Tabitha's Journey

by Caroline Clemmons

  “I’ve wondered what my new home will be like. My furniture is being shipped and I don’t know how long it will take to arrive.” Tabitha could hardly wait to see her things in her own home. Would it be with Tobias, or would she be on her own?

  The big man frowned. “You’re bringing your own furniture?”

  She wondered why he appeared concerned when it was none of his business. “I am, at least some things.”

  “How many pieces?”

  What an annoying question. She set her face to let him know her thoughts. Why did he care, anyway? “I have a complete list of the crates and their contents, but it’s in my trunk atop the stage. They’re things my mother left me from her family.” She turned toward Lizzie. “How long do you suppose it will be before crates from Boston arrive? I paid extra to ship them quickly.”

  Lizzie shook her head. “Oh, dear. I couldn’t say. Britt Johnson, who used to handle the freighting for this part of North Central Texas, was killed a few years ago by Kiowas.” She leaned forward. “No one’s really taken his place, have they, Bear?”

  Bear shook his head. “A few men freight short distances. You ship big pieces?”

  “Some are—a piano, grandfather clock, bedroom furniture, a china cabinet, sofa, a couple of upholstered chairs, grandmother’s rocking chair, and several smaller pieces. Then there are crates of dishes, linens, and such.”

  Bear’s solemn expression conveyed disapproval. “Can’t imagine how a shipment that big will be handled. Might come a few at a time. Like as not you wasted your money if you paid extra for speed. Freighters can only go so fast and that’s that.”

  She met his gaze defiantly. “But a freighter can choose which items go onto the next load if there are too many crates to fit. As my grandfather used to say, ‘Who pays the piper calls the tune.’ Don’t you agree?”

  “Yes, I suppose you have a point.” He rubbed at his jaw. “Mr. Sturdivant at the mercantile can tell you how long it takes him to get his orders.”

  Tabitha wondered what part of the world she’d come to. “My family owned the American Atlantic Shipping Company in Boston, but we shipped to and from England and Europe. I’m not familiar with freight tables in the West.” Who in the United States couldn’t get regular shipments now that the War had ended?

  Lizzie patted her arm again. “Don’t worry, dear. I’m sure you can work out something once you’re settled.”

  “I hope so. The furniture means a great deal to me. I don’t suppose it’s all that valuable as far as money goes, but those things are part of my family heritage.”

  “How wise of you to treasure your past.” This time Maggie hadn’t leaned forward. Instead, she took a book and a fan from her carryall. “My, the weather’s sultry for this time of year.” With a flick of her wrist, she opened the fan.

  Tabitha glanced at Bear. “I thought the Kiowa and Comanche problems were over.”

  “Yes, ma’am, they are. The renegades who killed Brit Johnson are dead.” He shook his head. “Doesn’t help Brit.”

  Lizzie looked at Bear. “We saw the driver load a strongbox on top beside him. Surely there’s not a payroll on board.”

  Lawson smirked. “No need to worry. The stage line hires a guard to ride shotgun when that’s the case.”

  Maggie fanned herself. “That’s a relief. We heard there’ve been several robberies on this route. Makes a body uneasy.”

  Bear shook his head. “Mrs. Gamble, you can ride easy.”

  A wave of panic swept through Tabitha. What had she come to? “Are there many holdups out here?”

  Lawson grinned as if making fun of her discomfort. “The shipments to the Radford Springs bank have been targeted several times. I believe there have been other holdups throughout the area.”

  Lizzie dabbed at her neck with a handkerchief. “Thank heavens, then, that we don’t have that guard up there to signal we’re carrying a load of gold. I don’t want to be robbed.”

  Tabitha stared out the window at the passing landscape. The stage slowed to climb a long hill, then crested, turned, and picked up speed. When she looked the way they’d come, she saw a view of the valley they’d just left.

  “How lovely, and quite a climb.”

  Bear smiled at her. “We came up Millsap Mountain. Being from New England, you might think these are only hills, but they’re the Palo Pinto Mountains. We have larger ones to climb before we get to Radford Springs.”

  She returned his smile then continued to stare out the window. She had a book with her, but her dry, tired eyes bothered her far too much to read in this bouncing coach. She wondered how Maggie concentrated. Lizzie appeared asleep.

  The large man named Bear pretended to doze, but she sensed he remained alert. Why? Did he plan something? Was he a robber intent on holding up the stage?

  The man called Lawson peered around and kept leering at her. Even without looking at him, she sensed his intense stare. His attention created prickles on her skin.

  Bear acted nice enough. At least he had been polite. But what kind of man is named Bear? Did he act like a grizzly when angered?

  She wondered if the rawhide vest he wore was from something he’d killed and tanned himself. On second thought, she didn’t want to know. At least his boots were polished and his shirt pressed, so he must be civilized.

  Lawson’s deliberate stare was too impertinent, almost a leer. Inside, she shivered, remembering William Forsythe’s similar glances. She believed this man and William were of similar nature. She hoped Lawson wasn’t a resident of Radford Springs.

  The afternoon wore on. About two, they stopped at Palo Pinto Town for a meal and a new team.

  When they’d climbed from the stage, Lizzie touched her arm. “Come with us, dear. We’ll show you to the privy.”

  After refreshing themselves, they headed into the small eatery and were seated.

  Maggie leaned near. “Take the stew and cornbread. At least the stew has been cooked a while and will be tender. If you order beef, you’ll regret it later.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate your suggestions.”

  Lizzie took out some coins. “I’ll get us an extra order of cornbread each and a jar of something to drink for later.”

  Tabitha passed some coins to the friendly woman. “I wished earlier I’d had something. Let me share the cost.” She stood. “My cramping legs and back are telling me if I don’t move about a bit, I’ll never be able to sit the rest of the journey. Please excuse me.”

  Walking in the open relieved her knotted muscles. Soon, the other two ladies joined her. They paced back and forth and chatted the short time until the driver called them to board.

  Bear helped the sisters climb inside. He turned to her, but she hoisted herself into the stage.

  As she sat down, Lawson gave her an assessing stare. “Sounds like you have coins in your skirt.”

  Tabitha stilled. “I was told to weight my skirt so it wouldn’t billow in the Texas wind.” She glanced at the two women. “Was that wrong?”

  Lizzie shook a finger at him. “Francis Lawson, you know better than to ask a woman about her personal garments. You also know we have to sew lead weights into our hems or be embarrassed in a gust of wind.”

  Lizzie turned to Tabitha. “Pay no mind to him, dear. His mama taught him better but he chooses to disregard her lessons.”

  Lawson sent Lizzie a heated glare. “You don’t know my mother, so don’t be judging what she did or didn’t teach me.”

  The older woman bristled. “I certainly did know her. When you were a little sprout and lived in Cleburne, I knew you and your family. You were a terror then, and I suspect you still are.”

  “I don’t remember you.” He pouted like a child.

  “I definitely remember you.” From the sound of her voice, the memories were none too favorable.

  Talk ceased after that. Only the clanking and creaking from the stage broke the silence. Tabitha’s backside protested continual bouncing against the hard seat. Who on ea
rth had made a bustle fashionable?

  And why hadn’t she left off her corset and packed the torturing device when she stopped over at the hotel in Fort Worth? Her stays poked and prodded with each bounce of the stage—far worse than they had on the train. She anticipated tonight when she could breathe freely and rest.

  The blue-green mountains in the distance enchanted her, however, and she wondered at the names of some of the plants new to her. She spotted deer and several birds whose identity she couldn’t name. Huge cattle with frightening horns dotted the rangeland. Eventually the jarring ride dulled her enthusiasm for anything but reaching her destination.

  Bear took out his pocket watch. “Radford Springs in an hour.”

  The landscape held a strange beauty, but repeated the same views over and over, up and down. Only crossing rivers and streams had broken the monotony. The Brazos had been frightening, but the ferry hadn’t tipped over as she’d feared.

  Since she didn’t want to gaze at the two men on the facing seat, she leaned against the wooden side and closed her eyes. Heavens, she’d almost become immune to the rattling ride. In spite of the knocking that jarred her head through her bonnet, she dozed.

  The coach slowed near the crest of a long hill.

  Gunfire startled her awake.

  Chapter Four

  Bear had hoped the ruse would work and prevent a robbery. Apparently even Tabitha recognized the sound of guns and snapped to attention. He spotted horsemen cantering toward them. Two, no three men.

  “Stop the stage.” A man with a bandana covering his lower face led the riders.

  Beside Tabitha, the two sisters grasped one another’s hands. With her eyes wide, Tabitha stared from him to Lawson. Bear shook his head slightly, hoping to reassure her, and reached inside his vest.

  “Don’t try it, Bear.” That’s when he saw Lawson held a gun. “Toss your sidearm on the floor. No tricks or I’ll shoot the ladies.”

  Bear carefully laid his revolver on the floor. “I should have known you were up to no good, Lawson. Haven’t seen you around here in a while. Thought maybe you’d changed.”

  The coach slowed to a stop.

  “I changed, all right. I’m after bigger game is all. You thought you could fool us by shipping that money without a guard on top.” He motioned with his gun. “Everyone out, you first, big man.”

  Bear climbed down. He held Tabitha’s waist as he lifted her to the ground. Damn, she weighed a ton. Obviously, she’d sewn more than a few coins to her hem. How could she even walk?

  She sent him a pleading gaze, as if asking him to keep her secret.

  “There you go, Miss Masterson. Better stand over here while I assist the other ladies. He turned to help each sister alight.

  Lawson motioned with his gun. “Step aside.”

  When Bear had moved to shield Tabitha, Lawson stepped down onto the ground.

  “I’ll take your purses, ladies, and your wallet, Bear.” He searched for their money.

  Two of the robbers had dismounted and clambered atop the stage. One man tossed the strongbox to the ground and jumped after it. The other man tossed down the driver’s rifle and Colt and ordered the driver to follow, then joined his friends on the ground. One outlaw shot the padlock off the chest and two loaded cash-filled sacks into their saddlebags.

  All three women gasped when they spotted the driver. Blood ran from his shoulder and soaked his sleeve from a wound delivered by the holdup men. He looked ready to pass out, faltered, and all eyes focused on him.

  With one continuous move, Bear slid a gun from his boot, shoved Tabitha behind him, and shot the nearest outlaw. The leader shot Bear, but not before Bear delivered a shot that sent Lawson’s gun flying. Bear slowly folded and sank onto the dirt. He fought to remain conscious, as blood seeped from shoulder and leg wounds.

  The leader yelled, “Come on, boys. We got the payroll, let’s ride.”

  Lawson picked up his Colt with bloody fingers, then jerked Tabitha’s arm. “I’m taking her with me.”

  Bear lay on the ground near the coach’s wheel. “Leave her alone.” He grasped the spokes and tried to rise, but fell back against the rim. He reached for the gun he’d dropped, but Lawson kicked it away. Dear Lord, what could he do to save Tabitha?

  Tabitha’s twenty-four years of repressed anger boiled to the surface. All her life she’d tried her best to please others. All her life Tabitha had been pushed around, unappreciated, and told what to do.

  She jerked free of Lawson and stomped her foot. “No! I’m not going anywhere with you.” She stepped back until her bustle touched the coach.

  Lawson advanced on her. “You’re coming with me, Miss High and Mighty. You’ll be begging for mercy before nightfall.”

  “I said no.” Tabitha hauled back and delivered a punch to Lawson’s jaw the way Priscilla’s father had shown the girls when they were young teens. The move that had defended her against William had an even better effect on the outlaw. When Lawson fell, she followed with a well-placed kick to his nether regions. As he lay cursing, she grabbed the heavy handgun he’d dropped.

  She gathered her strength, hoping she sounded convincing. “Get on your horse and go or I’ll shoot you.”

  The man who appeared to be leader yelled, “Let her be, Lawson. We got what we came for. Let’s get out of here while you can still mount a horse.”

  Lawson struggled toward his steed. “I’ll find you, Missy, no matter where you go. I’ll make you plenty sorry you messed with me.”

  Bear crawled over and retrieved his gun. He shot Lawson as the man tried to climb into his saddle.

  Surprised, Tabitha jumped. Her action caused her to accidentally pull the trigger. Her wild shot wounded the leader.

  Outlaws fired back. Bullets billowed dust at her feet and thunked into the wooden stage.

  Bear yelled, “Under the coach.”

  Tabitha rolled under the stage. The sisters and driver quickly scrambled after her. Bear crawled around the end of the vehicle, firing as he moved.

  The wounded driver grabbed Tabitha’s gun. “Good shootin’, little lady. Let me borrow that revolver.” He shot the leader. This time the robber toppled from his horse onto the dirt.

  The two remaining outlaws grabbed the loose reins of the riderless horses and tried to gallop away.

  Bear yelled, “Give up or you’re both dead.”

  The men aimed at him. Bear’s bullet struck one of the men before the robber could fire his own shot. The outlaw flew backward off his horse and hit the ground. The other ruffian raised his hands. After crawling from beneath the coach, the driver gathered the outlaws’ guns.

  Tabitha rushed to help Bear.

  “Don’t get between me and the robbers.”

  More slowly, the sisters followed her.

  Bear gestured toward the stage. “Miss Masterson, bring me the rope that’s helping lash down the luggage.”

  The wounded driver and Tabitha tied up the two outlaws who still lived. Bear and the driver shoved the two men onto the roof. Both dead men were slung across their saddles. Restored to the strong box, the payroll once again sat near the driver’s bench.

  Lizzie and Maggie attempted to staunch the driver’s wound. Maggie ripped a ruffle from her petticoat and used it as a makeshift bandage.

  The driver nudged Bear toward the open stage door. “I can take ‘er from here, Bear. You look ready to drop.”

  “Charlie, you sure you can drive?”

  The driver looked down at his shirt. “Been hit worse than this and made it, but my gol-durned shirt is ruined. Looks like yours is too.”

  Tabitha helped the driver clamber up to his seat atop the stage. When she’d assured herself the driver could indeed sit upright and control the coach, she hefted herself to her own place inside the stage. Bear tied the reins of the horses carrying the two dead robbers to the back of the stagecoach. He struggled to climb inside, and then sank onto the seat with a thud that shook the vehicle.

  “Heeyaaa.
” Charlie cracked a whip over the mules’ backs and the stage rumbled on its way.

  “Forget about us ladies and propriety and take off your shirt.” Maggie dug in her purse. “I have a sewing kit in here somewhere.”

  Lizzie rolled what was left of the petticoat ruffle into a bandage.

  “Can I help you ladies?” Tabitha slumped against her seat, fascinated by Bear’s rippling chest muscles. She’d never seen a man’s chest.

  Maggie pressed a handkerchief to Bear’s chest wound. “We’ll need more bandages. And pressure. That scalawag aimed at your heart, Bear. Thank the Lord he missed.”

  Tabitha reached under her skirt and ripped the ruffle off the one petticoat on which she hadn’t sewn coins. “I hope this will help.” She passed it to Lizzie.

  “Thank you, dear. Now please press on his leg while we wrap that shoulder.”

  Hesitantly, Tabitha touched Bear’s thigh. The heat of a blush burned her cheeks. Her hands rested too near the juncture of his thighs. Emergency or not, this was far too intimate for her comfort.

  When she raised her gaze, his eyes held hers in an inscrutable stare. Heat from his muscular upper leg burned against her hand. She pressed her weight against the fabric, conscious of how near her face was to his bared chest.

  She lowered her head and reminded herself to concentrate on stopping his loss of blood. Don’t think about how near your hands are to his male parts. But she couldn’t stop thinking about the large bulge only inches from her hands.

  When she glanced at him, his eyes glazed over and she thought he might pass out. She feared she might do the same. No, this was no time for her to go faint. For once, she could make a difference in a life. The sisters wrapped his chest in the improvised bandage.

  “We’ve used both ruffles for his chest, sister. We’ll need another for his leg. I’ll tie this off and see to a ruffle from my petticoat.”

  Maggie ripped another row of cloth from her undergarment. “This one’s already ruined and there’s no point ruining yours as well. We won’t need as long a bandage for his thigh.”