Courage Canyon

by Shirleen Davies

  Inhaling a deep breath, Lena moved forward, pulling a letter from a pocket in her skirt. “I’m Mrs. Lena Evans. Welcome to Splendor.”

  The tallest, a stout young woman with auburn hair, green eyes, and freckles across her nose, stepped forward. “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Evans. I’m Miss Deborah Chestro.” She looked behind her, motioning the others forward. “This is Miss Sylvia Lucero, Miss Tabitha Beekman, and the youngest, Miss May Bacon.”

  Lena glanced at the letter from Pettigrew’s, nodding as Deborah mentioned each name, then looked up. “It’s a pleasure to meet each of you. I hope the trip wasn’t too tiring.”

  “Well, it…” Deborah’s voice faded away as two older women stepped off the stage.

  “I told you it wouldn’t be so bad, Davinia. Look at this lovely town.” Selma brushed dust from her skirt, then took off her bonnet to pat her hair.

  “It was a miserable trip and you know it, Selma. We were stuffed in that rattling carriage for days.” Davinia glared at Ervin and the guard, both turning away under her stare. “I hope they have a decent place to stay, but it’s doubtful.”

  Lena looked at the young women. “Excuse me a moment.” Walking over to the two older women, she cleared her throat, garnering their attention. “I couldn’t help but overhear. If you need a place to stay, there is Suzanne’s, which is the boardinghouse, and the St. James Hotel. Both are excellent and clean.”

  Davinia scanned Lena, her eyes narrowing. “Well, perhaps we’ll try the St. James. What do you think, Sister?”

  Selma nodded. “Very sensible, Davinia.” She looked back at Lena. “I’m Selma Ritter, of the Boston Ritters, and this is my sister, Davinia.”

  Biting back a grin, Lena nodded. “I’m Mrs. Lena Evans. My husband is the sheriff in Splendor.”

  “See now, Davinia. This isn’t at all populated by savages as you thought.”

  Lena could hear at least one of the young women behind her giggle. “Oh, we are quite civilized here, at least for a growing frontier town. When you speak to the clerk, please tell him you’re friends of mine.”

  “That’s lovely, Mrs. Evans. We’ll do that.” Selma glared at Davinia before her face softened. “Will the young women be staying at the hotel? They are all so sweet.”

  Lena noticed Davinia blanch at the description and wondered what it meant. Deciding to ignore it, she shook her head. “I’m afraid not. They’ll be staying at the boardinghouse. If you’re here for long, I’m certain you’ll come across each other. Well, I’d better get them settled. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

  “You, as well.” Selma looked down at the two trunks by their feet. “Do you suppose we can have the hotel come and fetch these?”

  “Of course. Just tell the clerk there at the station. Have a good day, ladies.” Lena turned back to the four young women, hearing Davinia’s retort.

  “Station,” she harrumphed. “More like a dilapidated shack.”

  “Now, now, Sister. Remember what we decided. This is an adventure.”

  “Yes, it is. I just hope I survive it.”

  Ignoring them, Lena joined the others. “Do you have all your baggage?”

  “We do,” Deborah answered.

  “Wonderful. Then let’s get you settled in at the boardinghouse.”

  Sylvia stepped forward. “Excuse me, Mrs. Evans. Will there be something to eat at the boardinghouse?”

  “More than you can imagine, Miss Lucero. If you’re ready, I’ll take you there.” Lena led the way, unable to miss the number of people who stopped what they were doing to watch the five of them march down the boardwalk.

  Their stares were nothing compared to what Lena suspected their comments would be when they discovered she, Isabella, and Suzanne had taken the bold step of paying for and transporting four mail order brides to Splendor. She grinned at the thought. All they had to do now was find a way for the growing number of confirmed bachelors to meet the highly eligible young women…and soon.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “How far do we go before we make camp, Herb?” Rufus’s back ached from being in the saddle over twenty hours with short stops to take care of personal business, eat the few berries they found along the trail, and allow their horses to rest.

  Herb looked up, gauging the time by the location of the sun. “Two more hours should put us at the Wyoming border. If I remember right, there’s a small town on our way where we can get some food.”

  “And what do we use for money?”

  Herb snorted. “Who said anything about money?”

  Rufus rubbed an itch on his arm, his mouth twisting into a sneer. “I don’t care how we get food, but we can’t leave the town without something to fill our bellies.”

  “We won’t.”

  They rode in silence for a long time, glancing behind them every few minutes for any sign of a rider. Other than a couple ranch houses a good distance from the trail, they’d seen no one since they’d left Trask snoring in his bedroll.

  “Boyd will come after us, Herb. He won’t forgive us for leaving him behind, and he’ll never forget. We may be looking over our shoulders the rest of our lives.”

  Herb pinched the bridge of his nose, then lifted a brow. “We’re escaped convicts, Ruf. We’ll always be looking over our shoulders. I’m thinking the safest place for us to go is the Arizona Territory. We’d be close to Mexico, able to get across the border if we’re recognized.”

  “I don’t know. I’ve heard the Apaches are vicious to the whites in the territory.”

  “We’ll stay out of their way.”

  Rufus snorted. “It don’t work that way with Indians. They’ll kill and scalp us if we’re caught. The same way Bloody Bill Anderson scalped the Union soldiers he killed.”

  Herb shook his head. “Anderson and his Confederate guerillas were sick sonsofbitches. I fought for the South, but I didn’t mourn his death. Besides, I heard the Apaches don’t scalp their captives.”

  “Maybe not, but I don’t want to find out.”

  “You got a better idea than going to Arizona, Ruf?”

  Scratching his chin, he shook his head. “I just don’t want to go through Apache territory.”

  “Well, then, I guess we’ll have to figure out a way around them.” Although Herb had no idea how to avoid them.

  He’d heard all kinds of stories. Some people claimed there were peaceful Apache in some parts of the territory, while others raided and took captives at will. The more he thought on it, the more he believed Arizona wasn’t for him. All he knew for sure was they couldn’t stay in Montana or Wyoming. Colorado wouldn’t be safe, either. Maybe they’d head west to Utah. He’d heard about the Mormons around the Salt Lake area and how some men had several wives. He chuckled, wondering if they’d let them join.

  “Salt Lake.”

  Rufus glanced at him, his eyes wide. “What about Salt Lake?”

  “That’s where we’re going. We can change our names and the way we look. Might even take on their religion. Marry us some Mormon women. No one will ever think to look for us there.”

  “Marry? Hell, I have no intention of marrying, Herb.”

  He laughed, not caring if Rufus wanted to marry or not. “Let’s see what you decide once we get there. Perhaps you’ll change your mind when you see men with several wives.” Herb looked at him, raising a brow.

  Taking off his hat, Rufus ran a hand through his hair. “Several wives?”

  “That’s what I hear. The Mormons allow their men to have as many as they want.”

  The disgusted look left Rufus’s face as he thought over the advantages. Settling his hat back on his head, a wicked grin split his face. “Don’t seem as we have much to lose. I say we give Salt Lake a try.”

  Herb nodded. “Thought you might feel that way.”

  Redemption’s Edge

  Rosemary sat at the supper table, pushing food around her plate to look as if she had an appetite, which she didn’t. Ever since Ginny and Luke arrived with Cooper, she’d been s
plitting her time between helping with the baby, preparing food for supper, and keeping a watchful eye on Rachel. It wouldn’t be long before her baby would come. Then the house truly would spiral into a whole new level of chaos.

  All the changes and added work weren’t what crippled her appetite. She knew Dirk would make good on his declaration to learn about her past. When he did, everything would change between them. He’d made it plain he wanted nothing from her beyond keeping her safe from Boyden Trask. After what she had to say, he might ask Bull or one of the other ranch hands to take on that duty.

  It pained her to think he believed himself incapable of love after what had happened with his wife. Melissa and his brother had hurt him in a way no man should experience. Rosemary wished she had more experience, knew what to say to change his mind, but she didn’t.

  “Not hungry?”

  She startled at Dirk’s words. He sat beside her, and although his plate was empty, he hadn’t eaten with his usual relish. Shaking her head, she folded her hands in her lap.

  “I guess I’m more tired than hungry.” She glanced around the table, seeing everyone else lost in their own conversations, ignoring the two of them. “When Lydia finishes her supper, I’ll help her clean up, then head to bed. It won’t be long before Rachel’s baby will come and work will increase even more.”

  “When you’ve had time to rest, we’ll talk.”

  A lump formed in her throat. She’d known he wouldn’t forget. “Talk?”

  He cocked his head, raising a brow. “Have you forgotten you have a story to tell?”

  Her shoulders slumped. “Oh, that.”

  Leaning close, he lowered his voice. “I want to hear it all.”

  His breath washing over her cheek sent a jolt of recognition through her, causing heat to form, her heart to pound. She had no doubt her face had flushed, announcing her discomfort.

  Pursing her lips, she squirmed in the seat. “There really isn’t much to tell, Dirk,” she hissed, hoping no one heard her.

  “Then it won’t take long for you to tell me, will it?”

  Gripping her hands so tight her knuckles turned white, she sighed. “No. I suppose not.”

  Rosemary did her best to prolong cleaning up after supper, visiting with Lydia until everything had been put away. When Bull came into the kitchen to escort his wife home, she followed them onto the porch, surprised to see Dax, Luke, and Dirk relaxing as they sipped whiskey. Thinking she’d been given a reprieve, Rosemary nodded at the men, ready to go back inside.

  “Rosemary?”

  Her heart stalled, steps faltering when she heard Dirk’s voice. Ignoring the way her breath hitched, she raised her gaze to meet his.

  “Yes?”

  Standing, he set his empty glass on a table. “Do you have a few minutes to speak with me?”

  She shot a quick look at Dax and Luke, relaxing when they continued in their own intense conversation, ignoring her and Dirk. Nodding, she walked down the steps, stiffening slightly at the feel of Dirk’s hand on her lower back.

  Instead of guiding her to the barn, he turned her toward a pasture filled with the horses they’d brought to fulfill the army contract. She had little time to admire them and found herself relaxing as they moved farther away from the house. Stopping next to the fence, she stepped up on the bottom rung, resting her arms on top.

  “They are beautiful,” she breathed, watching one horse chase another, then lose interest in the game and turn away.

  Stepping up beside her, Dirk followed her gaze. “Too beautiful for the treatment they’ll get in the military.”

  Frowning, she looked at him. “What do you mean?”

  He continued to stare at the small herd. “Once we pass them off, they’ll be put to hard use. The soldiers aren’t cruel, and the horses will be taken care of as best as possible in a remote location. They simply won’t be treated as well as the horses we use at the ranch.”

  They fell silent, Rosemary wishing what had become a comforting time outside could continue, knowing it wouldn’t.

  “Did you grow up on a ranch?” Dirk didn’t turn to look at her when he asked.

  “A farm. We did have two horses. One my pa used in the fields and to pull the wagon. The other he used to ride into town.” Glancing over at him, she felt the old pain return. “He went into town often. Most nights after supper, he’d change clothes and ride out. My brother and I saw little of him as we’d be in bed by the time he returned.”

  His gaze met hers. “Your mother didn’t mind?”

  “I didn’t think so until I got older. More than once, I came downstairs late at night and she’d still be up, waiting for him to return. I didn’t bother her, just watched from the living room, knowing she’d scoot me off to bed if she knew I was up. Each time he returned, he’d take off his boots, then go upstairs, not ever acknowledging her. She’d watch until she heard their bedroom door close, then follow him. The stench of whiskey, smoke, and perfume surrounded him most of the following day.”

  Turning to face her, Dirk leaned against the fence. “Didn’t she ever ask him where he’d been?”

  “She used to when Ben and I were younger. He’d either yell at her or ignore her questions. She finally stopped asking. By the time I was thirteen, I began to understand what my mother already knew.”

  Dirk understood, remaining silent as one emotion after another passed over her face. Licking her lips, she met his gaze.

  “My father was a hard man. If anyone questioned him, they’d feel his wrath.”

  Dirk straightened, his face twisting in anger. “He hit you?”

  “On occasion. He’d treat Mama horribly, as if she were a slave to his needs. I can’t recall a time he praised her for anything. He seemed to enjoy beating her down, making her cower with words, if not fists. When I got older, I began defending her, sometimes getting between them when I thought he might hurt her. That’s when he’d hit me or shove me aside. Mostly, though, he used threats to get us to bend to his will. I can’t tell you how many times he threatened to ride away, leaving us all behind. He’d taunt us with how it would be if he left. No money, no food, no one to protect us. God forgive me, but I grew to hate him, praying he’d leave and never return.”

  She looked back at the horses, but not before he saw pain flicker across her face. “When Pa got into one of his moods, Mama and I had no one to help us. Ben was so much younger than me, and even though he tried, he couldn’t stand up to our pa. Then, for a while, life got better.”

  Dirk’s brows drew together. “What happened?”

  “Pa came home one spring afternoon with a young man who’d been working at a nearby farm. They’d run out of work, so Pa offered him a job.” She swallowed the lump the memory caused. “I had just turned fifteen. He was eighteen, taller than Pa, and refused to be intimidated. The one time I saw Pa raise a hand to him, Elias grabbed his wrist and pushed him away. After that, Pa left him alone.”

  Dirk waited, seeing something flicker across her face. “Then what?”

  Crossing her arms, she turned away, her gaze latching onto the horses. When she opened her mouth to speak, her throat closed. Clearing it didn’t help. It felt as if she were suspended in time, unable to say more about the past.

  Moving up to her, he raised his hand, lifting her chin with a finger. It was then he saw the moisture in her eyes. “You don’t have to say any more. Whatever happened is in the past.”

  A tear escaped, slipping down her cheek before Dirk caught it with his finger. Pushing aside the guilt she’d never been able to escape, she continued.

  “Pa seldom took us to town. Mama schooled me because Pa wouldn’t let me take the horse. We seldom went to church, so I’d spent little time around boys.” Drawing in a shaky breath, she glanced at Dirk, who nodded for her to go on. “Elias was so, well…I don’t know…handsome, charming. He talked to me, made me feel special. Pa warned him away, but most of the time, Elias ignored him. Mama always set a plate for him, so we shared every me
al together. When Pa went into town, Elias would stay with us for a while. Sometimes, he, Ben, and I would walk outside, check on the animals. Ben would usually get bored and run back to the house. As the summer passed, Elias and I spent more and more time together.”

  Dirk stiffened, already getting a sense of what she might say.

  She stared into the pasture, as if she were seeing the past. “We talked of the future. He hated my pa and wanted to get me away from him. One night, he told me he loved me, wanted to take me with him when he left. He said we’d go west and he’d get work at another farm.” She blinked, as if suddenly remembering Dirk next to her. “I was young and stupid, believing everything he said. By the end of the summer…” Her voice trailed off on a ragged breath.

  Dirk placed a comforting hand on her back. “You don’t have to say more.”

  Shaking her head, she refused to stop. He needed to hear it all. “By the end of summer, I was pregnant. The way he spoke of love, told me he wanted me, I thought Elias would be thrilled. The day after I told him, he disappeared. I never saw him again.”

  Dirk turned away, mumbling a curse before running a hand down his face. “What did your pa do?”

  She watched his face, looking for any sign of disgust, but saw nothing. Shaking her head, she gripped the top rail of the fence. “He never found out. Neither did Mama.”

  Dirk’s eyes widened. “How could they not know?”

  Her shoulders tensed at the harsh tone.

  Stroking a hand down her face, he leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on her cheek. “Tell me what happened.”

  “A few nights later, Pa lost the farm in a card game. He came home drunk, angry, telling us we had to leave. Within days, we were on the trail with a group of other wagons heading west. Pa didn’t tell us where we were going. I knew Mama and Ben were scared. So was I, but not for the same reason. Three months had passed since Elias left. I was gaining weight and had no other clothes. By then, I’d accepted my fate, even began to get a little excited about having a baby…something all mine that Pa couldn’t take away. Then the storm hit.”