Copper Chameleon Read online

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  Ann woke in slow stages, realizing she was no longer in the cheerful yellow guest room at Bergmann's home. She turned her head to the side then saw the small wedding portrait propped up on the bedside table. Wincing at the ever present pain in her hands, she stretched slowly, exploring the feelings of a woman. She was a girl no more. Bergmann, no Dirk, had been everything he had promised and more. A languid expression crossed her face as she recalled the previous night's events. Her husband chanced to enter the room just as that emotion was visible on her countenance.

  Dirk watched his wife awaken then brighten the room with the smile of a woman. He let loose a sigh of relief as he pushed a large tub into the room. "I thought you might like a bath this morning, Blaze Ann."

  Her eyes widened in complete surprise as she recognized the brass tub immediately. "Oh Dirk!" Tears of happiness streamed down her face. Her husband had truly thought of everything. Her world felt complete as Tiger sauntered into the room, dragging the remains of a green ribbon for a toy.

  "How? When? Oh, thank you, Dirk. This means everything to me." His name came easily from her mouth and he liked the way it sounded. Her heart was overruling her brain. There was no possible way this man could love her, and she focused on reason and fact. Reflecting on her husband's appearance as she realized he had already bathed. His face was freshly shaven and his still damp hair clung slighly to his face. His buff pants hugged muscular legs and the open necked white shirt he wore almost gave him the appearance of pirates she had studied about long ago. He returned her warm greeting with a kiss.

  "I will have this filled with warm water shortly, my dear. I trust you are feeling well this morning?" Dirk drank in the sight before him, knowing he had fallen hopelessly in love with the copper haired minx.

  "I haven't felt this good in a long time, husband." Now that she knew the secrets of the universe, she was immensely glad she hadn't been forced into honoring Robert's contract. As Bergmann felt he owed J.E. Raht, she was indebted to Dirk Bergmann for a lifetime. She knew if Keith Roberts had successfully fulfilled the terms of the contract, she would have most likely lost her sanity; it would have been more than she could bear. It was something that was intimate. Sacred. Shared. Bergmann may not love her, but she vowed to be a good wife to him. Perhaps one day he might have feelings for her. She knew she was already nurturing them for him. Perhaps one day he would tell her how he disolved the contract, but she wasn't quite ready to own up to her shame by mentioning it.

  "Good." He positioned it into the corner of the room. "I'll be your lady's maid this morning." His leering smile made her blush then laughed lustfully as he knew their appearance downstairs would be somewhat delayed.

  With the morning preparations complete, the newly wedded couple finally emerged, ready for a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, and tall fluffy biscuits. Meg felt positively pampered by the fare, served on delicate china. It was a far cry from eating flat biscuits and gravy on a tin tray. The rest of the day passed in a dreamy blur as the bride and groom began to get to know each other.

  Their days passed easily; their nights were filled with passion and discovery. Ann watched her hands slowly heal under Dirk's persistant care. She even enjoyed the scent of the coconut oil and butter mixture he began using to help moisturize and to loosen the tightess in her skin. His persistance was paying off and although scarring was present, it was minimal. She was pleased to regain the use of her fingers just in time for the harvest. She knew Mrs. Arp could use some help in the kitchen.

  As autumn approached, the daylight hours shortened and a definite briskness replaced the heat of summer. Although her husband had returned to work in the mines, she never felt lonely or bored as he had a large library. Her favorite book thus far was a diary of sorts, an accounting of a life written in a masculine hand. Ann wondered if it would embarrass Dirk if he knew she had found his travel ledger. His detailed accounting of his adventures brought the events to life and she suddenly understood why he was such a forward thinker. It was a big world, and the people of the Copper Basin had only sampled a minute taste of life in their isolated area. Her opinion of foreign people and change began to turn and her attitude toward progress began to alter.

  If only the old timers could see her husband in this light, to realize that their way wasn't the only way, that their people were not the only people, and that new ideas could truly be worthwhile. Ol' Bess was a prime example of Dirk Bergmann's determination. A steam whim had been installed at the Mary Mine as he had promised, and the old mule now happily grazed in a cultivated patch of grass on their land. The failed blast had been attempted again and this time it was successful, making the mine a largely profitable and earning the miners a raise. Safety equipment was now mandatory, and all black powder had been removed from the work area. Yet, the mindset of the people of the area was difficult to change and the improvments were shunned by most. Ann still wasn't immune to the icy stares she received in church, and this hurt her deeply. Some of her old friends remained true; others formed a low opinion of her and avoided her. Allowing her finger to trace the words on the page she was reading, she supposed it was much the same everywhere, and despite public opinion, she would not trade her circumstances to return to her old way of life. Deep in her heart she knew both Papa and Ralph would be proud of her. Papa would have liked Bergmann with his learned notions. He was destined for great things beyond mining the bowels of the earth.

  Winter approached with a fury and the holiday season neared. Ann wished she had coin of her own to purchase Dirk a Christmas gift, but she no longer had her own earnings. In one way this irritated her, but on the other hand, her earnings had been so meager that there was precious little left for luxury. Instead she resorted to her own resourcefulness to knit him a scarf and hat. It had been an easy task to purchase the materials needed from the local mercantile, ignoring the condemning stares cast in her direction. She completed the transaction cheerfully at Marlow’s General Store as she obtained the softest of yarns in blue, green, and brown. The colors would go nicely with her husband's coloring. She also purchased a skein in soft yellow. From it she would create the other gift she planned on giving her husband, but it would be much too small for him to wear. A twinkle sparked in her eye when she wondered what he would say when he opened a gift containing a tiny baby gown and booties! At first she hadn't been sure, but after missing her second monthly, she was positive. She hoped he would be pleased, but after all, it was half his fault!

  Her transaction was almost complete when she heard a man's voice that sent chills down her spine. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the highest and mightiest piece of womanflesh in the Copper Basin." His words were accented with a sneer. "I've been thinking that that money your husband gave me wasn't a fair shake and I'm just going to claim the terms of that contract."

  Ann just looked at him in disbelief. "My husband will not take too kindly to your words, sir."

  "Listen to her. Listen to those fancy words. The little Ward slut has gotten a bit above her raisin' on us, boys." His cronies in the background laughed raunchily. "Now Mr. Marlow," Roberts addressed the shop keeper. "If someone comes into your store and takes something, you expect them to pay for it, don't you?"

  The shopkeeper eyed the rowdy men warily and nodded his agreement.

  "Now you see, Ann Ward, you must pay. The pittance your husband gave me is gone and I want what is due to me." He grabbed her arm, his fingers biting into her skin, and his breath triggered a wave of nausea. It was funny that before marrying Dirk that she considered poor hygeine and broken teeth a normal appearance. Her condition betrayed her composure and she openly gagged.

  "Well Miss High and Mighty is sickened at my mere touch." His laugh grew louder and he licked the side of her face. "Ah, you even taste high and mighty now. You cleaned up good for an urchin that dug the earth like most everyone else around here. I'm one of the few
full time top siders. You should be honored to be with me."

  Ann directed a pleading look at Mr. Marlow, but was met with only apathetic sympathy. It was likely that he was also indebted to Roberts also as was most everyone in the town. "Please tell my husband..." She asked while being dragged from the store.

  "Not a word." Keith Roberts shot over his shoulder to the shopkeeper. "Or else."

  Mr. Marlow nodded in understanding and fright.

  Ann clutched her purchases tightly as the men crowded around her and herded her away from town. Her heart pounded with fear. Surely someone would take notice and alert her husband. Maybe she would see someone she knew and call out to them. She had to keep her wits about her. If she were not in a family way, she would not hesitate to fight, but with the knowledge that life was growing within her compelled her to protect the unborn baby. She tried to pull away from Robert's grasp, but he only tightened his grip. Maybe if she stumbled or fell, she could break free and run. Without a better plan, she began to drag her foot, losing a slipper on the walkway. Roberts almost fell with her, but quickly recovered his balance.

  Blaze came alive with a vengeance and began to struggle with all her might. She kicked, bit and clawed but just could not break free of the imprisioning huddle of men around her. It wasn't until she felt a blast of pain to her temple and succumbed to blackness that she stopped. She was oblivious to the off color insults of the men as they remarked to Roberts what fun he was going to experience. She never knew when they rolled her up in a large piece of burlap, slung her over a shoulder, carrying her away. The only evidence of her passing was four skeins of yarn and a single shoe.

  Dirk returned home, whistling a lively tune. All felt right in the world until he was greeted by Mrs. Arp at the door, wringing her hands in her apron. “Oh Mr. Bergmann.” Her voice broke. “Mrs. Bergmann went to town this morning and hasn’t returned. I am so worried.”

  “She what? When did she leave?” He heart fell. Had she run away? Surely not, as he suspected they were soon to be parents. He had been counting the days and had reached one conclusion. Ann was pregnant. She had not mentioned it to him, but he was unsure if she even realized her condition. What if she had finally figured it out and had run away? Even worse, what if she was seeking to be rid of the baby? His heartbeat hammered loudly in his ears as he headed to the stable. “I’ll saddle up and find her. She can’t be far.”

  “Oh I hope not, Mr. Bergmann. I surely hope she is okay. The townsfolk have been less than nice to her since the accident.” Mrs. Arp lamented. “Hateful old fools they are. Harrumph. I went to town myself and no one was talking. I began to suspect foul play when I found her things on the sidewalk near Marlow’s General Store.” She pointed to one shoe and some yarn.

  “Are any of her things missing?” He barked to his housekeeper, fearing the worst.

  “Oh no, Mr. Bergmann. Oh no, it’s not like that. Mrs. Ann didn’t run away. I’m sure of that. She was so excited to tell you some news.” The yellow yarn found its way into her hand as proof.

  “Oh God.” Dirk felt an emotion he had never felt before. He was lost. He was heartbroken. He was no longer complete. “She is… expecting?”

  “Oh Lordy, Mr. Bergmann. Find her. Please. Find your missus. She loves you, you know. She does.”

  And I love her too, he thought as he hastily readied his horse, stirring red dust from the earth like a demon possessed.

  Mr. Marlow was closing up shop for the day when Dirk rode up to him. “Have you seen my wife?” His question was bluntly direct with a commanding tone.

  Marlow’s eyes widened in fear.

  “Man, have you seen my wife? I have it on good authority that she was in your shop today but she never returned home.” With patience wearing thin, he dismounted, grabbed the shopkeeper by the collar and lifted him.

  “Can’t tell. Retaliation. I owe him.” Marlow sputtered as he gasped for breath.

  “Who?” Dirk ground out between clenched teeth.

  “Owe him money.” Marlow choked on his words.

  “Roberts.” Dirk dropped the cowardly man and steered his horse toward Roberts’ house as a cold icy fear enveloped him. Mounting his horse, he rode as if the devil was nipping at his heels. And this devil had a name.