One True Love

by Lori Copeland

  Florence Newsome prowled beside their wagon dressed in silks and a large hat with a billowing black feather. Her carping echoed up and down the riverbank.

  Milly’s strident demands carried across the water. “I am tired of this! When do we cross? Father! Why must we cross last?”

  Occasionally Florence would seem to be struck with some adult impulse and make a weak effort to quiet her daughter, but it was to no avail. Reginald seemed not to notice any of it. The long afternoon wore on Copper. At times it was like seeing a mirrored imagine of her and some of the fits she’d been known to pitch, and she didn’t like the reminder.

  Lord, this is unfair. I know there’s a lesson in this, and I know what you’re telling me, but this is plain upsetting to watch.

  The self-analysis was painful, but try as she might she could not ignore the similarity.

  Once the young woman threw herself on the ground (in her satin dress and slippers) and demanded that her father do something to hurry the process.

  As she watched a whipped man try to control a selfish, rebellious young girl, God’s lesson became more and more clear to her. She was witnessing her life until she injured her foot. Hours passed, endless minutes that she became increasingly repentant of the times she had berated Josh. She began to feel that perhaps this was God’s way of punishing her as well as educating her.

  When it came time to move the Newsome wagons, the blacks doused the cooking fire and readied the wagons.

  Amid panicky screams and bellicose demands, the four wagons were ferried across the swollen river with no damage other than the loss of Florence’s hat. The chapeau, black feather bobbing, was last seen as it swept around the first bend downriver. Copper’s ride was the last to load. Adele drove the rig onto the platform, and the men ferried it across. On the opposite bank, cooking fires gave off wondrous smells of beans and fried pies.

  Josh lifted Copper out of the wagon, and gently set her on the ground. Their gazes locked. His windblown wet features evidenced the strain of the day. She had sorely misjudged this man. His patience knew no limit.

  “Are you angry with me?” he asked softly.

  “I’m very proud of you.”

  Reprieve broke across his rugged features. “It didn’t slow us down much. We couldn’t have traveled until dawn, and as you can see, the Newsomes aren’t capable of traveling alone.”

  That was the understatement of the year.

  She’d hardly realized that her arms remained around his neck. Surroundings faded as she gazed deeply into his eyes for the first time. Who was this man and what—or who—had brought him to this hour, this moment with her? A day ago she could have listed fifty faults, but at this moment only his strong points came to mind. Most men would have held to their word and made the Newsome wagons cross alone. After such a clear warning, most men would have gone on and never looked back. But not this man. He had extended the same courtesy and protection to Reginald and Florence Newsome that he gave the whole train.

  They stood, gazing into each other’s eyes until Adele walked by and broke it up.

  “Hey you two. Supper’s waiting, and you’re creating a spectacle.”

  Smiling, Copper grappled for the crutch. “Oh hush up, Adele, at least it’s a good spectacle.”

  And that, she thought, is better than the trouble I’ve been making.

  Adele chuckled. “I stand corrected. At least you two weren’t going at it like a couple of drunken cowhands on payday.”

  “Well.” Copper grinned up at Josh. “The day isn’t over yet.”

  Chapter 14

  Sadie had decided to ride with a family who had a fussy infant this morning. The young mother needed to drive while the husband helped with the stock.

  Redlin’s horse pulled even with Adele’s wagon and he touched the brim of his hat. “Morning, ladies.”

  “And a cold one it is,” Adele grumbled. “My old bones tell me I’m not getting any younger.”

  Copper couldn’t resist throwing a tease to the handsome wagon master. “How is Miss Newsome this morning?” The young woman had started shamelessly hanging around the man, demanding attention. Over breakfast this morning Copper had been tempted to douse her with a bucket of cold water to cool her ardor.

  “I believe Mrs. Newsome is feeling fine,” he replied.

  Copper fixed her eyes on the road. “I meant Milly.”

  “Oh. Milly.”

  “Yes. Oh Milly.” If he didn’t watch himself he’d be hogtied by the time the train reached its destination. Milly Newsome was not accustomed to being denied whatever she wanted. And in this case it was becoming more and more obvious she had her eye on the wagon master.

  He turned pensive but she could easily see through his repartee. “Quite a woman. Real spirited. The way I like my women.”

  “Yes. Quite.” Copper crossed her arms and vowed to remain civil. She was a new woman; never again would she behave like the old Copper. At least Milly had served her purpose, being the worst example of womanhood ever noted. The old Copper had learned her lesson. All the times she’d argued with him, demanded her way. Fought him at every turn like a spoiled child, called him names behind his back—like a child. Those days were over. She’d seen what an ugly creature she’d become, and with God’s help she would change her wayward ways.

  “Yes,” he mused, settling the brim of his hat lower against the chilly drizzle. “Quite a woman.”

  Copper realized that he saw right through her and relished her misery and plain old jealously toward Milly, whom he couldn’t possibly give a whit about.

  “Sweet kid,” he noted. “Shame she’ll be nothing but a burden to society.” He nudged the horse’s side and rode ahead.

  Adele threw back her head and hooted. “That man. He purely loves to devil you.”

  Mid-morning Richardson rode by and paused to visit. The mist thickened and the clouds ahead seemed to be eating up the horizon. “Morning, ladies.”

  They greeted the assistant wagon master in unison.

  He peered up, eyes assessing the overcast ceiling. “I’ll eat my hat if it doesn’t snow.”

  “Snow!” Copper sat up straighter. “A real snow—this early?”

  He shrugged. “Not all that early. I lived in these parts when I was a young’un. I’ve seen many a snow this time of year, but it won’t stay on the ground long.”

  Copper settled back. By evening they would be enjoying a warm meal and soft bed at Fort Riceson so the weather didn’t matter.

  Richardson glanced at her foot propped on a storage box. “Won’t be long now.”

  She smiled. “Can’t be soon enough for me. When do you reckon we’ll get there?” Though the weather was nasty it hadn’t slowed the morning’s progress.

  “Should be there by early afternoon. I think Josh wants to push on through and skip the noon stop. That’s what I’m here to tell you. Sadie sent word that she’s fixing a couple of biscuits and ham for you two. I’ll drop them by closer to noon.” He kneed the stallion and rode on.

  “That’s mighty kind,” Adele remarked.

  “Sadie’s a good heart. It’s a shame some man hasn’t noticed her qualities.”

  The older woman turned to look at her. “I wasn’t talking about Sadie. I was referring to Josh. Open your eyes, woman. The man’s in love with you and he’s worried sick about that ankle.”

  The observation caught Copper off guard. She knew that her and Josh’s former animosity was almost forced now, but for Adele to suggest that the wagon master was in love with her? That was too much to hope for. “Don’t be silly. We’ve simply called a truce. The weather’s getting bad and he’s eager to reach the fort so I can see the doctor, and the folks can have a day or two to rest and warm up before you go on to Colorado Springs.”

  Josh. In love with her. She couldn’t deny that the thought was appealing.

  “A truce, huh? That’s what all that eye gazing was about last night?”

  Copper shrugged, pulling her cloak tighte
r. “It was getting dark; it was hard to see.”

  Adele whistled to the team and avoided a pothole. “I can die peacefully. I’ve heard it all now.”

  Minutes stretched before Copper ventured, “Even if he were to…have affection for me, what about this Susan person?” Lately the name had hung in the back of her mind. Who was this woman and why did Josh correspond with her? She thought she knew Redlin well enough now to know she wasn’t a wife or even a love interest. Everything she had observed about the man had indicated the highest moral standards. He spoke to women respectfully, and while vile language poured from some of the men’s mouths, Copper had never heard Josh utter a single profanity. Goodness knew he’d had plenty of opportunities to let curses fly, yet he always spoke politely and cleanly. If women were within earshot, he insisted the other men limit their profanity. But the idea that this man, this man for whom her respect had grown by leaps and bounds in the past few days, could actually be in love with her stole her breath.

  God, if that is true I am certainly unworthy of his love. He deserves more than a hotheaded, temperamental, selfish redhead like me. Then, from some deep deposit of feminine competition, she added, But so is a spoiled blond like Milly unworthy of him.

  Shortly before noon, Richardson galloped up with the sack of biscuits and ham. The wagon train paused for a brief rest stop and a change of drivers.

  Within minutes they were back on the trail, with Sadie now at the reins.

  She glanced over and grinned at Copper. “Not going to be long now. Richardson said the fort’s about an hour away.”

  Copper bit into a cold biscuit and closed her eyes in ecstasy with the thought of a soft bed, hot coffee, warm meals, and Dr. Dale Dyson. Soon now she would know if the injury could be treated. Could the doctor work a miracle and do what the average doctor couldn’t? Would his gift of healing and medical training allow her to walk freely and easily again?

  “I pray Dyson will be able to help,” she said softly, finding courage a little harder to muster when the end of the trip was so near.

  “That’s all our prayers, but you’re a strong woman and you’ll live with whatever comes your way.” Sadie shook her head. “When I lost my husband I swore I couldn’t go on—I couldn’t find a purpose to live anymore. But every morning I’d open my eyes to a new day. Sometimes I’d be angry with God and demand to know why he took my man and left me. Didn’t seem right to throw a woman out in this world alone. Then one morning I opened my eyes and that black veil that’d hung over my head for almost a year didn’t feel as heavy. Every day afterward the load got a little easier, and now I’m on my way to make a new life. I still miss my man, miss him a lot, but I know he’s in a far better place and I ain’t got the heart to wish him back. Love’s like that, you know.”

  Copper didn’t know. Until she’d met Josh she’d not given that kind of selfless, lifelong love much thought. She always figured when it came, it came. Otherwise, she’d content herself with teaching and living an independent life. Somehow and somewhere between here and Beeder’s Cove her values had changed. Right now the love of a good man sounded mighty good. A man she could trust, respect, and, yes, lean on. She desperately needed a pair of strong male arms around her, assuring her that all would be well even though she didn’t always believe it. She was beginning to realize that she could not expect life to be perfect. She was starting to suspect the trick to a happy life here on earth was acceptance. Acquire the ability to face life head-on, and when circumstances ambush you, you get up and limp to the finish line with whatever the good Lord has left you.

  She reached up to swipe at hot tears suddenly rolling down her cheeks and noticed the fine mist was turning to rain/snow. “Look, Sadie. It’s snowing.”

  “Why it shore is. Will you look at that?” Fat, lazy flakes the size of peas soon filled the air. A whoop went up and down the line, and children’s excited laughter filled the air. Was any sight as uplifting as the first snowfall of the season or as heartening as the last one?

  Copper reached out to catch the flakes on her hand. The snow melted as quickly as it touched the ground. The sight was so pretty she took it as a harbinger of things to come. For the first time since she’d begun the arduous journey, she felt capable of facing whatever obstacles lay ahead of her.

  Mid-afternoon Fort Riceson came into view. Amid swirling snow, the whoops and cheers echoed up and down the line.

  Sadie looked over and grinned. “Everyone on this train loves you, honey. We’ve all been praying for this moment.”

  Tears rolled down Copper’s cheeks. She’d be leaving this wonderful family soon. The thought hit her almost like a physical blow. She would miss every one of them so very much.

  The catcalls and happy cheers continued as Josh rode up, grinning. “You’re here, Miss Wilson. And only a few days late.”

  She smiled. “I forgive you, Mr. Redlin. You said you’d get me here safe and sound, and you’re a man of your word.”

  His features sobered. “That I am.” Their gazes held momentarily before he announced. “I’ll ride ahead and let them know who we are.” He scanned the distant fort and frowned. “Surprised there’s not a welcoming committee.”

  Copper’s gaze skimmed the area. The fort was remote, but she’d heard there was a large contingent here.

  Sadie turned to look. “Does seem a might peculiar. They are expecting us, aren’t they?”

  Josh nodded. “They know we’re coming.” He kneed the horse and moved ahead. Richardson fell in beside him, and the two men rode toward the fortress.

  Copper glanced at Sadie and grinned. “I’m glad the trip is over, but I’m going to miss you and Adele.”

  “It’s over for you,” she said. “We still got a lot of road before us. I’m looking forward to a couple of days’ rest before we move on.”

  The wagons sat waiting word from Redlin and Richardson. Word came down the line that Milly Newsome demanded to know why the delay?

  Without disguising the disgust in her voice, Copper began, “If that woman was here I’d tell her to—”

  “—have a nice day,” said Sadie with a smile.

  Crossing her arms, Copper turned back to face the fort. “I don’t envy you spending more days on the trail with that one.”

  “That bunch don’t bother me. Someone said they’ll be leaving us once we cross the last river.”

  Snow flew, sweeping the rugged landscape like a giant broom. Copper would be so happy to be warm again, to climb between sweet-smelling sheets and sleep without interruption. Adele was a saint, but a snoring saint. Many a night Copper plugged her ears with cotton, but she couldn’t block out the wheezing snorts.

  Minutes ticked past. Ten turned to twenty.

  Teeth chattering, Copper muttered. “What is taking them so long?”

  Sadie’s mood had gone from elated to pensive. “Don’t know—it don’t seem right.” Her eyes scanned the distant fort. “Don’t look to be a thing stirring.”

  Biting her lower lip, Copper fixed on the scene before her. Any minute now Josh and Frank would ride out and give the signal to move forward.

  Any minute.

  Chapter 15

  “I can’t wait any longer.” Copper reached for the crutch.

  “I’m going up there.”

  Sadie laid a restraining hand on her arm. “Don’t do it.” The solemnity in her words stopped Copper from following her instinct.

  “Sadie, something must be wrong or they would be back by now. How long does it take to announce our arrival?”

  “Can’t say, but we wait until Redlin or Richardson signals us.”

  More minutes ticked by, anxious minutes. Sadie kept a firm hold on Copper’s arm.

  Finally, Richardson rode through the fort gate. As he drew closer, Copper distinguished his grave demeanor. Hope plummeted.

  “Dr. Dyson must be gone,” Copper said in little more than a whisper.

  “Now, now, you don’t know that,” Sadie cautioned. “Don’t be borr
owing trouble. By the look on Richardson’s face, we may already have enough.”

  Richardson rode straight to their wagon. Reining up, he nodded. “Miss Copper. Mrs. Fortright.”

  Amid her chaotic thoughts Sadie’s married name registered. Copper didn’t think she’d ever heard it mentioned. She swallowed. “The doctor’s gone, isn’t he?”

  “Ma’am, if you would, Josh wants me to bring you to the fort.”

  Sadie started to drive the wagon forward, but Richardson stopped her. “Just Miss Wilson. Mrs. Fortright, Josh wants you to hold the wagons here. Circle them tight for the night.”

  The woman nodded. “Shore will. What’s wrong?”

  He touched the brim of his hat. “Circle ’em tight, Mrs. Fortright. And tell Mike to put on extra guards.”

  Richardson reached over and helped Copper move off the wagon seat and straddle his horse behind the saddle. He was well into his fifties, but he still had the arm strength of a man much younger. He urged the stallion into a gallop. Copper held tightly to the assistant wagon master’s waist. Her ankle throbbed with each jolt, but the pain barely registered due to the multitude of questions that raced through her mind.

  As the animal slowed and walked through the fort’s open double gates, she suddenly felt bile rise to the back of her throat. Practically nothing was standing, except for a portion of a building along the front wall. The barracks, the mess hall, even the hitching posts were only burned relics. Richardson removed his bandana and reached back to hand it to her. She clamped the cloth over her nose, despair engulfing her. Bodies were everywhere.

  “Kiowa massacre. Look at the shields. They’re made of buffalo hides, and the weapons are bows and lances. His eyes scanned the scores of bodies wearing buckskin, with paint and feathers. There were more than a hundred soldiers and some civilians here. Not sure how many women and children. Can’t know if any patrols were out at the time. We can only pray that they were.” His eyes scanned the destruction. “Maybe we ought to thank the good Lord that none survived. It would take all a man possessed to come back to this.”