Daylight Comes (7 page)

With each new arrival, Truth endured a similar ritual: a polite inquiry about the baggage, a surprised exclamation, and a barrage of questions for Aunt Lilly. No one, though, appeared more surprised than Jarena. After delivering only a perfunctory kiss to Truth’s cheek, she’d made an immediate beeline to Lilly’s side, and the two of them now engaged in a whispered exchange. While Truth observed the twosome from across the room, she remembered she’d not mentioned Moses’s victory to her aunt. Likely Jarena had already told her.

Truth sauntered across the room and joined the two women. “I suddenly realized I hadn’t mentioned why we’re hosting this evening’s party, Aunt Lilly.”

Lilly arched her perfectly shaped brows and shrugged. “Is a
reason
required for entertaining friends and family?”

Truth was uncertain whether her aunt intended the remark as a question or insult. “Of course not,” she replied demurely. “But in this case we are celebrating Moses’s recent victory. He’s been elected state auditor.” When Lilly didn’t comment, Truth glanced at her sister and then turned back to Lilly. “You already knew, didn’t you?”

“I received a letter from Jarena shortly after Moses was nominated. Though I hadn’t seen formal notice of his victory, I never doubted he would win.” She moved closer. “You
do
recall I told you this would happen, don’t you?”

Her aunt continued talking, but Truth heard no more of Lilly’s comments. She directed a questioning look at her sister. Not once had Jarena mentioned corresponding with Lilly. The idea that the two of them had been exchanging letters was not as disconcerting as realizing Jarena had kept a secret from the family. Or had she? Perhaps Jarena had told the others. Was Truth the only one who’d been in the dark? Grasping her skirts in one hand, Truth excused herself and hurried to the kitchen.

Passing through the dining room, she took hold of Grace’s arm and tugged her along through the kitchen and then outdoors into the bracing autumn air.

“What’s gotten into you, Truth? It’s cold out here.” Grace folded her arms across her chest and briskly rubbed her upper arms.

Light filtered out through the kitchen window to reveal her sister’s frowning face, but Truth paid no heed to the cold or her sister’s puckered brow. “Did you know Jarena’s been corresponding with Aunt Lilly?”

Grace stared at her in surprise. “You brought me out here in the cold to ask
that
? What’s gotten into you, Truth?” She yanked her sister by the hand. “Come on! Let’s get inside.”

Truth clasped her fingers tightly around Grace’s hand and refused to budge.

“I believe she mentioned writing a letter to Aunt Lilly.” Grace shrugged. “Don’t know what difference it makes. Now can we go back inside?”

“Did Pappy know?”

Grace yanked loose. “I s’pose. We never talked about it. Do you need to rest for a while? What’s wrong with you?”

Truth shook her head. From the strange look on her sister’s face, Grace thought she’d become mentally unstable. Best she not dig any further or Grace would mention her questions to Jarena.

The remainder of the evening passed in a blur. The guests came and went, the food trays were continuously filled and emptied, well-wishers offered their congratulations, and laughter filled the house. Late in the evening, Truth surveyed the roomful of remaining guests. From outward appearances, all seemed well. She doubted anyone could surmise that a thorn of betrayal had lodged in her heart.

Though Truth had privately protested, Moses insisted the family remain for the night. The hour had been late when the final guests departed, and he’d pointed out there were ample accommodations for everyone—including Lilly. Truth had shivered at the prospect of having her aunt’s belongings moved into the house. Truth was sure Lilly would view that act as an invitation to remain as their houseguest.

The following morning the entire family gathered in the dining room for breakfast, thanks to Jarena’s efforts. Exhausted by the previous day’s activities, Truth had remained abed as long as possible. In fact, had Moses not awakened her, she would have slept through breakfast. She truly wanted sleep more than food—or company.

Once seated at the dining table, Truth settled into her role of hostess and casually inquired into her aunt’s future plans. Lilly helped herself to a spoonful of scrambled eggs and explained she’d made no definite plans other than to get out of Colorado before the winter snows set in.

Ezekiel speared a piece of ham and dropped it onto his plate. “Where you two gonna live when you’s in Topeka, Moses?”

Moses wiped his mouth with the linen napkin. “That’s still to be decided. I thought we’d travel to Topeka sometime in the next week or two and see about finding a place. If I can arrange to have Harvey Boyle take over the newspaper here, I’d like to get settled in Topeka as soon as possible. I’m planning to go to Hill City today and visit with Harvey.”

His response came so quickly Truth wondered if her father and husband had prearranged the question. Likely they wanted to prepare her for the inevitable. Besides, she had come to realize that discussing their departure from Nicodemus was easier for Moses when others were present.

Truth wanted to visit the doctor before setting their timeline for departure. She’d experienced a small amount of bleeding over the past week, but she didn’t want to blurt out such personal information in front of the entire family. How could she fashion a reply without appearing obstinate? “If you want to travel to Topeka and secure a house for us, I won’t object, my dear. However, I wouldn’t wish to depart before Christmas. I don’t know when we’ll be able to return home for a visit; besides, Grace couldn’t depart now, either.”

“Uh-huh, she’s right about that,” Grace affirmed. “I already promised Silas I’d wait until after the holidays to leave.”

Lilly tapped a finger to her lips. “I’d be pleased to go along, Moses. I can assist you in finding a suitable house. And if I like the town, I may decide to settle there in the capital city.”

A deafening silence followed the revelation. Lilly’s surprising announcement could mean only one thing—trouble.

CHAPTER
8

Hill City , Kansas

Macia had been waiting at the newspaper office for at least an hour. Though she’d told her brother she needed to speak with him, she knew he would continue with his printing until the job was completed. Thankfully, it appeared he would soon finish.

Outside, the wind tumbled loose brush and debris down the street while gray clouds hung heavy in the sky. Macia wondered if Hill City would soon be covered in a blanket of snow. Even though a warm fire blazed nearby, she shivered at the thought of the approaching winter. November was much too early for snow—at least as far as she was concerned. However, snow arrived in western Kansas any time from October to May. Once the farmers planted their winter wheat, they were pleased to have the snow providing moisture and acting as a winter blanket for their crops. At the moment, Macia wasn’t interested in crops or weather.

When the din of the press finally ceased, Macia stepped to her brother’s side and began to question him. She had hoped to hear that he’d been successful in locating a housekeeping position for Fern. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Harvey hadn’t found a thing.

“I wish Father would heed my request and withhold Fern’s pay for ruining my dress. If he’d comply, I believe Fern would immediately begin to seek employment elsewhere.”

Harvey brushed a lock of chestnut brown hair from his forehead and started to replace the type in the proper compartments of the type case. He waved her forward and pointed at the chase that held columns of type. “I doubt you’ll gain Father’s agreement, so you’d best practice your patience. You know how he dislikes confrontation.”

As she removed type from the chase’s iron frame, Macia peered out the front window. “Have you seen those folks before?”

Harvey followed her gaze and then shook his head. A buggy with four occupants slowly rolled down the street. Macia watched as the conveyance stopped in front of the newspaper office. A couple that appeared to be about the age of Macia’s parents stepped out of the buggy, soon followed by a boy of approximately twelve years and a pretty daughter that seemed to capture Harvey’s interest.

Macia poked him in the side. “I thought you were interested in Mattie Lawson.”

Harvey laughed. “I hardly know her, although Garrett tells everyone I’ve all but placed an engagement ring on her finger.”

Before they could discuss Harvey’s romantic relationships, the front door opened and the foursome entered. The man stepped forward and offered his hand to Harvey. “Vernon Faraday. My wife, Lula, and my children, Camille and Jonas.”

Harvey shook the man’s hand, but the sparkle in her brother’s eyes was clearly intended for Camille. “Harvey and Macia Boyle. Pleased to make your acquaintance—all of you.”

Camille’s smile faded, but she nodded at Macia. “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Boyle.”

Macia giggled at the greeting. “I do apologize for my laughter, but I’m Harvey’s
sister
, not his wife.”

Camille’s enchanting smile promptly returned at the pronouncement.

“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. What brings you to Hill City?”

Though Mr. Faraday stepped forward, his wife offered the response—one that seemed stilted and rehearsed—albeit interesting. Macia questioned the validity of the woman’s reply. Why would a successful pharmacist leave his business, his home, friends, and extended family to move west? She bit her lip at the thought. Likely for many of the same reasons her own father had decided to leave Kentucky several years ago.

From all appearances, the Faraday family had much in common with her own. Though they weren’t Southerners, they were educated and had an air of refinement. Macia’s mother would be delighted: finally someone she could relate to might be settling in the community. The very thought made Macia anxious to have the Faradays call Hill City their new home. It had become painfully clear that her mother needed someone or something to keep her mind occupied. Otherwise, the long hours closeted in her bedroom would only continue. Possibly Mrs. Faraday would provide her mother with an added incentive to enjoy life.

As for the other members of the family, Camille was friendly enough and close to her own age—she might even be someone with whom Macia could form a friendship. And it certainly appeared Harvey would soon be vying for Camille’s attentions. Her brother looked quite smitten with the new arrival. Young Jonas might prove an excellent intermediary for Harvey’s cause, since the boy seemed fascinated by the printing press.

However, Mr. and Mrs. Faraday expressed no definite commitment to Hill City. Rather, they were searching for a town in need of a pharmacy. When they’d noticed the doctor’s office was closed, Mrs. Faraday had decided the next best place to procure an answer to their question would be the newspaper office.

Harvey’s chest swelled with pride. “You’re absolutely correct. A good newspaper is the pulse of a community.”

Mrs. Faraday screwed her lips into a tight knot. “I’m not sure if it’s the pulse, but it’s usually where you can find the folks who know everyone else’s business.”

Macia noticed her brother’s chest deflate a bit as he hastened to explain his newspaper provided a valuable service by keeping the community informed.

The woman shrugged. “Newspapers provide exactly what folks want—gossip.”

Obviously, Harvey’s profession would garner no accolades from the matriarch of the Faraday family. Without further ado, Mrs. Faraday launched into a litany of questions regarding the size of the community, number of physicians, nearest pharmacy, and whether Harvey thought the doctor would be amenable to a pharmacy in town. “You know how doctors can be. Many of them prefer to dispense their own drugs—more money lining their own pockets.” A hint of anger edged her words.

Macia retrieved her cape from a hook on the wall. “I believe you’ll find my father more than welcoming. He’s been anxious to see a pharmacy in Hill City. In fact, why don’t I accompany you and you can ask him for yourself? He should still be at home. My mother’s health has suffered of late, and he usually spends time at home with her after the noonday meal.”

A deep blush tinged Mrs. Faraday’s cheeks, and Macia suspected the woman hadn’t made the familial connection. Mr. Faraday’s smug grin, on the other hand, seemed to indicate he had known all along. In all likelihood, Mr. Faraday had observed the signage on the office door while his wife had not. He gave his wife a condescending look.

Harvey pointed to his buggy. “Just follow us. The house isn’t far.” While the Faradays clambered into their carriage, Harvey assisted Macia into his and then settled in the seat and took up the reins. He glanced at his sister and gave a slight shake of his head. “There’s something strange about Mr. and Mrs. Faraday. I can’t put my finger on it.”

Macia patted her brother’s arm. “I trust you’ll soon know. After all, you newspaper people are nothing but gossips.” She sputtered the final words and then burst into a fit of giggles. “You’re right, though. They act as if they’re not very fond of each other, but remember how Mother and Father were when Father decided we would move west? A decision like that can cause family strife. Perhaps it’s merely all the upheaval of their relocation. At least
we
had a final destination when we moved. They seem to be going from town to town, searching for a place to settle as they travel.”

While Harvey waited for their guests, Macia hurried inside the house to alert her parents of the imminent visit. Relieved to find her mother up and dressed, Macia delightedly regaled her parents with all the information that she could pass on before the Faradays entered the house.

The moment their guests arrived, her mother rang the small brass bell and directed Fern to prepare tea. “Why don’t you assist her, Macia? I’m sure Fern would appreciate your assistance.”

The idea of spending time alone with Fern was the last thing Macia sought, but she didn’t want to cause a scene. So while the Faradays settled themselves and began to talk with her parents, Macia hastened to help in the kitchen. She spied a pot of boiling water on the stove. Thankfully, it wouldn’t take long to prepare the tea. After setting the tea to brew, she cut pieces of lemon pound cake and carefully arranged them on her mother’s best cake plate. Skirting the outer perimeter of the room in order to avoid Fern’s path, Macia gathered cups and saucers and poured cream into the china pitcher. Though Fern muttered several complaints, Macia completed the tasks without comment.

“Thank you, my dear,” her mother said as Macia put the tray down on the table beside her chair. “You sit down and visit. I’ll pour.” Apparently her mother had taken a liking to Mrs. Faraday. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have considered assuming hostess duties.

While Harvey entertained Camille and Jonas with tales of life in Hill City, Mrs. Faraday offered flowery praise for the Boyles’ house and willingly participated in discussions about decorating schemes and the latest fashions. However, her attention remained divided. At times, she even interrupted the men to interject a comment regarding the pharmacy business or their family’s relocation. When Macia’s father suggested a visit to a possible site for a pharmacy, Mrs. Faraday jumped to her feet, prepared to accompany the men.

It was Macia’s mother who waved the visitor back into her chair. “I believe we should permit the men to make the visit into town. You said you’d like an opportunity to view our previous home. I would be delighted to accompany you for a tour—provided you promise not to expect too much.”

Mrs. Faraday assured her mother that she’d seen the soddies and dugouts as they’d traveled from Ellis and she would be pleased to live in any house so long as it wasn’t made of dirt. The visitor gasped when Mrs. Boyle revealed that theirs had been the only wood house in Hill City when they’d arrived in 1877. While her mother went upstairs to fetch her hat, Mrs. Faraday pulled her husband aside for a private conversation. Macia couldn’t hear what was said, but on several occasions Mrs. Faraday pointed her index finger and seemed more like a scolding parent than a wife.

Macia would have preferred to accompany the men because she assumed Mr. Faraday would be more forthcoming than his wife. However, she had no choice in the matter, for her mother insisted she and Camille join the women while Harvey entertained Jonas. Without much difficulty, Harvey convinced Jonas he would enjoy seeing the old house, too. Macia grinned. There was no doubt Harvey wanted to remain near Camille.

Macia found her mother’s transformation amazing. The two women discussed the challenges of living in a small town without the proper accoutrements. “I do miss my ladies’ group,” her mother commented as they walked up the steps of the house the Boyles had lived in when they first arrived in Hill City. “We enjoyed discussing books while we did our needlework each week.”

“You know, Margaret, we could begin a group in Hill City—do our part to help civilize these folks. Between the two of us, I’m certain we’d have an excellent choice of books, and we could enrich the lives of the other residents.”

When their mother readily agreed to the plan, Macia looked at Harvey, her mouth agape. She’d not seen their mother express this much fervor since their arrival in Hill City. The thought of the two women organizing the women of Hill City for a discussion of William Shakespeare or Sir Walter Raleigh was more than a little amusing. Betsy Turnbull, who couldn’t even read, would probably be one of the first to attend. Macia wondered how enthusiastic Mrs. Faraday would remain after she encountered some of these unschooled women.

Tired of constantly having to be aware of proper manners around Mrs. Faraday and Camille, Macia was glad when the tour of their old home was complete and they’d returned to the Boyle residence, meeting up with her father and Mr. Faraday along the way. Mr. Faraday informed his wife that he’d signed the paperwork to purchase a limestone building that would more than adequately serve as a pharmacy.

Macia had heard stories of Richard Martin, the building’s former occupant, leaving to pursue his fortune in Colorado, and Mr. Faraday said the building’s owner, W. R. Hill, had offered him an excellent price. Though Mr. Martin had operated a tailor shop and lived in the rear of the building, Mr. Faraday assured his wife the building would need few modifications.

While Mr. Faraday excitedly described all the attributes of the building, his wife’s shoulders squared and her features tightened until they resembled a granite carving. “You’ve purchased the building? Without my being present?” A foreboding silence hung in the air as the woman directed an icy glare at her husband.

Macia’s mother stepped forward and clasped Mrs. Faraday’s arm. “Isn’t that the most wonderful news? I can’t tell you how delighted I am.” Margaret chirped on as though she hadn’t noticed Mrs. Faraday’s angry behavior.

Fortunately, her words served to lighten the mood. When Fern announced supper was served, the scowl disappeared from Mrs.

Faraday’s face. In fact, she became quite animated during the supper hour as she listened to details regarding the early settlement of Hill City and asked many questions.

After Dr. Boyle described the difficult circumstances encountered by the first settlers to Nicodemus—caused in large part by Mr. Hill’s unconscionable behavior—Mrs. Faraday shook her head in disgust. “Unfortunately, there are all too many men willing to take advantage of others in order to serve their own selfish purposes.”

Macia noted Mrs. Faraday’s quick glance at her husband and once again wondered if there wasn’t much more than met the eye with this family. If so, perhaps Camille would be more forthcoming in the future. The girl had certainly remained a closed book thus far. In fact, Camille’s only revelation had been her intensifying interest in Harvey.

Jonas dipped a spoonful of creamed peas onto his plate and asked if Harvey needed any assistance at the newspaper. Mrs. Faraday motioned for her son’s silence. “If we remain in Hill City, you’ll be attending school.”

Camille sighed as she passed the bowl of mashed potatoes to her brother. “What do you mean, Mother? You heard Father say he’s already signed papers to purchase the pharmacy. Of course we’re staying.”