by Zina Abbott
“They grow row crops where you’re from?”
“Not much. North of us, they have orchards, alfalfa fields and truck farming. With us, it’s mostly hay and cattle.”
“Don’t see no signs of farming around these part.”
Val laughed. “And you won’t. It’s too high, too cold, and the ground’s too alkaline. Especially over in Bodie, they say the only crop that will grow is hops. They can’t even grow trees if they plant them directly into the soil. The Cain family grows trees in pots filled with dirt they haul in.”
“Reckon hops are okay if you done got a brewery. I ain’t not no use for hops.”
“You heard about old Jonathan Boomershine, haven’t you? It’s one of the biggest jokes in the county. He applied for a grant on all this land up here, claiming it for agricultural use. Unfortunately, he’s disputing the whole town site of Lundy, and it’s still tied up in the courts. The mine owners are fighting it tooth and nail. But, like you said, there’s no farming going on. He’s looking at the money he can get out of selling lots and milling lumber he gets from further up in the canyon.”
Beth stared out over the water that flashed reflections of moonlight.
“Never wanted to settle in no town, so it don’t break my heart none that Lundy ain’t right for farming.”
♥♥♥
Val leaned toward Beth, studying her profile.
“Beth, you know I’m courting you in earnest, don’t you? If we eventually marry, you’ll have your farm. At least, the ranch is close enough to a farm I think you’ll like it there. I want to make you happy, Beth.”
Val watched Beth as she kept her face forward. Even in the darkness, he could tell by the reflection in her eyes that Beth was rolling them around as she considered his words.
“Val, you remember that day we done met with Judge Charles McLean right after I found out about Jim Dodd bein’ dead, don’t you?”
Of course Val remembered that day. It was one of the most memorable of his life.
“You remember on what the judge said about property, how here in California, they do things different than in most states. Everything a husband and wife get together is both of theirs, but everything they had separate before they marry stays their own. You remember that?”
“Yes. But, Beth, anything you have once your late husband’s estate is settled, I don’t want any of it. It’s yours to keep and do with what you wish.”
“There ain’t gonna be much. Judge McLean thinks them mining shares might be worth something, but it’s a mite chancy. Besides, reckon I don’t want no partnerships in no mines. They won’t be worth nothin’ once the ore’s played out.”
“You could sell them, Beth. Use the money to buy some nice jewelry or something. We have a beautiful house for us to live in already, so you are free to do with your money whatever you want.”
“Who owns that land you and Luther ranch?”
“My two brothers and I inherited it. It belongs to all three of us.”
“You got yourself another brother?”
“Yes. Edwin is the oldest. He’s an attorney over in Sacramento. Luther and I get most of the income off the ranch because we’re running it. But, he’s still part-owner. There are two bedrooms set aside for when he and his wife and their three children come to visit.”
“So, the way the law’s wrote in this state, you three have it and it would always be yours.”
Val suspected he knew where this was going and rushed to assure her. “Beth, if we were to marry, you would always have a place to live. My brothers would never turn you out. Even if I were to fall over dead the day after our wedding, they would take care of you.”
“But, I’d have nothing, Val. I’d be like some caged bird, like them chickens of mine. I’d be expected to do my part, which is only right, but I won’t have no say about how the ranch is run and no money of my own to do no different. Couldn’t buy no dress or new boots without their say-so. It’d be like it was when pa sold Jim Dodd the farm the way he done. Reckon it’d be best if I done took care of myself.”
“Beth, look at me.” Val reached up and gently turned her chin so she faced him. “We will work something out so you are never stuck again. I promise, we’ll find a way to protect your interests so that you can marry me and stay with the family because you want to, not because you have to.”
Beth searched the depths of Val’s eyes. She could see that he wanted her to trust him. But, would she dare? Look what trusting her own father had gotten her.
“You reckon I can’t set up my own affairs without the help of no man, Val Caldwell?”
“Now, Bethie Rose, I didn’t say that. I just said I would work with you. As much or as little as you want. All right?”
“First off, things ain’t settled with Jim Dodd, yet. Ain’t fittin’ I make no big decisions ’til it is.”
Val knew to what she referred.
“The cemetery is at the other end of the lake by Geneva. The ground should thaw out sooner down there than up here. Has Mr. Barnes said anything about when he thinks it will be ready?”
“Ain’t heard nary a word. About time I go askin’ again.”
“Maybe you can wait until after this weekend. Things should calm down a little after the celebration is over.”
“You leavin’ tomorrow?”
“No, I thought I’d stay up here tomorrow and see what the excitement is all about. The boys are looking forward to a little time off, too. Charley said we can bed in the livery since the other places are filling up.”
What Val didn’t say was he planned to stay in town in order to keep an eye on Beth. He worried that with all the hyperbole about Resurrection Day that the town fathers of Lundy had advertised all over the county, the miners might take their celebrating to extremes.
After all, he had no sooner entered town and taken care of necessary business than he had walked into the Arcade and found Beth facing off four men. Beth could find herself dealing with that kind of situation more than once this weekend. No way was he planning to let the woman he loved be at risk on the big day without him at her side.
But, Val also knew that if she suspected his reason for staying, she’d get all prickly and insist she could take care of herself. He refused to give her the chance to try to send him home early.
Beth started to shiver.
Val could see Beth getting chilled in the cold night air. He put his arm around her shoulder and drew her into her embrace.
“Let me warm you up a bit before I take you home, sweetheart.”
♥♥♥
Beth relaxed and molded her body to his. She closed her eyes and nestled the bridge of her nose into his neck, realizing this was where she wanted to be. She felt a oneness with Val like she had never felt with any other person.
But, was this love? Beth didn’t know. She only knew that if it weren’t for the cold breeze blowing off the lake and the temperature dropping to remind her there were still patches of snow on the ground she could stay like this with Val forever.
Val’s gentle nudge on her chin prompted her to lift her face to his. Her heart expanding with a longing she couldn’t deny, she slid her arms around his neck and lost herself in his kiss. Whether or not she could fully trust him, could she live without Val Caldwell?
Lost in their kisses, neither knew how much time passed. Finally, Val reluctantly reached for the lantern and prepared to stand. He helped Beth to her feet.
“Big day tomorrow, sweetheart. I need to get you home.”
CHAPTER 4
LUNDY, CALIFORNIA – resurrection day, aPRIL 5, 1884
As soon as she exited her room, Beth found Val, cold lantern in hand, waiting for her in Mrs. Ford’s front parlor. She bit back the comment about how it wasn’t necessary for him to walk her to Gus’s place. Instead, a smile blossomed on her face. No, it wasn’t necessary, but she certainly was happy to see him. She moved to his side and took his arm.
“Reckon I’ll be busy with my baking today, what w
ith all the excitement. Didn’t get no spice cakes baked yesterday, thanks to them varmints we drug to Constable Callahan’s office.”
“Just what is supposed to happen with this celebration?”
“Don’t rightly know. Hear-tell they is going to have a parade up Main Street startin’ about eleven o’clock. Captain Montrose done set it up. Supposed to start over to Wilson’s Wine Room next door to the Arcade and go up to the Postoffice store. Can’t rightly say where it will end up, probably to Montrose’s office, with them who ain’t got work yet askin’ about what mines is lookin’ for men.”
“And Mr. Montrose is still one of the recorders for the Homer Mining District, right?”
“Reckon so. Judge McLean done told me it’s him I oughta talk to about sellin’ my minin’ shares.”
Val shook his head as he stiffened his arm to help support Beth as she stepped back on the boardwalk at First and Main in front of the May Lundy Hotel. “The men will probably end up at the bars getting an early start on their drinking. Beth, I hope you don’t plan to get involved with this parade. Things could get out of hand...even worse than what happened last night at Gus’s.”
“Don’t have no time for no parade. Come about noon, reckon a passel of them miners is goin’ to start lookin’ for vittles. If Gus gets his hands on some steaks from them steers you brung up, reckon I’ll be steppin’ right smart in the kitchen.”
“That’s a relief. I missed out on getting one of your apple turnovers, Beth, so I hope you or Gus are up to fixing me some of those German pancakes with potatoes. Then, I need to find a bathhouse so I can shed this jacket.”
“Don’t need no bathhouse to shuck that jacket none.”
“Yes, I do,” Val teased. “I’ve been on the trail with the boys for several days. As bad as this old sheepskin stinks, it beats what would hit you in the face if I should take it off.”
Beth continued to walk, her face forward, with no expression to reveal her thoughts. Some folks might think his jacket smelled bad. But then, unlike her, they probably weren’t homesick for the scents of farmland clinging to it.
After their breakfast of German pancakes, Val left and Beth turned to her cooking. Gus returned from the butcher in triumph, carrying enough beef for steak to fry and odd pieces for Beth to use in a stew with dried onions to go over rice. Beth shook her head. She would be glad when the season’s produce became more available. In the meantime, once the beef and onion stew was on, Beth turned her attention to making spice cakes with a boiled sugar drizzle.
Fritz stuck his head through the door to the kitchen. “Starting the parade is.”
Gus and Beth followed Fritz and a few of the early bar patrons to the doorway of the Arcade. Most of the men spilled out onto the boardwalk, their backs hugging the outside walls of the building. Beth held back, leaning on the doorjamb as she watched groups of men walk up the incline of Main Street towards the Postoffice building.
For all the hoopla that had been spread around to build this event up into a big production, it didn’t seem to Beth that is was that successful. Looking up and down the street, she saw no more than about thirty men marching. However, among them, a gaiety radiated outward. The marchers laughed and called out their congratulations that the mines would soon be working in full swing. Along with sharing a few rude jokes, some gave an occasional nudge or shoulder clasp. The only other women Beth saw were a few like her, who watched from a window or doorway. Most of the men carried their tin coffee mugs. Knowing they were coming from Wilson’s, Beth doubted the mugs held coffee.
Beth could tell by excited chatter among the men on the boardwalk that they wished they had joined the parade.
“It’s not too late,” one declared. “I’m getting my mug and heading down to Wilson’s for some wine.”
“No offense, Fritz,” another called.
“Ya, ya,” Fritz waved them away. “But beer better. After march, back to Arcade you come for good beer, ya?”
Once the crowd of men passed, Beth turned back toward the kitchen. She had bread dough ready to punch down and form into rounds.
CHAPTER 5
The noon hour passed. The bar was busy. The men were more interested in a liquid lunch than in food from the chop shop. Hank had been one of the few men to show up for an early dinner, but Beth hadn’t seen Frankie since breakfast.
Every now and then, either Fritz, or his partner, Leonard Haas, who had joined him would give Gus and Beth an update.
“More miners up the street march.”
Soon, it became apparent that the other men in town didn’t want to be left out on the fun. Shopkeepers and businessmen joined in the march. Fritz mentioned that even Frankie had joined in marching with the late-comers. Any excuse for a drinking holiday, Beth decided.
Ain’t no surprise they got no interest in vittles.
Beth decided to ease up on her bread making and cake baking. As the men filled up on beer, it killed their appetites for food. Most of them probably would wait until supper to eat, if then.
What did surprise Beth was watching Val and Luther walk in for lunch. She quickly realized where they had spent part of the money from the sale of their cattle to the local butchers. The brothers not only had found the bath house, they had found a barber.
Luther looked the most changed. In addition to a short haircut, the barber had completely shaved off his beard and moustache. Beth couldn’t deny he was just as handsome as his brother.
“What do you think, Beth?” Luther asked as he posed for her and stroked his chin with his thumb and fingers. “I hear a lot of women like a clean-shaven man. You think I can attract me a pretty woman like my brother has?”
Chancy, Luther, ’less you keep your mouth shut.
Beth chose to ignore Luther’s backdoor compliment about her being pretty. “You look right smart, Luther. You and Val both done cleaned up mighty fine.”
Beth spoke the words to Luther, but her eyes remained glued on Val. It was Val’s appearance that took Beth’s breath away. His dark brown beard was trimmed to between a half-inch to an inch all around and his neck had been shaved. The barber had also cut his hair short enough that Val’s hat suddenly looked too large for his head. Val also wore a clean shirt—one that looked like it had come from a mercantile rather than from being rumpled up in a saddlebag.
“Are you all right, Beth?” Val finally asked quietly.
Beth replied in a voice soft enough to match his. “Reckon so. I’ll dish you up some beef over rice.”
Beth actually didn’t feel fine. She forced herself to serve the food to the two brothers and to make herself useful as she fussed over the small details of serving and cleaning the tables and counter. All the while, she struggled to reconcile herself to the conflict of feelings within her.
What she really felt like doing was pulling Val off to a place where they could be by themselves. How she longed to feel his arms around her, to feel herself enfolded in his embrace, and to press her face into the crook of his neck. She wanted to slide her cheek along his jawline to see if his beard still felt as soft has it had last night. She desired nothing more than to be with him and share all her thoughts and hopes and dreams with him.
At the same time, Beth feared the closeness she desired. Dare she ever leave herself vulnerable to any man, even Val? He already told her the night before that he loved her. But, could these feelings that consumed her be her love for him? Even if she did love him, could she trust him? After all, even if she had loved Jim Dodd, she knew she could never have trusted the man.
Beth had just dried the last of the dishes she had used to serve dinner to the Caldwell brothers when she saw Andrew Barnes, the town furniture maker, walk through the door. Due to the man also being the town coffin maker and undertaker, Beth had met him her second day in Lundy when she had gone with Val and Judge McLean to identify the body of Jim Dodd. That had been three months ago in the dead of winter when the ground was frozen too solid for any grave digging.
“M
rs. Dodd, do you have a minute to discuss some business?”
Not on Resurrection Day! I’m a mite busy.
“Reckon we can step in the kitchen. Ain’t no call to burden no customers with our business.”
“Stay close, Luther,” Val said in a low voice. “I think I know what this is about.”
Gus turned and frowned at the intrusion in his kitchen.
“Was ist los?” What is happening?
“Not sure,” Val said quietly as he sauntered over to Gus with his arms folded. “I think we’re going to be planning a burying.”
“Mrs. Dodd,” Andrew Barnes began, “I just returned from the cemetery awhile ago. The ground is ready to be dug. Problem is, I’ve asked around to see if I could hire some men to do the digging for me, but I’ve had limited success. I thought with all the miners showing up and there still not being enough work for all of them yet that it would be a simple matter to find enough men to hire. It seems, though, they are taking this celebration business to heart. I have four graves to dig, and not enough men to do it.”
“Can’t you wait until Monday?” asked Val. “By then, things should have settled down and you can have your pick among the men who aren’t working.”
“The problem is, it’s warming up and the ice in the morgue is about melted. If I wait, I need to get more ice hauled over there today. It would be a big expense to the families on top of paying men to dig the graves. I have one father of a little boy who died two months ago who is willing to dig the grave for his son himself, but I’d rather have help for him as well as the other three graves that need to be dug for adults.”
Beth took off her apron and started toward the peg on the back wall where she kept it at night.
“I ain’t payin’ for no more ice to chill Jim Dodd and I ain’t payin’ for no men to go dig no grave for him. That man done bled me dry of the money that come from Pa’s farm. I’ll get me my shovel Josh uses to clean up after them chickens of mine and go down to the cemetery directly.”