Embers of Love

by Tracie Peterson

  “So who you gonna take to the Christmas dance?” G. W. asked his brother. They climbed onto the wagon seat, and G. W. picked up the reins.

  “Haven’t decided if I’m takin’ anybody. You take someone, then you gotta dance with them most of the night. I ain’t got my fix on one gal just yet, so I may not ask anyone.”

  “That’s gonna break many a heart,” G. W. said, laughing. He reached for the brake as Decatur got wind of something and bounded off in the opposite direction, barking. Jasper followed suit.

  “Guess they got the scent of a rabbit,” Rob suggested.

  “Rabbit stew would be a nice change of pace. What say we put off headin’ home for a bit and follow after ’em?”

  Rob nodded and grabbed his rifle. “Sounds good to me.”

  G. W. secured the reins, grabbed his own rifle, and jumped from the wagon. He couldn’t think of anything he liked quite as much as his mother’s baked rabbit stew. Just the thought made his stomach rumble.

  The two men took off in the direction of the dogs, following the baying as Decatur and Jasper led them deeper into the woods. Just as they neared a freshly cleared area, the baying changed to more of a bellowing bark.

  “I don’t think it’s a rabbit they’re after,” G. W. said as they slowed. “Maybe they’ve treed a cougar.”

  “Most of ’em have gone west – at least that’s what Uncle Arjan says.”

  “I know, but it ain’t impossible for them to still be around. One was spotted north of here just a couple months back.”

  Rob nodded, and G. W. pointed. “There they are.”

  They saw the two dogs had something backed up against the steep creek bank. Without warning, the animal charged, and the brothers could now see it was a razorback – by the look of its size, a male. Jasper quickly jumped out of the way, but Decatur wasn’t so lucky. The hog took him by surprise and dragged the dog to the ground in a vicious attack. Blood spurted from Decatur’s neck as the tusks dug in.

  G. W. and Rob closed the distance to the ruckus. Rob fired his gun over the hog’s head but found it did nothing to deter the beast. Jasper tried to join in the fight, but the hog simply knocked him out of the way. Yipping in pain, Jasper got up and charged again.

  Rob yelled and fired the rifle, while G. W. called to Jasper and Decatur. Jasper came, although reluctantly, while Decatur was still locked in combat. Rob took careful aim and fired at the rooter. The animal moved, however, and the bullet just glanced off the thick shoulder hide. Even so, it caught the hog’s attention, and it quickly abandoned its attack and ran for a brushy thicket upstream.

  G. W. rushed to Decatur, while Rob chased after the rooter for a short distance. G.W could see that while the dog was still alive, he was mortally wounded. They would have to finish him off; otherwise, he’d suffer.

  “Sorry, boy,” G. W. said, reaching down to stroke the hound’s bloody face. “You’ve been a good friend.” Decatur whimpered in pain, and G. W. lost little time putting a bullet in the animal. It brought tears to his eyes to kill such a good companion. Jasper began to howl mournfully.

  Rob walked back, shoulders slumped. “I lost track of him. I heard the shot and figured you had to put Decatur down.”

  “Yeah,” G. W. said, shaking his head.

  Rob handed him his rifle. “I’ll carry him back to the wagon. We can bury him at home. If we leave him here, that rooter will just dig him up.”

  G. W. nodded. “You’re right. Let’s go.”

  –––––––

  After a week, the traps proved to be a good investment. They had captured more than ten rooters, and the family shared the meat among the Vandermark workers. Deborah was deeply sorrowed at the loss of Decatur but certainly no more than Jasper and Lula. They seemed to mope around, seeking far more attention than they had before the death.

  “I suppose animals mourn as do we humans,” Deborah told Lizzie as they sat together on the porch. “Still, it seems so sad. They can’t understand or be comforted by mere words.”

  “I think they’re comforted, just the same,” Lizzie said as she stroked Jasper’s long silky ears. He placed his head in her lap and rested there while the ladies conversed.

  “I wish the train would come. I’m so excited about going to Houston, I can hardly stand the wait,” Deborah said, getting up again to look down the tracks. They were waiting for the southbound log train in order to catch the Houston East and West Texas line in Perkinsville. It had been determined that since Arjan had secured the loan for the Vandermark expansion, G. W. and Rob would escort Lizzie and Deborah to Houston, where they could buy extensive supplies for the business. If the Rabbit kept any kind of schedule, they’d be bound for Houston before nightfall and hopefully settling into their hotel sometime the next morning.

  For Deborah’s part, she hoped to buy a crate of books to keep her busy during long evenings. She didn’t know how she could feel so lonely in a house full of people, but she often did.

  “I hear the whistle,” Lizzie declared, jumping to her feet. “G. W., the train is coming!”

  She went inside the house and called again. Deborah could hear her brothers respond and reached down to pick up her valise. Mother came from the house to bid her good-bye.

  “Are you sure you won’t come with us?” Deborah asked. “We’ll have a great time.”

  Mother smiled and shook her head. “No, Arjan and I have a lot to do. We need to get that pork smoked, and I have to make sausage and soap.”

  Deborah frowned. “Maybe I should stay.”

  “Nonsense. I’ve hired Miriam and Ruby to help Sissy and me. They need the money, and the work will help keep their minds occupied.”

  Reaching out, Deborah hugged her mother close. “I know they’ll appreciate your kindness.”

  The train chugged slowly to a stop aside the Vandermark property. The small siding train wasn’t all that powerful, but it got the job of hauling logs to Perkinsville done in good order. Jack waved from the engine compartment.

  “Come on, boys! Train’s a-waitin’,” Mother called.

  G. W. and Rob came from the house carrying the rest of the suitcases. Two trunks were already by the rails. They made quick work of loading the bags, then assisted Lizzie and Deborah into the engine before they climbed atop one of the log cars.

  “Let’s go!” G. W. called out. They all waved to Mother. “We’ll be back as soon as possible.”

  “Be careful. I love you all.” Mother returned their waves.

  In Perkinsville, Lizzie found a letter waiting for her. She held it up to Deborah. “It’s from Mother.”

  “Well, open it and see what she has to say,” Deborah encouraged. “Perhaps she’s accepted the idea of you marrying G. W.”

  “I seriously doubt that.” Lizzie opened the missive and scanned the lines of script. “It’s just as I thought. She’s telling me how I have solely managed to undermine the suffragette cause – delaying the vote for years, maybe even decades.”

  “You are such a powerful foe,” Deborah said, smiling.

  Lizzie continued. “She said that Stuart’s father was giving serious consideration to pursuing the matter of my annulment, but . . .” She stopped speaking and looked up in surprise, “Stuart has married.”

  “Oh, that is good news.” Deborah leaned closer and glanced down at the letter. “Does she say who he wed?”

  Lizzie nodded in surprise. “Yes. He married Jael.”

  “Our Jael?” She was the only other real friend that Lizzie and Deborah had known in Philadelphia.

  “Yes. Listen.” Lizzie turned her attention to the letter. “Mother says, ‘He returned home a heartbroken man, and when Jael learned of your treachery, she eagerly sought to offer him comfort. The two were quietly married a short time later. Stuart’s father not only welcomed the match, he praised his son for the union. I hope you realize what you’ve lost.’ ”

  Lizzie looked up. “I cannot believe Jael would marry such a man. She never cared all that much for
Stuart.”

  “I thought, in fact,” Deborah said, putting her finger to the side of her temple, “she was in love with Ernest Remington.”

  “I did, too. She told me the night before my wedding to Stuart that she fully intended that theirs would be the next wedding to take place. She seemed quite convinced.”

  “Apparently things have changed.”

  Deborah shook her head slowly. “This will certainly complicate our friendship with her.”

  “To say the least.”

  –––––––

  Houston had grown at a rapid rate and looked nothing like Deborah remembered. Now boasting nearly ten thousand residents, the town had blossomed into a bustling city to rival some of those back East. Of course, it had a long way to go to match Philadelphia, but it was well on its way.

  The foursome settled into a small but elegantly appointed hotel. It was determined that in order to save money, the ladies would share a room and the brothers would take another. G. W. looked less than pleased at the arrangement but said nothing.

  The train trip had been anything but restful, so rather than strike out for the day, everyone in the party decided a brief nap might serve them well. G. W. and Rob, however, changed their minds and came to tell the girls their plans.

  “We’re goin’ over to the bank,” G. W. said. “I need to make sure there are no problems with our credit so we can get started right away in buyin’ the equipment.”

  Deborah barely suppressed a yawn. “When will you return?”

  “Before evenin’. You and Lizzie sit tight,” G. W. instructed. “This is no place for you to go off gallivantin’. We’ll be back in time to take you to supper. If you get hungry before then, you can get a meal downstairs.”

  “Very well,” Deborah said, though she already had in mind that after she and Lizzie rested, they might visit some of the nearby shops. She appreciated G. W.’s protective nature, but honestly, she saw nothing to fear. There were hundreds of people walking about on the street. A person would have to be a fool to accost another, for surely half of those present would come to the aid of the afflicted person.

  G. W. kissed Lizzie quite soundly before giving Deborah a questioning look. “Are you sure you don’t want to bunk in with Rob?”

  Deborah laughed, much to Lizzie’s apparent embarrassment. “He snores. Lizzie doesn’t.”

  G. W. nodded. “Don’t I know it.”

  After the men had gone, Deborah and Lizzie stretched out in the bed. They dozed comfortably for nearly two hours, and when Deborah rose, she found Lizzie standing at the window.

  “Is something wrong?”

  Lizzie turned and smiled. “No, silly. I just wanted to see what was out there. You know, for as large as Houston is, it still seems rather primitive.”

  Deborah straightened the covers and sat on the end of the bed in order to secure her boots. “I’m sure the shops will still have a better selection than we can get at home.”

  Lizzie came to her. “You aren’t thinking of going out, are you? G. W. said – ”

  “I know what he said, but I’m a grown woman. I fared for myself just fine in Philadelphia, and I will fare for myself fine in Houston. Remember – I once attended finishing school here. Of course, that was quite a few years ago and the town has changed a great deal, but I can’t imagine there being a problem. You will come with me, won’t you?”

  “I shouldn’t,” Lizzie said. “G. W. wouldn’t like it at all.”

  “He’s too protective of you.”

  Lizzie looked at Deborah for a moment, then sat down beside her. “I’ve been longing to tell you something.”

  “What is it?”

  Lizzie’s cheeks reddened. “I believe I’m with child.”

  Deborah let out a squeal of joy and grabbed Lizzie to hug her. “Oh, what happy news! No wonder G. W. doesn’t want you to go out on your own.”

  “G. W. doesn’t know yet. I wanted to surprise him at supper. Hopefully, he’ll forgive me for telling you first, but I wanted you to help me surprise him.”

  Deborah nodded. “To be sure, I will. We should talk to the hotel manager and ask about a suitable restaurant. Tonight must be very special. Come on. We can go shopping tomorrow. For now, we need to prepare. We’ll probably need a long-handled broom.”

  Lizzie looked at Deborah in confusion. “Whatever for?”

  “To sweep G. W. off the ceiling after he hears the news.” They giggled, pressing their heads together like two little girls with a secret. Then Deborah straightened and sobered just a bit. “Of course, we might also take smelling salts with us . . . just in case.”

  CHAPTER 27

  With the arrangements made for a special supper, Deborah found that they still had plenty of time to explore the shops near the hotel. She convinced Lizzie to join her but knew her friend was feeling uncomfortable as they ventured outside.

  “G. W. isn’t going to like this, Deborah.”

  “Once he sees that we’ve returned unscathed, everything will be fine. He should have seen us in Philadelphia.”

  Lizzie shook her head. “No. No, he would never have approved of that. We were rather . . . reckless at times.”

  Deborah grinned. “I suppose so, but we weren’t as wild as some. Oh look, the shop across the street carries fabric. Let’s go explore.”

  They maneuvered across the busy street narrowly avoiding several carriages before reaching the other side. Deborah pulled Lizzie into the shop.

  “Welcome, my dears,” an older woman greeted them. “Are you looking for anything particular today?”

  “We need some material for making diapers and baby clothes,” Deborah announced.

  The woman nodded and led them to a stack of flannel. “This is the best for making diapers.”

  “How much do you suppose we should purchase?” Lizzie asked.

  “Well, ten yards will make you a little more than a dozen diapers,” the woman told them. “You’ll want at least two dozen diapers available to you, and if you can afford it, I highly recommend three dozen.”

  “That sounds good. We’ll take enough for three dozen,” Deborah said, then looked to Lizzie. “Does that sound good to you?”

  “I can’t imagine a baby ever needing so many diapers, but if you say so,” she replied, looking at the woman as if for confirmation.

  “Believe me, you’ll be glad for them,” the saleswoman assured her. “Now, come this way, and I’ll show you some wonderful fabric for little gowns.”

  They spent half an hour picking out material and another twenty minutes in choosing buttons and trims. They ordered the things to be delivered to the hotel and then continued down the street, glancing in store windows as they went. Turning onto one of the side streets, Deborah pointed to a millinery shop.

  “Oh, look there – just beyond that small alleyway.” She led the way. “Let’s go inside. That little straw hat would be perfect for Mother.”

  “We’ve already been gone for some time,” Lizzie said, glancing back down the street in the direction they’d just come. “Don’t you suppose we should go back?”

  “It’s just now four o’clock. We can take another half hour, at least.” Deborah entered the shop and quickly forgot about the time.

  By the time they exited, the sun was beginning to set in the west. “I suppose we’d better go back,” Deborah said, shifting the hatbox to her left hand. She looped her arm through Lizzie’s. “After all, we want to get you all dressed up for dinner. No sense in making such a wonderful announcement looking all shoddy.”

  “I look shoddy?” Lizzie questioned in horror. She looked down at her gown.

  “No, silly. You look just fine. I was only teasing you. Come on.”

  They had reached the alley when a man dressed in a sorry-looking black suit came hurrying out. He plunged between them as though trying to get past. Without warning he turned and slammed Lizzie backward. She stumbled into the wall of the building, while the man reached for Deborah. Realizing he me
ant no good, she swung the hatbox hard against his arm. Her action momentarily stunned the man.

  “Unhand me,” Deborah demanded. Perhaps the man was drunk. Perhaps he was a thief. Either way, she wasn’t going to stand for him molesting them. She went to Lizzie and took hold of her arm.

  The man rushed at them and grabbed at Deborah’s waist for her chatelaine. “Give me your money!”

  Lizzie screamed for help, but Deborah knew she would have to defend them as best she could until help arrived. She tried again to knock the man out of the way with the hatbox, but this time he was ready for her. He ripped the parcel from her and tossed it to the ground.

  In one motion, Deborah hiked her skirts and kicked the man hard in the shins. She then turned and pushed Lizzie toward the street. “Get help!”

  The ruffian took hold of Deborah and swung her back against the hard brick wall. The action infuriated Deborah, and she kicked him again, but this time her skirts wrapped around her legs, deflecting the blow. Doubling her fist, she sent a punch into the man’s face with all the force she could muster. Pain coursed through her hand and up her arm. Hitting someone wasn’t nearly as easy as her brothers made it look.

  “I’ll teach you a lesson you won’t soon forget.” The man gave a growl and reached out to twist Deborah’s right arm to her side.

  Frantic to maintain some sort of control, Deborah screamed and pummeled the man with her left hand. He took the first blow in the shoulder and grunted, but still refused to let her go. She doubled her efforts with the second attack, but this time he ducked. To Deborah’s surprise, however, her fist connected with another man – her would-be rescuer.

  The man let go of Deborah and whirled around to face this new adversary. Deborah hurried to the opening of the alley, where Lizzie awaited her. By now a couple of cowhands had come to their rescue, as well, with a police officer following close behind. The thief didn’t stand a chance to escape.

  Once the man was manacled and taken away, Deborah turned to thank her original rescuer. To her surprise, it was none other than Mr. Wythe. He beamed her a smile and pointed to his reddened eye.