Within the Candle's Glow (18 page)

“So?” Jim realized Duncan’s tone of voice stuck in his craw.

“I just figured it bothered you—our brother’s interest in the girl.”

“Not at all.”

Duncan continued to smile and wiggled his thick red eyebrows. “Oh? I misinterpreted signals passing between you two—you and the girl, that is.” He lifted a turkey carcass by one leg. “Without feathers, these birds are mere hatchlings.”

“We’ll eat both of them at one sitting. Mother’s waiting on them.”

#

Ella couldn’t think of anything to say to Duncan that they hadn’t already discussed the night of his papa’s wake. She tried not to cling to his waist as the horse went down a steep part of the trail, but the slant made her lean forward against his warm back. The side of her face bumped his shoulder, and her fingers tightened with the shift of the horse’s hips and weight.

“I’d hate to fall off the edge,” she said with a gasp. The horse stumbled sideways on a rock rolling under its hoof, and she clutched Duncan’s upper body. Her fingers pressed into his firm chest, and his hat brim bumped her forehead. “Let’s walk.”

He chuckled. “Naw, this is faster. You’d be used to it if you did it every day. This horse knows what to expect. Hold on, one more little slope and we hit the level spot. I’ve been riding this trail since I was a baby.” He removed his dark floppy hat, scrunched it, and stuffed it under one of his legs.

“
Whew!
I’d rather walk. I don’t see how you bring a wagon down it.” She tugged at her skirt, making sure it hid her legs.

“The wagon has a brake.”

“That’s not too comfortin’.” She eased her grip on him. “Will you stay home for a time?”

“I never know. If the urge hits me—I’m gone. Don’t tell my brothers.”

“Ah, I wouldn’t want to be the one to tell them!” She heard his deep chuckle through his back and leaned further away.

He reined the horse to the right. “Call your dog. I’m takin’ the shaded way down. Too many ruts the other way.”

“But it’s wider,” she said, sputtering in dismay. Low bushes rubbed past her legs and pulled at her hem. “This trail’s grown in. Isn’t this the
one that crosses water?”

“Yeah. No problem for a horse.”

“The horse cain’t walk the log bridge!”

“No, she’ll nimbly step into the water and up the other side.”

“Oh, my.” She twisted around. “Deer! Come!”

The small dog ran through the brush with his tan ears flapping. Trees shadowed the path, and the horse’s hooves produced a steady clomping sound. She scrunched her eyes shut as the large animal picked its way over exposed roots and stones.

“Those could break a leg.”

“Naw. Horses travel worse trails out west.” He shot a look over his shoulder. His intense eyes sparked with fun. “Right down the side of a mountain.”

“I don’t believe you.” She saw his wide smile within the curly beard on his face.

“Relax, girl. You’re pinching my sides with your clenched fingers.”

Ella jerked her hands away, placed them on his shoulders, and ducked sideways as a limb threatened to drag her off the horse’s rump. She playfully hit the top of his shoulder with her fist. “Duncan, I cain’t believe you’re doin’ this. Is it just to scare me?”

His upper body shook with laughter. “Heck, I’m
enjoyin’
this. Haven’t had a girl willin’ to hang onto me in a long time. Yee-haw!”

“Oh!” She lifted her hands from his shoulders and tried to balance without touching him. “You’re so—
impossible
.”

The horse stepped down the bank of the wide flat stream. Its hips rolled with the movement. With a gasp of alarm, she grabbed Duncan’s upper arms and squeezed her knees to the animal’s rounded sides. A pebbled section allowed the crossing through deeper water. Minnows fled the hooves of the horse. With splashing steps, the horse slogged through the shallows and lunged up the other bank, threatening to dump her off its rump. Deer swam a safe distance behind and shook himself when he reached dry land.

Ella’s arms were once more around Duncan’s waist. He laughed in hearty guffaws.

“This is fun. Shall we go back and try a second time? I can turn her ‘round right here. I sure
loved
the hugs.”

“Duncan, look out!” A tree limb threatened to upset them. With eyes scrunched, she willingly hugged him, her face against his shoulder. “No, no!” Unexpectedly, she laughed with him. His unpretentious
personality struck her as easy to accept. He wasn’t going to expect perfection from her.

She spoke near his ear. “Duncan, you’re the opposite of Jim. He takes
no chances
.”

“My dear, you said a mouthful there. He and I have butted heads since I could walk. We pull in different directions—like a mismatched team of elderly mules.”

“I bet you can be as single-minded as a pair of jays announcin’ a snake’s presence.”

“Yes’um, but Jim considers himself the trailbreaker in the family. He tries too hard to keep everythin’
and
everyone in line. Now, girl, don’t take me wrong, I love my big brother. But he sure can get my back up—rile me like a wet polecat. He’s happier when I’m gone. He won’t admit it. I hear he stomps around cussin’ me.”

“Jim don’t cuss. Maybe, he misses your fights or envies your freedom.”

“
Hmm
, could be, sister.” His voice hinted at a smile. “We relax and act like brothers who love each other when we go hikin’.”

“You hain’t done that since I remember.”

“Nope. In the past, it was great. Away from home, things would change. We always fell into a peaceful existence. I led. He
followed
. Sometimes, we panned for gold in the creeks.” He chuckled. “Wild hikes in the snow were the best. If an unusual deep snow hit, we’d fill up a couple of those packs Papa made out of leather, and we’d disappear off on some trail
without
Mother’s blessing—only her tears.”

“Weren’t you afraid?”

“Naw, we even stayed with Indians one time when the snow didn’t let up. They had a snug little farm. I was thirteen. That was before they dragged the Indians out of these hills.”

Duncan got quiet.

Ella leaned her chin against his back and relaxed into the swaying gait of the horse. “We had an Indian friend who brung Mama blackberries. I remember the blue feather he wore.”

“Yes, Blue Feather,” Duncan whispered in awe.

“I adored his wife. Her hands smelled like herbs.” She sighed. “You know some of the Indians didn’t leave. They hid.”

“I wouldn’t breathe a word ‘bout what I know.”

She rested her forehead on his back. “Then
you
know what
I
know.” Somewhere, in the deep forest above them, Blue Feather and his small
family hid and hopefully survived.

“Yes, perhaps. We don’t speak of it—even in these seemingly empty woods.”

They were silent during the last stretch of overgrown trail. The dark-brown horse fought through the brush and stepped out on the eastward trail leading to the store.

“Take the right fork. I need to go home. Velma and Walter are tyin’ the knot tomorrow. I’m finishin’ the hem on her dress tonight.” She sat up straight and dropped her arms from his waist.

He hunched his shoulders and sighed. “It’s been enjoyable talking to you.”

She tried to analyze the sadness in his deep voice. “Yes—more fun than I thought it’d be.”

He chuckled. “My bad reputation will never be wiped clean. It’s like a broken slate. No forgiveness here in the cove and clear down to Auraria, south of here. I owe a gold mine owner some money. That’s why I must run away and see what adventure I can find in the Florida territory of swamps.”

“
Hmm
. Duncan, you don’t want to live here?”

“No.” He brought the horse to a stop by Velma’s cabin. “You hain’t seen Florida or the ocean,
yet.
”

“Yet?”

“I got a feeling you’ll step foot on her sandy soil some time in your life.” He reached back and clasped her arm as she slid off the horse. Releasing his hold on her, Duncan dismounted and accompanied her to the door. Deer ran up and plopped himself under a bush, his sides shaking with exhausted panting.

“I’m not sure when I’ll see you again.” He cupped his callused fingers under her chin. His tantalizing green eyes gazed at her, while the corner of his mouth formed a slight smile. “You be good, little Ella Dessa. Be kind to my poor brothers. Don’t make them suffer unduly.” He winked. “A duel doesn’t come out well in the end.”

She pulled her chin out of his hand and felt heat in her face. “I don’t understand that remark.”

He tapped her on the nose and chuckled. “Keep it for future reference. I’m sure we’ll cross paths in the upcomin’ months or years.”

As he stepped back and turned to go, Ella dared ask him, “Am I sensin’ somethin’? Does that mean you’re leavin’ Beckler’s Cove—
soon
?”

Before replying, he gathered the reins and mounted. “Beautiful girl,
I won’t say as I can answer that.” His red hair caught the sun’s rays and flamed with color.

“Then God be with you.”

“I pray so. I truly do.” Duncan gave her a lonely smile. “No matter what my family thinks, I
listen
for God’s voice. I just don’t sit in a house or a building and
wait to hear
. I travel where God walks in the cool of the evening.” He lifted one hand in farewell.

A cord of sadness made her tremble for his well-being. She watched him ride away, his upper body and squared shoulders moving in rhythm with the horse’s gait. What made a man a drifter? What inner passion tugged him away from home and family?

S
aturday, September 19, 1840

Ella smiled as she swept a clump of reddish clay out the back door of the store. She paused, leaned on the broom handle, and stared up at the fall colors beginning to decorate the rolling tops of the tree-covered mountains. An early frost had nipped the higher elevations.

A happy sigh whispered past her lips as she remembered Velma and Walter’s wedding two weeks before. It had been a simple affair, performed outside on the grassy slope behind the store. Velma had been a radiant bride in a dark-navy dress, blushing when Walter’s adoring glances caught her eye.

After going through the heartfelt sorrow of Ephraim’s unexpected passing, the brief outdoor wedding had brought a touch of normalcy to the cove. Borrowed benches occupied a semicircle around the bride and groom. Leigh stood on a weather-scoured rock and performed the ceremony. The temperature had turned out perfect for a fall wedding, and everyone enjoyed the simple refreshments Ella prepared and set out on the long platform of the store. Leona loaned her two china bowls so she could serve warm cider to the guests.

Samuel had insisted on helping Ella, which shifted her mind away from the fact Jim rode over to the Wald homestead to pick up Sophie.
Samuel then won her appreciation by riding to homes in the cove, asking to borrow their benches. He also gained her attention by whispering how pretty she looked in a new skirt she had sewn for the wedding.

“It’s unbelievable how women cut material into crazy shapes, sew the pieces side by side, and make a shirt, dress, or skirt.”

She had fanned out the folds of her dark-green skirt. “Samuel, it’s not hard. I cut the length I need, which is four times my width. I fold a narrow band to fit my waist an’ gather the skirt part to it. Oh, I leave an openin’ on the side, so I can slip it on. Fixed a buttonhole. Sewed on a wooden button. It’s easy.”

“Easy?” Samuel had stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. “That’s
confusing.
I now see why Peggy hates sewing, mending, and spinning.”

“Peggy’d rather cook. I’m sure I could teach
you
to sew.”

“No thanks,” he had blurted out, backing away from her. “I’d rather run a trap line in the dead of winter—with ice covering the trees.”

“
Hmm
, I know how much you hate settin’ traps.”

What do I feel for Samuel?
Ella stood still with the broom in her hands.
Could we fall in love?
She was so comfortable with him. They understood one another and often perceived what the other would say or do. Yes, she loved Samuel. She wasn’t
in love
with him.