by Megan Besing
“I’ll remember that next time.” A muscle twitched in his jaw.
“There won’t be a next time.”
He held up his hand, palm out. “Let’s move on, please. I’m here to purchase a couple pounds of sixteen-penny nails.”
“Right back here.” She led the way to the nail bins, relieved that the tension between them had eased. To lighten the mood, she paused and turned to him with a smile. “Six-teens are big nails. What are you building?”
“A fence beside my barn. Going to get a cow and have to keep her in.”
“A cow.” She suppressed a chuckle at the image of his strong hands juggling milk pans and churning butter. “So you’ll need milk pails and so forth?” From his stunned expression, she surmised he hadn’t thought beyond obtaining the animal.
He rubbed his chin. “Well, not today. Have to get the cow first.”
“Absolutely. Nails today, pails another time.” A smile lifted her lips. “Nails are right over there.”
She turned away when a man entered carrying a wooden crate. “Please excuse me, Mr. McNabb. Just bring your purchase to the front when you’re ready.” With quick steps she hurried toward her next customer. From his dusty clothing to his scraggly beard, he looked like one more person hoping to strike gold in Idaho.
He gave her an approving glance as she approached. “You the owner’s daughter?”
“No, sir. I’m his employee. Mr. Wolford will return later this afternoon.”
“No matter. You look like you’ll do fine.” He dropped the crate at his feet and handed her a wrinkled page obviously torn from a newspaper. “Here’s what I need to set up in Mullan.”
She noticed dirt caked beneath his fingernails when she plucked the paper from his hands. The printed sheet contained two columns headed “Prospector’s Supply List.” After scanning the columns, she looked up at him. “I haven’t seen a list like this before. Where did you get it?”
“Baker City paper, down in Oregon. Placer mines there petered out, but Mullan’s coming on strong. I aim to get rich.”
Helena nodded toward the crate. “You’ll need another box to hold all of this.”
“Then pick what’ll fit. I’ll make do.”
“Gold pan, gold scales, bacon, flour…” Her voice trailed off as she read to the bottom of one column then focused on the next. “Boots, stockings, two blankets—”
“Make that one blanket, and forget the stockings.”
“But, sir—”
Mr. McNabb stepped next to her. “Excuse the interruption. You’ll need those blankets. Mountain winters are bitter cold.” His intense expression set her customer back a pace. “Don’t skimp on waterproof boots or heavy underwear, either.”
The man snorted. “It must be ninety-five degrees today and you’re blathering about heavy underwear?”
“Winter comes quick in the mountains.”
“Fill the crate, miss. I can’t pay for no more.” He shoved his thumbs in the front pockets of his canvas trousers. “And step lively. We’re burning daylight.”
Mr. McNabb shook his head and strode to the back of the building without further comment.
Drawing a deep breath, Helena carried items from the shelves and packed all she could into the wooden crate, completing the order by tucking a thick woolen blanket over the top. When she told the man his total, he tightened his jaw and counted the exact amount into her palm. Then he slung the filled container onto one shoulder and marched to a horse and wagon tied in front of the boardwalk.
After he left, she walked to the rear of the store. “I pray he finds enough gold to buy more supplies. Thank you for trying to help, Mr. McNabb.”
He turned around, face pale. “Wish he’d listened.” His color returned as a smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. “At any rate, would you please call me Daniel? We’ve known each other for several weeks now.”
“I feel unworthy, considering how we met.”
“Then let’s start today. Call me Daniel.”
Her heart bloomed at his kindness. “All right…Daniel. I’m Helena.”
Chapter 11
On Friday, Helena rose early to help prepare food for their Fourth of July picnic.
She decided to wear her blue gingham dress, and on impulse tied a red scarf around her waist as a sash. Carrying her apron, she hurried out to the kitchen area, where the fragrance of vanilla and cinnamon rose from a tray of doughnuts cooling beneath the window.
“Don’t you look festive!” Sarah gave her a one-armed hug and returned to slicing baked ham into sandwich-sized portions. “Beth and Grant are out finishing their chores. I saved the cucumber salad for you to make. Everything’s on the table.”
As Helena completed tossing sliced vegetables with vinegar and sugar, Uncle Will strode into the room dressed in his cavalry uniform. The heels of his shiny black boots rapped on the plank floor as he crossed to Sarah’s side. “I’ll be hitching the wagon now. Daniel should be here soon.”
His wife paused in her task to smile up at him. “You’ll be the best-looking soldier in the parade. You’re still the handsome man I met twenty years ago.”
“And you’re still the prettiest girl in town.” He squeezed her shoulder and strode out the door.
Helena’s heart twisted at the obvious love the two of them shared. Would she ever find someone who cared that much for her? She gave the vegetables an extra-vigorous stir, splashing drops of vinegar on her apron.
Her mind skipped back to Uncle Will’s first statement. “Sarah, did he say Daniel was coming with us?”
“It’s Daniel now, is it?” Sarah smiled then pulled out a chair and sat facing Helena. “He asked if he could join our family today, and of course we said yes. This is a big step for Daniel—last year his brother marched with Will and the other veterans. I pray he’s overcoming his grief.”
Helena tugged the picnic hamper toward her and placed the salad inside. “I’ll watch what I say, so I don’t raise any sad memories for him. I’m still embarrassed by his reaction to my question at the cemetery on Decoration Day.”
“You couldn’t have known.” Sarah returned to her work area. After wrapping the platter of sandwiches in a towel, she set them beside the bowl of salad then put the tray of doughnuts on top and covered everything with a red-checked cloth. “As soon as Will comes around with the wagon, we’ll be on our way.”
A tickle of anticipation bubbled up inside Helena. She loved patriotic displays on the Fourth of July. Even if the one in Spalding would be smaller than celebrations in Waters Grove, the sound of a brass band and marching feet never failed to thrill her. She folded her apron over the back of a chair just as Grant and Beth dashed past on their way to change from work clothes to town clothes.
Harnesses jingled outside. In a couple of minutes Uncle Will appeared in the doorway with Daniel at his heels. Daniel’s face brightened when he saw her.
“Miss—” He coughed. “I mean, Helena. Will and Sarah are going to be crowded with the food and all. Would you do me the honor of riding with me in my buggy?”
Sarah gave Helena a little nudge toward Daniel. “See you at the picnic grounds.”
He held out his elbow and she stepped forward to rest her hand on his forearm.
A speaker’s platform wrapped in red, white, and blue bunting decorated the picnic grounds. The Stars and Stripes sagged on a flagpole next to the platform, waiting for a breeze to show off its bright colors.
Daniel guided his buggy to an open space on a hitching rail, his heart thudding at Helena’s nearness. His fingers itched to touch one of the wisps of silvery-blond hair that had escaped from beneath her bonnet. From her rigid posture at the far side of the buggy seat, he knew she wasn’t interested in him in any romantic way. He was the Hallidays’ neighbor, and that was that.
After tucking two blankets from the rear seat under his arm, he strode toward a shaded arbor. Helena beamed at him. “How thoughtful of you to bring extra blankets. I didn’t notice whether Sarah se
t any out or not.”
He flushed at her praise. “Looked like she made plenty of food. Figured the least I could do was provide places to sit.” In the silence that followed, he grasped one of the blankets to spread on the ground.
“Let me help.” Helena’s fingers brushed his when she reached for the second one. The softness of her touch felt like a caress.
Warmth shot through his body. To hide his reaction, he bent over, squared the blankets against each other, then lifted his hat and wiped sweat from his forehead.
She watched him with a puzzled expression on her face. “Did I lay them out wrong?”
“No! No, of course not.” How could he explain to her that precision was his refuge when he felt uncomfortable? Even more, how could he confess that her presence was the cause of his discomfort?
Helena turned from Daniel’s flushed face to survey the groups of people gathering on the grounds. He’d been uneasy ever since leaving the Hallidays’ cabin, no doubt dreading the ordeal of today’s parade. She wished she knew what to say to ease his sorrow.
She released a relieved breath at the sight of Sarah and her children coming toward them carrying the picnic food. Beth reached her first and grabbed her hand.
“As soon as we can, let’s go find a good place to watch the parade. Papa’s already gone to join the other veterans.”
The sound of drums and trumpets rolled over the crowd. Before following Beth, Helena reached out and grasped Daniel’s arm. If the veterans’ march were to disturb him, she wanted to be by his side.
Trumpets flashed in the sun as the perspiring band passed the reviewing stand. Helena’s heart thrilled to the drumbeat pounding out “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Following the band, veterans marched by in military formation.
She felt the muscles in Daniel’s arm tense. When he pulled off his hat and held it over his heart, she stepped closer, fighting back a desire to slip her arm around him. Hard as she tried to ignore her feelings, she loved him and wished to be his bride.
When the music faded away, the clang of the bell on the eastbound Northern Pacific train could be heard from the nearby depot. The ground rumbled and cars clashed together as the engine left the station.
Another month and she’d be on that train and out of his life.
Chapter 12
With Mr. Wolford’s permission, Helena left the mercantile before closing time to visit the post office. Three weeks had passed since she’d sent her inquiries to Spokane Falls. By now she should have the hoped-for responses.
She unfurled her parasol against the relentless July sun and crossed to the next block. A few wilting flowers sagged in front of homes along the street. For a moment, she imagined the flowers she’d cultivate in front of Daniel’s cabin if she were his wife.
Helena shook her head. You’re wasting time with daydreams. She marched up the steps of the post office, wishing she could stop thinking about him.
Mr. Kendrick rose from a chair in front of the rolltop desk as soon as she entered. “Miss Erickson. You’ve been on my mind.”
“I hope that’s because you have some mail for me.”
“Part of the reason.” He fanned through a tray and handed her two envelopes.
“Thank you.” A quick glance revealed Spokane Falls postmarks. Concealing her curiosity, she tucked them in her bag before turning to leave.
“Not so fast.” He put his arm against the wall, blocking her path to the door. “Another letter came you should know about.”
She lifted her chin. “Then give it to me, please.”
“Can’t do that. It’s not yours.”
“Mr. Kendrick, I won’t stand here and play guessing games with you. Please let me pass.”
He dropped his arm, but didn’t step away from the entrance. “I saw you with McNabb at the Fourth of July celebration. Figured I should tell you there’s a letter here addressed to Mrs. Daniel McNabb.” A crooked grin lifted his mouth. “Did you know he had a wife?”
She put her hand on the writing table to keep from swaying. A pulse pounded in her throat. “That’s not possible.”
“Apparently it is.” He moved closer. “Guess I’m not the only fellow you don’t know all that well.”
She pushed past him and ran out the door, afraid she would be sick. Shouldn’t Daniel have told her he’d been married? What happened to the first Mrs. McNabb?
Helena stalked past homes and businesses, her mind whirling. All this time, she’d borne the guilt of deceiving Daniel, when he’d been the deceiver. Should she confront him?
She paid little attention to horses and wagons raising dust along her route to the Hallidays’ cabin. When she stepped off the end of the boardwalk, her boots sank into the fine powdered soil, deep as sand on a lakeshore.
As she trudged through the dust, she felt as wilted as the flowers she’d passed. Once she reached the Hallidays’, she’d read the letters from Spokane Falls and choose a rooming house. In two more weeks she’d buy her train ticket. She’d make her plans work—she always had.
At the sound of hoofbeats, she paused to look over her shoulder.
“Helena, did you forget me?” Daniel brought his buggy to a stop next to her. “I told you I’d take you home this evening.”
“Something came up. I had some…disturbing news.” Despite her dislike of confrontation, her simmering anger erupted. She glared at him. “I learned today you have a wife.”
His head jerked back. “What? Where did you hear that?”
“From Mr. Kendrick. He has a letter addressed to her.”
He smacked his palm on the seat beside him. “Get in. We’re going to the post office.”
Once he turned the buggy around, he urged Ranger to a trot. Helena wrapped her arms around her middle and stared straight ahead. She couldn’t wait to hear how he’d explain himself after Mr. Kendrick gave him the letter.
From her seat in the buggy, Helena heard men’s voices escalating through the open door of the post office. Daniel’s deep bass tones rolled over Mr. Kendrick’s replies. After a minute or two, Daniel stomped out of the building, an envelope clutched in his hand. He vaulted into the buggy and turned east.
Helena gripped the edge of the seat. “Where are we going?”
“Picnic grounds. We can talk there.”
He guided the horse off the main street, stopping behind the speaker’s platform. His lips were pressed in a thin line.
The envelope he held crinkled when he turned to face her. “Because a letter came for a Mrs. McNabb, Kendrick told you I have a wife and you believed him?”
“Yes.” She stammered her reply.
“I’m sorry to ask, but why do you care?”
Her mouth dropped open. Truly, why did she care? Daniel planned to send her back to Illinois. He didn’t love her and certainly didn’t plan to marry her. She fiddled with a stray thread on her skirt while she pondered a response.
“I guess because…because you seem so honest. It stunned me that you would avoid such an important issue.”
Smile lines crinkled around his eyes as he handed her the envelope. The words “Mrs. Daniel McNabb” were written in flowing Spencerian script—her brother Joseph’s handwriting.
“I believe this is intended for you.” A wide grin spread over his face. “Looks like it’s from Felicia Trimble.”
Helena felt sure he could sense the heat radiating from her face. Bad enough she’d as good as accused him of dishonesty, but worse, she’d allowed her feelings for him to show. “Forgive me, Daniel. I had no way to let Joseph know we didn’t marry. He and Pa went to Chicago soon after I left Waters Grove.” She straightened her shoulders and pretended her interest lay in opening the envelope. “I never expected to hear from them. Pa’s not like that.” She drew out a single sheet of paper. “I’m anxious to learn how they are.”
“I understand.” The tenderness in his voice spread over her like a balm. “I’d give anything to be able to hear from my brother.”
“Oh! I d
idn’t think.” She jammed her brother’s letter into its envelope.
Daniel rested his hand over hers and stared off into the distance for a moment. “Don’t apologize. It’s time I stopped hiding behind my grief.”
She raised a questioning glance to his face. “Hiding?”
His grip tightened. “Ross’s death was my fault. We’d planned to build a house on our claim but didn’t have the funds. I got the idea to take our team and wagon and deliver freight to miners in Idaho. The road over the mountains is treacherous, especially in the snow, so the pay’s good. Ross insisted on going in my place….” His voice trailed off.
Her hand ached beneath his strong fingers, but she didn’t try to free herself. He’d chosen her to help him heal.
He shook his head as though awaking from a long sleep. “On his last trip, the wagon slid off the steep road, pulling Ross and the team down the mountainside. Days later, another freighter spotted them, but by then Ross was dead. Frozen to death.” He set his jaw in a tight line. “My fault. Should’ve been me.”
“Daniel, no.” She fought back tears. “Sarah told me that he was quite a bit older than you. If he insisted, could you have stopped him? Was freighting something he enjoyed?”
“He did like teamster work. After the war he hauled freight until we decided to come here and file on a homestead.” His grip relaxed and he leaned back on the seat. “Thank you. You’ve given me a great deal to think about.”
Her heart sang at his words. A small redemption, but a redemption nevertheless. She hoped he’d remember her kindly after she left.
Chapter 13
Uncle Will’s wheat crop was ready for harvest by mid-August. He took one of his teams and left for the Palouse country to help other farmers, with the understanding that they’d be back to share the work and equipment on the Hallidays’ acreage as well. Daniel’s fields were part of the work-sharing agreement.
The time had come.
Golden wheat stalks swayed in a gentle breeze as Helena walked toward Spalding past cultivated land. She told herself that the heaviness in her heart had nothing to do with the prospect of leaving Daniel and the Hallidays in less than a week.
