Tracie Peterson (2 page)

Garrett nodded. “I understand. I’ll keep track of her. You just rest.” Garrett turned to leave, but Sophia placed her hand on his arm.

“Please be gentle with her, Mr. Lucas. Life has not always treated her kindly.”

“I’d venture a guess it’s been rough on all of you. Please don’t worry. I’ll be a perfect gentleman. I’ll do as Jason instructed me, and nothing more than is necessary to fulfill his wishes.” With that, Garrett walked out the front door of the Intissar house.

Chapter 2

M
aggie gazed around the room. She wondered if she should bother to take anything with her. No. She could always borrow clothes from Lillie. Nervous excitement washed through her body. It would be a pleasure to defeat Garrett Lucas and to show her father once again that she wanted nothing to do with him.

It was odd how days, even weeks, passed when Maggie didn’t think of her father. God, on the other hand, could never be outrun.

Putting such uncomfortable thoughts aside, Maggie went to the window. She touched the powder-blue Priscilla curtains and remembered making them with her grandmother. Maggie held the soft folds against her cheek. She thought of how she and Grandmother had gone downtown to pick out the material and wallpaper for their new home in Potwin Place.

Maggie threw open the window. “I won’t be forced to give up all that I love. It’s just not fair!” she cried out loud. “Father can’t force me to leave Grandmother and marry someone I don’t know.”

There was a light rap at the door. “Maggie, do hurry along, Child. We’ve only a few minutes before we leave,” her grandmother called softly.

“In a minute,” Maggie responded. She hurriedly reached out the window to take hold of the trellis. Her skirts were quite cumbersome as she struggled to put her foot out the window. Gingerly, Maggie climbed onto the delicate wood frame sharing space with the climbing roses. The trellis shook vigorously for a few moments, then settled under her weight.

“If he thinks that he can just come in here and take me away, he’s got another think coming,” Maggie muttered to herself as she fought her skirts and the trellis. “He’s got to be twelve kinds of a fool to think I’d go anywhere with—” Her tirade ended abruptly as she was wrenched from the trellis into the arms of Garrett Lucas.

A look of amusement played in Garrett’s eyes, and Maggie couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly he carried her, squirming and twisting, back to the front door. “You were saying?” he questioned sarcastically.

“Oh, you are insufferable! Put me down!” Maggie said, suddenly finding her voice.

Garrett carried her through the etched glass double doors of her Queen Anne home. He took the stairs two at a time and didn’t stop until he reached the upstairs hallway.

“Which room?” he questioned.

“Put me down! Grandmother!” Maggie yelled.

“Unless you want me to help you pack, I suggest you settle down and do what your grandmother told you to do. I’m going to be watching this house the whole time, so no more tricks. Do you understand?” Garrett’s words left Maggie cold. “Do you?”

Maggie nodded slowly.

“Very well,” Garrett said as he set Maggie on her feet. “Now get your things together and be quick about it, or I’ll come in and help you!” With that he went downstairs and left Maggie to watch after him in total amazement. Who was this man?

Maggie hurried to the sanctuary of her room. There was no more time for memories or escapes. If she couldn’t get away from Garrett at home in Topeka, would it be possible to flee while on the train?

Suddenly, a plan began to form. “If Father thinks he’s won this round, he’s wrong.” Maggie said, pulling out a drawer from her writing desk. She dumped the contents onto the desktop. Coins and trinkets spilled out. “I’ll show him,” Maggie muttered to herself as she counted the money. Finally, thirty dollars and some change was counted out. “I wonder if this is enough to buy a train ticket home,” Maggie mused.

Next, she pulled out a piece of writing paper and jotted a note to her best friend, Lillie Johnston. She tried to explain what was happening and that, somehow, she’d be back. She sealed the envelope and left it in the middle of her desk, knowing her grandmother would find it and have it delivered.

Quickly, Maggie pulled off her gingham day dress and took out a green linen traveling suit. The day was too hot for such an outfit, but Maggie knew it would be expected by the matrons of society.

Maggie herself often scoffed at the rules and regulations that the women of Potwin Place had made for themselves. But they were rules that were followed by the genteel of society everywhere, not just those in this upper-class neighborhood.

Maggie pulled on her petticoat, then eyed herself in the mirror. She was only seventeen, not even an adult. Still, many of her friends were already married. Some even had children. She was woman enough she decided, but for what?

She labored with her shirtwaist and the faux lace collar that tied at her neck. Securing the collar with a velvet green ribbon, Maggie turned her attention to the skirt.

Within twenty minutes, Maggie stood at the base of the oak staircase, dressed in her green suit with valise and purse in hand. She was an alluring picture with her long auburn hair put up and a green hat pinned jauntily to one side.

Her appearance was not lost on Garrett. “Let me take that, Miss Intissar,” he said as he stepped forward to take the valise from Maggie’s hands. Maggie glared at him but said nothing. He took the bag and stepped back.

“You must be stronger than you look. This thing weighs more than a yearling heifer,” he drawled.

“I am a great many things more than what I appear to be, Mr. Lucas,” Maggie answered, refusing to allow him the upper hand.

“Somehow, Ma’am, that doesn’t surprise me.” His eyes pierced her soul, and Maggie felt as though she’d just been put in her place.

“Oh good, you’re here at last,” Sophia said as she entered the room carrying another small bag. “I had Two Moons pack you some things to eat.” Sophia referred to her Indian housekeeper who had been with her since she’d been a young girl.

“That isn’t necessary, Ma’am,” Garrett began. “Mr. Intissar sent along plenty of money for the two of us to eat along the way.”

Maggie thought of at least a dozen retorts but kept her tongue in check for a time longer. Once they were on the train, Garrett Lucas would discover just how difficult his trip was going to be.

“I only thought you might need something extra. I suppose it’s the mothering instinct in me.” Sophia started to discard the bag, but Maggie reached out and took it.

“Nonsense, Grandmother. It was a wise idea,” she said gently, while flashing a look at Garrett Lucas that made it clear he’d overstepped his bounds. “One can never tell when the food will be unsatisfactory. Why, Lillie told me just last week the food offered on their trip to Omaha had been appalling.”

“Of course, Ma’am. It was very thoughtful of you.” Garrett spoke polite
ly, all the while returning Maggie’s blazing stare. He raised one dark eyebrow slightly, as if contemplating a further reply, then changed his mind. “I suggest we be on our way. It’s already three o’clock.”

“Very well, Mr. Lucas.” Sophia allowed him to take her arm and lead her to the carriage.

Maggie lingered for a moment, trying to drink in every inch of the house. Standing at the foot of the stairs, she could look into three different rooms. They held comfort and good memories. Suddenly, she wanted to embrace it all, fearing that she’d never see her home again. Why was God punishing her? Hadn’t she paid enough?

Maggie choked back tears and steadied her nerves. She’d make it back, she vowed to herself. All the Garrett Lucases and Jason Intissars in the world would not keep her from her home and Grandmother.

“Come along, Maggie.” It was Grandmother calling from the carriage.

Maggie stepped onto the porch and shut the door behind her. She turned to find Garrett Lucas at her arm.

“I would suggest, Miss Intissar, that you make this matter as easy on your grandmother as possible.” Garrett’s voice was deadly serious. “She has done nothing but care for you and love you. You are a spoiled and selfish child.” He paused to search her eyes. “I will not allow you to cause her further grief by a display of childishness at the train station.”

Maggie’s mouth dropped open in shocked surprise. “How dare you—” Her words were cut off by his stern expression.

“I’m not the enemy here, but you are going to get on that train if I have to rope you and tie you to the seat. Everyone, including that sweet, old woman, has danced to your tune long enough. You are now in my care, Miss Magdelena Intissar, and I am quite capable of dealing with you.”

Maggie was stunned. She could barely work her legs to walk down the porch steps. It wouldn’t be as easy to give Garrett Lucas the slip as she’d hoped. Mutely, Maggie allowed Garrett to lead her along the board walkway to the carriage.

Topeka of 1888 was bustling with life and activity. It was the capital of Kansas and in its own right demanded grandeur and charm. Potwin Place was the high point of residential Topeka, although it desired to become a city in its own right.

Potwin Place homes, while fairly new, were elegant and stately. They were surrounded by well-manicured lawns. Young trees had been planted along the avenues. Maggie was well aware she had lived a privileged life. Now she could only stare longingly as the carriage took her from the place she loved to an uncertain future.

Maggie had always loved the hubbub of the city, but even that simple pleasure was lost on her as she brooded about the future. The carriage passed the large stone church which Sophia insisted her household attend every Sunday. Maggie thought momentarily of God. He was up there somewhere, she decided as she looked into the fluffy clouds. Somewhere up there, but certainly not with her.

Soon, the two-story depot came into sight. Maggie realized the moment of truth was nearing. She toyed with the idea of causing a scene. Maybe there was some way to discredit Mr. Lucas so that her grandmother couldn’t possibly send Maggie with him.

Maggie shot a quick glance at Garrett Lucas. He narrowed his eyes slightly as if reading her mind. The look on his face was adamant, his message unmistakable.

“I must say, Mrs. Intissar, you have a lovely city,” Garrett observed, breaking the silence that had lasted the duration of the carriage ride.

Sophia roused herself. “Yes, I suppose it is one of the more lovely times to be here. The flowering trees, the honeysuckle and lilacs. Topeka is a sweet smelling town. However, we have some nasty storms. Cyclones, you know.” She spoke with a heavy voice, and both Garrett and Maggie knew her mind was far from thoughts of the weather.

“Yes, Ma’am,” Garrett replied, “We have them out West, too. Sometimes they come in a series of storms that last all day.”

Sophia nodded. “I’ve seen storms like that. It’s always been the thing I’ve
disliked most about our fair state. Of course,” she added rather absentmindedly,
“if not cyclones, then something else.”

Maggie sat in silence, trying to formulate a plan. There’d only be one chance to make it work. She thought of the various junctions and water stops on the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Rail Road lines. She’d traveled with her grandmother as far as Newton, but beyond that, she was rather uncertain about the route. She’d have to escape before they reached Newton.

The carriage ride came unceremoniously to an end at the depot entrance. Garrett jumped to the ground before the driver could announce their arrival.

“Allow me to help you, Ma’am,” Garrett said tenderly, reaching up to take hold of Sophia’s waist. “Forgive the familiarity, but I fear this heat might grieve you if I allow you to exert yourself.”

“You are very kind, Mr. Lucas. My son has always been a good judge of a man’s character. I see his judgment is still sound.”

Maggie rolled her eyes, not realizing that Garrett could see her. “Yes, Father is quite knowledgeable about men and horseflesh, cattle and land grants. It’s women who seem to escape his understanding,” she said sarcastically. She refused to take Garrett’s offered hand and nearly fell from the buggy as she tried to dismount.

Garrett flashed her a brief smile and returned his attention to Sophia. The heat was nearly unbearable for the older woman.

“June isn’t always this hot. Some years, we’re still enjoying cool temperatures at this time. Why by all the means of Kansas, we could be quite chilled tomorrow. We have a saying about the weather here, Mr. Lucas, if you don’t like it, wait a day and it’ll change,” Sophia murmured. She stumbled slightly, leaning heavily against Garrett’s offered arm.

“Ma’am, I know you wish to see your granddaughter safely on the train, but the truth is it would be better if your driver took you home. I don’t want to worry about you having to make it back to the carriage without help.” Garrett’s command of the moment went unquestioned. Sophia allowed him to place her back in the buggy.

“Maggie, listen to me,” Sophia said leaning down from her seat. “Don’t cause Mr. Lucas any trouble. Just do as your father wishes, and perhaps in the fall, I’ll come and visit you.”

Maggie felt tears on her cheeks. She hated appearing weak in front of Garrett, but perhaps it was what he needed to see. He should understand how miserable he was making her.

“Grandmother, I simply can’t bear to leave you.” Maggie began to cry. “I don’t want to go.” She held tightly to her grandmother’s arm.

“It will be alright, Child,” Sophia murmured, gently stroking Maggie’s face. “God sometimes sends adversity to strengthen and teach us. You’ll grow stronger from this. Now remember the things you’ve been taught. Never forget you are loved.”

“I’ll remember,” Maggie promised.

“It’s time to go, Miss Intissar,” Garrett said softly, extending his arm for Maggie.

“I’ll see you soon, Grandmother,” Maggie said standing on tiptoe in order to reach her Grandmother’s ear. “I’ll pray every night that God will bring us together again.” She wondered if she had added that last statement more for herself than for her grandmother.

Maggie allowed Garrett to lead her away. As they passed through the
depot entrance, she paused to look back. Her grandmother was waving weak
ly. Maggie returned the wave until Garrett firmly propelled her to the other side of the depot and onto the boarding platform.

Oh, Grandmother,
Maggie thought.
Somehow I will return to you. Somehow.