Colorado Gold

by Marian Wells

  She stood aside. “Now just come in here and have some dinner. There’s no cake to celebrate, and it’s as crowded as can be, but come along.”

  The table had just been spread when there was a pounding on the door. Mrs. Goode went after more plates while Mrs. Adriance opened the door to another couple. The woman, April Taylor, ducked her head shyly, even as her eyes sparkled at Amy. “We’ve had to leave meeting early. James is feeling poorly and this is his week to ride into Sunset for meeting.”

  “Will you make it by Sunday?” Daniel asked in surprise.

  James was shaking his head. “The distance between the camps is too much. I just hold meetings any day of the week and any time of the day. Got into Gold Hill at breakfast time once. The fellows had just shouldered their picks, but they dropped them at once.

  “There’s a bad stretch through there. Nearly every time I go that route, I find a couple of Indians lurking around. They’ve done me no harm, but I prefer to meet them in the daytime.”

  Amy led April to the table. The young woman’s dress strained over her pregnancy, but her thin cheeks and shadowed eyes were saying discomforting things to Amy.

  She asked, “What do you do while he’s gone so much?”

  With a wan smile, April replied, “Feed the cow and hope and pray he makes it home alive, with a few dollars to buy more flour.”

  “It’s not easy being the wife of a parson, is it?” Amy asked. She thought of her own mother as she finished. “It’s bad anywhere, but the mountains in winter!” Amy shuddered.

  April straightened. Two red spots brightened her cheeks. “I’m not complaining; it’s his calling. An honor it is, to be a man of God.”

  There was an awkward pause and Amy hastily said, “I know. My father is parson at Central City. But the life would never be of my choosing.”

  Daniel coughed and moved uneasily on his stool. “Amy, a person’s got to be open to the leading of the Lord.”

  Mr. Adriance placed his fork on the table and leaned forward to study Amy. Turning to Daniel he said, “Brother, I hope you haven’t been too hasty.”

  Chapter 14

  After the dishes were washed, Mrs. Goode carried a candle to the table. Stepping over the men’s feet, she apologized. “Night’s fallen. This is poor shelter for a houseful. I’ve nothing except a patch of floor for you to spread out your blankets.”

  “’Tis enough,” Adriance spoke for them all. “We’ve had a good meal and space to stretch our legs; what more could we ask?”

  Daniel added, “We fellows will carry our blankets to the barn. I’ve been doing it for quite some time myself.”

  When he carried Amy’s bedroll into the cabin, he met her solemn eyes and tried to smile. Nearly a whole day they had been married. How little I know about this child wife! That’s enough to scare a man. Matter of fact, what does she know of me?

  In the barn Adriance was sitting on his blankets. He pointed to the mound of straw beside him. “Saved for you.”

  Taylor was asleep when Daniel stretched out on his blankets. Adriance said, “I didn’t know you were planning on getting married.”

  “We weren’t,” Daniel said tersely, miserable with his need for silence. Adriance waited, his eyes dark spots in the paleness of his face. Daniel added, “I guess I don’t really want to talk about it.”

  “That’s all right. Your gal’s remark kinda gave me a start. Had the idea you two hadn’t discussed things.”

  Daniel surrendered with a sigh. “Marriage was one of them. Last night after the altar call, Amy took off like she was being chased. I went right after her. Didn’t use my head. Big hero. I was thinking about seeing her and helping. Since Central City days I’ve got this feeling she’s struggling.”

  “Spiritually?”

  He nodded.

  Adriance mused, “Marriage, huh? For a preacher, marrying in haste and repenting at leisure isn’t the way it’s done.”

  Daniel chewed at the corner of his mouth and Adriance waited. Moonlight marked bars of light on the straw. The gentle breathing of Taylor and Adriance’s watchful eyes brought Daniel up. “Since I first met her. She’s—Do you think God works in things like this? I mean, somehow I just felt like this was the Lord’s planning for us. Not getting married like this. But us together.”

  Daniel searched for words to explain. “Aunt Maude and Brother Goode came looking for us. That made a mess of everything. Aunt Maude lit on marryin’ as a solution to our problem, and I guess I acted foolishly. Amy looked miserable. I had this idea I would be rescuing her from that woman.”

  Adriance chuckled, “And that’s the only reason you married her?”

  “No. I love her!”

  “And like a young’un around molasses candy, you snatched.”

  “Sounds pretty bad. I didn’t think it all through. I snatched, thinking I’d never get another chance. I hadn’t as much as heard a word from her for nearly a year.”

  Finally Adriance spoke again. “Seems she doesn’t know about your call to preach. I get the idea she’s not much interested in being a preacher’s wife. What you going to do about that?”

  “I don’t know. I thought a preacher’s daughter was about the ideal choice for a wife.”

  “You know God’s called you to preach the Gospel in the territory,” Adriance said slowly. “Also you know marriage isn’t to be taken lightly. You’ve pledged yourself to her. You say you think God is guiding; do you have the ability to trust Him to work it all out?”

  “I’m not certain I understand.”

  “Two things you’ve pledged. To preach, and to be Amy Randolph’s husband. Can you hang on to both and ride out the storm?”

  “Storm?”

  “You didn’t think it would be easy, did you? I’ve lived with a woman long enough to know they have a mind to get their own way, especially when it seems right to them. Might be you’ll even have to compromise some of your special dreams.”

  “I can’t compromise where God is concerned.”

  “Just be sensitive to His voice. Daniel, I’ll pray for you. I’ve been caught by you since we first met. I think God has His hand on you. Only time will tell whether this is all part of His plan. I hope it is.”

  “Did you know about Dyer’s marriage?”

  Adriance nodded. “I respect the man for doing what was right, also for being brave enough to face his shame. But then his wife was devious from the beginning. Amy’s young, and if she loves you, she’ll follow along until the Lord makes your calling her joy.”

  Daniel turned to sleep. Love: the word echoed through his head and he trembled at what he had done. It was a mighty big word. Where did I get the crazy idea that Amy loves me?

  April shared the bed with Mrs. Goode, and Amy unrolled her blankets beside Mrs. Adriance. The woman settled herself to sleep, saying, “I hope my husband didn’t upset you. It takes a while to settle into life together. To solve all the differences and learn the give and take of marriage.

  “I also know”—her smile was arched—”young couples don’t spend much time discussing the practical parts of living in the beginning. It was a quick marriage, but that’s sometimes the way it must be out here. Folks don’t get to visit around much. Not much time for courting.”

  Mrs. Adriance turned over and Amy studied her back. Mrs. Adriance was referring to her remark. It had raised all their eyebrows and turned heads toward Daniel. Do these people know something I don’t know? These preachers think every young man must become a preacher of the Gospel. I’ve got different thoughts on the matter.

  Amy yawned as Mrs. Adriance said, “If you can talk him out of preaching the Gospel, then I suppose his calling was just a summer itch.”

  “Calling?” Amy’s heart sank.

  In the morning, Mrs. Goode pressed them to take the horse. “Now, Daniel, you know yourself Brother Goode would have urged it on you. You’ll be seeing him next week; besides, the mare needs the exercise.”

  The morning was still dewy fresh when Am
y and Daniel started for the fort. Both were silent as they left Denver City, Amy wondering how her father would react to their news.

  At noon they stopped beside the Platte River. Eyeing the dark line of the fort against the horizon, Daniel said, “Let’s eat lunch. We need to do some talking.”

  Gratefully Amy dismounted. Daniel led the horses to water. While he hobbled them in the grass, Amy chewed her lip and thought about Mrs. Adriance’s statement. Call. Daniel a preacher! She shook her head in dismay.

  Daniel brought up the subject as they ate. He swallowed the last of his sandwich, saying, “Amy, I just didn’t get around to telling you all that has been happening. I was headed that way night before last, when, well everything else—” Finally, with a sigh, he said, “See, I’ve known for some time now that the Lord wants me to be a preacher.”

  Amy crumbled her bread. She was sharply aware of the miserable lump in her throat. She recalled the shabby frock strained over April Taylor’s pregnancy. Without a doubt, I’m going to talk Daniel out of that summer itch, no matter what it takes!

  She heard Daniel saying, “I didn’t mean to deceive you or anything. I know being a preacher’s wife is mighty hard if your heart isn’t in it. I’m not just guessing that, am I? But Amy, we’re in this together now. I know the Lord can change how you feel.”

  “Daniel, it’s impossible!” Amy cried. “Besides, you’ve no idea what you’re getting into. I do. All my life I’ve lived with it. I’ve gone to bed hungry; I’ve seen my father, tired and cold, turn right around and go out when a knock came on the door. I’ve seen him preaching when the opposition was bigger than the offering. I’ve—”

  She saw his steady brown eyes. Of course, reason won’t work; he’s just like Father. As she turned away she brought up that other subject. “What are you going to tell my father?” He winced.

  Amy recalled the horrified eyes of Aunt Maude and that strange expression on the presiding elder’s face. “Daniel,” she whispered, “they think the very worst of us. How can you even consider being a preacher? There’ll be those stories going around.”

  “I guess the best way is to just ignore it all.”

  She sighed. “What is it?” he asked. Amy looked up. Not for anything would she admit the plan she had. Just thinking the thoughts made her face warm. Thanks to the piano lessons, there’s hope. I learned lots at the boardinghouse. Those girls knew how to get what they wanted. I noticed they had all the men flocking after them. The gifts, the adoring looks of the men. Amy shifted uneasily. Somehow the idea of using the tactics of the dance-hall girls left a bitter taste in her mouth.

  Daniel sighed and glanced up. His voice was subdued. “One thing is certain. We’re married, and that’s that. We’ll just have to make the best of our hasty decision. And another thing is certain. I’m going to preach the Gospel.”

  The unqualified determination in his voice stunned Amy. Before she could think she cried, “You’re saying talk is useless. We’re married; don’t you care what I think?”

  Ashamed of her outburst, she picked at the lint on her dress, nearly threadbare across the cuffs. The sun had faded the blue into a dismal gray.

  What a contrast to the frocks Belle had hung on the tent rope! One by one, she had put them out so that Amy could appreciate each of the brightly colored garments, decked with ribbon and lace. The old dream surfaced. Lucas. Amy winced. Just two nights ago I ran away from him. Surely God—

  Amy slanted a glance at Daniel. He still had his back against the tree while the leaves sprinkled shadows and coolness over them. His face was thoughtful and sad. She watched him fold his arms across his chest. His shoulder muscles bunched against his shirt, straining it tight. Unexpectedly she found herself wanting to touch that shoulder. She examined the emotion in astonishment.

  He was watching her. She caught her breath, wondering. Abruptly she scooted closer and leaned toward him. “Do you remember the time I tried to get you to kiss me?”

  He grinned. “I’m not afraid of Aunt Maude now.” Their eyes met and his grin disappeared. “Amy, is it possible—”

  Slowly he leaned forward. She saw the expression in his eyes. Carefully she placed her hands on his arms, feeling the wonder of his warmth, the muscles hard under her hands. She caught her breath, suddenly shy as he smiled at her. But I can’t act shy if I’m going to be like the girls.

  Amy wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled. She lifted her face, felt his lips against hers, but couldn’t understand those words he murmured against her hair.

  His arms were insistent. She pushed away. “Daniel, we’re going to miss Father if we linger much longer.”

  He reluctantly released her and stood up. As he walked toward the horses, Amy smiled again, “Seems,” she whispered, “this being married is much more pleasant than I suspected.”

  By the time they were back on the trail to Fort Lupton, Amy had in her mind the firm, clear picture of how it would be. Most certainly not Kansas Territory. Maybe Indiana, Illinois, or even Ohio, but not this terrible place. Being the wife of the pastor in one of those places wouldn’t be so bad.

  The Platte was running smooth and shallow. Just across the river they could see Fort Lupton.

  When Amy’s horse ran up the sloping bank, Daniel smiled and pointed. “Look at that fort. It’s adobe—mud brick. I hear it was built by an Indian trader in 1836. It won’t hold all the settlers now. See.” He pointed toward the line of new cabins between the fort and the river.

  “Let’s go into the fort. If your father isn’t there, they’ll point us in the right direction.”

  Amy shook her head. “See that wagon? I’m certain it’s ours. Let’s go there.”

  Eli Randolph stepped out of the cabin just as they rode up. Shading his eyes against the sun, he exclaimed, “Amy!” He looked from Amy to Daniel. She saw the puzzled frown on his face as he came toward them.

  Daniel slipped off the horse. “Sir, I’m guessing there’s folks in there,” he jerked his head toward the cabin. “Could you walk apart with us? I need to tell you what has happened.”

  Eli’s face slowly paled. “Father!” Amy exclaimed, “it’s not bad news. Please!” She slipped from the horse and ran to him.

  Eli turned to Daniel. “There’s no one here; come in.” He waited until Daniel tethered the horses before leading the way. For a moment Amy watched his weary stride; then she noticed that Daniel’s face was nearly as white as Eli’s.

  Like wax figures we all are. In a museum, Amy added to herself, as she watched the men slump over the crude table and face each other. They act as if I don’t exist.

  When Daniel was through explaining it all, she heard him insist once again, “Sir, it was our decision. Done honorably, but in a hurry without your permission because it seemed difficult to go against Aunt Maude without causing—problems. I promise you, I’ll do my best to make your daughter happy.”

  Father’s face was getting its color back. Amy saw the lines ease and then he smiled. Reaching across the table he clasped Daniel’s hand. “Son, for a moment I thought I’d had another burden too big to carry. Welcome to the family. You’ve made me happy.” There was one quick, silent glance at Amy before he said, “I could wish for nothing better.”

  Burden? What does that mean? she wondered. And what about Lucas? Has Father forgotten? She watched the two men smiling at each other. Forgotten or not, obviously Lucas was no longer important to Father.

  Amy heaved a shaky sigh of relief and went to prepare the evening meal. As she worked, she dreamed over the picture of a white-frame cottage, with wallpaper and a Brussels carpet on the floor of the parlor.

  While waiting for the potatoes to cook, she looked around. The poor surroundings didn’t touch her; inside she was secretly exalting in the contrasts. The new dream was bright. Not for long, this place.

  Then she caught herself and sighed. In this terrible cabin there wasn’t even a sheet metal stove such as they had in Central City. A blackened adobe fireplace yawned ac
ross one wall, serving both for cooking and heating.

  On the opposite wall a crude, narrow bunk was built into the logs. Pegs pounded between logs supported a line of greasy clothing, while a bench held a pail of water and a battered basin for washing.

  As she went about preparing the evening meal, she heard the clink of harness and the creak of wheels. Eli got to his feet. “Better throw in some more potatoes. Morgan is coming. This is his cabin.”

  He opened the door and said, “Morgan, we’ve got company. Come meet my daughter and her husband.”

  Later, while Daniel was spreading their blankets on the floor, Morgan chuckled and said, “One more bunch tonight and we’ll have to stand upright to sleep.”

  “I’ll be leaving early in the morning,” Eli said to his host as he stretched himself out beside Daniel. “I’ve got to take a swing south before going back to Denver City. I don’t know what these two will be doing.”

  Morgan turned over in the bunk, making the poles creak and groan against the walls of the cabin. “Far as I am concerned, they can stay here for the rest of the summer. I’m heading for the high country tomorrow. Might be Daniel can get a job helping the farmers hereabouts. It’s getting about time to haul a load of hay into Denver City.”

  Eli rumbled, “Sure didn’t take long for the men around here to realize there’s more to be gained from growing feed than digging for gold.”

  Silence fell on the cabin, but Amy lay wide-eyed, wondering what the morning would hold. Recalling the stubborn set of Daniel’s jaw, Amy nearly lost her courage. It might take more than kisses to get Daniel headed east.

  In the morning, just before Father snapped the reins over the backs of his team, he thawed. There was a hint of a smile on his face as he looked down at Amy. “Daughter, I think you’ve done yourself well. Maybe best.”

  After Morgan told them about the men apt to be hiring and pointed out the best place to buy milk and eggs, he picked up his rifle and mounted his horse.