Dorothy Garlock - [Wabash River] (15 page)

The sound of an owl in the oak tree above the house drew his attention for a moment. Caution was bred deep in Rain. The habit of years was hard to break. He listened with all his senses attuned to the night sounds. His sharp ears heard the flapping of wings, then the squeak of a small animal caught in the powerful claws of the owl. A natural event had occurred—the strong feeding on the weak.

Rain’s last thought before he drifted off to sleep was that he would have a talk with McCourtney in the morning.

*   *   *

Amy told Liberty the news while they were preparing breakfast. Farr had taken over the milking chore that morning because of the men sleeping in the barn.

“Rain asked me to go, and I said I would,” Amy said, trying to keep the joy she was feeling out of her voice. “What do you think, Libby?”

“I think it’s grand! Oh, honey. I just knew that Rain cared for you!”

“He didn’t say that!”

“He will. Just mark my words. He loves you.” Liberty finished pinching off the biscuits from the pile of dough in the bowl. She shoved the heavy iron baking pan into the oven and covered her flour bowl with a cloth before setting it under the workbench.

“Shh . . .” Amy giggled and pointed to the room where Rain slept with the boys.

“He isn’t in there. He went out early this morning. I knew something exciting had happened when you came down. Your eyes were shining like stars.”

“I hardly slept a wink. Oh, Libby, I’ll have to get along with Miss Woodbury and . . . I don’t like her.”

“Don’t let her bother you. You’re ten times the woman she is. Slice more meat, honey.”

“But she’s so pretty.” Amy put several more slices in the skillet and slid it along the grate until it was directly over the flame.

“So are you. You’re real. She’s just fluff and lace.”

Farr came in and set the milk bucket on the workbench. “The men will be in after they wash up.”

“We’ll be ready. Did Rain tell you Amy is going with him?”

“He told me. He and McCourtney have been up for a couple of hours switching the wheels on the wagon and adding heavier iron rims.”

“So that’s what they’ve been doing by lantern light. What do you think about Amy going, Farr?”

“I think it’s fine if it’s what she wants to do. Rain can take care of her if anyone can. We’ll miss you, Amy.”

“I’ll miss you too.”

“This is the first time we’ve been away from each other,” Liberty said as it suddenly occurred to her.

“You’re forgetting the time you went to Vincennes for a few weeks when Hammond Perry arrested Farr.”

“That worm! We showed him who not to mess with.” Liberty tossed her head and her eyes sought those of her husband’s.

Farr laughed softly and moved toward his wife as if he had no control over his feet. “I love you, Mrs. Quill,” he said softly for her ears alone.

“And I love you, Mr. Quill,” she murmured. Then she said sternly, “There’s a straw floating around in the milk pail. I wonder what else went in unnoticed.”

*   *   *

Rain had his chance to talk to Gavin while they were working on the wagon.

“There will be four of us making the trip, McCourtney. Mrs. Deverell is coming along as a companion for Miss Woodbury.”

“Aye.”

“She’s a woman with a mind of her own, and one I have the utmost respect for.”

“Aye.”

“She’ll be under my protection the same as Miss Woodbury.”

“What’re ye sayin’, mon? Spill it out.”

“I’m saying she’s a lady and will be treated like one.”

“Ye’re thinkin’ I may be thinkin’ less of the lass because of the britches?”

“That’s what I’m thinking.”

“Have no fear, mon. If’n there’s one thing I know tis the ones what will and the ones what won’t.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I know next to nothing at all about women.”

“I know when a lass is deep and true, mon. I was bonded to such a one when I was a wee lad of eight, though it didna last to see me up and on me own.”

Gavin planted his feet wide apart, stooped and lifted the heavy wheel. Rain guided the hub on to the axle. The big man was scarcely breathing hard when he stepped back.

“The women are to be left alone . . . unless they invite your attention.

“I willna lust for your lass, for tis plain to see her heart is yours.”

Rain felt a flush of pleasure on hearing his words, but spoke firmly. “The women are under our protection. Remember that.”

“Aye. Now, to my way of thinkin’, the other lassie is one to be needin’ a strong hand on her bare bottom.” A mischievous light came into Gavin’s blue eyes, and his lips spread to reveal remarkably fine, white teeth considering the battering they had taken over the years in numerous barroom brawls.

“That may be,” Rain said and looked into the other man’s eyes. “But it isn’t your job or mine to correct her ways. That will be Major Bradford’s responsibility.”

“Aye. That is true. The mon has his work cut out.” Gavin shrugged and went back to fixing the wagon.

*   *   *

The morning passed with incredible swiftness. No one bothered to tell Eleanor Woodbury that Amy was going to travel with them. She first heard it mentioned at the noon meal. She had not come down to the kitchen for breakfast until after the men and the children had been fed. Then she sat at the table daintily picking at the meat and biscuits Libby had kept warm on the hearth as she chatted with Liberty about parties she had attended in Carolina before hard times fell on the family.

Amy spent the morning at the storehouse with Rain choosing food supplies and other necessities for the trip.

“Is there anyone you want to say good-bye to, Amy?” Farr asked when the men were seated at the table and she and Liberty were serving the meal.

“No.”

“If you want to ride over to see your father this afternoon, Mike or Daniel will go with you.”

“Thank you, but I don’t want to go,” Amy’s eyes went to Rain’s before she turned back to the hearth and swung the teakettle away from the flame.

Eleanor sat in the rocker with a piece of needlework in her hands. She heard Farr’s words to Amy and saw the look that passed between Amy and Rain. Her hands stilled, and she sat quietly watching, her eyes going from one face to the other.

“Amy made a tab of the supplies she took from the store, Farr. We’ll settle up before we leave.” Rain took a paper from his shirt pocket and passed it to Farr.

Gavin’s sharp eyes saw the nostrils of Eleanor’s shapely nose quiver and knew the exact moment she became aware that the other woman was going with them. She was angry but was making every effort to keep it from showing on her beautiful face. Gavin’s eyes filled with admiration for the little woman, and he looked down at his plate before she looked at him. He was sure the prim and proper Miss Woodbury would do everything in her power to keep the lass from going. She was in for a comedown, he thought gleefully. Rain Tallman was not a man to be swayed by a pretty face or a woman’s tears.

As soon as the men finished their meal and began to leave the table, Eleanor got to her feet, just as Gavin expected.

“Mr. Tallman,” she called softly. “May I speak with you? Please?” She stood with her hands clasped demurely in front of her. The dress she wore was of fine lavender cotton that matched her eyes. An edge of cream lace at the high round neck touched the raven hair at her nape and her white jawline. Her hair was puffed and coiled on the top of her head and held there with a beaded comb. All eyes were on her and she was aware of the picture she made.

She looked like a beautiful china doll, Amy thought with a sinking feeling.

Rain nodded and stood with his hands on the back of his chair while the other men filed out. Eleanor lifted a white shawl from the back of the rocker and put it about her shoulders. Without a word she went to the door. Rain followed her out into the yard. When they were beyond hearing distance of the men who were still working on the wagon, she stopped and turned to look up at him, her eyes wide and innocent.

“Mr. Tallman, it has occurred to me that something is going on that I haven’t been told about.”

“You mean about Mrs. Deverell going to Belle Point with us?”

“Exactly. I feel I should have been consulted before such a decision was made.”

“Why do you think that? I’m in charge. I don’t have to consult you about anything.”

“Oh, but I think you do. You were employed by my fiancé.”

“But not by
you,
Miss Woodbury.”

Eleanor chose to ignore Rain’s blunt words and used a different tactic. She raised her hand hesitantly and placed it lightly on his arm.

“I feel perfectly safe with you. Willy thinks you are very trustworthy or he wouldn’t have sent you to fetch me.”

“It isn’t a matter of safety. It’s a matter of appearances. Had your aunt lived, she would be traveling with you. I don’t think Will would be pleased if you arrived at Belle Point without a woman companion.”

Eleanor’s mouth tightened. “Will paid you to bring me to Belle Point, not your Mrs. Deverell.”

Rain shrugged her hand from his arm, crossed his arms on his chest and looked down at her upturned face. The thought of Gavin’s words about her needing a strong hand on her bottom almost brought a smile to his lips.

“I’m repaying a favor to Will by taking you to him. He gave me money to outfit a wagon and buy supplies. Now understand this: It matters not a whit to me if you want to travel with Amy or not. She is going, and you had better be civil to her or you’ll answer to me.”

“Well, of all things! Are you threatening me?”

“Call it what you want. I’m telling you to behave yourself or you’ll have a mighty unpleasant trip.”

“I’ll not be told what to do by a . . . a hired hand! I’ll tell Willy!”

“Tell him. But you’ve got to get there first, don’t you?”

Eleanor realized she would get nowhere with this man by trying to bully him. There had to be another way. She allowed her eyes to widen and her lips to tremble. She summoned images of times past in order to bring tears to her eyes. She dabbed at them with a handkerchief she drew from her sleeve.

“I don’t think you understand, Rain. I’ve not been raised like other girls. I was always so protected. Aunty and Mammy did everything for me . . . while they lived. It will be difficult for me to share quarters with someone like Mrs. Deverell.”

“Why is that, Miss Woodbury?”

“Well . . . I don’t think she likes me, and she’ll not give me a chance to be friends with her.”

“It’s true. Amy doesn’t like you. She told me so when I asked her to go with us. It will be up to you to change her mind.”

Eleanor’s control almost deserted her again.
“You
asked
her?
I don’t want her with me. I want that wagon to myself. Hear me?”

“What I said about being civil goes. We’re leaving in the morning.” Rain turned on his heel and walked away.

Eleanor stood for a long moment with her fists clenched and her face a mask of fury. Damn him, she thought. Nothing had gone right since Aunt Gilda took sick. Then she had to die and leave her to face all this alone. Knowing that she had to get herself under control before she went back into the house, Eleanor walked for a short way down the lane and then back.

As she neared the house she saw Gavin McCourtney rolling a wheel toward the wagon. He grinned at her and touched his fingers to his forelock in a mocking gesture of respect. She lifted her nose in the air and went past him. The soft ripple of knowing laughter that followed her made her want to turn and slap him.

Eight

Dawn was lighting the eastern sky when Amy said good-bye to the family amid hugs, kisses and tears. Eleanor Woodbury, having thanked Liberty for her hospitality, waited tight-lipped and angry on the wagon seat. Gavin sat beside her and watched the family say their farewells with a knot of regret in his heart for never having known, and probably never knowing, what it was like to be so loved by family or friends.

“Bye, honey.” Liberty had tears in her eyes. She hugged her sister. “I’m so glad you’ll be with Rain,” she whispered. Aloud she said, “Be careful—take care of yourself. We’ll see you in a few weeks. You take care of her, Rain. Hear me, now.” Liberty sniffed back her tears and kissed Rain’s cheek. “And take care of yourself too.”

“I’ll do that, Libby.”

“Take care of Mercy and Zack, Daniel.” Amy wanted to hug him, but was afraid she would embarrass him. “And Mike, I’m counting on you to look after Daniel—”

Farr put his arms around Amy and hugged her affectionately. “Who’s going to look after me?” he teased.

“Libby. I don’t have to tell her; she doesn’t let you get out of her sight. I’ll miss you, Farr. Come on as soon as you can . . . and be careful.”

“Listen to little sister,” he said and hugged her again. “You’d better get on that horse or Rain will go off without you.”

“Bye, everybody.” Amy put on a wide-brimmed hat that had been Juicy’s and mounted the horse Rain had chosen for her to ride.

To Farr she looked like a tall, slim boy until she turned and he could see the long rope of hair that hung down her back. He moved over and put his arm around Liberty, knowing that this parting was painful for her, yet knowing she wanted her sister to be with Rain.

“Amy!” Mercy ran to the horse and grabbed the stirrup. “I don’t want you to go.”

“Oh, honey, it’s only for a little while.”

Daniel came and gently pulled Mercy away from the horse’s dancing feet. “Come back away. You’ve got to help Ma get things ready for us to go now that Amy won’t be here to help her.”

Mercy obeyed, then stood silently, holding tightly to Daniel’s hand, her big cornflower blue eyes swimming in tears.

Rain gave Gavin the sign to move out. He shook hands with the long hunters, Farr and the boys, then mounted his dun horse.

“I’ll leave word at Davidsonville, Farr. You do the same if I miss you on my way back.” He raised his hand in a salute to Liberty and put his heels to the horse.

Amy moved in behind the wagon where a spare horse had been tied, turned in the saddle and waved. Tears blinding her, she saw only dimly the little group of people who waved back. She blinked her eyes rapidly, not wanting Rain to see her tears. She was happy and yet sad too, happy because she would be with Rain and sad because she was leaving behind all the love and security she had ever known.