by Peter Grant
“Good Lord, no, Rose! I don’t mind at all! Where are your things?”
“They’re still at the hotel. I… I didn’t stop to think. I just came out here as soon as I could. You’re the one man in this town I’m sure I can depend on and trust absolutely. I know you won’t try to take advantage of me.”
He gathered her into his arms as he saw the trickle of tears down her cheek, and held her for a long moment. She buried her face in his shoulder.
At last he said softly, “Do you want me to deal with that man for you?”
“Deal with him? No! Oh, no, Walt, please, don’t get any such ideas! Anne loves him. I can’t blame her for what he tried. And really, he didn’t actually do anything in the end.”
“He damn sure meant to,” Walt said savagely. He was already imagining several different ways he might kill the man.
“But he didn’t! Please, Walt, that’s not why I came to you!”
“That’s very forgiving of you, Rose. I daresay it does you credit as a Christian lady. All right. I guess we’d better get you back to your hotel. We can talk there about your options and what we’ll do next.”
“Thank you, Walt. I’m sorry. I know this is a terrible imposition. I just didn’t know what else to do.”
“You did the right thing, Rose. It’s no imposition at all. I’ll just ask you to wait at the wagon while I wash up in a bucket in the barn. We’re camping out here, without the comforts of a bathroom, among other things. I’ll change into a business suit, so I won’t look out of place at the hotel, and I’ll take a room there tonight. We’ll have supper together and see what we can do.”
Smiling for the first time since she arrived, she leaned on his arm as she accompanied him back to the barn. Walt gave rapid instructions to Samson and Elijah, who looked much more relaxed now that they saw Rose was no longer distraught. He was a little leery of leaving Elijah there with the guns, but he didn’t see that he had any other option. Sooner or later, he knew he’d have to trust the man, although he’d have preferred an opportunity to take his measure in less of a hurry. “I’ll be back by mid-morning tomorrow, Samson. Guard those guns and the gear for me, and we’ll talk more then. Elijah, you listen to him, you hear me?”
Elijah nodded enthusiastically. “Yassuh! I surely t’anks you for de chance to go out west wid you. To get away from de river an’ see de plains an’ de mountains… dat’s somet’in’ I got to try.”
“Well, you’ll have your chance soon enough. You know it might be dangerous?”
The servant shrugged. “Yassuh, but de river be dangerous too. Remember de Sultana?” They all shivered at the reminder of the catastrophic boiler explosion that had sunk the infamous riverboat and killed almost two thousand passengers, less than three months ago.
“Yes, I remember,” Walt said soberly. “Samson, you did buy food, didn’t you?”
“Yassuh. I got us plenty.”
“Good. Use what you need for supper and breakfast. While I clean up and change, harness four fresh mules to the wagon, please. Elijah, you can help him. It’ll be your first lesson in how to use our wagons. Samson, you’ll find three carbines lying in the corner of the barn. I’m going to throw them away, because they don’t shoot straight, but you can use them to teach Elijah how to take one apart and put it back together again. Tomorrow morning, while you wait for me, care for the animals, then start teaching Elijah how to harness the mules and drive a wagon.”
“Yassuh!”
Their enthusiasm didn’t make Walt feel any better about the possibility that the guns and wagons might be gone when he returned tomorrow, but he reminded himself that Samson had proved trustworthy thus far. If he’d recommended Elijah, the odds were pretty good that his fellow servant was honest as well. He tried to quell his unease as he drove the wagon back into town, Rose sitting by his side.
―――――
Walt and Rose had supper together, after which they adjourned to the hotel lounge. He handed a couple of greenbacks to a waiter. “Please bring us coffee, then make sure we aren’t disturbed. Don’t let anyone sit near us. We have a lot to discuss.”
“Of course, sir.” The waiter bowed, led them to a curtained alcove, brought them coffee, then drew the curtains to give them privacy.
Rose sat back with a sigh. “This morning I feared I’d have to slink back to Nashville with my tail between my legs like a whipped dog. It was as if I didn’t have a future any longer. I can’t tell you how it lifted my spirits to see you again. I feel so much better now. Thank you, Walt, for being my shelter from the storm.”
Walt couldn’t help smiling. “That’s a kind thought. It lifted my spirits to see you, too. I’m very sorry your plans to teach here have been disrupted, but there’s always that old proverb about clouds and silver linings.”
“Yes, although it’s hard to see any in something as awful as this. I just don’t see how I can stay here in St. Louis. I don’t know anyone else.”
“What do you want to do? I don’t mean what would be the sensible thing, or what convention suggests you should do: I mean what you really want to do.”
“I want to make a fresh start,” she said firmly. “I was widowed at a young age. I’ve struggled to keep a farm going, and to be honest, losing it came as something of a relief. The war is finally over. I’ve learned I can be tough when I have to be—and, you know, our time together on the riverboat reminded me that I’m not an old maid. Teaching school is something I do well, and it’s a living, but it’s not my whole life and I don’t want it to be. I’ve seen too many old schoolmarms, and I don’t ever want to turn into one.”
He was silent for a moment, then asked, “Have you considered going out west?”
“I hadn’t until I met you, but since you told me your plans I’ve often thought about it. I suppose they must need schoolteachers there.”
“They probably need them there a whole lot more than they do here! There can’t be many qualified teachers out west yet, and no matter where you go, there’ll always be children needing school.”
“Getting there would be a problem for a woman alone, though.”
“Yes, it surely would.”
Walt was mentally stunned by a sudden idea. He fell silent for a moment as he considered it. Could he… dare he… take a chance on something so totally life-changing? He suddenly relaxed with a smile, thinking, Often enough during the war, when a plan was made, it took hard work to turn it into reality. It never happened of its own accord. That’s got to be true of people as well, hasn’t it?—and I’m not afraid of hard work.
He said slowly, softly, looking at her, “Rose, you said it lifted your spirits to see me today. I felt the same way when I saw you. In fact, it was… difficult… seeing you drive away with Anna at the docks.”
She nodded. Her eyes sparkled at him as she waited for him to continue.
“I don’t think I’m a romantic, Rose. I suppose three years of fighting and bloodshed must have leached a lot of that out of me. All I know is, I’m happy when I’m with you, and I’ve always thought you were the prettiest lady in Sparta. I don’t know whether that’s love or not, but would you… would you consider marrying me, and making a fresh start out west with me?”
The blood rose to her cheeks in a tide of red, and she gasped. “Why, Walt! I wasn’t expecting that! I… I don’t know what to say!”
“You don’t have to answer right away. You can think about it for a day or two.”
“No, it’s not that… Walt, I have to be honest. I’m attracted to you, and I have been since you first rode up to my farm a few weeks ago. I remember thinking what a fine figure of a man you’d become, and I couldn’t believe you were the boy I’d once taught. But… there’s something else you need to know.” She took a deep breath. “I have to tell you something that’s… hard for me to say. You may recall that my husband was killed in a buggy accident?”
“Yes.”
“And that I was hurt in the same accident?”
�
�Yes.”
“The doctor told me that due to my injuries, I’ll never be able to conceive. I… I don’t think I’d be a good choice as your wife, because I couldn’t give you a family.” Tears glittered in the corners of her eyes.
Walt could sense what the admission had cost her. Sympathy rose like a tide within him as he leaned forward and gently took her hand in his. “I’ve never given any thought to having children, Rose. While I was in the army, I got hold of some of the books written by travelers who’ve seen the mountains and the plains and the Pacific coast. They called them the most beautiful scenes in creation. I made up my mind I wanted to see them all. Did you ever read any of those books?”
“Yes, I did, and I want to see them too, but I never thought it would be possible.”
“It certainly won’t be practical to climb the Rocky Mountains, or traipse up and down the Pacific coast, with children in tow, but a man and a woman could do it together. Right now, all I know is that you make me happy. When we’re older, and we’ve seen all we want to see, and we settle down, maybe we can adopt some children and give them a good home.”
He saw tears begin to trickle down her cheeks. She turned her head away, her voice muffled. “I’ll always treasure you for understanding, Walt, but… there’s something more. I’m twenty-eight, going on twenty-nine, and you’re barely twenty-one. What will it be like in ten or even twenty years’ time, if I’m spared? Won’t I be too much of an old maid for you?”
He laughed softly. “I don’t think you are now, so why would you be in future? I heard of many marriages during the war where the partners were farther apart than that in age. A soldier would be killed, and his widow would marry someone much younger, simply because there were so few older men available. The couples like that I met seemed happy enough. I don’t know that age makes all that much of a difference, provided both people are willing to work hard at building a life together. That doesn’t scare me. I think, if there’s a real liking between us, that’s a good start. I’ll just have to do my best to keep you young at heart.”
She reached into her reticule for a handkerchief and wiped her eyes before turning back to him. Her face shone with happiness. “Oh, Walt! Yes… dear… there is real affection between us; and if we work hard at that, I think we could do very well together. Do… do you really find me attractive? I’m not as pretty as younger girls anymore.”
He shook his head firmly. “I liked you better than any of the girls when you were teaching school. When I met you again a few weeks ago, I realized just how good-looking you are.”
She blushed. “I’m flattered to hear it.”
“Then… will you marry me, Rose?”
Her tears came faster, and for a moment she was unable to speak: then she nodded, slowly at first, then faster. “Y– yes, Walt. I’ll marry you.”
He rose to his feet, smiling down at her, holding out his hand. “In that case, come here!”
She stood and swayed towards him, lifting her head and closing her eyes. He touched his lips to hers, gently at first, then more firmly as he took her in his arms. She leaned into him, putting her arms around him and hugging him strongly, her breath coming faster as she yielded to his grasp. He felt her body grow taut with anticipation.
She reluctantly disengaged her lips as he pulled back slightly. He smiled at her. “I’d better let you sit down and catch your breath.”
She blushed, and kissed him quickly before sitting down. “It does appear to be powerful hot in here, doesn’t it?”
“We’ll get a license and hunt up a preacher tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, let’s start thinking about what we’ll need for our journey. I think we can afford everything. I still have over two hundred dollars in gold, plus almost two hundred more in greenbacks.”
“And I have almost five hundred in greenbacks, plus one gold double eagle. Between us, we have more than many couples manage to save in a lifetime!”
“It’s certainly more than enough to give us a good start together. I think we’ll need a light wagon to carry our personal things and shelter us at night in privacy, over and above the heavy cargo that will be in the mule wagons. Can you handle one, or will we need to hire a driver?”
“I’ve driven a farm wagon, and helped my late husband plow our fields. I can manage two horses without trouble.”
“Good. I’ll look for a suitable wagon at the army depot, plus a team to pull it and everything else we’ll need. If one pays the sergeants a little extra under the table, there are bargains to be had. Surplus military equipment is downright cheap these days.” For one rash moment he considered telling her how he’d obtained the guns in the barn, but decided against it. Some things should not be shared.
“What are your—our—plans?” she asked, sitting forward, eyes alight with anticipation.
“I want to get to Kansas by the end of July. The wagon trains heading for Colorado Territory along the Smoky Hill Trail gather at Atchison, Leavenworth City or Kansas City before setting off, so I’ll set up a gun store in one of those towns for the rest of this year and early next year. I’ll sell the guns I’ve bought, and learn as much as I can about the plains, the Indian tribes, and whatever else lies ahead. By next spring I want to be ready to take the trail to Colorado Territory, with enough money to set ourselves up when we get there. What do you think?”
She squeezed his fingers. “I think it sounds terribly exciting! I’m so glad I’m going to be part of it with you!”
―――――
The next morning, with the help of the hotel’s reception desk, Walt located a cooperative pastor who agreed to perform the nuptials in the parlor of his rectory at four that afternoon. “Quick and simple,” Walt warned him. “If you go on too long, I’m going to start deducting money from your fee.”
“I quite understand,” the clergyman assured him unctuously. He had charged Walt twenty dollars for the service. “Since there will be no congregation, a long sermon will not be necessary.”
Walt took Rose to the courthouse to obtain a marriage license, and hastened the process with another small bribe to the clerk there. He then drove her out to the barn, where Samson and Elijah were delighted to hear the unexpected news. Walt, relieved to find both them and the guns still there, promised to come out to the barn every day. Meanwhile, Samson was to continue to teach Elijah to harness and drive a six-mule wagon, show him how to care for its team, and begin teaching him how to shoot a Sharps carbine. “I can’t invite you to attend the wedding, I’m afraid, because I daren’t risk leaving our guns unattended in the barn,” he explained. “I’m trusting you to keep them safe until we join you.”
“We unnerstands, suh,” Samson assured him. “We-uns will say a prayer for y’all this afternoon at four.”
“Amen!” Elijah assented eagerly.
Walt shook their hands, and added, “As soon as I’ve found a wagon and tent for us to live in, I’ll bring it out here and we’ll be your neighbors.”
Rose wore one of the dresses she’d bought in Nashville, and Walt his business suit. The minister’s wife and one of her friends served as witnesses. The simple ceremony was soon over, much to Walt’s relief. He was a God-fearing man, at least to some extent, but a man getting married wasn’t in the right state of mind for sermons.
“So, Mrs. Ames, how does it feel to be married again?” he teased as their cab headed back to the hotel.
“I hardly know what to think,” she admitted. “Everything’s happened so fast! Only a few weeks ago I was facing the loss of my farm. Next thing I know, a handsome young man whisks me off to Nashville, buys me the finest clothes I’ve ever owned, and escorts me to St. Louis. No sooner have I started teaching school and living with a good friend than she evicts me from her house; then by the greatest good fortune I meet him again, and now… this!”
Walt squeezed her hand. “I’ll do my best to make you happy… darling.” It was the first time he’d used that endearment to anybody. It felt strange, but good.
“
I know you will, dear.” She squeezed back. “I’ll do my best, too.” She stared into his eyes with an intensity that made his heartbeat speed up.
The hotel laid on a celebratory meal for them, compliments of the management, and offered them a larger, more comfortable room for the remainder of their stay. After supper they adjourned to their new quarters, going out onto the balcony to look out over the city street below, listening to the sounds of passing traffic as the light faded into darkness.
“I still can hardly believe that we’re married,” Rose murmured, leaning into him as he put an arm around her waist.
“Well, the piece of paper proving it is on the dresser, if you need to confirm that,” he teased.
“Oh, you!”
She reached up and kissed him lightly; then the kiss turned into something much deeper as she turned in his arm and melted against him. Their breath began to come faster as they embraced. She shivered as he ran his hands up her spine, then around to the front of her body to caress her breasts beneath her dress.
“Walt… oh, Walt… I’ve missed this so much, for so long! Let’s go inside… please?” He could feel her rising, breathless excitement.
Walt grinned and kissed her forehead, then brushed back the hair behind her ears. “Your wish is my command, Mrs. Ames.”
She giggled.
Through the avaricious industry of Sergeant Wallace at the depot, Walt was offered the chance to buy a Rucker ambulance in good condition. Designed to carry up to four injured men lying down or six to eight seated patients, its spring-suspended wheels and seat would be far more comfortable when traveling than the two freight wagons. He also bought a two-horse team to pull it.