Lake City, Colorado
It’s a miracle that our cargo made it here in one piece,” Eliana said as she and her father sorted through the new photography equipment and supplies in the back room of their studio. The small shop was almost a second home to them, as quaint as their clapboard house situated next door.
Papa inspected his new camera with a critical eye. “I was more than a bit worried for a while, but the good Lord saw fit to keep everything intact.”
“And us, too.” Eliana kissed him on the cheek.
“We won’t make any new appointments while we’re here, unless it’s something important. We already have enough work to keep us busy until we head out again.”
Eliana picked up a small carton from the floor and placed it on the counter. “You do remember that Celia is coming in next Monday for her wedding portraits? I still can’t believe she’s getting married.” Eliana glanced up. “I thought she would be one of the last among my friends to settle down—she’s so particular. But Thomas won her heart.” Eliana sighed.
“Seems rather rushed to me,” Papa said.
“The preacher, Reverend George Darley, is coming to town. And if the weather is nice, they’ll be married out at Lake San Cristobal.”
“How you gathered all this news already mystifies me. We haven’t even been back a full day.” Papa grinned. “Hand me that cloth, please.” Papa carefully wiped the lenses. “You know, Sunshine, one of these days I suppose you’ll marry, too. Your mother warned me of such a thing, but I never wanted to believe it. You’ve become a remarkable young woman before my very eyes.”
“It’s not as if I’m available for courting. Most of my time is spent behind the camera or in men’s clothing. Or both.” Eliana shook her head. “It’s hard to get a gentleman to notice you that way.”
Papa rubbed his whiskers. “Well, I seem to know a young man who’s taken notice of you.”
Was he displeased? She would ignore the comment. Eliana finished inspecting the thin iron plates. “All of the plates are in fine condition. Now we’ll need to blacken them, and then we can pack them up for the expedition.”
“I’ll japan them myself,” Papa said. “I wrote out a list of tasks for you this morning. Now, back to the subject at hand.”
“I don’t know what you mean…unless perhaps you’re speaking of Cornelius Crawford?” Eliana laughed. “He’s not even my type.”
Papa chuckled. “You know whom I’m speaking of, dear.”
Eliana lowered her lashes. “I may never see him again.”
“If my suspicions are correct, he’ll find his way to you somehow.”
Oh, how she hoped.
Yiska pulled open the flap of his saddlebag to retrieve his journal and a pencil. This would make a good spot to get some rest and do some writing. The pool of water would provide refreshment for both him and Shadow, and the shade would feel good after riding in the bright sun for most of the day. A little jerky and dried fruit would do for now to curb his hunger, and later he would try to catch some trout.
He sat down on a large rock by the stream. Water flowed into it from a precipice above. Dappled sunlight filtered through the trees, and visions of Eliana’s sweet face, her clear hazel eyes, the slight dimple in her chin, and her adorable smile filled him with wonder. Eliana Van Horn disturbed his thoughts, challenged his beliefs, and filled the long-vacant crevices of his heart.
Yiska untied the cord that bound his journal and opened it. From between the pages, he pulled out the photograph of the beautiful woman who had changed his life forever. He’d never given any credence to the idea of sharing his life with someone, yet now she seemed to be the compass navigating his every thought.
He would see her again. Perhaps not on the expedition, and it may not be in Silverton, but he would track her back to Lake City if he had to, just to hold her once again.
Eliana displayed Celia and Thomas’s wedding photographs on a table covered with a white linen cloth. She admired how well they had come out—the family sitting and bridal portraits were stunning. But the one with Celia standing behind her soon-to-be groom was Eliana’s favorite. Celia wore a beautiful new paisley shawl, which she would someday use for her child’s christening.
Eliana imagined how the couple’s children and grandchildren would enjoy the pictures and ruminate over their happiness on this occasion, as she treasured the daguerreotype of her own parents’ wedding. How lovely Mama looked, and Papa, so proud and handsome. Perhaps she would marry, too, someday, though her heart ached knowing that Momma would not be there to share her joy. How she longed for conversation that only a mother and daughter could share, especially now, when her heart overflowed with so many new feelings. So many thoughts of Yiska.
“These photographs came out lovely, Eliana. Celia will be pleased.” Maria Stafford leaned over the table to admire the pictures of her sister’s wedding party.
“Oh! Maria, you startled me. Thank you for saying so.” Eliana smiled at her new friend. “This family portrait with you in it came out very nice. You photograph very well. I’d love to take a picture of you and Jacob sometime.”
“I’m sure Jacob would like that. You’ve already done so much. It’s nice to have a place of our own again after living for such a long time with others. It was very kind of your father to let the upstairs apartment to us.”
“I’m glad it pleases you. Why don’t you have some tea with me? I was about to take a break.”
A short time later, the women sat in wicker chairs on the side porch of the studio, enjoying their tea and the pleasant afternoon.
Maria took a sip and placed her cup back on the saucer. “Where will you be traveling, Eliana?”
“Papa and I have to photograph some of the mining areas, and then we have a special assignment to photograph a prominent citizen in Silverton. It will accompany an interview to be published in the San Juan Prospector.”
“Your travels sound exciting, but I do hope you are careful.” Maria arched an eyebrow. “Although you are rather skilled at handling dangerous situations. Thank you again for helping me with my injury.”
“How is your wound?” Eliana took a sip from her porcelain cup.
“It’s healing well, thank you.” Maria massaged her arm. “It seems like I’ve been healing in one way or another for over a year now. Losing my husband in a mining accident was more painful than any bullet wound could ever be. But I’m doing much better now and have become stronger for it.” Maria took another sip of her tea.
“It must’ve been very difficult for you,” Eliana said. “There are many risks in loving someone, are there not?”
“Do you speak of Yiska?” Maria asked. “I’ve noticed something special between the two of you.”
Eliana felt the roses bloom in her cheeks. “Is it that obvious?”
“Well, Jacob seemed to notice.” Maria gave her a gentle smile. “Love cannot be hidden. It even shines in the darkest places. Look at Celia and Thomas—when he became gravely ill this spring, it made her realize how true her feelings for him were. He insists it was her love that pulled him through.”
“Yes, but is love enough?” Eliana asked.
“No, it isn’t. You must also have faith,” Maria said. “In God, and each other.”
The two women sat in silence, pondering these thoughts. As Eliana stared at the porch floor, a large boot landed on one of the steps. She glanced up, surprised to see Trask Whiley.
“Good afternoon, ladies.” Mr. Whiley flashed a wide grin.
“Mr. Whiley! What brings you to Lake City?” Eliana greeted him with a cheerful smile, despite her reservations about his not allowing Yiska to go on the survey.
“I had some business up this way. Just arrived on the Southern Overland Express. Perhaps I should’ve traveled here with you and your father last week,” he said.
Eliana and Maria looked at one another then shook their heads with utmost dismay.
“No. That would not have been a good idea,” Eliana said. “We encountered some trouble on the way.”
“Yes,” Maria said, “but we had a heroic young man with us who saved us from marauding Indians.” She glanced at Eliana and smiled.
“Yiska.” Mr. Whiley said.
“You know him?” Maria asked.
“Yes. I’m his boss…and his friend. Was anyone wounded?”
“The driver was shot in the shoulder…and a bullet grazed Mrs. Stafford’s arm.”
Mr. Whiley’s eyes widened, and he shook his head. “I’m sorry to hear that, ma’am.”
Maria nodded. “Thank you. I’m recovering quite well and am thankful no one was seriously injured.”
“Forgive me, I’ve neglected to introduce you,” Eliana said. “This is Mrs. Maria Stafford. She and her son rent the apartment above our studio. They moved here from Willow Creek.”
“That’s down my way, more or less.” Mr. Whiley tipped his hat. “Mrs. Stafford, a pleasure.”
“Ma, Ma!” Jacob ran up and threw his arms around his mother’s neck. “Can I go down to the creek? Ace’s pa is going to take us fishing.”
“Sure, son, but please mind your manners and say hello to Mr. Whiley, a friend of the Van Horns and of Yiska’s.”
“Howdy, sir. You know Yiska? He’s my friend, too. He saved our lives!” Jacob smiled up at the tall man.
“That’s what I’ve heard.” Mr. Whiley grinned. “Any good fish in that creek?”
“Ace said it’s filled with trout. You can come with us if you’d like.”
Mr. Whiley chuckled. “Maybe another day. I have some things I need to take care of. By the way, Miss Van Horn, where can I find your father?”
“He’s out for the remainder of the afternoon, but you can see him at dinner tonight. That is, if you’ll come. We’ll eat at five o’clock. Maria and Jacob will be joining us.”
“Five o’clock then. Ladies. Jacob.” Mr. Whiley tilted his hat and sauntered away.
Maria turned to Eliana and whispered, “I didn’t know we are invited to dinner this evening.”
“You are now. But I’ll need your help cooking the meal. I’m much better behind a camera than behind a stove.”
“Easy there, Shadow.” Yiska leaned back as he led his horse down a rocky crag. He had escorted a small convoy of miners to Cunningham Gulch and now was headed back through Stony Pass. The anxious men he’d guided hoped to strike a silver vein in the hard-to-reach area and somehow managed to haul along some large, steam-powered equipment and other supplies with the help of their burros.
Yiska continued his trek northeast and hoped to arrive at Rose’s Cabin within a few days. Miners who flooded the area almost always kept the new building’s many rooms occupied. Mr. Whiley had arranged for Yiska to use this stop as a connecting point for his next assignment. On his way there, he would go through the valley that had enthralled Eliana. Though it wouldn’t be as colorful as he’d described until after the summer rains, it would provide easier terrain for him and Shadow.
Eliana marveled at the picturesque setting of Lake San Cristobal as friends and family gathered to celebrate Celia and Thomas’s wedding. Mountain views surrounded them, and pines towered over them, providing the perfect amount of shade. The wedding couldn’t have taken place on a finer day.
Eliana, in her new blue dress, swirled around with Papa to the gleeful sound of fiddles.
“You’re a fine dancer, Papa,” she said.
Papa’s eyes crinkled. “As are you, my Sunshine. I’m going to sit this next one out, but I think I see someone who can take my place.” Papa snagged Jacob’s arm as he passed by. “Would you do me a favor, young man, and dance with Miss Eliana?”
“Sure, Mr. Van Horn. I won’t be dancing with Ma anymore, since Mr. Whiley finally got her to dance with him,” Jacob said.
The fiddles started to play again. Eliana took Jacob’s hands, and they swung round and round until the music stopped. “Thank you for the dance, sir.” She tried to catch her breath.
“I’m going to get some lemonade. Would you like some, Miss Eliana?” Jacob asked.
“That sounds like a grand idea, thank you. Would you bring it to me over at our picnic blanket?”
“Sure. I’ll get some cake, too.”
“Didn’t I already see you with some cake?” Eliana asked.
An impish grin appeared on Jacob’s face. “Maybe.”
“Well, I won’t tell,” Eliana whispered.
She made her way to the old patchwork quilt that was spread out under a large pine. Papa leaned up against the tree talking with Reverend Darley, the minister who had performed the nuptials.
“It’s such a beautiful day for a wedding!” Eliana beamed. “Reverend Darley, Celia was pleased that you were here to perform the ceremony.”
“It was my pleasure. And although this is a grand place for a wedding, maybe by this time next year others will have the privilege of having theirs in a church,” Reverend Darley said.
“A church in Lake City? How wonderful.”
“My brother, Alexander, the other Reverend Darley, is planning to start one here. He’s a carpenter as well as a minister, and he intends to build it himself.”
“Excellent! I’m sure many will support the effort,” Papa said.
“And what about you, Reverend Darley?” Eliana asked.
“I’m pioneering in the San Juans. My mission is to bring the Gospel to the western slope. There are many new settlements and mining towns that need to hear the Word of God. There are some who haven’t heard it since they arrived here. I’ve preached to men, women, and burros, alike.” Reverend Darley smiled, arms resting across his knees.
Eliana tilted her chin. “If there are no churches, where do you preach?”
Reverend Darley held his hands out. “Anywhere they’ll listen. I’ll sit down with them in the mining camps or call a meeting in a saloon. I meet them where they are, as the Lord does with us.”
“It sounds like you’re a missionary,” Eliana said.
He nodded. “I am. Are not all believers bearing witness to Christ wherever they go?”
Eliana thought about that. There was much truth in what he said.
“Since we are made in His image, I suppose we ought to reflect Him to others. Aye?”
Eliana turned to Papa. “That reminds me of Reverend Mattheson and his enthusiasm for telling others about the Lord.”
“Do you mean Harland Mattheson?” Reverend Darley asked. “I believe he is occupied as a naturalist now. Does some work for the government.”
Eliana looked at her father in confusion then turned back to Reverend Darley. “Isn’t he preaching anymore?”
“Oh, I don’t think we’ve heard his last sermon yet.”
Maria and Mr. Whiley walked over, lemonade in hand. Maria sat down on the blanket beside Eliana, but Mr. Whiley remained standing, towering above them like one of the ponderosa pines.
Papa turned to the minister. “Reverend Darley, you’ve met Mrs. Stafford, Celia’s sister. And this is a friend of ours, Trask Whiley, here on business from Del Norte.”
Reverend Darley cocked his head. “Del Norte, eh? Gateway to the San Juans. What type of business are you here for, Mr. Whiley?”
“I own an outfitting company and thought I’d investigate the possibility of opening another in Lake City.”
Jacob ran up to Eliana, a cup of lemonade sloshing about, and handed it to her, along with a plate of wedding cake. “Here, Miss Eliana.”
“Thank you, Jacob. You’re a true gentleman.”
Reverend Darley looked directly at Mr. Whiley. “You know, I’m about the Lord’s business, and I’d be pleased if you’d join us for Sunday meeting tomorrow. I’ve called a service at the grange. The ladies will pack baskets, and a hymn sing will follow.”
Jacob tugged Mr. Whiley’s arm, “You won’t miss it, Mr. Whiley, will you?”
Mr. Whiley looked down at Jacob, “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt any.” He glanced at Maria. “You’ll be there, I take it?” Now it was Maria’s turn to blush.
In a flash, Jacob ran off again to play with some cousins.
Mr. Whiley addressed Papa. “John, about that business we discussed a few nights ago. I’ve decided to send Yiska on the survey after all. I think it would be in everyone’s best interest.” Mr. Whiley glanced at Eliana. “The benefits outweigh the risks.”
“I’ve given it some thought myself and am in full agreement,” Papa said.
Elated, Eliana refrained from hugging Papa.
“If everything works out,” Whiley said, “he’ll have an additional role other than being a guide. I got word this morning that editor Wilson at the Prospector wants to hire him as a correspondent for the survey.”
“What a great opportunity. It’s not a conflict for you?” Papa asked.
“Not at all. In fact, I’ve been hoping he’d get a break like that. It will be good for him.”
Maria looked up at Mr. Whiley. “Yiska mentioned that he was a journalist. If he’s half as good as that Anonymous Explorer I’ve read lately, he’s bound to make a name for himself.” Mr. Whiley, Papa, and Eliana smiled knowingly at one another.
“Did I miss something?” she asked. At that moment, Jacob appeared by his mother’s side, faced flushed from play. “Oh, mercy, look at you. I might have to walk you down to the lake and let you have a swim.”
Eliana’s heart filled with joy for Yiska’ good news. She would get to see him again! Her heart raced. She told herself to breathe lest she swoon from all the excitement.
“Mr. Whiley, how do you plan on letting him know?” she asked.
“If I only had a way to get word to him along the trail, maybe at Rose’s Cabin, but I can’t get out there myself.”
“Maybe I could be of assistance,” Reverend Darley said. “I’m traveling that way and will be there for a couple of days. Then I’ll head down to Silverton as well. Chances are I’ll run into the fellow. What did you say his name is?”
“Yiska.” Jacob piped up. “He’s part Indian, but that’s not all he is. He’s a journalist, too!”
As the adults laughed, Eliana dared to hope. Could it be that Yiska’s dreams would soon come true? And could they ever include her? Lord, please watch over Yiska, wherever he may be.
Yiska led Shadow along a narrow path high on a ridge. Mountain walls rose around him, but soon a green valley would be in view, dotted with rocks and streams and colored with purple lupine, red prairie fire, and blue columbine.
As he turned the corner he came upon a pair of yearling brown bears about ten yards in front of him. He laid a hand on Shadow’s neck, careful not to make any abrupt moves. “Steady, boy,” he whispered.
As the bears came closer he reached for the rifle that hung from his saddle and scanned the area. One of the bears swiped at the other, and a playful wrestling match ensued. Shadow snorted and began to back away. The young bears looked up.
Yiska dropped the reins and cocked his gun, his heart thumping in his chest. The yearlings scampered away. Barely breathing, he waited before resuming his journey. Was the mother bear nearby?
He listened, surrounded by mountain stillness and the sigh of the wind through the pines. Exhaling in relief, he lowered his gun, gathered the reins, and rubbed Shadow’s crest to calm him. Shadow pawed the ground, agitated, and attempted to turn.
The yearlings’ mother charged toward them, a brown blur on the path. Yiska jerked his rifle up and fired. The she bear leaped for Yiska. She slammed into Shadow’s flank then fell dead.
Shadow reared back from the bear’s massive weight, neighing shrilly. Yiska scrambled for the reins and flew backward over the edge of the ridge.
He landed on a ledge several yards below in a motionless heap.