by Lynn Landes
“She’s gone, Eli.”
“What?” he turns to look at her.
“I had Rooster take her to town, at her request. She said her goal has been accomplished. What did you say to her last night?”
“Mom! We spoke about Oliver, and she gave me his bags of photographs from the war.”
“Did you accuse her of trying to pry more money from us? Or maybe you accused her of stealing from a dying man, again.” Eli drops his head down in shame.
Curiosity had him going through a few of Oliver’s pictures last night. Savannah was right, they were harsh, real and stunning. He left feeling pride in his brother and his talent that can’t be described in words. After seeing the images first hand, he understands why it took her so long to get the job done.
If he was that wrong about his brother what about Kristin? He pulled out her letter from the dresser drawer and sat down to read. When he finally closed his eyes, images seemed to chase him for hours of Kristin running and Oliver yelling at him, but he is unable to hear.
“Mom, what have I done?”
“Kristin left you with a big hole in your heart, Eli. You’ve allowed that bitterness to stain your view of everyone. It’s time to let it go and start seeing people for who they really are. Neither one of them deserves this.”
“I know Mom,” he hugs her. “Last night I stayed up late and read Kristin’s letter. All I can do is hope they will forgive me.”
“Eli, you don’t know how I’ve prayed for this!” She hugs him, and he smiles pressing a kiss to her temple. “If nothing comes out of this, you must learn that God’s timing is always perfect. We have to trust in the path and seek him first in everything.”
“I’m not saying it will be easy, but I will try to accept that,” Eli replies.
“Good I can’t ask for more than that. Something else is bothering me about all of this, Eli.” She sits in the chair and stares at him. “Savannah came here of her own free will to complete a task for your brother. For some reason, Oliver wanted you to have these images. He wanted it badly enough to secure a death-bed promise from her. Why?” His mother demands.
Eli frowns, “Why?” he murmurs. “Oliver wouldn’t have done that without a good reason. She could have mailed it or sent it home with his body,” he says.
“Exactly. Instead, he makes a woman he barely knows promise to bring them to you and place them in your hands. It doesn’t make sense.”
Eli agrees, “Why Oliver?” he asks and hears his brother say, ‘Finally.’
“How long has she been gone?” He rushes to the front door to grab his boots with his mother behind him.
“An hour. Rooster just got back. Savannah was talking about taking the train to Indiana, then back to Pennsylvania. I doubt she could get a ticket this quickly. Go straight to the train station.”
Kristin stops a few miles outside of town to care for Lucas who is openly sobbing. She sits him on a large boulder and struggles to stop her shaking hands. “It’s okay baby,” she unties his hands and rips a piece of her skirt to wipe at the blood on his lip.
“Lucas, I know you’re scared, but I’m gonna keep you safe, okay?” he wraps his arms around her and buries his face in her neck, shaking and crying.
The sound of a horse approaching sends fear scurrying through both of them. “Get behind the boulder!” she snaps and draws the pistol. The sun is behind the rider, blinding Kristin to the man.
“Stay back!” Kristin shouts.
Eli pulls back on his reins and takes in her condition. Split lip, bruised cheek, messy hair and trembling hands pointing a gun at his heart! He dismounts slowly and lifts his hands walking towards her, “Kristin I know you’re angry at me, but please don’t shoot me before I can kiss you.”
“Eli?” Kristin drops the gun and throws herself into Eli’s arms.
Eli soothes her, holding her as sobs shake her frame, “Eli,” she sobs, and he pushes her back to lift her face to his.
“Who hit you?” he demands. Panic has her turning away from him.
“We have to go, he’s coming!” She pushes away and calls to Lucas. No answer. Kristin picks up the revolver and steps around the boulder, followed by Eli.
Lucas is curled into a ball with his hands over his ears and rocking his little body in terror. Kristin covers a sob with her hand and tucks the gun away. “No,” she whispers.
Her gentle touch has Lucas lifting a dirty, bruised face to his Mama. He leaps into her arms, sobbing, and she drops to her knees and rocks him on the dusty ground. “It’s okay, we’re safe now. Eli’s here.” Lucas lifts his face to look at Eli and fury rips through his soul. The child has been mistreated, blood, dirt, and bruises on his little face.
“Who did this to you?” His voice is hoarse, and he struggles to push back the rage at the thought of someone hurting them.
“His name is Fred Anderson, and he’s after Savannah and Oliver’s photos.”
Eli jerks in shock, but quickly moves to the carriage and unstraps the horses. “Let’s get you two home and then I will take care of this Fred Anderson. Kristin, you ran the horses hard, Lucas will have to ride with me.”
Lucas wraps his arms around her neck and burrows deep, trembling. She steps away from him and the horses and shakes her head, “No.”
Eli steps forward, “I know you’ve had a time of it, but Lucas is strong, he can do this.” Lucas releases his death hold on her neck and turns to look at Eli. He scrubs his eyes with the back of his dirty fists and struggles to stop the tremors.
“I am?” he whispers.
“You sure are. Cash will take good care of you and so will I.” Eli reaches for him, but Lucas stops him with his next sentence.
“But who’ll take care of my Mama?” He leans his head against hers and Kristin doesn’t bother to wipe the tears streaking down her cheeks.
“I will,” Eli whispers. “If she’ll let me.”
Lucas stares hard at him for a moment and then nods his head. “Okay, let’s go home.” Eli plucks him from her stunned arms and walks over to Cash.
“Can you ride?” he calls to Kristin.
“Yes.”
They are almost to his family land before it occurs to Kristin that he’s taking them to his house. “Eli, our home is in town. I need to talk to the Sheriff.”
“You’ll be safer with me.”
So many emotions rip through her soul, relief, doubt, fear, anger, all at once and none of it is Eli’s fault. She rides in silence, praying he’s right.
Rooster watches as Eli returns with Kristin and Lucas. When he moves to approach the horse, Eli shakes his head stopping him in his tracks and nods for him to assist Kristin. Lucas has fallen asleep curled up in Eli’s arms, and he isn’t ready to give him up yet.
“Kristin, let me help you down,” Rooster lifts her gently from the horse, noting the hiss of pain when he bumps her arm.
Felicia is stunned when they appear, dirty bruised and battered. “What’s happened?” she gasps.
Kristin rushes over to Eli, “Give me my Son,” she whispers.
“No, the little man is tuckered out, and your arm is sore,” Eli stomps away and inside the house to a guest room. She watches as Eli places him gently on the bed and covers him with a blanket. Kristin starts to tremble as shock begins to take hold.
“I thought he was going to kill us…” Kristin stammers. Felicia guides her from the room into the kitchen.
Rooster glances down at the child, and he is hisses in anger. “What’s happened?”
“Rooster, can you stay with him?” Eli asks.
“I’ll explain,” he stops Eli before he gets to the door. “We’re going after whoever did this to them?”
Eli grins, “Count on it.”
Kristin lets Felicia flutter around her, caring for her split lip and bruised cheek. “I’ll just go see about a clean dress for you.” She rushes upstairs calling the housekeeper to ready a bath.
When Eli walks into the Kitchen, it’s as if all th
e space is sucked out. “Eli, thank you for taking care of us, but you don’t need to.”
Eli steps over to the chair she’s sitting on and drops to a knee, causing Kristin to gasp in shock. “I’ve been such a fool, Kristin, and if you allow me, I’d like to apologize to you.”
“Eli?” she touches his face. “You’ve nothing to apologize for. I never meant to hurt you…”
Eli leans in and kisses her softly, gently, and with all the love he’s bottled up for her over the years. He tastes the saltiness of her tears and feels the shudder of her body, but it’s when she cups his face with both hands that he sends a prayer of thankfulness to his Father, God, for creating such a loving spirit.
He breaks off, “I read your letter, Kristin, and I understand. Savannah asked me what I’d do to save Oliver, and I realized I’d do anything to have him back. You did exactly what you should’ve done, and after meeting your Son, I’d say God’s plan is always perfect. I’ve watched you walk away from me for too many years, please don’t make me do it again.”
“I don’t know what to say, Eli,” she sobs and draws a deep breath. “I’ve loved you since I was ten years old. That has never changed, but can you honestly say you’re ready to raise another man’s child?”
“No,” he says, and Kristin sags and covers her face with her hand. “I’ll love your son as my own,” Eli promises. Kristin drops her hands and stares at him. “He’ll never have to worry if he’s good enough or ask if he belongs and when the time is right, we’ll give him a brother or sister.”
Kristin gasps, “What are you asking me, Eli?”
Eli laughs, drawing his Mother and Rooster into the hallway outside the kitchen. “I’m asking you to marry me, Kristin Taylor. I’ll love and protect you and your son with all that I have and all that I am.”
“Yes,” Kristin sobs and throws herself into his arms. Rooster whoops causing Felicia to jump and scaring Lucas awake. Eli lifts her into his arms and buries his face in her neck.
“Mama why is Mr. Eli crying, did the bad man hit him too?” Lucas asks from behind them.
Rooster turns and squats down, “You tell Rooster all about this bad man and I promise to take care of him, so you never have to worry.”
Lucas touches Roosters cheek with a trusting hand, causing the old man to tremble. “Are you gonna tell me your real name first?”
Rooster grins, “You drive a hard bargain.” He gently picks him up and walks him to his Mama.
“We’ll tell you everything we know,” Kristin says, “Just as soon as Eli releases me.”
“Not gonna happen,” Eli swoops Kristin legs up into his arms and carries her into the living room to sit with her.
Felicia laughs and follows them into the living room.
Chapter 25
Savannah walks down the busy street to the post office to send a telegram to her brother, Glenn, in Pennsylvania. Rooster dropped her trunks and bags at the train station for her earlier this morning, and she will be going there next to buy her ticket home. It’s incredible how lighthearted she feels without the weight of her promise.
Her smile comes easier as she finishes sending the telegram and walks with more confidence back to the station. The future is before her with no strings holding her to the past. Has it only been three days? It feels like an eternity. Standing in line, she vibrates with excitement. Kentucky promises to be exciting. Racing is addictive, and she knows what a win could mean for her brother’s breeding business. Perhaps she will see Dayton Patrick while she’s there.
“Next,” the clerk calls.
“Good Morning,” Savannah says to the young woman with a smile. “I’m S. E. Ward, my bags were dropped earlier. I need a ticket please to Paris, Kentucky.”
“Excellent, Miss Ward, give me one minute please to check on your bags.” The clerk walks away, and Savannah turns to look around. It is busier than she would’ve imaged.
A few minutes later she returns. “Yes, your bags have arrived and are going to be loaded as soon as the train arrives. The Central Pacific Railroad is running behind. I’m afraid you’ll have a four-hour wait for the next train to Kentucky. I have you booked in coach. You’ll have three connecting trains along the way.”
Savannah smiles, “That’s quite alright, I’ll take it.”
The clerk smiles and hands her the tickets after she pays. “Enjoy your trip, Miss Ward.”
“Thank you, have a nice day.” Savannah puts her tickets into her small bag and walks out of the station. Glancing around she shields her eyes against the morning sun, and that’s when she notices a man with a wounded face staring at her. Her stomach drops and she looks behind her to see if she’s mistaken. No one. Okay, time to go, Savannah, she whispers and pays a driver to take her to the Black Eagle Hotel.
She’d planned to have lunch and visit the gardens but noticing the man she suddenly realizes she forgot to tell Eli about the man Kristin told her about. Perhaps she’s just paranoid? Savannah twists in her seat to look behind her as the driver snaps the reins and finds the man stepping into the center of the dirt street, watching her.
Savannah is oblivious to the beauty of the hotel lobby this time. She pays the driver and hurries inside, walking straight back into the gardens.
What’s going on? Why would this person come all of this way over some tintypes? It doesn’t make sense.
She feels the press of eyes on her, is it him? What will she do? Savannah frowns and thinks. Go back to the train station and take the first train out, it doesn’t matter to where. She can always jump trains along the way. Perhaps she could get to Indiana and find shelter with Mrs. Kruger? “I can’t go back to The Irwin’s, they’ve been through enough, and if he’s watching me, I can lead them away,” she tells herself.
What exactly did Oliver get me into? She hurries inside the garden and sits down, trembling.
“Times up, Miss Ward.” Fred grins and waves down a wagon. “Take me to the Black Eagle Hotel,” he orders.
Fred follows Savannah from the train station to the Black Eagle Hotel, aware of the glances. Kristin missed his eye, but damn near blinded him. The stick sunk into his cheek just below the eye and broke off. He was lucky, but she gave him a hell of a wound and leaving him with a constant headache.
Senator Buren will not tolerate a mistake. He has to finish this, or it will be his neck on the line next. Fred walks inside and glances around, looking for a woman with bright red hair. She won’t be hard to miss he thinks with a grin and hisses as the pain in his face reminds him of the wound.
“Welcome to the Black Eagle Hotel, how may I direct you,” an older woman asks.
Fred nods, “Yes, ma’am, I’m meeting my sister for lunch, perhaps you’ve seen her, bright red hair, she’s hard to miss.”
“I saw a young woman with red hair walk into the gardens a few minutes ago.” She points directing him to the gardens.
Fred rushes through the lobby, thinking he should’ve stayed here instead of the dump he’s staying in.
Savannah jumps when a butterfly flutters past her. She pushes back her hair and chews on her thumbnail. “Get it together, Savannah Ward, you were trained by the best women on the planet.” Remember the rules, she hears in her mind. Working with men, especially ones who are lonely, scared and away from family can be dangerous.
If you feel threatened, Mother Mary drilled into her head, stay in a group, never go anywhere alone, be loud, fight back, draw attention to yourself.
She jumps to her feet and glances around and stops on an old man working in the beds. He stands up with a groan and arches his back before rolling a cart towards the back of the interior walls. Savannah follows him to her excitement finds a service entrance. Perfect!
“Can I help you?” She offers.
Fred enters the garden and glances around frantically. She has to be here! He rushes from person to person asking about a redhead.
“I just saw her go to the back,” a man answers and points. Fred breaks into a run. Savanna
h gasps when he comes running around the corner.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispers to the old man, and grabs the cart, shoving it in front of Fred, slamming into him. He falls with a crash and, and she burst through the door.
Savannah runs down the alley towards the sunlight. She fades into a crowd and curses her red hair, it’s always a problem! “God, please, help me,” she cries out.
She glances around frantically, praying for a wagon or carriage. No such luck. Savannah starts walking back towards the train station. That leaves only stores or a Livery. She could duck into one of them.
Fred shouts behind her in the alley and Savannah picks up her skirt and runs straight into Langley’s Livery and Stable.
The smell hits her, causing her eyes to tear up. Home, the scent of hay, horse, and men. “Bubba, don’t just stand there, help the lady,” a man shouts as he walks in with a horse.
Savannah jumps and ducks out the entrance, as a shadow passes in front of her. “Oh,” her eyes travel up, and she stares at a massive, man. Bearded, muscular and sweaty.
“You’re a tiny mite, aren’t you?” he asks.
“Yes, I mean, No, you’re huge,” she stammers. “I need a horse, and quickly, please!” Savannah jumps when she sees another man enter.
“I see, come with me.” Bubba leads her to the back where they keep the ponies. She glances behind her, keeping an eye on the entrance and wringing her hands.
“I have twin daughters, eight years old, you know,” Bubba says and walks her to the stall, where a single hack is being strapped to a horse.
“That’s lovely,” Savannah gasps and ducks behind a stack of hay when Fred enters the stable. “Too late,” she whimpers.
Bubba sighs, “Stay behind it, he didn’t see you.” Savannah gasps and looks up at him.
“He’s following me, Bubba, and I have to get to the train station,” desperation fills her eyes, and he nods.
“Stay put, I’ll distract him.”
Savannah trembles and squats down behind the hay, praying silently she watches Bubba shouts orders to stable hands. “Strap up my hack!” he orders and turns to greet Fred.