by G. S. Carr
An image of Pete Bloodlow's murderous face came to mind, keeping her lips clamped shut. Maybe she wouldn't stay the full two months, but at least for now, she'd be a fool to tell them anything. She needed to create a plan for how to move on. And fast.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Deena sat up in the small, reasonably comfortable bed in the room Mrs. Paty had given her last night for the duration of her stay. Legs tucked to her chest and chin resting on her bent knees, she stared at the bare wooden wall in front of her. What next? She was here in the Dakota Territory. Her initial meeting with Asa and his friends had gone well. And she didn't have to worry about Bloodlow finding her.
When she'd decided to come, fear of the imminent threat to her life had shut down all her mental faculties except those dedicated to survival and fleeing. Now she needed to think long and hard about where she wanted her final destination to be, and how she would support herself financially once she arrived. She had to learn a trade. But what? Washerwoman? Domestic servant? No doubt, Asa would teach her about farming during her time with him. Maybe she could find a way to put those skills to use.
She straightened when a new thought came to mind. When Bloodlow had apprehended her, he’d mentioned wanting a piece of paper. He'd come all the way back to where they'd bumped into each other to hunt her down personally. Whatever the paper was, it must be valuable. Deena leaned over the side of the bed and took hold of her travel bag. Hauling it into her lap, she rummaged around in it until she found the item in question. She held up the folded square of parchment, scrutinizing it in the early morning light pouring through the room's single window.
This was what she almost died for. The reason she had to flee her home. Such a deceptively insignificant-looking object had cost her everything.
Shaking her head, Deena unfolded the paper and laid it flat on her blanket. She examined the paper, trying and failing to make sense of it. She ran her hands over the rough surface, smoothing out the wrinkles as if that would help her read what was written across the page. To figure out why it was so important.
It didn't.
Days like today, she wanted to curse the world she'd been born into and the way she'd grown up. To blame Mark, her old master’s son, and the invisible collar he'd fastened around her neck. He'd kept her blind to her own ignorance, and how he was training her to be dependent upon him. His "exceptional favorite pet," he used to call her.
Deena stared at the piece of paper a little longer. It was no use. The words didn't suddenly make sense. She didn't miraculously learn how to read. Although, she did think the numbers five, zero, zero, zero were more meaningful now. Together those numbers made five-thousand if she remembered correctly. If it had such a large number on it, surely this was something valuable. But what exactly was it?
A knock sounded on the bedroom door. Deena started. She quickly stuffed the paper back in her bag. "Yes?" she called through the door. She cleared her throat, removing the last remnants of sleepy scratchiness. "Who's there?"
"Buenos dias, querida. Asa has come for you. I made biscuits, bacon, and eggs if you wish to eat before you leave. There is also fresh coffee."
Asa has come for me?
What did that mean? They said she'd stay with Mrs. Paty until she and Asa wed. Did this mean he wished to do so today? Deena hopped off the bed and padded to the door on bare feet. She looked down at herself. Continuing the conversation through the wooden barrier would be rude but answering the door while dressed in nothing but a threadbare nightgown could be equally offensive if Mrs. Paty were a woman of delicate sensibilities. Although, something told her she wasn't.
Deena stood behind the door, using it to shield herself while she opened it a crack. Mrs. Paty's warm smile greeted her on the other side.
"Ah, I see I've caught you unawares."
"Please pardon my state of undress. I thought it rude to make you shout through the door."
Mrs. Paty laughed softly. "Don’t worry. I understand."
"May I ask if you know what Asa's intentions are for the day? So that I know how to dress."
"I believe he wishes to show you around the farm. He’ll most likely teach you the chores that need tending."
Deena nodded. "I see. Please give him my apologies. I'll be ready shortly."
"I'll let him know."
Deena waited until Mrs. Paty walked away before closing the door. She slumped against the wood, expelling a quick huff. Her gaze roamed back to the bag atop her bed.
That paper was her ticket out of the Dakota Territory and, more importantly, out of Bloodlow's reach. She could sense it. She had to find someone to read the paper. And the sooner, the better.
***
Asa sipped his coffee, listening to Mrs. Paty recount a memory from her childhood in Monterrey, Mexico. He loved her stories about her family and how close she was with her four siblings. Rob was a great brother, and Asa loved him unconditionally, but it would have been nice to have another brother or sister or two around while growing up.
Light footsteps captured his attention. Asa peered over his shoulder, careful to angle his face so that the bad side was obstructed. Deena entered the kitchen in a simple pale-yellow dress, cinched at the waist by a white apron tied into a small bow on her lower back. The sunny color reflected off her rich brown skin, giving it a lovely radiance. Her long lashes fluttered down, sweeping her cheeks.
"Good morning," Deena said, her bright smile trained on him.
Asa nodded. "Morning."
"Please excuse my lateness. I wasn't expecting you to visit so early."
He guffawed, raising a teasing eyebrow at her. "What farm girl doesn't know that chores start at the crack of the day?"
"I'm not..." Deena closed her mouth, apparently thinking better of whatever she was about to say. "You're very right. Tomorrow I'll be ready before you arrive."
"Don't believe her," Mrs. Paty said with a mischievous smirk. "Whether she grew up on a farm or not, she's an eastern girl. No one from the east works as hard as us Homesteaders. Her early is our mid-day."
Asa and Mrs. Paty laughed at her accurate assessment of nearly all the newcomers to life in the west. When Asa had first moved to the Dakota Territory, he never could have imagined how hard he'd have to work to prove up his land and construct a new life for his family. But the hard work only made the triumph that much sweeter.
"You may very well be right about that, Mrs. Paty," Deena said, her tone pleasant.
"Well, if you two will excuse me, I'll go check on SaraGrace. Please help yourselves to anything you'd like." She gave Asa's arm a good-natured pat, then strode from the room, leaving them alone.
Asa took another sip of coffee, stealing a moment to appreciate his future bride silently. Her beauty both thrilled and terrified him. Luckily, he now had more to offer a wife financially than he'd had during his first marriage. Hopefully, that would be enough to make her stay.
"I was thinking that after we finish working, I can take you into town so you can get some personal items. I don't have much in the way of things a woman needs. And I noticed you only had one bag when you came, which means you didn't bring much with you. We can get you some brushes, a hand mirror, and a few new dresses and whatnot. Maybe a new wardrobe."
"You're too kind, but I can't let you spend that much money on me."
"Why not? You'll be my wife soon. A man has to take care of his family."
Deena nibbled her bottom lip, her forehead creased with worry. Did she not believe he could afford to provide her with the necessities?
"Perhaps we can discuss it further once we finish with whatever tasks you wish for me to do."
"Very well then," Asa agreed, although he had no intention of letting her refuse his offer. Whatever she needed, he would provide. "SaraGrace will stay with Mrs. Paty today so I can teach you everything without interruption.”
“Alright.”
“Shall we be on our way then? Daylights a wasting.”
"Yes. Let's." Deena turned a
nd headed out of the kitchen.
Asa made to follow her but stopped when a realization hit. She hadn't eaten anything. He grabbed a cloth napkin from the table and filled it with a few biscuits and pieces of bacon. No time like the present to start proving he'd always try his best to take care of her.
CHAPTER NINE
What would it be like to be a chicken? To run freely with little worries. Oblivious to the eventuality of ending up in the frying pan.
A strange set of thoughts, yes, but ones that struck Deena as she spread dry feed throughout the hencoop. Was it better to be like them? Not knowing a threat lurked in the darkness, waiting to lash out and douse the flames of life.
The birds flocked around her feet, pecking at the ground, solely focused on feeding themselves. They either didn't notice, or didn't care, that Asa ransacked their nests and took their eggs. What would it feel like to be so unburdened by anxiety?
Asa emerged from the henhouse, his large hands filled with freshly laid eggs. "Feeding the chickens and collecting the eggs should generally be done first thing in the morning. Even before you milk the cow. If their eggs aren't collected early enough, Big Jen tends to get a little cranky once you finally do come around." He pointed at one of the larger hens strutting by Deena's feet. "She's the barrel-chested one with the dark brown streak running down her back."
"Collect the eggs first. Will do."
Deena added that information to the list of instructions Asa had given her. Her list of responsibilities now included milking the cow, fetching water, tending the family garden, preparing food, and of course, collecting eggs and feeding the chickens. How he managed to get all that done before she'd arrived was a mystery.
"Thanks." Asa jutted his chin toward the house. "Let's get these eggs inside, and then I can take you into town."
Deena followed him toward the house. Although he didn't complain and tried to move with even steps, he walked at a much slower pace than earlier this morning, and his limp was much more defined. Deena was a lot of things, but callous wasn't one of them.
Sympathy tugged on her heart, making her want to do something to assist him. Only the strain at the corners of his mouth, and the beads of sweat running down the sides of his face as he fought to keep himself steady and his expression neutral, stopped her from telling him to sling his arm over her shoulder and lean on her.
Asa was a man of principle. She had no doubt about that. If he wanted to be the stoic leader, she'd let him be that. Their time together wouldn't be long enough for her to demand that he make changes to his lifestyle. Even if they were for his own good.
"Why did you answer the call to 'tame the western wilderness?'" Deena asked, striking up a conversation.
"Like many young, foolish men, the adventure of it all called to me. Plus, I was married to Billie at the time, and we both thought it would be the perfect chance for us to create something of our own. Our marriage wasn’t doing so great at the time and I thought starting over somewhere new would be good for us. That was over six years ago. It's been hard, and it didn’t help our marriage, but I wouldn't have done anything differently."
Curiosity about the entire story between Asa and his previous wife nipped at Deena, begging her to ask him about it. What had caused their divorce? Had she left, or had she died? One of his letters to Pearl had mentioned Billie, but only as a declaration that he'd once been married. No other details were given.
Deena couldn't risk asking a question about something he'd already discussed with the real Pearl. Maybe she should search through the house for the letters Pearl had sent him. They might give her more insight into the topics they'd discussed. Of course, that would mean finding someone to read them. Thus leading to her having to explain why she needed said person to read the letters she'd written.
She smiled at Asa. "You've done very well for yourself out here. That's something to be proud of."
"Thank you. Now that you'll be here to help with the household responsibilities, I want to work with Johnny on a plan to expand the farm's operations. I'm thinking about breeding Friesian horses. They’re a handsome breed. And there is always a need for good horseflesh."
"That sounds like a grand idea."
Hands full of eggs, Asa juggled them around until he could open the door for her. Deena passed, entering the house, and gave him a small closed-lip smile. A pang of guilt sliced through her. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be long between her departure and Pearl's arrival. She didn't want to add "hindering his hopes and dreams" to the list of ills she'd committed against him.
Asa quickly deposited the eggs in a bowl and covered them with salt. "I probably shouldn't ask this of the woman I'm supposed to be wooing, but what about you? Why did you agree to come out here and marry me?"
"Well, I... um..."
"You mentioned feeling like a burden to your mother, especially with the expenses she's been incurring paying a doctor to tend your grandmother. But if I might be so forward, now that I've seen you, I have a hard time believing you'd have trouble finding a husband in New York."
Scratching the back of her hand, Deena mulled over her response. She had no idea how Pearl would answer that question. Did that even matter? The only way she could answer was with her truth. Well, a form of it. "I grew up loved. My parents doted on me and tried their best to give me opportunities that many in our situation didn't have."
"Were you born a slave?"
"Yes. Our master was good to us. He treated us so well that when the government granted us our freedom, we decided to stay. His son Mark was a few years older than me. He let me follow him around everywhere he went. He taught me so many things. Expanded the way I saw the world. To me, he was the older brother I'd always wanted, and I was too naive to know to stay away from him." She looked down at her feet. "Around my sixteenth birthday, he tried to hurt me. I fought back and escaped."
That wasn't completely true. She'd fought back, but Mark had won that battle. The frenzied look in his eyes, the smell of his sweat, and the horrible sound of his grunts would forever be burned on her soul. That was the first time she'd ever experienced true terror in her entire life.
She'd been running from that feeling ever since.
"Is he the one who told you about his trips around the world and what he'd learned while traveling?"
"Yes. Mark was an explorer." Deena couldn't keep the respect out of her voice. "It was one of the many things I admired about him. His betrayal cut me to my soul. After that incident, I... my family and I left Virginia and moved up North, chasing a chance at prosperity. We didn't find what we were looking for."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
Deena shrugged. "That’s the truth for many freed slaves. All we can do is make the best of our situation and try to thrive anyway. Which I guess is why learning that you were looking for a bride made me think that maybe, I'd been looking for my opportunity in the wrong place. I was tired of being afraid. I wanted to try something different. Be someone different."
"I understand that feeling."
Asa nodded slowly, the crease between his eyebrows deepening. He took a step toward her, then stopped. He looked torn about something he wanted to do. Like he wanted to give her comfort in some way. He listened so intently to her that Deena could almost imagine he was taking her pain into himself.
He stuck his hands in his pockets as if that were the only way to keep from touching her. "I'll admit I want to hug you, but it wouldn't be right. We should get going. It's a decent ride into town, and Mr. Tucker likes to close up the general store early on Thursdays to go play poker at the saloon."
Deena smiled to herself. She appreciated the sentiment and his boldness of telling her how he felt. "I’m ready. Let's go."
She followed Asa to his buggy. He helped her up into the seat with ease. Her hand lingered in his, their attentions absorbed with each other, silently passing words of comfort and encouragement. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, then walked over to the other side.
Another nail s
ank into the coffin of Deena's dying resolve to continue lying to Asa. Why did he have to be such a good man?
Asa set the horses at a steady trot. "Before I forget, I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Sure. What is it?"
"I don't want to pressure you into doing anything you're not ready for, but I was hoping we could get married soon. That way, we're not imposing on Mrs. Paty for too long. And when you're settled in my house, I was hoping you could start teaching SaraGrace her numbers and how to read."
Deena stared out at the expanse of lush greenery surrounding them, nibbling on her bottom lip. Her mouth soured, and her stomach rolled in protest.
Tell him. Tell him the truth.
"I... I'd be honored."
"Good. We just got a new missionary in town not too long ago. I forget his name. He’s watching over the church while our permanent Reverend is traveling. I will talk to him while you get what you need. Hopefully, he can marry us within the week."
Within the week?
Deena's heart pounded against her ribs. So soon? It shouldn't cause her to panic. This is what she knew would happen. The moment she'd prepared for since leaving New York. So why did it suddenly feel like the sky and ground raced toward each other, threatening to crush her between their collision?
CHAPTER TEN
Deena stepped through the door that Asa held open for her into a quaint, well-decorated dressmaker’s shop. Bolts of fabric in an array of different colors were stacked along the back wall. To the left, a curtain concealed a changing area, which was flanked on each side by two mannequins wearing premade dresses. Tucked in the back-right corner, there was a small platform set in front of a full-length mirror. Beautiful green patterned wallpaper decorated the walls, adding a touch of welcoming sophistication, and a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. Deena imagined this was what a nice dressmaker’s shop in London or Paris looked like.