should probably go east and rest.”

  She secured her riding hat and turned to look for her gloves. “I could convince Chester that it would be good for all of us. The girls and the boys. And who knows what might happen to them in the big city.”

  But first she had to take care of the Selbys. They knew too much, or at least they thought they did. She didn’t know how much information Trenton had shared with his sister, but sometimes at night Portia’s imagination ran wild, and she couldn’t sleep for fear of the door being broken down and R. E. Langford taking her in hand.

  “They’ll all pay. I’ll see to that.”

  She went to her dresser and procured a box of matches. She couldn’t be sure how many fires she’d need to set in order to see the Diamond V burned to the ground, and she couldn’t take a chance that she might run out before her job was completed.

  “No one hurts me and gets away with it. No one.”

  Roy and Jerrod Lawrence leaned against the bunkhouse, sharing a cigar. Jerrod was livid that his father had relegated them to nothing more than common hands on the ranch.

  “She’s prob’ly got his stupid papers,” Jerrod said, taking a long draw on the cigar.

  “Prob’ly. She thinks she’s queen of the world, sitting on high, causing problems for everyone.”

  “She’ll pay, Roy. I’ll see to that.”

  Jerrod passed the cigar to his brother just as Portia let the back door slam shut. Both men looked up as she crossed the yard quickly and approached the barn.

  “Where’s she headed?” Roy asked.

  “I dunno, but I think we oughta follow her. Maybe we can give her a little payback for the position she’s gotten us into.”

  “Pa would skin us alive if she came home all banged up.”

  “Maybe we can buy ourselves a couple of witnesses who’ll swear to Pa that we was with them the whole time. Then we can knock some sense into her,” Jerrod said, trying to think the matter through.

  “Maybe she could have a worse accident than before,” Roy suggested. “Maybe one that takes her life.”

  “Maybe. It’s worth considerin’.”

  The boys maneuvered themselves so they could watch when she exited the barn. It didn’t take long. She rode out on the back of her favorite mount and headed off toward the river.

  Jerrod smacked Roy against the chest. “Come on. Let’s get those witnesses and then follow her.”

  CHAPTER 27

  “I’M PRETTY GOOD WITH HORSES,” GEORGE SAID AS HE watched Cole work with one of the three-year-olds. “I didn’t get the name Takes Many Horses for doing nothing.”

  Cole nodded. “Koko told me you would be a great asset to us in wrangling.” His tone was serious, and George couldn’t help but wonder what was wrong. For days Cole had seemed very burdened—almost troubled.

  Cole took up the halter and approached the skittish white. “Easy, boy. Easy.” His voice was low and soft as he tried to sooth the animal.

  George continued watching as Cole rubbed the horse ever so gently with the halter and with his hand. The horse seemed to calm.

  “He knows you,” George commented.

  Cole said nothing until after managing to slip the halter over the white’s head. “We’ve been working for a while on this.” After he secured the halter, Cole pulled the strap gently to the right. The white followed. Cole walked in circles around the corral while George watched.

  “He nearly kicked my head off the first time we worked together
,” Cole said as he rounded the pen. “Didn’t want any part of this.”

  George leaned against the pole pen. “I can see he is spirited.”

  “And mean,” Cole replied. “Not the kind of thing a coward would want to deal with.” His tone sounded bitter.

  “What are you talking about?”

  Cole continued walking the horse. “Oh, it’s just something Dianne said. She thinks I’m a coward because I won’t hunt down the Lawrences and deal with them at the end of a gun.”

  George laughed softly. “My nephew thinks I’m a coward because I won’t take on the entire army and force justice for the Blackfoot people.”

  Cole looked up and smiled. “Guess we’re in good company.”

  “Not bad for cowards.”

  Cole stopped what he was doing and shook his head. “She has no idea how I have to fight myself to keep from doing exactly what she thinks should be done. She doesn’t realize that I could probably kill Lawrence’s sons for what they did to Whit and Maggie.”

  “Just like Jamie doesn’t realize that I would gladly kill the soldiers if it meant freedom for my people. He thinks that by living as white, I’ve given up my dreams and hopes that the Blackfoot might one day be allowed to come and go at will.”

  “I want peace. I know you do too.”

  George shrugged. “Sometimes I think we’re the only ones.”

  “Mara! What brings you here?” Dianne questioned after opening the front door. Mara Lawrence stood before her, looking frazzled.

  “I had to come. There’s going to be trouble this afternoon, and I’m hoping you can stop it.”

  Dianne ushered the girl inside. “Why don’t you come have something to drink while you tell me what’s going on.”

  “Thank you. I’m quite parched.”

  Mara and Dianne made their way into the kitchen. Dianne was grateful that no one else was around. She took down a glass from the cupboard and poured some chilled cider she’d just brought up from the cold cellar.

  “My aunt made this from apples. I think you’ll find it very pleasant and refreshing,” Dianne said as she placed the glass in front of Mara.

  Mara took a long drink. “It’s wonderful. Thank you.” She glanced around. “Is your husband here? There’s going to be trouble and you’ll need him. Probably need all of your men.”

  Dianne frowned. “He’s down at the corral. I could send for him.”

  “Would you, please? There’s going to be an attack on one of the ranches.”

  “Whose?”

  “The Vandercamps.”

  Dianne felt her breath catch. G. W. and Hilda had worked hard to stake their claim on the land. G. W. and Cole were good friends and often shared equipment and breeding stock. To imagine their suffering the same fate as Whit and Maggie was almost more than Dianne could bear.

  “I’ll send for Cole. Wait here.”

  She hurried into the hall and found Luke coming down the stairs. “Luke. I need you to fetch your papa. He’s down at the corral training one of the horses.”

  “Can I ride there?” Luke asked, excited at the prospect.

  “No. He’s not that far. Just run,” Dianne said. “Tell him to come to the house quickly. Tell him it’s important.”

  Luke fairly flew out the front door. Dianne wondered if Cole would refuse because of his anger toward her. She hoped he could put aside their differences and realize that this was gravely important.

  Returning to the kitchen, Dianne noted that Mara was working feverishly to put her hair back in place. She smiled at the young woman. “You must have ridden very hard.”

  “Well, I had to,” Mara admitted. “When I heard them talking about their plans for the Vandercamps, I knew I had to tell someone. I hope we won’t be too late.”

  “I hope not too.”

  Mara finished pinning her hair and turned to Dianne. “I have something to ask you. I hope you won’t think me too forward.”

  “What is it?”

  “I wondered if I could come and live with you here and work for you. I’d be happy to be your housekeeper or whatever else you needed. I’m almost seventeen, and I’m a good worker. I know how to cook too.”

  Dianne raised a brow. “I have to admit the thought had already come to mind to invite you to stay with us—but not as a maid. I feel sorry for your having to deal with Portia’s nonsense and the other things that are going on. Still, your father would never let you go.”

  “He might. If I threatened to tell everyone everything I know, he might let me go. Portia just wants me gone—I don’t think she much cares where I go. Father doesn’t pay me much attention, and frankly, I think he’d be equally glad to be rid of me.”

  “I can’t imagine that being true, but maybe he’d be less inclined to cause us harm if you were here.”

  Mara shook her head. “No, I’d imagine it to be the opposite. He’s got a mean streak a mile wide.”

  “It would be difficult to cross him. He’d no doubt want some sort of revenge for your interference in his plans.”

  “That’s why I want to come here. I know he’ll make me miserable if he figures out what I’ve done. He’s been storming and snorting over those papers I took ever since they disappeared. But on the other hand, Portia is making me more miserable than he ever could.”

  “Has she threatened you?” Dianne couldn’t help but ask.

  “She plans to marry me off to some man in Bozeman who plans to move to Texas. She says he’s wealthy and has shown interest in me.”

  Dianne looked out the window to see if she could spot Cole or Luke. There was no one out there, however. “I hope Luke didn’t misunderstand. Sometimes he’s that way. Only hears what he wants to hear.” She turned away from the window and shook her head. “I’m sorry, I really was listening. I don’t understand why Portia would want to marry you off.”

  “I think it’s because she wants my father and the ranch all to herself. She got Jerrod and Roy blamed for some accident she had—at least I’m pretty sure she must have had an accident. I don’t think the boys are stupid enough to hurt her. But she was all banged up and miscarried a baby.”

  “A baby? Portia? That seems completely out of character for her.”

  “She said she and my father were beginning a new life together and this baby was the beginning of an entirely new empire.”

  “I can’t imagine Portia wanting to be a mother. Not for any reason.”

  “She’s dangerous. I can’t tell you why, but I know it’s true,” Mara said sadly. “I think she actually had something to do with my mother’s death.”

  “Truly?”

  “Yes. Mother was fine until we went to tea with Portia. After she left the tea, Mother was sick—very sick. By the time we arrived at the ranch, she was almost delirious. It was no more than an hour before she was dead.”

  “You think Portia poisoned her?” Dianne asked. She had always been suspicious of Portia’s involvement in Cynthia Lawrence’s death.

  “I think it’s very possible. We all drank from the same tea, but that doesn’t mean Portia couldn’t have given her something after Elsa and I left to go shopping. Mother was with her alone for at least ten minutes.”

  Dianne couldn’t understand where Cole and Luke were. “Stay here, Mara. I’ll go see where my husband is. We’ll talk more about this—I promise.”

  Mara’s worried expression softened a bit. “Thank you. I know you could believe the worst about me—even think I was here to spy on you, but I’m not. I’m afraid. Afraid of the things my father is doing to the people in this valley, and afraid of what Portia might do to me personally.”

  Dianne thought of Mara’s words all the way out to the corral. Finding no one there, she looked in the barn. The place seemed deserted. Cole’s horse was gone, as were the dogs. She thought maybe George would be nearby, but a quick search of the grounds proved fruitless.

  Then Dianne caught sight of something in the distance. On the hillside to the west, the trees were blazing
with orange flames.

  Her heart skipped a beat. Fire! It almost seemed unreal. She turned to race back to the house when Cole came riding out of the forested land to the south. George was riding beside him.

  “We need to round up everyone. Get all of the wagons hitched and ready to move out. Take whatever we need—only what’s important,” Cole declared, giving Dianne no chance to speak.

  “What happened?”

  “Probably lightning,” George said, jumping from the back of his mount.

  “It’s burning fast and heading directly for us,” Cole said. “I’ve sent the boys out to round up the horses and cattle and move them north.”

  Dianne then remembered what Mara had told her. “Cole, there’s more trouble than just the fire. Mara Lawrence is here. She told me that her father is headed to the Vandercamps’ to force G. W. to sign over the ranch. She says he plans to take it by force if necessary.”

  Cole clenched his jaw so hard that the skin turned white around his lips. Dianne saw the rage in his face as his eyes narrowed. She knew saying anything more was useless and unneeded. It was only then that she realized Luke was nowhere to be found.

  “Where’s Luke?” she asked the men. “I sent him after you nearly twenty minutes ago. When Mara came.”

  Cole shook his head, his anger still evident. “I haven’t seen him. Look, there’s no time for this. Get the children and everyone else alerted. Levi’s already out with some of the men on the north pasture. You’ll need to help Ardith.”

  “I’m not going anywhere without Luke,” Dianne declared. “He’s got to be here!”

  “He’s probably already gone back to the house,” Cole said, his clipped tone revealing his mood.

  “I’ll help you find him,” George said, reaching out to take hold of her arm.

  “I’ll look for him as I notify everyone. If I don’t see you again before you leave, head to Madison. We’ll meet at the church.”

  “Cole,” Dianne said, pulling away from George. She went to Cole’s side and touched his leg. “Please be careful…. I love you.”