The Undaunted Page 34

  David looked at him more sharply. Something even he didn’t know about? He glanced at Molly.

  She shook her head, as puzzled as he was. “Like you said,” she whispered with a little giggle, “a little mystery served with our roast beef.”

  Patrick reached in his pocket and brought out a folded paper. “I received a telegram this afternoon from Salt Lake City.”

  “Not another call,” Molly groaned, feigning deep pain. Everyone laughed, but it was noticeably strained and quickly died out as they realized that might be exactly what it was.

  Patrick unfolded it, then put on his reading glasses. “Actually, it originated in Coalville.”

  David had been toying with the rest of his trifle, but his hand stopped in midair.

  Now Patrick was looking directly at him. “It was addressed to me, and I think you’ll see why in a few moments. He took a quick sip of water, then began to read: “‘To Patrick McKenna. Cedar City, Utah. Regards: David Draper. Please inform my son am in receipt his letter. Have considered request to come south immediately. Find the idea much to my liking.’”

  David’s cry of joy caused Patrick to pause for a moment, then he went on. “‘Find the idea much to my liking. Hope he is serious. Will arrive Cedar City March 15.’”

  “March fifteenth!” David exclaimed. “He’s coming? He’s really coming?”

  “I’d say that’s a yes,” Patrick said dryly, greatly enjoying this moment. He lifted the paper again and finished. “‘Look forward with great anticipation to meeting your family. David says nothing but good. Hope you can put up with an old Tyke.’ And it’s signed John Draper.”

  He handed the telegram to David. “It worked, David. He’s coming. Congratulations.”

  David read it through again quickly, scarcely believing it. Then he folded it and put it in his pocket. “Thank you, Patrick. Thank you for making it possible.”

  “What wonderful news, David,” Sister McKenna exclaimed.

  “That’s marvelous,” Molly cried. “After all you’ve said, we can hardly wait to meet him.”

  “What’s a tyke?” Billy Joe asked.

  David chuckled. “Well, over here a tyke is a young boy, but where I grew up, a Tyke was a Yorkshire man. Often it was used specifically to refer to coal miners.”

  “What’s Yorkshire?”

  “Oh, well, that’s a pudding.”

  Everyone laughed again as Billy looked all the more puzzled.

  “I’ll explain it all later, dear,” Sister McKenna told her son.

  “That is wonderful, David,” Abby said quietly. “Is he going to be as hard to live with as his son?” It was said soberly, but her eyes were twinkling.

  “Aw, Abby me gurl,” he said, “ya ’ave naw idee, naw idee.” He dropped the accent as he went on. “As my mother once said, my father can charm a pig into a tree. He’s a real corker. I’m afraid after you meet him, you’ll find his son to be quite boring.”

  Patrick cleared his throat. “Before you all rush over here to congratulate David, let me make the second announcement. That will explain why David thanked me for making this possible.”

  He picked up his glass of water and lifted it high. “I should like to propose a toast.”

  They all reached for their glasses, smiling in expectation. “I would like to propose a toast to David Draper. This is a big day for him. He has just learned that his father is coming to live with him. And . . .” He let that hang for a moment. “And on this very night, David has agreed to leave his service as a mail rider and accept new employment.”

  Molly nearly dropped her glass, her face draining of color. “You have?” she blurted.

  Her father answered that for her. “Starting tomorrow morning, David will begin work as the foreman for the McKenna family wagon train to San Juan.”

  Jaws went slack. There were loud gasps. Molly gave a soft “Oh!” Billy Joe looked bewildered. Abby and Carl turned and looked at each other in astonishment. Only Sarah, who already knew, was smiling. Seeing that his attempt at a toast had been completely forgotten, Patrick set his glass aside. He rapped on the table for their attention. “That’s right. After the call came, your mother and I spent a lot of time discussing what this meant and how we were going to accomplish it.” He rubbed his chin ruefully. “Or cope with it, is probably a better way to say it. I think we all recognize that we are hardly what you would call a pioneering family, so your mother and I decided we needed a little help.”

  Molly was staring. “Does that mean you’ll be going with us, or just helping us prepare?”

  “I’m coming with you,” David said. “And Dad too. We’ll also stay with you until you are safely settled and established.”

  “But no longer?” Abby said.

  “Maybe. I hope someday to become a rancher. If there proved to be an opportunity there, I would stay. If not . . .” He shrugged again. “Cattlemen have to go where the grass is.”

  Billy Joe was tugging at David’s arm. “You’re coming with us?” His eyes were dancing.

  “That’s right, Billy Joe. All the way.”

  “Promise?”

  David nodded, then turned and looked at Molly, whose face was a study in wonder, amazement, and joy. “I promise.”

  Billy was out of his chair and doing a little Indian dance. “Yippee!” he shouted.

  “Starting tomorrow, you said?” Molly asked her father. “So no more mail circuits?”

  “No. I’ve already found his replacement.”

  She sat back slowly, shaking her head. And in that instant, David knew exactly what she was thinking. She had just gotten an answer to her prayers.

  Sister McKenna stood and came over to David. “I cannot tell you what a tremendous relief it is to know that you accepted, David. I am now at peace about going.” She bent down and laid her cheek against his for a moment. “Thank you.”

  David started to make some flippant remark, but his voice suddenly caught. “It is a tremendous honor for me,” he whispered, looking up at her. “Thank you for your trust.”

  “Well, well, well,” Abby murmured. “You do know how to drop a surprise on us, Daddy.”

  “I’ll say,” Molly responded.

  “Wait, wait!” her father cried. “There’s one more thing.” He looked at his wife. “Why don’t you make the final announcement, Sarah.”

  She was still standing by David. She nodded and laid one hand on his shoulder. “David has asked your father for permission to court his daughter.” She turned to Molly, her eyes suddenly shining. “And your father said yes.”

  Molly’s hands flew to her mouth. She looked first to her father, who smiled and nodded, then to David, who smiled and nodded. Then, in a perfect imitation of Billy Joe, she lifted her hands and began to do a little dance in her chair. “Yippee!” she said softly.

  For the next five or six minutes, everyone swarmed around David to congratulate him. Patrick let it play out, then said, “While it is tempting to ask David many questions now, we must remember that he’s been on the road all day and it’s getting late. I’m sure he’s very tired.”

  At that moment, a yawn hit him and David stifled it without thinking. Only when he saw them all grinning at him did he realize what he had done.

  “I rest my case,” Patrick said.

  Carl raised his hand. “I have a little announcement of my own, if that’s all right.”

  They all turned. He hadn’t said much all evening.

  “I spoke with President Lunt earlier today,” he said. “I have submitted my name as a volunteer, and it was accepted. I too will be going to San Juan.”

  “Bravo!” Patrick said, clapping his hands. “Would you consent to travel with us as well, Carl? We would be honored.”

  “And we do need another man,” Molly said. She gave Abby a pointed look, which caused her to do something David rarely saw. Abby blushed. “To drive one of our wagons, of course,” Molly added, with a devilish little smile.

  Once again, Patrick lost co
ntrol of the “meeting” as everyone congratulated Carl. Finally, he got them settled down again. “I am delighted that you will be with us, Carl. You have much to contribute as we make our preparations and then depart.”

  “Thank you, Patrick. Like David, I consider it an honor to be with you.”

  Patrick turned back to David. “I think before you start meeting with the family to give us instructions, it would be helpful if you and I and Carl rode up to Paragonah to meet with Silas Smith. I’d like to do that tomorrow and come back Friday night. Then we can have our first family meeting on Saturday morning. How about seven o’clock?”

  Molly groaned. “Seven o’clock? On a Saturday?”

  He ignored that. “We start our shifts at the hotel and the post office at eight. That would give us an hour. Is that enough, David?”

  “More than enough for the first meeting. We’ll have others as we go along.”

  “Then seven it is. Let’s meet here. Wouldn’t want to have Molly seen in public that early.”

  Abby turned to her sister. “You could just put on your robe and a hair net over your curlers. Come as you are, like you always do for breakfast.” She gave a little devilish smile of her own. “I think we need to start preparing David for what he’s in for.”

  Chapter 31

  Saturday, February 15, 1879

  It was no surprise to David when he entered the dining room of the McKenna home at ten minutes to seven on Saturday morning that Molly was already there. Her hair was brushed until it gleamed; her skin was soft, almost translucent, in the lamplight. She was dressed like she was ready for church, with not a wrinkle in her blouse. She had a leather-bound book that looked like a journal on her lap, and a pencil between her fingers. “Good morning, Brother Draper,” she said primly.

  He laughed. “Hello, Molly. You look lovely this morning.”

  “Thank you.” She turned to her father, voice all sticky sweet. “Would you like me to go up and tell the others we’re ready to start?”

  He shook his head, chuckling as well. “I’ll do it.” And with that he ran lightly up the stairs, calling out to his wife, Abby, and Billy Joe to hurry.

  David took a chair across from her. “You really do look beautiful this morning, Molly.”

  Her lashes dropped to screen her eyes. “Why thank you, Brother Draper.”

  “So,” he said, lowering his voice, “can we talk today?”

  She nodded. “I have the afternoon shift at the livery stable. I’ll be there all afternoon.”

  “Good. I told Billy Joe I’d help him teach Paint to respond to a whistle, so I’ll be there too.”

  “He’s really worried about that, you know,” she said, smiling fondly. “He can’t whistle. Been practicing all yesterday. It’s really quite amusing to watch how serious he is about it.”

  Just then there was a knock at the door. Molly got up and came back a moment later with Carl Bradford in tow. He and David shook hands, and he took the chair beside David. A moment later, they heard Patrick’s footsteps in the hall above. As he started down the stairs, David caught Molly’s eye. “I’ll be there around two,” he said softly.

  She nodded and sat back, hands folded neatly in her lap.

  Patrick had Billy Joe give a short prayer to open the meeting. After saying the usual kinds of things, he cracked one eye open to see if his mother was watching, then in rapid-fire order asked for a blessing on Paint that he would be smart, and on himself that he might learn how to whistle. As he said amen and sat down again, his mother was shaking her head, and both of his sisters looked like they wanted to hug him.

  “All right,” Patrick said. “We’re in your hands, David. Tell them how things went with Silas Smith, then take us wherever you think we need to go.”

  David nodded and stood up. He looked around, pleased with what he saw. Billy Joe sat by his mother, eyes alert, expression attentive. He was the only one who didn’t have something to write with. Abby and Sister McKenna both had pencils and journals similar to Molly’s. Patrick had a lap board and sheets of paper. Carl had what looked like a ledger book from the hotel.

  “To be honest, this is a little intimidating. I’ve never ‘taught school’ before.”

  “You’ll have quite the challenge with this class,” Abby quipped. “So be kind.”

  “And patient,” Sarah McKenna added with a smile. “Be very patient.”

  “All right, ladies,” Patrick broke in. “Don’t make this any more difficult for him than it is.”

  Actually, their light banter helped to relax David, and it hit him just how comfortable he had become around this family, and how happy he was to know that the relationship wasn’t ending.

  He took a quick breath and began. “Although Abby was teasing—” He pulled a wry face. “I hope you were teasing—her point is well taken. We do have a challenge before us. I don’t wish to add to your anxiety, but we also have to be realistic. Our visit with Brother Smith has only confirmed that this expedition is going to be very difficult. And, by the way, I think Patrick and Carl will agree, Silas Smith is an impressive leader. They’ve chosen the right man for the job.”

  He went on. “Anyway, we will be crossing harsh terrain where there are no roads, and few if any settlements. There’ll be no stopping at the nearest ZCMI1 to replenish supplies. We hope that the Indians, knowing that we are Mormons, will be at least tolerant—if not friendly and helpful—as we pass through their lands, but we must be prepared for possible hostilities.”

  “Did you have to say that?” Molly sighed. She was half jesting, but only half.

  “Unfortunately, those are realities. Another reality is that we shall have to carry not only everything we need for the trip but sufficient supplies to live on until we can get a settlement established. With me and Carl, there will be seven of us. Silas hopes that once the exploring party blazes a road, we can make the trip in about six weeks. But to be safe, we have to plan for as much as six months, counting the time until we become self-sufficient. Carrying enough food to last us six months will be a tremendous challenge of its own.”

  “I don’t think you should give us only the good news, David,” Sister McKenna said, her eyes twinkling. “Isn’t there any bad news we ought to be aware of?”

  “Sorry,” David said with a chuckle. “I didn’t mean to sound overly grim. I just—”

  “No,” Patrick said. “We don’t need it sugarcoated.”

  “Can’t we supply some of our food along the way through hunting?” Carl asked.

  “We can if we’re willing to eat lizards and scorpions.” He looked at Billy Joe and smiled. “Although I have heard one can sometimes find lobsters out there.”

  Billy Joe ducked his head and giggled softly. “I meant scorpions,” he told his mother.

  “But in the desert there won’t be much—if any—larger game. Maybe we can find a few sage hens, but I think we have to assume we will eat mostly what we carry. Therefore, we will need four wagons. On the other hand,” David went on, “there are some encouraging things as well.”

  “Oh, goody,” Molly said, lifting her pencil for the first time. “I’m ready for some of that.”

  “First, the group we are traveling with is going to be highly qualified for the task ahead. The Church has been wise in calling people from down here. You know the country and you are adapted to the climate. Silas says we’ll have a whole range of skills in the group—stockmen, teamsters, blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, farmers, and road builders such as Ben Perkins.”

  “And John Draper,” Patrick added.

  David nodded, still getting used to that idea.

  “What about experienced hotel owners and postal clerks?” Abby asked. “Any of those?”

  He laughed. “Only one family that I know of. But don’t be too down on yourselves. The McKennas are not the only ones who don’t fit the classic pioneer mold.”

  “Yeah,” Carl said glumly. “You’ve also got me.”

  David turned to look at Abby
and Molly. “I never said anything about your family to Brother Smith, but do you know what he said to me as I was leaving? He said, ‘Patrick McKenna and his good wife were chosen not so much for what they can do but for what they are, and what they can contribute to the settlement.’ Coming from a man like Silas Smith, I would say that is a real compliment.”

  “If it’s all right, David,” Abby said, her voice soft as she looked at her father, “could we travel with them? Maybe some of it will rub off on Molly and me.”

  “What else?” Patrick said, uncomfortable with this turn in the conversation.

  “You have another advantage,” David went on. “Thankfully, your father has been successful in business. That means he has the resources to fully outfit the family. You will be about as well stocked and well equipped as any family going. That will a real asset, not just to you but to the whole company.”

  “Thank you, David,” Sarah said. “Thank you for reminding us of that.”

  He nodded. “A third important positive is that we have time. Silas did confirm to us that an exploring party will be leaving Paragonah—or Paragoonah, as you all say it—around the tenth of April. When they return, we’ll know exactly where we’re going. And they will also be building roads as they go, which will greatly simplify things for those who follow.

  “So, in summary,” he said, “I am really much encouraged, to tell you the truth.”

  “If you’re encouraged,” Abby said, “then we are greatly so.”

  Billy Joe raised his hand, and David nodded at him. “Can I take Paint?”

  As the others smiled, his father answered that one. “Of course, Son. In fact, that’s why we bought him for your birthday. We’ll be taking most of the horses and mules we own from the livery stable, and it’s time you had a horse of your own.”

  Sarah reached out and touched his cheek. “Oh, Billy. I think you’re going to be the one who loves this experience the very most.”