Silas leaned forward and rested his muscular arms across his thighs. As he arched his thick eyebrows, his forehead creased with tiny worry lines. “You’s a long way from home, Massa Cummings.”
Mr. Cummings nodded. “Business in New York with several stops along the way. And I’ll be making a brief visit in Kansas before I return to New Orleans. I’ll be traveling to a town called Nicodemus.”
Truth perked to attention. “That’s where we live!” She could barely contain her excitement. Word of their little Kansas community had spread to white folks as far away as New Orleans! “Leastways, that’s where my pappy has his farm. My sisters live there, too.”
“This is quite a coincidence. I knew a woman in New Orleans who left to join family in Nicodemus. I doubt you would know her. . . .”
Truth could hardly believe her ears. “Would her name be Lilly Ver-due?” Mr. Cummings sat up straight. “Indeed. Do you know her?”
“She’s my aunt. It was us she came to live with in Nicodemus.”
Truth could barely contain her enthusiasm. Such a chance meeting seemed impossible.
Mr. Cummings lifted a cigar from an engraved case and snipped off the end. He puffed gingerly until the tip glowed bright red and a narrow rim of ash circled the burning end of the cigar. “Do tell me how Lilly is these days. It has been some time since I’ve seen her. I truly cannot imagine Lilly living out on the prairie. She’s always been a woman who enjoyed the finer things in life—the kinds of things you only find in a large city.”
Truth admitted Aunt Lilly had been unhappy with the small town but had begun to adjust. The man appeared to hang on Truth’s every word, and as soon as she completed one answer, he fired another question. More than once during their conversation Truth wondered if this might be one of the men whom Aunt Lilly had favored with her company— or perhaps he had paid her aunt to cast a spell on some unsuspecting victim. The thought was unsettling.
Although Mr. Cummings might find her question disrespectful, Truth’s desire to know outweighed her fears. “How would you happen to be acquainted with my aunt, Mr. Cummings?”
“We had several mutual acquaintances and frequented a number of the same establishments. She’s not the proper lady you might think.”
His wink was enough to prevent Truth from posing any further questions. She wouldn’t defend Aunt Lilly’s previous life, but she didn’t think Mr. Cummings’s behavior was much better. She sighed with relief when he finally excused himself and retired to his private coach.
Ezekiel assisted Lilly down from the wagon. “Maybe Jarena shoulda come along.”
“There’s nothing wrong with me and no reason to take her away from her duties over at the Boyles’. I’m going to be making a long trip without any help—might as well start out doing things on my own, too. You know I’m in the habit of taking care of myself.”
“Miss Lilly!” Georgie’s eyes brightened when he opened the door and saw Lilly standing on the porch. “You came back.”
“Only to pack the rest of my belongings, Georgie. I’m afraid I must be on my way. Is your mother at home?”
Before he could turn around, Mrs. Nelson walked down the hallway. “What a pleasant surprise, Lilly. You look wonderful. Come in, both of you. I do hope you’ve returned for good.”
“I’m afraid not. I’ve decided Kansas isn’t the place for me, after all. I believe I’ll move farther north—perhaps even Canada. I’ve come to get my things.”
“I do wish you’d reconsider. I’ve missed your help, Lilly.” Perspiration dotted Mrs. Nelson’s upper lip, and she fanned herself with one hand. “We could surely use some rain, couldn’t we?”
“That’s a fact. Cornstalks is startin’ to curl from this heat.” Ezekiel followed Lilly up the steps and into her room, with Georgie close on their heels.
Georgie stood in the doorway and said softly, “I promise to be good if you stay, Miss Lilly.”
“Aw, Georgie. My leaving has nothing to do with you or your behavior. In fact, you’ve become a fairly well behaved young man.”
He smiled at the praise and edged a bit farther into the room. “I’d be happy to help you.”
“Why don’t I call you when I’ve finished, and you can help Mr.
Harban carry my baggage downstairs?”
The boy’s eyes brightened.
Lilly hastily gathered her belongings. Although Ezekiel attempted to lend a hand, his skills at folding and packing proved clumsy, and Lilly soon shooed him away from the trunk. When she had completed her packing, she called for Georgie’s assistance.
Moments later the boy clomped down the hallway at a run and came to a screeching halt in the doorway. Lilly motioned him forward. “I have something for you, Georgie—a remembrance of me.” She held out a white handkerchief pulled into a bundle. She could see from the boy’s eyes that he recognized it.
“Is it . . . ?”
“Yes. The rabbit’s foot and the glass ball. They hold no power, Georgie. It was your own fear that caused you to obey me—no special power in either item.”
He pointed to the amulet hanging on the black velvet cord around her neck. “What about that? How come you wear it if it doesn’t have special power?”
“I’ve worn it for many years. So many, in fact, that I’ve had to exchange this cord numerous times. You may have it, also, if you like.”
“Truly?” He looked up at her expectantly.
Lilly untied the cord and handed it to him. “However, if your mother disapproves, you must throw all these items in the trash without any argument. And I don’t want you frightening others with them. Do you understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He held the items in his fists and admired them. “What are you going to do when you need special help, Miss Lilly?”
She tousled his hair. “I suppose I’ll pray, Georgie. What do you think about that?”
“That’s what Mama says to do, too.”
When the baggage had been loaded and Lilly had said her final good-byes to the Nelsons, Ezekiel drove the wagon back to the Boyles’ and helped Lilly down. “What time is that Peterson feller s’posed to come fer ya?”
“Not for at least another hour. Let’s go inside and have a glass of water. I’m completely parched.” Lilly led the way into the kitchen and poured two tall glasses of water.
Ezekiel took the glass she offered. “Seems like you won over da entire Nelson fambly.”
“Only because they don’t truly know me.”
“Don’t be so hard on yerself, Lilly. You’s makin’ great strides. Jest keep it up.”
“I hope I wasn’t too hard on
you
. Unfortunately, I think Jarena exhibits some of your unforgiving nature. Jennie was always quick to forgive, but you always did hold a grudge.”
He nodded. “Cain’t argue that.”
“Wouldn’t do you any good to try—you’d only lose the argument.”
Lilly grinned while looking out the window. Jarena was watering the flowers in Mrs. Boyle’s garden. “To tell you the truth, I’m still not certain Jarena has completely forgiven me.”
“Be patient, Lilly. This was a big shock fer her.” He sat at the table, and Lilly sat across from him. “She knows what’s the right thing to do, and she’ll come ’round.”
Jarena gave Lilly a frown when she came into the house. “I thought you told me that problems couldn’t be solved by running away. Isn’t that what you said?” she asked sharply.
Lilly stood and took a step toward Jarena. “If I remain here, I’ll place others in danger. I know Bentley will come looking for me. It’s only a matter of time.”
“But if you didn’t do anything . . .”
“I wasn’t involved in those terrible events, but he’s not a man who will listen to reason. Jarena, I want to write to you after I get settled in my new place. Will you answer my letters if I write?”
Before Jarena could reply, a knock sounded at the front door. “Anyone home? I got to get moving right away.”
“Sounds like Erik Peterson’s hollerin’ fer ya.” Ezekiel pushed away from the table and stood up. “We’s coming. Jest hold up a minute.”
He proceeded down the hall to answer the door, while Lilly and Jarena followed. Lilly took hold of Jarena’s hand as they walked down the front steps. “I told Dr. Boyle good-bye this morning, but I didn’t want to disturb Mrs. Boyle. Please give her my thanks and tell her I said good-bye.”
Jarena looked away, blinking rapidly. “I’ll tell her.”
Erik had already placed Lilly’s belongings in his wagon and was holding the reins, obviously anxious to be on his way. Lilly hugged Ezekiel. “Thank you for your gift,” she whispered.
He leaned back and looked into her eyes. “What gift, Lilly?”
“Your forgiveness.” Before he could say a word, she turned and held out her arms to Jarena. The girl stepped forward to accept her embrace. “I know you’re still suffering, Jarena, but I want you to remember I love you—I have always loved you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have made the choice to give you up. One day I hope you can forgive me.” She brushed a fleeting kiss across her daughter’s cheek before holding out her hand to Erik. He hoisted her up onto the box seat of the wagon and flicked the reins. The horses clopped into motion, and dust churned from beneath the wagon as it started down the street.
Suddenly Jarena ran toward the wagon, waving and shouting. “I’ll answer your letters. Please write to me. Do you hear me, Aunt Lilly? Promise you’ll write to me.”
Lilly twisted around and waved in return. “I promise, Jarena. I promise.”
Hill City , Kansas
•
September 1880
J
arena checked Mrs. Boyle’s grocery list one last time and then signed the ledger book. With the purchases safely tucked into her basket, she bid Mrs. Johnson farewell and headed down the street. She hadn’t gone far when she noticed a wagon rumbling into town. Three people sat atop the wagon, which appeared to be loaded with luggage and trunks and headed toward the Boyle residence. The girl sitting on the wagon seat looked like Macia Boyle. And was that Truth in the back of the wagon? Jarena shaded her eyes and looked more closely. Was that Erik Peterson driving the wagon? There were two other men in the wagon, as well, but she didn’t recognize them.
“Truth!” Jarena’s emotions were a strange mixture of excitement and apprehension. Truth was finally home. Jarena could return to her own life back in Nicodemus and Truth could resume her position with the Boyles in Hill City. But did Jarena really want to go back to spending her days cooking and cleaning for her father? Oh, she had forgiven him for the years of lies. But looking into his eyes every day and knowing he was not her real pappy . . . Could she do that? Did she want to?
Truth raised up on her knees and waved enthusiastically. “Stop the wagon. That’s my sister!”
The driver pulled back on the reins, and Jarena ran to the wagon, arriving breathless and perspiring. “Truth! I can hardly believe my eyes. I have so many questions.”
“Get in the wagon. We’re going to the Boyles’.”
A young man took the shopping basket and then helped Jarena into the wagon. “This is Silas Morgan,” Truth introduced. “I met him in New York. He worked at the academy Macia was attending.”
Jarena smiled and nodded at Silas. “Pleased to meet you, Silas. What brings you to Kansas?”
“I’s gonna make me a home here.” Pride surfaced in his eyes as he made the announcement.
“Good for you.” It was the best answer she could come up with. Her sister had arrived unexpectedly and was riding in a wagon with two men she’d never seen before. Jarena had ever so many questions.
Erik brought the team of matched horses to a halt in front of the Boyle residence. “I suppose we should all go inside for proper introductions,” Macia told the motley group of passengers, “and perhaps enjoy a cool drink. Is my father at home, Jarena?”
“Yes. He was going to sit with your mother until I returned.”
Macia appeared encouraged by the response and led them onward. Jarena came alongside Truth as they walked up the porch steps. “Who is that finely dressed white man?” she whispered.
“Wait until we get inside. You won’t believe the story I have to tell you. But first, do you know if Moses is at the newspaper office?”
“I’m not certain. Why don’t I ask Erik if he’d be willing to go and fetch him? I know Dr. Boyle is going to have endless questions to ask you and Macia.”
While Erik hurried off to the newspaper office, Macia raced upstairs to greet her parents, momentarily leaving the others in the parlor. The mysterious man brushed the dust from his sleeve and approached Jarena. “We haven’t been properly introduced, although I’m guessing you must be one of Truth’s sisters.”
“And you are?”
“Bentley Cummings—of New Orleans.”
Jarena felt the blood drain from her face, and a loud buzzing started in her ears.
Bentley Cummings
. Aunt Lilly was correct: he had followed her. The room began to swirl. She was going to faint. “Excuse me. I’m feeling weak. Likely the heat.” She dropped onto one of the overstuffed chairs and dabbed her forehead with her handkerchief.
Truth hurried off to the kitchen and returned with a cup of cool water. After taking several sips, Jarena mumbled her thanks.While the others looked on, she apologetically attributed her faintness to the unexpected return of Macia and her sister. Mr. Cummings and Silas sat down on the settee while Truth fussed over Jarena.
When she was finally in full command of her senses, Jarena grasped her sister’s hand. “Sit down and tell me how you and Bentley Cummings happen to be traveling together.”
Before Truth could open her mouth, Mr. Cummings explained their happenstance meeting on the train. He then proceeded to convey his overwhelming surprise upon discovering Truth was Lilly’s niece. “When I realized Lilly was living in this area and I would be in the vicinity on business, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see her.”
Jarena shook her head. “How very unfortunate that you’ve come all this way to visit with Aunt Lilly and she no longer lives in Hill City.”
Mr. Cummings’s blue eyes were ice cold as he glowered at Jarena. “What do you mean?” The knuckles of his clenched fists turned white. “Is she making her home in Nicodemus instead?”
Though her hands were shaking and her underarms had grown sweaty, Jarena forced herself to speak slowly and calmly. “No. She decided to strike out and move to a larger city. She spoke of going to California. She wasn’t happy here in Kansas. At least you were already traveling west on business. Otherwise, your trip would have been to no avail.”