Will crouched behind the wardrobe tent, listening to every noise inside. He’d seen the flash of Constance’s blue gown as she blustered toward the area. Ellen might think she could reason with her.
He doubted it.
Constance’s voice came through the canvas, loud and demanding. He couldn’t pick out Ellen’s words, but her tone was soft and gentle. Why hadn’t he trusted her? Today proved her good heart. She believed the best about people.
“I don’t want to talk to you. I have nothing to say.”
A pause as Ellen answered. He wished he could hear her.
“Keep your pity for yourself. You know nothing about me. I deserved that job. Not you. You waltz in here, thinking you own the place. You steal the man I love from me.”
Ellen’s voice pitched higher, clearer. “You exaggerated the nature of your relationship with Will. At no time were you a couple. He’s a nice man, and you took advantage, setting your sights on him. But he isn’t interested.”
“Don’t tell me about my life. I can make yours miserable. I will. I have.”
Will shifted positions. Was she admitting her guilt? Should he run in there?
As he debated with himself, Constance scurried from the tent toward the train. He stood and breathed a sigh of relief. The conversation hadn’t gone the way Ellen hoped, but at least it didn’t end in an altercation.
“Mr. Jorgensen?” Hiram, a tall, strong roustabout, came alongside him. “One of the boards on the tiger flatbed is broken. Can you come look at it before we have to load?”
He should follow Constance. Who knew what kind of mischief she might be getting into? But his job called. If they didn’t fix this problem now, it would put them behind schedule. Nothing riled Mr. Ringling more than a late train.
He didn’t need Mr. Ringling riled. Not now.
Torn, he plodded after Hiram. He was proud of Ellen. She didn’t blow up when Constance went after her. She wanted to work things out. That was a sign of a good woman. A woman he’d be a fool to let get away.
“See how it snapped under the weight of the wagon? Rotten wood. Just crumbling. That’s what you get for buying used railcars.”
Will inspected the damage. He’d have to run into town to get a few boards to fix it. What a bother. He said he’d watch Constance, wait for her to make a move. This crisis forced him to break that promise.
At least Ellen remained busy in the wardrobe tent. The presence of the assistants might keep Constance on good behavior.
Because he didn’t know what he’d do without Ellen in his life.
Ellen’s assistants trickled back to the tent to get ready for the evening show. Constance, however, didn’t appear. Where was she? What was she up to?
Knowing Will kept a close watch on her brought Ellen comfort. And more worry. Constance must be insane. That was Ellen’s only explanation for her behavior. If Will had to confront her, no telling what she might do.
Lucy sat beside her. “I saw you and Will talking earlier. He can’t stop staring at you. I’ve seen that look before—on my father’s face when he gazes at my mother. Will’s in love with you.”
“Hush. I don’t want the other girls to know.”
“Too late. They already do. The tiger is out of the cage, so to speak.”
Ellen giggled. “I’m in love with him, too. He’s the man for me. I just hope he catches Constance trying to sabotage me again.”
“Do you think she will?”
“No telling what she is capable of. But I have to trust God, don’t I?”
“ ‘Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.’ That’s His promise to us.”
“So easy to say. So hard to do.” Ellen bent over her work once more. A few more stitches and she would finish the hem on this band member’s jacket. He wouldn’t need it until tomorrow’s parade, but it would be good to get the job accomplished.
The albino twins came in to dress for the menagerie. How difficult it must be for them to travel without their parents. Ellen missed her family, but she couldn’t imagine being a child in the circus. Because she shared her name with one of the girls, they had a special place in her heart. “Ready for tonight’s show?”
Little Ellen nodded, her white curls bouncing.
Ellen went to the rack to pull out their costumes. Though she searched twice, she couldn’t find them. “Does anyone know where the McPherson children’s clothes are?”
Lucy rummaged through a rack. “Constance had them when she stormed out of here this afternoon. She must still have them.”
Great. Ellen surmised Constance planned some crime to pin on her. At least Will would be with her when she confronted her.
Ellen scurried from the tent and scanned the area for Will. He wasn’t around. Neither was Constance. He must be following her. Maybe she went into town. But where did she put the costumes?
Perhaps she took them to the Alvena to work alone, away from Ellen. She trudged across the grounds. The tracks sat some distance from the lot. She hoped the items would be there and this wouldn’t be a wasted trip.
The odor of smoke hung in the air. What was Mr. Haley cooking? Shouldn’t he be about ready to pack up for the night?
As she approached the Alvena, she realized the smell of smoke didn’t come from the cook wagon but from her own sleeping car.
She grasped her skirts and sprinted toward the train. As fast as possible, she bounded up the steps.
When she saw the sight, she stopped in her tracks.
Flames leapt from her trunk, licking at the blankets hanging from the berth beside it.
And Constance stood transfixed, watching the fire consume all Ellen’s worldly goods.
No! Not her money. Her chest tightened, her stomach tumbling in her middle.
She kept a roll of cash in a secret compartment. Every dime of what she’d saved to send Mama to the sanatorium.
Not much.
But all she had.
She rushed forward, her throat constricting.
Constance snapped to attention and blocked her way. “You’re getting what you deserve.”
Ellen tried to push her to the side. “Let me go. I have to get in there.”
Constance dug in her heels. “Never. Not until all you own is ashes.”
The fire traveled along the berth and up the wall. Smoke filled the compartment. Ellen coughed. She labored for each breath.
A handkerchief. She grabbed one from her skirt’s pocket and covered her mouth. She pushed and shoved with all of her might. Constance pushed back. Ellen stumbled to the ground. With one booted foot on her chest, Constance stood over her.
What was she going to do? The money was gone. Gone. Though the chance of earning enough to help Mama was slim, there was one. Now, that small hope went up in smoke.
Ellen’s eyes watered. “Get off of me.”
Constance pressed harder on Ellen’s chest. What little air she managed to get in her lungs came filtered through the handkerchief.
Blackness edged her vision. If she passed out, she might never emerge alive. She fought to remain conscious.
Oh God, I’m trusting You to get me out of here. Only by His saving grace might she survive. Help me. Please, help me.
The blackness closed in. The crackling of the fire faded into the background.