Heartbreak Trail Part 25

That night they made camp in a grove of tall, majestic redwood trees. In the background, the snow-covered peaks of the Sierra Nevadas towered over them. She was unmoved by the beauty of the site. All she could think about was how she'd fallen into the clutches of a man so ruthless, so heartless, he would commit murder to get his way. She realized now that he was more than a touch insane. In the past, despite his eccentricities, she'd considered him a rational human being. Now she knew he was not.

She had more on her mind than grief over losing Clint and fears for Amy's welfare. Up to now Abner had never so much as looked at her in a suggestive manner. She suspected she'd been safe because she was his brother's wife, and therefore on sacrosanct ground. But here, all alone in the wilderness, would Abner make advances? Demand she submit? Dear Lord, she hoped not. She could think of nothing more loathsome than making love to Abner. She gave a shudder, just thinking about those thick, moist lips pressed to hers, the coa.r.s.e hairs of his scruffy black beard rubbing against her skin. What could be more revolting? She recalled the intimacies she'd shared with Clint. Was it only last night they'd made love? So much had happened since then it seemed like another lifetime, back when happiness had seemed within reach. The memory of his loving hands stroking her body sent a warm shiver of feeling through her. The thought of Abner's hands doing the same filled her with disgust.

Please find me, Clint, please!

That night after dinner, Abner sat silently watching as she washed the dishes, put them away, and stomped out the campfire. If all went as she fervently hoped, he'd soon say goodnight and retire to his wagon for the night. She would go to her wagon and all would be well. Something in the way his eyes boldly raked over her while she worked gave warning she'd better be prepared for the worst. How should she handle this man she despised? All day the question had hammered at her.

Later on, after she stomped out the campfire, Abner stood, adjusted his crutches, and hobbled toward her. "Come along."

"Come along where?"

His stern expression didn't waver. "To my wagon, of course. In case you've forgotten, you swore to obey me."

Her mind raced. Would she give in to his revolting demands? She regarded her brother-in-law, dwelling on those flat, cold eyes that held no hint of love or compa.s.sion. Impossible though he'd been before his accident, now he was ten times worse. There was no way she could reason with him. Why even try? At that moment, she made the only decision that would allow her to retain a modic.u.m of self-respect.

"No."

His eyes went wide. "What do you mean, no?"

She stepped back and crossed her arms. "Last night I promised not to leave you, and I won't."

"You promised to obey me, too."

"Yes, I did." She forced herself to sound calm and reasonable. "I will obey you in all ways but one."

"You will obey me in all things!" He raised his hand as if to strike her, but she nimbly leaped away.

Out of range, she faced him, fists clenched. "I will cook and clean for you. I will care for your child. I will not share your bed, not now, not ever. I don't care what you say or do."

For a moment, Abner sputtered, shocked by her defiance. Soon his mouth spread into a thin-lipped smile. His curt voice lashed at her. "Have you forgotten our discussion concerning Amy?"

The mention of Abner's threat to kill the baby strengthened her resolve. "Wait right here." She went to her wagon, hopped on the long yoke, and climbed inside. Jacob's two Hawcan rifles still stood propped behind the flour barrel. She grabbed one and carried it to the front of the wagon. Kneeling down, she faced Abner, who stood waiting by the smoldering campfire. She aimed the rifle at his head. "You see this rifle? If you ever try to touch me, I shall get this rifle and blow your head off. Is that clear?"

Abner's jaw dropped. When her words sunk in, he sneered. "You wouldn't dare."

"Oh, wouldn't I?" The mere act of holding the rifle in her hands gave her a feeling of power she wouldn't have thought possible. No longer was she shaking or filled with fear. Instead, a calm confidence came over her. She bent her head and sighted along the barrel. "In case you've forgotten, I've already killed one man with this rifle-shot him square between the eyes. You think I couldn't do it again?"

"It was only an Indian."

"A man, nonetheless."

For a long time, Abner stared at her, no doubt searching for an appropriate answer. Coward that he was, she could see he was flabbergasted, unsure what to do. "I won't tolerate your disobedience. But for now, I shall let it go because you're tired and don't know what you're saying." He turned to leave. "We shall discuss this in the morning."

"Yes, we'll do just that." She felt a glow of triumph because she knew she'd won. The glow soon faded. What had she gained other than putting Abner off for the night? She was still obligated to the man. Her heart twisted with anguish. How could Clint find her when he had no idea where she was? What if she'd lost him forever?

Late the next day, Clint returned to the camp at Truckee empty-handed. "I couldn't find her." He wiped a weary hand over his brow.

"That son-of-a-b.i.t.c.h must have lied. Most likely he said he was going one way, then went the other. Trouble is, she could be in any one of dozens of gold mining camps by now."

"I've got to find her. Even if I have to search every gold mining camp in the Sierras."

"I know." Charlie had been sitting by the campfire. He started to stand but sat down again, wincing in pain.

"What's wrong?" Clint asked.

"It's my back. Must've wrenched it hauling that deer carca.s.s. Right now I can't even get on my horse." Charlie regarded Clint with pain-filled eyes. "I'll be fine. You go ahead. You've got to find her."

With all his heart and soul, Clint wanted to continue his search for Lucy, but he didn't hesitate. Loyalty to his partner came first, plus obligation, plus what it came down to was doing the right thing. He swung from his horse. "You're not fine. "I'm taking over. You go lie down."

"But, Clint-"

"You heard me. You old fool. I know you won't admit it, but you d.a.m.n well are going to need my help." With an effort, he stripped all bitterness and frustration from his voice. "Don't concern yourself. When we get to Sacramento, I'll start looking again. That should be soon enough." Would it be? Already he knew he'd be half out of his mind with worry, but for the moment, there was nothing he could do except pray that Lucy's courage and resourcefulness would be enough to keep her safe.

Chapter 21.

Hangtown. Never had Lucy imagined such a place existed. The contrast between staid, respectable Beacon Hill and this roaring, wide-open mining town amazed her. Where else did fortune seekers from the four corners of the earth jam the stores, wh.o.r.ehouses, and gambling halls, each with high hopes he'd strike it rich? They spoke in at least a dozen languages, bargaining in the coin of whatever country they came from. Mexican gold Orzas mingled with silver dollars, but at sixteen dollars per ounce, the gold dust dug from the nearby hills remained the main coin of the realm. Nearly everyone carried small bags of gold dust in this busy, brawling, sinful town.

Justice came swiftly in Hangtown, a place aptly named. A man accused of a serious crime got a fast trial, held in one of the saloons or occasionally in the street. If found guilty, and he usually was, he was immediately hauled in a wagon to a large oak tree that grew just outside town and hanged.

When Lucy and Abner arrived, Hangtown consisted of just two rows of buildings with a street in-between, but it was constantly growing. Hundreds of emigrants arrived daily, not only to stake claims in the surrounding hills but to take up lots to build homes and businesses.

Abner was among them. The very day he arrived, he found a store for sale and bought it with the remainder of his cash. Taking Lucy along, he went to the town's only bank and deposited most of Jacob's h.o.a.rd of gold coins, keeping just enough to buy new inventory.

Americus Washburn, owner of the bank, gave them a grand welcome. "I trust you and your lovely wife will enjoy living in Hangtown, Mister Schneider."

"My wife and I surely will."

Lucy silently bristled. I am not your wife. How dare you! Best not say anything. At least for the moment.

Within a week, the two-story, wooden frame structure situated next to the Gold Dust Saloon became Schneider's General Store, open for business. An instant success, it stocked a variety of miners' equipment as well as general merchandise. The store occupied the first floor. The Schneider family lived on the second floor. Soon Lucy found herself racing up and down the stairs, helping in the store and taking care of Amy at the same time.

On the third day after the store opened, Lucy was working behind the counter when she heard someone call, "Lucy! I can't believe it!"

That voice. "Cordelia!" Lucy fairly ran around the counter to hug and greet her friend. "I had no idea you were here."

"It was Chad's idea. Remember how he said he wanted to come to Hangtown? Well, here we are, and now I'm looking to open a boarding house."

Lucy took her friend upstairs and gave her a tour of the two bedrooms, living room, and kitchen that made up her new living quarters. Located out back, the privy seemed the height of luxury after the inconveniences endured on the trail. "I thank my lucky stars I'm not living in a wagon anymore. Don't you feel the same?"

"Of course," Lucy answered, almost by rote. Her joy at seeing Cordelia was short-lived. These days, try as she might to conceal it, a constant heaviness hung over her heart. When she lost Clint, she lost her spirit. Nothing, it seemed, could ever bring it back.

Cordelia seemed to perceive something was wrong. "I wondered where you'd gone. Everyone did. But Hangtown? With Abner? Don't tell me you married that awful man."

"No, but everybody thinks I did." Lucy proceeded to tell her friend about Abner's threat to murder the baby. "He meant it. I know he did."

Cordelia listened with increasing horror. "You must leave him at once. The man's a maniac. You're not safe."

"I can't afford to leave." Lucy's smile was rueful. "I had some money-gold coins Jacob had left-but Abner took everything I had."

"What about Clint? Why hasn't he come after you?"

"When we left, Abner told everyone we were going to Downieville. If Clint went after me, he doubtless went in the wrong direction. He has no idea where I am."

"How monstrous." For a time, Cordelia sat silent. "Perhaps you could send him a letter?"

"And how should I address it? To Mister Clint Palance, The Sierra Nevada Mountains, somewhere between Truckee and Sacramento?"

Cordelia gave a sigh of defeat. "When I open my boarding house, you can come and stay with me."

Lucy raised her chin high. "Thank you. You're more than kind, but I won't be a charity case. Don't you worry. I'm fine for now." But for how long? Silently she vowed that from now on, she would only grieve on the inside, not just for Clint but for the loss of her independence, the end of her dignity and self-respect. Abner had taken all that away, leaving her with nothing but a numb emptiness in her heart. She put on a bright smile. "As you can see, I'm making the best of it."

"So how does Abner feel about living next to the Gold Dust?"

Lucy laughed aloud, a rare occurrence these days. "He's quoting his Bible verses again." She stood and a.s.sumed Abner's prophet pose. In a deep voice she p.r.o.nounced,

" 'The drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty.' I believe that's Proverbs something-or-other. Oh, and you know how he feels about all the fancy women in town? 'Do not prost.i.tute thy daughter, to cause her to be a wh.o.r.e lest the land fall to wh.o.r.edom, and the land become full of wickedness.' "

Cordelia broke into laughter. "Then I guess Hangtown fell into wickedness a long time ago, what with all those fancy women we've got around here."

During the days that followed, Cordelia visited often, each time reviving Lucy's lagging spirits. One day Cordelia came had a strange look on her face. "Is there something wrong?" They sat at Lucy's kitchen table.

Cordelia opened her mouth to speak, then shut it again.

"You were going to say something?"

"Uh, no, nothing."

Lucy was about to insist Cordelia speak when the baby started to fret. She took Amy from her cradle and cuddled her in her lap.

"She's so darling." Cordelia wasn't exaggerating. At nearly four months old, Amy was a rosy-cheeked baby with her father's dark hair and her mother's big blue eyes. She hardly ever cried, but instead spent her waking hours cooing contentedly, reaching her little fingers out to explore her new world.

"I hate to leave her for a minute, but Abner wants me to work in the store. I've hired Molly Sawyer, the doctor's daughter, to watch her while I'm downstairs. She's only thirteen but quite responsible."

"I know who you mean. A pretty little thing. The doctor dotes on her."

They chatted for a while, mostly about the tea party Cordelia planned to give in the parlor of her new boarding house. "I feel it will be an uplifting event for Hangtown. We could do with a bit of culture around here."

Tongue in cheek, Lucy asked, "Are you inviting the ladies from the Gold Dust?"

Cordelia pretended to bristle. "Most certainly I am not! Only genteel ladies, if you please."

"That won't leave many." Despite Cordelia's newfound tolerance, Lucy knew the town's "painted women," as Abner sneeringly called them, would never get invited to her parlor for tea.

Again, a peculiar look crossed Cordelia's face. Again she started to speak, then seemed to think better of it.

Lucy looked her square in the eye. "Out with it. What do you want to say?"

"Nothing ... well, I don't know if I should tell you or not. It's just a rumor."

"Now my curiosity's aroused. You've got to tell me."

"I'm not one to gossip."

"Of course not."

"It's about Abner, and you really should know."

"Just tell me."

"You know how men are."

"Indeed I do. Now for heaven's sake, tell me."

"Sometimes I overhear the men talking at my boarding house. They say ... well, Abner has been seen coming out of the ... you know, the places of ill repute."

"Wh.o.r.ehouses?"

"Yes, wh.o.r.ehouses, and just about every night."

Pious, sanctimonious Abner? She couldn't believe it. "That can't be true. Abner would never ... They must be wrong. Yes, of course they're wrong. They must have mistaken him for someone else."

"Perhaps, but on the other hand, how many tall men with a peg leg and a long black beard could there be in Hangtown?" At Lucy's stunned silence, Cordelia continued, "I do believe it to be the truth, much as I hate to say it. May I ask a very personal question?"

"Go ahead."

"You sleep in separate bedrooms?"

"I sleep in Amy's room." Lucy smiled. "I once threatened to blow his head off if he touched me. Apparently, he hasn't forgotten."

Cordelia screeched with laughter. "Then that might explain ..." She screwed up her face, as if a battle raged within. She finally heaved a resigned sigh. "Since I've come this far, I may as well tell you everything. I guess you know Abner is a l.u.s.ty man, with strong appet.i.tes for ... you know."

"Abner? I had no idea."