Chapter 11

11

T he prayer was said by Gideon in his usual to-the-point, no-extra-words-spared style. "Bless us, Lord, and these Your gifts. Make us grateful. In Christ's name, Amen."

After the blessing, lunch was a silent affair, with each of them focused on their white gravy poured over beef and bread. Again, the beef was almost too tough to eat, and very salty. What made it so tough? Had Miriam cooked it too long?

To her surprise, Gideon was the one to break the silence. When his plate was almost half empty, he spoke without looking up.

"Well, I reckon the only thing for ya to do is go back to where ya came from. St. Louis or Richmond or wherever that is. I can help arrange for travel and such."

It took a moment for Leah to realize he was speaking to her. He wasn't looking at her when he spoke, an action which would be considered quite disrespectful in proper circles. She worked to push down her rising hackles. "Mr. Bryant, I thank you for the kind offer, but I won't be going back to St. Louis, Richmond or any other place in the southeast."

For the first time, a flicker of emotion passed through his very green eyes as he raised them to look at her.

"Ma'am." His tone was measured, controlled. "You will have to go back to where you came from. There's nothing for you here. My brother is dead." The words were flat, then he dropped his eyes back to his plate.

Compassion pressed at her. She needed to clarify her statement. "Mr. Bryant. I understand I cannot stay here. I am planning to leave. I simply am not able to go back to St. Louis, nor to Richmond, which is the city from which I originally hail."

A blue vein appeared on Gideon's forehead that hadn't been there before. "And why is that, if I may ask?" He spat each word as if he were expelling cat hair from his mouth.

"Because, sir, when I arrived in Fort Benton, the gateway to your fine territory, I was robbed of my reticule and all funds. Therefore, I have no money with which to pay for travel back to that same Fort Benton, nor the expensive ship ride to St. Louis. Nor train fare for the five days it would take to travel from there to Richmond."

Both her voice and body temperature rose with each sentence. "And not only that, but there is a man in Richmond who is seeking to marry and poison me for my inheritance. I last saw his agents when I was in St. Louis, so I will not be going back to that city.

"However, Mr. Bryant, you need not fear I'll impose my presence upon you any longer than absolutely necessary. If you will kindly tell me the way to Butte City, I'll leave posthaste."

She dropped her focus to her plate. It was too hard to meet the man's piercing gaze after such an outburst. Why had she let her temper flare like that? She didn't need to let these people know how desperate she was.

As she picked up her fork and speared a piece of soggy bread, the silence that ensued cloaked her like a suffocating blanket.

Miriam came to her rescue. "Well, I for one say going to Butte City is not an option. With all those out-of-work miners in town, it's not safe for a woman to walk by herself in daylight, much less live there alone. There's no way I'm letting a friend of mine stay there by herself with no protection."

Leah looked up to see her sweet little magpie friend with arms crossed and eyebrows raised. Even though she disagreed with Miriam's opinion, tears sprang to her eyes at the emotion behind the words. It felt good to have someone care about her. Emily's face flashed through her mind. How was her dear friend doing?

Miriam's voice interrupted her tender thoughts. "I know what you should do, brother. Since Abel's not here to marry Leah, why don't you do it?"

Leah choked on the bread she was swallowing. Through her coughs came the sound of a fork clattering on the table, boot thuds on the floor, a sharp whistle, and the slamming of a door.

"I'm sorry I embarrassed you, Leah, but I still think you should marry Gideon."

Leah tried her best to ignore Miriam while slicing the ham with a long thick knife. If she got this done without chopping off a finger, or at least drawing blood, it would be a miracle.

"You came here to marry a Bryant, right? It's the perfect solution. You didn't know Abel, but you were going to marry him. Why not Gideon?" Miriam's voice dropped to a stage whisper as she leaned toward Leah. "And I never said this to Abel, but Gideon's the better looking between the two."

Leah gasped, bringing a giggle from Miriam. "Your face is as pink as that ham."

Heat rushed through her body. To be honest, she hadn't seen enough to know if Gideon was handsome. Sure he was tall with broad shoulders and striking eyes. But that bushy beard and loose brown curls covered most of his face, making it hard to distinguish the features beneath.

Not that handsome was the only thing she was looking for in a husband. Maybe she should share that thought with Miriam. Let her see how unsuitable Gideon really was.

"Miriam, I can't deny I was hoping Abel would be handsome, but what drew me to his advertisement is the fact that he wanted a God-fearing wife. It's most important that my future husband be a devout Christian who knows God and seeks His will. On top of that, he must be kind and considerate to others, honest, loyal, and trustworthy. Someone I can respect."

Miriam's eyes were bright and she almost hopped from excitement. "Do you know you just described Gideon exactly?"

Leah gave her a look she hoped said she'd easier believe President Lincoln had come back to life and was knocking at their door.

But Miriam only grinned. "Honest. He just doesn't know what to do with himself around you. Once you get to know him, you'll see what I mean."

Leah shook her head, then placed the plate of ham on the table.

They worked quickly to finish the meal. With twilight dusting through the window, Gideon would be back soon. What would he have to say about Miriam's outlandish suggestion? It would be nice if Leah knew a little more about the man.

"What does he do all day?" she asked as she placed three sets of plates and forks on the table.

"Usually he works with the cattle or horses. Some days he goes hunting. We eat the meat and tan the hides to sell, so he hunts a good bit. Would you put those preserves on the table, please?" Miriam nodded toward a jar on the shelf nearest the window.

The sound of boot thuds echoed from the porch, followed by the squeak of the front door. Leah grabbed the coffee pot from the stove using her apron for protection from the hot handle as she'd seen Miriam do, and began filling mugs while Miriam carried the sliced bread and green beans to the table. It was amazing how comfortable it felt to work with Miriam in the kitchen. The day had been busy, but fulfilling in a way, as if she were contributing toward a common goal.

"Hi, big brother," Miriam called out. "You're just in time for the food."

Leah forced herself not to look up at Gideon, but when Drifter jogged over and pushed his muzzle in her skirt, she couldn't resist giving the dog a quick head rub. He seemed disappointed when she stopped, but finally turned back to his master and settled himself next to Gideon's chair.

When they were all seated, Gideon again spoke a succinct prayer before they loaded plates and began eating. This time, Miriam tried to keep up a steady conversation, first with Gideon. But after a series of nods or one-word answers, she turned her questions toward Leah.

"Did you have any pets back in Richmond?"

"Not really. I had a horse I always rode—an Arabian mare named Dove—but no real pets. Not for lack of asking, though, I assure you."

Gideon set down his fork, and leaned back in his chair. Both young ladies turned to look at him expectantly.

"Miss Townsend, I've given it a lot of thought. You came here with an understanding, in response to my brother's request. Since it's not possible for him to honor his side of the agreement, I'd like to pay your fair back to St Louis or wherever you'd like to go."

"But—"

Gideon held up a commanding hand, and Leah ceased her argument.

"My sister's right. Butte City is not a place for any proper lady to stay. Fort Benton's not much better, especially for a lady unescorted. It'd be much safer for ya if you'd head back toward the eastern states. I'll send you with enough gold dust to cover the cost of your trip out here and your fare back to St. Louis."

That was the most she'd heard him speak in the two days she'd known Gideon Bryant and she took a moment to let his words fully sink in. She hated for him to put out so much money, but it was true she wouldn't be here in the first place if it wasn't for his brother.

"I thank you, Mr. Bryant. That's generous of you. I am willing to accept your offer, with the exception that I can't go back to the eastern states. The danger is too great that the man seeking my life would find me. I'll go to any city in the western territory, though, that you deem suitable."

Gideon nodded and picked up his fork again. "I'll give it some thought."

And that's what he appeared to do for the next ten minutes or so as they finished the meal. He finally looked up again, which seemed to be his sign he was about to speak.

"I think Helena might be as good a place as any for you to start. It has a few respectable hotels and cafés. Might find a position in one of those. I'll still refund your fare out here so you have some money to live off for a while."

Yes, the three hundred dollars she'd spent on the steam boat ride would buy room and board for a gracious while. She nodded and offered a half smile. "Thank you. And do you know when Ol' Mose was planning to come back through here? I'll see if he can take me to Helena, or at least to a place where I can hire a driver."

Gideon leaned back in his chair, appearing to mull over this. "No need. We can take you down to Helena. Miriam's been itchin' to go to the mercantile, and I have some leather for the harness shop. We'll leave tomorrow after the morning meal."

Leah breathed a silent prayer of thanks. For the first time in a while, things seemed to be looking up. God really was guiding her steps.

As Leah swept the kitchen floor after breakfast the next morning, she tried to make some sense out of her emotions. Why this feeling of melancholy that had shadowed her all morning? She felt as if she were leaving her home and family again.

True, Miriam was like a long lost sister, but they had only met two days ago. And she would miss this peaceful cabin secluded in the mountains. Something about the clear air as it filled her lungs, and the ambiance, so quiet except for the twitter of birds. She could easily see why someone would never want to leave this haven.

But that was not to be her lot this day. She needed to move on and find God's place for her.

Having gathered all the dust and crumbs in a pile, she swept them toward the front door the way she'd seen Miriam do the first night. Out the door and off the side of the porch they went. At first, she'd thought it curious the porch had no rail, but now she saw at least one benefit—dirt could be easily swept to the side and not down the stairs where people would tromp it right back into the house.

She stopped to admire the view before returning to the house. Miriam was changing into her town clothes, and Gideon had gone to hitch the wagon and team. Both of Leah's trunks were packed and by her bedroom door, so she had time to enjoy her peaceful surroundings one last time.

By standing on the far left corner of the porch, she could see a mountain range far away, peaks still covered in snow. What would it be like to live in a place that still had snow in June? Having grown up in the southeast, such a phenomenon seemed foreign. Perhaps she could travel to those mountains now, too.

A motion to her left caught Leah's eye and she leaned over the edge to get a better look, holding the corner post for support.

A deer? Yes! A chestnut brown deer stood alert just inside the yard, watching Leah with bright, wary eyes. She barely dared to breathe, afraid the animal would dart into the trees and disappear forever. Inch by inch, she reached out a hand toward the deer. If only she could get a little closer.

Bang!

A horrendous boom sounded, and the deer dropped at the same time she herself was falling. Her grip on the post slipped, and she reached for something—anything—but her hands found no purchase. A scream sounded in the distance, just as the ground collected her with a bone-jarring thud.