Woven Waters

By Betty L. Milne

"Woven Waters" is the third and last book in The Blanket of Blessings Series. Angie is now a young woman, living with the Baker family on their ranch in Sacramento, California. She renews her friendship with old friends, and faces the challenges of the early 1860s and the adventures that come with it. As the waters of the Sacramento River rise, the Bakers are forced to flee their home and relocate temporarily in San Francisco. Angie must face Colton, once again and retribution is just around the corner for her Aunt Grace. Come and find out how justice is served, forgiveness given, and love is fulfilled, as Angie discovers God’s desire for her life and the fulfillment of her dreams, as He weaves them into a pattern of blessings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Betty L. Milne
• Release date: Apr 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311307378

Betty L. Milne

Betty L. Milne was born in Modesto, California and has enjoyed writing stories since she was a girl. She now resides in eastern Washington State with her husband, and near her two grown children and their families. Her passion of writing is shared with many of her relatives, including her grandfather and sister. In her stories, Betty L. Milne enjoys combining her love of adventure with her love of God.

Book preview

The Blanket of Blessings Series ~ Book 3

Woven Waters

Betty L. Milne

Bryne Press

Published by Bryne Press at Smashwords

© 2014 by Betty L Milne. All rights reserved.

Bryne Press is solely responsible for book cover design and layout, along with support for publishing. As such, the ultimate design, editing, content, editorial accuracy, and views expressed or implied in this work are those of the author. No royalties/fees will be provided by Bryne Press at any time.

First Edition

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any way by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without the prior permission of the copyright holder, except as provided by USA copyright law.

This publication is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or publisher.

Smashwords Edition

Soft cover ISBN 13: 978-1-4951-0463-3

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2014937863

~ This book is lovingly dedicated to my children, Anqelique and David, who blessed my life with laughter, pride, and most of all, love. ~

Content

The New Start

The Kitchen Wars

The Sacramento Fair

The Ultimatum

The Conflict

The Return

The Rising Waters

The Exodus

The Confrontation

The Search

The Loss of Grace

The Capture

The Friend

The Innocent Plea

The Truth

The Choice

The New Life

The Voyage Home

The Full Circle

About The Author

Other Books

The New Start

IT WAS AN unseasonably hot morning for Sacramento in the month of June. The year 1859 had started off tumultuously but the remainder of the year promised a better future. Charity sat resting on her high backed hair. Her legs were still weak from the past two years of being bed ridden; her strength was not what it once was. She was emotionally drained from just sending Grace back to San Francisco moments before. Her older sister, Grace, had deceived Charity and her family, trying to take over the lucrative Baker ranch. There was even a possibility that Grace had been personally involved with the death of Benjamin, Charity’s husband. Charity’s head hurt and pain stabbed at her heart. She wished to have peace and quiet for just a little while.

Angie ushered her old friends inside the ranch house. She was very grateful to see Elmer again, alive and well. She had assumed that he had perished in the river five years earlier when their wagon had capsized and all was lost. She had grown very fond of Elmer, who was hired to bring her out West to live with her aunt and uncle in Sacramento after her family perished in a fire in Missouri. His brother Homer, on the other hand, was cantankerous and short tempered, and he frightened Angie most of the time. Now, Elmer had come to Sacramento with Gertie, looking for Homer.

Aunt Charity, Angie explained to her aunt, these are my friends. This is Elmer Smith and his friend Gertie. This is the gentleman you hired to bring me out West. I thought sure he had drowned in the river, but God must have saved him, just like He saved me.

Don’t know if it was God, Elmer objected, but somethin’ must have helped me. Could’ve been an angel. Ya know, I was being dragged down that river with nearly a hope to survive, when the next thing I remember, I was waking up on the side all muddy and wet, surprised to still be breathin’. My granny used to tell me ‘bout guardian angels when I was just a youngin’. I reckon I might just have one.

An’ I’m Mrs. Smith now, Gertie smiled as she grabbed Charity’s hand and shook it roughly. Elmer done made an honest woman of me several years ago.

Charity took a deep breath and gathered her inbred sense of hospitality around her; managing to smile at the visitors who seemed excited to meet her.

Make yourselves comfortable, Charity smiled as she offered them the couch. You must be very tired after your long journey.

More excited than anythin’ else, Elmer was beaming at Angie, just to see you again, little darlin’. I knew Homer would keep you safe. I’m just relieved to see that you two made it here safe and sound. He must of got the money for bringin’ you out here and gone on to make a life for himself. I’m sure he thought I was a goner.

Angie was trying to avoid the subject of Homer and asked, Would you like a cup of coffee or tea?

Oh yes, Gertie smiled as they seated themselves on the couch, tea would be just lovely.

None of that sissy stuff for me, Elmer smiled. Coffee is what a man needs to wash the dust from his mouth.

Would you like something to drink Aunt Charity? Angie asked quickly.

Tea please, Charity responded with appreciation and then turned her attention back to their visitors.

Fine, Angie nodded. I’ll be back in a moment or two.

Angie gave them a quick smile and rushed into the kitchen, letting the door close behind her.

Tillie! Angie said in a panic as she grabbed the housekeeper, cook and trusted friend by the arms. Elmer is here! What am I going to tell him?

Miss Angie! What you talkin’ ‘bout? Tillie looked surprised at Angie. An’ who is Elmer?

In the living room, Elmer’s worn face dripped with perspiration. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, took off his hat and wiped the moisture from his brow, It’s a might warm today. ‘Fraid it’s gonna be a hot one.

Might be best if’n you were to open a window or two, Gertie suggested. Get a nice fresh breeze in here.

Oh, I’m sorry, Charity was quick to say. We’re so used to the heat here in Sacramento. I was unaware... Rebecca, please open a window for our guests.

Thank ya so very kindly, Gertie tried her best to sit up and appear dignified. Right neighborly of ya. It’s awfully stuffy in here. I’m sure you’ll agree it’ll be much more comfortable now.

Rebecca slid the window up and then politely excused herself, I’m going to collect some eggs. Tillie told me she needed some fresh ones for a cake she wants to bake.

Rebecca didn’t like the appearance of the old couple. Their clothes and shoes were covered with the dust from the road and they smelled as though they were both in the need of bathing.

As she walked through the kitchen, Angie’s words caught her attention.

Elmer is trying to find his brother, Homer. How can I tell him that he died long ago?

Seems it would be best to tell it like it is, Miss Angie, Tillie advised her. No sense in prolongin’ the inevitable.

Rebecca walked out through the back door, seeming uninterested in the conversation. Angie sat herself down as she watched Tillie prepare the tea and pour the coffee.

I’m such a big coward. I don’t want to tell Elmer about his brother, Angie shared with Tillie.

Miss Angie, Tillie said as she placed the cups on the tray. You ain’t no coward, you is jus’ kind-hearted and don’t want to hurt nobody’s feelin’s with bad news. There’s nothin’ wrong with that.

Angie returned to the living room, handed each their cup, and sat down to listen to Elmer’s recollection of his long journey back to Missouri.

If I hadn’t found that second wagon train that was trailin’ behind us, I might of starved to death. They fed me and offered to take me with ‘em to Sacramento. But I had made a promise... that if’n I was to survive... I was gonna return to Missouri and marry Gertie, and that’s what I done. It took me a might over a year to work enough jobs to make my way back, but there she was, waitin’ for me, Elmer smiled at Gertie.

As if there was any other man for me, Gertie patted Elmer’s knee.

But we ain’t here for that. I’m looking for Homer, Elmer looked directly at Angie. Did he say where he was headin’ off to?

I’m so sorry Elmer, Angie said sadly. She gathered her bravery about her and added, but your brother is dead.

What did you say? the words stuck in Elmer’s throat.

He died five years ago, Angie tried to explain.

No, Elmer shook his head, can’t believe that.

What makes you think he’s dead, darlin? Gertie asked Angie.

Because I saw him die, Angie could barely get the words out as she watched Elmer’s face. He drew his knife on two Indian braves and they threw their spears at him. He died instantly.

An’ I suppose those filthy Injuns scalped him, Elmer became angry. Did they whoop it up with his hair in their murderin’ hands?!

No! Angie was surprised at the sudden change in Elmer. She had never seen this side of Elmer before. They buried him next to the river where we last saw you. Please Elmer, they didn’t want to kill him. They felt they were defending themselves.

I’m so glad they spared you, darlin’, Gertie smiled at Angie.

They took me to their village where I lived with the Shoshone and they took care of me... Angie started to explain.

I can’t believe Homer would draw his knife on them Injuns, Elmer objected. He wouldn’t do that!

Come now, dear, Gertie touched his arm. You just think about it. Of course Homer would do exactly that.

Gertie had known Elmer and Homer a long time before the brothers agreed to take Angie on the wagon train to California. Elmer hung his head and then finally said, Don’t know if you’re right, Gertie. I’m havin’ a hard time believin’ he’s dead. My brother was all I had in life.

Well, ya got me now, Gertie patted his hand and looked lovingly at Elmer.

Elmer smiled at Gertie and then looked sadly at the floor. His anger over his brother’s death began to boil just under his skin and it was all he could do to contain his emotions.

Gertie sat up, slapped her lap and turned to Elmer, Well, what do we do now? Where do we go from here?

Elmer didn’t utter a word. The news of his brother’s death had silenced him. No words could express his despair and deep frustration. His jaw was set so tight that a pain began to travel up the side of his face. He fought back a combination of anger and disbelief and kept wringing the handkerchief in his hands, which were turning into fists.

I’m so tired of travelin’ Elmer, Gertie sighed. Couldn’t we just hang around Sacramento for a while?

Gertie then smiled sweetly at Charity. I’ll bet you a dot and a diddle that Mrs. Baker here has some money for you, from the portion of time you took her lovely niece, Angie, clear from Missouri to Wyoming. Isn’t that right Mrs. Baker?

Of course, Charity stammered. I would be more than happy to pay you for bringing Angie out west. It’s only right that you should be paid.

Gertie looked hopefully as Charity asked Angie for a piece of paper. She jotted some words down and handed the paper to Gertie. Take this note to Mr. Alexander Burnes. He is the President of the First National Bank in town and a good friend of mine. He takes care of my accounts. I have given him instructions to pay Elmer for his wages.

Gertie smiled as she looked at the sum written on the paper. She then looked up and said, An Elmer here will be needin’ a job. It might be best if you could hire him, don’t you think, Mrs. Baker?

Charity was a little taken back by Gertie’s brashness, and Angie looked embarrassed. After a few uncomfortable moments of silence, Charity looked sincerely at Elmer.

I could use a new hand around the ranch, Charity smiled at Elmer. Ever take care of cattle before Mr. Smith?

Elmer continued to remain silent, staring at the floor and engulfed in trying to contain the rage that was churning inside of him.

Oh, he’s an old hand at takin’ care of critters of all sizes, Mrs. Baker, Gertie beamed with pride. He has about as much experience as a body could. An’ from the looks of your ranch, you could use a man of Elmer’s talents. He knows how to square things away, you’ll see.

Angie squirmed again as she watched Charity’s face, wishing she could say something positive to relieve the awkwardness that Charity must be feeling, but no words came to her mind.

Charity looked surprised and said, I didn’t realize the ranch needed squaring away.

I seen that right off, smiled Gertie, what with that unkept vegetable garden and cow pens and all.

What did you say ‘bout my vegetable garden?! Tillie asked as she stormed into the living room from the kitchen. An jus’ who are you to question my gardens? I spends lots of time in those gardens and they look just fine to me, thank you!

Oh, I’m sure they are, Gertie huffed up her chest. But, it might be best if’n you were given a hand or two just to tidy up loose ends, so’s to speak. I can help you with that.

I don’t need no help from you nor no one else for that matter! Tillie was only inches from Gertie’s face.

Ladies, please! Charity held up her hands. A little civility here.

Angie was sorry that she had invited Elmer and Gertie into the house and was trying to think of a polite way to ask the Smiths to leave. The last thing Charity needed right now was two women causing an unpleasant scene.

There was an uncomfortable silence in the room, the air stiff with emotion. Charity finally spoke up and said, It’s all settled then, Mr. Smith. You can start work here as soon as you’re able.

Charity smiled and then noticed the gratified look on Gertie’s face. Tillie looked disgruntled and grumbling under her breath.

An’ it might be best if’n we could stay here, at least for the night, Gertie looked straight at Charity without any hesitation. Heaven knows we need to gather our strength. Don’t know where we’ll go from here.

I’m afraid there’s not much to offer in town with all the people coming from the East, and what is available is overpriced. All I can offer you here is the ranch boss’s bunkhouse, Charity