A Treasure Concealed (27 page)

“I still don't see why you have to leave tomorrow,” Caeden's sister Deborah declared. All around them a bevy of children squealed and shouted their pleasures at the wondrous new Christmas toys they'd received. The house hadn't been quiet since Caeden set foot in it that morning, and he didn't believe it would be for some time to come.

“Yes, you should at least wait until after New Year's,” Mary, his younger sister, added. “We're to have a very large party and dance. You would be quite welcome. I know there are a great many people who would like to see you again.”

Caeden shook his head. “Emily is waiting for me. I've been gone long enough.”

“So we don't even get to be a part of your wedding?” Deborah
asked, pressing her lips to a pout. “That seems most unfair. I love weddings.”

Laughing, Caeden got to his feet. “I'm sorry to be such a disappointment, but you know that I am quite unconventional.”

Uncle Jasper laughed. “That he is.”

“You're lucky I stayed in town for Christmas. I only did it for you two. Well, and to finalize the sale of the estate.”

Mary's husband stepped forward with Deborah's husband close behind. “You were most generous to share the sale with us,” he declared. “I know it was quite touching to Mary.”

Caeden saw his sister nod. “It was my pleasure.”

“It will help me expand my business,” Deborah's husband added. “I am most grateful.”

“I am glad that it is beneficial to all of you. I'm also glad to be on my own course now, following my own dreams rather than burdened by our father's.” He could see a look of agreement in the eyes of his sisters. “Now, let us focus on something happier. I'm quite interested, in fact, to try that Christmas punch you've both been boasting about.”

Deborah smiled and came to take hold of his arm. “Then let us satisfy your interest.” She led him away from the others to the refreshment table. “I do want you to know that I'm happy. Mary too. We have good lives, and despite having our marriages arranged by Father, we have come to know love. Our husbands are good men.”

“I am thankful to know that,” Caeden said, turning to touch his sister's cheek. “I was so afraid you would both end up like Mother.”

She patted his hand. “Then fear no more. Go instead, and make a wonderful life full of love for yourself. I do hope that in time we will have a chance to meet Emily.”

Caeden nodded. “I hope so too, but for now I think we'll
make our home in Montana. I rather like the wide-open spaces. And you could always come and visit.”

Deborah looked at him in what could only be described as disgust. “I hate travel and I hate the country. No, I do not plan to make my way to the wilds of Montana. You will just have to return here.” She rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Now, let me get you some punch.”

Later that night as Caeden and Uncle Jasper made their way home, his uncle turned the conversation to the future.

“I want you to know that I intend to leave my estate to you. I've watched you handle your own affairs wisely. I've known you to listen to counsel and make good choices. And I've seen you be quite generous with your sisters. I feel my estate could not be in better hands.”

“I'm honored, Uncle Jasper, but I would prefer that my inheritance not come for a very long time.”

His uncle chuckled. “Well, I have no plans to leave this world, but when I do, I know that everything will be in your capable hands. You've done your mother proud, Caeden. I know she must be smiling down from heaven.”

“I like to think that she would be pleased,” Caeden replied, folding back the carriage blanket as they came to a stop in front of Jasper's home.

“I'm certain she is. I'm certain she was always pleased with you.” Jasper waited until they were out of the carriage to add, “Your father was a difficult man, Caeden. However, I know he was pleased the day my sister gave him a son. Alcohol poisoned his mind, but I believe there was a time when he too was quite proud of you. Think on that, rather than on the man he became and the pain he caused.”

Caeden looked up at the lighted windows of Jasper's home. There was something very warm and welcoming about this
place. Something he'd never felt for his parents' home, but something he hoped and prayed he would feel in the home he made with Emily.

“I'm done thinking about anything to do with the miseries of the past. I'm leaving that in God's hands . . . where I should have put it long, long ago.”

N
ow, don't forget your promise, Pa.” Emily shook her finger. “You told the doctor you would do as I said so long as he let you come back to the cabin. Now we're here, and you're already starting to be ornery. You're only supposed to be on your feet to get out of bed and into the chair and then again when you return to bed. Next week you can do a little more walking, but you have to take this slow.”

Her father chuckled and smoothed out the blanket on his lap. “I can't say as this chair is very comfortable.”

“Caeden was very thoughtful to have that wheelchair shipped to Lewistown just for you. If you're all that uncomfortable, I can cushion it with a blanket.”

“Not just yet. Maybe later.” Her father frowned. “I'm not gonna stay long in this chair. I don't have it in me to sit idle.”

Emily kissed the top of his head. “I know, Pa. But I know also what the doctor said. You need to give yourself time. It's barely been a month. If you try to rush things, you'll only cause the healing to delay or stop altogether.”

Her father gave a defeated sigh. “I suppose I have no choice.”

“Well, it's not like we have to worry overmuch about it. Caeden has provided quite nicely for us.” She glanced around the one-room cabin, pleased with how she'd been able to make the place quite cozy with Caeden's gifts.

“I don't like that he's spent so much on us. You know how I feel about charity.”

Emily smiled. She knew her father didn't know the half of it when it came to the money Caeden had put out for their care.

“Caeden said it wasn't charity; it was gratitude for what we'd done for him. It gave Caeden great pleasure, and I think that we have to allow that God provided for our needs through him. We can hardly fault God or Caeden for their loving-kindness. Besides, you know what I told you—he asked me to wait for him.”

Her father seemed to consider this, then gave a nod. “Have you heard anything from him?”

“Not after that one letter that told me he'd arrived in Washington, DC. I'm sure he's been very busy.” Emily tried to sound encouraged and hopeful. “We'll probably hear something soon.”

Her father nodded. “Well, I can't imagine he'll stay away any longer than necessary, and when he comes back I'm bettin' he asks you to be his bride.”

“Well, that may have to wait.” She walked to the stove to check on the bread pudding she'd put into the oven half an hour earlier. Sticking a knife in the middle of the dessert, she pulled it out. “It's done.” She took the pan from the oven and set it atop the stove.

“What did you mean?”

Emily looked at her father and shook her head. “I don't understand. I said the bread pudding is done.”

“No, when I talked about you bein' Caeden's bride, you said it may have to wait. Why would you say that?”

“Well, there's a lot to consider. After all, you have quite a
recovery ahead of you. I'm just glad there's a foot of snow outside. Otherwise, I know you'd be wheeling yourself down to the river to pan.” She smiled but could see her father's expression was one of concern.

“You can't be puttin' off marrying just because I'm healing. I won't have you wastin' another minute of your life on my account.”

Emily came and knelt beside her father. “Pa, I can't cast you aside in order to marry Caeden. We have to focus on getting you well first.”

“I won't have it,” her father countered, pounding his hands against his thighs. “Your ma would have my hide if she thought I'd stood in the way of you having happiness with a man who truly loves you.”

“But you aren't standing in my way.” Emily gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “We're family and we take care of each other. That's what Mama taught me. It won't be forever.” At least she hoped it wouldn't. She wanted to be as positive as her father that his recovery would soon be complete. Even so, she wasn't at all sure what she'd do once he was well.

“Well, God's made it clear to me that you've sacrificed enough, Emmy. I'm gonna see you married, and soon.”

She laughed and got back to her feet. “Well, first we have to have a groom.”

Just then a knock sounded on the cabin door. For a moment she dared to hope it might be Caeden. The knock sounded again as if the visitor was impatient. Her heart seemed to skip a beat as she went to answer the insistent knocking.

Emily opened the door and found the Utica marshal on the other side. “Well, come in before you freeze to death.” She hid her disappointment and gave the man a smile.

He took off his hat and kicked his boots against the doorjamb
before entering the cabin. “I heard you folks came back while I was away. How are you feeling, Henry?”

“Better every day. I've just been trying to convince Emmy to stop fussin' over me. I'll soon be fit as a fiddle.”

“Pa makes a terrible patient.” Emily headed back to the stove. “I've got some bread pudding just out of the oven and coffee if you'd care to have some.”

The marshal smiled. “I'd like that a whole lot.”

“Have a seat at the table. Maybe you and Pa can even get up a game of checkers or chess.” Emily hurried to collect bowls for the bread pudding.

“Can't stay that long. Fact is, I came here with a bit of unpleasant news.” The marshal took a seat at the table.

Emily turned and could see the look on his face was rather grave. “What's happened?” She feared his news might relate to Caeden and tried to steel herself for the blow.

“Kirk Davies is dead.”

Emily's father rolled up to where the marshal sat. “Dead, you say?”

“Yup. He died from an infection.” The marshal met Emily's gaze. “An infection from that bite you gave him.”

“So you finally believe me.” Emily felt slightly vindicated. She let out a heavy sigh. “You almost had me thinking I was crazy.” She turned back to the dessert and started dishing bread pudding into the bowls.

“I do apologize for that. The situation is a rather strange one, but I finally have some answers. Davies has a brother who could be his twin. His name is Taber Davies. He was the one who brought Kirk into Doc's place, and that's where Kirk died. Sometime in the night Taber snuck back there and took the body and left. I have no idea where he buried Kirk or where he went
after that, but I'm kind of fearful that he may still be around to cause you problems. I wanted to warn you.”

Emily put the bowls aside and came to sit at the table. Her knees felt like jelly at the thought of another Davies coming to try to kill them. Her father had been responsible for the death of one Davies brother, and now she was to blame for another. No doubt this Taber Davies would want revenge.

“That's why I wasn't in town when you folks came through. I was out looking for Taber. I even wired the marshal over in Lewistown to be on the lookout.”

“Do you suppose he might just give it all up and leave the area?” Emily's father asked.

The marshal shrugged. “I have no way of knowing. Folks suggested he and Kirk had been living in an old shack to the west of town. I checked it out several times since you two were attacked. However, while it did look like someone had been living there, there wasn't anybody there when I arrived. I tried following some tracks to see if I could pick up the direction Taber might have gone, but then that big snow blew in and covered up any sign of direction.”

“Well, we will have to arm ourselves.”

Emily looked at her father. “We armed ourselves last time and it didn't turn out so good.”

“Kirk caught us by surprise. We don't have to let that happen again.”

Forcing herself to return to the stove, Emily finished putting a vanilla sauce atop the bread pudding before serving it to her father and the marshal. She didn't want to worry Pa, but she felt almost certain Taber Davies would pay them a visit. With her father an invalid and Emily responsible for the animals and everything else, she couldn't help but wonder how they would
ever be safe. Perhaps she could talk her father into moving into Millie's place temporarily.

“Pa, I think it would be wise if we went to stay with Millie. Just until the marshal can locate Kirk's brother.”

“I wouldn't let Kirk run us off, and I won't let his brother do it either.” Her father's tone left her no doubt the matter was settled.

She returned to retrieve mugs of coffee for the two men. “I hope this is strong enough. You'll find sugar on the table if you'd like.” She placed the cups in front of each man.

The marshal looked up, and his expression only served to feed Emily's fears. “I think your daughter has a good idea. You two ought to stay with Millie, or better yet come on up to Utica. We've got a decent boardinghouse and—”

“The answer is no,” Emily's father interrupted. “I ain't runnin' away from this. We're forewarned, so we'll be ready for trouble.”

Emily could only pray he was right.

“I'm sorry, mister, but the snows have kept the stage from running. Check back in the morning.”

Caeden let go an exasperated sigh. He'd been delayed already by heavy storms that left most of the northern states covered in snow. Now he found himself once again helpless to do anything but wait. At least he'd made it this far. Only about eighty miles stood between him and Emily, but it might as well have been eight hundred.

The stage clerk seemed to understand. “I know that Joe hopes to head out to Lewistown in the morning if it doesn't snow more. You can leave your trunks here if you like. I'll see that
they're safe and locked up. There's no guarantee, but if I were you I'd come early in the morning and wait around here to see what happens. If Joe does head out, it'll be early. Oh, and you might want to invest in a blanket or two to bring along. It'll be slow going and freezing cold. You'll want to dress warm. Wear boots and gloves. You might be asked to help push the stage if it gets stuck in the snow.”

Caeden nodded. At least it was something. “I'll be here. You make sure he doesn't leave without me.” He laid some money on the counter. “For your trouble.”

The clerk's eyes widened at the generous offering. He pocketed it quickly, as if Caeden might change his mind. “I'll see to it that you have a seat.”

With nothing more to be said or done, Caeden made his way through the snow to the hotel where he'd taken a room two days earlier. The waiting was more than irritating. Caeden couldn't shake the sense of urgency he felt. He needed to get back to Emily and assure himself that she was all right—that Kirk Davies hadn't caused more trouble.

Emily startled at the sound of someone outside the cabin. Earlier the wind had blown so hard she couldn't hear anything else. But now there was an unsettling silence, and even the rooster wasn't bothering to crow. Silence except for the movement she was certain she'd heard. She glanced to where her father was sleeping soundly on his cot near the stove. He didn't so much as stir. Emily got up, pulled her coat on over her nightclothes, and moved closer to the door. She heard noise again. There was definitely someone outside. Emily tried to calm herself. It could be an animal.

She bit her lower lip and felt for the reassurance of the pistol in her pocket. Dread settled over her. Could she really shoot a man? Emily swallowed the lump in her throat. If Davies was outside, he'd be there with the sole purpose of killing them. Emily knew she'd have to shoot him. There'd be no firing a warning shot to scare him off. She'd have to level the gun right at him and fire before he had a chance to shoot her.

Drawing a deep breath, Emily tried to steady her nerves. “Lord,” she whispered, “give me strength. Give me wisdom. I don't want to have to shoot someone.” She leaned against the wall beside the door. “Please, Lord. Please protect us.”

She jumped at least a foot when a heavy hand pounded on the door. Emily drew the pistol from her pocket, knowing she was out of time.