Wild Passion

by Dawn Luedecke

  “Nope.” Beth felt the lack of air plaguing her lungs. Carrie was like a sister, and perhaps a voice of reason, so it was hugely important to get her approval for this adventure—a blessing of sorts.

  Carrie frowned and the disapproving look in her eyes deepened. “Don’t tell me—”

  “Yep, a riverman.” Her heart shouldn’t run away at such a statement, but it did. To be a riverman and experience the sheer sensation of total control over Mother Nature would be the boon she needed. And in her plight, she’d save not only her brother’s job, but an entire town from certain destruction by a saboteur. If she could control those logs down the river, she could easily squash a snake in the grass…or rather trees. It didn’t hurt that Garrett would be there. With him at the helm—the man her brother had talked about so often over the last few years—she knew she could accomplish anything.

  “Didn’t you see the journal last month? They did an exposé on the Missoula rivermen. They said they’re ruffians…vagabonds. The men who ride the river have a devil-may-care attitude toward life, and the social skills of a spring hog.”

  “My brother hasn’t said such things, and I’m inclined to believe him over some two-bit reporter. I am going to be a Devil May Care boy.”

  “I honestly don’t know why you want to do this. It is pure madness, not to mention dangerous. I can’t believe Simon agreed to your foolish scheme.”

  “Simon’s word isn’t law. Please don’t tell me you still have that silly schoolgirl crush on my brother.”

  Carrie’s cheeks dusted in a pink hue. “No, but he’s a voice of reason.”

  Beth pursed her lips to stop all the dirty secrets on how she tricked her brother from spilling out like a waterfall. The secret buggy rides where he insisted he needed to go alone to clear his mind. The midnight voices in the garden beneath her bedroom window. All of which allowed Beth this small handful of leverage over her beloved brother. “I don’t want to risk making him a target for the saboteur, or losing his job if I end up being wrong. I know it’s dangerous, but I have to do this. You don’t know how important it is I go.”

  “I figured you’d say that, and when you get an idea in your head, not even a blizzard in July can stop you. Just promise you’ll be careful. Perhaps you should take along someone else to help you, or let me write my godmother. She is a cook somewhere up there. You can see if there are any other positions at camp, one more suitable for a woman. You cannot traipse around like a wild woman in the mountains. It isn’t proper.” Carrie mimicked the look of a concerned mother.

  Beth shook her head and waved off her friend’s trepidation. “I want to be a riverman, not a cook. I need to have complete access to the camp, including the dangerous areas. From what Simon has told me in the past, cooks aren’t always allowed up there. I can’t get close enough to the action while working as a cook. I’ll be fine, trust me. Simon wasn’t happy about letting me tag along, but after I convinced him—quite forcefully, might I add—he had no choice.” She plopped down on a chair. “He or one of his friends will watch me every second of the day. As per his direction, I’m to try to stay away from trouble.”

  “Everything you’ve ever dreamed of, a man to watch over you every second of the day.” Carrie’s mouth twitched in an unsuccessful attempt to hold back her ‘you got what you deserved’ grin.

  Beth wrinkled her nose and sat back in her chair. She wasn’t fool enough to think this summer would be easy, but Carrie was right. She didn’t want someone watching her every move, especially when she was investigating. There were ways to get around a guard. “A little imagination could serve me well I should think.”

  “Are you really going down the river?”

  “If I can manage it, I will. The log drive is the target, and that’s where I need to be.”

  “You do realize the men who do that particular job are considered wild and touched in the head. Most aren’t allowed in polite society.”

  “I can’t go into the upcoming season without helping to secure a future for my brother. I’m to be presented to every eligible bachelor this year.” She took a deep breath, and shook her head. “We’ve always been close, and I don’t want to see him suffer while I go off to a life of marital bliss. He needs this job, and I need to know he’s happy.”

  “Why would Simon need you to help? He’s done fine at the lumber camp without you so far.” Carrie rolled her eyes. “Really, Beth. You must think these things through.”

  “I have.” Beth dropped her shoulders and wiggled to the edge of the seat. “There was a man. On the platform a week ago.”

  Carrie scooted to the edge of her own chair, and furrowed her brows. “What man? A handsome one? Are you in love already? Oh, I knew it. Just the other day I…”

  Carrie’s words were lost on her as the memories of the man on the platform flooded back to her.

  The early spring chill had penetrated her wrap, and she’d snuggled deep into the fabric as she waited for her brother to return from his pre-season meeting at the mill. Off in the distance the train bellowed and made her sit up tall to look for the engine.

  That’s when she heard the man with the drawl. A voice she’d never forget. “And they are willing to pay one thousand dollars if the drive never gets to the mill. Destroy the drive, destroy Big Mountain Lumber Mill. The mill will have to pay severance, and they won’t be able to recover.”

  The deep mumble of another man’s voice sounded, but he spoke so low she couldn’t make out his words. Was that a hint of a Spanish accent? She couldn’t be certain.

  After the man with the possible Spanish accent finished speaking, the first man continued, “I suppose the families of Bonner will be forced to find a home elsewhere?”

  There was a hint of sadness in the man’s words—or was it cold-hearted malice? Who were these men?

  Beth’s breath grew shallow. Whoever they were, they planned to destroy the mill without a care to anyone else involved. What would Simon do for work? What would the families who lived in Bonner do once the mill closed and their livelihood was torn from them? Dear Lord, she had to do something.

  “Well, is it?” Carrie’s voice penetrated Beth’s thoughts, but the question was lost on her.

  Is it what? Blast. What was the best response when faced with a question you didn’t hear? “Yes.”

  “So the man from the platform is the man you danced with from the Mayfield’s ball?”

  Oh good Lord. Beth waved her had across her face. “No, no, no. I overheard two men plotting on the train platform the other day. After they finished their vile conversation, the man with the cane hobbled around the corner with a smug smile. As if he hadn’t been plotting Great Mountain’s downfall. A place my brother loves dearly. Not that he knew Simon works there, but that’s beside the point. Someone wants to destroy the Big Mountain Lumber Mill. Imagine what would happen to all of the families if the mill were shut down. The babies would starve. The fathers would have to leave their homes and families behind to find new work, and who’s to say they will? There’s an evil plot afoot, and I’m the only one who can identify the culprit.”

  “Oh my God!” Carrie’s eyes flashed in concern. “You need to tell Simon.”

  Beth nodded. “I will. Eventually. After I’ve found the man in question, I’ll let Simon know. As I said before, I don’t want to risk his life, or job, if I’m wrong. I’ll go up and identify the culprit, and then tell him once I’m certain. My brother has done so much for me since our parents’ deaths. I need to do something for him in return. If I tell him now he’ll only leave me behind, and they may never find the saboteur.”

  Carrie slouched in a show of defeat. “Promise me you’ll take care to not get into trouble. If you see the man from the platform, tell Simon. Don’t go getting yourself killed.”

  “Of course. I’m not a fool. I have no intention of getting myself into trouble.”

 
“But how will you pass as a man? With your curves and long hair, you’re the perfect example of a woman.” Carrie waved toward Beth’s hair, piled high on top of her head in the latest fashion.

  With a secretive smile, Beth reached into the satchel and searched through the clothing within to pull out her mother’s old silver-handled scissors. She reached up to her perfect coif, a style she often worked hours on perfecting. How would she feel without the familiar weight of her hair?

  Carrie eyed the sharp tool. “Please tell me you brought those to cut paper.”

  “Not paper.” Beth forced a smile. If she was going to do this, she would do it right. Although set in her decision, she reached up to touch the silky tendrils she’d grown to love. Her best feature. She forced back the tears burning behind her eyes. The sacrifice of her hair was worth saving her brother and his job. She firmed her lips, and held the scissors out to Carrie.

  “What will your nana say?” Carrie asked.

  “She has taken to her bed as of late, and only leaves to visit her matron friends for tea on Tuesdays. Her maid is there with her every second of the day, so I’m of little help. I asked her if I could accompany you to visit your sister for the spring, and she agreed. I’ll come home after the drive, and she’ll be none the wiser. My hair will grow again, and I’ll either pin it back, or I’ll say your little niece Tawny cut my hair while I slept because she wanted it for her doll. Your niece is quite the troublemaker. Nana will have no trouble believing me.”

  “Tawny’s done worse, I suppose.” Carrie pinched her lips shut and stared with a calculating, but disapproving, look. Beth smiled as Carrie plucked the scissors from her hand with a sigh. She could always count on her dear friend to cave when logic and passion were at the heart of her arguments.

  Two hours later, Beth sauntered down the stairs and out the door like she’d seen her brother do on many occasions. She enjoyed the feel of the trousers tight against her legs. The harsh scratch of the blue denim a vast difference from the soft cotton of her dresses—not to mention a distinct lack of a bustle strapped to her backside. The sensation of nothing but the rough work pants lent a sort of wicked freedom she could get accustomed to. The satchel swung as she walked, and she ignored the odd looks from the women passing by on their way to the shops—a few of which she recognized from the Missoula Women’s Society tea three weeks past. Did they recognize her? Even if they did, she didn’t care. In a few days she would be on her way to Bonner to work for the Big Mountain Lumber Mill.

  Beth rushed home and snuck up the stairs leading to her room. After she made certain no one was around, she eased the door shut.

  She tossed the satchel on the bed, stared into her long dressing mirror, and ruffled her short, spiky hair. Turning to her armoire, she took out an old petticoat and plopped down on the side of her bed to tear the strips of cloth that would bind her breasts. What would the gossiping ninnies of the town think of her now? Scandal followed Beth’s family like a hungry dog. Not that she personally deserved the stigma, but with her parents’ deaths, and Simon’s debauchery whenever he was home, the town gossips painted all the Sanders in the same tainted light. An escapade like this wouldn’t come as a surprise.

  A knock sounded, and she scrambled to stuff the cloth under her pillow and yank on the hat from atop her dressing table. She pulled the brim over her ears. “Come in.”

  The door slid open, and her brother Simon peeked in.

  “Hey, Lizbe. It’s all set through the big bugs at the mill. I thought maybe we could go out and practice tonight. My secret’s safe, right? You aren’t going to tell the mayor?”

  With a sigh of relief, Beth pulled her hat from her head. “It’s safe for now. Practice what? And you know I hate that nickname. It makes me sound like I’m twelve.”

  Simon grimaced as his gaze skimmed her head. “Practice being a man. Meet me by the front door after Nana goes to bed.” He studied her a moment longer, and then frowned. “Did you steal those trousers from the twelve-year-old neighbor? You look like a blacksmith’s errand boy.”

  Beth stuck out her tongue as Simon twisted on his heels. She could hear the angry click of his boots as he disappeared down the hallway. She had no idea what he’d planned, but she wasn’t about to let his reluctance or insults get in the way. Simon had no clue about the saboteur and catastrophe in the making. Eventually he’d appreciate what she’d sacrificed, after she saved his job, the lumber camp, and the entire town.

  Meet the Author

  A country girl born and bred, Dawn Luedecke has spent most of her life surrounded by horses, country folk, and the wild terrain of Nevada, Idaho and Montana. She enjoys writing historical and contemporary romance and spends as much time as she can working on her current manuscript. For more information visit www.dawnluedeckebooks.com.