Morning Sky

by Judith Miller

  His wink was enough to prevent Truth from posing any further questions. She wouldn’t defend Aunt Lilly’s previous life, but she didn’t think Mr. Cummings’s behavior was much better. She sighed with relief when he finally excused himself and retired to his private coach.

  Ezekiel assisted Lilly down from the wagon. “Maybe Jarena shoulda come along.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with me and no reason to take her away from her duties over at the Boyles’. I’m going to be making a long trip without any help—might as well start out doing things on my own, too. You know I’m in the habit of taking care of myself.”

  “Miss Lilly!” Georgie’s eyes brightened when he opened the door and saw Lilly standing on the porch. “You came back.”

  “Only to pack the rest of my belongings, Georgie. I’m afraid I must be on my way. Is your mother at home?”

  Before he could turn around, Mrs. Nelson walked down the hallway. “What a pleasant surprise, Lilly. You look wonderful. Come in, both of you. I do hope you’ve returned for good.”

  “I’m afraid not. I’ve decided Kansas isn’t the place for me, after all. I believe I’ll move farther north—perhaps even Canada. I’ve come to get my things.”

  “I do wish you’d reconsider. I’ve missed your help, Lilly.” Perspiration dotted Mrs. Nelson’s upper lip, and she fanned herself with one hand. “We could surely use some rain, couldn’t we?”

  “That’s a fact. Cornstalks is startin’ to curl from this heat.” Ezekiel followed Lilly up the steps and into her room, with Georgie close on their heels.

  Georgie stood in the doorway and said softly, “I promise to be good if you stay, Miss Lilly.”

  “Aw, Georgie. My leaving has nothing to do with you or your behavior. In fact, you’ve become a fairly well behaved young man.”

  He smiled at the praise and edged a bit farther into the room. “I’d be happy to help you.”

  “Why don’t I call you when I’ve finished, and you can help Mr.

  Harban carry my baggage downstairs?”

  The boy’s eyes brightened.

  Lilly hastily gathered her belongings. Although Ezekiel attempted to lend a hand, his skills at folding and packing proved clumsy, and Lilly soon shooed him away from the trunk. When she had completed her packing, she called for Georgie’s assistance.

  Moments later the boy clomped down the hallway at a run and came to a screeching halt in the doorway. Lilly motioned him forward. “I have something for you, Georgie—a remembrance of me.” She held out a white handkerchief pulled into a bundle. She could see from the boy’s eyes that he recognized it.

  “Is it . . . ?”

  “Yes. The rabbit’s foot and the glass ball. They hold no power, Georgie. It was your own fear that caused you to obey me—no special power in either item.”

  He pointed to the amulet hanging on the black velvet cord around her neck. “What about that? How come you wear it if it doesn’t have special power?”

  “I’ve worn it for many years. So many, in fact, that I’ve had to exchange this cord numerous times. You may have it, also, if you like.”

  “Truly?” He looked up at her expectantly.

  Lilly untied the cord and handed it to him. “However, if your mother disapproves, you must throw all these items in the trash without any argument. And I don’t want you frightening others with them. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He held the items in his fists and admired them. “What are you going to do when you need special help, Miss Lilly?”

  She tousled his hair. “I suppose I’ll pray, Georgie. What do you think about that?”

  “That’s what Mama says to do, too.”

  When the baggage had been loaded and Lilly had said her final good-byes to the Nelsons, Ezekiel drove the wagon back to the Boyles’ and helped Lilly down. “What time is that Peterson feller s’posed to come fer ya?”

  “Not for at least another hour. Let’s go inside and have a glass of water. I’m completely parched.” Lilly led the way into the kitchen and poured two tall glasses of water.

  Ezekiel took the glass she offered. “Seems like you won over da entire Nelson fambly.”

  “Only because they don’t truly know me.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yerself, Lilly. You’s makin’ great strides. Jest keep it up.”

  “I hope I wasn’t too hard on you. Unfortunately, I think Jarena exhibits some of your unforgiving nature. Jennie was always quick to forgive, but you always did hold a grudge.”

  He nodded. “Cain’t argue that.”

  “Wouldn’t do you any good to try—you’d only lose the argument.”

  Lilly grinned while looking out the window. Jarena was watering the flowers in Mrs. Boyle’s garden. “To tell you the truth, I’m still not certain Jarena has completely forgiven me.”

  “Be patient, Lilly. This was a big shock fer her.” He sat at the table, and Lilly sat across from him. “She knows what’s the right thing to do, and she’ll come ’round.”

  Jarena gave Lilly a frown when she came into the house. “I thought you told me that problems couldn’t be solved by running away. Isn’t that what you said?” she asked sharply.

  Lilly stood and took a step toward Jarena. “If I remain here, I’ll place others in danger. I know Bentley will come looking for me. It’s only a matter of time.”

  “But if you didn’t do anything . . .”

  “I wasn’t involved in those terrible events, but he’s not a man who will listen to reason. Jarena, I want to write to you after I get settled in my new place. Will you answer my letters if I write?”

  Before Jarena could reply, a knock sounded at the front door. “Anyone home? I got to get moving right away.”

  “Sounds like Erik Peterson’s hollerin’ fer ya.” Ezekiel pushed away from the table and stood up. “We’s coming. Jest hold up a minute.”

  He proceeded down the hall to answer the door, while Lilly and Jarena followed. Lilly took hold of Jarena’s hand as they walked down the front steps. “I told Dr. Boyle good-bye this morning, but I didn’t want to disturb Mrs. Boyle. Please give her my thanks and tell her I said good-bye.”

  Jarena looked away, blinking rapidly. “I’ll tell her.”

  Erik had already placed Lilly’s belongings in his wagon and was holding the reins, obviously anxious to be on his way. Lilly hugged Ezekiel. “Thank you for your gift,” she whispered.

  He leaned back and looked into her eyes. “What gift, Lilly?”

  “Your forgiveness.” Before he could say a word, she turned and held out her arms to Jarena. The girl stepped forward to accept her embrace. “I know you’re still suffering, Jarena, but I want you to remember I love you—I have always loved you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have made the choice to give you up. One day I hope you can forgive me.” She brushed a fleeting kiss across her daughter’s cheek before holding out her hand to Erik. He hoisted her up onto the box seat of the wagon and flicked the reins. The horses clopped into motion, and dust churned from beneath the wagon as it started down the street.

  Suddenly Jarena ran toward the wagon, waving and shouting. “I’ll answer your letters. Please write to me. Do you hear me, Aunt Lilly? Promise you’ll write to me.”

  Lilly twisted around and waved in return. “I promise, Jarena. I promise.”

  CHAPTER

  28

  Hill City , Kansas • September 1880

  Jarena checked Mrs. Boyle’s grocery list one last time and then signed the ledger book. With the purchases safely tucked into her basket, she bid Mrs. Johnson farewell and headed down the street. She hadn’t gone far when she noticed a wagon rumbling into town. Three people sat atop the wagon, which appeared to be loaded with luggage and trunks and headed toward the Boyle residence. The girl sitting on the wagon seat looked like Macia Boyle. And was that Truth in the back of the wagon? Jarena shaded her eyes and looked more closely. Was that Erik Peterson driving the wagon? There were two other men in the wagon, as well, but she di
dn’t recognize them.

  “Truth!” Jarena’s emotions were a strange mixture of excitement and apprehension. Truth was finally home. Jarena could return to her own life back in Nicodemus and Truth could resume her position with the Boyles in Hill City. But did Jarena really want to go back to spending her days cooking and cleaning for her father? Oh, she had forgiven him for the years of lies. But looking into his eyes every day and knowing he was not her real pappy . . . Could she do that? Did she want to?

  Truth raised up on her knees and waved enthusiastically. “Stop the wagon. That’s my sister!”

  The driver pulled back on the reins, and Jarena ran to the wagon, arriving breathless and perspiring. “Truth! I can hardly believe my eyes. I have so many questions.”

  “Get in the wagon. We’re going to the Boyles’.”

  A young man took the shopping basket and then helped Jarena into the wagon. “This is Silas Morgan,” Truth introduced. “I met him in New York. He worked at the academy Macia was attending.”

  Jarena smiled and nodded at Silas. “Pleased to meet you, Silas. What brings you to Kansas?”

  “I’s gonna make me a home here.” Pride surfaced in his eyes as he made the announcement.

  “Good for you.” It was the best answer she could come up with. Her sister had arrived unexpectedly and was riding in a wagon with two men she’d never seen before. Jarena had ever so many questions.

  Erik brought the team of matched horses to a halt in front of the Boyle residence. “I suppose we should all go inside for proper introductions,” Macia told the motley group of passengers, “and perhaps enjoy a cool drink. Is my father at home, Jarena?”

  “Yes. He was going to sit with your mother until I returned.”

  Macia appeared encouraged by the response and led them onward. Jarena came alongside Truth as they walked up the porch steps. “Who is that finely dressed white man?” she whispered.

  “Wait until we get inside. You won’t believe the story I have to tell you. But first, do you know if Moses is at the newspaper office?”

  “I’m not certain. Why don’t I ask Erik if he’d be willing to go and fetch him? I know Dr. Boyle is going to have endless questions to ask you and Macia.”

  While Erik hurried off to the newspaper office, Macia raced upstairs to greet her parents, momentarily leaving the others in the parlor. The mysterious man brushed the dust from his sleeve and approached Jarena. “We haven’t been properly introduced, although I’m guessing you must be one of Truth’s sisters.”

  “And you are?”

  “Bentley Cummings—of New Orleans.”

  Jarena felt the blood drain from her face, and a loud buzzing started in her ears. Bentley Cummings. Aunt Lilly was correct: he had followed her. The room began to swirl. She was going to faint. “Excuse me. I’m feeling weak. Likely the heat.” She dropped onto one of the overstuffed chairs and dabbed her forehead with her handkerchief.

  Truth hurried off to the kitchen and returned with a cup of cool water. After taking several sips, Jarena mumbled her thanks.While the others looked on, she apologetically attributed her faintness to the unexpected return of Macia and her sister. Mr. Cummings and Silas sat down on the settee while Truth fussed over Jarena.

  When she was finally in full command of her senses, Jarena grasped her sister’s hand. “Sit down and tell me how you and Bentley Cummings happen to be traveling together.”

  Before Truth could open her mouth, Mr. Cummings explained their happenstance meeting on the train. He then proceeded to convey his overwhelming surprise upon discovering Truth was Lilly’s niece. “When I realized Lilly was living in this area and I would be in the vicinity on business, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see her.”

  Jarena shook her head. “How very unfortunate that you’ve come all this way to visit with Aunt Lilly and she no longer lives in Hill City.”

  Mr. Cummings’s blue eyes were ice cold as he glowered at Jarena. “What do you mean?” The knuckles of his clenched fists turned white. “Is she making her home in Nicodemus instead?”

  Though her hands were shaking and her underarms had grown sweaty, Jarena forced herself to speak slowly and calmly. “No. She decided to strike out and move to a larger city. She spoke of going to California. She wasn’t happy here in Kansas. At least you were already traveling west on business. Otherwise, your trip would have been to no avail.”

  Mr. Cummings adjusted his vest. “I believe Truth mentioned Lilly worked for the local banker—as a housekeeper and nursemaid.”

  “Yes. But she’s no longer in the Nelsons’ employ.”

  Mr. Cummings stood, looking not at all pleased. “I understand. However, I am in need of a banker. I believe I’ll go and meet this Mr. Nelson. I’m certain he will be able to assist me with my banking needs.” Bentley Cummings stormed from the room, leaving a hint of foreboding hanging in the air like the scent of Aunt Lilly’s perfume.

  CHAPTER

  29

  Truth!” The sound of Moses’s voice drifted through the open window of the Boyles’ parlor. Truth jumped to her feet and hurried from the room while Jarena watched her. Jarena longed to be happy for the sweet reunion Truth would now experience with Moses. Instead, her heart filled with a stubborn fire of jealousy that refused to be extinguished. Life truly was unfair.

  She forced a smile when the twosome walked into the parlor arm in arm. Their affectionate looks were like salt poured onto Jarena’s wounded heart. Nothing had changed for Truth. She’d come home to a loving fiancé and untarnished family memories. But what did Jarena have? She was left with little hope that Thomas would ever return to marry her and with the unalterable knowledge that Aunt Lilly was really her mother. Aunt Lilly! Without warning, Jarena’s thoughts returned to Bentley Cummings. Could he possibly be her father? She wanted to run after him and see if she could find any resemblance to her own features.

  Desperately, she tried to recall exactly when Aunt Lilly had met Bentley Cummings. Was it before or after Henri Verdue? If Jarena was Bentley’s child, did he know it?

  Truth clapped her hands like an angry schoolmarm, and Jarena startled to attention. “Are you feeling faint again?” Truth asked.

  “No. I was lost in my own thoughts. I remembered something that I must take care of. Please excuse me. I’ll return shortly.”

  Before Truth could offer an objection, Jarena brushed by and dashed out the door. Stepping briskly, she hurried toward the bank, all the while worried that Mr. Cummings might already be gone. She walked inside the building, clutching her chest and gasping for air, relieved when she saw Bentley Cummings seated opposite Mr. Nelson. A large mahogany desk separated the two men, who were speaking in hushed tones regarding an investment of some type. Something to do with the railroad.

  Both men seemed completely engrossed, and neither looked up when she approached. “I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but . . .” The men leaned back and stared up at her. They appeared to be struck dumb.

  Now that she had Mr. Cummings’s attention, Jarena had no idea what she wanted to say. Finally she asked to speak to him after he’d completed his business at the bank, and he agreed to meet her outside.

  Minutes later, Mr. Cummings walked alongside her down Hill City’s dusty main street. Fear had settled on Jarena, and she wondered if she’d made a horrible error. She walked onward, wondering if this man could be her father. Thankful to find the general store void of any customers, Jarena directed Mr. Cummings to the small table and chairs near the back.

  “Is there something on my face?” Mr. Cummings asked as he sat down.

  “What? Oh, no. Please forgive me. I didn’t realize I was staring.” She looked away and removed a loose string from her sleeve. “I was interested in learning when you and my aunt first met.”

  “Why?”

  She met his piercing stare. “Since you traveled out of your way to visit her, I assumed the two of you must have had a lengthy friendship.”

  He stroked his jaw.
“And why are you so interested in our friendship?” Jarena’s mind whirled in an attempt to formulate a satisfactory reply—one that would convince him. “I suppose I am intrigued by a man who would travel so far out of his way for a mere visit. I wonder if there isn’t something else that motivates you, Mr. Cummings.”

  “And I wonder the same about you, Miss Harban. Did Lilly speak of me?”

  “Only once—and rather disparagingly, I might add.”

  He chuckled. “That much, I believe. However, I think she spoke of me more than once, Miss Harban. Why don’t you merely tell me what you want to know—and why you want the information.”

  Jarena inhaled deeply. “I wish to know how long you and my aunt were together. I want the information in order to establish whether you could be my father.” Mr. Cummings’s jaw went slack, and his mouth opened in a look of utter and complete surprise. “Lilly is barren. She couldn’t have children— she explained that to me years ago.”

  “How many years ago?”

  “Fifteen or sixteen—I’m not positive. We met a few years after her husband, Henri, died. Certainly you don’t believe Lilly is your mother.”

  He stared deep into her eyes. “You do!” He laughed aloud. “Impossible!

  That woman never gave birth to a child.”

  “At least none that you knew of. She is my mother,Mr. Cummings.

  I have proof of that fact. However, she didn’t name my father.”

  He shook his head. “Lilly never spoke to me of a child.” He stood and backed away from her. “I’m not your father. You’ll not get a single penny of my money.”

  Jarena jumped to her feet and faced him. “I don’t want your money, Mr. Cummings. And don’t worry; I now know in my heart that I am not your daughter. Good day.”

  Truth settled beside Moses, and when Jarena finally returned a short time later, Dr. Boyle motioned her toward a spot on the end of the divan. They were an odd gathering, a mixture of men and women, black and white, old and young. Truth wondered what folks back in Kentucky would think of the unusual assembly in Dr. Boyle’s parlor. She steeled herself in an attempt to prepare for the many questions all of them would have. Perhaps if her recitation was detailed enough, the inquiries would be few.