Defiant Hearts

by Janelle Taylor

  “That’s an excellent idea, Father; thank you.”

  Laura walked inside the cabin where she found planked floors instead of dreaded dirt ones. Thanks to a swift and thoughtful rider, a cheery blaze burned in the fireplace, so the sturdy abode was warm and cozy. Since there were no curtains on the windows, she knew what one of her first sewing tasks would be. Until she made them, she would hang material over their sills for privacy; she had brought fabric along for that purpose.

  Laura noticed the living area had ample space for sitting and working. In one corner, per her father’s instructions, was a built-in bunk for his slumber, its wooden slats ready for the feather mattress from the wagon. Beside it was a well-made wardrobe unit with a row of drawers and an enclosure with a door for his garments and other belongings. She went into the small room which would be hers. In one corner was a built-in bunk, also with a well-crafted wardrobe nearby. Across the room was a small fireplace for providing heat in the frigid wilderness; beside it, a large box containing chopped wood and kindling.

  She walked a few steps out the back door to where a small kitchen was situated as a separate structure, detached for fire prevention. There, she found a stove, woodbox, cabinets, table, and counters already in place. Two barrels of fresh water awaited her use. She saw an outhouse to the left of the kitchen and mostly shielded from the fort’s view by the oblong cabin.

  After her perusal, Laura went to work directing the two wagon drivers where to place the inexpensive furniture that had been purchased in Washington and brought with them to use during their stay in Arizona. She had them place a sofa with two square end tables over an oval rug, a few feet in front of the fireplace. She put a matching chair and a half-moon table to its right. To its left and beneath a front window, she positioned a small writing desk and chair. On each of the tables and atop the desk, she set oil lamps. She chose the corner opposite her father’s bunk for their eating table with two ladderback chairs and a narrow sideboard for serving. A storage cabinet for linens, books, and other possessions were against the wall to the right of the fireplace.

  Crates filled with kitchen supplies were put in the kitchen for her to unpack later. Staples were hauled in, but other needs would be purchased from the fort sutler or in Prescott. An oblong tin tub for bathing was propped against one wall, as the kitchen appeared to be the best location for that future task.

  Laura told the genial men to place her things in her room, along with a washstand, its prized mirror having made the long and bumpy journey without breaking. A comfortable chair with an ottoman, half-moon table, and oil lamp were arranged near the fireplace for relaxation.

  As she labored, Laura realized someone had cleaned the cabin before their arrival, so all she had to do was sweep up.

  When she could neither see nor think of anything else for them to do, Laura thanked the men and dismissed them so she could get busy unpacking the most needed items first, as the day was passing rapidly toward sunset.

  After Howard assisted his daughter as best he could with uncrating items and handing them to her for placement or storage, he said, “While you’re getting settled in, I’ll go speak with that cantankerous brother of mine since he’s obviously refusing to come and see us. Don’t work too hard and exhaust yourself, Laura dear; you’ll have plenty of time to finish your chores in the days to come. You must be weary after our long journey, and I hope you aren’t too disappointed with our quarters and this location.”

  As Laura hugged him, she tried to appease his worries, “I’m fine, Father, so go visit with Uncle Jake. Actually, this cabin is better and larger than I expected. Chores will be easy to perform, and, if you’ll recall from my recent past, I’m not a novice at them,” she jested, coaxing a smile to his face. “While you’re with Uncle Jake, please get the names of the people who built it and cleaned it for us so we can thank them. They certainly made my task simpler and our surroundings nicer. Added to the things we brought with us, we’ll have a nice home while we’re here.”

  “That’s my girl; I knew you had the Adams’ spunk and mettle. You proved that while we were separated, but I’m happy we’re together again.”

  “So am I, Father. Now, skedaddle so I can get busy or you’ll be eating awfully late tonight,” she teased.

  Laura set a clock on the wide mantel, along with family pictures and decorative items. She placed handpainted chamberpots with snug lids and two inches of water near their bunks if needed at night, as it could be perilous and chilly to go outside at that time. She put candles and matches on tables beside their beds, as they were easier to manage in the dark than the glass globes and wicks of lamps. She hung bath cloths and towels on washstand racks and filled floral pitchers beside matching basins with water. On hers, she added her brush, comb, and other grooming items.

  She put pillows and linens on the beds and covered them with blankets and quilts. She decided to unpack her garments tomorrow, as they couldn’t wrinkle any more than they already were after traveling for weeks in trunks and cases. The only items she removed were a flannel nightgown, wool robe, and slippers; those she placed on her bed.

  A weary Laura was just about to head for the kitchen to begin preparing coffee and an evening meal when her father returned with an annoyed expression on his face. She closed the back door to conserve the room’s heat as she asked, “Well, what happened with Uncle Jake?”

  “Nothing, my dear, because he’s in town; he left shortly before our arrival, no doubt to avoid seeing me today, or to imbibe enough liquor to enable him to confront me later. I did get the list of names you wanted,” he said, changing the subject to allow him to calm himself and handing it to her. “I talked with some of the officers and men, but the one I wanted to see most is out on patrol duty with his company and won’t return until late tonight, so you can meet him tomorrow. He’s one of the Galvanized Yanks, and I’ve chosen him to be your guard and escort when you need to go shopping in town or just want to ride or walk.”

  Laura leaned against the door and stared at her father. “You would trust me with an enemy more so than with a Federal officer?”

  Howard knew the man he had selected was a Union officer who had been sent there to watch ex-captives for trouble. That was a secret he had been ordered not to tell anyone, including his daughter and brother. “I think it is less likely that a man in his vulnerable position would make any improper gestures toward you. I’ve chosen a Private Durance to be your guard and escort. He’s strong and brave and a sharpshooter, more than capable of protecting you. He has experience in the West, scouting and guiding and fighting Indians. If, however, you don’t like or trust him, I’ll select another soldier.”

  Laura wondered about the odd tone of her father’s voice and the way he didn’t look at her when he responded, as if he weren’t being forthright, which was unusual for her father. Did he think it would encourage a favorable effect on the Galvanized Yanks if their Union commander entrusted one of them with his own daughter’s safety? It wasn’t like her father to use devious ploys to get what he wanted, but these were strange circumstances which perhaps called for—

  Laura and her father glanced toward the front door when someone knocked there and intruded on her thoughts. “I’ll get it, Father,” she said, as he had just taken a seat on the sofa and was gazing into a colorful fire.

  Laura walked across the cabin and opened the door to find a pretty young woman with large brown eyes and long brown hair standing there with a cloth-covered basket. A soldier behind her was holding a kettle in one hand and a coffeepot in another with thick pads between their apparently hot handles and his gloved fingers.

  The brunette smiled. “You must be Laura Adams, Colonel Adams’s daughter. I’m Emmaline Wright, Major Jim Wright’s wife, but my friends and husband call me Em, and you may do the same. I doubted you had finished unpacking and you’re probably too tired to cook supper, so I brought biscuits, coffee, and a stew. Shall I put them in the kitchen?”

  Laura smiled, stepped
aside, and invited, “Please come in, and we’re most grateful for your kindness. I was just heading for the kitchen to see what I could prepare quickly. This was a most fatiguing day.”

  “Then my timing is perfect. Captain Reno, you may carry the pots to the kitchen and return to duty. Thanks for your assistance.”

  The Union officer nodded, glanced at Laura and Howard, and headed across the cabin. Howard hurried to open the two doors for the man, and they chatted as he did so.

  Emmaline followed Laura as she asked, “Have you unpacked dishes or do you need to borrow some for tonight?”

  Laura paused to reply, “Thanks, Em, but I did unpack one small crate before my energy was drained. This is so nice and thoughtful of you.”

  “It was no bother at all, and I was eager to meet you, but I didn’t want to intrude on your chores too early. If you need help tomorrow, I’ll be more than happy to come over and lend you a hand.”

  Laura recognized the name of her contact, Jim Wright, so a hasty relationship was wise. She was elated that Major Wright had such a genial wife. “I would enjoy your company and appreciate help. I’m delighted to meet someone my age, particularly someone so nice and friendly.”

  As Laura retrieved two trivets from the sideboard and placed them on the eating table, Emmaline said, “Don’t worry about being in a strange place, I’ll introduce you to everyone you should meet and show you around after you’re settled. But I won’t visit tonight. I know you’ve had a long and hard journey. What you need is a hot meal and a good night’s sleep. I can see you’ve done plenty today. The cabin looks lovely.”

  As Laura opened the back door, she said, “Thanks. It was clean and warm when we arrived, so I got busy immediately. It’s a small place and the small amount of furniture we brought made my work easier. Someone built in the two beds and wardrobes, and the kitchen is ready to use. Father got a list of names so I can thank them later.”

  “If there’s anything else you need a strong back for, just let Jim know and he’ll get trustworthy men over here to help you. You do need to meet Jim as soon as possible. Can you and your father join us for supper tomorrow night? That way, we can all get acquainted.”

  Laura caught Emmaline’s hint. She smiled, nodded, and opened the kitchen door. “What time do you want us to come?”

  “About six if that fits in with Colonel Adams’s schedule?”

  Laura repeated Emmaline’s invitation as Howard turned to face the two young women.

  He smiled. “It will be our pleasure, Mrs. Wright. Perhaps you and your husband can help familiarize us with this area and its people. I’d like to get to know my officers and men as soon as possible, and it would make Laura feel more comfortable in a strange setting.”

  Emmaline set the basket on the counter and said, “That will be our pleasure, sir. Enjoy your supper. Thanks again for your help, Captain Reno,” she told the departing officer who nodded and left. “I’ll see you at ten in the morning, Laura. We’ll make fast work of your remaining chores.”

  “Good-bye, Em, and thank you for this lovely gesture,” she told the vivacious woman.

  “You’re welcome,” Emmaline replied.

  When Emmaline had left the cabin, Laura smiled and said, “She’s nice, Father; I like her already. I’m sure we’ll become good friends. Now, before this gets cold, I’ll serve our plates and bring them to the table. Would you carry the bread and coffee? I’ve already set two trivets on the table.”

  “Are you sure you can manage the rest alone?”

  “Yes, sir, I have a tray over there I can use, and I learned how to carry full ones at the hotel. It smells wonderful and I’m starved.”

  “So am I. This will be our first meal in our new home.”

  Nothing, Laura’s defiant heart scoffed, would please me more than for it to be our last meal here, but fate won’t be that generous to me. She had dreamed that her next “home” would be one she shared with Jayce Storm, but that beautiful fantasy hadn’t come true. All she could do was hope and pray it would happen in the near future. Even as she suffered over the dark intrusion on her golden plans, she feigned a smile and nodded as if she concurred with her father.

  After the delicious fare was consumed and the dishes were washed, Howard helped Laura tack up curtain material over the windows in the living area and her bedroom.

  When she heard a bugle sound the Tattoo signal, the call for soldiers to go to their quarters and remain there until morning, she glanced at the mantel clock to check the time: eight o’clock for their winter schedule when darkness came earlier. She knew from past experience at other forts that the next signal—Taps—would come at eight-thirty for lamps to be extinguished, talking to halt, and men to take to their bunks for the night.

  “If you’ve finished putting away your clothes and belongings, Father, you can bank the fire and prepare for bed. I’ll do the same in my room. We’ve had a long and busy day, and we have plenty to do tomorrow. Is there anything you need before I retire?”

  “I’m done here, and there’s nothing I need. Good night, my dear, and welcome to the Arizona Territory and Fort Whipple.”

  Laura hugged him and kissed his cheek, happy to be reunited with him, despite its cost to her. “Good night, Father. I’ll see you at six.”

  “I know you’re exhausted and you have much to do, so why don’t you sleep later and I’ll eat breakfast with the men at seven?”

  “That’s fine with me, though I’m accustomed to rising early during our journey and during my hotel days. Good night,” she said again.

  “Good night, Laura, and thank you for accepting this situation so well.”

  She smiled in love and respect for him and entered her small room, closing the door for privacy. She put on a thick flannel gown near the fire before washing her face and cleaning her teeth.

  Laura banked the fire so the room wouldn’t get too cold during the night; then brushed and braided her long blond hair. After the lamp was extinguished, she climbed into bed, straightened the covers, and blew out the candle nearby. It took a few minutes before she warmed and could relax between the chilly linens. She closed her eyes and conjured Jayce’s face to daydream about him until she fell asleep.

  The following morning at eight o’clock, Howard returned to the cabin and knocked on Laura’s bedroom door. “Can you come out for a minute, my dear, to meet Private Durance before he has to leave on patrol?”

  “Just a moment, Father,” she replied through the wooden barrier.

  Her grooming just completed, Laura opened the door and stepped into the living area, unaware of the shock in store for her…

  Chapter Seventeen

  Laura froze as she saw Jayce, wearing a blue uniform, standing before her. This was Private Durance! What did it all mean? Thankfully, her father had turned to close the bedroom door, and didn’t see her shock. By the time he had turned around, she’d managed to take a breath and try to compose herself. She noticed Jayce’s matching surprise, which he’d concealed in a rush, as did she. All she wanted to do was run into his arms and kiss him, but it seemed best at this unexpected moment to pretend she didn’t know the ex-Rebel who was to become her guard and escort. If her father even suspected the intimate truth about them, there would be trouble, as Howard would make certain he put great distance between them.

  “Laura, my dear, this is the man I told you about: Private Jayce Durance. My cherished daughter, sir, so I expect you to protect her from all harm and to remain a southern gentleman at all times.”

  Jayce masked his astonishment and confusion as he replied, “You have my word of honor, Colonel Adams.” Many things had raced through his mind in the last few seconds. He guessed Laura’s motive for pretending she didn’t know him. Despite what Adams knew about him, he didn’t have to wonder what a devoted father would do to him if the man he now knew to be Laura’s father discovered their secret. Despite the fact she was no doubt a Unionist like her father, her presence and his assignment to her could complicate h
is mission, which could be detrimental to their relationship. Perhaps her identity and Union loyalty explained why she hadn’t left a letter of explanation with Lily, and she had attempted to locate him before her departure. Still, she had duped the man she claimed to love. On the other hand, he had done the same to her and was continuing to do so…

  Howard slipped his arm around Laura’s shoulder. “I love my daughter, Private, so I need not warn you of the grim consequences if you break that word.”

  As he responded, Jayce eyed them and could find little resemblance. He could never have anticipated this dilemma. “No, sir, and I’ve never broken my word to anyone in the past.”

  “Excellent. I’ve already explained your duties to you and to Laura, so you’ll be summoned when she needs you for an escort and guard. Laura, since Private Durance has other duties to perform at Fort Whipple, please give him ample notice before his services are required.”

  Laura had been studying Jayce on the sly while the two men talked. His ebony hair was longer, grazing past the top of his broad shoulders, a crease encircling his head above his ears where his hat had been earlier. The cleft she adored in his chin was hidden by a short beard, a dark one like the mustache now growing above his full upper lip. He held a kepi between his fingers, with his hands resting before his groin. His short shell jacket was dark blue with shiny brass buttons; his pants, sky blue; his boots, black. He stood tall, straight, confident, respectful. His sapphire gaze was unreadable. He was so handsome, so desirable, so close and yet so far away. She was glad her father had spoken her name and seized her strayed attention. “I will, Father.”

  “I thought we could talk for a few minutes and get acquainted, so—”

  A knock on the front door of their cabin interrupted Howard’s words, and he responded to the summons. He spoke with an officer for a moment, then turned to them and said, “You’ll have to excuse me for a short time. Perhaps you can get acquainted while I talk out here for a few minutes.”