Before the Dawn

by Beverly Jenkins

  Ryder didn’t know what to admit. He did know he never wanted to see her look so hurt again.

  Sam said sagely, “If it’s meant to work out, son, it will.”

  Ryder was a man of action. He didn’t have the patience to stand around waiting to see what the fates had in store. “I need to see her, Sam. Try and straighten this out.”

  “I know, son, but let her be for now. Go saddle up that nag of yours and take a ride. I’m going over to see Mable later. You’ll have the place all to yourself.”

  Realizing there was nothing else he could do concerning the Morenita just then, Ryder nodded. “I’ll see you this evening, then?”

  Sam’s old eyes took on a mischievous light, and he waggled an eyebrow. “Maybe you will, maybe you won’t. Depends on Mable.”

  Ryder chuckled lightly, then went upstairs to change into his riding gear.

  Ryder mounted the stallion and rode toward the setting sun. For seemingly the hundredth time he asked himself: Was Sam right? Did he indeed care for the Morenita but was simply too pigheaded to admit it? The answer kept coming up yes, and Ryder knew no more what to do with that truth than he knew how to clear up the mess he’d made. By the Spirits he’d been stupid, stupid and prideful and arrogant, so arrogant she’d probably never speak to him again. That thought didn’t sit well. Now that he’d begun making peace with his feelings for her he certainly didn’t want it to be all for naught. He’d never been made this loco by a woman before; never. The idea that Seth might have made love to her had momentarily cost him his sanity. Sam would probably define that as jealousy, another emotion Ryder had no experience with, but it was exactly what he’d felt in response to Seth’s vicious taunt—green-eyed, white-hot jealousy. She’d somehow gotten into his blood, and he hadn’t even known she was there. How long had she been simmering below the surface of his being? When had he become so possessive that he wanted to paint himself for war and hunt down her enemies? Had his father found her that moving?

  Ryder dashed that thought aside. He needed to stop thinking of her in those terms if he really wanted to be truthful about how he felt, but could he? He’d spent his entire life hating his father and everything connected with his name. That hate had driven him to succeed in the face of all odds; it made him work tirelessly and become wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. It had taken him abroad, and into the inner sanctums of well-heeled boardrooms, where he and the servants were the only men of color. Wanting to be better and mightier than Louis Montague had been his reason for living. If he gave that up, what would fill the void? In reality, he already knew.

  A few days later, Leah received a letter from Judge Raddock. It read:

  My dear Mrs. Montague,

  I hope this letter finds you well. An appeal has been filed on your behalf through my office here in Boston. A colleague of mine, Daniel Morton, is presently traveling to Denver to represent you. This will not be an easy task, so I’ll not tell you to hold high hopes, but Daniel will be an excellent advocate. I’ve given him your address there, expect him within the week.

  Best to you,

  Judge Raddock

  Leah showed the letter to Eloise. They were having dinner.

  When Eloise finished reading, she handed it back. “Sounds promising, if nothing else.”

  Leah frowned. “At this point I don’t care how it comes out. I just want to go back East so I can be myself again.”

  “Well, if it’s any consolation, I like having you around. Alice likes you, too.”

  Leah laughed at the idea of the statue having likes and dislikes. “Well, tell her I said thanks.”

  Eloise nodded. “I will.”

  Done with the meal, Leah followed Eloise into the kitchen to help with the cleanup. Eloise washed while Leah dried.

  “So, no word from Ryder?” Eloise asked.

  “No.”

  Eloise studied her for a moment. “He hurt you bad this time, didn’t he?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you must care for him,” Eloise remarked.

  “I thought I did.”

  Eloise glanced at her. “You still do. For all of his Cheyenne ways, Ryder’s insides are soft as pudding. Always have been, always will be. Seth, on the other hand, knows that. He’s made it his life’s work to wound his brother anyway he can. It’s one of the things he does best, I’m afraid.”

  “Well, he gave a grand performance this time.”

  “I’m sure Ryder is somewhere kicking himself for letting Seth send him around the bend. He’ll be around to see you soon, I’m betting.”

  Leah shook her head. “I don’t think so. He and I are back to being oil and water.”

  “You know, if you add a little seasoning and a few herbs to oil and water and give it a good shaking, you get a passable vinaigrette.”

  Leah chuckled. “Well with all the shaking we’ve had we should be more than passable.”

  Eloise smiled as she handed Leah the last dish to dry, then said, “The church is having a box lunch auction this weekend. Do you want to go? We’re raising money for a new building.”

  “Will Ryder be there?”

  Eloise studied her. “Maybe, but probably not.”

  “How about Cordelia and her stuffy friends?”

  “Nope. Just plain old folks like you and me.”

  “Then I’d love to tag along. I could use some cheering up.”

  Eloise smiled. “You have to bring a box lunch for the gentlemen to bid on though.”

  “No one’s going to bid on mine. Folks here barely know me.”

  “Don’t worry, by now every man of color within thirty miles has heard how pretty you are. They’ll bid.”

  “But I’m also a widow, Eloise.”

  “Leah, around here men have been known to show up on a widow’s doorstep less than an hour after she’s put her man in the ground.”

  Leah smiled. “Okay, if you say so. What should go in the lunch?”

  “You just leave that to me. When I make mine, I’ll make one for you too.”

  Saturday dawned bright and beautiful. As Eloise drove, Leah took in the glorious surroundings. The sky was blue, the sunshine warm. The gorgeous weather was the best she’d experienced here so far and she hoped it would be indicative of how the day would be. She was nervous. After the hostility she’d had to endure at the Wayne’s reception, she didn’t know what to expect from the folks she’d meet today, but rather than worry herself into a fit, she decided to accept Eloise’s word that everything would go fine.

  The people were gathered in a wide, rolling meadow edged by multicolored wildflowers and towering pines. As Eloise drove them closer, Leah spotted children playing among the blankets and quilts spread over the ground. Men were setting up tables and chairs, and women were talking in groups and holding baskets covered with colorful cloths. A few of the faces were familiar from Eloise’s church, but most weren’t.

  Eloise pulled the buckboard to a halt in an area of the meadow that held a number of other wagons and buckboards. As they stepped down, a passel of eager children ran to Eloise as if she were the Pied Piper of legend. They swarmed her with smiles and hugs and requests for peppermint which she handed out gladly. Leah recognized some of the children as members of Eloise’s Sunday school class. Only that class had gotten Eloise out of the studio last week.

  “Children, you all remember Miss Leah?”

  Leah scanned the happy faces of the ten boys and girls, and said, “How are you all?”

  “Did you bring a lunch?” one of the little girls asked. She was short, with two thick plaits, and had lost both her front teeth. Leah guessed her to be six or seven years of age. The gap added charm to her small brown face.

  “Yes, I did,” Leah replied kindly as she indicated the basket on her arm. “How about you?”

  The girl, whose name was Dorcas, looked so surprised by the teasing question, the other children laughed.

  “I’m only six,” the girl answered. “But my sister Callie did. She’s swe
et on Mr. Ryder.”

  Leah raised an eyebrow. “I see.” She wondered if sister Callie knew Dorcas was over here spreading her business.

  Miss Eloise promised the children a game of hide-and-seek later. Content with her promise and her peppermints they ran off to resume their play.

  “They like you a great deal,” Leah noted to Eloise as they began the walk across the meadow to join the rest of the gathering.

  “I like them too. Always have loved children.” Leah looked around the open meadow. “Is this where the new church is going to be built?”

  “Yep. Ryder owns this land, but he’s offered to donate it once the building’s up.”

  In spite of her personal problems with Ryder, Leah found his generosity impressive. “When will that be?”

  “We hope very soon. The money brought in today should put us over the top.”

  Leah thought the meadow would be a wonderful setting for a house of worship. Churches and schools were often luxuries in small communities of color, but once erected became rallying points of pride and purpose. The small A.M.E. church she’d attended back home served not only its people’s spiritual needs but fed the hungry, gave clothes to the needy, and agitated on behalf of the race. She hoped the folks here would get their new church building soon.

  Leah could see people watching her curiously as she and Eloise approached. Again she worried how she’d be met. Did Monty have enemies here, too?

  The pastor of the church stepped away from a group of women to greet them. The tall, light-skinned Reverend Garrison was dressed in a worn black suit and a clerical collar. “Good afternoon, Sister Eloise. Sister Leah. Glad you could come.”

  Pastor Garrison had performed the service for Cecil’s burial, and Leah would be forever grateful for his assistance that day.

  “Reverend.”

  “I hope that basket you’re carrying has a lunch the bachelors can bid on,” he told Leah.

  Amused, she replied, “As a matter of fact it does.”

  “Good, then while Sister Eloise helps with the last of the organizing, I’ll introduce you around to those folks you don’t know. If that’s okay?”

  Leah looked to Eloise and saw approval in her eyes. “Lead the way, Reverend.”

  Leah found everyone just as nice as Eloise had promised. No one sneered or turned away; no one asked impertinent questions about her marriage or questioned her morals. In fact, they all seemed genuinely pleased to make her acquaintance. Leah’s modestly designed, but costly green dress, with its lace-edged collar and row of tiny jet buttons down the front made her stand out like a peacock among the dull browns and calicos worn by the other women, but no one seemed to hold it against her. These were plain folks: farmers, miners, lumbermen, domestics; they looked her in the eye and offered genuine smiles. They made Leah feel right at home.

  Her peace was ruffled by the sight of Seth dismounting from his expensive rig. Leah wondered if he were part of the congregation because she didn’t remember seeing him in church before.

  The reverend said evenly, “I didn’t expect him here today.”

  “Is Seth a member of your congregation?”

  “No, but we welcome all.”

  Leah was curious about the disapproval clouding the Reverend Garrison’s angelic features but was distracted as Seth, still a few feet away, called out to her and waved.

  Leah pasted a false smile upon her face and waved in reply.

  The reverend looked down at her, and asked, “Do you know the true nature of the beast?”

  Leah paused for a moment to study the reverend’s now masked features; she knew without further words that he’d been talking about Seth. She nodded solemnly. “I’m beginning to.”

  He nodded.

  “Good, then I’ll go and see if anyone needs my help.”

  He left her, and Seth joined her a few moments later. “Leah, hello. I heard about the auction, and thought I’d see if you were here.”

  “Why?” she asked coldly.

  He appeared taken aback. “Just wanted to maybe spend some time with you.”

  “Why did you tell your brother I’d slept with you?”

  He visibly jumped, then tried to charm her with a smile. “He didn’t believe me, did he? I was just trying to get his goat.”

  Had Leah a pistol she’d shoot him right between the eyes. “I’m no longer available to keep company with you, Seth.”

  “Aw, Leah don’t be mad. It was a prank, nothing more.”

  “Some prank. You believe a woman’s reputation is something to make light of? How about we go find Barksdale Wayne and you can joke about sleeping with Cordelia.”

  He paled. Leah was glad to see her harpoon had hit. She had nothing further to say, so she turned and walked back to the gathering.

  On the Reverend Garrison’s signal everyone gathered around. He led the assemblage in the Lord’s Prayer and once it was done, the festivities began.

  First up were Eloise’s Sunday school children. As the adults and adolescents made themselves comfortable on the tarps, blankets, and seats of the two trestle tables, the young ones lined up. With Eloise standing before them, she raised her hands like a conductor, and the young voices broke into song. They were dangerously off-key but sang the up-tempo hymn with such boisterous enthusiasm, those watching could only smile.

  Once the children finished, they sat down to rousing applause and were followed by Callie Dotson, the aforementioned older sister of little Dorcas. Leah guessed the young woman to be about eighteen years of age, far too young to be anywhere near a man like Ryder Damien. She was a beauty though: clear brown skin, short-cropped hair, and a heart-shaped face. Her dress, like the ones worn by the other women, looked to be her best, but like the dresses Leah had worn back home, the garment had seen better days. There were small, discreet patches near the waistline, and the shiny lines above the hem bore evidence that it had been let down more than once to compensate for her growth. However she had a voice gowned in gold. The high pure soprano soared majestically over the meadow as she sang, “Precious Promise.” That she’d been given a gift became readily apparent; her voice gave Leah goose bumps. Listening to her made Leah forget about everything but the rising beauty of Callie Dotson’s hymn.

  When the last moving note faded away, thunderous applause erupted. Smiling shyly, Callie bowed and took a seat next to her proud parents.

  The Reverend Garrison stood up and gave a few announcements about upcoming church meetings and the baptism scheduled for the next Sunday. He also spoke about the whirlwind swirling around Andrew Green, the man charged with the shooting death of the streetcar conductor. “The sheriff’s talking about a public hanging if he’s convicted.”

  Leah, like many others, shook her head sadly. Thousands were likely to attend the hanging, bringing box lunches and their children. No one deserved to be executed as the center act in a circus.

  The reverend continued, “Now nobody’s disputing this Green fellow is a bad type. He’s a thief, a drunk, and even shot his own daddy when he was just a youngster, according to folks here who know him, but nobody should be hanged like that. In your prayers remember him.”

  While he went on with a few other announcements, Mable France appeared seemingly out of nowhere and took a seat on the blue quilt beside Leah and Eloise. Mable greeted them both with a smile.

  There were now close to fifty people assembled. Many had come after the start of the hymns and had quietly taken up positions in the back so as not to cause a disturbance. The majority of the late arrivals were men dressed up in their Sunday suits. Many of the suits looked worn, but were clean. Leah spotted Sam among them. He was gussied up, too, and when his eyes met Leah’s he touched his hat politely. Glad to see him, she inclined her head in greeting.

  She leaned over and whispered to Mable, “Sam’s here.”

  “I know,” she responded with a blush.

  Leah grinned.

  It was now time to start the main event. All of the women cam
e forward and placed their baskets on the trestle table, then returned to their seats. The first group of lunches up for bid had been prepared by married women. Under good-natured teasing and calls from the crowd their husbands came up one by one, placed their winning bids in the crock, and purchased their wives’ baskets.

  The unmarried women came next.

  The Reverend Garrison said, “Now, since we have a visitor in our midst, I say we put hers up for bid next. This basket comes from Sister Leah Montague. Oh, and she’s a widow by the way.”

  Leah saw the smiles directed her way and found all the attention a bit embarrassing.

  “Now, we don’t know if Sister Montague can cook, but she’s so pretty, I’m sure you men won’t mind if she can’t. Let’s have the first bid.”

  Laughs followed that disclaimer and a grinning Leah dropped her head, embarrassed once more.

  Seth’s hand shot up. “Five dollars!”

  The crowd reacted with surprise. The other baskets had gone for fifty cents, a dollar at the most. Five dollars was a lot of money in this setting. In reality, Leah was shocked to find that he hadn’t slunk back under his rock after the tongue-lashing she’d give him, but then remembered his boasts to Helene about courting her in hopes of gaining the keys to Monty’s estate. Leah turned and hoped no one saw the glare she gave him.

  Because of his exorbitant bid, she doubted any other man would be so foolish as to top his offer. For the sake of the church, she resigned herself to Seth winning her basket.

  “Any other bids, men?”

  A silence fell over the meadow. Then, from somewhere behind her, Leah heard a familiar voice declare loudly, “Fifty dollars, in gold!”

  As the crowd gasped, Leah stiffened.

  Ryder.

  Chapter 10

  Leah hissed at Eloise, “I thought you said he wouldn’t be here!”

  Eloise shrugged innocently.

  When Leah turned to see where he was standing, his dark eyes were waiting for her. She looked away, irritated with him for a variety of reasons, the least being making her the center of a whisper-filled controversy once again. However, as she glanced around at the crowd she saw that these people didn’t appear scandalized; instead they were smiling fondly in her direction. Some of the older women even had knowing looks on their faces and others were out and out grinning. They appeared genuinely pleased by this startling turn of events, but Leah had no explanation as to why.