Diane T. Ashley (37 page)

His head jerked up. “Who’s there?”

“It’s me, Jasmine.”

“What are you doing out here at this hour?” He changed direction, walking toward the gangplank that connected the barge to the riverbank.

“I could ask you the same thing.”

“I had to wait for Sheriff Cunningham to return. I didn’t want to leave the prisoners alone.” David reached her side, and she could see the frown on his face. “Your turn.”

“I couldn’t sleep.” Jasmine left out the part about the walls of the bedroom closing in on her. “I decided to come out for some fresh air.”

“You know the rest of Vance’s gang is camped out somewhere near. I don’t like the idea of your standing out here all alone.”

She should be upset at his complaint, but Jasmine could hear the concern in David’s voice. It echoed the way she’d felt earlier in the day when she had come face-to-face with the idea that David could have been hurt trying to protect her. It was time to apologize for adding to his burdens. “I’m sorry for causing so much trouble.”

David said nothing. His face, half in shadow, didn’t betray his thoughts. As the silence lengthened, she began to wonder if he would accept her apology. Had she finally pushed him so hard that he no longer cared about their friendship?

Another minute passed, and she couldn’t stand it any longer. “Aren’t you going to say something?”

“I’m just trying to overcome my shock. What’s changed? Is it because of Vance, or have you finally seen what kind of people you’re living with?”

Jasmine blinked. Maybe she was sleepier than she’d realized. “What are you talking about, David?”

“I’m talking about the loose morals and decadent lifestyles of the theater.”

“And you think that’s why I want to be a famous actress? So I can lead a shameful life? Sometimes I think you don’t understand me at all.”

“I know you’re doing this for all the wrong reasons, Jasmine. You’ve said yourself that you want to be famous. Can’t you see how destructive such a goal can be?”

She straightened. “Fame and fortune are not bad things. I can hold onto my morals and still be a part of this world.”

David’s eyes closed, and he shook his head. “I wish that were true.”

“What about you? Don’t try to convince me that you don’t enjoy the slaps on the back for a job well done.”

Jasmine waited for his answer.

“You’re right to an extent. When I foiled an attempt to rob the coach I was on last year, I was pretty proud of myself. The passengers were so complimentary. It felt good. I accepted a job offer with the Pinkerton Agency with the idea that I wanted to spend my life repeating that experience.” He paused and swallowed. “One day God tapped me on the shoulder. I was riding along with a payroll train that was attacked. I killed one of the robbers and wounded one, a kid too young to shave. A pastor on the train stepped forward and shared the Gospel with that kid right there in the middle of nowhere. He was saved that day—I watched as he changed. God used that pastor, but He also used me and the talents He’s given me to make a difference. I like to think that if I save a man’s life, maybe he’ll have time to repent and turn to God.”

What made him think God wasn’t using her talents, too?

As if he had read her mind, David shook his head. “Providing an hour or two of entertainment isn’t a bad thing in itself. I was proud of you back in Natchez when you were helping the orphanage, but what you’re doing now is for your own purposes.”

Jasmine was beginning to wish she’d never come up on deck. But she couldn’t let his condemnation go unchallenged. “How can you say I won’t touch lives? When I get to be famous, I can use my resources to rebuild dozens of orphanages.”

“Like you’re doing right now?” He cocked his head.

“That’s not fair. I’m just starting out. Once I become a star, everything will be different.”

“No it won’t, Jasmine. That’s just the point. Jesus said if we are unjust in the least things, we’ll be unjust in greater ones. You can’t wait to become rich or famous. You can’t expend all of your talent getting the things this world labels valuable and expect to hold onto what’s really important.”

The words rang with power and truth. For a moment Jasmine felt like a curtain had been lifted. Was she already growing calloused and hard? Immoral?
No
. She was still the same person she’d always been.

“What about my obligation to Mr. and Mrs. Easley? To the other actors on the
Ophelia
? I know it’s not your fault that Vance is guilty.” There. Maybe by admitting that he was right, David would see that she was not the selfish, heartless person he accused her of being. “But that doesn’t change the fact that we can’t hope to replace him before getting to St. Louis. And my part may not be as vital as his, but I’m filling in for Angelica. If I leave now, the whole company might fold.”

“All right, Jasmine, have it your way.” He sounded so defeated. So tired. “I’ll stay on board the
Ophelia
until it reaches St. Louis, since that’s the end of its current run. But that’s it. I think you’re trying to run from God. Be careful that you don’t get too far away to call on Him.”

She watched him cross the gangplank with a heavy heart. Had she thrown away something precious by refusing to listen to David? Had she forfeited his protection? Jasmine hugged her arms as a damp gust of air blew against her face. Why couldn’t David see that she was the same person she’d always been?

She would show him the truth. She would reach her goals in spite of his doubts. And she would use her influence to make changes in the world that impressed even David Foster.

Jasmine awoke to the low tone of a steam whistle very close by. What time was it? She rolled over in her bed and groaned when she realized Clem was already dressed and gone. She had overslept again, thanks to her sleeplessness during the night. Ever since her talk with David, slumber had eluded her each night until the wee hours of the morning.

The past few days had been difficult for everyone. Hot, long days that led to short tempers, outbursts, and arguments. Jasmine had gone to visit Vance once before the U.S. marshal arrived. It had been an uncomfortable experience, and she was relieved she wouldn’t have to repeat it.

Angelica had talked the Easleys into letting her reassume her role as the second leading lady, reducing Jasmine to the status of an understudy. No matter which play they performed, the most she got to do was the bit parts, the same as the rest of the stock troupe who received no recognition.

So much for her determination to show David how she could use her talents. At least they were supposed to leave Cairo today. The residents had seen all the plays in the
Ophelia’
s repertoire, even a reprise of their patriotic vignettes. Last night, the audience even booed poor Rafe.

The barge shook under her feet as she considered whether or not to bury her head in her pillow again. Were they already underway? Deciding it was too late to fall back asleep, Jasmine got up, hurried through her toilette, and headed for the dining room. Maybe a cup of coffee would clear the cobwebs from her head.

“Here’s Miss Johnny-Come-Lately to join us. Clem said you needed your beauty sleep, and I have to say I agree with her.” Tabitha’s words contained the sting of a wasp.

Jasmine felt like sticking her tongue out at the snippy female. “I didn’t realize we were on a schedule.”

The others in the room paused for a moment before returning to their meals, except for Mr. Easley, who looked at her from his seat at the head of the dining table, his eyes narrowed. “Are you ill?”

“No, sir.” She picked up a plate and chose some crisp bacon and a piece of toast from the buffet before sliding into a vacant chair next to Clem and across from Rafe and Angelica.

Jasmine noticed that Angelica’s face looked blotchy and swollen, like she had been crying. What was she so upset about? From her woebegone expression, anyone would think she’d lost her best friend … but Rafe was sitting next to her.

“I hope not.” Mrs. Easley took a sip from her coffee cup. “We’ve had enough of bad luck lately.”

It was the same thing Jasmine had heard again and again since Vance was arrested. At first everyone had been shocked and unbelieving, but as the days wore on, they adjusted. Rafe was not as convincing as the male lead, and Mr. Easley was beginning to lose patience. She glanced at the man across from her, wondering what was bothering him. Maybe she should try to get him alone and question him. Offer him a sympathetic ear and even give him helpful advice.

“Everything will be better once we reach St. Louis.” Rafe glanced at Angelica, a question in his eyes.

Perhaps she should start with Angelica. Whatever was bothering him most likely involved her as well and might be the root of the blond actress’s obvious distress.

“I doubt you’ll be much better.” Mr. Easley sent a dark frown his direction. “But that may not be my problem by then anyway.”

Angelica pushed back from the table and ran from the room. Tabitha made a face but said nothing.

Jasmine exchanged a confused glance with Clem. Something she didn’t understand was going on. Her stomach churned. Even though she’d grown up with two older sisters, she had never liked emotional scenes. Especially at breakfast.

Clem cleared her throat and glanced toward the door—a signal for Jasmine to follow as soon as possible—before excusing herself. She must know something that she couldn’t discuss in front of the others.

Jasmine toyed with the food on her plate, sipped her coffee, and covertly watched the others. What had happened before she arrived? The Easleys exited next, leaving Tabitha, Rafe, and Jasmine in the dining room. Time to make her escape. She tossed her napkin over her plate and stood. “See you later.”

Neither of the other two said anything as she exited. She looked for Clem on deck, in the theater, and in the prop room but found no sign of her friend until she returned to her room. “What’s going on?”

“It’s Angelica.” Clem opened her eyes wide and twisted her mouth.

Jasmine understood she was supposed to infer something from Clem’s expression, but she had no idea what. “What about Angelica? I saw she was upset. I don’t understand why unless she’s afraid I’m going to get her parts again.”

“Angelica is the one.” Again that odd twist to Clem’s mouth.

Jasmine shook her head.

Finally Clem made a disgusted noise. “She’s the one who is going to— She’s going to be a mother.”

“What?” Jasmine couldn’t believe what her friend was saying. With all the extra drama lately, she had forgotten the rumor that someone was in the family way. Everything fell into place. The way Angelica had been gaining weight. Her moodiness.

“The truth was bound to come out sooner or later.”

“Is Rafe the … the one who …” Her face colored. She couldn’t get the words out.

Clem raised her shoulders in a shrug. “Who knows? But you still don’t get it. Have you thought what this is going to mean for you?”

First Vance turned out to be a criminal. Now Angelica was—
Disgraced
was the only word she could assign to Angelica’s scandalous condition. What was wrong with these people? At this point she wouldn’t have been surprised to find out that Tabitha was an alcoholic or that the Easleys ran a gambling den. Now Clem wanted her to be happy about assuming Angelica’s roles on a permanent basis? “I can’t believe you said that.”

Clem looked as though Jasmine had slapped her. “Why? Haven’t you heard that ‘It’s an ill wind blows no good’?”

“Angelica is far from the most pleasant woman on board, but I can’t take pleasure in such a thing. Her life is going to change dramatically. She needs our prayers.”

“When did you turn into such a goody-goody?”

Jasmine caught her breath. Had she strayed so far from her beliefs that her best friend on the
Ophelia
didn’t know where she stood on spiritual matters? Did she even know anymore? Although Clem’s cutting words hurt, Jasmine found herself more disturbed by the realization that David had been right that night. She had strayed a long way from what she once held dear.

It was time to find her way back to the person she used to be, back to the important things in life, back to God and her faith. She would start by trying to help Angelica. “I’m sorry you’re disappointed in me, but we’ll sort things out when I get back.”

“Where are you going?” Clem’s voice followed her into the hallway.

Jasmine continued on her mission without answering. She would tell Clem later. Right now she needed to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Easley before they did anything rash.

She passed Angelica’s room on her way to find the manager and his wife, coming to a halt as she realized she could hear sobs coming from within. Her heart ached for the actress. She couldn’t ignore Angelica’s distress. Jasmine knocked on the door, turning the knob when the weeping continued. “Angelica, may I come in?”

“Go away.” The actress was lying face down across her bed, her hair loose.

Ignoring Angelica’s order, Jasmine sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed the actress’s back. “It’s going to be okay, honey.”

Angelica turned her head toward the wall. “No, it’s not. My life is over.”