Wagonmaster

by Nita Wick

  “Joshua, you are always welcome here. Wherever I am. Whenever you want. Remember that.”

  His hand moved to her cheek. “You goin’ to be all right?”

  A weak smile lifted her lips, and she pressed her face into his palm. “I’ll be fine.” She grasped his hand and pulled it away from her face but didn’t let go. “It may take me a few days. I…I’m feeling a little lost right now. Like I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”

  “You’re not supposed to anythin’ right now but rest. You need to grieve. I know how disappointed you must be. I’m sorry I didn’t get you here in time.”

  Her eyes widened. “Papa died six weeks ago, Joshua. Nothing you could have done would have made a difference. It just wasn’t meant to be.” She gave his hand a squeeze. “Have supper with me tomorrow night?”

  Josh nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow evenin’. Jimmy will be glad to have the night off.”

  “Invite Jimmy, too, if you want. I’m going to miss that old man.”

  He chuckled. “I reckon he’s goin’ to miss you as well. I’ll tell him he’s invited.” Josh leaned down and brushed a kiss across her lips. They trembled beneath his, and she blinked away tears.

  Grabbing his hat, he jammed it on his head. “See you tomorrow, then.” He didn’t look back. If he did, he wouldn’t be able to leave at all. She was hurting, and he wanted only to take her in his arms and hold her. He’d wait and see how she was doing at supper tomorrow night. If she hadn’t improved, he’d stay another day. Hell, he’d stay another week if she needed him.

  * * * *

  Josh had gone back to the train’s campsite. Only three wagons remained. The Wheelers and two others had already left to find their homesteads. The Coopers and Flemings were going to The Dalles, but the Evans family would leave before then. Everyone offered their condolences and agreed to remain a few more days without complaint.

  He spent a less than peaceful night at the hotel in town. No matter how he tried to deny it, he was far too concerned for Addie. It was time to let her go. She had Foster to look after her. But it hadn’t been Foster she’d clung to, sobbing and heartbroken. What kind of man would he be if he just turned his back on her?

  After breakfast, he’d ridden back out to the train camp. The day proved cool but clear. The icy rain of the day before had given way to blue skies and warmer temperatures. Even the wind had calmed. Moisture from the melted ice glistened on dangling golden leaves refusing to release their hold on the trees. Autumn was not yet ready to give way to winter. The sun mocked him with its brilliant rays, a direct assault on his dark thoughts.

  Everyone asked about Addie again. All assumed he’d spent the night with her. Maybe he should have. But they didn’t know she wouldn’t be his wife for much longer. They didn’t know she wasn’t really his. Josh found himself grateful for the dwindling numbers on the train. It meant fewer to question him about the woman he’d soon lose.

  With a fair amount of difficulty, he directed all conversations to preparations for the remainder of the journey. The last section would be dangerous if the weather turned foul. The three families would need to be prepared. After answering their questions and delivering Addie’s supper invitation to Jimmy, Josh returned to town.

  He slipped from his saddle and tied the reins to the hitching post. His boots struck the wooden walk, the sound joining the chorus of the townspeople’s footsteps. Baker City had grown quite a bit since he was last here. It seemed every citizen planned to take advantage of the mild weather.

  Upon entering the general store, a bell jangled above Josh’s head. He scanned the shelves, looking for the items Jimmy needed: flour, meal, lard, and salt among other things.

  “I’ll be with you in just a minute,” a voice called from the other side of the store. Unless Josh was mistaken, it was the same clerk who’d been here last time he’d taken a train through Baker City.

  “I’ll just find what I need and bring it to the counter.” Josh reached for a container of salt. His hand froze at the next sound.

  The click of women’s shoes echoed through the store. “Joshua?” Addie’s voice preceded her by only a heartbeat. She stood at the end of the aisle dressed as he’d first seen her in a dark, velvet dress. A tidy bun replaced the long braid she’d worn over the last few months. The elegant lady from Boston had returned, but now her eyes held sadness and defeat. The difference struck him in the gut. He missed the sparks of fire those blue eyes had held.

  “Addie.” He dipped his head. “I didn’t expect to find you in the general store.”

  “The store belonged to my father. The clerk needed me to sign some supply orders.” She sighed, approached him, and lowered her voice. “I think Uncle Rick could have signed them, but he’s trying to keep me busy.”

  “Good. You shouldn’t be alone right now.”

  She didn’t argue. “Next is the hotel and restaurant. My father was a partner. Mr. Caldwell runs it.” Shrugging, she gestured toward the shelf. “Let me help you get whatever you need. I’ll bet Jimmy gave you quite a list. I’ll just charge it all to the store.”

  “Thanks, but I can get it. It’s no more than usual. And I can pay for it.”

  She frowned. “So I’m supposed to let you help me, but I’m not allowed to help you.”

  The pain in her voice tore through him. “You’ve helped me more than you know, darlin’.” He brushed the back of his fingers across her cheek. “Let’s call it even.”

  Her hand covered his, and she closed her eyes. “You’re a good man, Joshua Reynolds.” Her thick lashes lifted. The blue orbs beneath them held a sorrow so profound it clenched his heart. “Thank you. I never could have survived without you.”

  He shook his head. “You would’ve done just fine. You’re a damn strong woman.” Josh changed the subject before she could protest. “You talk like I won’t see you again. Have you changed your mind about supper tonight?”

  Addie’s mouth curved in a soft smile. “Absolutely not. And I’ve asked Mrs. Simmons to help me make some fried pies.”

  Before he could respond, Mr. Foster interrupted. “Reynolds.” He nodded in greeting.

  “Mr. Foster.”

  An awkward silence reigned for a moment. Finally, Addie spoke. “Why don’t you get what you need and join us for lunch? The clerk will keep the supplies until you come back for them.”

  “Thank you, but I’m sure Mr. Foster will want to show you around the hotel and—”

  “Not at all.” Foster’s denial surprised Josh. Yesterday he’d only offered a measured courtesy. “Adelaide needs to be with friends now, Reynolds. I’m sure you understand.”

  Josh couldn’t bring himself to refuse. In short order, he’d left the supplies with the clerk, and they joined the throng on the wooden sidewalk leading to the hotel and its restaurant. Addie walked beside her father’s lawyer. Josh trailed behind them, unsure if he’d done the right thing in accepting the invitation. Foster’s remarks puzzled him. Had Addie said something to him? One thing was certain. She wasn’t herself, and Josh had to know she’d be all right before he left with the train.

  A man of about thirty years with sandy blond hair exited one of the offices. Addie’s lawyer called to him, “Dr. Fletcher.”

  “Hello, Mr. Foster.” His gaze found Addie. “And who do we have here?” His brows drew together. “Have we met before, ma’am? You look familiar.”

  Extending her hand, Addie shook her head.

  Foster chuckled and responded. “You likely recognize her from all the photographs her father displayed. This is Adelaide Jennings.”

  His eyes widened, and he grasped her hand in his, his other hand covering hers in consolation. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Miss Jennings. I did all I could for him.”

  Joshua wanted to tear Addie away from the overly friendly man. His teeth ground together. “It’s Doctor Jennings.”

  Fletcher nodded, not as surprised as Josh would have expected him to be. “That’s right. Your father mention
ed you were at Harvard. I studied there too.”

  Addie nodded. “I graduated a few months ago.”

  The man chuckled. “I hardly know what to say. I expected you to have wings and a halo from the way your father spoke of you.”

  Addie’s gaze fell, and she pulled her hand away. A tangible pain infused her words. “It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Fletcher.”

  Josh expected the doctor to bid them farewell, and he relaxed with the knowledge that the man would not be fawning over Addie for much longer. As quickly as relief filled him, the tension renewed with Mr. Foster’s next words. “We were just going to lunch, Doctor. Would you care to join us?”

  “I’d love to.” The doctor smiled and directed his next words to Addie. “If you’re sure you don’t mind, Dr. Jennings.”

  Addie shook her head. “No, I don’t mind.”

  Josh bit back a curse. What the hell was wrong with him? Addie wasn’t really his. She’d be free as soon as the documents were signed. The appeal would be sent, and Mr. Foster would call in a favor to have the divorce expedited. The approval from the circuit court judge would probably arrive before he could escort the remaining members of the train to their new homes.

  The doctor was the kind of man Addie deserved. Josh should be relieved to know she’d found such a potential suitor here in Baker City. Even though she’d been adamant that she wouldn’t remarry, she had every right to change her mind. Why then did he have the urge to step between them? Foster introduced him to the doctor. Josh took his hand in a firm grip.

  Foster gestured to Josh. “Have you met Mr. Reynolds?”

  “Reynolds? The Wagonmaster?” asked Fletcher. “I’ve heard your name mentioned several times.”

  Attempting to be sociable, Josh grinned and shook the doctor’s hand. “Lies, all of them.”

  Fletcher laughed. “I hope not. Folks around her speak highly of you.”

  “Let’s go, then,” Foster said. “It’s warmer today, but still chilly. These old bones don’t like cold weather, and I’m looking forward to a hot meal.”

  Josh shrugged and followed behind the trio toward the restaurant, wondering why he’d agreed to join them in the first place. But the pleading look in Addie’s eyes wouldn’t be denied. Hell, he couldn’t deny the woman anything she wanted. Not even a divorce.

  They chose a table at the small restaurant, and Dr. Fletcher kept up a steady stream of questions about Boston and Harvard Medical School. He paused only when they gave their orders to the man who managed the establishment.

  He questioned Addie again. “So what are your plans, Dr. Jennings?”

  “Plans?” Addie had politely answered all his questions thus far, but she appeared to be confused by this one.

  “Yes. Do you plan to live here?” The good doctor seemed anxious to hear her answer.

  “I haven’t really decided yet. Any plans I had changed with my father’s death.”

  Josh remained silent. His gut tightened, and he resisted the urge to leave. He looked down to find his hands balled into fists. With deliberate calm, he spread his palms across his thighs and forced himself to relax. He took a deep breath and released it slowly.

  Foster spoke. “I think Adelaide needs some time to make new plans.”

  “Yes, of course. I didn’t mean to pry.” The doctor paused. “Well, that’s not quite true. It’s not often I meet such an attractive young woman, and it seems quite obvious that we have a great deal in common. I was hoping to hear that you planned to stay. There are so few unmarried women here.”

  Surprise flashed across Addie’s features. Had she just now realized the man was interested in courting her? “Dr. Fletcher, I…that is….”

  Josh took the opportunity to help her. “She’s not unmarried.” He watched the shock register on the man’s face before he caught Addie’s gaze.

  The man stuttered in his confusion. “I b-beg your pardon?”

  Foster answered. “The train voted against allowing Adelaide to join the train as an unmarried, young woman without a chaperone. Mr. Reynolds here married Dr. Jennings so that she’d be allowed to join the train.”

  “I see. A newlywed, then. Congratulations.” An unmistakable regret colored his words.

  Foster laughed. “Don’t look so disappointed. The marriage will be dissolved very soon.”

  His brows arched. “Dissolved?” His look suggested Josh had suddenly grown a second head. “You don’t want to keep her?”

  Though his thoughts were scattered and conflicting, Josh kept his cool mask in place. He knew from a hundred hands of poker that his opponent would not guess at his discomfort.

  Before he could form a suitable reply, Addie answered. “Mr. Reynolds doesn’t want a wife, Dr. Fletcher. He likes his freedom.” She stared at her hands, folded primly in her lap.

  Josh couldn’t leave it at that. “I had a wife once. Didn’t work out the way it should. Dr. Jennings deserves better than the likes of me.”

  Her gaze shot to his. Most times he knew exactly what she was thinking, but not now. Sadness filled her eyes, but something else lay beneath the sorrow. An unknown emotion—some unreadable thought or sentiment—hidden behind her grief.

  Their meal arrived, and Addie changed the subject to questions about the town of Baker City and Dr. Fletcher’s practice. How many babies had been born and were there any outbreaks of illness? That topic led to discussion of the cholera the train had contracted.

  Addie had apparently neglected to tell Foster about it. The news upset him.

  Dr. Fletcher showed concern, but his interest inspired another question. “How many did you lose?”

  Addie’s eyes revealed her distress. Josh stepped in. “One. A little boy about two years old who was less than hardy to begin with.”

  The doctor’s eyes widened. “Only one? How widespread was it?”

  Josh smiled. “Addie saved us. We’d have lost half the train without her. Thanks to her treatment, everyone recovered. Even Dr. Jennings herself.”

  Foster almost choked. “You had cholera?”

  Josh nodded. “Had me scared for a while. We weren’t sure she was goin’ to make it.”

  Addie remained silent. Fletcher directed his question to Josh. “How did she manage to treat the others if she was sick too?”

  “Addie was one of the last to show symptoms. She taught us how to make the medicine and treat those who were sick. So when she fell ill, we were able to treat her.”

  Foster spoke again. “Medicine? How do you make medicine for cholera?”

  Addie finally found her voice. “Studies indicate that most cholera patients die from the dehydration it causes.”

  Dr. Fletcher cut in. “I read a dissertation last year about using large doses of water with sugar and salt.”

  Addie nodded. “Actually, I found that honey was as effective as the cane sugar, but yes, that was the treatment I used.”

  Fletcher leaned back in his chair. “Amazing.”

  Josh agreed, “Yes, she is.”

  Foster laughed. “Indeed. Adelaide has always amazed me.”

  Josh finished his meal and excused himself. He couldn’t stand another minute of Fletcher’s adoration of Addie. She hadn’t responded to the doctor’s flirtation at all. In fact, she probably hadn’t even recognized it. Damn the man! Didn’t he understand the woman was mourning the loss of her father? And why did it annoy him anyway? This was what he wanted for Addie...wasn’t it?

  Chapter Twenty

  Addie dried her hands on a cloth next to the sink. “Thank you, Mrs. Simmons. I appreciate your help.”

  “Nonsense. I enjoyed it.”

  “Mr. Reynolds loves fried pie. I made some while we were on the trail. It’s so much easier in a kitchen.” Addie attempted a smile. She should have been making pies for her father too. His death had changed everything, and she’d be losing Joshua soon. Tonight could be the last time she had supper with him.

  “Mr. Reynolds seems like a good man.”

  “He is.
I’m fortunate to have received his help. I would never have made it here without him.”

  Martha tilted her head. “And you care for him. Do you think you’ll marry him?”

  Addie swallowed, tears threatening again for the hundredth time today. “Actually, Mrs. Simmons, Mr. Reynolds and I are already married.”

  The woman’s face showed her surprise. “You are?”

  “Temporarily. You see, the train wouldn’t let an unwed woman join them. So Mr. Reynolds agreed to marry me so that I could travel with them. Mr. Foster is probably writing the petition to have the marriage dissolved as we speak. He said he’d do it this afternoon.”

  The older woman leaned against the counter. “I know it ain’t none of my business, Dr. Jennings, but why would you have the marriage dissolved? Any fool can see you love him.”

  Addie suppressed a frown. “Mr. Reynolds doesn’t want a wife.”

  “Poppycock. The man loves you.” She crossed her arms.

  “I…you’re mistaken, Mrs. Simmons. I think he cares for me, but—”

  “He wasn’t here for long last night, but I’ll tell you here and now, child. He loves you. No doubt about it.”

  Hope glimmered in Addie’s heart, but she smothered it, not willing to harbor foolish expectations. “Even if that’s true, he doesn’t want a wife. He…he had a wife before. She died, and he blames himself.”

  Mrs. Simmons let out a labored sigh. “Men can be so durn stupid sometimes. It’s up to us women to set them straight. Course not all of them are worth the trouble. You reckon Mr. Reynolds is worth it?”

  Addie nodded. “He’d be worth any trouble.” She shrugged and twisted her apron in her hands. “But I’ve tried. I guess I just don’t know how to…to set him straight, as you say.”

  “Maybe you’ve just given up too soon.”

  “I never gave up. It’s just that he’s leaving. I’ve run out of time.” Addie untied her apron.

  “Hmph. Well, you’ll just have to think of a way to make more time. Keep him around a while.”

  She folded the apron and laid it on the counter. “He has to lead the train the rest of the way. He can’t stay.”