by Linda Ford
What was so impossible about expecting truth and trust? Seemed to him those were the cornerstones of any relationship.
He ended the moment and turned his eyes forward.
She shifted. “Last time I saw Celia she was almost as tall as me and strong. She’s always been strong for a girl. She was a bit reckless.” Willow’s voice trailed off. “Things could have changed. I know I’ve changed a lot, mostly in ways you can’t see.”
Johnny waited. Would she explain?
“I used to be more trusting. More open. Maybe a little more than I should have been. I thought people would always do what was right. I thought a person’s word was his bond. I learned otherwise.” She exhaled a burst of air, then continued brightly, “But that’s okay. I’m stronger for these lessons and I’ll know better than to repeat them.”
He wanted to argue, to say some people could be trusted. But he understood her caution. Even shared it. “Experience is a harsh but wise teacher.”
“Indeed. I’ve not told you about Sarah.”
“She’s the purple one?”
“No.” Willow laughed. “But she is—or was—short. I was almost ten when she was born and I claimed her as my baby. I carried her everywhere. I taught her baby games like pat-a-cake. I loved her like my own.” He could see her swallow. “I miss them both so much.”
“You’ll soon be seeing them again.”
She pressed her cheek to Adam’s head and smiled. “I can hardly wait.”
“That should be the place over there.” He pointed to the left and turned off the trail.
Willow leaned forward so far that he caught her shoulder and pulled her back. Seemed he was always catching her from going too far. He smiled at the thought.
As they approached the buildings, two figures watched them. Both females. One was as tall as a grown woman, the other much shorter.
“It’s them. Celia, Sarah!” Willow called.
The one who would be Celia grabbed the other by the hand and raced away.
* * *
Willow’s heart clung to the back of her throat. Why were her sisters running from her? Perhaps they didn’t recognize her.
Or maybe they’d seen Johnny and feared it was one of the men who’d bothered them.
“Stop,” she called. If they heard they never slowed.
She grabbed Johnny’s arm. “Stop the wagon.”
“Whoa.”
She handed Adam to him.
The wheels had barely ceased turning before she caught up her skirts to keep from tripping on them and jumped to the ground. She found her balance and ran after her sisters.
“Celia, Sarah, wait. It’s me. Willow. Stop.”
Sarah slowed and tugged on Celia’s arm, but her sister yanked her forward.
“Celia, stop.” Willow put a dose of authority into her voice.
Sarah finally pulled her sister to a halt. “It’s okay. It’s Willow.”
The two had a little tug-of-war, slowing them enough for Willow to catch up. “Celia, it’s me. I’ve come for you.”
Celia dropped Sarah’s hand and backed away, her expression dark. She was either angry or afraid—perhaps both.
Willow would deal with that later. For now, she opened her arms and welcomed Sarah into a hug. Tears dampened her eyes.
She would never get enough of holding her baby sister close, but shifted her to one side and reached for Celia.
Celia shook her head and looked toward Johnny. “Who’s he?”
“His name is Johnny Harding, and when he understood I needed to find you, he kindly brought me.”
Celia continued to scowl at Johnny, who waited patiently a hundred yards away, Adam perched on his knee.
“Girls, you can trust Johnny. Come meet him and your nephew.”
“Is that who he’s holding?” Sarah asked.
“It is.” Willow drew them both forward.
As they approached the wagon, Celia’s scowl deepened. “The baby doesn’t look like Bertie,” she said. “That’s a good thing in my opinion.”
In Willow’s, too, but she would never admit that he had no reason to. Revealing her secret would cause her to lose whatever respect they might have for her. How, then, could she expect to create a family? Even more important, how could she ensure they wouldn’t accidently blurt out the truth to others? “I think Adam looks like our father, especially when he smiles.”
Johnny got down from the wagon to greet them, but Sarah clung to Willow’s side and Celia hung back.
“Johnny, these are my sisters, Celia and Sarah.”
Johnny smiled. “Pleased to finally meet you.”
Neither replied.
Willow took Adam from Johnny. “And this is your nephew. Adam, say hello to your aunt Celia and aunt Sarah.”
The toddler grinned and babbled something.
Sarah waved. “Hi, Adam.”
Adam waved back.
“He’s sweet.”
Willow knew Adam had won Sarah’s heart, and turned him toward Celia.
He waved his arms at her and when she backed away, Adam looked puzzled, then rubbed his cheek on Willow’s shoulder. It would take time, but he would win his auntie over. No one could resist his sweet nature.
A man and woman had stepped from the house to watch and now came to join them, so introductions were again made.
“You’re the girls’ sister, then?” the man asked.
“I am.”
“I’m happy to deliver them safely to your keeping.”
“Thank you for taking care of them,” Willow said.
“We can take care of ourselves,” Celia muttered. Her attitude hurt Willow, but she was certain things would improve after they settled. The sooner the better.
“Girls, do you have anything to get or can we leave?”
The rancher handed over the girls’ traveling bags.
“I’m ready.” Sarah jumped into the back of the wagon and sat on the canvas-covered mattress.
Celia didn’t move, her expression thunderous.
Johnny gave Willow a questioning look.
She shrugged, uncertain how to persuade Celia to cooperate.
“I’ll help you up.” Johnny took Adam and held out a hand to assist Willow.
She sought his gaze, knowing her hurt and confusion would fill her eyes. This was not turning out the way she’d expected their reunion would go.
His soft, encouraging smile lifted her heart. Things would work out, he seemed to say, and she allowed herself to believe him.
Because God had a hand in it? That was what Johnny would say, but she wasn’t prepared to decide at this point.
She stepped up and sat on the bench.
Johnny climbed up beside her, Adam on his knee, and they all looked at Celia.
She crossed her arms and didn’t budge.
They waited. Willow wasn’t going anywhere without her sister. She didn’t need to tell Johnny. He understood.
“Oh, very well. What difference does it make?” Celia climbed up beside Sarah and bounced down on the mattress.
Johnny flicked the reins. They waved to the couple and were on their way.
Willow bent over Adam and kissed his head. “This is not how I pictured it,” she murmured to Johnny.
He squeezed her hand. “Give her time.”
She turned her palm to his and held on, finding comfort and strength in his grasp and his words.
“It doesn’t seem like God is doing what I asked.” She spoke softly so the girls wouldn’t overhear.
“Trust Him.”
Trust? A simple, yet difficult, task.
“What are you two whispering about?” Celia demanded. “I suppose it’s about me.”
&nbs
p; Willow pressed back a sigh and turned toward her sisters. “Actually, we were talking about God.”
Celia harrumphed.
Sarah smiled sweetly. “God is with us all the time and protects us. I remember Mama saying that.”
Willow stared at her baby sister. “You were so young.” Just eight when their parents died.
Sarah nodded solemnly. “But I remember. She read us Bible stories every night and listened to our prayers. Then she tucked us in.” Her smile filled her eyes. “She always tucked the covers right to my chin so I’d be warm and safe.”
Willow swallowed hard. “She did the same for me. And you, too, Celia.”
Sarah got a dreamy look on her face and then grew serious. “I prayed God would keep us safe and help you find us and He did.” She planted her hands one on top of the other and looked satisfied.
Johnny nudged Willow. “The faith of a child.”
Willow almost hated to look at Celia, and her caution was warranted. Her sister scowled. If the girl wasn’t careful, she was going to develop a permanent furrow in her forehead before she reached marrying age.
“Could be I had something to do with it,” Celia said.
“What happened to make you leave the train?” Willow knew about the two men, but she wanted more details. Especially, she wanted to know the girls hadn’t been hurt.
Sarah knelt behind the bench, so close Willow could feel the warmth of her body and smell the dusty scent of her clothes. And something more. A familiar smell that brought forth a flood of memories of times she’d held her little sister.
“A nice old lady sat with us on the train,” Sarah said. “She asked where we were going.”
“And Sarah told her everything.” Celia made her displeasure plain. But then, she’d made everything she thought and felt quite obvious.
“She was nice.” Sarah seemed unaffected by her sister’s criticism.
“Yeah, and so were the two men seated behind her. Nice and nosy.”
Sarah hung her head. “I didn’t think about them listening.”
“Oh, they listened all right, especially when you said Willow had been living in Wolf Hollow. They started to ask questions. Did you have a gold mine? Did Bertie’s death leave you well off? I told them we were poor as street paupers, but I don’t think they believed us.”
“They tried to make us go with them when we got off at Martens,” Sarah whispered. “That’s when Celia said we had to run away.”
Willow met Celia’s defiant gaze. “Good for you for your quick thinking.”
Gratitude flickered through Celia’s eyes and was gone almost before Willow saw it. “I’ve been looking after Sarah since you left.” Her voice rang with accusation.
Willow wasn’t going to point out that Mr. and Mrs. Reames were the girls’ guardians. She blinked back tears. They would never know how hard it had been to leave them, nor that it had been to protect them and the baby inside her. They must never know. “I’m glad you are both safe.” The words caught in her tight throat.
“’Cause God takes care of us just like He said He would.” Sarah had such sweet trust. She fixed her golden eyes on Willow. “Isn’t that right?”
“I do believe it is.” It was much easier for Willow to believe, now that she had been reunited with her sisters.
Adam squirmed and fussed.
“He’s tired of sitting still. Sarah, if I put him in the little space there, would you like to play with him?”
“Oh yes!”
Soon her son and her little sister were laughing together as Sarah played peekaboo.
Celia watched.
Willow could only guess at what she thought, but from the furrow between her eyes her thoughts weren’t sweet or pleasant.
Realizing Willow watched her, Celia stretched out on the mattress, her back to the others.
Willow faced forward, blinking back the threatening tears.
Johnny again took her hand.
She turned her palm to his, grateful for someone to understand and to share her disappointment. It would get better. At least they were safe and together, and Sarah seemed happy for it and enjoyed Adam.
They continued westward, toward Granite Creek. The hours passed in drowsy heat.
Willow jerked awake at the sound of Adam crying. “I fell asleep again.” And again against Johnny’s arm. She was discovering it to be a very comfortable pillow. But a most unsuitable one, and she sat up and reached around for Adam. “He’s hungry,” she assured the anxious Sarah.
Celia hadn’t moved. Perhaps she, too, had slept.
“There’s a place up there with trees for shelter.” Johnny drove the wagon off the trail and they all scrambled down, glad of a chance to stretch their legs and move about.
Celia grabbed Sarah’s hand and they immediately headed for the trees to explore.
Willow watched them go. She wished they would stay and keep her company, tell her every detail of what they’d done since she’d last seen them. Their letters had offered little news. But she understood it would take time for them to see her as part of their lives again.
Understanding didn’t make it any easier. She stared after them, tears filling her eyes.
Johnny came to her side. “Give it time.”
His gentle words opened the floodgates and she sobbed.
He took Adam in one arm and pulled her to his chest with the other. She went willingly, Adam cradled between them. She pressed her head to Johnny’s shoulder and let all her worries and regrets wash from her until she felt cleansed within. Her tears ended, but she didn’t pull back. Her problems faded and she felt safe in his arms. The moisture beneath her cheek made her aware she had soaked the front of his shirt.
She lifted her face to him. “Your shirt is a little damp.”
“So is your face.” With gentle fingertips, he wiped the last of the tears away. A smile softened his lips and his gaze came to her...his bottomless, kind, inviting eyes.
She couldn’t look away. Didn’t want to.
His fingertips stilled and then trailed to her jaw and stopped. His gaze lowered to her mouth.
Her breath stalled. Her heart galloped. She leaned into him, lifting her face toward his.
His dark eyes examined her features and came back to her lips.
She knew his intent and welcomed it.
But he only smiled and released her. “Time to get this bunch fed, don’t you agree? Life always looks better with a full tummy.”
“That’s true.” All she wanted was a bit of comfort. More than he’d offered, though he’d given more than she had any right to expect. He was right about one thing, though. It was time to turn her attention to setting out lunch. She spread the quilt, opened the grub box and brought out hard cheese and equally hard biscuits. Wouldn’t it be nice to get Adam and the girls home and cook them a meal in their new quarters? A new family for them all.
“Girls,” she called. “Dinner is ready. Let’s eat.”
The two came from the trees. Celia looked defiant and Sarah upset, even a little frightened.
What had happened in those few minutes? Willow wouldn’t find out from Celia. Sarah might tell her if not for her sister’s threatening looks. Whatever it was, Willow hoped it wouldn’t mean more trouble.
They ate quickly, though Adam couldn’t be rushed. When he tried to get Sarah to give him a bite, the girl laughed. Celia jabbed Sarah and her laugh choked off.
The two exchanged scowls.
Deep inside, Willow sighed. This was not the happy family reunion she had pictured. She looked to Johnny, grateful for his encouraging smile.
Give it time, he mouthed.
She nodded.
“I’m done.” Celia jumped to her feet and nudged Sarah with her toes.
“M
e, too.” The younger girl got to her feet and stood by her.
Willow and Johnny quickly put things back in the wagon. Both girls sat at the back, so Willow held Adam. He soon fell asleep.
She shifted him to his little nest, where he could rest easy. When she turned forward again, her shoulders slumped.
Johnny drew her to his side.
Willingly, even knowing it revealed weakness on her part, she rested her head against his chest and let her breath ease out.
She appreciated his comfort more than she knew to be wise, but her disappointment swirled through her, making her weepy and needy.
Strength and determination would return in a short while. She counted on it. There was no way she could continue to turn to Johnny for support and encouragement. No matter how much she might yearn to do so.
Chapter Ten
Johnny held Willow gently, his arm light on her shoulders. It took a great deal of effort not to pull her closer, wrap both arms about her and say a hundred encouraging words. He could see and feel how Celia’s attitude hurt Willow. He could tell her things would work out—and he believed they would—but she’d had so many disappointments, she’d become wary and uncertain.
Father God, comfort her. Protect her.
The two men who had bothered the girls must have decided Willow had gold. After all, she came from Wolf Hollow—the gold-mining town of northwest Montana. The men would see Willow and her sisters as easy prey. Likely still did. Johnny was doubtful they had given up so easily. Not that he’d say so to Willow and alarm her. For now, he would be keeping a sharp lookout for them, and also the pair that had hung about the wagon yesterday. But who would protect them once they were back in Granite Creek and he left for the cabin?
He’d be sure to warn the sheriff and maybe tell Mr. Marsh and a few other men in town of his concerns. They could keep their eyes open for trouble.
In the meantime, he meant to get them safely back to town and their new home. But he wished he could do something to ease the tension between Celia and Willow.
He glanced over his shoulder. Sarah and Celia sat side by side, swinging their legs over the back of the wagon. Adam slept peacefully. For now, all was well.
Willow stirred. He kept his arm about her shoulder, not willing to let go at the moment. She shifted slightly to look into his face.