A Journey of the Heart Collection (10 page)

“Lieutenant Isaac Liddle.” He shook Rand's proffered hand, then took off his wide-brimmed hat and wiped his forehead with a bandanna. “What unit you with?”

“H Troop, Third Cavalry. You?”

“Third Battalion. You're going to like Old Bedlam. You heard of it?”

Rand shook his head, liking the looks of his companion. Isaac reminded him in some ways of Jacob. Though Isaac had auburn hair and a dusting of freckles, he had the same muscular build and quiet, friendly manner as Jacob. Strong, capable hands. A man you
could depend on. And from what he'd heard of the Indian Wars, you wanted that kind of man around.

Isaac grinned. “It's what we call the single officers' quarters. It came by its name legitimate. A lot of loud shenanigans go on at all hours. At least I assume that's where you'll be quartered. I don't see a pretty lady with you. You're not married?”

“No.” He pushed away an image of Sarah's heart-shaped face, long red-gold hair, and dancing green eyes.

“I was hopin'. Fort Laramie doesn't have many women right now.” He put his hat back. “Where you from?”

“Wabash, Indiana. Born and raised on a farm about two miles out of town.” Rand was grateful for the change in topic. “Where you hail from?”

“El Paso, Texas.” Isaac held one hand out in front of him hastily when he saw Rand's eyebrows rise. “But I fought for the Union.”

That explained his accent. The line moved forward, and Rand followed. “What's the status of the Indian Wars?”

Isaac frowned. “We got trouble brewing with Red Cloud. That's why so many are being sent out for reinforcements. They haven't attacked Laramie yet, but
we have to send out troops even on woodcutting duty. Maybe it's a good thing you don't have a wife. She would be an added worry.”

Jacob was bringing Amelia. Rand glanced toward the telegraph station. There was no time to send a telegram to his brother, though, and even if he did, Rand didn't see Amelia agreeing to stay behind. A frown on his face, he picked up his luggage, waved to Isaac, then went to the livestock car to get Ranger for the trek to Fort Leavenworth.

Rand's brass buttons and buckles glimmered in the sunshine, and Ranger's sleek black coat shone. He and his detachment met Major DuBois about three miles north of Fort Leavenworth. There was no mistaking the major. He sat on his black horse with stiff military bearing, and his uniform was precisely brushed and neat.

Rand saluted. “Good morning, sir. I'm Lieutenant Campbell, and I'm pleased to escort you to Fort Laramie.” He'd been at Fort Leavenworth a week when he was ordered to meet a column and escort them on to Fort Laramie.

The major saluted smartly. “At ease, Lieutenant.” He dismounted and motioned for Rand to do the same. “How's the situation with the Indians? Any trouble brewing?”

Rand dismounted and joined the major. “Nothing I can put my finger on, sir. But I have an uneasy feeling that something's brewing that we can't see right now. There have been grumblings about the miners tramping through the Sioux hunting grounds on the Bozeman Trail. Red Cloud hasn't come in for rations, and some of our tame Oglala Sioux say he's calling for a fight to the knife. I don't trust him.”

The major waved his hand dismissively. “We'll deal with him if he steps out of line.”

The flap to the ambulance behind them opened and a young woman stepped through the opening. “Good morning, Daddy. Why have we stopped? Have we arrived?”

Something about her reminded Rand of Sarah. Maybe it was the sweet smile she directed his way or the red in her hair. He waited to be introduced.

The major smiled. “Lieutenant, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Jessica. And my wife, Mrs. DuBois. Ladies, this is Lieutenant Rand Campbell. He has come to escort us into the fort.”

“Call me Letty, dear,” the older woman, a softer, plumper version of the daughter, murmured as she placed her round hand in Rand's.

Rand gripped it briefly and muttered some response, but his gaze was on the major's daughter. Her fiery red hair was arranged in a mass of curls that framed her delicate face in a halo of color. She smiled at him as though he were the first man she'd ever seen.

“I'm
very
pleased to meet you,” she said softly. Her silky hand lingered on his.

Rand was aware he was staring, but he couldn't seem to stop. He told the private driving the ambulance to take Ranger and he would drive the ladies into the fort. All the while he was conscious of Jessica's blue eyes fastened on him. Sarah might not have wanted to be with him, but that didn't mean other women weren't interested.

Ben Croftner's wounds had healed from the beating he'd taken at Rand Campbell's hands, but his rage still simmered. He propped his boots on the gleaming surface of his new walnut coffee table and stared across the room at his brother.

“I saw Wade Montgomery at the feed store today, Labe.”

Labe looked down at his hands. “That so?”

His brother's cautious tone told him that Labe still feared Rand. “Campbell is long gone. He won't stop my plans again.”

“You need to give up that obsession with Sarah.” Labe's hands twisted in his lap, and he didn't look at Ben, as if fearing his response.

As well he should. Ben gritted his teeth but didn't waste the time to chide him. “Wade is still in favor of a marriage between Sarah and me. He's going to do all in his power to make it happen.”

“She won't have none of it. Not after what you did.”

“She took my ring. I had rights.”

Labe just ducked his head again. “Has he told Sarah?”

“No, but he's going to. His father isn't long for this world. Once he's gone, Sarah won't have anyone encouraging her in her crazy ideas. She'll be with me yet.”

TWO

S
arah glanced out the kitchen window at the big elm tree, brilliant with October color. Wade would be home soon for dinner, and she wanted to get the meal over with so she could escape to her room and finish her book. Reading was the only thing that kept her thoughts from yearning for what she could never have. Her fingers went to the love token hanging from a chain around her neck.

A sound made her whirl around. “Papa, you startled me.” She looked at him with new eyes, seeing his frailty and the yellow tinge of his skin.

He wheezed as he lowered himself into the chair she pulled out for him at the table. She sat beside him and began to peel potatoes.

Her father leaned back in his chair and sighed. “You should have gone with Rand, you know.”

Sarah nicked her finger with the knife. “I couldn't leave you!”

“You're not a little girl anymore. And there comes a time in every person's life when he has to step out and stand on his own feet. Rand was ready, and I think you are too. We both know I won't be around much longer.”

Her heart squeezed at the certainty in his eyes. “No, Papa.”

He held up a hand at her protest. “You just don't want to admit it, my dear girl. I would rest easier if I knew you were settled and happy. I never expected you to give up without a fight. You had to fight to get him in the first place. Remember all the tears until I let you put your hair up and wear your mother's green satin dress for Christmas dinner with the Campbells the year you turned sixteen?”

Sarah smiled at the memory. “It worked too. That was the first time he saw me as anything but a pesky
younger sister. But he's five states away now. What can I do?” Tears started into her eyes, and she brushed them away angrily.

Her father stood. “I don't know the answer, but I'm sure God will tell you if you'll listen.” He patted the top of her head and turned to leave the kitchen.

She rose to run water over the potatoes and heard a sound behind her. A thump and a groan. Her heart in her throat, she whirled to see her father lying on the floor. Sarah flung herself down beside him and took his hand.

“Papa, it's me,” she whispered. “Don't die, please don't die. Just hold on.” She screamed Joel's name, then Rachel's.

At her voice, his pale lids fluttered and his cold fingers moved under hers. She leaned closer. “Don't try to talk. I'm here with you.”

Her eight-year-old brother, Joel, came rushing down the steps. His face went ashen when he saw their father on the floor. “Get the doctor,” she told him before bending back to Papa. Wade's wife, eight months pregnant, waddled into the hall from the parlor. She stopped and sank to her knees on the other side of Papa.

With an effort, Papa opened his eyes again and
tried to smile. “Don't cry, my dear girl. The Lord is waiting for me, and I'm going to be with your mama at last.” He blinked a few times, then focused on her face. “Just be happy, Sarah. You fight for your Rand, if you must, and don't let Wade bully you into anything.” He coughed weakly. “But don't leave Joel with Wade. Promise me.” His voice grew stronger and he raised his head slightly. “Promise!”

“I promise,” Sarah whispered as she felt his icy fingers loosen. The breath eased from his mouth. His chest didn't rise again. “Papa!” Sarah stared at him. This couldn't be real. He'd just been talking with her. She clutched his hand tighter. “Don't leave me, Papa!” She kissed his cheek and gathered his head into her lap. “Dear God, no,” she sobbed. “Don't take him. This can't be happening.” She looked over at Rachel kneeling and weeping on the other side of Papa's body. “He's just unconscious, Rachel. He can't be dead.”

Rachel just shook her head and cried hard. “I'm so sorry, Sarah. We all loved him. He was a good man.” She scooted around and put her arm around Sarah's shaking shoulders. “He never got over missing your mama. Just be happy he's finally with her again.”

“But I still need him.” Sarah's voice was bewildered as she stared down into her father's peaceful face. “He

can't leave me now.” She touched his grizzled cheek, already cooling.

They both turned as Wade and Doc Seth rushed in the door with Joel on their heels. “Help him, Doc,” Sarah pleaded as the doctor knelt beside his friend of nearly forty years and put the stethoscope to her father's chest.

There was a long pause, then the doctor straightened. “I'm sorry, Sarah. William's gone.” His voice was hoarse and moisture glistened in his eyes.

The words hammered into Sarah's brain. She reached for Joel, who had begun to cry. He was hers now. She had to keep her little brother safe and the family from splintering apart.