by Barbara Goss
The men held a service for Celia and buried her beneath a large cottonwood tree. Jared carved a cross for the grave, and they placed large rocks to cover over the mound to keep the wolves away.
Everyone was quiet that day, including Helen and Amanda. Sitting sedately in their tent that evening, Helen asked, “What happens now?”
“I don’t know,” Amanda said carefully, fearing what might be next.
“I did the best I could to save her,” Helen cried softly.
“Of course you did! It wasn’t your fault,” soothed, Amanda.
“Oh, how wrong you are, Amanda!” sighed Helen tearfully. “I’m as guilty as Charles. If I couldn’t stop him, I should have quit. I never realized… their sister is dead!”
Amanda watched strong, tough Helen bury her face in her hands and weep. Amanda embraced the sobbing older woman’s shoulders and squeezed her gently. It was the only comfort she could offer. She was speechless.
Between sobs, Helen managed to ask, “What will the men do to me now? Will they kill me, as Charles’s accomplice? Will they leave me here to die? Will they hate me? Oh, Amanda I’m truly sorry. Will they believe me? Will they forgive me?”
“I don’t know,” Amanda said truthfully. “I just don’t know.” She had no idea how the brothers would react to the death of their sister. Recalling the loss she’d felt when her loved ones died, she shivered and dreaded the thought of their reaction.
In the morning, both women remained in their tent after bathing and dressing. Unsure of the reaction to Celia’s death, they thought it best to stay out of the men’s sight. They were stunned when Aaron called outside their tent, “Aren’t you two going to eat breakfast? It’ll be a long time until lunch--better get out here fast!”
Helen and Amanda exchanged surprised glances.
“We’ll be right out!” Amanda called.
Helen smoothed the collar of Amanda’s pink cotton dress. “Well, here goes.”
“It’ll be all right,” Amanda comforted with more confidence than she felt.
Amanda hoped it would be like old times, and just Aaron would be eating with them, but all greeted them at the fire. The women sat and accepted the fresh fish and coffee offered them.
“Are you ladies ready to travel?” Luke asked, trying to sound casual.
Amanda noticed his red eyes and tired face. He grieved yet seemed ready to carry on as usual.
“Travel?” they both chimed.
“Helen,” Luke turned to address her singly. Amanda saw Helen cringe and look up, as if dreading his next words. “I will escort you to the wagon train, though it may take a few days to catch up. We’ll leave as soon as you’ve finished,” he said kindly.
Helen merely stared at him.
He turned to Amanda, and his eyes softened noticeably. “We’ll escort you back to our ranch. From there you may choose where you’d like to go. We’ll help you get there. I’ll catch up as soon as I take Helen back to the train.”
“Listen here, “Helen countered. “Will you force me to go where I don’t choose to go?”
Luke spun around, “I beg your pardon?”
“I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to go back to the train. I prefer to stay with Amanda. May I?’ she added meekly.
Luke glanced back and forth from Amanda to Helen for several seconds before smiling. “You may, and I’m happy with your decision. However, this will cause a change in our plans and a slight delay to our start. I’ll converse with the men and decide our plans. Excuse me, ladies.” He turned to his brothers and Jack. “A short meeting. Be at the creek in five minutes.”
They all nodded.
When the men were gone, Amanda shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe how they are handling this whole situation. They are grieving, you can see it in their faces, but still functioning normally. The most surprising thing of all is they have no hard feelings toward you at all! I can’t understand how they can react this way!”
“You could have knocked me over, I’ll tell you! I thought for sure Luke was gonna ride me out on a pole, with tar and feathers!” exclaimed Helen.
“And,” Amanda continued, “your decision to stay here, jolted me! I’m thrilled but never expected so many surprises in one morning!”
Helen sobered. “I couldn’t go back to that life after what I’ve heard and seen this past week. Not just Celia, but Aaron’s sermons have really made me think.”
“Everything,” Amanda sighed, “this morning has made me think.”
The men returned, and Luke announced their plans. “There is something I need to do. I’ll be riding in a different direction for a week or two, but I’ll catch up long before you reach the ranch. I don’t dare take away any more men, so I’ll travel alone.” Luke looked at Amanda and Helen. “One thing I must ask. Please cooperate fully with my brothers and Jack. The trip should be safe. They know the land well, but obey them at all times, because there are dangers.”
“Indians?” Helen asked hesitantly.
“Yes, as well as snakes, wild animals, and desperadoes.” Seeing Amanda’s face pale, he added, “Just trust the men and obey them at all times, and you have nothing to fear. Jack has traveled this area numerous times and knows every inch by heart. Just do as the men say, and none of us will have to worry.” He smiled and winked. “Amanda, may I see you down by the creek before I leave?”
Luke held out his hands for hers as she approached, but somehow their hands became forgotten, and they embraced each other tightly.
“I missed you,” he whispered.
She drew away from him slightly. “I’m sorry about Celia. I did pray, as I promised. It didn’t do any good this time either.”
Luke frowned and drew her down beside him on a stretch of grass near the creek bank.
“That isn’t so. We prayed that God’s Will be done. He wanted Celia. We accept that and even thank Him.”
“Thank Him!” Amanda gasped in confusion.
“Yes. God could have taken her before we had a chance to rescue her. She might have died alone on that train, among strangers or worse yet, survived to be forced into the brothel. Helen called us all in when she realized ... and Celia left earth embraced by her brothers. Things could have been so different. She even smiled…” He turned his head quickly. “We loved her, and we’ll miss her, but we know exactly where she is, in the best of hands.”
“Luke, that’s so beautiful… and you hold no resentment toward Helen?”
“No, we have to forgive as God forgives us.”
“What about Charles?” she asked.
“Now that’s another matter. While we have forgiven him, we believe justice must be done. He cannot be free to harm others. That’s the business I must settle. I need to find a lawman who’ll help me see justice done. That train is pretty far by now, so that won’t be easy. First I’ll find the train, then head for the nearest town that has a lawman.” He hesitated, taking her hand, “If that isn’t possible, I’ll have to get Larsen and some of the other men to help me tie him to a horse so I can ride him to the law.”
She touched his hand. “Be careful, Luke.”
He gazed at her seriously. “You still planning to go to San Francisco and Aunt Hattie?”
Amanda’s heart pounded. Why did he ask that in such a way that I know he wants a negative answer? Even the pleading look in his eyes told her he wanted her to say no. Amanda cringed. His eyes, still red in grief for his sister, pleaded for something she was unable to give him. Despite her growing fondness for him, she must fulfill her family’s dream.
“Yes.”
Luke let out a sigh, “Can I give you an alternative to consider?”
“No, please don’t!” She stood.
He rose also and started to speak, but she put her finger to his lips. “Just make sure you meet us safely, long before we reach the ranch. Just because I still want to go to San Francisco doesn’t mean I don’t care what happens to you.”
He touched her cheek. “I will. An
d you be careful, too.”
“Friends can hug, can’t they? Especially when they’re about to be separated?” she asked, her eyes anxious.
“You bet,” he laughed, taking her into his arms and embracing her tightly. “But can they kiss, too?”
She answered by giving him her lips.
10
Traveling on horseback, while faster, had its drawbacks, as Amanda discovered early on their trip to the Sterling ranch. Summer had faded into early fall, and the mornings and nights turned cold. When it rained, the riders became extremely wet. The brush at times was thick and scratched limbs and sometimes faces if the riders weren’t careful enough to duck quickly. The men fared better, in their ranch clothing of sturdy pants, flannel shirts, high boots, and wide-brimmed flannel hats. The women were encumbered with long dresses, petticoats, and flimsy cotton bonnets. They had to ride astride, as there were no sidesaddles. Luckily for the women their dresses were long and full enough to still cover all but a bit above their ankles.
The men teased them sometimes, but also complimented their persistence and endurance under such adverse conditions and openly admired their stamina.
The women admired the men also. They knew exactly where they were going, though neither woman could figure out how they could possibly know where they were.
The scenery looked the same, and often they traveled without even following a path. The men listened to every sound cautiously and knew where every possible danger hid. Jack seemed the most familiar to the areas.
The men wore holsters at their waists, with six-shooters ready at all times to be swung into service, as on the day when a rattlesnake entered their camp area. Jared fired and killed it before the ladies knew it was even there.
One night the men heard a noise and ordered them to douse the fire. They then silently watched three men ride within several hundred feet of their camp. Aaron explained that they might have been harmless, but it was always best to be careful. The West was full of what they called desperadoes, especially since the beginning of the Gold Rush.
The women felt safe with the Sterling brothers and Jack. Heeding Luke’s warning, they obeyed them without question.
Several evenings later, after supper, by the light of the campfire, the men held devotions and read from a worn, well-used, Bible. During the closing prayer a noise brought an abrupt “amen” from the men, and they hushed everyone to listen to the sound. The men stomped out the fire and listened intently.
Amanda tried to concentrate on which noise they were listening to. The coyote? The howling of a wolf? The owl’s hoot? These had all become commonplace and sounded no different from usual. Yet the men listened carefully for several minutes before exchanging looks of glee. They slapped each other on their backs and cheered.
“What is it?” Amanda asked.
“It’s one of us,” Jared replied. “It’s either Luke or Edward. Quick, Aaron, build the fire again.”
“But I don’t hear anything,” Amanda said with frustration.
Jared came to stand beside her. “Hear the owl?” he asked.
She nodded.
“Listen carefully to its hoots. A three, a two, and a three, then five seconds of silence, and another set of three, two and three, five seconds of silence--and he’ll keep it up until one of us answers with sets of two, three, and two hoots.” He turned to Robert, “Give the signal. You do it best.”
Robert gave the owl hoots for a good fifteen minutes at the timed intervals.
“How long does he have to keep hooting?” Amanda asked.
“Until Luke or Edward can follow the call, catch sight of our fire, and locate us,” Jared explained. “We’ve been doing this for years. Our father taught us at a young age, in case we ever got lost while hunting.”
“Do you think it’s Luke?” she asked, hopefully.
“Luke or Edward.”
“Edward?”
“0ur oldest brother, the minister who escorted ‘Louise’ back to the ranch. He may have decided to return and help us. Or it could be Luke.” Jared looked closely at Amanda “Why are you smiling with such expectancy? Are you excited by the thought of Luke returning?”
Amanda wondered how Jared always managed to see her true feelings. She’d have to hide them better.
“You sound like Robert with your teasing. Yes, I can’t wait to see my friend again. Friends can miss each other, can’t they?” she asked.
“There are plenty of girls in Texas who will be glad you and he are just friends,” he teased.
“I’m glad I can make half the state happy,” she replied. Amanda wondered why Luke’s brothers seemed to doubt that she and Luke were only friends, yet when Luke rode into camp, moments later, she questioned it herself.
Perched behind him on the saddle sat a young woman with her arms around Luke’s waist. As they rode closer to the fire and the brothers greeted him warmly, all Amanda could do was stare at the shapely, beautiful woman.
Her long red hair bounced with the gait of the horse, and her large eyes scanned the gathering quickly. When they came to rest on Amanda, sparks filled the night air
Luke dismounted and helped the woman from the horse and brought her to where Amanda and Helen sat
“Amanda, Helen, I want you to meet...” Luke began,
“Ruby Ziegler!” exclaimed Helen
“You two have met then?” Luke asked
“A few times. She was traveling with us in one of the trains ahead,” Helen said in a manner that left Amanda to believe she was leaving out something important.
Luke continued, “And this, Ruby, is my good friend Amanda Barker.”
Amanda flashed Luke a fiery look. Had he emphasized the word friend, or had Amanda merely imagined it?
The women nodded cautiously at one another.
As Luke introduced her to his brothers and Jack, Amanda noticed her petite form and Luke’s hand resting on her tiny waist as he led her around the campfire.
To Amanda’s chagrin, Ruby was to sleep in the already crowded small tent with Helen and herself. This gave Amanda no chance to question Helen about Ruby. What troubled Amanda was she knew why Ruby’s arrival upset her. What troubled her more was why the feeling apparently seemed mutual? Had Ruby already fallen victim to Luke’s irresistible charm? But why should I care? She asked herself. My friendship with Luke is secondary to fulfilling my family’s dream of reaching San Francisco and Aunt Hattie. She vowed to guard her feelings. I can’t afford to fall I love and spoil my plans of getting to California.
It wasn’t until late morning of the next day that Luke approached Amanda. Her horse had fallen a bit behind the others, and Luke rode back and joined her.
“Miss me?” he grinned, scooping his hair from his eyes.
“You were away?” she teased.
He laughed heartily and purposely loud, Amanda thought, for Ruby riding ahead several yards turned their way and frowned.
Luke sobered and gazed at Amanda for several moments. “I missed you.” When she didn’t answer, he continued, “I have important news. Let’s ride ahead so we can stop and talk.”
He galloped ahead, and she followed. She felt Ruby’s eyes scorching her as she passed out of view. They rode several miles ahead of the others and stopped beside a huge rock, dismounted, and perched upon it.
Luke’s eyes searched hers tenderly. “My news may come as a great shock to you. Are you prepared?”
She looked at him, her fear apparent. She closed her eyes. Prepared? Her skin tingled. “Oh, Luke, what now?”
“I found Charles. He’s dead.”
Her eyes popped open. “Dead? How?”
He took a deep breath. “! found Larsen’s wagon train just west of Fort Bridger. Indians killed them all. Charles, Larsen, Griff, Bella, the Elliotts, the Simpsons… “
“My friend Eliza and her family?” Amanda asked with a shudder.
“No. I was told the train split at Fort Bridger. Those going to Oregon went north, those going to California, w
est. Because they had your wagon and extra supplies they decided to go all the way to Oregon instead. You saved their lives!”
“Thank God!” she breathed.
“When I got there, another wagon train had just arrived, and the men were burying the dead. It was an awful sight. I saw Charles dead with my own eyes, so I’m sure he won’t bother any more innocent girls. As it happened, the train that was behind them and was now burying the dead had originally been several trains ahead. The train’s captain had been ill, and they lost a few days, so that probably saved them. That’s how I found Ruby. She was another of Charles’s innocent victims. She was with two other girls who decided to continue to San Francisco; Ruby preferred to go back home. So I brought her with me.”
“She’s very beautiful,” Amanda said, watching Luke carefully.
“One thing I’ll say for Charles: He had good taste. He knew exactly the type of girl that would make him rich in Frisco.” Luke saddened. “Celia was beautiful, too.”
“She reminded me of a fragile china doll,” Amanda said.
Luke jumped down and held out his hand. “You’ll give Helen the news? I will tell my brothers and Jack, so we won’t have to upset poor Ruby by talking about it in front of her.”
Amanda nodded, taking his hand absently.
As he pulled her gently to the ground he asked, “Is something wrong, Amanda?”
“I was just thinking about our wagon train,” she said, eyes tearing. “God did hear and answer my prayers!”
“Of course He did! What made you realize it?”
She sniffed and wiped her eyes. “My family could have died violent, terrifying deaths at the hands of the Indians, but He spared them that. He let them die peacefully and naturally in my arms. Then he allowed me to get mixed up with Charles, so you would kidnap me, and my life was spared. He didn’t ignore my prayers! He does love me!”
