by Liz Harris
He grinned at her. ‘You reckon aright,’ he said, and he sat down opposite his father. He glanced towards the corridor leading to the bedrooms. ‘I didn’t expect to see Sam here now as I know he’s got a place of his own, but where’s Charity? I figured she’d be in by now, helpin’ with the dinner.’
‘She’ll be back real soon,’ Martha called, coming out of the store-closet. ‘She still does a few hours for Ah Lee, as well as her hours in the mercantile. But I expect you know that.’
‘She always was a hardworkin’ kid,’ Joe remarked. ‘But she still found time to write and I’ll always be grateful to her for that. I’ve never felt as far from you as I was at times ’cos I’ve always known what’s goin’ on. Like Sam gettin’ wed. And now a pa, too!’ He laughed. ‘I really can’t see him as anyone’s pa. D’you see much of him these days?’
‘Rather more than we’d expected,’ Hiram said dryly. ‘He’s got a house further down the row in the new houses and he stops by most nights on his way back home. Wants us to think it’s to talk about minin’ things, but your ma and I reckon it’s to cut down on the amount of time he has to spend with that wife of his. She’s got a sharp tongue on her, has Phebe.’
‘And a real cheerless way of lookin’ at things,’ Martha called. ‘We didn’t see that at first. When she started walkin’ out with Sam, she seemed a pleasant enough gal. If he’d kept walkin’ a mite bit longer, he might’ve seen the other side of her before it was too late.’
Joe glanced round at her. ‘I’m pickin’ up that you and Pa don’t like her.’
‘I wouldn’t put it as strong as that,’ Martha said, taking some flapjacks from a stoneware storage jar and putting them on to a dish. ‘We don’t really know the gal.’
Hiram shrugged. ‘Like your ma says, we don’t know her. We’ve not seen enough of her to know one way or the other. They hardly ever came here when they were walkin’ out together so we didn’t get to know her afore they wed, and nothin’ much has changed since.’
‘Only time we see her is when she wants somethin’,’ Martha said, going across to Joe and pulling a stool to the side of his chair. ‘She’s here fast enough when she’s run out of food, or when she wants us to mind the boy, or when she wants help with the washin’, but that’s about it.’ She put the plate of flapjacks and a glass of milk on to the stool. ‘Dinner isn’t quite ready. You get that down you while you’re waitin’.’
‘Thanks, Ma.’ He took a flapjack, and bit into it. ‘My, these are tasty. I’d forgotten what a good cook you are.’ He took another bite. ‘Phebe can’t have been the only gal around,’ he went on, ‘so how come Sam married her? Sam was a good-lookin’ lad, and I’m guessin’ he’s the same as a man, so surely he could have had his pick.’
Hiram leaned back. ‘And that’s what he had. She’s a real pretty gal, I’ll say that for her. One look at her blonde hair and blue eyes, and Sam was actin’ like a lovesick pup. But after a few months, he started to see that Phebe had quite a tongue on her and was given to complainin’, and she suddenly stopped lookin’ quite so pretty to him. He told me he was fair worn out by the naggin’ and he was gonna stop callin’ on her. After all, they hadn’t got an understandin’ in so many words.’
‘And if he’d limited himself to walkin’ and talkin’, he could’ve done just that,’ Martha said, bitterness in her voice.
Hiram shrugged. ‘Your ma’s right. By the time he’d seen beyond the pretty face, it was too late, and he did the only thing he could – he wed her before her pa had time to load his rifle.’
‘Let that be a lesson to you, Joe,’ Martha said sharply. ‘Sam should’ve kept his trousers done up.’
He laughed. ‘I’ll remember that, Ma.’ He shifted his position. ‘I must say, I never thought I’d find myself feelin’ sorry for Sam, but listenin’ to you both, I do.’
‘Changin’ the subject, does Seth know you’re here?’ Hiram asked as Martha went back to the kitchen area, pulled out a drawer and started taking out some cutlery.
Joe nodded. ‘I looked in at the stable before comin’ here, and I left my horse and bedroll there. The stable lad’s gonna wipe him down, grain him and find him a clean bed to lie in. After that, he’s gonna take a message across to Seth, tellin’ him I’ll be callin’ on him first thing tomorrow. Or second thing rather,’ he said, ruefully rubbing his hand across his chin. ‘I reckon my first visit’s gotta be to the barber’s to get my face shaven. It wasn’t easy to shave myself on the ride from Ellsworth.’
‘Seth’ll be mighty pleased to see you. And Eliza, too,’ Martha said, carrying the cutlery and plates across to the table. ‘There’s a room at the back of the livery for you to use if you need to stop there the night, but there’ll always be a meal for you here and a bed. You must do whatever’s best for you, lad.’
‘Best for me is stayin’ with my ma and pa and gettin’ to know them again,’ Joe said, smiling at Martha and Hiram. ‘I’m sure there’ll be times when I stretch out in the back room at the stable, but for as long as I’m home, home is where I wanna sleep whenever possible.’
Martha beamed at him. ‘After Sam wed, I moved Charity into the room you used to share with Sam, but you must have your room back.’
‘Leave Charity where she is, Ma. I’ll take her old room. It’s still cold at nights, and it will be for a while yet. She’ll be warmer inside the house. And also, I’ll have to be at the stable on bad nights, keepin’ a watchful eye on the horses – we may well have some more storms and late snow blizzards. Nope; you leave Charity where she is. I prefer to think of her bein’ inside the house.’
‘Well, I will, if you’re happy with that,’ Martha said, starting to put the cutlery around the table. ‘She’s a lucky gal.’
‘I guess you won’t have heard yet, Joe!’ Hiram suddenly exclaimed.
‘Heard what?’
‘That Charity’s gettin’ wed. Chen Fai offered for her a few weeks ago, just after she wrote to you. Not that we were surprised – he set his little black cap at her the moment he knew he wouldn’t be able to marry that gal of his in China. He either had to go huntin’ in one of the other towns around here that’s fillin’ up with the Chinee, or marry Charity. He’s got big ideas for the store, and he obviously wants a wife real bad, and a son to take over the store one day.’
‘But we were a bit surprised he offered for Charity when he did,’ Martha said, looking up, ‘even though they’d been walkin’ out for years.’ She straightened up. ‘Your pa and I think he might have been pushed into it by the arrival of Ah Lee’s son. He’s just moved into Carter, and like Chen Fai, he could be thinkin’ about gettin’ himself a wife. And we figure Chen Fai might have thought that, too.’
‘But isn’t she a bit young to think of marryin’?’ Joe asked in surprise. ‘I know I’ve been gone a bit, but she’s still not much more than a kid.’
‘She’s seventeen now – same age as you were when you rode off,’ Martha said dryly. ‘You were old enough to know what you wanted, and so is she. Chen Fai seems a kind, gentle sort of man, and I’m sure he’ll always be good to her.’
‘Your ma’s right about the man,’ Hiram said. He grinned at Martha. ‘And it’s nothin’ to do with the fact that he gives us presents and smiles and bows to us real nice. At least, he used to when he was able to come by here.’
Martha made a noise of impatience. ‘You’re bein’ silly, Hiram Walker. I don’t take note of things like that. I like him; that’s all. And it makes sense, him and Charity gettin’ wed. She’s gotta marry someone and it means she’ll stay in Carter and we’ll be able to watch her babes grow up. I’ve gotten used to her bein’ here and I wouldn’t want to see her go miles away.’
‘I like him, too,’ Hiram said. ‘But I don’t underestimate him. For all his kindly ways, I reckon there’s a streak of iron runnin’ down the centre of the man, and I don’t think I’d wanna cross him. Mind you, havin’ a streak of iron’s not a bad thing these days. You have to be tough to keep a Chine
se business going in a town where they hate the Chinee.’
Martha stood still and stared at him in surprise. ‘I don’t know why you should think like that about him; he’s never been anythin’ but kind and helpful to us.’
‘You’re right about that. But when you sit for long stretches of time, as I did afore I returned to the mine, you get to watchin’ people, and you see things you’d never’ve seen if you’d bin workin’ every hour of the day. From the moment it was clear Chen Fai had intentions towards Charity, I’ve been watchin’ him. I’m fond of the gal and I wouldn’t wanna see her wed to the wrong man.’
‘Nor would I,’ Martha retorted. ‘But I believe he genuinely likes her.’
‘So do I. And things bein’ as they are in Carter today, I figure he’s the right man to be at her side. I’m just sayin’ that I wouldn’t wanna be the person who tried to cross him.’
‘I know she won’t be goin’ far, but I guess you’ll miss her when she’s no longer livin’ here,’ Joe said. ‘Both of you will. She helps you with the chores, Ma, and I know she still reads to you whenever she can, Pa.’
Martha stopped laying the table, and stared at Joe. ‘To speak true, I’m glad she’s gonna leave here and live at the mercantile.’
‘How come?’ Joe asked in surprise. ‘She’s a great help to you.’
‘The whites don’t like us havin’ a China woman in the house. They’ve been making that very clear for years now, and the more Chinee who settle here, the worse it gets. Most whites don’t speak to us any more, and that includes the Oaklands next door. They all wanna see the Chinee driven out of Carter, and us after them. I just worry where it’ll end. When Charity moves out, I reckon I’ll feel more comfortable goin’ into the town than I do now. But you’re right; I’ve got used to her help, and I’m gonna miss it.’
‘I know Chinese wives live with their husband’s family,’ Joe said, ‘and they often don’t see their own family again. But despite her blood, she’s more American than Chinese, and I’m sure she’ll come back and give you a hand from time to time.’
‘I don’t want her to,’ Martha said bluntly. ‘Like you said, she’s not so Chinese she’ll let herself be cut off from the people that brought her up, and she’s told me she’ll come back and help. But it’s better for us if she doesn’t.’
‘I didn’t know things had gotten so bad between the whites and the Chinese,’ Joe said slowly.
‘Well, they have,’ Martha said, putting the plates down on the table.
‘When’s the weddin’?’ he asked after a few minutes.
Martha shrugged. ‘You’ll have to ask Charity that. She hasn’t told us yet. I don’t know if they’ve even decided. And I don’t know where they’ll wed. There’s a Chinese priest in Carter now, but there’s no temple in town, or joss-house, which is what Charity said they call their church. They use the tong for anythin’ to do with religion, and for just about everythin’ else it seems, so I guess it’ll happen there. Chen Sing had a wife when he arrived in Carter, so we’ve never had a Chinese weddin’ here. And if there had been one,’ she added, ‘I still wouldn’t know how they went about it as the whites would’ve kept far away.’
Joe shook his head. ‘I’m findin’ it real hard to think of little Charity gettin’ wed.’
Martha raised her eyebrows slightly, then went across to the sink, picked up an earthenware pitcher, felt the temperature of the water inside with her finger, and poured some of the water into a bowl in the sink. ‘There’s some water to wash in,’ she said. ‘I’ll fill the tub after we’ve eaten and you can have a bath then.’
‘Thanks, Ma.’ He paused. ‘Learnin’ about Charity’s a bit of a surprise, I must confess. But at least I already know just about all the other changes I’m gonna find in Carter.’
‘Don’t be too sure about that. You’ve been gone a long time, Joe. Readin’ about it is one thing; seein’ it for yourself is another.’
‘There were two mines when I left, and now there’re four, so I’m expectin’ the town to be bigger and dirtier. And I imagine that means even more work for the Marshal.’
‘You’re right about the size. But it’s not just the whites’ part of town that’s grown; Chinatown’s bigger too. And I don’t know if Charity told you, but the whites have gotten themselves a club and it’s stirrin’ up hatred in town. It’s one of the reasons why things have gotten worse. But you’ve plenty of time to catch up, son. Come and wash while the water’s still warm, and then sit at the table. You, too, Hiram. The meal’s ready and we can start eatin’.’
‘What about Charity?’ Joe asked, getting up.
‘She’ll be home any minute. Just put your things against the back wall, out of the way, will you?’
Joe helped Hiram to his feet and they went to the sink. When they’d finished washing, Hiram sat down at the table while Joe went and picked up his bag and harness from the floor and carried them to the back of the room. Just as he reached the rear wall, he heard a sound outside the front door. He felt a surge of excitement. Dropping his things on the floor, he spun round to face the door.
It swung open, and Charity entered, a rush of cold air blowing in with her.
‘It sure is chilly this evenin’,’ she said, hastily pushing the door shut behind her. ‘I’m beginnin’ to think it’ll never be hot again.’ She pulled off her coat, hung it on the peg next to the door, turned to face the room, a smile on her face – and saw Joe.
Her breath caught in her throat, and her smile faded.
Her arms fell to her sides and she took a few steps towards him. Then she stopped walking, put her hands to her mouth and stared at him in wonder, her dark eyes drinking him in.
‘Oh, Joe,’ she said, her voice a whisper that escaped between her fingers. ‘You’re back.’
He stood there, unable to move, his eyes on her face.
‘Why, you’re beautiful, Charity,’ he said at last, his voice coming from somewhere far away from him. ‘Real beautiful.’
Chapter Twenty-Seven
His hand on his mug of coffee, Joe leaned against the back of his chair and stared across the table at Charity, who was sitting at the other end. ‘You must be tired,’ he said. ‘You should’ve done what Ma and Pa did, gone to bed.’
She smiled at him. ‘No point. I wouldn’t be able to sleep, not now you’re here again.’ She glanced at him shyly. ‘Every time I wrote to you, I tried to picture what you’d look like, bein’ older and workin’ real hard. But in my head you always looked like you did when you left. Maybe a bit taller. But now I don’t have to imagine you any more because I can see you.’
‘I’m afraid it’s not a pretty sight,’ he said ruefully, running his hand through his sun-streaked brown hair. ‘I gotta get to the barber first thing in the mornin’ to have my hair cut and this beard shaved off.’
‘But your eyes are the same. They’re the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. And they look even bluer now you’ve got such a brown face.’
‘Are you tryin’ to tell me you think of saddle leather when you look at me?’ he asked with a grin.
She giggled.
‘You look all grown-up, Charity,’ he said, his voice smiling at her. ‘But you’ve still got that real cute way of laughin’.’
A blush spread over her cheeks, and she took a sip of her coffee. ‘I knew you’d come home when you got my letter.’ She stopped and looked at him, her face suddenly anxious. ‘Or don’t you feel like it’s home any more, now you’ve been gone for so long? Your ma said you might prefer to live at the stable on your own.’
He looked around the room, then his gaze returned to her. ‘Nope, this still feels like home. Bein’ on the move all the time – out on the range in the summer; on someone’s ranch over winter – you’re never long enough in any one place to pick up any feelin’ for it. And anyway, it was like a part of me was still in Carter, even though it wasn’t, ’cos I always knew what was goin’ on in the house and the town. I appreciated your letters more than I c
an say, Charity.’
‘I’m glad,’ she said. ‘I liked writin’ to you. It made me feel you were still close by.’
Their eyes met. They stared at each other for a long moment, the length of the table between them, then Charity dropped her eyes and took another sip of her coffee.
Joe glanced towards the windows. ‘If it wasn’t so cold, we could’ve sat outside on our chairs like we used to do at times when you were little.’ He turned back to look at her. ‘Or perhaps you’re too grown up now,’ he said. He gave an awkward laugh. ‘You kinda take my breath away. I was expectin’ a little girl with a round face and a big wide smile. I wasn’t expectin’ you as you are now, all grown up and lookin’ lovely. I don’t really know how to talk to you any more.’
‘You’re doin’ real well,’ she said quietly.
‘I’m glad.’
They smiled at each other.
‘I’ll never be too grown up to sit outside with you,’ she said, breaking the silence that had fallen upon them. ‘I’d’ve liked that, too. D’you remember the day I started school and came home and almost cut off my braids?’ She pulled a face. ‘And we sat outside and talked after that?’
He laughed. ‘I certainly do – I had a shock that day.’
‘You gave me this. Look.’ She put her hand into her pinafore pocket and pulled out the wooden brooch. Leaning across the table, she showed it to him. ‘I always keep my golden tiger with me. It reminds me of my ma, and it reminds me of you. You saved my life, Joe.’ She closed her hand over the brooch and put it back in her pocket. ‘I’m never gonna forget that.’
‘You’re makin’ more of it than it was,’ he said, awkwardness in his voice.
‘No, I’m not – it’s the truth. Like you said, I’ve grown up. I now know what would’ve happened to me if your folks had left me at the railway office that day – the railway people would’ve taken me out of town and left me somewhere in the open to die. Chen Fai told me. Your ma and pa knew that, so they kept me. But they only kept me because you begged them to.’