by Sara Luck
When she opened the door, two ponies were tied to the porch railing.
“Oh, my goodness, they’re right here.” She held the door open wide for both boys to see the little brown-and-white-spotted ponies. “I guess Santa Claus didn’t want to leave them in the house.”
“I can’t believe it,” Sam yelled as he ran out onto the porch. “This is exactly what I wanted!” He threw his arms around the first horse, and it whinnied and tossed its head. Benji, not to be denied, ran out onto the porch to the second pony.
“You two better get back in here before you get sick and then you won’t be able to ride them. We’ve got other presents to open now that Jana’s here.” Drew took her hand, and when he did, he winked at her. They walked hand in hand back to the Christmas tree.
Jana had never had a more blissful morning, and her gifts were a great success. Elfrieda sat by the fire and seemed to really like the shawl Jana had gotten her. Drew was as warm to her as any person had ever been in her life. He made her feel like an integral part of his family, and because of the way he was acting, Benji and Sam were both demonstrative toward her, making sure she saw and understood how to play with the gifts they received.
Jana couldn’t help but contrast her own meager Christmases over the years with the abundance that these children received. There were gifts from both sets of grandparents, as well as from Elfrieda and the cowboys. But in spite of all that they got, they seemed genuinely appreciative of each new gift they opened.
“I see two more packages under the tree,” Drew said when everything else was opened. “Shall I see whose name is on them?”
Jana nodded, not wanting to say anything.
“This one’s for you, and it looks like the other one is for me,” Drew said as he handed a package to Jana.
She opened the package with trembling fingers as her eyes welled with tears of happiness. “You said you were going to get me a seal hat. Oh, Drew, thank you for the hat, but most of all thank you for letting me share this day with you and your family.”
Drew looked at her with smoldering eyes. “I’d like you to share more than this day. I’d like you to share my life.” He leaned forward and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips.
Sam saw the kiss. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t look away.
SEVENTEEN
The day after Christmas, the mild weather in the Badlands changed, and a fierce wind and blowing snow came from the north, causing Sam and Benji much distress.
“Can we bring Spotty into the house?” Benji asked. “He’ll be too cold outside.”
“No, he’s safe in the barn, and anyway you saw your pony’s heavy coat. He’ll stay warmer than we will, and Toby will see to it that he has plenty of hay from the rick that’s right beside the barn,” Drew said.
“What about Buster?”
“Both ponies will be fine. Just think about it, the stock horses fend for themselves all winter and they find food, but Spotty and Buster are in the barn, and they’re being well fed. They’ll be ready when the weather warms up and we get to ride.”
“Did you say the stock horses have to fend for themselves?” Jana asked.
“That’s right, but it’s not as bad as you think. If we don’t have much snow, the dried grass is like a hayfield, just ready for the horses to graze.”
“Benji, do you smell cinnamon buns?” Sam asked as he ran into the kitchen with Benji close behind him.
“Elfrieda spoils those two,” Drew said.
“How could anyone not want to spoil them? Besides, you seem to benefit from Elfrieda’s treats as well. Say, how would you like to play a game of chess? I’ve been thinking, maybe this time I can beat you,” Jana challenged as she headed toward the room that was to be Drew’s office and library when the books were shipped.
On Thursday the weather broke, and the boys were anxious to ride their ponies after being in the house for several days. Drew asked Charley, the young cowboy whom Jana had met, if she could borrow some trousers, a shirt, and a shearling coat, and when she was outfitted, the four of them rode horses for at least a couple of hours every day. The snow made the Badlands seem like a fairyland, and Jana could easily imagine that she was indeed in her own fairy tale.
A mother, a father, and two children, all loving one another. But of the four people, only one openly expressed those sentiments, and that was Benji—sweet, lovable, cherubic Benji—who told Jana at least once a day how much he loved her.
Sam didn’t say anything, and much to Jana’s disappointment, neither did Drew. After their intimacy on Christmas Eve, and then his saying he would like her to share his life, he had become more distant.
They stayed at Rimfire until after New Year’s, returning to Bismarck on the late-evening train of the fifth. By the time Jana reached the hotel, Greta was already in bed.
“Greta, it’s me,” Jana called softly as she opened the door to the room.
“I was thinking it was about time you came back,” Greta said, turning up the lamp and hopping out of bed to give her sister a welcoming hug. “I’ve missed you.”
“And I’ve missed you, too. Did you have a good Christmas?” Jana set down her valise.
“It was wonderful! You can’t believe what I got for Christmas.” Then Greta laughed. “Oh, wait, I guess you do know. Tom told me you helped pick out the beautiful clothes the men bought for me.”
“Oh, no, I didn’t. It was Carl and Hank who chose the dresses for you. I told them your favorite color was blue, but did you get a blue dress? No, they had their own ideas what you should have. Those men are so funny.”
“They really are, but they’re so appreciative. Jana, some of them told me they hadn’t celebrated Christmas in years. I was so tired after fixing the dinner for them, but it made me feel good to know I was doing something special for all of them.”
“And you should. Mama would be very proud of you, Greta, and so am I.”
“Listen to me going on about my Christmas. I haven’t even asked about yours.”
Jana smiled broadly, and her eyes gleamed so brightly, it seemed more than a mere reflection of the lamplight. “This may have been the most wonderful time of my entire life!” she said excitedly.
“Tell me everything that happened and don’t leave out even the smallest detail.”
“Wait until I get in bed.” Jana began removing her clothes.
For what seemed like hours, the two sisters lay in the dark as Jana told about the house, the furniture, the cowboys, and Christmas.
“Some people just know how to celebrate Christmas. I wish we would’ve had a tree when we were little, because you should have seen how excited Benji and Sam were when they found new saddles under the tree. And then when they got new ponies, they were really happy.”
“They got ponies for Christmas? Drew must be very rich.”
“I don’t know. I suppose he might be. But I do know he’s the nicest man I’ve ever known. You should see the way he treats his children, and the people who work for him, too. He is kind and gentle and understanding.”
“How does he treat you?”
“Oh, he . . .” Jana thought back to Christmas Eve, and she was glad the room was dark. She fell silent.
Disturbed by her silence, Greta sat up in bed and turned up the light.
“Jana Hartmann, look at me. He didn’t do anything to you, did he?”
A smile crossed Jana’s face. “He did. He claimed my heart.”
“You’re in love!”
“I am.”
“You said you would tell me what it was like.”
“I don’t know how to tell you, other than to say it’s the most wonderful feeling. I love him more than I can say, and I can’t tell you how happy I’ve been for the last two weeks. We didn’t do anything out of the ordinary, other than ride horses, or play games, or sit by the fire and talk. We just enjoyed one another’s company.”
“Did he ask you to marry him?”
“No, he did not.”
&n
bsp; “Jana, does Drew love you?”
“I don’t know. One time he said he’d like me to share his life with him, but he never said anything more.”
“If he said that, I think that’s a proposal for marriage and you should tell him so.”
“Greta, it’s more complicated than that. Whoever marries Drew Malone also marries Sam and Benji. I think Benji would have me as his stepmother tomorrow, but Sam—well, let’s just say I’m going to have to prove myself to him.”
“If anybody can do that, it’s you. Who would’ve thought two little farm girls from Illinois could be working themselves into the hearts of total strangers so many miles from home?”
“We do seem to be doing that, don’t we? That is, except for one.”
“Don’t worry, Jana, one little boy isn’t going to stand between you and the man you love. Sam will come around. You just wait and see.”
“I hope you’re right, Greta. I can’t tell you how much I love Drew.”
Greta chuckled as she turned out the lamp. “It’s not me you have to tell. It sounds like it’s Sam you have to convince. And Drew, of course, if you haven’t already.”
For the rest of the night, Jana thought about what she had told Greta. She did love Drew, but she hadn’t ever said as much. The kisses, even the time in Drew’s bed, was that love to a man? Or was that just lust?
And then there was Addie. Could Drew ever love again? She didn’t know, but she decided that night, January 5, 1883, she would set out to prove that he could. She would do whatever it took to make him love her, because no matter how comforting it was to be with him, just being comfortable wasn’t enough. She had to have his love.
The next morning Jana got dressed and went to the Emporium. Now that the holiday season was over, she wasn’t sure if she still had a job, especially since she had been away for so long.
But when she walked in, she was met by an exuberant Fern Watson.
“Jana, you’ll never guess,” Mrs. Watson said. “The play you translated for the Ladies’ Christian Union, The Stranger, is going to be performed on January twentieth, and Sam Whitney has given us permission to use the Opera House. Isn’t that wonderful? We’ve been rehearsing, and I just know it’s going to be absolutely magnificent.” Mrs. Watson lowered her head. “Although, I suppose I shouldn’t say that because that may be boasting. You see, I’m playing the part of Countess Wintersen.”
“That’s wonderful news, Mrs. Watson,” Jana said enthusiastically. “And I’m sure you’ll make a perfect countess.”
“Well, don’t forget. You must come to see it. Mr. Whitney says if we get a big enough audience, he may let us use the Opera House again.”
“I’ll be there.”
For the rest of the day Jana was busy working around the store. There was no suggestion that she take her place in the window, but Mr. Watson didn’t say her job was over, either. She was rearranging the hats when she heard a familiar voice.
“Where’s the lady in the window?” Drew called.
“She’s working, now that you finally brought her back,” Mr. Watson said jokingly. “I missed her.”
“And you should.” Drew headed toward Jana. “I’m going to miss her, too.”
“What do you mean you’re going to miss me?” Jana asked when he reached her.
“Because I’m going to be out of town for a while. I wonder if you would mind dropping in on Elfrieda and helping out with the boys, not that she needs any help, but I’m sure Sam and Benji would love to see you.”
“And I’d love to see them, but where are you going and for how long?”
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone. I’m going with Colonel Lounsberry and Sheriff McKenzie down to Yankton. With all the talk of statehood now, we think the capital should be moved to a more central location than Yankton is. And of course, it’s our opinion that the best place for the capital is Bismarck. But the people in Yankton don’t agree with us, so it’s our job to convince the legislature to see it our way.”
“I have no doubt that you can do that, but tell me, Mr. Malone, isn’t this”—Jana paused—“politics? And didn’t you tell me once that you had no interest in the, I believe you called it, ‘perfidious profession’?”
Drew laughed. “You have a memory like an elephant. But this isn’t really politics—it’s business. When Bismarck becomes the capital, everybody’s business will boom even more than it is now. Seriously, will you visit the boys a time or two while I’m gone?”
“I will. But you have to promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“If you’re back by the twentieth, you have to go with me to see The Stranger.”
“And who might he be?” Drew’s eyebrows shot up.
“It’s not a who, it’s an it. That’s the play I translated. It’s going to be put on that night at the Whitney, and I’ve been invited to go see it. Will you take me?”
“I do believe this is the first time a lady has ever asked me for a date.”
“Oh!” Jana gasped, putting her hand over her mouth. “That isn’t very ladylike, is it?”
Drew laughed out loud. “You could wear a ten-gallon hat and smoke cigars, and you’d still be a lady to me. I’d love to take you to the play.” He kissed her lightly on the lips and turned to leave. “Don’t forget. Go see the boys.”
“I will,” Jana said as she waved good-bye.
Jana was amazed at how much she missed Drew, especially when she dropped in to see Sam and Benji. She read to them and played games and drew pictures, and both boys seemed to enjoy it as much as she did. She almost breathed a sigh of relief at her tentative acceptance by Sam.
Working at the store and helping Greta at the hotel also helped to pass the time. But she decided to start another project as a special surprise for Drew when he returned.
She began an oil painting of Rimfire Ranch. Unlike her other drawings and paintings, though, she didn’t work on this one at the store. Instead, she did it in the privacy of her room.
“Jana, that’s spectacular!” Greta said as enough of the house became visible for Greta to get an idea. “I think it’s the best work you’ve ever done.”
Jana captured the river and the surrounding scenery perfectly, but the home ranch, as Drew called it, was the primary focus: the long front porch, the green of the shutters and the roof, the bunkhouse and the barn. She even put four horses in the corral.
“This is Dancer,” Jana said, pointing to one of the horses. “He’s mine, and that’s Santana, Drew’s horse. This is Sam’s pony, Buster, and this is Spotty, Benji’s pony.”
“Spotty,” Greta said with a chuckle.
“Now, don’t laugh. I think Benji chose a good name. The pony does have spots, wouldn’t you say?”
The final touch to the painting was to add the golden reflection of the setting sun to the western windows of the house, as well as a corona of red light to the rim of the cliffs surrounding Rimfire Ranch. Those touches gave credence to its name and, Jana thought, were the finishing touches to an accurate painting.
Late one morning, Jana was working in the store when Charley Draper came in.
“Mr. Draper,” Jana said.
“I have a telegram for you.” Draper handed her an envelope.
Jana was startled. Never before in her life had she received a telegram, and she took it with some apprehension, wondering if it might be bad news from home.
“It’s from Drew Malone,” Draper said, relieving her anxiety.
Curious now, she opened it eagerly.
ARRIVING TONIGHT 7:30. MEET ME WITH BOYS. LOVE DREW.
Love Drew. She was happy he wanted her to meet him at the train station, but the last two words sang in her heart.
She put the telegram back in the envelope, then held it to her chest and smiled at Draper. “Thank you, Mr. Draper.”
“My pleasure. You’re getting a fine man there, Miss Hartmann.”
“I think so, too.”
When Walter Wat
son came into the store, he brought a copy of the Bismarck Tribune folded in such a way as to highlight one story.
“It looks like our boys did a good job down in Yankton,” he said. “You might want to read this.”
CAPITAL TO BISMARCK?
Special to the Tribune by telegraph from Yankton: Bismarck sent three of its finest citizens to the territorial legislature in Yankton to plead the case that the capital be moved from Yankton to Bismarck. Our delegation, composed of Colonel Clement Lounsberry, the editor of this newspaper, Sheriff Alex McKenzie, Bismarck’s leading advocate, and Andrew Malone, an attorney with the firm of Allen and Malone, were aided in their presentation by the enthusiastic support of Governor Nehemiah Ordway. If Dakota is to become a state, as surely it shall, then Bismarck should be the capital.
There has been a proposal bandied about that the Dakota Territory enter the union as two states, this idea strongly supported by Senator Hale of Maine, whose reasoning is that two states will mean four new senators, all of whom, he believes, will be Republicans. This would insure the party’s majority status should Virginia’s Readjuster Party throw in with the Democrats, making the Senate in the 48th Congress tied at 38 Senators for each party.
In seeking the honor, and responsibility, of becoming the capital one has but to look to a recent editorial in The Cincinnati Commercial to find enumerated the many reasons why Bismarck should be so selected. The article reads thus:
“Situated on the east bank of the Missouri River, at the crossing of the North Pacific Railway, is the thriving city of Bismarck, the county seat of Burleigh County, and perfect for the capital city of the Dakota Territory.
“Bismarck is the center of the great stage routes to Deadwood, Keogh, Yates, Fort Lincoln, Buford, and Mandan, and the steamboat trade. Already the Northwestern and St. Paul roads are heading toward Bismarck, being now but 125 miles distant, with their surveys completed. Work will be rapidly pushed this coming spring.
“Among the improvements of the city are a flouring mill with a capacity of 100 barrels per day, a grain elevator with a storage capacity of 100,000 bushels, seven churches, schools, and a fine courthouse.”