Taking the Reins (18 page)

Emma stopped too. “And that's what your sister would want? For her memory to make you sad?”

“No, of course not. Susan would want me to be hap
py. It's only that, so often when I laugh, I think of her.”

“And you feel guilty for being the one to live.”

Katherine didn't reply. She didn't need to. It was enough that Emma understood. She picked up her bag and the two trudged on in silence.

“There it is,” Katherine said some time later.

“I don't see anything.”

The cabin was no more than a square of solid black against a dark background of forest. Not the faintest glimmer of light showed in the windows. If it had not been for a whiff of woodsmoke clinging to the still air, Katherine would have thought no one was home.

“The cabin is there all right,” Katherine assured her. “It will be warm inside and there'll be hot tea and something to eat.”

They crossed the distance with renewed energy.

Katherine stopped at the door, uncertain whether to knock or walk right in. She didn't want to take George by surprise in the dark of night. No telling what he might do. So she rapped as hard as she could with her knuckles, the sound muffled by the solid wood door. There was no answer.

“What if no one's here?” Emma whispered.

“George is here all right. He's likely asleep. He gets up early and works hard these days.”

She pushed open the door and stepped into a pitch-black room, dragging Emma behind her.

“Who's there?” a voice bellowed. Heavy footsteps tromped from the room their parents usually slept in. A lantern burst into life and was thrust in Katherine's face.

After a moment of shocked silence. “Oh my Lord, what next?”

The light swung away and was thrust toward Emma, who backed toward the door.

“And exactly who would this be? Katherine, don't tell me you've run away with some young man?”

“Um, George, I'd like you to meet my good friend, Joey,” Katherine said. She turned to Emma. “Don't worry, this is only my brother, George. He's perfectly harmless – for the most part.”

“What in God's name are you doing here, Katherine? And dressed like a schoolboy? Father will be furious when he hears of this.”

“If you'll only calm down, George, I'll explain everything. But first my friend and I really need to sit and rest. This has been a very tiring day.” She guided Emma to Father's chair at the table and then settled herself on one of the less comfortable seats. “A cup of tea would be lovely,” she added, “and a bite to eat.”

George plunked the lantern on the table and glared from Katherine to Emma and back again. “He's wearing my clothes.” He jerked his head in Emma's direction.

“Yes,” Katherine agreed. “And they fit better than they did on me.”

George stepped closer, removed the hat from Emma's head and bent to stare into her face. “Is he a girl?”

“An' wot if I am?” Emma snatched back her hat and replaced it on her head.

“Listen, George,” Katherine said wearily, “we're tired and hungry and we've come all this way to help you get off this farm, just as you want. So if you'll only bring us some food before we faint dead away from hunger, we'll explain everything.”

George straightened up. “Off this wretched farm?”

“Yes.” She gazed longingly toward the kitchen.

George hesitated for a moment longer, then picked up the lantern and padded to the kitchen in stocking feet. The girls were left in semi-darkness, although the cooking area was mere steps away.

“Is your friend William here too?” Emma whispered.

“I hope so, because we need the both of them. But I can't say he's my friend, because that's not what he wants. He and George are friends now though, having worked together over the winter.”

George returned with tea, bread and butter, and a plate of dried venison. Katherine and Emma ate hungrily. George looked from one to the other. “Are you going to tell me what you're doing here?”

Katherine took one more bite of bread, chewed, and swallowed it with a gulp of tea. She put her cup down. “All right then, George, this is what's happened.”

With Emma jumping in every so often to clarify, add details, or insert her own point of view, Katherine explained what had brought them here.

“And you want me to go after the men?” George asked when they were done.

“If you think that, you don't know your own sister very well,” said a familiar voice behind them.

Katherine whipped around. And there stood William, blending with the shadows beyond the lantern's glow. His arms were folded across his chest, and he leaned against the doorway to the back bedroom. She wondered how long he had been standing there.

He nodded in her direction. Katherine dipped her head in response. Of course they couldn't be friends, she understood that now. William would soon return home and marry that young woman he talked of. Her own life would head in an entirely different direction.

“William's right,” she said to her brother. “I don't need you to do anything but loan us Duke for a few days.”

When George didn't reply, she added, “Also a pair of your trousers, if you don't mind, long ones that I can tuck into my boots. These breeches are too short, as you can see.”

George grunted.

Emma shot him a puzzled look.

“Don't worry,” Katherine told her. “My brother only grunts because he can't think what to say. He might sound scary, but as I say, he's perfectly harmless, aren't you, George?”

She laughed when George grunted again.

William grabbed a cup and joined them at the table, pouring tea for himself. “You will need to borrow Coal also. George and I will have both horses ready for you at daybreak.”

“Thank you, William.” No, she thought, they couldn't be close friends, that was too much to expect, but they could always help each other where needed.

Finally George spoke. “I can't let you go running off into the wilderness on your own.”

“Why not?” Katherine asked. “I've done it before and you know it. Besides, I won't be alone, because Emma will be with me.”

“Father would never forgive me.”

“If you're afraid of Father, then I suggest you don't tell him. If it comes to that, I'll say we borrowed the horses when you and William were off working and didn't know a thing about it.”

While her brother sat there scowling, Katherine took a moment to make proper introductions.

“William, this is my good friend, Emma Curtis. Remember, I told you about her last time we met? For now though, we're calling her Joey. And Joey, I'd like you to meet my – uh – a friend of our family, William.”

They all set about eating until not a scrap of food was left on the table. Katherine stood up to clear the dishes. “I'll clean up in the morning,” she said. “And pack some food for our journey. Right now, I need some sleep.”

17

T
h
ere's the store.” Katherine hunched low in the saddle. “Stay close beside me as a shield in the event one of my parents comes out.”

They kept the horses close together, Emma on Duke and Katherine riding Coal. Katherine turned away from the row of wood-frame buildings to her left and gazed down the low bank at the wide river flowing past on her right side. She heard men's voices and imagined them seated on chairs beneath an overhang, puffing on pipes and trying to outdo one another with their stories. If Father was among them, all was lost.

“Keep on at this same pace so we don't call attention to ourselves,” Katherine whispered. But Coal chose this moment to raise his head, pull on the reins, and prance sideways along Yale's narrow dirt road, pulling well ahead of Duke.

“You there, on the black horse!” A too-familiar voice called from her left.

For a half-second, Katherine considered ignoring the voice and galloping out of town as fast as possible, but knew this would only call attention to herself and Emma. She pulled Coal to a stop. Her heart raced.

Mother stood on the wooden sidewalk, one hand on a half-open door. Her eyes moved from Katherine to Emma. She closed the door and marched onto the dusty street, directly to Coal. She reached up and grabbed his bridle. “What on Earth are you doing here, Katherine? And who is this?” She gasped in surprise. “Not Emma?”

“I'm sorry Mother, but something's happened and we need to catch up with Emma's father.”

“But...I don't understand. Isn't he in Victoria?”

Emma spoke up then. “Tall Joe and his cousin, with Edward to help them, have run off to choose land on their own.”

“We need to catch up before it's too late,” Katherine added.

“Oh dear. And only this morning your father and I received a letter from Mr. Roberts. I have our reply ready to mail.” She raised her hand, holding two letters.

The men's voices grew suddenly louder.

Mother's fingers tightened around the bridle. “Katherine, your father will be joining that group at any minute now. He can't fail to recognize the horses.”

She was right. Her father would recognize Duke and Coal in an instant. What did that matter though, when Mother had already stopped them? “The men have come this way, Mother, we're sure of it. If we catch them in time, I know they'll be interested in buying our farm over pre-empting a vast tract of uncleared land.”

Mother tapped the letters against her forehead. “Katherine, it must have been them who stopped by the store only this morning. Those three can't have gone far with all the supplies they purchased. They've taken horses and a pack mule, which will slow them down.” She gazed up at Katherine as if deciding what to do.

“Will you let us go then? Please?” Katherine pleaded.

A burst of laughter erupted from the men behind them.

“Take this.” Mother handed one of the letters up to Katherine.

“Thank you, Mother.” Katherine tucked the letter into her pocket. “You won't be sorry.”

“Be safe.” Mother let go of Coal and stepped out of the way.

Katherine and Emma rode out of town side by side, wanting to gallop, keeping to a walk. Once out of Yale, they moved slightly faster, but the trail was rough and didn't allow for a gallop.

“Aren't you going to read the letter?” Emma asked.

“Not now. If we hurry and are very lucky, we might catch up with them before nightfall.”

They rode on, single file, with the sound of the river in their ears. Mile after mile they travelled until the sun sank below the treed hills and the temperature began to drop.

“Seems like it will soon be dark,” Emma complained. “And this looks like a good place to stop or are you planning to ride all night?”

“We'll stop soon, Emma. If I remember correctly, there's a flat place to camp not far ahead. We won't want to tackle the canyon in the dark.”

“An' what's this about a canyon?”

“A rocky trail too narrow for one horse to pass another. Sheer rock walls straight down to a narrow gorge where the river rages through. More than one horse has been lost over the edge.”

Gathering darkness forced them to stop with no sign of the men. Katherine started a campfire, and the girls huddled close to it for warmth, with black night all around them and a million stars overhead. They made tea and ate the bread and dried venison Katherine brought.

Katherine pulled out Mother's letter and read it by firelight.

“Well then? What does it say?” Emma asked.

“Oh, at first some stuff about how they miss me. But here's the interesting part. My parents are excited about Mr. Roberts' proposal to sell them his store and have already replied to his letter. Look, Emma, they've enclosed a letter addressed to Mr. Joseph Bentley and Mr. Ned Turner.” Katherine held it up. “Mother says it explains all the details and terms of purchasing the farm. They want me to deliver it.”
Katherine folded the letter and tucked it away. “And that's exactly what we're going to do, you and I.”

“We are indeed,” Emma agreed. “Exactly as your parents asked.”

“We'll start again at first light and hope to catch them before noon.”

“And before this canyon of yours.” Emma shuddered. “It sounds like somethin' ‘orrible!”

Katherine laughed. “You'll be fine, Emma, if it comes to that. You're a good horsewoman now.”

“Thank you,” Emma said. “You're a good teacher.” She stared into the fire. “Katherine? Do you think I could ever learn to read and write?”

“Of course you can, Emma. All you need is a good teacher.” She laughed. “And I happen to know there is one available.”

Emma smiled her thanks.

The campfire slowly died, but Emma lay awake, gazing up at the stars, worrying what tomorrow might bring. She yawned and closed her eyes, drifting into a dream-filled sleep.

She looked down. Straight down to a narrow cut between steep-sided rocks. Tons of water funneled through with a roar that echoed up the canyon walls. She clung tight to the saddlehorn. Pressed both knees against Duke's sides. Ears forward, the white horse picked his way over loose rocks on a trail that narrowed with every step.

“You're no daughter of mine!” Tall Joe yelled, so close his warm breath spilled over her cheek. “I want nothing more to do with you!”

Startled, Emma lurched sideways. Duke lost his balance, tried to recover, but stepped too close to the edge. Loose rocks gave way, bouncing and crashing down the rock face. Horse and rider followed.

“Aihhh!” Emma screamed, but the sound stuck in her throat. Her body jerked.

“Are you all right?” Katherine asked.

Emma opened her eyes. By firelight, she saw Katherine add another log to a crackling blaze. Steam rose from a blackened pot. Emma tried but couldn't speak. Her chest hurt. She had forgotten to breathe. The dream refused to let go.

Katherine poked the fire with a stick, scattering bright orange sparks into the night. “What were you dreaming that made you moan like that?”

“I made a real sound?” Emma asked, sitting up, blinking.

Katherine nodded. “As if you were being strangled in your sleep.” She handed Emma a mug of tea. “Here, drink this, it will help you wake up.”

“Already? But it's still dark night.” Emma shivered. “And cold enough for frostbite.”

“The sun will be up soon. We need to get an early start.” Katherine poured herself some tea and sat down on a rock. “What were you dreaming about, Emma?”

“Tall Joe.” Emma could still see the anger on his face. His words still rang in her ears.

“That's what frightened you?” Katherine handed her a slice of bread.

Emma bit into it, thinking what to say. “That an' tumblin' to my death in the canyon. I'm thinkin' Tall Joe will be that angry at seeing us. Maybe I should have stayed in Victoria, where I belong.”

Katherine, about to sip her tea, lowered the mug. “Emma, if you say so we can still turn back. It's not too late. That would be the safe thing to do. Perhaps you don't mind carving a farm out of the wilderness with no cabin to live in and no fields ready for planting come spring. And only those three men for company because it will be too far for us ever to visit.”

“But Katherine, I have another choice. I don't have to go with them at all. I can stay in Victoria and take care of myself.”

“And I can return to living on the farm,” Katherine said, as if she didn't care one way or another. But she turned away, blinking hard.

“Is farm life so terrible then?” Emma asked.

“No. Not for the right people.” Katherine gazed into the fire. “If Susan had lived, I might even have liked it. But my teacher, Mr. Brett, tells me I have a talent for teaching, Emma, and it's something I really want to try. As it happens, there are a lot of youngsters up in Yale who need schooling.”

“But what if it doesn't work out? What then?”

“I don't know, Emma. At least I will have tried.” She bent to place a small log on the fire. “Is that it, Emma, are you afraid of trying something new?”

“I'm not afraid...” Emma began, but couldn't think what else to say.

“Or is it Tall Joe you're so frightened of? Are you afraid if you let yourself care about him he might hurt you one day?”

“No. I'm not...” Emma stopped to think. Is that why she felt so frightened inside? Because she feared Tall Joe wouldn't like her so much if he got to know her better? Maybe. And if she turned around now, she might never know. “Could be it's the dream that's frightened me and nothing more. Let's go catch those men before it's too late. And whatever happens, we'll have done our best.”

“Good then.” Katherine jumped to her feet. “By the time we have the horses ready, it should be light enough to see where we're going.”

Around each bend, Emma hoped to see them. She listened for voices up ahead, the snort of a horse, anything. But all she heard was the roar of the Fraser River far below. The land fell away so sharply it seemed they walked on the edge of the world. We must be nearing the canyon, she thought, and still no sign of the men. Her dream was about to come true. “Katherine!” she cried out, but Coal had outpaced Duke, putting Katherine too far ahead to hear. Emma was glad of that because, really, she had nothing to say. Only that she was afraid.

“Hurry along now, Duke,” she said, “or we'll be left behind.”

Duke walked faster, but Coal picked up his pace as well. Neck outstretched, the black horse sniffed the air and lengthened his stride. Katherine and Coal disappeared around a bend.

Duke followed at a slower pace. The trail widened.
A small stream tumbled down a narrow crevasse. Horses
and a mule were drinking from the stream, where it pooled beneath the rock cliff. A young man tended to them, his back to her. Edward?

Duke stopped just short of bumping into Coal.

Emma became vaguely aware of men's voices, a cough, the contented snort of a horse. The acrid smell of smoke. Bacon cooking. She turned toward the campfire. Stopped breathing.

Tall Joe stood up, clutching a frying pan. “Hey there fellows!” He waved a greeting. “You're welcome to share our fire. We'll be on our way in no time.”

Emma's voice lodged itself at the back of her throat.

“We'd be grateful to join you,” Katherine answered. “And we have food of our own.”

At the sound of her voice, Edward turned, his eyes wide and staring.

“You're a young lad to be out on your own.” This was Ned speaking, on the far side of the fire. He added another chunk of wood.

Tall Joe placed the frying pan on a rock and started toward the newcomers. “Your voice is very familiar,” he said, his eyes never leaving Katherine's face.