Her hostility surprised Eva. She had seen people walk across the street to avoid sharing a sidewalk with a saloon girl, but it had never occurred to her that the feeling might be mutual coming from the other side of the street.
“I don’t have a husband, and I couldn’t care less how many men you know.” She gave Sally a smug look in return. “I need some information. But if you don’t want to give it to me, I’ll go elsewhere.”
The woman’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“I really don’t want to discuss it here. Can we go somewhere private?” Fortunately, the men seemed to have lost interest, and the calls and comments had mostly stopped.
Still, Eva didn’t want to take a chance that someone might be listening.
“Mike, we’ll be in your office,” Sally said across the bar.
“Hurry up,” he growled. “I ain’t losin’ money tonight so you can go have girly talk.”
Sally led her to a rough little room containing a settee and a rough-hewn wooden desk with a chair. Eva sank against the closed door and regarded Sally evenly. Her heart raced.
The other young woman leaned against the desk and shrugged. “So what can you possibly want to know so badly that you’d traipse all the way over to this side of town? And don’t say you’re not from the rich part of town, because I can tell from your clothes and your manners.”
Eva sniffed and raised her chin. “Actually, I don’t even live in Oregon City. I’m staying with my cousin and her husband for a while.”
Eva felt the woman’s scrutiny. She would receive no sympathy from someone who had probably been used by more men than she could count. Eva knew if she had a prayer of obtaining help, she would have to be civil. “I need to know how I can find someone who will help me with a problem.”
“What kind of problem?”
“I’m with child.”
Amusement crinkled in the woman’s blue eyes. “I see. And the baby’s father doesn’t want to marry you? Let me guess. He’s already married. Or maybe you can’t let your rich daddy know you fell in love with the ranch hand who isn’t nearly good enough for you.” She chuckled. “Honey, you’re no better than I am, are you?”
Shaking in anger, Eva stomped across the room and slapped the girl’s face. “How dare you laugh at me! I’m not like you at all. I didn’t give myself to a man. I was accosted. I hate the man who did this to me. And I hate this baby. I want it out of me. And I figure a woman like you must know how to do that.”
Sally rubbed her cheek where Eva had struck her. “I don’t like to be hit.” She strode to the door. “I’m leaving.”
Eva clutched her arm. “Please help me! I’m sorry I slapped you. You have every right to be angry with me. But you have to understand. I had no choice in this. I have already lost everything I love as a result of this, and now I’m going to have this monster’s baby? How much more must I endure?” Eva sank to the floor and buried her face in her hands.
Sally knelt in front of her. “All right. I’m sorry I laughed at you. But are you sure you want to do this? Don’t you have family who will take care of you and a baby?”
“Can you help me or not?”
Sally gave a reluctant nod. “I know someone. But I have to warn you. She’s mean. And she’ll probably try to force you to stay and work for her.”
“But I don’t need a job.”
Sally gave a short laugh. “Honey, you really are green, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Never mind. You think long and hard about doing this. It’s dangerous. A lot of women die from it.”
Eva shuddered at the thought of dying in such a manner. She wrapped her arms around herself. “I would rather be dead than have to raise this baby.”
“All right. It’s your choice. But you’ll have to wait until I finish for the night. Stay in here and keep the door locked. Those men aren’t even wound up yet.” She pointed to the settee, which had a blanket hanging over its side. “Lie down and try to sleep. I’ll come get you in the morning.”
“In the morning? Why can’t we go tonight?”
She gave a short laugh and walked toward the door, her pink satin gown swishing against black stockings. “Honey, I don’t get off work until dawn, when the men run out of money and go home to their families.”
twelve
Jonesy woke with a start, his heart racing wildly in his chest. Something was wrong. He’d dreamed of Eva, and she was crying and reaching out to him. His body shook as he relived the dream. Her hands dripped with blood. Her lips didn’t move, but he could hear the cry of her heart. Help me. Help me, Jonesy.
Unable to push aside the image, he shoved back the covers and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He’d never felt so helpless in all his life. Leaning forward, he began to pray.
“Father, keep Eva safe. Please show her Your love for her. Show her Your mercy.”
He prayed for an hour. Then he stood and paced and prayed for another hour. When dawn began to break, he knew he had to make the trip to Oregon City. Even if Eva wouldn’t see him, he had to see for himself that she was all right.
As silently as possible, he grabbed his saddlebag and stuffed a clean shirt into it, followed by his Bible and extra bullets for his gun, just in case he had need of it.
He carried his boots as he left his room and passed through the living room. He’d wait until he got to the porch to pull them on. He didn’t want to wake up Ma and Pa.
Just as he pulled his Stetson off the hat rack, he got the scare of his life.
“Where you going, son?” His ma’s voice came out of nowhere.
“You scared me half to death, Ma.”
She sat in front of the fire, wearing her robe and a nightcap, rocking in her chair. Her long gray hair was braided and slung over both shoulders. “I asked you a question. Where do you think you’re sneaking off to before dawn?”
“Sneaking off? Ma, I’m a grown man.”
“Grown men don’t sneak off in the middle of the night rather than have to face their parents.”
“Oh, all right. I’m going to go to Oregon City and find Eva. I had a horrible dream last night about her, and I need to see her.”
“I’ve been hearing you up there. I imagine you’ve been praying all night just like I have. But going to Oregon City isn’t a good idea. Not until you’re invited. God woke you up to pray. That’s all. Now Eva and her parents have both asked you not to pressure Eva. I think you need to honor their request.”
“You didn’t see what I saw in that dream, Ma. The look in her eyes. She reached out to me.”
“And there was blood on her hands?”
Stunned, Jonesy nodded.
“The Lord gave me the same dream, son. Why do you think I’m up at this hour? I’ve been praying all night, right alongside you. Now do you think God’s telling us both to go to Oregon City?”
“No.”
“That’s right. He’s not telling me to go, and you are not to go either. The only thing God is asking of us right now is to bombard heaven with prayers on behalf of that girl. And I’m sure her ma and pa are also praying for her at this moment.”
“What does it mean, though? All the blood?”
“I don’t know, but it’s not good. That’s why we have to keep praying until God gives us peace that Eva’s all right again.”
Jonesy dropped his boots, hung his Stetson back on the hat rack, and slid his saddlebag from his shoulder. “You win. Let’s pray.”
Eva fought to catch her breath from the rapid pace Sally set. She also fought to contain her nausea as the young woman walked her through the fetid alleyway behind the saloon. “Could you please slow down just a little?” she asked.
“Look, if you want to do this, you’ll have to hurry. Bea’s been workin’ all night, too. If we don’t get there soon, she’ll be sleeping, and you’ll have to wait until later. Maybe even tomorrow.”
Eva picked up the pace. “I’ll try to keep up.”
In a few moments, they reached the back door of what Eva could only surmise was a house of ill repute. It wasn’t even disguised as a saloon. Sally knocked, and they waited until a large man answered the door.
“You don’t work here anymore,” he grumbled. “What do you want?”
“I’m here to see Bea.”
The man ogled Eva. “You bringin’ her another girl to replace you?”
“No. She ain’t like that.”
“Then what’s she doing with you?”
“That’s none of your business. Go tell Bea I need to talk to her.”
“Wait here.” The door closed, and Eva stood shivering in the cold, foul-smelling alley. Her stomach revolted, and she rushed to the other side of the alley.
When she was finished, Sally handed her a perfumed hanky. “Keep it. I got lots more.”
“Thanks.” Eva wiped her mouth, fighting nausea once more from the musky scent in the cloth.
The door opened, and the most beautiful woman Eva had ever seen stood there smiling. Eva couldn’t take her eyes off her hair, which was just a little too blond to be real.
“Sally, darling. It’s wonderful to see you again. Have you finally given up on Mike?”
“No,” she said crisply. “And I never will.”
The woman sighed and waved them inside. “Ah, well, I had hoped. Who is this?” She pointed at Eva.
“She’s in a fix, Bea. I thought maybe you might could help her.”
Anxiety began to build inside Eva. She shouldn’t be here. How would she ever face her ma again, knowing she’d associated with these sorts of people?
“Honey, you’d better sit down. You look like you’re about to pass out.” Bea took her arm and escorted her to a kitchen chair. “Now tell Bea all about it.”
“She was raped,” Sally broke in flatly, without emotion, as though it didn’t matter. “She wants to do away with the baby and forget it ever happened.”
Do away with the baby? Suddenly Eva saw a fat, pink baby with rosy lips and soft brown hair. Was it a boy or a girl?
No. She couldn’t think about that. She’d go crazy if she did. Tears burned her eyes.
The woman placed an arm around Eva’s shoulders and clicked her tongue sympathetically. “There, there, we’ll have you fixed up in no time. A beauty like you shouldn’t be saddled with a baby at this time in your life. Especially a baby conceived in such a wretched circumstance.”
Eva’s unease increased. She stood. “I—I think perhaps I’ve made a mistake. I should probably go.”
“Well, it’s certainly up to you. If you want to see that man’s face the rest of your life, every time you look at his child.”
Bea walked to the counter and pulled out a cup and saucer. She set the teakettle on to boil, leaving Eva to mull over the words.
How could she carry a child who might look like that man? Bea was right. Eva sank back down into the chair.
“How far gone are you, honey?”
“About two months.”
“It’s good you came to me when you did.” Bea gave an approving nod. “This is the best time.”
“What do you mean?”
“Less danger to you. Less mess.”
Eva’s stomach tightened at the callous words. What was it Aimee had said about God hating hands that shed innocent blood?
The teakettle whistled, and Eva jumped.
“Calm down, little one. You’ll likely jump out of your skin.”
The woman seemed nice enough, but remembering Sally’s warning about Bea’s meanness, she resolved to remain on her guard.
Sally glanced at Eva. “Are you sure you want to go through with this? There are worse things in the world than having a baby.”
Bea shoved her aside. “Leave the girl alone. What are you still doing here, anyway?”
“Making sure she’s taken proper care of. She’s a nice girl. Too nice to be held prisoner in a place like this.”
Eva started. “Prisoner? What do you mean?”
Bea gave a short laugh. “Sally is always exaggerating. She used to work for me and always complained about my rules. But you aren’t that kind of young woman, are you? You came here for help, which I’m happy to give.” She set a cup of tea in front of Eva. “Drink this, my dear. It’ll help you relax.”
Though not fully satisfied with the answer, Eva took the tea, grateful for something to settle her stomach. “Thank you.”
“Now I need to ask a few questions before I can give you the help you need. Do you have any friends or family members who are likely to come looking for you?”
“No one will come if I get back home soon. How long will this take?”
Bea looked sideways at Sally, but Eva couldn’t decipher the meaning behind the frown.
“The procedure will be fairly quick. But you’ll need to rest afterward. I normally keep someone like you in bed for a couple of days at least.”
“Oh no. Rex would call on all of his connections to find me if I were gone that long.”
Were her words slurring? Eva grabbed hold of the table as the room began to spin. “I—I don’t feel so good. Sally? I’m scared.” She clutched at the woman’s hand. “God hates hands that shed innocent blood. I don’t want God to hate me. I love Him.”
“It’s all right. You don’t have to do this.”
“Shut up, Sally.” Bea’s voice rose in pitch. “What connections do you mean? Who is Rex?”
“My cousin’s husband.” Eva took a deep breath and laid her cheek on the table in front of her. “Rex Donnelly.”
“The attorney?”
“Mm-hmm. He fights for the innocent. God hates hands that shed innocent blood.” Eva began to sob. Her mind was whirling and confused, but she knew she couldn’t kill the life within her. “I have to go. I can’t do this. I can’t murder an innocent baby.” Suddenly she pitched forward, and darkness claimed her.
He’d seen her walk into that saloon last night. But she never came out. Anger burned in his chest. She’d come to Oregon City to taunt him.
Oh, she would pay for this.
Eva woke slowly. Her head pounded, and she was disoriented, in a strange bed, in unfamiliar surroundings. She tried to sit up, but a stab of pain sent her back to her pillow.
“Don’t try to get up too soon. You’ve been out for a while.”
She opened her eyes to the voice. “Where am I?”
Soft gray eyes looked down on her with kindness. “My name is Martha O’Neill. My husband is the Reverend O’Neill. We serve the Lord by taking in women like you who are trying to change their ways.”
“How did I get here?”
“We found you on the street yesterday morning. At first my husband thought you were dead, but when we got close, we could tell you were just unconscious. Drugged, most likely. We loaded you into our wagon and brought you here.”
“Yesterday morning?” Eva sat up quickly, then moaned as pain stabbed her once more. A flash of pink caught her eye, and she glanced down at her dress. “What on earth?” How had she come to be wearing Sally’s dress? Not a dress, really; more like a costume. An extremely indecent one at that. She grabbed the blanket and pulled it up to her chin.
“Modesty is returning already. How wonderful. The reverend and I would like to offer you a place to call home if you are willing to end your life of sin and learn to walk in the light of God’s love and goodness. If you would prefer to be returned, you may have a good, hearty breakfast first, and afterward, my husband will drive you back to where he found you.”
The woman gave her a soft, loving smile and placed her hand on Eva’s cheek. “I can see you’ve been through a lot, child. Perhaps God brought you to us for a reason. Will you give Him a chance to show you true love?”
Eva grabbed Mrs. O’Neill’s hand and held it close. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“The love of God brought you here. My husband and I are only His hands and His feet.”
“Oh, Mrs. O’Neill, if only I c
ould believe in God’s love again.”
“You will, child. God has led you beside still waters so that He can restore your soul. You may stay with us for however long it takes God to do His work of restoration.”
thirteen
It was all Jonesy could do not to grab Billy by the front of his shirt and throw him into the wall to make him understand. “We have to go after her.”
Billy’s eyes flashed, and he slapped his hand down on the desk. “Do you think I don’t want to go find my baby sister?”
“Not from the looks of it. It’s been two weeks, and I’m tired of waiting.”
“Rex has hired four private detectives, and he called in favors at the sheriff’s office in Oregon City. Right now I have my hands full with those horse thieves. The circuit judge is going to be coming through any time. I can’t leave my post.”
Jonesy slammed his fist against the wall. The pain came as a welcome relief against the ache in his heart. His Eva, missing, and no one could find her. What if she was gone for good? What if she was dead? Only the fact that the road between here and Oregon City was washed out had kept him from riding there as soon as he received word that she was missing.
He was about to appeal to Billy again when the door flew open. “Sheriff!” The bespectacled postmaster rushed inside and thrust a letter into Billy’s hands. “I would have waited to give it to your pa and ma, but I know how anxious you all are to hear from Eva.”
Jonesy’s heart leaped. “That’s from Eva?”
“Yes.”
Billy stared at the envelope. “It’s postmarked Oregon City.”
“So much for four detectives and the sheriff’s office.”
A shrug lifted Billy’s shoulders. “I’ll get this out to Ma and Pa right away. Thank you, Travis.”
“You’re welcome, Sheriff.”
“What are you waiting for?” Jonesy asked. “Open it.”
“It’s addressed to my parents. I’m not opening it.”
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