Forget Me Not (The Heart's Spring) (5 page)

A feeling of dread pulled hard on David, making him wish he could back out of the house like Joe had done and return to the train. He had done what he set out to do, which had, surprisingly, turned out to be easier than he had thought after Elizabeth’s confession back in Cheyenne. He’d delivered her safely to her brother’s home. Yet, even if he could somehow find the will to step out of Elizabeth’s life, something felt amiss, and he wouldn’t let her suffer through any unknown trouble alone. He couldn’t.

Maybe, just maybe, when he had figured this problem out, she would be willing to leave with him.

Sensing that someone was directing a question at him, he focused his attention back on the ladies gathered in the small parlor. “What was that?”

Annabelle repeated, “Will you be able to find someplace to stay? I’m so sorry that we don’t have enough room for you both, but…”

“It’s fine.” That was that, then. He would search for a room and a job. Shouldn’t be too hard.

Turning, he noticed Elizabeth’s expression had fallen. Her brows scrunched as she bit her lip. “You’re not staying?” Her whisper quavered in the air between them.

“I’ll be around. I won’t leave you.”

“You’ll tell me where you’ll be stayin’?” It was a plea.

“Of course.”

Taking one last look around, David admired the room with the small, colorful chandelier, furniture with soft blue cushions, flowered wallpaper, and deep burgundy carpets. Elizabeth would be comfortable here.

“Well, I’ll be going now.” He regretted the uncertainty in Elizabeth’s soft, sagebrush eyes, but he walked out the door and let it shut firmly behind him.

***

Joe leaned against the counter of the general store and glared at Jacob Lawson. “When are you going to realize that people need you? And I’m not
talkin’ about here.” He waited for Jacob’s inevitable denial of the truth. Jacob couldn’t seem to tear himself away from his work, not even to focus on his wife or his best friend. At least, Joe fancied himself to be Jacob’s best friend. He hardly knew anymore.

“I know.” Jacob turned away from the shelf where he had been stacking cans of beans. “I just can’t believe that I have a sister. That she’s here. I’m not ready to face her yet.”

“You can tear yerself away from yer business for a few hours, can’t ya? Don’t ya trust me enough to take care of things while you’re gone?” Joe wouldn’t admit that he was glad he was the one to find Elizabeth at the station—and that he wouldn’t mind spending more time with her. Let Jacob stew for a while and suffer for his stupid choices.

“Of course I trust you. There’s just a lot I need to take care of here. You know it’s hard for me to get away at any time.”

“Oh yes, I know. Whenever I see Annabelle I’m reminded of that little fact. You don’t even have time for yer own wife, so how are ya goin’ to find time for yer sister, right?”

Jacob’s face turned hard. “Don’t start with me. I have my problems, but I’m a good man. As your boss, I treat you fair, right? And Annabelle hasn’t ever wanted for anything.”

Shaking his head, Joe replied, “Except fer some company. She never wanted for that before you married her. How do ya expect her to handle the loneliness now?”

“Come on, Joe.” Jacob sighed. “It takes a lot to make a living in this
dyin’ town. You should know that by now.”

Joe couldn’t deny it. Grabbing a can of beans off the shelf, he studied it, wondering how he could convince Jacob to do right by his sister. She had come all this way to meet her long-lost brother, and now he was being a stubborn mule of a man. That pretty little girl deserved better than this.

“Don’t put her off for too long. She had to have sacrificed a lot to come here. No matter what sort of guilt yer feeling, she needs you.” Tossing the can to Jacob, he shook his head. “Right now I’m on her side, and I don’t see that changin’ anytime soon, regardless of our friendship.”

Jacob held the can tightly in his hands, staring down at it as if all the solutions to his problems were contained in that worthless piece of trash. Disgusted, Joe went to the door, ignoring the curious glances of customers.

Turning back one last time, he met Jacob’s gaze and added, “At the rate yer goin’, yer life won’t be worth more than that can of beans.” With that, Joe walked out the store and left his sorry excuse for a friend behind.

***

“What an interesting place to live!”

Elizabeth couldn’t satisfy her curiosity quickly enough to suit her. She somehow needed to convince Annabelle to go into town with her and show her around. Not that sitting for a little while after that long, arduous walk uphill was objectionable. And visiting with her sister-in-law was certainly enjoyable. She hadn’t talked to another woman since… Well, it had been a long time.

“It is a different sort of place, isn’t it?” Annabelle offered a small smile, appearing amused by Elizabeth’s enthusiasm.

“You have such a lovely home. I had no idea my brother was so…comfortable.” Elizabeth admired the small parlor they were sitting in, eager to see the rest of the house and, eventually, the rest of the town. “Would you mind if I take a look around?”

“Not at all. I’d love to show you our home.” Pride filled Annabelle’s voice as she ran a hand down her long blond hair. Just the words “our home” seemed to lift her spirits. Elizabeth grinned. How wonderful that her brother’s wife was so excited about the life she and Jacob were building together.

As Annabelle showed Elizabeth around, her excitement grew. There was the small kitchen with floral print paper covering the walls. The table was small but elegant, and the space was larger than the kitchen she and Sarah Anne had at home. Upstairs were the bedrooms—two of them. One was for guests, where Elizabeth would be staying. The room was done in greens and browns, and Elizabeth found it quite elegant with a large dresser and matching wardrobe.

Annabelle and Jacob’s room was grand. The walls boasted red-and-gold-striped wallpaper, and a red carpet covered the floor at the foot of the bed. But it was the bed itself that really captured Elizabeth’s attention. It was so big! Elizabeth admired the carved headboard and striped spread that matched the rest of the décor.

“This is magnificent.” Elizabeth looked about her in awe. “Why, this might be even better than a room in a hotel!”

Annabelle’s laugh was full of merriment. “I wouldn’t think so, but I do love it. Jacob spared no expense.” At those words, the laughter left her lovely blue eyes.

As they headed back down the narrow stairs, Elizabeth asked, “Would you show me the town, too? I know I just got here, but I can’t wait to see more of it.”

Annabelle shook her head. “No, I don’t think that’s a very good idea. Virginia City is still a rather rough town, even though there’s good society here, as well.”

Elizabeth cocked her head, noticing for the first time that Annabelle’s speech seemed to be rather slow. It wasn’t that her words seemed uneducated. It was more like each word was chosen carefully. Looking up to find Annabelle watching her, she scrambled for something to say and ended up returning to her plea. “Oh, but it would be so much fun! And we’ll be going together, so we should be fine, right?”

Once again, Annabelle shook her head, not quite meeting Elizabeth’s gaze. “I’m rather tired, aren’t you? Why don’t we wait here for Jacob to come home?”

“Well, I guess if you don’t really want to go to town, maybe I could just venture a quick look around by myself.” Elizabeth thought her eager countenance would coax a smile from Annabelle, but instead, she frowned.

“Elizabeth, I really don’t think…”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll be careful, and I won’t be gone long.” Before Annabelle could protest further, Elizabeth rushed outside. Surprised at her own boldness, she turned back around to stare at the closed door. Since when had she become so fearless? And since when had she become so rude? Elizabeth pressed on downhill, afraid that if she let herself stop and really think she would be overcome by a disappointment she couldn’t quite comprehend.

Amazing how hairy a man could get when there wasn’t a woman around to impress. Joe looked up from the hair on the wooden floor and smiled at his image in the mirror, admiring the barber’s work. “Do
ya like the mustache, Bill? Or do ya think I should just get rid of it all?”

Bill took a step back and grabbed his chin with a finger and thumb, thinking deeply. “I think the mustache suits you.” A slow smile crept up his dry and weathered face. “Besides,
yer already shocking enough as it is with so much hair gone.”

Joe grinned broadly. “And really, I look almost—what’s that word?—uh, debonair, right? Like a gentleman.” It was tempting to purchase new clothes to match his new look, but he didn’t have that much money to be tossing about to the wind. The shave and haircut would have to do. His blond eyebrows fell over his eyes as he wondered what Elizabeth would think.

“You’ll be impressin’ every woman in town with the new Joe. They’ll wonder where the handsome stranger came from.”

“Just what I wanted to hear.” Placing some money in Bill’s hand, he added, “I’m
headin’ out to show the town of Virginia City the cleaned-up me.”

“Have a good time, son.” Bill waved as Joe stepped out the door and glanced up and down C Street. The middle of the street was crowded with people milling about and horses and buggies trying to weave through the herd. The saloons were open, but he knew the small groups of people inside would grow as soon as the sun began to set. Joe had never really had much desire to enter the Bucket of Blood, the Delta, or any of those establishments, but he knew that they were frequented by many of the citizens of this town. His ma’s teachings still held sway in his life, and he was accountable to his brother, so he did his best to stay out of mischief. Too bad he couldn’t say the same for Elizabeth’s brother.

Stepping off the wooden sidewalk and out into the dusty street, Joe was startled to see Elizabeth wandering around, glancing into shops and practically running past the saloons. What was she doing out here all alone? Nervousness twisted through him, and his pulse picked up speed. He couldn’t recall feeling such concern for someone else before, besides his ma, and he wasn’t sure he liked the feeling. Like it or not, though, he was going to catch up to that girl before she got herself into a heap of trouble—and before she found herself on the wrong street.

***

It was the last job in the world David wanted, but it seemed like the last job in the world available to him. At least the pay was good. Actually, it was more than good. But then, was it really a wonder miners had to be paid so much to go into the depths of the earth and suffer all day?

As he headed out the office door, a fellow miner came up and started walking with him toward the mine’s entrance. The man appeared to be Irish, and David was reminded again of how many different countries the miners represented. It was as if people from all over the earth had come to dig some sort of future out of the heart of the West.

“Where ye stayin’?”

It was the question that had been on his mind ever since he had left Elizabeth with her brother’s wife. “I don’t know. Why do you ask?”

“I’d rather die with a friend than an enemy, if it comes to that when we’re down below. Jest wanted to do a good turn for the newcomer and tell ye to stay with me Cornish friends. Up near the top of Sun Mountain.” The man shrugged. “They’re not the fanciest or cleanest, mind ye, but ye go where there’s cheap room, right?”

David paused and stared curiously at the man. “They live at the top of the mountain?”

“The highest streets.” The man pointed upwards.

“Ah, I see.” The higher levels of the city. “Must be some view from up there.”

“Yes, indeed. They’ve got a grand view o’ the valley.”

“Mind if I ask why you chose to come here?”

The man now pointed to the ground. “Down there is me chance for a better future. Ye must feel the same, if yer here.”

Nodding, unwilling to explain further, David resumed walking and then ducked beneath the wooden beams framing the mine’s entrance. He picked up a pack with the equipment he’d need, just where his new boss said it’d be, and hefted it over his shoulder. A sudden apprehension seized him as he thought of going down into the mine. Returning to their previous topic, he asked the man, “Do you think the Cornish would accept me?”

“You’re white, aren’t ye?”

David preferred to ignore the wealth of prejudice in the man’s tone. “But I’m not one of them.”

“Talk to Mee-gall—that’s what we call ‘im. He’ll help ye. He’s a good friend.” His words were simple, but full of gratitude. David liked the sense of camaraderie between the miners.
Although this must make it that much harder when one of them is lost forever in the darkness of the earth.
He shuddered.

“Come on.” The miner led the way, and David had no choice but to follow. “It’s time for us to give the others a break. Can’t be down there for too long.”

David could only imagine why, but soon he would know for sure.

***

Elizabeth was sure someone had called her name. Turning to scan both sides of C Street, she frowned. No one looked familiar, and the only person who knew she was in town was Annabelle, who apparently had no desire to leave the house.

Giving the busy dirt road one more glance, she gave up and continued her walk. Maybe she would recognize Jacob’s store, even though she had no idea what it looked like. Surely a quick peek inside each shop would be enough to spot her brother. Her heart would recognize him. Unless he was in a back room, or on a break, or…

“Elizabeth!”

There it was again. Maybe someone was looking for a different Elizabeth. There had to be more than one Elizabeth in a town this big, right? Shaking off the bit of fear that had gathered around her mind, she came to another street heading downhill. Should she go a little farther? It did seem to be getting darker, which was disconcerting.

Suddenly, a hand landed on her shoulder. She screamed as she came face to face with a man she had never met.

“Elizabeth. What are
ya doing here all by yerself? Don’t ya know it’s dangerous?”

The rapid beating of her heart slowed to a gentle pound. “Joe,
ya startled me.” Squinting up at him, her forehead creased. “Why, you look so different! What happened to your beard?”

One corner of his now-visible mouth lifted. “Do
ya like it?”

Tilting her head, she studied him. Without thinking, she raised her hand, but she caught herself before she actually reached out to touch his clean-shaven cheek. Blushing wildly, she turned her face away, and said, “You look very nice.”

Joe’s laugh was hearty. Elizabeth glanced up, unable to stop her smile. Her gaze met his, and she was sure her face glowed redder than a flaming hot poker as she stared into his brown eyes, the color of golden soil. Homesickness rushed over her, and once again she turned away.

A gentle hand came to rest on her upper back. “You okay?”

“Yes,” Elizabeth replied quietly. Her response could barely be heard above the din of the town.

“How ’bout I take
ya back to Jacob’s place?” Offering his elbow, he added, “It’d be an honor, ma’am.”

The fire in her face descended to her heart, and she swallowed, ignoring his proffered arm. “Do you think I’ll get to meet my brother anytime soon?”

Joe sighed. “If he listened to me at all, he’ll be home before dark.”

“Did you speak to him today?”

“Yes.”

Satisfied, she allowed Joe to place her hand in the crook of his arm.

As they walked back down C Street, Elizabeth found herself continually glancing at Joe, longing to catch his gaze once more. Then a realization startled her more than seeing Joe without his beard. The reason she really yearned to see his eyes again was because they reminded her of David’s. Of course, David’s eyes were a bit darker, like the hills surrounding Virginia City at dusk…

The rest of the trip back to the house, she refused to look at Joe again.