A Dream Unfolding (55 page)

Joshua paused, his eyes taking a faraway look.
 
Then he continued, “I had a wonderful time getting into all manner of trouble with my cousin, but still managed to keep up with my studies.
 
When I finished at the university, I returned to California to help my father run the company.

“When the war started, and California called for volunteers to serve throughout the west, I applied for a commission as an officer in the cavalry.
 
It was approved and I joined the First Cavalry of the California Column.”

Hannah asked, “So, you joined in California at the onset of the war?
 
How did you end up at Fort Larned?”

“The First Cavalry, once we were trained by one of the regulars, travelled all over the Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Kansas territories.
 
We fought in skirmishes in most of these territories.

“Once the governor’s itinerary was finalized, General Carleton assigned the First Cavalry to escort his party safely to the Arizona Territory.
 
Then we were to remain at Fort Whipple for the time being.”

Hannah marveled at how much of the country Joshua had seen.
 
When she first met him, she thought he might have been a regular, one of the men in the army prior to the war, for he seemed a natural cavalry man.
 
But, she learned later that most men in service to the Union were volunteers, set to muster out by the end of the war and return to their former lives.

“Do you like your job?” she wondered aloud, glancing back towards Will.
 
Betty said something to him and he looked her direction, then away.

“Most of the time.
 
More so, since having found my faith,” Joshua said.
 
“That helps me let go of the horrific things I have seen.
 
When I was first training under Captain Benjamin Davis, I instantly felt as if I was where I belonged.
 
The discipline of the cavalry suited me well.
 
I enjoy the strategy involved in planning and executing orders.”

“What will you do once the war is over?” she asked.

“I have thought that if the army should still require men in the west that I might stay on.
 
If that does not happen, then perhaps I will return to California and work for my father again.”

Taking her hand, he looked into her eyes.
 
“Of course,” he said, “much of that will depend on the situation I find myself in, once the war is over.”

Hannah swallowed.
 
Something in the intensity of his look told her things might be changing between them.

Chapter
29

Still perplexed over the situation with Hannah, Will decided he would not give up without a fight.
 
He strode to where she and Lieutenant Harrison were seated.
 
Though irritated by the lieutenant’s familiar hold on her hand, Will pasted on a smile and extended his hand.
 
“Come watch the miner’s competition with me.
 
It is very entertaining.”

Hannah smiled and took his hand.
 
Inwardly, he rejoiced over the small victory.
 
He helped her up and waited as she brushed bits of grass from her skirt.
 
When he offered his arm, she took it.
 
They arrived at the miner’s competition just as it concluded, dashing his hopes momentarily.

Someone suggested a roping contest among the cowboys, unknowingly aiding Will’s cause.
 
Several men from the other area ranches lined up, next to Jed, Whitten, and Owens.
 
Will pointed out his men to Hannah and could not help but notice her louder cheers for them as they dazzled the crowd with their lasso tricks.

Then Covington came up next to Will and Hannah.
 
“Boss, you should go out there.
 
You’re the best roper in this whole territory,” he bragged.

While Will was good with the rope and knew several fancy tricks, he doubted he was the best.
 
And he certainly did not want to leave Hannah’s side again, especially not to show off in front of the crowd.
 
He pretended not to hear Covington’s comment, until Hannah spoke.

“Go ahead, Mr.
Colter
,” Hannah said.

Several others around them agreed so Will was obliged to take the stage.
 
As he started forming the loop, he noticed Harrison and Covington flanked Hannah in the crowd.
 
He sighed inwardly, thinking he lost her attention again.
 
However, catching Hannah’s gaze, he realized the opposite was true.
 
Maybe showing off his rope skills would work to his advantage after all.
 
He started with some easy twirling of the rope in front of him then progressed to more challenging moves.
 
He finished with stepping into the loop while continuing its spinning up his body, until it was over his head.

Covington shouted out that he should take a volunteer to step into the loop. Agreeing, he waited to see who would come forward.
 
Will had not expected Hannah to stumble forward, until he saw Betty and Martha’s mischievous looks from behind her.
 
If he didn’t know better, he would have thought the two women were conspiring to help him.

Will took Hannah’s hand and led her to the center of the stage, his heart racing.
 
He explained that when he started twirling the rope near the ground, he wanted her to step into center when he nodded.
 
When she was ready, he started.
 
Once she was inside the loop, he performed the same trick with her—moving the loop upward, over head and back down again.
 
He resisted the temptation to tighten the rope about her waist and pull her to him.
 
The last thing he wanted to do was embarrass her.

The crowd applauded and cheered loudly.
 
Will took Hannah’s hand.
 
While she curtsied, he bowed.
 
She was breathtaking as her face glowed from the thrill of the experience.
 
He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her.

Instead, he directed Hannah back toward the crowd.

“That was amazing!” she exclaimed, followed by nervous laughter.
 
“Where did you learn how to do that?”

“Growing up on a ranch can be
kinda
boring.
 
It was a creative use of my time that kept me out of trouble and away from my brother,” he replied.

“Mrs. Lancaster, how long do we have to wait for that delicious looking pie?” a short somewhat fleshy man asked, greedily rubbing his hands together.

Others followed suit, begging for dessert to be served, until Betty agreed.
 
Enlisting Hannah and Mrs. Murphy’s help, Betty started slicing the sweet treats.
 
Again, Will was separated from Hannah.
 
Taking his piece of pie, he found a spot in the shade to sit and wait for her to be free.
 
The serving took longer than expected as every miner, rancher, and townsman wanted to chat with the lovely ladies.

Harrison appeared, taking a seat next to Will without invitation.

“What exactly are your intentions with Hannah,” the lieutenant questioned, getting to his purpose immediately.

Clenching his jaw, Will did not take more than a second to respond.
 
Failing to veil his ire, he said, “I might ask you the same question.”

“Don’t be coy with me,
Colter
.
 
The roping trick was an interesting way to get her attention.
 
I suppose you planned to have your men call you out so you could show off.”
 
The lieutenant’s irritation sharpened his words.

“I planned nothing, other than a lovely afternoon with a lovely woman.”

“I suggest you reconsider the rest of the afternoon.”

Will did not like the Harrison’s demands.
 
“She seemed to enjoy my company today, Harrison.
 
That got you on edge?”

“Tread lightly.”

“Why?
 
Do you have some sort of agreement or commitment to Mrs. Anderson?” Will challenged.
 
“From where I sit, I doubt it, as she doesn’t impress me as the type of woman to take a commitment lightly.”

Harrison’s lips formed a thin line as his brows drew together.
 
“I have not spoken to her of my affections, yet.
 
But I had planned to do so very soon.
 
I would appreciate your bowing out.”

The competitive spirit rose in Will.
 
He had not planned to fight for Hannah, but he was not ready to step aside easily and see her coupled with this arrogant man.
 
“While I find your confidence in the lady’s presumed acceptance admirable,” Will replied, purposefully finding the biggest words he could think of, “I propose we let her decide who she prefers.”

Harrison bolted to his feet.
 
For a brief moment, Will thought he might engage by throwing a punch.
 
He did not.
 
Instead, he turned back towards the cavalry as they gathered for the last presentation.

“Guess we’ve got a real competition going,” Will muttered to himself as he searched the crowd for Hannah.
 
He tried to push forward to catch sight of her, but to no avail.
 
At least Harrison, as one of the mounted cavalry, would be busy with the final presentation.
 

After the grand finale, the crowd started to thin.
 
Many men went to the saloon, while a few lingered about the town square.
 
Will caught sight of Hannah, Betty, and Martha near the pie table, clearing the dishes away.
 
The three ladies disappeared inside the boardinghouse.

Frowning, Will could not keep his disappointment from showing.
 
He hoped to speak with Hannah before she returned to work but he was too late.

---

Paul filled the reservoir with water for the ladies then went to find a few men to help him bring the tables and benches back into the dining hall.
 
While Hannah and Martha brought all of the boardinghouse’s dishes in, Betty heated the water for the large dish washing chore.

Hannah could not stop smiling.
 
Her cup was overflowing.

“Hannah, you are positively radiant,” Betty observed.
 
“You obviously had a good time, dear.”

“I did.
 
I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun.
 
Wasn’t Will’s roping fantastic?”

“Will?” teased Martha.
 
“You mean Mr.
Colter
, right?”

Hannah felt the heat rise to her face, but she did not respond.

“I couldn’t help but notice you had one or two admirers today,” Betty said.

Hannah had an idea who Betty was talking about, but she wasn’t sure she liked the direction of this conversation.
 
Playing it off, she asked, “What do you mean?”

“Mr.
Colter
and Lieutenant Harrison were both enamored by your presence,” Martha said with a dramatic flair.

Betty said, “Oh, I think they are more than just enamored.
 
I think they are both in love with you, Hannah.”

Hannah’s mouth suddenly felt dry.
 
That was not possible.
 
Was it?

“Oh, that lieutenant has been in love with you since you were at the fort,” added Martha.
 
“I don’t think you will be single much longer.
 
And to think, you’ve got a choice of two very handsome men.”

The thought sobered Hannah.
 
She wasn’t sure if her friends were just teasing her or if they were serious.
 
And Hannah didn’t want to think about what would happen if what Betty said was true.
 
Even though she was not wearing widow’s black, she was still mourning her husband.
 
Wasn’t she?