Susan

by Patricia Pacjac Carroll

  Susan was about to answer when a rifle shot shattered the peace, and a rough-looking man on horseback rode toward them.

  Chapter 2

  Susan stared at the man. Wild, unkempt, and dangerous, he’d stormed in like an unwelcome twister and torn up her wedding.

  The stranger pointed at her. “You Susan Flannery?”

  She nodded.

  Sam pushed in front of her and faced the intruder. “What do you mean barging in here! I was conducting a wedding.”

  Ed pointed with the rifle. “I know. She was to be my brother’s wife. That’s my brother’s wagon.”

  John stared at him. “Who are you?”

  The stranger dismounted. “Ed Mitchum. Dan was my brother.”

  John shook his head. “He never talked about having a brother.”

  Susan stared at the stranger. “Dan never wrote about you.”

  Ed handed Sam a piece of paper. “From the family Bible. Shows the births and deaths. I’ll have to add Dan’s death to the list.”

  Sam looked at it and frowned. “All right, so you’re Dan’s brother. You still have no right to stop the wedding.”

  With hardened eyes, Ed looked them over. “Maybe not, but I got claim to the wagon and supplies to Oregon. Maybe even the woman. There’s a custom that a brother can marry his dead brother’s wife.”

  Sam nodded. “Aye, there is. But I won’t press the gal to marry you under that custom. This is a new land, and we’re going to even newer country. I see that you might have a claim on the wagon and supplies, but not the woman.”

  Ed pointed at the wagon. “I want my brother’s wagon.”

  Sam shook his head. “I know John here was Dan’s friend. Even though you got this paper, it would have to go to the courts, and that would take time, and this wagon train is leaving tomorrow morning.”

  Ed held a hand to his pistol. “That’s my wagon. I’m my brother’s only kin. You saying I can’t have the wagon?”

  Susan stepped from behind Sam to confront him. “But I’m Dan’s wife. I mean, I would have been his wife.”

  Ed softened a bit. “But you never married him.”

  “I came six hundred miles to marry the man. It wasn’t my fault that he lost his life before I got here.” She was near tears, yet her defiance pushed them away.

  “That might be so, but legally, that’s my wagon. You could marry me. And then you could still go to Oregon.” Ed’s angry scowl lessened as he ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. I was so sure that I’d reach him in time to go west with him. We parted on bad terms. My fault. I prayed we could be brothers again. Now, it’s too late.”

  Susan reached to him. “I’m sorry. It was a shock to me, too. Although, we’d only written a few letters to one another. I did care for him.”

  John watched them and felt his chance slipping away. How could God allow it? He prayed silently. He didn’t know why or how, but he cared for Susan. She was already lodged deep in his heart, and he wouldn’t let her go. Yet, without the wagon and a chance to go to Oregon, he had nothing to give her.

  Sam cleared his throat. “We’re leaving early in the morning. I say we all sleep on it and address the situation tomorrow. That okay with everyone?”

  Ed nodded. “I don’t see how anything is going to change.”

  Sam looked at them. “What I’m going to sleep on is if I am going to let this wagon on my train or not. You three better come up with a solution.” Mumbling to himself, he left them.

  Susan picked up the coffee pot. “Coffee anyone? It looks like we might have a long night.”

  John picked up his cup and held it to her. “I still want to marry you.”

  She looked at him. Confusion swirled her emotions as she filled his cup. “We’ll have to see what Sam says.”

  Ed was by the wagon. He came back and showed them a picture. “That’s me and Dan ten years ago. Dan was two years older than me.” He held a cup out to Susan.

  She poured his coffee and stared at the picture. “That looks like you.” She stared at him. “So, you want us to leave? Live in that dirt town with no future?”

  Ed smiled, although it was crooked like he hadn’t had much practice smiling in some time. “You could marry me.”

  Susan stood up to him, unflinching. “And what about John? If it hadn’t been for him, I would have been forced to sell the wagon, and you would have gotten nothing.”

  Ed wasn’t buying her reasoning. “You arrived a few hours before me. You can’t have known John very long. Why marry him and not me?”

  She stood up to him. “Because he asked me nicely. Because I can’t be on the wagon train without a husband. That’s why.”

  Ed threw out the rest of his coffee. “No offense, but that’s awful coffee.” He sat on a nearby log and dug in the ground with a stick and looked at John. “We could draw straws for her?”

  Shaking his head, John sat down and picked up his own stick. “I think she should have an equal part in deciding.”

  Susan grabbed a pail and sat on it, facing the two men. “It’s getting late. How are we going to decide?”

  Ed drew a line on the ground. “By rights, it’s all mine. The wagon and supplies, I mean. If you’d have married Dan, it would be yours, but in this state, you can’t own property, so it would still be mine.” He pointed at John. “You have no rights to anything.”

  “I care for her.” John said it so quiet that Susan almost didn’t hear him.

  Ed drew in a hard breath. “In one day? Hardly a likely reality. Maybe you love the idea of having something to call your own. You don’t look very prosperous.”

  John glared at him. “I don’t see that you have any room to talk. Dirt covering dirt. You smell enough to scare off a skunk. And mean. The way you rode in and stopped the wedding. I don’t see you as a family man.”

  “And you are?” Ed shook his head. “What have you done with your life? I suppose you had a business. Or a farm?” Ed grabbed a hand. “Your hands are soft. What have you done? Play cards? Begged?”

  John pulled away. “You don’t know me.”

  “And neither does she. I’ve worked all my life. Left home at fifteen and worked to stay alive. I’ve herded cattle. Was a Texas Ranger for a time down in Texas. A deputy in a wild town on the plains. But I’ve paid my way. Done work to live.” Ed’s anger burned through him.

  Susan tapped a stick on her pail to get their attention. “I grew up on a farm. Have either of you worked a farm?”

  Silence answered her.

  “So, to carry out Dan’s dream of going to Oregon to start a farm, I’m the only one able to do that.”

  John shrugged.

  Ed stared at her. “Then you get to go. Now, which one of us gets to go with you. Since you need a husband.”

  She stared at them both. Neither were men she would have chosen to marry if she had the luxury to choose. John was a smooth talker and claimed he cared for her. Ed was brash like a bull loose in a store filled with eggs.

  Yet, neither knew the first thing about a farm. At least, she didn’t think they did. She drew a line in the dirt. “What if we all go with the understanding that I will choose one of you to marry by the end of the journey.”

  Ed stared at her. His blue eyes penetrating and piercing. He was thinking about his chances. Probably thinking he could finish off John if he needed to. But that he was up for a challenge was clear. He grinned. Smirked really. “I’m in.”

  John, the gentle one, looked at her as if he’d already lost. His face broken and sad as if he knew there was no way he could be the better man. Soft hands, soft eyes. He shook his head as if he were ready to give up. Then he bowed his head. Was silent. But when he looked up, his brown eyes had lost their lackluster quality. With a strong voice, he nodded. “I’m in.”

  Susan smiled. She figured she would know the best man by the time they reached Oregon. She wasn’t sure which one it would be. Both had qualities, unfortunately, mostly bad ones. “Now, all we have to do is pe
rsuade Sam Ferguson to let us travel together. I sleep in the wagon, of course.”

  “Of course,” Ed nodded, “And speaking of sleep, we better grab some. That old mountain man will be up before the sun throws off its first blanket.” He stood and went to his horse. “John, you be ready to earn your keep tomorrow.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ll keep up.”

  Ed looked back at him. “You do that because if you don’t, we’ll leave you on the prairie. Oh, and if you don’t know, the old-timers call the portion of the country we’re going to be riding into the Great American Desert. Land not fit to grow anything. Full of Indians and outlaws. Better learn to use a gun if you don’t know how.”

  “As I said, don’t worry about me.” John rose and grabbed his bedroll from the back of the wagon.

  Susan waited until Ed hobbled his horse and settled on the left side of the wagon. And then watched as John settled down on the right side. She ought to feel protected. But somehow, she felt like the mother hen with her chicks to watch over.

  If nothing else, this trip was going to be interesting.

  Chapter 3

  Susan awoke early. The sun was just considering rising, and the dark of night was giving way to the dusky blue of predawn. She arose and dressed. Not knowing what else to do, she gathered the items for breakfast. If nothing else, a good meal might settle everyone down.

  Poor Ed. She’d felt such a shock and loss at Dan’s death she couldn’t imagine how Ed must have felt at losing his brother.

  She’d almost married John, but love hadn’t been a part of it. Time would have to tell which man would win.

  Soon, she had a fire going and eggs and bacon cooking. Susan prayed the smell of food would calm the anger she’d felt last night. Even in herself. She hated that she had so little to say about her own life. Women couldn’t own property, and in so many states, their fate was little better than the family cow.

  Legally, she had no idea who should get the wagon. The wagon master had looked as if he wasn’t sure what was right. And she’d seen such fear in John when Ed had challenged him that she’d half expected John to be gone in the morning. One man looked the outlaw, the other the coward. Why did Dan have to die?

  “God, You are going to have to work this out.”

  Soon, John was at her side, helping her set the table. For three. She liked that about him. He was including Ed.

  She smiled at him. “He is Dan’s brother.”

  John nodded. “I know. I had a talk with the Lord, and somehow, He’s going to work it out.”

  Susan felt a warmth in her heart for him. “Yes, I agree.” She pulled the pan of eggs from the fire. “Go wake him.”

  John went to the still sleeping form and shook him.

  Ed awoke, gun drawn, and eyes blazing. Instantly, he holstered his pistol and lowered his head. “Sorry, a bad dream. I rode straight through for two days to get to Independence before the wagons would leave.”

  John put a hand on his shoulder. “Susan has breakfast ready.”

  He looked up. “For me?”

  With a smile, John pointed to the table. “Three places are set. One is yours.”

  “I guess they are from my supplies.” Ed looked at her and frowned. “Sorry. I’m still raw from finding about Dan.”

  Susan pointed to a chair. “Have a good breakfast, it will help. I’ve got coffee brewing.”

  Ed ran a hand through his sandy hair. “Thanks. That’s what I need. I always wake up a bit snarly without coffee.”

  John sat down. “I don’t think you’re alone. By the looks of the amount of coffee in the wagon, Dan was the same.”

  Susan sat between them. “Shall we pray?”

  Ed huffed but lowered his head.

  Susan bowed her head and folded her hands. “Father in heaven, nothing escapes You. You know all things. You saw John and I agree to be married, but You knew that Ed was on the way. I trust that You work this out perfectly according to Your will. Thank you for this food. Bless this day and keep us safe. In Jesus Name, we pray. Amen.”

  The two men acknowledged her prayer with their own amens. John’s sure and bold while Ed’s word was quiet and unsure.

  She passed around the bacon, eggs, and biscuits. “I won’t claim to be the best cook, but my mother taught me well.”

  John took a bite. “I’d say so.”

  Ed just ate. Thinking.

  Now, in the morning light, Susan could see him. He favored Dan. A bit shorter and of slighter build in the picture, but now, if she had to guess, she would say that Ed was taller and stronger than Dan had been. Ed looked like he’d been on the road for some time. By the way he’d drawn that gun, she could only wonder what he’d been up to.

  John made some small talk. Thanked her for the early breakfast and how it would give him time to find the oxen and get them yoked.

  Ed finished his plate off first. “I’ll help with the oxen.”

  John smiled. “Good, I was hoping you might. I’m not so sure I know how to get them yoked properly. I never worked on a farm. My family was in the city.”

  Ed sipped the last of his coffee. “What happened to them?”

  “Father died in a brawl, leaving my mother with ten children and one on the way. She died having the baby. I never knew what it was. I was only five. Within days, we were dispersed to families who needed help on their farms, and the youngest, including me, were sent to orphanages. I remained in one until I was thirteen.”

  Ed stared at him. “Life’s hard, isn’t it?”

  Susan watched the men. In a better day, they could be friends. She hoped they might still be. She could only guess how it would work when they began vying for her hand in marriage.

  The men stood to get the oxen when Sam came toward them.

  Susan caught their attention. “You might wait and see what Sam has to say.”

  Ed turned. His jaw set hard while his hand rested over his pistol. “Well, wagon master. What do you have to say?”

  Sam came to them and pulled out a chair and sat down. “Any coffee left?”

  Susan poured him a cup.

  The wagon master scratched his beard. “I thought long and hard all night. It seems to me that it’s your choice, Ed. You can tell those two to go back to town and continue on, or you can all three travel in the wagon. I know Dan had it stocked enough for four. He was a careful man.”

  Susan stared at Ed and prayed he’d be merciful, but the more she looked at him, she knew mercy wasn’t in his character. That there’d been something between him and his brother was evident in the few words Ed had said and the volume of words that Dan hadn’t said.

  John had his hands on his hips, thumbs hooked over his pockets. He glanced at her and gave her a weak smile.

  Ed nodded at Sam. “We worked it out last night. We’ll all go. No marriage. Susan has until the end of the trail to choose which one she’ll marry.”

  Susan stared at Sam. “What about it, Sam? Will that work?”

  Sam pursed his lips and picked at his beard. He leveled a stern gaze at Ed. “I don’t want any gunplay or fighting. Understood?”

  Ed nodded. “You got my word.”

  John shrugged. “It’s an agreeable plan.”

  Sam turned to Susan. “What do you say?”

  “I guess by rights, the wagon is Ed’s. I really haven’t known John much longer than Ed.” Susan turned her gaze on Ed. “No fighting. And it will be my choice?”

  Ed nodded. “Right.”

  “I agree.” She stared at John and was saddened by the look in his eyes. She hoped he wouldn’t give up on her. They just had to wait six months before they decided. Before she decided. Right now, her choice sided with John.

  Sam nodded. “I don’t normally allow unmarried women on my trains, but because we need to leave today and the unusual circumstances, I’ll go along. One fight, and I’ll kick off whoever started it. Now, let’s get moving. We’ve got a wagon train to get to Oregon.”

  John and Ed walke
d to the field to get the oxen.

  Susan put up the dishes and food. She couldn’t believe how tangled everything had become. And Ed. He was a mystery. Gunfighter? Outlaw? She put the coffee pot in the back, shut the tailgate, and locked it down. Then again, she had plenty of time to figure out which man was the best.

  Then it occurred to her. What if she didn’t want either one and fell in love with someone else? She shook her head. “Lord, You better help me. Give me wisdom and let me choose the man that You would have for me.”

  ***

  Ed walked along with John. He would have to like the man. It would have been so much easier if he didn’t. But John was likable. Ed hadn’t met many men on his wayward path that he liked, but John was one of them.

  John had the innocent eyes that Ed desired, but he’d seen too much. Done too much. That John was honest and straightforward, was witnessed by the way he told right away what had transpired. That John didn’t even know Susan, but they were about to be married so she could get on the wagon train.

  Ed wasn’t so sure that he’d made a good bargain, but he liked a challenge. That and he was so doggoned tired of being alone. John was like Dan. So that made it interesting. Good women out west were scarce. Ed had seen his share of the soiled doves. Used up women that looked older than their years.

  Susan, now, she was a woman he could get used to. That he could want as a wife. No wonder John had been so quick to agree to marry her. As soon as Ed had seen her, he’d wanted her.

  He looked at himself. “After I get the oxen and help you yoke them to the wagon, I’ll go and take a bath in the creek back there. I can catch up on my horse.”

  John nodded. “Might be a good idea if you want to impress Susan. Then again, I’m sure after a few weeks on the trail, we’ll all look like you.”

  Ed chuckled. “I think you’re right, but if you don’t mind, I think I’d like to start even with you. You can drive the team, can’t you?”

  “I’ll figure it out.”

  “Get yourself a stick and walk beside them. Knowing Dan, these will probably be a good group of animals that know what to do. My brother always had his life in order.” Ed grew angry, thinking of the trouble he’d had with Dan. Yet, Ed knew Dan had been the better man.