The Chapel Car Bride

by Judith Miller

  Alvin swiped his hand on his breeches before accepting Kirby’s. “Ain’t no denyin’ it needs work, but I ain’t got money for supplies.”

  “The company’s going to purchase the supplies, and the preacher and Luke Hughes are planning to head up the work teams. Of course, I’ll help when I’m not needed down at the mine. We’re hoping some of you men might lend a hand, too.”

  Alvin took a backward step and let his gaze wander over his shoulder. “That’s good to hear. Don’t know how much labor you can expect from any of us men. When we’re not down at the mine, most of us got to look for other ways to earn a few dollars to feed our young’uns.”

  Kirby patted Alvin’s shoulder, and although the older man flinched at the gesture, Kirby didn’t remove his hand. “I understand that earning a living has to come first, but if you have a little extra time, I know it would be appreciated.”

  “Me and the missus will do what we can, but right now I gotta get to work in my garden plot.”

  “Garden? I thought your boy said you were going to the woods.”

  Alvin’s eyes narrowed. “That young’un don’t know what he’s talking about. Ain’t got much up here.” He tapped the side of his head with his index finger. “You might as well move on so you can tell the others about the repairs. I’m guessin’ they’ll be happy for the news.” Alvin turned and strode toward the children.

  Kirby didn’t share Alvin’s assessment, especially since Alvin hadn’t appeared thrilled by the plan. Were the other men going to prove as standoffish?

  Kirby stared at the miner’s back as he approached the young boy and slapped him on the side of the head. “Don’t you be tellin’ no one I’m out in the woods. Ya hear me?”

  The child ducked and covered his head. “I hear ya, Pa. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean no harm.”

  Alvin ignored the boy and stomped onto the porch and inside the house without a backward glance.

  Kirby grimaced. While he’d hoped to gather some information that might prove useful, he hadn’t expected the boy to suffer because of the inquiries. He stepped to Hope’s side. “Appears Alvin has a quick temper. I don’t know why he became angry over something as trivial as a comment about going to the woods.”

  Hope matched his stride, and they continued on to the next house. “I’m sure it’s because there’s activity that goes on in the woods that’s secret. At least that’s what Nellie has told me.”

  “What kind of activity? Some sort of gambling house or speakeasy?”

  “I’m not sure. She told me it wasn’t safe for me to go in the woods. I guess there have been a couple of strangers who’ve been shot at when they went out there uninvited.” She shivered. “Isn’t that terrible?”

  Kirby nodded and mumbled his agreement while his thoughts raced. He wasn’t sure what might be going on out in the woods, but given Alvin Selznick’s reaction when his son mentioned it, and Nellie’s warning to Hope, it had to be something illegal. Something that might provide the money he needed to get out of this town. Excitement pulsed through him like a hammer striking an anvil.

  CHAPTER

  11

  Hope grasped a damp dishcloth in her hand and walked over to a rope clothesline her father had strung between a towering black walnut tree and the chapel car. She pegged the towel to the line and then went back to the railcar. In this humidity, she figured the towel would remain damp until early afternoon.

  She hiked her skirt a few inches, climbed the rear platform steps, and poked her head around the doorway leading into the living quarters. “Are you ready to go, Luke?”

  He pushed back his chair and stood. “Good timing. We just finished.” Luke patted her father on the shoulder. “Good study this morning. You gave me a lot to think about.”

  “If you want to discuss those thoughts tomorrow, we’ll take time to do that.” Hope’s father turned toward her. “I want to work on my sermon before I continue with my carpentry duties. Why don’t the two of you stop by the hardware store and see if that screening arrived that Kirby ordered. I thought it would be here last week. If so, it would be wise to get the screening cut and nailed to the window frames before we start on the roofs. I’m hearing complaints about mosquitoes and flies.”

  Luke nodded. “We’ll be sure to ask. If it’s come in, I should be able to get some of it up the hill this morning.” He hesitated a moment. “Depending on how it’s bundled, of course, but I should be able to hoist it up the hill on my shoulder.”

  “Don’t hurt yourself trying to carry too much,” the preacher said. “We can’t afford to have you laid up with injuries. I don’t know what I’d do without your help.”

  Luke immediately stood a little taller. With each word of praise from her father, Luke seemed to gain a modicum of confidence and pride in his workmanship. Perhaps he’d received little respect in the mine.

  Together, they crossed the weed-filled patch between their railcar and the depot. Hope held Luke’s arm as they rounded the depot and prepared to cross the street. A horn honked, and she jumped backward as a green flatbed truck sent a plume of dust flying in their direction.

  “You okay?” Luke’s eyes shone with concern when he turned to look at her. He frowned and pointed at her dust-covered skirt. Hope brushed her palm down the front of her skirt. “Kirby’s a bit of a show-off when he’s in that truck, but I don’t think he saw us.”

  Luke raised an eyebrow, but didn’t reply. She was thankful he hadn’t let Kirby’s behavior spoil their time together. She remained close to his side as they crossed the street and continued on toward the hardware store. The owner, Mr. Berry, stood near the entrance of the store and waved when they entered.

  “Morning, Ned.” Luke’s work boots clattered on the wood floor. “We stopped by to see whether the screening Kirby Finch ordered has come in yet. Folks up on the hill are asking about screens more than anything else.”

  Mr. Berry’s bushy brows dipped low on his forehead. “Yep. Kirby picked up the order not more than ten minutes ago. I loaded everything onto the bed of his truck.” He chuckled. “Not sure how he’s gonna get those supplies up to the ridge. I had to load the whole order; he never lifted a finger. Maybe he was saving his energy so he could carry everything up the hill. I told him he wouldn’t get that truck up there unless he tried to cut through the woods, but going through the woods wouldn’t be smart.” The older man shrugged. “He said he’d been up the hill before and knew he couldn’t drive up the path.”

  “Might’ve been best if you hadn’t mentioned going through the woods. If he gets lost, there’s a chance he could get shot.”

  The store owner laughed. “Didn’t think about that. Might take a bit of starch outta him if somebody starts shooting.” His smile disappeared when he glanced at Hope. “That wasn’t kind. I don’t want him to get hurt, but he’s sure a hard fella to like. Pretty full of himself.”

  Luke nodded and gave the owner a mock salute. “Thanks for your help, Ned.”

  They weren’t far from the store when Hope tugged on Luke’s arm. “What’s the big secret about the woods? Nellie told me it wasn’t safe, but she wouldn’t say anything more.”

  “Some of the men like to spend their free time out there. They don’t like uninvited guests, so Kirby or you or anyone else who doesn’t live on the ridge wouldn’t be welcome. That’s why you should always use the path. Those men are known to shoot first and ask questions later.”

  Hope frowned. “I think you know more than you’re telling me. Why would they shoot someone just because they’re walking through the woods?”

  “The less you know, the better. These men consider the woods their stomping ground to do as they please, and they don’t want intruders.” He pointed to a spot near the bottom of the path. “Looks like Kirby took Ned’s advice. I kind of expected him to do just the opposite, but I’m glad he didn’t.”

  She smiled at him. “I’m delighted to hear you say that.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Becaus
e I feel as though you’re somewhat unwilling to accept Kirby. The fact that you’re glad he didn’t cut through the woods shows you don’t want him to get hurt.”

  He lengthened his stride when they drew near the truck. “I’d rather talk about something other than Kirby.” He walked to the side and peered over the wood slats. “Looks like he left the whole order right where Ned put it.”

  Hope walked to the back of the truck and sighed. “I can carry some of the smaller items. If you take one roll of screening, maybe my father will see the other roll and bring it up when he arrives.”

  “I can make a couple trips. I don’t want your father carrying one of those rolls.” Luke shook his head. “And you wonder why I haven’t shown a real liking for Kirby. You have to admit, he’s pretty lazy.”

  “I’m sure he thought one of the men would come down and get the supplies. Most of them are stronger, and I’m sure he thinks that if he’s purchasing the items to repair their homes, the least they can do is carry them up the hill.”

  “Maybe, but they’re his houses. Since the company owns them, they should be the ones to fix them. If we can’t pay the rent, they kick us out.” He inhaled a deep breath and blew it out. “Why do you feel the need to constantly defend him?”

  “I could ask you why you feel the constant need to criticize him. Nothing he does suits you.”

  He stopped and wiped the perspiration from his forehead. “Maybe you’re right. There’s nothing Kirby Finch or his pa could ever do that would bring my pa back, but if they would have made the changes they promised years ago, other men wouldn’t have died in that same mineshaft. When mine owners know there’s problems and they do nothing to fix things, I hold them responsible for each man who dies in their mines. Kirby worked for his pa back in Pittsburgh, and that tells me he knows the problems we got in this mine just like his pa knows.” Luke shook his head. “Greed. That’s what causes men to die in these mines.”

  She lightly grasped his arm. “I’m sorry for the pain you and your family have suffered, but unless we give Kirby a chance, we’ll never know if he’ll be the one to make a difference.”

  The smile he offered didn’t quite reach his eyes, but she hoped her words would ease some of the tension between the two men. She reached inside the truck bed and removed a box filled with sacks of roofing nails, tacks for nailing screens, screws, nuts, bolts, and a variety of other fasteners. “I can carry this.”

  Luke lifted the box and gave it a jiggle. “It’s pretty heavy. Maybe you should take a few of the sacks out. It’s a long walk up the hill.” He grabbed two of the larger bags.

  “Leave them. I’ll be fine.”

  “Whatever you say.” He swung around and placed the box in her extended arms.

  The thrust of weight caused her knees momentarily to buckle, but she managed a quick recovery. Not quick enough that Luke hadn’t noticed. She’d seen his eyebrows arch as if to accentuate his warning, but she didn’t heed it. Even though the box was heavier than she’d originally thought, she was determined to make it up the hill without complaint.

  Luke grunted as he hoisted a sizable roll of screening onto his shoulder. He shifted the weight to gain his balance, then looked at her. “Ready?”

  Instead of telling him the box was too heavy, she gave a nod and trudged to the bottom of the path. “Ready.”

  Climbing the hill was going to test her mettle, but she didn’t want to yield to Luke’s advice. Was it pride, anger, or plain old stubbornness? Perhaps a combination of all three? Aunt Mattie had sometimes accused Hope of being stubborn when things didn’t go her way. So had her father. While she admitted she could sometimes be stubborn, Luke had tapped into a burst of unexpected pride with his suggestion that she was weak. However, her determination was foolish. If she fell while carrying the supplies, not only would she injure herself, but she’d also leave the hillside scattered with nails and screws they’d never recover. With each painful step, she silently rebuked herself for the rash decision.

  They had made it only halfway up when her shoulders began to ache and her arms trembled with weakness. “I think I’ll set this down and take a short break. You go ahead. I’ll see you when I get up there.”

  Luke hefted the roll of screen from his shoulder and placed it on the ground. “I’m not leaving you.” He lifted the box from her arms and placed it beside the screening. “There’s a stump over there. Why don’t you sit down for a few minutes?”

  Though she disliked admitting to her weakness, she pushed aside her pride and did as he suggested.

  Once she was seated, Luke lowered himself to a small mossy patch alongside the tree stump and folded his legs in front of him. “I’m glad you suggested we stop. Carrying that roll of screening was causing my arm to cramp.” He dangled his right arm in front of him and shook his hand.

  Hope doubted he was in need of a break, but she’d keep that thought to herself. There was no need to accept his gesture of kindness with words that might provoke an argument.

  They hadn’t been there long when Hope stood. “We can’t waste any more time sitting here. I’m fine now.”

  Luke pushed to his feet. “I’ll agree to go on if you agree to leave that box right where it is. Since Kirby is still up there, maybe he can come and get it.” He folded his arms across his chest and waited.

  The steepest portion of the path remained ahead of them, and they both knew she couldn’t make it while carrying the box. Finally she nodded and said, “Fine. I won’t be mulish. It would only waste more time.”

  He chuckled. “Thank you.”

  He’d been more talkative since she agreed to his request, his mood lightening as they continued on. Luke came to a halt when they rounded the end of the path. She followed his gaze to the Selznick house, where Kirby was stooped down and talking to Billy Selznick.

  “It looks like Kirby has befriended Billy. That little fellow is always seeking attention from adults, especially men. I’ve watched him follow after my father when he’s up here. I think it’s because Mr. Selznick is so harsh with the boy, don’t you?” Hope tipped her head to the side when she noticed Luke’s deep-set frown. What had she said to create such an unexpected reaction? “What’s wrong, Luke?”

  “Nothing, in particular. I’m just wondering why Kirby’s taken such an interest in the children who live up here.” Luke dropped the roll of screening to the ground and turned toward Kirby. “Hey, Kirby! Could you come help us?”

  Kirby looked in their direction, then stood and waved. “You bet. Be right there.” He leaned down near Billy’s ear and appeared to slip something in the boy’s hand before he sprinted toward them. “What can I do?”

  Luke motioned to the path. “There’s a box of supplies near a large stump about halfway down the hill. Could you fetch it?”

  “Sure. Be glad to. I need to go to the mine for about an hour, but I’ll bring it on my way back up, if that’s okay.” He flashed a charming smile at Hope. “Unless you need it right away. If so . . .”

  Hope tucked an unruly auburn curl behind her ear. “Of course not.” She glanced at Luke. “You won’t need those items until later, will you?”

  “No, but I’ll probably run out of tacks to nail the screens in a couple hours.”

  Kirby drew near and landed a light slap on Luke’s back. “Not a problem. Glad to lend a hand.”

  “Thanks.” Luke shifted his shoulder away from Kirby’s hand. “Surprised to see you talking to Billy after hearing Alvin shout at him for talking to strangers the other day. I hope Alvin didn’t see you. He’s got a short fuse, and I’d hate for the boy to get in trouble again.”

  “No need to worry. I saw Alvin leave the house before I spoke to Billy.” He reached for Hope’s hand. “Looks like you’ve scraped your fingers. What happened?”

  Heat flamed in her cheeks, and she pulled her hand from his grasp. “I was trying to carry a load that was too heavy. When I shifted the box, my hand scraped on the wood. It’s nothing serious.”

&nb
sp; Kirby aimed a harsh eye in Luke’s direction. “I wouldn’t think you’d permit a lady to exert herself in such a manner.” His tone changed to one of sympathy when he looked at Hope. “Don’t you worry. I’ll take care of getting that box up here when I return. You should see to getting a bandage on your fingers so they heal properly. Do you want me to stop at the doctor’s office and see if he can send some ointment?”

  Hope lowered her eyes and hid her hand behind the folds of her skirt. “My hand will be fine. I don’t need any medical attention, but thank you for being so kind.”

  After a slight nod and wave, Kirby headed toward the path, and Hope gave Luke a sideways glance. “See? All you had to do was ask. He’s willing to help. And his offer to stop at the doctor’s office was very thoughtful, don’t you agree?”

  Luke gave the roll of screen a light kick before hoisting it onto his shoulder again. “Yeah, he’s one thoughtful guy.”

  Luke went to an empty patch of ground not far from the Selznick home and dropped the roll of screen, his thoughts skittering like hot grease in a skillet. He wanted to believe Hope had begun to care for him as more than a friend, that her feelings would soon match his own. Yet it now seemed it was Kirby who had captured her affections. He clenched his jaw at the thought, removed a tape measure from his pocket, and stepped toward the windows of a nearby house.

  Kirby remained at the forefront in Luke’s mind as he continued around the house, measuring and jotting figures on a piece of paper. “You gonna stand there all day staring at that window?”

  Luke startled and dropped the tape measure at Bertha Fredericks’ feet. She stood in front of him with her worn hands perched on her hips. “I hung out a week’s worth of wash while you been out here lollygagging.”

  “I’ve been working ever since I got here, Miss Bertha.” He leaned down and retrieved the tape measure, then moved to another window. “You might think I’m wastin’ time, but I need to measure the windows before I cut the screen.”

  “Seems like you had plenty of time to get done with your measurin’. My young’uns is gonna be eat alive by skeeters if you don’t get to movin’.”