"Return to Paradise Trail" PART TWELVE
Day sixty-eight: The past week has been filled with more than I could imagine. While still being caught up in the joys of marriage, it has come to be known that we have another struggle ahead of us. And although Sam insists it is not my fault, it is because of me that we are facing this trouble. I thought Adams was a friend back home. He served Sheriff Andrews for five years. And I never knew he was ever after Mr. Wooster's property in Utah. Of course, I really never knew it existed until his death. That said, I almost wish I could give up my rights to the property if it meant Adams would not continue to take such drastic measures to keep our wagon train from traveling onward. I could tell by the look in Sam's eye that he may have to make the choice to take the train through the more treacherous territory he had wanted to avoid. Everything within me wishes I could help him decide. But he knows best. And all I can do is be there with him and share my love.
Meanwhile, I have made a new friend. She is several years older than I. But what is age when two hearts seem to connect? Her name is Kate Burns. And as of earlier this week, she is an officially certified teacher. A couple of evenings ago, Kate had supper with Sam, myself, Molly, and John in the hotel restaurant. It was quite a treat as we got acquainted with her. We all have connected quite wonderfully. Kate is a beautiful soul. And I have since reached the conclusion that this is the same woman of whom the Lord had seemed to draw my eyes to on several occasions over the past week or two. And now I know why. I believe she is an answer to our prayers. She loves the children. Her calm mannerisms and outlook leave little to be desired. We have even shared some time in the Scriptures together, talking of things we still hope to learn more of as time marches on. I hope and pray that she might accept our offer to join the wagon train. For she would be loved and welcomed into the fold more than ever.
Charlotte was barely awake the next morning when she heard the door gently open as Sam slipped inside, carrying a tray of food and something else tucked haphazardly under his arm. He crossed to her side of the bed and set the tray on the nightstand before sitting on the edge of the bed, watching Charlotte for a moment while her eyes opened against the intruding sunlight. He turned away and retrieved the mystery item from underneath his arm just as Charlotte's broad smile merged into a yawn. He scooted over just a bit to allow her to sit up in bed before he reached for the tray of food and set it in her lap.
"I thought I'd bring you breakfast this morning."
Charlotte looked over the spread with joy before she suddenly felt a wave of nausea overcome her. She winced a bit, setting a hand to her forehead.
"What's the matter?" Sam creased his forehead, setting aside the extra item as he reached for his wife's hand. "Are you okay?"
"I—I think so." The nausea seemed to subside long enough for her to find a bit of interest in the plain toast on the plate before her. She picked it up and took a bite. "I probably just need to eat. I haven't been eating much lately. It's probably catching up with me."
"Okay," Sam smiled. "But if you're not feeling well, perhaps I should let Molly know."
"No," Charlotte insisted. "I'm okay now."
"Oh, that reminds me." Sam reached for the mystery item and handed it to Charlotte. "This letter came for you today."
"Oh?" Charlotte was clearly confused as she took the envelope from Sam, turning it over to see it was from Sheriff Andrews. "Sheriff Andrews? I didn't even know he knew we were here."
"I sent him a telegram last week and told him. Figured he might be interested to know how you were faring."
Charlotte offered a smile as she looked to her husband, while slitting open the envelope. "Thank you, Sam."
"You're welcome," Sam returned, lifting his head barely to catch a meager glimpse of the letter. He then chided himself inwardly, and moved to get up from the bed. He paused and set a kiss on Charlotte's head before he turned to the door. "I'm going to head for the camp to check with John. Will you be alright?"
Charlotte looked up from her letter and forced a smile through her stolen attention span. "Of course. Be careful."
"I sure will," Sam winked and proceeded out of the hotel room and down the hall.
Being left in the silence of a still strange place was not the most comforting sensation to Charlotte, especially in light of the words she read before her.
Dear Charlotte,
I was pleased to hear from Mr. Brazos about your good fortune on the trail. I'm sure ole Wooster is smiling down from heaven today to see you thriving and forging a westward trail like so many of us only dream of. Although saddened to hear of your horrific experience while traveling, I thank God that you were surrounded by wonderful people that helped keep you with us. And please accept my congratulations on your recent marriage to Mr. Brazos. Sam Brazos is a fine man. I knew this even though I had not known him for very long. And I hope that much happiness is ahead for you both.
This letter is two-fold. I am writing to tell you that unfortunately, Deputy Adams left his post with me not long after you left with the wagon train. I soon discovered that Adams was far from law-abiding. At least his future intents were questionable. Also, a high-falutin' Boston attorney showed up too. He claims that the will that relinquished the Utah property to you is null. That means it doesn't count. So the property automatically goes to Adams. When I tried to reach Adams to tell him this mumbo jumbo, I found out he had struck a deal with the docks in St. Louis to bar all travel through there. And once I heard that you were stuck in St. Louis, I just connected the dots in my mind. That said, if you still want the property, I'll fight to keep it for you. This attorney is a pain, but I'll do anything for you, darling. You're sort of the daughter I never had. Anyways, if you don't want the property, somebody will have to get word to Adams that he can stop this nonsense and let travel continue through there.
I hope to hear from you soon…
Sincerely,
Sheriff Andrews
Charlotte could feel that sickening feeling overtaking her again as she set the letter aside, also feeling a sudden peace overwhelm her. As she thought through the words of the letter once more in her mind, Charlotte realized she had the power to help the wagon train. She had the power to relieve her husband of such a heavy burden as the possibility of taking the difficult trail to Utah. The mere thought of giving up Mr. Wooster's prized property sent a deep grief through her as if she was losing him to those drunken cowards all over again as they pressed her helplessly against that general store wall. It didn't seem fair that the very thing she had come west for would be the very thing she'd have to give up in order to continue going west with the ones she loved. Yet at the same time, it didn't seem quite important any more.
Charlotte pushed herself away from the bed, throwing the covers aside as she crossed the room to the little desk and chair against the wall. Drawing out a blank sheet of paper, she reached for the pen and set it against the page, putting to words the only way she knew that she could set things right once and for all.
##
It didn't take long for the news to spread within the following week. Newspapers couldn't print the news fast enough. The printed page was no match for the wildfire of word of mouth that spread through the city within the day. Excitement was at its highest, being rather contagious for especially those who were a part of the Mason wagon train. The river had been reopened and was now permitting travel through. The newspapers went on to report that Adams would leave the town for better endeavors in the west. Charlotte could only imagine what that could be as she read those words and remembered that it was her own uncredited sacrifice that had granted this breakthrough.
"I still can't believe he changed his mind so quickly." John Mason looked over the crowd of wagons across the camp as he topped off his lunch with a cup of coffee around his campfire.
"Me neither," Sam chimed in, smiling as he felt a sense of relief as a leader among these people who trusted him for their safety and well-being. He too drank from his coffee cup satisfied that he could finally take another step in this long journey alongside the Masons and his new bride.
Both men watched as each family busied themselves with various chores. Some were hard at work, washing piles of laundry while singing a hymn. Others worked at packing crates with new purchases and supplies. Still others examined their wagons, checking to see if they could use any improvement. All of these actions were because of one thing only. They would be pulling out of St. Louis in two days. It had taken what had felt like a lifetime of waiting to get here and was filled with plenty of disappointments, joys, and new beginnings. But it was finally here. Home seemed to be closer than ever in the spirits of them all.
"Sam." Molly stopped and turned a worrisome gaze to the wagon train master. "Have you seen Charlotte?"
Sam swallowed his last sip of coffee, leaning forward to put the tin cup on the iron rack above the fire. "Not since I left the hotel earlier this morning. She said she was going to have lunch with Miss Burns in the hotel dining room before finishing her packing to get ready to leave."
Molly sighed, clasping her arms gently around herself, rubbing at a slight chill. "She said she was going to be coming by after lunch to work on some sewing we planned to finish before we move out. It's nearly a half hour past the time she said she'd be here."
John Mason stood to his feet and took his wife softly by the shoulders. "I'm sure they got caught up in conversation over lunch. She'll be coming around that wagon any second now." He ended with a hope-filled smile of which Molly reluctantly returned, turning up a proud gaze to her husband.
"You're right. I'm probably worrying for nothing."
"And here she comes now," Sam announced, quickly getting to his feet as Charlotte and Kate Burns entered the camp behind Molly and John. He wouldn't admit it, but he had become a bit worried also as the minutes wore on. "We were beginning to worry about you." He stole a kiss from his wife as he spoke.
Charlotte's face glistened with joy as she let her eyes linger on Sam's face. She couldn't quite help the way she felt as she reflected on the past and the future that awaited them. "I'm sorry, Sam. But I began feeling a bit unwell during lunch, and Kate insisted I see a doctor."
Sam's happiness quickly faded as he took a step back, looking Charlotte over with concern shading his eyes. "Are—are you alright? Are you sick?"
Charlotte could hardly keep her mouth closed as she smiled broadly, wanting with all her might to speak and be rid of her burden. "I—I—Oh, Sam!" She nearly leapt forward, throwing her hands around Sam in a tight embrace. She could feel her feet barely lift off the ground as she let a tear fall onto his shoulder.
Sam simply held her close, letting his strong arms keep her safe against him as he wished she'd simply tell him the reason for such a display. Not that he minded it. He was simply worried for her as any man should be for his wife.
Charlotte let Sam go finally and planted her feet firmly on the ground. She still kept her hand resting on his shoulder as she sniffed away a tear before leaning gently in towards Sam's ear and whispering as softly as she possibly could, "I hope there won't be a charge for an extra passenger on the train." She then pulled back, a smile edging her lips as she waited to see how Sam would react.
It took Sam a few seconds to think over Charlotte's words. They seemed like a riddle in his mind as he wrinkled his forehead in endless thought over the mystery before he finally figured it out. "You mean…" He slowly began to smile. "Are you?"
Charlotte nodded to answer him, still smiling from ear to ear. Yet as quick as Sam began to smile and nearly tell the world his good fortune, he stifled the smile and turned away.
Charlotte was confused. She knew he was happy. Why was he not able to show it?
"What is it?"
"I—I can't let you continue to travel on the train, Charlotte. It's much too dangerous." He finally turned back around, his heart tearing in two as he realized what he was saying.
"What do you mean?"
"Traveling on a wagon train is treacherous enough for anyone under normal circumstances. But for a woman in your condition…." He couldn't finish the sentence, feeling the words catch in his throat as he watched a tear stream down Charlotte's cheek. He reached a finger to wipe it away. "I don't want to lose you both out there on the trail."
"Nothing will happen to me. I promise."
"You can't promise that, Charlotte. I love you too much to take that chance."
"But you can't quit helping the Masons."
"I know," Sam's gaze fell to the ground. "I know."
"Then…you'd leave me here…alone?"
"Not for long. Just until we reach Paradise Valley. Then I'd come back for you."
Charlotte could look at Sam no longer, feeling the tears sting at her eyes while she turned to the nearest wagon and propped her hand on its wooden frame. "I—I need a moment alone." She lifted a quick gaze towards Molly before hurrying from the camp as fast as she could, her emotions on their edge as she took every step.
Charlotte ran about a quarter of a mile before she found a shaded place beneath an old tree where she let herself cry quietly for a few moments, gazing back at the faraway camp she had left behind moments ago. She turned away briefly, settling her hand on the trunk of the tree as if it could give her any comfort. How could Sam have suggested such a thing? It was cruel to think they'd have to be a part when they had only just found each other. What fantasy world was he living in that could suggest she'd be any safer without Sam than with him?
Shutting her eyes to the world around her, the sound of bird's song and shifting winds met her ears and settled her into a calm despite the wave of emotions that overcame her. Another brief moment passed before a shadow fell over her, causing her to lift her eyes to Sam standing over her. He slowly settled himself on the grasses next to her and removed his hat, setting it aside before running a hand through his long hair. He glanced briefly at the clear skies above before he turned to Charlotte, watching as she tried in vain to hide her emotions.
"I'm sorry." Sam voice cut into the quiet, stirring Charlotte to look back at him. "I shouldn't have brought it up like that. I ruined a happy moment for you. And I'm sorry for that."
Charlotte reached to banish a final tear from her cheek with the back of her hand as another silence fell between them.
"You know I couldn't be happier about the baby." Sam's smile drew one from his wife as he turned to look into her hazel eyes. "I guess that's why it sort of scared me to think I could ever lose you. Feeling that way once was one time too many."
Charlotte began to understand a bit better as she listened to Sam's words. He had almost watched her die in his arms. She could only imagine how it must feel to fear that ever happing again.
"Maybe it's selfish," Sam laughed lightly, trying to lighten the moment until he squared away his smile into an even line. He focused his eyes on Charlotte once more, reaching a finger to rid her face of a tear she had missed. "But I'm not sure I could live without you." He cleared his throat, turning away. "I hope you can understand that."
"Understand?" Charlotte smiled, reaching her hand to Sam's face and cradling it with joy in her eyes. "I couldn't understand more."
Sam turned back to face Charlotte and reached his hand upward to draw away her hand into his, bringing it down and giving it a light squeeze before he reached his other hand to Charlotte's face and drew her into a fervent kiss. It almost reminded Charlotte of their first one. Slow. Pure. Ardent. And over much too soon.
"So will you stay?" Sam asked, reluctance playing at his voice as they held each other's gaze.
Charlotte glanced downward briefly before raising a tight-lipped smile to Sam. "Yes. I'll stay. And we'll be waiting for you every minute."