A Lifetime to Share

by Kathleen Ball

  Despair washed over her. It was so hard to act as though it didn’t matter.

  “Bess, do you think my limp puts men off?”

  Bess hesitated. “It’s the first thing I noticed about you. I wondered if you’d be able to make the trip but you’ve more than proven yourself. Some men are fixated on beauty. It’s the same with most women. Wouldn’t you want an undamaged—” Bess covered her mouth with her hands. “I didn’t mean you. Oh dear. I’m so sorry.”

  Amelia nodded. “You’re just being honest, and that’s what I wanted.”

  “I’d best get back. The nooning will be over soon.” Bess hurried away, leaving Amelia feeling bad for her. She’d probably felt guilty about telling the truth.

  But now what? Why was this happening? Eli said he was a man of his word. Out here a person’s word meant everything. She needed to either fully trust him or let him go. She had a lot to think about during the rest of the day’s drive.

  Eli watched Bess Otter rush from Amelia and go straight to Cheryl’s wagon. He could have sworn the two women didn’t get along. Something wasn’t right. He’d have to keep an eye on them. He took off his hat and wiped his forehead with his sleeve. It was hot, hotter than the last time he’d come through these parts. He’d just had a heated conversation with a few of the men who wanted to go longer than fifteen miles to get out of the area sooner. What they hadn’t realized was that he was already doing that. They left earlier, took a much longer nooning and stopped later. As they complained about the noon break being too long, Eli stopped them and explained about the sun beating down on the animals while they pulled the wagon weakening them even more. They’d been averaging between twenty to twenty-five miles a day.

  And now it was time to leave for the second part of the day’s trip. He grabbed Roman’s reins and vaulted onto his back. “You know something, Roman? I think I like you best. You don’t talk back to me.” They trotted up to the front of the line, and he had the wagons continue on the well-rutted trail. He still couldn’t get Bess Otter off his mind. Was she stirring up trouble? And if so, why? Why couldn’t people just stay out of his and Amy’s business?

  He sighed as he rode along. He’d have to double back and see what Amy had to say. He decided not to wait and swung Roman around. He nodded to all he passed. As Amy came into view, he took a deep breath. She didn’t look mad. But she looked fragile, somehow. This couldn’t wait until they stopped. He slowed Roman enough so he could climb onto the wagon bench.

  “I saw Bess talking to you. Was it a good visit?”

  Amy shrugged. “You gave me your word, and I’ll have to believe you.” There was sadness in her voice.

  “I am a man of my word. I saw Bess hurry off to the Cruthers’ wagon after she left you. I don’t know what’s going on, but I bet Cheryl is behind it. It has to be about that blasted inheritance. Are you sure you don’t know anything about it? Perhaps something was mentioned that didn’t make sense at the time?” He took the lines from her and drove.

  “I’ve thought about it many times, and I can’t come up with anything. I’ve also been thinking about what’s happening between you and me. The fall was meant to kill me, I believe. Why wait to call a doctor for a week? And this move to Oregon was most likely planned as a means to be rid of me. If I was missing they could claim I was dead and get the money. Then there was the snake. I think they want me away from you. They’re planning something else I bet. If we’re not together, it may be easier to kill me or you. You stand in their way too. It must be a lot of money we’re talking about. We had a pretty nice home. Why leave it unless they know they’ll be able to do better?”

  The wagon in front of them stopped suddenly. The narrow trail they were on had a sheer drop on the left side and rock face on the right side and Eli was faced with ramming into the wagon or going over the cliff. He jerked the lines and ended up with the oxen up on the incline and their wagon tipped. Everything jostled and he heard Amy scream in fear. The oxen tried to keep going and he quickly tied off the brake. The front wheel of the wagon in front of them dangled off the canyon ledge. He grabbed Amy’s hand. Thank God Amy was on the right side of him, away from the edge. She could have been thrown under the wagon, she could have been crushed, she could have…

  “Don’t move! I don’t want to send the other wagon over the ledge. That’s the Cruthers’ wagon. What were they thinking?”

  “Eli! You all right?” Jed yelled.

  “Yes, we both are.”

  “You’re going to need to slowly climb down on the right side. We’ll hold the wagon so it won’t come crashing down on you. I’m not sure what the oxen will do. We’ll get you two out and I can grab the oxen.”

  Carefully, he and Amy climbed down. “Amy, go ahead toward Jed. I’ll get the oxen. Make sure Roman is safe, will you?”

  She hesitated until he kissed her. “Honey, go on.”

  She nodded and hurried under the upturned wagon. It really wasn’t as bad as it felt sitting on the front bench. Slowly, he approached the oxen and he talked softly to them to calm them. He heard the Cruthers yelling something about it not being fair that he and Amy were helped first. He shook his head in disgust. One slow step at a time he got the oxen to back up, straightening the wagon out. He was lucky it hadn’t gone over the cliff.

  He walked ahead toward the Cruthers’ wagon. “Sit still in there. I’m coming.” He carefully walked past the dangling wagon until he reached the terrified oxen. They had fresh whip marks on them and Eli wished he could do the same to Benjamin. “Put that whip away and take the brake off.”

  Benjamin didn’t look happy but he complied. It took a while before the oxen calmed enough to follow instructions. With the help of the men pushing and the oxen pulling they got all four wheels back on the trail. The wagon in front of the Cruthers was a good half mile ahead. This accident was Cruthers’ fault.

  “Mind telling me why you stopped all of a sudden?” Eli widened his stance and folded his arms in front of him.

  “The oxen stopped,” Cheryl said. Her face was so pale.

  “All of a sudden like?”

  “You were traveling too close behind us,” Benjamin accused.

  Eli cocked his brow. “Were we now? So it’s my fault?”

  “I believe so. You rammed into me.” Benjamin gave him a slight smirk.

  “I certainly wouldn’t want that to happen again. For now on you take the last place in the line. This way when your oxen suddenly stop it won’t hurt anyone. You fool, Amy and I could have been killed! Where is Aaron?”

  “Aaron walked on ahead a while ago,” Benjamin muttered.

  “Get your wagon moving.” Eli turned, took off his hat and slapping it against his thigh. In all the years he’d been doing this he’d never seen such a thing. Most likely, Benjamin pulled the brake while the oxen were moving, and when they started to slip he whipped them to get them to pull him back up.

  “Jed, where’s Roman?” He’d had it a ride was just what he needed.

  Jed and Amy exchanged worried glances.

  “Where’s Roman?” His heart sunk at their uneasy silence.

  Amy took a step forward and took his hand. “Roman went over the edge. He looks to be dead.”

  “Confound it! His scream must have been mingled in with the Cruthers.” Eli pulled his hand back and jammed them into his pockets. “I’m going to walk for a bit. It’ll do me good.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Amelia looked behind her at the Blue Mountains and the cascades. It had been tough going through the mountainous terrain but they were almost there. A party was planned for that evening and Amelia wasn’t sure she wanted to go. Eli had taken Roman’s death fourteen days ago really hard, and he was more distant than ever. He refused to ride the same horse two days in a row. She tried to be understanding but they were back to no kisses, and honestly it hurt.

  He spent most nights in the wagon with her and to her shame she waited until he fell asleep to snuggle up against him. It was the only
closeness she got. She’d finally come to the conclusion that she would forever be a wife in name only. There’d been chances along the way, but Eli never took an interest.

  There was less tension now that she didn’t have her sights so high. He never lacked for a meal or clean clothes. She did everything a wife should do. She’d been able to finish two more dresses, and she was saving them for when the trip was over. Imagine traveling over two thousand miles through every type of country she could imagine. It was ending far differently than it had started.

  Smitty explained to her about Eli and how he felt as though he was always losing people, and now he’d lost Roman, a horse he’d truly loved. He told her to be patient, but she already knew he’d never want her.

  “Going to the dance tonight?” Jed asked as he leaned against the wagon wheel.

  “Probably not. I have some packing to do. I hope you have fun.”

  “No one I really want to dance with.”

  She gave him a sad smile. “Because of Lily?”

  Jed nodded. “I know it’s crazy. I hardly knew her, but she touched something inside of me. I have a driving need to find her. What shape she’ll be in when I do, I have no idea but I’m going to keep looking.”

  “You’re a good man, Jed. You’ve helped so many people get to Oregon.”

  “It’s what we do. Right, Eli?”

  Eli nodded as he approached the fire. He squatted down, poured himself some coffee and then stood. “Not too many losses this trip. If not for Lynn Downey, the toll would have been much higher.”

  Jed patted Eli on the back. “See you at the party.” He winked at her and whistled as he walked away.

  Eli cocked his brow as he looked her over. “Are you going to the party?”

  “No. I’m going to pack. I can’t believe we’re almost there. I can’t wait to meet Mike and Susan.”

  “We might not be going there right away.” He threw what was still in his cup onto the grass. “I’m not sure I’ll be around for supper.”

  She didn’t wait for an explanation. He never gave one anymore. Was he too embarrassed to bring her to the ranch? She’d tried to be cheerful when she wanted nothing better to do but cry. It didn’t seem to make a difference. She wished she’d made more friends along the way. There were a few women who were friendly with her, but she never deepened the friendship, afraid that they too would find her lacking.

  Cheryl constantly reminded her that she was nothing but a cripple. Well, Cheryl was wrong. Besides, there wasn’t anything so awful about being crippled. She could do what others did for the most part. She worked harder than most. She wouldn’t bother with supper. She wasn’t hungry. The uncertainness of her future squelched her appetite.

  Eli would be within his rights to set her aside. They’d never consummated the marriage. At least she’d had a turn at something she never thought she would; a turn at love. He would forever be in her heart, and although her heart was breaking she didn’t regret loving him.

  She packed up the wagon and then she climbed into the wagon to hide. She didn’t want to be whispered about at the dance. She’d have thought they’d get bored with her and move on to another victim. If her real parents had money then why leave her with the Cruthers? Nothing made sense, but she’d be on her guard. They hadn’t planned on her being alive when they reached Oregon. That much was clear. Did they stop their wagon on the cliffs over two weeks ago trying to kill both her and Eli? Eli had never said as much, but it made sense. If a driver wanted avoid hitting the Cruthers wagon the natural reaction would have been to turn the oxen left instead of right. If they had, they’d be at the bottom of the canyon along with poor Roman.

  Tears stung her eyes but didn’t fall. She’d brought too much trouble to Eli, and now his horse was dead. Eli didn’t deserve the wrath of the Cruthers on him. Two more nights and they’d be in town. She sighed deeply. It was what they’d all been striving for, but now it just terrified her. No matter what she couldn’t allow Eli to feel sorry for her. She’d find a job even if it was farm work. She knew how to do that.

  The first strains of the violin floated on the air, and she imagined the dancing going on. There would be a jug of whiskey passed around. People would laugh and tell stories. The children would be running in one direction and then the next. How she wished when she was younger to be able to go to a dance and here she was purposely hiding away. Eli wouldn’t want to dance with her but he’d feel obligated, and she just couldn’t be in his arms due to an obligation.

  “Hey, Amy, are you in there?” Smitty called.

  She poked her head out of the back of the wagon. “Yes, I’m straightening everything up in here. Did you need something?”

  “Would you like to dance?” He smiled at her.

  She shook her head. “I can’t dance because of my leg. Thanks for asking, though. Have fun.” She ducked back into the wagon before he could say anything else and quickly extinguished the lamp. If anyone else came around she’d pretend she wasn’t there.

  She pulled her nightgown on and lay down, listening to the festivities.

  Eli had been right; he didn’t make it back until almost morning. He fell into bed and went right to sleep. She didn’t dare try to lay her head on his chest. He needed his sleep. She lifted up on one elbow and studied his strong, handsome face. He could have used a shave, but she didn’t mind.

  As soon as she dressed, she went to get water. Not too many were up yet. She looked at her reflection in the clear blue water when suddenly hers wasn’t the only face she saw. Benjamin Cruthers was right behind her. She tried to turn quickly, but he put a burlap bag over her head and before she had a chance to react something was stuffed into her mouth and her hands were tied.

  He was going to kill her. There was no reason to keep her alive. He threw her over his shoulder and carried her along the river bank. He was going to drown her! Oh, Lord. Would anyone know what happened to her? She’d just be another person for Eli to lose.

  Would he need to prove she was dead or was missing from a wagon train proof enough that she was dead? She kicked Benjamin with everything she had. It felt good when he groaned in pain. Really good.

  “Put her down!” a woman yelled. “Now!”

  “You know as well as I do we need to be rid of her.”

  “I didn’t sign on for any killing. Put her down or I’ll shoot you.” The woman cocked a gun.

  Amelia felt herself falling through the air and when she hit the rocky ground, she hit hard. She spit the cloth out and screamed. Then there was silence. They must have left. Pulling off the burlap bag off her head didn’t take long. Then she managed to get back on her feet but her hands were still tied. Benjamin hadn’t taken her far and she moved as quickly as possible back to camp.

  Her body shook as tears spilled down her cheeks. “Eli?” she whispered. There was no answer. Her shoulders slumped and she tried again, louder this time. Her voice cracked when she called for him.

  He immediately jumped out of the wagon and stared at her. “Oh, Amy!” He quickly untied her hands and hugged her close to him. A few moments later, he kept her in the circle of his arms as he took a step back. “What happened?”

  Amelia told him the whole story and when she finished he hugged her to him again. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  How she wished the words were true.

  Eli was on a hunt for Benjamin Cruthers. He planned to rip him apart with his bare hands. Abducting Amy was the last straw, and he was kicking them off the train. Not that it mattered, them being so close. He’d much rather see Benjamin swinging by his neck.

  The trip was almost over, and he couldn’t wait to be alone with Amy. She was his heart, and he was glad he waited for them to have their first night together. He knew just the spot where they would camp before heading to the ranch. He imagined her standing under the waterfall naked and smiled.

  They’d have the winter together, and then he’d head east again. Somehow the prospect of being separated
from her, though, didn’t appeal to him at all. He shook his head. He was going to go east and lead another train. He couldn’t change his plans now.

  Movement caught his eye. There he was, the little worm, sneaking between wagons. Eli walked up and quick as lightening grabbed the scruff of Benjamin’s neck. “Well, well I finally found you. What were you thinking by putting your hands on my wife?”

  Benjamin stared at him. “I think I was doing you a favor by getting rid of her. Everyone knows about you and Widow—”

  Eli punched him the nose, and as blood sprayed everywhere, great satisfaction filled him. He punched Cruthers in the gut, and when Benjamin fell to the ground, he gave him a kick to his backside. He raised his fist to make sure the coward was black and blue but Smitty grabbed him from behind.

  “It’s not worth it, Eli. Don’t sacrifice all you’ve made of your life on this piece of dung.” Smitty was successful in pulling Eli away.

  “The Cruthers are hereby ordered to leave the wagon train, and the Widow Hawkins can go with them,” Smitty announced to the now growing crowd. He raised his hand to quiet the noisy group. Then he cocked his brow and shook his head. “Now you want the truth? What about finding out the truth months ago? No, you were all too busy listening to gossip that wasn’t true, and by doing so you hurt one of the loveliest young ladies I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. Benjamin Cruthers tried to kill Amelia Todd. Yes, kill. The widow helped to stir up trouble with her lies about her and Eli, and she must have been a darn good liar since most of you believed her. Eli is not the type of man who would ever step out on his wife. He’s a man of great character, and he’s helped each of you to reach the end of your journey.”

  Benjamin tried to sneak away but Eli grabbed him by the back of his shirt and held on. “Benjamin planned to drown my wife this morning. As it turns out my wife is due an inheritance, and if she dies it goes to the Cruthers. So once they got rid of her, they’d have to get rid of me next. I still don’t know the whole story except they aren’t Amelia’s real parents, and Cheryl pushed her down a flight of stairs trying to kill her. Only thing is, Amy didn’t die, she ended up with a limp instead.” He gave Benjamin a hard shake. “I’m sure the sheriff has a letter waiting for me from the authorities in the town Amy grew up in. We’re trying to figure out who her parents are and why she was left in the care of the Cruthers. For those few who stood by us, I thank you. To the rest of you maybe you should learn some lessons from this all.” He threw Benjamin to the ground. “I want you gone in thirty minutes.”