Wall laughed, more to himself than anyone else. “Not very well. My hearts here with the river and timber, but my roots are over there with the cattle and my family.” He pointed toward the far-off mountain range where his father kept their herd in the summer, just visible over the peaks of the Mission Mountain Range.
“I don’t envy you that fight.” Bud maneuvered the wagon across the bridge where Victoria had met them almost two weeks before. “I’m a firm believer that a man’s gotta follow his heart. That’s why I got myself this wagon. It’s my dream.” At Wall’s bewildered look, Bud smiled. “Don’t be so surprised. I ain’t rich or nothing, but my family has a small little apple farm outside of Spokane. My brother runs it, and I’m free to travel as I wish. So I, too, know the importance of family and roots.”
“It’s a bit more difficult than that for me, I’m afraid.” Wall didn’t know if he should divulge the information he was about to share, but Bud had always proved to be trustworthy, and there was something about working out the issues plaguing his mind since the dinner with Victoria. “My father is Representative Nichols’s biggest supporter. Especially when it comes to keeping the forest land for agriculture use. Victoria only just learned about the government’s plans to make milling more difficult once Montana becomes a state.”
“And you’re sweet on the girl?”
Wall answered by tipping his head to the side.
Bud snapped the reins. “I saw the way you watched her when she was being the big bug. Ain’t no hiding love I’m afraid.”
“I wouldn’t say love,” Wall said, but paused. He’d never been in love. Last year when Garrett had asked him if he’d sacrifice honor for love, he didn’t think much on the topic. Didn’t think love could actually exist for a man like him. One searching for meaning in the middle of the woods, away from most of the opposite sex. Love was as fluid as the white water he rode every year.
“Well, let’s hope Montana don’t become a state. You and I wouldn’t be able to follow our hearts no longer, and would be forced back to our roots.”
Wall huffed his agreement and concentrated on the road. In truth, he didn’t know what he wanted in life. He loved both the timber and the cattle, but it didn’t matter. He knew it was only a matter of time before he’d be needed at the ranch and could no longer chase his dreams. How would Victoria fit into his life then?
She wouldn’t. He’d never see her after he left for home once and for all.
The rest of the trip he spent in both silent thought, interrupted by occasional small talk. By nightfall they stopped and slept, only to wake up with the sun and continue on the trail. Shortly after noon chow the following day, they finally rattled into camp, and Wall leapt from his perch, as the loggers at camp surrounded the wagon.
He’d forgotten it was Sunday. The one day a week the men could relax and take care of their personal business. Damn. That meant he’d have to wait until Tuesday to get a drive started. He’d needed to tell Garrett so he could get the word out to the Bonner boys.
He didn’t have far to look for the man came sauntering into the meadow with his wife on his arm, both of their faces shining with love. Is that how he’d looked at Victoria? Somehow, he doubted it. Garrett and Beth’s love was deep. Smooth and easy.
Not primal like the way he felt when near Victoria.
He wasn’t in love, but he had found a common interest with the intoxicating woman.
He beckoned Garrett over once his wife disappeared into conversation with Carrie. “We’ll be heading out by Tuesday on the drive. If you’ll pass the word along.”
“Good to see you again too, friend.” Garrett extended his hand and Wall shook it. “And I’ll let them know as soon as Beth gets a peek at what Bud’s got inside there.”
“Thanks,” he said. “I’ve got to get my gear stowed. I’ll meet up with you later to let you know what’s been going on at the mill.”
Garrett nodded. “Sounds good.”
As his friend left, Wall yanked his bag from the back of Bud’s wagon, and retired to his bunk. Relieved to be home. His summer home, anyway. By the time he’d organized his gear, and cleaned off the road grime, the sun began to lean toward the western mountain range. He headed toward Aunt June’s camp. The best place to find a hungry logger near supper time on a Sunday. True to the men’s habits, Garrett stood with his wife next to Aunt June. With a whistle, Wall beckoned him over to a spot far enough away from the crowd of loggers to talk in private.
“Simon,” Wall called, and waved him over as well.
Wall waited until Simon stopped next to them. His friend raised his head in greeting. “How’s the river?”
“Low,” Wall answered. “We’re only going to get one drive down before we run out of river. We had to block some forks, and unblock others in order to get a direct route. The boys and I are going to have to take the drive down in no more than two days or else the raft will have to stay here until next spring. By then the logs will be no good to the mill.”
“That’s where we have a problem,” Garrett said. “The steam pulley you designed over the winter is busted, and we have no idea how to fix it. If we’re gonna get a load down the mountain, we need to get it repaired.”
“Blast! The machinist who helped me make it shucked out to California last month. I have a friend near Frenchtown who might be able to help if we need any parts, though.” Wall kicked at a pebble. “If I stay behind to fix it, then the boys will only have five on our team, three who know the waters and what they’re doing. My two greenhorns did a run over in Wisconsin, but this is their first experience with Montana white water. I’m going to need someone experienced to go down.”
“I’d go, but I have to stay with the train,” Garrett responded.
“What about Beth?” At this point Wall was desperate. Victoria counted on him to get a load down, but she also needed him to get the loader fixed. They didn’t have time for him to do both. He needed someone to take his place on the drive.
Simon opened his mouth to respond when Garrett shook his head. “No one tells Beth. She’d go whether I wanted her too or not, and I’d go mad up here wondering if she’s gone and gotten herself killed.”
“I second, Garrett,” Simon said. “Beth stays behind, and no one says anything to her.”
“Well, then, that leaves you.” Wall stared at Simon. He knew his face showed his desperation, but it couldn’t be helped. That’s how he felt.
“I’ll go,” Simon offered.
Relief spread through Wall’s chest at the words. Although Simon had been off this year, one thing was certain, he could count on the timber beast to get the load down. And fast. “You’re one to ride the river with.” He slapped his friend’s shoulder in thanks.
“I’ll remember you said that next time you need me to take your place. Can’t ride the river with me if you’re staying behind.” Simon gave a crooked smile.
Wall chuckled and studied the chute. “I think the big bugs at the mill will be happy with the drive. Happier if we can get two down before the river runs low.”
“Or get the train to start running loads.” Garrett’s eyebrows drew together, mimicking Wall’s own concerned frown. He suspected they all knew the importance of this year’s harvest, but they didn’t know just how important it was to Victoria.
“I’ll go talk to Aunt June, and get the men ready to head out in two days,” Wall said, and rushed past, leaving Garrett and Simon alone.
At least now he had a plan to get a drive down. Now he just needed to figure out what was wrong with the loader so he could get the train going again. Not only for Victoria’s sake, but for the river men, and the entire Great Mountain Lumber Company.
* * * *
Victoria dropped her chin to her chest hoping the stretch it gave on the back of her neck would be enough to ease the knot. The buggy jerked as it rolled over a rut in the road whil
e she reread Wall’s note. Making a mental note of the part he needed. She handed Paul the note with the address Wall sent to her. “When we’re done at the courthouse we need to stop by this address.”
“Looks like it’s up Frenchtown way.” Paul handed the paper back to her. “A little out of our way.”
“Yes, but necessary for the railroad logging to get going again.”
Paul answered with a nod, and yanked hard on the reins to stop the horses before the telegraph office. “Let’s hope your father responded to my wire.”
He jumped off and rounded the buggy to help her down, but she managed to leap off before he’d even approached her side. She entered the building behind Paul.
“Anything for Great Mountain?” Paul asked before the clerk even had the chance to great them.
The man shook his head. “’Fraid not. Not since Mr. Harrison first got to Seattle.”
The familiar way the clerk spoke to Paul wasn’t lost on Victoria.
“Do you send a lot of messages?” she teased.
“I have lately, I’m afraid.”
“Whatever for? To my father?”
“Now, Miz Victoria,” Paul began, and let all of his weight rest on one foot. “You’re a fine boss. Just making certain we’re keeping your father updated is all.”
“Yet you haven’t gotten a response in a while?”
She glanced between him and the clerk, the second of whom turned a bright shade of red, and suddenly found his paperwork interesting.
“I’d like to send a telegraph to my father,” she said once confident the men weren’t going to answer.
She took the paper from the clerk, wrote the message, and waited for him to type it out. Once he was finished, she lifted her hand holding her wrist pouch, took out the necessary money needed for the note, and handed it to the man, and then added a little extra. “When he responds, send someone to the mill with all haste.”
The clerk dipped his head in agreement, and took the money to deposit it in a pouch as Paul turned to usher her outside. “Now to the courthouse. Gustav will meet us there.”
Victoria’s heart sped up at the thought of their next stop. “What do you think is going to happen? Do you think he has a chance of taking the company from me?”
Paul frowned. “It’d be a whole lot easier if your father was here. I told him it was a bad move to go away so soon after turning the company over, but he refused to listen.”
“If he would have known something like this was going to happen, I’m certain he would have stayed.”
Paul grunted his agreement, and the conversation fell silent as the courthouse came into view. Paul brought the rig to the bottom of the staircase to drop her off, and then left. Leaving her to stand alone at the bottom of a building so dominating in appearance it left her feeling as intended. About an inch tall to a grasshopper.
“Well, well.” A voice she didn’t quite recognize sounded behind her. She spun around as Luther and the man with the cane—she recognized as being Sanchez by his description—walked up beside her. Luther sneered. “Glad you could tear yourself away from your tower to join us.”
Their family resemblance obvious with each wave of their slicked black hair, and tanned skin. Today the younger man—the one she knew to wear logger’s spikes—sported a tailored suit cut similar to that of the man who was obviously his father.
Which meant her mother was Luther’s mother. If they were, in fact, half brother and sister. At the thought, her throat closed all the way to the knot in her stomach. When he’d made the claim a week before, she’d honestly believed her father was behind the debacle.
But there was no doubting Luther and Sanchez resemblance.
Victoria struggled to gain control of her breath long enough to speak, but before she could, her lawyer stepped up next to her. “Harassing my client, I see.”
“No, sir,” Luther said, and took one step back. “Just greeting my sister is all.”
“We’ll see if that can even be proved.” Her lawyer, Gustav, slid his arm behind her back and ushered her up the stairs. His hand at her back guided her in the right direction, but it didn’t feel right. Didn’t calm her like it did when Wall touched her in the same fashion. What she wouldn’t give to have him here beside her for this.
If he were here, then she could speak when confronted with something that knocked her off her mental horse.
At least he was taking care of Great Mountain for her. He’d sent Simon down with a load while he worked hard to start up the railroad logging once more. If she could just get through these next few hours, get his part, and get up the mountain to give it to him then all would be well. She could smell his scent, be next to him, and find her calm.
Gustav ushered her into a seat behind a table, and shortly after Paul joined her on her right side while the lawyer sat on the left. A few minutes later, the judge appeared, and she stiffened her spine.
With a tap of his gavel, the room grew silent and the judge began to speak, but all Victoria could hear was the rush of the blood past her ears. At this point she had no choice but to trust in Paul and her lawyer.
Lord, I wish father were here. Or Wall. Even Wall would know what to do. How to make it right. Or at least that’s how it felt when he was near. But they weren’t. The only thing she could do was straighten her skirts, throw back her shoulders, and attack her problem head on.
A few minutes ticked by with more people saying things she couldn’t quite comprehend, and her lawyer stood. Paul was right. This was out of her realm of understanding. She could balance books, barter sales, and even start a new logging system, but she had no idea what was happening in this courtroom.
Her lawyer paced before the judge, and she chanced a glance at Paul’s face. He smiled and her heart eased the slightest of bit. She leaned over to him, and whispered, “What’s going on?”
“He’s just pointed out that the mill belongs to your father.”
“And Luther is my mother’s son,” she managed enough sass behind her words to get her point across.
Paul jerked his head back a fraction. “I suppose you saw the resemblance and figured it out.”
“You could have told me earlier and spared me the distress of such a shocking revelation.”
The judge slid them a glare, and Paul answered her with a simple shake of his head while keeping his gaze on the judge. She’d have to wait to address her concerns with him later. For now, she needed to try to get her head in the proceeding.
Was that a bill of sale her lawyer had in his hand? Victoria squinted to see, and straightened to listen to what he said. “…As you can see it was sold back in ʼ81. Everything was legal…”
Okay so a bill of sale, but for what? Blast! She’d missed that part by talking to Paul. And what did that have to do with her now, and Luther’s claim on the mill? She was only twelve in eighteen-eighty-one. Which would make Luther…What would it make him? Was he her older or younger brother?
She focused once more as her lawyer sat, and Luther’s stood, holding out what looked to be a birth certificate. Was he an older brother, or younger? If she’d known him growing up, would they have been friends, or enemies as they were today?
Unfortunately, she would never have an answer to her questions.
After what seemed like an hour of Luther’s lawyer talking, while Luther and his father sat there looking quite satisfied with themselves, their lawyer finally sat.
“I’ve heard from both sides today,” the Judge began as the room grew deathly quiet. “Unfortunately, I don’t feel as though I have enough information to make a decision. I want to see Mrs. Harrison in this courtroom, and I believe Miz Harrison’s lawyer. Since the company belongs to Mr. Harrison, he too should be here for these proceedings. Miz Victoria Harrison, you have one month to locate and bring home your parents, or the court will rule in favor of Mr. Sanchez. I
n addition, I will be sending up three men to assess the property value of both the mill and the lumber camps. We will convene again in one month.”
The judge slammed his gavel on the pulpit and a mumble erupted in the room.
“What just happened?” Victoria asked as she stood.
“We were granted time to get your father home,” her lawyer answered.
“But if they don’t come home by the next court date then Luther wins? Everything?” Had she heard that right? Could she lose everything over a technicality?
“I’ll go to Seattle to fetch him myself if I have to,” Paul offered. “We’ll get him home.”
“I’ll organize a tour with the judge’s assessors,” she said.
“I’ll be heading up to camp day after tomorrow to bring a part to my crew. I would prefer to be with them while they are traipsing around up there. We’ve already had one government official death this year, best not make it two.”
“That was mentioned by Luther’s lawyer. Weren’t you listening?” Paul said.
“I—” Victoria blinked rapidly. “It was? I couldn’t quite understand what was going on. It all happened so fast.”
“They mentioned the death, and the report they received from the man before he died about the debris. That’s why the judge wants an assessment.”
“Not just because he wants to divide the company in half?” Victoria slouched her shoulders. What else had she missed? She’d let her thoughts keep her focus simply because she was out of her element in that room. She’d needed something to ground her to the moment.
“It’ll be all right, miss,” her lawyer said. And patted her shoulder. “We’ll get your father here, and get it all sorted out. We’ve got a month. The judge granted us that much.”
Victoria nodded, and followed as her lawyer and Paul walked out of the room. Numb from the whirl of confusion around the last few hours, and raw emotions running through her core. She needed to see Wall. Talk things over with him. Maybe even find a way out of this mess.
“I’ll go get the carriage,” Paul offered. “You wait here.”
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