by Joyce Alec
“I understand,” he said with a small shrug. “But you know where I am if you need me.” Tilting his head, he put on a small smile, lightening the mood. “That being said, you got anything you need me to get for you? You’re looking better, but I’d guess you’re not quite recovered yet.”
Gus let out a grunt, a rueful smile on his face. “I can eat, at least. I don’t think I need much, and if there’s anything pressing, I’ll send one of the ranch hands to town to fetch it.” A frown caught his brow. “I ought to pay you for your trip to get my Laurel, even though she wasn’t there.” He made to get up, only for Reuben to shake his head firmly.
“No, Gus, don’t even think of it. It wasn’t any trouble, and I’m sorry she wasn’t there. I’ll bring Etta to you by the end of this week to talk things over.”
Gus looked relieved at this and sank back down into his chair. “That sure would put my mind at rest, Reuben. Thank you.”
Riding back to town, Reuben felt his mind cloud with questions. He had no idea who this Laurel was, or why Gus was so keen on finding her. He was obviously distraught that she hadn’t been on the stage, having evidently expected her to arrive without a hitch. Reuben just wished he knew what it all meant and why Gus was so upset to hear that the lady had gone with someone else, only a few hours away from Copper Peaks.
Etta had said that the lady had been quite happy to go with whoever it had been out there, which meant that Reuben, at least, didn’t feel any great concern over her. He wasn’t about to go to the sheriff and demand that there be a search party for this unknown lady, especially after Gus had asked him not to. It had been a very strange reaction on Gus’s part, to be so firm against the idea of involving the sheriff. Reuben had no idea why his friend was so set against it, but that didn’t stop his curiosity from growing.
For a moment, Reuben wondered if Etta knew more about Laurel than she had said – but then he dismissed the idea immediately. Nothing about Etta’s story caused any sort of questions. It was obvious that she had come here to marry Adler, since the man himself had admitted as much. He could still see the lost look in her eyes as he’d told her that Adler was already married, aware of just how great a shock that had been to her. That all had been genuine; he was sure of it.
A smile tugged at his lips as he thought of how grateful she had been to his mother for her kindness. It was a relief to him too, knowing that his mother wouldn’t be living in that place alone any longer. She’d been needing company for a while, and whilst he’d offered to forget about his patch of land and come back into town, she’d always refused that idea. He had his land, his cabin, and his barn to worry about, she’d said. She always said she was doing just fine and, in time, the right person would come along.
A hearty sigh lifted his chest. He was glad that Etta seemed to be that person, seeing his mother so happy had brought him a good deal of peace. Now, finally, he could concentrate on trying to get the best out of the soil that he could.
The land he’d bought some years ago had been hard and unfertile. He’d known that when he’d purchased it but had been determined to prove that he could make it healthy again. It had taken years of hard work, and finally, this year, he’d planted a small crop of potatoes and some other vegetables, in the hope that he’d finally be successful. If it all went well, then next year he’d plant the whole field.
Next to that field, he had a small patch of grassland, just enough for his two horses, some sheep, and a couple of cows with their newborn calves. In time, he’d sell the calves and the wool from the sheep, but—for the moment—he was quite content with how things were. He made enough money doing all sorts of jobs for the folk in the town, which included everything from capturing some outlaw and dragging him back to town, to going to collect a young lady from the stagecoach for Gus Jamieson.
Thankfully, he was known to be reliable and trustworthy, which meant that the money he made was more than enough to keep him going for the moment. Sooner or later, however, Reuben hoped that his land would be enough. Then he’d be able to settle down and start a life of his own, working the land and bringing in everything he needed from that. No more going here and there, riding from one place to the next. He’d be able to stay on his land and not worry about where his next job would come from.
“Reuben!”
He looked up, suddenly aware that he’d been riding through town without the slightest notion of where he was going. He’d been lost in thought, he realized, looking to see Etta standing there in front of him, a look of surprise on her face.
“Oh, good afternoon,” he said, tipping his hat to her. “Is everything all right?”
“Apart from you almost riding into me, everything’s just fine,” she replied with a small smile that made her eyes sparkle. “Are you going somewhere in particular? Your mother says you usually stop by for supper.”
He nodded, jumping down from his horse to stand beside her. “I sure do, but I wouldn’t want to intrude if you’re just getting settled into the place,” he said quietly. “Be honest with me now, Etta. I’m happy to go on home if you–”
“No, please!” she exclaimed, interrupting him with a horrified expression on her face. “The last thing I want to do is get in your way, Reuben. You must come to supper as you normally do. You don’t need to worry about me.”
He nodded, letting himself study her features for a moment or two. After everything that had happened yesterday, he’d never really taken the time just to look at her. What he saw made his heart swell with a sudden, unexpected emotion. She was not particularly tall but had a strong countenance. Her green eyes were almost vivid in their color, deep and intense, and the slight flush to her cheeks only added to her beauty. She didn’t wear a bonnet, and so he was able to see how the sunshine caught at the brown and red in her hair, illuminating the strands beautifully. All in all, Reuben thought to himself, Miss Charlton was quite a beauty.
“Reuben?”
Her tentative voice had him starting with surprise, realizing he had been lost in thought over how lovely she appeared to be. Heat climbed up his neck as he cleared his throat, taking his gaze away from her completely.
“Y-Yes, of course, Etta,” he stammered, trying desperately to remember what they had been talking about. “Yes, I-I’ll be there for supper this evening, as usual.”
A glad smile crossed Etta’s face, and Reuben felt his heart warming.
“Wonderful,” she said with evident relief. “I’d best get back to take these things to your mother. I’m to help her make a game pie.”
Reuben felt his stomach grumble at just the mention of it. “I’d be happy to take the basket back for you.”
Laughing, Etta swung the basket of goods back onto her arm. “I can manage, thank you. But you’re welcome to walk with me.”
He couldn’t turn down the offer.
“Tell me,” he said, as they began to walk back towards the seamstress store together. “How have you found your first day here in Copper Peaks?”
She looked up at him, her expression thoughtful. “Quiet,” she replied, after a moment. “My hometown is a lot busier than here.”
Realizing that he knew very little about her, Reuben felt questions tumble into his mind. “Do you think you’ll miss it?”
“Blandford?” she asked with a lift of her brow. “No, not at all. It was getting a mite too busy for me.” Her lips tugged into a sad smile. “Besides, I haven’t left anyone behind. My brother’s out looking for gold, and both my parents already left this earth. I thought coming out here would be a fresh start, and even though I didn’t get hitched, I guess it will be.” She looked at him, her sadness fading away. “Might I ask you something?”
He nodded. “Sure.”
“Why is this place called ‘Copper Peaks’?” she asked with interest. “I’ve been looking all about this place and the only hills I can see are just over there.” She indicated behind them. “But they sure don’t look like copper.”
A wide smile crossed
Reuben’s face, an idea quickly forming in his mind. “Tell you what,” he suggested, praying that she’d be willing to accept him. “How abouts I show you, rather than tell you?”
Frowning, she hesitated. “Show me what?” she asked, looking a little unsure. “I mean–”
“Let me show you why the Copper Peaks are called what they are,” he said again, wondering why she seemed so uncertain. “I’m not about to harm you, Etta, if that’s what you’re worried about. Ask anyone around here. They’ll tell you I can be trusted.”
She blushed furiously, looking away from him. “I sure didn’t mean to insult you, Reuben. I guess it’s all just a bit new to me still. I’d be glad to see whatever it is you want to show me,” she finished, her words tumbling out over one another. “When?”
He smiled in an attempt to reassure her. “Maybe tomorrow? I’d reckon just after supper. I’ll eat with you and Ma, as usual, and then we can head on out to the other side of town.”
“The other side of town?” she repeated, looking all the more confused. “I thought we were going to the hills?”
Chuckling, he saw her smile a little tentatively at him. “No, we’re gonna watch the hills, that’s all. Trust me; it’ll take your breath away.”
Her smile grew. “That does sound wonderful,” she replied with a small sigh. “I could do with something to lift my spirits.”
Tipping his head, he looked at her carefully. “You’re not happy here?”
“No, no, I mean – there’s just been so much happening recently that my spirits are, well, quite low.” Her smile was a rueful one, and the light faded from her eyes. “You try coming to a town as a mail-order bride, only to find your husband-to-be has gone and chosen someone else instead. What did he expect me to do? Just turn around and go back home, even after I used almost everything I had to get myself out here?”
Reuben’s anger flickered. “Adler isn’t a good man, Etta. Trust me when I tell you that you had a good escape. I sure do feel sorry for that Jessie. She ought never to have been taken in by him.”
Etta’s eyes widened slightly. “He isn’t gonna hurt her, is he?”
Not wanting to worry her, Reuben shrugged. “The man’s nothing more than a drunkard. He spends his life in the saloon.”
“But I thought he was a farmer,” Etta said quickly, her heart racing madly. “I thought he was a hardworking sort of man.”
A snort escaped Reuben before he could stop it. “Adler’s got a farm all right, but you won’t see him working the land. He’s hired men to do it all for him. That man managed to get himself a good bit of wealth from the legacy his father left him. Now that was a hardworking man. I’ve no doubt he’d be turning in his grave with what his son’s been doing with his life.”
“I see.” Etta’s expression was one of relief tinged with a good deal of concern.
“You don’t need to worry about Jessie,” Reuben said gently, thinking that this was why she was looking so worried. “The sheriff knows all about it – and all about Adler. He’ll make sure to keep an eye on her.” A smile flashed across Etta’s face, and Reuben felt himself grow all the more appreciative of her. She sure was a kind and thoughtful lady, he realized, having seen just how concerned she was over Jessie, the girl who had married the man Etta was rightfully betrothed to.
“Oh, there’s one other thing,” he said quickly, as they came to the store. “I went to see Gus Jamieson today. You know, the fellow who sent me to go find Laurel.”
Etta stumbled, and he caught her arm. “Laurel?” she repeated, her eyes wide as she looked up at him. “Did you say that was what her name was?”
“Sure,” he replied with a slight frown. “Did she never say her name to you?”
For a moment, Etta seemed frozen in place, only to collect herself and shake her head, her lips pulled tautly. “No, she didn’t,” she said softly. “Well, at least I know for sure that…” She trailed off, her teeth worrying her lip as her cheeks paled a little. “I do hope she’s all right.”
“Gus was asking if you’d go talk to him about her,” Reuben said, still quite confused over her reaction. “Would that be all right? I’d take you out there near the end of the week to give you a few days to get settled.”
“He wants to talk to me?” Etta repeated, sounding alarmed. “Why? I don’t know anything about her.”
“There ain’t nothing to worry about,” Reuben said reassuringly, a little surprised at her fierce reaction. “The man’s sick over the loss of her. I can’t tell why, and I sure don’t understand it all, but he wants to know everything she said to you and the like.”
Etta shook her head. “She didn’t say very much to me at all. I didn’t even know her name.”
Reuben couldn’t understand why Etta seemed so alarmed at this, putting one hand on her shoulder gently in an attempt to reassure her. “Just think about it, Etta. Gus is a friend of mine, and I hate to see him so distressed. Just a few words from you might bring him a good deal of comfort. He doesn’t know where she is.”
“Then why not ask the sheriff to help?” she asked, sounding defensive. “Why not send him out looking for her?”
It was the very same question Reuben had asked Gus, and his hand slipped from Etta’s shoulder as he shrugged. “Gus asked me not to. In fact, he asked me not to say anything about her to anyone else, except you.” That made him frown, his concern growing although he did not know why particularly. “There’s something wrong, as far as I know, but I just can’t tell you what it’s all about.”
Etta’s eyes were clear as she held his gaze steadily. “And do you trust him, Reuben?”
“Do I trust Gus?” he asked, seeing her nod. “Sure I do. If he’s asked me not to talk to the sheriff about it, then it’s for a good reason.”
Nodding slowly, Etta’s gaze drifted away as she thought. “Let me think about it,” she said eventually. “I’m just getting settled, and I guess it’s all a bit worrisome. The way she just got out of the stagecoach in the middle of nowhere – well, I guess that’s been playing on my mind.”
It was an understandable concern. He felt it too, not knowing where this Laurel was or why she was so important to Gus. “Thank you, Etta,” he said quietly. “That’s all I’m asking. I know it’ll mean a great deal to Gus.”
She nodded tightly, but no smile crossed her lips. Holding the door of the store open for her, he let her go inside first before coming in after her to greet his mother. One thing was for certain though, he sure was looking forward to being able to show Etta the Copper Peaks. Just the thought of spending a bit more time with her put a smile on his face, a smile that didn’t seem to fade for the rest of the afternoon.
4
Etta’s breath was coming hard and fast as she followed Reuben up a small hill. It wasn’t the fact that it was particularly steep, but rather that Reuben’s long legs were making quick work of it and she was struggling to keep up.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” he exclaimed, turning around and realizing what he was doing. “Here, let me help you.”
Etta’s breath caught for an entirely different reason as he held out his hand to her, his grasp firm on her hand. The strength in him seemed to flow straight through her, making it easier to keep in step with him. Daring to shoot him a glance, she saw that he was looking straight ahead at the trail, a small smile lingering on his face.
Goodness, he was handsome.
And you are being ridiculous.
She’d only been in Copper Peaks for two days now and to find herself thinking things like that about someone she’d only just met was utterly foolish. She barely knew him.
“Here we are!”
He let go of her hand and turned around, a few large boulders just behind him.
“Here,” he said, gesturing to them. “Scramble up there if you can and find yourself somewhere comfortable to sit. It’s the best view.”
Etta laughed. “I don’t reckon rocks will be all that comfortable!”
He chuckled, making he
r heart miss a beat as he turned his beautiful blue eyes onto her. “Oh, you’d be surprised,” he replied with a grin. “And anyway, once you see the Copper Peaks in all their beauty, you’ll forget about everything else.”
“I can’t wait to see it,” she replied. With her skirts in one hand, she managed to climb up the boulders until she found a place to perch. It did give her a beautiful view of the hills on the other side of town, the daylight slowly beginning to fade as the sun set.
Her heart swelled with the sheer delight of where she was. This town was small and quiet, yes, but it had a rugged beauty about it that made her heart sing. The townsfolk she’d met the last two days had all been friendly and welcoming, and Hettie had been more than wonderful, to the point that Etta felt as though she’d known her for a long, long time instead of only a couple of days.
This was, she realized, the fulfillment of what she’d hoped for when she’d set off to be a mail-order bride. She’d wanted to start life over, to make new friends and experience new things. She’d wanted to leave the sadness of her old life behind, and in coming out here, she’d managed to leave all her painful memories tucked away in Blandford.
The only cloud on the horizon was the telegram and the brooch that belonged to Laurel.
The moment Reuben had mentioned Gus Jamieson and how he’d been desperately waiting for Laurel, Etta had remembered the telegram and everything Laurel had said to her. The lady had been afraid to return to Copper Peaks for whatever reason. What was it she had said? Something about not being sure she could trust him? Etta had a sinking feeling that “him” was none other than Gus Jamieson.