by Trumbo, Kari
“What makes you think he’s got time to look for one missing girl. He’s got this whole mess of a town to look after.” Fury knotted in her stomach at the injustice. They may never see Hattie again. Oh, how she hated Deadwood!
Aiden pulled her back into his arms and she clutched the fabric at his neck, letting her tears soak his shirt. The last thing she’d said to Hattie hadn’t been kind, they hadn’t gotten along at all in the last few weeks. She should’ve listened to Hattie more, tried to understand more.
“It’s going to be okay, Jennie-girl. We have to hope and pray that she’s found and she’s all right. That’s all we can do.”
She nodded and clung to his strong frame. His muscled arms held her close. They were a comfort she didn’t expect.
“You two go on up and get Beau and Ruby’s room ready. Send the other girls down so I can warn them. Level and Beau should be here soon.”
As usual, Eva had been so quiet Jennie had forgotten she was even there and heat crawled up her cheeks at what Eva had witnessed. She didn’t want to let go of Aiden. Resting in his arms was the safest she’d felt in weeks, but he was right. Her sisters needed her to be strong now, so she must. She pulled away and rushed up the stairs, sending the remaining four sisters down to talk to Aiden.
She’d never been in Beau and Ruby’s room before. They hadn’t had much in the way of privacy since their wedding night, so all the girls had a silent agreement that their room was off-limits. They needed someplace that was only for them. She pushed open the door and stood just outside. Even knowing she’d been told to enter, she didn’t want to. Jennie stepped inside and cupped the side of the water pitcher. It was cool, but not cold. There was nothing in the bowl, so she didn’t need to refresh anything.
She turned down the blankets and opened the armoire, pulling out a sleeping gown for Ruby. She heard the front door open and rushed back downstairs as Beau carried Ruby into the house, followed by the reverend. A white cloth wrap covered half of Ruby’s face.
Beau carried her up the stairs and Jennie glanced around the living room, not sure what to do next. The reverend was on the couch and her younger sisters sat silently, their faces white and eyes wide. Aiden stepped in behind her and led her over to a chair. Her legs were stiff, as if they were frozen solid.
Level clasped his hands in front of him and bowed his head. “Lord, we seek your guidance today. We don’t know why terrible things happen, but we know we are not promised an easy time, only peace. We need your peace now, Lord. The peace that will help us understand that you can reclaim all situations for good. We ask that my query tomorrow is fruitful and that if it be your will, young Hattie would come home quickly. Amen.”
The group mumbled an ‘amen’ in response.
The reverend stood and pulled his vest down tight over his stomach. “Jennie, you’ll have to take care of Ruby for a while. She won’t be capable and, frankly, she might not be willing for a while. She might blame herself for Hattie’s disappearance. Be gracious to her, help her.” He turned to Aiden. “You said you were moving out to the Ferguson place next week?”
Aiden nodded, his steady hand remained on her shoulder. “Yes, that’s right.”
“I think you should go, do your work on the ranch, and let the sheriff and his men handle this, it’s what the town pays them for. I had meant to be moving on here real soon, but if I find out anything tomorrow and it will help for me to stay, I will.”
Aiden said, “Thank you, reverend. We’ll take what help we can get. I didn’t know Hattie all that well but I aim to help however I can before I leave.”
The reverend cocked his head. “Where’re you headed?”
“Kansas. That’s where my family is, and I need to go back to settle a few things.”
“It’s good to keep with your family, except when you can’t.” He raised his eyebrows, smiled mysteriously at Aiden, and left.
Eva, Francis, Lula, Nora, and Daisy all moved to the couch next to Jennie or sat at her feet. They were silent, but each girl needed to be close to the others. Jennie touched each sister on the arm or head. “We’ll get through this. We Arnsby’s always do.”
Eva gripped Jennie’s hand. “What if Hattie never comes back? What if we never find her? She’s my twin, like half of me.” Eva’s mouth quivered.
Aiden sat on the arm of the couch. “Please don’t think that way, Eva. We’re going to do our very best. It’s only been a few hours. She couldn’t have gone far. If we need to get the sheriff involved, like Reverend Level said, then we will. I’m sure they’ll find her. We need to keep working. As much as we all want to, we can’t just stop and spend every waking minute looking for her. Beau and I will go out and check a few of the… less savory establishments tonight. If she isn’t there, we’ll talk to the sheriff in the morning. If he directs us to the marshal, so be it. We’ll do what we need to, to find her.”
Eva shook her head. “They won’t find her. Hattie was looking for a chance to get out. She wanted to see the world and meet all sorts of men. She wanted attention. Ma never knew it, but Hattie used to steal Pa’s moonshine. When we first arrived in Cutter’s Creek, Hattie had the sweats and the shakes. I didn’t know she’d been nipping from Pa that much, but she was hooked. You’ll find her where there are men and booze.”
Jennie gasped. “Eva, don’t say such things. From what Aiden was told, she was taken and that’s what I’ll believe until we learn otherwise. It isn’t right to condemn our sister when she isn’t here to defend her reputation.”
Eva shook her head. “What reputation? She won’t have one after tonight. You were there, you were next to her on the floor of the hotel the night of the fire when we lost Pa. I remember you asking Hattie if she had enough blankets because she was shaking like a leaf. Don’t you remember how she avoided Ma for over a week? I don’t think any of us knew the real Hattie until we got to Cutter’s Creek and found out she wasn’t very nice at all.”
Jennie closed her eyes; Eva’s words rang true. Hattie had been quite docile while they lived at home, and frequently liked to be alone in the small lean-to next to the house. She’d become angry as soon as they’d gotten to the hotel that first night, and from then on…
“While you may be right, Eva, let’s wait to pass judgment. We all know living in that tiny house with Pa and his ways was hard. Hattie may not have found a good way to handle it, but it was a way.”
Beau trudged down the stairs. “Jennie, Ruby is awake and she’s asking for you.”
Chapter Fourteen
JENNIE RACED UP THE stairs and into Beau and Ruby’s room. She knelt next to the bed. Ruby’s face was shocking and it took all Jennie’s concentration not to flinch and gasp. “Ruby? It’s Jennie, I’m here.”
“Jennie?” Ruby reached out and groped for her hands as if she couldn’t see. “I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you. It was a set up. Hattie had been talking to the man next door for a few days when she’d let Jack outside. She’d told him to watch for her if she ever got free of the house. I don’t know what he offered her, but the plan never was to take me, only her. She wanted out. If I’d taken you instead, she would’ve left with him while I was gone and the girls would’ve been alone. I wasn’t bothered at all until Hattie left me and climbed into a wagon with the man who’d knocked on our front door this morning, and another man who looked a little familiar.” She squinted. “But I don’t know why.” She shook her head. “I screamed for her to get down, I grabbed for her and then he kicked me. I fell back and would’ve been trampled by his horses, but a man grabbed for me. When he did, something else hit me above the eye and I don’t remember anything after that. Maybe the horse kicked me.” She gingerly rubbed the spot above where her face turned a harsh purple.
Jennie combed the hair back out of Ruby’s face and tears welled up inside her, pushing their way free. “A friend of Reverend Level saw you and that’s where Beau and Aiden found you. I can’t believe Hattie would just run off…”
“I knew she
was unhappy. She wanted to get out, see the town, investigate. I could tell that something wasn’t right, but I didn’t know what. I’d bet Ma knew. I wish she would’ve warned me. I could’ve kept a better eye on her.”
“Oh, Ruby, what’ll we do? She could be anywhere. Do we go after someone who doesn’t want to be found? She’s only sixteen.” Jennie’s stomach turned sour as terrible, worrying thoughts flooded her.
“It won’t be up to me. It’ll be up to Beau, this’s his household. Ma gave us complete control.”
Jennie rested her chin on the bed to hide her face and calm herself. “We should’ve been able to choose between staying and going. I think most of us would’ve chosen to stay.”
“That’s exactly why we didn’t. Ma couldn’t provide for you and Mr. Williams certainly couldn’t, either. He’s not young and he can’t work. Ma and I both agreed I would take you because Beau is capable of taking care of all of us. Even when we have a family of our own, you will still be just as loved and cared for.”
“You don’t think she’d try to go back to Cutter’s Creek, do you?” Jennie knew the answer before she was even done asking the question. Hattie wanted freedom, and that meant from Ma, too.
“No. She didn’t want to be with Ma any more than she wanted to be with me. She wants someone like Pa who’d provide her the hooch and leave her alone. Trouble is, I don’t think she’ll find anyone who’ll leave her alone.”
“You knew?” Jennie sat back away from the bed. How had Ruby known and no one else but Eva?
“Yes. Ma told me as soon as we got off the wagon when we arrived in Cutter’s Creek. I’d seen how Hattie was shaking. I was worried she’d caught her death of cold.
Jennie let that idea roam in her head. “I’m worried about the men, too. Just how far will Hattie go to get what she wants?” A pain wedged itself deep in her heart; she knew what Hattie would do, she’d practically spelled it out with their last argument.
Ruby reached out and squeezed Jennie’s hand. “I need to rest, but I wanted to tell you what happened before I forgot.” She gently rubbed the angry bruise on her head. “Please, don’t tell the other girls. I don’t know how much they know and I don’t want them to feel any less for Hattie. If she does come back, we need to love her, not condemn her.”
“Eva already told everyone about Hattie’s drinking. The others seemed quite ready to believe it. I think the only one in the dark was me.”
Ruby laid her head back against the pillow. “I’m sorry to hear that. I wish Eva had confided her fears to me. Since they’re twins, Eva was probably more observant of Hattie than any of us.”
Jennie pulled the coverlet over Ruby and left the room.
Oh, Hattie. Why didn’t you focus your attention on Aiden for a little longer? At least then you’d still be here. She knew Aiden had paid little attention to Hattie or any of her sisters. He knew their names, but the only one he ever spoke to was her.
Jennie wandered to the edge of the stairs and stopped, listening to Beau and Aiden as they spoke below her on the landing. She leaned over, grasping the wall for balance.
“Ruby told me Hattie wanted to go and that she left by wagon. She isn’t around here. I’d rather not visit any of these places, especially if the only fruit that would come of it would be rotten,” Beau remarked.
Aiden sighed. “I agree. If she wanted to go bad enough to take a wagon with some stranger, you aren’t going to find her next door. I do think we should get the sheriff or the marshal involved.”
“I agree, Aiden. I can’t fathom what we did that would’ve made her run, but I pray the Lord’s with her and we’ll find her safe. I’m afraid Hattie has no idea how big and cold the world can be.”
Jennie’s feet thudded down the stairs as she struggled against the weight of moving at all. She’d misjudged Hattie completely. Beau and Aiden turned as she descended the last few steps.
“I’m sorry for listening.” She searched their faces for any hint of anger, finding none, she went on. “I think you’re right. I didn’t want to believe it, but once Eva pointed out Hattie’s changed behavior, I couldn’t help but notice. I hope the sheriff finds her, but perhaps being on her own for a bit, of her own choice, will help her to see what a blessing family can be.”
Aiden nodded and approached her. “Beau and I will be working tomorrow and Ruby is not to get out of that bed.”
Jennie’s hands felt clammy and she wiped them on her skirt. “I’ve never run the household. It’s never been my place.”
Aiden smiled at her and caressed her chin, lifting it slightly. “Now, that isn’t the spitfire I met on the trail, who fell out of the wagon, ‘cause she was so curious. That isn’t the girl who gave as good as she got every time I teased her.”
Jennie closed her eyes and stepped away from his gentle touch. She couldn’t think straight, looking up into those penetrating eyes. “Life was easier, then.”
“Jennie Arnsby, you are a strong and capable woman. I have no doubt you’ll be just fine. You don’t have to be perfect.”
Beau stepped forward. “Thank you, Jennie. I know I can trust you to look after the place, and please keep the girls from bothering Ruby too much. I think she’ll be back on her feet even before a doctor would want her to, but that’s just her way.”
Jennie turned from the men. “That it is. She’s as stubborn as a goat. We all are, I’m afraid.”
Aiden touched her shoulder and she turned to him. “We’ll move out to the Ferguson place in three days. One way to keep the girls busy and not dwelling on Hattie is having them pack their things.”
“There’s so little to pack.” Jennie shook her head. “I’ll find something to do and we’ll keep an eye out for Hattie. Maybe she’ll change her mind and come home.”
Aiden pulled her into an embrace and she held on to him tightly, accepting the strength and comfort he offered. “Don’t let yourself dwell on it, I don’t want your heart to break further.” She felt his warm breath fan over her head and his lips pressed against her hair. Her heart tripped over itself but before she could even think to pull him back, he was gone.
Aiden turned and followed Beau out the door and the house went silent. She hurried to the back door and let Jack in before he could scratch a hole in the door. Holding it open, she searched the fence for any sign of the old man who’d spoken to her. The back door of the other house swung in the wind as if the house was abandoned. She wouldn’t search the house for Hattie, but if anyone were there, surely, they would secure the door.
Jack nuzzled her hand and whined for attention. She took Jack back inside and knelt next to him. “You’ll help me tomorrow, won’t you? I used to be strong, like Aiden said, but I’ve lost my way. I’m scared to make a wrong move or miss any sign my sisters are hurting.”
Jack leaned in to her, enjoying the scratches behind his ears, and whining happily.
“Well, at least I know you’ll help me watch the door.”
Chapter Fifteen
JENNIE HELPED HER SISTERS into the two wagons as Beau and Aiden loaded their trunks. Ruby squinted into the sun and pulled on a hat, tying it off as she strode from the house to the lead wagon. Beau insisted she not drive the three miles to the Ferguson ranch, so she’d ride with him. That meant Aiden would be driving the other wagon, with her, Eva, and Lula.
Aiden rushed back into the house and returned to the wagon with a flour sack. He laid it under the seat and climbed up next to her.
“Are you ready for our next adventure?” His eyes twinkled. For a man who had no intention to stay, he sure enjoyed acting as part of the family.
“I don’t know anything about ranching, but I’ll be happy to go outside and enjoy a day again, and Jack will like being able to run free. I don’t think he wanted to stay in the house that much.” Jennie couldn’t wait to have the room to stretch her legs when she wanted, and just get outside and breathe fresh air.
Aiden paused and his brow crinkled. “I’m sure you’re right. I know we tal
ked about it last week, but I don’t think I can take him on the train to Kansas. If I were riding, it’d be different, he could just come with me. But I don’t have a horse of my own, and I can’t afford one.”
Jennie nodded. “I wish I could keep him, Aiden, but it isn’t my place. You’ll have to talk to Beau. It’ll be his house.” She couldn’t look at him, couldn’t let him see the hope she had that he’d come back, even if it were just for the dog and not her.
Aiden nodded and his jaw hardened into a flat line. “We’ll be living on a ranch with quite a few men… you won’t go running off on me… will you?”
Jennie had to grip the side of the wagon seat or risk falling out in her shock. He’d never been quite so bold. “Aiden, I don’t plan on running off with anyone. That just isn’t the life for me.”
“Good.” He flashed a dazzling smile that left her belly fluttering. “Now that that’s settled...” He flicked the lines to keep up with Beau’s wagon. “Let’s talk a bit. I’ve saved up enough working with Beau and doing extra work the last week, but I’m not quite ready to leave yet.”
Jennie craned her neck to look him in the eye. “How did you manage to work enough to save a month’s worth of wages in one week?”
“I talked to the boss. Whittling the blocks for the pictures was expensive work and takes a skilled hand. It paid more. I offered to do it.” He shrugged a shoulder.
“I thought leaving was all you could think about. You said you weren’t a man if you didn’t make right whatever went wrong back home.”
“That’s true, but I’m worried my da won’t take me back. I’ve failed, which is exactly what he predicted. I told him I’d be this great prospector and make all this money. He’d always been so proud of my brothers; I wanted him to be proud of me. I’d be more than happy to work for him to earn back his respect, but there won’t be much to do until harvest. It would be best if I returned right when they need me. If I come before and there’s no hard work to do, they may not welcome me back.”
