Her Believing Heart (The Surveyor's Daughters Book 1)

by Vicki Hunt Budge

  “Are you girls all right?” Evan called out.

  Mr. Gardner started to climb into the wagon, but Alice appeared in the moonlight and jumped into his arms, knocking him backward.

  “Pa! The mountain lion!” she cried.

  Mr. Gardner backed away from the wagon and held his younger daughter while Nellie climbed down. Nellie turned about halfway down and jumped to the ground in her nightclothes, flinging herself into Evan’s arms, half laughing, half crying in her terrified state. Then, while Evan held her, she buried her face into his chest and cried some more. When she got control of her emotions, she looked around at Alice and the men standing in the pale light. Everyone was staring at Evan and her. She stepped away from Evan and smoothed her braided hair with her hand. She tried to deflect her actions and the emotions that were surging through her. “I’ve prayed for safety every night since we’ve been here. I’m so glad Alice and I didn’t forget to pray tonight.”

  “Me too,” Alice said, still clinging to her father.

  Mr. Gardner nodded. He held his rifle in one hand and kept his other arm firmly around Alice.

  “We need two prayers tonight,” Evan said, his voice calm and even.

  Charlie and Alice responded at the same time. “Two prayers?”

  “Yes, Nellie prayed for safety, and she and Alice were protected tonight. We should say another prayer, a prayer of gratitude. I’ll say it if that’s all right.”

  “Thank you, Evan,” Mr. Gardner said. “That would surely be appreciated.”

  Nellie wanted to return to the security of Evans arms, but knew that was inappropriate. She had made quite a spectacle of herself already. She folded her arms around her chest and bowed her head instead.

  The members of the survey crew stood in a circle while Evan prayed. He expressed gratitude for the wonderful few weeks they had shared together, completing the survey. He expressed gratitude that their injuries had been minor, and that Nellie and Alice had been protected from the mountain lion. He expressed gratitude for the beautiful countryside and all of God’s creations. When he finished, the men dragged their bedrolls out of the tent, and placed them near the wagon for the rest of the night. Mr. Gardner insisted that the cougar was on top of a mountain by now, but he kept his rifle at his side.

  Early the following morning, Mr. Gardner studied the deep paw prints off to the side of the wagon. “Mountain lion for sure,” he said, and then he reached up to touch the wagon’s torn bonnet. “You girls are great screamers. I think you scared the lion more with your screaming than I did with my rifle shot the other day. I don’t think that cat will bother anyone anymore.”

  “That’s what you said before,” Nellie replied.

  “I want to go home,” Alice whined.

  Mr. Gardner grinned and placed his arm around Alice. “I’m more than ready for home myself. We’ll wrap up the survey this afternoon and head out. There are just a few more measurements we need, and now that the roads are good and dry, we should make it home before dark.”

  Nellie and Alice hurried to make breakfast. While they worked, the men took down the tent and packed everything they didn’t need for the day. After breakfast, Mr. Gardner sent Charlie and Nelson off to take the last measurements. He sent Alice to the wagon to pack up the girls’ bedding and make room for the equipment and supplies that needed to be loaded onto the bed.

  At last, Mr. Gardner turned to Nellie and Evan. “We need to talk,” he said.

  10

  Evan’s stomach churned as he waited for his talk with Nellie’s father to begin. What must Mr. Gardner think of him after Nellie had thrown herself into his arms last night? Of course, he had immediately pulled her to his chest and held her. She had been terrified, shaking, almost in hysterics. He had only wanted to comfort her, to help her feel safe and secure.

  After what Mr. Gardner witnessed, though, would this be the last time he worked for the Gardner family? Would this be the last time he was allowed to see Nellie? Evan thought back to all the times he’d spent with her over the years. He remembered exactly when he fell in love. Nellie had been ten years old and had climbed a tree outside their schoolroom, daring him to climb up beside her. She was fun and energetic, and she had never looked down on him like so many of the other kids in town.

  Evan had spent a lot of time in the Gardner home over the years because of his friendship with both Charlie and Nellie. The Gardner family almost treated him like another son. Would that end now? Would Nellie’s parents ban him from their home? Evan clenched his jaw and rubbed the back of his neck. Everything had been appropriate in his and Nellie’s relationship, he felt sure, but he no longer had any confidence in how Mr. Gardner felt about him.

  Once the rest of the crew was busy with their assignments, Mr. Gardner turned his attention to Nellie and Evan. The sky was a perfect blue without a cloud on the horizon. Birds flitted in the trees, chirping and darting from limb to limb. The cool breeze that had greeted them at the beginning of the day had disappeared, leaving the sun beating down in waves of heat.

  Mr. Gardner motioned for Evan and Nellie to join him in the shade of some aspen trees. He directed his comments to Evan. “That was a pretty strong show of emotion between you and Nellie last night,” he said. “I need to know what your intentions are regarding my daughter.”

  Evan and Nellie looked at each other. When Nellie’s lips curved into the slightest smile, and her hand reached for his, Evan’s fear receded. He took in a huge breath. “I’d like to ask for Nellie’s hand in marriage,” he said, and then hurried on with his request. “I have nothing to offer her now, but I’ll be old enough to apply for land of my own soon. I’ll work hard to provide for us. I . . . I know I’m the poorest . . .”

  Evan broke off his sentence when he saw Nellie slowly shake her head.

  “I’m a hard worker, Mr. Gardner,” he said. “I promise to devote all of my life to supporting your daughter, to obtaining land to farm, and to build a home for her.” Evan pulled out his neckerchief with his free hand, and wiped the sweat from his forehead. The heat from the sun seemed to have intensified in the last few moments.

  “I love your daughter, Mr. Gardner.” Evan’s voice mellowed out like the whisper of a calm breeze. “I’ve loved Nellie and your family for a long time.”

  Mr. Gardner cleared his throat. “I see,” he said. When he looked at Nellie, his expression softened considerably. “And how do you feel about this?”

  Nellie stepped even closer to Evan. “I love Evan,” she said. “I believe he will always be a hard-working man like you, Pa. Have you seen how hard he’s worked these last few weeks? He’s the first to start and the last to quit, and he’s good and kind to me, and to his family. Right now, he gives the money he earns to his ma to take care of her and his sisters.”

  Mr. Gardner tipped his hat back on his head and scratched his head. “Now hold on, daughter. I already know all these things about Evan. I simply wanted to know how he feels about you, and how you feel about him. You see, your ma and I have watched Evan and you for a number of years now. We could see what was happening between the two of you. Our concern originally was Evan’s work ethic and how he treated his family.”

  Evan slowly inhaled a lungful of air. His hopes crashed. Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Gardner would wonder about his work ethic and how he treated his family. Hadn’t they, along with the whole town of Clover Creek, watched as his father disappeared for months and years at a time, and how his mother struggled to care for her children? They probably thought he would turn out to be a drifter like his pa.

  Hadn’t he proven anything about his work ethic to anyone over the years?

  Mr. Gardner looked Evan in the eye. “Evan, I’ve purposely hired you the last few years to watch you work, and to see how you treated my family, especially Nellie. I’ve never been disappointed. Never. You work harder than most. You’re conscientious and kind. You’re honest. You’re reliable. I could go on. But you need to know that I’ve had an ulterior motive in hi
ring you for this survey.”

  Evan’s eyes widened, his brow raised. Everything that Mr. Gardner had said made him feel confused. What was the man’s true motive?

  “Charlie has confided in me that he doesn’t want to take over my surveying business when I’m older,” Mr. Gardner said. “He wants to run the farm. And with all the growth southern Idaho is seeing, I’ll be busier than ever with survey work in the coming years. I’ll need Charlie to run the farm. But I need another surveyor too. Nelson is only interested in helping during the summer. He plans to take over his pa’s blacksmith shop eventually.”

  Mr. Gardner took off his hat and ran his hand through his hair. “More people are coming to this part of the country. More towns and farms need to be mapped out. More roads and canals need to be built, even dams on the rivers. I’m offering you a permanent job, son, if you want it. As you know by now, it’s a very technical job and not an easy one, but you are smart, and yes, you are a hard worker. You will make a fine surveyor if you’re interested.”

  Evan grinned as Nellie threw her arms around her father. His grin broadened when she turned back to him and reached for his hand again. “I’d like the job, sir,” he said. “I’ve loved the challenge of these past few weeks, and working alongside the crew. I’m fascinated by your instruments and calculations. I’ll learn everything you want me to learn, and I’ll work hard for you.”

  “I know you will,” Mr. Gardner said. “I have no doubt. And don’t forget . . . someday you might be the head surveyor and this business will be yours if you want it. As for my daughter’s hand in marriage, you have my approval . . . and my wife’s approval I might add. We’ve seen this coming and discussed our feelings many times. Mrs. Gardner heartily approves of you, and everything I’ve said to you.”

  Evan and Mr. Gardner shook hands. Nellie kissed her pa, and then she kissed Evan on the cheek, right in front of her pa.

  Once the last details of the survey were wrapped up, the campsite cleaned, and the last of the tools and instruments loaded into the wagons, Mr. Gardner changed the order of who rode in which wagon. Nellie had climbed up and sat on the chuck wagon seat, expecting Alice to sit beside her.

  Instead, Mr. Gardner announced that he and Alice would take the first wagon, Nelson the second, and Charlie the third. When he announced that Nellie and Evan would bring up the rear in the chuck wagon, Nellie’s heart soared. She had to deal with Alice’s teasing looks, and Charlie’s raised brows, but she didn’t care. When Evan climbed up beside her, she happily offered the lines to him and smiled at her siblings. Her smile may as well have said, Let the whole world know that I am going to be Mrs. Evan Howell in the near future.

  As the horses leaned into their harnesses and the wagons rolled forward, Nellie gently placed her hand on Evan’s arm. “Well, Mr. Howell, how do you feel about becoming a surveyor?” she asked.

  “Well, Miss Gardner, I’m still reeling from the results of this surveying job. I always assumed Charlie would follow in your father’s footsteps, even though I knew his heart was in farming.”

  “What about the other part of becoming a surveyor?”

  “You mean the part about marrying the surveyor’s daughter?”

  “Definitely,” she said.

  “That’s the best part,” he said, patting her hand, and leaning into her shoulder. “But honestly, I’m still in disbelief about the results of this job. I can’t believe that the lovely Nellie Gardner has agreed to marry me. Me of all people! And I can’t believe your pa gave us his permission. The whole thing seems too wonderful to be true.”

  “Do you want to know how I made up my mind about wanting to marry you?” Nellie asked.

  “I’d love to know.”

  “Well, you’re kind and thoughtful, and you’ve rescued me from bad experiences more than once. Do you remember when I climbed that tree at school when we were just kids?”

  “Never forgotten it.”

  “I was showing off,” Nellie said, “but I went too far out on that limb. You climbed up and helped me down. I’ve never forgotten that.”

  Evan kissed the side of her head, and then kissed her cheek.

  “You’re so good to your ma and your sisters,” Nellie added, “and to my family. Mrs. Stribling told Ruby and I to look for a man who treats his family with love and respect. I’ve seen that in you so many times over the years.”

  “Maybe I should give Mrs. Stribling a kiss on the cheek,” Evan joked.

  “Mrs. Stribling also told me to look for a man who loves the Lord. I knew for sure I wanted to marry you when you said we should have two prayers last night. Anyone who thinks to express gratitude at a time like that, knows and loves the Lord.”

  Evan grinned at her. “I’m definitely giving Mrs. Stribling a kiss on the cheek when we see her next. Do you want to know how I made up my mind about wanting to marry you?”

  “By all means,” Nellie said, scooting herself close enough to him that she could feel the muscles in his arm as he worked with the horses.

  “Well, it started up in that tree years ago. You were so cute and fearless until that limb started to bend down. And then, when I helped you, you thanked me. I think you were the first person in that school to thank me for anything.” He chuckled as though he took pleasure in the memory. “But that wasn’t all. I liked the way you treated Charlie. He was so much shorter than both of us at the time, and a pesky brother I might add, but you were always kind to him. I actually took a bigger interest in helping my little sisters after I watched the way you treated Charlie.”

  Nellie laid her head on his shoulder for a few moments as the wagon rocked back and forth and the horses climbed the hill out of the valley. She felt content remembering their childhoods and how their feelings for each other had developed over the years.

  “Nevertheless, I never thought I had a chance with you because of my family’s circumstances,” Evan said. His voice sounded a little strangled as he spoke. “Until that day in front of your cellar door. Do you remember that day? You chased after me and held my hands in yours just to see me off. That meant so much to me, and I knew then I would never be a happy man without you beside me. Your hands trembled in mine that day, and I wanted to kiss them, or better yet, kiss you, but I didn’t dare.”

  Nellie’s giggles filled the air. She straightened on the wagon seat, thinking that maybe someday far in the future she would tell him the real reason why she held his hands and guarded the cellar door. “You can kiss me now,” she said, her eyes dancing and her mind remembering.

  “Right here?”

  She nodded, and he immediately stopped the horses. “This is the perfect spot,” Evan said. “Look at that little valley behind us. That’s where I’d like to have a home. A place of our own right by that creek where we first kissed.”

  “I’d like that too,” Nellie said, softly.

  They both looked at the valley for a few moments, and then at each other. Their kiss was warm and sweet, and before it was over, Nellie knew she didn’t want to wait too long to marry this amazing man.

  Author’s Note

  When I was a young girl, my grandmother made pies for our extended family picnics. She carried eight or ten pies in her pie safes, two wooden boxes that held four or five pies on individual shelves. A thin board slid into place to keep the pies from spilling out the front and a handle on top made them easy to carry. Grandma ran a pie business during the depression when she was younger and raising her eleven children. When my father was twelve, he used to deliver grandma’s pies in their southern Idaho town along with his dog, Colley. Colley pulled the wagon over the bumpy terrain, and my father walked aside the wagon to make sure the pie safe didn’t tip over.

  Pie safes were used by women in the 1800’s before iceboxes came into regular use. Many of the safes were large pieces of furniture about the size of a bureau to store bread, meat, and other perishables. These safes were usually made with long legs to keep them away from the floor, but box safes like my grandmother
used were smaller and compact and used to carry pies to a barn dance or a church social.

  In Her Believing Heart, and with fond memories of my grandmother’s pies, I knew Nellie wanted to make apple pies for the survey crew, and that she’d transport them over the bumpy wagon roads in her mother’s pie safe.

  Thank you for reading Nellie’s story.

  If you’ve enjoyed Her Believing Heart, watch for more books in The Surveyor’s Daughters series. There will be eight books total in the series, and all stand alone. Please consider leaving a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Reviews help more readers find my books and are really appreciated. Thank you so very much.

  I love to hear from readers. You can email me at vicki@vickihuntbudge.com. To hear about the upcoming books you can find me on the web at vickihuntbudge.com or on Facebook at VickiHuntBudgeAuthor.

  The Next Book

  Watch for Ruby’s Rhapsody.

  It is Nellie’s younger sister’s story, and will be available within a few weeks. I’ve included a sneak peek of Ruby’s story here.

  Ruby Gardner tapped her foot on the wooden floor to the sound of the fiddler tuning his fiddle. She and two of her sisters, Belle and Cora, waited together for the dance to start. They stood inside the schoolhouse entrance, waving at some people, hugging others, and helping the older ladies find seats near the music or the food. The Saturday night dance was the biggest event of the week in Clover Creek, Idaho.

  Ruby’s mother and her four youngest sisters helped with the food, setting out platters of cake and cookies. Ruby’s brother Charlie helped bring in jugs of fresh apple cider. Everyone laughed and chatted happily, the fiddle music seeming to wash away everyday cares and responsibilities.