by Alice Addy
Eve gathered her courage. “Ty, I saw the reaction you and your parents had when I told you I was from the Orphan Train. I obviously no longer meet with their approval, or yours. What’s wrong with the Orphan Train anyway?”
Ty smiled, and knelt down on one knee in front of Eve. He took her hand and lifted it to his lips. “I just didn’t know. You see, sugar . . . you think you know everything about me, but you don’t really. Like you, I was adopted . . . and I, too, rode the Orphan Train.”
Suddenly, it dawned on Eve. “But there was only one Orphan Train through Hays City. That means . . . you and I were on the same train?”
He nodded. “Yes, darling. We knew each other long ago . . . just as you suspected.”
Almost unbelieving, Eve asked, ”We did? How could I not remember you? I don’t recall knowing a Ty or Tyrone,” she giggled.
She began to tremble. “I need to put the baby in her cradle, Ty, before I drop her.” She stood up on wobbly legs and placed the infant down, pulling her blanket up snuggly, beneath her delicate chin.
Just as she turned away, Carol awoke and started to fuss.
Ty rushed to her side, “Let me, darling. I can stop her from crying.”
He started to hum a familiar tune. Eve had heard this song once before . . . a long time ago, on the train. It was about a family of rabbits that lived on a hill. She couldn’t believe her ears.
“Ty . . . who are you really?” she asked, as she cradled his face between her shaking hands. “Look at me,” she ordered. Eve stared deeply into Ty’s blue eyes—one only slightly browner than the other. “Oh, my God . . . you’re him,” she murmured, as she slowly melted to the floor.
Ty caught her up before she actually hit the floor and carried her over to the bed. Rubbing her hands briskly, he spoke softly. “Ebbie?”
“Butch? Oh, Butch, is it really you? What happened to the stutter?” Eve asked, as she slowly recovered from the shock.
Ty grinned. His girl was back. “I can ask you the same thing, Ebbie. What happened to your foot?”
“Frieda and the old vet wouldn’t let me give up. They fixed it.”
Cora spoke up. “Eve, after we got home, Butch told us all about you, and how you were such good friends and all. John and I decided to send for you, but no one could tell us where you’d gone. It’s as if you just disappeared.”
Eve laughed. “It’s a long story, but I’ll be happy to tell you about it one day.”
Ty laughed as well. “I, for one, am truly happy we weren’t raised together. You’d probably think of me as your older brother, and I couldn’t have that. Things worked out just the way they should. We found each other, at last.”
“You’re definitely not little anymore,” Eve teased.
“Thank you for the compliment. And I miss your lisp.”
Eve giggled. “Well, if we’re lucky, maybe Carol will lisp for you once in a while.
“So you’re pleased?” she asked, tentatively.
Cora and John said in unison, “Yes, definitely. Welcome to our family, Eve, finally.”
Cora approached Eve and took her hand. “Daughter, Ty is very fortunate to be marrying you, and I can’t tell you how excited I am to be a grandmother. Carol is simply precious, and I already love her with all my heart.”
“Thank you, Cora. Thank you for everything,” Eve said, as she started to cry, again.
Late that evening, when everyone was asleep, Ty and Eve managed to meet in the kitchen. Neither could sleep. Tomorrow would be their long awaited wedding day and the beginning of the rest of their lives together. All their troubles were far behind them.
They were drinking coffee and reminiscing about their days on the train, and how it ultimately led them to each other. It sure was funny how things worked out. They didn’t know, way back then, that they would eventually fall in love and marry. Life was a puzzle with all its hardships and rewards. And little did they know that at that very moment, their lives were in danger once again, and they’d soon be forced to fight—just for their survival.
* * *
The blinding hatred in him was overwhelming—a cancer consuming his very soul. He felt nothing but contempt for the cowboy, and pure, unadulterated hatred for his woman. How could she spurn him? She must know he loved her intensely, but still she denied that love. Eve was running around town, flaunting a bogus wedding, and never once giving him or his feelings a second thought. She was pure evil—a jezebel—and she would pay with her life.
Rage clouded Sam’s judgment. He was hurting inside, and the only way to alleviate that pain was to make others feel worse. His plan was made and he resolved to see it through to completion. If others got hurt, he didn’t really give a damn . . . except for their infant daughter. That was really unfortunate. Oh, well, she shouldn’t have a witch for a mother, he thought. The child was already tainted, no doubt.
He had everything he needed to bring an end to this farce. The kitchen door suddenly burst open, taking both, Eve and Ty, by surprise. The deranged man leaped for Eve, grabbing her by the throat, and pressed a razor sharp knife into her soft white flesh.
He warned Ty. “Don’t be stupid, cowboy. With a flick of my wrist, I can break her lovely neck, or simply cut her and watch her bleed.” Gleefully, he dragged the knife down her cheek to demonstrate his intent. “Or maybe I should carve up her pretty face. Which do you think, cowboy?”
“Eve,” Ty whispered. “Don’t be frightened.” He didn’t know just what to do, but he knew she had to stay calm.
Sam laughed. His sour breath sickened Eve. She had to turn her face away or be ill. “What’s the matter, honey? Don’t you love me anymore?” he taunted. “How about a kiss before I kill your boyfriend?”
“You wouldn’t dare, Sam. You’re drunk. Why don’t you let me go and I’ll fix you some coffee and we’ll talk.” She needed to buy time.
“Sure, honey. What do you want to talk about? Let’s see, maybe your wedding?” he nearly shouted. His grip grew tighter, as the tip of the knife sliced through the fragile flesh.
“Stop!” Ty yelled, as he started toward the crazy gambler.
“That’s far enough, Fenton. Now if you do as I say, I won’t hurt her. Sit down in that chair . . . now!”
Ty did exactly as he was told.
Sam led Eve over to Ty, stopping behind his chair. “Be good, dear, or I will kill Ty right in front of you. I just need to make sure he doesn’t interfere with you and me.” He took a step forward, and with the heavy handle of the knife, he brought it down firmly on the side of Ty’s head. The cowboy crumpled to the floor.
Eve tried to scream for help, but Sam was too fast for her, stuffing a dirty kerchief into her mouth. He forced her down into another chair and pulled a rope from his pocket. Making certain the knots were tied tightly, Sam secured her to the chair. He tied her feet so she could not move, and then he tipped the chair on its side, insuring she could not fall over and wake the entire hotel. Sam grinned, certain he had thought of everything.
He then hogtied the unconscious Ty’s hands behind his back and then to his feet. He would not be able to stand. Having snared his victims, he looked around the room, and was satisfied that all was as he had planned it.
The crazed man left the kitchen by the same door from which he’d entered. He locked it, as he left. Piling the kerosene soaked rags against the door, he continued with his monstrous preparations. Quickly, he stacked boxes, wood, and paper—anything flammable he could find, upon the porch and surrounding walls. Everything was ready.
Sam Garrison stood back and thought for a moment of all he had lost. Eve could have given him everything. His life would have been so different, but she was heartless and cruel—like all women.
“Finally, I have won. Goodbye, Eve. I still love you.” He struck the match, and watched its warm light lessen some of the darkness surrounding him, before he threw it on the pile of papers. They caught instantly. Sam stood for a moment, mesmerized by the hungry flames, leaping and growi
ng at an incredible speed, reaching out, ready to devour the wooden hotel. A large tear escaped from his dark eyes.
Without warning, he felt a strong hand jerk his body away from the flames. A huge mountain of a man plowed his fist into the center of Sam’s face. He knew nothing after that. His body flew backwards with such speed; he crashed through the papers and the kerosene covered rags. His foot spilled what was left of the flammable liquid, causing it to run up his pant leg and bringing the fires of hell with it.
The huge man tried to beat out the flames, but in a matter of seconds, the gambler was totally engulfed in the fiery furnace, his smoking flesh had turned black and was dropping off. Still, he never woke, and that was a small mercy, for he would have died in utter agony.
The stranger pulled the nearly cremated body away from the building and kicked at the stacks of combustible fuel. Clearing the doorway, he stomped out the remaining tentacles of fire with his enormous boots.
He had to kick the door open, breaking the latch, to reach the two people he found tied up in the kitchen.
Eve saw him first.
“Whiskey! You’re home!” she cried with joy. For the moment, it made no difference to her that she was still tied up, or that they had almost been roasted alive. Whiskey was home.
“Evie, darlin’. I heard you were gettin’ married. I had to come home to walk you down the aisle.” His hands worked adeptly at untying her bindings. He then turned to the silent Ty.
“This here the man you’re a marryin’?” he asked.
“You know him, Whiskey. That’s Ty Fenton, and yes, he’s the one.”
“I always liked that young man.”
“What in heaven’s name is going on in my kitchen?” Dora was standing with her fists on her hips, looking at the mess and all the people tied up or passed out on the floor.
“Eve? Who is this man? And why do I smell smoke? Is that door broken?”
“Excuse me, ma’am. Name’s Whiskey, and I used to own the Six Gun Saloon. I’m sort of Eve’s unofficial uncle. I helped raise her from the time she came here on that train. I helped Frieda nurse her through mumps, measles, and whoopin’ cough. I guess I’ve earned the right to walk her down the aisle, tomorrow. That is, if you don’t have any objections.”
Dora then spied Ty coming to, on the floor. “My stars. What happened to Ty? What’s been goin’ on here?”
“I need to talk to the sheriff. There’s a dead man out there on the porch.”
“A dead man?” Dora screamed. “This will never do, Mr. Whiskey. I’ve got a weddin’ tomorrow. I cain’t have dead men layin’ around.”
He smiled at the handsome woman. “He’ll be long gone, ma’am. I caught him tryin’ to set fire to the hotel, with Ty and Evie tied up in the kitchen. It was that bastard, Sam Garrison—pardon the language. He used to work fer me, but somewhere along the way, he done lost his mind. He got burnt up in his own fire.”
Eve closed her eyes. She never wanted Sam to die such a horrible death, but he was clearly insane, and there was no other way for Sam Garrison to end up. It was bound to happen.
“Carol is his daughter,” Eve muttered.
“No, Carol is my daughter. And there’ll be no more mention of Sam Garrison. Agreed?” Ty stated, rubbing the side of his head, clearly still dazed by the wound. “Is everything all right? Is that you, Whiskey?”
“Yup.”
“Where the hell have you been?” Ty was furious. Eve could have used the old man’s protection over the last several months.
“Where are your manners, boy? Cain’t you see there are ladies in the room? I’ve been around. I’m here to give Evie away. Got any objections?”
Ty’s mouth curled into an uneven smile. “No, none, I guess. Welcome back, Whiskey.” Then as an afterthought, Ty added, “But you’d better be here to stay, old man, or we’re gonna have words.”
* * *
It was almost noon, and all the stress and ugliness of the night before had disappeared. The church was filled to the rafters and the shade-covered path leading up to the doors was overflowing with well-wishers. The sun shone brightly on the young couple, and as if on cue, the birds sang from their perches, high above.
Ty managed to procure a white buggy and a beautiful white gelding to pull it. The high stepping horse delivered Eve, Cora, and baby Carol to the church, at precisely the stroke of twelve o’clock.
Ty stood in the front of the church with his eyes glued to the doors, awaiting his first glimpse of his beautiful bride. He could barely breathe with expectation. When the doors finally opened, a golden halo of sunlight enveloped his beloved. She appeared to be an angel, graced with a heavenly light. No mortal man could hope to touch her, to make her his own. Ty swallowed, trying to take it all in. This was the moment he had waited for, the moment when his all prayers were answered, and he sincerely hoped he didn’t pass out.
Eve seemed to float on air as she approached the front of the church. Whiskey was by her side, and Cora followed behind her, carrying their baby daughter. But it was the handsome man smiling back at her, which caused Eve’s heart to beat rapidly and her knees to weaken. He was all she had ever dreamed of and he was waiting for her. This beautiful man was promising to stand by her and love her for the rest of her life. Oh, how she loved him. In fact, she had loved him since she was five, and now he was hers.
The young couple’s voices were strong and unwavering in their vows to each other. Both were ready for this holy commitment. Both wanted this more than life, itself.
“I do,” they each said, and they kissed in front of nearly all of Hays City.
Smiling up at each other, with hearts nearly bursting with happiness, they were finally pronounced, “man and wife”.
“Listen,” Eve remarked with wonder. “The bell is ringing. It’s Frieda’s bell.” She started to cry. “Oh, Mama,” she muttered, tearfully.
Looking back at the pastor, she smiled. “Thank you. It meant so much to her, and now, it’s as if she’s here with us. I can’t thank you enough.”
Ty held out his hand and shook the hand of the minister. “That was real thoughtful of you, sir.”
Whiskey, a little teary eyed himself, turned and stood looking out toward the crowd. “Well, don’t just stand here. We got us some serious vittles waitin’ fer us back at the hotel. Go on and enjoy yourselves.”
He gave Eve a hug, then took Dora’s hand and escorted her back to the hotel. “I’ll help you serve, ma’am.”
Ty laughed. “Well, you won’t have to worry about Dora or Whiskey being lonely after you leave. I think he’s sweet on her, already.”
Eve giggled. Confidentially, she thought so, too.
The day had been perfect. Everyone congratulated the handsome couple, wished them well, and enjoyed the feast laid out before them. The hotel had never looked more beautiful, nor had Eve.
Hours later, after their neighbors had departed for homes of their own, she gathered her friends in the kitchen. A lump grew in her throat, as she prepared to say her final goodbyes. It was useless to try to hold back the rush of inevitable tears.
“What can I say to all of you? The luckiest day of my life was when I saw the four of you step down off that train. You turned my life around. With your love and guidance, I have learned the important lessons in life . . . loyalty, strength of character, tenacity, and humor. You are the sisters I never had, and I want you to know that you are forever welcome in my home—for a day, or for as long as you need. You are Carol’s aunts and she’s the luckier for it.
“Dora, I would appreciate it, if you’d find a place for Whiskey here, at the hotel. I love him dearly, and I know he’d like to stay.”
Dora’s face turned scarlet, “You don’t have to worry about a thing, Eve. He and I have already discussed it. He’s quite a man and the Birdsong is lucky to have him.”
“Good,” Eve said with relief. She smiled, knowing that Ty had been correct. There was definitely something happening between these two fine peopl
e.
“Emily, I haven’t had much success in tracking down the owners of that farm, but I’ll keep on it, I promise. In the mean time, I hope you stay here. I don’t know what the hotel would do without your gardens.” Then she added, as an afterthought, “Did you know that Dr. Donovan’s back in town? He was in the rear of the church, today.” Eve winked, good-naturedly.
Then she turned to the pretty redhead. “And you, Patty . . . I will never know what stroke of luck brought you here, to Hays City, but I will be forever grateful. You could be living in any grand city in the world, and yet—here you are. I’ve learned so much from you, and I truly believe that it’s been your talents and vast knowledge that have set the Birdsong Hotel apart from all the others. I pray that you find what you’re looking for.”
“Cassie. What do I say about you, darling? You light up any room simply by your presence. Your sunny disposition and eternal optimism are gifts to everyone around you. Continue to look for the best in everyone, and one day, you will find your place. Someone special will come along and sweep you off your feet. I know it.”
She gave each of the girls a fierce hug, as the happy tears flowed down their pretty faces. Each of her friends wanted to say something. They needed to tell Eve what she had done for them. It was a happy, tearful scene that pulled on their heartstrings, preventing them from saying their final goodbyes.
“Hey, girls. What’s all this? Tears?” Ty grinned at the women. “You’re not saying final goodbyes, are you?”
All the ladies nodded silently, looking absolutely bereft.
“No, no, no. I won’t have this,” he smiled, trying to console them. “Today is a day of celebration, not for tears. Eve will be coming into town to visit you at least once a month. And you all know that we expect you to come to the ranch and spend time with us. Cheer up. This is the beginning of new adventures for all of us, and I for one, am ready to begin mine.”
Ty turned to his bride, “Wife, I do believe it is time for us to go home.” He couldn’t wait to show Eve their cabin. It was mighty pretty, if he did say so himself.