Defiant Heart (13 page)

“Aw, Fannie, none of the other kids do lessons on the trail.”

Kip's protests were loud and heartfelt, but Fannie stood firm. “I'm tired of having this argument with you, Kip. You know I promised Mama I'd see to it you and Katie get an education, and I intend to keep to my promise. Now sit yourself down and finish those sums, or you'll be here all day.”

“It ain't fair.”

“It isn't fair. And you know what? I don't care if every other child on this train is as stupid as a squirrel. You and Katie are going to keep up with your lessons. So put your nose in that book and finish those sums.”

And the sooner they finished, the better. Inside the wagon, it was stifling hot. She envied Toni her spot driving the team in the gusty wind that had grown cool over the past couple of hours. She figured a storm was most likely brewing, and longed to sit outside before being driven back inside the wagon to wait out the rain.

“I'm done, Fannie,” Katie piped up. “May I walk with Becca?”

Fannie hesitated. Over the past week, since Willard had disappeared from camp, she'd lived in constant fear, despite the fact that Blake made sure guards were posted by her wagon every night. So far, she'd kept the twins close, refusing to allow them out of her sight. But she was beginning to see that they couldn't stay by her side for the rest of the trip. “Be sure Hank is around to watch you walk back to their wagon, okay?”

The little girl's eyes lit with excitement. “Thank you, Fannie.”

She leapt for the canvas flap. “Whoa,” Fannie called. “Climb up front with Toni and wait for Hank like I said.”

“Oh all right.” She pouted, but obeyed and crawled back through the wagon. “You never used to make me wait for Hank. I don't see why things have changed all of a sudden.”

Fannie had chosen not to reveal the Wanted poster's existence to the twins. There was no reason to make them afraid. “I already told you, Katie. Mr. Tanner is asking us to be more careful than we were in the beginning because it's more dangerous in this part of the country. More Indians, more outlaws, wild animals. He just wants to make sure everyone stays safe. Now do you understand?”

The little girl lifted her tiny shoulders in a shrug. “I guess.” She crawled onto the bench by Toni. Fannie stuck her head out of the opening. “I told her she can walk with Becca. Make sure Hank keeps an eye on her, please.”

Toni's eyes showed the same concern Fannie felt, but she
nodded just the same. “I see Hank coming back down the line. I'll talk to him as soon as he gets closer.”

“Done.” Kip's announcement brought a sigh of relief to Fannie's lips. “All right. Hand it over.”

“Mr. Tanner said I can ride Peaches and scout with Mr. Two Feathers if you say it's okay. Can I go?”

Fannie hesitated again. “I don't know, Kip. It's starting to rain a little.”

“Oh, Fannie. Let the child go,” Toni said, her voice filled with tension. “A little rain isn't going to hurt him, and you know well and good Sam won't let any harm come to him.”

Fannie considered her friend's words although she couldn't help the tiny bit of resentment that welled up in her at the way Toni undermined her. But she did have a point. She couldn't keep the children locked away out of fear. She made a swift decision. “All right. Be back here before dusk.”

“Okay!”

“I mean it, Kip. Don't be late this time!”

Fannie watched Kip until he disappeared up the line, then she turned back to Toni. “What's wrong?”

“Oh, nothing. Just leave me alone.”

Hurt jumbled through her. “Have I done something to upset you, Toni?”

The woman's shoulders slumped, and she shook her head. “No.”

“Has someone been cruel?”

“No. I can tend to cruel women.”

“Don't make me guess, Toni. It's just a waste of energy. Tell me what's upset you.”

She gave a jerk of her thumb toward the side of the wagon. “Hank. He asked me to marry him last night.”

Fannie gasped. “I thought he was already married.”

“He is, Fannie. He wants me to go through with a ceremony by a preacher in front of all the wagon train folks so they'll think we're married after we get to Oregon. H-he says he can't be this close to me every day without being…close.”

Fannie's face warmed. “You told him no?”

“I was too scared.” She shuddered. “He was insistent.”

“We're a full week gone from the last town, anyway. There's no telling when we'll find another preacher.” Fannie shook the reins to get the oxen's attention away from a piece of prairie grass. “Can't you just sort of hold him off for a while?”

She shook her head. “He wants to ride back on horseback, get married, and rejoin the wagon train within a week.”

“But then no one would see you get married.”

“I know. I told you, he's unhinged.”

And for the first time, Fannie was starting to believe maybe Toni was right. She would always be grateful to the man for helping her leave Tom, but she couldn't bear to watch Toni in such turmoil.

“Toni, you have to come right out and tell him that you aren't going west to build a life with him.”

“I know. You're right. But it's not an easy thing to do.”

The wind burst across the plain and flung dirt and sand at the wagon train. “Good heavens,” Fannie said. “Where did that come from?”

“Look at that sky, Fannie.”

Shades of green and black rolled across the horizon. The wagon train came to a slow stop as the rest of the travelers began to realize they were in for a storm.

Blake rode by, his face grim. “We're circling the wagons now. Brace yourselves. This isn't going to be much fun.”

“Where's Kip?”

“He's helping get the supply wagon secure. Do you need him to help you?”

Fannie shook her head. “We can do it.” She hopped down, and Toni followed suit. They fought the wind and dirt as they began unhitching.

“Fannie, when the storm hits, don't get inside the wagon. Get underneath. With any luck it's loaded down enough to keep from blowing away.”

“What do you mean blowing away?” Alarm shot through her. “Are we in for a twister?”

“Could be.”

Fannie had lived on the Kansas prairie long enough to be all too familiar with storms. But she'd never seen a twister. The very thought of it filled her with dread.

The two women got the wagon in place and the team unhitched just as the thunder and lightning began to make a terrible show in the heavens.

“Should I get Katie?” Fannie asked just as hailstones the size of dumplings began to rain from the sky.

“Mrs. Kane will see to it that Katie's safe. Let's get under the wagon.”

“There's Kip!” The boy ran lickety-split and reached them
in no time flat. “Why aren't you under the wagon?” he demanded.

Kip took his own advice, and Toni followed suit. Just as Fannie was about to join them, the tail of a funnel began to slip from the clouds along the horizon. She watched, mesmerized, as the tail grew wider and longer, swirling and moving and coming straight toward the wagon train.

Blake saw the twister forming and dread hit him full in the gut. He began to question why they hadn't stayed one more day and celebrated the weddings or why they had stopped at all? Either course of action would have allowed the wagon train to escape the impending disaster. But you just couldn't predict these things. Blake was about to slip under the supply wagon when he noticed one person still standing outside, watching the twister form as it headed their way. “Who is that idiot?” he muttered to himself. His heart grew cold as he recognized Fannie's red hair whipping around her head in the wind. “Fannie!” he called. “Get under the wagon!”

She seemed transfixed by the tornado. He'd seen it before. Fascinated terror rendered people paralyzed. The proximity of the twister to the wagon train was troubling, but he couldn't just leave her there. Her tiny body wouldn't stand a chance against the wind as the storm grew closer and closer.

He ran toward her, calling her name, dodging pots and pans and other flying debris.

“Fannie!”

Fannie heard her name, carried on the wind. The twister, fearsome and wild, bore down upon their camp and she knew that this time she really was about to die. “Is that you, God?”

“Fannie! Get under the blasted wagon, you little idiot.”

Definitely not the Almighty. The angry shout roused her from her hypnotic state, and she turned to see Blake running toward her.

“Blake!”

“Fannie, get under the wagon.”

She dropped to her hands and knees and scrambled toward the wagon. She looked back and, just when she thought her heart couldn't beat any faster, a skillet flew across the camp and slammed into the side of Blake's head. He went down out cold.

Fannie's stomach dropped. She jumped back to her feet and ran the few yards to where the unconscious Blake lay next to Mr. Cooper's empty wagon. Fannie grabbed his arms and began to pull.

“I'm coming, Fannie!” Kip called.

“No!” she shouted back. “Toni, don't you let him set one foot out from under that wagon.”

She pulled, her muscles screaming against the burden. “Blake, wake up! Dear Lord in Heaven, please wake him up. I can't pull him alone.”

Giving a great heave, she jerked again and again. The wind roared louder and louder, but she was afraid to look up. The force of the gale was so strong now that she had to fight to stay on her feet. If she saw the twister, she knew her courage might fail. And right now, Blake's life depended upon her courage remaining firm.

The rain started in sheets, driving hard onto the parched, dusty earth. It whipped about in the wind until Fannie could
barely see. “Blake!” she screamed. Finally, he moved. She crawled under the wagon, grabbed his arms, and tried to pull. “Blake, you have to do this. I can't.”

“Fannie?” He turned to the west, and his eyes widened. The twister was so close, only a miracle would keep it from leveling the wagon train. Blake scrambled beneath the wagon and covered Fannie with his body. Hidden in the warmth, Fannie closed her eyes and waited for the end to come.

 

Blake crawled out from under the wagon and reached down to help Fannie. His head ached and bled, and by the way it spun when he stood up, he figured he had a knot the size of Oregon on his head. Fannie gave a soft gasp as they surveyed the barely recognizable camp. Wagons overturned. Animals on their sides, hurt or dead. Toni and Kip joined them. “I can't believe it,” Toni said, shaking her head. “It's just too terrible to believe.”

“It looks like the twister hit more directly closer to the end of the train.”

And then screams began to fill the air. Blake turned to Fannie. “Are you and your family okay?”

“I have to find Katie,” Fannie said. “She was walking with Becca.”

“Let's go.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her along toward the Kane wagon.

She found Katie sitting alone on the ground. The little girl was staring straight ahead, tears streaming. Fannie rushed to her and gathered her up in her arms. “Thank God you're all right.”

“Fannie,” Blake said quietly. “Look.”

She turned the direction of his gaze. Mrs. Kane sat before the wagon, her arms wrapped around Becca's broken little body. Her face remained stoic, and not one tear glistened on her cheeks. “She was the only baby I had left.”

Her weeping husband tried to take her in his arms. “You leave me alone!” she yelled. “This is your fault. I should never have left my home and followed you west. My ma warned me. But I wouldn't listen. Now look. There's nothing left.” A strangled sob hit her throat. “Nothing!”

Fannie clutched her little sister tight. That little body could have been Katie. It could have been any of them. Had she really done the right thing taking the twins out of one danger into another?

Blake stood tall on the bed of a nearly empty wagon so that the devastated travelers could all see and hear him.

The terrible news coming from each captain had grown more daunting as the day progressed. Four dead oxen, two horses, two cows, too many chickens to count. Ten wagons had been destroyed. Ten families with no supplies, no shelter. Nothing. How would they survive? The pioneers had been scouring the landscape trying to recover the possessions that had blown across the prairie. The task proved tedious and heartbreaking. Family heirlooms gone in a breath. Life savings taken on the wind and scattered across the plains.

Blake felt completely at a loss, but he knew he couldn't show his uncertainty. Every member of the wagon train looked to him for wisdom, for leadership. For comfort. More so now than twenty-four hours ago. How could he look the grieving Mrs. Kane in the eye and tell her he had nothing to offer? No words to salve the pain tearing her apart?

No one moved as they waited for him to offer…some
thing…The air was so still he was almost afraid to speak lest his words open the heavens again, like an avalanche on a mountain pass.

He knew he had to say something soon. Looking around the gathering of hundreds, he allowed his eyes to focus and remain on Fannie. She nodded and gave him a shaky smile of encouragement.

“Folks,” he said. “We've been through a terrible ordeal in the last few hours.” Quickly he went down the list of losses until he reached the human death count. He swallowed hard. How could he tell these people that a quarter of them would have to turn back?

Drawing a shaky breath, he continued. “Eight families have lost loved ones. Little Rebecca Kane. Maury Baker. Ada McCollough.” Weeping was heard as he continued down the list of names. Even Blake's voice broke more than once. “Sam?” He turned to his best friend. The scout joined him on the wagon bed. “It's hard to know how to react when something like this happens. The best thing we can do is pray.”

Without waiting to ask anyone's permission, Sam closed his eyes.

Toni kept her gaze fixed on Sam. Pray? Did he really think prayer was going to help these people? They had lost loved ones, livestock, their very dreams of a new life. Many of the Oregon-bound travelers had lost so much that they couldn't go on to their so-called land of promise, but they'd never make it back even as far as Hawkins, and there had only been one town between here and that town. The one they'd passed just a week ago. And who knew if the twister had continued
its trek of destruction to extend sixty-five miles to the east? What might they find when they reached the small town where only a week ago the pioneers had celebrated happy unions?

Anger built up inside her. How could God do this? These people were guilty of nothing more than hope. And now that hope had been sucked from them in the span of thirty minutes.

Blake took his place at the center of the wagon bed after Sam's brief prayer. “Folks, as I'm sure you've figured out, many of you will not be able to continue. Those of you who have lost half of your provisions, a wagon or your team—even if it was only one ox or horse, come and see me after we break up. The rest of you, please take full inventory and report back to your captain. We cannot go on without the proper provisions to sustain us. I've assigned a detail to butcher the edible livestock. We'll smoke and salt as much as we can to preserve it.”

“How long will we have to wait before we can push on?” Mr. Markus called out. “We have to get over the mountains before winter sets in. There aren't nearly enough provisions to keep us through the winter if we have to hole up somewhere.”

Murmurs rose from the crowd, quickly becoming a buzz.

Blake held up his hands for silence. “First things first, people. Now I can understand those of you without damage or loss wanting to move on; but remember, the rest of these people are our friends, our neighbors once we reach Oregon. We need to make repairs, clean up, and go from there.”

“But how long do you figure?” another man called.

Exasperated, Blake shook his head. “I can't say for sure. But don't expect to move for at least a week. Maybe longer.”

“A week!” More groans.

“Look, folks.” Fannie elbowed her way through the crowd and climbed into the wagon bed. “Mr. Tanner is doing his dead level best here. Wouldn't you want him to take the extra time if you had lost a loved one or all of your possessions? The best thing we can do is work together and try to get back on the trail as quickly as possible. Tend to your own, then help someone else.”

Blake surveyed the crowd, surprised at the calm her words had restored to the weary, heartbroken travelers. He gave her hand a squeeze and let it go as he hurried to reiterate while the folks seemed settled. “Miss Caldwell is right. Tend to your own, then look around and see who needs your help.”

Fannie still couldn't believe she'd had the gumption to muscle her way through the crowd and confront the murmuring group, but seeing Blake struggle with his emotions only to have a few impatient men criticize him had just been too much.

Her hand still felt Blake's warmth from the grateful squeeze he'd given her. She shoved aside the quiver in her stomach. There was no time to think about why she felt this way. Why she couldn't understand her reaction when he'd covered her during the storm. Under normal circumstances, she'd have rather faced the twister than be stuffed under a wagon with a man. But it had never occurred to her to fear anything but that storm. Now, she realized how trustwor
thy he'd been. His thoughts most certainly had been on one thing: shielding her with his body, even if that meant he was hurt in the process—which, thankfully, he wasn't.

When she returned to her wagon, she began the tedious work of taking stock of their possessions. The twister had swung to the right before it reached the wagon train and hadn't directly hit in her section, so she had lost very little. A few pots and pans, the coffeepot, which was a tragedy, but nothing that couldn't eventually be replaced.

By sunset, the day after the twister struck, ten graves were dug, and rocks were gathered to cover each grave to keep out the wild animals. The travelers stood together by lanternlight just beyond their camp and sang “Amazing Grace.” Sniffles, sobs, and wails filled the twilight as one by one, folks came forward to speak last rites over their loved ones. To share a bit of the deceased's life, to say a final farewell.

In the absence of a real preacher, the company of pioneers looked to Sam Two Feathers for spiritual leadership, and he rose to the occasion without questioning his right to the position. Fannie watched as he stood by respectfully, silently, and waited for his turn to speak. When the last man walked away weeping after sharing how much he loved his wife of thirty years, Sam clapped the man on the shoulder and took his place next to the gravesites.

“‘I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord,'” he read. “‘He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.' Let us pray.”

Fannie couldn't remove the scripture from her mind while Sam asked God to comfort those who mourned and guide
each member of the group on their way, whichever direction they might be headed. She wasn't sure she believed in God. It was just too heartbreaking to think that God would take her happy, wonderful childhood, her innocence, and give it to a man like Tom. It was easier not to believe. But who is there to turn to when life gets difficult? And she couldn't help but be comforted that one day she might see her ma and pa again.

 

The sun hadn't risen high enough to dry off the morning dew when Sam stopped in front of Toni's wagon ready to say good-bye and wish her godspeed as she continued on with the wagon train. Three days had gone by since the twister, and those who were not moving on were ready to move out. Sam would accompany them as far as the last town they passed, then would return to the wagon train. He'd be gone two weeks.

“Hank, I've told you already. I'm not going back.”

“But Blythe Creek ain't set up with a blacksmith yet. I could do a right good business. An' yer far enough from Hawkins that no one knows about your past.”

“Or yours,” she said with a sniff.

“Look, we ain't married in the eyes of the law, me and Running Doe. So you see? There ain't nothin' keeping you and me from gettin' hitched.”

Sam knew he shouldn't eavesdrop, but he couldn't pull himself away from the conversation behind Toni's wagon.

“Yes there is, Hank.”

Sam frowned. Was that tremble in her voice caused by fear? Or some other emotion?

“What's that?” Hank's voice had grown from cajoling to threatening. Sam remained poised to step in if the need arose.

He heard Toni breathe in as though gearing up for what she was going to say.

“I'm not in love with you.”

“What do you mean, you don't love me? What about all them times we was together?”

Sam's jaw clenched at the image Hank's words evoked, and his heart stirred with regret that Toni's life had been so difficult before now. His deepest hope was that she could come to understand the love of a merciful God. He prayed for the woman he was swiftly learning to care for more than he cared to admit.

“You know what those times were, Hank,” Toni replied, dropping her tone. “Please don't make me say it outright.”

“No. I weren't like all those other men.”

“I'm sorry.” Toni's voice broke.

“Yer lyin'. Say it! You love me.”

Sam stepped forward as Hank's voice rose. He still hung back, waiting, hoping he wouldn't have to step in. But Hank's next words killed any chance that Sam could remain in the shadows.

“Whore!”

Toni's scream sent Sam rushing to her aid just as Hank's blow landed on her cheek. She crashed to the ground. “Hank!” Sam said, keeping his voice as calm as he could, when he wanted to put a bullet through the man's head.

Hank turned on him with a sneer. “Mind yer own business, breed.”

“Hank!” Toni's voice filled with outrage. “Don't insult Sam just because you're angry with me.”

“Sam, is it?” he spit. “I knowed he was hangin' around you a little too much. Is he one of yer special customers too?”

The last insult was more than Sam could abide. He moved fast, before Hank could respond, and pinned the man's arm behind his back. “I don't like how you're talking to my friend.”

“Friend, eh? Is that what they're calling it nowadays?”

“You and your filthy mind better get out of here.” Sam turned him loose with a shove away from Toni. In a flash, he lifted his Colt from the holster before Hank could steady himself. The smithy's eyes narrowed as he took note of the weapon.

“Mark my words, girl.” He pointed a beefy finger at Toni. “No one makes a fool out of me.”

“You made a fool out of your own self,” Sam replied. “I suggest you gather your things and clear out.”

“That's whut I'm plannin'.”

He shoved his hat back on his head and walked away, with the angry gait of a man who wasn't through making trouble.

Toni caught her breath as Sam reached down and pulled her to her feet with strong, steady arms. Emotions she'd thought long buried jumped in her stomach. “Th-thanks, Sam. I'm sorry you had to get involved with that.”

“It was my pleasure to come to your assistance, Miss Toni.”

That was what she liked about Sam. He never treated her like a prostitute. Even Blake never bothered to precede her name with Miss or call her Miss Rodden. It was always Toni.
But Sam treated her like a lady. She wasn't sure she trusted his respect, but she had to admit she liked it.

“I hope it doesn't cause you any trouble.”

His brown face split into a smile. “Don't worry about me.”

She returned his smile. “I heard you were leading the wagons headed back to Blythe Creek.”

He nodded. “I was coming to tell you good-bye.”

Her stomach leapt again. “You were?”

“I know I shouldn't feel this way about you, but before I leave, I just want you to know I am honored to know you.”

Toni's lips parted with a quick intake of breath. He shouldn't? She supposed for a religious man like Sam, the thought of caring for a prostitute, former or no, wasn't something his God would likely approve of.

“Honored?” she gave a short, bitter laugh. “You don't have to say that, Sam.”

Sam's black eyebrows pushed together. “I don't say what I don't mean.”

Unwilling to be made a fool of, Toni kept her feelings in check. How could she have been so stupid as to allow herself romantic thoughts about any man, let alone a man of God?

“Well, I best be getting back and start breakfast.” She walked away without waiting for a response. “Thank you for coming to my rescue. I-I hope you don't meet with any trouble during your trip.”

“Miss Toni?”

Gathering her courage, Toni swallowed back tears and turned to face him.

“Have I said something to hurt your feelings?”

Toni forced a smile and a short laugh.

“I stopped having feelings a long time ago, Sam. Good-bye.”

Fannie saw the confused look of concern on Sam's face as Toni turned her back and walked toward their campfire. “What was that all about?”

Toni shrugged. “Sam's leading the wagons back to the last town we passed. They're heading out in a few minutes.”

“I know that. I meant why are you and Sam upset?”

“Hank.”

For the first time, Fannie noticed the mark on Toni's cheek, which was beginning to deepen to a purple bruise. The sight fueled her anger. “Did Hank do that?”

Toni nodded. “Right after he told me he loved me and called me a whore.”

“I hope Sam flattened him.”

Reaching for the only skillet they had left, Toni set it on the fire to get hot. “He didn't flatten him, but he definitely rescued me.”