by Barbara Goss
“No. I miss Travis, but I don’t know how to arrange to see him again. I’m more than ready to be kidnapped, Father.”
Her father put his book down and gave her a thoughtful look.
“Did you know that Travis is heading a fundraiser for a poor young woman who was trampled by a horse? She’s crippled, and he sold all his calves to me in order to pay for a specialist to come here from Kansas City to treat her,” he said.
“Oh, my! He does have a warm heart, Father.”
“Yes, I’m quite impressed with him,” he said puffing on his pipe, “but I’ve been thinking: surely we can afford a hefty contribution. I’m sure it wouldn't only help that woman, but it'd also help Travis who’s given about all he can right now. I could contribute a large sum and you could present it to him or take it directly to the woman.”
“I’d think I’d like to deliver it to the woman myself. I don’t want Travis to think I’m donating it as a way to ingratiate myself to him. I want him to feel the same about me as I do about him.”
“Well, you need to be places where you’re sure to see him then, like church. He goes every Sunday,” Robert said, peeking up at her with raised eyebrows.
“He does?” she asked. When her father nodded as he puffed on his pipe, she asked, “Can I go with you tomorrow, then?”
“I’d like nothing better.”
Evaline and Ellen hadn’t been to church in a while. Their mother didn’t go, so they figured they shouldn't have to go either. Their father went every Sunday in England. As soon as he found a church in Kansas he got up early and traveled the ten miles to the church in Hays. That got her thinking: the two men she loved most in the world went to church, so maybe church had a good influence on people.
The service was so much more interesting than any she’d attended in England. The minister was young and enthusiastic. His sermon was stimulating. Usually, she couldn’t wait for the sermon to end, but on that day she was disappointed when it was over.
The sermon was about giving. The minister told a story about a rich man who gave money to the church and a woman who was poor gave all she had. God blessed the woman even though she gave less than the rich man because she gave with her heart.
That got Evaline thinking. She resolved to visit that poor girl and give her the large donation herself.
When the service was over, her father said, “Come with me, girls‒I want you to meet Reverend Moran.”
James Moran was a charismatic man. She liked him and his wife, Mandy, immediately. Robert Radcliffe asked him for directions to the wounded young woman’s home as he had a contribution.
“We’re going there after our dinner at Rosie’s. Won’t you join us?” James asked.
Robert looked at his daughters. When they smiled, he said, “We’d love to.”
After a delightful lunch‒after which Robert fought James to pay for, and won‒they headed over to Libby Fisher’s house.
As soon as Reverend Moran introduced Evaline, her sister, and her father to Libby, Evaline stepped up to Libby's bed and took her hand.
“We’ve heard so much about you, Libby. We’d like to contribute to the fund to pay for your treatment.” Evaline thought Libby cute as a button and hoped she’d soon walk again.
“Thank you, but you don’t even know me,” Libby said.
“I do, now,” Evaline smiled. “My, that’s a pretty ring you’re wearing.”
Libby held it up. “My betrothed gave it to me. I love it.”
“I wish you both the best,” Evaline said.
At church on Sunday, Travis couldn’t believe his eyes when he watched Mr. Radcliffe walk down the main aisle with both Ellen and Evaline at his side. They took seats on the opposite side of the church. As far as Travis knew, it was their first time at the church. He looked for them after the service, but they'd somehow disappeared.
He picked up a hard-to-get new book for Libby and Ned called Moby Dick. He’d been trying to get it for weeks and it finally arrived from Kansas City by mail.
Sadie had the spare room all ready for the special doctor who would arrive by train the next day. Travis decided to go home, do his chores, and then go to read with Libby and Ned.
When Travis finally arrived at Libby’s, he saw a few buggies tied up in front of the house, but it wasn’t unusual for her to have a few guests on Sunday. Once inside, Mrs. Fisher escorted Travis to Libby's room.
He walked into the room and two things happened all at once to leave him frozen in place. He was stunned to see the Radcliffes and before he'd recovered from seeing them, Libby cried out, “There’s my betrothed!” Her eyes lit up like Chinese lanterns and she smiled at Travis.
Evaline swung around to see Travis standing there, still frozen in place, not knowing what to say. He hadn’t planned on her finding out about his betrothal like this.
Robert put his arm around Evaline. “I think it’s time we left.” He handed Libby the envelope with the money and led the pale and shaking Evaline toward the door.
“Thank you,” Libby said. “Please come to visit again.”
Evaline turned to leave the room, but not without first narrowing her eyes at Travis as she walked by him.
Travis knew he’d never forget the look of hurt and then anger he saw on Evaline’s face. He dropped the book on Libby’s bed and rushed from the room, mumbling an apology.
He tried to catch up to the Radcliffes as they got into their buggy.
“Wait, Evaline‒I can explain!” he yelled.
She ignored him and got into the buggy.
He ran up to the buggy and was about to try to talk to her when Robert put his hand up in a stop gesture. “Not now, Travis," he said. "She needs some space.” He jumped up onto the driver’s bench and then they were gone.
He felt lost, empty, and sick to his stomach.
There was no way he could go back to Libby, since he wouldn’t be able to hide his feelings having just lost the person he loved most in the world.
The rest of the day was a blur to Travis. He performed all the right actions, automatically. He did his evening chores, spoke cordially to Sadie and his father, and turned in early.
He tossed and turned, but all he could see was Evaline’s face. First she'd flash him a hurt expression, and then an angered one. How could he fix this? He had to act, but he didn’t know what to do. This would be the perfect time to explain to Libby that he couldn’t marry her, but he thought she might be too upset to go through with the evaluation the next day.
Maybe he needed to tell Evaline the truth. Perhaps she could help him decide what to do.
He rejected that idea, as well—It would make him look weak. Perhaps in this instance, he was.
Since he couldn’t sleep, he got up, got dressed, and went out to the stable. He saddled Comanche and rode as fast as he could, in the dark, to Victoria. It wasn't yet midnight‒maybe she’d still be awake. He had to try to make her understand, since he hated the thought of her lying in bed, hurt or angry with him. She must think he was romancing the two of them at the same time, which was far from the truth.
He had to find a way to fix this.
When he got to Victoria, there was still a light on in the sitting room, so he knocked lightly on the door. Moments later, Robert Radcliffe opened the door.
“Is that you, Travis?” he asked, squinting to see in the dark.
“Yes, sir. May I come in?”
Robert didn’t answer, but held the door wide, and motioned for him to come in.
When they'd been seated, Robert said softly, “What was all that about today, Travis?”
“It’s not what Evaline thinks. Here’s the true story…” Travis began the story with the barn dance and finished with his sloppy proposal.
“That poor woman.” Robert rubbed his hands together. “I don’t know what advice I can give, Travis, but the truth is always the best way.”
“Sir, with all due respect, what would you have done?” Travis asked.
“That
's a tough question,” he said. “Did you know that Ned was in love with her at the time?”
“No. I just learned that. I wanted to wait for the doctor to evaluate her and tell me she’d walk again before telling her the truth. If she’s going to be crippled her whole life, I just can’t let her down.”
“But Ned would marry her,” Robert added.
“If I knew she loved him I’d gladly trade places with Ned.”
Chapter 10
Robert stood and paced the floor. “Well, Travis, are you still willing to do the kidnapping if necessary?”
“Do you still want me to do it after hearing what I’ve done?”
“Yes. I liked you before you told me your story, but I think even more of you now. Not many men would propose to a woman they didn’t love out of a warm and giving heart.
“Tell me. How do you feel about Evie? The truth.”
“I love her with all my heart and soul,” Travis answered, looking straight into her father’s eyes. “I came here tonight because I couldn’t bear the thought of the pain she must be enduring.”
Robert nodded. “What will you tell her?”
“The truth.”
Robert paced again, deep in thought. “We’ll hold any plans for the kidnapping until the doctor’s evaluation is complete, but I had a letter from my wife today, and she’s on her way home with Roger.”
“Have they left yet?” Travis asked.
“The letter was postmarked New York.”
“Oh, brother! I’m ready when you are, Mr. Radcliffe. She can’t marry Roger; she’s mine.”
“I think you should stay the night and get up early enough to get home before anyone misses you,” Robert said. “We’ll fix this.”
“I’ll see if she’s still up.” As Robert climbed the stairs, Travis prayed she would be.
Evaline got out of bed and remade it for the second time. Her tossing and turning had made a mess of her bedclothes and she hated sleeping in a messy bed. Once it was neat again, she climbed back in and huddled beneath her quilt.
What was Travis playing at? Why would he court two women at the same time? Did he kiss Libby the same way he’d kissed her? Did he hold Libby as he’d held her? Was that why he'd stalled in his decision about making love to her or marrying her?
It was that Libby the whole time. How could she possibly compete with a poor, injured, young woman? She couldn’t even hate her.
Every time she thought about Travis’s kisses she felt sick to her stomach instead of euphoric. She pounded her pillow.
A knocking at her door made her jump. No one ever knocked on her door this late.
“Who is it?” she called.
“It’s me, Evie. Open up for a minute.”
Evaline slid out of bed and opened the door. “What is it, Father?”
He came in carrying a lamp. “I thought you’d still be awake.” He closed the door, sat on her bed, and patted the spot beside him.
Evaline sat beside her father. “Has something happened?”
“You might say so,” he said. “I’m not quite sure how to tell you this without you exploding before hearing all I have to say.”
“All right. I promise not to react until you’re finished. Will that work?”
“Yes, it will do fine,” he said.
“Travis is downstairs.”
Evaline gasped and then covered her mouth with her hand. She felt her eyes widen in surprise and felt two emotions: excitement, followed by anger.
“He told me the whole story, and after hearing it, I think even more of him. You need to let him tell you the truth—the whole story, Evie. He loves you. He rode all the way here, this late, to confess everything, rather than have you hurt any longer than necessary.”
“He loves me? Are you sure, Father?”
“His words were: with all my heart and soul.”
Evaline’s heart skipped a beat. He did love her, after all.
“I’ll get dressed and go down,” she said.
“Just put a robe on. It'll be fine, since I’m with you.”
“All right.” Evaline grabbed her best robe, a gray wool one that buttoned down the front. She buttoned it right up to the neck and went down the stairs.
Travis stood when he saw her coming down. Evaline saw him squeeze his hat in his hands so hard she feared the brim would be forever crushed.
“Thank you for seeing me this late, Evaline.”
“You have something to tell me?” she asked.
Robert walked to the dining room, which was separated from the sitting room by a large arch. “I’ll give you privacy, but I’ll be right here,” he said.
Travis patted the sofa beside him and she sat, nervously, beside him.
“Here’s what happened.” He told her the story as he’d told her father, starting with the barn dance up to his impulsive proposal.
Evaline could see in his eyes that every word was the truth. She felt relieved but needed to know one thing. “Did you ever kiss her like you kissed me?”
“I’ve never kissed her,” he said. “I held her hand, once, and she kissed me on the cheek. It seems she’s had a thing for me for years. I tried to feel romantic with her because she's a really good friend, but it just wasn’t there.”
Evaline closed her eyes. “I’m so glad, Travis!”
She wanted to throw herself into his arms but stopped herself since her father was within viewing distance.
“So what will you do then? Do you really have to marry her?” she couldn’t help but pout a bit after asking.
Travis took her hand in his. “If I have to, I will. She’s crippled because I tried to please her by taking her home on my horse. I wish I’d never suggested it. If I'd been smart I’d have admitted right then that while I liked her as a friend, there could never be anything else between us, but I didn’t do that.”
“We always think later of what we should have done. I wish I’d have known this before…before I fell in love with you,” she said. “If you marry her, I’ll be heartbroken.”
Travis sighed. “I’m so sorry, Evaline. That’s my fault, too. I should have never gotten involved with you knowing I was already spoken for, but you were just too difficult to resist.”
“You can call me Evie; I think we’re well enough acquainted.”
“I love you, Evie,” he said softly.
Robert walked into the room. “It’s getting late. I’ll show you to the spare room, Travis.” He pointed to the stairs. “You, miss, up to bed.”
“Goodnight, Travis. Goodnight, Father.” Evaline scurried up the stairs.
“I have a spare room off the dining room,” he said, leading him to the small room with a single bed. Sleep well. I'll wake you if you aren’t up by sunrise.”
“Goodnight, Mr. Radcliffe…and thank you.”
Though he was tired, Travis failed to relax enough to fall asleep after the stressful events of the day and evening. Then he heard his door opening and sprang up.
“Travis?” someone whispered.
He could only see a dark outline. “Yes,” he said, drawing out the word with hesitation.
The person climbed into bed with him and he immediately knew who it was.
“I had to come, Travis.”
“You shouldn’t be here. What if your father came down?”
“He won’t. He’s snoring away.”
“Please, Evie, go back upstairs.”
“I couldn’t hug or kiss you tonight because my father was watching. I really need some assurance that you’ll try to fix the problem so we can be together.”
Travis turned toward her as she lay beside him so they were facing each other. “This is not the time or place, Evie. Don’t think it’s because I don’t want to kiss you, because I do, more than anything, but I only have so much control.”
“Then just hug me and hold me,” she said putting her arms around his neck.
“I guess it can’t hurt,” he said, pulling her close. “You do realize if your father
were to walk in right now we’d have to marry, don’t you?”
“I thought about it, but it wouldn’t be your choice and I couldn’t stand that. If we ever marry it has to be by mutual agreement. If I forced you, it wouldn’t be the same.”
“And if we made love before marriage and you became with child, it would be the same thing: a forced relationship,” he said. “Not by mutual choice either.”
“I think I understand now.” She kissed his forehead, his cheeks, and his neck. “I love being with you, but I do understand. I won’t make it more difficult for you.”
“You have no idea how much I wish things were different, Evie.”
“My father will help all he can. He was in love once, just like we are. His parents arranged the marriage with my mother and he had to leave the woman he loved and marry my mother, which I think he regrets to this very day. Oh, he’s made the best of it, as I’m sure you would if you had to marry Libby, but he'll do everything in his power to help us because he knows what it’s like.”
Travis then hugged her tightly. “You’re being so good about this, which only reinforces the love I have for you. If I could change things I would, in a heartbeat. I love you more each time I’m with you.”
“I’d better go so you can sleep and get up somewhat refreshed at the crack of dawn,” she said. “Can I just kiss you one time and hope it’s not our last?”
Travis pulled her closer and touched her lips lightly with his, but then the kiss became frenzied. He kissed her as if it really was the last kiss they’d ever share.
Finally, he broke the kiss, and said hoarsely, “Go, Evie! Go quickly, before I lose control. I can’t do this anymore.”
Evie slipped off the bed and kissed his perspiring forehead. “I love you, Travis Grayson.”
She turned and disappeared out the door.
Chapter 11
Tired and lacking enthusiasm, Travis waited at the train station for the doctor. When the train had finally arrived and screeched to a stop, he waited for the passengers to disembark. Three men and two women stepped off the train. Friends or family quickly greeted the women, and two of the men walked off into town leaving a man who didn’t look anything like what Travis had imagined.