Daylight Comes

by Judith Miller

  Truth managed to discern that Lilly had received word from a woman in New Orleans that Bentley Cummings had contracted a lung disease. Truth wondered if he was alive or dead, but Lilly hadn’t said. It would be nice to know, for Mr. Cummings had placed a bounty on Lilly’s head for the kidnapping and death of his child back in New Orleans.

  Truth vividly recalled her first meeting with Mr. Cummings. They’d been on the same train when Truth and Silas had whisked Macia Boyle away from New York’s Rutledge Academy. On the train, Mr. Cummings had revealed that he was traveling to Nicodemus in search of an old acquaintance—his former courtesan, Lilly Verdue.

  Though their father had long ago told Truth and her sisters that Lilly practiced voodoo and was a woman of ill repute, the actual arrival of Mr. Cummings proved disquieting—but not so startling as Lilly’s revelation that she was Jarena’s birth mother. That piece of information had threatened to shred the very fabric of their family. Slowly, with God’s grace and much prayer, the emotional wounds had healed. However, with Lilly back in their lives, Truth wondered if those old wounds would be reopened.

  As Truth and Jarena spread a blanket on the ground to partake of the noonday meal Jarena had packed for their journey, Truth considered asking if Mr. Cummings had died of his disease. She quickly decided the question injudicious and opted for a neutral topic. “You’ve obviously done well for yourself in Colorado.” Truth lightly brushed her fingers across the skirt of Lilly’s gown. “The very finest silk.”

  Lilly nodded. “God abundantly blessed me in Colorado.”

  Truth gaped at her aunt, thinking something or someone had muddled the woman’s mind. Had Lilly actually mentioned God and blessings? Was this another ploy the woman was using for her own gain?

  While the group dug into Jarena’s sandwiches, Lilly told of how she’d come into her own financially while in Colorado—a story she seemed eager to share with all of them. They sat circled in front of her on the ground, Moses and Truth side-by-side and little Jennie on her mother’s lap. Truth was mesmerized as Lilly told of the preacher she’d met on the train to Colorado.

  “I explained to him that I’d been giving a lot of thought to my past life and thought I was overdue for a change.” She gazed into the distance as if she could see images from that long-ago day. “He promised to help me stay on the straight and narrow. He had a fledgling church in Leadville and thought I’d be a good witness to the girls working in the brothels.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I decided to go with him and see if he was correct.”

  Truth clasped a hand to her mouth. “So is that how you earned your money? Working in a brothel?”

  Lilly laughed and shook her head. “I did what the preacher asked.

  I talked with the girls, telling them about my history and asking about theirs, and helped them in any way I could.” She told about befriending Belle Hawkins, the owner of the place. “I can’t say that I didn’t slip from time to time. I still do, but I believe I did a lot of good, too.”

  And when Belle became ill, Lilly had cared for her. Tears began to well in Lilly’s eyes and she laughed with a false bravado. “Why, I even learned to cook chicken soup. Not that my soup helped much. Belle died a few weeks later, but she accepted Jesus before she passed.” Lilly dabbed her eyes with a lace handkerchief.

  Jarena patted Lilly’s arm consolingly as the older woman explained that she’d been shocked when Belle’s lawyer came calling after the funeral and advised her of the fact that Belle had rewritten her will only days before she died. The terms of the will specified that half of her estate would go to the church and the other half to Lilly.

  Truth’s eyes widened. “And so you left town?”

  “No. Belle’s been dead for quite a while. I used some of the money to turn the brothel into a millinery shop and sunk part of it into a silver mine.” She casually brushed several bread crumbs from the folds of her skirt. “I also helped a couple of the women leave Leadville so they could have a fresh start in a new town. They’ve begun reputable businesses of their own. A few of the girls have married. I’m proud of all of them.”

  Jarena gave a squeal of delight and wrapped Lilly in an embrace. “How wonderful! You provided those women with an alternative to the sad life they’d been living. You’ve done something truly astonishing for each of them.”

  Truth flinched at the show of affection between the two women. Although she found Lilly’s story fascinating, she still didn’t entirely trust her. After all, it wasn’t as though Lilly had a stellar past—her former lies were innumerable. She could tell them anything. In fact, Truth hadn’t even heard Lilly say she’d personally accepted Jesus—just that she’d promised that preacher to walk the straight and narrow. Truth figured Lilly’s interpretation of walking the straight and narrow involved a much wider road than the one Jesus walked. Plus, they had no way to verify the truth of her stories. Yet, despite all that had happened between them, Jarena appeared more than willing to forgive and forget Lilly’s transgressions.

  As Truth and Jarena repacked the picnic basket, Lilly picked up and folded the blanket they’d been sitting on. She spoke over her shoulder as she walked toward the buggy. “And now I must decide what I’d like to do with the rest of my life. Returning to the warmth of this family has meant more than any of you can imagine.”

  Truth shuddered. After all her lies, Aunt Lilly was trying to slide back into their lives like a snake slithering onto a rock to sun itself. Truth inhaled a deep breath before addressing her aunt. “And so you accepted Jesus and became a Christian while living in Colorado, Aunt Lilly?”

  Lilly hesitated, but only for a moment. “Yes, I did, Truth, but I still have much to learn. Too often, I slip back into my old ways. Unfortunately, I find that happens to all Christians with greater frequency than many of us would like to admit.”

  Was that final remark intended as a jab at me? Truth couldn’t be sure, but her own guilt forced her into silence for the remainder of the journey.

  When they arrived in Hill City, Moses pulled the carriage to a halt in front of the newspaper office and then handed the reins to Truth. “You ladies take your time. I’ll have no difficulty locating you when I finish my meeting with Harvey.”

  Truth glanced over her shoulder and announced her plans to visit at the Boyles’. Instead of requesting a ride to the Nelsons’ home, Lilly stepped out of the carriage and held out her arms to Jarena’s baby. “I believe I’d like to stop at the general store and walk about town before visiting the Nelsons.” She waved a hand at Truth as though shooing away an annoying fly. “You go on to see the Boyles by yourself. Come along, Jarena.”

  Truth leaned back in the buggy and watched the two women saunter down the street. Lilly had dismissed her like an unwanted guest at a tea party. So much for Christian love! Turning away, she snapped the reins and encouraged the horse into a trot. Hopefully Macia would be pleased to have her come calling.

  Beginning to shiver from the cold, Truth got out of the buggy and walked up the front steps of the Boyle house. She knocked and waited, clutching her wool cloak a bit more tightly. She hoped Macia would be at home, for she needed someone with whom to share her concerns about the future—someone other than family members. Even though she and Macia had shared a special bond during their time in New York, Truth could trust her to render an objective opinion.

  Moments later, the front door opened and a surly-appearing housekeeper stood in the doorway, obviously not happy about being interrupted. The woman’s expression could have soured milk. The housekeeper folded her arms across her chest. “Well? What is it you want?”

  Truth took a step backward. “I’ve come to call on your mistress.”

  The housekeeper blew a strand of dark hair from her face. “Come on in. We’re heating the outdoors.”

  For a moment, Truth considered telling the woman she considered her behavior rude and abrasive. Instead, she held her tongue. Perhaps Mrs. Boyle had taken ill and the housekeeper had been forced to endure a
hectic morning. Removing her gloves, Truth waited a moment. When the housekeeper wasn’t forthcoming, she inquired as to Macia’s whereabouts. Without offering to take Truth’s cloak, the woman pointed her thumb in the direction of the dining room and then strode off toward the kitchen.

  Stunned by the woman’s conduct, Truth hung her cloak near the entrance and walked down the hallway, where she discovered Macia seated at the table polishing the silver.

  Macia jumped up from her chair and gathered Truth in a warm embrace. “It’s difficult to believe we haven’t seen each other for two years. You look wonderful.”

  “I didn’t know if I’d find you at home. I assume you’re not teaching this year?”

  Macia shook her head as she explained the teaching contract had been offered to someone else shortly before her return from Europe. “Not that I blame the district supervisor, of course. He needed assurance he could count on having a teacher present, and unfortunately my parents couldn’t confirm when I would arrive home.”

  “So you now occupy your days polishing the silver? And who is that housekeeper your family has employed? She isn’t pleasant in the least.”

  Macia giggled and leaned closer. “She intensely dislikes me.”

  Truth listened attentively while Macia explained her situation in a hushed voice—the distressing story of Jeb’s affection for the Boyles’ housekeeper and Macia’s concerns for young Lucy. When Macia finally grew silent, Truth patted her hand. “So Fern and Jeb are to be married?”

  Macia shrugged. “If Fern has her way, I’m sure they will. Poor Lucy—I hope I can find some way to help her. In all fairness, my parents tell me Fern was an excellent housekeeper before my arrival. However, she considers me competition for Jeb’s affection, and that fact has . . . well, drastically interfered with the performance of her duties.”

  Truth grinned. “Wouldn’t it be best if she found employment somewhere else—before she ruins all of your gowns?” She hoped her attempt at levity would boost Macia’s spirits.

  Though Macia giggled at the remark, her somberness returned as she explained her father’s stalwart position along with her unsuccessful attempts to find someone willing to employ Fern. “But that’s enough about that. What’s going on with you?”

  Truth updated Macia on the recent upheaval in her life.

  After a sigh, Macia took up the polishing cloth and rubbed one of the teaspoons. “I truly am amazed to hear Lilly is back. I never thought any of us would see her again. For your sake, I hope she’ll decide against the move to Topeka. Surely your father or Moses can dissuade her.”

  “I doubt that will happen. Aunt Lilly has a mind of her own.”

  The mantel clock chimed the hour, and Truth pushed away from the table. As she stood up, the front door opened and the hallway soon overflowed with people. Harvey, Dr. Boyle, Jarena, Jennie, Lilly, Moses, and a young woman Truth didn’t know came into the parlor and sat down.

  When Truth entered the parlor, Harvey hastened to introduce Camille Faraday. “I stopped and asked Camille to join us. Her father is setting up a new pharmacy here in town.” He waved toward Dr. Boyle. “Needless to say, Father is delighted to have someone he can rely on to dispense medicine.” Harvey rambled on until the obviously embarrassed Camille called a halt to his flattering account of her family.

  After Harvey ceased his adulation, Lilly monopolized the conversation. She quizzed Camille with a surprising intensity, inquiring into Camille’s family background as though she were digging for some of that gold she’d inherited back in Colorado. For some reason Lilly had developed an unmistakable interest in the young woman.

  Truth watched her aunt with curiosity. When they’d finally loaded into the buggy and were headed back to Nicodemus, Truth quizzed Lilly with the same dogged determination she’d seen her use on Camille earlier. Lilly held up a gloved hand and feigned ignorance. However, Truth remained undeterred.

  Finally, Lilly acquiesced. “I’ve seen and heard my share of stories, and there’s more than meets the eye with the Faraday family, I can tell. I stopped to make a purchase at the general store, and after being introduced by Mrs. Johnson, I attempted to engage Mrs. Faraday in conversation. The woman is as tight-lipped as a corpse at a wake. Harvey Boyle had best be careful if he plans to marry into that family.”

  Moses glanced over his shoulder and grinned. “I’ll be certain to offer Harvey that sage piece of advice.”

  CHAPTER

  10

  Unwise! The doctor had wagged his head back and forth while uttering the warning. The physician’s one-word pronouncement had further convinced Truth what she must do. Her decision wouldn’t sit well at home. Moses and other members of the family would think her behavior childish and petulant. However, she didn’t want anyone to know her occasional spotting had continued. I can’t tell anyone. Giving voice to the possibility of a miscarriage will make it seem too real. Maybe if I don’t talk about it, everything will work out fine. No matter what, I’m not boarding a train for Topeka anytime soon.

  The doctor had advised all should go well if she took care for the next six weeks—proper rest, no heavy lifting or running up and down stairs, and no travel on bumpy roads or lurching trains.

  He had shook his head again when he heard of her journey to Hill City only days earlier. “What were you thinking to do such a thing without checking with me?” he asked.

  Truth quickly admitted her ignorance in such matters and promised to seek his approval in the future. Somewhat mollified, the doctor offered reassurance that the remainder of her pregnancy should pass without incident—if she followed his rules.

  Moses was determined to locate adequate housing in Topeka as soon as possible. And though she understood his reasoning, Truth believed a letter to one of his acquaintances in Topeka could resolve the issue, and had said as much. With the proper paperwork in hand, couldn’t one of those men act as a representative and make living arrangements on their behalf?

  After Moses had provided a litany of reasons why he couldn’t or shouldn’t ask such a favor, Truth had ceased to argue. If she told Moses of her present medical condition, he’d willingly travel to Topeka without her. Undoubtedly, the revelation would ease the strain in their marriage. Deep down, she knew her reluctance was foolish.

  She also knew she would remain silent.

  As if to challenge her resolve, when she entered her house after the doctor’s appointment she found it filled with unexpected visitors.

  Mostly family, but she noted Silas was in attendance, also. Why are they here? Did Moses invite them without telling me?

  After removing her bonnet, Truth joined the ominous-appearing group. “To what do I owe this surprise?”

  Silas stepped forward. “I’s thinking it’s downright foolishness for Grace to come and live in Topeka when yo’ aunt Lilly’s gonna be right there to help you. Ain’t no need for Grace to be there, too.”

  Truth’s stomach flip-flopped wildly. She quickly scanned the room for an unoccupied chair and a possible ally. Unfortunately, only the chair next to Lilly remained available. As for any ally, it appeared there were none. In fact, most of the family seemed to concur with Silas.

  Folding her arms around her swelling waistline, Truth focused a steady gaze upon her twin sister. “I understand you’d prefer Grace remain in Nicodemus, Silas. However, she has already agreed to accompany me. Where Lilly lives has no bearing upon my request that Grace act as my companion until after the baby is born.”

  “Don’t make no sense,” Silas countered. “You’s being downright selfish, Truth. All you’s thinking about is yerself.”

  Silas stormed out of the house and Grace retreated upstairs while the others stared at Truth as if she’d grown a second head. When no one spoke, Truth finally broke the silence. “Is there something else you gathered to decide in my absence?”

  Moses nodded. “As a matter of fact, I was telling the family that we’d be traveling to Topeka the first of the week to secure housing.”
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br />   Truth gathered her courage before speaking. “As I mentioned previously, I don’t plan on making the journey—I don’t think it’s wise. I won’t object if you decide to go, but I hope you’ll plan to return before Thanksgiving.”

  Lilly lifted a hand to her lips and chortled. “Sounds like Truth’s got a tight hold on the reins in this family.”

  Truth frowned. Why don’t you keep your opinions to yourself, Aunt Lilly? This matter doesn’t concern you. Why does everyone think they should give me advice about my own life?

  Moses tilted his head and gave a slight shrug. “If you don’t want a say in where you’ll be living, then I suppose the matter is settled, Truth.”

  The hint of a smile played upon Lilly’s lips as she waved her handkerchief in the air. “I believe I will accompany you, Moses. I think this might prove an excellent opportunity to explore my possibilities for a business venture. In fact, I’d even be willing to assist you with your house search.”

  Truth swallowed the cry of refusal that threatened to erupt. She didn’t want Lilly choosing anything for her—especially a house she’d be living in for the next four years. Between Moses’s election and Lilly’s arrival in Kansas, her life had gone from serene to chaotic in a matter of days.

  Even the arrangement with Grace now remained unresolved. She couldn’t believe Silas would consider Aunt Lilly a substitute for Grace. Outlandish! And to make matters worse, he’d rushed from the house, leaving Grace in tears.

  Perhaps I should tell them the truth. She opened her mouth, but the words stuck in her throat like a piece of dry bread. No. She couldn’t. She wouldn’t. Instead, she remained in her chair while the group disbanded. Moses and Lilly departed for the train station to purchase tickets, while her father and Thomas mumbled something about going to the livery. Jarena remained in one corner of the parlor quietly rocking Jennie.

  Once everyone had disappeared and quiet had returned, Truth detected the sound of Grace’s footsteps on the stairs. Head bowed and shoulders slumped, her sister trudged across the room and dropped onto the divan.