Bridal Veil Read online

  Copyright

  ISBN 1-59310-869-9

  Copyright © 2006 by Cathy Marie Hake. All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the permission of Truly Yours, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., PO Box 721, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683.

  All scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

  All of the characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental.

  Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.

  One

  1891

  Chance Ranch, outside of San Francisco

  “It’ll be such an adventure!” Paxton Chance could barely sit still. He looked across the table. “I’ve been reading all about Yosemite.”

  “I’m going, too,” Caleb declared.

  “Me, three.” Calvin didn’t even swallow his bite of ham before inviting himself along.

  Laurel Chance didn’t think for a single moment that this trip was a spur-of-the-moment whim. For weeks, ever since the local paper had featured an article about the newly created national park, her brothers and cousins had been hatching the plan.

  “What about your responsibilities around here?” Laurel’s dad asked.

  “We’ve got it all worked out. Half of us Chances will go and so will half of the MacPhersons. Then we’ll come back and trade off with the ones who stayed here.”

  “I wanna go with the first group,” eleven-year-old Percy declared as he grabbed the bowl of mashed potatoes and thwapped a huge dollop onto his plate.

  The older Chance boys exchanged a pained glance.

  “Now hold on a second.” Her uncle Gideon looked at his younger son. “According to my thinking, you have something else you’re to do this summer.”

  Percy jolted, and his scrawny chest puffed out.

  Uncle Gideon nodded sagely. “Your mother and I discussed it last night. Time’s come for you to train your horse, Son.”

  “What about me?”

  “And me?”

  Laurel stiffened. One of the things she loved most about home was the reliability of life on Chance Ranch. Year in and year out, life went according to the same timetable, the same ebb and flow. Suddenly, that had changed. The older boys wanted to hie off, and the younger ones were being promised horses now instead of having to wait until they reached the age of twelve. What’s happening here?

  Uncle Bryce thumped his hand on the table. “Listen up. We took a vote last night.”

  “You took a vote?” Caleb looked thunderstruck. “Without me?”

  Uncle Gideon stood to speak. Everyone fell silent.

  “You kids have done us all proud. It’d be nice for you to all have a grand adventure to look back on later in life, and Yosemite sounds like just the place. We did a lot of thinking and praying, so here’s what we’ve decided.”

  Laurel watched her cousins all lean forward. It wasn’t until she glanced to the side that she realized Kate and April were holding their breath, too. They want to go! The very idea stunned her.

  All of this talk about adventure made no sense to Laurel. She didn’t desire to take a big journey and felt no need to have exploits to recall in her dotage. Ordinary life pleased her; she found contentment in the everydayness of Chance Ranch. The very thought of her cousins wanting to do this—well, she could chalk that up to what Aunt Lovejoy termed, “Male sap flowing through young veins.” But for the girls to go? Ridiculous!

  “Now this plan comes with a commitment.” Uncle Gideon stared directly at Caleb.

  Caleb’s eyes narrowed. “I’m twenty-one, and you left me out of the vote. Now I see why.”

  Uncle Gideon continued as if his son hadn’t said a thing. “It’s a two-year plan. This year, the eight oldest boys all go for seven weeks. Yes, all of you. While you’re gone, the rest of us will hold down the ranch. The next four boys in line are getting horses.”

  “Me, too?” Cory croaked.

  Uncle Gideon nodded. “We’re expecting you juniors to become men a little early, and you’ll have to prove yourselves. Any slacking or whining, and you’ll forfeit the horse and have to wait two more years.

  “We’ve designed the plan so when summer rolls around in 1892, those of you who go this year will stay behind and let the rest of us go explore.”

  Caleb’s jaw hardened. “What all this boils down to is you’re asking me not to make any promises to Greta.”

  “Not exactly. If you and Greta pray about it and find you’re ready to marry, we’ll grant you our blessing to become betrothed. No marrying up until the autumn after we return.”

  “I want to go this year,” April said.

  Tobias and Tanner both groaned.

  Kate folded her arms across her chest. “Just what do you think you guys are going to do about eating if we girls don’t come?”

  “You and April, maybe.” Calvin shot a look at Laurel. His scowl darkened. “But Miss Priss? No thanks.”

  Ouch! His attitude stung. Laurel gave him an outraged look.

  He motioned for her to pass the corn bread.

  Looking down at her plate, Laurel pretended she hadn’t seen him gesture. He has a lot of nerve, asking for the corn bread I made after insulting me like that!

  “No kidding,” Caleb tacked on. “The last thing we want is to have Laurel fussing about getting freckles or shrieking when she spies a snake.”

  “All the girls go together,” Aunt Alisa declared.

  “Only if they all want to go, right?” Tanner’s voice still held hope.

  “Only if they want to go,” Uncle Titus agreed.

  Kate looked at her parents, then at April and Laurel. “We’re not letting this opportunity slip past us, are we?”

  “Absolutely not! Count me in.” April slathered honey on a chunk of corn bread. To Laurel’s dismay, April then caught Cal’s gesture and passed him the platter of corn bread.

  It would serve him right to choke on it. Laurel stunned herself with that uncharitable thought. But still, the way the boys were talking about her hurt. Everyone on Chance Ranch was accepted and teased; nevertheless, this teasing was sharp as barbed wire. The boys truly didn’t want her to go along, and they weren’t sparing her feelings in the least.

  “Just a minute.” Caleb rapped his knuckles on the tabletop. “We’re not staying at one of those log cabins or fancy hotels. This is tent camping. It’ll be rough”—he gave Laurel a piercing look and tacked on—“real rough.”

  “They have hotels?” Laurel asked. Maybe they could compromise.

  “We’re going to be miles from them,” one of her cousins informed her in a tone tinged with victory.

  April shrugged. “Who cares? We want to go do something different. A tent sounds fun. I’ll take care of packing up all the kitchen gear and determining a menu and food supplies.”

  “Then it’s settled.” Kate grinned at Laurel. “I know you wouldn’t hold us back. It’s all for one and one for all.”

  “Oh, man.” Tanner slapped his hand on his forehead. “They’re just like the Three Musketeers in petticoats.”

  Male snickers and guffaws resonated in the yard.

  “The other two girls can go.” Mom patted Laurel’s hand. “Sweetheart, if you’d rather not make the trip, you’re under no obligation.”

  “She wouldn’t dare go,” one of the boys muttered. “It’ll ruin it for us all.”

  Thoroughly nettled by that attitude, Laurel lifted her chin. “Of course, I’m going. I wouldn’t mis
s this trip for all the tea in China.”

  “Oh, boy, and she’ll probably pack all that tea and china,” Cal grumbled.

  Laurel pasted a smile on her face, batted her lashes, and said, “You’ll be invited to eat off that china, so don’t complain.” Deep inside, though, she cringed. I just let my temper lead me into folly.

  ❧

  Gabriel Rutlidge halted a foot from the ledge and scanned the vista before him. A crisp breeze cut through his shirtsleeves and leather vest, cooling him after the exertion of the climb. The air smelled of a heady mix of pine, but an updraft carried hints of cedar and sequoia. A hawk rode the unseen air stream.

  Majestic. No other word described Yosemite. Gabe absorbed the beauty spread before him and knew a sense of satisfaction that this land would be left unspoiled. He’d come here with the sole intent of appreciating nature at its finest and exploring the vast expanses of land now designated as the nation’s preserve. Reports hadn’t begun to prepare him for what he’d encountered.

  “Hey, Rutlidge!”

  Gabe shaded his eyes as he turned. He’d heard the horses coming but hoped the riders would turn the other direction and miss him. “What?”

  “You didn’t check in,” one of the soldiers called to him. “Cap’n’s hot under the collar.”

  “Tell the captain I have a mother back in Boston. I don’t need anyone else worrying about me.”

  The three soldiers chortled, but they didn’t depart. One kneed his bay and approached.

  “We just went through an area south of the big meadow. There’s talk of clearing a footpath to some of the rock faces and falls.”

  Gabe stood silently and shook his head.

  “It’s going to be done. You know it will. Cap’n said we might as well plot the routes to minimize the impact. You were so opinionated about the last map, he reckoned you might want to weigh in before things get finalized.”

  “Fine. Where’s your camp?”

  The soldier shot him a cocky smile. “Found yours. Cap’n’s waitin’.”

  Amused, Gabe lifted his canteen in a silent toast, then took a refreshing gulp of the water he’d fetched from a bubbling stream earlier that day. “Let me guess. The captain’s making himself at home, and his cook just raided my supplies.”

  “Didn’t stay long enough to answer that supposition, sir.”

  Another soldier leaned forward and patted his horse. “It’d please my belly iff’n you’d head back down, Mr. Rutlidge. From the looks of what you had hanging in the branches, I’m shore the cook’ll be happy to fix us up something fine.”

  “Go on ahead. Just save some for me.” Gabe sat down. “I want to savor the view awhile.”

  “Don’t wait too long, sir. I don’t need to tell you, when night falls, it falls fast up here.”

  Smiling wryly, Gabe agreed, “You don’t need to tell me. Keep fretting like that, Sergeant, and I’ll think you’re hoping to make captain soon.”

  The men rode off, and Gabe turned the other way. Though he hadn’t said so, he’d welcome some companionship at supper. He and the buffalo soldiers had an unspoken agreement—they informally checked in and shared supplies as necessary. When they—or he—ran short of supplies, they shared so restocking only took place when it became absolutely essential.

  In an area this vast and wild, it only made sense to have an emergency plan. Gabe knew he’d been remiss in not checking in. Undoubtedly, the captain would make his displeasure clear by helping himself to something especially toothsome from the supplies. Fine by me, he thought. He couldn’t claim any great culinary skill. Simply searing meat, eating jerked beef, or opening cans was all Gabe could do. A good, hot meal and camaraderie around the fire would suit him for a night or two—long enough for him to set out plans for the next week or so. Then he’d be on his own again.

  Yes, this was why he’d come—to explore, to have time to appreciate nature, and not be bothered by trifling details and petty grievances. He’d left that all behind him five years ago and never once regretted the decision.

  This is where I belong. A place as untamed and spirited as I am—and it goes on and on forever. He stretched his arms wide. Wind blew through his hair and left him with the elated feeling of soaring free.

  Two

  “Here, honey.” Mama handed Laurel a package.

  “Thank you, Mama.” Laurel shook her head. “You’ve already been so generous. I can’t imagine another thing—”

  “Open it up,” Daddy urged.

  The brown paper rustled as Laurel carefully unwrapped it. She caught her breath. “Oh!”

  “Your daddy bought that for you in San Francisco the last time he delivered my paintings to the gallery,” Mama said. “Look.”

  Laurel watched as her mother and father twisted a wooden bar and opened a collapsible easel.

  “It’s surprisingly sturdy, even though it’s compact.” Daddy smoothed his big, rough hand over the frame. “I’m looking forward to seeing what you create on it.”

  “I’ll be sure to make a picture especially for you. Thank you so much!” She hugged her parents.

  “I think you’re taking more art supplies than clothes,” Daddy teased.

  Laurel grinned. “I wasn’t very keen on the idea of this trip at first, but when I realized what beautiful scenery I’d have to paint and draw, we couldn’t leave fast enough.”

  “I helped her pack. She’s taking plenty of clothes,” Mama declared.

  “I’m not sure that’ll matter,” Laurel said. “After the first day on the trip, anyone will undoubtedly mistake us all for being grubby urchins. The girls and I packed plenty of soap, but I’m not sure we’ll be able to bully the boys into using it.”

  Paxton shot her a grimace. “It’s biblical. Adam was made from the dust of the earth. I don’t know why you women are always trying to force us to go against our nature. Cowboys out on the trail live in the same set of clothes for weeks on end. Nothing’s wrong with just living with the clothes on my back.”

  “That,” Mama said crisply, “is why I insisted on packing for you.”

  Pax waited until Daddy folded down the easel and pressed it into Laurel’s trunk. Once the lid was latched, Pax hefted the huge steamer trunk, let out a theatrical moan, and lugged it out of the girls’ cabin. Laurel heard him muttering about it weighing down the wagon so much, they’d never catch up with the others in their group.

  “I think he’s still sore that you didn’t let him go on to the fort to deliver the horses,” Laurel whispered.

  “You’re more precious than a string of horses,” Mama said. “Besides, he’s made that delivery other times and will again in the future.”

  “Chances protect their women above all else,” Daddy stated firmly. “Tobias, Pax, and Caleb are our strongest. Teaming them along with Peter and Ulysses MacPherson gives me reassurance that our girls will be okay.”

  “I’m sure we’ll all be fine,” Laurel said. She didn’t want her father to have any last-minute misgivings and keep her from going.

  “It did the other boys good to go without the eldest ones leading them,” Daddy mused. “This gives Cal and Tanner an opportunity to assert themselves. Our decisions about this whole affair were prayed over—we want this to be fun, but it needs to allow everyone to do some maturing.”

  Laurel nodded. “Without the adults, everyone is going to have to grow up some. I’ll keep watch over them for you all.”

  Her parents exchanged a look and nodded.

  Caleb came lumbering in. “Sis said she forgot something. Can’t for the life of me fathom what. She’s packed every last thing she owns.”

  “What was it?”

  Caleb scowled. “Something stupid. I forget.” He looked around. “What’s left?”

  Laurel didn’t laugh or tease him. It would be stupid. They had to travel together for the next several days.

  “Oh.” Caleb colored deeply. He glanced up at the sleeping loft.

  Laurel guessed at once. “I’ll ta
ke care of that.” She couldn’t imagine Caleb scrambling up the ladder and coming back down with his sister’s ruffled nightgown.

  “Thanks.” Caleb beat a hasty retreat. Laurel shimmied up the ladder.

  “Check under Kate’s pillow, too,” Mama called up. “If April forgot her gown, Kate probably did, too.”

  “You’re right,” Laurel called down as she found both of them.

  “Drop the gowns down. I’ll stuff them in a sugar sack so the boys won’t gawk at them.”

  “I had my reservations about allowing you girls to live together here in this cabin.” Daddy chuckled. “But times like this, I can see why it was a good idea.”

  Laurel came back down and gave him a hug. “It was a grand idea. I’ll keep careful watch on the girls while we’re gone.”

  “We’ll never get there if you won’t leave,” Ulysses MacPherson grumbled from the doorway.

  Laurel laughed at his comment. Ulysses and Peter MacPherson sort of invited themselves along on the trip, and the girls promptly invited Johnna as well. The rest of the MacPherson clan would undoubtedly help out the Chances the next two summers, but that help would be returned in the following two when they planned to go to Yosemite. They weren’t just neighbors; they were distant relatives through Aunt Lovejoy. As “kissin’ cousins,” the children of both families always did things together.

  “You’re the last one to have her trunk packed,” Johnna commented from the doorway. “I’ve been packed for days.”

  Mama spread her arms, and Johnna dashed over for a hug. Laurel wrapped her arms around both of them. “I’m so glad you’re coming along.”

  “Me, too!” Johnna said.

  As they all separated, Mama nodded, “So am I!”

  Eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, Johnna promised, “I’ll help Laurel keep tight rein on Kate and April.”

  Mama grabbed Laurel and gave her one last tight hug, whispering, “You be careful.”

  “Yes, Mama.” Laurel pulled away. “I love you, too.”

  “Then here are the girl’s nightgowns.” Mama handed her the sugar sack.

  Johnna let out a sound of dismay. “Oh, no!”

  “So much for packing early,” Laurel teased. “Don’t worry. I have an extra.” Carefully keeping her back to Ulysses to block his view of her lingerie, she opened a drawer and added one last flannel garment to the sugar sack. “I’m ready. Let’s go!”