Knowing she might be about to lose the opportunity that had just presented itself, she still had to tell the truth. “Lawmen are generally not well educated, Corporal. They’re generally a rough lot, in my opinion.” It was still painful to acknowledge her failure. “I wanted more for Eli, I wanted him to have an education, so that if he chose, he could become a lawyer, or a doctor, or whatever profession appealed to him. I was, I am---”she swallowed the tears that seemed to lurk just behind her eyelids these days---“bitterly disappointed that Eli quit school and chose to work for you.” She turned away, forcing her voice to remain even. “I am despondent about it, Corporal. You see, until this past year, Eli was a good student, with a promising future.”
“And what happened to change that, madam?”
She told Allan about the abrupt departure of Mr. Beebe, and, not bothering to mince her words, described the drunken sot who’d succeeded him and brought about Eli’s refusal to go to school. She didn’t add that in her heart she also laid a large share of the blame on Jackson and Tom and their stories of adventure, although that conviction gnawed at her still.
Corporal Allan nodded thoughtfully. “And, of course, Eli is at a time in his life when he wants to begin testing himself, making his own decisions. The transition to manhood isn’t always an easy one.”
Zelda bristled. She’d heard quite enough on that score from her father and Tom. “Quitting school doesn’t seem very sensible to me or very mature. I would think that even a policeman could appreciate that, Corporal.”
“I am an advocate myself of education, Miss Ralston,” he replied politely, apparently not offended. “Not to sound pretentious, but I am rather well versed in such areas as mathematics, Latin, and history. In fact, I was a teacher in a rather elite school for young gentlemen before I left England in search of adventure with the Mounted.”
He thought for a moment and seemed to come to a decision. “How would it be if I suggested to young Ralston that he spend his idle evenings exploring some of my textbooks with me? I have rather a good collection, if I do say so myself.”
It took a moment to register. “You’re---you’re offering to tutor my brother?”
He raised his bushy eyebrow. “One can only lead a horse to water, madam. Whether he chooses to drink is quite another matter.”
“Yes. Of course. I understand.” She didn’t at all. She had no idea how this had all come about, but it seemed a miracle. “Oh, I’d---I’d be most grateful if you would try, Corporal. I’ll have a word with Eli--- ”
The ferocious look he gave her silenced her.
“Indeed you will not. Worst thing you could do. Let Eli make his own choice, Miss Ralston, or I guarantee he will refuse to open a single book. I’ve had a great deal of experience in this regard, and believe me, pushing a young man of Eli’s age and temperament into doing something you think best for him will always result in his running as fast and as hard as he can in the opposite direction.”
Zelda could only stare at him. It came to her suddenly that she’d been hearing the same advice over and over, in different ways, from her father, from Tom, from Eli himself, and ignoring it. For some reason, hearing it from Allan forced her to recognize it as truth.
“I’ll do as you suggest,” she said quietly. “I still have a sum set aside for his education, so whatever your fee---”
Allan looked horrified. “There will be no talk of fees, Miss Ralston. I thought I’d made myself clear. The matter is not your affair. It will be entirely between Eli and myself. We will work out a suitable arrangement between ourselves. He would be furious to learn that his sister was involved in any way.”
Slowly, she nodded, aware for the very first time that Eli was no longer the little boy she’d protected and cared for all these years. Her role as mentor in his life was over, had been over for some time, although she’d been far too stubborn to recognize it.
The realization left her feeling empty and immeasurably sad, but it also was a kind of freedom, one that would take time to get accustomed to. Her relationship with her brother had changed. She must try to establish a friendship with him, instead of a stewardship.
Tears welled up and spilled over. She reached out her hand, taking Corporal Allan by surprise. It took him a second to respond, but at least he clasped her hand in his huge warm paw.
“Thank you, Corporal.” For far more than you realize.
“Perhaps a glass of water, Miss Ralston?” He was so obviously horrified and ill at ease with a weeping female that her tears gave way to amusement. She wished she’d known long ago that female tears had this effect on him; she might have avoided several nasty confrontations just by dabbing her eyes with a lace handkerchief.
The moment Allan detected the faint trace of a smile on her features he looked vastly relieved and dropped her hand like a hot scone. He stepped back several paces and adjusted his Stetson so it was again at a precise angle to his square jaw. “Well, that takes care of everything then, Miss Ralston. You’ll be notified whenever we need your services.”
He turned to the door, then paused. “There is one other annoying little matter.” He cleared his throat several times. “Your brother has repeated to me, and, unfortunately, to half the populace of the town, a disturbing rumor about Turtle Mountain. He’s been most vocal about it. Embarrassingly so. I have had to warn him about the dangers of hearsay. Now, I know where the tale originated, of course, as you do. I believe you were present when it was told the first time.”
He fixed her with that intense stare. “I understand Mr. Chapman boarded here for some time. Is he still in residence? I would like to have a word with him.”
Would she ever hear Tom’s name without this sinking feeling in her stomach, this desolate emptiness that threatened to destroy her?
“Tom doesn’t live here anymore.”
“Where can I find him?”
“I have no idea,” she lied. “Probably at the mine, doing his job like any other honest man.” She wasn’t about to tell him where Tom was or to allow him to criticize him in any way. “I think you should know that in my opinion every single word Tom Chapman said that day was the truth. My family, and as many of our neighbors as we’ve been able to convince, are going to evacuate our homes on or before April twenty-eight, Corporal.” She drew a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye. “I believe, and so do they, that there will be a devastating Slide early on the morning of the twenty-ninth, and that much of this village will be destroyed and lives lost.” She gave him a pleading look.
“Corporal, you could help so much. You could order all the houses along these rows evacuated. You could warn people about the Slide. They’d pay attention if the alarm came from you.”
Zelda’s heart sank, because already he was shaking his head in vehement denial. “Rubbish. Poppycock, Miss Ralston. It was my opinion a year ago, and it remains my opinion today, that Mr. Chapman suffers delusions, and that unfortunately, he’s good at making them sound convincing. He’s obviously heard the tales the Indians have spun for years about the Turtle, and his demented mind has enlarged on that fantasy. Why, I’d be laughed out of town if I took stock of such insanity.”
“Tom is not crazy.” Her hands were on her hips and she glared at him. Once again they were adversaries. “I’m ashamed of you, Corporal Allan. I thought it was your duty to protect the citizens of this town, but obviously all you’re concerned about is your own reputation. You’re going to be a sorry man afterwards, knowing you had the opportunity to save lives, and didn’t do it.”
“I intend to protect the town and its inhabitants, Miss Ralston. I have already told Eli he is not to go about mouthing this nonsense, and I shall pay Mr. Chapman a visit and warn him to cease and desist with his foolishness, or I shall be forced to take further action.”
“You’d better be quick about it then. April twenty-ninth is next Wednesday. You have four days left to prove yourself an utter fool, Corporal.”
A Distant Echo: Chapter Thrity-Four
“Morning, Zelda.”
“Good morning, Tom.”
Zelda rubbed her damp palms down her apron and tried for a composed smile. “Would you like some coffee? Breakfast? I’ve left out a few supplies.”
“No, thanks. I’ve eaten.” His words were easy, but his look made her breath catch in her throat.
How could she have forgotten how tall and broad he was, how muscular? His black, shining hair was longer than she remembered, curling down his neck and over his ears, and his lean, rawboned face was thinner, his deep blue eyes shadowed.
Her palms ached to reach out and touch him, to feel his warmth and solidity surround her. She turned to the stove, lifting the lid and adding an unnecessary block of wood to the flames.
Eli had told her Tom was coming to help this morning. She’d insisted hotly that she didn’t want or need him, but with new found dignity Eli had simply said, “He’s coming anyway.”
Half of her had dreaded this encounter, and the other half had longed for it. Now that he’d actually appeared, she felt exhausted before the day had even begun.
She’d been awake half the night, listening to Virgil cough, getting up to boil the kettle and to bring him a cup of hot tea or a dose of useless cough medicine. She’d also worried about the move and wondered how on earth she’d manage to be around Tom all day without breaking down.
She turned and caught him staring at her. His eyes lingered on her mouth. With a feeling of utter desolation, she remembered exactly how his kisses felt, the gentleness of his lips on hers before passion built, the scratchy feel of his beard on her cheeks, her neck, her breasts.
“It’s good to see you again, Zel.” The words came out on a sigh.
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
“I’ve hired an extra wagon, that way Eli and I can make the move in half the time. And a couple of young men from the hotel should be here any minute.”
She didn’t have the energy to object, although she hated the thought that he was spending money on her. She had to be self-sufficient, learn to exist without him or his help.
At least when today was over, she told herself, she wouldn’t need to see him again. One more day, if his plans worked, and he’d be gone forever. Once that was a certainty, it might get easier for her to bear.
“Dad’s poorly this morning. The sooner we get him moved and settled again, the better.” She’d get through this, she told herself, if they just stuck to this mundane, everyday sort of conversation. “He’s still asleep. He was up most of the night coughing.”
“Let him sleep as long as possible then. We’ll move your kitchen things and the furniture from the main floor first, and you can come along and get the stoves going and a room organized for Virgil.”
With the help of the two young men and the extra wagon, her household things were loaded quickly into the wagons. Eli took hot tea and porridge up to Virgil when he awakened, promising to keep his father from exerting himself in any way. Virgil was determined to help with the move, despite the fact that it took all his energy just to make it down the stairs to the kitchen.
Soon the first load was ready to go. Tom was driving, and Zelda was conscious of his broad, strong hands on her waist, boosting her up to the high seat.
He climbed up beside her and clucked to the team, and they started off. She racked her brain, trying to think of a neutral subject they could discuss. This was a dangerous time. Once they arrived at the other house, they’d both be too busy for idle conversation.
“I had a visit from Corporal Allan a few days ago,” Zelda began. “He asked where you were. Did he speak with you?” At least the narrow-minded corporal seemed a safe topic, and one they could agree upon.
“Yeah, we had a little heart to heart.” Tom’s mouth curved in a sardonic grin. “He still figures I’m mentally deranged, and he warned me that I’m not to mention the world ‘Slide’ to a living soul, or he’ll toss me in the lockup.”
She shot him a worried glance, and he shook his head, a rueful look on his face. “I’ve pretty much given up trying to warn people, Zel. They either laugh at me or make the sign to ward off evil spirits.”
“Yes, I do know what you mean.”
They rode along in silence, and the tension between them seemed to grow with every bounce of the wagon. Zelda groped frantically for another safe subject.
“This house I’ve rented was occupied by a group of young men. I’m afraid it might need a bit of cleaning.” She’d felt totally indifferent about the move. She’d rented the first house available with rent she could afford in an area safe from the Slide. Beyond that, she hadn’t been able to summon up any interest whatsoever. A house was a house.
“I looked it over, but now I barely remember what it was like,” She prattled. “I do remember there was a ground-floor bedroom for Dad. The stairs have been hard for him to manage lately. There was a large front room I thought would do for a studio, although I wonder if anyone will want portraits, after the Slide.” She couldn’t imagine what it was going to be like, afterwards. She only knew she’d be alone, and if she dwelled on that, her fragile control would shatter. It was better not to discuss the coming catastrophe.
Perhaps Tom felt the same way, because he switched the conversation. “You heard from Isabella?”
Relief flooded her. “Yes, I had a letter from her last week. She’s learning to write English very well. They’ve bought a farm and Lars is fixing up the house. The children have a goat, some chickens, and a pony. There’s a school not far away, and Eddy will start next term.”
Isabella had also confided joyfully that she was now pregnant with Lar’s child, and Zelda had burst into tears when she read the awkwardly phrased message. First Leona, now Isabella. Zelda wished with all her heart that the little sponges hadn’t worked so well for her, that she, too, could look forward to a baby---Tom’s baby. A boy or girl with his blood in its veins, his hair, his eyes…. Something, anything, of him, some living reminder of the love they’d shared. But her monthly courses told her it wasn’t meant to be.
“Leona’s coming to the new house this afternoon to help us get settled.” Leona was blooming, her body lush and heavily rounded with the coming child. “Of course she mustn’t lift anything heavy.”
“If Augusto and Joe and their wives were around, they’d help, too.” Tom said. “But I’m glad they aren’t.”
The Italians, professing not to believe a word of Tom’s warnings, still had taken the week off work, packed up their families, and gone to a wedding in Lethbridge.
“They’ll come back to find their homes under tons of limestone rock, but at least they’ll be safe,” Tom said. “They both left me keys. If there’s time today, I’m going to load up some of their belongings and bring them to your place, if that’s all right with you?”
“Of course, by all means.” Zelda could feel hysterical laughter building inside of her.
This is so ridiculous, this whole conversation. The two of them chatting like polite strangers, when for months they’d been as close as two humans could be, sharing not only their bodies, but their most intimate thoughts and feelings.
She was so aware of him, close beside her on the narrow seat of the wagon. She could feel his muscles tense as he guided the horses, smell the good clean smell of him. She was even aware of his breathing, deep and even.
She knew so much about him. She thought of the small triangular patch of hair just above his tail bone, of the scar below his right shoulder blade, of the ache in her heart when he’d told her of the terrified little boy he’d been, hiding from his vicious stepfather. All that secret knowledge brought a strange comfort. He might be leaving her, but at least those images were hers to keep forever.
Tom steered the team along the faint track through the poplars that led to the rather isolated house she’d rented.
“I wish you’d moved to Blairmore, Zelda,” Tom burst out abruptly as the two-story house set among the trees came into view. “Sure,
you’re safe here from the rock, but nothing will be the same in Frank after the Slide. Most people will pack up and leave, terrified of the mountain. This’ll be a ghost town in a couple of years. You’d be way better off getting established in the town of Blairmore now, before the Slide.”
She bristled at his words. “I’ll move where it suits me. It’s absolutely no concern of yours.”
“Damn it all, you’re a stubborn woman.” They were in front of the house. He pulled the team to a halt with an abrupt motion that startled them. “You won’t take my advice, and it’s perfectly obvious you hate having to accept my help today.” His voice was irate. “You wouldn’t even let Eli take the money I wanted to give you a couple of weeks ago. Why won’t you let me do what little I can for you, Zelda?”
This was exactly what she’d been trying to avoid. Recklessly, she slid off the seat before he could get down and help her, almost losing her balance as she hit the ground. She steadied herself on the wheel of the wagon and glared up at him.
“Because I don’t want you easing your conscience by paying me off, Tom Chapman.” Her voice trembled, not with tears, but with outrage. “I don’t want your charity. Money’s not what I need from you, you stupid man. It’s not what I ever needed. I don’t have the same reverence for riches that you do.” Her tone oozed sarcasm. “I’d certainly never trade investments and bank accounts for love.” It was vicious. It was intended to wound, it was exactly what she’d wanted to say to him all along.
Rage sizzled in the look he gave her, but he didn’t say anything.
She tossed her head and stalked to the back of the wagon, aimlessly grabbing an armload of smaller boxes. She struggled with them up the steps and across the wide porch, marching into the house with her back ramrod straight and her head high.
Now and Forever: Time Travel Romance Superbundle Page 91
