Midnight Secrets Read online

  Ruby and Mary learned fast and were dismissed. Mattie and Louise took longer what with one’s whining and the other’s bossy delays. As hoped, Mrs. Brown prevented Cathy from trying to stay with him too long. When it came their turns, Ellie and Lucy were swift and smart. One of the other three teams cost him extra time and energy with too many goods.

  So far, Steve had seen and sensed nothing to arouse suspicions. No woman had objected to him opening any container, barrel, or trunk to ostensibly see if it was packed correctly to prevent damage. He hadn’t detected any location where a secret compartment could be obscured when he’d checked every wagon’s underpinnings and wooden bed. He had forced himself to make small talk to evoke the women’s feelings about the war, their move, and the problems being left behind. Nothing unusual had been learned. The scout dismissed the seven groups to do chores, rest, and serve their families lunch while he finished his final loading and investigative lesson for the morning: Miss Anna Avery.

  CHAPTER 3

  Ginny was sitting on the tailgate and reading a book of epic poems by John Milton when she heard the guide give orders to the others before heading her way. She watched his approach in dread of how he would behave toward her today. Sleeves rolled to his elbows exposed hard-muscled forearms and darkly bronzed flesh. A section of ebony hair fell over his left temple and almost concealed that brow from view; its back grazed broad shoulders and made an attempt to turn under. He was clean-shaven, which stressed the squareness of a chiseled jawline. A red shirt enhanced his neat appearance and accentuated his tan. His ever-present weapons—two pistols and knife— warned of a physical prowess not to be rashly challenged. He was a fine specimen of manhood, and her heart fluttered in unbidden desire.

  “Ready to begin, Miss Avery?” he asked in a mellow tone.

  Ginny put the book aside and hopped down to stand before him. Attired in a split-tailed riding skirt, “short boots, and shirt, she hoped she was “properly” dressed today to prevent any curt comments from him. She wanted to start off right, so she smiled cheerfully and said in a polite tone, “Yes, sir. Everything’s unloaded for your inspection except for the heavy things.”

  Steve peered into the white-covered interior. “After I examine this stuff, I’ll climb inside to check everything else. No need to pull them out. You two are traveling light, so not much to teach you.”

  Ginny caught an intriguing change in his tone, as if he were implying that was a curious fact. She didn’t think the crowded wagon held a “light” load, but apparently for people pulling up roots and moving far away, it was. “I explained that earlier,” she reminded with another friendly smile. “I’ve been at boarding school for six years, so most of my possessions are clothes and keepsakes; they’re in those trunks there.”

  Steve didn’t respond to her words but he did notice the practical manner in which she was dressed today. She didn’t act the least bit nervous about his scrutiny, and he was glad. He opened and checked the barrels and crates filled with staples: flour, sugar, salt, pepper, rice, tea, cornmeal, coffee, baking soda, dried beans and fruits, tenderizing vinegar, cured ham, dried beef, salted bacon. “What about eggs and milk?” he asked, not noticing those items.

  “Father is bringing chickens when he returns, and he made a deal with George Amerson to purchase milk from him along the way.”

  It looked as if the Averys were going to eat well during their trip, he concluded. He saw dishes and utensils and cooking ware that included a kettle, two skillets—small and largecoffee grinder, coffeepot, two sharp knives, a Dutch oven, and a ladle for the kettle. Avery carried several weapons—pistols and rifles and plenty of ammunition for both. There was bedding: pillows, blankets, quilts, linens, and waterproof cloths for the wet ground, as most people slept outside beneath or beside their wagons unless the weather was bad. Three crates of canned foods, including homemade soup, caught his attention. A few smaller boxes held medicines, liniments, bandages, candles, matches, writing supplies, and a sewing kit. He found no musical instruments or photograph albums. Odd, he mused, for such a civilized family… “You seem to have those jars of vegetables wrapped well against breakage. Some places on the trail can give a jolt to body and possession. Make sure you keep them separated with cloth or paper or you’ll have a mess on your hands.”

  She flushed as she admitted part of the truth. “I’m not much of a cook in the open, so my aunt gave those to us to help out along the way.”

  Steve chuckled at her expression. In a carefully worded and toned reply to avoid offending her, he said, “I doubt fancy boarding schools would consider that chore an important lesson for a fine lady to need.”

  Ginny noticed the care he took with his answer and was pleased. Perhaps he had decided a truce was best for all of them. He was being courteous and pleasant, and she warmed to him. “I suppose you’re right, but it puts me at a disadvantage for this trip. Ellie, Mary, Ruby, and Lucy have offered to teach me what I don’t know.”

  Steve glanced at her to confirm his conduct was relaxing her. “You seem smart and quick, Anna, so it shouldn’t be a problem for you.”

  She was surprised he used her first name and wondered if it was a slip. “Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Carr.”

  “Think nothing of it. Be back in a minute,” he murmured with a smile as he rounded the wagon to check out the jockey box at the front to find tools and extra wagon parts there.

  Steve returned to the spot where the woman waited for him and climbed onto the tailgate. He extended his hand and assisted her into the wagon. He hated to release his grasp but had no reason to continue it. Her hands were as soft as a cloud must be; obviously they didn’t do much labor.

  “Was I supposed to unload that stuff? I didn’t know it was there. I was busy when Father packed the wagon, so I didn’t think to check it today.”

  “No problem, just tools and extra parts.” He glanced at the extra front and back wheels, axle, and hand-cranked jack that were stored beneath the driver’s seat next to the jockey box. “Your father is certainly prepared for any accident along the trail. A smart man, Anna. You two won’t have to worry about being stranded with broken parts. Let’s see what else we have in here… Four trunks. What’s inside?”

  Ginny motioned to three and said, “Those are mine,” then explained of the fourth, “that’s Father’s.”

  “Do you care if I peek inside?” he tested for a clue of reluctance.

  Ginny knew the guide couldn’t discover anything revealing about her, as she’d left her personal possessions stored at Martha Avery’s boardinghouse until she sent for them. She didn’t think his “peek” was necessary but gave her permission anyhow. She was confident Johanna’s hidden letter wouldn’t be found. “Certainly not, but I only have clothes and books, nothing fragile. I don’t know about Father’s trunk.” Maybe Steve wanted to learn more about her…

  Steve opened her trunks and fumbled through stacks of lovely and costly garments, lacy ladies’ “unmentionables,” books, inexpensive jewelry, hats, shoes, an old doll, and other items. He lifted the doll and looked at it as if admiring its workmanship. His questing fingers detected nothing suspicious concealed inside, and, oddly, he was relieved.

  As if in response to an unasked question, Ginny told him, “My mother made it for me when I was a child. I never could part with it. I’ll pass it on to my daughter one day.”

  Steve remembered that her mother was long dead and heard the love in her tone. He felt the same way about his own mother, who was still alive. “It’s pretty and well made. I know it must be special to you. My best friend gave me this knife,” he disclosed as he raised his left leg and touched it, “and I’d never part with it.” Nor with the matching, engraved pistols from his father, worn to remind him daily of the man’s treachery.

  Ginny accepted the doll and gazed at it for a moment with misty eyes before she replaced it in the trunk with gentleness and care. The keepsake was the remaining link to her lost mother and she loved it dearly. If her
belongings were ever threatened, it would be the first thing she would try to save. She straightened the clothes Steve had mussed.

  As she worked, the scout observed her. He liked the way her light-brown hair tumbled from its highest peak to her waist in a display of curls that had gilded edges that shone under the sun like golden tips. He could tell it was soft and wished he could bury his fingers in its abundance. Her expressive eyes were a brown-green blend of allure. She had full lips that enticed a man to want to kiss it, and her nose was a perfect size and shape, as were her cheekbones and chin. She was beautiful and desir—

  Ginny’s gaze fused with Steve’s as she turned to ask what was next. She was astonished to see a seductive and softened glow in those dark-brown depths. She stood near him in the enclosed wagon, its position on the edge of camp not allowing others to view them through the front or back openings. She felt her heartbeat quicken and her breathing alter to a swifter and shallower pace. Curious little tremors with bursts of heat attacked her body. She couldn’t move or think of what to say; all she could do was return his admiring stare. She didn’t even hear the voices of others or noises of animals not far away. She felt aswirl with new and powerful emotions, and captivated by the irresistible guide.

  Steve lifted a long strand of hair that had several waves and curls from root to tip. “You’re lucky we won’t be going through any Indian territory; hot-blooded bucks would risk their lives to take a scalp like yours. Hair this beautiful would be a prized trophy.”

  Enthralled by the handsome and virile scout, Ginny’s voice was strained as she asked, “Why would they want to kill me and scalp me?”

  He looked into her wide gaze. “I doubt any warrior would; he’d keep you for himself, as his slave.” At that moment, nothing would be more enjoyable than kissing her, unless it was to lay her on the bedding and make wild love to her. Shu, she was a powerful temptation, one he had to struggle to overcome. The way she was looking at him, she would at least accept a kiss, he was sure, but that would be reckless. Steve shook his head to clear it of the unacceptable thoughts racing inside it. “During the journey, Miss Avery, it’ll be cooler if you braid it like Mrs. Eaves does. That’ll keep it out of your way, too; you don’t want it getting tangled on something and causing an accident.” He turned from her. “Let me check your father’s trunk, then we’ll get that other stuff reloaded. You’ll need time to eat before we begin our driving lessons this afternoon.”

  The short and magical spell was broken for her, too. She observed him with intrigue as he examined the contents of Charles Avery’s trunk. He didn’t strike her as a snoop or a thief, but he was oddly inquisitive. Perhaps possessions revealed a lot about people to him and he wanted to know his charges well.

  Steve used his knees and hands to shove the trunks into the correct positions. “Keep them like that to stabilize your load. Hand me that rope, will you, Anna?”

  Ginny obeyed and saw him cut lengths with the large, sharp knife from his left boot. He removed, used, then replaced the blade with fluid motions that said he had done that action many times; she had no doubt he could draw it from its sheath swifter than she could blink. The way he handled the huge weapon told her he was an expert with it. He secured strips around the trunks and tied their ends to the wagon sides to keep the trunks from shifting during movement. She enjoyed watching him work, but wondered why he did the task for her.

  After Steve bumped his head on a lantern suspended from a frame bow, he cautioned, “Make sure you keep those empty during travel. You don’t want one to fall and spill oil. Besides being a fire hazard, it stinks and can ruin things. Keep your oil container tightly closed, too.”

  “I will, and thanks for reminding me to check them.”

  “Let’s get the rest of your gear stored.” Steve hopped down and handed the items to her as he told her where to place them. He’d learned the Averys had the basic needs and a few extras but, he reasoned, a curiously small load compared to most who were moving west. When everything was inside, he leapt into the wagon again. He eyed her work, smiled, and said, “Good job, Anna. Just remember where and how it all goes when you have to unload along the trail. Any questions?”

  “Not that I can think of, Mr. Carr. Thank you for the help.”

  “You’re welcome, Miss Avery. Best eat before our next lesson,” he suggested as he hopped to the ground. He assisted her down by a firm and strong grasp around her waist.

  “Thank you again, kind sir,” she said with a smile.

  Steve nodded and left, unsettled by the contact with her. At least, he bragged to himself, she was as disturbed by him as he was by her.

  Lucy joined her. “Here’s two biscuits with ham, Anna,” she offered. “And a glass of milk. It’ll save you time. We’ve all eaten.”

  “Thank you, Lucy. I’m glad to be finished with one more lesson.”

  As they sat down for her to eat and drink, Lucy remarked, “Mr. Carr seems nicer to you today. I’m glad. He was a little harsh yesterday.”

  Ginny lowered the meat-filled biscuit to reply, “I’m sure everyone noticed, and I was embarrassed. I don’t know why he picked on me, but he didn’t do so today, thank goodness.”

  Lucy glanced around to make certain no one was within earshot before she whispered, “I think he’s taken with you and it makes him uneasy.”

  “Taken with me? Why would you think that? We’re strangers.”

  Lucy grinned and explained, “All sweethearts start off as strangers, my innocent girl. It’s that instant attraction between two people that makes them pursue each other.”

  “Pursue each other?” Ginny repeated, then felt foolish for echoing the older woman again. “We aren’t pursuing each other.”

  “Not yet,” Lucy teased with a sly smile.

  “He doesn’t even like me; that’s why he picks on me. He was just being polite today to gain a truce because I scolded him after our walk.”

  “He’s like most men, only being defensive. Love and marriage scare men; they believe they have to resist it with all their mights. Act as if you aren’t interested and he’ll chase you even more.”

  “But I’m not interested in him or marriage,” Ginny denied the truth.

  “Really?” Lucy challenged with a mischievous grin.

  “He is handsome and appealing, but…”

  “But what? Will your father object to a romance on the trail?”

  “No, but I will. I don’t think Steve Carr is the kind of man who’s interested in settling down, and certainly not with me. Besides, I think he could be dangerous.”

  “Being a man who can take care of himself doesn’t mean he’s dangerous. And don’t worry about those guns; he is our guard.”

  “It wouldn’t be wise to entice him, Lucy. He’s a roaming type. He strikes me clearly as a loner and happy to be one.”

  “All men are loners until they meet the right woman.”

  “I don’t think I’m the right woman to tame or change Mr. Carr.”

  “You might be surprised, Anna.”

  “If we ever got together, I would be shocked.”

  They shared laughter and the subject was dismissed.

  Within a short time, Ruby, Mary, and Ellie joined them. The five women chatted until Steve yelled out, “Ten minutes to go!”

  “Teacher’s calling and class is waiting, ladies,” Ellie jested.

  “This is going to be a hard one,” Ruby said with a sigh of dread.

  “We’ll do fine, partner,” Mary told her with a wink of confidence.

  “We’d better get ready,” Lucy suggested.

  Steve met with the fifteen women on either side of him at the wagon he had mounted for his demonstration. “As soon as I finish talking, each of you. harness your team,” he began his instructions. “We’ll head westward into the open. These wheels are built to cross rough trails without breaking easily or miring down in soft ground. The front one is smaller to allow sharp turns without gouging into the wagon. The driver sits or walks on
the left; don’t work the team from the right or you’ll confuse them.’ When we’re on roads other wagons and riders are using, keep to the right side to avoid accidents. Most of the time, you and older children will walk to keep the team rested. I have your husbands exercising the children daily to get them into shape for the foot journey. You’ll have to take turns resting on the wagon seat or lazy board,” he said, pointing to a small seat jutting out from one side.

  “I set the pace and you have to keep up. In the event of trouble, signal me with one gunshot if the train gets too far ahead of you. Not more than one, ladies, or you’ll spook the animals into bolting. If that happens during a thunderstorm or raid, I’ll teach you later this week how to react. Those are your brakes against the back wheels; the lever for them is here,” he said as he motioned to it. “Use steady pressure; don’t jam it tight. And don’t use them unless necessary or you’ll ruin them before they’re really needed. If you see humps and holes ahead, avoid them. A bad one can break a wheel or an axle; that can get you stranded along the way. Make sure you keep your axles greased and rolling smoothly. That’s as much your responsibility as your man’s. We’ll practice later on hills; they can be tricky if brakes give way. We’ll go through everything today then practice daily until you can do this blindfolded. You have to know how to drive, brake, and maneuver your wagon and how to control your team on any terrain and in any weather.”