The Heart of a Soiled Dove

by Sarah Jae Foster

  Josie shook her head hesitantly. “Can we just relish in the lack of Thatcher and the sheriff for a while? As it is, Thatcher’s girls are probably already workin’ for Kate and Iris. No need to stir that pot the second we get home.”

  “Alright, I hear you. However, they can make a home here just as well but I will be patient and see where things fall, deal?

  Josie nodded and directed the horse to the barn. “Deal.”

  Aurora unloaded their carpetbags and headed into the house. It seemed chillier inside than it was out and she was impatient to get a fire burning in the kitchen stove. Once in her room, she unlaced her boots and rubbed her achy feet. She knew she had much work to do but couldn’t help but indulge a tiny bit of time to having a thought about Donovan. She relished in seeing him again. She’d put his scowling face from her mind as much as she could but he kept invading anyway. She could almost smell his roughness – the outdoors blending magnificently with his fragrance as if it were a part of him. His image stirred her to missing him. Aurora hadn’t seen him in weeks but his face was as clear as if it had been an hour. Handsomely clear. Sighing, she felt convicted for neglecting her chores while she knew everyone else to be tending to theirs.

  She set out to the kitchen, but halted before a small oval looking glass hanging near her door. She may still be considered young, possibly. She pinched and patted her cheeks; it had taken a while to get used to not wearing rouge and having painted eyelids. For a time, she’d marveled at how pale she looked underneath it all. Now she was freckled on the bridge of her nose with her recent labors in the sun. “Am I not pretty enough for you, Donovan Ramsey?”

  Something had been stirring within Donovan for days now and it was more than unsettling. What unnerved him the most was that he wanted to talk to someone about it. He’d been surrounded by cows and cowboys for the past six weeks and had a lot of reflection time. It used to be that he was proud of being proud. Now it seemed that pride was going to destroy him and he didn’t know what to do about it. He looked to Roman, riding five horses ahead on the trail home, and nudged his stallion to be next to his brother.

  Growing up, Roman had always been the good boy, the one their father doted on, the one who provided the least grief. Unfortunately for their father, Roman was also considered the illegitimate son. Donovan didn’t care about life or doing things for anyone but himself, and when he found out about his mother, he’d just wanted to get away from everyone. He sidled up to Roman, who seemed to have things figured out. Roman was the one with a wife and people around him who liked him because of who he was, and Donovan had to wonder about his own self, who did he have in his life? The void of relationships was beginning to gnaw on him. He didn’t want to care about it, but suddenly he did. He also didn’t want to feel like he was missing out on anything, either.

  Trying to create conversation was awkward to say the least, but he had to start somewhere. Besides, Roman was now looking at him curiously. Donovan reached for his canteen of water and gulped some down, offering it to his brother.

  “Much obliged.”

  “Let’s ride up a piece,” Donovan stated. He sped up, leaving Roman no choice but to follow his order.

  The two were half a mile from their ranch hands and Roman inquired, “What’s going on?”

  “Darned if I know. I’ve got something mulling around my mind that I can’t seem to shake, and I can’t rest.”

  Donovan’s eyes were on his brother, and when Roman smiled slightly, it prompted him to ask, “What’s so amusing?”

  Roman swallowed as if weighing what to say and being patient was no virtue of Donovan’s. “Well?” he snapped.

  “Don’t shut me down when I tell ya this. I’ve been praying for you and I….”

  “Really? You trying to tell me that God himself is punishing me with lack of peace because I don’t know him like you do? Who gave you the right to pray on my behalf anyhow?” Donovan grumbled.

  “Donovan, what you’re feeling is real. I’ve spent the last three years talking to Reverend John….”

  “Here we go again about the Reverend.”

  “You gonna let me finish or not? Seems like you came to me on this one.”

  He looked hard at Roman, who suddenly got a dose of boldness.

  “Fine, what about the Reverend.”

  “A man can only change when he admits his failures and sins to God. I guess I been praying that you come to a place where you feel the need to.”

  Donovan removed his dusty hat and smacked his thigh with it in frustration. Eyeing Roman, trying to intimidate him, he replaced it on his head. The two rode in silence for several minutes before Donovan said, “I don’t claim to know much about praying, as you well know Roman. But whatever you and the Rev are doing seems to be working, because I haven’t had any peace all month long. So if you don’t mind, could ya stop it?”

  “I won’t do that and the reason is because I want you to know what peace feels like and what it’s like to feel free and to look towards God. He wants us to give him all our cares. It’s one reason I felt so bad to be tempted last night. I overcame it because I’m not the same man I once was.”

  “Seems one-sided to me.” Donovan was less than thrilled at this information, but at least he had some knowledge as to his mind troubles.

  He thought a moment. So if he acknowledged that Roman’s prayers could affect his peace of mind, was he admitting that perhaps there was a God who was capable of messing him up like that?

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Two Weeks Later

  The citizens of Pine City woke up to a near riot. On every post in town there was nailed a flyer stating: Attention every prostitute who resides in Pine City. Do you wish to change your trade for a better life? There will be held today, at noon, a meeting. At the home of AuroraYoung.

  And for good measure, Aurora had Sophia and Josie remain in town to let the illiterate prostitutes know what the signs said – in case the two madams in town and men who frequented their houses tried to tell them otherwise. She left them and headed home to ready for hopefully a good response. She turned back in her saddle and looked at them both. The two looked like outlaws, standing guard against the posters, rifles in hand, like the good soldiers that they were. Aurora hadn’t had too much of a time talking Josie into helping her free more soiled doves. And watching her fade into the distance, she looked mighty proud of their stand, indeed.

  Hours later, her parlor was full. Aurora stood in front of thirteen soiled doves. Hope and curiosity danced around in each pair of trusting eyes. Aurora’s reputation had exceeded her. She’d brought down the notorious Thatcher Poe and the abusive sheriff. The

  ill-gotten group before her made her want to cry. Overcome with emotion, she cleared her throat. It was time to share what was on her heart. “Ladies….”

  Someone snorted near the back of the room. “Never been called one of them afore.” Others laughed in agreement.

  “That is precisely why we are here,” Aurora asserted herself. She waited patiently until the mocking died down. “I have a proposal to make to each one of you. You all know Josie and Sophia and if you don’t know my dear friend, Carrie Anne, allow me to introduce her.”

  Carrie Anne came forward and did something akin to a nervous curtsy. The half-dressed women sitting in various poses around Aurora’s parlor made her a tad uneasy. Aurora gave her a grateful smile in appreciation. Carrie Anne shuffled herself back to the corner, and got firmly planted next to Sophia.

  She gulped hard. Here came her public confession. “I was once a whore in a boardinghouse in San Francisco.”

  This put the girls beside themselves, sending whispers of disbelief among them.

  Aurora smiled. “I am pleased that you should all be surprised by this. You see, if I can change my life, so can you. The first thing I need from you is to not think of yourselves as lowly, or unworthy, but as ladies. I’ve come to know that the things you set your heart to believe, is who you are.” She looked into
their faces, dim with discouragement, and continued, “The girls and I are here to offer you a boardinghouse of a different sort. A place where you can live and learn a trade better suited for a lady.”

  Their attention clearly aroused, questions began to pour out and Aurora held up her hand to still them. As it was, she’d had to speak loudly over their voices until they quieted again. “We will have instruction for you, hopefully geared towards your interest. Sewing, reading, cooking for the domestic ones.”

  A bawdy woman interrupted, “And for us not so domesticated?”

  “Well we have gardening, pigs, cows, chickens….”

  That piqued a couple of others and excitement began to ignite through Aurora. “And for those of us who are a bit more on the adventurous side, a ranch. Complete with a healthy herd of cattle.”

  A still silence filled the room. Aurora’s hands were folded expectantly in front of her, like a teacher of grade school children awaiting a correct answer. She looked anxiously at Josie and waited. A woman’s voice asked shyly, “You’re planning on sharing all that with the likes of us?”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Naomi.”

  “Naomi, if you plan to dedicate yourself for a better life, well… what is mine is yours. My desire is to train you up and send you out in the world to get married, to own a business, to further your education, whatever you want. This is new to me as well but I’m confident we can all do this and I will tell you why. Because it is not in my own strength that I do it. God has given me this blessing and He is faithful to complete whatever works He has begun.”

  “I believe her. She set right Thatcher Poe!”

  “She’s a woman of her word, fer sure!”

  Josie stepped beside Aurora – protective as ever. “You plan to stay, you will be honest, you will work hard and you will be loyal to this woman here.” It was an order. Her personality reminded Aurora so much of Emmy, whom she missed terribly. Her death would not have meant anything if things had stayed the same in town. They had to make a difference and there was no turning back now. She would dedicate her life to those before her, trying to bring change for the good to those who wanted it.

  “Talk it over ladies. Those of you who wish to stay can come right back after retrieving your personal items. If Kate or Iris gives you any grief, they can come see me.” Aurora then realized she ought to pay a visit to Iris Finley, out of respect.

  Donovan and Roman sat tiredly upon their horses’ backs at the split in the road. One path led to Aurora’s, the other to the Double R. It was time to break company. Only Donovan’s own mind was at a crossroads. If he didn’t act on his thoughts towards Aurora, he would never know where she stood, if anywhere, when it came to him. As always, he conjured up their picnic and knew every detail of it by heart. There had been something in her eyes for him… hadn’t there? Sure he would be sorry later for doing what he was about to do, but he felt like taking a risk and so he plunged on ahead. “Roman?”

  Donovan needed to drag his brother’s attention out of the fog. Roman looked more than anxious to be home. “What do you think about my paying a call to Aurora?”

  A grin split wide Roman’s lips. “I knew it!”

  “Just shut-up and answer me.”

  “I’d say she would like that,” Roman encouraged, still grinning.

  Donovan wasn’t so sure about that, “Alright then, I’ll be by tomorrow.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Women were everywhere and poor Roman, Martin, Levi and Philippe stood in shock and awe. Aurora broke the awkwardness. “It’s so good to have everyone back!”

  Philippe looked too afraid to go to the barn and stared at all the females inundating the property. Carrie Anne was hugging the life out of Roman until he set her aside and asked, “What’s all of this?”

  “A lot has happened since you’ve been away.”

  “I can see that. What the heck are all of these whor --”

  Aurora eyed him, cutting him off with a sharp look.

  Josie quickly intervened. “Aurora wants to have a boardinghouse. Teach these women how to live without selling their bodies.”

  Martin coughed uncomfortably and made his way to the bunkhouse. “Come on Levi.” He jerked his dumbfounded friend alongside him.

  Roman did not look happy. For the first time Aurora saw his brother’s scowl creep into his usual smiling eyes and mouth. She was astonished when he uttered a question filled with judgment. “What have you exposed my wife to?”

  “Roman!” Carrie Anne blurted.

  He held her in check, keeping his eyes on Aurora. “I come home thinking that you want to have a cattle ranch, only to find dozens of prostitutes living here instead?”

  Carrie Anne laid a hand on his flailing arm. “Not instead, Roman. The ranch is important to Aurora, but so are they. We’re going to learn them how to live domestically so they can make a living for themselves. For when they move on.”

  His look was incredulous and he said to Carrie Anne, “We’re going to the Double R.”

  She halted and he turned in surprise to her rebellious stance. “We live here, Roman.”

  The turn of events hit Aurora. “Roman, please….”

  “I won’t have her living here with these… these types.”

  She felt as though he’d slapped her. He’d been such a true friend.

  Thankfully Carrie Anne wasn’t as lost for words as she was.

  “Roman, this is our home.”

  His face was ruddy; he looked exhausted and clearly emotions were running amuck. “Carrie Anne….” His voice held warning.

  “Just what do you think I been doing while you were away?”

  Aurora cringed as he answered his wife with the wrong words. “Why don’t you tell me?”

  Carrie Anne gasped and he retorted, “It don’t look good, Carrie Anne.”

  She flung herself away from him and Aurora saw anger piercing through his eyes. Carrie Anne was hurt and crying and had run into the cabin.

  “Roman….” Aurora appealed.

  “What’s going on?” he demanded.

  “Please come inside and we’ll talk.” Assuming he would follow, Aurora moseyed towards the house.

  “I’d rather settle this here and now,” he said.

  Without turning around she replied, “If you want to know what we have been through, including your wife, I suggest you come inside. It’s getting chilly and I want a cup of coffee.” Her back was to him and he’d been left standing by the water well. Without much of a choice, Roman joined Aurora and plunged himself into a seat at the kitchen table.

  It had been a long hour. She gave Roman time to let her words settle in. She’d shared about Lauren being hanged, about Emmy killing herself. When it looked to have sunk in, he put his face into his calloused hands. “I shouldn’t have left her alone… any of that… could have been her.”

  Aurora heard his anguish. She agreed but also encouraged, “But it wasn’t.”

  “I need to make things right,” he went to Aurora. “I like your idea on schooling those women out there. They ain’t never had a chance like this, I reckon.”

  “That’s a nice thing to say, Roman.”

  “We’ll work on that boardinghouse for you, starting day after tomorrow.”

  “You will have many hands to work with you.” She smiled.

  “I can see that. Maybe I’ll get Luke and some others to come on over as well. Lord knows, they’ll be curious enough.” His laughter of relief filled the room.

  “Yes, they will. I’m proud of you. You’re a good man. The cattle drive’s success was beyond my expectation. You did well for us.”

  He replaced his hat and readied to leave.

  “Take care of yourself.” Aurora folded her arms around herself. Soon the house would be swarming with women and yet Aurora would still feel alone.

  “You do the same,” he said.

  Early the next morning Aurora rode into town. It was not the same without Sher
iff Bradbury or Thatcher Poe, and the weight of torment had been lifted from many in their absence. Aurora realized at once that she did not have to look over her shoulder as she made her way to the Meadow Lark Inn to see Iris. It felt good to have proper law representing Pine City, a first for the town. She was pleased at Marshal LaSalle’s offer to stay on until another sheriff could be found. And just as if he read her thoughts, she happened to see the marshal strolling down the boardwalk. He righted himself and made haste towards her. She welcomed him with a smile and he asked, “May I join you?”

  “I’m only going to see Iris.”

  He looked to where she pointed. “May I persist anyway?”

  The attraction presenting itself before her was clear as she looked into his solid brown eyes. “You may.”

  Her heart did a flutter. It had been a long while since a man had given her a look of admiration, and she deemed that he was not hard to look at himself. If only this were Donovan asking to join her, her day would have been complete. But it wasn’t, and possibly may never be.

  “It’s a marvelous day wouldn’t you agree?”

  The scents of fall had always been a comfort to her. “I would.”

  It had been too long a while for an intelligent conversation, and Aurora was already enjoying herself. With Donovan it had always been curt and abrupt. No pleasantries were delivered from Donovan’s lips – ever. Aurora would not dissuade it from happening with Marshal LaSalle. They arrived at her destination all too soon.

  He cleared his throat. “I apologize for putting this before you at short notice.... I would like for you to join me for supper, not assuming you would even consider, of course, but... well, it seems there is not a proper dining facility here in town.”

  “Again, I agree with you. There isn’t anything but saloons around here so I must reverse the invitation. You are welcome to join us at my home for supper tonight if you will.”