Ever Faithful

by Karen Barnett

  “Meaning?”

  A wave of tiredness swept over Elsie, her arms suddenly feeling like lead weights. She hated feeling this way about her roommate. Mary might have her faults, but she was a good friend. “A few of the men were jealous for her attentions and started a dustup.”

  “Brawling. Figures.” Father’s eyes narrowed as he surveyed the room. “I take it the men from the camp were involved?”

  “Two from the CCC, one from our crew. Ranger Vaughn took care of it, and Graham drove the CCC men back to camp.”

  He shook his head. “I’m disappointed. This was supposed to be a reward for them. I didn’t expect horseplay, though I suppose I should have. Do you think alcohol was involved?”

  “Not that I’m aware of. They were acting pretty childish, if you ask me.”

  “Well, pretty girls can have that effect on a fellow. Especially in front of his buddies.” He sighed. “I’ll make sure they’re reprimanded. Maybe if we work them until they drop, they’ll be too exhausted to cause problems. Between their labors and their classes, they won’t have much time for trouble. They’re a little rough around the edges, but half of those boys are probably crying for their mamas at night when they think no one is watching.”

  She thought back to Nate Webber. He did seem a little downhearted, now that she thought about it. “I suppose it’s difficult to be so far from home.”

  “Well, quite a few of them will be your students soon. Some might be ready for upper-level classes, but there are probably others who can barely sign their names.”

  “One fellow was a big help in calming everyone. The others seemed to listen to him. When they weren’t throwing punches, anyway.”

  “Let me guess.” Her father smiled, folding his arms. “Nate Webber.”

  Surprise trickled through her. “How did you know?”

  “I’ve had my eye on him. Good man. A natural sense of command—though he doesn’t recognize it in himself.”

  Her father liked to spot talent and encourage it. It’s probably why the superintendent had chosen him for the CCC project. “Maybe he’ll be one of the advanced pupils.”

  Papa gazed at her, his eyes warm. “Caught your fancy, did he?”

  “Don’t be silly. I just think he might be a good student.”

  “That’s right. I heard you came with Ranger Vaughn.”

  Her breath caught. “How did you know that?”

  “He came by to speak to me this morning. Said he should have asked my permission to take you out, but your invitation had taken him by surprise.” He held his hands out. “You could do far worse. Teddy seems like a nice young man.”

  Hadn’t he just said the same about Nate Webber? “Perhaps he is, but I’m far too busy to be stepping out with rangers.”

  “Of course you are.” His face grew serious. “But when God drops the right man into your life, I’m sure you’ll recognize him.”

  Shouts from the back hallway intruded on their discussion. Not more fighting. Father strode toward the ruckus, and Elsie hurried after. A cluster of the crew stood at the rear door, but they separated and made a path as Elsie’s father broke through.

  Smoke billowed from the massive trash bins behind the Mammoth Hotel, flames surging upward and casting an eerie glow on the side of the building.

  Elsie froze, the sight and smell flashing her back to her childhood faster than she could grab hold of the memories.

  “Don’t play with those when Papa’s not here!”

  Graham lit a second firecracker and tossed it onto the rocks in front of the house. “They’re harmless, Elsie.”

  “The window’s open. You’ll wake Dottie.”

  “Your sister could sleep through an elephant stampede.”

  A loud hiss jarred her back to the present. Teddy had a brass fire extinguisher in his hands, spraying the containers with a white foam, but his actions did little to quell the flames.

  “Go for the hoses!” Elsie’s father shouted to him. Turning back to her, he gestured toward the lobby. “Get everyone out. Now. Go!”

  She hadn’t seen such fear in his eyes for years. Not since he and Mama came home that day. A wave of heat from the blaze released the grip terror had on her muscles. She waved her arms at her coworkers. “Evacuate the building!”

  Elsie raced down the hall and ducked her head into the kitchen, pantry, offices—anywhere people might be lingering. Most everyone had already hurried out to see the excitement. The front hall was empty, but the Victrola still played, Bing Crosby serenading the empty room with “Brother, can you spare a dime.” The fire might be outside, but her arms and chest stung as if somehow reliving that day years earlier.

  She opened the front door and darted into the fresh air. Turning to stare at the hotel, she placed a hand over her racing heart. The partygoers milled around, most heading back toward the rear of the building to watch the progress. The sound of spraying water cut through the night. Hopefully they’d gotten to it in time to save the building.

  The park bus rolled to a stop and Graham jumped out, his mouth hanging open. “What’s happening? Is that smoke?”

  Why him, Lord? Elsie sank onto a nearby bench, her legs shaking so badly she didn’t dare take another step. She should probably follow the others, but the last thing she wanted to see was flames. The acrid smell already burned her nostrils.

  He hurried to her side. “Are you all right? Is everyone out?” He glanced up at the building.

  “The main level is clear.” Elsie forced the words out.

  “Upstairs?”

  “I didn’t—I…” She got to her feet. “Rose took Mary upstairs.”

  “Stay here.” He ducked past her and back into the hotel.

  Elsie pressed both hands against her collar, feeling her pulse throb against her fingers. The minutes ticked by slowly until Graham reappeared with Mary and Rose in tow.

  Elsie rushed forward to meet her friends. “Thank goodness!”

  Mary frowned. “I don’t see what all the fuss is. The fire must be nearly out. It doesn’t look like it’s touched the hotel.”

  Rose hung on the gear jammer’s arm, resting her head on his shoulder. “Thank you for rescuing us, Graham. We might never have realized we were in danger until it was too late.”

  Graham slipped his gloves over his scarred palms, casting an uncertain glance at Elsie. “I’m no hero, Rose. I just wanted to make sure you were safe.”

  * * *

  The sun was just climbing into the sky the next morning as Nate stared at the wet ruins of the trash bins behind the hotel, a sinking feeling in his stomach. Mutt, Red, Val, and the others stood nearby, their grim faces reflecting the magnitude of what had happened.

  Three men glared back—Ranger Brookes, Captain Dahl, and that young ranger who’d been at Miss Brookes’s side, Teddy Vaughn. Ranger Brookes folded his arms across his chest as he studied the assembled CCC crew. “I’m sure you boys thought this was a bit of harmless fun, but fire is the biggest danger out here. Grizzlies, hypothermia, falls, lightning strikes—they’re nothing in comparison. Fire could have ripped through this building in minutes, and lives were put at risk, including the staff who so graciously hosted you last night. This is how you thank them?”

  Red stuck his hands in his trouser pockets, rolling forward on his toes and back. “Excuse me, sir, but me and Nate were in the bus with that Graham fellow. We couldn’t have done it. But Mutt was missing from camp until well after midnight.”

  Mutt sneered. “I didn’t do it. Why would I?”

  Nate swallowed. “Ranger Brookes, how did it start? Do we know?”

  Brookes’s eyes settled on him. “You tell me.”

  Why did these men assume they were the culprits? Nate walked to the garbage bins and studied the waterlogged contents before turning to survey the back lot. “They might hav
e sat here and smoldered quite a while before bursting into flame.”

  Ranger Brookes came to stand beside him, staring at the bins for a long moment. “I suppose that’s possible.”

  “Probably during the party. Any other time, someone would have seen it.” He leaned closer. Brown banana peels and sodden potato skins rested beside several cigarette butts. “Maybe someone came out for a smoke and didn’t extinguish it before tossing it in the bin. Eventually it caught fire and went up in smoke.”

  “You’re claiming this was an accident?” Captain Dahl’s brows drew together. “We had a brawl that caused significant property damage”—he eyed Mutt and Red—“and then a fire just happened to break out?”

  Ranger Vaughn gestured at Mutt. “That one was furious, out of control, and he smelled of booze. He even threw a punch at me. No one can account for his whereabouts after.”

  Mutt spread his hands. “Yes, I was mad at Red—and at Webber for taking his side. If I was going to torch something, I’d start with their bunks. I got no gripe with the folks here.”

  Ranger Brookes studied each man in turn, his gaze settling on Red. “I hear you were angry at one of the hotel employees.”

  Red shuffled his feet. “Sure, I was. He jumped me from behind. But I didn’t start no fire.”

  Nate cleared his throat. “Red never left my sight after the scuffle, sir. Not until we were back at camp.”

  Vaughn wiped a hand across his brow. “You could have come back here with him and helped him set the fire. I should have taken you all to the jail for the night. It might have saved us this trouble.”

  That man is pretty quick to point fingers. Nate studied the smoke damage on the side of the building. The rangers had been fortunate to get it out in time. Another few minutes and the evening could have had a very different ending. “Could it have been someone on your staff?”

  Vaughn sputtered. “You’re accusing us?”

  “Not you.” Nate corrected. “The savages. That fellow that jumped Red, maybe.”

  Ranger Brookes pressed a hand to his eyes. “We could do this all day. Vaughn, why don’t you empty those bins and see if you find anything significant. Blind accusations will get us nowhere.”

  Dahl stepped closer to the men and jabbed a finger toward Mutt. “Be that as it may, I want you to pack your bags and be on the next train out of here. I won’t stand for carousing and brawling in my company.”

  The big man’s face fell. “Captain, I didn’t—”

  The stone-faced officer cut him off. “Even if you’re not responsible for the fire, you still started a fight and punched a park service employee. I want you packed by lunch.” He turned to Red. “We’ll see if scrubbing the kitchen and latrines straightens you out. The company heads out for Canyon tomorrow; I want those areas gleaming before you pack up or you’ll join Mutt. Lieutenant Stone at Canyon can decide if you need further disciplinary action.” His eyes narrowed. “Webber, I expected better from you. I’ll have to rethink that foreman post if you can’t even control your men at a social function.”

  “Yes sir.” Nate’s stomach turned.

  Ranger Brookes’s face softened as he looked at the men. “I’m sorry this happened at all. I had high hopes for each of you.”

  Nate gazed at the ground. High hopes. That’s all anyone ever had.

  Nate tucked the raccoons in the box, then tied it closed with string. Tiny noses pressed against the air holes, followed by a paw. Since the mother had never returned for her young, the fellas had voted to take the two kits—Kit and Hutch, as they’d dubbed them—along as camp mascots. “Don’t worry, guys. You’re going to love Canyon camp. I hear there are plenty of trees to climb and creeks to splash in.”

  He shuffled the rest of his things into the footlocker, careful to remember his mess kit. Frankly, he was relieved to leave Mammoth behind. Evidently nothing else had come of the fire investigation. The rangers couldn’t determine a cause, but all seemed to still blame the CCC crew.

  He hoisted the crates into his arms before hurrying out to the truck.

  Val helped stack the matching footlockers in the truck, grunting with each lift. “How many more we got?”

  “Just mine, I think.” Nate hoisted it up to the truck bed.

  “Good, my back is aching. We’ve only been here a couple of weeks. What are these guys packing in these things? Rock collections?” He straightened and grimaced, pressing a hand against his lower spine. “I hear we’ll be packing school books soon.”

  Nate held the raccoons’ box to his chest. “I was a royal failure in the classroom.”

  “You? I had you pegged as a college man.”

  “You’ve got to be fooling me.”

  Val frowned. “It’s the way you talk. You sound educated. I pictured you sitting at home with your nose in a book. Like me.”

  “I listen.” Sherm had been good about sharing what he learned. Nate missed that.

  The younger man nodded. “That’s true. Remember when we were up on the mountain with Ranger Brookes? None of us were really paying attention—except you. You were able to tell the rest of us what was going on. Me, I need it written down. I read every chance I get.”

  Nate handed the boxed raccoons to Val. “Can you find a safe place to stow them? Someplace where Lieutenant Stone won’t spot it? I’m not sure he’d approve.”

  “Approve? He’d have all our hides.” Val took the box and peered in through one of the air holes. “Sure. I know just the spot.” He disappeared behind the luggage.

  Nate turned his back and leaned against the tailgate, surveying the camp. It had only been a few weeks, but this sagebrush studded landscape hemmed in by distant snow-covered peaks already felt like home. And now, here they were, heading off into the great unknown. Again.

  Ranger Brookes’s daughter had said she and Mary were moving to Canyon too. How far was the hotel from the CCC camp? Hopefully far enough to keep Red out of trouble. Red needed to steer clear of that blond bombshell, and the last thing Nate wanted was to be close to Elsie Brookes. He’d dreamed about the college girl last night. The pale blue dress had emphasized her startling eyes—the ones that smiled at him as he swept her around the floor at the Mammoth Hotel. Even just thinking of her sent a wave of heat across his skin. Not good.

  Once the trucks were loaded with supplies, the men clambered aboard and headed out. Nate found an open spot between two supply boxes, thankful to stretch his legs in front of him. The crates blocked the view, but as sore as he was, the idea of sitting folded up like one of his mother’s salted pretzels didn’t appeal.

  The thought of home sent a pang through his chest. The other men had spent much of their free time writing letters, but that avenue wasn’t open to him. He could probably get Val or Red to help, but that would mean admitting his situation. He scrubbed open palms across his face, the truck’s swaying motion hypnotic. His hand bumped against the hard cover of the manual, now a fixture in the breast pocket of his jacket. Why did he bother to carry it? He took it out, flipped through the pages, and watched the letters march by like perfect army ranks. Pictures sure would help.

  He turned back to the first page and squinted. Sometimes, if he worked hard, he could read a few words. He pressed the heel of his hand against his left eye. His right seemed to be more cooperative when it came to deciphering the strange codes of the alphabet.

  Val scooted off the crate he’d been sitting on and plunked himself next to Nate. “See, I knew you were the type to have your nose stuck in a book. You’ve been carrying that thing around for a week. What are you doing—memorizing it?”

  “I like to learn.” Nate shut the cover. “I just don’t have a brain like you graduates.”

  Val drew up his knees like two mountain peaks in front of him. “I’m not a graduate. Still got two years to go.” He glanced away, as if he’d somehow let something slip. “Hey,
maybe the new teacher can help you with that. Get you caught up. I think that’s what the government had in mind for the education program.”

  Red grunted from across the way, apparently still awake even though he was curled up in his bedroll. “I’m hoping for electronics classes. I want to build radios someday. Wouldn’t that be swell?” He rolled over and put an arm over his ear.

  Nate spent little time considering the future. He had enough trouble dealing with the here and now. “Somedays” were for fellows with time and money. He stuffed the book into his pocket. “What does your old man do?”

  Val shifted, jerking one shoulder up toward his ear in a half shrug. “He’s a…a…” The kid lowered his voice. “He’s a rabbi.”

  A rabbi? Nate lifted his eyes, glancing around at the others. The camp was full of men from various backgrounds, and almost everyone had immigrant parents of some sort. “You went to Sunday service with us in Gardiner last week. Why didn’t you mention you were Jewish?”

  Val chewed his lower lip. “Not sure how the guys would take it. I figured it was better to keep my mouth shut. I’d just as soon you kept it under your hat.”

  “If that’s what you want.” Nate glanced up at Val’s brown hair. “Speaking of hats, aren’t you supposed to wear a cap or something?”

  He leaned back against the crate. “Yeah, well, don’t tell my father. I joined up without his permission, as is. He doesn’t put much stock in government programs. Wouldn’t like seeing me in a uniform.”

  Nate folded his arms across his knees, then rested his forehead on his wrists. “My father was a police officer. He’s all about the uniform.”

  The two men lapsed into silence as the truck continued to jounce along. Nate had almost dozed off when a yelp jerked him awake.

  Red was holding the side of his face. “Something jumped on me while I was sleeping. I think it bit me.” He leaned close to the man beside him, jerking a finger up toward his temple. “Moretti, what was it? Did anyone see? Tell me it wasn’t a rat or something.”