One thing would be different this time. At least he hoped it would be. If she was willing, he’d be taking Em with him. The judge wanted her to be a witness against the other two bandits. He also wanted Caleb to bring him the money they’d found. No one else could testify that the two men had been involved in George’s murder but Em, plus she’d had a conversation with Alroy. She was a prime witness and these men were no petty thieves—her testimony would be pivotal. Convincing her it was her duty should be easy. But Caleb wanted Em along for other reasons too. The trip would be more fun with her by his side. And with her near him, he wouldn’t have to worry about her well-being.
Margaret greeted him at the door. “What are you doing out and about? I heard it has only been a couple days since you had your nose smashed up.” She looked him over. “It looks twice the size it normally does. Did you break it?”
Caleb touched his tender nose and winced a little. “Doctor says it will heal quickly, so long as I don’t take any more shots to it. Em around?”
Margaret’s face went very sober. All the laugh lines pulled tight, and then her eyes welled up with tears. “She’s here.” She sniffled loudly. “I’m sorry,” she said, wiping her eyes. “It’s just—I care so much and when she didn’t come in the other day and I found out what happened, I was worried sick. I’ve wanted to tell you ever since that you did well. Thank you for bringing her back.”
“It’s my job, that’s all.” Caleb fiddled with the button on his vest as he waited for her to invite him in.
“It’s more than your job. At the very least, she is your friend. And you saved her. She’s my sweet little friend too. Stop pretending you don’t care a snip for her.” Margaret fished out a bright handkerchief from her apron pocket and blew her nose. “The thought of my dear girl suffering at the hands of that man. It just makes my blood boil.”
Margaret motioned for him to follow her. “Come in. She’s inside. I told her to go home and sleep, but she’s insisted on working every day. I’m worried about her swollen wrists and ankles, but she says she’s fine. I never would have guessed that dirty little thing they brought in from the woods would be so tough. She’s always surprising me.”
Caleb stepped into the boardinghouse. The smell of fresh-baked bread greeted him. His stomach growled, reminding him that he’d not eaten at all that day. He’d been too busy sending messages and making arrangements for his upcoming trip. Come to think of it, he hadn’t eaten a real meal since his picnic with Eliza. The picnic felt like a lifetime ago.
Margaret narrowed her eyes at him. “I heard your stomach growling and it won’t do in my house. Come along.”
He didn’t argue, only followed. Em was sitting on a three-legged stool in the kitchen peeling potatoes. Her purple-blue eyes looked up at him, and then her potato dropped to the floor. “Oh,” she said while scrambling to fetch it.
“Are you all right, Em?” Caleb asked.
Standing, she smiled. “Of course. I did that on purpose.” She put the potato with the others and walked toward him. “Your nose. It’s every color of the rainbow now. Does it hurt you much? Is your side healing?”
He touched his nose. “It’s just a little tender. Looks worse than it feels. My side was not deep. It doesn’t pain me. It’s you I’m worried about. Why did you not take a little time to recover? The shock of it all and your wrists—you should have.”
“I couldn’t miss work.”
“Of course you could have,” Margaret said from behind the counter where she was slicing bread. “I even told you to.”
“I think you’ll have to miss a bit of work. We’re heading out on a trip,” Caleb said.
“A trip? I can’t go on a trip. Not yet at least.”
He pulled the telegram from his pocket. “Judge’s orders. They want you to come and witness against the two other men who were with Alroy. They also want me to bring in any evidence we have against them. You’re the only one who can confirm their involvement in George’s murder. And you can tell the court what Alroy said to you in the woods. They need you there.”
Em hesitated. “How long will we be away?”
“She can be gone as long as she needs to be,” Margaret said as she brought a thick slice of buttered bread to Caleb. “But don’t you even think about leaving until you’ve eaten.”
“I can’t leave you with all this work,” Em said to Margaret.
“Don’t you worry about me. I had a new girl ask me about a job just the other day. I can find an extra set of hands to help while you’re away.” Margaret grinned at Em. “But I doubt any who will work like you do.”
Em looked down, but Caleb could see the pink on her cheeks.
“There’s no train for at least a day or two. But then we’ll head out. We’ll be near my parents’ home. I’d like to stop in, if it’s all right with you. We could be gone several days, maybe even a week or two.”
Em sighed. “I would love to meet your parents. But weeks? I’ll never earn enough money if I’m not here to work. Besides, we can’t travel alone.”
“I thought of that. But it’s different than traveling. I’ll be escorting you to the trial. I’ve done that many times, and this isn’t any different. Besides, I’m with the law. We get our own set of rules.” He winked at her.
“I’ll go. I’ll be glad to help. It’s just unexpected, that’s all.” Em busied herself with peeling again, but Caleb could tell she was worried about the setback. He ate his bread silently, then he rose, thanked Margaret, and bid Em a good day.
He crossed town to the small train station, where he bought two tickets east. They would testify and then stop at his parents’ home for a short respite from the journey. Looking down at the tickets, he suddenly felt his stomach churn. Never had he brought a girl home to his parents. He’d often pictured the day he did. In his fantasies, a beautiful girl—nervous and anxious to meet his family—clung to his arm. In his mind, his mother pulled him aside and told him what a lovely girl he’d brought home. Then his father patted his back and told him what a fine man he’d become and how proud he was.
What would they say about Em? He remembered what he thought about her when he first met her. But she was so different now. Besides, it didn’t matter what they thought. He was only bringing her because she had to testify. Surely his parents would understand that.
In the evening, he stopped by the Howells’ to let Em know they would be leaving in two days. Abigail greeted him with a friendly hello when she opened the door.
“I know I already told you, but I must say it again. We are so grateful you got to Em when you did. I just keep thinking what could have happened to her. I don’t know what I would have done if we had lost her.” Abigail embraced him like any grateful mother would. “Bless you. Now, come in. I promise I won’t get all sentimental every time you stop by.”
“I was glad to get there when I did. Is she around?” he asked.
“She’s upstairs. I’ll fetch her in a moment. She’s telling the girls one of Lucy’s favorite stories. I pray for the day those two are reunited.”
“You know about Lucy?”
“I didn’t at first, but everything’s changed. We trust each other more and are helping each other. I have found in Em a balm for my grief. She asks me about the boys and listens to all the stories of their mischief. She wants to know everything. At first it was hard to talk about them, but now, finally, I can open their door and not cry, but smile and remember. I ask her about Lucy and she tells me. It has healed me in a way I did not know I needed healing.” Abigail pulled him further into the house. “That darling girl has done so much good. Somehow she has convinced herself she owes us a debt—little does she know we are the ones indebted to her.”
“Seems she was led to Azure Springs,” Caleb said as he sat down.
Abigail brought him a cool drink of water and then left him alone while she worked in the kitchen. Propriety kept him from going up the stairs and listening to Em’s story. He could picture the girls wide-eyed, hanging on he
r words as she took them to faraway places.
Minutes later, pattering little feet preluded the girls’ approach. Mae and Milly descended the steps with dolls in hand, laughing about the evil witch and her magic mirror. Suddenly the quiet living room was alive with noise.
“Hi, Caleb,” Milly said when she spotted him.
“Hello, ladies. How are you doing on this fine summer day?”
“We’re doing well. Except for one thing.” Milly held up a finger.
“What’s that?”
“Em said she was going to go away.” Milly looked near tears. “Will she come back?”
He twisted his hat around in his hands, trying to decide how to answer. He planned to bring Em back with him—he wanted her to come back. But would she come? She really wouldn’t need to. She was healthy now and no longer needed the Howells. Their travels would take her closer to Beckford and Lucy. “Well, I suppose that’s up to her. But if she is willing and has a mind to, I’ll bring her back.”
Mae walked over to his side. “We love Em. She plays with us and tells us stories. She’s our friend. You must bring her back.”
He patted her head full of curls. “I’ll do all I can. Where is she?”
“She said she was coming,” Mae said.
“Looking for me?” Em asked. No one had heard her enter the room.
“We were indeed,” Caleb said. “I’ve come to tell you the train leaves in two days. Will you be ready by then?”
“Yes. My bag will be packed, but my heart might not ever be ready.” She grabbed the girl closest to her and gave her a tight hug. “Oh, how I shall miss my Mae-berry and Milly-girl. I’ll miss you so very much.”
Both girls started pleading with her not to go. She bent low and pulled them into her arms. Em looked near tears, but her voice remained calm. “I must go. This is my chance to help. We can’t let the Prince of Azure Springs have all the fun.”
“Will you have a gun?” Mae asked.
“No, I’ll only be telling a judge what happened so he can decide the best punishment for the bandits.” Suddenly her eyes shot up and found Caleb’s. “Why did you not have a gun with you when you came for me?”
Caleb shrugged.
“You always have a gun,” Em said as she stood up. “What happened?”
“Well, I wasn’t thinking real clear when I found out you were gone. I didn’t have one with me because I’d been off picnicking all morning. I should have had one then too, but I was wearing my suit.” He shifted in his chair and watched as the girls took a seat on the sofa. “Then I found your gun in the basket you dropped and put it in the saddlebag. I figured I could use that if I needed to.”
Em looked confused. “Why didn’t you use it? It would have been easier on your nose. Perhaps you could have taken him in unharmed.”
“He would have fought either way. I don’t doubt that. I saw the devil in his eyes.” Knowing she was going to ask again about the gun, he said, “When I saw him in front of you . . . by your . . . skirts.” He leaned in for only her to hear. “I didn’t realize he was about to cut the rope. I thought he had other intentions. I just ran for him. I didn’t think to get the gun.”
Em was silent a moment before saying, “Thank you for saving me. For coming when you did. You rescued me.”
“I normally am a bit more levelheaded. I’m not sure what got into me,” he said, making a mild attempt at saving his reputation.
“It’s behind us now, and after we tell the story in court, we can close the door on it. And it’s a door I have no plans of ever opening again. Though I’ll always remember the feeling of being rescued.” Em sat down between the girls and absently picked up one of their dolls. “Will we be near Beckford?”
Her simple question was all he needed to hear for him to know. Em would not be coming back with him. “We’ll be much closer than we are now.” Rising from his seat, he put his hat back on his head. “I’ll be by later to talk more about the trip.”
There were more plans to discuss, more preparations to make. But he had to leave. The Howells’ home felt too hot and stuffy.
She’s never coming back.
“Caleb, come in. We didn’t expect to see you again so soon,” Abigail said after she opened the door. Not even an hour had passed since his last visit.
“I realized there was more to talk about. Is Em around?”
“Eliza surprised us all and asked her to go for a walk,” Abigail said, leading him into the living room. “The two have been gone a little over a quarter hour.” She looked at the girls playing on the floor before sitting down.
Once again Caleb worried for Em, but not for her physical safety this time. He worried Eliza would cut into Em with her ruthless words. “Do you think they’ll be gone long?”
Abigail looked out the window. “I’m not sure where they were headed or when they’ll return. I believe Eliza has plans with Olivia before too long. But I am in no hurry for them to return. I am hoping a little of Em will rub off on my Eliza. I think it may have already. Something has been different these last few days. Ever since the day Em went missing.”
Caleb fought back the sarcastic tone he wanted to use and tried to sound convincing. After all, people could change. “Perhaps they will become the best of friends.”
“I do hope so. They’ve been slow to hit it off. Em tries hard though. And if she continues to overlook Eliza’s snubs, there may be hope for them.” Abigail picked up a bit of embroidery and added a few tiny knots. “I won’t worry about that now. But it’s a lovely idea, the two of them friends.”
Not ready to think about that again, he said, “While I wait, would it be all right if I told the girls the adventure story I promised them?” Caleb sat himself next to the girls on the floor.
“They’d like that.”
“Is there a princess?” Mae asked.
“No. Of course not. This is a swashbuckling pirate story. Sword fights, treasure.” Caleb swung an imaginary sword through the air.
Milly squished up her nose. “But princesses are better than pirates.”
“How about this. I’ll tell you a pirate one today and someday I’ll tell you a princess story.”
“All right. We’ll listen. But you better keep your promise,” Mae said. “Em says a prince always keeps his word.”
“That’s right—he does. And since the royal title fell upon me, you need not fear. I will not forget that I owe my two favorite seven-year-olds a story with a princess in it. May I begin now?” Caleb asked his audience.
Milly gave Mae a sly look. “He’ll keep his promise. I think we can trust him.”
Mae nodded her agreement. “We’re ready. Tell us your story.”
He chuckled to himself before starting the tale. There was no princess, but the girls seemed pleased enough. They held their dolls close during the tense moments and laughed at the funny parts. Sensing their interest in the story, he embellished it with different voices and extra details. Lost in the world of pirates and buccaneers, he barely noticed Em and Eliza return. The two stood quietly in the doorway as he finished his tale.
“. . . and that is how Ordinary Robert captured the infamous One-Eyed Jimmy.”
“But what became of the fair maiden, Adele?” Mae asked.
“I told you she was rescued.”
“Yes, but did she live happily ever after? Em’s stories always end with happily ever after,” Mae protested.
“Hmm. If Em’s stories end with happily ever after, then mine shall too. Let me end it again.”
Mae and Milly listened intently.
“Let’s see. Now you know the tale of how Ordinary Robert captured the infamous One-Eyed Jimmy. Ordinary Robert returned to land and found the fair maiden Adele, and they lived happily ever after.” The girls sat up straight, both looking ready to pounce on him.
“But . . . but that can’t be all. You have to tell us how they fell in love,” Milly said.
Eliza stepped into the room followed by Em. Eliza announced the
ir entrance by saying, “Caleb, we were not expecting you.”
“Shhh, Eliza! Caleb is telling us a story. He is about to tell us the ending again,” Mae said without even looking at Eliza, her eyes stuck on Caleb.
“I’m not telling it again. If my ending was not good enough, you will just have to make up the ending yourself or get Em to tell it to you.”
A deep frown formed on Mae’s face.
“Mae, pull yourself together,” Eliza gently demanded of the little girl.
Caleb was surprised. Eliza normally snapped at her sisters.
“All right, Eliza. But Caleb promised us another story, so don’t think you can steal him away from us.”
Caleb stood. “I have to talk to Em a little about our trip. I can’t tell any more stories today.”
“But you promised us a princess story if we listened to the pirate story,” Mae said.
“That I did. But I did not promise it would be today.”
“I hope it’s soon,” Milly said.
Caleb nudged her under the chin. “Brighten up, little Milly. I’ll keep my promise. But you might have to wait until I get back,” he said as he turned to Em. “If you have a minute, I want to go over the itinerary and a few last-minute details. Then I’ll leave you to pack.”
“I’ll help you,” said Eliza. “I might even have a few dresses that will fit you now.”
Caleb’s brow rose.
Abigail, taking her eyes off her embroidery, looked puzzled too. “That is a splendid idea—and very kind of you, Eliza.”
“I’ve plenty already,” Em said. “You’ve all been too good to me.”
“Nonsense. They will look perfect on you and no one is using them here,” Abigail said.
Caleb was enjoying his time but had far too much to do before leaving to delay any longer. “Mae, Milly, thank you for a lovely time. Good to see you ladies as well,” he said to Abigail and Eliza. Em followed him out onto the front porch.
“Off walking with Eliza? I hadn’t expected that.”
“Nor I. She’s been kinder lately. Did you tell her to be?”
Caleb cleared his throat. “No. Not exactly.”
The Hope of Azure Springs Page 19
