Unwilling Warrior

by Andrea Boeshaar

  At once Valerie decided the sheriff sounded too busy for her small issue of Benjamin’s missing pocket watch. Besides, she was reasonably sure who took it. She let go a heavy breath and stared at the back of Catherine’s head.

  They rode by more businesses. The livery and blacksmiths. Taylor’s General Store. Doc Owens’s office. A barber shop and the bank. At the end of the road stood a pretty little church, the parsonage beside it, and a larger home next to it. Recalling Benjamin’s description of the McCabe property, she knew they’d arrived.

  The wagon creaked and shook as Jacob steered the horses up a long side drive that wound around the back of a yellow, two-story house. A large dark brown barn and several other outbuildings came into view. A dog ran toward them, barking and jumping. Chickens clucked and flew out of the way. Then another gust of frosty wind slapped Valerie’s cheeks.

  However, it couldn’t begin to match the cold stare Catherine sent her once the wagon halted.

  Seventeen

  The back door swung open, and an attractive older woman, in her fifties, perhaps, strolled from the house. The cut of the copper-colored dress she wore accentuated her full figure, and she moved with matriarchal confidence. Her hair, a pepper color, had been drawn back into a tidy bun. Valerie figured she was Benjamin’s mother.

  Jake climbed down and helped Emily alight.

  “So nice to see you again, Emily,” the woman said, giving her a hug.

  “Thank you for allowing me to stay here awhile.”

  “You’re most welcome.”

  Jake assisted Valerie next. She handed back his jacket after her feet touched the frozen ground.

  “Ma, this here’s Ben’s wife, Valerie. And Valerie, if you haven’t guessed, this is my mother, Rebecca McCabe.”

  “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

  “Ma’am?” Her brows shot up. “Oh, no. None of that ‘ma’am’ nonsense.”

  Valerie heard Jake’s chuckle just before she became enfolded in a snug embrace.

  “Call me Becca, most everyone does. Of course, as my daughter-in-law, I’d love to hear you call me Ma, but when you’re ready.” She held Valerie at arm’s length. Sincerity shone from the depths of her cerulean eyes. “Welcome to the family, honey.”

  “Thank you.” She glanced at Emily, who replied with an affirmative nod.

  “She’s darling, isn’t she?” Becca glanced at Jake before her gaze fell back on Valerie. “After that telegram from Ben, we weren’t sure what to expect.”

  “A New Orleans socialite is what we thought we were getting.”

  And another Gwyneth? Valerie pressed her lips together before the question escaped.

  Then Catherine rounded the wagon. “Hello, Cousin Rebecca!”

  The woman’s gaze narrowed. “Don’t you ‘Hello Cousin Rebecca’ me, young lady.” Stepping forward, she reached for Catherine’s hand. She pulled her toward the house. “Don’t you realize how devastated your mother, my favorite second cousin, has been since you ran off?”

  “Now, Cousin Rebecca—”

  “Sick with worry. Your father too.”

  The farther away they walked, the more muffled Becca’s voice became. Valerie noticed then that Jake stood nearby, Bear right behind him.

  “I reckon Catherine deserves that tongue-lashing.” He turned to Valerie. “Guess I’ll go ahead and explain the living arrangements. You’ll be here in the big house, sis,” he said with a smart grin, “and Mrs. Culver, you’re staying with Leah.”

  “Wonderful.” Emily smiled. “I met Leah last fall and we got along fine.”

  Jake nodded, adding for Valerie’s benefit, “She and her husband Jon reside in the parsonage, except Jon’s away in the army. Leah could use some full-time company.”

  “We understand congratulations are in order with the birth of the baby,” Emily said.

  Jake suddenly resembled the proud uncle he was. “Little Josiah. He’s a wonder, all right.”

  From out of the corner of her eye, Valerie glimpsed movement. She turned to see a young lady running toward them from the parsonage. Her long blonde hair billowed behind her. Sarah McCabe. She smiled.

  Sarah reached them and expelled a winded sigh. She eyed Valerie curiously as Jake made the introductions.

  “I think your new sister-in-law is about frozen, Sarah.” Jake grinned. “Why don’t you take her and Mrs. Culver into the big house while Bear and I get these trunks unloaded?”

  “All right. I can make some tea.” She led the way. “C’mon. Follow me.”

  Valerie and Emily traipsed behind the bouncy girl into the McCabes’ house. They entered through the back where a mudroom preceded the spacious yellow kitchen. Following Sarah’s example, they hung up their outer wraps before stepping inside.

  A tantalizing smell reached Valerie’s nose. She glanced to her left and spied the cast iron stove on which a pot of something simmered.

  “I’m cooking venison stew for dinner tonight.” Becca seemed to read her thoughts. She was standing at the long counter that ran the length of one wall. “I hope you’ll enjoy it. We’ve still got potatoes in the root cellar, and I’m adding the carrots and corn we canned last fall. Leah’s baking the biscuits. She’ll be over with the baby later.”

  “I can’t wait to meet her, and the dinner sounds marvelous.” Valerie’s stomach rumbled with hunger.

  “I don’t suppose you’ve ever canned anything, huh, Valerie?” Catherine had seated herself in a chair at the large round table.

  “Well, actually, no, I never did. My mother didn’t grow vegetables. But I helped her dry herbs for teas and soap.”

  “Speaking of tea,” Sarah said, “I set the kettle to boiling.”

  “Thank you.” Valerie exchanged a smile with the girl and hoped they’d be friends.

  “Wait until you try some of Valerie’s Psalm 55 soap!” Emily pulled out a chair and sat down. “It’s ever so fragrant and leaves a lady’s skin feeling rose-petal soft.”

  “My, my.” Becca looked interested. “Psalm 55 soap, huh?”

  “Named for my mama’s favorite psalm. So with every batch she made, she’d write a piece of that psalm on a silk ribbon. Then after the bars were cut and set, she’d tie the ribbon around each one and give them away or put them upstairs in the guest room.” Valerie recalled how fine Benjamin had smelled that night they rode off to the Donahues’ party.

  “A ribbon of scripture . . . ” Becca poised in thought. “Psalm 55 . . . ”

  “Cast thy burden upon the Lord,” Valerie quoted, “and he shall sustain thee.” She’d written the verse on ribbons more times than she could count.

  “I wonder if we could use some of the Psalm 55 soap in our ministry, Valerie.”

  “Oh.” Valerie felt flattered and pleased. Mama would have been happy.

  “Jake told us a little about how he and Reverend McCabe preach on the corner every Tuesday.”

  “Well, yes, but I see some of those working girls go in and out of Taylor’s General Store. What if I stood outside the store and handed out soap?”

  “I’d help you, Becca.” Valerie smiled. “That’s exactly how Mama would have wanted her soap to be used.” She sat down in the chair next to Emily.

  “I would too!” Sarah stirred the pot on the stove.

  A broad grin spread across Becca’s face. “Well, then, I’ll talk to Daniel about it.”

  “Back to the original subject of canning.” Catherine ran her finger along a scar on the tabletop. “I canned vegetables and fruits last fall and made preserves. Mama couldn’t help me. The rheumatism in her hands was bothering her at that time.”

  “Oh, my poor, dear cousin.” Fretting over her lower lip, Becca shook her head. “And on top of living in chronic pain, she’s had to endure the loss of her eldest daughter, who ran away.”

  “I’m not so terrible.” Annoyance drew together Catherine’s features until they looked taut and pinched. “Valerie left boarding school without permission, and all the trouble in New Orle
ans was her fault.”

  Valerie sucked in a startled breath.

  “Catherine.” Emily leaned close to her. “We discussed this on the steamer. You’re not to—”

  “We’re not on the steamer anymore. And I’m tired of you behaving like my superior. We’re at the McCabes’ now. They’re my family. They have a right to know, so maybe it’s high time the whole sordid truth came out.”

  “Are you referring to the incident concerning Ben’s pocket watch?” Emily lifted the corners of her mouth.

  “You mean the watch that the chambermaid stole? No. I’m speaking about Valerie’s father’s treasonous ways and how his death is all her fault.”

  “Stop it, Catherine. Please.” Valerie shot up from her chair. The wounds in her heart reopened, and the smug expression on Catherine Elliot’s face cut her even deeper.

  The teakettle whistled, and Sarah took it off the burner.

  “And she’s not really a McCabe. Ben only married her to keep her from going to prison.”

  Valerie closed her eyes and heard the gasps that emanated from every woman, including herself. “Please, let me explain—”

  “It’s not like that at all.” Emily stood. “Clint and I witnessed the ceremony.”

  “Was it a beautiful wedding?” Sarah wanted to know. She poured the water into the teapot. “A church filled with people and white roses everywhere?”

  “No, it was held in our parlor.” Catherine snorted derisively. “The room looked like a disaster because the Culvers and Ben had been staying with us, and of course Robert created one mess after another.”

  Valerie barely recalled it. She’d been in shock from holding her dying father in her arms and learning the Confederate Army wanted her on charges of conspiracy. She only remembered bits and pieces. Had she missed something? Perhaps the part about her marriage being in name only? Ben had said they’d “fix it” when he came home. Maybe Catherine was right.

  Spinning on her heels so the McCabes wouldn’t see the hurt and frustration that welled in her eyes, Valerie hurried out of the kitchen, through the mudroom, and outside. She almost collided with Jacob and Bear, who were carrying in the trunks. Jake leaned heavily on his cane while with the other he gripped the trunk’s handle.

  Valerie opened the door for them.

  “Looks like you came out just in time.”

  She glimpsed Jake’s friendly smile before averting her gaze so he wouldn’t see her tears.

  Once the men entered, Valerie let the door close. She hugged herself and took a few steps out where chickens pecked their way across the yard. It occurred to her then that she had nowhere to run. She felt trapped. Had God brought her all this way only to allow her to suffer the same fate as in New Orleans?

  An orange tabby suddenly bounded toward her and rubbed itself against the soft leather of her boots. Valerie lifted the fat cat into her arms. It nuzzled her and purred.

  “Why, you’re a friendly thing, aren’t you?” She stroked its soft fur as the door behind her opened.

  The ground crunched, and the sound grew near. Valerie turned to see Sarah come to stand beside her, wearing no coat, only her dark blue linsey-woolsey with its white crocheted collar. She’d obviously followed Valerie out.

  “If you married my brother, then you’re a McCabe. I don’t care what Cousin Catherine said. Ben is my favorite big brother, and I know he wouldn’t marry someone just to lend out our name. I mean, if that’s all it took, you could have just fibbed and said your last name was Lincoln.”

  The girl made a point that Valerie never stopped to consider.

  “That’s Sunset, Sunny for short.” Sarah inclined her head toward the cat. “She’s going to have kittens soon.”

  Valerie smiled in spite of herself. “I wondered why she was so plump.”

  “That’s why. Jake says I spoiled her when she was young. It’s true. I always carried her around and even snuck her into the house and let her sleep with me.”

  A laugh bubbled up inside of Valerie as she recalled Benjamin’s story about Sarah wandering off to hold kittens when she was a small child.

  “And if Sunny likes you, then you must be a good person. She’s sort of picky about who she lets hold her. She hisses at Jake.”

  This time Valerie couldn’t conceal her mirth. “Thank you, Sarah, for lifting my spirits.” The cat squirmed and Valerie set her down. “I can see why Benjamin spoke so highly of his youngest sister.”

  Sarah’s smile spread wide across her face. She took Valerie’s arm. “I think our tea is ready.”

  ***

  Hours later Daniel McCabe walked in, and from her place in the drawing room where she sat near the hearth, Valerie thought he looked as tall as an oak. It was easy to see from whom Benjamin and Jacob had inherited their height and broad shoulders.

  He greeted Emily as he moved farther into the room, and Valerie stood, smoothing down the skirt of her traveling dress.

  He stepped in front of Valerie. “And you must be the latest addition to our family.”

  As she looked up into his golden-brown gaze, so much like Benjamin’s, her tongue felt suddenly adhered to the roof of her mouth. Confusion enveloped her. Was she part of this family, or was annulment part of the way Benjamin planned to “fix” things when he returned?

  Reverend McCabe chuckled. “I can see you’ve had a long day already.” He gave her a genuine, fatherly hug that caused tears to spring into her eyes again.

  Emily came alongside her. “It’s been an emotionally draining journey.”

  “I can imagine. We expected you weeks ago.” Reverend McCabe put his hands on his hips. “But Jake reminded me that with this war going on—” He inhaled, then expelled a sigh, relief perhaps. “Praise the Lord you’re safely here now.”

  “Amen!” Em said.

  Valerie gave him a smile and thanked God also for Emily’s bit of backbone since hers seemed weak and vulnerable at the moment.

  “And Catherine—” Reverend McCabe walked to where she sat on a bench, diddling on the pianoforte’s keys.

  She pushed to her feet and hugged him. “Cousin Daniel.”

  “It’s a good thing you’re not my daughter—” He held her at arm’s length. “—or I’d take you over my knee, no matter how old you are.”

  Crimson spanned the width of Catherine’s face.

  Sarah giggled behind her hand. “Don’t worry, Catherine. Pa won’t really do it. He threatens to take me over his knee a couple of times every week.”

  Reverend McCabe’s features softened as he glanced at Sarah but turned stern as he regarded Catherine again. “Catherine, what you did caused great concern among this family and your own.”

  “I can’t imagine why. Living out here is my dream. I wrote and told Cousin Rebecca and corresponded with Leah.”

  “Yes, I heard.” Reverend McCabe crossed his arms. “But that still doesn’t—”

  “Well, somebody had to see after those two.” Catherine pointed to Valerie and Em. “After her scandal in New Orleans, Valerie’s been emotionally unstable.”

  “I have not!” Valerie’s jaw dropped at the derogatory image Catherine painted.

  “And Emily’s in the family way.”

  “That’s true,” Emily said shyly.

  “You’re really expecting?” Sarah stood. “That’s happy news! When is your baby due?”

  “July, I suspect.”

  “Well, congratulations.” Reverend McCabe gave her a smile.

  “Josiah will have a playmate,” Sarah said. “I hope you and Mr. Culver will stay in Jericho Junction.”

  “I wouldn’t mind—”

  Taking a step back, Valerie marveled at the way Catherine had so expertly shifted everyone’s attention after dropping a most unsavory remark about her character. Valerie hadn’t been “emotionally unstable” when she’d paid for Catherine’s accommodations and helped with her headaches.

  Another woman entered the parlor. She had soft brown hair and kitten-gray eyes. She wore
a simple gown with a jeweled neckline and cradled a baby.

  “Leah!” Catherine strode forward and bent to peer at the infant.

  “Hi, cousin, so nice to see you again. It’s been a long time.” She smiled at the bundle in her arms. “May I present Josiah Matthew Henderson.”

  “He’s beautiful. May I?”

  “Of course.” She handed off the child to Catherine, who sat back down on the bench.

  Valerie watched curiously. She’d never seen Catherine interact with children, although she knew the woman taught school. But as for babies, Catherine never seemed interested . . . until now.

  “Well, hello, Emily.” Leah gave her a welcoming hug.

  “Leah, how good to see you again.”

  “I understand we’ll be housemates for a while. I’m looking forward to your stay.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Mrs. Culver’s expecting, Leah,” Sarah blurted.

  Leah’s face lit up with happiness. “Congratulations!”

  Emily flushed with pleasure, and her gaze caught Valerie’s. “Your new sister-in-law.” She tugged on Valerie’s elbow.

  Leah’s gaze moved to Valerie, who didn’t miss the sweeping glance of momentary inspection. She smiled. “How very nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise.”

  “She’s nothing like Gwyneth,” Sarah sprouted. “What a relief, huh?”

  “Sarah!” Leah whirled on her younger sister. “That remark was uncalled for.”

  “Well, it’s true.”

  Reverend McCabe cleared his throat in mild reprimand.

  Sarah shrugged. “I’m merely stating a fact.”

  Valerie had to come to Sarah’s defense. “It’s all right. Benjamin told me about Miss Gwyneth Merriweather and the way she hated Jericho Junction. I can assure you, I’m quite different.”

  “Although your background is similar,” Catherine pointed out. “Up until now you’ve enjoyed maids, servants, wealth . . . it will be an enormous adjustment for you out here.”