Sunshine Beams

The Marcy wagon train headed west to California from Independence, Missouri right on schedule. During the five days it took to reach Topeka, Kansas, Ford Marcy, the trail master would often visit the newly joined Potter three-wagon party mostly talking to the seventeen-year-old person in charge, Kendra. He became enchanted with her. She always looked forward to his drop-in visits no matter how brief they might be.

Tragedy had struck Kendra's family and she had given up on her Pappy's dream of going to California. Trying to help her choose a new destination as promised Ford took her to see the land agent in Topeka once they arrived there. Since his trusted Native American guide would know the area Kendra was interested in as a place to settle opposed to continuing the arduous journey, J.R. accompanied them. The agent assured her there were still many select tracts of land available under the Homestead Act in the Flint Hills area about sixty miles southwest of this city. He pulled up maps near the town of Emporia and informed them of the process needed to follow.

J.R. made his recommendations. She decided she had enough money to purchase one tract of 160 acres outright for $200. Indeed, former slaves were able to make claims so the agent went to their camp with them to have 'Lena and Theo sign for two more tracts. Theo, carpenter and blacksmith, wanted something with some stands of lumber on it. There were tracts like that along the Neosho River and other tributaries.

Emporia would be large enough to have a bank and a lawyer to fulfill Kendra's other pressing business needs. A trustworthy assistant could take her to the land.

Ford handed Kendra a packet, “Here's the refund of the money your late husband, Leroy, paid for the trip to California. There's enough to pay for those other two tracts.”

“Will that still leave me enough to live on for a year until crops come in and pay for some buildings to be erected?” Kendra was hesitant about too much spending at one time but it would ease her mind if the land were settled.

“Should be.” Ford reassured her.

“I still need to get some stock like a bull and some cows to start a cattle herd.”

“You do have some big plans don't you. Tell you what. I can cut out a bull and three cows from our herd and sell them to you for $100 total. J.R. wants to tag along down there with you to visit some of his tribe so he can drive them there for you. He will easily catch back up with the train.” Ford planned it all out.

She couldn't help herself as she threw her arms around him in a huge thank you hug. “Oh, thank you! What would I do without you!” Then she caught what she was doing, “How embarrassing, I am so sorry.”

“I am not sorry at all.” He confessed as he pulled her closer, bent downward and pressed his lips to hers. She did not pull away but returned the kiss in kind.

“Okay, you two obviously have some unfinished business but I need to know if ours is finished yet so I can get back to town,” laughed the land agent as he clapped Ford on his shoulder.

“Oh, of course,” Kendra cried out appalled at herself for such a public display, “I, I do want to go ahead and pay for those other two tracts now if it is okay with you.”

“No problem. Glad to have it all settled. Now, Mr. Ford, are you sure you don't want the one adjoining hers? Looks like you're getting mighty close to each other.”

“Well, now, that is something to consider. But I think we two better discuss that prospect in private, hey?” Ford displayed his dimples.

Thanks and farewells were expressed as the land agent returned to Topeka.

Ford said to his other men, “Go ahead and get the wagon train moving again. I need to talk with Kendra. May be delayed a few days. I'll meet up with the train in Junction City.”

To J.R. he instructed. “Go cut out that two-year-old bull and three two-year-old cows and get them headed out with these wagons.

“Theo and 'Lena, lead the Conestoga. Toby the goat cart. Ride if you want. Kendra and I will be driving the box wagon in front.”

Ford tied his horse along side the wagon. When they were alone on the bench seat she was in his arms again in a lengthy kiss. “Well, what are we going to do about this situation?” he asked when they came up for air. “I had no idea you were feeling this same way I am feeling. I thought you were waiting for Tommy to find you.” He mumbled as he nibbled all around her neck and earlobes.

“Tommy? Oh, yes, I thought I loved Tommy but we were children. I want him to come back but its for his mother, 'Lena's, sake. I love him, too, as a brother now. I've never felt like I do when I'm with you. But you're headed for California and I'm staying here. How does that work for us? We must be crazy!” She heaved breathlessly.

“Crazy in love.” Reclaiming her lips. He crushed her to himself and drank in another kiss. Yes, he wanted her out of that black widow garb. But she wasn't that kind of girl and he wasn't that kind of man, yet. But he was a man and he did want her. He must keep his ardor under control.

Once they came to their senses, she sat with her hands folded demurely in her lap fingering the black fabric. “What do you think of this black dress? Do you think I can get out of it now?”

Is she a mind reader? “Personally, I would love to see you out of that black dress.” He waggled his eyebrows and couldn't help showing those dimples.

“Oh, not you, too? That's all Leroy could talk about was getting me out of my black dress.”

“Must be a man thing.”

“I'm trying to be serious here. I thought once I was where nobody knew about my late husband, Leroy, or my recently deceased grandfather I wouldn't have to wear black anymore. But now I am not so sure. It may be sort of a shield to protect me from unscrupulous fellows. And I still have some dealings I have to do to prove I'm entitled to some inheritance. It might be wiser to look the part of grieving widow. What do you think?”

“Unscrupulous fellows will do what unscrupulous fellows do black or no black. Look how unscrupulous I am being. You'll have to be deligent in all you do. You're still a grieving widow, aren't you? Overlooking, of course, these few wanton kisses.”

“I thought I'd made it clear my relationship with Leroy was not what you would expect. You're not being unscrupulous. You've been nothing but a gentleman. Unlike some of the men I've met on this trip. I'm the one who's been encouraging you even though I didn't want another man.”

“I said I would respect your privacy. You don't have to explain everything to me in detail. And no man, including me, takes much encouraging to believe a woman wants him. The fact she's breathing is all it takes to convince some men she's asking for attention. And as far as looking the part, the law should be on your side no matter how you look.”

Ford gathered her back into his arms. “What a horrendous ordeal you have been through losing your loving grandfather and new husband in such a short time. You're showing me your love, I hope. I know I am in love with you.”

She laid her head on his chest and listened to his beating heart. “Yes, I believe I love you. What are we to do?”

He smoothed her back and thought out loud, “You're recovering from a life changing experience and entering into an unknown world. You may not recognize what love is supposed to feel like. It would be so easy for me to sweep you away and take care of you which is what I'm so tempted to do. I don't want you to suddenly wake up and find you made another terrible mistake or resent me for making all your decisions. You need some time to grow as your own person. Am I right?” She nodded against his chest.

“I don't want you to feel like I am deserting you and I won't be able to not worry about you, but I've a committment to fulfill to a train load of families and I don't think you want to be on that ride. I make that trip once a year then winter in Texas with my folks. I've never found anyone I'd rather be with than you. What I'm thinking about doing is buying a piece of your paradise along side of you and coming back here next spring, the Good Lord willing, and we take it from there. See if we want to spend the rest of our lives together. I'll ask you to marry me then if you haven't found a better option. Someone else can lead next year's wagon trains westward. The unexpected can always happen so I can't give you an exact time when I would return. We decide on a time frame you would wait for me. If I am not back by then you feel free to choose someone else if that's what you want. I know I'm risking you falling for some other lucky man because I know they'll be after you. Does that sound reasonable?” He sighed and kissed the top of her head.

“Unfortunately, way too reasonable. You almost lost me at 'sweep me away'. Isn't that what gallant knights are supposed to do with damsels in distress?”

“I've seen how strong you can be and how you're managing all this new responsibility. I'm going to pray you're able to handle anything on your own with the help of your heavenly Father at least until I'm by your side again.”

“Yes, let's pray for that.” And they did.

When they stopped the wagons for a light lunch, Kendra made an announcement. “Mr. Ford has a brilliantly scathing idea!” That got their attention.

“He'll purchase a piece of property by ours and come back here after his trip out to California. We like each other quite a bit. If we still like each other after living close together maybe we'll get married. Isn't that brilliantly scathing!”

Theo and Toby agreed heartily but 'Lena was hesitant. “But wha' 'bout Tommy? Him gonna wan' ya ta make babies wit' him.”

Kendra put her arm around her dear friend's shoulders, “Now you know we can't be sure Tommy will ever find us again now after the war, right?” 'Lena nodded. “So if he does and it does happen that Mr. Ford still wants to marry me after being around me we can make Tommy understand and find him someone way better than me, okay?”

'Lena seemed to accept that would be easy enough to do, “Sure, sure, no worry.”

“Mr. Ford, that land agent is sending out his assistant to show us the land. He'll be here in two days. Can you stay that long to buy from him before you go meet the train?” Kendra was reluctant to let him leave so soon.

“That may work better. Then I'll cut northwest to meet them afterwards.” Ford agreed.

About that time J.R. arrived with the cattle and a new excitement took over. Hey, they needed a brand to put on them. Toby suggested 'B.S.' for 'brilliantly scathing', their secret code. No one opposed.

Everyone started appreciating the beautiful landscape they were traveling in realizing it would soon be their new home. Sunshine beamed over rolling hills covered with the fresh new spring green grasses waving a welcome to them. Wildflowers in lavender and yellow, blue and pink were sprinkled across the wrinkled horizon. Sometimes cattle or sheep dotted the slopes or crowded around a sparkling pond. In a few places there were freshly planted furrows turned over. Streams carved ribbons of water through the area with low brush or stands of hardwoods cropping up along side of them. Very occasionally one could spy a low earthy looking dwelling in the distance.

Two days later, Mr. Johnston, the assistant land agent, caught up. He pointed out a couple options Mr. Ford maybe would want. They'd be traveling close to the chosen parcels the following day.

That evening a stagecoach descended rapidly upon them as 'Lena and Kendra were preparing the evening meal. Naturally, 'Lena insisted they should eat with them and it would be no worry to put on more bacon, biscuits, beans, goat-milk cheese and yams. Since it was getting dark the stage driver decided it was as good as place as any to camp overnight and really appreciated the kind offer.

Two women shared the box wagon and two men used the tent along with Mr. Johnston. The driver and shotgun rider slept in the hammocks under the main wagon. Ford, J.R. and Theo camped out close to the animals with Dex, the dog, and took turns keeping watch. Toby, 'Lena's eleven-year-old son, was in his goat cart pallet and Kendra and 'Lena shared the double bed in the big wagon. The place felt like a hotel.

Again Kendra and cook extraordinaire, 'Lena, provided a feast the next morning. Biscuits, white sausage gravy, eggs and cheese with goat milk and coffee. All were full of praise and gratitude. The driver was so impressed he looked over their intended land settlement area and suggested a stagecoach overnight station would be exactly what was needed in this very vicinity. He assured they would be generously compensated by his company if they decided to open a station. He marked the perfect spot with an X. Then the stage was rapidly on its way once again.

New land and a new offer for a profitable livelihood all before they even arrived. What a blessing!

J.R. decided he was close enough to his tribe members living in the area that he would ride out to visit them and meet back up with Ford at the spot with the X in two days time to travel back to the wagon train. He left shortly after the stage pulled away.

The small group went on to the spot marked X. Their likely new home. It was beautiful with ponds dotting it and the farthest point east backed up to the Marais des Cygnes River, 'Marsh of the Swans', with large stands of hardwood trees. The river looked full of large stones, too, so they could probably have something built more substantial than the huts they saw made mostly of sod.

Enough daylight led the way into Emporia, which, besides 'marketplace', meant 'gift of the heaven hand'. They felt fit it perfectly and all bowed their heads in a prayer of thanksgiving.

Ford decided to take a parcel next to Emporia on the north side of the Neosho River. It connected to their parcels to the northeast. He thought he could lease some of it out if he never built on it since he would likely be living with Kendra someday. He paid the agent for it and they camped on that parcel overnight.

The following day Mr. Johnston went with Ford and Kendra into town to register all he had sold them then said his goodbyes to head back to Topeka.

What a day!

Everyone went back to the X spot to meet J.R. who announced he was staying and a few of his tribal members were going to help the Potters build their lodge. He introduced a new guide to go with Ford. Soon the two of them were back on a fast track to meet up with the wagon train to California.

P.S.

It had been Kendra's loving grandfather's dream that he take her away from the devastation in war torn Georgia so she could find a good man since all the young men in the south had been sacrificed for a lost cause. He painstakingly prepared a wagon that could transport them safely across a continent. A swindler, Leroy, convinced him he would be the perfect match for his precious granddaughter. But in the end the grandfather loss his life and Leroy was a disappointment and met his own demise.

Left alone in charge of others depending on her, young Kendra made the choice of not following her Pappy's dream and instead taking a new trail. It led to this lush, beautiful land of bounty. Ripe with possibilities. Now it's up to her to make it flourish. Maybe some day with the man of her dreams coming back to her arms.

Author note: This is part of my book I'm working on to be published. To see more excerpts see my profile. 'Trampled Dreams' and “Trampled Dreams II'; 'Justice Screams' ; 'Walking to California'; 'Waiting line'; 'Southern Persuasion'