Wagon Train Cinderella

by Kennedy, Shirley

  Only when she reached her wagon did the results of her actions hit her hard. What if the blue cohosh had worked perfectly? Nellie’s problem would be solved. She’d be happy again, the fearsome burden lifted. She could then go on with her life. Instead, Nellie remained in deep trouble. Thanks to me. She almost wished she’d stayed quiet, let Nellie have her way and risk the consequences. She hadn’t, and with good reason, but as a result, Nellie’s fate rested squarely on her shoulders. What an awful responsibility. What was she going to do?

  A few evenings later, as they were circling the wagons for the night, a lone wagon appeared. It was heading east, back to where they came from. Lately they were encountering many such wagons. Sometimes a family decided it could no longer endure the rugged life of a wagon train and just wanted to go home. Sometimes families ran out of money or there’d been a sickness or a death. This was the case of the man and his children who stopped and joined them for the night. “The name’s Abraham Jonckers.” The driver was a husky man with a bushy beard who appeared to be in his mid-thirties. “I’d be obliged if you’d let us camp with you tonight.” He waved at three small blond heads peeking from the wagon. “We were headed to California. I hated to turn around, but a few days ago the wife came down with mountain fever. She died.” Choked up, he had to pause before going on. “Couldn’t keep going. Three little children to care for. It’s too much. Now all I want is to get back to New York and buy another farm. Shouldn’t have left in the first place.”

  Bighearted Florida immediately invited the Jonckers’ family to dinner. When the children arrived with hair uncombed, clothes dirty and much in need of a wash, she enlisted help from Hetty and Callie to clean them up.

  Seeing his children clean, in fresh clothes with a well-cooked meal in their bellies, Jonckers expressed his gratitude. “My Greta kept them as neat as a pin. I do the best I can, but as you can see, I’m a poor substitute for their mother.”

  That night after supper, Callie visited Florida’s campfire, as she’d begun to do most nights. Magnus Ferguson often stopped by, too. Florida always made him welcome and Callie still enjoyed his company. By now she’d almost forgotten his thoughtless remark about Coy. When she did think about it, she tried to convince herself she hadn’t heard him right. Lately he’d been more attentive than ever. If only she could forget about Luke and fall in love with Magnus!

  Sometimes Luke joined them around Florida’s campfire. Callie loved being near him and felt more drawn to him than ever, even though the night he kissed her with such passion was a distant memory. Tonight only Florida and Callie remained after Jonckers had left to put his children to bed. They talked about what a shame it was he had lost his wife and that his three small children were without a mother. During the conversation, Florida gave Callie an especially meaningful look. “Too bad he can’t find someone to help him.”

  Florida’s words sunk in. What if… Of course! The perfect solution. “I just thought of something. Maybe it’s crazy but—”

  “It’s worth a try, isn’t it? He seems like a good man who would treat Nellie kindly. As for her, I suspect she’d gladly agree. Anything to escape her father.”

  Callie’s mind flew in several directions at once. Nellie could solve her dilemma by escaping with Abraham Jonckers. She’d been helping with the cooking and now knew enough to fix meals and, of course, she could take care of the children. Would he take her in? Would Nellie want to go? If she did, how could she get away without Pa finding out? “Mister Jonckers said he was leaving first thing in the morning. We’d have to work fast.”

  Florida pursed her lips. “That doesn’t leave us much time. I’m not sure we can do it.”

  This was Nellie’s only chance. “We’ll make it happen. I’ll go talk to Nellie right now.”

  Florida rose to her feet. “Wait right here while I go talk to Mister Jonckers. No sense talking to Nellie unless he agrees.”

  “It won’t be easy, asking a man to take on a woman he hasn’t even met and who’s…you know.”

  “I’ll have to tell him, but he might, being he’s desperate for help.”

  “He will. He has to.” At last, a glimmer of hope. Callie sat down to wait for Florida’s return.

  Moments after Florida left, Magnus stepped into the light of the campfire. “Good evening, Callie. I couldn’t help overhearing.”

  “You know about Nellie?”

  He nodded. His expression hardly changed. “Most unfortunate. Indeed, shocking.”

  Callie searched for the right words. It was important he understood. “Nellie’s desperate. She trusted Coy when he said he’d marry her, but now…you can imagine how fearful she is. She thinks Pa will kill her when he finds out.”

  “He very well might.”

  What was wrong? She could detect not one speck of sympathy in Magnus’s voice. “Her only hope is if she can leave with Mister Jonckers, do the cooking and take care of his children. He seems like a nice man.”

  “He’s a fool if he agrees to such an idiotic scheme.”

  She drew in her breath, caught off guard by Magnus’s disapproval. She hated to discuss such delicate matters but had no choice. “My sister is with child. Ma and Pa don’t know yet, but she can’t keep her secret much longer. Naturally, she’s desperate.”

  “Nellie should tell her father. That’s what an obedient daughter should do.”

  “Don’t you see? She’s too terrified to tell him.”

  “Nellie has sinned. She should subject herself to whatever punishment her father metes out.”

  “What!” Callie could hardly believe what she’d heard. “You can’t mean that. You don’t know Pa. He might not physically hurt her, but he might throw her out. Then what would she do?”

  “Someone would doubtless take her in.”

  “Would you?”

  He gave her an indulgent smile. “From what I’ve observed, Nellie never gave you so much as the time of day. So why are you concerned?”

  “Because she’s my family. Because she might have been selfish, but deep down she’s a good person. Everyone deserves a second chance.”

  Magnus waved his hand in a gesture of dismissal. “Nellie has made her bed. Now she must lie in it.”

  She sat there blank and amazed. This was Magnus who was talking. The man she so admired, who had always seemed so kind, so understanding. “I’m sorry you feel that way. I’m only trying to help her.”

  His mouth quirked with disgust. “You should leave her to her fate. And for God’s sake, don’t involve a fine man like Abraham Jonckers.”

  Why was this going so wrong? She’d never dreamed Magnus was so self-righteous, so rigid in his thinking. “I can’t do that. Nellie’s not the easiest person to get along with, but I was just thinking…” She liked and respected Magnus and highly valued his opinion. He must understand. It was so important her words come out right. “Can’t you see how well this will work out? Poor Mister Jonckers is desperate for help. Nellie needs to get away. She isn’t the greatest cook in the world, or the hardest worker, but considering the circumstances…what is so wrong with him taking her in? She’ll earn her keep.”

  Magnus’s eyes narrowed with disgust. “You’re making a mistake. You’re too young to know what you’re doing, taking far too much upon yourself. Nothing good will come of it, I guarantee.”

  Before she could answer, Florida returned. She was smiling. Seeing Magnus, she curbed her words. “He said yes, Callie, you know what I mean.”

  “He knows,” Callie answered.

  “Good. Maybe you can help, Magnus. I’ve got good news. Abraham Jonckers has agreed to hire Nellie as his cook and children’s helper, sight unseen.”

  Callie asked, “Did you tell him?”

  “About the baby? Of course. He understands Nellie is with child. He also understands her parents won’t be informed she’s leaving. Nellie is of age, so legally she can do as she pleases. She’s not a slave, you know. He says he’ll leave
before dawn tomorrow and put as much distance as possible between his wagon and us. If all goes well, Caleb won’t know Nellie’s gone until hours later.” Florida nodded her head with confidence. “When he does learn, he won’t go after her.” She turned toward Magnus. “I trust you’ll help us.”

  Magnus’s lip curled with scorn. “Your scheme is insane. I’m tempted to go straight to Caleb Whitaker and tell him what you’re up to. However, since I want no part in this, I’ll refrain. Shame on you both. Good night.” He strode off, leaving his stern rebuke ringing in her ears.

  Florida was the first to speak. “Well, I never! What’s got into him?”

  “He says Nellie’s a sinner. He thinks she should confess everything to Pa and take her punishment.”

  Florida eyed her shrewdly. “What do you think, Callie? Should I go back to Mister Jonckers and tell him to forget about it?”

  Magnus’s attitude had shocked her. She drew in a slow, calming breath. “Let Colonel Ferguson decide what’s right? Absolutely not. Nellie needs help and we’re going to give it to her, despite what he thinks.”

  Florida looked relieved. “We’re doing the right thing, even though there’ll be hell to pay when your pa finds out. He can be mighty mean.”

  Callie pictured that awful moment when Pa learned Nellie was gone. “I worry Pa might go after them with his rifle and kill them both.”

  “I can’t say for sure, but I don’t think so. If I were you, when the time comes, I’d just tell him the truth, that she’s pregnant and Coy is the father. In that narrow mind of his, he’ll decide Nellie committed a terrible sin and isn’t worth saving. I wager he won’t raise a finger to find her.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Callie managed a wry smile. “Even so, I dread telling Pa.”

  “You must put it off as long as possible.” A shadow of worry crossed Florida’s face. “Will he notice if Nellie’s not there first thing in the morning?”

  “He’s always busy with the oxen. Nellie sleeps as late as possible. I don’t think he will.”

  “Good. The longer he doesn’t know, the farther away Nellie will be.”

  “Wish me luck.”

  Florida flung her arms around Callie and gave her a hug. “You’re going to need it, honey. Remember, we’re your friends. We care about you and we’re here to help. Now go talk to Nellie. Let’s hope that foolish girl will agree.”

  * * * *

  Beneath a grove of trees, away from the wagon, Nellie stared at her wide-eyed. “You mean you want me to go off with a strange man I’ve never met before?”

  “It’s your choice. I know it will be hard, and I don’t know when we’ll see each other again, but it’s either that or face Pa.”

  Nellie brought her hand to her stomach. “I’m showing. Ma’s looking at me funny already.” Terror rose in her voice. “More than anything else in this world, I’m scared of Pa.”

  “I know. Why else would we take such a chance?”

  “How will I know where to find you? Maybe I never can. Maybe I’ll never see Ma and Pa and Lydia again…and you.”

  Had the situation not been so heart-rending, Callie would have laughed at being such an afterthought. “It’s a choice you’ve got to make.”

  A long, silent moment went by. Callie waited while her stepsister struggled with her thoughts. “I’ll do it!” Nellie surprised Callie with an adventurous toss of her head. “Abraham Jonckers… I saw him. He’s not bad-looking. Maybe he’ll fall in love with me.”

  “Better yet, maybe you will fall in love with him.” Callie clasped her stepsister’s shoulders. “I’m glad you decided this. Florida talked to Mister Jonckers, and he’s already agreed to take you. I know it’s hard, but it’s for the best.”

  Nellie’s face lit. “Oh, Callie, my prayers are answered if this works. Do you know how happy I’ll be? Not to have to worry about Pa anymore? I’d give anything—anything.”

  “Go pack your things and write a note to Ma and Pa. This is going to work, Nellie, I know it will.”

  Doubts and fears kept Callie awake far into the night. What if Pa heard them leave? What if he went after Nellie with his rifle? What if Jonckers changed his mind? So many what-ifs, she hardly slept at all. The sun had not yet risen when she awakened, quickly dressed, and gently shook her stepsister. “It’s time, Nellie. Shh… We must be quiet. Everything’s ruined if Pa wakes.”

  “I’m ready.” Nellie was dressed. She’d slept in her clothes. “Should we wake Lydia?”

  “Let her sleep. You’ve already said your good-byes.” Callie didn’t care to repeat last night’s tearful scene with her stepsisters, both of them crying, especially Lydia when she’d realized she might never see her sister again. Nellie had wept with the sorrow of knowing she must leave her family, yet when she’d talked about Pa, and what he might do, she remained steadfast in her resolve to run away.

  “All right. We’ll let Lydia sleep.” In the near darkness, Nellie picked up her bundle of clothes. “You’ve got my note?”

  “In my pocket. Don’t worry, I’ll put off giving it to them long as I can.”

  Callie’s heart pounded as they crept from the tent. Mustn’t wake them. All was silent. Where was Florida? She’d promised to lead them to Jonckers’ wagon. It was parked somewhere on the other side of the campsite, but she didn’t know exactly where. As they crept along, she began to worry they wouldn’t find it until a muted command came out of the darkness. “Follow me, Callie.”

  Luke. Just hearing his confident voice eased her concern. “Where’s Florida?”

  “Sleeping. I’ll handle this.”

  “I didn’t know you knew,” she whispered.

  “Of course I did. You’re going the wrong way. Follow me.”

  In silence, the three moved stealthily across the campground until they reached Jonckers’s wagon.

  He was already awake, hitching up the oxen. One of the animals gave a muted bellow. “Dang it, Mabel, quiet now,” Abe whispered, placing a calming hand on the ox’s back. In dawn’s first light, he was barely visible. He looked toward her and her stepsister. “Which is Nellie?”

  “I am, sir.” Nellie stepped forward. “I want to thank you—”

  “No need for that. You better get in the wagon before somebody sees you. There are three kids asleep in there, but you’ll find a place to lie down. Get some rest if you can. We’ll talk later.”

  It’s going to be all right. Callie had worried Jonckers could be mean like Pa, or even worse, but she could tell from the way he talked he was a kindhearted man who’d treat Nellie well.

  Nellie gave a muted sob. She dropped her bundle to the ground and threw her arms around Callie. “You’ve saved me,” she whispered. “From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. I don’t know what I would have done—”

  “Shh, no need to thank me.” Callie hugged her back then let her go. “You better get in the wagon.”

  “I’m afraid for you, Callie. I worry about what Pa will do when he finds out.”

  “You let me worry about that. I’ll be fine.” She hoped she was right but doubted it.

  “Will we ever see each other again?”

  “Of course we will. When you’re settled, all you have to do is write to Pastor Carter at our old church. We’ll let him know where we are, and then he can tell you.” The bark of a dog broke the stillness. Soon the whole camp would be awake. “Now go. Right now. There’s no time to waste.”

  Nellie picked up her bundle. Without another word, she gave Callie a swift hug and climbed into the wagon.

  Callie and Luke watched as Jonckers hitched up the last two oxen and declared, “Guess we’d better get going.” He climbed to the seat, picked up the reins, and called a muted “Gee-up!” With only the barest of squeaks, the wagon rolled from the camp and headed east, back to where they’d come from. Callie, Luke beside her, followed, silently waving to Nellie, who kept waving back from the rear of the wagon. Would she ever see Nellie
again? How awful they must part this way.

  At last, when they had left the campsite and followed the wagon a short distance, Luke touched her arm. “This is far enough. We’d better get back.”

  She stopped, waved a final good-bye. The wagon rolled out of sight.

  Nellie was gone. A vast sense of loss enveloped her. “I know it’s for the best, but it’s hard.”

  “I can tell Jonckers is a good man. It had to be done. This way Nellie has a chance. Come on, I’ll walk you home.”

  On their return to the campground, Callie felt an increasing flood of relief. No longer did she have to worry over her stepsister. Nellie was gone and she was safe. Even after the briefest of meetings with Abe Jonckers, she knew in her heart Nellie would have a good life with him. “I was worried, but I think it’s going to work. Nellie’s safe now. I can only hope Pa doesn’t—”

  “He won’t.” Luke stopped short. His hands gripped her shoulders. “Listen to me. Nellie will be fine. It’s you I worry about. If your Pa gets out of hand, you come to me. Is that clear?”

  “I suppose so… Yes, of course you’re right.” An alarming thought struck her. “Oh, dear God.”

  “What is it?”

  “It just sunk in what I’ve done.”

  “You helped your sister out of a terrible mess. Nothing wrong with that, is there? You’ve done a good thing.”

  Again she was struck with how understanding Luke was and how caring. This was so new, knowing someone would actually listen to her with genuine sympathy. Her words poured out. There was no stopping them. “All my life I did what I was told. Now I’ve gone against Ma and Pa. When I started this journey, I never dreamed of doing such a thing. Now, here I am, totally defying them. I can hardly believe what I’ve done.”

  “I can believe it. You’re not the same meek little mouse you were when you left Tennessee.”

  “No one calls me that anymore. All the same, I’m scared to death to face Pa. My stepmother too.”