“Go away!” I yelled and kicked the varmint right in the nose. That sent Romy tumbling back to the burning chasm below, shrieking like a banshee while he fell.
“I’m not going anywhere until you open this door,” Lacey shouted. She still sounded mad and started pounding on something, like she was hammering nails.
I realized I wasn’t hanging off the side of the cliff anymore. I forced my right eye open. “Oh Lord,” I wailed. I was in the cafe. It had all been a dream. Lacey waited outside the back door beating on it. I’d better let her in. “Hold on,” I yelled. “I’m coming.”
Bright sunlight burned through the windows. I’d slept way late. Usually I got up before dawn. I sat up on the edge of the cot. Every part of my body hurt and I groaned when I grabbed my pants and slid them on. They were filthy and covered in blood. My shirt was worse, plus it had a hole in the sleeve where Romy Manuel shot me. I threw it in the corner so Lacey wouldn’t see it. The last of my new shirts lay on the table. I struggled into it and pulled on my boots.
At the door I reached for the latch but paused. The memory of Lacey’s face when she saw me yesterday filled my mind. The way her jaw dropped, her eyebrows jumped up on her forehead, the horror and disgust she must have felt all flooded back to me. Why had she come here then? She had her Papa back. She knew what I looked like, how I’d run away from Romy Manuel like a stinking yellow coward. Did she come out of pity? Politeness? Charity?
“I can hear you, Tom. I know you’re at the door. I want to see you. Please let me in.” She’d stopped yelling, her voice soft and sweet like before I left, before Romy Manuel.
I flipped up the latch and pulled open the door. My head dropped down to hide the beating I took and the shame I felt from what it had caused me to do, but Lacey walked right up anyway. I saw her yellow dress swaying as her hips moved. I couldn’t help it. I had to raise my eyes. She looked so pretty with her blond hair tied back in a bun like the first time I saw her. Her blue eyes shone bright like a lamp on a moonless night.
“Oh, Tom,” she sighed and put a soft hand to my cheek. “Look what that horrible man did to you, and all because you wanted to help me find my Papa.”
“It’s nothing,” I mumbled, lying again. “Just a couple of bumps and bruises.”
Her arms wrapped around me, her head buried in my chest. I reached behind her with my good arm and pulled her closer. I didn’t understand her at all, but right now it didn’t matter, nothing mattered but holding her tight.
When she pulled away her eyes looked down to the floor. She brushed past me. “Why there’s no fire. You haven’t had breakfast.” She picked up the coffee pot. “Not even coffee. I’ll fix you some.”
I sat at the table and watched her start a fire under a burner then fill the coffee pot and set it on the stove. Her eyes didn’t find me once the whole time.
I knew why. Still, I had to ask. “What’s wrong, Lacey? Is it how I look, or because I’m a yellow coward?” There, I’d said it.
She whirled. “Oh God, no! You’re not any of that!” she shot back with a fury. “It’s worse. It’s a lot worse.” Her face wrinkled up like it did when she was going to cry, but she didn’t. Instead she walked to the table, sat beside me and took my hand.
She’d confused me. Maybe something else had happened or maybe she just didn’t want to hurt my feelings. Somehow neither choice made me feel any better. But I waited for her to tell me what she meant.
She looked straight into the one eye I had that worked. “You saved my Papa. He told me how you found him. He says he would have died if you hadn’t come looking for him—”
“But Lacey, I didn’t—”
“Yes, you did. You’re too modest. You found my Papa and you did it for me.” She sniffed and I could see a tear in the corner of her eye. “Eban said you’ll heal up as good as new, and I know you will. Papa is so proud of the way you stood up to that awful man after the beating he gave you. He thinks you’re a real hero and so do I. It isn’t your face, honest. And you aren’t a coward. You’re the bravest man I know. I’m flattered you’d get into so much trouble for me, any girl would be, but . . .”
The rattle of a freight wagon came from the street outside the cafe and I heard Eban yelling out for the mules to stop. Someone knocked loud at the front door.
“It’s Papa,” Lacey said. “He wants to talk to you. I’ll let him in.”
She stood and hugged me tight before running into the dining room. I heard the bell over the door jingle and Web Lawson said something real soft to her. When the door closed the sound of heavy boots thumped on the floor and Lacey’s pa soon walked into the kitchen, still limping, a box wrapped in brown paper under one arm.
“How do you feel today, son?” he asked.
“I guess I’m okay, sir,” I said.
The Major pulled out a chair at the table and sat. The coffee began to sizzle. I went to the stove and yanked the pot off the burner.
“I’ll get you some coffee, Major.” I offered, then quickly found two cups, filled them, and pulled out a chair across the table from him.
The Major took a sip of the hot brew, all the while staring right into my battered face. “Wear those bruises with pride, son,” he said with a smile. “They are the marks of courage so rare that only a few others share it. To go after a man like Romy Manuel took incredible heart. But when all looked lost you refused to accept defeat. You should be extremely proud.”
“Thank you, sir,” I mumbled, wondering if the Major jawed me for Lacey’s sake. “But you didn’t come here to talk about my bruises.”
He chuckled. “No, I certainly didn’t, but I do mean what I said. Your face will heal and if a mark or two remains it will only be a reflection of that courage.”
“If you say so, sir,” I muttered looking down, “but I ran away. I’m a coward. There ain’t no way out of it.”
Major Lawson stared at me hard, his face as serious as I’d ever seen it. “Yes,” he agreed, “you ran away, but if you hadn’t you would’ve died right there. Soldiers retreat when they’re in an untenable situation. Escaping from certain death isn’t an act of cowardice, son, it’s good sense. But you really showed true bravery at the river. When you were trapped in the rushing water you turned your horse around to face your fate. Overcoming fear is the mark of a man with courage.”
“I didn’t want to be shot in the back, sir,” I admitted.
The Major smiled. “I doubt if you know this. Eban told me last night. Without your sombrero Bug Riddle had no idea it was you when you rode into the river. And until you turned your horse and faced Romy Manuel, he also didn’t know that the killer was behind you, ready to shoot. Bug’s an old man. His eyes aren’t that good anymore. Frankly, I don’t know how he ever made that shot. The Good Lord must have guided the rifle ball, and I’d like to think He did it because of the courage you showed.”
I gulped. I’d thought all along that I’d been lucky. Now I was sure. And what the Major said about courage settled on me like a warm blanket on a cold winter night. Still, I couldn’t really believe all of what he said about me being brave, but somehow I felt better anyway.
“I guess you know I want to talk about Lacey, don’t you?” he said, changing the subject.
“You do, sir?” I sputtered and a deep dread swept over me.
“My daughter is terribly fond of you, and that puts me in an awkward position. You see, I’ve been ordered back to Washington and I want Lacey with me, like any father with a fifteen-year-old girl would. We’re due to leave the fifth of next month. Frankly, I was surprised that she put up such a fight about it when I told her last night. She’s never done such a thing before.”
My heart sank, and just when I’d started to think she still liked me. I knew what the Major was about to say. “Lacey’s going back with you, isn’t she?” I moaned.
“Yes, Tom. I think it’s best. She’s a wonderful girl and there are so many opportunities for her there that don’t exist out here. She knows that as
well as I do and she loves me very much, as I’m sure you know, but if you would ask her she would stay here with you, I think.”
“You mean get married like Maggie and Joshua?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.”
“Holy Moses!” I exclaimed.
“I don’t want you to misunderstand me, Tom. You’ve just saved my life and I will be eternally grateful to you, but in spite of that I don’t think I could find a finer young man for my daughter. I know how much you care for her and how far you will go to make her happy. I’m sure she knows that too. But I think you are both too young for the responsibilities of a family.”
“Maggie got married when she was about Lacey’s age and she’s done fine.”
“Yes, but I understand she’s had more than her share of hard times. Still, she’s a wonderful woman and she loves you very much.”
“Yes sir. Maggie’s darn special. That’s for sure.”
“Like I said, I owe you a lot, son. Just like there are opportunities for Lacey back east that don’t exist here, there are opportunities for a smart, ambitious young man like you. How would you like to go with us? You could stay in our home in Washington. I could get you into a fine school where you could gain some polish in the ways of polite society. I believe you would do quite well. Then, in a few years, when you’ve established yourself, you and Lacey could be married with a handsome ceremony in a beautiful church. How does that sound?”
“Gee,” I mumbled and took a sip of coffee. Major Lawson had hit me harder than Romy Manuel ever could. I had so much to mull over and I had to do it real sudden like. “Back east would Lacey be able to ride around in a fancy buggy like Dancy Bellotti did?” I asked.
“Yes, Tom. I’ve been promised a promotion so there might be an even nicer carriage.”
“Would she wear pretty dresses and hats with feathers in them and stuff?”
“If she wants, certainly.”
I gulped. I had to ask this question but the answer was sure to hurt. “Can she marry a rich guy and live in a big house with servants to cook and open the door and do the wash and things?”
“I don’t know who she’ll marry, but a pretty girl like her will be very popular in the best circles of Washington society. She’ll likely have her choice of a number of well-placed young men.” The Major’s tone was calm and matter of fact. I knew he told the truth.
But that wasn’t the worst of it. He was right about everything he said. Life for a woman here in the mining country was hard, real hard. Maggie talked about it all the time, but Maggie loved it and she had a toughness that was special. Lacey was a pretty tough girl but she didn’t have Maggie’s sand. Not many did.
And the one thing that ate at me most was the part about how pretty she was. There ain’t no use to deny it. She had to be the best looking girl I’d ever seen, and I knew she’d be one of the prettiest back in Washington. The boys would all come to see her, like they came here to the cafe. It wasn’t for the food, but just for a chance to look at Lacey and maybe talk to her.
Back east she could marry a rich fellow and live in a fine house in a fancy city. That would fit her a lot better than marrying me and living in a log cabin at the edge of the wilderness with nothing but rough miners around everywhere. No, Lacey needed a chance to make the best she could for herself, and that would come in Washington City, not Hangtown.
Sure, I loved her. I loved her a lot. And the Major said I could go with them and live in his house. But deep down I knew that I belonged here. I loved the wildness of the place, the quiet of the forest, the might of the Sierra, the grit of the miners. Back east I’d be like a fish out of water. I wouldn’t know how to act around all those city folks anyhow. Sure, I’d like to see Washington City someday, even New York too, but not right now, maybe when I got older.
When I added it up the answer came clear. Lacey would leave today. I’d stay. It was rotten luck. I felt worse than I did when Pa died, but Pa had been drinking so much right before he went that it almost seemed a relief somehow. There was no upside to this. Chances were darn good that I’d never see her again. And the hardest part of it all was that it was best for both of us.
“I’d like to say goodbye to her, sir,” I looked down and drained my coffee. I didn’t want to face the Major right now.
“Of course, Tom,” he replied and slid the box he had brought in with him across the table. “This is for you, son. It’s not much thanks from a man whose life you saved but perhaps it may save yours one day. Go ahead. Open it.”
I looked up at him. His expression was serious, like it usually was. “You don’t owe me anything, sir. I only did what anybody would do,” I said.
“Anyone might have saved my life, but only you did it. I’m sure that with your nature you’ll run into more situations where you’re in great danger. I want to know that I’ve done what I can to keep you as safe as possible. Open the box, son.”
Major Lawson’s words felt like an order. “Yes sir,” I replied and tore the brown paper away to see a beautifully made maple box with a brass plate across the front that said Patent Arms Manufacturing Co., Paterson, N.J. “Sir, it’s your Paterson Colt. I can’t take this.”
“Oh yes you can. I’m in the army, remember. They will be happy to issue a new pistol to a Lieutenant Colonel who has done so much for his country in the wilds of California. Besides, you need it more than I will in Washington. All your supplies are in the box, lead, a bullet mold, gun oil, caps, gunpowder, a cleaning rod, a second cylinder and some rags. It’s yours, son, and may God bless you for all you’ve done for my daughter and me.”
“Lacey, sir?” I asked. I didn’t remember doing anything for Lacey, except find her Pa.
“Maybe you’d best ask Maggie to explain that one.” The Major smiled and stood. “I also left you my saddle and all the gear with it. Your new pinto is a fine animal. You’ll need the tack and I can’t take it back east.” He waved his arm toward the street. “Come, Eban is waiting. It’s a long ride to Sacramento City then downriver to San Francisco. I’m sure he’d like to get started.”
“Yes sir,” I said. I left the pistol box on the table and followed Lacey’s pa outside.
She sat beside Eban on the wagon seat, staring at the cafe door, waiting for me to come out. Her eyes, however, went first to her Papa. I knew she wanted to see if he still carried the box wrapped in brown paper. If he did, I’d be going to Washington with her, and if the box was gone I’d stay here. Her face fell, but she bravely looked straight at me and wrestled up a tiny smile.
I climbed up on the axle hub and pulled her to me with my left hand. My good eye closed when her arms went around my neck. In spite of the pounding my lips had taken I kissed her hard. It hurt like the dickens, but not nearly as much as the pain of losing her. She held on to me so tight I thought she wouldn’t let go. That would be fine.
“Lacey, we have to go, Honey,” the Major said finally.
She pulled back enough to look me in my good eye. ”I’ll write you. I promise,” she whispered. I knew she choked back tears, determined not to cry this time of all times.
“I’ll write you too,” I said, knowing it didn’t matter. I’d never see her again, but I’d miss her, maybe every day for the rest of my life. It sure seemed that way.
Eban wanted to start the mules. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked. Major Lawson needed to board the wagon. I hopped to the ground. “Goodbye, sir,” I said.
“Take care of yourself, Tom. I hope we meet again.”
When Lacey’s pa climbed into the seat Eban cracked the reins. ‘Get up, mules,” he yelled and the wagon rumbled down the road, taking Lacey away forever. She turned and waved. I waved back then stood and stared after her until the wagon finally rolled out of sight.
A soft hand settled on my shoulder. I spun. Maggie had been standing behind me, quietly waiting while Lacey disappeared down the road. She carried little Josie wrapped in a blanket in her right arm, and looked great like always. Her red
hair glowed in the sunlight and the sparkle in her green eyes reminded me how much I’d missed her.
“Hi, Maggie,” I stammered, trying my best not to sound glum.
She looked deep into my face. “Oh, my,” she said and put her fingers on my neck under the one ear where I hadn’t been beat on as much. “I’m really proud of you and what you did, but, Lord, I hope you never do anything like that again.”
“Proud!” I blurted. “But Maggie—”
“Thank God you’re still alive. I don’t know what made you go after such a vicious killer alone like that. It took a lot of guts, but the smartest thing you did was to run away. If you hadn’t, that man would have killed you and Josie would have to grow up without a godfather.”
“But Lacey—”
“Lacey! Don’t you know how much that girl loves you and how proud she is of you? She would’ve married you if you’d asked her. But you didn’t, and my guess is you thought living in the gold country would be too hard for her right now. I’m proud of you for that too. To let a girl that special, someone that you care about as much as you do Lacey, go all the way back east because it would be better for her, now that’s courage.”
I shrugged. I didn’t know what to say. Lacey’s leaving hurt bad.
Maggie wrapped her arm around me. “I know it’s tough right now, Tom, but there’ll be another girl. You’re quite a catch.” She winked. “How about breakfast?”
“Sure, Maggie,” I said, and suddenly realized that with Maggie here I didn’t have to run the cafe anymore. It came back to me how scared I’d been when I first heard I had to do it and how miserable that day turned out to be—until Lacey showed up. I took a long look toward the Coloma Road, hoping for a last glimpse of Lacey. Right now I’d gladly give all the gold in California if only I could just spend one more day in the cafe with her.
“Goodbye, Lacey,” I whispered. “I love you.”
Thanks for reading
INTO THE FACE OF THE DEVIL
Into the face of the devil: A love story from the California gold rush Page 19