The Journey of Josephine Cain (29 page)

“Once Miss Mandy got the money . . .” Frieda said.

Nelly nodded, trying to cut a piece of roast with her spoon. “She likes money.”

Papa cut it for her. “What money?”

“I didn’t pay any money,” Josephine said. “Mr. Maguire was kind enough to—”

“So she rightly belongs to him.”

Josephine couldn’t believe Lewis’s words. “She does not belong to anyone. Did we not just fight a war to end slavery?”

“I seem to remember that,” Papa said.

Josephine buttered a piece of bread and laid it on Nelly’s plate. Nelly set the roast on top and folded the bread over, making a sandwich. Josephine admired her resourcefulness.

“Mr. Maguire rightly concluded that Miss Mandy’s objections might be quelled by a few coins.”

“She
is
used to being paid for her favors,” Lewis said.

“Enough,” Papa said to him under his breath.

Lewis looked at his plate.

“Where are you from?” Papa asked Nelly. “Originally.”

She looked at Josephine, as if asking whether she should say.

“Go on. Tell us.”

“I lived in Council Bluffs. In Iowa, with my parents. But they died.”

Josephine’s heart melted. “I am so sorry.”

“How did they die?” Papa asked.

“Pa pushed Mama down the stairs, then shot himself.”

Josephine sucked in a breath, which made her cough.

“That’s terrible,” Papa said. “I’m sure you miss them very much.”

“Not really,” Nelly said, taking a bite of her sandwich. “Pa beat me, and Mama used to be a whore till she had me. Miss Mandy and the other ladies are much nicer than they ever were.”

Josephine felt tears threaten.

“Can I have some more carrots, please?” Nelly asked.

“Of course.”
Anything you want
.

Papa patted his mouth, then set his napkin aside. He said to Josephine, “If I could have a word outside, daughter?”

Josephine followed him, her stomach tight. They stepped away from the railcar. “I am so sorry—”

Papa stopped her words with a hand. “I don’t object to having Nelly with us, as it is—”

“You don’t?”

“Let me finish. I don’t object to having her with us, as it is clear she needed saving. What I do object to is your taking matters into your own hands. You might have been assaulted or shot or who knows what else. This is not Washington. These are not cultured people, nor are they people with high morals or even much common sense. They are out here in the wild because they have a wild streak within them. You yourself witnessed a man shot for far less reason than what you did today, taking Nelly.”

“I’m sorry, Papa. But the thought of her spending another day or night at Miss Mandy’s made me sick to my stomach. I know you are busy. But I couldn’t wait until you had the time. I had the time, so I just did it.”

“You always just do it. You’re too impulsive. What you want, you take. So far there haven’t been any consequences, but your good fortune cannot last forever. One of these days, your impulsive behavior will get you in trouble. And just because Nelly is here with us, it does not mean she’s completely safe. There are those who might not take kindly to her absence.” He put a finger beneath her chin. “You are the light of my life, sweet girl. I cannot bear the thought of anything happening to you.”

She nodded, feeling the same way about him. And now she was doubly glad he didn’t know about her meeting the Indian woman. Or the Mormons.

“That’s why tomorrow I am sending you back home. To Washington.”

“But I don’t want to go home yet. I just—”

“We are ready to lay track again. We’ll be leaving Cheyenne, heading west into untamed country—as if anything is tamed out here.” They both turned toward the sound of a coyote in the distance. “You remember what I told you about the Indian attacks?”

She nodded.

“General Dodge is determined to clean up the Indians and has asked for more troops. Things could turn nasty. You and Frieda
and
Nelly are going home.”

“Nelly too?”

He gave her a peeved look. “Wasn’t that your plan? You certainly didn’t expect me to take care of her.”

“No, no,” she said. “Not you. I suppose I thought one of the pioneer families would take her in.”

“Mormons?” He gave a little laugh. “Mormons who have shunned the town because of its decadence? You thought they would take in a girl from a brothel and make her one of their own?”

It did seem ridiculous. But in truth, she hadn’t thought much beyond
taking
Nelly. It was a huge oversight. “But what will Mother say? And Aunt Bernice?”

He held a finger beneath her chin. “You made this bed, so now you must lie in it. Unfortunately it is not just your problem. It will affect Nelly, and Frieda, and those at home. Now do you see the disadvantage of acting impulsively?”

“I can’t very well send her back to Miss Mandy’s.”

“No, you cannot. And so, as a consequence—hopefully as a lesson against future impulsive acts—you must cut short your visit and take Nelly to safety.”

She thought of the way they had arrived, with Lewis to accompany them. “What about an escort? Frieda and I cannot travel that far by ourselves. And I don’t think Lewis is ready to go back to—”

“I don’t want Lewis to go with you.”

“You don’t?”

“I know you two are engaged, and I also know I supported the match. But after spending time with him here . . . something about him rubs the wrong way.”

“It does?”

“I don’t mean to disappoint you or disparage him, but there seems to be a certain . . . deficiency in his character.”

“Such as?” She wanted him to say it plain.

“He puts himself before others.”

Josephine hadn’t realized she had been holding her breath until she let it out. “I know.”

“You’ve seen it too?” Papa asked.

“I didn’t want to see it. I did my best to ignore it, but . . .” She tried to think of a way to be generous. “He is not you, Papa. You have made me expect high standards in a man, and Lewis . . .”

“Falls short.”

She nodded, feeling great relief at having it out in the open. “I thought you supported the match—Mother certainly does—so I left things as they were. But now . . . Would you prefer I was released from the engagement?”

He looked at her for a long moment. “I would.”

She let his words sink in and was surprised when the notion did not cause sadness or pain.

Papa pulled her into an embrace. “You have always spoken your mind, Josephine. Although it sometimes gets you in trouble, I much prefer you be frank rather than suffer because you don’t wish to cause offense.”

She wondered how Lewis would react to the news. Even the thought of ending their betrothal made her stomach clench.

“Can you take us home, Papa? I’m sure Mother would so enjoy seeing you.”

He shook his head vehemently. “There is no way I can leave. It will have to be someone else. Someone I can trust.” He looked south toward the river, then took in a breath. “I know the man. Maguire. Hudson Maguire.”

Josephine’s heart beat double-time, but she dared not show her eagerness—or even acknowledge the emotion to herself. With a new breath she said quite calmly, “He
has
proven himself to be trustworthy. And a gentleman.”

“I will ask him about it.” He walked away as if he was intent on doing just that. But then he turned back. “If I were you, I wouldn’t say anything to Lewis just yet.”

Josephine nodded, and as she watched him leave, she felt the birth of a smile she had difficulty suppressing. Yes, they were leaving early, and yes, she would have to face the repercussions of bringing Nelly back home. But the fact that Hudson was going to accompany them to Washington?

Her reaction was surprisingly strong. And pleasant.

“What do you think?” the general asked Hudson. “Are you up to the challenge of escorting three females halfway across the country?”

“Well, yes, sir. Though I will say I’m a little stunned by the request. Didn’t Simmons bring them out?”

“He did, but I have had a change of heart about him. I need someone I can trust with my most precious jewel, my Josephine.” The general looked deep into Hudson’s eyes. “Someone I can completely, absolutely trust to see her safely home.”

Hudson got the message. “But don’t you need me here? We’re starting to lay rail tomorrow and—”

“Which only supports my decision to send my daughter home. I must also consider potential trouble with the Indians and the tension Josephine caused by taking the girl.”

“Has there been more trouble?”

“Not yet. But I don’t want to wait until there is. And by the way . . .” The general pulled out a wallet. “How much do I owe you for your payment to Miss Mandy?”

“It’s not necessary.”

“It is. The amount please.”

“Five dollars.”

The general pressed that amount into his hand, then another twenty. “For expenses. I need all of you on that train, heading east. Do you agree to do me this very large favor?”

“I do.”

Hudson could think of nothing he’d rather do.

As soon as they finished the meal and Lewis left, Josephine broached the subject of leaving with Frieda and Nelly. “Papa says we are leaving tomorrow,” she declared.

Frieda stopped her task of trying to run a comb through Nelly’s hair. “So soon? We came all this way for such a short time?”

“Things have changed.” She nodded toward Nelly. “Actually, the three of us are going back to Washington, where it is—” She left off the “safe” word and changed direction. “Because it is time.”

“What’s Washington?” Nelly asked as she played with a hairpin.

“It’s where we live. Where you will live now.”

The hairpin was forgotten. “But I like it here.”

Like it? How can you like it?

“You will like Washington too. My mother and aunt are there and—”

Frieda interrupted. “What will they think of . . . this?”

They will hate it
. “They always emphasize how we should help those in need.”

Frieda shook her head. Josephine understood her hesitance and doubt, for it was her own.

She added the
pièce de résistance
. “Mr. Maguire will accompany us on our journey.”

Frieda dropped the comb. “Not Lewis?”

“Not Lewis. Papa no longer trusts him.”

“And he trusts Mr. Maguire?”

“Apparently.” Josephine retrieved the comb and handed it to Frieda. “As do I.”

Frieda gave her a familiar look. “If the general says so, I will trust Mr. Maguire. But that leaves the larger question.”

“Which is?”

“Can I trust
you
?”

“Me?”

“I think you know my meaning.”

She did.

While Frieda hung Nelly’s now-clean dress to dry on the back platform, a freshly washed Nelly was at the window, looking outside. She was dressed in one of Josephine’s nightgowns, the sleeves rolled high. Her brow was dipped in worry.

Josephine moved beside her. “What are you looking at?”

“Will they come get me?”

“Who?”

“Miss Mandy or . . . the sweet man.”

Given the way she said it, Josephine guessed the man was anything but sweet. “What sweet man?”

Nelly shook her head and gave a little shudder. Then she looked at Josephine. “Was that Lewis fellow right? Do I belong to that man who paid for me?”