Mail Order Lorena

by Zina Abbott

  “You’ll pay for any damage. I’ll have you arrested. You’ll swing, or, at least, end up doing time.”

  Eustace shook his head. “I don’t think so, Clyde, not when the sheriff or U.S. Marshal for the region understands we were stepping in to prevent a case of white slavery.”

  With her breath coming in heaves, Lorena clasped the front of her dress with her free hand. Is that what he’s up to? And what about what Timothy did? She glanced at Fancy, who gave her a knowing nod.

  “Then, if I’m not mistaken, it sounded like you are trying to blackmail Mrs. Mayfield into staying here. I’ll bet a circuit judge would find that very interesting.”

  Clyde worked his jaw. “Let me go. I’ll pay her. But then she needs to leave and never come back.”

  “That sounds agreeable.” Eustace eased the knife away from Clyde’s throat. “Mrs. Mayfield? If you’re ready, you, Mr. Abernathy, and I will step into his office so you can receive your pay.”

  Lorena focused again on Eustace. She cleared her throat. “Yes, I’m ready. And I have my journal right here.” With Fancy following, she joined Eustace.

  Eustace nodded toward the back hallway.

  Lorena watched as Clyde, his teeth clenched tight, turned toward his office. When Eustace held out his arm, Lorena slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow and walked with him.

  Fancy walked past her and joined Sabrina and Rosa.

  Lorena watched Fancy, Sabrina, and Rosa congregate in the doorway to the kitchen. She glanced behind her to see Danny, coach gun held in position, remain out front. She and Eustace walked into Clyde’s office.

  Clyde sat behind his desk and leaned over to open a drawer.

  Lorena inhaled and held her breath as Eustace pulled his arm free and reached beneath his coat for his pistol.

  His cash box in hand, Clyde sat straight. He paused as he studied Eustace. “No need for that. I’ll pay her.” He counted out the money and slid it to the edge of the desk closest to Lorena. He sat back and glared at Eustace. “Satisfied?”

  “Is what he paid you correct, Mrs. Mayfield?”

  Lorena quickly counted the money laid out before her. It was all there. She nodded. She opened her reticule and stuffed her money inside. She turned to Eustace. “May we please go now?”

  “Yes.” Eustace placed his hand on her elbow to guide Lorena out of the office.

  Clyde rose from his chair. His knuckles pressed against his desktop, he leaned forward and glared at Eustace. “You better not step foot inside my saloon again, Cantrell. You do, you’ll find out this matter isn’t over between us.”

  Eustace turned back to face Clyde. “The feeling’s mutual.”

  Still feeling uneasy due to the tension in the building, Lorena again claimed Eustace’s arm as they stepped into the hallway. She turned to the three women who had become her friends and smiled. “Thank you. I wish all of you well.” She noticed Eustace also smiled and nodded toward them. They continued toward the front of the building where the stagecoach waited. She turned to look behind her.

  Eustace leaned over and smiled as he spoke softly next to her ear. “Fancy promised they would run interference with Clyde. They have been good friends to you, Lorena.”

  “I know.” Lorena’s heart raced as she faced forward. The smile she had seen on Eustace’s face had taken her breath away. His eyes had sparkled inside laugh lines that appeared on the skin surrounding them. In all their dealings, they had discussed business or serious topics. She had seen anger on his face, but, until now, never laughter.

  They reached Danny standing by the front door.

  “Lorena!”

  Lorena turned to see Fancy running toward her.

  Fancy spoke softly in Lorena’s ear. “Sugar, did you take that red gown?”

  Lorena shook her head. “I left it, the corset, and the petticoat you loaned me hanging in my room.”

  “Then, sugar, you take this five dollar gold piece, because I want that gown.” Fancy grabbed Lorena’s hand and pressed a half eagle coin into it. “You tuck the money in your reticule for now, and later, put it inside your boot. Save it for when you really need it.” She gave Lorena a knowing smirk and flicked an eyebrow upward. “I was right about him, wasn’t I, sugar?”

  Clutching the coin in her fist, Lorena smiled and nodded. “You were. Thank you for everything, Fancy.”

  As Eustace led Lorena through the door, she saw Danny back out of the saloon.

  Eustace pulled her toward the coach door and opened it. “We need to hurry, Lorena. Isaac and Danny are already late starting for Abilene. Plus, the sooner we get away, the better for us all.”

  Lorena entered the coach about the time it began to rock as Danny climbed onto his place in the driver’s box. She scooted across the forward-facing bench once she realized Eustace planned to join her. Before he could close the door, Isaac called to the team and the coach began moving.

  Lorena transferred her carpetbag to the opposite side from where Eustace sat. She glanced out of the side window and gasped. Gawkers stood on the side of the road, no doubt wondering why the stagecoach had made a special trip into town to pick up passengers at the saloon. When Eustace reached across her and closed the leather window cover, she felt a wave of relief. He shut the one on his side, too, before he settled back on the bench.

  Eustace turned to her. “What did Fancy mean by saying she was right about me?”

  “She thought you would help me, not only with my mail, but getting away from the saloon.”

  Again, Eustace grinned. “I am certainly relieved, Lorena, that I did not disappoint her. And you?”

  Lorena returned his smile. “You did not disappoint me, either, Eustace. I could not have escaped without your help.”

  “I’m happy I could be of service.”

  As her eyes brimmed with unshed tears, Lorena pressed her fingers to her lips to keep a sob from escaping. “I used to believe I was a capable woman. Unfortunately—well, fortunately, I suppose—the challenges of helping my father take care of his congregants during the war years did not involve anything of this nature. I was completely unprepared to deal with the situations I’ve faced this past year and a half.”

  Eustace reached for Lorena’s hand and held it in his own.

  At his touch, Lorena felt a thrill course through her. She knew his behavior toward her would be considered forward by her Arkansas friends. Then again, the past two days, he had paid Clyde for the privilege of being far more forward with her than he was behaving now. The warmth of his clasp against her palm and fingers felt comforting and reassuring. She felt no inclination to pull her hand free.

  “Are you sure you’re all right, Lorena?”

  Lorena closed her eyes. “I believe so. I just don’t know where I’ll go from here. I don’t even have a ticket.”

  “I already bought your ticket as far as Junction City. Danny has it. He’ll help you find a place to stay there while they finish their run. Isaac agreed that, when he picks up my pay from last month, he’ll give that, plus whatever he owes me for covering the station while he was gone, to Danny to give to you. It won’t take you far, but use it to buy a ticket to a place where no one will think to look for you.”

  Lorena stared at him. He’s not coming with me. “Where are you going, Eustace?”

  Eustace twisted in his seat to face her. “Back to Ellsworth Station on tomorrow’s coach. Isaac will stop about a half mile out of town and let me off. Listen carefully, Lorena. After this business at the saloon, you must stay clear of Salina. Do not write to me or the women at the saloon. Change your name. Let Danny know what it is and where you end up so he can get your mail to you. Whatever happens, do not write to your sister or go to her home. You don’t want to risk another postmaster like the one in Salina, or your sister’s nosy neighbors, knowing too much and gossiping. You don’t want that detective to follow you there. As much as I know you wish to be reunited with your daughter, be sure you have escaped the detective’s notice first
.”

  Lorena, her eyes bright with unshed tears, nodded. She studied his face. “I can’t thank you enough, Eustace.”

  Eustace stared at her and swallowed. “I’m happy to do it, Lorena.”

  They both looked toward the front as Isaac called to the team and the coach began to slow.

  Eustace turned again to Lorena. “I need to leave you. May I kiss you goodbye?”

  Lorena nodded just before she launched herself into Eustace’s arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his. She felt Eustace hesitate, and then he pulled her close and responded with an intensity to match the force of her embrace.

  As Eustace eased away when the coach stopped, Lorena felt sorrow descend.

  “Goodbye, Lorena. I wish you and your daughter well. If you need help, get word to Danny. He’ll tell me, and I’ll do what I can.”

  Lorena ached with longing as Eustace’s fingertips grazed the side of her face. Tears came to her eyes as she watched him turned his back to her and climb out of the coach.

  Lorena moved to where Eustace had been sitting and pulled the leather curtain away from the window. She watched him step to the side of the road and wave at Isaac. He offered her one last fleeting smile as the coach began moving once more.

  ~o0o~

  For several seconds, Eustace watched the dust clouds that arose from the horse’s hooves and the spinning wheels of the departing coach carrying Lorena away.

  He turned and began his walk to the station. Hopefully, he would arrive late enough to escape to the bunkhouse and avoid the Owens’ infatuated daughter. Tomorrow, he would catch a ride with Benny and Charlie back to Ellsworth. Then, he would begin to put everything that happened in Salina behind him.

  Eustace shook his head. He had felt like an empty shell for so long—since before the war ended. Why did he now ache inside like his world had just shattered into pieces?

  .

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  Chapter 18

  ~o0o~

  Ellsworth B.O.D. Stagecoach Station, Kansas

  Monday, June 18, 1866

  E ustace Cantrell clenched his teeth and fought down his anger as he watched the stagecoach leave the station. It headed toward Junction City and medical help for Isaac Peterson, plus two wounded soldiers. Considering the breadth of the Cheyenne attack the day before on both Fort Ellsworth and the station, the casualties were not that high. It would not have bothered him to be placed in charge of the Butterfield Overland Despatch station like he usually was, except, considering the emergency conditions they currently experienced, he should have driven the stagecoach himself. Instead, Roslyn, the daughter of a livery owner whose father had taught her to drive a four-in-hand team, drove the coach away from the station.

  Although he had never handled a four-in-hand team before, if pressed, he probably could have managed. He had broken and trained many a thoroughbred. Seldom in his life had he held the leads to a pair. That had been the job of his driver—first Janus, and later, his oldest son.

  Eustace inhaled and pursed his lips. Another resentment. He dared not freely discuss the slaves his family once owned. He learned early on, the best way to keep his job and have the men at the station follow his orders was not to bring up his past.

  As his thoughts turned to Lorena, Eustace closed his eyes. Why did Danny bring her name up last night? She was gone from his life. She planned to write to men with the hope of finding a husband. He, on the other hand, had struggled for over a month to put her out of his mind. He maneuvered her out of Clyde’s grasp, but he held no false illusions. In spite of the circumstances that put her in the saloon, at heart, she embraced being a clergyman’s daughter. He was not good enough for her.

  Hands on his hips, Eustace barked out orders to the other two stock tenders, Jim and Tom. He knew they were familiar with the routine. Unfortunately for them, he needed to take his frustration out on someone.

  Eustace entered the main room of the building. Before this day, he seldom spent any time except for meals or when he met with Isaac during the evenings the stagecoach runs brought his boss to the station. He needed to get the one Spencer repeater the station owned, plus extra ammo to put in his pocket. Until the soldiers from Ellsworth arrived—if they arrived—he needed to keep watch between helping with the stock.

  Eustace stared at the trestle table, stove, and counter for the dry sink—a woman’s domain. The breadbox, containing three loaves Roslyn baked the night before, drew his gaze. That won’t last long, especially with soldiers here eating off the station. He shook his head. Better hide the bread from Jim and Tom, or it will be gone before the soldiers even see it.

  He stared at the pot of beans set on the stove to soak. Roslyn, in her rushed instructions before she climbed into the driver’s box, told him to start cooking them mid-afternoon for the evening meal. The bread and slices of ham would have to suffice for dinner. Gunter, the shotgun messenger due in later in the day, would probably take it in stride, but Eustace suspected he would hear an earful of bellyaching from the driver, Fergus. He better not push his luck. I’m itching for a fight.

  Then again, Eustace had been itching for a fight ever since his last trip to Salina—the weekend he helped Lorena leave Clyde and his saloon. I’m an empty shell, so why do I miss her so much?

  He picked up the pieces of paper with Roslyn’s notes—recipes on how to fry potatoes with ham, how to cook several foods using the ingredients on hand. Oat and wheat mush—why don’t these people eat grits like civilized folks? She also detailed the quantity of each food they kept on hand and at what point it became time to order more for the station. I need more stock, not food rations. Eustace tossed the papers aside. I don’t need kitchen notes; I need Lorena.

  Eustace had been in the room the night before when, between groans, Isaac declared Caroline would be leaving on the stagecoach with him and she would not return. Through his pain, Isaac said he intended to give up the station to Eustace for good. If it was not the pain and whiskey in Isaac talking—if Isaac had meant what he said—that meant Eustace could apply to be station manager. He would get the stationmaster salary, not just have Isaac pay him a little extra to take over as lead stock tender in Isaac’s absence.

  Eustace knew better than to take seriously declarations made while a person was under stress or in distress—physical or otherwise. Isaac might have felt that way last night while Eustace probed his shoulder wound in an attempt to remove the bullet, or while he pushed the arrow point the rest of the way through Isaac’s thigh to remove it. Still, Eustace hoped Isaac spoke in all seriousness about giving up management of the Ellsworth Station.

  He glanced around the room once more, seeing it in a new light. Instead of sleeping on a narrow bed in the bunkroom with the drivers, messengers, and other stock tenders, this would be his living quarters. This is a home station to be run by a family. Eustace pushed the thought aside. That would be the biggest reason why the division agent for the East might not award him the station in spite of Isaac’s recommendation—that, and the uncertainty of what Ben Holladay would do now he owned and controlled the stagecoach line. However, while the station stayed in operation, he still had a chance. Except, I’m not married.

  As Eustace walked toward the stove to see if it still held heat from that morning, he grimaced as he recalled again Tom’s teasing words from that morning, that they would send him into town to get himself a wife and the station a cook. Eustace had been tempted to plow his fist in Tom’s face. Maybe Danny’s comment about him marrying Lorena prompted him to bring it up. Either that, or Tom had been listening to Charlie.

  Before finally declaring Fancy was the best prostitute he ever used, Charlie moaned for weeks about missing his chance at the new woman at Clyde’s saloon. “Only worked the downstairs one week, just enough to tease a man into wanting her, and then she took off.” When Eustace heard him ask Danny about the rumors regarding the stagecoach going through the streets of Salina,
Danny brushed it off as doing a favor for a lady who had trouble getting her trunk to the station. Each time Eustace heard Charlie’s complaint, he struggled to keep his mouth shut and not to challenge him to a fistfight.

  However, just because Eustace revealed nothing on his face and answered no probing questions about his times in Salina or why he quit going, that did not mean his anger over the whole situation did not eat out his insides. To protect Lorena and her child, he sent her away. He had been squelching rumors ever since.

  Only Danny knew where she was. On one single occasion after that fateful day Eustace had kissed Lorena goodbye and walked out of her life did Danny assure Eustace he saw her to safety, knew her assumed name, and helped her post and receive mail for both names. As long as Danny did not mention Lorena needed help, Eustace assumed things were going well.

  As much as Eustace wished to ask how she was doing—almost went crazy with the desire to know—he said nothing. He paid a high price for his decision. In addition to the nightmares about the war he still suffered on occasion, he now woke up several nights a week thinking about her. He pictured her in that white cotton print dress with her hair hanging loose below her shoulders. He sought to forget her; he fought to subdue his longing for her. She’s probably already married, or, at least, promised.

  As he reached the storeroom door, a thought stopped him in his tracks. Danny knew the true situation. Why then, the night before, did he make it sound like Eustace was still seeing her? Because I want to. Why had he lashed back with such an insulting comment about Lorena? She’s better off without me. Why would Danny suggest he marry Lorena if she was already married someone else? She’s still available. His heart raced.

  Would Lorena consider him? Would she agree to bring her daughter and live at the Ellsworth station, especially after it just suffered an attack by hostiles? The only way to find out would be to ask her. Eustace paused and rubbed between his eyes. Could he accept her daughter in order to have Lorena? .