Part 19 (1/2)
”Miss 'im?” He stared into the fire a moment. ”No,” he said frankly.
She was sure her astonishment at his answer showed on her face.
”IaI think of himawish things could be differentabut I don't miss him,” Laramie explained.
She drew up her knees in a manner he had come to recognize, and hugged them to her. ”OhaI miss my papa,” she said with deep feeling. ”And Mamaaso much.” A tear trickled down her cheek, exposed by the dancing firelight.
He made a move as if to come to her, but instead said, ”We need to git some sleep. We got a long ride tomorra.”
”I remember,” called Ariana with excitement in her voice. ”It's Pinewood.”
Laramie turned back to look at her, puzzlement on his face.
”Pinewood,” she repeated. ”That's where Uncle Jake and Aunt Molly are. Near Pinewood.”
He turned back to his mount. Therea”they had it. There would be no excuse to keep her with him now.
”Last name?” he called back to her.
”Benson. Bensona”just like my father.”
He guided his horse carefully over a fallen log.
”Pinewood,” he repeated. ”Guess we'd better stop first chance we git an' find out jest where thet is.”
When they finally found a farmstead, they were both amazed to discover how close they were to the little town of Pinewood.
”Happen to know Jake Benson?” Laramie asked the farmer.
”Jake? Sure I know Jake. Don't have many neighbors out here, so ya make it a point to get to know 'em,” the man in the worn overalls stated. ”Lives other side of towna”'bout six hours from here.”
Laramie was relieved to hear that they would have to share one more evening campfire, but he didn't say so. Nor did he tell the farmer they would be camping out again. He was afraid the man might, in his friendliness, take Ariana into the family's crowded cabin and offer Laramie the barn loft.
”Thank ya kindly,” Laramie said with a tip of his head, and he led Ariana and the pack horse back out onto the dusty track that meant roads and civilization.
”We'll ride on fer an hour or two and then make camp,” he said simply. ”Shouldn't be much of a ride tomorra.”
Ariana could hardly contain her excitement.
Ariana trembled as she lifted her skirts and moved toward the farmhouse door. They had stopped back a piece, and Laramie had gone for a walk while Ariana took a quick dip in the cold waters of a small creek, then dressed hurriedly in her own clothes. She had not discarded the buckskins. Instead she'd folded them, almost tenderly, and put them in the bundle from which she had withdrawn her rumpled cotton. The buckskins had served her well. Calico or gingham would have worn through long ago on the endless trail.
Ariana looked down at her faded dress. She certainly was not coming to her kin looking pressed and proper. Hesitantly she lifted her hand to rap. Then she cast one more glance back over her shoulder to where Laramie stood holding the horses. The brim of his hat was shading his eyes, so she could not read his expression.
She took a deep breath and knocked on the wood. The door was soon opened by an elderly woman, a dish towel still in her hand.
”Yes?” she said, then blessed Ariana with a smile. ”Come in,” she welcomed and waved Ariana into the humble home. ”You must be new here. Are you from the place down on Cedar Creek?”
”NoanoaIa” Ariana took a deep breath. ”Molly Benson?” she asked tentatively. ”Are you Aunt Molly?”
The woman nodded her agreement but looked puzzled by the question.
”I'maI'm Ariana,” the girl managed. ”George and Laura's daughter.”
For a moment the woman stood silent, her face showing shock. Then with one quick movement she gathered Ariana into her arms, holding her close as she laughed and wept in unison.
”Ariana? Oh, G.o.d be praised. We all feared you were dead.”
Chapter Eighteen.
A Joyous h.e.l.lo and a Painful Goodbye ”Oh, Aunt Molly,” Ariana said through her own tears and laughter, ”I was afraid we'd never find you.” She realized that her long ordeal was finally over. She was back with those she loved. Her life could go on again.
”What are you doing here, child? How'd you get here?” the woman quizzed excitedly.
Ariana moved back out to the porch, drawing her Aunt Molly with her. She nodded toward Laramie, who stood with the horses.
”It's a long storya”one I promise to tella”someday. It wasn't safe for me to go back home. But we must let Mama know. And Papa. We must.”
”You sit right there.” The woman pointed at a small bench in the shade of the porch. ”I'm going for your uncle.” She started off toward a nearby field, removing her ap.r.o.n as she bustled along. Ariana watched as she ran, waving the ap.r.o.n in the air to get the man's attention.
”It seems you've caused quite a stir.”
Laramie stood close behind Ariana. She brushed at the tears on her cheeks.
”You know, I don't think I really believed it would happen. OhaI tried to have faith. I prayed. But itait seemed soaso impossible at times. I don't think I really thought thatathat it would ever end.”
He was silent for several minutes as they watched her aunt draw near to her uncle, arms waving, fingers pointing back at the house. Ariana could almost guess her words.
”It's been hard for you,” said Laramie simply. ”I'm glad it's over.”
Ariana turned to him, her eyes br.i.m.m.i.n.g, her face flushed. ”IaI can never thank you enough. Never,” she said with conviction. ”If it hadn't been for youa”
Laramie shuffled uncomfortably. He reached up to push at the brim of his hat. At last his eyes lifted. ”If it hadn't been for me you'd still be in your own hometown,” he said huskily.
Ariana's eyes clouded. ”What do you mean?” she asked him.
He took her elbow and steered her to the porch bench, out of the bright rays of the sun.
”I don't know if you've guessedaif you've really understood it allabut you were brought to the campabecause of me.”
Ariana was still confused.
”IaI wasn't quiteashapin' upalike my paahad planned. You seea” He hesitated, then swallowed. ”I had neverakilled a man.”
”Killed a man?” she whispered. ”I don't understand. Thatais a fault?”
”In Pa's eyes,” he said simply.