First Dawn

by Judith Miller

  Jarena stood by the kettle of boiling water near the dugout, dropping small pieces of soap into the caldron of dirty clothes. She’d been most pleased with the lye soap she’d gotten from the boxcar of goods sent by Wilbur Rawlins. Thomas drew near and gave her a brief smile before fixing his gaze to the south. “Do you hear horses comin’ our way?” Surprised by the tremor in his voice, he broadened his smile and awaited her reply.

  With a tilt of her head, she listened for a moment and then nodded. “Yes. Do you think it’s the posse?”

  “I did, but now that they’s closer, I think that looks like Dr. Boyle.” He pointed to the west.

  Jarena smiled as the horses and carriage came into view. “Oh, it is. I do hope he brought Truth with him.”

  The two of them stood transfixed as the carriage neared. However, Thomas noted Jarena’s smile slowly disappear when she realized Truth had not accompanied the doctor.

  Dr. Boyle brought the horses to a halt. “Good morning!” He jumped down from the carriage and was followed by two men they’d never seen before.

  Thomas remained cautious, uncertain if the strangers with Dr. Boyle had some connection to the posse. He greeted them from a safe distance. He disliked the idea, but if matters took a turn for the worse, he would steal Dr. Boyle’s carriage and run for his life.

  Dr. Boyle strode toward them and motioned the other men forward. “This is my son Carlisle. He’s a lieutenant in the Army—a chaplain who will soon be heading off to serve with a group of colored soldiers at Fort Sill in the Indian Territory. And this is Moses Wyman. He’s recently moved west to start a newspaper, and I’ve convinced him to remain in Hill City.” The men removed their hats as they were introduced. “This is Thomas Grayson,” he told his companions, “and this is Jarena Harban, one of Ezekiel’s other daughters.”

  “Truth’s sister?” Moses asked.

  Jarena nodded and smiled, and Moses noticed the family resemblance was evident. “I was hoping Truth would be with you.”

  Dr. Boyle looked apologetic. “I had planned to bring her, but my wife has taken a turn for the worse. She hasn’t been eating, and I fear leaving her alone. Both Harvey and Macia were otherwise occupied,” he explained.

  “Ain’t no need for no apology, Dr. Boyle,” Ezekiel said as he came out of the dugout. “Truth’s being paid to help out, and we’s mighty pleased you give her the work. Ain’t we, Jarena?”

  “Yes, Pappy. I wasn’t saying . . .”

  Ezekiel nodded. “Who is these young men?”

  Dr. Boyle smiled broadly as he introduced the two men and then excused himself to go check on several of the patients he’d been treating. “I won’t be too long. Perhaps Thomas and Jarena would be willing to show you about the town and introduce you to a few of the folks.”

  Thomas chuckled softly. “Don’ think there’s much here to show you ’cept what you’re lookin’ at and maybe the inside of the dugouts. But I’d be glad to show you where me an’ Ezekiel are beginning our permanent homes and gettin’ ready to plant our crops. Our acreage starts a couple miles past the edge of town,” he said as he pointed. “We’s close enough it don’t take us too long to walk back to town. Some folks, like Robert, ain’t so lucky—their land is farther out in the township—ain’t so easy for them gettin’ back and forth what with no horses and such. I tilled the land with a borrowed plow last year, and I’m using a hatchet to work on it now—leastways until Harvey . . .” He stopped short, suddenly realizing he was betraying his arrangement with the younger Boyle son.

  Carlisle laughed. “No need to worry, Thomas. Harvey’s come clean and told us of his arrangement. In fact, Father plans to talk to you about working his land.”

  “Harvey is coming to work for me at the newspaper office,” Moses said, “so he’s no longer interested in bartering the tools in exchange for your labor. Instead, Dr. Boyle plans to hire several willing laborers to work his land.”

  Ezekiel immediately stepped forward. “I kin work as hard as any of dese younger fellows, so I hope he’ll count me among that number.”

  Carlisle smiled and clapped Ezekiel on the shoulder. “I’m certain he will.”

  While Jarena engaged Moses in conversation about her sister, Thomas pulled Lieutenant Boyle aside. “I heard your pappy say you was gonna lead a regiment of coloreds down in the Indian Territory. I’d be mighty interested to hear more about that—I just might consider joinin’ up.”

  Carlisle chuckled. “First of all, I won’t be leading anyone. This is my first assignment, and I’ll be serving as a chaplain, but if you’re interested, there’s always a place for new recruits. The pay is steady and life can’t be any harder than it is here—unless we get into skirmishes with the Indians. Then your life could be in danger. If you truly want to join up, you could come along with me to Fort Sill.”

  “Don’ sound so bad. I already know ’bout bein’ in danger.”

  “Why don’t you give it some time and prayer before making a decision?”

  Thomas had expected questions from Mr. Harban, so he wasn’t surprised when Ezekiel asked Grace to go outside and help her sister so he and Thomas could talk in private.

  Ezekiel faced him with a stern expression. “There’s been lots of talk flying ’round town ever since you got back from Ellis last month. Folks is wonderin’ about a posse that was lookin’ for ya down there. Jarena tells me she don’t know nothin’ more than that, and I believe her. I ain’t pried into your business afore, and I done give you plenty of time to come talk to me since that trip down to Ellis. But now—after hearing you’s planning to join the Army, I think it’s time you come clean with me.”

  Thomas wrung his hands together and met the older man’s questioning eyes. “Ain’t no denying you been good to me, but I’m not gonna tell you nothin’ except this: I been accused of somethin’ terrible. It ain’t true, but it comes down to my word against a white man’s, and who you think folks is gonna believe?”

  Ezekiel leaned forward until only inches separated them. “Just tell me what it is, boy. Iffen I know what we’s fightin’, maybe I can help.”

  “Ain’t nobody that can help me with this one, ceptin’ maybe the good Lord. Best thing I can do is get outta Nicodemus so’s I’m not putting everyone else in danger. That posse won’t look kindly on folks they think been givin’ me shelter.”

  “I figure I’ve fought off worse than any of them men that’s lookin’ for you, and I think if you’ll just tell us what happened, folks will rally around and help. I don’t believe you got a mean bone in your body, and if you tell me you’s innocent, then I believe you and I’m willin’ to fight for you. I reckon that posse woulda already been here if they was coming.”

  “I pray you’re right, Ezekiel. But I didn’ think they’d follow me to Kansas, and they did. I shouldn’t have come back here when we left Ellis, but I didn’t know what else to do. I’ve been worried ever since that somethin’ was gonna happen and folks would be hurt.” He stood and started pacing in the small space. “But after hearing Dr. Boyle’s son talk about these buffalo soldiers down in Indian Territory, I got me a place to go. I’ve been prayin’ about what to do over these last few days since he was here, and I think this is God’s answer.”

  “I ain’t one to argue with God or His plans, but ya need to be sure. Headin’ off for Indian Territory, now that don’t sound like something that’s gonna solve your problems. Get ya killed, maybe.” There was a glint in Ezekiel’s eyes.

  The older man’s ploy to frighten him wasn’t going to work. “I want you to make me a promise—if that posse shows up, don’t tell them I was livin’ with you or that we was gonna farm together. Don’t tell them nothing that would make them think you know me at all. I’ve made up my mind—joining the Army is the best thing for everyone in Nicodemus. I’m gonna ride over to Hill City tomorrow and tell Lieutenant Boyle I’m gonna enlist and find out when he’s leaving for Fort Sill,” Thomas said as he pushed back from the table. “Believe I’ll go and work o
n the acreage for a while.” He picked up the axe and hurried out the door before Ezekiel could argue any further.

  Jarena kissed her father’s leathery cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered before turning to Grace. “I know you were hoping to go along and see Truth. I hope you aren’t too angry with me.”

  “Pappy said I can go next time.” Grace pulled a letter from her apron pocket. “Will you give this to Truth?”

  “Of course. Perhaps she’ll have time to pen you a reply before our return.” She carefully tucked the letter away.

  Ezekiel patted Grace’s shoulder and then addressed Jarena and Thomas. “You two go on, now. You got a long day ahead if you’s gonna get back here afore nightfall.”

  A splash of melon red smeared the horizon and forecast a bright morning sun would soon lighten the sky. As the horses clopped out of the beleaguered town, Jarena settled against the wooden wagon seat and silently uttered a prayer that the gaunt animals would not suffer from the rigors of their journey.

  “A good day to travel.”

  Jarena nodded. “Pappy seemed evasive when I asked why you decided to travel to Hill City today.”

  Thomas clucked at the horses and slapped the reins. “I’m gonna borrow some tools from the doctor.”

  She gave him a sidelong glance. There were more causes for this journey than borrowing tools, but she wouldn’t press the issue. For some reason, Thomas didn’t plan to be forthright, yet Jarena was certain her father knew the true motivation for Thomas’s journey.

  “Ain’t seen much of Charles lately.”

  “Do you need to talk to him about something in particular?” Jarena decided she, too, could be vague.

  Thomas grinned and shook his head. “No. Jest wonderin’ why he ain’t been calling on you like he did when his family first arrived in Nicodemus.”

  The thought of being kissed by Thomas at the train station in Ellis drifted through Jarena’s mind, and she peeked at him from under the rim of her bonnet. His air of nonchalance left her wondering what he might be thinking.

  “Is your concern that I will become an old maid—or perhaps you believe me already to be a member of that vilified group of women?” She batted her lashes in an exaggerated fashion.

  He gave a hearty laugh, and she soon joined him in his amusement. Once their laughter ebbed, he warily smiled. “You sure don’ need to worry about that—you’re far too pretty.”

  A rush of heat flooded Jarena’s cheeks; the flattering remark both surprised and pleased her. Though dire circumstances had caused Thomas to kiss her at the railroad station, she had been stirred by his touch. However, since that day, he’d kept his distance. Now she wondered if Thomas had experienced that same delightful feeling.

  “Thank you.” She didn’t know what else to say.

  He scratched the back of his head. “You still ain’t told me ’bout Charles. You two still makin’ plans to jump the broom? ’Cause I was thinking I’d sure be pleased for the opportunity to win your hand—if you and Charles ain’t made no final decision. I’d talk to your pappy first.”

  His words pleased her, and she couldn’t squelch the nervous giggle that escaped her lips. “Charles has been distant of late, keeping to himself mostly. We seem to argue when we’re together, and I think both he and his parents blame me for their circumstances. I used to think he was the man I’d marry, but now . . .”

  “Could you ever be interested in me?”

  It was quiet as Jarena took a couple of deep breaths. “I think . . . oh, I don’t know, Thomas. You’re always so evasive when I ask about your past. And then there were those men looking for you. . . .”

  “Would ya give me a chance to explain all that?”

  She nodded.

  He straightened his back and shifted on the seat. “You already know the law is after me. I hope you believe I’m innocent. I didn’ run ’cause I did anything wrong, but I knew no one would believe me. There was a murder.” His voice was very soft.

  Jarena shivered. “Was it self-defense?”

  “Didn’t you hear me? I didn’t do it!” His jaw tightened and his eyes were clouded with pain.

  “I believe you, Thomas,” she said, touching his arm. Her voice was but a mere whisper in the prairie wind, but his body relaxed, and she knew he’d heard her words.

  “The less anyone knows, the better. I ain’t believin’ for one minute that them men has finally given up findin’ me, and I don’t wanna bring harm to anyone in Nicodemus. Gonna be best if I leave for a while. The Army’s a good place to hide, and Lieutenant Boyle said I could go with him. That posse ain’t gonna follow me into Indian Territory.”

  “You might die in some Indian skirmish if you join the Army.”

  “I hope not, but I’d rather serve in the Army than be strung up by vigilantes for something I didn’ do. If Lieutenant Boyle thinks the Army’ll take me, then I think it’s best for the town if I leave Nicodemus. Will you write to me if I go?”

  “Surely there’s another answer. Once those men are convinced you’re not in Kansas, maybe they’ll leave.”

  “They ain’t gonna be easily convinced, Jarena. They’re mean, and they’ll do what it takes to find me. It’s best if I’m gone, and I gotta have me some way to earn money. I can save my Army pay and maybe have a little money to get my farm started when I return. I’m hoping you’ll write me, but I don’t expect you to make no promises ’bout your future. You’re a fine woman, and I can’t expect you to wait and take your chances with the likes of me.”

  “So you didn’t truly mean it when you said you wanted to win my hand?”

  “Course I meant it, but it wouldn’t be right to ask you to wait around—’specially on the likes of me. I shouldn’ta ever mentioned courtin’ you afore I was certain ’bout my future. Guess I was overanxious, but I wanted to state my case if you and Charles was gonna lay aside your plans to marry.”

  Jarena listened to his befuddled explanation. There was little doubt Thomas was living in a state of fear. Yet through the chaos, he was attempting to plan his future—with her.

  “I appreciate your honesty, Thomas, and if you decide to join the Army, I’ll be honored to write to you—no matter what happens between Charles and me.”

  His broad smile and sparkling eyes revealed his pleasure. “You gotta remember my writin’ ain’t all that good—and don’t be writin’ me no long words I ain’t learned yet.”

  “Let’s wait and see what Lieutenant Boyle has to say before worrying about your ability to read my letters.” Her smile wavered as she thought about Thomas going off to join the colored regiment in Indian Territory. As the wagon slowed to a halt in front of the Boyle home, she prayed Lieutenant Boyle would discourage Thomas’s enlistment.

  Jarena thought the substantial frame house was an overpowering presence among the soddies and other ramshackle buildings within her sight. And to think Dr. Boyle was constructing a new home even grander than this one—one that would suit his wife’s desires. How could she be unhappy living in such a fine home while others around her were starving to death and living in dreadful conditions?

  The front door swung open, and Truth stood in the doorway. Jarena’s mouth opened in a wide oval. Her sister appeared to have grown at least two inches, and she looked like a young woman rather than the playful girl who had left them only a short time ago. “Truth! You look wonderful,” she cried, running to her sister and wrapping her in a warm embrace.

  They chattered loudly until they were joined by Dr. Boyle and his children. “I’m sorry my wife isn’t here to greet you,” Dr. Boyle said. “She’s upstairs resting, but perhaps she can join us later.”

  “I apologize. I hope our boisterous behavior hasn’t disturbed her.” Jarena cast a quick glance in her sister’s direction.

  “No apology needed. I’m pleased your father permitted you to accompany Thomas on his visit. I know Truth is excited to see you.”

  “And Grace? Didn’t she want to come along?” The disappointment was evid
ent in Truth’s voice.

  “Most certainly. But Pappy thought it best we visit one at a time. He said Grace can come next time. I think he wanted to make certain someone would be at home to fix his supper.” Noting the sadness in her sister’s eyes, she now regretted her decision to accompany Thomas. She’d put her own selfish desires above those of her sister. After all, she knew the twins hadn’t previously been separated for any length of time.

  As though she knew what Jarena was thinking, Truth grasped her sister’s hand and said, “I’m very glad you came. Would you like to see the rest of the house?”

  “Yes, of course. If you’ve no duties to which you must attend.”

  “You go and visit with your sister, Truth,” Dr. Boyle encouraged. “There’s nothing we can’t manage for ourselves during the next few hours.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Boyle,” Truth replied before leading Jarena from the room. “Come this way. I’ll show you the kitchen, and we can have a cup of tea,” she whispered as they walked down the hallway. “Do watch the floorboards. I don’t want you to trip.” Truth pointed to one of the uneven boards.

  “I remember Macia commenting about the warped flooring. What a luxury to have something other than dirt under your feet.”

  “It took me only a few days to find all of the rippled boards. Now I know where they are without even looking. But Macia still trips over them occasionally, and then she becomes very angry.” Truth giggled as they entered the kitchen.

  “My! Look at the stove you have to prepare the meals. And the pantry! And all that food!” Jarena turned to her sister. “Are you happy, Truth?”

  “Mostly, though I miss Grace somethin’ awful—you and Pappy, too.” She put the teakettle on the stove and sat with Jarena at the table.

  “I understand. It’s only natural you’d miss Grace very much. She misses you, also. In fact, she asked me to deliver this.” Jarena pulled Grace’s letter from her pocket.

  “Oh, a letter. Thank you.” Truth gave a contented sigh. “Did Dr. Boyle deliver the letter to Pappy?”