Page 134 of In These Hills

Josephine walked with Dodge to the back of the wagon. “I take it this is the arsenic?”

“This ain’t just arsenic, ma’am.” The driver joined them and lowered the tailboard. “It’s almost two hundred pounds of it, along with pine sap, and calcium oxide. Like I said, I hope you all know what you’re doing.”

Dodge peered at the wagon’s contents. “It’s for fighting Texas fever. The Department of Agriculture believes it’ll rid the cattle of ticks.”

“The Department of Agriculture? You mean the gover’ment?” The man spit a dark stream of tobacco. “We’ll all be dead by nightfall. Reckon I can’t make it outta here fast enough!”

Dodge laughed, and she did too. But the driver scowled.

Dodge gestured to her. “I’m going to be a while. Why don’t Bethie and I come by Miss Mary’s for supper. Maybe we can talk some more?”

“I’d like that.” She also liked the subtle meaning in his eyes, and the fact that he knew the truth about her now. No more pretense. At least with him. “But Dodge . . .” She glanced at the wagonload of chemicals. “Who’s going to mix all this up?”

“That would be me.”

“Is it even safe?”

The driver cursed. “No, it ain’t safe, woman! Ain’t you been listening to me talking?”

Dodge shook his head, directing his attention to her. “I know what I’m doing. The Department of Agriculture sent thorough instructions. And don’t worry . . .” He winked. “I’m good at holding my breath. Besides, a few of the farmhands around here have been eyeing my position, wanting to take my place. They might just get their chance.”

“I ’bout plumb forgot . . .” The driver reached back up to the bench seat and grabbed an envelope. “Man by the name of Poyner from the train asked me to tote this on up to you. Said it looked official.”

Dodge took the envelope from him, read the front, and Josephine caught equal parts hopefulness and dread in his features.

“Is it good news?” she asked. “Or bad.”

“I don’t know yet.” He held it up, and she read the words Department of the Interior, The United States of America encircling a round emblem in the upper right-hand corner. “I’m assuming it’s about my land.”

“In Wyoming.”

He nodded.

“Perhaps you have a buyer.”

“Maybe.” He shoved the envelope in the back of his waistband and pulled a pair of gloves from a pants side pocket. “But it’ll have to wait.” He nodded toward the group of men headed their way. “I’ll come by Miss Mary’s later.”

If his clipped tone didn’t signal the end of their conversation, his turning to begin unloading the wagon did.

51

FOLLOWING SUPPER THAT EVENING, with the dishes put away, Josephine joined Bethie and her friend Agnes Preston in the library while Agnes’s father conducted business with Mr. Daniel and Dodge in rocking chairs on the front porch. Their conversation—mules, cattle, distillery matters—drifted in through an open window.

She’d come to understand that this was how deals were struck in Lynchburg. Over shared meals and rocking chairs on front porches. It wasn’t a bad way to do business.

Despite the open windows, the house remained warm. Bethie had personally invited her to join the girls, so Josephine hadn’t dared refuse. Still, the girls’ choice of reading—The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi—felt uncomfortably apt. Its lessons on honesty and consequence struck too close, especially now that Dodge knew the truth about her. And especially remembering how Bethie had once called her a liar in this very room. The thought of the girl eventually learning she’d been right filled her with regret.

Half an hour later, Josephine looked out the window to see Mr. Daniel and Ballard Preston shaking hands.

“Come on, Agnes,” her father called. “Sun’s fixin’ to quit on us.”

The girls hugged, and Josephine walked Agnes outside while Bethie disappeared into the kitchen in search of pie. As Mr. Preston and little Agnes headed down the road and Mr. Daniel turned the other way—hardly a limp in his gait—Josephine lifted her face to the breeze, welcoming the cooler air. And the quiet.

Evenings in Lynchburg carried a stillness she hadn’t known before. No electric lights, no streetcars clattering toward their final stops. When darkness fell here, it claimed the town outright.

“Join me?” Dodge asked softly.

“It would be my pleasure.” She settled into the rocker beside him.