“I’m not sure I can forget her,” he had confessed to Hector.
His brother sighed and laid down his hammer. “Then you’d best go after her.”
Dan gaped at him. “What good would that do?”
“Maybe none at all. But if you declare yourself—”
“Did that.”
“Again,” Hector said testily. “If you lay it all out before her, and she still says no, well then, maybe you’ll be able to settle down and work.”
“I’m working.”
Hector barked out a little laugh. “You’ve been pounding on the same shingle so long I’m surprised it hasn’t splintered all to bits. That’s the way it’s been all week. Go on, Daniel. Marry her or get over it.”
“I…don’t know where she’s got to now, Hec.”
“You know she went as far as Corvallis with Rob and Eb. If she’s gone on from there, they’ll know where.”
Dan swallowed hard. Star could take him to Corvallis in less than a day. “What about you?”
“I’ll be fine while you’re gone. I’ll get this cabin watertight for the winter, and then I’ll start breaking ground.”
Daniel sat still on the roof with his hammer hanging loosely from his hand. Was there any hope? He didn’t think so. Unless Anne had learned that her uncle was dead. That was what she’d feared most, she’d told him once. That Uncle David had passed away, and her arduous journey was for nothing.
She’d need some comfort if that happened. With a lot of prayer, maybe he could convince her that all was not lost—that God had brought her clear out here for another purpose, namely to become Mrs. Daniel Adams.
“You really think she’d listen to me?”
Hector shrugged and reached for another nail. “Maybe not. But if you don’t go, you’ll always wonder, won’t you?”
“I suppose I will.”
“Well, go on then. Come back here with Anne or ready to forget her and work harder than you ever have before.”
Dan hoped he could find the drive and energy Hector wanted him to show on his return, because he wasn’t optimistic about his chances with Anne. Why had he ever thought she might change her mind if she spent more time with him? So far, all he’d managed to do was ride Star along near the wagons and drop Anne in a freezing cold river.
As each wagon lumbered off the ferry, he instructed the driver to take it down to Rob’s camp and set up for the night. By the time they got all of them across, darkness was falling. Dan’s muscles ached, his belly growled, and he feared he was catching cold. Dulcie met him and the Perkins family with her full coffeepot in hand and invited them to come share the Whistlers’ campfire and have supper. The savory beef stew helped take off some of the cold and the gnawing in his midsection, but watching Anne flit about the edge of the circle of firelight kept his stomach from settling.
She didn’t ignore him; nor did she pay him special attention. Dan felt smaller and smaller as the others talked around him, planning tomorrow’s travel.
“We should make Eugene by midafternoon,” Rob said.
“We sure do appreciate your help getting down here safe,” Mr. Smith said.
Rob shrugged. “Like I told you, I was coming anyway.”
Dan finished his meal and handed Anne his empty plate. “Will you ladies need any more water or firewood tonight?”
“I believe Rob’s taken care of everything,” she said.
He nodded. “Well, thank you for the meal. It was delicious.”
“You’re welcome, but Dulcie made it.”
Anne walked away with the dishes, and he watched her, an ache in his heart. If she didn’t find this missing uncle of hers, she’d be all alone in the world. He’d heard her father had died a year ago. Her journey and the search for her uncle probably eased her grief, but how would she feel when it was over? She’d need something else to think about, that was sure.
He walked past Rob’s wagon toward where he’d picketed Star. The bulk of Anne’s steamer trunks rose dark in the wagon bed, and he smiled. How could a woman have so much baggage? His mother had owned three dresses: one for everyday, one for town, and one for church. Anne must come from a wealthy family back in England—she and her friend Elise both. Fine quality people, with enough clothes to outfit an entire normal school.
He scowled and turned away from the wagon. Maybe Anne would stay with Elise and Eb at their ranch if things didn’t go well with her uncle. She’d certainly made it clear that she didn’t want to become Mrs. Daniel Adams.
They broke camp early the next morning. Anne helped Dulcie with breakfast while Rob and Dan helped the other men hitch their teams. The sooner they took to the road, the better. Anne’s hands trembled as she measured out the coffee. She made herself stop hovering over the Whistlers and Dan while they ate, but she was eager to snatch their dishes so she could wash and pack them.
At last they set out southward once more. They rolled toward the hills all morning. When the sun was high overhead, Rob called an hour’s stop for nooning, to let the livestock rest. Anne fidgeted until the wheels rolled onward once more.
They’d just reached the hamlet in the shadow of Skinner’s Butte when a cry from one of the wagons caused Dulcie to halt her team. Anne looked back to see the men congregating about the Perkinses’ wagon.
A couple of minutes later, Rob rode up on his horse.
“Their axle is busted clean through.”
Dulcie sighed. “At least we’re close. But I surely did hope we’d reach Mr. Stone’s house before dark.”
“Well, we can fix it, but we’ll have to completely unload their wagon.” Rob shook his head. “Miss Anne, I’m sorry I let these people talk me into letting them come along with us. I feel responsible to see them safely there.”
“Couldn’t Anne and I drive on ahead and inquire at the post office as to where her uncle lives?” Dulcie asked.
Rob hesitated. “I promised Miss Finster—that is, Mrs. Bentley—that I’d look after Anne. Besides, Eugene is a pretty tough place, I’m told. I’m not sure you ladies should go there without an escort.”
“I hate to lose the daylight,” Dulcie said. “Odd how her uncle didn’t give her directions.”
That very thing had troubled Anne, too. She’d written her letter carefully, telling Uncle David she had come all the way from England to find him. But on Elise’s advice, she hadn’t mentioned the main reason for her journey. I’m told you’ve moved to a farm near the town of Eugene, she’d written, and I’d like to visit you. I haven’t seen you since I was an infant, and I confess I can’t remember you, but I’d be delighted to meet you again and catch you up on the family news. Please send your reply to me at General Delivery, Corvallis. Your loving niece, Anne Stone.
His simple reply—Come on to Eugene. David—had thrilled her and troubled her at the same time. Her uncle was an intelligent, well-educated man. Why hadn’t he offered to ride down the river fifty miles to see her? And why hadn’t he at least written more than those five words? Was he shocked to hear she was nearby? Was he embarrassed at what she would find? No, if that were true, he could have simply ignored her note and let her think it had gone astray. She had spent eight months trying to find him, and now she was within a few miles of his residence. She felt she would suffocate if they didn’t press onward and put an end to her anxiety.
“Let us go on,” she said to Rob. “We’re this close. We can head into town and wait for you at the post office.”
Rob’s face twitched and tensed and wriggled. At last he said, “What if I send Dan with you?”
“Yes,” Dulcie said quickly. “Or send him with Anne in the wagon. You and I could catch up quickly on horseback, if he’ll let me ride his Star.”
“Hold on,” Rob said. “I’ll ask him.”
He rode back to where the others had begun unloading the Perkins family’s belongings.
“I hope Dan will go,” Dulcie said. “You’ve waited long enough for this.”
Anne tried to sit still a
nd not let her face show her anxiety.
Dan cantered Star to where they waited. “Miss Anne, you want to go on ahead to town?”
“Yes, if you’re willing, Daniel.”
He nodded. “Mr. Whistler says if you want to ride, you can take Bailey. He’ll drive Mrs. Whistler on in the wagon after they get the Perkinses squared away.”
Anne looked to Dulcie. Would she be disappointed to be left behind while Anne completed her adventure?
“That makes sense,” Dulcie said. “You have a riding habit in one of those steamer trunks, I dare say.”
“Yes, I do,” Anne said. “Would you mind horribly?”
“Of course not. Get your outfit, and I’ll help Dan put my saddle on Bailey.”
In less than ten minutes, Anne was ready to ride, though she had to call Dulcie behind the bushes to help fasten her bodice correctly. Even though she’d survived the half-year trek to Oregon, she still depended on another woman to help her dress. That bothered Anne. From now on, any clothing she purchased would close in the front, and she would learn to sew more than buttons if it bored her to tears. She settled the matching hat firmly on her head and secured it with two long hat pins. Soft leather gloves and a crop completed her costume.
Dulcie gathered the dress, shoes, and bonnet she had discarded. “Don’t you look fine, Miss Anne.”
“Why, thank you.” Would the other women think she was putting on airs, donning a velvet habit for her entrance to Eugene? She decided not to make the rounds of the wagons to say good-bye. From a distance, they would have fewer details to criticize. She pulled Dulcie to her for a quick embrace. “Thank you for everything.”
Dulcie waved a hand through the air. “I’ll see you in an hour or two. Mind you stay close to Daniel.”
“I will.”
“Of course you will. And if you’re going on to your uncle’s before we get there, leave word for us, won’t you? Rob thinks there’s a boardinghouse in town, and we’ll try to get lodging there tonight. If there isn’t a decent place, leave us a note at the post office.”
“That sounds like a good plan.” Anne walked to where Dan held the two horses. “I’m ready.”
Dan’s eyes widened as he gazed at her, and his face went pink under his short beard. She hadn’t considered the effect her change of attire would have on him. She’d worn the habit a couple of times during the wagon train journey, but she wasn’t sure Dan had seen her in it.
She mounted quickly, before he could get ideas about helping her, and gathered the reins. “Shall we go?”
“Yes, ma’am. Rob says the town hasn’t had a post office long, but there should be a sign up.”
They rode along at a smart trot. Bailey behaved perfectly, and Star kept pace alongside, snorting occasionally. A hill rose sharply from the level ground before them, and at its feet she could see several substantial buildings. Anne’s spirits rose. The golden sun shone on a wide, lush valley that promised abundance. Being mounted on a decent horse added a thrill of well-being. She’d always loved to ride, and her father had kept a stable of excellent hunters at Stoneford.
“Do you ever hunt?” she asked on impulse.
Dan frowned. “Well, sure. Hector and I plan to go after elk once we get our house tight.”
Anne realized her foolish mistake. Of course he hunted game—several times he’d gone out with hunting parties from the wagon train. How could she think he’d understand she meant riding to hounds? She said, “Of course. How silly of me. I wish you success.” She looked ahead to the cluster of houses and businesses that lined the main thoroughfare of the town. “Do you see the post office?”
Dan surveyed the street and pointed. “There.” They rode to the small board structure, and Dan dismounted and came around to help Anne down from Bailey’s back. He tied her mount to the hitching rail and offered Anne his arm.
Two men were leaning on the counter inside, deep in conversation with the bearded man on the other side. When Anne and Daniel entered, they fell silent and straightened, watching them. Heat flooded Anne’s cheeks as she walked forward.
“You the postmaster?” Dan asked.
“Yes, sir. Postmaster, county clerk, and attorney at law. Help you?”
Dan said, “We’re trying to locate a man named David Stone. I understand he lives near here.”
The postmaster nodded slowly. “There’s a fellow by that name south of here. Eight or ten miles, I’d say.”
“Does he come in regular for his mail?” Dan asked.
“Haven’t seen him for a while. I’d have to ask my wife if he’s been in lately. I’ve been real busy, and a lot of days she’s in here to wait on folks.”
Dan nodded. “Well, if it’s not too much trouble, could you please give us directions to his house?”
Anne felt a new glimmer of hope as the postmaster replied. She and Dan walked out to their horses.
“We can get there and back before nightfall,” Dan said.
Anne cast an anxious glance down the street. “No sign of Rob and the others yet.”
“That must be the boardinghouse.” Dan pointed across the dusty street and down a few buildings. “We’ll leave word there and speak for rooms.”
“I may want to stay at Uncle David’s house tonight,” Anne said.
“That’ll be fine, if things work out well. But we’d best reserve a place for you in case they don’t.”
They trotted along swiftly, mindful of the time. Anne made polite conversation so far as was necessary, but Dan was a quiet man, so their words were sparse. She felt sorry for him. He was obviously on edge. A muscle in his cheek twitched now and then, and he threw her frequent glances, part longing and part panic. She supposed he dreaded handing her over to Uncle David and returning to his farm alone. She wished she could soothe his heart, but she had no comfort that wouldn’t encourage him to think things she didn’t want him thinking.
Her muscles ached as Bailey trotted over the rutted road. Her six months on the trail had strengthened and hardened her, but she’d hardly ridden a horse at all—not since the trading post at Schwartzburg—and her spine now felt each jarring step Bailey took.
After half an hour, she took pity on Dan and threw out an innocuous prologue to conversation.
“I shall miss Elise sorely.”
“Oh yes. I imagine you will.”
She nodded. “We’d grown very close.”
Dan rode in silence for the space of two minutes before he commented again. “I believe you said once that you’d been friends a long time.”
“Yes. I’ve known Elise since I was born.” Perhaps this line of talk wasn’t so innocuous after all. Anne didn’t care to have Dan know that Elise had been her employee—her lady’s maid, to be exact. Elise had served her mother for many years, but for the last three, since her mother’s death, Elise had been Anne’s closest companion, chaperone, and advisor. “We were planning to take a little house together back in England if things didn’t work out with Uncle David.”
She glanced at Dan. Was she revealing too much? He looked pensive, and she knew he was a thinking man. She did miss having Elise along to discuss things with. Dulcie was a dear, but she was a new acquaintance, and her thoughts seemed to go no deeper than what Rob would like for supper. Rob adored her, it was plain to see, and Dulcie oozed kindness. But sometimes one liked to share one’s deeper thoughts.
“And if they did work out? What did Miss Finster plan to do if everything went well? Before she met Eb, I mean.”
“She’d have gone home—that is, back to England—with us,” Anne said.
“And lived with you?”
“Oh yes.” She almost added, “She’s lived with my family more than twenty years,” but decided that would require further explanations, and so she fell silent. The road had wound through a forest but now came out in open farmland. That was something she could safely discuss with Dan. “The soil seems very rich here.”
“Yes.” Dan’s expression perked up a little as he loo
ked over the fields they were passing. The dark brown earth had been plowed, planted, and harvested, by the look of it. “They say you can get forty bushels of wheat to an acre in this valley.”
“That’s good, I take it.”
“That’s very good.”
“Then you and your brother should be happy here.”
Dan smiled. “Hector will, anyway. He has a sweetheart back East. He hopes to bring her out here next year. But we have to get the house built and the farm producing first.”
“Your brother has a sweetheart?” Anne stared at him in surprise. “I never had an inkling.”
“He’s pretty tight-lipped about it. She’s a schoolteacher. When he told her about his dream of owning a successful farm out here, she agreed to wait for him. Hector’s strongly motivated to make the farm succeed, you might say.”
“Well, yes.” She eyed him thoughtfully. “You should be helping him.”
Dan bit his upper lip but said nothing.
Anne looked away. Dan was counting on persuading her to marry him. She could feel it. To pursue that goal, he’d left his brother alone at their new farm. It would probably be kinder to state the truth baldly: she liked him, but she would never consent to marry him. Anne wanted a marriage based on something more than friendship. She wanted a love so deep she knew she couldn’t be happy with any other man on earth. It wouldn’t be fair to a man like Dan to marry him. He would be good to her, she was sure. He would provide for her to the best of his ability. If she lived on his farm, she would probably be able to see Elise several times a year. But she would never know what it was like to truly love a man.
“That must be the lane up there,” Dan said.
Anne looked ahead and saw a road diverge from the more traveled way they followed. They turned the horses in, and she scanned the terrain as far as she could see. A few seconds later, she spotted a small, roughly framed, wooden house with several fenced enclosures around it. A few cattle grazed in one pen, and a thin roan horse trotted along the fence in another.
THE Prairie DREAMS Trilogy Page 34
