by Amber Stokes
David cleared his throat, suddenly clogged with emotion. He got to his feet, and Amos followed. They stood in silence by their father’s grave, shade and sun alternately sweeping over them in the gentle wind.
“I go by David now.”
Amos stuffed his hands in his pockets and glanced at him. “Why David?”
David shrugged as he offered a self-deprecating smile. “I wanted to be ‘a man after God’s own heart,’ like ma once taught us. Even when I couldn’t remember my past, there was something about that name and the Psalms that Frank read that stuck with me.” He swallowed, his eyes stinging.
Amos nodded.
As they finally turned away from the grave and walked back to the farmhouse, Amos threw an arm over David’s shoulders. “Can I call you David?”
Chapter 21
Winter was a long, long season. The snow had accumulated in the canyon, and trips up to Virginia City were scarce at best. Elizabeth enjoyed spending time with Joe and his family, but she found herself often gazing out the window at the piled-up snow and wishing for spring.
Thoughts of spring inevitably brought to mind thoughts of home—the planting season for farmers. She missed planting a garden, working out in the fields with Amos when he came around to help, and baking with Sarah Anne. She did her best to hide her tears from Joe, but homesickness consumed her, along with a longing for David she couldn’t seem to put away.
She cared for Joe, and she was sure that once they were married they would only grow closer. She appreciated the kindness he showed her, and the winter was bearable only because of reading and talking with Joe, helping Naomi in the kitchen, and thinking about seeing her ma in the spring for the wedding.
Spring did eventually clear away most of the snow and solitude, and with May’s arrival Joe promised to take Elizabeth into Virginia City.
“Are ya all ready, honey?”
“I’ve been ready for months!” Elizabeth couldn’t keep from smiling this day. The telegram they’d received from Sarah Anne months ago said she should get to Virginia City the second week of May, and it was finally time to go to town to wait for her. When she arrived, her family and Joe’s family would all head out to Lake Tahoe, where Elizabeth insisted they have the wedding. Elizabeth twisted the ring on her finger in nervous anticipation.
“Well, come on then.” Joe tossed her a wink and helped her mount Mary before he swung up onto Copper.
As they passed through the tents of Jews and the other canyon inhabitants, Elizabeth called to Joe, who was riding ahead, “You said we could invite Myghal to the wedding, right?”
“Of course.”
“And you’re sure Annabelle recalls that the wedding is in eleven days…?”
“Yep. I’m sure she does.”
“Good.” Excitement filled her as they rode up the trail out of the canyon.
They were silent for most of the rest of the trip to town, Elizabeth occupied with thoughts of the wedding and seeing her ma again. But as they approached Virginia City, Joe asked, “Yer invitin’ Jacob, too, aren’t ya?”
Elizabeth didn’t answer. She hadn’t seen Jacob since last fall, and, with a sick feeling inside, she realized that she didn’t want to see him again.
Joe turned and waited for her to catch up to him, then reached for Mary’s reins. “Ya know you can’t just never speak to him again. He’s yer brother.”
“I know,” she said, her tone lacking conviction.
“Elizabeth, honey…”
“I don’t want to see him.”
“Ya know how I feel about what he’s done. What he’s doin’. But I hate to see ya holdin’ onto this bitterness. He really does love Annabelle, and he really does care about you.”
“Don’t lie, Joe.” Her voice came out low, dangerous.
“Listen, if you get to invite Myghal, Annabelle, and Sarah Anne, then I get to invite someone, too.”
“That’s not fair.” Her fingers tightened on the saddle horn, and she was sure her eyes were spitting sparks at him.
“It is fair. Jacob is like my brother, and he is your brother. I’m invitin’ him if you won’t.”
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she wrenched Mary’s reins out of his hands. Without another word she galloped into town, hating her tears, her anger, and the strange sense of displacement that had seemed to haunt her ever since David left. She could hear Joe gaining on her, but she ignored him. She didn’t slow the horse until she reached Annabelle’s home—she refused to think of it as Jacob’s house.
Joe reined in next to her, but she jumped off Mary and headed straight for the porch. A hard hand gripped her arm, and he spun her around to face him, a look of concern mixed with frustration in his honey-brown eyes.
“Elizabeth, so help me… Ya can’t just go gallopin’ through town! You could have run someone down or got in front of a stage.”
She turned her face away from him. Through her tears, she told him, “Yer jest a big bully. Why won’t you leave me alone?”
“Elizabeth…”
“No!”
She tried to wrench out of his grip, but he only grasped her arm tighter and pulled her to him. Pounding his broad chest with her fist, she tried to vent her fury. But the action only brought a flash of memory—hitting David’s chest, his anger as he shoved her away, and a realization of unspoken love.
You will not control me!
I’ve only wanted to help you. To protect you. Don’t you understand?
The fight left her, and she fell to her knees, sobbing.
Joe sank down with her and held her close. “Shhh. It’ll be all right.”
They could have stayed there for a long time if Joe hadn’t seen something. She felt him stiffen before he scrambled to his feet. He mouthed only one word, but it sent fear raging through her. “Fire.”
Annabelle. Annabelle’s in there. Elizabeth stared up at the house, horrified. The flames came from where she knew Annabelle and Jacob’s room to be. And it was a dry day.
Joe took off running down C Street.
“Joe!” she screamed. “We have to get Annabelle out of there. Where are you goin’?”
“I’ve got to get to the fire station. Alert the firefighters,” he called back over his shoulder.
His long legs sent him careening down the hillside. Swinging her gaze back to the house, she stared at the growing flames, helpless and terrified. Why hadn’t Annabelle come out yet? There was no question she was in there. She hardly ever left the house.
Tearing her gaze away from the glare, she glanced around, hoping to find some other men who had come to help. A few seemed to be gathering water buckets and supplies to help put out the fire, shouting back and forth to one another, but no one was going into the house. Didn’t they know someone was still in there?
Oh, God, help her. Help all of us. Please. She ran into the building, hating herself for not going in sooner. Once she began to move, urgency overtook her, and she rushed through all of the rooms, calling out Annabelle’s name. When she had run through the parlor and the kitchen and found no one, she took the stairs two at a time and barged into the bedroom. She was nearly knocked back by the heat and the smoke. Her eyes watered as she fell to her knees, staying close to the ground, trying to see where Annabelle was. The beautiful red and gold bed was engulfed in flames, as well as the carpet on the floor and the wallpaper near the bed. Peering through the smoke, she finally saw Annabelle sprawled on the floor by the bed. She bit back a cry and crawled toward her.
The heat burned her cheeks and throat as she approached Annabelle and attempted to shake her awake, hoping she wasn’t injured. “Annabelle.” The name came out on a whisper that crackled before turning into a cough. “You’ve got to wake up! We’ve got to get out of here.”
When Annabelle didn’t move, Elizabeth pulled her limp body against her side and tried to drag her to the door. She made very little progress, though, and the smoke made it difficult to breathe. Inching her way forward, she prayed, unable to beg m
ore than, Oh, God, please!
Suddenly, hands reached down and grabbed Annabelle, carrying her away. Then someone scooped Elizabeth up, as well, and raced down the stairs, out of the house, and into the dusk.
Coughs racked her body, and she clung to her rescuer.
“Elizabeth.” The word dripped with agony and admonition. “What were you thinkin’? I could have lost you.”
Joe. He held her close, looking down at her, tender worry and regret causing his eyes to squint. His wheat-colored hair stood out in various directions, and part of her longed to reach out and smooth it. Another part didn’t want to be anywhere near him.
“Joe,” she rasped.
“Shhh. Don’t speak. I shouldn’t have left you.” He rubbed her arms with such force, she winced.
All she wanted was to shut out the images of blinding, twisting light and the sounds of the house crackling and falling apart. Instead, she sat up, hoping to catch a glimpse of Annabelle and the person who had rescued her. Her heart clenched when she saw them.
Her brother cradled Annabelle, weeping. He ran his shaky hand down her long blond hair—turned dark with soot—over and over. The firemen seemed to have the fire under control, but nothing compared to the relief that seared her when she saw Annabelle’s eyes open. Jacob kissed her forehead tenderly and guided her head to his shoulder, tears raining down on Annabelle’s tangles.
The town wouldn’t burn again. Annabelle was alive.
Elizabeth clutched Joe’s shirt, wishing she could rejoice in the victories. But her mind was consumed with the memories of flames and Joe fleeing.
Chapter 22
David had hoped to avoid any shopping trips for as long as possible, but Christy and Louisa broke him down with their pleas, determined as they were to buy new fabric to sew dresses for an upcoming barn dance. While the town of Golden had calmed since his childhood, he still wasn’t about to let his sisters go there alone.
Also, he had lost the wrestling match with Amos, so he had to be the one to take them.
The whistle of an incoming train called to him through the damp air as he walked with his sisters into the heart of town. Every time he heard the cry, it pained him like a physical blow. He desperately wanted to hop on board and see Elizabeth again. Make sure she was all right. Tell her how much he loved her. But something always stopped him. As much as he wanted to go to Elizabeth, he couldn’t leave his family, not after they had finally been reunited again. It was his responsibility to stay, to not miss another moment with them after all the memories they had lost.
He felt a hand holding him back every time the urge to leave hit him. He was waiting for something, felt the truth of it floating in the back of his mind and the depths of his heart. Perhaps God was telling him to wait on His will, as hard as it was and as much as he wanted to take matters into his own hands. Still, inaction made him feel powerless. What kind of man would do nothing when his sweet friend, his forget-me-not love, was living in a mining town with her rascal of a brother and a man who stole kisses from her?
What kind of man would ever leave her there in the first place?
Groaning inwardly, he tried to keep his step light as he escorted his sisters down the wooden walkway and opened the door of the shop for them. He ran a hand through his dusty hair, unable to hold back a smile when Louisa thanked him and Christy elbowed him playfully as she walked past.
He gave them a wave before closing the door after them, choosing to drop onto a beat-up, tobacco-stained wooden bench and wait outside rather than brave the yards of fabric and Christy’s excited squeals.
“Casey?”
The tentative female voice brought his gaze up, where a woman around his mother’s age stared at him, rooted to the sidewalk.
He jumped to his feet and slid his hat from his head. “Yes.”
She gasped and took a step back, her gold and gray hair falling from its confines as she shook her head. “Of course, I heard from your ma months ago that you were alive. It’s just such a shock, to see you for myself. You really are alive.” Her eyes grew wide, as if he appeared before her as a ghost instead of a flesh-and-blood man.
He gave her a small smile. “Yes, I’m alive, ma’am.”
“Oh goodness, you wouldn’t remember me, would you? I’m Sarah Anne. Elizabeth’s ma.”
His smile fell. He bunched up his hat in his hands. “Mrs. Pruitt.”
Her blue eyes took him in from head to boots, and her lips lifted. “You’ve grown into such a nice young man.” Clutching a valise closer to her skirt, she added, “I wanted to thank you for watching out for my girl.”
His face burned with shame. “I don’t deserve your gratitude, ma’am. I should have brought her straight home. It was foolish of me to take her to Virginia City.” More than you could ever know.
“It’s all in the past now. I’m just grateful, so very grateful she made it safely to Virginia City.” She sniffed, apparently unable to continue as she lifted a handkerchief to wipe her eyes. Before he could apologize further, she recovered. “I’m on my way there, myself, to attend her wedding.”
David’s blood froze in his veins, but she didn’t seem to notice the way he stiffened.
“I wish she had found someone here, and I can only hope he’s a decent boy. Like you.” She bestowed a smile on him, but when she caught his expression, her eyebrows scrunched.
Then the train whistle blew again, and she shifted her valise to her other hand. “I really must be going.” Her mouth opened again, as if she wanted to add something else, but she ducked her head and turned without another word.
Her wedding.
Elizabeth’s getting married.
To Joe.
His mind scrambled frantically, even as his heart seemed incapable of one more beat.
As he took a few steps after the woman, he remembered his sisters and glanced back at the store. He closed his eyes in frustration, then rushed to catch up with Elizabeth’s ma, stopping her in the middle of the street. She studied him, and he had the odd sense she knew the things he wasn’t willing to tell her.
He licked his dry lips, escorting her the rest of the way across the street as he said, “Please tell Elizabeth…” What? He scuffed his boots on the rough wood of the sidewalk, then lifted his pleading gaze to Sarah Anne. “Please tell her I wish her well. Tell her I…” Love her. But he couldn’t say the words.
Sarah Anne’s eyes were pools of compassion. “I’ll give her your message.”
She left then, scurrying to the train station.
He stood under the Colorado sun, watching. Please, God, guide us all. Even as his body felt tethered to the spot, freedom reached down and pulled him from the rush of emotions as he listened to the voice that whispered, Wait.
Chapter 23
The wind picked up and the late afternoon sunlight poured down on Joe as he stood next to Elizabeth, waiting for the train that would hopefully bring her ma. The breeze brought no relief to Joe’s constricted chest, though—he felt sure his breathing would be permanently labored. Even though he had his arm about Elizabeth’s waist as they stood together, he felt like they had grown miles apart since last week’s fire.
He had made a mistake, a big one. Perhaps an unforgivable one. When he had seen the smoke rolling from Jacob’s house, all he could picture was the devastation left behind from the fire over a decade earlier, when he had been just a boy. Seeing so many buildings burned to the ground and the sorrow brought by the loss, the fire had turned Joe’s heart cold.
He couldn’t stand the idea of the town burning up again. His first thought had been to run to the fire station, to recruit as many people as possible to help control the fire.
He had forgotten about Annabelle…and for a moment he had forgotten about Elizabeth.
He cringed inwardly, knowing that if he had been thinking clearly and rationally, he could have spared Elizabeth the pain and saved Annabelle himself.
Tightening his hold on Elizabeth’s waist, he tried to take in a
deep breath. Still, his breathing remained shallow as fear kept a painful grip on his chest. He was afraid. Afraid of what might have happened. Afraid of what could yet happen. Afraid that somehow the fire wasn’t the only thing keeping him and Elizabeth apart.
***
Every time Elizabeth closed her eyes, flames danced across her eyelids. She shuddered, and Joe drew her closer to his side.
Apparently the fire had been caused by a candle, which Annabelle had forgotten to blow out and accidentally knocked over in her sleep, having gone to bed early. It was terrifying to think of how quickly a fire could escalate.
Bits of conversation from the day she had first come to Virginia City, when she had first met Joe and he had told her about her brother, came back to her as she stood waiting for the train.
I think the fire of ’75 really struck fear in him, though, ya know? So many people lost everythin’.... With a decade separatin’ him from that disaster, ya would think he would finally feel secure.
Tears came to her eyes. She hadn’t understood then what Joe had meant. Perhaps she could never fully comprehend the horror and fear Jacob had faced all those years ago, but she felt closer to understanding now. Her brother had moved on, but he had been afraid to lose everything again. So he had rebuilt one business and established a new, more lucrative one, so he could be financially secure. And then, over the years, he must have fallen in love with one of his employees.
Owning a brothel was wrong; she knew that. She held onto the hope that Jacob knew that, too. His priorities had to shift in the face of potentially losing what he really held most dear—Annabelle. The good that God had brought out of the evil of her brother’s past.
Raising a hand, she wiped a tear from her cheek and shaded her eyes, hoping for a glimpse of the train. Her ma would be here soon, and she would get to introduce her to Jacob and Annabelle.
When the train finally whistled in the distance, Elizabeth realized with a start that she was wishing one more person would be on it. David.