Brides of Arizona, page 14
Glorianna loosened her grip, thinking Conlon would allow her hand to drop. Instead he tightened his. Was he determined to make Chastity mad? Didn’t he realize she had to sleep in the same room, the same bed, with the girl?
Chastity stood, red-faced, her eyes sparking with anger. “I believe I’ll go on home. The hour is getting late.” She stopped and looked back at Glorianna. “Come on, Mother will expect you home at the same time.” Her eyes didn’t leave their locked fingers.
“She’s right.” Glorianna stood. “I know Fayth is tired. Alyce may have another restless night, and they all need their rest.”
“I’ll walk the two of you home.” Conlon, who stood when Chastity did, lifted his hand, pulling Glorianna a step closer. He didn’t let her hand leave his. She wondered at his defiance of Chastity. Oh, Lord, don’t let him make trouble because of me, she prayed.
The cool evening air wrapped around them as Conlon and Glorianna strolled the short distance to Glorianna’s house. A pack of coyotes yipped and howled their nightly chorus, sounding as if they were next door rather than out in the desert. Chastity marched ahead of them, her back straight, head held high. She looked like a soldier on a mission.
Chastity stomped up to the door, flung it open, then turned to glare back at them. Without a word, she stepped inside, closing the door with a resounding thud. Conlon chuckled with what sounded like relief.
Glorianna squeezed his fingers. “You’d better be nice. Don’t make me start laughing. If you do, I’ll lie in bed giggling, and she’ll know it’s because of her.”
“I’m not sure how you manage, Glory.” Conlon’s face was so close his breath tickled her ear. “Personally, I’m wishing I was anywhere but near Chastity Denton.”
Glorianna turned to him, trying to ignore how close they were. “I have something to say.” Now that the time had come, she felt shy and nervous.
“I wanted to tell you what happened to me.”
“I heard.” His chuckle returned, louder this time.
“Did Fayth tell you?” Glorianna tried to hide her hurt.
Conlon looked puzzled. “Fayth didn’t tell me. Timothy and some of the others told me yesterday. That was all the ladies could talk about—your dunking Chastity while pretending to fall. I forgot to mention it this morning.”
She gasped. “You mean, they knew I did it on purpose?”
“Of course, they did. The men all got a good laugh. Too bad you didn’t fall on Mrs. Denton, too.”
“Conlon, stop.” She glanced toward the house. “They’ll hear you.” She bit her lip, trying not to succumb to laughter. “Besides, that’s not what I have to tell you.”
He took a deep breath as if trying to get himself under control. “I’m sorry. The picture of your holding Chastity under the water nearly did me in. What did you want to tell me?”
Suddenly, she couldn’t put it into words. What would Conlon think? Would he think her foolish for thinking she was a Christian all these years only to find out she wasn’t? Did it matter so much if she told him? “Confess with your mouth,” she could hear Fayth say.
“I prayed with Fayth today,” she blurted out.
He tilted his head to one side, the shadows hiding his eyes from her. “Did you pray for Alyce?”
“No … I … Yes.” She stopped, knowing she wasn’t making any sense. She stepped back from him, pulling her hand free, hoping the distance would help to calm her thoughts.
“Fayth pointed out to me that, although I’ve always gone to church, I’ve never had a personal relationship with Jesus. We prayed about that.” Twisting her fingers together, she waited for his laughter.
Strong arms engulfed her. Conlon crushed her against him in a fierce hug. “Oh, Glory, this is an answer to prayer. Thank you for telling me.”
His genuine feelings touched her. Tears welled up in her eyes. “I thought maybe you would laugh.”
He held her away. The rising moon glinted off the tears on his cheeks. “I can’t tell you how happy I am about this. I can’t tell you, but I can show you.”
He dropped to one knee. Grasping her hands in his, he kissed her fingertips. “Glorianna, will you marry me? I’ll talk to your father tomorrow morning. Tonight, I want to make sure you will have me.”
She could barely talk. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you, Conlon Sullivan.”
He stood and pulled her into his arms. His kiss was sweet. She felt so safe and content held in his embrace.
“Glorianna Wilton, you get in here right now.” Mrs. Denton’s voice grated in the night.
“Why does she always interrupt?” Conlon squeezed her hand, then traced a finger down her cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll talk to your father as soon as I can.”
“Good night.” Glorianna wanted to say more, but didn’t dare with Mrs. Denton standing guard. Already she felt empty at his leaving. Dreamily, she brushed by Mrs. Denton and floated to her room. Mrs. Conlon Sullivan, Glorianna Sullivan, she thought. It sounds perfect. Thank You, God.
“It’s about time you came inside.” Chastity’s petulant whine brought reality crashing in. “What were you doing out there for so long? Kissing again?”
Glorianna felt like the smile she couldn’t wipe from her face must certainly give her away. There was nothing Chastity could say that would take away this happiness. Conlon wanted to marry her.
“I suppose you think he’s going to marry you.” Chastity’s words made Glorianna wonder if she’d read her mind. “Well, I’ll tell you this, my father arrived early. He’s here right now. By morning he’ll have told Lieutenant Sullivan exactly what his orders are. Those orders don’t include you.”
For the first time since coming inside, Glorianna really looked at Chastity. Her eyes flashed anger and possibly hatred. Her blond hair straggled around her face, which was covered with red blotches. Her lips were pinched into thin lines. She felt sorry for this girl, who had missed out on so much by focusing on herself.
Lord, help me talk to her. I don’t know what to say. She doesn’t want me for a friend, and I can’t force my friendship on her. Help me to be like You, no matter what she says or does to me.
“I’m glad your father finally got here, Chastity. I know you wanted to see him. Maybe in the morning we can get some of this straightened out.”
“There’s nothing to straighten out,” Chastity sputtered. “You think you have the right to waltz in here and claim the man who’s going to be my husband. Well, you don’t. The last time we were at Camp MacDowell, it was decided that Conlon and I would marry.”
“Did he propose to you?”
“No, he didn’t propose. We had an understanding, though.” Chastity glared at Glorianna. “He would have asked me to marry him by now, if you hadn’t interfered.”
“I don’t know how I’ve done that.” Glorianna turned away to pull on a nightdress, hoping to keep her anger down. Lord, help me keep my tongue under control.
“You don’t consider meeting my intended in the middle of the night, holding hands with him, and kissing him as interfering?”
Glorianna blew out the lamp and climbed into bed beside Chastity. She bit her lip, determined to hold her angry thoughts and words at bay.
“You’ll see,” Chastity hissed in the silence. “Tomorrow my father will tell him what’s what.”
“Your father hasn’t any authority over Conlon’s personal life. Conlon is free to make his own decisions. That includes choosing for himself the woman he wants to marry.”
“I suppose you think that will be you.”
Glorianna ground her teeth together, fighting a losing battle for control. “I know it will be me.” She couldn’t keep the words inside. “He’s never had feelings for you.” As the words left her mouth, she longed to pull them back, but it was too late.
A sniffle sounded in the silence. Then Chastity spoke in a tear-filled voice. “Just wait until tomorrow. You’ll see.”
“Chastity, I’m sorry. I …”
“Leave me alone, Glorianna. I don’t want to talk anymore.”
Glorianna could feel the bed move as Chastity turned over. Oh, Lord, I want to be like You, but I can’t. I let my mouth get the best of me. Please, forgive me. Now I’ll never be able to get Chastity to open up to me. I’m so sorry, and I’m so scared that she’s right. Can her father really make Conlon marry her? Please, don’t let that happen. Please.
Sleep took a long time coming.
Chapter 18
Whistling slightly off key, Conlon strode toward the captain’s office. He couldn’t help whistling. Even though Glorianna hadn’t gotten away to meet him this morning, he felt as if he were walking on air. She loved him. She wanted to marry him. Now the captain had summoned him to the office. This would be the perfect time to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Of course, he didn’t doubt the captain’s answer. After all, he had readily agreed to let him court her.
Leaping up the steps, he paused, amazed at the difference in the world around him. The sky stretched overhead like a taut blue canvas, blank, waiting for God to paint His signature for the day. Birds trilled, men shouted, horses called for their breakfast, all with a clarity of sound that hadn’t been there before. The whole world gleamed with the knowledge of his and Glory’s love for one another.
Nodding to the private who worked for the captain, Conlon knocked on the office door.
“Come in.”
He pushed open the door and confronted the first bit of concern since rising this morning. Captain Wilton wasn’t alone. Major Denton filled the office with his commanding presence. When had he arrived? Suddenly, Conlon felt a pinprick of dread worm its way inside his heart. Why had the captain summoned him?
“Good morning, Lieutenant. I’m sure you remember Major Denton.”
Standing stiff, Conlon nodded at the major. “Yes, Sir. Good morning, Major. I’m glad to see you’ve arrived. I trust you and General Crook were able to round up the renegades?”
“General Crook is a remarkable man.” Major Denton’s voice rattled the walls. “We made short work of rounding up the Apaches and getting them back where they belonged.”
“Lieutenant, please have a seat. There’s a matter we need to discuss.” Captain Wilton’s voice sounded lackluster.
Conlon studied the captain as he lowered himself into the chair. Something was wrong. He could feel it. The captain’s eyes were dull, his face drawn, and sadness hung over him like a pall. Conlon decided to sit quietly, waiting for the captain to tell him the bad news.
Major Denton’s thunderous voice startled him. “I believe I’ve upset your captain this morning, Lieutenant. I’ve brought some news he hadn’t expected. He doesn’t seem to agree with me, but sometimes that’s the way it is with the military.”
Conlon swung around to face the major. The feeling of dread spread through his body like a disease, consuming him. He felt weighed down, as if his whole body were covered with lead.
“Those papers on the captain’s desk are your transfer orders.”
Once, in a fight at school, a boy had punched Conlon in the stomach, knocking the breath out of him. He had fallen to the ground, unable to breathe or respond at all. That same helpless, wheezing feeling overtook him now. The major’s words dimmed, and for a moment he feared he would not get hold of himself.
“Excuse me, Major.” Conlon didn’t care if he was interrupting. “What did you say?”
Major Denton laughed, tilting his head back and allowing a full throaty chuckle to issue forth. “I told you he’d be glad to get away from this post, Captain. This is the most forsaken country I’ve ever seen. Any soldier would be grateful to get a reprieve.”
Conlon glanced at Captain Wilton. “Did I hear him right? Am I getting a transfer?” At the captain’s nod, Conlon asked, “When? Where?”
“Your orders state immediately.” The captain’s voice echoed in the silence.
“Yes, Sir, Lieutenant.” Major Denton slapped him on the back. “You’ll enjoy Fort Lowell outside of Tucson. It’s a great place. Most of all, you’ll enjoy being where my daughter is.”
“Your daughter isn’t there, Sir, she’s here.”
Major Denton laughed again. “Only for a short time. Right now, she and my wife are packing. They are leaving with us just as soon as we all get ready to head out.”
Confusion and anger fought a battle inside him. Conlon stared at the major. “You mean I have to go now?”
“That’s right. Your orders are immediate. I brought them in myself last night. Sorry there isn’t more notice, but in the cavalry you have to be ready.”
“But, I don’t want to go to Fort Lowell,” Conlon blurted, feeling stupid for coming up with such a weak statement. “I mean, I needed to talk to the captain about something personal this morning. I have some private matters to settle before I can leave here.” He forced himself to stop babbling, fighting down the panic welling up inside.
“Son, I understand your private matters have to do with my daughter. We can discuss them on the way to Fort Lowell. We’ll have plenty of time.”
“Sir, the private matters have to do with the captain’s daughter.”
Major Denton chuckled. “I’ve heard she’ll be mighty disappointed to see you and Chastity together, but she’ll have to get used to the idea.”
“But, Sir …” Conlon’s objections died as the major dismissed him with a wave of his hand.
“Not now, Soldier. We need to talk about your plans for leaving here.”
Conlon bit his lip to keep from snapping at the major. Couldn’t this oaf see that he wasn’t interested in marrying his whiny daughter? He wanted to grab him by the shirtfront and set him straight. He looked at the captain, hoping he would intercede, yet he knew Captain Wilton could do nothing to countermand an order by a superior officer.
“But don’t we need to wait for a replacement for me?” Conlon asked, grasping for any excuse.
“No need for that,” Major Denton said. “I brought a young lieutenant with me last night. He’ll mature nicely under Captain Wilton’s command.”
“May I have a moment to speak privately with Lieutenant Sullivan, Major?”
“Certainly.” Major Denton rose. “Don’t take too long, though. My wife is anxious to leave. I’m sure they’ll be ready within the hour, and the lieutenant still has to get his things packed.”
Silence stretched tautly when the major closed the door behind him. Conlon forced himself to look up and meet the captain’s sad eyes. How differently this moment was turning out compared to what he dreamed about last night.
“You wanted to talk to me?”
Conlon leaned forward in his chair, his elbows on his knees. “Last night I asked Glorianna to marry me. I told her I would speak to you this morning. I’d like your permission, Sir.”
“You realize the Dentons expect you to marry Chastity.”
“Yes, Sir.” Conlon sat up straight, anger making him determined. “I’ve never once given Chastity or her parents any reason to suspect I would marry her. I’ve only done my duty by following orders and escorting her around. They have assumed things. I love your daughter. I want to marry her.”
“How does Glorianna feel about this?”
“She loves me, too, Sir. Last night she agreed to become my wife. I can’t leave now.” Conlon noticed his fingers twisting his cap as if they had a mind of their own. He forced himself to stop. “Couldn’t you at least get a delay in my orders, Sir?”
Captain Wilton sighed. “I don’t know what I can do. I’ll pray about it. Right now, you need to go pack. Let me see if there’s any other way. You realize the Dentons are used to getting their way, don’t you?”
Conlon stood, pulling his cap back on his head. “Yes, Sir, but there’s also God’s way. I believe He has a way to make this right. We’ll both pray about it.”
“Conlon?”
He stopped with his hand poised over the doorknob. The captain had never called him by his first name before. “Yes, Sir?”
“You have my blessing. I would be happy to have you for a son-in-law.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
In a daze, Conlon left the captain’s office and crossed to his quarters. The sky had lost its brilliance, the birds’ songs grated on his nerves, and he wanted to yell at God for not watching over him like He promised in Scripture. He’d waited all this time. He’d been patient, yet look what happened. For all the faithfulness he’d shown to God, God was turning His back. Why, he cried silently, why did You let this happen? Just when Glorianna is willing to marry me, I’m jerked away like some puppet. How can any good come out of this?
“Conlon?” Josiah’s deep voice cut through his thoughts.
“Come in,” Conlon called, not sure whether to be resentful of the intrusion or glad to have a friend when he felt so low.
“I heard.” Josiah, always blunt, sank down on the cot.
Conlon continued to gather his things in silence, not knowing what to say. The hurt ate at him, stealing his reason, stealing his voice.
“You know God has a plan here.” Josiah’s statement hit a nerve.
“I know that’s what the Bible says.” Conlon couldn’t hold back his anger. “I also know He told me to wait patiently. I did. Now look what I’ve got to show for it.”
“And what would have happened if you’d not been so patient with Glorianna?” At Conlon’s silence, Josiah continued. “You know very well you would have lost her. If it’s meant to be, God will see things through. Trust Him and be patient, just like He asks.”
“But, last night Glorianna said she would marry me. This morning I felt like God was in charge of everything. Then I got my orders and all that changed.”
“So, what’s different?” Josiah asked quietly.
