“My point exactly. And Caitlan, as far as I can remember from Kiernan’s discussions about his brothers and sisters, is very nearly my own age. Two young women living unprotected in New York is completely unacceptable. Mr. Marcum even suggested a governess could be hired—”
“A governess! What does our solicitor know of the matter? Has he forgotten we’ve managed quite successfully up here on our own?”
“I’m certain he hasn’t,” Brenton replied, clasping his hands behind his back. “But I’m sure he has also reasoned that during our time here in New York, you have been under the care of Headmistress Deighton, and I have been under the direction of my employer. The spring session at Deighton will soon come to an end, and Mother and Father will expect that we would return to Baltimore and then on to Oakbridge to stay with Uncle York.” He began pacing again. “No one figured for us to have to stay here in New York.”
“Well, no one figured on the war to get worse either. But don’t you see?” Jordana said, getting to her feet. “This will work rather nicely. Caitlan will arrive and need a place to live until we can figure a way to get her to California to be reunited with her brother. We are to remain up here instead of returning home, and with the money allotted us we can easily find a place. Why don’t you talk to your landlady and see if she might not have additional rooms for us?”
Brenton paused again and nodded. “That’s a capital idea! I think there is an empty room.”
“That way we will have a matronly figure looking over us, and Caitlan will have a place to stay when she first arrives. We will all be together, and there won’t be any need to upset your routine. Perhaps your employer will even allow you to stay on and work through the summer.”
Brenton frowned. “He’s considering going south to photograph battlefields and warfare. Apparently he has a friend who intends to lecture on the vile repercussions of war and wants as many graphic pictures as he can get his hands on. Even now he’s trying to deduce where the next battles might take place.”
“How gruesome,” Jordana said, coming to where Brenton stood. She looped her arm through his and pulled him along with her down the path. “You mustn’t allow him to take you along. I won’t have you killed on some battlefield.”
“Jordana, there’s so much here that confuses me. I have an allegiance to this country and an obligation to support the president.”
“You are barely eighteen. And you have a responsibility to your family. I heard that men who are the sole support of their families don’t have to go to war.”
“I’m hardly the sole support. And I can no longer hide behind my age. Did you know many younger than I are joining? They are lying about their ages,” Brenton replied. “In fact, I heard only yesterday that the more enthusiastic are putting the number eighteen in their shoe so that when asked if they are ‘over’ eighteen, they don’t have to lie.”
Jordana laughed. “It’s ingenious, I’ll give you that. But I won’t allow you to go.”
Brenton shook his head, and Jordana thought he suddenly looked far older than his years. “What is it?” she asked softly.
Brenton pulled away from her and looked around to make certain they were alone. Seeing no one near enough to overhear him, he replied, “I don’t want to go. I want to continue my photography and go west. You know, I have always dreamed of this. I want to share the nation with the world through pictures, but I cannot ignore the feelings inside me. Feelings that suggest I am a coward to think the way I do.”
“So you will enlist to prove to yourself that you aren’t a coward? What sense is there in that? Either you know yourself to be a coward or not. This action won’t change matters either way.”
Brenton looked down at the ground. “I knew you wouldn’t understand. You aren’t a man.”
“What has that to do with it?”
“Plenty,” Brenton replied, then added sulkily, “I’m sorry I brought it up. It’s just that if I should have to follow my conscience and return to Maryland to sign up with the militia, I’ll need to arrange for your safety. And now I’ll have Caitlan to worry about as well.”
“You aren’t going and that’s final,” Jordana countered angrily. “I won’t have you run off and desert me.”
“It wouldn’t be desertion. I’d see you safely to—”
“To where? Oakbridge, in the heart of southern support? Baltimore—which by your own admission is a city in conflict? Perhaps you would see me living with Aunt Virginia in Greigsville. Be reasonable, Brenton. All of our family is either in the thick of it or out of the country. There is no place to send me away to. You must stay and take care of me.”
He looked at her sympathetically. “It is possible to keep you at Deighton. I’ve already checked into the matter.”
“Brenton Baldwin, how could you even think such a thing!”
“If it meant your well-being, I would bear your wrath and do it.”
“I would run away,” Jordana declared, hands on hips.
Brenton offered her a weak smile. “Well, it isn’t something that has to be decided this day. I still have time before my apprenticeship is over. Perhaps you could stay at the boardinghouse, and Mrs. Clairmont would look after both you and Caitlan.”
Jordana instantly forgave his indiscretion. “That would be more reasonable, but I still won’t allow you to go.” She took hold of him again. “It’s always possible that because of the war we could take advantage of the situation and deal with Caitlan’s problem ourselves.”
“And how do you figure that?”
“Well, we could take her west to Kiernan. She wouldn’t have to travel alone, and we wouldn’t be anywhere near the fighting. It would fulfill our family’s suggestion that we stay out of harm’s way, and it would solve Caitlan’s problem as well.”
“You and me?” Brenton questioned. “You’re suggesting that we arrange to take Caitlan from New York to California? It costs money, you know.”
“Yes, but you’ve already said we would have a healthy stipend. And I know you’ve saved money from both of our accounts. Surely we would have enough to purchase tickets for as far west as the train goes, and then we could travel with one of those bands of settlers who are moving west. Or we could go by ship.”
Brenton shook his head. “I hardly think it would work. We would be completely out of our element.”
“Don’t be so negative. You consider throwing yourself into a war where people are bound to be killed, but you hesitate to participate in the trip of your dreams? Think of what you could accomplish on the way.”
“I can’t run away from my obligations,” Brenton replied softly. “I can’t just sweep this issue aside because it makes you uncomfortable. I haven’t decided what I will do, but it isn’t a decision that I will allow my sixteen-year-old sister to make for me.” Jordana pouted and he added, “No matter how intelligent she is.” He smiled at her and continued. “Come now, let us have a good evening together.”
Jordana realized there was little more she could say to convince him. “Would you at least think about the idea?”
Brenton sighed. “All right. I’ll at least consider it.”
She gave him a generous smile. “Wonderful. Let’s go to supper. I’m positively famished.” Brenton nodded, but Jordana could see the heaviness in his expression. This struggle of conscience would not be easily resolved.
6
“It isn’t much to look at,” Kiernan told Victoria as they surveyed Dutch Flat.
“Looks like most of the other mining towns we’ve lived in or around,” Victoria replied.
He stopped and looked at his young wife. She had once worn beautiful party clothes and known a life much easier than this one. Her hands, now callused and scarred from heavy work, were once smooth and soft. He hated knowing that he had taken her from that life. That he alone had been responsible for bringing her west and losing her fortune. He had only been able to see the possibility of being his own man, of earning enough to bring his family from Ireland
to America, and of supporting the woman he loved without using her inheritance to see them through.
He felt a deep, abiding sorrow that she suffered for his choices. He knew what it was to live his life in a tent. He knew what it was to go hungry. But she didn’t, and she shouldn’t have had to know. He had taken her away from security and plunged her into the heart of all that threatened to destroy them. They were barely eating and had only the tent to keep them out of the elements, but of late the snows and rains had left them both chilled to the bone and sickly.
She tried not to complain, and for this Kiernan was grateful. His own conscience defeated him on a daily basis; there was no need for her to add her condemnation.
“Where are we supposed to find this man?” Victoria questioned, breaking into Kiernan’s thoughts.
“He’s the town druggist. I’d imagine we should try over there.” He pointed to a false-front building that had crude writing to announce “Medicines, Doctoring, and Help for What Ails You.”
Victoria pulled her shawl tight around her wool coat. “I suppose you’re right. Maybe they’ll have a fire.”
Kiernan urged their pack mule forward, praying that he hadn’t once again led them astray. Victoria seemed to sense his mood and reached over to pat his arm.
“Don’t worry,” she said. “There seems to be plenty going on in this town. If this man can’t use your help, you’re bound to find something else just as useful.”
“I hope so.”
They tied the mule to a crude hitching post, then entered the building and waited a moment while their eyes adjusted to the poorly lighted room. Every imaginable space in the room was taken up with some article. Jars lined the wall behind the counter and were marked with both legible and illegible wording. The counter itself was piled high with a variety of goods, including items of clothing and unmarked bottles of amber liquid, while mining equipment and tools hung on the walls.
“You lookin’ for something in particular?” a rough voice called out. From behind a curtained doorway, a good-sized man emerged.
“I’d be lookin’ for a gentleman by the name of Strong. I was told he could use help surveyin’.”
“I’m Daniel Strong,” the man replied. “Folks round here generally call me ‘Doc,’ seeing as how I doctor their injuries and prescribe their medicine.”
Kiernan extended his hand. “I’m Kiernan O’Connor and this is me wife, Victoria.”
“Irish?” Strong questioned.
“Aye, I am. She’s not,” Kiernan replied evenly, though his eyes narrowed slightly. “Is that a problem?”
The man continued to eye them for a moment. “Not at all. Is it a problem for you that I’m not?”
Kiernan relaxed and smiled. “I wouldn’t be here if it was.”
Strong laughed. “You both look half froze to the bone. Whereabouts you come in from?”
“We hiked over from Tahoe City. My mule’s outside with our goods.”
“And you came looking for surveyin’ work? You have any experience?”
“Aye, that I do,” Kiernan replied. “Me wife’s father helped survey for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He trained me. I’ve put down rail, blasted tunnels, and mucked out canals. I know a bit about railroads and heard tell ya were thinkin’ to put one through to the East.”
Doc Strong smiled. “That we are. Why don’t you and the missus come on in the back with me. I’ve got someone I want you to meet.”
Kiernan looked at Victoria and gave her a weak smile. At least it wasn’t a rejection. Not yet. He would tell the man about his abilities and pray for God’s hand in the matter. There had to be some manner of decent work for a man such as himself who wasn’t afraid of hard work.
“Ted, this young man wants to help us with our railroad,” Doc announced as they entered a small back room.
A rough-looking table had been set with mugs of coffee and a tray of sweet rolls. Kiernan thought nothing in the world had ever looked better. His stomach growled loudly, but he tried to ignore his own hunger and drew Victoria closer. A man and woman sat on the opposite side of the table, and as the man rose to his feet, he smiled and extended his hand.
“I’m Theodore Judah, but most folks just call me Ted. This is my wife, Anna.”
The woman smiled and turned to look at Victoria. “Child, you look so cold. Come sit here by the stove and get warm. Doc, let’s have some hot coffee for these children.”
Kiernan liked her immediately, even if she implied that they were children. He returned her smile. “Thank you.” He watched the woman, though a complete stranger, instinctively mother Victoria, and he felt for the first time in a long while that all would be well.
“It seems fate has brought this young man to our doorstep,” Doc said, plunking down two more mismatched mugs. Anna reached out to pour the coffee while he continued. “Mr. O’Connor here has experience in railroading.”
“Is that so?” Ted replied.
Kiernan nodded but said nothing. Instead, he studied the man across the table. He appeared to be in his mid-thirties. Not much older than Kiernan himself. He had brown hair and dark, active eyes that seemed not to miss anything in his surroundings. His thick, full beard and moustache hid away the serious slant of his mouth, but his expression showed great interest, and this encouraged Kiernan.
“I worked on the Baltimore and Ohio back east,” Kiernan finally said. Anna handed him a steaming cup and did likewise with Victoria. Kiernan thought nothing had ever smelled or looked so good. The coffee was strong and black, unlike the watered-down variety he and Victoria had been sharing.
“We were just about to partake of some further refreshment,” Anna told them. “Would you care to join us?” She didn’t wait for their affirmation, but rather acting the part of hostess for the group, she put a sticky bun on the table beside each person. “We don’t stand on formalities around here,” she said with a smile. “Doc’s lucky to have enough cups to go around. I shan’t dream of bothering him for plates.”
“Good thing, too,” Doc said with a laugh.
“We were just planning to take a trip out to the Donner Pass. We’ve surveyed much of the area in hopes of building a railroad,” Ted told him. “Why don’t you join us? It will give us a chance to get to know each other better and see if we like the idea of working together.”
“I have to work at something,” Kiernan told the men. “I don’t have much left in reserve.” It was a matter of pride to admit this, but Kiernan felt it the right thing to do.
“Well, I can’t pay you much to start,” Ted Judah said thoughtfully. “That is, if we decide on hiring you.”
Doc chimed in about this time. “You can sweep out the store and help me keep it in order while we’re working to figure this out. I can’t pay much, either, but it’ll keep you fed.”
“It’s generous, you are,” Kiernan replied.
“Nonsense,” Doc said, chuckling. “Ted is keeping me far too busy. I can’t keep a decent eye on the store. So while we wait for the weather to warm a bit, you can stay here.”
“We have a tent,” Kiernan offered.
“Good. I’ll show you where you can pitch it.”
Kiernan felt a sense of relief wash over him as he sunk his teeth into the bun. The caramelized sugar melted in his mouth, and he thought that nothing had ever tasted as good as this sweet roll did just now. At least they would have a place to stay and food to keep them from hunger. He looked over at Victoria and saw the hopefulness in her eyes.
He had seen the same look in his mother’s eyes. But that had been before their da had died and the famine had swept Ireland. It was before the landlords had risen up in an oppression far worse than any they had ever known—throwing people off the land, burning their cottages down around them. His mother had tried to remain hopeful even as her family suffered from starvation and the loss of all they had known. She had turned to her faith for strength and had remained true to it until her death—a very young death. Seeing Victoria’s expre
ssion so similarly mirror his mother’s gave Kiernan a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. What if the same fate awaited her?
“So your father is James Baldwin. Is that right?” Judah was asking Victoria.
“Yes, he is,” she said, her smile sincere. “He’s abroad at present. Mother wrote and said they had been asked to help with the Russian railroad.”
“No doubt an even more ambitious project than our own,” Ted Judah replied.
“If anyone is able to help accomplish the matter, it will be James Baldwin,” Kiernan replied. “I hold me father-in-law in high regard. He looks forward to the day when a railroad will tie this country together.”
“No more so than my mother,” Victoria chimed in.
Anna laughed at this. “Of course, a mother would look forward to having a quicker route to her child.”
“Aye,” Kiernan added, “not to mention the woman has her own passion for the rails.”
“A transcontinental route is absolutely necessary if we are to see this nation settled properly. We cannot expect citizens in the East to give their money and lives for states in the West when they can’t even reach them without spending weeks, even months, en route.”
They continued discussing the issue of a transcontinental railroad until Victoria yawned and Anna decided they could both use a rest away from the men.
“Doc, we shall borrow your guest bed,” Anna said with a voice that betrayed her own exhaustion. “Come, Victoria. We shall have a nap.”
Victoria looked to Kiernan before joining the woman. He could only nod his approval. God knew she needed more than a brief nap on a borrowed bed, but at least it was something.
Watching Anna Judah put an arm around his wife, Kiernan felt blessed that God had sent another woman into their lives. Sometimes Victoria seemed so isolated. So alone. He was certain she believed him to be ignorant of the fact, and it appeared they were both content to continue keeping their unhappiness from each other. Sometimes he thought to bring up the point that they were allowing some things to be put aside without solutions or discussions. But physical demands left him exhausted, and his own mental anguish over his lack of success left him with little desire to discuss emotional matters. Surely if the matter needed tending to, Victoria would bring it up. She was a strong woman, and he knew her to voice concern when need necessitated it. If her loneliness was too great, she would most likely approach him on the matter. Wouldn’t she?
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