Jayce helped her back onto her horse. “I want you badly, woman, but I can wait until the time is right. Just knowing you’re mine, you’re close by, and we have our future before us is enough to appease me for now. When I thought I might have lost you, my mind was nearly crazed. Now that I know the truth, I can relax. Just watching you from a distance makes me feel good. Mercy, talk about something else or I’m going to get heated up again.”
She searched for a distracting topic, finally asking, “What are your duties here, besides taking care of me?”
“Reveille is at daylight. We eat breakfast, have fatigue call and drill, eat dinner, have fatigue call and drill, eat supper, and go to our quarters when Tattoo is sounded; we turn in at eight-thirty after Taps. When we aren’t doing fatigue call or drill, we go out on patrol or escort duty.”
“What kind of patrols and escort duties?”
“So far, I’ve helped protect a payroll and a gold shipment, guard the mail, and escort supply and lumber freighters. There’s a pretty good road to Hardyville on the Colorado River west of here; that’s where a lot of our supplies come in by steamboat and where some kinds of shipments go out.”
“Father and I had supper with the Wrights last night and he told us about the Indians. Have you fought any of them?”
“Not in this area or since I’ve been here. ’Course, we’ve seen a few bands watching us, but they weren’t strong or foolish enough to attack us. A skilled warrior can shoot a handful of arrows a minute, but that’s no match for the power, distance, and shots I can fire with this new Henry rifle.”
Laura didn’t want to start him thinking or talking about things he had sacrificed or endured during the war, so she asked, “What is fatigue call?”
“Menial labor and chores like cutting and gathering wood, fetching water, feeding or tending the stock, clearing rocks and fallen limbs from roads or filling in ruts, cleaning weapons and stables and barracks, and unloading supplies from undressed logs and sawmill lumber to staples and ammunition. I even helped build that cabin for you and your father. ’Course, I would have done a better job if I’d known who was going to live there.”
Laura laughed at his playful expression and tone. “You would never convince me you ever do less than your best at anything, Jayce Storm; I mean, Jayce Durance. When did you arrive?”
“February eleventh, rode in after a fast and rough journey.”
“You’ve accomplished a great deal. I saw you joking with other men, so you’ve already made friends here, right?”
“A few, but my best friend is here now. It’s time we were heading back, woman; we don’t want to stay gone too long.”
“At least we’re together again. Fate and God are being kind to us.”
“Yep, and I’m grateful.” Jayce noticed their tracks and said, “In case anybody sees these, we both should tell the same story: you got something in your eye and I had to remove it.”
“Perfect. Now, for our other necessary ruse: when you came over, I decided to take a ride today instead of tomorrow. I’ll have to tell Father I went out, because someone might mention it to him.”
“Let’s hope he doesn’t get upset or suspicious. I like Colonel Adams, and I’m grateful to him for more than his tossing you into my lap again: since I’ll be guarding his best treasure, he got me a good horse and weapons.” Jayce couldn’t tell her that his prized stallion and weapons were in the care of a man in Washington until his return. “You’re shaking,” he suddenly noticed. “I’d best get you back to a warm fire.”
“It isn’t from the cold; it’s because of you, my love.”
“One day, and I hope it’s soon, it’ll be me warming you up not a fire.”
“I can hardly wait,” she murmured, smiling at him.
“Nor can I,” he concurred with a smile as tender as hers.
Yesterday, she had seen Jayce with the very men she had been sent to watch and expose, and acting too friendly to suit her. Somehow, Laura fretted, she must prevent him from getting involved with their criminal actions, in the event he was coaxed to do so and thought it was his patriotic duty to help the Confederacy. “Make me one more promise: don’t do anything to get into trouble and get yourself punished or sent back East.”
“I promise to be good, as good as possible with you here.”
“That means I should worry and worry big because you’re always very naughty around me,” she quipped before before kneeing her horse into a gallop to head for the cabin, her merry laughter and Jayce following in her wake.
Just before sunset, Howard returned to the cabin and said, “I have wonderful news, Laura dear, a surprise you’re going to like and enjoy. Come and sit beside me while I tell you about it.”
She took a seat to his right on the sofa, knowing she also had a big and possibly upsetting surprise for her father when she told him about her actions today…
Chapter Nineteen
Almost in dread, Laura asked, “What’s the big surprise, Father?”
“While I was in town today, Mrs. Wright introduced me to a lovely lady whom I’ve hired to do our washing and ironing. She’s one of the fort’s laundresses, an Army widow who had no place to go after her husband was killed by payroll thieves. Since I’m an officer, I’ll have to pay for her services, but it will be worth it to keep you from having to work so hard on those chores. She has a large room with heat, the equipment she requires, and a nearby water source—things you lack at this rustic cabin. She also offered to assist you with any sewing, cleaning, cooking, or shopping that’s excess work or a problem for you. I know you ran the hotel and took care of our home, but you had help in both places. There’s no need for you to exhaust yourself when someone like Charlotte is available for hire. I think you’ll like her and enjoy her company; she reminds me a great deal of your mother.”
Laura caught the use of the woman’s first name, an odd action for her genteel father. She also noted how he described the stranger, and revealed her deceased husband had been slain perhaps by the villains she was there to expose. Ben had related news about robberies, but had failed to disclose murders were involved. For now, the things that intrigued her most were the uncommon sparkle in her father’s hazel eyes and the near-boyish grin on his face. “How old is she?” Laura asked curiously. “Does she have children here or a family elsewhere?”
“I would say she’s in her early forties, but still quite younglooking, skin was smooth as yours. As to children, she had one who died long ago at age ten from a winter fever. Her family moved to England several years before the war started and don’t plan to return to America, so she’s alone. Prescott isn’t where she wanted to settle, but she didn’t want to return to the East with the war going on, and, I suspect, her funds are limited.”
“You said she resembles Mother?”
“Only in a similarity of kind natures. In looks they are almost opposites. Charlotte has black hair and brown eyes, and she’s about your height, only a little shorter. She seems smart, polite, and affable, quite an interesting lady.”
“You said her name is Charlotte?”
“Yes, Charlotte Wiggins, from Ohio, as with the Wrights, but from different places and they didn’t know each other back East.”
Laura realized her father had learned much about the laundress for such a short meeting. “Did she tell you all of that this morning?”
“Part of it, and Mrs. Wright added details later.”
I’m sure that was after you asked Em countless questions about her. So, Father, it’s Mrs. Wright for Em, but Charlotte for Mrs. Wiggins…
“If you’ll gather your dirty garments tonight, I’ll deliver them to her tomorrow when I take mine. She said I could pick them up Saturday.”
Laura noticed he didn’t invite her to go along with him…“I have soiled clothes from our journey, so I’ll send them with you tomorrow. I appreciate this kindness, Father, as doing laundry would be difficult here with water on the other side of the fort and the temperature so chilly
.”
Howard smiled. “I thought it was a good idea, so I’m glad you concur. Now, tell me how you spent your day.”
“After I washed the dishes and made the beds, I finished the curtains for the cabin, but I have the kitchen ones to do next; then, I swept the floors and dusted.” There was no need to mention tending the chamber pots or grooming herself. “Chores don’t take long in a place this size with sparse furnishing; that’s a nice advantage,” she added so it wouldn’t sound as if she were complaining. “I also took a short ride with Private Durance. When he came over to arrange a time for Wednesday, the weather looked pleasant and inviting, I wasn’t ready to begin my work, and he had patrol duty tomorrow, so I decided to check out my new surroundings today; I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not, Laura dear, and you females do change your minds often and without advance notice,” he jested with a grin.
“I almost hope the Wrights don’t find out I went riding after I turned down their invitation to go into town. I like them, especially Em, but I just wasn’t in the mood to see Prescott today.”
“I understand. When you decide to visit the town, I prefer for you to go with Private Durance, instead of accompanying Mrs. Wright. From what I observed, it is a rough place, so you’ll need a strong and skilled protector. There are other reasons you shouldn’t go riding without him: with spring almost atop us, seasonal animals will be returning to the area. If there was a lack of sufficient game during winter, I was told, bears, wolves, pumas, and coyotes from the mountains and wilderness sometimes forage close to the fort and town if they get hungry. Also, newcomers drift into town, some of them unsavory and dangerous.”
Laura was elated by his suggestion, providing more opportunities to spend time with Jayce. “I’ll be careful, Father, and your impression of Private Durance seems to be accurate; he is well behaved toward me.”
“I find him to be a likable and interesting fellow. Don’t you agree?”
“It seems so, but I’ll have to study him longer and closer. Now, Father dear, get washed up for supper; it’s waiting on the stove.”
The following morning on March first, Emmaline joined Laura to help make the two kitchen curtains and to chat.
Laura decided, in the event Emmaline had heard about her bold outing yesterday, to get the worrisome matter handled immediately so she could relax. After disclosing news of it, she fabricated an excuse for doing so, “After your reaction during supper at your home, I decided I should check out this man for myself and if I found him disrespectful or resentful, I could have Father select another guard and escort for me.” Laura returned to her stitching, not wanting to appear as if Jayce intrigued or charmed her.
“Well, what did you think of him?”
Laura halted her fingers and looked at Em. “Oh, he was pleasant and well behaved. If he’s annoyed at having to watch over the colonel’s daughter or detests all Unionists, it wasn’t noticeable. I should have known Father was right about him or else he would not have assigned him to me. Father has always been an excellent judge of character. Except,” Laura whispered, “where his daughter and brother are concerned, and I’ll hush with that clue as your husband ordered. Has there been any trouble with these ex-Rebels?”
“No, thank goodness, except for what you already know. The U.S. Volunteers were welcomed as reinforcements by the other soldiers and by locals after Federal soldiers were withdrawn for the war. Since the Union can’t send more of our troops, the Galvanized Yanks are needed here. I suppose it’s like a trick of the mind to them: they’re a long way from the war, so I guess their pasts seem unreal to a certain degree. I also assume they love this new freedom and fresh air; and they have plenty of food, warm lodgings, medical treatment if needed, and even get paid a small wage. After the hardships and sufferings many endured while fighting or in prison, this existence must seem like heaven to them.”
“I imagine you’re right, Em. I’m certain it’s better to be a respected and supplied soldier than a lowly and miserable prisoner; I’m sure you know how men are about their pride and honor. Even those who savor a fight have plenty of Indians and villains to keep that tainted hunger fed.”
“Speaking of Indians, Laura, I brought an old newspaper with an article you might want to read; it’s part of Governor Goodwin’s speech last September about them.” Emmaline retrieved the paper from her carry-all bag. “Why don’t you look over it while I hang these curtains in the kitchen?”
“I can read it later, Em; you might need help in there.”
Emmaline laughed and quipped, “I’m an old hand at making and hanging curtains, so read it now. After we’re both done, we’ll walk over to the sutler’s store so you can meet him and make your purchases.”
Laura did as Emmaline suggested, as she wanted to know about any perils confronting her father and beloved when they were away from the fort’s protection. After Goodwin praised the Pima, Pagago, and Maricopa bands as trusted and proven allies of the whites and soldiers, he went on to say: “The Apache has been transmitted for a century an inheritance of hate and hostility to the white man. He is a murderer by hereditary descent—a thief by prescription…They have exhausted the ingenuity of friends to invent more excruciating tortures for the unfortunate prisoners they may take, so that the traveler acquainted with their warfare, surprised and unable to escape, reserves the last shot in his revolver for his own head. When the troops were removed from this territory at the commencement of the rebellion, it was nearly depopulated by their murders…It is useless to speculate on the origin of this feeling—or inquire which party was in the right or wrong. It is enough to know that it is relentless and unchangeable. They respect no flag of truce, ask and give no quarter, and make a treaty only that, under the guise of friendship, they may rob and steal more extensively and with greater impunity. As to them one policy only can be adopted. A war must be prosecuted until they are compelled to submit and go upon a reservation…Where the foot of the Anglo-Saxon is once firmly planted, he stands secure, and before the clang of his labor the Indian and the antelope disappear together…We are here clothed with the power to make laws which may forever shape the destiny of the Territory, to lay the foundations of a new State, and to build a new commonwealth.”
Laura laid aside the newspaper and pondered what she had read. When Emmaline returned with a smile of success, she asked the woman, “Are the Indians in this area under control or is that wishful thinking?”
“We do have sporadic problems, but they’re mostly raids on settlers, miners, and lumbercamps for supplies and stock. The Apaches you read about mainly live and ride east and south of here, especially south and east of Tucson and in New Mexico. Part of their hatred comes from diseases the white man brought into their lives. In ’53, many Hopis and Zunis were wiped out by a smallpox epidemic; they, as with other tribes, believe it was an evil the white man poured out on them to destroy or weaken them. With our superior weapons, many have been frightened into going to live on those reservations Goodwin and Jim mentioned. Have you ever seen what a cannon or Howitzer can do to an advancing or retreating band of men?”
Laura nodded before Emmaline continued, “Then you understand why they hate and fear us. In a way, it’s sad what we’re doing to them; this was their land before we came and took it for various reasons. No matter, it’s too late for things to go back to the way they were long ago.”
Just as that was true, Laura thought, for the Old South. “What you’re saying is that I shouldn’t worry excessively about Father’s safety, right?”
“That’s right. Whenever he leaves the fort, he’ll be well protected.”
Laura was relieved Emmaline hadn’t said horrible things about Jayce or given cautions about him. “Even with Galvanized Yankees riding with him?”
“In my opinion, and Jim agrees, yes, so don’t worry in that area. But it would be wise to keep your eyes and ears open in that other direction.”
Laura caught the woman’s hint about the ex-Rebels w
ho were targets of her investigation, but didn’t respond to it, only nodded understanding. “Thank you for being so open and honest with me, Em.”
“You’re welcome. Now, grab your coat and let’s go shopping.”
By six o’clock, Laura had put away the items she had purchased at the sutler’s store near the stockade and had prepared supper. Thanks to soldiers Emmaline had summoned, the staples had been delivered to the kitchen for her, as had fresh water for the two barrels there. The table was set and the food was ready to be served, and her father was late coming home. As far as she knew, he had not returned from town or his ride elsewhere, and she wondered if he had spent part of the day with Charlotte, who had made such a deep impression on him.
She glanced out the window as dusk approached, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jayce as he returned from duty. She yearned for the day when her beloved would be coming home to her and their family. It was as if she were trapped somewhere between cold reality and hot fantasy, of what was now and what would come in the future. It seemed as if they had been yanked from one searing fire and cast into another just as threatening and perilous.
The next afternoon at two o’clock, Laura stood gazing out the cabin window. She knew she was tense and watchful because her father was going riding with his brother so they could talk—if Jacob Adams could be trusted—about repairing the bitter rift between them. While the two men were gone, she planned to search her uncle’s office for clues or evidence.
Laura watched Howard and Jacob Adams gallop off, gathered her things, and left the cabin. She walked to Jake’s office, relieved to find it unlocked and empty. She dared not bolt the door, as that would look suspicious if anybody came, especially Jake if the brothers did not get along and he cut their ride short.
Laura searched Jake’s desk and found a paper with a list of routes and schedules for payroll, mine, and freighter shipments. She didn’t know if he had made it in order to supply escort troops for them or if he intended to use the information for evil purposes. Her first thought would explain why Jake might have assumed it wasn’t necessary to conceal it. She copied the facts quickly and stuffed the paper inside the top of her stocking where it was less likely to make noise than in her camisole or pocket.
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