Holding the Fort

by Regina Jennings

  “I thought your decision was based on divine guidance, not what was easy,” he said. The bullfrogs continued their song. Daniel slid his hands into his pockets. “You aren’t leaving tonight. You have to face Caroline and Daisy. They deserve an explanation. And then there’s your brother. He’s locked up in the guardhouse for you. Are you going to leave him without a word?”

  She had no answer.

  “Furthermore,” he said, “the army might have sent more men to hold the fort, but that won’t help you any on the prairie alone at night. If you went missing, I would instigate a campaign against every man—Indian or cowboy—in this land, until you were recovered. You’d be the cause of a lot of turmoil.”

  “I already am.” So much responsibility rested on her shoulders—Daniel’s mother-in-law being assaulted, the disrespect to General Sheridan, Slappy’s black eye.

  “But you’ve caused enough for one night.” That was the major. Always looking out for the best interest of everyone involved, but not one word about what she owed him. Not one word about what he felt.

  “Go to bed, Louisa. And if you harbor any kindness toward my family at all, don’t leave them without saying good-bye.”

  She was drained. Her legs felt like barrels of lead, and her eyes, sore from weeping, begged for relief. He was right. She couldn’t make it to Darlington that night, and even if she did, one quick telephone call from Agent Dyer, and Daniel would send troopers to bring her back and face the music.

  She couldn’t escape. There was no way to bow out gracefully.

  Chapter Thirty

  What I’m saying, Major Adams, is that I see no reason to mention last night’s melee in your record.” General Sheridan wasn’t quite five and a half feet tall, but seated in Daniel’s chair behind his desk, his stern glare gave the impression that he was passing judgment down from on high.

  Daniel dipped his head. “Very generous of you, sir.”

  “Nonsense. It’s not generous, only practical. No troopers were injured, no property destroyed. The only casualty was a sloppily dressed cowboy, and he isn’t my responsibility. Essentially, what happened last night was a family affair, and after consideration, I’d rather not have anything to do with your problematic family. I already have Indian relocation to deal with. That’s enough.”

  “I understand, sir.”

  Sheridan fixed him with a piercing glare. Then he grunted in satisfaction. “You’re doing a good job here, Major. The Cheyenne and Arapaho respect you, and you managed to hold the fort even with inadequate troops. We won’t leave you shorthanded again, but I see no reason to extend my stay. General Miles and I will spend the day dispatching orders to prepare for our departure tomorrow morning.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll see to it that you have—”

  “You will see to nothing, Major. Nothing for the U.S. Army, anyway. I’m commanding you to get your house in order. You have a day of leave. Make the most of it.”

  Daniel intended to. After talking to Private Willis last night, he had a better idea of Louisa’s deception. Of all the people to hire to teach his daughters decorum, he would have never chosen a stage performer. She had misled him, and he had the right to be angry, but what would his anger profit him?

  Besides, he couldn’t profess complete innocence. He’d burned a letter rather than read the truth about her credentials or lack thereof, and after learning that she wasn’t with the Mennonite Society, he’d sent away her replacement. Perhaps he hadn’t chosen a singer, but he’d chosen her.

  And he’d do it again.

  Footsteps sounded on the stairway. “Daniel, where are you?” It was Edna, already hunting for him that morning.

  Sheridan pushed away from the desk as if he were going to dive beneath it. “It’s her,” he said. “What’s the safest retreat?”

  “You’re trapped,” Daniel answered.

  “I’ll fight my way out if I have to.” Sheridan stood and picked up his hat. “It’s every man for himself. Good luck.” Then he strode determinedly forward, head down and ignoring Edna’s sputters as he ran for the safety of outdoors.

  “The rudeness of that man,” Edna announced to no one in particular. “He completely ignored my greeting.”

  Squaring his shoulders and wishing he could ignore her as well, Daniel rode into the fray, ready to defend his choice and the woman he loved.

  Mrs. Crawford was at it again. Although Louisa couldn’t hear her name through the door, the references to “that woman” were clear enough. And Mrs. Crawford wouldn’t be the only one talking about her this morning.

  Louisa had tried to pray last night. She felt foolish talking to the ceiling, but it did seem to set her thoughts aright. Was that God answering her, or her own sense? It was too early for her to tell, but she’d realized that this was for the best. No longer would she labor under the guilt of her deception. The ruse was at an end. She had to pay the penalty, and Edna was there to make sure she did.

  Louisa was dressed and her bags were packed. All she lacked was word that it was time to depart.

  There was a tentative knock on her door. “Come in,” she called.

  The knob turned, and Daisy darted inside. Flinging her arms around Louisa’s waist, she nearly pushed her off-balance. At the sight of her worried, freckled face, Louisa’s throat knotted. She sat on the bed and pulled Daisy closer.

  “You can’t leave,” Daisy cried. “Who will take care of us?”

  Louisa smoothed Daisy’s unbound hair. Daniel had prepared them with her sad news. Perhaps it was easier that way.

  Caroline came around the corner. “You can’t leave us, Miss Bell. I don’t care what that cowboy said, you know you belong here.” She dropped to the bed next to Louisa and laid her head on her shoulder.

  Louisa hugged her tight. She didn’t want to go, but she wouldn’t say anything that would let them blame Daniel. With the spectacle she’d caused at the concert, he didn’t have a choice.

  “Girls, come down here.” At Daniel’s voice, all three ladies froze. Embraces tightened, snuffles ceased. “Caroline and Daisy. You heard me. Your grandmother has requested your attendance.”

  Daisy was the first one up. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she gazed at Louisa as if memorizing her. Don’t go, she mouthed. Then she walked to the hallway.

  Still holding Louisa’s hand, Caroline stood. “I was wrong about you,” she whispered. “And wrong about Grandmother. I want to stay here. If you go—”

  “Caroline,” Daniel called from downstairs.

  Her brow settled into determined lines that she’d inherited from her father, but she obeyed, leaving Louisa alone in her room. In fact, the whole house was soon still. They had all left.

  With the girls gone, she could make a dignified departure without the spectacle of crying young ladies clinging to her. And perhaps that was what Daniel intended. All that was left was for Louisa to wait for him to arrange her transportation.

  She only hoped she didn’t have to wait too long. The waiting was torture.

  Time passed. The troopers were at drill. Officers shouted orders. Reins jangled in unison. Louisa sat on her bed and waited for the summons that her ride was ready.

  The door downstairs opened and banged closed.

  “Louisa?”

  Louisa jumped to her feet. What was he doing here? As she stepped out of her room, Bradley saw her and bounded up the staircase to meet her. She fell into his arms. Say good-bye to your brother. Yes, that was her last task before Daniel would let her leave. Bradley smelled like horses and wool, but he’d smelled a lot worse in his life.

  “You come see me when you get leave,” she said. “Promise.”

  Bradley drew back. “See you where? The Cat-Eye? Ain’t you done with that place, Lola?” He shook his head. “You can’t go back there. You don’t have a job. Besides, the major said he might be able to help us come up with a better plan.”

  She shook her head. “Bradley, we can’t ask him for help, not after what I’ve done to him.�
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  “You took him aback, that’s for certain, but he’s getting over it.”

  That was what she feared. “He’s too much of a gentleman. He doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

  “Get on downstairs and ask him. You might be surprised.”

  As if she hadn’t brought enough shame on herself, now her brother had to twist Daniel’s arm. “You should’ve minded your own business,” she said as Bradley followed her down the stairs.

  “Look who’s talking,” he replied.

  She paused at the office door. How could she even face him?

  Bradley went past her and saluted. “She’s all yours, Major” were his parting words.

  She heard Daniel rise. Her heart pounded in her chest. Would this be the last time she saw him? She had to live these moments, no matter how painful they were. She had to see him one last time. She lifted her chin and entered his office. He stood by the chessboard in his full uniform. When she finally met his eyes, they held a challenge, but no regrets and no sorrow.

  “Good morning, Louisa.”

  He motioned to the chair, but she tightened her grip on her traveling case. “I don’t know what Bradley said, but it’d be best if I left now. When Mrs. Crawford gets back—”

  “Horsefeathers. Have a seat.”

  Louisa frowned. “Chess now? I have to catch the coach. It’s been decided.”

  “This match will decide.”

  “What?”

  A glimmer of humor crossed his lips. “All night I thought about how to best settle this problem. I had a long talk with your brother, and I came up with a solution: If you win, you can go, but if I win, you marry me.”

  She turned away. He couldn’t want her to stay, could he? Had he heard what was said about her? Did he still not believe it?

  “It’s true,” she said. “What Slappy said about me is true.”

  “I know.” His riding boots creaked as he tapped his foot. “But you have to play me and win if you want to leave.”

  Louisa might have been exposed as having been a dance hall singer, but that didn’t mean she’d lost her skills at chess. “Are you sure about that, Major?” But then her eyes fell on the board. Her black pieces were set up and in order, but Daniel’s were not. He only had his king and a handful of pawns surrounding it. “Oh, I see.” Her tummy flip-flopped. He could barely beat her in a fair contest. With these odds, he was bound to lose, and she would be free to go. So why the match?

  Daniel pulled the seat out for her, and she gave in and sat. As he pushed her chair in, he bent over her shoulder. “I am going to win, Louisa.” A warm chill ran up her spine. Unfortunately, with this setup, there was no way that was going to happen.

  “Ladies first,” he said.

  Mechanically, Louisa moved a pawn. “Where are Caroline and Daisy?”

  “Edna took them on a walk to hear about the botany you taught them. I made Daisy promise not to walk her through any hornets’ nests.” He moved his pawn, completely exposing his king.

  Louisa bit her lip. Did he want her to win, and thus to leave? Why else would he be so obviously giving her an advantage? Well, it would take her a few moves yet to get her bishop free. Maybe he had a plan.

  “I’ve put some thought to your situation, and I think I’ve figured out your dilemma,” he said. “Obeying Christ meant that you had to stop pretending to be a governess. You had to tell the truth, but you thought it would be easier to leave than admit to me what you’d done.” He kept his eyes on the board and moved his king over one space. “Is that the gist of it?”

  Louisa’s bishop came out and cut a diagonal across the board to be in line with his king. This wasn’t going to take long. “Either way, I would be telling you good-bye. I’d rather leave before you found out than after.”

  “Did you come here because of Bradley?”

  “I heard about Bradley’s antics. I knew he was in trouble, and I wanted to keep an eye on him, but I’d just lost my job at the Cat-Eye, too. I came looking for work, any kind of work. Bradley is my only family. I didn’t really have anywhere else to go.”

  “And you thought you’d try to be a governess?” Instead of moving his pawn to protect himself, he moved his king back to its original position.

  His king was there for the taking. Protocol demanded that she warn him that he’d moved into danger, but she’d spare him this once. It wasn’t as if she couldn’t finish him off whenever she was ready.

  “What I heard last night shocked me,” Daniel said. “Some might say that you came with plans to hoodwink me, like a calculating opportunist, but I know the truth.”

  “What’s that?” She moved her bishop ahead but stopped just outside his line of pawns. No blood spilt yet.

  “You were so woefully unprepared. Had you come here with the intention of misleading us, you would’ve opened that crate and learned some basic math before you arrived. And you would’ve traded your fancy clothes for plainer fare.” With a swift move, he captured her bishop.

  But she was more concerned with explaining her story. “I met Mrs. Townsend at the Red Fork Ranch. She asked me to deliver the books and warned me that I wasn’t dressed properly for the fort. Even then, I had no thought of being a governess, not until Jack assumed I was here for the job.” She hopped her knight over the line of pawns, caring little about strategy.

  “Blame it on Jack.” But Daniel sounded more amused than angry. He moved his king over once again, giving her another stab at getting closer. “And that’s why you felt free to roam the prairie dressed in your provocative costume until you were told not to. Because at that time you were still Lola Bell and had no reason to tell me anything different.”

  “You can’t be happy that I was a stage performer,” she said.

  “You’re right. It’d be ridiculous for me to pretend that it won’t affect the way people see you . . . and the way they see us.” Somehow, in two more moves, he’d captured two more of her pieces.

  “And most will accuse me of worse.” For the first time, she took one of his pawns.

  “There are things you don’t ask a woman’s brother,” he said softly. He reached for another piece, then paused. His confidence had slipped.

  He didn’t know, but still he was here, asking her to stay. She looked at the forlorn pawn in her palm. “I sang,” she said. “I’ve been propositioned, threatened, and witnessed things I wish I hadn’t, but I was lucky.”

  “Louisa, if you go back, your luck might run out.”

  She didn’t want to think about that. She’d felt so safe here under Daniel’s protection that she’d forgotten the daily fear she used to live with. Fear that one day her walk from the stage to her room would be interrupted and she would be accosted, but also fear for the future.

  With only pawns and the king, Daniel was limited to moving only one square at a time. Dutifully he marched another pawn forward into her line of fire.

  “I’m not going back,” she said. “I’ll earn my teaching certificate. My reading and writing are good. If I spend some more time with my arithmetic, I’ll have a shot at another position.” She hardly noticed that she had moved another piece diagonal to a pawn.

  “Why not stay here?” he asked.

  The board was becoming evenly matched. Soon Louisa would start fighting for her right to leave. Soon she’d make her escape. “Everyone at the fort and probably everyone at Darlington knows about me now. I can’t stay here.”

  “Doesn’t everyone in Wichita know?”

  That was pure meanness.

  “I won’t go back to Wichita, or at least not for long. But here, everyone will laugh to think that I tried to be a proper governess. I was even going to be your wife. Just imagine.”

  “I am imagining.” His pawns advanced. Soon she would have to promote one, and then the game could become a challenge.

  Louisa stared at the board. Why was she even playing? It was ridiculous. One didn’t agree to marriage based on the outcome of a match.

  Dani
el nudged her foot with his. “You talk like Lovely Lola was an evil, wicked person, but I don’t have that opinion at all. Was Lovely Lola selfish? No, it seems she loved and sacrificed for her brother. Was Lola stealing from people or hurting people? No, she worked for her wages. She was a woman of character before she arrived at Fort Reno. The important things about her were all true.”

  “But my conscience . . . how can I keep pretending? God knows, and I can’t disappoint Him.”

  “What pretending? Tell everyone you used to be a singer. I don’t care, if it’s the truth.”

  Louisa moved a knight to protect her king. Daniel took it.

  “Do you love me, Louisa?”

  She sacrificed another piece, but he was unrelenting.

  “The game is almost over,” he said. “Win or lose. Go or stay. The choice is up to you.”

  Did she love him? Undoubtedly. She’d treated him wrongly, had deceived him, and what was even worse, didn’t trust him with the truth of her story. But he was showing her the grace that the church people always talked about. Turning her back on love like that didn’t make any sense.

  There were one hundred moves she could make on the board, but now that she knew the outcome she was after, it changed the game entirely. One by one, she marched her pieces to his paltry pawns. One by one, he captured all her defenses.

  “Are you sure you want me to stay?” she asked.

  “I’m about to beat you with six pawns and a king. What do you think?”

  “I think this is the worst game of my life.”

  His eyes twinkled. “But the best prize.” He didn’t announce his win, just took her last piece off the board, then moved his chair away from the table. “Come here.”

  Louisa’s heart rocked in her chest. Could she really begin a life with him? Was there anything she wanted more?

  She stood. He took her hand and pulled her onto his lap. Not satisfied with the arrangement, he slid an arm beneath her knees and settled her more fully against him.

  “It’s the middle of the day,” she whispered. “What if Edna comes back?”

  “Jack is standing guard outside. No one is coming in.”