Taming the Trainer

by Sara Jolene

  Sophia sat quietly, gathering her strength as the other two women looked at each other quizzically. Sophia knew that Julianne would have already heard all she was going to say, but she wanted her to hear it again. Because this time it wasn’t a story from a desperate girl in a bad situation trying to survive; it was a story from a woman with strength who wanted to show her humility and humble herself to her friends. She wanted them to know all of her. She needed them to.

  “As you both know, I was kidnapped, along with many others, by Dougal when I got off the train here in Creede. What only one of you knows is that I was coming here to try to find employment at a place like The Nugget.” Sophia paused when Millie gasped a little and set down the needle she’d been threading through the quilt in front of her. She wasn’t sure if her friend was gasping at what she’d just been told, or if she had pricked herself with the sharp needle. Either way, Sophia had to keep going.

  “I was born in Arizona to Merry and Marvin Perkins. When I was twelve years old, they died traveling from our place in Shady Creek to the closest main town, Shadow Point. I had a teacher that helped me. She found my only living relative and arranged for me to live with him. He’d left Arizona as a young man to make his fortune mining for gold. He came to Shady Creek to fetch me, and I went to live with him in Denver. What my teacher never knew was that my uncle had never found a significant amount of gold. He found just enough to open a saloon, and he catered to those who were more apt in the mines than he.”

  Sophia paused again. Even Julianne hadn’t heard the whole thing. Sophia wiped the few tears that had fought to fall from her cheeks.

  Sophia looked at both of her friends. They were looking at her with concern on their faces. That was the look she’d gotten a lot when she’d first arrived in Denver. Pretty young girl twirling around a saloon and being taught things no respectable woman of age should know, let alone a child. But no one did anything. Eventually she grew up, and they stopped looking at her with pity. Looks of scorn had come instead.

  She swallowed hard and kept going, needing to finish before the faces of her friends changed and she lost her nerve. “I won’t go into details but I worked in the saloon. Did whatever needed doing, all under my uncle’s orders. Some fellas had come into Denver the week before I arrived here. They were talking about Creede, and how it was a place of men and wrongdoing. They were talking about how much they’d enjoyed their time there. It got me thinking. I was far past soiled at that point. But if I could get a job elsewhere, I could be my own person. I might not be doing what I wanted or had planned to do with my life … but I figured if I was going to make money that way, I should at least make the money for myself. I took what little money I had, snuck out with a small bag, and bought a train ticket.”

  Sophia waited for either Millie or Julianne to say something. When neither did, she sighed heavily. “I’m so sorry.” She looked between them. “I didn’t want to deceive you. But when we were freed from that cellar and The Nugget was gone, it got me thinking that I might be able to do something else. All of the girls in that cellar had come to Creede for different reasons, but each one was trying to make a life for herself. I used them as inspiration and took the opportunity to reinvent myself. Millie, please don’t be upset with Julianne for not telling you. All of us that were in that cellar made promises to each other.”

  Millie shook her head, and it stopped Sophia from continuing. She held her breath, waiting for her friend to be angry. To not want to be her friend anymore.

  “Dear, sweet Sophia.” Millie stood up from her chair and circled around the quilting frame to stand next to Sophia. “You are an example to us all. Thank you for trusting me with your story.”

  Sophia let the breath out that she’d been holding. It couldn’t be that simple. Millie was the preacher’s sister. She crusaded against The Nugget. Had it not burned down, had she not been kidnapped, had she arrived a few weeks earlier, she’d have been inside that saloon when Millie came around with her cookies and tried to scare the men into spending their hard-earned money on less worldly things. She didn’t understand.

  “But I …”

  Millie looked at Julianne. “You’re a good friend. We’re lucky to have you. I’m thankful daily that you had that umbrella with you in your buggy.” They both laughed, and Sophia wanted to join in as it lightened the mood around them, but she hesitated.

  “But Millie, you … you …”

  “I know I do. But that’s the thing, don’t you see? Redemption. You’re living proof. You’re a wonderful person. You do not deserve to have a past you didn’t choose define your future. That’s all I am ever trying to get folks to see. Our decisions make us who we are, not our circumstances.”

  Sophia was surprised. She was grateful, but surprised. She stood and hugged her friend. She froze for a second, waiting to see if Millie would return her affection. When she did, Sophia completely relaxed.

  “Thank you.” She lifted her head and looked at Julianne. “Thank you both. For everything.”

  The three of them laughed and cried a little more as Millie and Julianne asked questions and Sophia answered. When Millie mentioned having to make lunch, Sophia told them both about her meeting later with the Reverend.

  “I haven’t seen you, and it’s all happened so quickly … but the livery owner, Mr. Clay? He’s asked me to marry him.”

  Millie and Julianne showered her with congratulations. Once they’d all settled, she continued. “I’m terrified I won’t be able to be a suitable wife. I need to learn as much as possible as fast as possible. Would you help me? I mean, I know you’ve both already helped, and I know I’m miserable at house jobs, but I really want to learn. I’ve been practicing.”

  Both ladies were quick to reassure Sophia that they were there to help with any task. “Will you leave Mrs. Sanderson?” Julianne asked.

  Sophia smiled. “That’s one of the best things. He’s so sweet. He offered to have her come live with us. I’ve talked to her about the whole thing, and she seems not only agreeable, but excited about it. I’ll help her find a boarder for the cabin.”

  “What a great idea! I think that you being with her has been wonderful, and I think that you being with Mr. Clay will be, too.” Julianne tucked her supplies into the bag she’d brought with her. “I’m heading home to see Hugh. Millie, be sure to let me know when the wedding is and how I can help once you’ve sorted everything with Callum.”

  Millie nodded at Julianne before following her out the door. Sophia went with her into the house to prepare lunch for themselves and the reverend.

  Otto had wanted to ride to the cabin before dawn and escort Sophia into Bachelor, but she’d insisted that she needed time with her friends that morning. He couldn’t fathom what they would talk about for so many hours. Women had a way with words he’d never understand though. They liked to visit with one another. Men didn’t really do things like that.

  He’d spent the morning tending to the horses and repairing Sophia’s saddle. He enjoyed working with the leather, and had even put some work into other parts that had started to show wear. By the time he needed to leave to head to Bachelor, his nerves were on high alert. He hated not knowing if she’d made it where she needed to go without being bothered or worse. He didn’t like thinking about the traveling pass between Creede and Bachelor. Too many folks had been lost, or close to it, on that trail. It would have been nice if the road had been easier to travel. He didn’t often take buggies, and with a lone horse and rider, the trek was much less dangerous.

  After saddling Ash, Otto headed up to Bachelor.

  The church Reverend Bing was in charge of wasn’t much different than the one in Creede, maybe even a little bit smaller. The difference was that Callum had a flock. Folks actually came to his services. More often than not, most of them stayed after for food and fellowship as well. The Reverend had made the small church the heart of the tiny town, and Bachelor was beginning to show signs of being better for it. There was a school where
Mrs. Fontaine taught the young ones, and the people had started to pull together to help one another. It was nice to see.

  Otto had hoped that one day the small towns would function more as actual towns rather than outposts. Families could—and hopefully would—settle there, and they’d be able to build something. He had visions of families walking slowly trough town after church service, a rebuilt restaurant where folks could eat and enjoy each other’s company. He’d realized a lot in the short period since Sophia had come into his life, but the biggest was finding the answer to a question he’d been asking himself for a long, long time. He’d spent his youth traveling and wondering if he was on the right path. Now he knew he was. His angel had even told him so. Sophia was his future, and that meant he needed to build something. The livery was a start, but now he was determined to help Creede become a better place.

  Otto hitched Ash to one of the posts just out front of the church. Callum met him at the door before he had a chance to knock or enter. He had been a little unsure of how that would work; the reverend had saved him the trouble of figuring it out.

  “Mr. Clay.” Callum shook Otto’s hand.

  “I haven’t seen you in a while.”

  The Reverend nodded. “We’ve been coming together every couple of days as a community, and one person is making the trip to Creede and returning with supplies. It can become a treacherous journey if taken too often.”

  Otto returned his nod. “I was thinking about that on my trip here. Mr. Fontaine’s wife was almost killed, and poor Beatrice was left without her parents. They’re not the only ones, either. Happens too often.”

  They entered the church, where Otto was pleased to see his future bride waiting for him. She and Millie were chatting away and hadn’t noticed the men enter. Once the door closed behind them, the women both turned to look. Otto couldn’t help but return the smile that was on Sophia’s face when she saw him.

  “No need to ask what the visit is about. The way you two look at each other is telling enough.” Callum laughed. “When would you like to have the big day?”

  Otto found Sophia’s eyes, using them to ask her the same question. She smiled even bigger and made him the happiest man in the world when she said, “As soon as possible.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Otto and Sophia rode back to Creede side by side. Ash and Marigold seemed to enjoy each other’s company. They’d settled on having the wedding the upcoming weekend. Callum had suggested doing it right that moment, and Otto had wanted nothing more. But he knew that having Mrs. Sanderson there was important to Sophia.

  They arrived back in town just as the train was pulling in for its last stop of the day. They paused to watch as passengers disembarked, and Otto wondered how many of them would stay for just a little while, and how many would try to make Creede their home.

  When they arrived at the livery, Tecu was standing out in front of the barn waiting for them. His face looked even more gray than usual. “You’re going to want Sophia to stay out here. She shouldn’t go in the barn.”

  A chill ran down Otto’s spine. Tecu had yet to be wrong, so whatever was in that barn couldn’t be pleasant. He couldn’t think of anything to say that would make her not want to see Marigold settled. It was almost dark, though, which gave him an idea.

  “Why don’t we keep going? I’ll ride with you back to the cabin for the night. That way Marigold doesn’t have to get moving again in a little while.”

  Sophia’s face turned down a little as she seemed to be running through options in her head. She must have decided he had to be right, because she nodded slightly before she clicked her heels gently to her horse’s side and took off.

  “I’ll race you!”

  Sophia had had a wonderful day. Her friends were still her friends, even though they knew all there was to know about her, good and bad. They’d settled on a time for the wedding, and she’d gotten to spend most of the day with Otto. She knew their relationship wasn’t conventional, and she knew that most people would frown on her and him being unwed and traveling together. But she couldn’t find the energy to care. She’d been thought of worse before.

  She’d wanted to stop at the mercantile before heading back to the cabin, but Otto was right. She should get back. Mrs. Sanderson needed tending to.

  She couldn’t control her smile as Marigold galloped away from Otto and Ash. They were both playful horses, and Sophia was in such a good mood. She wanted to feel the wind in her hair.

  She rode hard the short distance through town and slowed as they got into the woods. It was past dusk. A chill settled over her, and she was immediately grateful Otto was riding with her. The wind had picked up when the sun went down, and the sound of the leaves rustling on the trees covered each and every other sound. Sophia waited for Otto and Ash to catch up.

  Once they were in sight-distance of the cabin, and she could see Mrs. Sanderson sitting in her favorite spot, backlit by her lantern, Sophia stopped. “You should head back. It’ll be fully dark by the time you get there, and I know you have to take care of the animals before you even feed yourself.” She knew he wouldn’t be thrilled with the idea, but she could see the house. He’d accomplished what he’d wanted to and saw her home safely.

  Otto nodded, but Sophia could tell it was reluctantly. “I’ll be a happy man when I don’t have to leave you each night.”

  She would like that, too. She wanted Otto to be happy being her husband. She couldn’t wait to carry out their lives next to each other. Otto turned Ash around so they were facing opposite directions.

  “Soon we’ll always be going the same way,” she told him.

  He winked and took off. They were riding faster than Sophia had ever seen a person ride. She should have known he’d been holding back when they rode together. She laughed out loud into the night.

  “It is comical, isn’t it?”

  Sophia hopped off Marigold’s back and immediately froze. Her blood ran cold at the sound of the voice. She’d lost her breath. There was no way to speak or scream. Neither Otto nor Mrs. Sanderson would have any idea that she was in trouble.

  “Funny how you can think someone is happy, how you can do everything for them … yet they still lie to you. You can love them, yet they continue to defy and deceive you.”

  Sophia just shook her head. Tears had started to well up in her eyes. She wanted to call for help, but her body betrayed her. She’d gotten used to it doing that, but this situation was different. She fought to get air into her lungs.

  “Uncle Richard. This is a surprise.”

  He laughed. “No doubt it is. One could assume almost as surprising as waking up to find that their one and only, their beloved niece, their business partner, had run away.”

  Sophia couldn’t see where he was. The moon wasn’t quite full, but it was bright enough to cast shadows even in the darkness. But her uncle maneuvered in the night well. He remained hidden. “I did leave a note.”

  Sophia listened carefully as she started to hear leaves crunch as he walked. He was getting closer. Coming from the side of the barn. Sophia dropped Marigold’s reigns and slapped her on the flank. The horse reared up, and after making a ghastly noise, took off running back down to Creede.

  “You fool girl!”

  Sophia gasped as the air rushed from her lungs. He’d jumped out from behind the barn and tackled her to the dirt. He wasn’t a large man like Otto, was but he wasn’t spindly either. His weight was no match for Sophia’s efforts of trying to push him off. She shuffled as best she could, kicking and hitting anything she could reach to try and do as much damage as she could. They wrestled there for what felt like an eternity before he was able to finally pin her hands to her sides while sitting on her legs. She was good and stuck.

  Out of breath and wheezing, her uncle stared down at her with rage in his eyes. “You were never given permission to leave. You always have to have permission. I own you.”

  Sophia was still having trouble breathing, but at that point it no
longer mattered. She wasn’t going to lie back and play the victim. She’d fight with everything she had in her until her last breath.

  “I’m my own person. I choose when and where I go!” Sophia shouted at him.

  He pulled her hands up above her head so he could grasp them with one hand. Sophia watched as his hand came up, his arm fully extended, and he started to bring it down. She gasped and started to close her eyes, when in a flash there was a glint of moonlight. She looked for the source and saw Mrs. Sanderson standing above them, a shovel lifted above her head. Sophia watched in shock as the old woman brought the shovel down on her uncle’s head again and again until she felt the hands holding hers go slack.

  Otto hadn’t wanted to leave Sophia, but he was trying not to push her. It was enough that he knew she was home safely. He’d gotten close to halfway back when Marigold came galloping past and Tecu stopped him in his tracks. The horse was obviously spooked. Otto called for her and was able to get her to respond. She came to him but wouldn’t stand still. She nuzzled and brayed at Ash. Fear began to brew a nest in Otto’s gut. He didn’t say a word, but Tecu nodded. He didn’t think, just moved.

  He and Ash flew back to the cabin just in time to see a dark, shadowy figure standing over a pile on the ground. He jumped down from Ash’s back and rushed toward the figure. Mrs. Sanderson was there. He hadn’t realized at first. He stopped when it looked like the shadow was floating. It was hovering above Sophia.

  Panic gripped him as he threw himself on top of her to protect her. The shadow reached down next to them and took hold of something Otto couldn’t see. He watched as a man’s hand came in to view, then an arm, then a head. Otto rolled off of Sophia. He helped her sit up before he got up to check on Mrs. Sanderson. She was shaking a little.

  Tecu appeared by his side once more. “Death came for him quickly.”