Dr. Boyle patted his wife’s arm. “Now, my dear, I don’t believe you need to work yourself into a state of apoplexy. We want to enjoy our time with Carlisle.”
“If you would excuse me for a moment”—Moses wiped his mouth with the linen napkin and pushed back his chair—“I believe I’ll fetch a glass of water.”
Mrs. Boyle lifted a small bell. “Sit still, Mr. Wyman. I’ll ring for Truth.”
“No, please don’t do that. I need to stretch my legs, and I’m certain she’s busy with her other duties.”
“As you wish.”
Moses walked down the hallway and into the kitchen. He stood quietly in the doorway, observing Truth as she bent over a pan of steamy water washing the supper dishes. She seemed to sense his presence and glanced over her shoulder.
As Moses moved farther into the kitchen, Truth spun around. “Is there something you need?”
“I told the family I wanted a glass of water, but what I truly wanted was a few moments to visit with you.”
Her brow puckered and she narrowed her eyes. “Why?”
“Because I find you interesting.”
She stared deep into his eyes before turning back to the dirty dishes. “I think you best go find some white gal to interest you, Mr. Wyman.”
“I mean you no harm. I was merely going to question you a bit about Nicodemus and your family.”
“You likely already heard all there is to hear about Nicodemus. As for my family, my mama’s dead. It’s just Pappy, Jarena, and Grace— she’s my twin sister. Isn’t much more to tell you, so I’m thinking you best go back and join the others before Mrs. Boyle wonders why you’re dallying out here in the kitchen.”
“I suppose you’re right. Thank you for an excellent meal. Your cooking is exceptional.”
“Thank you.” Truth watched until he was out of the kitchen. She didn’t want him hanging around her causing any trouble!
Nicodemus, Kansas
•
March 1878
S
houts of excitement echoed throughout the small town as word spread from dugout to dugout that the long-awaited boxcar of supplies procured by Wilbur Rawlins had finally arrived in Ellis and awaited transport to Nicodemus. Harvey Boyle had delivered the message along with an offer to use his father’s wagon and team. An offer that was enthusiastically accepted.
“We’s gonna be doing real fine soon as dose supplies get here.” Ezekiel was delighted to spread encouragement to those who had gathered to celebrate the good news.
Charles folded his arms across his chest and glowered at Jarena. “You’re not going to do as I asked, are you?”
Jarena avoided his intimidating glare. “I’ve already told you I’m going. You could reconsider and come along.”
“There’s no reason for me to waste time going to Ellis when there’s land here in Nicodemus that needs to be plowed and planted.”
“The other young men are going to investigate the possibility of seasonal work with the railroad. You could do the same. Besides, it’s too early for planting. I think the only reason you won’t go is because of Thomas.”
“And what if it is?” He pulled her aside so the others couldn’t hear their conversation. “I’m beginning to think I should have been keeping company with Belle Harris instead of you. At least she made it clear she wasn’t interested in anyone except me.”
Jarena bristled at the response. “If you think Belle’s a better choice, perhaps you need to go back to Georgetown and marry her. I’ve told you over and over that I have no romantic interest in Thomas. He has always been a gentleman. However, I do have an interest in helping with the supplies so folks will have some food to fill their empty bellies. Staying here and chopping on a plot of frozen ground isn’t going to put food in anyone’s mouth.”
Charles glowered. “That little bit of food you’re going to get isn’t going to feed folks for long. We need this ground prepared for planting come spring—that’s what will provide food later on.”
“Not if we all starve to death first!” Jarena pulled away from him and stepped up into the wagon, her lips tightened into a firm line. She was
not
going to yield to Charles’s exasperating influence. Nothing she said or did alleviated his suspicions regarding Thomas, and she had tired of his childish behavior.
As the horses stepped out, Jarena glanced over her shoulder. Seeing Charles staring after them, she slid closer to Thomas in one final defiant act. She knew that her behavior was childish—even cruel. But his words about Belle Harris had cut her to the quick, and she wanted to hurt him in return.
Obviously surprised by her action, Thomas edged farther down the seat. “Don’t be using me to get that fella of yours jealous. I don’t want no trouble with him or nobody else.”
“Don’t worry. He wouldn’t attempt to hurt anyone, especially someone of your size.”
“I ain’t worried about gettin’ hurt. I just don’t want to be gettin’ in the middle of your squabble. I heard you two fussin’ at each other. Doesn’t bode well for marriage when a man and woman are havin’ spats afore they ever jump the broom,” he observed.
Jarena folded her arms tightly across her chest and stared straight ahead. “From what Charles said, it appears as if he thinks Belle Harris might be a better choice for a wife.”
“I don’t know nothing ’bout Belle Harris, but I think Charles would be a fool if he let you get away.”
She peeked at Thomas from beneath her thick lashes. “Thank you.”
The two of them rode in silence, listening as the others chattered excitedly about the contents of the anticipated boxcar of supplies. Percy Sharp and Henry Ralston, the other two single men who had joined them in Topeka, sat across from Jarena and Thomas. Mary Fowler had claimed the spot beside her husband, Robert, on the wagon’s high seat. Jarena leaned against the side of the wagon with a tiny smile playing on her lips as she considered Thomas’s words. Did he genuinely consider Charles fortunate to have her, or was he merely attempting to salve her wounded feelings? Never, in all the time he’d lived with her family, had he said anything to make her think he found her pleasing. Oh, he had complimented her on her cooking and her intelligence and skills as she assisted him with his reading and writing, but he’d never uttered any admiration for her as a woman.
Her gaze settled on his large, callused hands. There was little doubt Thomas had spent his years much as her father had—working hard with little reward. However, her attempts to learn the secrets of his past remained unsuccessful. Now that he’d spoken in a forthcoming manner, perhaps she would finally be able to get him to open up.
“The other two single men said they were going to seek employment with the railroad. Were you planning to do the same?”
Thomas pushed his wide-brimmed hat back on his head and squinted against the bright sunlight. “I sure don’t have any know-how ’bout working fer the railroad, but if what they’re needin’ is someone to swing a pick or hammer, they might hire me. Doc Boyle said the railroad pays better’n most jobs, so I’m thinkin’ to check on working there. If not, I guess I’ll see Mr. Horton. I owe him a couple days of work for loanin’ me the breaking plow.”
“What kind of work have you done in the past—before you came to Nicodemus?”
He gave her a sidelong glance. “Nothin’ that took much thought. Muscle was the only thing needed for any of the work I ever done.”
She bit her lower lip and thought for a moment. “How does Kansas compare to the other places you’ve lived, Thomas?”
“Kansas is the only place where I ever had a chance to own land, so I’d say it’s the best place to be. Other’n that, one place has been as good as the other.”
She knew he was attempting to avoid her questions, but Jarena was undeterred. “Are you planning to bring any of your family to Kansas once you get established?”
“Nope. Told you my folks is dead—ain’t got nobody else, and the only plans I’ve got is to get my land plowed and planted.”
Although Thomas didn’t appear agitated by her interrogation, he didn’t seem to want to divulge any further information about his past. “I should just give up,” she muttered.
“Excuse me?” he said, leaning closer.
She forced a smile. “Nothing. I was just saying I might as well try to take a nap. We’ll be arriving in an hour or so.”
He nodded, pulled his hat down over his eyes, and stretched his lanky legs across the wagon bed. Jarena stared at his sleeping form until the horses came to a halt in front of the Ellis train station.
Percy Sharp was first to jump down. “Guess we better check inside and see about the boxcar and if we’re gonna be able to load all them goods in this wagon.”
“I’m hopin’ Wilbur sent some money along, too,” Thomas said as he assisted Jarena from the wagon. “Sure would help if we could buy us another team and wagon—and I’m surely prayin’ there’s a plow in that boxcar.”
His remark surprised Jarena. “I didn’t know you were a praying man, Thomas.”
“Seems to help sometimes—leastways I figure prayer is what got me out of that blizzard alive.”
Thomas surveyed the crowded depot, hoping he might find someone who could direct them to the waiting boxcar. Passengers swarmed in all directions as he continued to peer about the room. The unexpected sound of shouting children caused him to turn toward the doorway. With his eyes widened in startled disbelief, Thomas quickly positioned himself behind one of the supporting pilasters located throughout the building.
Using extraordinary caution, he peered at several men lingering near the rear doorway and swallowed hard to push down the rising lump in his throat. His breath came in wrenching shallow gasps as rivulets of perspiration inched downward from his brow. He leaned back against the pillar. A chill seeped through the loosely woven fibers of his shirt and sent a shiver rushing down his spine. How had they found him? And how was he going to explain his reluctance to move away from the hiding place that now separated him from certain death?
As each new question exploded in his mind, the men began to walk in his direction. Clutching the column to steady his quaking body, he shifted ever so slightly. A finger jabbed his shoulder. He could almost feel a noose tightening around his neck as he turned with a start.
“Jarena,” he gasped in a sigh of relief. Without thinking, he pulled her into a tight embrace, careful to turn his face away from the approaching men.
“Whatever are you doing?” She pushed against his chest with more force than he had imagined she could muster.
If he didn’t do something soon, her protests were going to attract the men’s attention. Without further deliberation, he tightened his hold and covered her mouth with an ardent kiss and was surprised when Jarena relaxed in his arms. Suddenly aware the kiss was lasting much too long, he abruptly loosened his hold. Jarena stumbled backward but still clung to his shirt, a look of bewilderment filling her eyes. He steadied her, almost forgetting what had caused his daring behavior, but soon the remembrance of his pursuers returned with a vengeance.
After a furtive glance toward the door, he surveyed the entire depot. “Please accept my apologies. I don’ know what came over me.”
She continued to hold his shirtsleeve. “Did you think because of my argument with Charles . . .”
“No. You didn’t do nothin’ to encourage my rude manners—it was all my fault and I’m sorry. I’ll talk to your pappy and tell him what I did. If he wants me to move out, I will.” His words tumbled out in a rush as he continued to watch both doors leading in and out of the train station. “I ain’t got time to talk right now, Jarena, but I need your help. I gotta leave this place right now. Promise me that if any strangers ask if you know me or my whereabouts, you’ll say you never heard of me—ask the others to do the same. I ain’t got time to explain, but my life depends on it—there’s a posse after me. Will you do that?”
She slowly nodded as she stared at him, obviously struck speechless by his request.
Thomas unclasped her shaking fingers from his shirt. “I’m sorry, Jarena,” he whispered before hurrying out of the depot.
He heard Percy Sharp shout after him and silently prayed that Jarena would soon quiet the man. Otherwise, he might as well stand in the middle of the dirt street and wait for the posse to come and get him. None of the men was in plain sight as Thomas ran across the street, giving momentary thought to requesting Will Southard’s assistance. The young tow-headed lad would likely let him hide in the livery until the posse left town. Yet those very men might be in the livery looking to rent horses and get information. Besides, he didn’t want to bring any danger to Will or Chester Goddard. And knowing the temperament of the men following him, Thomas was certain they would do harm to anyone helping him.
Keeping out of sight would be difficult, but if he remained undetected until the wagon passed by on its return to Nicodemus, perhaps he would be safe and the men would give up their search. Making his way to the outskirts of town, he prayed he could find a place to hide.
Jarena watched Thomas flee from the depot with a mixture of fear and excitement coursing through her body. Obviously, he had done something terrible or a posse wouldn’t be searching for him. Yet as she touched her lips, she couldn’t imagine him doing anything to bring such wrath upon himself. Even her father, who was a good judge of character, had concluded that Thomas was a fine young man.
She wondered if his troubles were why he had joined their group in Topeka. Her stomach swirled as though a million butterflies had taken up residence inside. Clutching one hand to her midsection, she searched the depot for the others. She spotted Percy outside the rear of the depot and then saw the others join him.
“Where you been?” Mary Fowler waved Jarena forward while her husband, Robert, jumped up into a boxcar.
“Is that our goods?” Jarena asked.
“Course it is. Robert wouldn’t be unloading ’em if it wasn’t. Where’s Thomas? Just when we’re needin’ everyone to help, the two of you disappear.” Her words were filled with disapproval.
“We didn’t disappear. I was in the train station the entire time.”
Mary glanced about. “And where’s Thomas? Percy an’ Robert need his help.”