Daughters of the Heart (12 page)

“That’s right. Yes, sir. Absolutely nothing. But I was still wrong to –”

That time he silenced her with a look.

“As I was saying, you realizing your infraction, admitting you were wrong is good, but even more than you being wrong, Mister Eversole’s actions being right have weighed heavily on my decision.” He nodded at Elijah, then turned his attention back to her.

“Oh, yes, Daddy. It was all my fault. Elijah didn’t do anything, truly.”

“Once all the facts were known, and no one needed killing, I prayed a lot about what I should do.” He leaned back and closed his eyes. Her breath caught. Her heart pounded. Could they all hear it? Now it came. The punishment. At least he didn’t blame the sweetest, best, wisest man she’d ever known.

What was he doing? Why didn’t he say something?

She wanted to scream. The least he could do was spit it out. But instead, she folded her hands in her lap and waited like the good daughter she was. The torture of waiting could all be a part of his plan, her punishment.

A glance at May only went to prove the woman never flinched. She looked to be praying. Her eyes were closed.

Please, Lord.

Why hadn’t CeCe thought of that herself, sooner?

Please let him be merciful toward me and Elijah.

Daddy nodded as though whatever edict about to be rendered had been confirmed by the Almighty.

Oh, Lord, don’t let him send my love away.

“I have decided Elijah’s good actions outweigh your bad behavior.”

Good, praise the Lord. She breathed again. But what exactly was he saying? She filled her lungs and scooted even further out to the edge of her seat. “What does that mean, Daddy?”

“I’m going to allow –”

She squealed, jumping to her feet. “Oh, yes! Thank you, Daddy!” She cleared the corner of the desk and threw her arms around his neck. “When can we get married?”

He took an arm in each hand and unwound her then held her hands and stared into her eyes, shaking his head. “Whoa, baby girl. Sit back down, and let me finish.”

Her feet wanted to dance. He was wonderful! She had the best father in the whole world! She forced her feet to return to the chair, giving Elijah the biggest smile she could when her back was to her father, but what was that on his face?

“Do you love him?”

“Oh, yes, sir! I do, Daddy! With my whole heart. It was just like when you saw my mother that first time at the Trading Post. I’ve loved him from then to now and will forever.”

He smiled. “He’s telling me the same thing….

Elijah loved her? He loved her! He’d told her daddy he loved her! Her heart swelled so that it choked her and pushed tears out to flood her eyes.

How could it be? She could hardly stand being so happy. She’d never been that full of pure joy in her life! Her father’s voice brought her back to earth. What was he saying?

“…be practical about this.”

“Practical? Why?” She looked at Elijah who grinned like a Cheshire cat, but her tears blurred the details of his face. She wanted to know every detail. She looked back to Daddy. “We love each other.”

He held his hand up. “The poet tells us that absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

No! She hated the sound of that! Was he sending her love away after all?

“But –”

“Elijah has to be back in San Francisco by the first of October.”

She looked to her love, who confirmed the statement with a shrug and a nod. She turned to her father. “What are you saying?”

“He can court you until he has to leave, that’s four months. Then upon his return, we will set a date any time after your birthday.”

She scooted back and pressed into the chair. She hated it, but she could wait. That Elijah professed his love meant everything to her. She would be the happiest woman in the world and have the best life anyone possibly could.

Her love for Elijah Eversole was true, and she loved her father, too. He was the best…well, after Elijah.

Mama was smiling, too.

“Thank you, Daddy.” 

Bonnie pushed herself off the floor and threw the listening glass against Cecelia’s water closet’s wall. It shattered into a thousand pieces, but she didn’t care. She hated him! And CeCe!

Tears filled her eyes.

Bonnie Claire sank to her knees and wept.

Gwen hefted the baby higher on
her hip and opened the water closet door. Bonnie, who sat on the floor amidst a thousand shards of crystal, raised her head and stared at her with bloodshot eyes, her cheeks wet with tears.

“Are you bleeding? Do I need to get Daddy?”

She shook her head.

“What happened?”

“I…” She sniffed and swallowed twice. Her eyes narrowed and took on a horrible glare. “I hate them both.”

What in the world was going on here? “Bonnie! Hate both of who? Then it hit her. “Is that CeCe’s listening glass on the floor?”

She nodded. “I especially hate him. He’s such a liar.”

“Who’s lying about what?”

“Elijah! He just told them all he loved…her!” Tears flowed again, and the girl stifled a scream and hit her own head.

Crockett leaned out toward his sister. “Want Bonnieeee.”

She sniffed, wiped her runny nose on her sleeve, then held her hands out, trying her obvious best to smile at the boy. “You love Sissy, don’t you precious?”

“No, Crockett, she’s sitting in glass.” Gwen hefted him higher. “Who were you eavesdropping on?”

She flipped her hand like she was shooing a fly.

“Bonnie, I asked you a question.”

“I thought Daddy was about to send him home. But instead, he told them they could court! Daddy’s breaking his rule and letting him court Cecelia.” The corners of her mouth turned down. “It isn’t fair!”

What news. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I heard it all plain as day with my own ear! But worse, I heard Elijah say he loved Cecelia, and she said she loves him.” More tears flowed.

“Did he say anything about Clay or Braxton?”

“No.” She started to get up.

“No, no. Stay right there, and let me get a tow sack and the broom. We’ll pick up as many pieces as we can.”

“What am I going to do, Gwen? I love him, and I thought he loved me. He sure acted like it.”

“Bonnie Claire, how’d he give you that idea? Did he do something?”

“No, well, yes. He kept winking at me all the time every day. And he saved me whenever you and CeCe were being mean. You know that, had to see it with your own eyes. And I just knew he would be willing to wait for me.” She wiped her nose again. “Jacob waited seven years for Rachel. Why couldn’t he wait two and half years for me?”

“What? Your math is terrible, baby girl. You’re only twelve. Daddy would never –”

“Don’t say never because he just did!”

How could she argue with that? Hadn’t she just heard that he was allowing Cecelia to be courted ten months early? She agreed with Bonnie, it wasn’t fair.

What if she’d chosen Elijah? She should march down there right this minute and give him a piece of her mind!

“I never dreamed he’d really do it, but they’re in love.”

The way the little girl said ‘in love’ almost made her burst out laughing. Praise the Lord she caught herself and bit her tongue. Going down there wouldn’t do any good.

Once he decided on a thing…he was so….

Then again though, he let Clay come back. “Did he say anything to you about being fifteen?’

“No, but everyone can see how good a family life Judy Goldthwaite has with her Nate, and that’s the same age she was when they got married.”

“Oh, sweet Bonnie, Judy shamed herself. She was with child. That’s the only reason they got married.” The second it came out of her mouth, she regretted the words.

Dear, dear. What had she got herself into? She should never have told her sister that! What was she thinking? The girl’s expression screwed into puzzlement.

Facing her, Bonnie tilted her head. “How could that happen before they got married?”

She turned around and spied the broom leaning against the corner. She grabbed it and held it out. “Here. Start sweeping the pieces together, and I’ll get that sack and the dustpan.”

Soon as her sister took it, Gwendolyn hurried toward the opened door. “We’ll clean this mess up, then you can come to my room. It’s about morning nap time for Crockett. We can talk about Elijah and Cecelia while I rock him.”

“What if I cut myself?”

“Just be careful.”

The quill’s neat compact letters always reminded Braxton of his school days with Sister Jocelynn. He glanced at his knuckles.

The scars had healed, and he did have a legible hand. Bless the old biddy’s cold-blooded heart. He finished the missive, blew on the ink until sufficiently dry, then read it again.

                                                                                                                             
May 17, 1853

Claude,

Tell the old man none of Buckmeyer’s land is for sale, but have located several nice blocks of timber that if purchased right would bring a tidy profit. Let me know yours and our benefactor’s pleasure in that matter. None of it borders Buckmeyer’s vast holdings, but close enough.

Like he figured, the man is interested in running in ’60,

I’ve thought of an angle we can work there.

                A new wrinkle, Henry’s oldest daughter still lives at

home and appears to be quite smitten with me. As much as

I am with her father’s wealth and the obvious inheritance.

She’d definitely be a good catch. Very handsome young

woman. Not sure I’d ever do better, and she might just be

the highest prize anyway!

I’m staying at the Buckmeyer’s, so no boarding expenses, but my cash is dwindling fast. A fresh influx would be appreciated, as there are no saloons or card parlors in this one-horse town. Return post in my name, general deliver

                                         As always,

                                                     Braxton

Post Script.

To maintain my growing relations with Mister

Buckmeyer, I attended a Methodist Church with the family

yesterday. Nothing like the mass. I actually rather

enjoyed myself, especially the singing. The homily was

long, but at least I could understand what was said.

He waved it gently several more times then folded it into thirds and slipped it into the envelope he’d already labeled. That got stuffed in his inside coat pocket where it would remain until he got back to town.

Best see if Miss Jewel saved any cutbacks from breakfast. He’d hate having to spend any of his remaining coin on dinner. But he needed to post the letter. Didn’t dare entrust it to Chester or anyone else who might already be going.

Cecelia had heard the stifled scream coming from the general direction of her room, but instead of looking up, glanced at the window then turned back.

Seemed her daddy had thought it came from the children outside. His one bad ear sometimes made it difficult for him to know where a sound really came from.

“Want me to go check on them?”

“No, let’s get back to you two.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What it comes down to is can I trust you, Cecelia Carol?”

She nodded. “Yes, sir. I promise, Daddy. Now that’s it settled we can get married next year, I’d never do anything out of line. You have my word.”

Elijah glanced at her then back to her father. “And mine, sir. We’ll never be alone again, I promise.”

She extended her hand, and Elijah took it. Without moving her gaze from the young man’s eyes, she said it one more time. “Thank you again, Daddy.” Finally she turned and smiled her best and biggest.

He nodded toward their outstretched hands. “That’s it. No other contact. Ever. Agreed?”

Her ‘yes sir’ followed a masculine ‘yes sir,’ and though he had started it, her words echoed almost in unison. Just like she’d be for the rest of her born days. One with her love. The two shall become one.

Dropping Elijah’s hand, she hurried to her father. Wrapping her arms around him, she squeezed him tight. “Thank you so much, Daddy.”

“Good, fine, and you’re welcome. Elijah has work to do now, and you have a chore of your own.”

“Yes, sir. Monday’s wash day. I’ll go find Gwen and Bonnie Claire.” She started toward the door, eyes glued again to Mister Eversole’s then stopped and turned. “Can I take dinner to him today?”

“No, he can take something with him.”

She pouted. “Tomorrow?”

“We’ll let tomorrow take care of itself.”

“Yes, sir.” She smiled at Elijah then beamed all around and floated out and upstairs. Gwen’s door was closed, so she eased on to her room. Nothing looked amiss. But something had happened for certain. She strolled into her water closet.

A crunch underfoot stopped her. Stepping back, she raised her shoe and extracted a piece of what looked to be cut crystal from its sole. Oh, no.

She checked, and sure enough, her listening glass had disappeared. She marched straight to Gwen’s room, filling her lungs on the way to calm herself. No need to get into a fuss with her big sister.

Though Gwen had no right listening, it surely must have infuriated her that Cecelia’s marriage had been blessed before hers…her being older and all.

But this day needed no arguments, being an entirely too perfect one to ruin.

She eased the door ajar. As suspected, a Crockett-sized lump lay in the middle of the bed. Her sister sat in the rocker working her needle and thread.

Cecelia held out the shard then whispered. “You know about this?”

She nodded then looked toward her water closet and mouthed. “Bonnie.”