Wagon Train Christmas Read online

  She jolted so violently it was a wonder she didn’t drop the little boy from her arms.

  He reached for the boy just in case, but Sophia squeezed him tight. Her eyes rounded with fear and she pushed between two brawny men and hurried away.

  Determined to get to the bottom of her hiding, he followed at a distance. There were few places for her to go and he could easily overtake her at any time.

  She pushed by those watching the procession. When she reached the gate, he stepped in front of her to stop her leaving the fort.

  She looked at him. Even in the last rays of daylight, her eyes flashed like a raging river. “Sir, please let me pass.”

  He widened his stance to prevent her from getting by him. “Not until you tell me where Maximillian is and why you’re hiding.”

  Her gaze caught his for fraction of a second and then she looked to the adobe wall behind him. “My name is Greta Stern. This is my son Cole. You are mistaken in thinking I am someone else.” Her words, delivered in a flat tone, did nothing to convince him.

  He caught her arm gently, but in a grasp that she would not easily slip from. “You are Sophia Morgan from Santa Fe. You worked for the Lorenzos and that handsome young fellow is surely son of Maximillian Lorenzo. I demand to know where he is and why you are hiding with his son.”

  She looked him in the eye, hers flashing anger as brittle as rock. “You demand? By what right do you think you can demand anything of me?” She jerked, trying to free her arm but he had a firm grasp on her. “Let me go before I call for help.”

  “You could shout your lungs out and no one would hear you above that racket.” He tipped his head toward the procession that had grown noisier by the minute.

  “So you intend to take advantage of me?”

  “Lady, all I want to know is where Maximillian is.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “He is dead.”

  His grip loosened and she slipped free, her steps hurried as she returned to the inside of the fort and disappeared in the crowd.

  Max was dead? How? When?

  Why was Sophia hiding with a boy that looked like Max?

  He wanted to know, and only one person could provide those answers.

  How was he to persuade her to tell him?

  2

  Sophia stayed at Mary Mae’s side until the procession ended, then begged her to walk with her to her room.

  “I still say tell him the truth,” Mary Mae said. “He’ll understand.”

  “You know a different Buck Williams than I do. He doesn’t approve of me.” She told of the conversation she’d overheard between Buck and Maximillian. “He’ll want me to take Maxie back to Santa Fe.”

  “I’m sure if you explain how things are he’ll see your side of it.”

  Sophia shrugged. There was no point in arguing with her friend. Mary Mae and Donna Grace had rich grandparents, and although they had lived simple lives with their mother and father, it wasn’t the same as the hand-to-mouth existence Sophia and her mother had known since Sophia’s father abandoned them when she was a baby.

  Mary Mae must have read Sophia’s thoughts. “Not every man is like your father. Some are loyal and trustworthy.”

  “I guess I’ll have to take your word on that. It’s certainly not been my experience.” She did her best to keep the bitterness out of her voice, but even if she succeeded in keeping her words indifferent, Mary Mae knew Sophia’s opinion on the matter.

  Mary Mae waited while Sophia tucked Maxie into bed before she asked, “Wasn’t your marriage to Maximillian happy?”

  Sophia sat back on her heels, trying to decide what to tell her friend. Finally, she let out a long sigh. “It wasn’t what I expected. I think he only married me to defy his father and then realized I wasn’t what he wanted.”

  “I’m sorry. I wish—” Mary Mae broke off but her glowing smile said it all.

  Sophia rose and hugged her friend. “I’m pleased to see how happy you are with Warren.”

  “And Polly. She’s what brought us together in the first place. Her uncle had died and asked Warren to take her. He needed help caring for her and I was free. I already loved the child so it wasn’t a hardship. And having said that, I better go find her and get her into bed.” She hugged Sophia. “I’m sure everything will work out. Remember how we used to pray together?”

  Sophia nodded. It seemed a long time ago that she’d felt safe in God’s love and care.

  Mary Mae took Sophia’s hands. “I’m going to pray for you now.” She bowed her head.

  Sophia did too but she didn’t close her eyes. Trust didn’t come easily after the things that had happened to her.

  “Dear God, our Father in heaven,” Mary Mae began. “Help Sophia be able to keep Maxie. Help her to trust Buck so he can help her. And protect us all as You have in the past. Amen.”

  “Thanks.” Sophia felt comforted even if she couldn’t hope for the same things Mary Mae did.

  Her friend left and Sophia blew out the candle and lay by her son. The flames from the fireplace sent claw-like shadows across the wall. They shifted and moved as if reaching for her. She shuddered. She would never feel safe with Buck knowing who she was. Unlike Mary Mae, she couldn’t believe he would want to help her.

  Never again would she trust a man… any man. She had to take care of herself and Maxie.

  There had to be a way to leave the fort.

  * * *

  The next morning, she slipped out the big doors as soon as she’d given Maxie his breakfast. Mary Mae was busy helping Donna Grace with baby Elena and so didn’t notice her departure. No one else would care.

  She had watched Buck leave earlier and knew he’d gone to the right, toward the river. She went the opposite direction and approached the first group of teamsters.

  “Howdy, Miss,” a broad-shouldered man called. “Are ye lost?”

  She chuckled. “With that adobe castle right there, it would be hard to get lost.”

  “True. True. Though I’m here to tell you I’ve seen the snow falling so thick I couldn’t see the fort from where I’m sitting this very minute.” He rubbed his forehead as if recalling such a day. “Are you out to enjoy the fresh air or is there something I can help you with?”

  He appeared to be the spokesman for the others so she addressed her request to him. “I’m needing to travel east. I’m willing to pay passage.” She had saved enough gold coins, having sewn them into the inside of her valise for this very purpose.

  “Wish we could help you but we’re going on to Santa Fe as soon as the mountain pass opens.”

  “I see. Well, thanks.” She started to move on.

  “Now then if you ask over there, they might be able to help.” He pointed to the nearest circle of wagons.

  “Thanks. I’ll do that.” She walked with purpose, not letting anyone, most of all herself, guess at how ominous a task this was for her.

  She saw two men leaning against a wagon wheel, talking, and went up to them. “Would you be departing for Independence soon?”

  “No, Ma’am. Waiting to go to Santa Fe. We could take you there.”

  It was the last place in the world she wanted to go. “Thanks anyway.”

  Another circle of wagons lay past this one and she made her way toward it.

  Luke stepped from between the wagons. “Greta? What are you doing out here?”

  Sophia stopped. “I was showing Cole the wagons. I think maybe he’s seen enough.” She quickly turned back before Luke could ask any more questions.

  At the big open gateway, she stepped in just enough to look into the courtyard.

  Buck leaned against a post in the far corner, scanning his surroundings.

  She drew back, knowing he wouldn’t see her in the darkness of the entryway. Knowing he was there gave her an opportunity to go the other direction and seek help. She headed toward the river until she came to the encampment of some Indians. Would they understand English? And even if they did, why would they pick up camp and leave? It
didn’t seem likely. As she turned to leave, a beautiful native woman in a buckskin dress stood before her.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “Hello. You speak English.”

  The woman smiled and fluttered her hands to signify she knew a little. “You friend?”

  Sophia nodded. “I’m—” She almost said Sophia but even though it seemed wrong to lie to the woman, she said. “I’m Greta.” She touched her chest.

  “I Niteesh.”

  They smiled at each other. Niteesh touched Maxie’s head. “Baby name?”

  “Maxie.” She could always explain it as a nickname should anyone question her.

  Niteesh called and a little girl ran up to her. “This Lola.” There were more syllables than that but Sophia did not understand them.

  “You have tea?”

  “Yes, thank you.” She joined Niteesh around the fire and accepted a cup of strong tea. It was nice to be able to relax and not worry about Buck. Maxie and Lola played together. She guessed Lola to be a little older than her son.

  Niteesh waited until Sophia had drained her cup and then she refilled it. “You looking for something.”

  It was not a question. But Sophia wasn’t sure how to answer. She didn’t think it likely the woman could offer her any assistance in her desire to get away from the fort.

  “Niteesh can help?”

  Sophia set her cup aside. “I wish you could.”

  Niteesh touched the back of Sophia’s hand. “Maybe can.”

  Sophia shrugged. “I’m looking for someone leaving this area. I need to get away.”

  The woman studied her a few minutes. For some reason, Sophia didn’t mind the way Niteesh looked at her, her dark eyes almost mesmerizing.

  And then Niteesh nodded. “We leave when time is right. You come with us.”

  “Thank you. That’s very kind. When will the time be right?”

  “Only Great Father know.”

  Sophia wished she knew as well. The woman could mean tomorrow, a week from now, or spring. She thanked Niteesh for the tea and rose to leave.

  Niteesh followed her as they left the warmth of the fire. “I know white man who will help. I speak to him.”

  “Thank you.” Again, Sophia didn’t know if Niteesh meant she’d ask in the near future or some distant date, but it gave her an excuse to return and escape the tension she felt in the fort. “Can I come back to see what you’ve learned?”

  “You come any time. I speak to man tonight.”

  Finally a ray of hope. Someone willing to help her.

  “I’ll be back.” Reluctantly she returned to the fort, pausing outside the gate to look around for Buck. She didn’t see him and proceeded to the interior where she again paused to search her surroundings. She didn’t see him, but rather than ease her tension, it made her nerves twitch.

  She’d sooner know where he was and be able to stay out of his way than be constantly watching for him, fearing she would accidently cross his path.

  * * *

  Buck had watched for Sophia all morning, determined to get the truth from her. Somehow she’d managed to keep out of sight. Could she be holed up in her room? Well, sooner or later she’d have to come out and when she did, he would be waiting.

  Except he couldn’t hang about waiting. Curling his fists in frustration, he went out to the wagons. Luke looked up at his approach. “Had a visitor this morning,” he said. “That Greta woman with her little boy.”

  Buck ground to a stop. Sophia? No wonder he hadn’t been able to discover her whereabouts in the fort. “She was here? What did she want?”

  “Said she was showing the little guy the wagons. Saw her talking to the men over there.” Luke turned back to adjusting the canvas.

  Buck stared at the other camps. What was she up to? He strode toward the first circle and asked.

  “She was wanting passage to Independence. Told her we was headed for Santa Fe as soon as we could travel over the mountains. She wasn’t interested. Kind of got the feeling she wanted to leave soon. Didn’t tell her that no one will be leaving until the weather changes.” The man glanced at the sky. “It don’t feel right to me.”

  Buck looked to the sky as well. Although it was clear, a mist hung over Pike’s Peak in the distance. A harbinger of change. He thanked the man and returned to the wagons he was in charge of.

  Luke eyed him but his expression changed as Buck drew closer, and Buck wondered how much he knew about Sophia. How much did Donna Grace and Mary Mae know? Had they been acquainted back in Santa Fe? But he didn’t ask, knowing Luke would keep his own counsel on the matter.

  Buck would find out the truth from Sophia herself.

  He tended to camp chores, made a few comments about repairs needed on some of the wagons, and joined the teamsters for the noon meal. He knew Sophia and her little son retired to their room after they’d eaten so he didn’t hurry back to the fort. Instead, he inspected the oxen and mules belonging to his wagon train.

  Only then did he enter through the big gate and lower himself to a narrow wooden bench under the shelter of the portico. He stretched his legs out, then thought better of it, knowing the sight of his booted feet would give away his presence, so he drew his legs up. From where he sat, he could see the door to Sophia’s room, hoped she couldn’t see him, and he waited.

  His legs cramped and he shifted position. He stretched his neck and readjust his hat.

  And he waited. How long did the little boy nap?

  Around him murmured the customary blend of voices in several languages. He heard French, Spanish, English, and a smattering of German. Smoke from the many fires drifted through the air and the smell of food came from the kitchen.

  Mary Mae and her sister crossed the courtyard toward the trade room. Mary Mae noticed Buck and broke her stride. She looked ready to head his direction and then fell into step with her sister again.

  Buck leaned over his knees and returned his attention to the upper level and the closed door of Sophia’s room.

  A few minutes later his patience was rewarded. The door cracked open. A pause as if she looked through the narrow opening.

  He pressed back into the protection of the roof and waited.

  The door slowly opened wider. Sophia poked her head out and looked to the right and left. Her gaze swung across the courtyard and swept along the covered walkway, pausing to give every group of people study. Then she stepped out, the little boy in her arms, pulled the door closed, and hurried toward the stairs.

  He unfolded from his position and made his way along the walkway, sticking close to the wall, hoping she wouldn’t notice his approach. At the end of the portico, he stopped, biding his time till just the right moment.

  She reached the ground and started toward the trade room.

  He strode from his place and met her face to face.

  She glanced about as if hoping for escape.

  Several of the Mexican woman watched them, no doubt curious as to why he’d stopped her.

  Buck eased back on his heels, his arms akimbo. “We need to talk.”

  Sophia rocked her head back and forth and sent desperate looks toward the trade room but none of her friends came to the rescue.

  “I want to know what happened to Maximillian.” He kept his voice low, hoping not to attract attention from any of those in the courtyard.

  “He died.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss. He was a friend of mine.”

  Something flared in her blue-green eyes, but it fled before he could identify it.

  “Was it an accident? Illness?” He persisted, though he couldn’t say why he pressed for details except to try to learn why she was pretending to be someone other than Sophia Morgan, and why she had a son who looked so much like Maximillian that the baby must surely be his friend’s son. “Did he marry you?” He hoped Maximillian had had the decency to give his son a name.

  Sophia drew the baby to her shoulder, hiding his face against her shawl. “Against your advice, he did
marry me.” She pushed past him and hurried to the trade room.

  He didn’t follow. Against his advice? What was she talking about? More questions formed than had been answered, but he’d not learn anything more from her while she was with the other women, so he strode from the fort.

  Maximillian was dead but Buck didn’t know how or when.

  He and Sophia had married and had a son.

  Why was Sophia running and hiding? Didn’t the boy belong with family back in Santa Fe? The Lorenzos were well able to take care of Sophia and little Maxie.

  He would not call the boy Cole no matter what Sophia said.

  And when had he ever told Maximillian he shouldn’t marry Sophia? He tried to recall the events of almost two years ago when he’d last seen his friend. Then he remembered the conversation Sophia must have overheard. He must explain it to her and make her understand.

  He turned on his heel and returned to the fort where he leaned against the wall next to the door to the trading room.

  The women conducted their business and stepped into the winter sunshine.

  It suited his purposes rather well that Sophia, with Maxie in her arms, followed several steps behind the others.

  He fell in at her side, ignoring the way her eyes burned with warning to stay away.

  “Please give me a chance to explain.”

  She shifted Maxie so he was on her other side. Buck knew it was so the boy was further from him. “What’s to explain? You didn’t think I was good enough for Maximillian and made that clear to him.”

  “That’s not how it was.”

  Sophia stopped and faced him. “I was well aware of the fact that I was below him in station. He was rich. I was poor. His parents didn’t approve. My mother didn’t approve.”

  “That’s what I was trying to make him understand.”

  She turned away but he had to finish and caught her elbow. The look she gave him was enough to leave scorch marks on his face.

  “I thought he only wanted to marry you to defy his parents. That’s why I told him he shouldn’t do it. And you were so young. Only seventeen.” Maximillian was the same age as Buck, twenty-three at the time. But a very worldly-wise twenty-three while Sophia had been so young and innocent, a flower not yet in full bloom.