by Barbara Goss
“As long as it’s a loan,” Dawn said calmly, but inside, she was excited and jumping for joy. In just days, she could be back at White Oaks and in Jake’s arms.
“The shopping I mentioned is at the mercantile, to buy you a suitcase. Then, we’ll go to the train depot and buy your ticket home. My only wish is that my son, George, could have met you when he was home for Thanksgiving.”
Amy entered the kitchen, smiled, and nodded to her mother and Dawn, then began gathering up the dirty dishes.
“Are you feeling up to it, dear?” Josephine asked. “If not, Dawn and I can clean up before we leave.”
“No, that extra time in bed and the tea made all the difference. I’m fine.”
Josephine hugged Amy lightly. “I knew that red-raspberry brew would help.”
“I’ll have to remember that one,” Dawn replied.
“There’s also a tea made from cramp bark that helps. It’s hard to find this time of year, but it's so appropriately named, don’t you think?” Josephine grabbed her reticule. “I think we’ll get you a reticule, too. No woman should travel without one.”
The two women walked arm in arm toward the depot with their free arms wrapped around their packages.
“I’m keeping track of all the purchases,” Dawn said.
“So am I. As you make your payments, I’ll cross each one off the list.” Josephine smiled down at Dawn. “I’d feel the same way as you do, and I promise to do that.”
Josephine had purchased a beaded reticule, a small suitcase, a fashionable hat, and a silk cape. Before shopping, they’d stopped at the telegraph office and wired White Oaks regarding her return.
Dawn felt relieved that Laura, Max, and Jake would soon know she was on her way home.
Dawn had mixed feelings as she approached the train depot. The first time she’d seen that building she’d been terrified, and now those feelings returned. This time, however, she’d be traveling in style and on her way home to loved ones.
Chapter Fifteen
Jake went around the town, removing all the posters of Dawn. She was probably already home and anxious to see him, and there he was, still in Olympia. As soon as he’d gathered all the posters, he planned to buy his ticket home. The first thing he’d do when he next laid eyes on her was to propose. He wouldn't let her get away from him ever again.
He walked into the train depot feeling like a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He stood in line, and when his turn came at the counter, he purchased a one-way ticket to Astoria, where he’d buy a ticket to Silverpines.
As he paid the man, he overheard two women talking in low tones somewhere behind him. At first, he paid it no heed, but then his senses alerted him that he not only knew the voice, but that he loved it. Was he imagining her voice as he had so many times before? After pocketing his change, he swung around, and there, at the end of the line, stood Dawn! He blinked his eyes to be sure he hadn't imagined her standing there.
Her eyes met his, and they both stood there, staring as if they were seeing an illusion of their heart’s desire.
As if in slow motion, they walked slowly toward each other.
She was real!
It was his Dawn.
He wanted to grab her and swing her around, but he realized they were in a public place, and he stifled the urge. Instead, he took both of her hands in his and squeezed.
Jake let his eyes do the talking, and hers replied.
He fell to one knee. “Will you marry me, Dawn Girard?” How he ever got the words out, he didn't know. His voice shook with emotion, but she nodded and smiled, which made his stomach twitch.
“I’ll marry you today, Jake Winters," she responded. "I love you with all my heart.”
Josephine stepped up from where she’d been watching. “And you are?” she asked protectively.
“I’m her future husband from Silverpines, Jake Winters.”
Josephine gazed from Jake to Dawn and smiled. “I take it a lot of prayers have just been answered.”
Josephine invited them both to the café where she bought them all lunch.
“Pastor Spitzer and myself have become fond of Dawn, and we'd like to keep in touch with her,” Josephine said as the waiter brought them their sandwiches.
“You’re invited to visit Silverpines,” Dawn said. Under the table she and Jake held hands.
Josephine said, “You must tell Jake your story. After lunch, I’ll leave the two of you in the sitting room for that very purpose. Right now, I’m going up to the counter to have a word with Ralph, the owner, and I’ll settle our check. I’ll be right back.”
“One thing puzzles me,” Jake said. “This morning I met a Chinook man who was removing the posters I’d put up—”
“You put posters up?” Dawn asked.
“Many of them, and with your image on them. I had to find you, no matter what it took.” He squeezed her hand beneath the table. “The Chinook man told me you’d left for Silverpines two days ago. An older man—his father—agreed, so, I removed all the picture posters and bought my ticket home.”
“Parker and Bob?” Dawn exclaimed.
“Yes, those were their names.”
A look of dawning appeared on his betrothed’s face. “Oh.”
“The young one, Parker, also said you were his.”
“I’ll tell you about that later. It isn’t true, but of course, you knew that, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I knew.”
By the time Josephine returned to the table, Dawn and Jake's eyes danced together, and Josephine smiled at them.
When they returned to the Spitzers' home, Josephine showed Jake to a room in the attic, and she allowed them some privacy. Josephine got them settled in the sitting room and told them she’d be back in ten minutes.
As soon as Josephine had left the room, Dawn was in Jake’s arms. Jake wasn’t sure if he'd been the one to have made the move or if it had been her, but he hugged her as tightly as he could.
“I wondered if I’d ever hold you again.”
“I feared the same thing.” Dawn pulled away to look into his eyes. “The memory of the few kisses we shared kept me determined to get back to you.”
Jake found her lips and kissed her passionately. He broke the kiss and whispered, “It wouldn’t do for Mrs. Spitzer to return to a panting, over-heated couple, now would it?”
“No, it wouldn’t.” Dawn sat up straight and smoothed her dress. “I love you so much, Jake.”
“And I, you. I’m afraid of losing you again. Do you suppose Pastor Spitzer would marry us before we leave for Silverpines?”
“Really?” Dawn clapped her hands together. “I know he will.”
When Pastor Spitzer returned home, the couple asked him to perform the marriage ceremony before they departed for Silverpines.
“I’d be honored,” Spitzer said.
The couple planned to marry in three days’ time, spend their wedding night in the Olympia Hotel’s bridal suite, and then return the next morning to Silverpines.
*******
As Dawn lay in bed that night, reliving her reunion with Jake, she wished she had her music box. The soft tune felt so appropriate for them. In just three days, she knew she’d never have to go to bed alone, and she’d always have Jake with her.
She imagined all the things she could do to make him happy. He loved to eat; she’d make him delicious dinners and desserts.
A thrill went through her whole body when she remembered what married couples did behind closed doors. She’d always cringed at the thought of ever doing that, but now the thought gave her shivers of anticipation. With Jake, it would be the fulfillment of their two hearts beating as one; they would become as one. The Bible said of marriage: the two shall become one flesh. They’d become one heart, one mind, and one family, forever.
Family?
Another thrill went through her body as she imagined a child that was half Jake and half her! Dawn fell asleep with a smile on her face.
In the morning, she ate breakfast with the Spitzers and Jake, whose smile uplifted her. Pastor Spitzer offered to take Jake into town so he could pick out a suit in which to get married. When Josephine said she’d take Dawn into town later that day for a wedding dress, Dawn balked.
“I owe you enough now, Mrs. Spitzer. How about we fix up the pink dress you bought me the other day. A few ruffles—”
“You owe money?” Jake asked.
Dawn nodded.
Josephine interceded, “The poor girl arrived without a reticule or a cent on her. I had to help her, but there’s no hurry paying me back.”
Jake turned to Josephine. “That was kind of you. As soon as we’re married, I’ll see that you get every penny back. It wouldn’t be proper for me to do it until she’s my wife.”
“I’m not worried about it,” Josephine said. “I was hoping the loan would keep us in touch.”
Jake smiled. “Dawn was fortunate to have found such a wonderful family. I want you to buy her the best wedding dress in Olympia, and I’ll reimburse you.”
Dawn felt a bit needy, and she didn’t like the feeling one bit. “No, you won’t pay my debts, Jake Winters. I have a small nest-egg at home, and I’ll pay my own debts, but thank you.”
Jake raised his eyebrows. “And that’s one of the things I love about Dawn.” He addressed the Spitzers, “Does she realize that in three days, her nest egg and my bank account will be one and the same?”
Dawn forced a smile despite herself. Even their money would be as one.
Josephine picked out material for her wedding dress, but the seamstress said she couldn’t make the dress in time for the wedding.
“The pink dress will do,” Dawn said.
“I guess it will have to,” Josephine answered. “But I’ll make it special.”
Later that day, Dawn went to the telegraph office to see if Laura had replied to her wire. The telegraph operator, an elderly man, handed her two messages. One was a reply from Laura, saying that she was overjoyed to have heard from her, but that she should look for Jake who was trying to find her. Dawn replied to Dawn’s telegraph by saying: "I found him, and we’re getting married in two days!”
Dawn then tore the other folded paper open. It was a note from Arthur Bortner, asking her to stop by that afternoon about twelve. She wondered what he wanted her for, but then she wondered if Sophie Dawson might want to see her. She’d love to see Sophie again. Since it was nearly twelve, she walked toward the Indian Agent Office.
Dawn walked into the office of the Indian Affairs Bureau, but it appeared empty. Bortner’s desk chair was empty, too. She called out: “Hello? Mr. Bortner?”
The rear door opened, and Bob walked out.
“Hello, Bob.”
“A pleasure, as usual, Dawn.” He seemed different for some reason, and that’s when Dawn realized his usual smile was missing.
“Is something wrong? Where’s Mr. Bortner? He sent for me.”
Bob sat on the edge of Bortner’s desk. “You know I’m your friend, Dawn, however, my son has put me in a rather prickly situation.”
Dawn was puzzled. What was going on?
Bob continued, “I went along with an untruth that Parker told your Jake the other day. Parker told him you’d gone home already. He’d hoped that Jake would leave Olympia, so he’d have more time to sway your feelings toward him. He loves you, Dawn.”
“I know he does, but I don’t share his feelings.”
“I felt badly that I was deceitful, as I pride myself on being an honest, trustworthy man. I apologize—I had to make a split-second decision when I saw how forlorn my son looked.”
“I forgive you. I know how much you love your son. I love Parker, too, but as a friend.”
“He's been moody and heartbroken, so I agreed to help him one more time, but I want to be upfront and honest with you about it. Parker's convinced me that he just wants to talk to you, so I helped him by writing the note and signing it from Bortner, who is out of town. I did it with the hope that once he talks to you and understands your feelings, he’ll be his usual self again, and we can begin our journey back to Bay Center.”
“I’d be happy to speak to him. Where is he?”
“In the back room. I promised him I'd give you both some privacy. When you're finished, just call me.”
Dawn nodded and walked into the back room. It was darker than the office, but she was able to make out Parker's silhouette, sitting on a cot near the far wall. He stood when she entered.
As she waited for him to approach her, he reached under his mattress. She was curious, but then he approached her.
He didn’t say a word as he threw the rope over her head and bound it around her body so tightly, she was unable to move.
Dawn became panicky. “What are you doing?" she pleaded. "Remove this, at once.”
He stuffed something into her mouth, lifted her, and swung her over his shoulder. He slipped out the back door with her, where he had a horse saddled and waiting, slung her over the front of the horse, and mounted.
“Don’t be afraid, dearest Dawn. I’d never harm you.”
Chapter Sixteen
After Bob had watched Dawn disappear through the back door, he sighed and sat behind Bortner’s desk. A man came in and assumed he was Bortner. Bob explained to him that Arthur was out of town for three days. After the man had gone, Bob settled back into the chair to await Dawn’s call that the talk was over.
His wait became overly long, so he went to the door and put his ear against it, but there was no sound. Either they were getting along much better than he’d hoped, or something was wrong. He knocked lightly and peeked in. The room was empty.
*******
Pastor Spitzer and Jake returned home and walked into the kitchen to see Josephine rushing about putting dishes of steaming food on the table while Amy neatly slipped in-between, avoiding her mother as they worked in concert to get dinner on the table.
Pastor Spitzer and Jake hung their jackets and hats on the hooks by the front door. Spitzer said, “Something smells mighty good.”
“I think we’re in for a treat,” Jake said.
Josephine gave them a worried look. “We’ll eat when Dawn returns.”
Jake’s head jerked to attention. “Where’s Dawn?”
Amy set the rolls on the table and said, “She went to the post office just before noon.”
“How far is the post office?” Jake asked, his voice rising with concern.
Once again, Josephine gave her husband a look of apprehension. “Not far. Amy and I looked for her twice. Mr. Pugh at the telegraph office said she'd received two messages. One was a telegraph and one was a personal note, dropped off early that morning. Someone slipped it under the door. He found it when he came in to work.”
Ambiguous feelings ripped through Jake, along with anger and fright. He should have known that Indian was up to no good. He had something to do with her disappearance, Jake knew it.
“How do I find this Parker fellow?” Jake bellowed.
Josephine and her husband exchanged confused looks. “We don’t know anyone by that name.”
“He’s the Indian that brought her home from the Chinook village. There were two of them. Bob was the other one. They were the ones who had told me that Dawn had already left for Silverpines.”
Pastor Spitzer took Jake by the shoulders and led him to the sitting room. Josephine and Amy followed.
“Jake, you need to tell us exactly what you’re talking about. What Indians? Where did you see them, and what, exactly, did they tell you?”
After being gently pushed onto the settee, Jake said, “Yesterday, I saw a man tearing down one of Dawn’s posters. I told him to stop and well…he didn’t speak English. He said, using gestures, that Dawn was his. Then another Indian came by, and he interpreted what this Parker had said.
“He said that Dawn had already left for Silverpines, and the other man agreed with him. That’s why I was in the depot buying a ticket when I met
Dawn.”
Josephine rolled her eyes. Amy covered her mouth. Pastor Spitzer said, “Oh, no!”
“I don’t know where to begin looking for her. I don’t know the area or where this Parker would have taken her, but if he harms her in any way, I’ll have to kill him.”
Spitzer put his arm around Jake. “There’ll be no killing. We just need to find Arthur Bortner. He’s the Indian agent who escorted Dawn to Bay Center and led her to the Chinook.”
“How far is this Bay Center?”
Spitzer grimaced. “It’s about a four-day ride.”
*******
Riding on the front of a horse with the saddle horn between her ribs was the least of Dawn’s worries. She had a myriad of questions. Where was Parker taking her and why? He said he’d never hurt her, yet there he was, kidnapping her. Would Parker dare take her innocence? That belonged to Jake, and she’d fight to death to preserve that for him. That is, if she ever saw him again.
Parker was riding fast, she could feel it. He also wasn’t stopping to rest the horse. She could feel the horse heaving. If she hadn’t had a bandana in her mouth, she’d have reminded him about it.
Finally, she felt the horse slow and then stop. She was lifted from the horse, and set on the ground beneath a sprawling maple tree. Parker walked the horse to a stream so it could drink.
He walked the horse back, tied it to a tree, went over to where Dawn was sitting, and knelt beside her.
“I won’t hurt you. I love you too much to ever cause you physical pain. I’m taking you somewhere, and I plan to show you how much I adore you. You’ll learn to love me, you’ll see.”
Dawn couldn’t speak. She pointed to her mouth, and he removed the handkerchief. “I don’t think I need this anymore. There's no one out here to hear your screams, anyway.”
