by Diane Noble
Mary Rose squeezed her hand. “It sounds like he made quite an impression on you in a short time.”
“He did.” She hesitated. “There’s something else.”
“I told you about the newspaper man being on the apostate list . . .”
Mary Rose nodded.
“I didn’t tell you about the two names at the top of the same list.”
“I think I know,” Mary Rose said. “I knew it the minute you told me about the list. I could see it in your face. Yours and mine?” Her face held a sadness that made Bronwyn want to weep.
“I wish I didn’t have to tell you any of this.”
“We’re in this together,” Mary Rose said, and surprised Bronwyn by laughing softly. “Sister wives . . . how much more ‘together’ can we be than that?”
“What I need to tell you next is even worse.”
Mary Rose took a deep breath. “Tell me.”
“It’s about the twins. I found a note about them. They have been promised in marriage to Apostle Erastus Gibbons.”
Mary Rose caught her hand to her mouth. “No, that can’t be. Gabe may have been given a list with our names on it. But he would never allow that kind of harm to come to his girls.”
Bronwyn reached for her hands again. “Gabe signed the note. It’s official. He’s giving them in marriage to that old man as soon as they reach fourteen. That’s not long from now . . .”
Mary Rose dropped her head into her hands. “It can’t be. Surely, he wouldn’t do that.” Bronwyn gathered her into a hug as she wept. Her own tears fell as she thought about Gabe’s treachery. Mary Rose’s face was pale as she straightened. If ever she needed words that would cheer, it was now. She drew a breath. “Something wondrous happened today—and we do need some good news right now. But we can let no one know.”
“What is it?” Mary Rose leaned in closer, her expression filled with such hope, it made Bronwyn’s heart ache.
“It’s about Coal.”
“Coal?” Her eyes opened wide. “Did you . . . find out something about him? Where he is?” She grabbed Bronwyn’s hands again and held on as if for dear life. “Is he safe?”
“It’s much better than hearing about him,” she said, barely able to contain her joy. “I saw him.”
Mary Rose jumped to her feet, and her hands flew to her cheeks. “How . . . ? Where . . . ?”
“It’s a long story, and we only had time to speak for a little while.” She grinned. “But you know Coal, that boy has a way of getting himself into scrapes, and this one was the biggest scrape you can imagine.”
“Tell me. At least give me a hint.”
“He was captured by the Dakota Sioux right after we tried to save Sarah.”
Mary Rose looked stricken. “Oh, dear. Was he hurt . . . is he all right?”
“Yes, he’s better than ever. Quite the young man now. Nearly as tall as I am.”
Mary Rose let out a pent-up breath. “I must see him. Where is he?”
“He’s with Greyson the newspaper reporter, and an old mountain man. You’ll see Coal tomorrow when we drop off the journals.”
Mary Rose threw her head back, letting out a joyful laugh, and then covered her mouth, lest she be heard. “Coal! Can you imagine? And leave it to our boy to end up with a newspaperman and a mountain man.” She grinned. “I wonder how that happened.”
“He didn’t tell me, but I bet, as Coal would say, ‘it’s a good’un.’ ”
Cordelia called them to dinner, and the women headed to the stairs. Gabe stood at the base, watching them in silence as they descended.
The children chattered through what seemed to Bronwyn to be an endless dinner, oblivious to the tensions between Mary Rose, Bronwyn, and their father. Every time Bronwyn looked at Gabe, she lost her appetite. All she could think about was that note that signed away the lives of their precious twins. She pictured Ruby and Pearl in wedding gowns saying their vows to the apostle. She struggled to draw a breath but felt her throat constrict with anger, disappointment, and sorrow.
Cordelia glanced from one adult to another around the table, her expression curious, and then went back to chatting with the children, telling stories about her escapades aboard the riverboat years before.
After dinner, Gabe took the children into the great room for board games, reading, singing, and his bedtime blessing.
Bronwyn was clearing the dining table and stood, frozen, as the twins came forward and, with a hand on each of their heads, he asked God to bless them mightily in all their endeavors.
Nauseated, she wrapped her arms around her stomach and ran for the back door. She was bent double, trying not to vomit when she heard the door open and close behind her.
Gabe came up to stand beside her, and a moment later laid his hand on her shoulder. “Are you all right?”
She straightened, brushed off his hand, and stared at him. How could eyes so full of caring hide the despicable actions of a Danite?
“I’m seeing you clearly for the first time in years, Gabe. Who you turned out to be isn’t what I expected.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think you know.”
“Did you have anything to do with some papers disappearing from my desk today?”
“Would it make a difference?” She stared at him. “As a Danite, you’ll simply investigate and prosecute the person or persons who did it. I’m sure you’ll have all the resources, secret and otherwise, to do so.”
He stared back at her with equal intensity. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Bronwyn. I’ve warned you before. I’ve tried to protect you. But there will come a time . . .”
She waved her hand in front of him. “Don’t bother. You’ve said it all before. I almost believed you. But now . . . ?” A sad and mirthless laugh escaped her lips. “I simply don’t. Not anymore.”
“I care about you,” he said. “I can’t explain why my feelings for you are different than they are for the others. They just are.” He looked up at the stars that were just beginning to break through the darkening sky. “We should have remained friends, just friends.” He looked back into her eyes. “I foolishly let other emotions rob me of something I treasured.”
“It’s over, Gabe. Everything that was ever between us is over. Including friendship.”
“I know.”
“It’s Mary Rose who’s loved you all along. We both hurt her.”
“I know that too.”
“She’s got a bigger heart than both of us put together. She knows the pain of extending mercy and forgiveness even when it’s not asked for. Yet, no matter the painful memories, she does it anyway. She stands to one side while the rest of us barge ahead, not thinking of the consequences, especially not thinking of the pain our actions cause others, especially her.” Another wave of nausea hit, and she stopped speaking until it passed. “Not once has Mary Rose condemned me for what I did. Not once has she spoken against me. Yet, I deserved her ire, her contempt.”
“I should never—”
Bronwyn held up her hand. “What you did to break Mary Rose’s heart is between the two of you. I have asked her forgiveness, and she granted it. Whatever you’ve done, you’ll need to repair, that is, if the desire is there. No one can do it for you.”
Gabe stood proud and tall in the moonlight. He raked his hair with his fingers, and gave her that half-smile she’d always loved. Until now. She wished he didn’t look so handsome and caring. She was sorry that was the image that would stay with her even as she betrayed him. What she had to do would be far easier if she didn’t care about what happened to him.
Then the twins’ voices carried from an upstairs window. Pearl giggled, and Ruby snorted over something funny. Little Grace put in a word or two and they all laughed again. Such innocence. And trust. She thought of the fatherly love she’d always seen in Gabe’s actions toward them. Images of him from the early days, his laughter and song, his prayers, his fatherly advice. He was never too tired to give them his full attention.
<
br /> Bronwyn stared at Gabe, her anger simmering just below the surface, simmering now but threatening to come to full boil if she didn’t walk away from him. “How could you?” she whispered, and then turned and ran back in the house.
Chapter Thirty-one
The household slept as Bronwyn and Mary Rose led their horses from the barn. They walked them around the back of the ranch to avoid being heard. The full moon was close to setting and in the east a hint of a silver-gray dawn outlined the mountains.
As soon as they were out of earshot, they mounted. They rode side by side while the trail was wide enough, but when they turned toward the river, Bronwyn took the lead.
The sky turned pale pink above the mountains and then faded to blue. The first rays of sunlight soon cast bars of light across the valley floor. As Bronwyn and Mary Rose neared the river, stands of trees rose before them, their leaves glistening in the morning light.
Soon they came to the place where Bronwyn had met Greyson the day before. She drew the mare to a halt, and behind her, Mary Rose halted her gelding. She listened for the telltale bark of the little dog, but heard nothing. Not even the sound of a human voice.
She told Mary Rose to wait, and then she pulled back the brush and, recognizing trail markers, walked along the same path she trod yesterday with Greyson.
When she reached the clearing, it was empty. All signs of anyone having been there were gone, even the fire pit.
Bronwyn emerged from the thicket of tall grass and undergrowth to find Mary Rose still astride the gelding, white-faced and shaken.
“I hear a rider coming,” she said, inclining her head downstream. “And I take it, you didn’t find Greyson . . .”
Bronwyn shook her head. “Quickly, follow me.” She mounted her horse, and then nudged it with her knees, reining it back through the thicket to the clearing. She heard the gelding crash through just moments later.
A lone rider came closer, keeping to the trail they’d just left. Bronwyn held her breath. A lot could have happened in the hours since she last saw Greyson and Coal. They could have been caught, made to tell their business, and now the vigilantes planned to spring on Bronwyn and Mary Rose at the same spot. . .
She shook off the terrifying thought, and drew herself up tall as the rider came closer. And halted.
Afraid to breathe, she waited for what seemed to be an eternity. Finally, the rider moved on. Then, just as she was about to relax, she heard the soft footfall of someone approaching from the riverbank.
“I thought you’d never get here,” a voice said from behind a thicket of wild roses and young oaks.
Mary Rose put her hands to her cheeks. “Coal?”
He stepped out, his whole face spreading into a smile. “Mama . . .” He ran over to the gelding, reached up, and swung her to the ground.
“Look how tall you are,” she said, her eyes bright with moisture. “Just look at you . . .” She stood back, looking him up and down, biting her lower lip. “You look good . . . so good!” Now her tears spilled. She didn’t bother wipe them away. She just held open her arms and Coal stepped into them.
“Why didn’t you let us know you were here?” Mary Rose said after a moment. “We’ve all thought . . . the worst.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. But the danger is too great. I didn’t want it to happen until I knew I wouldn’t bring greater danger to you.”
“It’s not dangerous now?”
He grinned. “It’s worse than ever now. But yesterday, when I saw Mother Bronwyn crying by the river, I couldn’t help but go to her.” He gave Bronwyn a shy, affectionate look. “But no one must know I’m here.”
“Does Sarah know?” Mary Rose studied his face as she spoke.
Bronwyn smiled. She loved Coal like a son, but Mary Rose knew his heart better than anyone. She had guessed long ago that his heart had broken over Sarah James. It might have been puppy love, but to Coal it was real. And watching them talk about Sarah now, watching Coal’s face, she knew the puppy love hadn’t slipped from his heart.
And the look of love on his face as he talked to his mama Mary Rose made Bronwyn’s heart ache with the precious beauty of it. And the look on Mary Rose’s face! Sorrow had carved a deep cavern in her heart, but having her boy come back to her was already filling it with hope and joy. She utterly glowed.
“She guessed who I was the other day,” he said to Mary Rose. “I was outside the mercantile, and she spotted me, followed me so we could talk. I didn’t think it was safe for her, but she did it anyway.”
“When did you see her last?”
He shrugged. “Maybe four or five days ago.”
“She used to ride out to our ranch almost every night, but we haven’t seen her lately. I’ve been worried.”
“I’m worried about her too,” Coal said. “If anybody had seen us talking, it could be bad for her. Really bad. If you see her, will you tell her for me that . . .” He blushed and turned away.
Mary Rose hugged him, and Bronwyn said, “We know what you’d like to tell her, and we’ll tell her for you.”
He gave them both another shy smile and nodded. “Greyson said we can’t dilly-dally. He needs to be on his way. He’s worked it out so he can take a different route than the usual one to Fort Bridger.”
Mary Rose frowned. “There’s a wagon company approaching. Wouldn’t joining up with them give him better protection?”
“They’re heading to California,” Coal said. “Greyson meets up with folks heading east at Bridger. He needs to get his writings to New York.” He gestured toward the river. “Follow me, and I’ll lead you to him.”
Coal disappeared, almost silently, into the brush.
Mary Rose led her horse to the water, and then looked around for Coal. Bronwyn did the same, frowned, shrugged, and chose what appeared to be a trail. “The boy does have a way of disappearing . . .” she said with a sigh.
Moments later they came to another clearing. Greyson had saddled his horse and packed his gear, bedroll on back. Bronwyn made quick introductions, and Mary Rose handed the journals to him. She had wrapped them in heavy paper and tied them with twine.
“I’ll take good care of them,” Greyson said, meeting her worried gaze. “And if you’ve written intimate passages, I’ll make sure they do not get into print. You have my solemn word.”
“As you read them,” she said, “you’ll find that I’ve named names. Most of our people are good and kind and industrious. But there are others who are power hungry and abuse that power. It’s that abuse that is troublesome. The killing in our garden may be the first of many blood atonement killings.”
“The U.S. Government may have to send troops to take over,” Greyson said.
Her eyes widening, Bronwyn exchanged glances with Mary Rose. “Take over?” she said to make sure she heard him right.
“That would be the only way to stop the abuses.”
Bronwyn moistened her suddenly dry lips. “That is akin to declaring war against the Saints.”
“I understand.”
Her heart pounded wildly. “That’s an even greater reason for the Danites to stop you.”
His face turned solemn. “I understand that as well.” He stepped closer to Bronwyn. “You are in this as deep as I am, even deeper. I plead with you to come with me—bring the whole family and get out now.”
Bronwyn shook her head. “I told you yesterday why I can’t.” Then she turned to Mary Rose. “Why don’t you go and take the children—?” She looked to Coal to see if he agreed, but the set of his jaw said he didn’t. She wondered if Sarah was the reason.
Mary Rose shook her head. “We’re in this together. We’ll solve it together, and then we’ll get them out.”
Greyson tucked the paper wrapped journals in the saddlebags. “As soon as I get the journals into safe hands—someone traveling east—I’ll come back. If you’ve got more for me about the boy’s death, I’ll turn right around and hightail it back to Bridger. The information must get published.
Things must change.”
He stepped into the stirrup and swung his leg over the saddle. He tipped his hat to the ladies, smiled, and urged the tall horse forward.
“I usually go with him,” Coal said. “But this time I can’t.”
“Because of Sarah?” Mary Rose asked.
He nodded. “I still want to get her out.”
Bronwyn took his hand. “I’m going to see Sister Riordan this morning. I’ll find out what I can.”
Just then a yipping little bundle of black and white fur spun into the campsite from the direction of the river. Coal squatted, patted his knee, and the dog jumped into his arms and licked his face.
“Name’s Chuck,” Coal said. “Short for Chuck Wagon.”
When Bronwyn raised her eyebrows, Coal laughed. “Has to do with the Dakota. They were going to eat him for dinner. But we saved him.”
The mountain man followed the dog into the clearing a moment later. His gaze met Bronwyn’s and he nodded. Then he seemed to study Mary Rose as if he knew her. Coal watched them all with sharp curiosity.
“I told your . . . sister wife . . . yesterday and I’ll tell you as well, if you ever need anything, you know where to find us. Greyson told me what’s happened in your family, about all you’re going through. It cannot be easy for you, especially when you think that someone you love has betrayed you.”
Again, Bronwyn noticed something familiar about his brogue. But she had no recollection of seeing him before, and he would obviously have been memorable with his bent, crippled body hunched over with an ailment or injury that surely brought him much pain.
Using a walking stick, he hobbled over to Coal and rubbed the dog’s head. “I see you’ve met Chuck.” Coal met the old mountain man’s eyes and grinned. There was obvious affection between the two.
Bronwyn noticed that Mary Rose also stared at him with unusual intensity. She hadn’t said a word since he stepped into the clearing.
“That is true,” Mary Rose walked closer to the mountain man. “What you said about betrayal. You sound as though you know from personal experience.”
