Chapter Four: Noah

It was always the highlight of the month when the reverend rode into town. There was no building set aside for Sunday services, though several town members had proposed a schoolhouse that could also be used on Sundays. As it was, Abe's Saloon was where everyone headed mid-morning on Sunday.

Since my confrontation with Mr. Burns, I had done my best to keep my time in town to a minimum. I didn't want to risk another...discussion with him. Not until he'd had a chance to cool down.

It wasn't hard to do with all the work I had around my homestead. As it was, I received delivery of what I hoped would be the start of my cattle herd. Given the wolves and bears that roamed the land, I wanted to make sure my investment stayed alive. I'd built a large corral to keep the cattle close to the barn so they could get used to their new home.

I did go into town each Monday to check on any stagecoach arrival in the hopes mail would be delivered. Another letter from my sister arrived, but it was not the one I'd been hoping for. Well, one of two that I was watching for.

Still, it was nice to hear about my nieces and nephews—all of them children who had been toddlers when I left or not even born. At the same time, it was disheartening to read Susan's complaints. Though it had been five years since the war had ended, the South was still suffering the punishment for their attempt to leave the union.

Holding back a sigh, I tried to shake off the melancholy thoughts. I'd left that all behind me for a reason. Even if I were to go back, as my sister begged me to do with every letter, there was nothing I could do there. No doubt the neighbors who were still alive would remember my departure and look at me with disdain and suspicion.

That would be the least I knew they would do. It was more likely that a lynch mob would come after me for being a traitor. Yet, my sister refused to understand my stance. Family, she said, ought to come first and I had abandoned them all long enough.

The day was too fine to be caught in reminders of the past. There was no news for my future in the form of an answer to my letters to Miss Jones and Miss Garrison. Instead, I would have to content myself with the present and the sermon I would hear.

"Morning, Noah!" Collins called out as I rode in front of the general store. He was standing in the doorway of the building, arm linked with his wife, a cheerful and solidly built woman. Their four children were already running back and forth on the boardwalk. "Will you walk with us?"

"I'd be happy to," I responded, surprised by the invitation. I brought Charger to a halt and dismounted. In a few seconds, I had the reins tied to the hitching post and joined the couple. "It's a fine morning."

"That it is. A letter came for you this week," Collins informed me. "The stage came in late. I'll give it to you before you leave town."

Would it be from Miss Garrison or Miss Jones? Or simply another plea from my sister? The delay between letters was a frustrating fact of frontier life. Perhaps one day there would be a quicker means of communication. The railroad had certainly helped speed the process up some, but with much of the mail still carried by stagecoach, I wasn't going to hold my breath about any sudden improvements.

"I appreciate it, Mr. Collins," I said to the man. "I meant to come in on Tuesday, but I was busy with my livestock."

"Livestock? Expanding your farm? Chickens?

Forcing a smile, I shook my head. I wasn't spreading the news of my latest plan just yet. Many were still trying to prove their claims, so it felt like rubbing it in their faces that I was in a position to try something new. And there were those who were certain herding sheep was the way to go.

"Children, run ahead of us," Mrs. Collins said, waving for her brood to move along. "Stay out of the dirt, if you please."

The older three needed no further incentive to set off at a run, but the littlest took some prodding before she left her mother's side. I couldn't think of why Mrs. Collins would be so insistent her children do so when she was usually fussing to keep them in line on Sunday.

Did she or her husband have something to say that they didn't want their children to overhear?

"Little pitchers have big ears," Mrs. Collins said, confirming my suspicions. She turned to me with a serious expression. "I don't want them repeating anything to their friends, though I'm sure they've already heard something about it."

It? What did she mean? "Now you're worrying me," I said lightly. Had they heard about Annie Burns and her father wanting me to court the girl? "Has something happened?"

"You tell us, Mr. Coleman," Mrs. Collins said with perfect gravity. She propped her free hand on her hip. "Have you heard what Mr. and Mrs. Burns have been saying?"

"He obviously hasn't, Mary," Mr. Collins interrupted. "He wouldn't be here looking so confused if he had! Put the boy out of his misery and tell him what you were told."

"What has Burns been saying?" I asked, holding back a sigh. I'd known it wouldn't be long before everyone knew Burns was angry with me. I had hoped the reasons would remain private. In all honesty, I had even expected the man to try again, and attempt to argue me around to his way of thinking.

What could he have been telling everyone that Mrs. Collins would look so upset?

"He has told us all how you have broken Miss Annie's heart and are refusing to do the decent thing by her," the woman said bluntly. "What do you have to say to that?"

The decent thing? What? Why would she use words like that? I'd only ever heard them used when a man trifled with a girl and ruined her... "In what way have I not done the decent thing?" I demanded, my blood running cold at the implications. She couldn't mean what I thought she was saying.

"The decent thing would be to marry her, but you have refused to do so!"

It was astonishing the amount of disapproval in her voice now. She actually looked outraged. I would never have expected her to be of the same mindset as Mr. Burns!

"Why would I agree to marry a sixteen year old girl?" I asked, shifting my gaze to Mr. Collins. Perhaps he would be more reasonable. "She is still practically a child!"

"All the more reason why you should not have raised poor Annie's expectations and taken advantage of her!" Mrs. Collins snapped. "How could you, Noah Coleman? I thought you were a good man!"

"Take advantage?" I repeated, sputtering from the shock. What had Burns been saying? "I did not take advantage of her or do anything to raise her expectations! I told her father when he approached me about courting her that I was too old for her!"

The couple exchanged glances. "Courting?" Mr. Collins said, his tone confused.

"Yes! The Burns have been hounding me to join them for meals or company for the last six months! Practically since Annie turned sixteen! I told him I had no interest in her and to not encourage her in her hopes! I have no desire to wed a girl fourteen years younger than myself!"

"You didn't chase her?" Mrs. Collins asked, her tone skeptical. "Or seduce her?"

"Seduce her? You believe I would do that?" Here I had thought of the Collins as friends. Did anyone in town know me at all? Did I know them?

"No, no," Collins said hastily. "I didn't believe it when I heard it. We just want to know your side of the story. You have not been in Annie's company at all without her parents? You've not walked alone with her? Kissed her?"

"Of course not! She is only sixteen. She's a child!" How many times did I have to say that? How many in town thought I had stooped so low?

Mrs. Collins narrows her eyes at me. "Mrs. Burns is not given to making up lies."

"Mrs. Burns?" Both parents were spreading this story? Why? What did they hope to gain from maligning me like this? Did they think this would force me to marry Annie? "She said I did these things?"

"She's young enough that it would be easy for someone to take advantage of her."

"I'm sorry you think so ill of me," I told her honestly. "I have never had any kind of interest in Annie Burns. As I said, she is a child. When would I have had time to meet her alone? I don't come into town often and I am never here longer than a few hours. Someone can always account for where I am!"

The last was a bit of a stretch, but I knew it was mostly true. There was always a reason behind my trips into town. Most of the time, I did so to meet another person, like the blacksmith. The Burns farm was on the opposite side of town. If I had ridden that way, someone would have seen me.

"That's a fair point," Collins said with a nod. "And Annie has plenty to do on their farm. It wouldn't be easy for her to sneak away to meet anyone, not with as many brothers and sisters she has. If she was sneaking out, it doesn't make her look so innocent in the matter, does it?"

"You are not blaming her!" Mrs. Collins protested in angry horror. "She is a child! Who is to say it isn't posible for Mr. Coleman to ride around town to get to her?"

"I'm just thinking it's possible she played as much a part in this misunderstanding."

"There has been no misunderstanding. Burns approached me and asked me to consider his daughter as my wife," I informed them. "He didn't like my refusal. I will swear on a stack of Bibles that I have never approached her or even hinted at an interest in her."

"Well, maybe you shoukd consider it. She would be a good wife, and she does seem to have her heart set on you," Collins suggested. "Pretty little gal like that. Couldn't make life too unbearable for you0 It is not so unusual for a girl of Annie's age to marry, you know,."

And that was supposed to be good enough for me to marry her? Just because she wanted it? What about what I wanted? What was he doing, anyway, playing devil's advocate? It was impossible to tell where he stood on the matter or what he really thought.

"That is never going to happen." I desperately tried to think of some way out of this mess. Is this what Burns had meant when he said I would regret refusing him? "What if I was already attached to someone back east?"

"You have been getting more letters this year," her husband said thoughtfully. "More than I can remember you ever getting. Is your young lady growing impatient with you?"

"After eight years?" Mrs. Coins asked with a scoff. "And you didn''t say a word? I don't think so. You keep to yourself, but you're not that private. And even if you were, what would that prove? That you're even more of a cad than we thought? Promised to one girl but trifling with another?"

"I havne't trifled with anyone!" I protested, frustrated that it didn't seem to matter what I said. My words were being twisted against me.

Someone further down the street rang a bell, letting everyone in town know that it was time for the sermon to begin. It was both a relief and an annoyance to hear it. Mr. and Mrs. Collins hurried along the boardwalk. I trailed after them, troubled by the conversation we had just had.

My conscience pricked me with every step I took. I should have corrected them. No. I shouldn't have said what I had in the first place. There was no such attachment, long standing or not, back east. There had to be a way to get myself out of this stupid mess without involving someone else or telling falsehoods.

I couldn't be sure if I had managed to convince either of the Collins. If they, who had known me the longest, would not believe me when I told them the truth, what chance did I have of getting the rest of our small town to listen?

There was no chance for me to remedy the matter right then for the Collins rushed ahead of me. As soon as I stepped into the saloon, heads turned and I found myself the target of many angry stares. A few wives leaned over to whisper in their husbands' ears.

The Collins made straight for the front of the room where their children were seated. I knew that to do the same would only draw even more attention to myself, so I slipped into a chair near the door. It was telling that the man in the next seat shifted to put some distance between myself and him. I didn't recognize him, but he seemed to know me.

Some of the men looked ready to string me up. If Burns' lies resulted in my being forced into a fist fight with someone, I was not going to be happy. I figured I could take two, maybe three of them, if I had to defend myself.

Certainly not the kind of thoughts to have on Sunday!

Michael Rollin, the traveling reverend, stood up and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. Most of those gathered focused on him, though a few continued to glare at me. "It is a pleasure to be with you once again," the reverend said, somehow raising his voice to be heard in every corner of the room without shouting. "Let us begin with a song."

Singing was the last thing I wanted to do, but I forced myself to participate. I could only hope whatever my friend preached that morning would take my mind off my troubles.

~*~

After the sermon, I slipped to stand just outside the saloon door and considered what to do. I honestly hadn't heard a word of the sermon, and I hoped God would forgive me.

Several men rammed their shoulders in mine as they went past while many of the women hurried their children by me. Was there anyone in the town who hadn't heard the false story?

The sooner I redeemed my reputation the better. I just didn't know how to go about it. I'd considered approaching Burns and asking to clear the air, but the man and his family were not at the saloon.

Perhaps the reverend, someone who I considered a friend, would be able to advise me. Or would his opinion of me already have been swayed by Burns' story? Had he also judged me as harshly as my neighbors had done?

"Villain!" Mrs. Allen, the oldest member of town, hissed as she passed by. She glared and raised her chin as if daring me to speak to her. "The cheek of you showing up today!"

Words that were inappropriate for Sunday crossed my mind, and I bit them back. I didn't say anything as I nodded respectfully at the woman. She gasped and hurried away. If the whole thing wasn't so frustrating, I might have laughed at her reaction.

As if me just acknowledging her would somehow contaminate her.

Burns' aim had been to see me vilified, he'd certainly succeeded at accomplishing that. But to what end? What did he hope to accomplish? None of this made any sense.

"Noah," Mr. Rollin called out. He approached me with his hand stretched out. "It is good to see you again. I almost thought you weren't coming. Running late this morning?"

"No. I just got caught up speaking to the Collins'," I answered as I shook his hand. It was a relief to be greeted so warmly and I wondered how he hadn't been told the rumor. "They made me aware of...well, a rather troubling situation. Can we talk?"

Concern shone in his expression. "I believe I've heard something about this troubling situation. Why don't we step over to Mrs. Royal's cafe? We can discuss this over lunch."

"Are you sure you want to be seen in my company?"

"I am always pleased to be seen with my friends," he said with a smile. "At the very least, I can always claim to be saving your soul."

My stomach twisted, even though I knew he meant it as a jest. Rollin put his hand on my arm. "I know you, my friend," he added. "What I have heard doesn't match up with what I know about you. I'm sure there has been some kind of miscommunication that has been blown out of proportion and it will be resolved with an honest conversation."

I doubted it would be so simple. Not now. Burns has set out to...what? Get revenge because I hadn't fallen in with his plans? How could a man be so petty? There was nothing for him to gain from this.

The sun shone down brightly as we walked a few yards from the saloon to a small building. James Royal had built it shortly before he died, but no one was sure what the original purpose for the building was. Mrs. Royal had opened it up as a small cafe to support herself and her children. Somehow, she was surviving the blow life had dealt her.

She didn't bat an eye when she told us the day's special was fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Mrs. Royal did, however, send her son over with coffee instead of her oldest daughter. I hadn't stopped in enough to know if this was normal or a slight against me.

"Now," Rollin said, once he had his hands wrapped around the tin cup. "Why don't you fill me in on what has happened?"

So I did. Starting from when Burns began issuing invitations for me to join his family, I explained my side of the matter. I told him how I had finally confronted the man and told him I had no interest in Annie. The only thing I didn't tell him was that I was corresponding with women back east.

By the time I had finished, Mrs. Royal had brought our plates. Rollin drummed the fingers of his left hand on the table while he used his right to unfold his napkin. "Why would he tell this lie?" he finally asked. "Why invent such a terrible story?"

I spread my hands. "I have no idea. I've been trying all morning to think of how this could benefit him. None of it makes sense. But I swear, everything I've told you is true. I have had nothing to do with Annie Burns."

"I believe you," my friend said swiftly. "I don't know what Jake Burns is thinking. I'll go to his house this afternoon and talk to him."

"Should I come too?"

Rollin shook his head. "I don't think that would be a good idea. He's angry with you, so I don't think he'll want to be near you unless you're going to do as he wants. I'll try to reason with him."

That seemed the best I coud hope for, but I did feel rather helpless that there wasn't anything I could do. "I hope he is willing to be reasonable," I said, picking up my fork.

"Everyone is capable of reason, Noah."

The door of the cafe opened and Collins came in. "Ah, there you are," he said, striding towards us. He held out a single letter. "Here's that letter that came for you this week. Miss Garrison, is it? From Indiana? I don't think I've seen that address before."

Feeling my face heat up, I snatched it from him. I didn't even have time to feel pleased that Miss Garrison had responded. "Thanks, Collins," I said, unable to meet his or Rollin' gaze. "I'm sorry your wife was so put out with me this morning. I hope she won't make your afternoon uncomfortable."

"You know Mary. She can't stand to see a woman of an age mistreated." Collins bid us good afternoon and left the cafe.

"Is there something else you haven't told me?" Rollin asked, raising his eyebrows. "Miss Garrison?"

It seemed there were no secrets to be had. "I hope you understand I don't want this to get out," I said in a low voice. My friend's eyes narrowed. "It is nothing immoral. I just don't want the gossips to learn about it. Especially not just now. I'd like some privacy in my life."

"My lips are sealed."

"I have begun corresponding with a young lady back east," I said honestly. "I'd been thinking I would like to share my life with someone, so I sent an advertisement to several newspapers. Miss Garrison responded and now we are getting to know each other via letter."

The reverend simply nodded. "You're not the first to choose that route. It has its risks, you know."

"I know."

"What are you going to tell her about this?" Rollin waved his hand. "About Burns and Annie?"

I paused. The thought hadn't crossed my mind, but now that it did... Should I tell her? "I'm not sure," I said slowly. "I don't want to give her a bad opinion of the town. Is there any point in telling her if it will all blow over quickly?"

"Honesty is always the best course, Noah," he said, his tone becoming serious. "You are writing in the hopes you will form an attachment, or at the very least, feel comfortable marrying, correct? Even if I smooth things over with Burns, this will not be easily forgotten by everyone else. She deserves to know what she would be walking into."

"I know," I said again. But how could I? Miss Garrison and I had just met, as it were. Would she believe me if I told her?

~*~

Dear Miss Garrison,

I appreciate your honesty. Although I was raised on a farm, there was a lot I didn't know when I came west. The important thing is to be willing to learn, work hard, and accept that mistakes will happen. That last part most people don't seem to remember. They seem to think that there is something shameful about making mistakes, but if you learn from them, they can't be so bad, can they?

I have made some mistakes recently and the consequences have not been enjoyable. Have you ever done something you thought was best and then had everything fall apart anyway?

If you come to Westwood, you will want to know the neighbors. First, there is the owner of the general store, Mr. Abe Collins and his wife, Mary. They always seem to know what is happening in the territory. They have four children, who are all well behaved. The Collins are the ones I speak to the most, and I am proud to call them friends.

There is no reverend or pastor to take a spiritual lead in the town. Mr. Rollin is a traveling preacher and he does his best to come at least once a month, if the weather permits. The winter months make this a particular challenge. When he is here, we make use of a saloon for Sunday services. Several in town are eager to build a permanent structure to be both a church and a school.

My closest neighbor is Earnest Webster. He is older than I and he proved his homestead at the same time I did. I doubt I could have done all I have done without his help. Whenever I have a problem, I know I can rely on him to either give me the help I need or a wise word to see the matter more clearly.

Having help is important when it comes to proving a claim, but no one seems to mention it. I now understand why families would travel together and stake claims close by. On the other side of town, the - are two brothers who brought their families west and they proved their claims together.

I'm afraid more people fail when it comes to their claims. It is not an easy thing to do...