by Ford, Linda;
Mandy stopped to face her, a good distance separating them. “You have to stop being mad sometime.”
Glory laughed. Her anger had already fled.
She marched back to the house, humming to herself, and stared at Emmy, watching her with wide-eyed fear. She shifted. Saw how Jack looked ready to flee. She recalled her threatening words, the anger that no doubt had been evident on her face, and wished she could recall the past few moments and do them over.
Although she vowed she would not look at Levi, her eyes somehow shifted his direction and their gazes collided. His look burned. Accused.
“Nice example,” he murmured.
Two seconds ago she’d been wishing she’d acted differently. Not frightened the children. Now she wished she’d caught Mandy and wrestled her to the ground just to prove to Levi she didn’t care a thing about his opinion.
“You were mad,” Emmy whispered.
Glory’s stubborness warred with her concern for two innocent children. The latter won out. “Only for a moment. My sister knows that. It’s a game we like to play.”
“You shouldn’t say bad things.”
Glory grinned at the little girl. “So I’m told.” She flounced around and headed for the kitchen to finish her chores.
Joanna watched her return. “Will you ever learn to be a lady?”
Glory gave her an unrepentant smirk. “When you do.”
Joanna glanced down at her split skirt and laughed. “I’m as ladylike as I can be. No wonder they call us the buffalo gals.”
“It could be a lot worse.” They grinned at each other. “I’m happy enough to be a buffalo gal.”
“Me, too.”
Mandy returned a little later, and the three girls worked in happy contentment.
At bedtime, Levi found a corner and bedded the two children down at his side.
Glory tried to ignore them, but it was impossible not to hear him reading aloud from the Bible then see him kneeling with them to say their prayers. He tucked the covers around them firmly.
Glory could almost feel the comfort of those blankets holding her close. He wasn’t even their father. Why was he acting like he was? Did some men simply react to children in a tender way?
She fled to the bedroom she shared with her sisters. Mandy was wrong. She wasn’t jealous. She didn’t want him to give her the same kind of attention. Yet there was no denying the long, echoing ache inside her yearning for something.
Chapter 7
Levi lay back on his bedding and let out a long sigh of relief. It had been a difficult afternoon. The children didn’t want to disobey their father and leave the spot where he’d told them to wait. They flat out refused until Levi said he would scratch a message in the rock at the side of the road. It had taken him a long time to do so. But that gave him an opportunity to explain how he would send a message up the line and see if they could locate their pa. He talked about the good meals at the stopping house and the nice ladies who ran it.
Eventually, they agreed to come but only after checking and approving the message on the rock. He’d gathered up their sack of belongings—a few items of clothing and one set of bedding he knew they shared, likely clinging to each other for security and warmth.
He hadn’t taken into account the variety of men who clustered around the table morning and night. Some fine gentlemen. But also some rough characters. After supper, Emmy confessed they scared her. Levi didn’t know what else to do. He had no home. And knew of none suitable to keep them in. The hotel certainly wasn’t. The men he’d seen leaving that place convinced him it was not fit for decent people.
Staying with the buffalo gals seemed the best idea except it brought him back to the initial problem—Emmy was uncomfortable among so many strange men. And he didn’t want to be forced by such circumstances to spend more time with Glory. His wayward thoughts far too often drifted toward her, recalling his pleasure when he kissed her, remembering how she challenged a man about how he treated his horses, how she—
No, he must keep his hands and mind to the task before him. He had made a bargain with God and intended to keep it.
The men around him settled down. There was a constant sound of shuffling and snoring, but he was too tired to be bothered by it. He silently prayed for God to help him find the children’s father then rolled over and fell asleep.
A scream jolted him awake. He reached for his rifle, found only bare wood. Felt about him, remembering he slept in the stopping house and his rifle was with his saddle and other things. He sat up as did several others. Someone lit a lamp and held it high.
A bewiskered man who had spat out a steady stream of black tobacco juice all evening bolted to his feet, revealing a very dirty undershirt. He grabbed the lamp and shone it into every corner of the room. “Who screamed?”
The flickering yellow light stopped at Emmy, who sat up, tears streaming down her face, and as everyone stared at her, her sobs grew loud.
Jack pushed from his slumber and reached out for his sister. “You had a nightmare. Go back to sleep.”
She didn’t move.
Levi urged her to lie down. Covered her tightly. Patted her back gently, murmuring soft sounds. “It’s all over, folks. Go back to sleep.”
But he spoke too soon. He had no sooner fallen asleep again when another scream rent the air.
“Make her stop,” someone called in the dark.
“I’m trying to get some rest,” another growled.
Murmurs and snarls came from various corners.
Levi again soothed the child. When he heard her soft, steady breathing, he allowed himself to fall back asleep.
But again his peace was shattered by Emmy’s screams.
The protests from the other guests grew louder, more abusive.
Levi knew it would be impossible for him to sleep if he meant to keep the child quiet. He pulled on his trousers, scooped Emmy into his arms, and escaped outside. He got as comfortable as possible on one of the narrow benches, resting his back against the rough wooden wall, wrapped one of his blankets about Emmy, and settled down for a restless night.
Twice more she cried out, loud enough to bring a muttering of protests from inside.
Finally dawn eased across the hills and turned the air pink. Geese came awake on the river, honking in joyful song. Birdsong filled the air. So peaceful. Why couldn’t man enjoy nature and stop hurting themselves and each other?
Inside came the sound of one of the women—likely Joanna—in the kitchen, rattling pots on the stove. And men started to surface from their sleep.
Two men passed him, muttering about how their night had been so disturbed.
Jack came out and sat by Levi. “She was scared being with so many strangers.”
“I know.”
He felt Emmy stir, knew she wakened. But she seemed content to remain curled in his arms. And he was too weary to move.
One by one, or in pairs, the men left the room to allow breakfast to be set out. Not a one had a kind word about Emmy’s upset. All they seemed to care about was their disturbed sleep.
“I’m hungry,” Jack said.
“Did you roll up your bedding?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Bring your things and mine out to the porch then wash up.”
Emmy sighed, sat up, and rubbed her eyes.
Levi took her to wash.
“Breakfast is ready,” Glory called and stepped aside to allow the men to reenter. Joanna waited to take their coins.
The crude man from the night before stepped forward. “I don’t intend to pay for a night when I wasn’t allowed to sleep. I want my money back.”
Others crowded about him, and their discontent rumbled.
Glory pressed to Joanna’s side. She gave Levi a look full of accusation.
He didn’t need her to silently inform him this was his fault. He already knew it and intended to make it right. He pushed his way to the front. “I’ll pay for everyone’s breakfast to make up for last night.” He
counted heads then dropped the appropriate amount into Joanna’s palm. It made a dent in his funds, but it couldn’t be helped.
Joanna turned to the waiting men. “Is that acceptable?”
Seems they were agreeable, and they trooped inside.
Levi took the children in, well aware Emmy squirmed in discomfort. This arrangement wasn’t going to work. He’d have to figure out something else.
The others left before Emmy finished. In fact, she didn’t start eating until they departed.
Joanna stood in the kitchen doorway. “Levi, can we talk to you?”
He knew what she wanted. “I’m sorry about last night.”
The three women faced him. Even Glory looked regretful. For one second only, he allowed himself to look into her pale brown eyes and believe he saw understanding.
Of course he did. For the children. And what more did he want or expect? Nothing more. Nothing at all.
“I’m sorry,” Joanna said, as the spokeswoman for the trio. “But if we let you stay here, we’ll ruin our business.”
“I know. I’ll find something else.”
“Where?” Mandy demanded. “I don’t know of any empty place in town.”
“Except—” Joanna turned to stare at Glory.
“Of course.” Mandy gave Glory her attention as well.
“Your room behind the shop,” they said in unison. “It’s furnished and everything.”
“No. It just wouldn’t work.”
“Why not?” Again the pair spoke at once.
“She’s right,” Levi said, but they didn’t hear him. He did not intend to move into her shop. See her at work every day. Be aware of her comings and goings. Be tempted to watch her. Speak to her. Wonder if she would perhaps drop in for a cup of coffee and a visit. How could he keep his mind on his task under such circumstances? “She’s right,” he said again, louder, more insistent.
All three stared at him.
“She is not.” Mandy seemed shocked he would agree.
“Yes, I am.” Glory’s expression was rife with anger. He’d agreed with her, hadn’t he? No reason she should be upset about it.
Joanna looked from Glory to Levi and back again. “You two fighting about something?”
“No, ma’am.” Levi was firm in his denial.
Joanna turned to Glory and waited for her answer. When it wasn’t forthcoming, she planted her hands on her hips. “Don’t tell me. You’ve done something so outrageous you offended him.”
“I did not.” She glowered at Levi.
He couldn’t help but grin. No, she hadn’t. But he had. He’d kissed her. Told her he was sorry. But was he? Not completely.
Joanna saw his grin. “Something is going on between you two. I can tell.”
Levi shrugged, and Glory glowered, but neither offered an explanation.
Joanna sighed. “If that’s the way you’re going to be… Then what are you going to do with the children?”
“I’m not sure. Nothing seems ideal. But then anything is better than sitting alone at the side of the road.” The thought cheered him. “We’ll manage.”
Only one option presented itself. He’d throw himself and his charges on Mr. Phelps’s mercy. His house was tiny, but they could squeeze in.
He gathered up the children and their belongings and headed out. He’d check on Widow Kish first.
As he approached the house, he saw the door open. But as he drew closer, he saw the door was not just open. It was missing. Something was wrong. “Stay here,” he told the children and dropped to the ground to ease forward.
A big sign had been nailed to the side of the shack. No TRESPASSING. Who would want to trespass, and who would care? But someone obviously did.
He stepped inside. “Mrs. Kish? Are you here?” The place felt as empty as a licked-out tin can, but he investigated every corner and searched the clearing around the shack. Nothing. Nobody. What happened to the widow? All sorts of scenes raced to his mind. Someone had hurt her. She’d fallen somewhere and hurt herself. But none explained the absence of her belongings. Had she suddenly decided to move? But she said she had no family.
He mounted his horse again and turned back to town.
“Where’s the lady we was supposed to see?” Emmy demanded.
“She’s gone.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
“You gonna find her?”
Jack spoke from behind Levi. “Emmy, you ask too many questions.”
“Well, if he’s gonna find our pa, maybe he can find the lady, too.”
They turned off at Mr. Phelps’s house.
“Who lives here?” Emmy asked.
“A friend of mine.”
“Will I like him?” She twisted around to look at Levi, forcing him to grab the back of her dress to keep her from falling.
“She talks too much,” Jack muttered.
“Do not.”
“Yes, you do. Even Pa said so.”
Emmy’s face grew instantly sad, and tears filled her big eyes. “Is that why he left?”
Jack relented of his scolding. “Course not, silly. He had something to do. Remember?”
Levi wanted to find their father and demand an explanation. Why would he leave his children even for a moment? But right now he had to do something to restore Emmy’s cheerfulness. “Probably right now he’s wishing he could hear your voice.” And if he wasn’t, the man didn’t deserve to be a father. Forbidden, his thoughts went to Glory. Seems her father didn’t deserve the privilege either.
He took the children with him to the door, knocked, and went inside at Mr. Phelps’s call to enter. He went into the kitchen and blinked. Widow Kish sat across the table from Mr. Phelps, and they were both drinking tea.
“Join us,” Mr. Phelps called. “Though the children will have to share a chair.”
Levi pulled out a chair for the children and sat on the fourth, all the while trying to make sense of this situation. He turned to the widow. “I was at your place. It looks deserted.”
“It is. The man who owns the land came by yesterday and said I had one hour to vacate his property. And let me tell you, he wasn’t prepared to listen to reason. So I gathered up my things under his eagle eye and marched out without so much as a backward look.” She gave a laugh, half-bitter, half-grateful. “I stopped to say good-bye to Mr. Phelps.”
“I said I could use a housekeeper if she was interested.”
“So here I am.”
“It’s good to know you’re safe and sound. I had all sorts of thoughts about what happened to you.”
“I’m sure I shall enjoy it here. Like the good Lord says, ‘The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places.’”
“I’m most grateful to have someone care for my home,” Mr. Phelps said. He cleared his throat and looked embarrassed. “We’re hoping you’ll agree to marry us.”
Levi grinned. “It would be an honor.” His first wedding in Bonners Ferry. “Why don’t we meet at the lawyer’s office in a couple of hours?” It was indeed good news… for the widow and lonely Mr. Phelps. But it left Levi with no place to shelter the children. There would not be room for them here now.
But—he cheered up—if the Lord could provide for a widow woman, He could certainly provide for two abandoned children.
They visited awhile then Levi headed back to town.
He slowed his horse as he neared Glory’s shop. The door was open, a man and four horses in the pen. Glory glanced up from her work, saw him, and straightened to study him. Her gaze darted to the children then back to him. Then she turned to her work.
But had he seen regret in her gaze? Was she thinking of the sparsely furnished room at the back of her shop? It sounded mighty appealing just now. But he knew what would happen to his vow of service if he moved into it. He would not be able to keep his thoughts focused on working for the Lord. He’d think far too much about how he could show he cared for Glory.
Because, despite taking the words back, he
cared.
And it could not be. He thought of Matt the last time he’d seen him, in leg irons and chains, a mask of toughness almost hiding the hurt and fear beneath. Perhaps only Levi saw it, but it was enough to convince him to help his brother. And he knew how. Serve God wholly and exclusively. Trust God to soften Matt’s heart.
He hadn’t changed his mind.
He rode on. Unless something else turned up in the next few hours, he would be making camp for the three of them among the trees. In fact, there was no point in delaying the inevitable. First, he needed to meet Mr. Phelps and Widow Kish at the lawyer’s office.
A little later, having duly married them, he headed for the store and some much-needed food supplies. Then he followed a little trail leading up the hillside.
“Where we going?” Emmy demanded.
“Would you like a picnic?”
“Yes.”
He found a grassy clearing large enough to allow the sun to warm the air early in the morning. Trees surrounded them at a distance, and the blue mountains filled the horizon. “This will do.” He set the children on the ground.
Free from the presence of strangers, Emmy let out a deep sigh and with a shriek of delight started to run around the clearing.
Jack started after her then grew serious. “She’s just little.” He turned, somewhat reluctantly Levi thought, and reached out to take the gunnysack as Levi removed it from the back of the horse.
“I’m going to need some help building a shelter.”
“This isn’t just a picnic, is it?”
“It’s where we’ll sleep until I find something else.”
“Or find our pa.”
“I’ll get at that right away.” He would give the ferry man a message to hand off to someone he considered trustworthy enough to deliver to the North-West Mounted Police across the border.
He cut branches, and Jack helped him fashion a shelter. They found more branches to create a bed for them. The nights would cool off, but with a fire in front of the open side, they should be fine. And if it rained? Well… he hung a roll of canvas on the open side just in case.