White Flame

by Susan Edwards

  Hooking her parasol over the railing, Emma pulled out the worn letter from the pocket of her navy blue woolen dress. She scanned her father’s boldly penned missive. Like the rest of his correspondence, the page was filled with news of his career—his promotion to colonel had been a frequent topic and he was likely now bucking for a generalship. The letter ended as always, with a bid for Emma to take care of Renny.

  Dropping her hand to the wooden rail, Emma stared out across the water at the stand of cottonwoods lining the bank. As the sun dipped low in the sky, the huge trees cast deep angled shadows across the river, encroaching on the remaining light on the water, much like the bitterness welling inside her heart. While she’d accepted a long time ago that she wouldn’t have a father figure in her life, it wasn’t fair to Renny.

  Over the last year, she’d written several times, begging her father to come home and take up parental duties for Renny’s sake, but his answer had always been the same: the army needed him. Those words cut deeply. His family needed him, too. Mentally, Emma kicked herself for believing that this time, given the circumstances, the colonel might actually put his daughter’s needs above his career. Emma folded the letter carefully and slid it back into her pocket.

  She squeezed her eyes shut. At seventeen, the crushing pressure of playing mother and father to her nine-year-old sister weighed her down. Emma had never forgotten the promise she’d made to her father. Nor had she resented the sacrifices she’d been forced to make to keep that promise. But since their aunt’s death six months ago, Renny had grown surly and unmanageable. Emma, at her wits’ end, had turned to a father who wanted no part of their lives. Fool that she was, she’d admitted to needing him. It was the first time she’d admitted that since he’d walked out the door, leaving her holding her baby sister. And once again, he’d turned his back on her.

  Emma’s gaze narrowed with contempt. As far as she was concerned, Grady O’Brien could stay away forever. In nine years, he had never come back, and if it hadn’t been for Renny who desperately needed and wanted a father’s reassurance and love, she would never have left her home to travel through this wild, untamed land to try and force him to return home and resume his parental duties.

  Once again, her attention wandered to the men hard at work trying to free the boat before sundown. Now she wished she’d left home sooner, not waited so long; her plan had been to arrive at the fort and catch her father between assignments. If he had to escort them home, it would be too late for him to leave for Fort Laramie. Then, if he stayed the winter with them in St. Louis, perhaps he’d stay for good.

  And if he refused? Emma rubbed her eyes. If he refused, then she’d have to find a way to ease Renny’s hurt. Discouraged that all her careful planning might have been for nought, Emma straightened, pulled at her gloves and left the railing, clutching the unopened parasol Aunt Ida had insisted a young woman always carry. Lifting her skirts, she went downstairs to see what mischief Renny was getting into.

  It came as no surprise to find empty the cabin she and Renny shared. Emma tossed her parasol onto the bed, having a pretty good idea where to find her errant sister—in the stable area. Sure enough, when she went below she found Renny in the steerage, caring for horses that belonged to a contingent of soldiers also traveling to Fort Pierre. Her gaze traveled over the men sitting around a bale of hay, playing cards. Sniffing the air, she caught the scent of alcohol. This was definitely not a place for a young, impressionable child. And one glance at the girl’s disheveled appearance confirmed she’d been down here most of the afternoon instead of doing her studies.

  Renny, unaware of Emma’s presence, continued to chatter away to the captain leaning against the wall. Folding her gloved hands in front of her, Emma spoke in her firmest voice. “Ranait, it’s rude to intrude upon the captain and his men. You’ve taken up enough of their time for one day.”

  Captain Derek Sanders, a tall blond man in his mid-thirties, pushed away from the wall and stepped forward with a warm smite. He removed his hat. “Good afternoon, Miss Emma. I assure you that your delightful young sister is no trouble. In fact, you are both welcome to join me anytime.”

  Emma smiled politely. The captain was a handsome man, tall and fit, always neatly attired, and groomed with clean, short nails, and hair most women would kill for. Blond and glossy, he kept it short, the ends just brushing against the collar of his uniform. “That’s very kind of you, Captain, but Renny mustn’t neglect her studies.”

  Derek brushed his fingers over his moustache and smiled, his voice a low, seductive hum for her ears only. “You’re a breath of fresh air to this weary soldier, Miss Emma. It will be a pleasure to have two beautiful ladies visiting at the fort.”

  Emma lowered her gaze, embarrassed yet thrilled at his flowery compliment. She pulled at her gloved fingers. “That’s very kind of you, Captain Sanders.”

  Derek stopped her nervous fidgeting by taking her fingers firmly in his grasp. Lifting one hand to his lips, he pressed his lips to her gloved palm. “Merely the truth, Miss Emma.”

  She glanced warily at him. Was he making fun of her? He stepped closer. His soft, honey-brown eyes reminded her of a soulful puppy. Her heart raced at the desire in his eyes.

  “I think I’m falling in love with you, Emma. I hope you’ll allow me to get to know you?”

  Flustered by his boldly stated feelings, Emma pulled her hands from his grasp and turned to watch Renny brushing down a chestnut mare. “There’s much for me to consider, Captain Sanders.”

  Derek clasped his hands behind his back, his gaze following hers. “Ah, yes, your young sister. As I said, a delightful child.”

  Emma lifted one brow. “My dear, Captain. I fear you’ve taken in too much sun.” Delightful was not a word she’d choose to describe Renny of late. Headstrong, willful and rebellious came to mind; right now, her sister looked like an abandoned urchin. Bits of straw clung to her soiled pinafore, and her hair hung loose, the neat braids long gone. Searching the straw on the floor, Emma spotted a lone blue ribbon. The other one was nowhere to be seen. She sighed. “Appearances can be deceiving, Captain. You have not seen Renny at her worst. I fear her escapades have sent many a brave man running.”

  Derek laughed softly and twisted the ends of his moustache. “Ah, my dear Miss Emma. I am not most men. Do not worry about me. I can handle a mere child. In fact, I find her high spirits quite entertaining.”

  Emma smoothed the wrinkles from her skirt then folded her hands demurely to still their nervous trembling. “Time will tell, Captain. Since my aunt passed away, I fear Renny has grown even more headstrong.” A wistful sigh escaped at the thought of never seeing her beloved Aunt Ida again. How she missed her. Though she’d become fragile with age, giving over the running of the household and the raising of Renny to Emma, she’d retained a calming effect on the young girl.

  Renny had been a happy and content child without their father. But as the years had passed, and as she’d observed her friends and their families, Renny had become more aware and concerned with the absence of their father. The sporadic letters and gifts along with the empty promises that he’d return when his duty was over no longer appeased or fooled her. Emma’s lips twisted at that bald-faced lie. Colonel Grady O’Brien’s tour of duty would never be over.

  Putting the bitter thoughts from her mind, she watched her sister, noting how happy the girl seemed as she groomed the horses. A far cry from the sullen and rebellious child of late. Remembering her own early childhood, the horses she’d had and the time she and her father had spent riding, Emma frowned. At Renny’s age, she’d had her own horse and had loved to defy convention and ride bareback.

  But her father’s abandonment and the early responsibility forced upon her had been the end of that. Aunt Ida hadn’t seen reason to incur the expense of maintaining a stable when they could just as easily walk or hire a coach. But now that Emma knew how much Renny loved horses, she decided to purchase a pair for them to ride when they returned to St. Louis.
If caring for the huge beasts put the sparkle of happiness back in Renny’s eyes, she’d provide her with a whole stableful!

  “Miss Emma?” Derek’s voice drew attention back to him. “I’d be honored if you’d join me for a turn around the deck.”

  Emma reluctantly shook her head. “Thank you, Captain, but I’m afraid I must take Renny back to our cabin.”

  He bowed low. “Very well. Perhaps you’ll find it in your heart to honor a poor, lonely soldier with your company later this evening?”

  Emma made a noncommittal response then hustled a complaining Renny up the stairs, eager to get away from the group of staring soldiers, especially the captain. It wasn’t that she objected to his attentions. She didn’t. He made her feel attractive and special. But she didn’t want to set herself up for hurt and disappointment later on. And until she saw her father, any plans for the future must be put on hold.

  Back in the small, barely-larger-than-a-closet cabin, Emma sat Renny down and picked up a hairbrush. The girl squirmed and complained as Emma drew the brush through strands of hopelessly snarled hair. “Do sit still, Renny.” She pulled out more bits and pieces of straw.

  “Aw, Em. I was having so much fun. You ruin everything.” Renny folded her arms across her chest and frowned.

  Separating the strands into three thick bunches, Emma quickly plaited the girl’s deep auburn hair into one long braid down her back, then refastened the pale blue ribbon. “I know you like being around the horses, Renny, but you really mustn’t bother the captain. He’s a very busy man.”

  Renny jumped off the edge of the narrow bed, her mouth set in a mutinous line. “Captain Sanders don’t mind. He told me so.” The last was spoken defiantly.

  Emma turned away. “Nevertheless, we shall spend tomorrow on your studies. Your teacher will be most displeased if you return behind the other students.” She held up a hand when Renny opened her mouth to protest. “That is final.”

  Renny pouted, her gray-blue eyes darkening with resentment. “I bet Papa isn’t such a bore. When we get to the fort, I’m gonna ask him for a horse of my very own. He won’t make me study or do stupid stitches all day. I hate it! I wish Aunt Ida were here. She wasn’t such a bore. She let me have fun. Wait until I’m with Papa. Then you can’t boss me around.” With that, the nine-year-old ran out the door.

  Emma started to follow then stopped. She knew her sister didn’t mean the hurtful words. Before Aunt Ida had fallen ill, forcing Emma to take over the discipline and day-to-day raising of Renny, Emma had been the fun one, the one who’d sneaked desserts into the nursery, or sneaked her sister out to the park for some girlish fun while their aunt napped. And now, because of her authoritarian role, Renny resented her and believed their father would be more loving and fun.

  Fighting pangs of hurt, Emma watched her sister run down the narrow corridor, her long braid whipping from side to side. The ribbon slipped off, leaving Emma to wonder why she bothered—with her sister’s hair, with this trip, with her determination to make her father see them.

  How would Renny feel when they had to return home alone? Would things get worse? Like the ribbons that refused to stay in her sister’s hair, Emma fully expected Colonel Grady O’Brien to slip out of his parental duties as he always had.

  Derek stood on deck, deep in thought. He leaned against the railing and tuned out the shouts and commotion of the men working to get the steamboat over the sandbar. He had other things on his mind—like Colonel O’Brien’s daughters. What a stroke of luck to run into them. He planned to personally deliver Emma and her pest of a sister to the colonel, then bask in the old man’s gratitude. Frowning, he rubbed his smooth jaw. But would that be enough to get him the promotion he sought? The colonel was a hard man to impress. After all, Derek wouldn’t have done anything more than arrive at the fort on the same steamboat as the girls.

  He narrowed his eyes and absently fingered his moustache. A slow smile emerged as he thought of his plan to win Emma’s love. As the colonel’s son-in-law, he’d have the connections he desperately needed. Anticipation lit a warm glow in his belly. And with those coveted connections came wealth and power.

  Yes, Emma O’Brien was the answer to his problems. While he had no desire to marry, he was a man of great ambition. And the colonel’s daughter, with her clear, pale green eyes that could drown a man, creamy skin and well-proportioned figure, would serve him well. He grimaced. Too bad she had the colonel’s god-awful red hair, which meant her breasts’ tips would be a pale pink, not a rich chocolate-brown as he preferred. Ah, but their size and youthful firmness would make up for that defect. Besides, in the dark, he could pretend.

  He allowed his imagination to go wild. Just thinking about squeezing and suckling that tender flesh made his body swell with the anticipation of bedding her. Damn. The need for patience chafed him. He hated waiting. He was used to taking what he wanted, when he wanted, but she wasn’t some Indian squaw who’d cower and do his bidding. He sighed; this time, he’d have to wed her first.

  And therein lay his problem: he needed to coax Emma into accepting him as her future husband, and he didn’t have much time. In the two weeks since he’d come aboard, she’d kept her distance. Thoughtfully, he studied the working men. By the look of things, they’d be on their way sometime in the next couple of hours. Barring any more problems, they’d arrive at the fort within a week. But if the Annabella were further disabled? A glimmer of an idea formed. Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew a small gold nugget, then stared at it regretfully. But there was more where this one had come from. He wandered over to where two workers dressed in old threadbare pants coiled ropes.

  Minutes later, the deed accomplished, Derek watched the two men he’d bribed head for the paddle wheel. He was a gold nugget poorer but if all went as planned, he’d receive his promotion to major. And once he was in charge, he’d step up his plans to rid the Black Hills of all savages. He fingered his last gold nugget. Soon he’d be free to get more nuggets and be rich beyond his wildest dreams, free to do what he pleased and go where he wanted. Forget the army.

  And the women. Ah, yes. They’d seek him out.

  Whistling, Derek ran his fingers over his moustache, then with hat in hand, he headed downstairs to the dining room. Someone needed to be on hand to comfort Miss Emma when she found out that the Annabella had a broken paddle wheel and would be laid up for another few days. Who better than the man who planned to marry her?

  Chapter Two

  The next morning dawned clear and warm. Standing on the deck of the Annabella, Emma watched the half-dozen soldiers lead their horses down the plank from the steamboat to solid land then return to unload an old mud coach that belonged to the Frenchman. The horses, free from the confines of the steerage, pranced with eagerness as they were harnessed.

  Emma turned to Derek. “I’m grateful you’re willing to escort us to Fort Pierre. Are you sure we won’t be any trouble?”

  Derek clasped his hands behind his back. “A beautiful woman like you is never any trouble, Miss Emma.”

  Beyond the bank lay a wild and untamed world. Emma frowned and plucked at her gloved fingers. “Is it safe to travel by coach?” Doubts assailed her. Captain Billaud had advised her not to leave the comparable safety of the boat to travel by coach to the fort. But if they waited out this latest delay, she feared her father would be long gone when they arrived. Then what? She had no intention of following him west to Fort Laramie through Indian territory.

  “Be assured, Miss Emma, my men and I will see you and your sister safely delivered to the fort.” Derek glanced at her. “No point fretting your time away here when you can be reunited with your father before he leaves.”

  Emma glanced at the bank. Renny had talked one of the soldiers into letting her ride his horse. Though Emma had her doubts about leaving the boat, time was of the essence. She had to reach the fort with no more delays and Derek’s offer to escort them seemed an ideal solution. Besides, her sister was thrilled with the prospect of
sleeping outdoors. Picking up her valise, she nodded. “All right. I believe we’re ready.” Confident that she was making the right decision, she thanked Captain Billaud for the use of his coach then allowed Derek to lead her off the boat.

  Three days later, Emma wasn’t so confident that leaving the Annabella had been the wisest choice; the interior of the coach was stifling, her emerald-green travel dress clung to her skin, and the dust of travel filled her nostrils. To top it off, the muscles along her shoulders and back ached from nights spent sleeping on the hard, cold ground and long days confined to the coach with nothing to see.

  The passing scenery was all the same. Trees and bushes rimmed the river on one side, barren and depressing land stretched forever on the other. Rolling her stiff shoulders, she swallowed a moan then sneezed. Blotting her forehead daintily with a damp embroidered handkerchief, she wondered how much longer it would be before they reached the fort.

  Renny turned away from the window. “Are we nearly there, Emma?”

  Emma bit back a sigh of impatience and folded her gloved hands primly in her lap. “Good heavens, Renny, you asked that very same question not more than fifteen minutes ago.” Never mind that she’d wondered the same thing.

  “But Emma, we’ve been traveling ever so long. Captain Sanders promised we’d reach the fort in just two days.” She wiggled on the cushioned bench, her skirts twisting beneath her.

  Settling against the seat back, Emma frowned when Renny shoved her mop of tangled hair out of her eyes. Just an hour ago, the thick, dark strands had been confined to two tidy braids. “Yes, I know he did, my sweet, but that was before the axle broke. As much as I hate to contemplate it, I expect we’ll be forced to spend another night on the prairie before we reach the fort.”

  She ignored her sister’s whoop of excitement. Except for being confined in the coach for long periods, Renny was having the time of her life. Emma bit back a moan of despair. If spending another night camping made her sister happy, she’d find the strength to endure it…somehow.