“Well…” Bethany shifted uncomfortably.
“Why don’t you two discuss this later?” Jake took a long drink of his tea.
“Later is all right.” Luke’s tone was light, but determination darkened his eyes.
Bethany’s gaze dropped to her plate.
Annetta knew at once there was trouble in the McCabe camp.
TWELVE
Journal entry: Thursday, October 10, 1867
Many exciting things have taken place in the past few days. I have become engaged to Luke, although I worry that he’s marrying me only to preserve his ministry and my reputation here in Silverstone. Sheriff Montaño was a bit forward on Monday evening and Trudy Winters saw us together. Before the talk could reach many ears, Luke proposed to me and I accepted.
But it doesn’t feel real. I liken the situation to a play and I’m merely acting out a character’s role. I think once some time passes and the threat to my reputation is over, he’ll change his mind about marrying plain old me. And if he decides he wants to stay in Silverstone, I don’t know if I’ll marry him!
I’m not feeling sorry for myself. Very simply, I know the way it is with men. They always get what they want. And they want women who are beautiful. My father became enthralled with my stepmother because of her beauty. I bore his abuse because of her lack of interest in being a keeper at home. Then Richard preferred pretty Sarah to me. I’m no longer bitter. I have accepted this truth as painful as it is.
If that’s good news, then the more is that I made a new friend and this morning Luke is walking me to the ridge so I can visit her. I must stop writing for now. I don’t want to be late.
Bethany set down the pen and capped the ink well. Then she plucked her shawl from the wooden peg near the door and quietly made her way downstairs to the lobby. She prayed Trudy wasn’t yet awake. The last thing she needed was for that girl’s inquisitiveness to put an end to her meetings with Angie Brown before they’d even begun.
Seeing the lobby was empty, Bethany walked outside to wait for Luke. The early morning air smelled sweet and reminded her of a warm fall day in Wisconsin. A gentle breeze teased the rim of her white bonnet.
A movement suddenly caught her eye, and Bethany gazed to her left to see Luke making his way toward the boardinghouse. He made an imposing figure in his black trousers and matching vest, his white shirt covered mostly by a black jacket. The brim of his dark leather hat shadowed his rugged features, and if Bethany didn’t know Luke and his gentle nature, she’d run back inside for fear a gunman approached.
A gunman minus a gun belt and weapon. Bethany grinned and supposed Luke didn’t resemble a questionable character after all.
Luke reached her and slid his hat off his head. The way his sandy-brown hair lopped over his collar was an indication that it needed a trimming. “Mornin’, Beth.”
“Good morning, Luke.” She smiled.
He offered his arm and she took it. They set off down the boardwalk. “It’s shaping up to be a beautiful day.”
“I suppose it is.” She tried not to sigh as she glanced around at all the unpainted buildings.
“I think you’re more homesick than you realize.”
“Perhaps you’re right.”
“It’ll pass.”
Bethany had her doubts. She hadn’t experienced a single pang of homesickness in Jericho Junction.
“You know,” he drawled, “I was thinking about last night.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” Luke paused for a couple of steps. “You see, Jake, being the good older brother he is, was quick to point out a couple of my shortcomings after we left Annetta’s. I got to thinking maybe he’s right and I haven’t been all that sensitive about our getting married.”
Bethany listened closely. “Go on.”
“Jake said most women start planning their wedding day as soon as they’re old enough to understand the concept.”
Bethany squinted beneath the sunshine as she glanced up at him. “I suppose that’s true. I mean, what girl doesn’t fancy herself a bride someday?”
“Honest, Beth, I had no clue.” He stopped, bringing her to a halt also. “Tell me how you envision your wedding day.”
“Happy. With lots of people in attendance.” She smiled and stared off into the distance. “I always dreamt the day would pass in waves of white silk, satin bows, and lace.” She looked back at Luke. “But I’m aware that’s not reality.”
He lifted his eyebrows. “White silk and satin bows, huh?”
“And lace.”
His brows dipped inward. “Hmm…”
Bethany giggled at his perplexed expression. “Seriously, Luke, I’d be happy with a simple gown.”
He turned, and they continued walking. “You’ll need time to sew a wedding gown. I didn’t consider that.”
For a man who just confessed to being insensitive, Bethany found Luke very understanding now. “You know,” she began, “ever since I was young, my father told me I’d marry Richard.” She caught Luke’s frown and rushed on to explain. “It was Papa’s dream to combine the farms through the marriage.”
“Hmm…and how’d you feel about it?”
“I always found Richard to be polite and nice. I guess I just accepted it. When he met Sarah, I thought I’d be heartbroken, but the truth was, I didn’t feel badly. I didn’t love Richard. In fact…” Bethany had to laugh. “I was more interested in making friends with Sarah than pining for Richard.”
“Glad to hear it.” Luke flexed his arm and gave Bethany’s hand a gentle squeeze.
“But it dashed my father’s dreams.”
“God has a way of doing that sometimes, Beth. Our goals have to line up with God’s will.” A few seconds of silence passed. “You wouldn’t be walking here next to me if your pa had had his way.”
“You make a good point.” Bethany hadn’t realized the spiritual element. Which brought her to a second confession. “Luke, sometimes I get so busy I don’t read my Bible as I should. How will I ever make a good pastor’s wife?”
“Now, Beth, everyone gets distracted now and again. The important thing is that we get right back to it once we realize that’s what happened.”
Seemed logical. And obviously her perception of pastors and their wives had been skewed. Bethany knew nobody was perfect.
They strolled in silence for a while. Then Luke chuckled.
“Remember that time on the trail when Don Thorton fell over a big ol’ tree root in the mountains? We all thought he was going to sail right over the ledge, but praise God he didn’t. When we all got through holding our breath, we laughed till our sides ached and poor Thorton felt so embarrassed, he wished he would have tripped over the side of the mountain.”
Bethany grinned. She remembered.
“You know,” Luke stated thoughtfully now, “there’s something about traveling with people that makes them grow closer. Like you, Beth. I feel like I’ve known you half my life. I reckon that’s why I sprung a marriage proposal on you like I did.” He shrugged, looking sheepish. “Then again, Jake is fond of saying I’m as impetuous as the apostle Peter.”
Her smile broadened. “I rather agree with Jake.”
Luke gave her a good jostling in payment for the glib remark.
“Stop, Luke, you’re going to shake my brains loose.” But Bethany’s protest got lost somewhere between their laughter.
Suddenly the ridge came into view, and their playfulness ceased.
“That must be Angie, huh?” Luke nodded toward the lone figure of a woman, standing in the shadows of the early morning.
“That’s her. Shall I introduce you?”
“Please. And afterward I’ll make myself scarce.” His eyes still twinkled from their merriment, yet he looked at her so hard it caused her to blush.
Bethany lowered her gaze, deciding instead to watch her gait for a few paces. Nearer to Angie, Bethany called out a greeting. The willowy-framed young woman turned toward them, casting a suspicious glance at Luk
e.
“This is Miss Angie Brown,” Bethany began. “Angie, please meet my, um…”
“Intended.” He removed his hat.
Bethany thought it sounded too good to be true.
“I’m Reverend Luke McCabe. Pleased to meet your acquaintance.”
Angie pushed several strands of sun-kissed blonde hair from off her face and gave him a quick nod in reply.
“Well,” Luke drawled, his gaze moving to Bethany. “I’ll leave you ladies to your visit, but I won’t be too far off.”
With a slight incline of his head, he strode off along the stony trail. For a moment Bethany and Angie faced each other, saying nothing.
“The weather is cool this morning.” Bethany stated at last, making herself comfortable on one of the rock formations.
“Usually is this time of day.” Angie cast a look in Luke’s direction. “I’ve heard about him.”
“Oh?”
Angie nodded. “Talk is that he’ll preach anywhere and to anyone, and he can fight just as good as the best.”
Bethany chuckled. “Luke doesn’t fight. Since the war, he doesn’t carry a gun.”
“I mean fistfight.”
“Luke?” Bethany shook her head in disbelief.
“He’s some kind of man.” Angie smiled and lowered her head. “You’re lucky.”
Prickles of discomfort ran up Bethany’s arms, and she decided to change the subject. “I prefer this cooler weather to the dreadful heat.” She sighed. “I wonder if I’ll ever get accustomed to Arizona.”
Angie considered her momentarily. “Where are you from?”
“Wisconsin.”
“Mmm…”
“How ’bout you?” Bethany tipped her head.
“Virginia.”
So far away. “How did you get here? To Silverstone?”
“My stepfather. He met my mother on business out East, married her, and moved us all to San Francisco.” Angie turned and sat down across from Bethany. “He was a gambler and gold digger. Never did strike it rich, but he traipsed all over the region testing his luck. Found he didn’t have any. So he turned to drinking, and my mother fretted herself right into the grave. Then one night he came home and said he’d been gambling and lost me in a poker game. Can you believe it? A poker game?” Angie wagged her head and a look of sorrow entered her blue eyes. “He said I belonged to a woman named Chicago Joe. Just like that, like I’m nothing and nobody. He left me here to…to rot.”
Horror gripped Bethany. What sort of a monster could do such a thing? “I–I don’t know what to say.”
Angie gave a toss of her head. “Well, it’s because of him that I am in this business, and I curse my stepfather’s name with every breath I take.” She arched a brow. “Still wanna be friends?”
Bethany squared her shoulders. “Yes. What happened to you is not your fault. You were wronged in the worst way.”
“That I was.” Angie nodded toward the path Luke had taken. “What about your fiancé? He’s a man of the cloth. How can he allow you to associate with me?”
“Because he knows, just as I do, that there is a God in heaven and He is the lover of our souls.”
“I don’t feel very loved.”
“But you are, Angie.”
An awkward silence grew between them, and Bethany felt a lump of pity and anger forming in her throat. “I understand about fathers not acting very kind and loving. Mine isn’t.”
“No?”
Bethany stared down at her hands. “My father whipped me a couple of times. I felt humiliated and disgraced and…completely unloved.”
“I can imagine. But did you deserve to be punished?”
Bethany thought it over. “I deserved to be disciplined, but not whipped.” She thought of the scars on her back that had taken months to heal. She’d had to take precautions at school so the other students would not see them.
“Well, I didn’t deserve to get left behind by that no-good gambler.” Angie made circles in the sand with her dusty boot. “And I dreamed about killing my stepfather for leaving me here.” She stared out into the vast shrouds of jagged ridges. Her voice crumbled. “Now I’d rather be dead.”
Bethany moved to sit beside the young woman with the vacant blue eyes. Compassion brought tears to her own eyes as she set her arm around Angie’s slender shoulders.
Angie said softly, “Sometimes I come here and think about throwing myself off the ledge over there. But I’m too scared.”
“And you should be.” Bethany’s nerves fluttered inside her midsection just imagining it. “Everyone is appointed to die, and after that comes the judgment. Will you meet Jesus Christ as your Savior or your judge?”
Turning, Angie gazed into Bethany’s face. “Meet God? No. I won’t meet him. My soul will plunge straight to hell when I die. Look what I’ve done!”
“Everyone will meet the Lord after this lifetime. Even those who won’t be in heaven. But, Angie, it’s not too late to change the course of your eternal resting place.”
“So you preach just as good as your fiancé, hmm?” With hands clasped behind her back, Angie walked in a small circle. Her eyes narrowed distrustfully. “Don’t you understand what I am?”
“Yes, but Mary Magdalene was a…well, she had the same profession as you do.”
“Who’s that?” Cynicism laced her tone. “Mary…who?”
“Magdalene. She lived a sinful life. But then she met Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah. He’s God’s only begotten Son and was sent from heaven nearly two thousand years ago, clothed in humanity, to save those who’ll repent of their sins and believe in Him.” She paused. “Mary Magdalene was saved from eternal damnation, and you can be too!”
Angie sat there with a stunned expression. “Where’d you hear all that?”
“It’s in the Bible, and…well, Luke preaches it all the time.”
“The Bible?” Her eyes widened slightly. “It mentions working girls getting…saved?”
Bethany nodded. “Would you like to read it for yourself? You can borrow my Bible.”
The nod was ever so slight, but visible enough to encourage Bethany.
Angie suddenly stood. “I need to get back. Chicago Joe will be wondering where I am.”
“I’ll bring my Bible tomorrow morning.” Bethany rose from the boulder. “Is she truly from Chicago? That’s not far from Wisconsin.”
“What?” Angie regarded her as though she’d sprouted antlers. A moment later she shook her head in wonder. “You know what you are? You’re like sugar. You make even a bitter pill taste sweet. ‘Not far from Wisconsin,’” she mimicked in falsetto. Then she laughed softly. “Looks like you and Chicago Joe have something in common, eh? Lake Michigan!”
Bethany forced a smile, not quite sure if she’d just been insulted. “Well,” she finally stated on a careless shrug, “I’m certainly impressed by your geographical knowledge.”
Angie’s laughter escalated until she had to sit back down. She laughed so hard that tears streamed from her eyes. “Oh, sugar,” she said breathlessly, “I haven’t laughed like that in a hundred years.”
Bethany rolled her eyes. “Really, Angie, you can’t be more than twenty-five.”
“I’m nineteen,” she corrected, the last of her mirth dying. “But I feel like I’ve lived a lifetime.”
Staring into her eyes, Bethany almost believed her. “I’ll be nineteen in January.”
“I guess we have that in common.”
A long moment passed, and then Angie pushed to her feet.
“I have to get back.”
“Same time tomorrow?”
“I suppose so.” Whirling around, Angie quickly made her way back to the brothel.
Luke felt proud of Beth for reaching out to one of the working girls the way she did. He knew his folks in Jericho Junction would feel the same. “You don’t have to give her your Bible. Jake and I brought extras for just this very thing.”
“Oh, good.”
They continued their
walk back toward the boardinghouse.
“Angie said you’re a good fighter. She laughed at me when I told her that you’re not the brawling kind.”
“Now, Beth…” Luke glanced into her upturned face with its smatter of freckles across her nose and cheeks. Her innocent, gray eyes were wide with concern. “Out here a man’s got to be able to protect himself. But honestly, darlin’, I don’t go looking for trouble. So you’re right.”
“Oh.” She accepted the reasoning. “I guess that clears things up.”
Luke grinned.
They reached the boardinghouse, and Luke’s mouth watered when he smelled empañadas. Removing his hat, he and Beth entered the dining room, and the same two soldiers he’d seen last night sat at the table now with Ed Winters. Politely the men stood, and Luke held Beth’s chair while she sat down.
“G’morning, Reverend.” Winters smiled. “We were discussing the ambush that took place earlier this week.”
“Which reminds me, I’m meeting with several folks who got hurt that night.” He gave his head a wag. “A real shame.”
“Sure was. But them boys had every right to—”
“No.” Luke had to speak up. He’d held back for days now, wanting to learn the truth before he said anything. “Sounds to me like it was an illegal posse.” He took a seat and tried to ignore Beth’s incredulous stare.
“Sir?” A shaggy-haired soldier addressed him. “You take the sheriff’s story over Ed Winters’s?”
Luke eyed the stripes on the man’s sleeve. “I don’t see it as taking sides, Sergeant. And I think many of those men were just out to protect their ranches. Their hearts may have been in the right place, but I believe they should have left the situation to Sheriff Montaño.”
“He didn’t act fast enough.” Winters slammed his fist on the table while his face turned as red as a radish.
“Perhaps I should go see if Mrs. Winters needs help.” Beth moved her chair back to get up.
Luke reached for her hand. “No need, Beth. I’m happy to change the subject.”
A look of relief spread across her face while the other men wore expressions of chagrin.
An Undaunted Faith Page 13