One Perfect Flower Read online

  The first stop was in the small town of Black Rock. Gabriel secured two rooms at the hotel for them, trudging off with weary steps to his own quarters. She and Sunny took turns helping each other remove the layers of clothes they wore, stretching out upon the bed to relieve their aching bones.

  Sunny propped her chin upon a hand. “Do you find this trip as exciting as I do, my sister?”

  She hesitated with an answer, her flesh still stinging from the hard stays of the bodice. “I am in some ways, and in other ways I am not.”

  Sunny inched closer, laying her head upon her shoulder. “In what ways are you pleased?”

  “I am relieved to be away from the white agents, to be going to a place where I will be looked upon with respect instead of scorn. The idea of not being hungry or cold, or the dread filling my heart while walking our village, is all pleasing.”

  “And what displeases you?”

  “The fact we do not know if we will see mother and father again and wearing those horrible clothes,” she concluded.

  Sunny raised her head, her large blue eyes wide. “What are you saying? The clothes are beautiful.” She giggled. “And I like the way the bodice makes my breasts look beneath the dress.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Sunny Elizabeth Eagle you are a wicked girl.”

  Sunny frowned. “Raven Amelia Eagle,” she countered. “I am not wicked at all, just happy to finally look like the grown woman that I have become. No one ever noticed on the reservation.”

  “Be happy they did not, for with everything comes some sort of price. Like the price for looking beautiful in the new clothes and being squished and stifled.”

  Sunny’s frown deepened. “They do squish and stifle and getting dressed does take so long. But in time I am sure I will get used to it.”

  “Humph, I will never get used to such torture,” she snapped, turning onto her side.

  Sunny slipped a hand beneath the quilt and pinched her backside.

  “Ouch!” She thrust a hand over the hurt and turned to face her sister. “Why did you pinch me?”

  Sunny flashed a quirky smile. “Now you will think of the bruise on your behind instead of the uncomfortable clothes.”

  “Well, I will not be the only one,” she said, ripping the blanket off her sister and wrestling her onto her belly. “Since mother is not around to keep you in line, the duty will now have to fall on me.”

  Sunny was weak with hysterical laughter while she playfully spanked her bottom. “No more… please,” she hiccupped. “Or I will tell Gabriel.”

  “He will not come to your rescue; he has wanted to thrash your bottom for years,” she said, sitting back on her knees and looking down at her little sister. Tears blinded her eyes, and she blinked them away.

  Sunny, still giggling, rolled onto her back. “Oh, now I am not going to be able to sit for a…” Her words caught in her throat when she spotted the tears. “What is it, my sister?”

  “We will never be apart, will we Sunny?” she choked out.

  Sunny sat up and gathered her into her arms. “No, never. We will always have each other.” She stroked her hair. “And I know we will see mother again… father as well.”

  Lonely already for her parents, she sighed. “I hope you are right, Sunny, truly I do.”

  ****

  All too soon the light of dawn approached the sky and after a quick breakfast of buttered rolls and tea, Raven found herself confined to sit out the boring hours of another day’s ride. It was very late when Silver City came into view. Gabriel helped her and Sunny down from the coach and made his way to the hotel. Lively music blared from a building across the street, and she found herself drawn to its beat. She stopped to listen and saw a man stumble his way out from the double doors.

  Gabriel reached out and took her arm. “Come, it is time to rest.”

  She pointed to the dwelling of interest. “What is there, Gabriel?”

  He arched a brow. “Danger, my sister, and no place for a lady.” He pulled her by the hand like a curious child and secured two rooms, parting from them till morning.

  No sooner did Sunny place her head upon the pillow; she fell into a sound sleep. Raven guessed the novelty of looking all grown up took its toll on her little sister. The few times she cast a glance Sunny’s way, she also appeared to be miserable in the fancy clothes. She stared up at the ceiling, listening to Sunny’s even breathing. Exhausted as she was, sleep would not come.

  Not to wake her sister, she crept out of the bed and to the window, looking down at the street below. From her position she could see people coming in and out of the swinging doors, the faint sound of music and laughter rising to her ears. She donned the dress she laid out for the next day’s travel, omitting what went underneath in her haste, and slipped on the shoes. Tying back her hair with a piece of ribbon, she tip-toed from the room and down the stairs to the street below.

  Raven took a deep breath and squared her shoulders before making her way to the curious building. Peering over the double doors, she swept a look around the smoke-filled room. Women dressed in bright colored skirts sat on men’s laps, laughing and throwing their hair over their shoulders; their cheeks and lips painted red. In a corner, a man played a tune on the piano and people danced. She smiled, happy to tap her toe in rhythm to the music, until someone grabbed her by the waist and pulled her through the doors, into the smoky confusion of the room. She gasped and looked up into the watery blue eyes of a gray haired man.

  He smiled down at her. “Come on, sweetie.” He twirled her around with the music. “Get them purdy legs a movin’.” She pushed him away to free herself from his grasp, but he tightened his hold. “Are ya thirsty, sugar?”

  His toothless grin and foul breath reminded her of agent Hall. In her mind’s eye she was again back at the reservation, enduring the violation of her body. Again she pushed him away, panic rising.

  “Please, let me go.”

  “Sit,” he said, shoving her down into a nearby chair and taking a seat beside her. He handed her a glass. “Drink.” The man raised his own glass and clicked it against hers, sloshing the honey colored liquid over the rim. “Here’s to ya and me, sweetie, and a little fun.” He brought the glass to his slobbering lips and poured the brew down his throat.

  She set her glass down on the table and stood.

  The bearded man caught her by the arm, pulling her toward him. His cold, blue eyes impaled her with their gaze. “Where ya headed, honey? The night’s young.”

  She struggled to free herself. “I just want to go. Please, let me go.”

  “Not just yet, I won’t,” he bellowed, pulling her down onto his lap.

  A crushing fear rose to smother her. “Take your hands off me.”

  “Now, now, I ain’t gonna hurt ya none, sweetie.” He caressed her back. “If ya play ya cards right we can both enjoy the night.”

  Every bone in her body stiffened. She was ready to scream, scratch, kick, do whatever else it took to get away from the man.

  A deep voice snapped from behind. “Let the lady go, Baxter.”

  She turned to look straight into the eyes of a tall dark-haired man; his broad shoulders and muscular arms filled the brown jacket he wore. There was an inherent strength in his face, clean shaven, except for a thin mustache sitting beneath an aquiline nose and above a generous upper lip.

  “How do ya know she’s a lady, Shannon?” Baxter retorted with a sneer, still holding her on his lap. “And whatcha still doin’ here, thought you were headed back to Houston?”

  “When I leave Silver City is none of your concern.” The tall man moved closer to Baxter, his emerald green eyes glaring. He ground out the words through gritted teeth. “I said, let the lass go.”

  Baxter cursed beneath his breath and pushed her off his lap.

  She fell with a thump to the worn, wooden floor. Baxter and the other men at the table laughed at her ungraceful plunge. Her face burned as she stood, but her foot caught on the hem of the skirt, and she
hit the floor again. The whole place roared.

  The man called Shannon leaned forward and extended his hand. His deep voice, now softer then before, urged her to take assistance. “Please, allow me to help you, lass.”

  She accepted, wanting nothing more then to get back to her hotel room. His warm firm hold pulled her to her feet. He smiled, the dimpled cleft in his chin deepening.

  “’Twould be my pleasure to see you safely home.”

  Her throat went dry. She searched his handsome face, gazing deep into the green of his eyes.

  “I have no home—not here. I am, I am,” she stammered, mesmerized by the dazzling display of his straight, white teeth. “I am staying at the hotel across the street.”

  He offered her is arm. “Then let’s be getting you back to where you belong.”

  She placed a hand on his forearm, inhaling the clean scent of his cologne. “Thank you, most kindly, sir.”

  “Are you traveling alone, lass?”

  She lowered her eyes. “No, sir. I am with my brother and sister. We are on our way to England and will be leaving on the morning train bound for Houston.”

  He frowned. “And let me guess—your brother has no idea you’re running about, asking for trouble.”

  She raised a defiant chin. “I was not running about asking for trouble.”

  He arched a brow. “Aye, lass, you were, the moment you stepped into the saloon. And most likely you would have found it, if I hadn’t come along. ’Twas a good thing I decided to have a bit of ale before I moved on.”

  Her lips thinned. “Well, I am sorry if I have ruined your plans.”

  “Not to worry, lass. I have hired a private coach and the driver doesn’t mind traveling throughout the night. So when I leave is of no concern, but I’m a wee bit worried about you.”

  “You need not worry further.”

  His eyes roamed the length of her. “Didn’t you realize the stir you’d cause half dressed?”

  She flushed under his scrutiny. “I am afraid I do not understand, sir?”

  “Where’s the rest of your clothes, lass. The things that go beneath?”

  She cleared her throat. “I am not quite used to…to wearing all the things…that…that…and I was in a hurry to see what made the music.” She swallowed hard, mortified. “I do not usually dress like this.”

  The genuine concern in his eyes, the gentle tone of his deep voice, left her pulses racing.

  “Every man’s eyes were upon you, lass. None of which, I might add, had honorable notions in mind.”

  She knew all too well about dishonorable notions. Her cheeks burned with the memory of agent Hall and the dreadful abuse forever marking her soiled. How would she ever be fit to love in a proper way? She cast her eyes to her feet. “You are right, sir.”

  He raised her chin with a finger. “I assure you, lass, I speak the truth about the danger you put yourself in.”

  His mere touch made her breath catch in her throat.

  His emerald gaze caught and held hers. “What’s your name, lass?”

  “Raven…Raven Amelia Eagle,” she blurted out.

  He chuckled. “Ah now, ’tis a unique name for a unique lass.”

  “Not so unique really,” she said. “My father is Chief Proud Eagle of the Western Apache tribe.”

  He smiled. “Then you are an Indian princess?”

  She never thought of herself in such a way, but by tradition she was a princess. She nodded.

  He regarded her quizzically. “But your eyes are blue, and the manner in which you speak—”

  “My mother is white,” she broke in. “It is her family I am going to visit in England.”

  He searched her face as though he wished to memorize it. “Aye, that explains it, then.”

  She realized it was growing very late. If Sunny woke to find her gone, she’d be very worried. “I must go.” Gathering her skirt, she ran up the stairs.

  “Wait,” he called after her. With a few strides of his long legs he was soon standing at the foot of the steps looking up at her. “I meant no offense.”

  “None was taken,” she assured him over her shoulder, making her way to the landing. Then she stopped and looked down at him. “Thank you again, sir, for your help. And…for your kindness.”

  He bowed from the waist. “The pleasure was all mine, Miss Eagle.”

  A smile trembled over her lips at his gentleman ways. “May we live to meet again, my friend.”

  He gave her a slight nod before she disappeared around the landing.

  ****

  The iron horse sputtered steam from its stack, the large wheels creaking and groaning with each turn. The engine chugged, moving the train ahead, slowly at first, then faster and faster.

  Raven watched her brother sit back in his seat.

  “I am thankful the train compartment is larger than the stagecoach. Now I have more room.” Gabriel sprawled out his long legs, sitting more comfortable and relaxed near the window. The droning of the train seemed to soothe him, and soon his eyelids grew heavy. Before long he was deep in sleep.

  Sunny was occupied watching the countryside fly by. “This is all so wonderful and exciting. We are almost flying as fast as the birds.”

  “Birds are free,” Raven grumbled, pulling at the frilled collar of her blouse. “Oh, I do not think I will ever like these clothes.”

  Sunny cast a frown her way. “It is the way we must dress now, can you not try harder to get used to it?”

  She sighed. “I am trying hard, but wearing all this material is—is—”

  “I think you are ungrateful,” Sunny snapped. “Why can you not be as appreciative as I am and enjoy the beautiful garments? After all, the holy man, Josh, went to great trouble to outfit us in style and to make it possible to leave our village.” She glanced back out the window. “As much as I love our heritage and traditions, I am tired of the sorrows, the hunger, and the fear of living on the reservation.”

  “I am sorry if I sounded ungrateful,” she apologized.

  Sunny turned again toward her, and they shared a smile. “All will be fine, my sister. Just you wait and see.”

  She nodded and thought of the green-eyed man. He came to mind many times throughout the four days she endured on the train. The man, Baxter, in Silver City called him Shannon. Would that be his first or last name? So obsessed was she with his green eyes and deep voice, that when she closed her eyes she conjured up his handsome face. She wished she could share the experience with Sunny, but knew she would have Gabriel’s wrath upon her if she divulged anything about her little excursion to the saloon. It was a shame, too, because the girl gossip would have entertained her. After four days of eating and sleeping in a seat, she was restless and bored.

  Gabriel was content to sleep away the hours, and Sunny sat with her sketch book and pencil, engrossed in capturing the faces of the other people aboard the train. But she, who enjoyed helping her mother teach the children, was not so cheery sitting idol. Wearing hot wrinkled clothes over a stiff and aching body was anything but pleasure. Only when the city of Houston loomed ahead did her spirits rise.

  Again, Gabriel secured two rooms for the night, and before turning in, they enjoyed a meal together in the hotel’s fancy red and gold dining room. The chicken and dumplings melted in her mouth, and the fresh bread, slathered in creamy butter, sopped up the homemade gravy swimming in herbs at the bottom of her plate. After eating all the delicious food, she could hardly keep her eyes open. With heavy steps, she climbed the stairs to her room.

  “How much farther do we have before we get to the ship?” Sunny mumbled while waiting for Raven to unlock the door.

  “Gabriel said from here we have another day’s ride by stagecoach to the coast. There we will board the ship going to England, and travel several weeks across the deep waters of the North Atlantic Ocean.”

  Sunny yawned. “Are you any closer to getting used to the new clothes?”

  “Somewhat.” She closed the door behind them,
securing the lock as Gabriel warned. “But it is still going to take a heap of trying.”

  ****

  Raven could not believe her eyes. The ship was immense, floating like a monster on a sea that ate hungrily at the land. Beside it were docked two other large vessels, each one headed for a different destination. Beneath her feet the floor rocked. Steadying herself using the ship’s wall, she followed the cabin boy through the crowded corridors to the compartment she would share with Sunny. It was bigger than the one on the train; the bunks positioned one above another. The first line of business was deciding who would sleep on the top bed.

  “We will call numbers for it,” Sunny suggested.

  She narrowed her eyes. “You always cheat.”

  Sunny’s tone was indignant. “I do not.”

  “Yes, you do,” Gabriel interjected, coming into the room. “But I can settle this right now.” He pointed to Sunny. “Since you are a bit daft when you first wake and would probably forget you are sleeping in a second story compartment, you take the lower bunk.”

  “I am not daft,” Sunny protested. “I am just a little groggy.”

  Gabriel arched a brow. “Whatever the case, I do not need you plunging to your death.”

  The cabin boy placed the luggage on the floor beside the washbasin, giving each of them a smile. His coal black eyes and unruly dark curls framed a child’s face. Raven thought he could be no more than fourteen years of age. He took the time to explain where certain comforts could be found and when the meals would be served.

  Gabriel’s room adjoined theirs, no doubt to keep a look out for them. There were lots of men roaming about the ship; each one craning their necks to eye her and Sunny as they came aboard. She knew Gabriel saw the looks as well because he reached for each of their arms, tightening his grip while he escorted them to their quarters.