Gravel crunched under her feet, each step taking her farther from the life she’d come to love. The band’s music. Bright flags flapping. Children’s laughter. Pomp and daring and opulence.
Her new life would never measure up.
“Ellen.”
She jumped at the sound of Will’s voice, but checked herself from racing away from him. “I thought you were my friend.” Maybe even more.
“I was. I am.”
“You don’t believe me. Because of one scrap of paper, you tossed away everything I proved to you and believed a woman who’d do anything for my job.” Her heart pumped in rhythm with her legs.
He grabbed her by the arm and stopped her. “Last night taught me something.”
“What? That you were wrong to trust me? You already told me that.” The lump in her throat grew until she thought she might suffocate. In vain, she tried to wrest herself from him.
“I was wrong to not believe you.”
She ceased struggling. Was this an apology? “What?”
“I panicked. Mr. Ringling is after me to stop whatever is going on in the wardrobe department. I don’t want to lose my job. The circus has been my life. I was born into it. It’s all I know.”
“So, to please him, you intended to sacrifice me.”
He finger-combed his brown, slicked-back hair. “Nothing like that.”
“Then tell me what it was like.”
“People have duped me. Last season, I brought on an assistant who told me he’d been with Barnum and Bailey for several years. What he didn’t tell me was that he was here to discover where we planned to go and how we ran our operation so they would be bigger, better, and faster. I almost lost my position. Now, Mr. Ringling entrusted me with the trainmaster’s job, at my age. I can’t make another mistake.”
“You broke my trust. How can I depend on you?”
“Because I’m about to go in to Mr. Ringling’s office to tell him you’re innocent.”
“Telling him that won’t change his belief I tried to murder Constance.”
“That’s not what he thinks.”
“I’m the one who lost my job. A job I needed to save my mother.” She clenched her fists.
“Lucy told me your mother needs medicine.”
“She shouldn’t have.”
“I’m going to fight for you, because I believe you. Constance is making up everything. The stolen cameo. The shredded costumes. The attempted suffocation.”
Ellen took a deep breath. Like a train coming to a station, her heart slowed. “That’s your theory?”
He nodded, smiling. “She had motive.”
“My job. And you.”
“Opportunity.”
“She doesn’t have an alibi for any of the times the events took place.”
“And I studied the two of you last night. She didn’t look like she struggled. You didn’t bear any marks, either.”
Her ears rang. He really believed her. “Is it possible? You can clear me?”
“Am I forgiven for my stupidity?”
Should she? Could she trust a man who didn’t trust her?
“We all make mistakes. I don’t want my big one to ruin what’s happening between us.”
“I looked guilty. If Constance was behind this, she did a good job of setting me up.”
“I don’t want you to leave. You’re important to me.” He caressed her cheek, then cupped her chin.
“I would have missed you.” More than she wanted to admit.
“Then let’s meet with Mr. Ringling. Show him our proof. I’ll convince him to give you your job back. You can take care of your mother.”
Maybe the Lord did provide. Perhaps she should have trusted Him more. “Lucy gave me a verse. Something about committing your ways to the Lord, and He will bring forth your righteousness as the light.”
Will rubbed the dirt with his shoe. “I need to depend on Him more. Less on myself.”
“I’m scared. What if He lets me down?”
He gazed at her. “I’ll disappoint you. He never will.”
“Will you pray with me?”
And so they stood in the rail yard, heads bowed, and beseeched the Lord to sustain them. When they finished, peace flooded her. The worry lines on Will’s brow relaxed.
She followed him to Mr. Ringling’s private car. Through the window, she spotted rich mahogany and brass fittings. Sumptuous luxury. Not her two-to-a-berth accommodations.
She stopped Will at the bottom step. “Are you sure I should go in? He might throw me out on my ear. He told me he wanted me off the train as soon as we arrived at the station. It’s late.”
“You need to show him your arms. The ones that aren’t scratched and don’t bear nail marks. You can do this. For your mother.”
He’d touched a nerve. For Mama, she would do almost anything. She steeled her back and climbed the steps.
When given the go-ahead, Will entered the red velvet–draped car. Mr. Ringling sat behind a large, polished desk, his long legs outstretched. “Mr. Jorgensen. Mr. Piel said you had an urgent matter. I didn’t realize Miss Meyer would join us. I made it clear last night she was to disembark as soon as we reached Independence.”
Her stomach turned to a block of ice. Coming to Mr. Ringling’s office was the wrong move. She tugged on Will’s dark jacket.
He ignored her. “What I tell you will change your opinion.”
The middle-aged circus founder puffed on his pipe. “Make it fast. You should be unloading.”
“Miss Meyer is innocent of all charges. She had nothing to do with any of this, other than being wardrobe mistress and spending time with me.”
Ellen clasped her hands together, concentrating on remaining upright.
“Miss Hefner orchestrated this entire charade. When Harriet Wilson left, Constance believed she’d get the job. She never thought you’d hire a young seamstress not associated with the circus. If she got rid of Miss Meyer, she’d have another chance.”
“And she was right.” Mr. Ringling nodded. “But this is nothing more than a theory.”
“Did you notice her last night? She claimed Miss Meyer tried to suffocate her, yet her hair was neat. And she said she fought back, yet Miss Meyer’s arms aren’t scratched. Isn’t that strange?”
Al Ringling sat forward. “Let me see.”
She hung back, not wanting to bare her arms in front of two men.
Will gave her a small shove.
“It’s not too immodest?”
Mr. Ringling chuckled. “If you wish to exonerate yourself, I need to see them.”
She loosened the buttons of her white shirtwaist’s cuffs and pushed up the sleeves. Then she stepped toward Mr. Ringling.
He studied her for a moment. “Thank you.” He turned his attention to Will. “You’re correct about Miss Meyer. I don’t see evidence of the struggle Miss Hefner described. Your theory is solid. But not proof.”
Ellen rolled down her sleeves. They didn’t know for sure Constance invented these crimes. For the good of the circus, one of them had to go. She knew it would be her. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Ringling. I’m glad you believe me. I appreciated my opportunity here.” She turned to leave, determined not to weep.
“Stop.” Will blocked her path. “We can show Mr. Ringling Constance was behind this. I have a plan.”
Chapter Twelve
The song of hammers against tent pegs rang out around Will as Ellen and Mr. Ringling stared at him.
He’d put a hard-won job on the line for this woman. But she was worth it. Ellen stood on her tiptoes. “If you have a plan that will save my job, I want to hear it.” Will swallowed. Why had he said he had a plan? “It’s not completely formulated.”
“Let’s hear what you have.” Mr. Ringling’s booming voice echoed through his mahogany-paneled private car.
“We have to catch Miss Hefner in the act.”
Ellen licked her lips. “How?”
“Set a trap. Give her a noose so she can han
g herself.”
“I hope you meant that figuratively.” Ellen cracked the day’s first smile.
He wanted to keep her smiling. “First of all, Mr. Ringling, you have to rehire Ellen.”
The man nodded. “You are hereby reinstated as wardrobe mistresses.”
Ellen’s gorgeous grin widened. An urge to kiss her almost overwhelmed him. He held himself back. “That will make Constance furious. She won’t wait long to react. I’ll tail her, watching her every move.”
Mr. Ringling tented his fingers. “So, your plan is to wait for her to act?”
Will gulped. Trust the Lord. “Yes, it is.”
“That’s not much.”
“I know, but it’s all we have. Like I said, she’ll dream up another way to get rid of Ellen soon. I’m sure of it.”
“Fine. But I need proof. I won’t tolerate any more mischief. If you can’t provide it, Miss Meyer will be terminated.”
“But sir—”
“That’s all.” Mr. Ringling stood.
Will led Ellen from the lavish car into the bright light. “I’m sorry I didn’t have a better plan. That should teach me to think before I speak. But I want to help.” He’d already gone to town this morning to set an idea into motion to make up for not believing her. “I’d do anything for you.”
She tugged on his jacket sleeve, and he turned to face her. “That means so much. But why?”
Did he dare say the words that fought to leap from his mouth? Blood pounded in his ears. “I care about you.”
“Oh, Will.”
“I should have believed you.”
“You’ve been good to me. I know it’s been hard. I looked guilty. Even with your doubts, you searched for a way to help. That counts in your favor. You’re special to me.”
He wanted to whoop. Instead, he brushed a strand of curly hair from her cheek. “I think I love you.”
She stood on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear. “I know I love you.”
Little shivers traversed his spine. “Then let’s see that Constance gets justice. I don’t want to lose you.”
“Let’s do so. I don’t want to go anywhere. Because of Mama. And because of you.”
Ellen sailed into the wardrobe tent with as much bravado as she could muster. Too bad she didn’t feel it. Her mouth went dry. Her palms sweated.
Constance sat in the center of the tent, her back straight, her eyes narrow. “Lucy, haven’t you finished that hem? Anna needs the costume for her high-wire act now. Sophia, patch Ella’s dress. Make sure no one can tell her performing goat nibbled it.”
She continued to demand compliance from her staff. No, from my staff. The assistants spotted Ellen and stood stock still.
Constance’s face reddened. “Let’s get to work. Costumes don’t sew themselves.”
“That’s right. Why don’t you work on Ella’s dress yourself?”
Constance wobbled on her stool. “What? Why? You should be halfway to Boston. If you don’t leave, I’m going to report you to Mr. Ringling.”
“Go ahead. He’ll tell you he reinstated me. You’re no longer wardrobe mistress.”
“He wouldn’t give me the job and take it away again.” She stood so fast she knocked over her seat. “Did you go to him with some sad story and pitiful lie?”
“I went to him with the truth. And with proof I didn’t suffocate you.”
“This is ridiculous. I’ll speak with Mr. Ringling. Don’t get too comfortable. You won’t be here long.” Constance marched from the tent.
Lucy and the other assistants swarmed Ellen. “It’s good to have you back. I hope you stay. Constance is terrible. It’s only been a few hours, and I’m ready to quit.”
Ellen laughed, never expecting such a warm reception. Perhaps she had been part of the circus family. “While it would be good to see my mother, I’m glad I’m here.” She breathed a sigh of relief. Though she couldn’t afford the sanatorium, she could give her parents a few dollars for medication.
“He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
He just might do so.
And the desires of her heart included a certain trainmaster.
In a way, she pitied Constance. Maybe she had family back home that relied on her income. To see a job that would afford them a better standard of living go to another must be difficult. Perhaps it wasn’t necessary to trap her.
Maybe she just needed a listening ear.
After the other women left for dinner, Ellen remained in the tent, working on a new headdress for one of the elephants. He’d trampled his old one, apparently not fond of it.
“Knock, knock.”
She peered up to see Will. “Come in. The coast is clear. The menagerie performers won’t be here for another half hour.”
“How is it?”
“Wonderful.”
“I’m glad.” He brushed a kiss across her cheek.
A thrill raced through her middle. “What was that for?”
“To show you how glad I am you didn’t leave. How did Constance take the news?”
“Not well. She stormed out, on her way to Mr. Ringling’s office. I haven’t seen her since.” She paused. How would Will feel about her wanting to reason with Constance?
“You’re deep in thought.”
“I was wondering something.”
“Care to share?”
“What if she’s in a similar situation? What if she needs the income the job provides? That would explain why she’s so set on it, so angry I got it, and so determined to get rid of me.”
He scooted one of the assistant’s stools closer. “Do you always think the best of others?”
“No. It’s a terrible fault of mine, in fact. But there has to be a reason behind her behavior.”
“Jealousy.”
“Why?”
“That’s what I’d like to know. I’m going to stick close. Who knows what she’ll try next. But if you want to talk to her, go ahead. It can’t hurt. You know what?”
“Hmm?”
“I love you.”
“You’d better leave before the others get back. I don’t want them to find us unsupervised. Mr. Ringling doesn’t need another reason to dismiss me.”
“Fair enough. I’ll be close. If you need me, holler.” He turned to leave.
“Okay. And Will?”
He turned back.
“I love you, too.”
A quick grin, and he left. She was so engrossed in her work, she didn’t think about the time ticking away. The outside world faded. All that existed was her needle and the scarlet headdress. She sang the doxology, praising God from whom all blessings flowed. And she thought about what she would say to Constance.
Maybe they’d work out a solution to her problem. Maybe they’d become friends. Maybe she needed nothing more than someone who cared. She searched for it hard enough in a man. If she searched for it in God instead…
“Why are you still here?” Constance swept into the tent, her eyes sparkling, her jaw set.
God, give me the words to say. And open her heart to me.
Ellen drew in a deep breath and let it out little by little. “I’m glad you’re here before the other girls. I’d like to talk to you.”
Chapter Thirteen
Will crouched behind the wardrobe tent, listening to every noise inside. He’d seen the flash of Constance’s blue gown as she blustered toward the area. Ellen might think she could reason with her.
He doubted it.
Constance’s voice came through the canvas, loud and demanding. He couldn’t pick out Ellen’s words, but her tone was soft and gentle. Why hadn’t he trusted her? Today proved her good heart. She believed the best about people.
“I don’t want to talk to you. I have nothing to say.”
A pause as Ellen answered. He wished he could hear her.
“Keep your pity for yourself. You know nothing about me. I deserved that job. Not you. You waltz in here, thinking you own the place. You steal the man I love f
rom me.”
Ellen’s voice pitched higher, clearer. “You exaggerated the nature of your relationship with Will. At no time were you a couple. He’s a nice man, and you took advantage, setting your sights on him. But he isn’t interested.”
“Don’t tell me about my life. I can make yours miserable. I will. I have.”
Will shifted positions. Was she admitting her guilt? Should he run in there?
As he debated with himself, Constance scurried from the tent toward the train. He stood and breathed a sigh of relief. The conversation hadn’t gone the way Ellen hoped, but at least it didn’t end in an altercation.
“Mr. Jorgensen?” Hiram, a tall, strong roustabout, came alongside him. “One of the boards on the tiger flatbed is broken. Can you come look at it before we have to load?”
He should follow Constance. Who knew what kind of mischief she might be getting into? But his job called. If they didn’t fix this problem now, it would put them behind schedule. Nothing riled Mr. Ringling more than a late train.
He didn’t need Mr. Ringling riled. Not now.
Torn, he plodded after Hiram. He was proud of Ellen. She didn’t blow up when Constance went after her. She wanted to work things out. That was a sign of a good woman. A woman he’d be a fool to let get away.
“See how it snapped under the weight of the wagon? Rotten wood. Just crumbling. That’s what you get for buying used railcars.”
Will inspected the damage. He’d have to run into town to get a few boards to fix it. What a bother. He said he’d watch Constance, wait for her to make a move. This crisis forced him to break that promise.
At least Ellen remained busy in the wardrobe tent. The presence of the assistants might keep Constance on good behavior.
Because he didn’t know what he’d do without Ellen in his life.
Ellen’s assistants trickled back to the tent to get ready for the evening show. Constance, however, didn’t appear. Where was she? What was she up to?
The Rails to Love Romance Collection Page 58