by Barbara Goss
“A friend?”
“Well,” Ma hesitated. “Not exactly. We met her in Saint Louis. She needed a job and wanted to go west, so we offered to bring her with us. As Charles said, we have five wagons going out with numerous new workers.”
“She seems to adore Charles.”
“They all do.” Ma chuckled. Then seeing Amanda’s disappointment, she added, “But you’re special.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I know Charles. These girls will all be working for him, so he has to be nice to them. You aren’t one of his workers. He chose you to travel with us because you’re special. There’s a difference. Believe me, I can tell.”
Amanda smiled and returned to her wagon. Before falling asleep, she chuckled to herself over her predicament. Here she was out in the middle of nowhere, in the company of a strange couple, and friends with a man who had made her an accomplice in a mysterious predicament, and attracted to two men in completely different ways.
She sobered suddenly and thought about the recent deaths. At least with everything else happening she hadn’t had time to dwell on her family. She also missed her nightly prayers, yet still couldn’t bring herself to talk to God. Not after what He had allowed to happen. She missed the comfort of prayer but had simply lost faith in it and Him.
Then she heard someone knocking on the wood of her wagon from the rear.
She sat up in bed, listening carefully. “Amanda,” a male voice whispered.
Amanda crawled to the rear flap and stuck her head out. “Luke!” she whispered in surprise.
“Can you come out a minute?”
“You’re a little late. I’m in bed already.”
“Please?”
“Wait,” she said, “I’ll throw on my cape.”
Hastily she donned her cape and jumped out the back of the wagon. Luke walked her a small distance from the wagons before questioning her.
“Who is the new girl with Charles?”
“Bella.”
“Where’d she come from?” he asked in astonishment.
“One of his other wagons on another train.”
“How many wagons does he have?”
“Five.”
“This girl, what’s she like?” At Amanda’s puzzled look he added, “I mean is she happy to be here? She isn’t ill like Louise or anything?”
“No, she’s quite well and quite happy to be anywhere near Charles.”
Luke fondled his chin and mumbled to himself.
“Is something wrong?”
“I’m not sure.”
“What’s going on?” she asked. “And where is Louise? I know you had something to do with her disappearance.”
He changed the subject quickly. “Helen isn’t Charles’s mother, is she?”
“No. They just wanted to appear as a family unit. She’s his business partner in a hotel. The girls, I believe, are to be workers there. Bella is one of them. They found her in Saint Louis.”
“What type of work did they tell you the girls would be doing?”
“Hostess work, maids, singers, dancers.”
“Charles told you that?”
“Yes.”
“I see. Yet you seem fond of this man and even sounded jealous of Bella. How could you be attracted to a man involved in this type of business?”
“This type of business?” she repeated. “His hotel happens to be an elegant establishment, the best this side of the Mississippi.”
Luke looked at her sadly and shook his head. “Perhaps you should find out more about this man you seem so taken with.”
Confused by Luke’s questions, Amanda said a quick good night and hurried back to her wagon and bedroll.
5
When camping grounds were agreeable and the wagon train not in danger, they did not travel on Sunday. The men mended wagons, harnesses and yokes, shod animals, and did other general maintenance. The women washed clothes, boiled beans in large quantities, to be warmed during the week, or mended and cleaned.
A devotional service was held in the morning. Old Mr. Simpson, a Methodist church elder for thirty years, stood in the center of the corral and read from the Bible and preached while most kept on with their work. No disrespect was intended, for there was little time for leisure.
Luke had stopped by and invited Amanda to the service but she had declined in favor of washing clothes. As she hung her laundry on a rope stretched between her wagon and the Pierces’, she could hear most of the devotional anyway. She noticed only a handful actually sat and listened; most were legitimately too busy.
Charles and his driver, Albert, were patching a hole in the tent in which they slept. Bella was helping Ma arrange the Pierces’ wagon to accommodate Bella’s things and still have enough room for them to sleep comfortably. Amanda could hear them arguing over the lack of space and whose things should go where.
Deciding to help Ma with the difficult situation, Amanda walked over to the wagon. “I have a little extra room in my wagon, if you’d like to store some things, Ma, “she offered.
“Take this female off my hands, that’s what you can do!” Ma yelled back.
“I wouldn’t share a wagon with that plain farm girl,” Bella snapped. “You share her wagon!”
“Plain farm girl! Amanda’s got more class in her baby finger than you’ll ever have in your whole body! And she’s a lady, too! Now take that trunk and put it on your side of the wagon!” Ma ordered.
“Now hold it,” Bella started to say between her teeth.
“What’s going on?” Charles bellowed from behind Amanda, causing her to jump.
Both Ma and Bella gave their accounts of the problem at the same time, causing Charles to hold his hands over his ears.
“Quiet! Both of you be still this instant!” Charles motioned to Ma. “Come here a moment.”
They talked in low tones, with Charles continually having to hush Ma, when her voice got louder as she became excited, telling her side of the story.
Finally he turned to Amanda, who stood nearby, and motioned to her. “Amanda come here a second, please. Ma says you have space in your wagon. Would you be kind enough to store a few things for us?”
“Certainly,” she said.
Charles walked over to the pouting Bella and talked to her in soft tones until she smiled adoringly at him.
Later, while Charles lifted the trunk into her wagon, Amanda said, “You handled that situation very diplomatically. I couldn’t help but admire your skill at dealing with the dilemma.”
“I get plenty of practice at the hotel. My women—the workers—are always squabbling.” He turned, sat on the trunk, and sighed. “Some men think I’m lucky working with lovely women, but let me tell you, if it’s not fighting, it’s one female problem after another. Which is probably why I stayed single so long,” he said with a smile and wink. But his usual sparkle was missing.
“You don’t look your usual self today. Are you well?” she asked.
“I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night.”
“No? I’m sorry to hear that. That’s one thing I don’t hear complaints on very often; most everyone is exhausted come nightfall on the trail,” Amanda said.
“I usually am too, but ... well,” he faltered. “Something--or should I say someone--woke me, and then I was too upset to sleep.”
Amanda tilted her head, trying to comprehend his problem.
“Actually,” he explained, “it has to do with you, my dear.”
“Me?” she whispered, more puzzled than ever.
“Yes. I’ve become quite fond of you, as you probably have guessed and I was quite upset when your late-night visitor woke me. Then I saw the two of you walk toward those bushes”, he pointed, “and talking for some time. Besides a touch of jealousy, I’m concerned for your welfare. Just who is this fellow?”
“That was just my friend, Luke West. He’s a scout for the train.”
Charles rubbed his forehead as if trying to remember someth
ing. “Luke West. No, never heard of him.”
“Is that so strange? I’ve never heard of anyone else on this train, either.”
Charles hesitated as if lost for words, then answered, “Yes, you’re right, it’s just that he looked familiar.” Charles straightened. “Well, time to get back to my tent mending.”
“What about Louise?” Amanda asked before he could climb out of her wagon.
“Haven’t a clue as to where she is or who took her. I’ve got people from the other trains working on it. We suspect those Indians. Some of the more primitive tribes still use white women for slaves and even sell them.”
Amanda paled. “They do?”
“Certainly. Now that we’re traveling into more dangerous Indian country, I’d not wander far from the others. Other than that, you have little to fear.” He jumped from the wagon. “Thank you for letting us use some of your wagon space.” He winked. “See you at supper.”
As Amanda folded her dry laundry she wondered at Bella’s words: plain farm girl. Why did the girl dislike her? Not that Amanda was fond of Bella either, but she wondered why the girl continued to shun her and give her unkind looks.
Amanda wondered if Bella was in love with Charles. Did Bella suspect Charles’s interest in her? That would certainly explain the hatred toward her.
Could I fall in love with a man such as Charles Pierce? He is handsome, charming, rich.... Any girl would be lucky to have him interested in her, yet.... Amanda’s thoughts faltered, and Luke’s face popped into her head. What about Luke? One man gave her goose bumps, the other a warm feeling in her chest. Luke was a good, respectable, God-fearing man. While Charles’s reputation was questionable, it seemed to make him more exciting. Amanda had never known a man such as Charles.
Ma and Amanda prepared supper while Bella sat by the river, combing her hair and powdering her nose. Ma grumbled about Bella’s laziness, and Amanda soothed her anger by reminding Ma that Bella’s not helping was probably a blessing in disguise.
“You’re right!” Ma laughed. “She’d make a mess of everything!”
Charles sat beside Amanda during supper. Bella sat behind the wagon, giving Amanda looks of pure hatred. Afterwards Charles invited Amanda to walk around the circle of wagons with him. He told her about San Francisco, which he called Frisco, and the hotel.
As he talked about the large, strange city Amanda began to worry. How would she find Aunt Hattie? What if Aunt Hattie had died, too? Where would she go? What would she do?
When they returned to Amanda’s wagon, she looked up at him in the moonlight and asked, “What if things go wrong for me when I reach San Francisco? What if I’m left alone in that big city?”
Charles stood silently, apparently taken completely by surprise. Amanda explained. “I’m supposed to find my father’s sister, Aunt Hattie, but I worry about finding her. What would I do alone in a big, strange city?”
Charles laughed, taking her hand in his. “Amanda, my dear, as long as I’m in the same city, you have nothing to fear. I’d not let anything happen to you.” He sobered somewhat before adding, “There’s always my hotel. You’d be my guest for as long as need be.”
“Oh, I’d have to earn my keep,” she said firmly.
“If it ever comes to that, we’ll arrange something we can both agree to,” he said, leaning over to kiss her forehead. “Goodnight, my lovely Amanda.”
After he’d left, Amanda peered about cautiously, half expecting Luke to pop out of the brush with a sarcastic remark. When he didn’t, she felt almost disappointed and wondered why she felt disappointed, when Charles had been so charming.
She climbed into her wagon and felt in the darkness for her kerosene lamp. The light flickered and finally caught, and Amanda jumped as she caught a shadow on her bedroll. She was not alone. She held the lamp out toward the figure, until she could see the face of her visitor.
“What are you doing here, Bella?”
“I came to give you some advice,” she spat from reddened lips. The lamp’s reflection on her eyes made her look sinister.
“What kind of advice would you have for me?” Amanda asked with a touch of sarcasm.
“Charles is not your type. Stay away from him.”
“Because you want him?”
“Because he’s not what you think he is. I heard you talking. What kind of hotel do you think he and Ma run? There’s gambling, drinking, dancing, and--“
“I think you had better leave, Bella.”
Bella edged toward the back opening. “Charles wants you, but not for the reasons you think. He has customers who will pay big money for a….”
“Bella!”
Amanda swung around at Ma’s shrill voice from outside the wagon. Ma’s head popped through the rear flap. “Bella, get back to the wagon! Charles is furious! We aren’t supposed to…. be out wandering alone.” In a calmer voice, Ma continued, “We were quite worried about you.”
It seemed to Amanda that after that evening Ma and Charles did everything they could to keep Bella and her apart. Were they afraid of what Bella had been trying to tell about Charles, or were they merely trying to keep peace? Bella had said Charles had customers who would pay big money for.... For what? What did this have to do with her?
Yet Amanda had little time to wonder, for Luke had disappeared again. This time Larsen came to Amanda’s wagon, looking for him.
“Isn’t he scouting for you?” she asked.
“No, and Griff is throwing a tantrum over it. Ve are beginning to travel into hostile Indian territory. Not only that, but ve need help vith the animals. He just disappears for days! Vere could he go?” Larsen scratched his head. “I thought maybe he vas helping you again.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Larsen, I have no idea where he is,” she apologized as the poor, bewildered man walked back toward the corral.
Where, Amanda wondered, could Luke disappear to out in this God-forsaken wilderness?
Two days later, Luke reappeared. He tipped his hat to Amanda from a distance but never approached her.
Amanda had little time to worry about whether or not Luke was in trouble or wonder why he didn’t stop by. The day before, they had arrived at Fort Laramie, where they had stopped to camp and pick up supplies. It was their last civilized post before reaching Fort Bridger. Ma and Amanda packed and repacked their supplies to best fit their cramped quarters.
The day Luke returned, the train had had a difficult river crossing, in high, swift water. Luckily the river hadn’t been deep enough to warrant taking the wheels off the wagons and floating them across, as they’d done a few weeks ago. Yet the wagons became wet and muddy-inside and out. Ma and Amanda worked hard at keeping their wagons clean and comfortable. Bella managed to look busy whenever Charles looked her way, but she shirked her responsibility most of the time.
Charles tried to spend time with Amanda during the few minutes of free time the travelers enjoyed between cleaning up after the evening meal and going to bed. On less hectic days, campfires were lit and campers sang and told stories.
Tonight, with the crossing behind them, the cleanup completed, and loaded with new supplies and good spirits, the campers made a bonfire and celebrated.
Charles, Amanda, Eliza, and Martin listened intently as Jeb Colter wove the best campfire tale Amanda had ever heard. All four believed his account of a confrontation with hostile Indians, until the punch-line ending, which had them laughing and shivering at the same time.
Charles’s hand covered Amanda’s beneath her apron, which was spread upon the ground. She looked up at him and for the first time didn’t feel goose bumps, but a lump in her throat. Between Luke’s warnings and Bella’s advice, Amanda no longer felt sure she wanted Charles’s advances. Perhaps he wasn’t the type of man she wanted to be with.
Flames leapt from his eyes, reflecting the bonfire. He looked like Satan at that moment, smiling down at her with fiery eyes.
Is that what I’ve come to? she wondered. I’ve given up God in my life, but
that doesn’t mean I have to let my life slide over to Satan. Does it? Is that what Charles, Ma, Bella, and the hotel are in my life? Amanda shivered.
Charles put his jacket over her shoulders his hands lingering too long.
How silly, she thought, shaking off the evil premonition.
Just because Bella, Charles and Ma used a little cussing and ran a hotel that had gambling, dancing, drinking, and fun didn’t mean they were straight from hades. Yet the ill feeling stayed with her.
The yawning group finally broke up, and Charles walked Amanda back to her wagon, still holding her hand.
“You seem distant tonight,” he said. “Is something the matter?”
Amanda hesitated. He asked so sincerely and with such charm, her first instinct was to tell him her true thoughts Satan, fiery eyes, and all! She stopped herself. She’d promised Luke not to trust him.
“I’m extremely tired is all.”
“You’ve been a bit distant since the night Bella visited your wagon.” He stopped walking and, placing his hands on her shoulders, turned her toward him. “Did she say something to upset you?”
Amanda hesitated again. It was difficult to lie when a man had you looking straight into his eyes, and such handsome eyes!
“I--I …,” she faltered.
“She’s jealous, is all,” he laughed lightly. “She, as well as anyone, can see where my interest lies.”
“Your interest lies?” Amanda repeated for lack of another response.
“With you, Amanda,” he whispered, gripping her shoulders more tightly.
“Why me?” she asked, no longer excited by his touch but frightened by it.
He shook his head, smiling. “I’ve never met a girl like you. You’re beautiful, refined, intelligent, kind, yet so pure and innocent.” He moved his hands from her shoulders to her face. Caressing her cheeks, he whispered, “I hadn’t meant to ask this yet, but will you marry me when we get to Frisco?”
