by Clay, Verna
Chad asked another question that Lilah also wanted to know. "Have you seen The Golden Spike?"
Rush lightly chucked the boy's chin. "I sure have. I just happened to be in the area at the time and attended the festivities myself. It was one of the grandest celebrations I've ever seen."
Lilah gasped. Never had she met anyone so learned and exciting as Rush. When the conversation changed to the mechanics of steam engines, she glanced around the beautifully upholstered velvet seats populated with women in fashionable dresses and men in handsome suits. She looked down at her simple, blue linen day dress. She looked like a country woman and Rush like a handsome rancher in his suit. Chad looked very spiffy in his new shirt and slacks.
Lilah almost laughed aloud. At one time, she had been the most sought after paramour in New Orleans and many gentlemen had tried to entice her away from Charles Karney. But Charles had treated her kindly enough and seldom stayed overnight. She had a feeling other men would not have been so obliging. Smoothing her hand over the skirt of her country dress, she was amazed at how her life had cycled back around. Once, she had hated being a farm girl, but now, it was nice pretending she was a young mother traveling the rails with her husband and child to a new land.
Rush leaned forward and whispered, "You've been smiling behind your hand for the past five minutes. Care to share your amusement?"
Giggling just a little, she said, "I was comparing my clothing to the other ladies and I actually prefer what I'm wearing. I have owned the most expensive gowns imaginable and worn priceless jewelry, but…" She spread her fingers out over her skirt, "I now prefer this."
* * *
Rush felt flummoxed by Lilah's admission. The woman astounded him every day. She glanced at her lap and blushed.
Unable to stop himself, he placed his hands over hers. "No matter if you wore a potato sack; you would still be the most beautiful woman on this train." He glanced sideways to see Chad grinning at them.
Lilah lifted her striking gray-green eyes to his and said sweetly, "Thank you, kind sir." Her pink blush only made her more desirable and Rush had the feeling he would kiss her passionately in front of the boy and the passengers if he didn't leave for a few minutes.
Abruptly, he stood and said, "I think I'll check out the rest of the train." He glanced at the boy's eager expression. "Chad, would you like to come with me?"
"Yes, sir!"
Moving to the end of the Pullman coach, he nodded politely to other passengers and hid a grin when he noticed Chad mimicking him by also nodding to passengers. At the end of their coach, they exited and made their way through five more coaches and then into two dining cars. Past the dining cars were the sleepers with their draped off bunks. Chad said, "Wow!"
Rush agreed, "That's what I say. Wow!"
When they returned to their seats, Lilah had shifted her body so as to speak with two women behind her who had also twisted around to converse. The women were fancifully dressed in elaborate dresses and gaudy hats. When Rush and Chad sat back down, Lilah said, "Rush, I'd like you to meet Jillian and Vivian Thurston. They're sisters also traveling to California."
There was something about the women that made Rush uncomfortable, but he responded politely, "Pleased to meet you, ladies." He motioned toward Chad. "This is our son, Chad."
The boy glanced from him to Lilah and grinned. Then he said to the ladies. "Howdy, ma'ams."
* * *
After polite introductions and conversation with the Thurston sisters, Lilah was more than happy to turn back around. The way the women eyed Rush made her uneasy. They were beautiful and dressed in the most fashionable attire, and Lilah's instinct told her they had only engaged her in conversation so they could meet Rush. She felt a sudden wave of jealousy.
The railway journey proved to be very enjoyable—except when Jillian and Vivian conversed with her in their haughty manner. If Lilah had still been the farm girl of her youth, their obnoxious attitudes would have made her feel inadequate and backwards, but now they only stirred her ire. Her first impression of them being attracted to Rush was apparently accurate. They often asked his opinion on many issues, including political, social, and financial, and even invited themselves to dine with him and Lilah and Chad in the dining car.
On the third day of their journey, as Lilah returned from the ladies washroom at the rear of the coach, she saw that Vivian had moved to sit in her seat and was leaning forward toward Rush, laughing and revealing just enough cleavage to be enticing. She'd even placed her hand on his knee while animatedly conversing with him. Lilah was aware of all the tricks women used to beguile men, having employed them herself. Vivian glanced up when Lilah returned. "Oh, dear, I hope you don't mind. I just had to share a story with Rush that I read in one of those silly dime novels that are so popular."
Lilah bit her tongue to keep from saying something unkind, but in her heart she knew she'd had enough of the Thurston sisters. She smoothed her hand over the skirt of her plain calico dress and smiled sweetly. "Oh, I don't mind at all. In fact, you and your sister are so knowledgeable about everything, I was thinking you should join us for dinner when we reach Ogden in Utah." She glanced at Rush. "Isn't that where the train makes its only all night stopover?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Yes."
"Wonderful." She looked back at Vivian. "We can all dine together and listen to you and Jillian expound on everything we're ignorant of." Lilah said the words with such sweetness that Vivian thought she was being paid a compliment.
"We'd love to dine with Rush…and you and Chad."
From behind Lilah's seat, Jillian said enthusiastically. "Yes. We'd love to!"
Vivian smiled brightly at Rush and returned to sit beside her sister. Lilah glanced away from his dark gaze. He definitely wasn't happy with her.
The next afternoon, after debarking in Ogden and checking into the hotel provided by the Union Pacific Railroad for the overnight layover, Lilah asked the clerk which restaurant was the most elegant and also had the best food. He immediately replied, "The Golden Spike, across the street."
Lilah thanked him, turned to Rush and said, "We'll dine there with the sisters at seven o'clock."
He gave her a strange look and when he started to say something, she ignored him and walked over to Jillian and Vivian who were chastising a bellboy for dropping one of their valises. She said sweetly, "I hope you haven't forgotten our dinner invitation?"
Vivian's gaze slid toward Rush. "Not at all. Where shall we meet?"
"Meet us at The Golden Spike at seven. It's across the street. It comes highly recommended."
"We'll be there," said Jillian, and glanced at Rush.
Lilah returned to Rush and Chad and clasped Chad's hand, waiting for Rush to lead the way to their room. He leaned over and said softly, "Lilah, why are you so insistent on dining with those sisters? I really wish you would have consulted with me first. I don't think you realize that they…" He stopped talking.
Lilah placed her hand under his elbow and prompted, "They what?"
He looked uncomfortable. "Forget it."
Once in their room, Lilah put her plan into action. She pulled out stationary and a writing instrument from the desk and made a list. She gave the list to Rush and said pleadingly, "Would you mind going to the general store and buying these few items? And you should take Chad with you. I'm sure you're both dying to stretch your legs after being cooped up on the train for so long." She turned to Chad. "Wouldn't you like to go with Rush and see the town?"
His eyes lit, "Yes, ma'am. But aren't you coming with us?"
She covered her mouth in a fake yawn. "No, dear, I'm a little tired. I think I'll rest before dinner tonight. You two go have fun." She winked at Chad. "Maybe Rush will buy you a licorice stick."
After Rush and Chad left, Lilah grabbed her reticule, watched from the window until they had disappeared down the street, and then rushed from the hotel.
Chapter 23: Comeuppance
To say Lilah was acting strange was
an understatement. When Rush and Chad returned to their hotel room, she wasn't there, and Rush groaned. He was about to go search for her when she entered the room. She seemed breathless, as if she'd been rushing.
"Where have you been?" he asked none too gently.
"I felt restless and decided to walk the boardwalk."
He glanced at Chad and softened his tone before responding. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't go anywhere without first letting me know."
Her grin disarmed him and she said, "Were you worried about me?"
Hell yes! He wanted to shout the words, but merely inhaled and counted to ten. Obviously, Lilah's strange behavior must have something to do with her recovery. He needed to watch her closely. Perhaps they should relax around a leisurely meal delivered to their room instead of dining with the Thurston sisters.
Lilah asked, "Rush, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Why don't we cancel dinner with the sisters? We could–"
Lilah interrupted, "Oh, no. I'm looking forward to it."
For being a so-called "fallen woman," Rush decided that Lilah was certainly naive. Those women had been pursuing him since they'd boarded the train in Omaha. The one named Vivian had even followed him to the sleeping car when he'd gone there to retrieve Lilah's shawl. She'd pressed so close when passing by, and then stopped to initiate conversation, that'd he'd almost told her he wasn't interested in what she was so obviously offering. But his good manners had once again prevailed.
After a short rest, in which Rush made a pallet on the floor, he then took Chad to the men's lavatory so they could dress for the evening. The boy looked fine, but his own suit was wrinkled. He could care less. He just wanted the night to be over.
When they returned to their room, Lilah was waiting for them looking fresh-faced and countrified. Rush couldn't help but be amused. If Jillian and Vivian only knew.
Lilah smiled sweetly and held his elbow as they started downstairs. She looked so pretty he forgot his irritation with her erratic behavior. She was wearing the blue linen dress she'd purchased in Dallas. A white bonnet, also purchased in Dallas, covered the curls he knew were unruly and beautiful. Just as they started to exit the hotel, she said, "Goodness, I've forgotten my reticule."
Rush said, "Chad can run back and get it for you."
"No. no. We're running a little late, you and Chad go and meet the ladies. I'll be there in a minute."
He started to protest, but she lifted a gloved finger to his lips. "You worry too much. The diner is across the street. Please allow me to be a grown woman."
When Rush started to speak again, she interrupted again. "Go. I'll be there in a minute. Well, give me a few minutes, I want to repin my hair." Without waiting for his response she turned and walked back toward the stairs.
Rush sighed. "Come on Chad. Let's hope the food is good." Because the company and conversation won't be.
For the umpteenth time, Rush turned his head to look at the open double doors of the dining room. What was keeping Lilah? He'd been listening to Jillian and Vivian fawn over him and Chad for at least fifteen minutes. He looked back at Jillian and pretended interest in whatever she was saying, but he'd made up his mind that if Lilah didn't appear in the next minute, he was going looking for her.
Jillian giggled and the sound grated on Rush's nerves. He sighed, lifted his glass of tea to his lips, and glanced at Chad. The boy was staring toward the double doors with an expression of disbelief. Jillian and Vivian also moved their gazes there and he watched the same expression transform their faces. He noticed other diners stop eating and stare. Frowning, he turned his head and choked on the tea he'd just sipped.
Lilah, looking like the most fashionable woman ever to have been born—like maybe a woman from Boston or London or even Paris—stood in the entrance scanning the room. She was positively stunning in a dress as green as an expensive emerald he'd once seen. The cinched waist showcased her hourglass figure. Beneath green lace, just enough cleavage was revealed to have the eyes of every male in the room riveted on that particularly delectable feature, his included. Her hair, partially upswept under a tiny hat with feathers and netting the same shade as her dress, fell down her back in a springy mass almost to her waist. She had a hint of color painted onto her cheeks and eyes. White gloves reached above her elbows to the puffy sleeves of her dress.
She spotted them and waved.
Rush jumped to his feet.
When she reached them she said, "I'm so sorry I'm late. Last minute details with my hair." She turned a dazzling smile on the sisters. "I'm sure you understand."
Rush pulled her chair out and his hand brushed the soft velvet of her gown when he seated her. She glanced up at him with eyes a lighter shade than that of her dress, and asked, "You do forgive me, don't you, my sweet?"
Rush decided that the way she looked and smelled, he'd forgive her anything. A slow smile tugged at one side of his mouth, "I do, love."
* * *
When Rush said the words, "I do," it reminded Lilah of their wedding vows and she blushed.
Chad said shyly, "You look like a princess."
Lilah glanced across the table to where he sat between Jillian and Vivian. She smiled lovingly at him and then moved her gaze to the sisters. Both had semi-recovered from their shock and Vivian said, "I had no idea you were such a fashion plate. Why ever do you hide yourself under farm clothing?"
The question was rude and Lilah considered how to answer it. "Why would I not wear country clothing when I'm married to the best farmer and rancher in Texas?" She purposefully scanned the clothing of the sisters and then added, "I have nothing to prove."
Jillian sat a little straighter and Vivian's eyes widened. A waiter approached and Lilah decided she'd inflicted enough word darts—for the moment. Everyone ordered, acting superficially pleasant.
However, Jillian and Vivian were not to be outdone and turned the full force of their charm on Rush. Because they could not compete with Lilah in beauty and couture, they switched to the topic of daily news. Vivian said, "I just read that the U.S. Senate is proposing female suffrage. The woman heading the movement is Susan B. Anthony."
Jillian tittered, "Have you seen the satires the artists draw of her on the editorial pages."
Vivian laughed and responded, "Yes. Quite entertaining. I have no desire to vote. Do you, Jillian?"
"Absolutely not. If women were given the right to vote, soon they would be running for office. And then where would this country be. Who would care for the children and run the households."
Vivian responded to her sister with an attempted joke. "Certainly not the Negros since slavery has been abolished. Before you know it, even they will want to vote."
Jillian pointedly stared at Lilah. "And how do you feel about women and Negros voting?"
Lilah sighed. She had been listening to these silly women for days. She glanced at Rush beside her. A slight smile creased his face and the twinkle in his eyes said louder than words, Sic 'em.
Clasping her gloved hands together in front of her plate, she twirled her thumbs for a moment. Quietly, she said, "The only ones who would deny over one-half of our population the right to vote are the ignorant, wealthy, cruel, or stupid. Which category do you ladies fall into?"
At first Jillian looked blankly at Lilah, not absorbing her softly spoken words. But then she gasped, jerked her hand to her mouth, and said loudly, "Well, I never…"
Lilah said, "What? You never think beyond your own considerations?"
Jillian jumped to her feet. "I will not be insulted by you."
Again, Lilah said softly, "Why not? I've been insulted by you and your sister for days while you attempted to capture my husband's attention."
Vivian also jumped to her feet. "We're leaving! We refuse to tolerate this kind of behavior!"
By now, everyone in the diner was staring at them. Lilah glanced around the room and then back at the sisters. "Look around you, ladies, you now have everyone's attention."
Both wome
n gasped, looked at each other and then at their spectators, turned bright pink, and then hastened from the room.
Lilah was worried about Chad's reaction and reached her hand across the table to touch him. He was staring at her with big eyes—and then he grinned. Lilah grinned back. They both glanced at Rush to see that he, too, was smiling. He motioned to the waiter to come over and said, "I think that calls for a bottle of champagne."
Back in their room after Chad was asleep, Rush asked, "Lilah, wherever did you get that dress?"
She responded, "Now don't be angry with me, but I located the saloon, asked one of the women where the Madam resided, and went in search of her. She was quite amiable to helping me after I described Jillian and Vivian in detail. She even asked her seamstress to assist me in altering one of her girls' gowns to make it more…ah, chaste."
Rush shook his head. "Darlin', I have never been so happy to see anyone get there comeuppance as those sisters, but promise you'll never sneak away like that again."
"I promise."
Chapter 24: Overheard
Lilah glanced out the train window as the desert sands of Nevada sped past. The land was barren beyond anything she could have imagined and she simply could not fathom wagon trains crossing a waterless expanse. My dear Hallie, you were so brave. I'm proud to be your sister. You make me ashamed of my cowardice.
Her musings continued a few minutes longer and then she smiled thinking about the Thurston sisters. As expected, they had found another coach for traveling the remainder of the trip, and even went out of their way to avoid her. Remembering their shocked expressions when she'd entered the dining room, caused her smile to grow bigger.
"What 'cha smiling at, Ma?" Chad asked.
Her smile brightened at being called Ma. It was something she could definitely get used to. For several days she had considered asking Rush if Chad could stay on with her after they parted ways. Since she would be an upstanding woman with her own business when she returned to New Orleans, she figured she could raise the boy, send him to school, and give him a good life. She knew Mary would immediately love him. Together they could teach him the error of making wrong choices.
