The Heart of a Soiled Dove

by Sarah Jae Foster

  They rode double all the way home.

  That evening, Josie carried a lumpy gunnysack past Aurora. “What’s in there?” she asked, dismantling her new gun.

  “Mice mixing with strychnine. Too bad it isn’t sending them a message to keep out of our hay.”

  “Where are you taking them?”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll take them out in the woods and bury ‘em deep. That suit you?”

  “It does. When you come back supper will be ready.” Aurora turned to the other girls and said matter of fact, “First thing in the morning, I’ll teach you how to shoot.”

  Betsy mumbled, “Oooooh… we should not have come.”

  “We’ll take care of each other, and in a short while our men will be back from the cattle drive.”

  Lauren belted out in laughter. “Bet they’ll be surprised to find us out here instead of their first stop in town.”

  That familiar sliver of envy, which she did not want affecting her, pricked at Aurora. The thought of Donovan’s first stop at a whorehouse was not a picture she wanted in her mind. Her gaze settled on the two in front of her. Had he ever made love to Lauren? To Betsy? Maybe Josie…?

  Someone shouting with exuberance interrupted the horrible thoughts tormenting her.

  “I made it!”

  Simultaneously, they turned and saw Sophia McHenry in her high-heeled lacy boots and carpetbag walking up the road with one hand on her hat to keep it on. “Where’s that Emmy?” She was breathless.

  Emmy poked her head out the front door. “What is all this nonsense?” She asked. “You opening up your boardinghouse after all?”

  Aurora raised her chin with finality. “I reckon that this will be a boardinghouse, just of a different kind.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The girls had been sleeping at Carrie Anne’s, should Corbin make good on a threat and come bothering them while they slept in the night. Aurora chose it because the Brennans’ cabin was contained and one could see all around from the ground floor. Unlike the main house, with the stairs and the levels and the kitchen facing east, the parlor west. It would be easy for someone to get the drop on them.

  Aurora lie beside Emmy and watched as she tossed and turned in agitated sleep. It seemed her body was fighting to ease back into a settled life. Once in a while her vacant stare would come upon Aurora and she could only imagine what Emmy had put up with at Kate’s Place.

  Aurora fought being fearful. With three more added to the family it would bring more cause for revenge from the pimps in town. Overcome by tiredness and worry for those around her, Aurora finally allowed her heavy eyes to close and her sleep was sound – until the early morning hour when she awoke to someone screeching in a most unappealing way.

  “Sophia! Sophia McHenry!”

  The women began to stir and blink sleepy eyes – trying to focus on the terrible sound invading their peacefulness. “Sophia! You come out this instant!”

  “Oh, dear,” said Sophia.

  Aurora looked at her, silently questioning. Sophia slid an inch of the calico curtain back and sighed. “It’s Kate.”

  The other girls were already up and peering out, watching across the way as Kate banged upon the door to the big empty house.

  Aurora said, as if she were a neglectful hostess, “I suppose I should go and tell her nobody’s home.” She pulled a flannel wrap about her chilled body. “Who is that silly looking man with her?”

  “It’s Brighton. Her protector,” Sophia said making haste to get dressed.

  Aurora noticed what Sophia was doing. “You are not coming. Stay here.”

  “I need to go with her, Aurora.”

  “What do you think you’ve been doing – taking a holiday? You came to start a new life and that’s exactly what you are going to do. You have to start somewhere, now stick to it.”

  “She’s coming here,” Carrie Anne said.

  Aurora stepped outside, standing stoically against the doorframe. Mostly to keep Sophia in. “Kate, it’s so good to see you.”

  “Out of my way!” Her tone pierced the sky and a formation of birds made away to hide in the trees.

  “I will not get out of your way. Without trying to be… impolite, I have to ask why you traveled here at such an early hour.” Aurora wanted to also add that she was noisier than a rooster.

  Sophia tried to open the door from the inside and Aurora held firm the handle, gritting her teeth.

  “Let me out!”

  Aurora smiled tightly at the muffled order and Kate looked at Aurora seeming confused by her peculiar behavior. “My man is coming. That door will not remain closed for long.”

  Aurora caught a glance at Brighton. Having no choice, she let go of the door handle and pulled a derringer from her bodice. “I am not about to allow you and yours to touch anything on my property.”

  Brighton halted, wisely so. Kate frowned and pulled a piece of crumpled paper from her bosom and smoothed it out against her heaving breast. She handed it over to Aurora who had no intention of touching the thing. Instead, she asked, “What’s this?”

  Kate held her head high, “That is what Miss McHenry owes me. I will have her arrested if she doesn’t come back with me this very instant. She will pay every cent if she has to whore herself until she’s eighty.”

  Brighton groaned out loud and Aurora could only imagine it was at that horrid thought. Just then Sophia managed to get the door open. “She’s right, Aurora. I am in debt to her. I should have never left.”

  Aurora snatched the paper from Kate and did a cursory glance to the bottom of the page. One hundred and sixty two dollars. Kate sure struck up a high-priced document. Even Sophia’s food for the month was added onto it as well as the sheets for her own bed. Business expenses Aurora knew that madams took care of. Glaring at Kate, she delivered it back to her eager hands as Kate smiled victoriously. “You see. Come here Sophia, we’ll deal with you and your ill-gotten behavior later.”

  “Just a minute, Kate Philips,” Aurora said, ready for battle.

  Kate halted and a near growl escaped her throat. Her words seemed forced, slow and pinched. “What did you say to me?”

  “Sophia, step away from her right now.”

  “But I am indebted…” Sophia began.

  “Not anymore you’re not.”

  “I’ll have you both arrested,” Kate warned.

  “Save your high pitched blithering.” Aurora stepped close to her adversary. “I will pay you every cent of this debt. Outright robbery is what it is and you well know it. Now get off of my property before I run you off.”

  Kate posed a nasty, bitter question. “What do you want with a not good for anything whore, anyway?”

  “You are out of line. You see, God sees her as significant, with a life of freedom ahead of her.”

  Kate drew back, face flushed from being shocked to the core no doubt. “This is not over between us.”

  Aurora turned her back on the woman and went inside with the girls. Then she heard Carrie Anne ask, “Where’s Lauren?”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Aurora waited until everyone was occupied with chores before slipping away. Cows needed milking, produce needed harvesting and prepped for canning. Many hands made work lighter for everyone. Aurora’s heart was full and her determination revived as she watched the former prostitutes working together, seeing to their worth as women.

  God, please show them your unconditional love.

  After managing to convince them that Lauren probably went for an early morning walk, she set out to find her. Once out of sight and hearing range of the ranch, Aurora dug her heels into the horse and went straight to the Lady of the Night.

  Several men stood to their feet as Aurora walked through Poe’s doors. No one touched her but all sent remarks about her soft beauty and innocence that made her want to laugh. She arrived in front of Poe himself. But just as she was about to confront him, she saw Lauren tending to a man. She was helping him adjust his suspenders out
side a bedroom door. She patted his shoulders and gave his lips a lingering kiss. It’s when her eyes rested on Aurora standing there that she shrank back into the insecurity Aurora knew all too well.

  “Unless you want to join her, leave,” Poe sneered.

  Aurora spoke loudly. “Is this what you want, Lauren? Is it?”

  “Lauren, get out here and answer her so she can get out of my place,” Thatcher said.

  With caution and frailty, Lauren emerged. Aurora took in the sight of her. “Why did you come back?” Aurora’s voice soothed.

  Thatcher seemed to be on his last nerve. “Would you answer her?”

  “I came on my own accord. I like… it… here.”

  If she spoke the truth, why in heavens were tears pouring down her face? “I don’t believe you.”

  “Look,” said Thatcher. “Why can’t you just understand that not ever’ body is so high minded as yourself? Get lost.”

  “So long, Aurora.” Lauren walked away from her and slid her old prostitute self back into her old quarters. Aurora could do nothing. She glared at Poe and his disgusting features. “She is lying. I don’t know how you got to her but I will find out.”

  “Get out of my saloon.”

  With newly withdrawn and dwindling money, Aurora went to Kate’s Place. Brighton opened the door and she threw it at his feet. She was livid. Fists clenching in and out like she was clawing for a nerve, she stood in the street and raised her voice, addressing the three saloons that housed prostitutes. “My name is Aurora Young. I have come to offer prostitutes a way out.”

  Her insides shook as people looked upon her as if she rode with one of those freak show-traveling circuses.

  “I want women to come work for me and only those who are currently being employed as a soiled dove.”

  A few prostitutes made their way outside of saloons. It was late morning and their sleep was sorely interrupted. They looked rough and bothered to be out in daylight.

  “What are you going on about?” one of them asked.

  Aurora prayed your will be done, Lord. She asked, “Do any one of you want to live your own life?”

  “Listen sugar, we wouldn’t know what that means.”

  “Are you one of those temperance ladies?”

  “You’ve already asked us that question, now leave us alone!”

  Their voices were closing in on Aurora and this was not what she expected. Why did she believe it would be so easy? Why couldn’t they be as desperate as she had been when she left San Francisco? She realized she was treading on thin ice and hoped God would help her remain their advocate.

  Looking into some of their faces was what urged her to proceed. “Any one of you who are selling your bodies for the pleasures of men and don’t wish to continue on in that, I implore you to come home with me. I’ve others already there working. It’s harvest time. I could really use you.”

  “What if we ain’t working for the pleasures of men? But our pleasure, too,” a woman spouted off, her round and lumpy stomach bounced up and down as she chuckled.

  “This is insane,” Kate bellowed, stepping out. “Where’s the sheriff?”

  Aurora had the town’s attention.

  Thatcher Poe sucked in a breath. “Would somebody shut her up!”

  Aurora looked in his direction. He was just a man and no longer intimidated her. “Why don’t you, Mr. Poe? Do you not have Sheriff Corbin Bradbury around to do your dirty work?” She stared him down as he raised his hand and made a signal as though he held a gun. His lips moved soundlessly when he pretended to shoot. “Pow.”

  Lauren came to the entrance and Aurora’s soul poured out in her tears. Please come stand with me. I don’t want to be alone.

  “If you make one step in her direction, I will kill you,” Poe said.

  Lauren turned away, hopelessness written all over her face, and went inside. Poe spit and smiled wickedly – and followed suit. The stir was created and prostitutes gathered and visited with one another. Aurora stood alone, dying with curiosity. What were they discussing? What should she do? Was it time for her to take her leave?

  “Get back in here!” Kate hollered at one of her girls.

  The woman strode passed Kate with a packed carpetbag. “Where do you think you are going?”

  “The lady made an offer I cannot refuse.”

  Aurora craned her neck to see the woman defying Kate. She was older than what Aurora was used to seeing in a boardinghouse, close to thirty years of age. She stood anxiously and at that time saw Iris Finley deep in the crowd, giving her a weak but encouraging smile. The madam did not look happy about Aurora’s actions but did give her a slight nod.

  And that encouragement was all Aurora needed. She headed towards Kate’s in time to hear, “You cannot leave this house until you pay off your debt you ungrateful wench.”

  Very casually, the woman with the carpetbag took out a tiny purse. One by one she handed coins into Kate’s palm and finally, held up a shiny new one, “This one is extra. I’ll give it to you if you promise to never speak to me again.” It was gingerly placed into the palm and, with much elegance, she made her way to Aurora. “My name’s Beth Nixon. You’d better be worth this, Aurora Young.”

  Kate’s voice wailed, “How did you get this money? You stole from me didn’t you?” Finally her remaining girls coaxed her hysterical self into the house and closed the door.

  Aurora looked at this woman of bold mystery. “How did you come up with all of that?” They began walking towards Aurora’s horse.

  “You don’t think I’m honest, do you?”

  “It doesn’t matter what I think. I do not know you,” Aurora said.

  They stopped and she held out her gloved hand. “I have been putting away every possible penny to buy my freedom from here.”

  “It looks as though you could’ve left a while ago.”

  Beth looked at her straight. “I had nowhere to go and would have run out of money before too long. Didn’t want to end up the same. Guess you could say I was a little frightened to begin something else.”

  Aurora liked her immediately. “I believe, Beth Nixon, that you were meant at this very moment to make that decision.”

  They reached the horse. “I’ll walk.”

  “No, I couldn’t let you….”

  “Allow me to walk on my own two feet away from this place.”

  Aurora gathered the reins and clucked at her horse. “I would be honored to walk alongside you.”

  “Aurora!”

  Both women turned to see Lauren running towards them. She rushed into Aurora’s waiting arms and wept and wept.

  Aurora eyed Beth “We are in for a fight, by the way.”

  “It’s a good thing I came when I did then.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Aurora felt like a politician – with her loyal followers standing at attention around the well in the middle of the farmyard. What a sight each newcomer looked, listening to Aurora’s spiel in their old-profession attire. Half dressed they were and her heart went out to each and every one. “The freedom you have chosen means a chance to become a wife, a mother, a business owner of good repute.”

  “Oh come now,” Josie teased.

  “You all can do whatever you put your minds to,” Aurora said cheerfully. “Once a prostitute, doesn’t mean you are always a whore. Our past was a way to make it in this world.” Her arms spread wide to the open range. “And when opportunity presents itself to live another way, our past is no longer what or who we are. From this day forward, we are ladies, and farmers and ranchers. I have a lot of land, a lot of things to do. Find what suits you, please. Find your talent.”

  The women cheered at Aurora’s speech and she flushed. She was nobody and yet somebody was needed to encourage the women before her. If it were her lot in life to do so, then she would do it. Wholeheartedly. They dispersed, seemingly to take her advice. Sophia went instantly with Carrie Anne to her garden. Beth Nixon showed clear interest in caring for the horse
s, while Emmy hung back. Concern renewed in Aurora for her. She still did not look good. Her once healthy ebony skin still carried a gray pallor, pox like scars filled her upper cheekbones and no appetite came over her no matter what was offered. Aurora put an arm around Emmy’s bony shoulders. “What can I do for you?”

  “Nothing.”

  “I want you to be happy, Em.”

  “Never been happy, Aurora.” She smiled pathetically and went off alone.

  Betsy approached the subject after Emmy was out of hearing. “She got into some bad things. I don’t know if she’ll ever get good again.”

  Aurora fixed a straw hat over her unruly hair. “I choose not to believe that, with all due respect. Time is all she needs, that and to know God’s love.” She mounted her horse. “I’m going to go ride the line, check on things.”

  Just as Aurora nudged her horse into a walk, she saw Reverend John’s buggy being steered in the direction of the barn.

  She put the mare into a trot and greeted excitedly, “Reverend John! You don’t know how happy I am to see you.”

  They brought themselves to a halt and appraised each other. “What a nice welcome. I could get used to that,” he said.

  Aurora smiled. “We expected you last week.”

  “We had the death of a child two counties over. I couldn’t leave the parents to themselves.”

  “I couldn’t imagine,” she agreed solemnly.

  “It’s not right for sure, but I don’t question the Lord’s ways.” After a moment he brought his eyes to rest on Aurora’s property. He scrunched his eyebrows and said, “Seems to be a bit busier around and about since I was here last.”

  Unable to hold her enthusiasm she shared, “I’m finally seeing the fruit of why God has brought me here. These women are all former prostitutes and they’re here with me now.” She had a thought. “Reverend John? Would you hold us a special service? We’ve been quite unchurched lately and a sermon by you would be much appreciated.”

  He seemed to measure her. His answer came a full minute later and Aurora thought for a horrible moment that he’d refuse to preach to soiled doves. “I would be honored. May I, uh… put my horse away first?” He chuckled.