Love Inspired Historical October 2015 Box Set

by Lacy Williams

  Clara hated seeing the fear in her daughters’ eyes, but she couldn’t risk them bringing Father’s attention in their direction.

  She clung to the walls as she edged back into the shack. She slipped inside and leaned over her knees, struggling to catch her breath. After a moment she gained control and looked about. Think. Think. What are you going to do?

  Her gaze lit on the box she’d recently repacked. An idea began to form. She grabbed a pencil and paper from her bag and scribbled a note explaining to Bonnie that she’d borrowed a few things. She took some items from the box, gathered up their belongings and everything they’d need and slipped out to join the girls.

  “Put this on.” She handed Eleanor the hat she’d borrowed and pulled the worn sweater over Libby’s coat, ignoring their questions. She put the heavy overcoat on top of her own clothes. “Take your bags and follow me without making a sound.”

  Eleanor nodded and held her fingers to her lips when Libby would ask why.

  They slipped into the cover of the trees and followed the path to the river that edged past the town. She clung as close to the edge of the bank as possible, hoping and praying no one would see her.

  When she estimated they had reached the far side of town, she told the girls to wait and climbed up the bank to peek over. Looked to be about the right place to cross the street without being seen. “Come along. Keep your heads down and your bag close to your body so no one will give us a second look.”

  She wanted to run, but wouldn’t that draw attention when she wanted nothing more than to be invisible? By the time they reached the livery stable, her heart pounded so hard she feared people might hear it.

  She pushed the girls into a corner near the door. “Wait here.” She tiptoed forward, ready to run should anyone be inside. Not just anyone. Father. Her heart kicked into a furious pace.

  There appeared to be no one at all inside the dusty barn.

  “Can I help you, ma’am?” A man stepped from the shadows, sending alarm up and down her spine. She sucked in air and forced her nerves to calm. She didn’t want the livery man—Rufus, was it?—to grow curious.

  “I understand I can rent a wagon here.” Blue had rented one to take them to the ranch on Sunday. Was that only three days ago? Seemed a lifetime.

  “That’s right.” He stepped closer and eyed her up and down. “You know how to drive a wagon?”

  “Seen it done plenty of times.”

  He harrumphed. “Where you going?”

  “Not far.”

  “Not far where?”

  What a persistent man. “Just want to take a ride in your beautiful country.”

  He studied her hard enough to make her eyes water, but she didn’t budge and hopefully didn’t reveal her fear.

  “Need something a little more specific than that.”

  She leaned forward and spoke softly so the girls wouldn’t hear her. “I’m going to visit Mrs. Gardiner at the Eden Valley Ranch.”

  “There. Was that so hard? I got something that might suit you.”

  She’d have to part with a few coins. But surely Petey would show her mercy when she came up short for the fare to Fort Calgary. Though that destination seemed but a faint hope now. It would be impossible to slip into the stagecoach without Father seeing them. She must leave town. Now.

  She waited for Rufus, her back to the wall, hoping she would escape before Father started asking after a young woman and two girls.

  Rufus brought a horse and hitched it to the wagon.

  She willingly admitted she didn’t know anything about horses, but this one looked like a sack of bones held together by saggy skin. “You sure she can pull the wagon?”

  “You sure you know how to drive one?” When she didn’t answer, he continued. “You won’t need any experience to handle Old Sal. She knows what to do.”

  Well, that might be to her benefit.

  “There you go.” He stepped back and waited as she climbed up to the seat. “You say whoa and giddup. You pull the reins this way to turn her right and that way to turn her left. Even a greenhorn should be able to manage that.”

  “I’ll do just fine.” She called the girls to join her and quietly instructed them to stay low in the wagon box.

  Going down the street, passing the store, meant exposing herself. No, she’d take the back way out of town.

  “Giddup.” The horse leaned into the task, and they rumbled forward. They reached the end of the lot and came to the trail on the back side of town.

  “Right,” she called, trying to remember how to guide the horse. She pulled at the reins, but the horse only continued straight ahead. They’d soon be in the middle of the open prairie, visible to everyone, if the horse didn’t turn. “Right. Go right.”

  Old Sal stopped dead. Well, that wasn’t much help, either.

  “Like this, Mama.” Eleanor pulled Clara’s hand the correct way.

  How did her child know what to do and she didn’t? Clara knew the answer. Eleanor observed life carefully. Clara, too, had watched Blue’s hands on the reins Saturday as they rode to the ranch. But her interest had been in studying his strong hands.

  “Where we going, Mama?”

  “Hush, Libby. No talking until we’re out of town.” She didn’t want the sound of a child’s voice to draw attention to them. Please, God, let us be invisible.

  They passed businesses on their right, residences on their left without anyone seeing them. Her ribs hurt with every heartbeat. The air in her lungs felt heavy.

  They passed a small log building with a prominent wooden sign on which was burned NWMP Detachment.

  The North West Mounted Police had an office here? She’d never seen a Mountie. But then she’d gone out of her way to avoid meeting anyone in town.

  They passed the church. Blue’s horse was not back. Hadn’t he said he’d take care of them? Instead, he’d left. It was for the best. Now she could prove she could manage on her own.

  The open road lay ahead. But she couldn’t relax yet. Maybe never.

  “Can we talk now?” Libby whispered.

  “It’s okay now.” Both girls would be curious and likely alarmed. “Thank you both for being obedient.”

  Libby let out a gust of air. “Mama, why’d we have to dress like this? I don’t like this sweater. It stinks.”

  “It’s to trick people. Right, Mama?” Eleanor said.

  Clara wished there was a way to take care of the girls without teaching them to be sneaky. “Something like that.” If Father saw them, he’d dismiss them as poor country folk and not give them a second look.

  “Are we running from someone?” Eleanor tried to sound brave, but her voice caught.

  Clara considered her answer and decided to be truthful with them…at least as much as she could be without alarming them. “I guess we are.”

  “Where we going?” Libby demanded.

  Clara smiled. “Someplace I think you’ll like.”

  Libby wriggled about with excitement. “We’re going to have our own home again where we can have Christmas?”

  Oh, how Clara wished she could say that was the case. “Maybe not for a while. Do you think you’d like to spend some time at the Eden Valley Ranch?”

  “Oh, yes.” Libby’s eyes glowed with approval.

  Clara turned to Eleanor. “What about you?”

  “Will Mr. Blue be there?”

  “I don’t know.” She didn’t know where he’d gone or when he’d return.

  “He’ll be back,” Eleanor said with utmost conviction. “He promised.”

  Clara hugged her. “That’s right.” But then what? He’d said he was ready to move on, stop living in the past.

  A man approached on horseback. Clara ducked her head.

  “Mama, the horse is turning in the middle of the road.” Eleanor’s squeaky voice jerked Clara’s attention back to driving the animal. She must have accidently pulled on the reins.

  “Whoa.” At her cry, the horse stopped.

 
That wasn’t what Clara meant for it to do. “Giddup. Go straight.”

  Old Sal pulled ahead, blocking the road entirely.

  The rider pulled to a halt and watched.

  Clara did not look at the man. She had her hands full trying to sort out the reins that she now held in a tangle.

  “Ma’am, do you need help?”

  “I’ll figure it out. You could ride around.” There was plenty of room. Thousands of acres. Couldn’t the man simply ride on by?

  “I could, but I’ll make sure you get sorted out first.”

  She sent him a narrow-eyed look, hoping it conveyed determination and confidence. She was afraid it showed confusion and frustration. Not to mention a dozen other things she’d like to deny.

  “Ma’am, allow me to introduce myself. Constable Allen of the North West Mounted Police at your service.”

  She gave him closer study. He wore a fur coat and fur hat. A belt on the outside of his great coat held his sidearm. He portrayed determination and fairness in every line.

  “Ma’am, it would be my pleasure to get the wagon headed in the correct direction.”

  She considered his offer and sighed. “Thank you.”

  He dismounted. His horse obediently stayed where it had been left. Constable Allen climbed up beside Clara and took the reins. “Watch. I’ll show you how it’s done.”

  “Thank you.” How many lessons would she need before she understood?

  He instructed her on the proper use of the reins, and this time she hoped she got it.

  “Ma’am, where are you going?”

  She looked straight ahead, not willing to answer.

  “It’s my business to know.” His tone was soft but left no doubt in her mind that he made sure he knew who was where.

  “I’m headed for the Eden Valley Ranch.”

  “Oh, that makes sense.”

  She blinked at him.

  “People who need help often turn there.” He jumped down and returned to his horse, mounting it in one easy movement. “If I can help in any way, you can find me at my office in town for the next few days. And if I’m not there, I’ll leave a message on the door saying where I am and when I’ll be back.”

  She nodded and waited for him to ride on.

  He studied her with unblinking forcefulness. “I’ve often helped people out of their troubles. I have the law behind me.” Constable Allen lifted his hand in a farewell salute.

  “Thank you.” She urged Old Sal on.

  The girls moved up beside her on the seat.

  “Maybe he could help us like he says,” Eleanor said.

  “We’ll be fine on our own.”

  As she successfully reined the horse westward, she glanced over her shoulder. Though the delay had cost her time, she saw no one but the disappearing Mountie. But for how long?

  Her heart raced; her limbs shook. Her head felt ready to explode from fear and tension.

  He leadeth me beside still waters.

  Not into panicked flight.

  He restoreth my soul.

  How long had it been since her soul had been at real peace? She’d known a taste of it the past few days but always laced with the fear of her father showing up.

  “Are we like the people in the Bible? You know, the ones in Exodus?”

  Clara turned to Eleanor, uncertain what she meant. “Because we are leaving?”

  “No, because we don’t think God can help.”

  “Oh, Eleanor, my sweet child, that’s not true. God has guided us and protected us every day.”

  “That’s right,” Libby said importantly. “Moses isn’t still alive, so God sent Mr. Blue.”

  Clara stared from one girl to the other. Where did they get such profound ideas?

  Was she like the children of Israel, refusing to trust God and follow His guidance? Had He brought her this far to show her something, teach her the things she needed to know to be strong and independent?

  She’d told Blue she wanted to be able to choose. Then do it, he’d said.

  “Mama, we’re not moving,” Eleanor pointed out helpfully.

  “I know. I need to think.” If only God would send a guiding light like he’d done for the Israelites.

  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.

  Could she walk through the dark valley? She could if she knew God was at her side. If that was all she needed, she knew she had it. God was always with her, always ready to help.

  “Girls, we’re going back.”

  Libby jumped off the seat. “Really, Mama?” She faced Clara, her hands clasped in front of her.

  “Yes. Now sit down before you fall.”

  “Oh, Mama,” Eleanor said with such feeling it brought tears to Clara’s eyes. “This is exactly what we should do.”

  “I’m glad you approve.” She hugged the child.

  “Mr. Blue will be glad,” Libby added as she perched on the wagon seat again, her eyes beaming her pleasure.

  Clara had no idea if he would or not. She hoped for the former. However, it had no bearing on her decision.

  It took her a few minutes to get the wagon turned around and headed in the right direction. As they traveled, she made plans.

  She turned to the trail on the back side of town. She pulled the wagon in beside the NWMP building. “Girls, come with me and be quiet. I need to talk to Constable Allen.” The heels of her boots clicked on boards as she climbed the three steps and opened the door, the girls at her side.

  “Constable Allen, I need your help.”

  *

  Blue held out his hand to the stranger. “All the best in locating your brother.”

  Harv Winch squeezed Blue’s hand hard. “Thanks.”

  Blue reached for his horse, then paused. “No need to camp out in the cold. You’d find a warm place to sleep at Eden Valley Ranch. Someone there might have seen or heard about your brother.”

  Harv stepped back, his arms folded across his chest. “I might pass by.”

  Blue nodded. Some people preferred to be alone. Not too long ago, he would have placed himself in that category. Now he couldn’t wait to get back to town and assure Clara this man posed no threat to her.

  As he rode toward Edendale, he tried to plan what he’d say and guess how she’d react. Would she agree to stay in the area?

  He sucked in a deep breath. One step at a time, he reminded himself.

  He reached the church, the first building on this side of Edendale, glanced through the windows at the empty room, then rode directly to the shed at the back of the lot and tended his horse. He took his hat off and swatted the dust and horsehair from his clothes before he trotted over to the shack.

  At the door, he stopped and took three steadying breaths.

  “Hello. It’s me. Blue.” When no one answered him, he knocked and called again and cocked his head to listen. Not a sound emanated from within. He edged the door open. The shack was empty. Disappointment filled his thoughts; then he turned toward the river and strained to hear little girls’ voices that carried a great distance. Nothing. Maybe they were visiting Bonnie.

  He covered the distance in long, hungry strides and knocked, then threw open the door. One look informed him they weren’t there.

  “Bonnie, have you see Clara and the girls? They aren’t at the shack.”

  “I haven’t. But then I’ve been working on this quilt so I wouldn’t have seen them if they went down to the river. They seem to like being there.”

  “Thanks.” He dashed back outside before she could ask why he was interested and jogged down to the river. He looked both ways, listened hard. Was it possible he wouldn’t hear them if they were within shouting distance? It seemed unlikely.

  He strained for any telltale sound but heard nothing.

  No reason for concern, he assured himself, which did nothing to ease the sinking sensation in his stomach. He’d planned that he would give her his go
od news and she’d be so happy, so relieved she’d—

  Well, he wasn’t quite ready to decide what she’d do but the thought of a grateful hug and kiss had entered his mind.

  And now nothing. Where had she gone? He returned to the yard. Perhaps she’d gone to the store. He looked in that direction and saw the stagecoach. His throat closed so tight he couldn’t swallow. In double-quick time he returned to the shack and stepped inside. All her things were gone. The bedding, Libby’s dress that recently hung near the stove. The place had been swept clean and vacated.

  She was leaving on the stage.

  Not without him. He raced toward the store, up the steps and inside. He skidded to a halt at the surprised look on Macpherson’s face and the annoyed one on the face of a stranger. A city fellow who glanced at Blue and then away again as if Blue was only a minor disturbance.

  “Blue, this here is Mr. Creighton. Come all the way from Toronto.” Macpherson tipped his head toward the city man.

  Blue nodded a greeting.

  Mr. Creighton managed to look offended. “It’s been a long trip. If you could offer any assistance—”

  Blue wondered how a carefully worded sentence could sound so much like an order meant to be obeyed with all due haste.

  “By all means. Maybe Blue can help.” Macpherson turned to Blue. “Mr. Creighton is looking for his daughter and grandchildren. Says the woman’s name is Mrs. Westbury.”

  “She has two little girls,” Mr. Creighton said. “She’d be needing help because she doesn’t know how to take care of herself, let alone the girls.”

  This was Clara’s father!

  Shock scalded Blue’s veins.

  Macpherson continued to look at Blue. “I told this fine gentleman I haven’t seen anyone fitting that description. Have you?” His look said far more than his words. What he meant was Clara didn’t fit the description of helpless female.

  Blue stilled his reaction. “Can’t say I have.” He hoped he sounded disinterested. It wasn’t difficult to sound sincere. Clara wasn’t a woman who needed help as her father said. She was strong and resourceful. “I’ll take some peppermints.”

  Macpherson poured some into a bag. “Enough?”

  “That’ll do. Thanks.” He tossed a few coins on the counter and popped a mint into his mouth as he strolled from the store, intending to give the impression he had not a care in the world.