Though a loud guffaw escaped from Amos, Sally’s big eyes filled with tears and her bottom lip trembled. “I’m sorry, Charley.” She looked accusingly at her father. “That’s what you told Maggie about all those ladies coming here. Probably just old maids.”
Charlene glowered at the sheriff and pulled Sally into her arms. “Don’t you cry, Sally. I’m not an old maid – yet.” She wiped her tears away and stood up, taking Amos’s arm. “Besides, that is a word that some men, who have no sense at all, throw around! Let’s go, Pa.”
Chapter SEVEN
Saturday, Charlene went with Amos to work his claim. In three different areas there were wooden box contraptions set up. “These are sluice boxes,” Amos told her. “I shovel gravel from the streams into this top screened part. The mud and water flow on down and these riffles catch gold and smaller rocks.”
“Didn’t other people try to set up along this stream also?” She looked around. “I mean you don’t own it so what keeps folks from doing just what you are?”
“They could try,” he said. “Fact is many did a time back.” He took her hand and sat her down in a grassy patch. “I’d been here only a few years and this creek was much bigger, stronger. Weren’t hardly a soul living here when I came. It was a few miners and me and my mule, Jubilee. Old Jubilee and I were the ones that started this town. There were some old timers, trying to find gold in the mountains yonder, but I never did cotton to swinging a pick at a wall of rock. I built myself a sluice and began placer mining.” At Charlene’s confused look, he explained that panning for gold was placer mining.
His old eyes got a far away look. “One day, I found my first nugget. Just a small one, but then I found a few more. Next day I found nuggets as big as your fist. I was as happy as a flea in a doghouse. Twern’t because of finding the nuggets, but because I could bring you here with me. We’d be back together. When Lucretia told me you wanted to stay with her I worked even harder. Sounds a bit silly but I thought if I got more money and made this place nicer, you’d want to come.”
“I kept finding gold but kept quiet about it. I built us a bigger house with a nice room for you, then I went and bought all this land, including this here stream. I dreamt of us having a big garden, milk cows, chickens.”
Charlene’s eyes filled with tears when she saw Amos run his sleeve over his own eyes but waited for him to finish. “I kept sending money, but never got anything from you. The nuggets got more and more sparse, but I kept searching. When Lucretia said you had died well I just kind of gave up. I’d come out once or twice every few weeks and throw some sand up there but I know the gold has played out. There isn’t anymore.” He smiled at Charlene and took her hand. “But it don’t matter a lick, cause you’re here with me.”
“Papa,” Charlene sniffed, “I can find work in Jubilee Springs and maybe we can still have that garden and milk cow and a chicken or two.”
“No need for you to find work, Charley. Truth is, I’m wealthy man. When you got nobody and you don’t give a fig about nothing, having money means nothing. It’s been sitting around here a long time.”
“You…you have money?”
“I’ve never been one to get callouses from patting my own back, but enough to keep me, you, and maybe your young’uns fed and took care of for a long time.”
Charlene fell onto her back and shouted to the Heavens. “Thank you, Lord!” Sitting back up she laughed at the look on her father’s face. “Oh Papa, every fear I had coming here is gone. First, I was terrified you wouldn’t be here. Then I was afraid you wouldn’t want me around. And when I realized you did want me I wasn’t sure how we would survive if I couldn’t get a job to help support us. I had visions of us both having to crawl back to Aunt Lucretia and beg to let us live there.” She crawled over to Amos and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. “I love you Pa. I’m so happy to be here with you.”
“That’s enough of that,” Amos said, his voice breaking with emotion, “Help your old pa to his feet.” Arm in arm they walked back to the house. “Charley, when your mother died I didn’t have much use for the Lord or his ideas and when I was told you had died I cussed him and never looked back.” He kissed her forehead. “If we are going to the town picnic tomorrow, we might as well go to church first. Probably time for he and I to get on speaking terms again.”
“I felt that way when you left me with Aunt Lucretia. I refused to go to Sunday service with her, no matter what she threatened me with.” The cry of an eagle pierced the air. Its wings spread wide, floating against the blue sky. “I guess we both have some atoning to do.”
When they reached the newly built front door, Amos grabbed his rifle. “I saw some deer sign. I’m going to hunt us one up.”
“I only have a few dresses. I hope one of them will be nice enough.”
Amos stopped. He put his rifle down and went to a kitchen cupboard and grabbed a key. Charlene followed him into her room and he unlocked the wooden chest at the end of her bed. “I saved some of your mother’s things. There are dresses, baby clothes, mementos. Katie would want you to have these so they belong to you now.”
The next morning Amos had cleaned up and put on the one good shirt he had packed away. It was blue and was tucked into some tan pants. The wagon was hitched up with a big basket of food for the picnic. “Wonder if she’s planning on feeding the entire town,” he thought as paced back and forth, puffing on a pipe.
“You look a little jumpy, Papa.”
Amos turned. She wore a pink dress that had been one of Katie’s favorites. A scoop neck and puffy sleeves and hugged her small waist. Charlene wore her hair in a loose French braid. Amos swallowed a few times before he could speak. “Charlene, you are the very image of your mother. You are a breath of spring.”
Getting choked up herself, she kissed Amos’s cheek and whispered, “Thank you. That’s the best thing you could have ever said.”
He helped Charlene up onto the wagon seat and climbed up next to her. “Let’s go make amends and hope the roof doesn’t fall in.”
Chapter EIGHT
Miners, dressed in their best, stood outside the church. Their faces and hands were scrubbed clean and their hair slicked down. Families with children and the townsfolk walked by smiling as they entered.
Amos pulled his wagon up among the other scattered wagons. He helped Charlene down and as they started forward a group of women came into view. Charlene recognized a few of them because of the train ride. The one she remembered as the woman in charge, went in to the church ahead of the others. The miners came over and offered their arms to most of the women.
“Those must be their husbands to be,” Charlene whispered. One woman stood alone. She wore a pretty light blue dress that buttoned up the front to the neck with sleeves that came to her elbow. Neckline and sleeves were trimmed with lace. Her brown hair was pulled up at the sides and soft curls flowed down her back. It was Josephine Jacobs. She seemed almost lost. “Joey!” Charlene called, waving at her.
A relieved smile brightened her face. “Charley,” she said hurrying over. They hugged each other. “Joey, this is my father, Amos Lehman. Papa, this is Josephine.”
“Ma’am,” Amos said. “Joey must be a nickname of sorts?”
“Given to me by my late husband. A little like Charley and Charlene.” Her brown eyes lit up when Amos chuckled.
“My intended, Owen Spencer, isn’t here. We were all supposed to go to church together. I hope everything is okay.”
The church bell pealed announcing to all that the service was about to begin. Amos took the elbow of each lady and said, “Shall we ladies?”
The church was crowded. Many of the men were standing. Sally Hawkins yelled across the church. “Charlene. I saved you a seat. Come over here.” The church erupted in laughter.
“You two ladies go ahead,” Amos whispered. “I’ll stand here.”
They made their way over to where Sally stood. Jim was standing next to the pew. He whispered to Charlene as they p
assed, “You are a ray of sunshine.”
“Good morning on this fine day. I see the Lord has a packed house and with a few faces I don’t recognize. For those who haven’t been here before, I am Pastor Jeffrey Alwin and on behalf of myself and my good wife, Minna, we welcome you.”
When the last hymn was sung and prayer was said, Paster Alwin invited everyone to stay for the picnic and to wish the future brides and grooms good luck.”
When Charlene exited the church blankets had already started dotting the grassy area between the church and the school. “I want to sit with you,” Sally said, taking Charlene’s hand. “Can we Daddy?”
“I’d like that myself, Sweetie, if there are no objections,” Jim said taking his daughter’s other hand.
“None from me,” Amos said slapping Jim on the back.
“Josephine!” Lizette Millard’s short, round body hurried up to the small group. “Where is your intended?” Opening a small notebook she carried everywhere, she scanned a few pages. “Spencer. Owen Spencer is his name isn’t it?”
“Yes, but he wasn’t here this morning.”
“Oh goodness. I’ll check with one of the Bainbridge’s and find out where he is.” The woman turned in a huff and stomped off.
Amos offered his arm. “You come sit with us while you wait. Charlene has packed enough to feed everybody.” Jim winked at Charlene as the two walked in front of them. The basket was retrieved from the wagon and two blankets were spread out. A meal of rolls, fried chicken, and potato salad was served.
They had just finished when a call could be heard for contestants in the two-legged race. “Come on, Daddy. Let’s go.” Sally was pulling on her father’s arm. Jim groaned and complained but finally got to his feet. As she dragged her father away, she called over her shoulder for everybody to come and watch.
Charlene got to her feet. “Well, Joey, let’s go watch all the excitement,” Amos said pulling her up. She tripped over her own feet and started to fall. Amos was quick enough to catch her. “Josephine, are you alright? Did you hurt your ankle?”
She tsked her tongue. I’m fine, Amos, just clumsy.” They were looking at each other when a voice came up behind them.
“Well now, ain’t that a fine sight. My soon to be wife in the arms of another man.” They turned to find Owen Spencer standing there, holding a small jug in his hand. His eyes were bloodshot and he was having a hard time standing upright.
“O...Owen,” Josephine stuttered, shocked at his accusation, “It’s not like that at all. I got up and stumbled and Amos caught me.”
“Maybe if you hadn’t had more important,” Amos said, staring at the bottle,” things to do you would have been here to meet your intended for church service.”
Owen snickered. He swayed and tipped the bottle to his lips, some running down his mouth, down his chin, and onto his shirt. “Have you seen the other purty brides that are here to get hitched?” His words slurred. “I get stuck with a …” Owen never finished that statement. A fist came crashing against his lip, blood splurting everywhere. His bottle when flying and he landed flat on his back.
“Papa!”
“Amos!”
Charlene and Josephine grabbed his arms. He shook them off and grabbed Owen’s shirt. “You, no good…”
Jim was there pulling Amos off. “Amos, simmer down.”
“What’s going on here?” Clive Bainbridge broke in and hauled Owen to his feet.
“That old man hit me for no reason at all,” Owen whined. “I didn’t do nothing.”
“Nothing!” Both Amos and Charlene stepped forward. Jim had his hands full trying to control father and daughter. “You insulted my friend,” Charlene growled, “and you’re drunk to boot!”
Clive looked at his employee and saw the bottle on the ground. “I’ve given you warnings time after time, Owen. Get your things and get out. You’re fired!”
“Mr. Bainbridge, there ain’t no cause to firing me. This ain’t what it seems,” Owen said. “I swear it won’t happen again.”
“No, it won’t.” Clive’s eyes looked like blue crystals. “Pack your gear and come by the office. I’ll give you your wages.” Clive turned his back and walked away.
Owen glared at Amos and Josephine. “You’re going to pay for this. Both of you.”
Amos took a step forward, but Jim stopped him. “Ease up, Owen. You don’t want to say something you’ll regret later.”
Owen ignored the Sheriff’s warning. An evil smile crossed the miner’s face. “I’ll be seeing you.”
Josephine’s eyes filled with tears. Her hand covered her mouth to prevent it from trembling. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I have nobody, no family. Being a mail order bride was my last hope.”
She sat down on the ground and Charlene plopped down beside her. “Maybe you can find work here and you won’t need a husband to depend on.” Both women looked hopefully at Jim.
He slowly shook his head. “There’s nothing that I know of right off hand.”
Lizette Millard pushed her way through the dwindling crowd. “Oh, Josephine, I heard what happened. What a scoundrel that Owen Spencer is.” She wrung her hands together. Her face brightened. “I always have two eligible men for each bride to meet. Who was your other match?
“Leo Sands,” she answered miserably.
“Yes! What about Leo Sands?”
“Did you see Leo? He’s as big as a minute. He practically ran when he saw me. If we were to wed and I rolled over on him, I’d squish him.” Fresh tears streamed down Josephine’s face.
Jim chuckled and was elbowed in the ribs by Charlene for his trouble. Lizette, also giving him a baleful look, tried to assure Josephine things would be okay. “I’m sure the Bainbridges will pay for your trip home. After all, this wasn’t your fault.”
“I have no place to go.” Josephine got to her feet and took a deep breath. “It will be okay. I’ve always landed on my feet.”
Lizette took her hand. “Maybe I can find out if there are other miners who are willing to …I mean might have a change of heart about getting married. After all, the Bainbridge’s are offering housing to the first ten miners that step up to get married…” the matchmaker must have realized how that sounded. “I’m sorry, that didn’t come out right. They wouldn’t want to marry you just to get a house.”
Josephine tried to smile. “Even with a house thrown in look at these brides. They are young and pretty. That’s what these men want.” She wiped at her eyes. “I was fooling myself thinking a man here might want me.”
“Now just hold on here one dang second.” Amos gently took Josephine’s arm. “Any man that don’t want a pretty lady like yourself must have been getting coffee when the Good Lord was doling out brains. Now while some of these men are trying to decide if they want a wife and family Josephine can come stay with Charlene and me. I can set up a bed right in my daughter’s room so there should be no tongue wagging.”
“What?” Lizette shrieked. “Oh, I’m not sure that would be appropriate behavior.”
Charlene put her arm around Josephine’s shoulders. “There is nothing inappropriate about it. Like Papa said, she will be sleeping in my room.” Dismissing Lizette, she turned to her friend. “Joey, if all this is okay with you, I’ll clean up our dishes and you can go fetch your things.”
Amos winked when Josephine looked his way. “I’ll go with you Joey,” Amos said, offering his arm.
Jim helped Charlene pick up and walked with her to put the basket in their wagon. It didn’t take long for Amos and Josephine to make their way back. All her possessions were in two, faded carpet bags that Amos put in the back of the wagon.
“Daddy,” Sally yelled, running up to them. “they are getting ready to serve ice cream. Can we have some?”
“I’m up for it,” Amos said. “Come on Joey. Let’s us and this small fry go get us some.” The three went on ahead leaving Jim and Charlene behind.
“Gotta say, your pa looks pretty chipper about this a
rrangement.” Jim put his hand on the small of her back. “What do you think?”
“I think maybe I’ll need to find myself a miner so I’ll have a place to live,” Charlene laughed, unaware of the look of concern on Jim’s face.
Chapter NINE
Chunks of beef, carrots, and potatoes simmered in thick gravy. Even with the windows open and a breeze coming in, it was warm in the house from the stove. Charlene wiped her forehead with a towel and stepped outside. Far down the creek, two figures were moving, coming her way.
Josephine had been there for three days. Charlene chuckled remembering their first morning together. Josephine had been the first one up. When Charlene joined her, coffee was already brewing and biscuits were cooking. “Morning, Charley. I don’t know where Amos is.” Just then Amos came through the door.
“Morning ladies,” he smiled. “How’d that bed work out for you, Joey?”
“Soft as lying on a field of cotton.” She poured him some coffee and then sat down across from him. “Amos, I see your bed there hasn’t been slept in.”
“Oh, well, I slept in the shed.” He quickly gulped his coffee, pounding his chest when it burned all the way down. “Fact is I don’t want anybody being rattled or embarrassed by what might be seen or maybe heard.”
A soft expression drifted across the woman’s face. She reached across and put her hand on his. “Amos, you are so kind and I am so grateful for what you and Charley are doing for me, but I won’t be kicking you out of your own bed. I’ve lived on a farm most of my life. I had two brothers and a husband. I’ve seen my share of embarrassing moments. My sensibilities can take care of themselves.” She got to her feet to take the biscuits out. “Amos, if anybody is going to sleep outside it’ll be me. No arguments.”
Amos agreed, reluctantly, and finally agreed that everybody would sleep inside.
After supper the three of them sat outside, enjoying the cool breeze of the night air. The moon was enormous and so bright one could see across the trickling stream and at least a mile passed. Night noises were everywhere, from coyotes to hoot owls. Amos had them laughing with stories of when he first came to this place and hard lessons learned about staying alive and trying to find gold.
The Sheriff and the Miner's Daughter (Sweethearts of Jubilee Springs Book 4) Page 4
