Colonel Bartlett mounted his horse, adjusting his saber belt and brushing off dirt from his dark blue wool frock-coat before taking off in the direction the local chemist advised him was an inn owned by a German family. He made his way through the deeply rutted path of the town that hadn’t seen rainfall in two seasons, passing an old man on a wooden wagon being pulled by a donkey; both looked like they had seen better days.

He continued riding through the parched and desolate land that seemed to stretch forever, the only sign of life coming from random warped cacti fighting to stay alive and rattlesnakes cutting across the dirt road in front of him. It was late afternoon by the time he spotted a cabin in the distance. Relief swept over him as he figured he would finally get some information on his brother’s whereabouts. Having a place to sleep that night that didn’t require fending off snakes was also on his mind.

When he finally reached the wooden inn, he dismounted his horse and wrapped the rope around a post as he walked past a clothesline with a large stained tapestry hanging out to dry. He went up the three steps leading to the front door, casually knocking as he looked toward the barn about one hundred yards away.

A young woman opened the door, but her words went unheard as the man’s gaze was mesmerized by the breathtaking beauty before him. When she spoke again, he cleared his throat and removed his hat as the woman emerged onto the porch, greeting him with a welcoming smile.

“This heat is quite something, isn’t it? Are you in need of shelter this evening?” asked the young woman as she looked him over, the bright yellow epaulets on his coat a clear sign of his high rank. “You’re welcome to come inside and cool down,” she said, never breaking her smile. Word was his brother fancied the German homesteader and he could see why.

“Good evening, ma’am, I was hoping you might be able to help me. I’m looking for my brother, William,” he said as he pulled out a picture and handed it to her. “William Bartlett. A few locals mentioned you provide room and board for travelers and you being the only inn closest to town, he surely must’ve stopped for a night. He was supposed to be in Salt Lake weeks ago, but he never made it. No one’s seen him or his whip, Sheen, since he left your town.”

Kate’s eyes shot wide-open with surprise and she nodded, flashing a warm smile as if recalling a good memory. “I can see the resemblance. Yes, I know William. He’s been here a number of times, but I’m so sorry, I do not recall seeing him for quite some time now, Mr.?” she asked, tilting her head and still smiling.

“Colonel. Colonel Edward Bartlett. At your service,” he replied. “Are you sure, miss? The trail he was on would’ve led him straight to your inn and there are no other inns for at least a good twenty miles,” he stated, shaking his head as he looked out at the open range around them.

Kate remained stoic. “I’m terribly sorry. I wish I could be of more help, but I’m certain I haven’t seen him since before last winter.”

“Well, see, my brother and his helper were on their way to Salt Lake, but they never made it to Iowa. Now a few locals mentioned he frequented an inn on the trail, so unless there’s another German immigrant family operating in the middle of nowhere, I’m all out of options.”

There was a moment of awkward silence between them as the colonel looked at Kate, when a baby started crying. He suddenly heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching from within the cabin. Just then, Thomas came out holding the infant, trying to calm it down.

“Thomas, Colonel Bartlett here is searching for his brother, William. It appears he’s gone missing,” she explained as she took the baby from his arms. “Colonel, this is my brother, Thomas.”

“How do you do, sir?” said the colonel, smiling when Kate introduced him to the baby.

“And this is my daughter, Aveline,” she said, lovingly gazing at the child. “But we call her Ava.”

“She’s a beautiful one,” he complimented.

“Why don’t you come in and rest?” offered Kate. “It’s almost sundown and you certainly don’t want to spend the night with no shelter.”

One of the horses by the barn neighed loudly, causing the colonel to glance in its direction, when his eyes fell to one of the saddles in the pile. It looked expensive.

“Ar-are you sure you haven’t seen him? Mayb—”

“She’s sure. I am too for that matter. The last time we saw William was in Cherryvale before the winter season,” interrupted Thomas as he took a step forward onto the porch and put his hand on his sister’s backside, turning her away from the colonel and guiding her back into the cabin. “If we hear anything, we’ll notify someone in town. As Kate said, you’re welcome to stay for dinner and the night.”

The colonel stood in place for a minute as he watched Kate and Ma tending to the baby with adoration in their eyes. His heightened sense of defensiveness began to chip away at watching the women dote on the tiniest member of the family. He stepped foot inside the cabin.

Always the pleasant hostess, Kate offered him a cup of tea as she prepared dinner with Ma. He sat in the tufted chair by the fireplace as he watched Thomas on the floor playing peekaboo with the baby, whose giggles filled the cabin. He kissed her forehead and grinned when her tiny fingers wrapped around his index. A sober Pa was sitting at the dining table whittling what appeared to be a little doll figurine as he whistled.

“You’re really good with her,” observed Bartlett. “Where’s her father?”

“Not around,” he replied before blowing raspberries on her tummy and laughing when she giggled uncontrollably.

“Well, it looks like Ava has a doting uncle to make up for it.”

“Why don’t you take off your coat and get comfortable? You can hang it on the rack by the door. Your belt too,” said Kate with a half smile that would melt most men as she approached him.

Edward cleared his throat, trying his best to stay focused. “That’s quite all right, miss. If being in the military ever taught me anything, it is to always be prepared,” he replied with a forced smile.

“Even in your sleep?” she asked as she dumped potatoes into the pot of boiling hot water.

“Especially in my sleep.”

As dinner bore on, the restrained hostility Colonel Edward Bartlett showed up with at their doorstep was soon gone with the help of a home-cooked meal, whiskey, a happy baby, and one of the most bewitching women he had ever met. He watched in awe as Kate recalled the last time she had seen William and told stories of him with an expert fondness and sincerity that would make it difficult for anyone not to fall for. Ma took Ava upstairs to her crib before retiring to her room with Pa, leaving Kate and Thomas alone with William’s older brother.

“I remember the first time we arrived in Cherryvale,” began Kate. She looked at Thomas, who sat in silence most of the night, in as much awe as their guest. There was no one more convincing or devious than Kate Streicher. “William was so gracious. He offered to bring our stove in one of his carriages since ours was not built strong enough to carry that heavy thing. Not many people are willing to burden themselves for others that way…” Her eyes became watery as she continued on. “I pray nothing has happened to him.”

Colonel Bartlett couldn’t help himself and placed his hand over hers.

“I’m sure he’s fine. He’s always been… adventurous or reckless as my father used to say.”

Kate wiped away a tear with the back of her free hand and concern clouded her features at hearing him refer to their father in the past tense. “Used to?” she asked, feigning shock.

Edward nodded and pulled his hand back, releasing hers. “I’m afraid so. Last week. That’s why I was sent for William.”

The colonel yawned as he stepped onto the porch of the Haberdashery the following morning while Thomas fetched his horse from the stable and Kate finished packing a basket of dry goods for his journey to Salt Lake. He smiled when Kate stepped out with Ava in her arms. “Absolutely not,” she said, placing her hand on his arm when he reached into his jacket pocket to retrieve money. “William has always been kind and more than generous to our family.”

Edward Bartlett looked into her eyes and saw sincerity in its purest form. He could also see why his brother was so taken with the German beauty and placed his hand over hers.

“Thank you, Miss Kate. I have no doubt I’ll find him and when I do, we will come and have some of your wonderful stew.” They held their gazes for a moment until Thomas walked out of the barn leading his horse out. “Mr. Streicher,” he said with a cordial nod to which Thomas copied as he handed over the reins.

They stood on the porch and watched William’s brother ride away. When he was out of sight, they exchanged triumphant smiles. Carrying Aveline, she walked past Thomas toward the porch steps and sat down. He followed and took his place next to who he considered his wife and daughter and God help anyone who said otherwise. Kate rested her head on his shoulder and Thomas wrapped his arm around her, pulling her in close as they watched the empty trail.

 

Das Ende.