Within the Candle's Glow (17 page)

“How can that be?”

“Duncan says Spaniards left them behind—years ago.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“They must’ve got loose.” He shrugged. “Duncan has a wild imagination. He told us there’s spiked plants that grow into solid barriers to men or wagons. Huge rattlesnakes live everywhere there’s dry land. Moccasins take over the wet lands. He’s seen Indians eating the tops out of trees called palms, but white men call it cabbage.”

“Why does Duncan want to go back?”

“Well, he’s mentioned what he calls the ocean—that we read about. The waves roll in and foam on flat white sand. There’s hundreds of colorful wild birds, and he says the sunrises fail description in mere words. Of course, he insists St. Augustine is quite populated. I think the Indian threat would keep most people away.”

“I wouldn’t want to go there.” She lifted the hem of her gray skirt and bent forward as the trail got steeper. “Poor Sada,” she murmured, glancing over her shoulder at the old mule. “She sure works hard with those supplies on her back.”

“This is the steepest part. Come on, girl.” He tugged on the rope, wrapped it around his right hand, and pulled. “Jim and I once rolled huge boulders off this section of the trail. It was fun watching them smash into trees, bound off the trunks, and fly down the mountain.”

She tried to laugh while she panted with the exertion. “You two are like little boys.
Whew
! I’m tuckered out.” She stopped and caught her breath. “There’s an easier trail an’ less steep.”

“Yep, but remember, it’s got switchbacks and one wide stream. We have to take this trail with the wagon or Sada. It’s not bad—only this part.” Samuel paused beside her to let the white-muzzled mule rest. He studied Ella’s face. “Your cheeks are pink. Tired?”

“No.” She shook her head and loosened the knot on her shawl. “I can follow you anywhere.” She pulled the shawl off and tied it around
her waist.

“Is that true?” His generous mouth stretched into a big grin. “I like those words.”

“
Hmmph
.” She stood with her hands on her hips. “Are you lettin’ a mustache grow?”

“Ah, you noticed.” He fingered the line of dark-blond hair.

“Won’t it feel itchy when it gets longer?”

“Jim has one.” He rubbed his smooth chin. “I’ll grow a beard next.”

She laughed. “You barely have anythin’ to shave. You might never have a beard.”

His face flushed. “I will so.” The bluish-green glints in his eyes deepened. “Someday, I’m going to kiss you again—to see if you like a mustache.”

She slapped his arm. “Get goin’. We’ll never get to your house.” She smiled behind his back, enjoying the thought of kissing him.

#

Jim came up from the backwoods with two young turkeys trussed and hung over his left shoulder. He hefted his gun and spotted Duncan leaning on the shady side of the barn. His brother seemed to be watching something come up the trail. He turned in time to see his younger brother and Ella walk into the bright sunlight. The girl gave Samuel a playful push, and her bubbling laughter floated across the field.

Tense fingers of jealousy clawed themselves through his chest and tightened, but he shook it off. He couldn’t ignore the strong bond between the girl and Samuel. It was apparent when they were around each other. He had to acknowledge it, just as he had to accept his papa’s death, but his steps slowed. His eyes drank in the sight of her shapely figure. There was no ignoring the facts before him. Ella had become a captivating young woman.

Samuel let the lead rope drop and freed Sada. The mule broke into a half trot, jostling her load. She headed straight to the open doors of the barn. Her long ears pricked forward. Relief from the packs awaited her in the shadowed building.

“Old mule’s glad to be home.” Samuel strolled over to the barn with Ella at his side.

“She’s limping, again.” Duncan nodded at the girl. “Good morning. Enjoy the walk up?”

“Yes.” Her hands brushed at a few loose strands of light hair tangled
about her face. “The weather couldn’t be better. I love the breeze. Even the clouds blew away.” There was a delicate smile on her curved lips. She unknotted the shawl tied around her waist. “But the steep part of the trail takes the wind out of a person.”

“It’s dangerous,” Jim said.

She visibly jumped at the sound of his voice. “Oh, you startled me.” Her color heightened. “I didn’t see you.”

“I’m sorry.” He avoided her direct gaze. “Repairs are needed on the outside edge of that trail. Soil’s giving way.”

Samuel nodded. “We can work on it next week. I see you’ve been hunting.”

Jim swung the young turkeys around by their tied legs. “I caught them feeding back there on the edge of the field. I shot one, and the other one left with the flock, but it circled back for some crazy reason. I took aim at his stupidity.”

Samuel ruffled the birds’ iridescent wing feathers. “I thought I heard shots as we came up the wide loop.”

Duncan cleared his throat. “Mother’ll be happy. She didn’t want you to butcher a pig.”

“I know she hates butcherin’ time.” Jim grunted and handed the turkeys to Duncan. “Here. I shot them—you clean ‘em.”

“Thanks.” Duncan’s face reddened above his beard, but he lifted the rope and slung the turkeys over the top railing of the fence. “Anythin’ you say, Big Brother.”

“Shall I walk you to the house?” Jim offered his elbow to Ella. “These two men will be busy for a while.”

Samuel spun on his boot heels. “Hey, I went down to the cove before daybreak. Someone else should unload the packs.” He pointed at the old mule happily munching on dried grass inside the barn. “Sada’s waitin’.”

“Not for me, she ain’t,” Duncan muttered. “Jim says I have turkeys to clean.” He snatched up the feathered carcasses and strode behind the barn.

“I’ll see you at the house.” Ella waved to them.

“Peggy said you might try to visit. Mother’ll be thrilled.” Jim pointed. “There comes your dog.”

Deer ran back from the water trough. His tan muzzle shone with droplets of moisture, and his tongue hung from gaping jaws.

“He musn’t go in your house,” she said, pulling her full skirt away from the exuberant animal. “He got into the leavin’s of some dead
animal and rolled in it. He stinks.” Her pert nose winkled in disgust.

“He’s hiding his own scent.” Jim smiled at her.

“Poor way of doin’ it.”

“No, it works for an animal.” Jim saw the sprinkling of freckles over her nose had darkened during the summer. The breeze played with her hair and tugged tendrils from the twisted bun at the nape of her neck. “Anna will give him a bath. She adores him.”

“What you lookin’ at?” She covered her nose with one hand. “My freckles?”

“They’re cute.”

“What’s cute?” Peggy yelled. She dashed pell-mell down the steps and grabbed Ella in a bear hug. “My best friend, Ella Dessa? Yes, she’s adorable! Someday one of my brothers will marry her. She’ll be my sister forever and ever.”

With a giggle, Ella allowed herself to be clutched in Peggy’s arms.

Jim chuckled under his breath while he stomped his boots on the porch, pulled his hat off, and followed them into the house. “Mother, look what I brought you.”

The woman turned from the table with flour coating her hands. “Well, it sure doesn’t look like a turkey. Hi, honey.” She held up her white hands. “Sorry, I can’t hug you.”

“I can hug you.” Ella circled their mother’s waist with one arm and squeezed. “How are you? You look beautiful.”

Jim noted the compassion in her voice.

“Better every day, with the Lord’s help.” Mother planted a kiss on the top of the girl’s head. “
Ohh
, your hair smells delicious, like sunshine and fresh air.”

“Thank you. What you fixin’?”

“Setting dough to rise. Need it to go with turkey this evening.”

“
Mmm
, sounds good. How’d you know there’d be turkey?” Ella cut Jim a teasing glance, a fun sparkle in her tantalizing blue eyes.

“My Jim never fails to supply meat. He does it so my pigs don’t end up as supper.”

“Duncan’s cleaning two young turkeys for you.” He leaned against the mantel. “Pigs—hogs—they are meant to be ate, right down to the squeal and curly tail. You force me to hunt when we have food available.”

Mother slapped his shoulder, leaving a handprint of flour.

Jim brushed the flour off his shoulder and regarded Ella’s every move. He couldn’t help but compare her to Sophie. They were total opposites
in looks and actions. He found himself continuing the comparison whenever around one or the other. He had memorized Sophie’s random mood swings and learned when to expect them and avoid them, but he continually found new things to discover and enjoy about the young woman standing across the room.

His mother added flour to the tabletop and plopped sticky dough on it. “So, Ella Dessa, how’d you get here? Did you ride?” There were dark circles under her hazel eyes, and her hair seemed to have grown more streaks of white since Papa’s burying.

“I waited in the woods ‘bove the store so I could surprise Samuel and walk with him.” A mischievous smile set her full lips into an attractive curve.

“Can you stay for the evening meal? The turkey will be done by then—at least I think so.” She raised her eyebrows as she patted the dough and rolled it over. “Of course, no one has brought me a cleaned carcass.”

Ella shook her head. “I dare not stay late. I’ll be expected home ‘fore dark.”

“Ahh, wish you could stay.” His mother sprinkled some flour on the ball of dough, placed it on the table, and draped a cloth over it. Next to it, she set a large iron pan and rubbed the inside with rendered fat. Her movements were practiced and concise.

The girl watched for a moment before murmuring, “Bein’ here seems like comin’ home.”

“You should spend the night,” Peggy said. “We can sit up and talk.”

“That’d be fun. But I promised to be home for the evenin’ meal.”

Jim frowned as something dawned on him. She would hike home unaccompanied after her visit. “You musn’t go down the mountain alone.”

“Why not?” Her large eyes showed a trace of defiance. Her chin went up. “Peggy will be walkin’ down for school next week. I know my way. Deer will be with me.”

“No.” He shook his head. “Samuel and Peggy will ride double on one of the horses. Or one of us boys will see her down. Peggy
won’t be
alone. Much as I hate to suggest it, Duncan can take you back down when you’re ready. He’s going to see Lyle this afternoon about some work—a rock wall around a small field.”

Peggy snatched Ella’s hand. “Quick! Come. I want you to see the dress Mother sewed for school. It’s so pretty.”

Jim watched his exuberant sister pull Ella out of the room. He turned to face an unreadable look on his mother’s thin face. Her hazel eyes deepened in color and reflected concern.

“Why the strange look?” He folded his arms and waited.

“Take your hat off in the house. My look isn’t strange—just a passing thought.” She rinsed her hands in a bucket and dried them on her apron. “Who’s cleaning the turkey?”

“Tur
keys
—two of them.” He removed his hat and brushed at the brim. “Young ones. Duncan’s doing the job.”

“
Hmm.
” She seized a sharp knife, sliced a potato in half, then quartered it. As she dropped the pieces into a wooden bowl of water, she murmured, “She’s becoming a young lady and lovelier every passing week. Her blue eyes can pull a person into their bright depths.” His mother pressed her lips into a straight line and reached for another potato. “I’m sure you notice such things.”

“Don’t remind me.” He palmed his hat onto his head. “I must go inform Duncan he has to let that little girl accompany him. My guess is Samuel won’t be happy with me.”

“Jim?” His mother’s hazel eyes studied his face, and her thin lips curved upward. It was the first sign of a real smile on her face since the burying. “She’s not a
little
girl. Yes, Samuel will not like Duncan escorting Ella Dessa down the mountain.”

“I have work to do.” He walked to the door. “Duncan was going down to the cove—or else I’d be the one seeing Ella home.” He winked at his mother, and he heard her soft chuckle as the door closed behind him.

Samuel came up the steps. He had a saddlebag over his left shoulder and his arms full of bundles. “Hold the door for me? Thanks. Where’s Ella Dessa?”

“With Peggy.” Jim shut the heavy door. Whistling a soft tune, he went to find Duncan.

“Comin’ to help me?” Duncan turned with feathers stuck to his fingers. Deer was nearby, pouncing on feathers drifting away in the breeze.

“No. I’ve
work
to do.” He bent and pulled a wad of wet feathers from the dog’s mouth. “When you go down to Lyle’s, take Ella with you. I don’t want her walking home alone.”

“
Hmm
. You playing me against Samuel?” Duncan flicked feathers off his fingers. “But I won’t mind
at all.
”

“Just get her home safe.”

Duncan’s pond-green eyes narrowed. “I guess you know Sam’s got his sights set on her. He’s lovesick.”