by Barbara Goss
When the silence finally became too unbearable, she turned ever so slightly and peeked behind her. No wonder it was silent. He was gone. She spun the rest of the way around. The other men still bent over the fire, but Luke was missing. She stamped her foot. Now what was she to do?
7
“Amanda!” Jared called. ‘Come, have some fish. You must be hungry!”
Amanda sat beside Jared and took the offered fish. It was hot, crispy, and tasty.
Robert introduced himself and handed her a tin cup of coffee. “Mom says it was my coffee that put hair on our chests!” At her startled look and blush, he laughed. “But it only works for men-“
She smiled and took a sip.
“Except Aunt Hortense.” Robert laughed.
Amanda nearly choked on her coffee.
“Quit teasing her,” Jared scolded. “After last night we owe her a little kindness and sympathy.”
‘I’m sorry, Amanda,” Robert said earnestly. “My mouth works faster than my brain most of the time. I meant no harm. Sometimes humor makes tense situations lighter. I like to use humor to make those around me happy and forget their problems. Sometimes that works both ways, and I do it to forget my own.
His laugh was infectious and Amanda smiled.
“I think,” the quiet man spoke for the first time, “you merely thrive on the attention your humor brings, Rob.”
“Of course I do, Aaron, and who wouldn’t want Amanda’s attention?”
“More fish, Amanda?” Jack held out another piece.
She took it and smiled. “Thank you, you’re all being kind. Almost all of you,” she added in a whisper.
“Almost?” Jared poked Robert with his elbow. “See, you have offended her.”
“No, Robert is charming, “Amanda said. “All four of you are.”
“Looks like Luke’s the guilty one, “Jared said. “Are you still upset over the kidnapping?”
“Yes. How did he think I’d feel? Now, when I want to return to the wagon train, he won’t let me.” Amanda noticed she had not only gotten their complete attention, but their sympathy as well. She continued, sensing her audience might help her persuade Luke: “I recently buried my mother, father, brother, and sister. Cholera. All their possessions, my memories of them, even our last family portrait--are in a trunk in my wagon. My clothes and every possession I have on earth, including my father’s money, is in that wagon. Luke is heartless.
“Then,” she continued, “my only living relative is waiting for me in San Francisco. Poor Aunt Hattie. She’ll think I died, too!”
Quiet Aaron spoke first, “Luke is not heartless. Trust him; he doesn’t make decisions on whims.”
“Anyone can see,” Jack put in, “that he cares about you.”
Jared touched her arm. “Amanda, Luke thinks the world of you, perhaps if you spoke to him again. I know he’d never turn a deaf ear on someone in need.”
Robert winked. “I’d have kidnapped you the first day I met you!”
Amanda sighed. No help here. They were certainly loyal to Luke.
“If you could have seen the girl you call Louise, you’d understand better, perhaps, what Luke saved you from. Took three days before that drug wore off enough for her to talk to us.” Jared sighed. “Go talk to Luke. He has the world’s biggest heart; I know he’ll reconsider.”
“If he doesn’t,” Robert said, “we’ll help you.”
“Agreed.” They all chimed in.
Persuaded, Amanda sought Luke. She found him sitting by the creek, whittling a piece of wood with his knife.
They both spoke at once.
“Luke....”
“Amanda....”
They laughed, easing all tension between them.
“Sit down.” Luke pointed to the log next to him. She sat beside him and watched him carve.
“Amanda,” he began, “I’m sorry. At the time it was the only way out of a bad situation. I’m not sorry I got you away from there, but am sorry you were scared and sorry for the way I did it. Perhaps you were right; I should have confided in you. After all, you did prove to me you could be trusted. You didn’t tell Charles or Ma about helping me that night with Louise.”
“I forgive you, “she whispered. “But you have to help me get back.”
“No!”
“Luke, “she pleaded. “Everything I own is on that train. All I have is this ragged nightdress. My family’s possessions, the portrait, my money.”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” Luke said. “If you go back, they’re going to want to know where you were. If your story doesn’t hold, we lose our chance of finding Celia. Do you understand how important that is for us? We promised our parents we’d do everything we could to find her. She may not be alive, or she may be like Louise and need help right away.”
“Luke, please-- you have brothers and other sisters. All I have of my family is in that trunk!”
“I know....” He looked at her with sad eyes, “I’ll want to help you....” He sighed. “I’ve been trying to think of a way.”
“Jack and your brothers have agreed to help,” she coaxed.
Luke touched her cheek and smiled. “Your begging wasn’t necessary, you know. I’d made up my mind before you came down here that I’d get your things. I just have to figure out how.” He scooped up his hair the way Phillip used to and smiled.
“But I can’t rejoin the train?”
“I’m sorry. No! That’s out of the question.” Luke smacked his forehead with his hand. “Good gracious! Now I’m even sounding like a kidnapper!”
He turned, took Amanda’s hands in his, and contemplated his words carefully before speaking: “Amanda, I kidnapped you. I did it to keep you from danger. I feared you wouldn’t heed my warnings about Charles. However, now I feel like a criminal… You need not ask permission for anything. I took you away from danger; I care what happens to you. I care very much. If you want to go back, I’ll take you. I cannot hold you prisoner. But if you wish to stay with us, under our protection, I promise to bring back all your things, except the wagon.”
Amanda studied him carefully, she really had no wish to return to the wagon train after realizing what Charles and his mother were.
“Your brothers were right!”
He raised his eyebrow and looked puzzled.
She leaned over and kissed his cheek softly. “You really do have the world’s biggest heart! Thank you for saving me from Charles. Believe it or not, I had that very day changed my mind concerning him. I sensed his evilness.”
“You weren’t going to marry him?”
She shook her head. “I have to admit I was tempted by his charm and wealth… Yet there was something I couldn’t feel comfortable about with him.”
Luke smiled boyishly at her words, and Amanda felt warmth surge through her chest.
“Then you don’t want to go back?” Luke asked tensely.
She shook her head. “But I really would like to rescue my possessions.”
“It’s too dangerous now. And, I’d rather have you safely away from Charles. But I’m working on an idea…. a way you can help us find Celia instead of going back to the ranch. Would you like that?”
“I’d gladly agree, if you could get my things.”
He held out his hand. “A deal, let’s shake on it!”
Amanda halted him. “One more thing. Is there any way you can give my wagon and supplies to Eliza and her family?”
“How can I? I’d have to admit I knew where you were to follow your instructions.”
Amanda nodded, and then wrinkled her brow as she began to think.
“Wait! What if I wrote a letter giving everything to Eliza? You could ride back with it and announce to the wagon train that I had been kidnapped by Indians, and you had rescued me, but I’d decided to go back to Ohio.”
“Eliza?” he asked, puzzled.
“My friend. Remember, we often walked together?”
“The one with the baby?”
; Amanda nodded.
“Hm-m, might work,” he said. “It would also give me the opportunity to bring your personal possessions back to you. I’ll quit my job with the train, too. My being away so much isn’t fair to Larsen. I’ll find another way to keep tabs on Charles.”
“What is your next plan for finding Celia?”
“I have an idea”
“You remind me of Robin Hood.”
Luke smiled. “I’ll be gone for a day or two, and I’ll probably take two of the men. Two will have to stay and protect my ‘maid Marian.’ Which two would you like?”
“I like them all.”
Luke gave her a sheepish look. “Can I trust you with them?”
“Why, Luke, what do you mean? I won’t hit them over their heads and steal their money.”
Luke scooped his hair from his forehead and squinted. “You know very well what I mean.”
“No, I don’t. We’re friends, and friends trust each other.”
He squirmed uncomfortably. “Yes, but….
“But, what?”
“My brothers can be very charming when they want to be.” Luke held her face with both hands and looked into her eyes. “Amanda, you are so lovely. They… I… You just want to hear me say it, don’t you?”
“Say what?”
Luke stood suddenly and paced nervously before the log. Standing also, she followed his nervous steps, and then darted directly in his path so he couldn’t avoid her.
“What do you want to say?” she prompted.
He looked at her with such a forlorn expression that she took pity on him and put her arms around his neck and hugged him.
Luke sighed and returned the hug with so much strength that Amanda broke the embrace with a laugh.
“You won’t run off with Jared or Aaron if I leave them with you?”
“I assure you I will not. I sort of like you.”
“You do?”
“I think,” she whispered, “you are the very best friend I ever had.”
“Best friend?”
“Yes. Now I appreciate the trouble you took to save me from Charles. I’m grateful, not angry at you for kidnapping me.” She stood on tiptoes and kissed his lips. She’d only meant to peck his lips lightly, but they felt so warm and comfortable. When she did try to pull away, he put his arms around her and returned her kiss with a fervor that Amanda thought her knees would collapse.
In the morning Luke, Robert, and Jack set out for the wagon train. Amanda, Jared, and Aaron followed, staying about a mile south of its trail.
Amanda liked traveling with Luke’s brothers. She rode one horse and led an unsaddled one behind her, as did the men. Jared had explained that they never traveled more than a hundred miles from their ranch without extra mounts.
They made a makeshift tent for Amanda to sleep in while they camped out under the stars.
One morning at breakfast Amanda asked Jared, “How many in your family?”
“Nine. Edward is our oldest brother. He’s a preacher and is married to a saint named Caroline. He’s the only one of us boys who’s married, too. Two of the girls are, though. Edward and Caroline have no young’uns yet.”
“Emily is next; she’s married and has three lively boys, John, Raymond, and Theo. By the time we get back, I may be an uncle again, not Emily this time, though, but my next oldest sister, Sarah.”
“Who’s next?” Amanda asked, truly interested in Luke’s family.
“Your favorite.”
“Luke?” she asked.
“Yep. And he’s single, at present that is… “
“Oh? Is there someone back home who may change that?” Amanda asked quickly.
“Mercy, no. I was referring to your relationship. By the sudden whiteness of your face, I believe…”
“Come on, Jared, no fair,” she laughed. Who’s next?”
“Yours truly is next. I’m single, but by spring, I’ll be tied tighter than a pickle barrel to Joanna.”
His look of tenderness told Amanda he missed her.
“Then,” he continued, we have Elvira. She teaches school, is single, and will most likely remain that way if she doesn’t stop being so fussy and stubborn. Every fella who courts, she finds fault with.
“Then there’s Aaron and Robert, you’ve met them. They’re both single. Lastly,” Jared said sadly, “is our baby, Celia. Barely seventeen when she disappeared. I pray she’s still alive.”
“Sounds like a wonderful family,” Amanda said. “I’d be proud, too.”
Jared stood. “We have to hit the trail again, but at supper I want to hear about your family.”
“Oh, you shall, for I’m proud, too!” replied Amanda.
On the second night Robert and Jack ran into camp just before Amanda bedded down in the tent. They were again dressed and painted like Indians and they carried a rolled blanket.
“Sorry, Amanda,” Robert announced, and he and Jack dropped the blanket inside her tent.
“Who is it?” Amanda asked, running to peek inside the bundle. “Ma!” she cried, untying her.
After a few oaths, Ma sat up and asked where she was and what was going on.
“It’s a long story,” Amanda stalled her.
“Where’d those Indians go? What are they planning to do with us? Have they hurt you, dear?” Ma asked, inserting oaths between her words.
Amanda flinched at each cuss word. How she wished Ma didn’t swear so much.
“When the leader comes, he’ll explain. In the meantime, let me assure you, your life is in no danger.” Amanda wasn’t sure how Luke wanted this handled.
At the sound of horses, Amanda peeked out of the tent.
Luke rode into camp, pulling Robert and Jack’s horses. He handed the reins to Aaron and headed for her tent.
“And how is our captive?” he greeted cheerfully.
Ma sat up and cussed Luke up and down, making Amanda and Luke both blush, and then laugh, despite themselves.
“Ma, or whatever your name is, all I want is information. You cooperate, and I’ll return you to Charles or wherever you want to go.”
“I’m Helen to you,” she snapped.
“Helen, then, have you ever seen this girl?” Luke held out a small oval painting inside a gold frame and covered in glass.
Amanda could hardly wait for Helen to finish looking at the painting so she could see it
Helen’s face turned white. “Might have. Who is she?”
“My sister, Celia. I must find her. Can you help me?” Helen continued to stare at the picture.
“Well, have you ever seen her?” Luke asked impatiently.
“I’m thinkin’,” Ma snapped. “I mighta. People change,” she added in a small, faint voice.
“What’s wrong?” Amanda asked, noticing Helen’s paling face. Ma began cursing again, mostly about the rotten business and what people have to do to make money.
“Ma,” pleaded Amanda, “if you know anything that will help Luke, please tell him. He’ll let you go. I promise.”
“Otherwise?” she asked, squinting at Luke with distrust.
“Otherwise,” Luke replied, “you travel to Texas, where my mother will make a real lady, out of you.”
After another string of curses, mainly concerning getting to Frisco and her business, she asked, “If I tell you what I know, it may damage my business partner. What will happen to him? No sense going to Frisco if I don’t have half a business or a partner.”
“You’ll have it all,” Luke said simply.
“I will?”
“If your partner is arrested, then you’ll own it all, unless he has made other stipulations.”
“I’ll own the whole thing?”
“If you run it legally. Otherwise you could end up with Charles, behind bars or hanged.”
Helen shivered, “All right, I’ll tell you what I know.”
8
Luke called Aaron, Jared, Robert, and Jack into the small tent. Everyone was silent. All eyes rested on Helen.
She sat Indian style, her long brown taffeta pulled tightly over her knees. She smoothed the stray hairs from her swept-up hairdo and adjusted her bracelets, seemingly enjoying the attention, or else stalling for time. Amanda noticed that this was the first time she’d seen Helen without her makeup; she looked much better without it, almost motherly
“We want to know where our sister is,” said Luke.
“She’s on one of the wagons ahead of ours,” Helen stated matter-of-factly.
“Is she all right?” Robert and Luke both asked at once.
Helen squirmed a bit. “I guess she is. I haven’t seen her but once or twice, when she first came to us”.
Relief that Celia was alive spread over the faces of the men. Suddenly Luke’s face turned bitter as he asked gruffly, “Is she drugged?”
After muttering curses beneath her breath, Helen finally admitted, “Yes, since the first night. Bella said she was in poor shape.” She glanced at the worried looks and added, “but alive!”
Luke stood and paced, “How many guarding her?
“Far as I know, just two women, Luella and Tina,” Helen said.
“Think some Indians might attack tonight, Luke?” asked Robert with a mischievous grin.
“Doesn’t sound like we have too much time to waste. Let’s go!” Luke opened the tent flap to let the men out. He turned back and faced Amanda. “I’ll leave Aaron with you. Try to get some sleep. We may need help with Celia if we find her.”
Amanda nodded.
“We’ll be praying the whole time we’re riding.” He looked at her sadly. “I’d ask you to pray, too, but you still aren’t talking to God, are you?”
“God didn’t listen when I prayed for my family. Why should He listen if I pray for Celia?”