Morning Sky (33 page)

Her firm resolve melted as she looked into Truth’s pleading eyes. Rejecting her sisters would only create more pain for all of them. And how could she turn away from the two girls she had practically raised? Nothing could change their bond. Not unless she allowed it. “I’m sorry, Truth. I do love you, and I promise I won’t let my feelings for you or Grace change. But you must bear with me if I forget myself and speak sharply sometimes.”

There was little doubt the words delighted Truth. She hugged Jarena tightly enough to nearly squeeze the breath out of her. “Thank you, Jarena.” When Truth finally released Jarena, her face was alight with pleasure. “As for your sharp tongue, Grace and I became accustomed to that years ago when you were constantly correcting our grammar.” Jarena laughed and nodded. “I suppose that’s true enough.”

“We best both get to bed. Moses hopes to start for Nicodemus early in the morning.”

“And Silas? Where is he?”

“Dr. Boyle offered him Harvey’s room, but I think the idea of staying here made him uncomfortable. When Moses offered to put him up at his house, he quickly accepted.”

“What’s Silas planning to do, Truth?”

“He wants to own a piece of land. Silas reminds me of Pappy when he talks about owning land. I don’t think he has much money, so I doubt he can afford to purchase any acreage right away. He’s good with horses, and he did lots of odd jobs at the school. Surely someone could use his help.”

“I know there are lots of folks who could use his assistance, but whether they could afford to pay him would be entirely another story.”

“If all else fails, I’m sure Moses could put him to work setting type at the newspaper office.”

“Can he read?”

Truth frowned. “A little. But something will work out. After all, he wanted to come west.”

Jarena walked to the open bedroom window and stared into the starlit sky. “But you still bear a certain amount of responsibility to help him, Truth. He wouldn’t have come here if it hadn’t been for you. Have you noticed the way he looks at you? I believe he cares deeply for you.”

With her arms folded across her waist, Jarena turned to face her sister.

“No. We’re merely friends. In fact, we barely know each other. Silas knew I had marriage plans before he decided to help us. I told him about Moses.”

Jarena regarded her sister with misgivings. “You may have spoken the words, Truth, but did you speak them from your heart so there would be no misunderstanding?Were you certain he understood before you convinced him to travel west and give up his previous life? For it’s now quite obvious he can’t return to New York and resume his position at the school.”

Truth looked irritated, and she motioned widely with her hands as she spoke. “He’s a man full grown, Jarena. He’ll make his way the same as everyone else who’s come to live out here. If he wants to leave Kansas, Moses and I will do what we can to help him. If he wants to stay, we’ll help him with that, too.”

The four travelers had bid their farewells and were settled into the carriage by dawn. Moses drove the coach with Truth by his side, while Silas and Jarena sat behind them. As they set out, Silas began to question Jarena. How far to Nicodemus? Did she think he could find work? Could he purchase land? At first Jarena attempted to answer, but he continued questioning her until she grew weary.

Jarena wanted to shake her sister and force her to answer some of his countless inquiries. “Didn’t you ask Truth any of these questions before departing New York, Silas?”

He fumbled with his shirt sleeve and shook his head. “No, ma’am. I s’pose I shoulda, but I wanted to get out of that place. I’s wantin’ to own me a piece of land more’n anything, and Truth tol’ me there was land for the takin’ out here in the West.”

“There’s land to be purchased in Nicodemus. Is that where you plan to settle?”

“Don’t know fer sure. I ain’t seen it yet. Reckon I could get a job there? Moses says I might be able to hire out workin’ for the livery or mebbe helpin’ at one of the farms for room and board. But that ain’t gonna help me get enough money to buy no land, is it?”

He was a likeable young man, but he sure had a lot of questions. Jarena wanted to offer encouragement. “If all else fails, I know my father could use an extra pair of strong hands. He and my younger sister are attempting to farm both his acreage and the land that lies directly adjacent. Truth may have mentioned that my future husband is off fighting with the cavalry?”

Silas straightened his shoulders as though mention of the military required he come to attention. “No, I don’t believe she talked ’bout that. She did say she had two sisters, you and Grace. She said Grace is her twin.” His proud countenance reminded Jarena of a young schoolboy who had properly recited his lessons. “You think your pappy might want me to help farm your beau’s land while he’s off fightin’?”

Jarena simply nodded. There was little doubt her father would be pleased to have the help, especially with the corn nearly ripe for harvest. But sending Silas into Thomas’s fields to cut and shuck the corn seemed a betrayal of her loyalty. Oh how she wished Thomas were here to work his own land!

Jarena was thankful to see her father’s house come into view. Apparently Grace had heard the wagon approach, for she came scurrying outdoors before the horses had even come to a stop. The moment she saw Truth, Grace began to jump up and down as if her feet were giant springs. When the two girls finally embraced, they bounced and laughed in unison.

“They look some alike, don’t they?” Silas said to Jarena as he watched the two girls.

“Yes, but their personalities are completely different. Grace loves to work outdoors alongside Pappy. She’s happiest when she’s watching things grow, and she’s much more thoughtful and quiet—though you wouldn’t suspect that from watching her antics right now.”

“They’s sure happy to see each other.” Silas gestured toward the luggage. “Iffen you tell me where to put these things, I can start unloadin’.”

Jarena stopped to hug Grace and introduce Silas before leading him inside. “You can put my trunk over there. I can get the rest of my belongings while you bring your baggage inside.” Although Jarena wasn’t certain what her father would think of having another mouth to feed, she knew he wouldn’t turn the young man away—especially if he should prove to be a good field hand.

Jarena stepped to the doorway and called to her sister. “Where’s Pappy, Grace?”

“Out in the fields checking the corn. He’ll be here soon.”

Jarena donned an apron that was hanging near the sink before peering into a kettle bubbling on the stove. Rabbit stew. She could add some more turnips and carrots and make a big batch of corn bread to help stretch the meal. Pappy would expect his food on the table at noon, company or not.

When Ezekiel arrived a short time later, Jarena was ladling the stew into a large crock. “Good to see you, daughter.” He kissed Jarena’s cheek. “Food sure do smell good, too.”

“He’s been longing for your cooking ever since you left, Jarena,” Grace said. “Seems like I can’t cook anything to suit him.”

Ezekiel poured water into the washbowl and winked at Grace. “You’s doing some better, Grace. Practice makes perfect—you jest don’ wanna practice. That apple pie you made a week ago was right tasty.”

When Jarena and Truth introduced Silas, Ezekiel welcomed him heartily. “Silas, set down and make yerself to home.”

The noonday meal was filled with a lengthy account of the many problems Truth had faced while in New York, along with the details of her subsequent journey home. She saved the final bit of news until last.

“You’ll never guess who it was that helped us on the train, Pappy.”

Ezekiel poured himself another cup of coffee. “Don’ reckon as I could. Was it someone I know from back in Kentucky?”

“It was a friend of Aunt Lilly’s. Mr. Cummings.”

All signs of cheerfulness vanished from Ezekiel’s face. “Where’s he now?”

“When I spoke with him, he said he had been invited to stay with the Nelsons,” Jarena replied.

Ezekiel surrounded his coffee cup with both hands and stared into the dark brew. “He say anything ’bout comin’ over here to Nicodemus?”

Jarena shook her head. “I’m not certain he believed me when I told him Aunt Lilly had departed.”

“He’ll prob’ly come over here to check.” Ezekiel pushed his chair away from the table. “Daylight’s wastin’. I best head back out to the field. Silas, you wanna come along? Might give you an idea if you want to take up farmin’.”

Silas glanced at Moses, who appeared perfectly content to remain at the table. “You go on, Silas. I’m going to town to gather information for the newspaper. I’ve seen Ezekiel’s fields, and I know I don’t want to take up farming.”

Ezekiel chuckled as he pulled his hat off a peg near the door. “You might want to take a side trip to Stockton while you’s this far. Folks is rumoring ’bout one of the railroads layin’ track in this direction. Now wouldn’t that be somethin’ if we was to get us trains comin’ right through Nicodemus?”

Once Ezekiel and Silas had departed, Moses appeared anxious to be on his way. However, his offer to have Truth accompany him into town was met by Grace’s immediate disapproval. With a good-natured laugh and an admonition that Truth discuss preparations for their wedding, he left the young women to themselves.

Grace gathered a stack of dishes from the table. “Have the two of you set a new wedding date?”

“I don’t know if Moses will agree, but I’m thinking the first week in November will allow us enough time to properly prepare.”

Jarena sometimes wondered if Truth really wanted to marry Moses, for it seemed as if she kept postponing their wedding. Though the problems in New York hadn’t been of Truth’s doing, she didn’t need to wait another eight weeks to wed. She longed to tell Truth that if Thomas walked in the door, she’d be prepared to marry him that very moment. Of course, Truth hadn’t ever been faced with the possibility of losing Moses.

Grace frowned as she grabbed a dish towel and began to dry one of the plates. “I don’t think Moses’ll want to wait that long. All he talked about while you were gone was that you weren’t going to return in time for the wedding. I believe he thinks he’s already waited much too long.”

“And I may not be here in November, either,” Jarena put in.

The twins swiveled around to face Jarena. “Where will you be?” Grace’s voice cracked as she asked the question.

“I’m thinking of going to Topeka. Moses mentioned I could go and live there and act as a reporter for his newspapers—send him information and write articles. Doesn’t that sound like an excellent idea?”

Grace dried a tin plate and placed it on the top of the stack. “Not if it means you’re going to leave us.” The girl was near tears.

“No need to cry, Grace,” Jarena comforted. “I haven’t made a final decision.”

When they all came together around the supper table later that evening, an air of foreboding filled the room. Jarena couldn’t put her finger on the exact cause. Silas was exhibiting a childlike enthusiasm after spending an afternoon in the fields with her father, but there was something more. She sensed a crackling tension that threatened to explode at any moment, yet the others seated at the table appeared perfectly calm.

As Jarena cut and served slices of apple pie, she realized she’d overreacted throughout the meal.
Silly girl!
She could have relaxed and enjoyed the time with her family rather than anticipating some worrisome event.

“Sounds like a rider approaching.” Ezekiel pushed back from the table and walked toward the door.

Jarena held her breath and waited, listening as the sound of pounding hooves drew nearer and then came to a stop outside the house.

“Ezekiel Harban?” A male voice hollered the question.

“I am. Who’s it that’s wantin’ to know?”

Jarena gasped in surprise as Bentley Cummings pushed her father aside and entered the room. “Come with me, Jarena,” he said, pointing his riding crop at her. “I must speak with you.” His command nearly shook the walls of the soddy. Why did he want
her
? She clutched the back of a chair as her father started toward Bentley.

“It’s all right, Pappy. I’ll call out if I need you.” Jarena released her grasp on the chair and patted her father’s arm. “He won’t do anything to harm me.”

Bentley was standing by his horse when she stepped outside, staying close to the doorway. “What is it you want from me, Mr. Cummings?” He removed a large envelope from a pouch slung across his saddle. “If you’re truly Lilly’s daughter, she’ll likely contact you before anyone else. I’m leaving for New Orleans in the morning. Should Lilly return to Kansas or advise you of her whereabouts, see that she receives this. And tell her that I personally delivered it to you.”

“That’s all you want me to say?”

“Everything else Lilly needs to know is inside that envelope.” Without another word, he mounted the bay mare and rode off toward Hill City as though the devil were on his heels.

CHAPTER
31

Nicodemus , Kansas

N
ovember!”

“My gown—” Truth began.

Moses cut her short. “Your gown has already been completed. Mrs. Kramer said you could come by for a final fitting anytime. I say we get married a week from Sunday.”

Ezekiel jovially slapped his hand on the table. “Sounds like a good day ta me. I’ll have the preacher announce it in church come Sunday mornin’.”

Truth shook her head, her eyes wide. “I don’t think we can have enough food by then, and the other—” Ezekiel waved dismissively. “Me and Jarena can go talk to Miss Hattie tomorra. She and the womenfolk will have ever’thing ready in no time.”

“But . . .” Truth made eye contract with Jarena as she scrambled for a reply. “Well, I’m not certain Jarena wants to help prepare for my wedding, Pappy. She has other matters occupying her mind right now.”

Jarena wasn’t sure whether Truth was truly concerned or was merely using her as an excuse to delay the wedding. All she could do was answer honestly. “If you want to have the wedding a week from Sunday, I’ll be pleased to help Miss Hattie and the other women. It’s up to you, Truth.”