A Deep Divide

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A Deep Divide Page 16

by Kimberley Woodhouse


  “Good morning, ladies.” Mr. Watkins nodded at them.

  “Good morning,” Emma Grace and Caroline chimed at the same time.

  Frank stepped forward and took the basket. “What’s this?”

  “Ruth sent us with an extra treat. She made them this morning—pumpkin cakes.” Emma Grace licked her lips. She should have tried one on the way over, because her stomach was raw.

  “How kind! I’ll just put this in my pack. I also brought four canteens of water. It’s a long hike to the bottom and back up.”

  “Thank you for taking such good care of us.” Emma Grace realized she hadn’t thought to bring anything else. How foolish of her. Her history as a city girl could easily give her away.

  “It’s my pleasure. Having experienced the trail, I know what to expect. Ray here has already paid the toll for each of us, so we are ready to go.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Watkins. That was very generous of you.” Emma Grace sent him a smile.

  “Please. Call me Ray.” He tipped his hat. “I wasn’t sure if you ladies would prefer to walk or ride a mule.”

  “Oh, walking is fine with me.” Caroline’s eyes widened. “I don’t think I’d want to sit on top of anything that would make me feel any higher than I already am.”

  “A bit of a fear of heights?” Frank turned toward the trail.

  “Oh, just a bit.” Following him down the path, Caroline shot a look of uncertainty over her shoulder.

  “Just stick behind me and stay close to the wall of the canyon. Ray can pull up the rear so that you ladies are protected. Once we get a little farther down, the trail widens and you won’t feel like you’re about to fall off.” Frank’s voice was calm and reassuring.

  Emma Grace stepped closer to her and whispered, “Don’t worry. Frank is in front of you, and I’m right behind you.”

  Caroline’s head bobbed in agreement. As they traveled the first bit of trail, they dipped below the rim of the canyon. Caroline’s hand reached out and touched the wall of rock beside her.

  “Frank, do you think we’ll make it all the way down?” Emma Grace squeezed the other girl’s shoulder.

  “It’s several miles, so it depends on how all of you are doing. Just remember that even though this part gives us an amazing view, coming back up is much harder.” The chef looked right at home traipsing down the trail.

  She hadn’t really thought of that. Climbing out of the canyon would probably make her sore tomorrow. But she could handle it. Every few steps, they had the most glorious view. Emma Grace couldn’t imagine anything ever being more beautiful. And she had been all over the world. What was it about this rugged landscape that filled her heart? “Wow.”

  “It’s quite amazing, isn’t it?” For a moment, she’d forgotten that Mr. Watkins—Ray—was behind her.

  “It is. I find myself wanting to climb that rock outcropping over there.”

  His deep chuckle reached her ears. “Now that’s a picture I would like to take.”

  “Are you challenging me, Ray Watkins?” She placed her hands on her hips as she turned to face him.

  He held up both of his hands as if to surrender. “No, ma’am. I would never do such a thing.” But his eyes twinkled with merriment.

  “Did you bring your camera?” She tried to keep from smiling and lifted an eyebrow.

  “I most certainly did.” He tilted his head, grinned, and took the pack off his back. “And I just happen to have my new tripod with me too.”

  “Caroline!” she threw over her shoulder and lifted her skirts a few inches above her boots. “Wait for just a minute.”

  She headed straight for the large outcropping that stood between the trail and the depths of the canyon. Thankfully, it was broad and relatively flat at the top, and she only had to climb a few feet up. Once she reached the top, she sat down and looked behind her. If she could, she would sit here all day. But there was the excitement inside her of what else she would see on the journey today.

  Today, she was going to have fun. No more deep thoughts or weighty conversations. She’d always been an adventurous child—and got in trouble many times because of it. Somehow, she’d shoved that part of herself down for many years as well. Well, the least she could do was allow herself to explore.

  Looking down, she saw the grin on Frank’s face while Caroline shook her head at her, covering her eyes every few seconds. “I don’t know what has gotten into you, Emma Grace Edwards, but you do beat all.”

  Ray had buried his head under what looked like a large drape at the back of the camera and held up his hand as if he was almost ready.

  Out of sheer thrill, she threw her hands up in the air and lifted her face to the sky. If only she could vanquish all her fear by climbing a rock . . .

  Then it hit her. She shouldn’t have her picture taken by Ray. He knew a lot of people who could have been in her social circle five years ago. “Wait!” she called. “I want to be looking at the canyon.”

  “But then we won’t be able to see your face.” Caroline placed her hands on her hips.

  “Oh, pshaw. That doesn’t matter. This will be better. You’ll see.” She turned and sat on the other side of the rock where she was facing the canyon, her back to Ray.

  “She’s right.” Ray’s voice came out from under the drape. “This will be a great photograph. You could be on an advertisement for the railroad and the Grand Canyon.” Several minutes later, Ray packed up his equipment.

  Emma Grace climbed down and went over to hug Caroline. “Did I scare you?”

  Her friend’s pinched lips told her everything she needed to know. “As long as you didn’t make me climb it with you, I’m fine.”

  Frank shot her a smile. “We should continue on. Otherwise we won’t make it back until tomorrow.” Once Ray had slung his pack over his shoulder, Frank led their little party down the trail.

  As she followed Caroline, Emma Grace let everything wash over her. The view. The sounds. The freedom.

  Why was it so freeing to allow herself to actually be herself? The notion was odd even as she mulled it over.

  What had happened to her? Why had she allowed men to do this to her? Men she’d trusted. Out here, it was perfectly fine to feel strong and capable, to throw her fear to the wind. But it wouldn’t last forever. She knew that.

  This canyon definitely brought out so many things she’d tried to keep quashed. Maybe it wasn’t so wrong to allow it all to come back up. Maybe there were people who would accept her for who she truly was and perhaps even help her. Maybe she could actually rid herself of fear.

  What if she told those who were looking for her that she was alive? The thought was a scary one. But now that she was of age, could she simply sell her father’s companies and stocks? She was the heiress, wasn’t she? Was there a way for Mr. Scott to handle all of it without revealing where she was? What if she refused to live in fear of Wellington and all the others? Could she do that?

  Then the memory of her last night at home came back.

  She’d seen Wellington’s face, at least the side of it, from the second-floor landing as she was about to make her escape. But he hadn’t seen her. Of that she was sure. He must have been the one who murdered Papa. Her father had even said he’d been expecting him.

  Her heart clenched at the thought. What had Wellington wanted?

  Probably the same thing everyone wanted. Money. Her family had lots of it.

  If she contacted her grandfather’s solicitor again, would that put anyone here at risk? She couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to anyone else because of her. Mr. Scott would surely advise her and continue to keep her secret. Was she willing to try to be rid of the past forever?

  Ducking her chin, she gave her head a little shake. She was on a glorious outing. These thoughts needed to be cast away. Things were better—safer—this way where she stayed hidden.

  As they walked deeper and deeper into the canyon, the gentle swish of the wind and the rhythm of their steps soothed her
anxious heart.

  Ray began to whistle a tune. It was the perfect thing to shift her mood.

  After several measures, she began to giggle. “Are you whistling ‘The Preacher and the Bear’?”

  “It’s stuck in my head.” His voice behind her sounded a bit irritated. “I can’t seem to get it out—didn’t even realize I was whistling it. Does it bother you?”

  “Not at all.” Speaking sideways over her shoulder, she smiled. “It just tickled my funny bone. I can envision the preacher climbing up a tree.”

  The whistling resumed, and this time Caroline turned around, waited for her, and then fell into step beside her. She hummed along until Ray reached the chorus. With a pretty soprano voice, she sang the words.

  “‘Oh, Lord, didn’t you deliver Daniel from the lion’s den?

  Also delivered Jonah from the belly of the whale and then

  Three Hebrew children from the fiery furnace?

  So the Good Book do declare

  Now Lord, if you can’t help me

  For goodness’ sakes, don’t you help that bear!’”

  By the time she finished, all four of them were laughing.

  They traveled on for another hour. Joking, laughing, singing, and whistling silly tunes—seeing who could guess the name of the song.

  All of a sudden, Caroline stopped dead in her tracks. “Oh my goodness gracious, that man’s going to fall!” She pointed with one hand and covered her mouth with the other.

  Their little group huddled together as they all squinted into the distance.

  Frank was the first one to relax. He let out a low grunt. “He’s not going to fall. That’s just the Kolb brothers, Ellsworth and Emery. They’re notorious for doing wild and crazy things to get a picture. They might even ask you one day to do a silly pose for them. It’s their photography business, and they’ve done a smash-bang-up job of it.”

  “But Caroline’s correct. It truly looks like he’s going to fall.” Emma Grace couldn’t pull her gaze away. The man had one foot on one ledge, while the other rested on another, and there was a huge crevasse between his feet and a good hundred-foot drop-off beneath him.

  As Frank led them down the trail, she couldn’t help but keep looking up in the distance to see what the adventurous picture-taking Kolb brothers were up to.

  By the time they had zigzagged down so many switchbacks she’d lost count, Frank pointed ahead. “That’s Indian Garden. Why don’t we have our lunch there?”

  Emma Grace’s feet were killing her. The thought that she had to go all the way back up made her realize she should invest in a better pair of boots. Because she definitely wanted to do this again and again. “That sounds like a wonderful idea to me. What time is it, anyway?”

  “Ten forty-five.” Ray studied his pocket watch. “I’m so famished, I thought for certain it must be after the noon hour.”

  “Me too.” Caroline put a hand to her middle. “But I will take the opportunity to rest. I may not be able to feel my feet tomorrow.”

  “Sit down and get some refreshment. But remind yourself not to get too comfortable. Because it will take quite a bit longer to make the hike back up.” The sun made Frank’s freckles stand out. It made him look younger, almost like a schoolboy. He removed his hat and swiped a hand at his hair, the copper strands shining in the light. “For January, I didn’t think we would work up that much of a sweat.” He looked at Ray.

  “Just imagine what it will be like on the way up.” Mr. Watkins laughed along with Frank as they opened up their packs. Frank pulled out food and water, while Ray pulled out his camera. “We should get a picture of us to commemorate the day, don’t you think?”

  Caroline clapped her hands together. “That’s a lovely idea.” She fanned her face. “Especially since I don’t think I will make that trek again. Whew.”

  While he set up his equipment, Emma Grace helped set out the lunch fixings.

  “All right, everyone.” In his left hand, Ray held a bulbish gadget, which was attached to the camera on the tripod. “Let’s see if I can get it in focus.” He spent several moments positioning them all and then hurried to stand next to Frank. “All right, remember it takes a bit for the process, so stand really still while I count to twenty.”

  Emma Grace stood stiff next to Caroline and shifted her head so that her hat blocked her view of the camera. Hopefully that would keep her face out of the picture.

  She’d always hated pictures because they took so long, and she was afraid of moving and making everything blurry. Father had pitched more than one fit about it whenever Mother had commissioned a family picture to be taken. Now there was a different reason to dislike them.

  When Ray reached twenty, they all relaxed and smiled.

  “Let’s eat.” Frank rubbed his palms together. The man clearly loved food. And what chef wouldn’t?

  They chatted about the different birds they’d seen. Caroline mentioned how proud she was that she’d conquered her fear of heights by doing something so challenging, and Frank commented on all the different flavors in the food. It was a lively party, and Emma Grace felt more and more like she really could have friends here. She might even be able to trust a man again. Just look at Frank. He’d been more than trustworthy already and very giving. Even Ray wasn’t all that bad—even though he was rich.

  But if she really let herself be honest, she had to admit Ray was a handsome man—someone she wouldn’t have minded meeting in her former life.

  The object of her thoughts wiped his mouth and wrapped his arms casually around his knees. She’d never seen a gentleman sit so comfortably on the ground. He looked at Caroline. “What are your dreams, Miss Caroline?”

  The young woman, who had been her trainee a few short weeks ago, smiled and ducked her head a bit. “Do you all promise you won’t think it’s silly?”

  “Of course.”

  “Yes.”

  “Nothing you say could be silly.” Emma Grace patted her friend’s shoulder.

  “Well . . .” She let out a long sigh. “I dream of meeting a man here at the hotel—one who’s very rich, mind you—and he sweeps me off my feet and takes me to live in some exotic place like Hawaii. He would love my family and know a doctor who could help my brother. We’d never have to worry about medical bills ever again.” Covering her mouth, she shrugged.

  Emma Grace reached over and wrapped her fingers around Caroline’s.

  “I’m sorry to hear about your brother.” Ray’s voice was full of emotion.

  “Thank you. But I didn’t want to cast a shadow on our lovely time.” Caroline picked at her skirt and then lifted her gaze to Frank. “What about you, Mr. Henderson? Any big dreams?”

  The chef shoved a bite of apple into his mouth and chewed for a couple of seconds. “I’m easy. I love to cook. That’s what I dream of doing the rest of my life, so you could say I’m already living my dream. God has blessed me abundantly. I’m hoping to learn everything I can from Chef Marques. He’s brilliant in the kitchen.”

  “And you, Emma Grace?” Ray’s blue eyes seemed darker under his hat. Still, they bore into her, and for a moment she forgot to breathe.

  What could she say? She didn’t really have any dreams anymore. With a tip of her head, she pulled at a blade of dead grass. “I’m content being a Harvey Girl. I love it.”

  The way he studied her made her wonder what he was thinking. But she didn’t know him very well.

  Frank cleared his throat. “Now it’s your turn, Ray. What are your dreams?”

  He picked up an apple and rubbed it on his coat. “I really love photography, though it’s probably just a hobby. To be honest, I’d love to do some philanthropic work. My father has done nothing but build and grow his fortune. I’d like to help other people with it.”

  “That’s very noble. Any idea what exactly you’d like to do?” Frank began to pack things back into his bag.

  “First, I have a heart to see children be able to continue their education. Then there’s the h
orrible amount of people who go hungry. It seems like we should be able to help with that. I’d also like to see more young couples be able to get the training they need to be missionaries and then help fund them as they go out into the world to share the Gospel.” He stopped short. “My apologies, I do get excited. I don’t wish to overwhelm you with my ramblings.”

  “Not at all.” Caroline prodded, “Please continue.”

  Emma Grace listened to the conversation shift and move as they discussed things that could be done to help people. Ray had obviously put a lot of thought into it over the years. Frank offered his knowledge on how to feed crowds of people. Even Caroline chimed in with what she would want to fund once she married her rich beau, whoever he was. Their laughter gave them the energy that they needed to start back up the trail.

  At the steepest parts of the trail on the way back up, when none of them had the breath or energy to speak, Emma Grace found herself thinking about Mr. Ray Watkins. He wasn’t at all like the other wealthy men she’d known. If she weren’t careful, it would be far too easy to get caught up in all his talk of philanthropy.

  And his blue eyes.

  EMPIRE, KANSAS

  “Yep. That’s her. She was a lot skinnier, but I’d know that face anywhere. She was my favorite. Hard to hide a girl as purty as that even if her hair was differn’.” The barkeep wiped down a glass and set it on the shelf behind him. “I know it fer certain because I ate lunch there ever’ day. Yep.”

  So, the mysterious Emma Grace McMurray was a Harvey Girl. Or at least she had been. Now Peter was certain. “Thank you, sir.”

  “Not a problem. Hope you find her.”

  He hoped that too. He nodded at the man behind the bar and headed for the door.

  Once he was outside, he placed his hat back on his head and faced the cold Kansas wind. A new strategy would be in play now. First, he’d contact every Harvey House there was and inquire about a waitress named Emma Grace. If he had to spend one hundred dollars on telegrams, he would do it. If that didn’t work, he’d travel to each one personally. Ticking off the ones he’d visited already, that left about sixty more.

 

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