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Sam would have easily left him for the scavengers, but he could tell this man’s death troubled Ivy. “If you want.”
“Everyone deserves a proper burial.”
“I don’t think it’ll honestly matter in this fellow’s case.” When she gave him a perplexed look, he said, “A riffraff like him was bound to find himself on the wrong end of a gun.”
Turning her attention back to the dead man, she at first didn’t reply. Then asked, “Is there no hope for the riffraff’s of the world then, Sam?”
He knew she was speaking of herself and felt an uncomfortable sensation come over him. “Hey, you’re not one of them.”
“Try telling that to a court.”
“Then we’ll just have to prove them wrong.” When she didn’t look convinced, he sighed and offered instead, “I’ve got nothing to dig with, but we can build him a decent grave.”
It relieved him to see a tiny smile lift the corners of her mouth. “Thank ye.”
They went to work collecting large rocks and sticks. Returning to the body, he flipped it over onto its back and noticed blood gushing from the man’s chest along with some internal organs resulting from the blast of the rifle at close proximity. Automatically, Sam glanced up to see Ivy’s expression. He didn’t know if he was looking to see her reaction or lack of, or simply hoped she hadn’t noticed.
Surprisingly, she looked at the body with a calm indifference, not reflecting any kind of emotion. Sam dragged the man’s body over to a flattened area of the forest where they proceeded to cover his body. When they were done, Ivy stood back and asked, “Do ye think we ought to say something?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know.”
When she offered nothing else, Sam sighed and said, “The Lord be with you and guide your spirit.”
Turning away, he went back to their camp and began packing up. It was a few minutes before Ivy followed.
“How did he know about me, Sam?”
He glanced over at her troubled countenance. Wanting to lighten the mood and put a smile back on her face, he said, “I guess you’re pretty popular, sweetheart.”
But she did not smile in return. “I don’t understand any of this. How could this have happened? I didn’t kill him.”
“I know that, Ivy. And we’ll make damn sure the authorities realize their mistake as well.” He lifted a hand and touched her cheek. “Don’t worry.”
Her face softened as she gazed back at him. Finally she said, “I’m glad it was ye who found me, Sam Michalski.”
He smiled, but didn’t comment. He couldn’t agree with her more. If he didn’t clear her name as soon as possible, the Hendrickson’s would have their way and watch their former maid swing from the gallows.
* * *
“When we reach Fort William, I’m going to track down the local doc and have him take a look at your ankle. After that, I’m going alone to the police station. We’ll find a place for you to hold up in until I come and fetch you.” Sam told her as the city appeared finally on the horizon two hours later.
“Are y’sure about this? I mean, maybe I should come with ye. After all, I didn’t commit any crime.”
“If only it were that simple.” He sighed and patted her leg. “Don’t worry, Ivy. Everything will be fine.”
She truly wanted to believe his words. But something wasn’t sitting right in the pit of her stomach. She had no idea what it was. Though it was difficult, Ivy handed Sam her fate. Trusting another was something that did not come easy. But with Sam, she was slowly beginning to do just that.
They rode together through the last of the thick woods until it opened to a huge meadow where a creek ran down the center. Sam stopped long enough to allow the horse to drink before continuing on their way. Ivy couldn’t help but wish he had stopped longer. She was not eager to reach town. The closer they drew, the more unsettled she became.
Her nervousness must have reflected on the outside for Sam gave her another reassuring rub. “Relax, Ivy. It will be all right.”
The last stretch of their journey finally came upon them as Sam pushed the horse up the slope to the town’s perimeters. As they cleared the top of the hill overlooking the city, Lake Superior stretched out beyond as far as the eye could see. Its blue water glistened from the rays of the setting sun.
The town was a fair size, Ivy noted as her gaze drifted to the several buildings lined along the shoreline. Not nearly as large as Chicago, but surprisingly large for being so far out of nowhere. Long shadows streaked across the main street from the tall buildings flanking the lengthy road. The town itself was a commotion of activity. Buggies rattled over the dirt road, horses with riders zigzagged between them, and people congregated at almost every corner.
Sam led the horse over to a nearby hitching post in front of a general mercantile shop. Then dismounting, he left Ivy to wait on the animal as he went inside to inquire about a doctor. Several inquisitive glances darted her way from passing pedestrians, causing her to squirm uncomfortably. It had taken them seven, not three days to reach the city. Since she had no mirror, she could only imagine how frightful she looked.
