Belle of the Ball: A Historic Western Time Travel Romance (An Oregon Trail Time Travel Romance Book 2)

by Susan Leigh Carlton

  Barely above a whisper, she said, “I would like that.”

  “Good. You’ve just made several people, including me, happy. Let’s not make a big thing of it and start slowly. How about lunch after church?”

  “It works for me,” she said. “Now, show me around your ranch.”

  “Let me get the wagon and I’ll show you what it’s all about. First, though, I’ll check with Mrs. Crump to see how soon we’ll have lunch.” He opened the door to the kitchen, said something and returned to Anna. “It will be ready in thirty to forty-five minutes, so we won’t have time for the tour until later.

  “I know just the thing.” He took her hand and led the way to a small grove of tall trees.

  “You have a swing!” she said with great delight.

  “Papa put it up when Brett and I were little. I don’t know how many times we’ve changed the ropes over the years as they rotted or the trees got taller.”

  “Then it’s safe to sit in?”

  “It should be, but let me test it to make sure.”

  He sat on the wooden seat, and began to swing. “That’s enough, it’s my turn,” she said.

  Pushing with her feet, Anna started the swing moving. “Want me to push you?” Bart asked.

  “Yes, please do.”

  Her squeals of delight attracted the attention of Emma and Letty. “Look at that,” Letty exclaimed. “She’s actually having fun.”

  “It is fun. Brett and I do that occasionally. At first, I was afraid the rope would break, but Brett replaced it. The first swing was put up when they were little boys.

  “I hate to break this up, but lunch is ready.” She rang the bell, and went inside.

  When Bart and Anna came in, her face was flushed. “We could hear you. It sounded as if you were enjoying yourself,” Emma said.

  Anna glanced at Bart and smiled. “I don’t know whether it was fun for Bart or not, but I enjoyed it. I haven’t been on a swing in years and I was soaring like a bird. I could see forever at the top.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Letty told her, “It’s time you had some fun.”

  “After lunch, I get the tour,” Anna said. “We went up on the hill too. It’s a beautiful area.”

  “We all pitch in and keep it neat,” Emma said. “Brett was talking about putting a fence around it. It’s going to be our last resting place.”

  “Mine too,” Bart chimed in. “That’s enough talk about that. I’m hungry. I worked up an appetite.”

  Chapter sixteen

  Another Date

  Sunday…

  “Are you saving this seat for anyone?” Bart asked.

  Her face broke into an open, friendly smile. “I was hoping for a handsome cowboy, but you can have it until he gets here.”

  He had a devastating grin. “Thanks for small favors.” She scooted over and he sat beside her.

  “You certainly look nice,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve ever known a girl with red hair.”

  “We’re known for our tempers. I guess it goes back to my Irish heritage. I had a nice time yesterday. I especially enjoyed the swing.”

  “We’ll have to do it again. Where’s Carrie?”

  “She’s with Mrs. Jamison this morning.”

  She moved closer to make room for a late coming couple. Even though the contact was through several layers of clothing, she felt the warmth of his leg pressing against hers.

  Jack Owens walked to the pulpit and gave the opening prayer, and then asked the congregation to stand and sing hymn number forty-seven. When the fingers holding the hymnal touched, Anna didn’t move hers away this time.

  “I’ll be home after a while,” Bart told Brett. “Anna and I are going to have lunch. I don’t know what we’ll do after that.”

  “Enjoy your lunch. I’m glad Letty’s and my efforts are not going to waste,” Emma told him.

  Bart asked the waiter to seat them in a quiet corner, out of the traffic area. He pulled her chair out.

  “Aren’t you the gallant one?”

  “Believe it or not, that’s the first time I’ve ever done that.

  Her brilliant blue eyes hinted at the high level of intelligence behind them. “Then I feel honored.”

  He leaned towards her. His expression was serious. “I don’t know about honored, but you’re definitely special.

  A dim flush raced across her beautiful face. “Now I’m embarrassed.”

  He laid his hand on top of hers. “Don’t be. Just enjoy what you’ve been given.”

  Instead of what she had been given, her face reflected an immense sadness when she thought of what her life had become and what had been taken from her.

  “I’m sorry. I know your situation is not a happy one for you.” His voice was infinitely compassionate.

  “It is what it is. It isn’t your fault; nor is it mine.” Her voice broke. “I have to try to get over it. Letty and Jack believe everything is done according to plan. So far I’ve been unable to figure out the plan.”

  “Maybe the plan called for you to be an influence in someone’s life, but the person happened to be in another time and place?”

  “Your life?”

  “It would be presumptuous of me to believe I’m important enough for divine intervention.” The serious moment was broken by the appearance of a waiter to take their order.

  After the order was placed, she asked, “So what did you do yesterday?”

  “I pulled a heifer from the quicksand in Willow Creek. We rounded up strays, and gave several head to the Indians for food.”

  “Native American or Indians from India?”

  “These were Lakota Sioux.”

  “Are they dangerous?”

  “There’s been some trouble in Wyoming, but for the most part, the ones around here are peaceful. We give them a few head now and then for food. I’d rather do that than have them steal.”

  “What would you do if they did?”

  “Take them back,” he answered.

  “By force?”

  “If necessary,” he replied. How did we get off on this track? Let’s talk about something more pleasant.”

  “Like what?”

  “The Cattlemen’s Association is going to have a dance. I would like to take you.”

  “I don’t know if I can do that.”

  “Why not?”

  “Things aren’t as simple for me as they are for you. You own a big ranch with your brother. Things are all lined up to fall in place. I’m just the opposite.

  “When I went back in time, I lost everything. I came from a family that was happy and loving. We were well off. Now, I have nothing, the clothes I wear are donations from people who no longer needed them. I wore a dress the other day donated by Mrs. Jamison. It was embarrassing.”

  “It isn’t your fault.”

  “I know that, but it’s on my mind constantly.”

  “Then do something about it.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  “Have you talked to the school like you planned?”

  “No, but…”

  “Papa taught us if we see something we need, and it doesn’t belong to anyone, take it. If it does, buy it if you can. If you can’t buy it, then learn to get along without it.”

  “It isn’t as simple as you make it sound.”

  “I’m sure it isn’t. Look, Anna, the last thing I want to do is argue with you. It would be wrong for me to say I know how you feel. I don’t, and neither does anyone else in the territory. What I can say is I see someone I like who’s hurting, and I want to help. I just don’t know how. Brett and I would be glad to help you out, and Lord knows we have the ability, but you say you don’t want things that way.”

  Her eyes had become moist. The sadness that had been there had deepened. “There’s nothing you or anyone else can do. I miss my family and I will never see them again, and I don’t even know if they lived or died.”

  “So instead of doing something, or letting friends help you, you’re
just going to feel sorry for yourself. Letty and Emma have tried helping, but obviously I was the wrong candidate for you. There are plenty of unmarried miners or ranchers that are desperate for a wife. You have some decisions to make that are going to affect you for the rest of your life. For your sake, I hope you make the right choice.”

  The waiter brought their order, but she just sat there, quietly sobbing into her handkerchief. “Are you going to have lunch?” he asked.

  “I don’t feel like eating now. I’m sorry I spoiled the evening for you.”

  “It’s all right. I’ll live,” he said, and called the waiter over. “Please fix these to be taken out separately.” The waiter took the plates away. “If you don’t want to eat, take them to Jack and Letty with my compliments.”

  The waiter brought the food back in boxes. “I’ll walk you back, and then I’ll not trouble you further.”

  The walk back to the parsonage was quiet with neither speaking. At the door, she turned to him and said, “Bart, I’m sorry.” She went to her room.

  He gave the two boxes of food to Letty.

  “What in the world happened?” Letty demanded.

  “I don’t know,” Bart said. I think all of the things that have happened caught up with her all at once, and she had trouble handling it. I don’t understand it. I guess I said some things I probably shouldn’t have about what she needed to do, but they needed to be said. It wasn’t intended to be hurtful, but it obviously was. It bothers her to be in my company, so I won’t inflict myself on her any longer.” He spun on his heels and left.

  Chapter seventeen

  He’s Not Here

  Monday…

  Bart walked into the church and found Jack in the office. He gave him an envelope. “This is to help Anna. I know she doesn’t have much and is very self-conscious about it. I want to help, but she doesn’t want my help. Don’t tell her where this came from, just say it was from an anonymous donor.”

  “She was pretty upset yesterday when she came home last night and talked to Letty for a long time,” Jack said. “I don’t know what was said, but I’d like to hear from you about what happened.”

  “Jack, it’s over and done with, and I don’t really want to talk about it. If you pass that on to Letty for Anna, I’d appreciate it. I have to go. Thanks for your help.”

  The next day…

  Emma was surprised to see Letty, Jack and Anna. “This is a surprise,” she said.

  “Emma, please summon Bart. We need to talk to him,” Letty said.

  “He’s not here. He left early yesterday and I haven’t seen him since. Brett may know where he went though. I’ll get him.” After she rang the bell, she saw the stricken look on Anna’s face and asked, “What did he do? He didn’t say much after he got home Sunday.”

  Anna was weeping.

  “Honey, did he do something to you? So help me, I’ll shoot him,” Letty said.

  “It’s nothing like that,” Anna said.

  Brett came in. “This is about Bart isn’t it?”

  Letty nodded. “When will he be back? We’d like to talk to him.”

  “I don’t rightly know when he will be back, but I don’t think it will be any time soon. He said he had to do some thinking and made me promise not to tell anyone where he is and not to come after him.”

  “Can you get a message to him?”

  “The only way I can do that is to go after him and I won’t break my word.”

  “I guess that’s that,” Letty said.

  “You can’t do this to me,” Emma said. “What happened?”

  “There was a problem,” Letty said, “things were said and later regretted, but you can’t unring a bell.”

  * * *

  It had been two months since anyone had seen Bart when Curly, one of the ranch hands, found him face down in the barn. The mule was still hitched to the wagon, and his horse was in the open stall munching hay.

  Bart was haggard, unshaven and out of his head. Curly put him on his shoulder and hurried to the kitchen door, and knocked loudly.

  Mrs. Crump answered the knock. “He’s sick,” Curly told her. “I found him lying on the barn floor. He’s burning up.”

  “Bring him in and put him in his bed. I’ll get Miss Emma and Mr. Brett.” She knocked on the office doorframe.

  Brett looked up. “It’s Mr. Bart,” she said. “Mr. Curly found him in the barn. He’s sick. I had him put on his bed.”

  “Get Emma,” Brett said.

  In the bedroom…

  “He’s burning up,” Emma said. “We need to either take him to the doctor, or get the doctor here. Going after him would take longer, so let’s get him there.”

  “Mrs. Crump, tell Curly to get the wagon and put hay in the back,” Brett directed. “We’re going to take him to the doctor. Get a couple of the buffalo robes, and some blankets.”

  He carried Bart to the wagon and with Curly’s help, carefully placed him in the bed. “Curly, you go on ahead and let Doc know we’re coming.”

  Doctor Palmer and Elizabeth were waiting when they arrived, and directed them where to take Bart. He took Bart’s temperature with one of the new oral thermometers he had purchased soon after they were announced. It showed his temperature to be slightly above 103 degrees.

  “We need to get that down. Bring some wet towels,” he told his wife. He removed the grimy shirt and listened to the respiratory sounds. “I don’t know at this point whether it’s pneumonia or the flu. His breathing is not heavy so I’m hopeful it is the flu. In either case it is dangerous.

  “We’ll keep him here so we can keep a close eye on him. I’ll start the usual treatments.”

  “I’m going to be here too,” Brett said. “I don’t understand why I didn’t know he was in trouble.”

  “How could you have known?” Dr. Palmer asked.

  “We’ve both always had this feeling for the other,” Brett said. “It’s like we know what the other is thinking. We nearly drove Mama crazy with it. When he went off before, I knew he was all right, and knew where to go find him.”

  “I’ve heard of that bond between twins, but never seen it in action.”

  “Do you think he’ll make it?”

  “He was in good health before he came down with whatever it is. Was he somewhere he could have caught it from someone?”

  “I doubt he was within fifteen miles of another person. He must have ridden all day just to get home.”

  “Would he have been eating well?”

  “If you consider a steady diet of beans to be eating well, that’s probably all he’s eaten over the past two months,” Brett said. “When we’re on a cattle drive, it’s about all we eat, along with cornbread.

  “Speaking of eating, I’m going to go to the café. I haven’t had anything since breakfast. Can I bring something back for you?”

  “No, our housekeeper will take care of us.”

  Brett saw Anna enter the general store when he went to the café. He touched the brim of his hat with his forefinger in greeting. He took a table by the window while waiting for his lunch. He heard a tap on the glass and looked up to see Anna standing there. Her lips were moving, but he couldn’t understand what she was trying to say. He signaled with his hand for her to come in.

  When she came in, he motioned her to have a seat. “I don’t want to bother you, but have you heard from Bart?”

  “As a matter of fact, no, but I’ve seen him. He was in no condition to talk.”

  “Had he been drinking?” she asked.

  “I wish it was something that simple. One of the hands found him on the floor of the barn unconscious. He’s at Doctor Palmer’s now, still out.”

  Her hand flew to her mouth. “This is all my fault.”

  “I hardly think that is the case. Why do you think such a crazy thing?”

  “It was the way I acted when we went to dinner that day. I was complaining about my situation and he told me if I was unhappy about it, then I should do something. It went do
wnhill from there. He walked me back and even brought the food, which neither of us had touched. He gave it to Letty. Did you know he gave her a good bit of money and told her to use it to help me? She just said it was from an anonymous donor, but I know he was the one.”

  “I didn’t know about it, but I’m not surprised. He’s a generous person, and he cares about you. Did you know he hasn’t answered the latest letters that came from his advertisement for a bride?”

  “I didn’t know he had advertised.”

  “It was before you came. I have a question on a different subject. Didn’t you tell us you had studied business?”

  “Yes, it was my major in college. Why?”

  “Our books are a mess, and we’ve talked about hiring someone to help us out. Emma doesn’t know anything about them. Would you be interested in taking a stab at it? Papa kept them, and tried to teach us, but we weren’t very interested. Now we try, but we’re not very good at it.”

  “Brett, are you making this up to help? If so, I resent it.”

  “I can see why he was so frustrated with you. Come out and take a look. If you don’t think we need help, or don’t want to help, then forget it. We’ll find someone else.”

  “I’ve messed up everything I’ve done since I got here.”

  “Now you’re having a pity party and feeling sorry for yourself.”

  “He said exactly the same thing the last time I saw him. Do you think it would be all right if I went to see him?”

  “I’m sure it would, but he won’t know you’re there.”

  “That’s all right. I’ll know.”

  Chapter eighteen

  I’d Like to Help

  “Mrs. Palmer, may I see him?” Anna asked.

  “He won’t know you’re here, and he’s not a pretty sight.”

  “I’d still like to see him, if I may.”

  “I don’t suppose it will hurt anything,” Elizabeth replied.

  “Did you know what’s wrong with him?”

  “He hasn’t decided whether it’s the flu or pneumonia.”

  “I’d like to help if there’s anything I can do.”

  “His brother is here, so I don’t know if it will be all right with him or not. The family has the say, as long as there’s no medical problem.”