Secrets & Charades

by Cindy Ervin Huff

  “Tomorrow?” Evangeline pulled back to look in his face. “I thought you weren’t leaving until the end of the week.”

  “I’ve come from a meeting with the other ranchers. We don’t see the need to wait. I hired six extra men this morning.” The sunlight shone on his black hair and accented the scar running down his cheek. “Besides, the sooner I leave, the sooner I get back.” Jake pressed her closer. Leaning down, he kissed her gently at first, her lips encouraging him. As the kisses became more intense, her body stiffened without thought, and her hands pushed him away.

  “Woman, I came home to be with you.”

  She tried to swallow around the lump that formed in her throat. The hurt in her husband’s eyes stabbed at her heart. “I’m sorry. It’s not what you think.”

  “Then explain it to me.” Jake took a step toward her, but she kept her arms wrapped around her body.

  “It’s hard to explain.”

  He stepped away, his eyes pleading for answers.

  “I want to tell you.” Evangeline walked toward the parlor window trying to calm the panic inside, praying for peace. Father, this is too hard. She stared out the window at nothing.

  Jake’s presence felt distant as he stood behind her.

  “There are things I have kept from you. I needed to know I could trust you, know you accept me for me.”

  “You should know by now I accept you.” His gentle voice drew her from the window.

  “I believe you, but I’m fighting the old battle of accepting myself.” She sat in her chair, focusing on the brocade curtains behind his head. When Jake sat and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, she said, “There are questions you need answers to—secrets I have kept from you.” She looked down at her hands. “I’m uncertain where to begin.” Lord, help me.

  “I’m listenin’.”

  “I suppose telling you about the money I brought with me would be a good place to start.” Oh, Lord, I’m sorry I can’t be bolder. This is safer. Safe is what I need right now. “Grandmother Olson gave each of her six granddaughters a dowry in a trust when we turned three. There it collected interest until we married.” Evangeline relaxed with the telling. “I forgot about it until Greta had it deposited in my bank account in Missouri when she heard I was to be a mail-order bride. The bank was robbed on more than one occasion, so I sewed the money into my traveling suit to keep it safe.”

  “How much was the dowry?”

  “Ten thousand dollars.”

  “You wore ten thousand dollars on the train all the way from Missouri?” Jake’s low whistle lightened the mood.

  “As you know, I’m no spring chicken. The dowry collected a lot of interest.”

  “None was wages from doctorin’?”

  “People tend to pay female doctors less. My credibility was always in question.” Evangeline’s finger traced the pattern on the chair fabric. “There was an altercation shortly before I found out about your letters.” Again, she grew quiet, searching for the right words.

  “Take your time. I ain’t goin’ nowhere.”

  She drew strength from his voice. “Winston Duncan died from gangrene. The family blamed me. They waited too long to seek medical help for his leg. Had my dear friend and mentor, Fiona, still been alive, it would not have happened.”

  “What did Fiona have to do with it?”

  “She would have encouraged Winston to come to the office right away. Fiona nursed most of the community long before Shamus set up his practice. The Duncans revered Fiona, relying on her for direction. Shamus was on a house call a day’s ride away. Winston’s brother Cosgrove brought him in and was furious to find only me. The leg was full of gangrene. I warned Cosgrove that it may be too late.”

  “Did you amputate?”

  “Yes, and he died anyway. If not for Shamus reaffirming my original diagnosis, I would have been tarred and feathered by those backward people.” She knew all her hurt and anger reflected in her voice as she held back the tears. “After Fiona died, not only did the townspeople lose confidence in me, I lost confidence in myself. She was my rock.”

  “Go on.”

  “Shamus saw my doubts and hired Dr. Marshall fresh out of medical school. That sealed my fate. If he considered me a failure, so would my patients.” Her voice broke.

  “No doc can save everyone. What’s that got to do with, you know, us?”

  She turned away from his probing look, wishing he would quit trying to read her thoughts. “Nothing, yet everything. It’s about trust and acceptance.” Father, give me the right words. “Jake, have I ever asked for details about your relationship with Nora?”

  “If that’s standin’ in your way, I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”

  “Fiona encouraged me not to live in the past. Nora is the past, and I am content to leave her there. The Jake of the present is all I care about.” She leaned forward and laced her fingers together. “There are things in my past I want to let go of. Things God has forgiven me for, but others could not.”

  There was no condemnation in Jake’s eyes as he waited for her to continue.

  “I was engaged for a short time. I met Richard in a field hospital. He was a Union officer from New York. I thought he loved me. When I told him the truth, he rejected me. I swore I would never open my heart to another man, and until now that has been true.”

  Jake stepped over to her and ran his hands down her arms before taking her hands in his. “You’re too fine a woman not to have had other suitors.”

  “Jake, my sister made new clothes for me for a reason. Until I came here, I wore only black and pulled my hair back in a severe bun. Trust me, any would-be suitors got a sharp tongue for their trouble.”

  “You must have had to work mighty hard to look unattractive.” He stroked her fingers with his thumb and kissed her hand. “That man hurt you deeply.”

  Evangeline resisted the urge to fall into his embrace. Though still fearful of his response, she had to finish her story. “Wait here.” She went back to their room. With her stomach in a knot, she opened one of her trunks. As she returned, his eyes fell to the journal she clutched to her side. “I want you to read this.”

  He held out his hand for the book.

  “Not yet.” She held it to her breast for a moment before extending it to him, her fingers still grasping the edge. “Promise me you will not read this journal until you are in Abilene, then and not a minute sooner.”

  “I promise. But why? What in this book has got you so upset?”

  Placing her free hand on Jake’s face and running her finger along the scar reminded her of his pain. The stubble tickling her fingertips caused her heart to race. “I want you to know, Jacob Marcum, I care deeply for you. I never thought I could love another man. But you need to read this journal, and then you will understand. If after reading it you don’t want me, I will leave.” Tears formed in her eyes.

  “I’m sure there’s nothin’ in this book to change my mind about how I—”

  Evangeline put her fingers on his lips. “Don’t make any declarations you may regret. Read the journal, then make your decision.”

  “Why can’t you just tell me what it says?”

  “This journal contains what I tried to tell Richard. After he rejected me, I worried over that conversation for months. The only way I gained any peace was writing every detail. I don’t trust myself to speak of it. You’ll keep your promise not to peek inside until you are in Abilene?”

  “It’ll be hard, but I promise.” Jake drew her to him as he spoke, and she returned his embrace. He stroked her hair and kissed it. In that simple gesture, she felt his intense love.

  Then she pulled away and wiped her eyes. “Shall we go check on Isabel?”

  CHAPTER 26

  Jake pulled the wagon behind overgrown trees not far from the Marcum homestead. He grabbed the picnic basket and followed Evangeline to the cabin. She waited for him at the front door, holding another basket. Her lavender fragrance lingered in the air
as she passed inside. A frustrated sound escaped his lips as he closed the door behind them. Spending time with Isabel was the last thing on his mind.

  Evangeline laid her burden on the table and rushed to her friend. As the women embraced, Jake noticed the familiar blue dress that had been altered for the shorter, more petite Isabel. The stitches had been removed from her cheek, leaving only the tiniest scar. He was still amazed she had lived in his bunkhouse as Artie Weaver for months.

  “Hello, Mr. Marcum, it is so good to see you.”

  Jake fidgeted with his hat. “Mrs. Weaver, ma’am, it’s good to see you too.”

  “Please call me Isabel. Mrs. Weaver is too formal for a friend. In fact, my brother used to call me Izzy.”

  “I think Isabel will be hard enough to get used to.” Jake scanned the cabin. The living room, though sparsely furnished with a table, chairs, and the old rocker, had homey touches. A vase of wildflowers and yellow tablecloth were on the table, one of Selena’s braided rugs on the floor, and a glance through the bedroom door showed one of the bunkhouse beds covered with a yellow quilt. Evangeline had found all sorts of uses for the yellow material she had purchased. He sat in one of the chairs staring at the new Artie.

  “It’s so good to see you both. Tell me all the news. How are the fellows?” Isabel asked in Artie’s voice.

  Jake found Artie’s voice coming from this elegant woman disturbing. His stare evidently amused her and caused her to laugh.

  “Please, Boss, you are embarrassing me,” she said as Artie, dropping the accent as her face reddened. “And I do not embarrass easily.”

  Jake ducked his head as heat started at his collar.

  Evangeline laughed at Jake’s expression. “You two can continue this conversation at the table. Lunch is served.”

  “If you will allow me, ma’am.” Jake escorted Isabel to the table.

  “I know it is quite a shock to see the transformation. Thanks to your wife’s abundant wardrobe, I am myself again. Once my hair grows out, no one will know me. I plan on purchasing a hairpiece until it does.”

  Jake focused on his plate to avoid staring at his former ranch hand. “The men are packin’ up for the drive. We leave tomorrow.”

  “So soon? I was looking forward to my first cattle drive, but alas, it shall never be.” Isabel raised her fingers to her forehead for dramatic emphasis.

  “I wonder if you wouldn’t mind answerin’ some questions.”

  “I am sure you have many.”

  “Where did you learn to ride and shoot? I know Tony taught you a lot of things ’bout ranchin’, but he said you were a natural in the saddle and with a gun.”

  “My mother’s family owned a fine estate back in Chesterfield, England. She was quite the horsewoman. When she married my actor father, her parents disowned her. Once we children came along, Grandmamma persuaded Grandpapa to recant his oath. My brother and I lived with them when our parents toured Europe. Grandpapa had been a sharpshooter in the British army. He loved to teach my brother to shoot. It didn’t take much effort to charm him into teaching me.”

  “How long you been in America?”

  “Since Israel and I were fourteen. My brother and I were twins.” Her words were slow and measured. “Oh, how I miss him. We used our riding skills to secure our family a place in a traveling variety show. Along with theatrical productions, my family put on exhibitions. My brother and I put together an act. He would show off his fine marksmanship and challenge all to beat him.”

  Isabel’s posture straightened as she told her story. “I would be seated in the audience. When he asked for volunteers, I was the only woman to challenge him, of course. After he dispatched all other contenders, I would step forward.” Isabel’s voice created the mood. “The audience would scoff, and some of the men shouted out vulgar remarks.” Pointing her finger like a gun, a tinge of excitement in her voice, she finished her tale with a flourish. “Then I would hit every target and shoot the hat off the man who had been the most repugnant. I never missed.”

  Jake could only imagine. “I’d like to have seen that.”

  “Once my father established himself in the theater again, we stopped what he referred to as sideshow tomfoolery. My father was the finest actor I ever knew.” Her eyes misted, and her hand rested over her heart.

  “I assume he has passed?” Evangeline inquired softly.

  “My parents died in a flu pandemic a few months after I married Arthur. I didn’t get to say good-bye. We had moved to Illinois. They died in New York, and as the new pastor of a church, we had no funds for train fare. My brother came to live with us after their death. He abandoned acting and became a schoolmaster. His theatrics made him an excellent teacher. He also inspired me to get my certificate. My brother and husband joined the Union army together. As I mentioned, my husband died of diphtheria and my brother at Fredericksburg.” Isabel’s shining eyes held unshed tears. “Friends, it is so good to finally speak the truth.”

  Evangeline drew out a lace handkerchief and handed it to Isabel.

  Jake’s curiosity had piqued. “So the Confederate hat was all part of the act?”

  “As was constantly fighting with Duke.”

  “Tony always said you fought like a woman.” Jake’s remark brought peals of laughter.

  “When may I make my appearance as myself?”

  “I figure once you’re well enough, we’ll take you to Hardyville and put you on a train.”

  “Not without Amelia.” Isabel’s tone turned serious. “I will not leave without my sister-in-law. A promise is a promise.”

  “I forgot about her.” Jake rose to his feet and stared out the window. Just what he needed with the cattle drive moved up— another crisis. Before he could formulate a plan, Isabel spoke.

  “I need someone to go and see her for me. She needs to know I am not dead. I fear she could take her own life.” Isabel dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief. “Could you do that?”

  “I could, but I ain’t been in that place since I come to the Lord.” Jake scratched his chin. “If we want to do this on the sly, I may not be the best choice.”

  “Can we send Tony?” Evangeline asked. “Selena told me he used to frequent Rose’s Place. Would it look suspicious if he went there tonight?”

  “We could send him with a note. Tell him Amelia was Artie’s girl.”

  “Or we could tell him the truth,” Isabel spoke firmly.

  “Could be mighty risky.” Jake was thinking more of Tony’s response to being fooled than his keeping their secret.

  “I’m willing to take that chance. He could go to her and tell her in person. I want someone to be there if she needs a shoulder to cry on. I trust Tony to do right by her. I don’t think he is the lady’s man he says he is.” Isabel spoke with confidence. “I heard the things he said not only when he visited Artie’s deathbed, but over his coffin.”

  Jake stared out the window for several minutes. When he sensed God’s peace, he turned to the women. “I think you’re right. I’ll go get him now. We need to take care of this right away. Evangeline, we best leave together. Otherwise, I got to explain why I left with you in the wagon and come home alone.”

  “Please don’t be long, Mr. Marcum.”

  “I’ll do my best to get back here pronto.”

  As they rode back to the ranch, his wife seemed to read his mind. “When are we going to tell Juliet the truth?”

  “I been debatin’ that myself. You know Juliet tends to blurt things out.”

  “I can’t bear to see her grieving and looking at me like I am heartless because I am not weeping all the time.”

  “None of us is grievin’. It don’t look natural to her. She remembers when her momma died, and her pa. I think we should take a chance.”

  “I’ll tell her after you leave for the cattle drive. That way there will be no one for her to tell right away. Her sorrow has kept the secret more real to the men.”

  “Frankly, I wish the whole crew knew. Maybe the bad
feelings toward Bart would go away? They might even like knowing the joke’s on him. Be easier on the cattle drive.”

  “Are you expecting someone to kill him?” Evangeline shivered with the question, placing her hand on Jake’s arm as if to steady herself.

  “There is the possibility. If it wasn’t more practical for all the local ranchers to work together on this drive, I’d go it alone. I don’t cotton to spendin’ a month or more on the trail with Farley and his men.”

  “What about Bo?”

  “I’m plannin’ on leavin’ him here. He’s so dedicated to Bart, if someone would challenge him, he might take Bart’s side. Besides, the men are none too happy with him.”

  “How will you explain to him?”

  “I need everyone on this drive to protect the cattle and my men. I need Cookie’s eyes on things. Which would leave you women here alone with only Manny for protection. I figure Bo would do whatever he needed to keep you safe.”

  “You do realize Manny had his hopes on going this year.”

  “I promised Selena I wouldn’t take him till he was grown. I’ve taken many a man his age on drives before, and he knows that. But his ma ain’t ready yet.”

  “You know Juliet will tell Manny Isabel’s secret.”

  “Yes, but he’ll keep it and make sure Juliet does as well.”

  Jake was silent until they arrived back at the ranch, wondering what would really happen when the truth came out.

  CHAPTER 27

  Horatio Hanks arrived on horseback as dusk was settling over the ranch. “Jake, I brought a telegram for the missus.”

  “Come in.” Jake led the way to the parlor where Evangeline was reading.

  “Ma’am, I brought the telegram. I had a devil of a time keeping my ma from reading it, but I promise, no one but me saw it.”

  Evangeline went to her room and returned with a twenty-dollar bill. She read the telegram and handed it to Jake.

  “Give us a minute, Horatio.” Jake signaled to Evangeline to follow him. He led her to their bedroom and closed the door. “Are you sure your cousin is not mistaken?”