Eliza Turley

Being twenty-one felt no different than being twenty. She had looked forward to this day for five years, and she expected it to be grand. Instead, she still had beans to wash and set over the fire for supper tonight, butter to churn, and laundry to wash and hang. The train would leave Creede at seven o’clock that morning to go to Salida and would return at three. For the first part of that trip, she’d be Eliza Turley, daughter of Abe and Wanda Turley and return as “Eliza Turley, Head of Household” on the land records.

After breakfast, KC asked Ellis, “I have some business in Salida. Is it still all right if I tag along?”

“Suit yourself. Kailin and Rayna are going over to Louise and Grant’s place for the day.”

It was all settled, and the three saddled up for the trip to the train station. They all rode horses and boarded them for the day with Otto down at the livery. Salida was about the same size as Creede, but there wasn’t a tent city surrounding it. The businesses were more varied than the numerous saloons their town boasted.

Eliza had watched and helped her parents homestead, but the prospect of it being her homestead made the task she was applying for monumental. How would she get it all done? She’d have to build a house. She was sure her family would be part of that. Then she’d have to make the land profitable. She planned to do things she already enjoyed. She was going to plant berry bushes and an apple orchard and raise bees. The train ride passed quickly as she thought about her homestead, laid out her garden, and built a hen house all in her mind.

When they entered the Land Office, Eliza and Ellis approached the desk to file their claims while KC went to the counter to look up a title.

Ellis began to step forward, but Eliza took him by the arm. “I’m the oldest. I’ll go first,” she said.

“By ten minutes. That doesn’t matter.”

“Ladies before gentlemen,” she countered. For a split second, Eliza thought she saw the bright light of the old miner out of the corner of her eye. When she turned to looked toward KC, there was no one. Her brother’s voice brought her attention back to him.

“Fine. Both pieces are good land. I’d be happy on either.”

She chose the parcel that bordered her parents on their south, while Ellis chose a piece that was south of his Uncle Ted’s land and also bordered Eliza’s. When their paperwork was done, KC stepped up next.

“What are you doing?” Eliza asked. Was he doing what she thought he was doing? He hadn’t answered yet, and it was killing her to wait. He smiled broadly, and her heart flipped in her chest.

Then he spoke softly. “Claiming . . . a homestead.”

Eliza’s brain was in a tumult. Was he really settling here? A faint thread of hope twisted through her. Homesteading required five years just to become the true owner. That meant he wasn’t planning to leave. She tried to think of it impassionedly, but her heart hammered against her chest.

Ellis had figured out the same thing. His eyes narrowed, then looked toward Eliza. She had no idea what KC was up to, so she shrugged.

Ellis leaned closer to KC. “Do we need to talk about your intentions?”

Did Ellis think Eliza couldn’t hear him ask that? It was none of his business, especially if it became completely her business. She punched him in the side.

KC smiled at Eliza. The joy in his eyes made her take a quick breath.

“No,” he answered. “Do you want to talk with me about yours?”

Although Ellis grinned like a darned fool, he didn’t offer up any details. Eliza wouldn’t be surprised if Ellis and Dorothy already had plans together. They’d been sweet on each other since the first Sunday five years ago. They’d gone to church in Bachelor and spent more time looking at each other than at Reverend Bing. The family had stayed for giving service afterward. During the potluck lunch, Ellis and Dorothy sat on boulders, floating leaves down the river like they were in their own world—had been ever since. It had taken on a new intensity lately.

KC continued. “I could use some advice.” He leaned over the map on the desk and pointed to the properties. “Which piece did you choose, Eliza?”

Her hand shook when she pointed it out to him. She wanted to believe that this was a beginning of a commitment to her. Why else would he choose one near hers? Eliza wondered if he meant every word and touch they’d shared. She stared into his eyes, searching to answer the questions she had.

KC held her gaze until Ellis jabbed him in the ribs.

“Is this section available?” KC asked the clerk. He pointed to the land that ran along the border of Eliza’s and ended at the north bank of the Rio Grande.

“That terrain is more mountainous, but it also has some decent meadows for grazing. There’s plenty of water,” Ellis said.

“It’s available,” the clerk replied. “Sign your name here.” When he’d finished, the man asked, “What does KC stand for?” His hand was poised, ready to write it in the ledger.

“It doesn’t stand for anything. It’s just my name.”

The clerk continued to prepare the paperwork each would need.

Eliza was curious. “Why did your parents name you KC?”

“They never said, and I never asked. I suspect that it has something to do with my father’s name, Kaye, and my mother’s name, Cici.” KC looked contemplative, then added, “I like that I carry both of their names with me.”

The clerk handed them their paperwork and sent them on their way. They shared bread and cheese on the ride to Creede. Eliza didn’t look forward to finishing the work she’d left at home that morning, but that evening they would have a cake to celebrate their birthday.

When they arrived at the Fillan ranch, Kailin ran out to meet them with her little shadow, Rayna, scurrying behind. “We got a letter from Ma and Pa.” She waved the paper in her raised hand. “Willie dropped it off when he was making deliveries.” Kailin handed it to Eliza. “I thought we’d all want to read it together.”

Eliza wanted to rip it open. She’d been worried about them every minute they’d been gone. This letter would at least satisfy her curiosity about what was happening with them, but it could easily contain bad news. “We’ll open it as soon as we get home.” Eliza turned toward her friend. “Thank you, Louise. Can you come to supper? We’ll have cake.”

“Only if Grant gets back soon enough. If we don’t make it, I’ll come by for coffee and cake tomorrow.”

The women hugged, and the group rode for home.

Rayna sat in front of Kailin on her horse, and Kailin let her hold the reins as she told her what to do to be soft on the horse’s mouth and guiding her hands or knees when needed. Eliza hadn’t noticed before Ma left how much Kailin had grown up. Rayna had been Kailin’s responsibility, and Eliza hadn’t had to take over in any way. Kailin was going to be tall like Eliza too. Even now, she was only a few inches shorter. She was a sweet girl, but there was a little extra spice in the mix that came out sassy now and again. And beautiful—she was already that. It wouldn’t be long before young men started to notice. They’d have to have a talk about that.

At dinnertime, the Moore family arrived to celebrate with Ellis. Mrs. Moore and Dorothy came into the house while Ellis spoke with Mr. Moore on the porch for quite some time. Eliza knew what he was asking. She wasn’t sure how to feel about it. Happiness warred with uneasiness. She didn’t know what it was like to not be a twin. He had always been there. Pa told them they were so tiny when they were born that they both slept together in one of the drawers they pulled out of the chest—one of them always holding onto the other. Ma told her they had their own language before they could talk. They were keenly aware of the other’s emotions, crying with each other out of sympathy. They’d soon be separating into new families.

Mr. Moore and Ellis soon came in. Eliza didn’t think she’d ever seen him happier. She went to take Mr. Moore’s coat but reached for Ellis’s hand and squeezed it. Their silent communication clicked in. He hoped she’d understand. She was glad for him, but it hurt a little. He squeezed her hand back. He would always be there for her. She had this to look forward to, also.

After the meal, the group sat in the family room. Ellis and Dorothy stayed back in the kitchen. Eliza wondered what he was saying and how she would respond. Soon, they came out and sat on the sofa, their fingers laced together. Tears pooled in Eliza’s eyes. She had lost something and gained something that night.

Ellis read the letter from their parents aloud.

“Dear Children,

“Your Uncle Morris has been very sick. His strength is starting to return except in his legs. He won’t be able to farm anymore and has decided to move his family to Creede. I guess we’re going to add six more Turleys to the city.”

Ellis paused and gazed into Dorothy’s eyes. Eliza knew they were adding one more to that count. Then she started reading again.

“The livestock have been sold, as well as some of the farming equipment and household possessions. We expect to return in a couple of weeks. We miss you all so much. Michael and the girls are excited to see you again and renew your friendship.

“Love you,

“Ma and Pa.”

Kailin had tears in her eyes and wiped them away. Eliza did the same. When she looked up, she saw intensity in KC’s expression. She wished she could stand in his arms and lay her head on his shoulder and borrow his strength to get through the coming days. It had been hard, but soon her parents would be home.

Ellis and Dorothy stood, and Ellis’s arm wrapped around her waist. “We have news to share tonight.”

This is it. Saying it aloud will make it final—real.

Ellis wasn’t looking at Eliza this time but only at Dorothy’s face. There was a little snip of separation in Eliza’s heart.

“Dorothy has agreed to marry me.” He finished the next part looking directly at Dorothy’s father. “Which we’ll do as soon as my home is built on the homestead.”

Eliza had no doubt that it wouldn’t take long to build with that kind of motivation.

Then the hugging started. When it finished, the Moore family left. Kailin carried Rayna upstairs to go to bed. Eliza, Ellis, and KC took up different tasks. KC laid out the cloths and supplies he needed to clean his guns.

Eliza pulled out one of Kailin’s dresses and began to pick out the side seams. She would move the hem down too. The girl had outgrown it. This was the last time she’d be able to do this. Kailin would need new dresses within the year, and they wouldn’t be little girl dresses anymore, either.

The task didn’t require much thinking leaving her to muse about anything that came up. Maybe it was the trip to Salida and securing her homestead, or it might have been the engagement between Ellis and Dorothy, but Eliza could think of nothing else but her future. Well, and KC. She kept imagining those ideas twined together.

“Is there any cake left?” Ellis asked as he stood. Eliza nodded. “You want some, either of you?”

Eliza shook her head, and KC said, “None for me.”

When Ellis left the room, Eliza felt questions burning in her chest. She had to ask KC about his homestead. “What do you plan to do with that property now that you’re a landowner?”

KC kept his head down for a couple of seconds, working intently on his gun as the cleaning wad peeked out of the cylinder housing. “Well…” He pulled the rod out of the barrel and set it to the side. “I intend to raise my family on it.”

His eyes connected with Eliza’s, and the flat expression on his face slowly softened, and his lips curved upward, disarming her with his smile. She suddenly understood, and all the doubt and shadows left her heart.

“Good cake, Eliza.” Ellis came walking through the doorway from the kitchen, carrying a plate with two pieces of cake.

Eliza startled and looked quickly away as KC did the same, going back to cleaning his gun. She trained her eyes on her sewing. Where was her needle? She fumbled around until she found it.

“What? What did I miss?” he asked.

She noticed KC kept looking at Ellis as the other man swung his head between the two of them. Neither of them answered. She didn’t know what to say, and wouldn’t speakeven if she did.