Liam

by Cynthia Woolf

  They’d married so young, right before he joined the Army at the start of the War Between the States. Then he’d only been home on occasion, when he’d been stationed nearby. There were no leaves granted, not with the war going on. He got a couple of days when he’d been close to home, so he could go see Mary and his parents. She lived with them while he was at war. Maybe not the best situation had Mary and his mother not loved each other so much. His mother was closer to Mary than to him.

  When the war was over, he was a Lieutenant Colonel and traveled to Pennsylvania for his first assignment, Kansas for the next and so on for years. Each assignment lasting less than a year. She’d traveled and made them a home wherever they’d been. He knew now that it was Mary that was home, not the place they lived, but her. He missed that, missed not having a real home since she’d been gone. But Mary was home. Wasn’t she?

  Then there was Eleanor. She sparkled. Outrageously outspoken, she rambled when she was nervous. He wasn’t even sure she knew what she talked about. It was whatever came into her pretty little head. She was so different than Mary, both in looks and temperament.

  Mary had been a blond with brown eyes. Beautiful, porcelain skin, like a china doll, soft spoken bordering on shy. Eleanor with her brilliant blue eyes, tanned skin and brown hair was anything but a china doll. She was vibrant and intoxicating. But why did thinking about Mary bring on thoughts of Eleanor? A woman he’d only met for the first time today.

  It was strange; he hadn’t really thought of Mary since they’d come to Deadwood. He’d come there to avoid all the memories of her in St. Louis, and that had happened but he hadn’t expected to simply stop thinking of her. Maybe had stopped thinking of her long before she died. At least in the ways that counted.

  Until Eleanor.

  He was attracted to Eleanor but she needed courting and marriage. She was a good Christian woman, there could be only marriage for her. Was he ready to do that? She would be good for the kids. They needed a mother, as shown by the way they tied themselves so quickly to Becky. What was he thinking? Was he so lonely that he would consider marrying again? Maybe Eleanor mesmerized him because she was so different from Mary. Maybe it was the way she felt in his arms—how she’d fit so perfectly with his body.

  He brought himself back to the present and the cabin. It was large, though the bedrooms were barely big enough for a double bed and a bureau, but they were blessedly private. David and Hannah were the best children a father could ask for. They didn’t complain and always seemed to be chipper, but were they?

  “Zach, this is the best present anyone could have given me. You and Jake took better care of the kids than I could have asked. I can’t imagine how you found the time to build the cabin,” observed Liam, scanning the room. This one seemed to be a larger than the other bedrooms. It was Jake and Becky’s room. There was a double bed with a quilt he knew his mother had made for Jake, spread upon it. There was also a new four-drawer bureau and a wardrobe. He knew how hard his brothers worked and the fact they’d been able to build a complete home amazed him.

  “Well, on days when the weather was good we worked on it full time to try and get it done before the snows came in earnest,” said Zach. “But, like I said, it still took us a good two months with both of us working on it, which left poor Becky to work the river for the color. Lucky for us, she’s very good at what she does. We don’t let her work the river now though. Not as far along as she is. It’s too dangerous. She can barely walk on dry land, much less in a rushing river, since she’s pregnant.”

  “Hey, anybody home or do you always leave the door wide open?” called Jake from the front room.

  Liam and Zach walked back to the living room and found Jake and Becky. Zach was right. At five months pregnant, the fact she was with child was barely evident. She glowed and, he hated to say it, but she might be starting to waddle just a little. She was still a sprite though, bouncing on her heels, her bright red hair swinging in the breeze. Zach’s description of her was clearly outlandish as she had no trouble walking, yet. He knew just moving would get much harder as the pregnancy progressed. He did agree with them that she shouldn’t be working the river.

  Jake came up to him and grabbed him in a bear hug. “Glad to have you back, brother. How’d it go?”

  Liam hugged him back. “Good. It went really good. You’re a free man.”

  “Oh, Liam, thank you,” squealed Becky, moving Jake out of the way so she could hug him. “Thank you so much for doing this for us.”

  “Come everyone let’s sit down, have some coffee and let Liam relax. There’s news for him, too,” said Zach.

  “What? Did you find the vein?” asked Liam, unable to keep the excitement out of his voice.

  Zach smiled like the cat that got the cream. “We did. And we’ve saved enough money to hire the men and equipment to work it.”

  “That’s wonderful. When did this happen?”

  “We just got the equipment ordered last month. It’ll be installed next week and the men are coming at the same time. We’ve hired a man from the Comstock strike to come and oversee the project, and…”

  “And Becky and I have started our own house in Deadwood,” interjected Jake. “It’ll be finished before the baby comes. Then you can move the kids out of the front room and into a bedroom.”

  Now was as good a time as any to ask about Eleanor. He looked down at his fingers, worried a nail, and asked as innocently as possible, “What do you know about Miss Smith, the reverend’s daughter? She said she’s teaching school, too.”

  “I didn’t know that until recently,” said Becky. “I know most of the kids in Deadwood are going, their parents are thrilled they have the opportunity of an education for their children.” She glanced over at the kids who were playing checkers in the sitting room and then whispered, “We were going to ask you about sending David and Hannah when you returned. We didn’t want to enroll them without your permission.”

  “I’m taking them myself on Monday,” said Liam.

  “School? Really?” said David, a big grin on his face. “They’ll have books won’t they, for us to read?”

  “Yes, and I brought you some back with me. That’s your present for me being away for so long. I also picked you up new clothes and shoes. They’re all being shipped in from St. Louis.”

  David looked totally dejected at this last bit of news. Liam knew he shouldn’t tease him. “Oh, except for the two books in my pack on the horse.”

  He perked up immediately. “Can I go get your pack and bring it in? Please?”

  Liam nodded and David ran out the door like his tail was on fire.

  “What’d you bring me, Daddy?” asked Hannah, bouncing on the bench with excitement.

  “Well, pumpkin, I got you a new dolly and some new dresses and shoes. I’ll get the dolly out of my pack when David brings it in.” He turned his attention to Becky. “Are you still spoiling these folks with your cooking?” he asked her.

  Her cheeks developed pink spots on them and she grinned. “I am still doing most of the cooking. I like to eat…we like to eat.” She rubbed her expanding belly. Then she pointed at Jake and Zach. “These two are terrible cooks at the best of times.”

  Liam laughed as he watched his brothers redden with embarrassment. “You’re right they are. I bought some beef steak at the butcher shop in Deadwood. I thought we could have a little celebration with a special meal. David where did you put that package of meat?” he asked the boy as he walked through the door carrying two sets of saddlebags.

  “On the kitchen counter.”

  “I’ll get dinner started in a little bit. In the meantime I’ll warm up your coffee. We can sit at the table and you can tell us everything that happened.” She sat down, elbows on the table, her chin resting in her palms, looking at Liam expectantly.

  He smiled and then told them about his meetings with the governor and the general, explained that Zach would face charges unless he resigned his commission.

  “
Jordan is still in the wind. They haven’t been able to find him, though I’m not sure they’re trying very hard. Mostly, they just want the whole matter to be kept quiet and go away. They don’t want the army to look bad. That’s why they won’t charge you for being AWOL and striking a superior officer if you resign effective before all this happened.”

  “I guess,” said Zach after a long pause. “I don’t really have much of a choice. I intended for the army to be my career, but that’s not going to happen now. At least with the gold coming in, I’ll have an income.”

  “I’m sorry you have to give up your dream because of me. But thank you. I’d be dead by now if not for you. We’ll all be rich though,” said Jake. “The vein is thick and deep. It runs the whole cliff, both ours and Becky’s claims. And it’s deep, did I say that? It could be years before it’s played out. We’re all going to be rich.”

  Liam took a sip of his coffee. Becky turned to refill it but he stopped her with a wave of his hand. “We’re going to have to invest at least part of our earnings. I don’t want my children, or yours, for that matter,” he nodded toward Becky’s expanding belly, “to want for anything.”

  “They won’t, brother. We’ll see to it,” said Zach. “Too bad there’s not a bank in camp yet. They could help us with the advice, maybe.”

  “Well, we have lots of time and lots of options. The first thing I’m going to do is finish the kitchen with a cook stove and running water,” said Liam.

  “We’ve got a cook stove ordered from Bullock and Starr Hardware,” said Jake. “Becky looked through their catalog to find the one she wanted. It should be in any day now. We got two, one for your place here and one for the house we’re building in Deadwood.”

  “I’m going to have to try and remember how to cook on a stove. I’ve been cooking over an open fire for so long, I may not know how to use a stove anymore,” said Becky. “I’m just warning you all now, you may get some burned meals.”

  “I’m sure you’ll do fine.” Jake put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her to him.

  Liam watched the play of emotions cross Jake and Becky’s faces. He saw so much love there. They may not have been in love when they married but they certainly were now. He wondered what changed. Was it the death of her father, Billy, and with it Becky’s sudden freedom? Or something quieter? Perhaps being near each other made the heart grow fonder, as a poet might say. Whatever the reason, he was glad they’d found each other.

  And Zach. What about Zach? He was apparently trying to court Lily Sutter. That didn’t surprise Liam. Zach had been hit by a lightning bolt the first time he’d seen Lily. Liam had never seen anything like it, not from his little brother. Zach was the one who had all the girls chasing him. He had his pick of women.

  But not Lily. She didn’t want anything to do with him. Zach must have been surprised, and now he was the one doing the chasing. A new experience for Zach, but one Liam was sure was good for him.

  It was time to stop worrying about his brothers. After all they were grown men and could look after themselves. Now was the time to concentrate on his children and what was best for them. And, yes, himself. His children would grow and have their own lives and then what about his life? What would he do then?

  He’d watched the kids with Becky. Both of them, but especially Hannah, had latched on to her. They clamored for her attention. That was fine for now, but what about when Becky had her baby, and when they moved to Deadwood? She wouldn’t have as much time for them or be near enough to see them every day as she did now.

  No, his children needed a mother and he thought Eleanor Smith just might do. Of course, it didn’t hurt that he found her attractive. After all he was proposing that they spend the rest of their natural lives together.

  But how does one court a woman now? He hadn’t courted anyone since Mary and that was more than fifteen years ago. That time had been different too; he was in love with Mary and at the time, she’d been in love with him. The Army and all the moving changed what they had between them, until it wasn’t love but just politeness and occasionally sex. At least they had both still enjoyed that.

  What he was going to suggest to Miss Smith was more of a business arrangement than a real marriage. Though they could be friends. Sometimes that was better in the long run than love.

  He’d see to all of her needs and wants in return for her care of his children. That was reasonable. The gold strike would allow him to hire help for her. She wouldn’t have to cook, unless she wanted to, or clean. Surely he’d be able to hire some local women to do those things. Perhaps even the wives of some of the miners that were coming with the equipment, assuming some of them were married. Maybe they’d like a little extra income.

  He’d add on to the cabin, turn it into a real house. She could have her own bedroom…maybe he’d think on that a little more. Just because it was a business arrangement didn’t mean he wanted to forgo the marital bed. If he admitted it to himself, that was part of the reason for getting married. A mother for the children yes, but also a bedmate for him. Besides, Miss Smith…Eleanor, would probably want children of her own and she wasn’t getting any younger. He didn’t mind the thought of having more children. He and Mary had wanted a houseful.

  “Zach, can I talk to you? In private,” he added when Jake and Becky looked up with interest.

  Zach shrugged. “Certainly.”

  Liam led the way outside. “We can talk while I take care of the horse.”

  There was a small barn behind the cabin where the horses were boarded. Liam led the big bay mare back there and removed the saddle and blanket putting them on the top rail of the first stall. There were four stalls, one for each horse. They’d built a lean-to when they first arrived, but the boys had turned it into a barn when they built the cabin. The horses would be safe for the winter.

  Zach picked up some straw and began rubbing down the horse. “So what did you want to discuss?”

  Liam rubbed down his side of the mare and then picked up the curry comb. “I understand you’re courting Lily Sutter.”

  “I am. For all the good it’s doing me.” He narrowed his eyes. “What business is it of yours? How’d you know anyway? You’ve been away since I started courting her.”

  “It’s a long story—”

  “We’ve got time.” He patted the mare’s neck and dust flew off. “We still have to finish currying her. So start talkin’.”

  Liam sighed. “I found out from Eleanor Smith.”

  Zach raised his eyebrows. “The reverend’s daughter? How’d you meet her anyway? It’s not like you go to church.”

  “We ran into each other. Literally.” Liam told him the whole story of meeting Eleanor.

  Zach laughed out loud, a great booming laugh. “And now you want to marry her? Are you crazy? You’ve just got a bad case of lust. Go slake it at The Gem and then tell me if you still want to marry her.”

  “I’m not crazy,” Liam said evenly,

  “She is the preacher’s daughter and I know how you feel about God right now. I don’t think that’s going to change any time soon.”

  “Religion has nothing to do with this. It’s a business arrangement.”

  Zach barked with laughter. “Do you think she’s just going to stop believing, stop ministering to the ladies, to marry you? Why don’t you just go to The Gem and take care of that itch you’ve got. You don’t need to get married for that.”

  Liam slammed the curry comb a bit harder on the horse than he meant to and she let him know, butting him with her head. “Sorry, old girl,” he said quietly to the mare.” He began to curry her again. “This is more than lust. Although, I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t part of it. I find Miss Smith very attractive.”

  Zach laughed again. “Are we talking about the same Miss Smith? Tall, lanky, dark hair pulled up in a bun so tight her eyes slant?”

  “They do not. She’s very attractive.” He had to admit, he didn’t know if her eyes slanted or not, since her bun was delicio
usly disheveled, like the rest of her when they’d met.

  “To each their own,” said Zach, shaking his head in disbelief.

  “Admittedly she is not as lushly built as Lily Sutter, but then neither was Mary.”

  “You can’t replace Mary,” Zach said quietly.

  “I know that. I’m not trying to replace her, but my children deserve a mother, and not one that’s a gold digger. Those kinds of women are going to start showing up soon enough, as the word of the strike gets out. Jake’s lucky. He and Becky don’t have to worry about that. I won’t either if Miss Smith accepts my suit.”

  “So that’s why you’re all fired up to get married?”

  “I told you it’s not just that. There are lots of reasons. It’s time. Mary wouldn’t have wanted me to stay alone any more than I would have expected it of her.”

  Zach nodded. He didn’t seem to know what to say, or he was measuring his words, which wasn’t like him at all.

  Liam continued, “I know this seems sudden and it is, but you weren’t there when she fell into my arms. How she felt so perfect there, so…right.”

  “No, I wasn’t there but I still think you should spend some time at The Gem. At least take the edge off. Make sure this is really what you want. Who knows? She may actually say yes.”

  Liam cocked an eyebrow and rested his arms across the mare’s back. “Have you been visiting The Gem since you decided to court Lily?”

  “Well, no, that wouldn’t be right to court a lady and then…”

  “Exactly. Eleanor is every bit as much a lady as Lily.”

  “I never said she wasn’t.”

  “I considered she might say no, which is why I need your help and why we’re having this conversation at all. I need your help to court her properly.”