What on earth could he do about Mary? That question had been Sam’s constant companion since Olive’s friend started dropping hints about marriage a week ago. She was a pretty girl, but the attraction wasn’t there. It was getting so he was afraid to do anything away from camp. Seemed every time he was alone, she showed up.
“Hey, can I ride?” Olive’s call brought him out of his musings.
“Whoa!” He brought the wagon to a stop and helped her board. “You tired of walking already?”
Olive settled on the seat beside him with a laugh. “I walked all morning. I think an hour after our quick mid-day break is long enough today.”
Why didn’t Mary cause his heart to quicken with her presence the way Olive did? Figures he’d be attracted to the one woman he couldn’t have. When their eyes met, he lost track of the conversation. “Uh, yeah.”
She broke the connection, turning to look ahead. “Did you ever meet my family?” She glanced back at him. “I mean anyone besides me?”
He thought back over the years to a time he’d spent most of his life trying to forget. He’d never forgotten the little girl he’d rescued, though. She’d been a bright spot in an otherwise confused past. “Didn’t you have a brother?”
“Yes. Did you know him?”
“Nope. I just remember seeing him when I walked you home. Remember? He yelled at you for being late, and I thought I’d have to put him in his place, even if he was older and bigger than me, only you beat me to it.” He chuckled at the memory of her standing up to her older brother. “He backed down pretty quick when you told him what happened. Even thanked me, I believe.”
“We’ll be passing practically right by his farm after we leave Kansas City.” That sparkle in her eyes indicated more than idle chatter.
Sam had a good idea what she was after and wished he could give it to her. “Right by his farm, huh? You aren’t thinking we should take a side trip, are you? I’m not sure Mike would like that.”
“Mr. Dugan doesn’t have to know.” Olive waved a hand as if Mr. Dugan wasn’t important. “Joseph lives near a small town called Liberty Flats just over in Kansas. We’ll have to camp somewhere. Might as well be there, don’t you think?”
He looked into her eyes and recognized mischief and a determination to have her way. He figured she had a valid plan, but didn’t see any way he could give in. “I don’t know. We’ve been delayed already by not taking the train. I’m pretty sure your one-night camping would turn into a long visit before it ended. Might even cost me my job.”
Her eyes widened. “Well! If Mr. Dugan fires you, I’ll refuse to marry him.”
That didn’t sound half bad. Only it wouldn’t happen unless her visit lingered too long. He’d wired Mike before picking her up about the problems he’d faced and that they probably wouldn’t arrive in less than a month. Mike had been understanding. “There’s one problem. We have to catch a train in Kansas City for the last lap of our journey.”
“How will we pay?”
“My bargain with the Howells is that I get this wagon and the two horses pulling it once we arrive in the city. I plan to sell the entire outfit and use the money for our tickets.” He watched the light in her eyes dim and wished he could bring it back.
Her head lowered for a moment. “When was the last time you saw your sister?”
“Which one?” Not that it mattered. He hadn’t seen either since he left home.
“Margaret. Did you know she married Joseph?” Her gaze centered on him as if expecting a reaction.
“Joseph?” Who was Joseph? Then he remembered what she’d said earlier. “You mean your brother?”
“Yes.” Her smile returned. “Your sister married my brother. But you surely must have known that. And they live within a day’s ride to Kansas City.”
He stared into her eyes. Was she making it up? Margaret was three years older than him, but they’d always been close. After he left home, he’d tried to forget them all, but Margaret had been the hardest to shove from his mind. After all, she hadn’t been to blame any more than their little half-sister had been. “Are you sure he married my sister?”
“Yes, Margaret Conner. Surely you left home after they married. She was nineteen and he was twenty.” She looked as if she expected him to already know.
Only he didn’t. He joined the fighting in 1861, but he’d left home more than five years before that. He shook his head. “No, I’ve been gone a long time.”
“Before the war started?” She waited a while as if expecting him to answer. “I don’t understand. How old were you when you left?”
He turned and looked into her eyes. “I was a little older than the day I rescued a sweet and pretty maiden in distress.”
A becoming shade of pink stole into her cheeks, but she didn’t turn from him. “I thought you were only thirteen when you saved my life.”
“Yep. I was an irresponsible thirteen-year-old with a chip on my shoulder. The mean witch my father married after my mother died thought she could tell me what to do and whip me if I didn’t.” He allowed a smirk to cross his face. “I went fishing instead of planting her garden. When I brought a full stringer of fish home, she met me at the door, jerked the fish out of my hand, threw them to the ground, and waved a switch from the peach tree at me.”
“Oh, my!” Olive’s eyes grew large and round.
He chuckled. “I grabbed my fish, took off, and never looked back. I knew how to work when I had to and stayed in Ohio until the war broke out. I was nineteen when I headed south and joined up.”
“Headed south?” If anything, Olive’s eyes grew even larger. “Did you fight for the—”
“That’s right. My father was strong for the Union so I became a Johnny Reb. He never stood up for me against her, and I wanted nothing to do with them or their beliefs.” He looked toward her, searching her face. “Guess I sound pretty evil to you. Now what do you think of the boy who saved your life?”
She didn’t speak for a moment but looked into his eyes as if seeing inside. Finally, she said, “I think you were very hurt by your mother’s death. Surely, you hadn’t had time to mourn for her before your father remarried. That was a very vulnerable time in your life, and your father may not have understood. I don’t think you are evil, but I hurt for the small boy you were.”
He shook his head. “Don’t feel sorry for that boy. He was strong enough to take care of himself and to grow into what I am now. I’m doing all right. I have a good job with a boss who’s fair and pays good wages. I never needed my father.”
“But what about Margaret? Did you ever miss her?” Olive’s voice was soft, yet he heard.
Of course he’d missed his sister with an ache that wouldn’t go away but finally deadened. “Sure, I missed her for a while. And I’d love to see her and meet your brother, but I don’t see how we can.”
She gave a toss of her head. “There’s still time for your mind to change. I believe I’ll make this a matter of prayer. If it’s in God’s will, it’ll work out. If it isn’t, we wouldn’t want to stop anyway. His plan is always the best for us.”
He looked into her steady gaze. She believed what she was saying. He thought of the Bible reading the night of the storm and now her confidence in God. She sounded like his mother. Memories of her praying with him rose to the surface. Mama would’ve liked Olive.
~*~
That evening, Sam found a grassy spot for the horses and carried water to them. He rubbed his horse’s nose. “Been missing our rides?”
Bullseye gave a low nicker.
“Sounds like he understands you.”
Sam froze at the soft voice behind him. He’d hoped she wouldn’t come over tonight. Slowly, he turned. “Evenin’, Miss Loane.”
When Mary stood a respectable distance away, he breathed easier. Surely she’d forgotten her notions about going west with them. “I imagine you’re excited about heading south tomorrow.”
A light seemed to flare within her eyes, but they didn’t turn from his as she took a step closer. “I don’t know, Sam. I was hoping you’d decided to let me stay with you.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He rested his hand on Bullseye’s back. The work horses grazed as if nothing was going on. Sam’s heart picked up its beat as the burly man he’d seen driving the wagon Miss Loane came from strode across the ground.
“So that’s what’s been going on!” The man stopped behind her.
She swung to face him. “Tom! What are you doing here?”
“Why don’t you tell me what you’re doing?” He glared at her while she ducked her head. “Better yet, get back to the wagon. I’ll be along when I’m done here.”
As she left, Mary looked over her shoulder, her eyes seeming to plead as they met Sam’s gaze.
What did she want him to do? He wasn’t about to ask for her hand. He turned to find Tom standing feet spread apart and hands clenched into fists on either side of his body. Sam figured his best defense was to remain silent until he knew what the other man wanted.
After glaring for several moments, Tom took a deep breath then spoke in a surprisingly soft voice. “What are your intentions concerning my sister?”
“I … I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.” Sam knew, but was confused by Tom’s demanding voice one minute and resigned one the next. “I’ve spoken to her a few times when she came over, but nothing has happened between us if that’s what you think.”
“Did you promise to take her with you tomorrow?” Tom’s eyes narrowed as if he didn’t believe a thing Sam had said.
How did you tell a brother, responsible for his younger sister, that you’d done nothing but try to sidestep the girl’s advances and insistence that he marry her? “No, sir! I did not. I’m responsible for escorting an elderly couple to Kansas City. I’m not in the position to take on another responsibility. And I don’t believe in leading women on.”
“What about the young woman traveling with you?” Tom’s fingers relaxed. “Is she your wife?”
Sam inhaled. He’d hoped to keep Olive out of the conversation. He released his breath. “No, she’s betrothed to my boss. I’m simply her escort.”
“Is that right?” Tom’s eyebrows arched upward as he folded his arms across his chest. He still didn’t smile. “Well, I’m not interested in your personal affairs as long as they don’t include my sister. She’s vulnerable right now and doesn’t know what she wants. She was to be married, but her intended didn’t return from the war. His name showed up on the list, and it about killed her. After our parents died of a fever, I thought it was best if we both started over someplace else. She’s not ready to marry. Not until she gets over Matthew.”
“I’d say that’s wise.”
Tom’s eyebrows lowered. “I want you to stay away from her. We’ll be leaving the train tomorrow. Is that a problem?”
Sam huffed a laugh. “I’ll avoid her if it’s possible, but I suggest you do what you can to keep her away. She doesn’t take hints very well.”
“That she doesn’t.” Tom held out his open hand. “Then we’re in agreement?”
Sam clasped his hand and shook. “We agree. I promise I’ll do my best to keep my distance.”
“And I’ll keep a better eye on her.” Tom’s face relaxed into a smile. “Too bad, really, because I have a feeling we might have been friends. I might not mind having you for a brother-in-law.”
Sam chuckled as he also relaxed. He hadn’t known what to expect, but was thankful Tom was a reasonable man. “Glad to hear it, but don’t hold your breath. I’m heading to New Mexico. May never be near Missouri again.”
“Well, good luck to you.” Tom gave him a quick salute. “I’d better get back to the wagon and have a talk with my sister.”
“Thanks!” Sam meant more with that one word than Tom probably knew. “I hope all goes well with your new home.”
As Tom walked away, Sam gave Bullseye a final pat on the neck then headed toward the wagons and supper.
As he approached, Olive started toward him, her gaze never leaving his face.
He picked up his pace. This was one woman he’d have a hard time ignoring.
She stopped in front of him. “Well, is Mary going on with us?”
Did she want her to? One way to find out. “She would like to.”
“Yes, I know.”
He smiled at the serious look in her eyes. “Tom said he might not mind having me for a brother-in-law.”
Her eyes widened, but no smile touched her lips.
“I told him I didn’t want the position.” Sam grinned at the soft exhale from Olive. “She’ll be going with her brother tomorrow.”
A smile spread across her face. She was lovely. Mary couldn’t … in fact he had yet to meet a woman who could come close to her appeal. She wasn’t what the world called a great beauty, but she was pretty. Her eyes a light brown, almost as if they should’ve been blue, were beautiful, but what drew him was the light from within that shone out as if inviting him to join in her love of life.
How he wished he could.