by Bonnie Leon
Poor Daniel.
“I’d like to have a go at that man,” Cambria continued. “I’m not feeling very charitable right now. But if you ask me, I don’t see that Mr. Marshal deserves anyone’s charity, not even God’s.”
Rebecca smiled. She had to agree with Cambria.
“Figure Daniel’s getting lonely enough that he’d do almost anything to get you home. I’m praying he doesn’t do anything foolish. I’ve known him a long while, and I’ve seen him unruly a time or two.”
Again Rebecca prayed. Father, help him to be strong and wise. She rested her head against the back of the chair and closed her eyes. Envisioning Daniel, she could nearly hear his tender voice and catch the scent of him and his cotton work shirt. An ache, like a wave, flowed through her and pooled in her eyes. I need to go home, Lord. Please, make a way.
She wiped away the tears and then went back to reading the letter.
Cambria told her about the hot season and the summer storms they’d had. There’d been a grand party at one of the stations. She shared church happenings, including some of the sharp-tongued monologues by Elvina Walker. There’d been tiffs between Mr. Oxley and some of the people in the district. Others who’d suffered from his tightfisted business practices were more than happy for a reason to lay into him. Daniel, to his credit, had done all he could to quiet the antagonism. Cambria explained that there were some who had pledged to shoot Marshal on sight if they had the opportunity.
Rebecca pressed a hand against her abdomen. Her stomach ached. How had Daniel’s attempt to help his family become something so ugly? Lord, he’s a fine man. You know that. Why are you punishing him so?
She looked back at the letter. Cambria finished with advice. “I know God wants you here with Daniel. He meant for you to be together. No matter what the obstacles, you can overcome them if you’re together.
“That’s all I have to write for now. I’ll look for a letter from you, but I hope I see you in person before a letter can arrive. It would be grand if you could help me pick out my wedding gown. I admire your good taste. You’re so elegant. Miss you. Come home soon.”
If only I could go home, Rebecca thought, slipping the letter back inside its envelope. How would Daniel feel if she simply packed up and steamed home without his permission?
Mildred walked into the sitting room. “Rebecca dear . . .” Her words fell off. “Are you all right? Is it bad news?”
“No. Everything’s fine. Cambria and Jim have set the date for their wedding—July 25,” she said more cheerily than she felt. Taking a handkerchief from inside her cuff, she added, “I do need to talk with you though.” Rebecca gently blew her nose.
Mildred sat in a chair beside her. “What is it?”
Rebecca took in a slow breath. “Cambria wants me to be her matron of honor.”
“Oh, how nice. Cambria’s a lovely girl, and Jim’s a fine young man. They’ll make a splendid couple.”
“I agree. The wedding isn’t until July. That’s months away. You don’t think it’s possible I’ll still be here, do you?”
“Oh, my heavens, I wouldn’t think so. I’m sure whatever’s troubling you and Daniel can be resolved by then.” She turned quiet, then asked, “What is the trouble? You’ve been very vague about it.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. You’ve been gracious in not asking. But I guess you do have a right to know.”
“I’m not so certain I have any rights in this, but I would like to help if I can.”
“I wish you could.” Rebecca folded her handkerchief and tucked it back inside her cuff. “I haven’t said anything to you because I didn’t want you to worry, and I don’t want you to think badly of Daniel. He’s a fine man.” Her eyes stung, and she quickly swallowed away the hurt. “You know how bad the drought was.”
“Yes. It was dreadful,” Mildred said.
“And then how much damage the fire caused.”
“You told me, but I can only imagine how awful that must have been.”
“It was frightful.” Rebecca pressed a closed hand to her mouth. “We were in a bad way financially before the fire, and then after, well, things became worse. Daniel went to the bank and asked for a loan, but Mr. Oxley wouldn’t give us a loan while the drought was still so bad. He told Daniel about a man, Mr. Marshal, who might be able to help.”
“Help? In what way?”
“Mr. Oxley said he could give us a loan.”
Mildred nodded but remained quiet.
“Daniel went to Brisbane to speak with Mr. Marshal . . . he’s an American. He agreed to loan Daniel the money. But . . .” Rebecca could barely continue. “Mr. Marshal turned out to be a horrible man. Daniel agreed to pay high interest, but he never imagined what would happen if he missed a payment.”
Understanding touched Mildred’s eyes. “He’s unable to pay on the debt?”
“No.” Now that she’d decided to share, Rebecca needed to tell Mildred all of what had happened. “Mr. Marshal wasn’t willing to wait for the money. He’s done some terrible things.”
“Oh dear. What has he done?”
“He sent some men to the station; they threatened Daniel, and then when he couldn’t pay what Mr. Marshal wanted, they came back and threatened me while I was teaching.” Rebecca managed a smile. “I must say, Willa was quite a surprise that day. While keeping them in the sights of her rifle, she ordered them off the station, even threatened to kill them.”
“Oh my!”
“Not long after that, they returned. That time they took one of the roustabouts and hanged him.”
Mildred blanched.
“Daniel and Woodman tried to save poor Dusty, but the men shot them.”
“Shot them! You never said anything about Daniel or Woodman being shot. Are they all right?”
“Yes. The wounds weren’t serious, but they could have been.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to worry you.”
“Were the men jailed for their hideous actions?”
“No. Dusty was an aborigine. The law doesn’t protect the aborigines. Actually, there isn’t any law in Thornton Creek anyway.”
“It sounds just dreadful. I must say you’ve done the right thing by coming here. I only wish Daniel would come to his senses and join you.”
“Oh, Auntie, Daniel will never move here. I don’t want him to. He loves Douloo, and so do I.”
Mildred looked shocked. “You can’t mean you want to go back with people like that roaming about?”
“Yes. I do. It’s home. You know how we love it.”
Mildred’s expression turned soft. “I do. Even I have affection for Douloo.”
She moved to the hearth. Picking up a cast-iron poker, Mildred nudged burning logs and coals into a more efficient stack. New flames flickered. She straightened and looked at Rebecca. “But even you must admit that this is a terrifying state of affairs. Just the idea of you and the children being there under such circumstances is enough to make me shudder.”
“I was frightened too, but now all I want is to go home.”
“Is everything settled with Mr. Marshal?”
“No. He took Chavive and her foal as partial payment.”
“Chavive. Oh, what a pity.”
“I pray he’ll return her when we’ve paid the balance, but I have little hope. He’s an evil man.”
“So what does Daniel intend to do?”
“He was going to pay off the debt with the last batch of cattle he sold, but they were caught in a dust storm and we lost a lot of them, so I don’t know what he plans now.”
Mildred moved to Rebecca and rested a hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
“I don’t know what to do. I feel like I need to be with Daniel. I want to be with him, but I don’t want to put the children in harm’s way.” The tears came freely now. It felt good to release them.
Mildred gave Rebecca’s shoulder a squeeze. “We must give God time to work. He knows all
about your trouble, and he will set it right.”
“You don’t think I should go back?”
“Well, that’s a difficult question. I’m afraid my answer is tainted by my need to keep you safe. But if Daniel told you to wait, then that’s what you ought to do. Honor your husband. He has enough to worry about. At least with you here, he knows you and the children are safe.”
Rebecca nodded. “Willa said the same. It’s just that I miss him so badly. And I know he misses us.” She took out her handkerchief again and dabbed at drying tears. “Do you think God is punishing Daniel?”
Mildred thought and then said gently, “No. I don’t believe that. It’s possible the Lord is allowing circumstances to follow a natural course so Daniel will learn a very important lesson.”
“But isn’t that punishment?”
“Not really. If Daniel went to this man knowing he was an unsavory sort and that he shouldn’t do business with him, and he went because he was unwilling to wait on the Lord, and then all had gone well—then what would he have learned?”
Rebecca could see the wisdom of her aunt’s words. “You’re right.”
Mildred smiled. “When you’ve worked through all this trouble, you’ll both be much wiser.”
“I just wish it were already part of our past. I’m certain Daniel has learned the lesson.”
“Oh, adversity is hard to bear, but this experience will become a building stone for you two. You’ll see.”
Wind gusted against the window, carrying a flurry of snow. “Even so, I’m still frightened, Auntie.”
Weary, Daniel and Jim walked toward the barn. It had been a long day, and Daniel was glad to be done with it. “Better get this scrubbed off.” He glanced down at bloodied hands and arms and blood-splattered clothes.
“Cambria said she’d be stopping by this afternoon.”
“You figure she’ll take kindly to calves’ blood?” Daniel grinned.
“She’s a country girl, but there’s a limit. Castrating’s not my favorite job either.”
“If it was, I’d be a bit worried about you,” Daniel teased.
Stripping off his shirt, he headed for the water barrel. He dropped the shirt on the ground. Jim’s landed on top of Daniel’s.
Dipping a bucket into the barrel, Daniel filled it and then set it on a bench alongside the barn. He grabbed a bar of soap off a shelf above the barrel and started scrubbing away the blood on his arms and hands. Jim did the same.
Woodman stepped out of the barn and watched. “The two of ya are a roight fine mess.”
“We are at that,” Daniel said.
Woodman filled another bucket with clean water and set it out. He picked up the shirts. “I’ll ’ave the pants too.”
“And what will you give us in return?” Daniel asked, scooping clean water and splashing it over his head. Sweeping back wet hair, he straightened. “I’ll not be caught running ’round in my drawers.”
Woodman grinned. “No faith in me, eh?” He nodded toward the interior of the barn. “There’re clothes for ya in the tack room. Ya’ll ’ave all the privacy ya need.” His dark eyes glinted with mischief.
“Right, then.” Daniel stripped off his jeans and handed them to the servant.
“Yer gettin’ forgetful. Where’s yer mind, eh? As long as ya been castratin’ young bulls, I’ve made sure ya had somethin’ ta wear afterward.”
Daniel shrugged, unwilling to confess that his mind was on Rebecca. The longer she was gone, the more he longed for her.
Dressed in clean clothes, Jim and Daniel sat side by side on a wooden bench in the tack room. Jim pushed his foot into a boot and then pressed the sole against the floor. His foot slid in. “What you gonna do about Rebecca?”
Daniel shoved his foot into his own boot. “I miss her, but things aren’t any better than they were. She’ll have to stay put.”
“You saw Marshal?”
“Yeah. Well, not him. I couldn’t get past his bushrangers. Said he wouldn’t see me. Took my money though. I didn’t have enough to pay him all I owe. Figure we’ll be getting a visit any day.”
Involuntarily Jim glanced toward the door. “You think so?”
“Yeah. He’s not going to give up.”
“Wonder what they’ll throw at us next.”
“Can’t say, but it won’t be good.” Daniel pulled his belt tighter. “You’re free to go. This isn’t your affair.” He rested his forearms on his thighs and pressed his palms together. “No need for you to be in harm’s way. Especially with your getting married.”
Jim pressed his foot into his other boot. “It’s bad timing, all right. But none of it is your fault. Could have been different if Oxley had given you a loan.” He folded his arms over his chest. “And I’m not budging. You’ve got me, and that’s the way of it. I won’t desert you.” He stared at Daniel. “Figured you’d know that.”
“Guess I do at that.” Daniel patted Jim’s back. “Thanks, mate.” He turned thoughtful. “But you’re wrong. It is my fault. Oxley gave me Marshal’s name, but then he told me not to contact him and threw the name and address in the trash.” Daniel shook his head. “I dug it out.”
“So you’re saying that while we’ve all been mad at Oxley, this whole business has been your fault?” Jim winked.
“Right. And it’s not funny.”
“Too right, it’s not funny.” His expression turned hard. “Oxley should have given you a loan.”
“Right. But I’m the one who went to see Marshal. I knew his sort right off, and I made the deal anyway.” Daniel rested his elbows on his thighs, covered his face with his hands, and then slowly kneaded his forehead. Finally looking at Jim, he said, “I deserve what I get, but Dusty didn’t deserve to die. And Rebecca and the kids and my mum don’t deserve any of this.” He blew out a quick breath. “My grandfather and my dad, everything they worked so hard for, I tossed it all away.”
“I understand you’re feeling bad, but there comes a time when a bloke’s got to let go of his guilt and move on. My grandmother used to say, ‘No use crying over spilt milk.’” He stood. “Time to do something about it.”
Daniel leaned against the wall, folding his arms over his chest. “I’ve tried to get Marshal to deal with me, but he won’t budge. And I can’t figure out what else there is to do. I’ve prayed, and I’ve worked hard. Every time I get close to having the money, something happens . . . like the dust storm. Feels like I’m swimming upstream.”
“Pray more and listen better.”
“You sound like the reverend. But I can’t remember the last time I saw you in church.”
“I’ll be there. Cambria’s not about to let me avoid that one much longer.” He pushed his hands into his pockets. “Used to go when I was a kid. We never missed Sunday services. I figure it’ll feel good to go.”
“There’s rejoicing in heaven!” Daniel grinned.
“Don’t know about that, but Cambria will be happy.” Jim picked up his hat off a stool and pressed it down on his head. “She makes me better. Women have a way of bringing out the best in us.”
“They do. I’d be better if Rebecca was ’ere.”
“You ought to send for her. She’d be a help. She’s quick-witted and determined. Have you written to her?”
“I started to, but I’ve never been very good about that sort of thing. Mum’s written though.”
“As much as Rebecca loves your mother, I figure it’s you she’d rather hear from.” Jim stepped to the door. “How much longer you think it’ll be before she comes home?”
Daniel shrugged. “Can’t say.”
“Wire her. Tell her to get herself and the kids back here.” Jim grinned.
Daniel nudged up his hat. “I’ve been thinking on it. Even considered going to Boston after her.” “You don’t have money for that. Need to hang on to all you can. And she’s got Callie to help her.”
“Hello. Anyone here?” Cambria called.
Jim smiled. “That’s my gal.” He leaned o
ut the door. “We’re back here,” he called.
“Ah, there ya are,” Cambria said, stepping up to Jim.
He hugged her. “Didn’t expect you so soon.”
Cambria pulled away and looked him over. “Yer all cleaned up? Don’t want yer bloody mess on me.”
Jim held his arms away from his body and made a slow turn. “Clean as a whistle.”
“Good, then.” Cambria crinkled up her nose. “Ya still smell of blood.”
“Sorry. Can’t do anything about that. It’ll take a day or so.”
“He’ll be fresh as a field of flowers in no time,” Daniel teased.
“I can hope, eh?” Cambria grinned.
“I’m right thirsty. Who’s ready for something to drink?” Daniel asked and headed for the house.
“Sounds good to me,” said Jim, who fell into step beside Daniel. Cambria walked alongside Jim.
Lily met the threesome on the porch. She was carrying a pitcher of water and a tray with glasses. Setting them on the table, she said, “Figured ya’d want something ta drink.”
“Thank ya, Lily,” Cambria said. “I’ll pour.” She filled three glasses and handed one to Jim and one to Daniel. She kept a glass for herself.
Daniel dropped into a wicker chair and downed half the glass. He rested one leg on the other. “You want to stay for supper? Lily always makes enough for a crowd.”
Jim sat on the top step, and Cambria settled beside him. “Sounds grand, but me mum’s counting on me tonight. She’s baking pies for the church social.” Cambria smiled at Jim. “Ya want ta help?”
“Me? Bake? No, you wouldn’t want that.” He drank some of his water, then set the glass on the step and rested his arms on his thighs. “Besides, I’ve got to get out to the house. There’s a lot of work to be done. Daniel’s given me a few days off, and I figured I’d stay out there and work straight through.”
“Maybe I’ll stop by.” Cambria’s blue eyes shone with delight. “I can help. I’m right good at carpentry.”
“What do you know about building a house?”
“You’d be surprised at what I know. Being raised on the station with nothing but brothers for company, I learned a lot.”