If looks could kill, Josh judged, Amy would be dead at Mother’s small feet. She started to reply, but was drowned out by Tim’s hoarse laugh. Josh saw Ellie elbow him, and Tim changed it to a fit of coughing; Josh’s sentiments exactly.
Edward, suave as usual, shook his head. “I’m afraid we’ll have to turn down your invitation, Miss Talbot. We’ll be returning to San Francisco as soon as we finish our business here.”
Business? What business? Josh’s premonition of storm clouds lurking just beyond the closest hill increased with Edward’s almost imperceptible nod to his mother.
The crowd began to disperse. Amy and her father, who had unbent long enough to be introduced to the Stanhopes, lingered, obviously in hopes of being included in the dinner invitation. They didn’t leave until Tim broadly hinted, “If we don’t mosey along to the hotel, we may not be able to all sit together.”
Luther cast him a withering look. “Come, Amy.” He started off. Amy flounced after him, but turned and called back, “Don’t forget! If you decide to stay longer, my invitation still holds,” then tripped after her rigid father.
“Whew! Is this what preachers have to put up with?” Edward asked. “Glad I didn’t become one. What do you think, Miss Sterling? Is everyone here really crazy about my brother?” He offered his arm.
Ellie sent Josh a pleading glance before placing her fingertips on Edward’s arm. “Not everyone. But Tim is right. We’d best be on our way.”
“Mother?” Josh held out his arm, seething inside. What audacity! He lowered his voice. “Why are you and Edward here?”
Her cat-in-the-cream expression returned. “For your own good, Joshua.” She refused to elaborate on the walk to the hotel.
Dinner seemed endless in spite of the banter that flowed around Josh. Ellie and Sarah said little; Tim, nothing at all. Edward and Mother dominated the conversation, extolling the wonders of San Francisco but always coming back to Ellie’s singing. One by one, the other diners left. When only the Sterlings and Stanhopes remained, Mother turned to Matt and delivered a verbal blow. “Edward and I had a reason for coming to Madera other than seeing Joshua.” She tapped her fingers on the table. “We want permission to kidnap your daughter.”
Josh’s first thought left him shaking. Matt was right. I should have gotten a ring on Ellie’s finger before she met Edward. The next moment, the full impact of the plot struck him. It took all of Josh’s control to keep from raging at his mother. He set his teeth in his lower lip and tasted blood, the only way to hold back words that once spoken, would haunt him forever.
Sarah gasped. Ellie sat as if frozen. Tim uttered a smothered protest, flung his napkin to the table, and leaped to his feet.
Matt straightened in his chair. His eyes turned midnight blue. “I beg your pardon?” Icicles dripped from his voice.
Edward stepped into the breach. “I’m sorry Mother was so blunt.” He sounded sincere, but from long experience, Josh knew better.
“We don’t really want to kidnap her.” Edward leaned forward, and his eyes gleamed. “We want to take Miss Sterling to San Francisco and give her the finest musical training available. Josh told us how well the Sierra Songbird sings. Hearing her this morning in church confirms his opinion. Think of the good your daughter can do. We have the ability to help her become the toast of San Francisco and make a fortune. This is also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to touch lives with her God-given talent—”
“She’s already doing that!” Tim interrupted, hands clenched in a fighting stance. “You think folks here come to church just to hear Preacher Josh?” His voice rose. “They don’t. They also come to hear Ellie sing. You may be our preacher’s mother and brother, but you’ve got some nerve showing up and trying to take Ellie away from us!”
“Sit down, Tim,” Matt ordered. His eyes flashed fire. “I should apologize for my son, but I won’t. He said exactly what I’m thinking. Unless I’m sadly mistaken, Josh feels the same way.”
All eyes turned toward Josh. He started to speak, then caught sight of Ellie’s face. She hadn’t moved since Mother had fired the opening salvo in what surely would be a relentless war to get her own way … and the Sierra Songbird. A quick look at Mother’s tightly buttoned mouth showed how long and hard that battle would be.
Josh jerked his attention back to Ellie. Every trace of color had left her cheeks. Her lips trembled. Her eyes looked enormous. He started to agree with Tim and Matt, but something in Ellie’s face stopped him: a wistful expression that showed Edward’s plea had kindled a spark. Tread lightly.
The unspoken admonition curbed Josh’s tongue. “Ellie?”
Obviously distraught, she stood so abruptly that her chair crashed to the floor, then ran out of the dining room.
Josh rounded on Edward. “How could you?”
He raised one eyebrow. “This doesn’t concern you, Josh. It’s between Miss Sterling and her parents.”
“And her brother,” Tim reminded.
“Of course.” Edward rose and helped their mother to her feet. “Why don’t we go to our rooms and give you a chance to find the lady involved and think it over?”
“If we think it over until Judgment Day, you still can’t have Ellie,” Tim growled. “I gotta go find her.” He raced out.
Mother, who had remained silent during the encounter, smiled and patted Sarah’s hand. “I’m sorry, dear, it’s just that we have your daughter’s welfare at heart. Her chances here are quite limited. You mustn’t be selfish and hold her back.”
Josh had never in his life come so close to disliking his mother. Couldn’t she see what she’d done? She and Edward had shot the day to smithereens. Not trusting himself to speak, he went to find the girl he loved.
When Ellie left the dining room, she fled to the place in Madera that offered refuge: Christ the Way Church. Knowing she’d be pursued, she ducked behind buildings and through the alley instead of staying on Main Street, where she could be spotted. Yet once she reached the church, she reconsidered. It was the first place they’d look for her. She needed time alone to grasp everything that had happened.
A large oak tree a little distance away offered sanctuary. Ellie sped toward it and sank to the ground beneath its sheltering branches. The day’s events whirled through her mind, starting when Tim had helped her down from the buggy in front of the church….
“Hurry or we’ll be late.” Ellie’s heart sang as usual, knowing she’d soon see Josh. She and Tim went inside and found their places. A slight stir at the back of the church caused heads to swivel. Ellie blinked. Why was Josh sitting down beside a middle-aged blond woman wearing the most stylish hat that had been seen in Madera in years? He should be up front sitting beside frowning Luther Talbot, who insisted on occupying a seat on the platform during each service.
Tim poked Ellie. “Who’s the fancy dame? Where’d Josh get the duded-up suit?”
Ellie shook her head and turned toward the front of the church.
“It ain’t Josh after all,” Tim reported, head still craned toward the back row. “He’s just now coming through the door. The other guy’s gotta be Josh’s twin. Betcha the woman’s their mother.”
Ellie gulped. Had Josh mentioned her to his family? Had they come to look her over? She pushed the thought aside and concentrated on the service. When Josh finished the story of Horatio Stafford and beckoned to her, she stepped forward. She forgot about Josh’s family until she sang the last line of her song, “It is well, it is well with my soul.” She breathed a silent prayer of thanks and discovered a pair of gray eyes identical to the young minister’s steadily regarding her. No, not identical. The newcomer’s gaze held impudence. Josh’s did not.
Ellie returned to her seat like one in a trance. She suffered Mrs. Stanhope’s and Amy’s gushing, Edward’s invitation, and the walk to the Yosemite Hotel with the wrong brother. Charming he might be, but he wasn’t Josh. Ellie wished with all her heart that he would trade places with Edward. And when Mrs. Stanhope said, “We want
permission to kidnap your daughter,” Ellie wondered if the woman was quite mad.
Now she buried her face in her hands. Snatches from the glowing picture Edward had painted sank into her soul. Finest musical training available … the good your daughter can do … the ability to help her become the toast of San Francisco … make a fortune … once-in-a-lifetime opportunity … touch lives with her God-given talent.
Ellie slipped to her knees. “Please help me, God. I can’t leave Josh! He loves me and wants me for his wife. That’s what I want, too.” Yet her traitorous heart clamored to be heard. With a cry of despair, Ellie confessed, “Lord, I’ve asked You for years to help me be someone. No one but You knows how much I want to be worthy of Josh. Could this be Your answer? The Diamond S has been like the end of the rainbow, but do You have greater treasure waiting for me in San Francisco?”
Her heart beat faster. “What if everything Edward describes comes true? I could serve You and save money to provide for Tim instead of being beholden to Matt and Seth. I could also become someone Josh would be proud of no matter where You lead Him. Besides, it’s not like it would be forever.”
Ellie raised her head. She looked at the church. She thought of her family and life on the ranch. Sobs wracked her slender body. How could she bear to give up all she knew and loved? Yet she’d asked for an opportunity to be someone. What if God was calling her to the city the way He’d called Josh to Madera? How could she accept? How could she refuse?
sixteen
Josh gritted his teeth and marched through the front door of the Yosemite Hotel. If he stayed in the dining room one minute more, he would erupt like a volcano and say words that could never be recalled. How dare Mother patronize Sarah and accuse her of selfishly holding Ellie back? Church members and nonmembers alike heaped praise on Sarah. They obviously considered her one of the finest women in the valley, and according to Red Fallon, Sarah was a true angel of forgiveness. As for Edward, Josh’s anger burned hotter with every step.
He caught sight of Tim loping down Main Street ahead of him. “Wait up,” Josh called. Tim glanced back, paused, and waited. A white line around the boy’s tightly closed mouth and the lightning that flickered in his eyes warned of an impending storm. It broke when Josh reached him.
“Your brother’s not much like you, is he?” Tim burst out. “You’d never come up with a fool idea like taking Ellie to San Francisco.”
“No.” A world of regret poured into Josh’s reply and a look of understanding passed between them. “Not that she isn’t talented enough. She is. Edward’s right about that, but high society is no place for Ellie. She’s far too unsophisticated for the circles in which Mother and Edward travel.”
Fear darkened Tim’s eyes until they looked almost black. “Yeah, but Ellie may not think so.” He kicked at the road, and swirls of yellow dust rose. “Did you see her face when your brother was spouting about this being her big opportunity? And then she ran out! I wanted to hit your brother for making her look like that.”
“So did I,” Josh confessed. “I wish he and Mother had never come to Madera.”
“Same here. I’m afraid Ellie may fall for all that stuff. Come on. We gotta find her.” Tim cocked his head to one side. “She probably went back to the church.” He started on, easily keeping pace with Josh’s long strides. “Hey, I guess being a preacher doesn’t stop you from getting mad, does it?”
“No.” Josh produced a feeble grin. “It just keeps me from hitting folks!”
Tim grunted but fell silent. Josh suspected that for once he didn’t have a reply.
When they reached Christ the Way, Josh warned, “We need to go in quietly. If Ellie’s praying, we don’t want to bother her.” He opened the door, and they stepped inside. Only silence from the empty room greeted them.
Tim looked wise. “When things bother Ellie, she likes to go off by herself. She probably figured the church is the first place we’d look for her. We’ll find her outside somewhere.”
It didn’t take long to discover Ellie’s refuge. Josh spotted her beneath the huge oak tree, a yellow-clad figure drooping in a way that tore at his heart. Unwilling to interrupt her solitude, he put his finger to his lips and motioned Tim back. They retreated to the church steps and waited without speaking. Josh could sense waves of pain and helplessness coming from the boy beside him. Tim stood on the brink of manhood, ready to leave his little-brother role and become Ellie’s protector.
Josh longed to offer words of comfort, but they stuck in his throat. Edward and Mother had stirred Ellie’s interest, or she wouldn’t have run away to be alone. What would it mean to his future with the girl he loved? Could she withstand the persuasiveness of Letitia and Edward Stanhope, the lure of adulation?
Josh tried to brush aside his anxiety, but it stuck to him like a hungry mosquito. So did doubts about Edward. Josh had seen the astonished delight in his brother’s face when Ellie sang. Edward knew and loved good music. He could have been an accomplished pianist if he’d cared enough to practice instead of chasing after other interests. Would loyalty to his twin overcome the impact of Ellie’s freshness and innocence while Edward helped her climb to the pinnacle of success? Josh closed his eyes and silently prayed, Not my will but Thine be done.
At last Ellie rose and came toward them. Her tear-stained face bore mute witness to her inner turmoil. Love for Josh shone clear and true in her beautiful eyes, but she had obviously been deeply affected by his family’s proposition.
Letitia and Edward Stanhope extended their stay at the Yosemite Hotel. They suffered the twenty-mile round-trip to the ranch and back to plead with the Sterlings to allow Ellie to accompany them back to the city. They again pointed out the advantages Ellie would have. She felt like a wishbone, torn between clinging to the security of the life she knew and loved and the life the Stanhopes offered—most of all, the chance to be someone and make a difference in the lives of others. Prayer brought little peace. She wavered between saying no outright and agreeing to go for a short time.
The turmoil created by the Stanhopes’ persistence didn’t end with Ellie. Or with Tim or Josh, drawn together by common concern. It profoundly affected the Diamond S family and friends. Matt, Sarah, and Seth adamantly opposed Ellie’s going to San Francisco. To Ellie’s amazement, Seth’s wife, Dori, firmly disagreed.
“Remember when I just had to go to school in Boston?” she asked Matt early one evening in the sitting room before the fire when the discussion raged hot and heavy. Ellie sat in a shadowy corner at one side, listening without speaking.
Her brother made a face. “Do I ever! Do you remember how you hated it?”
Dori tossed her dark curls. “Do I ever!” she mimicked, bright blue eyes shining. “Even though it became a disaster, I’m glad I went.”
“Why?” Tim demanded from his spot on the floor in front of the fire.
Dori sobered. “I had to go away in order to appreciate what I have here.” She smiled at Seth. “I have a feeling Ellie will do the same.”
He shook his head and looked troubled. “After the freedom of living on the ranch, I’m afraid she will be like a wild bird in a cage.”
It felt strange being discussed as if she were not present, yet Ellie remained silent and allowed the talk to flow around her.
Solita spoke for the first time since the conversation began. For once, her timeworn brown hands lay idle in her lap. “If our Sierra Songbird goes to the city and Dios does not wish her to remain, no bars will hold her.” She turned to Ellie, and her black eyes softened. “Senorita, what does your heart say?”
The moment of truth Ellie had dreaded ever since the Stanhopes dangled the promise of fame and fortune before her lay heavy in the quiet room. Only the crackle of the fire and the happy laughter of children at play outside the front door broke the silence.
Ellie clenched her hands until the nails bit into her palms. Tears sneaked past her eyelids. She knew they left glistening tracks on their journey down her cheeks. Her voice cam
e out barely above a whisper. “I’ve prayed and prayed about it. I don’t want to leave you and the ranch, but I feel like I must go.” It was out, the words she’d known must be said but that would change her life, perhaps forever.
Tim, who had been unusually quiet during the exchange, leaped to his feet and glared at her. “For crying out loud, are you crazy? What about Josh? The minute you leave, Amy will be—”
“Tim!” Matt interrupted. “That’s enough. We appreciate how you feel, but this has to be Ellie’s decision: no one else’s.”
Tim gave him a rebellious look and stalked out. Ellie put her hands over her burning face, glad for her dimly lit corner. But Tim’s question refused to be ignored. What about Josh? Just this afternoon Matt had called Ellie aside and repeated the interview in which Josh confessed his feelings and received permission to keep company with her.
“He’s only been here a short time, but I believe Josh loves you the way I love Sarah,” Matt had said. “He’s a fine man, Ellie. You’ll never do better.”
Now, still ecstatic over Matt’s affirmation, Ellie’s decision to leave Madera faltered once more. How could she go hundreds of miles away into a new and perhaps frightening world when the love she wanted more than life itself remained in Madera? The next moment she steadied her churning mind. Surely Josh’s love—and hers—could endure a short separation. Besides, as Solita said, if God didn’t want Ellie to stay in San Francisco she could come home as Dori had.
The thought comforted her. I truly believe You want me to go, Lord, she prayed that night while lying in bed and looking out the window at the winking stars. It’s my chance to become worthy of Josh. And to rid myself forever of the stigma of being Gus Stoddard’s daughter. She fell asleep, dreaming of cattle and cable cars, cowboys and creek beds, and the clang of the city the Stanhopes had described.
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