THE IMPERIAL ENGINEER (24 page)

She raised her chin and looked into his eyes. "I am not a quitter."

"No, I know you're not. You accept my conditions, then?"

"I do. And do you accept mine?"

"I do."

For a moment they stared at each other. Tony felt as if trumpets should sound and
the earth should move beneath his feet.

He became aware of her hand stretched across the table. He took it. She squeezed
and he squeezed back. "I guess we need to figure out where we'll get married, then," he
said. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her, but something held him back.
Somehow this seemed more like a business contract than an agreement to marry.

"If we hurry, we can catch today's train. There's no sense wasting time."

"But where--"

"We can decide once we're on the train. Somewhere away from here, though," she
said, setting her untouched teacup on the drainboard." Do you have to tell Mr.
Eagleton?"

"No, he's given me the rest of the week off."

"Good. Just let me run next door and tell Mrs. Graham I'm leaving. She'll take care
of everything."

Less than an hour later he was buying their tickets for Shoshone.

Tony wondered if Lulu felt as caught up and carried along by an unstoppable force
as he did.

THE MINNIE MOORE
SHE BRINGS A COOL HALF MILLION
DOLLARS

Wood River Times
- Headline

~~~

"I think we should go to Boise," Lulu said, once they were settled in their
seats.

He looked over his shoulder, as if checking to see if anyone was listening. "But
you wanted to keep it out of the newspaper."

There were only half a dozen other passengers today, spread out over the railcar's
seats. She was sure they could speak in normal voices and no one was likely to overhear
their conversation. "I do, although I don't know how much it matters. It's not as if I've
made a place for myself in Hailey. It just seemed to me that getting married there was like
rubbing people's noses in the fact that we acted immorally."

Tony frowned. "I never thought to hear you say something like that. Aren't you the
one who used to say marriage was strictly a means to conserve property and determine
inheritance? That it had nothing to do with morality?"

"Yes, and I still believe that. However, I've learned one has to live in the world,
Tony. And that means complying with laws and customs. I don't believe I've acted
immorally, but others will. I'd like to avoid their censure if possible." Far worse than any
question of morality, Lulu knew she'd acted irresponsibly, because she'd involved an
innocent life in what should have been strictly between her and Tony.

It was too late for regrets now. "I'm sure we'll be asked where we live when we
apply for a marriage license. As far as I'm concerned, my legal residence is Cherry Vale,
because I've never settled anywhere else since I left home. What about you? Do you
consider Hailey your home?"

"I'd never thought about it." After a moment's consideration, he said, "Not really. I
guess I still think of the
Chinese Duchess
as my real home. Or maybe the
apartment in San Francisco. Even though I probably spent more time with the Lachlans
than anywhere, home was where Silas and Soomey were."

"So we'll go to Boise? Everyone will be tickled pink if we do."

"Yes, I guess we should. Besides, I'd feel better with family as witnesses."

"So would I." Lulu turned to the window and looked out at the dreary sky. A long
time ago she'd dreamed of the day she and Tony would marry. Having heard about Ellen
Lachlan's wedding, of her elegant satin gown and the masses of flowers that had filled the
church in Boston, she had visualized something similar for herself. She had seen herself in
silk and lace, walking up a long, flower-swagged aisle toward an altar where Tony waited
for her.

When would she learn that childish dreams never came true? Hadn't the last few
years taught her that?

Her mother had been convinced that the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution
would give women the vote. Her father had warned of the loophole that seemed to do so
would be closed as soon as men realized it was there.

"I doubt many Nigras will get to vote either," Pappa had told her when she'd asked
him if he wasn't excited about finally having a political say. "Maybe out West here, but not
back where I come from. Nobody in Alabama is gonna let any ignorant black boys cast a
vote. Not for long, anyhow."

He'd been right, on both counts.

She turned to look at Tony, dozing on the seat beside her. His thick black hair had
been flattened by his hat, a natty derby she thought suited him well. It was a soft gray,
nearly matching his sack suit of superfine wool. Noting the velvet collar for the first time,
she realized he must have dressed up to call on her.

Of course. He told me we were getting married today!

He hadn't asked. He'd told. He'd commanded. Instead of angering her, the idea made
her sad. Theirs would not be the partnership, the bonding based on mutual love and mutual
respect they had spoken of, so long ago.
You'll marry me. My son will not be born a
bastard
.

So much for dreams.

The world outside grew blurry, as if a curtain of rain had swept across the
window. Then she realized it was tears flooding her eyes.

This wasn't what Tony had wanted for them. Although he'd never stopped loving
her, he'd given up all hope they'd ever marry. Then, when she stepped off the train that day
she'd arrived in Hailey, the hope had been reborn. Never mind he'd told himself it was
futile, his heart had still harbored the dream of her as his wife, of a lifetime filled with love
and joy and comfort.

Instead they had a business arrangement, because they had no choice. His lips
twisted in a self-mocking grimace as he realized he was to be the groom in a shotgun
wedding.

Glancing sideways, he saw she was turned away from him, her shoulder hunched,
her face pressed to the window. Tony wanted to take her hand, to put his arm around her,
to hold her close and assure her everything would work out for them. Maybe theirs wasn't
the fairy-tale marriage they'd talked about when they were young and hopeful, but they
could make it a good one.

How could he give her such assurance, when he didn't believe it himself? A
marriage begun this way had about as much chance of working as a snowball in hell.

He'd do his best to be a good husband to her. There was a job for him in Boise, if
he wanted it, with the new telephone company. Lulu might be happier where there was
more scope for her talents. Where she could bedevil the Territorial Legislature to write
women's suffrage into the state constitution.

Tony liked Hailey, enjoyed working for his flamboyant employer, but he wasn't
sure he wanted to stay there for the rest of his life. It was too easy to stand out. Sooner or
later someone besides Eagleton would take a good look at him. Given the local feelings
against the Chinese, he could find himself in very hot water then, for many of the white
men who'd taken him for one of themselves would feel as if he'd betrayed them.

He wouldn't mind so much for himself, but his son shouldn't have to grow up in a
place where he was unwelcome.

His son. The thought still astonished him. He was going to be a father in four short
months. Astonished him and terrified him. He'd never given much consideration to
children, perhaps because Silas and Soomey had never had any of their own. He knew
Soomey had longed for babies, for she'd often bemoaned the fact that he was her only
child. The last time he'd seen them, two years ago when they'd come to visit him, she'd
teased him about getting married. "It is time for you to give me grandchildren, Tao Ni,"
she'd said, "before I am too old to spoil them."

Now she would get her wish. He just hoped she'd be happy about the
circumstances. He knew Silas would be disappointed in him.

Hell, he was disappointed in himself. He hadn't given a moment's thought to the
possible consequences of their one night together.

* * * *

Tony sent a telegram to Luke from Shoshone, asking him to meet their train in
Nampa. When they finally arrived, well after midnight, he was still waiting, much to Lulu's
relief. They all walked to the hotel, where Luke had taken rooms. "I warned Katie I might
not be back tonight ," he told them as they climbed the stairs. "The drifts are pretty bad.
It'll be easier driving in daylight."

After a late breakfast, Luke went to fetch the sleigh. His team of matched mules
looked shaggy with their winter coats. Once the luggage was loaded, they climbed in and
wrapped themselves well in blankets. "I don't know what it's like up in Hailey," Luke said
as the sleigh started moving, "but around here we've had some of the coldest weather I can
remember. And snow! Seems like it never stops falling."

"We've got six feet on the level," Tony told him, "and Shoshone almost that much.
I suppose you heard we were stuck there for nearly two weeks." He went on to relate their
efforts to get home, while Lulu dozed, leaning against his shoulder.

The drive that usually took a couple of hours lasted almost four. Although no new
snow had fallen, a stiff wind had caused the road to drift over, several feet deep in places.
Twice Luke and Tony climbed out to dig their way through, while Lulu drove the team.
When they finally pulled into the gate at the Savage Ranch, all three were cold and tired.
"You go on in, Lulu," Tony told her. "I'll help Luke."

She was happy to obey. Somehow this journey had tired her more than others of
much greater length.

"So you decided to marry him," was Katie's greeting. "It's about time."

"What makes you assume that's why we're here?"

"Why else would you two come over here together?" Katie's fists were on her
hips. "Honestly, Lulu, you would have saved us all a lot of worry if you'd made up your
mind sooner."

"We're not all so certain of ourselves as you." Lulu was too tired to argue. "All I
want to do now is get the thing over with."

"You can drive into Boise to get a license tomorrow. Do you want the wedding at
the big house?"

Lulu nodded, too weary to speak.

"Well, then, it's a good thing Luke hired the Swenson boy to help him feed, or
we'd not be able to get away.

"Good grief, what
are
you wearing?" she demanded when Lulu removed
her coat and shawl.

Lulu hung the wool coat on a hook and looked down at herself. The gray faille
jacket, that had looked so concealing yesterday, had come unbuttoned. Her skirt and
blouse, both far too tight for her, clung closely to her body, so her breasts and belly stood
out grotesquely.

"Nothing else fits." Before she could stop it, a sob burst from her, then another.
"Oh, Katie," she wailed, "I'm so fat and ugly."

Katie took Lulu into her arms. "No you're not," she crooned. "You're tired and
cold and confused. In the morning you'll feel much better."

"No I won't. Or if I do, it won't last. I can't seem to stay in control of myself. One
minute I'm happy and excited, and the next I'm crying like a baby. I'm so scared. I'm going
to have a baby, and I don't have the first notion of what to do with it." She couldn't stop
crying.

"I don't want to get married. He...he says I don't have a choice." The sobs hurt her
throat as they burst forth. Her chest was tight, her eyes burned, and she wanted her mother.
"I hate him!"

"Shhh," Katie soothed, as she led Lulu to the guest room. "What you need is a
warm bath and a bowl of soup before you go to bed. I'll have Luke bring in--"

"I don't want any soup," she said, and heard the petulance in her voice.

"You're going to eat some anyhow. Now get yourself undressed while we get your
bath set up." When Lulu hesitated, she said, "Or do you need Tony to come in and help
you?"

"Oh, no, please!"

When Katie had gone, Lulu sat on the edge of the bed, too tired to do anything.
She was getting so tired of dissolving into tears at the slightest provocation. The tendency
seemed to be getting worse, as if she'd lost all control of her emotions.

She was still sitting there, fully dressed, when Katie returned and helped her into
the tub of steaming water.

"She's exhausted," Katie told Tony and Luke when she got back to the kitchen,
where they sat at the table, sipping hot coffee spiked with chokecherry brandy. "Has she
been sleeping well?"

"I don't know," he confessed. "We...she won't talk to me." Unwilling to meet her
gaze, he stared into his mug. "She said she'd wired you when we were in Shoshone."

"You should have come on over here. The main line was open," Katie said, her
tone accusatory. "Why did you go to Hailey anyhow?"

He set the cup down carefully, instead of slamming it to the tabletop as he wanted
to. "Because I didn't know about the baby. Not until night before last." Raising his chin, he
looked first at Luke, then at her. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because she asked me not to. I didn't even tell Luke, until I got your telegram
yesterday." Her hands, clasped on the table before her, tightened, until he could see her
knuckles whiten. "Tony, if I'd had any suspicion she was holed up in Boise all through
January...well, all I can say is I'm sorry."

"Seems to me," Luke said, "we're wasting time talking about what we should have
done. Tony here needs to be back at work next Monday, so we ought to figure out how to
get the two of them married and sent off in time."

"While you're doing that, I'll go get Lulu into bed." She stood, then paused,
looking at Tony. "When I was carrying my children, it was like I was another person. I was
notional, weepy, cranky, and completely unable to help myself. Ma said it was perfectly
normal, but the first time I was certain I was going crazy. Lulu's always been so...so
rational. I'll bet she's terrified she's losing her mind." She laid a hand on his shoulder,
squeezed. "Be good to her, Tony, and even more, be patient."