by Zina Abbott
Fear at being left on her own battled with a sense of relief. “All right. Best I figure on takin’ the stage to Bodie alone.” Then, a thought occurred to her. “Mr. Leavitt, my guardian in Ohio done gave Mr. Sweeney all the money for payin’ my way. Did he pass on what I need for my tickets afore he left?”
“No, Miss Jessup. He said you have everything you have coming to you.”
“But…he didn’t give me no money for my tickets to Lundy. All I got was some clothes he had Mrs. Sweeney get me, but he said they was gifts. And, I ain’t got nothin’ worth sellin’ but them clothes,” Hazel rushed back into her room and snatched up the silk nightgown with matching robe and, fighting a blush, showed them to Hiram Leavitt. “He had Mrs. Sweeney buy these, but he wanted me to put them on last night for him and I plumb told him no. I don’t want them no more, Mr. Leavitt. You figure they might fetch me enough for a ticket?”
Hiram Leavitt raised an eyebrow at the skimpy design of the silk gown. “He expected a young unmarried woman like you to wear this?”
“Y-yes. He found me last night, Mr. Leavitt. At first, he said he was needin’ to talk to me, so I cracked opened the door. He done forced his way in.”
“Last night I worried about you being in the company of Mr. Sweeney.” Hiram grimaced and shook his head in disgust. “I see I had good cause for my concern.”
“He left afore he done what he come for. Charlotte was right helpful gettin’ him out of the room.”
“Our Charlotte?”
“Yes. I ain’t got the words to thank her proper. But, from what you’re sayin’, he done stuck me here unless I can figure a way to sell these. If you’ve a mind to let me keep my trunk here, reckon I could take my valise and walk to Lundy.” Hazel held out her hand holding the silk nightwear. “Reckon I can get enough from these for food? Right now, I ain’t got nothin’, not nary enough to even telegraph my sister to come fetch me.”
“No, Miss Jessup. It is too far to Lundy for you to walk—not to mention, it’s not safe. You stay in your room with Charlotte while I ask Mrs. Leavitt to bring you some breakfast. No charge.”
“Thank you kindly, Mr. Leavitt, but you done enough already. Ain’t no call for you to keep feedin’ me vittles for nothin’. I’d druther work off my keep. I’m right smart at mendin’ and sewin’, especially if you got yourself a sewin’ machine. Or, I can spell Mrs. Leavitt in the kitchen.”
“Please, stay here and eat. First, I’ll see if I can work something out to help you. If not, we’ll see about your offer to work here for awhile.”
Hazel reached out and lightly placed her fingers on the innkeeper’s arm to detain him. “Why you helpin’ me like this, Mr. Leavitt? You don’t know me from Eve.”
Hiram Leavitt studied Hazel. “Our Charlotte has taken a liking to you. For her, as well as my own peace of mind, I will do this.”
“Me and Charlotte are right good friends now. If it won’t put you out none, Mr. Leavitt, I aim to come visit her if I ever get back to Bridgeport.”
“You’re welcome anytime. We feel bad for Charlotte. She often stays here, and we know she likes to be alone. Sometimes, I can feel her sadness. Now, I’ll take your trunk downstairs and talk to Mrs. Leavitt about your breakfast. Please, wait here for me to return.”
Hazel finished packing her valise. The blue dress she would wash and keep. But after what had happened the night before, she knew she would never wear the silk nightwear set. She wanted it out of her eyesight and possession as soon as possible. She folded it and left it on the bench in hopes Mrs. Leavitt could find someone to buy it. She had not waited long before she heard another knock on the door.
“Eliza Leavitt has come with your food.”
“Thank you, kindly, Charlotte.”
Hazel received her food tray and set it on the dressing table so she could eat. When finished, she crossed to the chair where she had left her quilt to air out. She fingered it and sighed with relief when she realized it had dried from the previous day’s rain.
The quilt held precious memories for Hazel. Her mother had pieced together the log cabin top which was very similar to the one made for her sister. Unfortunately, their mother had died before she could finish the quilts. Even though Hazel was the younger of the two, she had been the driving force behind the two sisters finishing their quilts. The quilt and the sewing scissors in the bottom of the trunk were all Hazel had left as remembrances of her mother. She folded the quilt and shoved it into the valise before fastening it shut.
CHAPTER 11
“Charlotte, I’m gettin’ a mite discomfited at how long it’s takin’ Mr. Leavitt to come back. You reckon he got busy and forgot me?”
“He comes for you. He will help you.”
At that point, Hazel heard the distinct sound of a heavy conveyance pulled by multiple animals stop in front of the inn. She raced to the front window, hoping beyond hope that it was another stagecoach headed toward Bodie. Would Mr. Leavitt trust her enough to buy a ticket for her on her promise to repay him? She was willing to leave her trunk and new clothes for security against what she owed him.
“Wish me luck, Charlotte. I’m hopin’ what I hear means I’ve got me a way to get to Bodie so I can get up to Lundy. I truly thank you for bein’ my friend. I aim to come back sometime to visit with you if you’re willin’.”
“I am willing.”
“And, don’t forget. If your Swen ain’t come for you by the time I pass on, I’m fixin’ to come for you. The two of us, we’ll search here and yonder for Swen and Susannah.”
“And Greta, too. I must find both my daughters.”
“Mayhap Swen will have a notion where to find them. I’m right happy you found you a man you can love with all your heart. It don’t always happen like that. My sister didn’t have no luck at all with the man my pa chose for her to marry. I just hope I can find me a good man to love me like you and your Swen.”
“You will. He has been waiting for you.”
Disappointed, Hazel stared through the window at what she had heard pull up outside. Instead of a stagecoach parked in front of the inn, she saw a freight wagon. Instead of horses, six mules stood hitched to it. There was no enclosed place for travelers. A man built wide in the shoulders wearing a heavy wool jacket jumped to the ground from the narrow bench seat with its narrower seatback. She couldn’t see his face due to the wide-brimmed Stetson he wore. By the long, limber strides he took to cover the distance around the wagon to the women’s entrance to the inn, she guessed he was fairly young. Well, if that was to be her ride, there was nothing for it but to be grateful she wasn’t walking.
Hazel slipped her arms into the sleeves of her hand-me-down wool coat that had belonged to her guardian’s older daughter. She pinned her hat on her head. Although hats with wide brims were just coming into fashion, her older one perched on top of her head without providing any protection from the sun for her face.
The knock on her door brought her attention back to the other side of the room. She hurried to open the door.
“I found you a ride to Lundy. It is a freight wagon, not a coach, but the weather is good. I told the driver your escort left you here with no money and he said he would take you up there for no charge.” Hiram Leavitt stepped into the room long enough to pick up Hazel’s valise, then he turned to lead her down the stairs.
As she started to follow, Hazel tried to quell her uneasiness. After what had happened with Abner Sweeney, the last thing she wished to do was find herself stuck alone with a strange man. In this wild land with so many isolated regions, there would be no one to come to her rescue should he prove dishonorable.
“I ain’t sure, Mr. Leavitt. I don’t rightly care for the notion of travelin’ alone with no man I don’t know from Adam.”
Hiram Leavitt turned to her, hoping to assure Hazel. “He’s trustworthy and will behave like a gentleman, Miss Jessup. He comes from a good family. If I didn’t have confidence you can travel with him safely, I would not even consider it.”
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“Go. He is not like the other. You will be safe with this man.”
Hazel glanced toward Charlotte, and then back at Hiram. Hazel had heard her specter friend clearly. But, from his manner, she could tell Mr. Leavitt had no idea Charlotte had spoken.
Hazel still felt uncertain about the situation. But, with two people she trusted assuring her it was safe to travel to Lundy alone with this man she had never met, she decided to say nothing more.
Hazel focused on putting on her knit gloves and not tripping on the hem of her dress as she descended the stairs. It was not until she almost reached the bottom that she looked up, and for the first time, saw the face of the man who would take her to Lundy. He was young. Unlike Mr. Sweeney who was old enough to be her father, this man was in his early to mid-twenties. His brown eyes were curious, but kind. His light brown hair, the ends hanging in a shaggy fringe beneath his hat and the short beard a shade or so darker, could not hide the handsome features of his face. Hazel knew if she did not feel so ill at ease over the situation she had found herself in that morning she would have immediately taken a liking to him.
“Miss Jessup, may I please introduce Mr. Luther Caldwell.”
****
Luther’s eyes lit up as his face broke into a smile. Whatever unease he might have felt about taking a young woman on his freight run up to Lundy dissipated as soon as he laid eyes on her. His trip had suddenly gotten more interesting and enjoyable.
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Jessup. Hiram, I already put her trunk on the wagon. I’ll take her valise, if you like.” Hiram handed the valise over to Luther. Luther turned his attention back to Hazel. “You ever ride on a wagon like this before, Miss Jessup?”
“Can’t rightly say I have. Rode plenty of buckboards and other farm wagons, but I ain’t never rode no freight wagon.”
Luther tipped back his head and laughed good-naturedly. “There’s not too much difference between what you’re used to and this. Fortunately, the mules pull it real steady, so that helps. If you’d like to give me your hand, I’ll help you up.”
Hazel offered her one hand to Luther Caldwell and used the other to grab the steel post supporting the seat. Next, she felt the man’s hands on either side of her waist pushing her up as her feet found their footing. Soon, she was sitting on the bench. She adjusted her skirts and clothing so nothing bunched beneath her. The seats in the stagecoach had been hard and uncomfortable, but Hazel suspected riding on the wagon was going to be even more so. Still, she was almost to her destination. Only two more days, and she would be reunited with her sister at her new home.
Luther turned back to Hiram Leavitt to shake his hand. “Thanks for the breakfast, Hiram. You didn’t need to feed me like a king to persuade me to help out a damsel in distress, but I sure do appreciate it.”
“I was happy to, Luther. I hope it won’t be too much trouble taking her to Lundy with you.”
Luther turned back to study the profile of the beautiful young woman that would be sitting next to him for the next two days. He turned back to Hiram with a wide grin. “No, Hiram. No trouble at all.”
CHAPTER 12
The journey out of Bridgeport started quietly. Although Luther loved to talk and joke around, he knew from what little Hiram Leavitt had told him the young woman next to him had gone through a harrowing experience the night before. To top it off, the scoundrel had abandoned her with no means to continue her journey. Luther and his brother were not inclined to take passengers with them when they transported freight, but something had told Luther he needed to make an exception this time. It would be a long, hard trip for the woman, but at least the first leg would be short. She could stay in one of the guest bedrooms at the Caldwell ranch and get a good night’s sleep without having to worry about her safety. From there, it would be a long haul up to Lundy. But, as long as the weather held, they would make it in one day; two, at the most. Besides having his brother along to help with any problems that might arise, he would make sure they brought plenty of extra blankets and an extra oilcloth to keep the young woman warm and dry in case they were forced to camp overnight partway there.
“I surely thank you for takin’ me with you to Lundy, Mr. Caldwell. I hope it don’t put you out none.”
Luther turned toward her and grinned. Her name was Hazel, if Luther remembered correctly. Her manner of speech sounded familiar, but he couldn’t quite place who he knew that talked like she did. Also, her round golden-brown eyes were beautiful, but unusual. They reminded him of hazelnuts. He sensed he had seen eyes like hers before, but couldn’t recall where.
“It’s no problem, miss…I’m sorry, what is your last name again?”
“Hazel Jessup. Most folks just call me Hazel. Well, best you call me Miss Jessup, I reckon. Learned me the hard way it don’t pay to get too friendly with folks I don’t know well. No offense.”
Luther looked down at the woman whose unfocused stare appeared to settle on a point in front of the mules. Suspecting she hurt inside after her experience at Leavitt’s inn, he felt building within him an anger against the man with whom she had been traveling.
“None taken, Miss Jessup. And if you ever feel we reach the point you can consider me a friend, my first name is Luther. I know you may not feel like you can trust many people, especially men, right now, but I want you to know you don’t have to worry that I’ll try to take advantage of this situation. I just wish I had known earlier about the man who—well, if I had gotten my hands on him, he would not have boarded that stage back to Carson City in as good of shape as he arrived in last night.”
Maybe he would have gone back in a pine box.
Hazel glanced at Luther’s face and gave a small smile. “It worked out all right, Mr. Caldwell. My friend Charlotte done helped me drive him away.”
“Charlotte?” Luther knew several women in Bridgeport named Charlotte. He wracked his brain trying to figure out which one she meant.
“Yes, sh-she’s a haint, Mr. Caldwell. Mr. Leavitt let me stay in her room, figurin’ she wasn’t there last night. But she was. She was right helpful in makin’ Mr. Sweeney go away and leave me be.”
Luther twisted to face her, skepticism written all over his face. “Are you talking about the White Lady?”
“Mrs. Leavitt talked about a white lady, so I reckon it’s her. Charlotte’s dead, and she’s stayin’ in her room at the Leavitt House waitin’ for her husband Swen to come and help her find their baby. Only the baby done passed, too. Only Charlotte don’t believe she’s the only one still clingin’ to the earth.”
Luther straightened in his seat and cocked his head as he considered her words. He had heard the story about the ghost who lived in Leavitt’s inn, but never put much stock in it. “I don’t know, Miss Jessup. I’ve never been one to believe in ghost stories. Seems to me most people tell them for fun.”
“Reckon if you ain’t one to believe in haints, ain’t nothin’ I can say so you’ll believe me. But I know full well what I seen.” Hazel sat stiff and straight, her arms folded as she stared straight ahead.
“I’m not saying what you saw didn’t happen. But even though I’ve heard tales from others who say they’ve seen her, I guess I’m just reserving judgment until I know more. Believe me, Miss Jessup, I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“Reckon I’d have no call to believe in her if I ain’t seen her myself. But I’m beholdin’ to her for helpin’ me break free of Mr. Sweeney. He was supposed to keep me safe, but it was him I was needin’ to be afeared of, gettin’ uppity with me, and all. I don’t got no notion who to trust no more.”
“I won’t lie to you, Miss Jessup. There are a lot of rough characters out here, drawn by the promise of quick riches from mining gold. Many of them, if they ever learned how to act around decent women, they forgot how when they got out west. You want to stay away from them. But there are a lot of good men you can count on to come to your aid. Decent men value women like you because there just aren’t enough of you to go around to every
man who wants to marry a good wife and start a family.” Luther hesitated. He didn’t want to give her the impression he was pushing her into something for which she wasn’t ready. On the other hand, he definitely felt attracted to her. “I guess what I’m trying to say, Miss Jessup, is that there are a lot of men hereabouts whose intentions are honorable, and who would be ready to lend you a helping hand. Hiram Leavitt is one of them. I hope someday you will regard me that way, too.”
“Mr. Sweeney ain’t from out west. He’s from Ohio, like me.”
Ohio. Something about hearing the name of that state struck a chord with Luther.
“If you don’t mind telling me, Miss Jessup, are you meeting up with family in Lundy? I don’t recall hearing the name Jessup before, but I go there often enough I might know them.”
Hazel kept her eyes forward as she launched into her story.
“My sister’s livin’ up there, only she ain’t a Jessup no more. Leastways, I figure she’s still there. I ain’t heard nothin’ from her since early spring. She was chasin’ after her husband who lit out on her. She got to Lundy only to find out he up and died on her. So, while she was waitin’ to get him buried and his affairs settled, she got herself a job cookin’ for some German who serves up vittles in a saloon. She met some man up there she said she’s right sweet on, and she done told him he could court her. I don’t recall his name none because right after I read her letter, Mrs. Dodd—she ’s my brother-in-law’s aunt I was stayin’ with—took it to read and I ain’t never got it back. She done told me later she lost it. Mrs. Dodd said she mailed all my letters I done wrote to her, but I ain’t never heard nothin’ back.
“Bethie—that’s my sister—she’s plannin’ to use the money from Jim Dodd’s estate to get us another farm, and then she said she’d come back right quick to get me so we can start over in these parts. Mrs. Dodd figures my sister’s still in Lundy, so that’s where she sent me with Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney. Only, when we got to Omaha, Mr. Sweeney was supposed to send Bethie a telegram tellin’ her I’m comin’, but he didn’t because all along he meant to get me alone so he could…so he could…” Hazel swallowed and blinked back her tears. “Well, best I know my sister’s in Lundy.”
