Anne’s jaw dropped. “Can we do that?”
“For a while.” Remorse hit Elise, and she walked back to Anne and laid a hand on her sleeve. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said it without asking you.”
“No, we’ll get by.” Anne smiled at her. “Look at the sacrifice Rebecca made. She gave up that furniture she loves so we’d have a prison wagon. We’ll be fine.”
Elise nodded and squeezed her arm gently. “Thank you.” She hurried to the Harkness family’s camp. Orrin sat by the smoldering remains of a very small fire.
“Mr. Harkness, there’s trouble over the prisoners. Dan and Rob and the others may need help.”
Orrin jumped up. “I was afraid something would happen, the way Woolman was talking.” He reached into the nearest wagon and pulled out a rifle. He bent down and looked under the wagon. “Get up, Ben. Bring your shotgun.”
Rebecca’s head popped out between the flaps of a small tent nearby. She blinked. “Elise, is that you? What’s happened?”
Orrin and Ben hurried off into the darkness, and Elise tiptoed closer to Rebecca. “I think things will be fine, but some of the men were making a fuss over the prisoners.”
“Should we raise a few of the others?”
“I don’t think it would hurt. Who else will support the wagon master?”
Rebecca crawled out of the tent. “Well, there’s Mr. Libby. He’s close by.”
They thought of two other men who had always seemed fair minded. After alerting them, Rebecca walked Elise back to her wagon. Anne had poked up the coals enough to heat water for tea.
“I’ve heard them talking and arguing some”—Anne said, nodding in the direction of the prison wagon—“but nothing that sounded badly out of hand. And I saw your husband and Ben go by. I hope things will settle down soon.” She smiled at Rebecca. “May I pour you some tea?”
“Land, if you ladies ain’t the beatingest. You know I’ll not turn down anything served in a china cup.” Rebecca accepted her tea, and they sat down on boxes to talk quietly.
Elise limited herself to one cup of tea and took out her knitting. She’d gotten used to working in near darkness in the evenings, and the second sock was nearly finished.
Fifteen minutes later, Orrin, Ben, and Eb appeared out of the shadows.
“Come on, Becca,” Orrin growled. “I reckon we can get some sleep now.”
Rebecca stood and handed her cup and saucer to Elise. “Thank you, ladies. I had a delightful time.”
“Good night,” Elise and Anne called as the Harknesses left.
Eb lingered next to their wagon, and Elise turned to him for news.
“Things should be all right,” he said softly.
Elise nodded. “Thank you.”
“And you.”
“I hope we’ve heard the last of their nonsense,” Anne said. “Elise, I shall retire now.”
“Good night, dear.” Elise watched her go into the tent and looked back at Eb. “They backed down, then?”
“Right after you left, Josiah came over to our side. When Orrin and Ben showed up, I think that clinched it, but then we got Libby and Bishop, too. You must have told them.”
She nodded.
“We owe you and Anne a great debt. Everything calmed down when Woolman and his bunch saw they were solidly outmanned.”
“Good. Will you be able to rest tonight?”
“For a while. I’m scheduled to relieve one of the guards in a few hours.”
“Go and sleep, then. Come by for breakfast if you can before we break camp.”
Eb nodded gravely. “Thank you. And what about you? Will you be able to sleep?”
Elise sighed. “I think I will. I admit I was so worked up that I fretted a bit this evening. But I picked up my knitting while Rebecca was here, and I actually finished my project. Knitting is calming to the nerves.”
“That so?” Eb’s smile brought a vague yearning to her heart.
“Yes, it is, and I’d like to give you the result, if you’re of a mind to take it.”
He arched his eyebrows. She went to the rear of the wagon and reached inside for her knitting bag.
“Here you go. Gray woolen socks. They’re not perfect, but they’ll keep your feet warm in the mountains.” She held them out, suddenly nervous. What if he read too much into the gesture—or not enough? She’d used the finest yarn she could find in St. Louis, and the finished product was nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, Anne and Rebecca had praised her work highly as they waited for the men to return.
“I hardly know what to say.” Holding the socks close, he inspected them in the dimness. “I allow I could use some new socks. Thank you very much.”
She let her breath out. “You’re welcome. I was afraid—”
“What?”
“Nothing.” Her face flushed, but she hoped he couldn’t see it.
Eb smiled. “Good night, then.”
They stood looking at each other for a long moment. At last he stirred and resettled his hat before turning away.
The wagons rattled on for the next few weeks as they headed north toward the Snake River. More trees lined the trail, and wild game increased. Between Eb and the Adams brothers, Elise and Anne had more meat in their stew pot than they’d had the first half of the journey. Several other families continued to contribute to the prisoners’ meals, so Elise and Anne were not unduly burdened.
Eb came by nearly every morning to check on them before the wagons moved out. Sometimes he came early enough to help harness the mules. On other days, he stopped for a minute and spoke to them from the saddle before he rode out to scout. Elise treasured the moments he spent with her—even more those evenings when he sat by their campfire and shared their meal.
Sometimes Rob or Wilbur joined them, and now and again Dan Adams and his brother walked over, but Dan still seemed a bit wary around Anne. Elise wondered if he still hoped she’d change her mind and accept him as a suitor, or if he’d reconciled himself to the generous friendship Anne shared with all the young men. Even Nick Foster, who was recovering from his wound, and Will Strother vied for the privilege of walking with Anne in the cool mornings, though she was several years older than they were.
Elise was happy with her one admirer. As the miles and the days passed, her heart became firmly attached to Eb Bentley. It worried her mildly, when she allowed herself to think about it. Mostly she told herself how blessed she was to have a dependable man like Eb for a friend.
They’d had the prisoners in custody for nearly three weeks when Eb rode back from scouting late one morning, accompanied by a dozen cavalry troopers. Word soon spread through the company that the troopers were headed for Fort Laramie and would take the prisoners.
Elise sought out Rob and took him aside.
“I’ve spoken to Anne and Rebecca. We’ll collect cold food for a lunch for the prisoners and the troopers if you wish. Or if you want to stop longer, we’ll prepare something hot.”
“Well, we’re trying to work out some details,” Rob said. “I guess we should have taken enough mules from Shwartz’s stock for the prisoners to ride on.”
“Oh dear. I’d offer one of our mules, but Eb tells me we’ll need them all in the Blue Mountains.”
“You surely will. Don’t worry—the lieutenant said he can offer compensation if Harkness will sell him the wagon and team. If not, they have a few packhorses along and may be able to redistribute their supplies. Or maybe some of our other folks will sell their extra mounts.”
An hour later the cavalrymen were off with the prisoners riding two of their pack mules and two purchased from the company. The Adams brothers helped the Harkness men repack their three wagons, and Rob blew his horn to alert the travelers to prepare to move.
“I feel so free,” Anne said as she hefted their dish box over the wagon’s tailboard. “No more cooking for prisoners or worrying about their safety.”
“Do you suppose we can remember how to cook for two?” Elise asked.
; “Oh, some of the boys will still come around, I expect.”
Elise smiled. “Yes, and often as not they bring us something for the kettle.” She looked northward, over the beautiful hills. “We’re not far from the Snake River. Just think, Anne. In a month, we’ll be in Oregon City.”
“And we’ll find Uncle David.”
Elise grasped her hand. “I pray it is so.”
That evening Eb didn’t get back to camp until dark, and he heard music from a mile away in the still night. As he drew closer, he could see couples dancing by firelight. He took care of Speck and washed his face and hands then wandered over to the revelry.
He sidled up to Hector Adams and watched the dancers bounding about to a lively tune. As usual, when the music stopped, Anne Stone was the center of a flurry of hopeful young men. Mr. Libby began to play another tune, and the couples reformed. The disappointed fellows looked about for available girls while Anne sprang off with Elijah Woolman.
Her choice of partners surprised Eb mildly, but then, Anne never did show partiality among the boys. He was glad she didn’t hold it against Elijah that his father had led the men bent on a lynching a few weeks ago.
Hector glanced his way. “Howdy, Eb.”
“Hec.”
“She’s yonder.”
“Who?”
“Miss Finster,” Hector said. “Who else?”
Eb tried not to smile, but he couldn’t help it. He looked where Hector’s chin was pointing and spotted Elise a third of the way around the circle of watchers.
“Much obliged.” He left Hector and ambled slowly toward her. When he stepped up near her, he could smell her light fragrance. She must have brought something with her that smelled good. Most days he didn’t notice it—they all smelled of smoke and sun and perspiration. Couldn’t help it. But sometimes of an evening, he caught a faint whiff of that scent. Lilacs, maybe? Something his mother had grown.
“Good evening, Eb.”
“Hello.”
She smiled large, and Eb’s stomach clenched. Seemed like every night it was more and more important that he see her face.
“You’re late getting back tonight,” she said.
“I rode on to the river.”
“Will we make it tomorrow?”
“The next day, I think.”
She nodded, with the sweet smile still hovering on her lips. Should he ask her to dance? He’d like to hold on to her again, to feel her warmth and softness. Dancing allowed him to touch her. But it was so public.
“It’s a fine night,” she said.
“Yes.”
They stood side by side, watching the movement of the dancers. Rob wasn’t out there. He must be on guard. Dan Adams was dancing with Lavinia Harkness. She looked about to swoon, she was so happy. Her brother Wilbur cut in on Elijah Woolman and stole Anne right out of his arms.
Eb turned to Elise on impulse. “Would you walk with me?”
Her eyes widened, but she slipped her hand through the bend of his arm.
“I’d be delighted.”
He led her quickly away from the circle and out away from the wagons, hoping no one had noticed. When they reached the trail, he slowed his steps and walked languidly with her northward.
After a hundred yards, he started to hear the crickets over the distant fiddling and the drumming of his heart. “I’ve been thinking a lot,” he said.
She stopped walking. “Oh? What about?” The half-moon’s light showed him her face, clear as day and dearer than life.
“You,” he dared to say.
She caught her breath, and his heart tore off again, fast and loud. He felt it in his throat and wondered if she could feel it where she held his arm. He reached over and enclosed her fingers in his hand.
“Elise, I…”
She waited, expectant, maybe a little cautious.
“I sure do think a heap of you.”
He saw the surprise in her eyes, quickly replaced by humor.
“That didn’t come out very well, did it?” He cleared his throat. “What I mean is, I admire you. A great deal.”
“Thank you, Eb. That means a lot to me.”
Before he could think too deeply about it, he pulled her into his arms. She didn’t resist but raised her hands to his collarbone and up around his neck. He didn’t have to bend far to touch his lips to hers. How long had he craved this warm embrace? Since Jeanie died. He held her close, and she hung on to him, not a desperate clinging, but she rested in his arms as though this was her spot, and she belonged.
He released her with a sigh. The stars flared brighter, and the music swirled about them in a slow, dreamy melody.
“I love you,” he said.
Her face glowed as she smiled up at him. “And I love you, Edwin Bentley.”
He drew her toward him again. She kissed back, and he never wanted to let her go. Finally he lifted his head and held her close against his chest.
“I’ve got a ranch. It needs a lot of work, but I plan to tear into it this fall. If I thought you’d be there with me…”
She stirred and ran her hand lightly up and down his sleeve. Her warm touch tantalized him.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll marry me, Elise. I’m not a wealthy man, but I can take care of you. We can have a good life together.”
She exhaled deeply and rested her head against the front of his shirt. They stood for a long time in silence with the crickets chirping. The fiddle broke into a riotous polka and people clapped in time.
“It sounds wonderful,” she said at last. “I’ve always dreamed of having my own home.”
“It’s a pretty place. I bought the land the first time I made this journey. Didn’t have the heart to live there alone at first. My…my wife died on the trail. Maybe you knew that.”
“No, I didn’t.” Elise raised her head and looked up at him with glittering eyes.
“Long time ago.” He touched her hair and gently pressed her head back onto his shoulder where it belonged now. “Anyway, the next year I built a small house and settled in there. Then I got the barn built. It just took me some time.”
“It must have been hard to be alone like that.”
“That’s pretty much why I kept helping Rob with his business. He likes bringing people west. It gave me a chance to get away from…from the memories and the loneliness, I guess. But this is my last wagon train. I’m ready now, and I don’t want to keep traveling. Rob’s quitting, too. Dulcie wants him to stay put, and I don’t blame her.”
“I don’t really have a choice,” Elise said softly. “I’m sorry, Eb. I have an obligation to Anne.”
“But once we get to Oregon…”
“I don’t see how I could leave her until she’s found her uncle.”
Eb was quiet for a long time. The music stopped, and he could hear some loud talk. The party must be breaking up for the night.
“I pray she’ll find David quickly,” Elise said. “But until her quest is ended, I am bound to her. You do understand?”
Eb’s chest hurt. Slowly he loosened his hold on her and stepped back.
“Sure. I understand.”
CHAPTER 26
Eb didn’t come by the wagon the next morning.
Elise went over their conversation in her mind a thousand times. He was hurting, she was sure. But her heart ached, too. That didn’t mean she would avoid him.
She made extra coffee, hoping he’d show up before they broke camp, and ended up giving it to the Adams boys. Late that evening, she and Anne unhitched alone. Elise was exhausted from driving most of the day and walking the rest. Anne scrounged a few sticks and made them each a couple of flapjacks, but the fire wasn’t hot enough and the cakes were pale and doughy.
“I’m sorry,” Anne said. “I should have tried harder to find more wood.”
“Never mind. I’m not very hungry.”
“I haven’t seen Eb all day. He was late last night, too.”
“Yes,” Elise sai
d.
“But you saw him last night.”
Elise pressed her lips together. She wished Anne wouldn’t persist.
Wilbur, Ben, and Lavinia Harkness came over, laughing and swinging the family’s buckets.
“We’re going for some water,” Wilbur said. “Want to come?”
Anne hurried to grab a pail. “Yes, thank you. Elise? Coming?”
Elise shook her head. “I’ll stay.”
“Want your knitting bag?” Anne asked.
“No. I think I’ll retire early tonight.”
“All right.” Anne hesitated. “I’ll see you later.”
As the young people walked away, Lavinia said, “Is Miss Elise feeling poorly?”
“I think she’s just tired,” Anne said.
Elise sat in the flickering shadows for a full ten minutes. If she moved, her heart would shatter. At last she forced herself to stand and rake the embers together then cover them with ashes. She glanced around the little camp. The coffeepot sat on a rock by the fire, where she’d left it when Hector brought it back. Other than that, all their belongings were in the wagon or the tent.
She went to the little tent and crawled inside. In the pitch darkness, she removed her dress, stockings, and corset. She took down her hair and lay down on her bedroll.
What had she done?
Eb was a good, kind man, and she loved him. Had she flung away her one chance at a happy life?
No, she told herself. I can be happy with Anne.
Tears rolled down her cheeks. She scrubbed them away with the backs of her hands. She closed her eyes and sobbed.
Lord, I love him. I can’t stop. So is this the way I’ll feel for the rest of my life? Please take away the hurt. I’d rather not have loved him than to feel this way.
She remembered his kisses. Putting a finger to her lips, she knew the pain was worth it. And yet…She buried her damp face in the pillow slip and hoped her spasms of weeping would pass before Anne returned.
“Send it by ship,” said the quartermaster at Fort Dalles. “That’s the surest way this time of year.”
Thomas G. Costigan scowled at him. “By ship? That will take months. And what if the ship goes down?”
THE Prairie DREAMS Trilogy Page 28
