When You Are Near

by Tracie Peterson

  “Ah, Lizzy Brookstone, but who will be a comfort to you?”

  “I appreciate what everyone has done this year,” Uncle Oliver began. “We’ve had a very successful season, even with the misfortune that has seemed to follow us.”

  He had sobered up a bit, and Lizzy breathed a sigh of relief. She glanced across the room to where her mother sat. Their eyes met, and Mother gave her a smile. It would seem all was well.

  “Here you are,” Jason whispered, handing Lizzy a cloth-wrapped piece of ice.

  She pressed it against her cheek. “Thank you.”

  All around the car, the performers and crew sat listening to Uncle Oliver’s closing address. Every year her father and uncle spoke to their people and praised them for a job well done. They would tell them about the plans for next year and when they should arrive at the Brookstone ranch in Montana to begin training for the show.

  “All of you have performed exceptionally well, and I am proud of each and every one of you. I know my brother would be too.” He paused a moment, and Lizzy could see his eyes well with tears. “Mark will be missed, but he was determined that the show go on, and so next year we hope to be even bigger and better. Mr. Adler has plans to make the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza the most sought-after show in America—possibly the world.”

  Everyone clapped and looked toward Jason. He gave a little nod of acknowledgment before Uncle Oliver continued.

  “The performers and crew will head home tomorrow. Mrs. Brookstone will accompany those of you going back to our ranch.” He looked Mother’s way and smiled. “After I’m done talkin’, you’ll each get your salary and travel money for your train tickets. Those heading back to Montana for the winter will depart at seven o’clock tomorrow evening. Feel free to enjoy a night on the town, but make sure you’re back here by five tomorrow for loading the horses.”

  Uncle Oliver grew serious. “As you know, we lost not only my brother, but also our head wrangler, August Reichert. Lizzy and I will go to Topeka tomorrow to visit with the Reicherts before we head back home.”

  This was the first Lizzy had heard about this, but she was glad Uncle Oliver had thought of it. She had wondered if they should do something more than just ship the body back. She knew her mother had sent a lengthy telegram, but even that seemed too inadequate. August and his family were good friends of the Brookstones, and it seemed only right that they offer their condolences in person, even if it was too late to attend the funeral.

  “Mr. Adler will also accompany us, and he has decided he will winter with us in Montana so that he might understand every aspect of the show. He will be with us next year as well.”

  Several of the female performers beamed at Jason. They were clearly pleased to know he’d be around. Lizzy wondered if her earlier comments would make Jason change his mind. She sincerely hoped he hadn’t planned to come to Montana for the winter in order to woo her.

  “Now, I’m going to let you all get to the party you’re anticipating. Mrs. Brookstone has prepared us a feast.” He motioned over his shoulder at the table. It was covered to capacity with plates of food. “I’ve been informed that some of the local vendors have provided us with barbecue, and I, for one, am looking forward to that.”

  Most of crew cheered at this comment, then grew silent, as they knew their boss would pray a blessing on the bounty.

  “Let’s offer thanks.” Uncle Oliver bowed his head. “Father, we thank You again for Your protection this evening and Your loving-kindness to us throughout the year. We don’t understand why we lost Mark and August, but we trust that You know best. We thank You now for this food and pray a blessing on each person as they travel to their various locations. Abide with us as we abide in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

  There was no hesitation or waiting to be invited to chow down. Everyone was on their feet and heading to the buffet before Uncle Oliver could even wave them forward. Lizzy wasn’t surprised when the youngest of their female performers, Debbie and Jessie, came to Jason and encouraged him to sit at their table. Lizzy let him be dragged away without protest, although he threw her a look that suggested he wished she would intercede. She was tired and had no desire to pretend to be jealous or otherwise desirous of his company. Instead, she put together a large plate of food and quietly slipped back to the family car.

  “Ella?”

  “I’m here,” the young woman said, peeking out the door of her room. She had dark half-moons under her eyes. No doubt she wasn’t sleeping well. Lizzy wasn’t sure she would sleep well either, if the roles were reversed.

  “We’ve had a development in our plans that will affect you, and I think we have to explain to my uncle and Mr. Adler about your situation,” Lizzy said, placing the food on the tiny bedroom dresser.

  “What’s happened?” Ella’s eyes were wide with fear.

  “I don’t think it’ll be a problem, so please don’t be upset.” Lizzy sat on the edge of the berth and motioned for Ella to do the same. “Uncle Oliver feels we should pay our condolences to the Reichert family, and I think it’s the right thing to do. They live on a farm outside of Topeka, so tomorrow we’ll take the train there.”

  “What about me?”

  “Well, I’ve been thinking about that. Mother is heading back to the ranch, but I think it’s best if you stay with me. In fact, it might work to our advantage. If your father decides to check out whether you’ve gone to Montana with the show, he won’t find you there. I’ll speak to Mother later tonight, but for now, I figure Uncle Oliver will have the family car unhooked from the rest of the cars and then send everyone and everything else to Montana. It’ll be easiest that way, and we can follow from Topeka in this car. Jason Adler plans to come with us, so it’ll be the four of us, and since there are four small bedrooms in this car, it will suit us well enough. Although I could bunk with you if it made you feel safer.”

  “Are you sure they won’t mind? I don’t want to be any trouble. I could make my way from here to Chicago . . . if you helped me. I’ll just need you to sell some jewelry for me.”

  “No. Not unless that’s truly what you want to do. I’m sure by now your father has contacted your sister. I truly think you’ll be safer to stay with us.”

  “Then, if your mother and uncle approve, I will do that. I just don’t want to put anyone out on my account.”

  Lizzy shook her head. “It’s not a problem. In fact, I want to talk to you about your own riding experience and whether you might like to join the show.”

  “What? Join as a performer?” Ella sounded completely stunned.

  Laughing, Lizzy got to her feet. “You’ve ridden all of your life and have your own mount. You told me you and your brother used to play around with Roman riding and various tricks. I think you could probably learn to do what I do with relative ease. If you’re of a mind to.”

  “It would be wonderful to learn your tricks, Lizzy. I so admire what you do.” Ella’s voice was animated. “It would be so exciting to perform for an audience. Do you really think your uncle would let me be part of the show?”

  “I think he might, especially once he realizes that I intend for you to replace me.”

  Ella found sleep impossible that night. She tossed and turned, and with every creak or outside noise, she sat straight up, clutching her covers to her chin. Would it always be like this? Would she spend the rest of her life in fear of being hunted down and forced back to Kentucky? Was there never to be any peace?

  She thought of the fact that her father was party to a murder, and it soured her stomach. Did her mother know? Did Robert? Jefferson had said it wasn’t his first killing. Ella shuddered. How could he speak so casually about life and death? She’d known his reputation for cruelty but realized that she’d assumed it was exaggerated.

  “Lord, I’m so afraid.”

  She forced herself to lie back down, but she couldn’t bring herself to close her eyes. Maybe she should have made her presence known when Father and Jefferson came to the train with Aug
ust Reichert’s coffin. The sheriff had been there, and all the Brookstone people. Maybe she should have declared the truth she’d overheard.

  Shaking her head, Ella knew it would have made no difference. No one would have believed her.

  “God, I feel so alone. Please help me,” she whispered. “Please give my spirit rest and show me what to do.”

  She hated knowing that August had been murdered and wished she’d never overheard her father and Jefferson. She didn’t want to know the truth. Knowing it meant keeping it hidden from Lizzy, who had done nothing but offer friendship and help from the start. Would Lizzy still want to help if she knew what Ella was keeping from her?

  ten

  Well, I must say this is a big surprise,” Mr. Brookstone said, looking at Ella. “I didn’t say anything to Lizzy before, but your father sent a man to us in St. Louis. He was asking if you had somehow managed to slip away with us. I assured him you hadn’t, but now I see otherwise.”

  “I didn’t want you to know for exactly that reason,” Lizzy explained. “I didn’t want you to have to lie.”

  “And I certainly didn’t want to cause problems for you with my father.” Ella looked from Oliver Brookstone to Jason Adler.

  “I don’t know what the legal implications might be.” Lizzy’s uncle looked to Jason. “She’s nearly of age and certainly isn’t a child.”

  “True.” Jason nodded. “I don’t see why it should be a problem. You didn’t know until now about her being here, so as Lizzy said, you didn’t lie.”

  Ella knew they were risking a great deal, going up against her father and Jefferson. “I never thought about any legal implications. If you think it best, I’ll leave.”

  “No!” Lizzy was adamant. “We all know what will happen if they find you. You’ll be forced to marry that abominable man. We must keep Ella safe.”

  “Of course,” Mr. Adler assured them. “I cannot abide the idea of a woman being forced to marry against her will. We’ll deal with any trouble when it comes.”

  Lizzy’s uncle nodded as well. “Given the situation, I’m happy to do my part. Although I suppose it will burn our bridges with your father and his horses.”

  “We’ve got two good mares now,” Lizzy interjected. “We can breed them to Morgans if we want a pure line. Besides, there are other Morgan farms.”

  Her uncle nodded. “I’m sure we’ll get by just fine.” He smiled at Ella. “I appreciate you both being frank with us and telling the truth of the situation.”

  Ella grimaced. She hadn’t told them the half of it. She still hadn’t admitted to Lizzy that she knew Jefferson Spiby was responsible for the death of August Reichert. And now she’d have to face August’s family on top of everything else. The nightmare, it seemed, had no end in sight.

  “Thank you so much,” she said. “I promise to do whatever I can to earn my keep. I’m a capable seamstress and happy to lend a hand.”

  “Agnes will be glad of that,” Mr. Brookstone said, nodding. “Although she won’t be with us in Montana until late January.”

  “I plan to teach Ella my tricks,” Lizzy interjected. “She’s spent her entire life around horses and knows them as well as I do. She’s even done Roman riding and a few tricks of her own. I think she’ll be the perfect person to replace me.”

  “Replace you?” Lizzy’s uncle looked appalled.

  Lizzy pushed back her long, dark hair. “Yes. I think it’s about time, don’t you?”

  Mr. Brookstone shook his head. “I don’t think we’d have much of a show without you, Lizzy.”

  “Then we need to build the show around Ella and the others.”

  “You have yet to even see her perform,” Jason Adler said, sounding skeptical.

  Ella didn’t want any of them to worry. “Mr. Adler, I understand your concern, but I assure you that I’m capable and willing to learn. You should be able to tell my value or lack thereof by the time the show sets off again in late February.”

  “She’s right.” Lizzy pulled back the drapes covering the train window. “Oh, look. I believe we’ve arrived in Topeka.”

  Ella could feel that the train was slowing. She wished Lizzy had told her uncle and Mr. Adler everything the night before, but Lizzy had assured her it was better to do it today, just before they reached Topeka.

  “Mother gave Ella her mourning veil,” Lizzy said. “She thought it might provide some privacy. If Ella wears my black cape and the veil, no one will be able to tell who she is. Then, if you escort her, Uncle Oliver, just as you would have Mother, nothing will appear out of order.”

  “That makes sense.” Oliver Brookstone nodded. “Your mother always was a smart one.”

  “Then Mr. Adler and I will follow behind,” Lizzy finished.

  Ella appreciated all the extra effort they were going to. She was touched that they cared so much about her plight. She only wished their support would allow her stomach to stop churning.

  She hoped the men could be trusted not to ask her too many questions. The last thing she wanted was to explain what she knew about August’s death. She felt selfish in her silence, but her desperation to escape a hopeless future seemed more important than a murderer going to trial. Besides, most of the men in their county, including the law officials, were obliged to her father. Even if she had seen Jefferson kill August, her father and Jefferson had enough friends to keep the matter from ever coming to light. The Flemings could do no wrong. Even if it involved murder.

  Mary Reichert’s pale expression and reddened eyes told Lizzy what she already knew would be true. Her friend was devastated by the loss of her only brother.

  “Lizzy, I can hardly believe he’s gone,” Mary murmured. The man beside her put his arm around her as she continued to speak. “As for the suggestion that he was killed by those colts . . . well, I simply don’t believe it.”

  “Neither do I, Mary,” Lizzy admitted, looking across the room at her uncle. “None of us do.”

  “She’s right,” Uncle Oliver declared. “But I can’t imagine what really did happen, and Fleming’s people seemed to know nothing. They said they simply found him that way.”

  All gazes turned to Ella. The poor young woman shook her head and looked as if she might burst into tears at any moment. “I’m so sorry.”

  Mary’s grandfather, Oscar Reichert, spoke up in his thick German accent. “Our August vas a superior horseman. He vould not be trample.”

  “He vould not,” his wife, Hannah, agreed.

  Lizzy had known this family most of her life. Mary’s father had once worked with Uncle Oliver and Lizzy’s father in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. Though all three men were superior in their horsemanship, Wilhelm Reichert was also a master marksman. A talent he passed down to his daughter. It was said that the only woman better at shooting than Mary was the famous Annie Oakley.

  “Our Vilhelm, he died performing,” Mr. Reichert said, shaking his head. “He broke his neck ven he fell from de horse.”

  Lizzy remembered the accident that had claimed the life of Wilhelm Reichert and injured her father. They had been working together with a team of four horses. Lizzy’s father held the reins while straddling the center two. Mary’s father would make a flying vault to join him. The trick started out just fine, and Mr. Reichert made it to an upright stance atop the horse. But he’d no sooner gotten there than the animal stumbled and hit the horse beside him. This in turn upset the rest of the team, and the horses began to rear and fight Lizzy’s father for control. The men were thrown beneath a tangle of hooves. Mr. Reichert died instantly from a broken neck, while Lizzy’s father suffered a back injury bad enough that he had to return to the ranch to recuperate.

  “Horses are a danger,” Uncle Oliver said, shaking his head. “Anyone who works with them knows as much. Still, I find it hard to believe August would put himself in such a position that he couldn’t escape trouble.”

  Everyone nodded, then fell silent.

  “Ve’re mighty sorry for your loss too,” Hannah
Reichert finally said. She took her husband’s hand and turned to Lizzy. “I’m sure it’s hard for your mama to lose her husband, and you, your vater.”

  “Thank you.” Lizzy straightened and gave a nod. “It hasn’t been easy for Mother, which is why she didn’t feel up to coming with us. I think she knew how sad you would be and didn’t want to add to it.”

  “So much sorrow,” Mary said, wiping a tear from her eye with the back of her hand. “At the funeral yesterday, I thought I would cry myself out, but it seems I have a never-ending supply of tears.”

  The man beside Mary was her fiancé, Owen Douglas. He quickly pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it into her hand.

  “Thank you, Owen.” Mary dabbed her eyes. “I won’t rest until I know what happened to August and who’s to blame.”

  Lizzy knew Mary and Owen had been promised to each other almost since childhood. Owen’s family owned the farm next to the Reicherts’, and Mary and Owen had grown up the best of friends. After a time, it was just assumed that the two would marry.

  Mary and her brother had grown up on this Kansas farm. When their mother died in 1879 giving birth to her third and final child, Katerina, Wilhelm had taken his grief and hit the road, leaving his three children to be raised by his parents. Eventually his ability with horses and guns put him in good standing with Buffalo Bill Cody, and Wilhelm was hired to perform in the same wild west show that employed Lizzy’s father and uncle. The influence of Lizzy’s godly parents helped Wilhelm deal with his grief, and eventually he returned to his family for visits. That was when Lizzy and Mary had first met.

  Hannah Reichert got to her feet. “Our dinner vill be ready shortly. You must excuse me. Mary—you go bring in de clothes, ja?”

  Mary nodded. “I’ll get them now.”

  “I’ll help,” Owen said, getting to his feet.

  Mrs. Reichert nodded and headed for the kitchen.