It was still dark out when Jack Breyer kissed his sleeping wife.

          “Are you leaving now?” she asked.

          “I didn’t mean to wake you,” he said.

          “Don’t be ridiculous,” she exclaimed, her green eyes sparkling. “We won’t see eachother for a week or more!”

          “Don’t remind me!” Jack chuckled.

          “Be safe love,” she said softly.

          “I will,” he promised.

          “I will be praying for you.” His wife’s Scottish brogue was like music to his ears.

          “Thank you.” Jack kissed her again.

          “Send a wire when you get there,” she reminded him.

          “I will.”

          He quietly left the room and made his way by lantern light downstairs. He went to the kitchen and downed half a cup of coffee then donned his coat and hat. He picked up his suitcase and headed out the door. Once outside he was surprised to see a fresh layer of snow on the ground. He closed the door behind him and turned towards the barn that stood nearby. Jack narrowed his eyes as he studied his surroundings then adjusted the scarf around his neck as his breath turned to steam in the frigid air. Amber lantern light from the wide doorway spilled onto the snow creating a calming scene in the cold stillness.

          “Good,” he thought to himself, “Jesse’s already up.”

          Jack was known for his carefree nature. He was young, in his early thirties, with handsome features.  His slightly tanned face, barely marred by the lines of age, gave evidence that he seldom worried and laughed often.  It took a lot to sway him from his happy personality but on that particular morning he was not smiling as usual. 

          He had a lot on his mind and for the past two days he did nothing but worry.  It had been over five years since the family crisis began and, being the only dark issue in his life, he had learned to accept it. He knew that the only thing he could do was give it to God as he was powerless to do anything about it except to pray. So, everyday he and his family would lift the situation up to the Lord as they waited patiently for a miracle that would bring an end to the crisis.

          As Jack stood in the snow that morning, his thoughts were on the telegram he received just two days ago.  Their wait for a miracle may finally be over. He muttered a quick prayer for much needed peace then waved his gloved hand at a teenage boy who was coming out of the barn. In his arms was a large rolled up canvas which he heaved into the back of a wagon. He shook out his arms then waved back as Jack walked through the snow to meet him. It was then that Jack finally managed a smile.  In spite of his anxiety, he still maintained the look and mannerisms that attracted people to him.  He was a kind man with a heart for God and no amount of distress could hide it.

          “I see you’ve got the horses hitched up okay,” Jack said to the boy.

          “Yes sir,” Jesse replied respectfully.

          As he watched Jack walk towards him, Jesse could tell that his heart was troubled as it had been for days. It bothered him to see Jack this way but he did not ask questions.  All he knew was that he was going to Salt Lake City on family business.  He also knew that it had to do with someone very dear to his heart.   Jack Breyer had the gift of reaching out to those in need.  Perhaps this person needed the warmth of a home and the love of family as he, himself, once did.  He knew well that Jack was the one person who could provide it. 

          As Jack reached him, the boy smiled and looked happy in spite of the cold as he took the suitcase from him and placed it carefully in the back of the wagon.  They made small talk as they covered the wagon with the canvas and secured it. Jack stood back and admired their work.

          “That looks good,” he declared. “It will keep everything dry and the snow off of us, most of it anyway!”

          Jesse looked at him and smiled.

          After they were settled on the seat, they drew their collars up against the cold air.  Jack patted the boy’s shoulder and smiled.  The teenager smiled back as he gave the horses free rein and steered them east towards the town of Sierraville a mile away.

          Jack looked back towards the house and up to the Sierra Nevada Mountains that bordered his ranch to the west. Already the sky was clearing and the highest peaks glowed pink-orange in the predawn sky.

          “Hope the pass is clear,” he sighed as he turned to face the road ahead.

          “I don’t think it’s going to snow anymore,” Jesse declared.

          “Doesn’t look like it.”

          Jack watched the town draw near. With the stores not yet open for business, it was grey and quiet. The only people up and about this early were ranchers like himself who made the Sierra Valley their home. Living there was a dream of his and he was blessed to share it with his wife Madeline and two children, Matthew and Christine.

          As Jesse steered the horses through town and south across the valley, Jack tried not to dread the journey before him. It was a half day’s ride to Truckee and longer by wagon. Plenty of time to worry but being a man of faith, Jack was able to cast his cares upon the Lord. He pulled out his pocket watch. There was plenty of time to get to the depot where he will board the train heading east.

          It was a cold ride, but they were thankful that the recent spring storms were mild which left the pass open and easily accessible. In spite of this, the chill of winter lingered as they reached the town of Truckee.  Snow drifts up to five feet deep still lined the roads and clung to the sides of buildings.  Jack once lived in this town and he couldn’t help but feel that he left a part of himself there. It was just five years ago and not the best part of his life he had to admit.  He did a lot of drinking and gambling in those days.  It was easy to get caught up in that life style in a rowdy town such as Truckee, especially when you are trying to forget the past.

          As they passed through the main part of town, Jack was reminded that Truckee did have a good side.  A lot of folks were working hard to make it a decent place to live.  Many businesses were being set up and churches built. It was also a main switching point for the Central Pacific Railroad as it transported goods and people west over the summit to Sacramento and San Francisco or east to Reno and beyond. 

          The boy pulled the wagon up in front of the train depot and set the brake.  Jack stepped down then the boy handed him his bag.

          “Don’t look so worried Jesse,” Jack suggested.

          The boy smiled slightly as he looked down at the reins in his hands.

          “I’ll wire home once I arrive and figure out what is going on.  I assure you that there is nothing to worry about.”

          “If you say so,” Jesse replied.

          “I do,” Jack said as he patted the boy’s arm. “The train’s due to pull out soon so I will say ‘good-bye’ for now.  You take care of my family while I am gone.”

          Jesse’s face lit up.

          “You can count on me!” he replied with a smile.

          “I know I can.”

          Jack stepped back as the boy released the brake and gave rein to the horses.  As he watched the wagon pull away, Jack could not help but smile because he loved Jesse as much as he loved his own children.  It seemed like only yesterday when he came to live with him and his family.  Jack had been living in the valley for just a short time when he first heard about the boy.  He immediately felt God tugging at his heart so he decided to go to the orphanage and see the lad for himself. There he found a sickly soul who could not speak one word of English. No one seemed to know much about him, and although his long black hair and dark skin gave evidence that he was Indian, he did not belong to any of the local tribes. 

          Without hesitation, Jack took him out of the orphanage and brought him home, making him a part of his family and giving him the name of Jesse.  In the ensuing four years, the boy proved himself to be a hard worker and quick learner.  He was intelligent and giving, and looked up to Jack the way any boy would look up to a loving father.

          Jack sighed heavily into the cold air.  He knew Jesse was worried about him although he never voiced it.  Jack figured it was probably his way of being respectful.  Many times he wanted to bring it up before Jesse and explain things but he did not understand it all himself.  There were still so many unanswered questions.

          He waited until the wagon disappeared around the corner before heading towards the depot.  By the time his pocket watch read one o’clock, Jack was already on board the train heading east.  Once he was settled in his seat, he stretched out his long legs and stared out the window at the blue sky. Already most of the snow that once clung to the trees had melted and only a few clouds hovered over the mountains. The storm had indeed passed so Jack felt sure that he could expect a smooth ride to Salt Lake City. 

 

From chapter 22 ...

 

          It was still early so the trail to the river was quiet.  The sun was barely breaking over the ridge and mist still hung close to the water’s surface.  Katy hunkered down at the bank and dunked the basket into the cold water and watched as the water rushed in.  The chill of the air and water caused goose flesh on her skin. When the basket was full, she stood up.  She had an uneasy feeling but quickly dismissed it.  The whole affair concerning Red Horse bothered her and she knew worrying about it wasn’t going to solve anything. 

          She heard something splash in the river so she narrowed her eyes against the rising sun to see where it came from. On the other side of the river, close to the bank was a flock of ducks, about a dozen of them.  Katy watched them for awhile.  She was reminded of the story of the ugly duckling.  Her father read it to her many times when she was a small child.  In many ways she felt like that ugly duckling, but because of Jesse she was finally seeing herself as the beautiful swan.  Now she was feeling like that ugly duckling again because one man didn’t want her there.  It was her mother and William Carlton all over again.  She was like a blemish in their perfect world, and in Red Horse’s eyes, a pollutant threatening to mar the purity of a people untouched by outsiders.  They were already touched, however.  Man Of Light came before her and countless others before him as evidenced by the iron pots some of the people used for cooking.  Jesse’s mother even had one.  Katy has even seen wool blankets, steel knives, and a few articles of white man’s clothing.

          She knew Red Horse harbored a great deal of hate for white people.  Has he ever fought against any and perhaps even killed some?  Katy shuddered to think of the possibility.  She decided it would be in her best interest to avoid the warrior at all costs.  If she were to ever confront him, she would not even know what to do or say.  Her fear would surely get the better of her.

          She turned away from the river and climbed up the bank.  That uneasy feeling was still there but it was more intense now, as if something bad was going to happen.  Katy walked on and began to pray for protection.  She bowed her head for only a moment, and a moment was all it took before she collided with someone standing on the trail.

          He didn’t see her at first and she didn’t see him.  Embarrassed, she looked up to apologize.  Her breath caught in her throat when she realized it was Red Horse.  He looked down at her with fiery eyes and a face of stone.  Right away she knew she was in trouble.  They were far enough away from camp to be out of anyone’s sight.  Brush and trees were thick along the trail so there was nowhere she could run but back to the river which would put her further from the safety of the village.

          Katy’s heart beat hard against her chest.  Beads of sweat broke out on her forehead and she began to pant.  Red Horse seemed amused that he was arousing fear in her.  He smiled slightly and raised his hand which caused her to back up a step and her eyes to widen.

          “You have nothing to fear from me,” he said. “I do not plan to harm you.”

          Katy looked at him with wide eyes.  Red Horse was in awe of how blue they were.  For a white woman she was beautiful but he would not allow her beauty to weaken him.

          “Do you not understand?” He raised his voice and leaned into her. “I will not hurt you!”

          Katy staggered back and tripped on her own feet.  She fell backward and landed hard.  Water sloshed out of the basket.  Red Horse tilted his head back and laughed.

          “What kind of woman are you?” he asked. “You are not worthy to be a Maidu wife.”

          Katy frowned and narrowed her eyes.

          “Oh, did I offend you?” Red Horse asked.

          Katy pressed her lips together into a tight line and she stood up.  She looked directly into the big Indian’s face.

          “Know I am stronger than you mind!” she said angrily. “My talk is not good but I love him, Running Elk, and I love you!”

          Red Horse gave her a funny look. “You love me?” he asked.    

          “Yes.”

          “Did your god tell you to?”

          “Yes,” Katy replied. “He did!”

          “Your god is a fool!” Red Horse was in her face again, but this time she did not back down.

          “No…you angry…too angry and hateful to see God’s love.”

          Red Horse shook his head and laughed.

          “I have no use for a white man’s god,” he said as he waved his hand at her and strode off.

          Katy watched him go then let out a ragged breath.  She stood there for a moment then went back to the river to refill the basket.