Matthew regained his senses first.
“Well, who is this Collin feller...and why does he want you? You ain’t his wife...are you?” he asked.
“No!” Malaina answered vehemently. “I am not his wife! If nothing else, I know that.” Then Malaina’s eyes widened in horror. “Matthew! What if I killed Dill? What if I hit him so hard that I killed him?”
Matthew shrugged his shoulders. “If he’s dead, he’s dead...and that’s one less varmint that’ll be after you then, ain’t it?”
Malaina was shocked to silence at his matter-of-fact answer.
“Here comes Jackson and Baker. Let’s get home, girls,” Matthew said, offering a hand to each of them.
Jackson looked up and down at Malaina and she made a fruitless effort at smoothing her hair that was matted with dried blood.
He smiled. “Looks like you’ll really be needin’ that new dress now.”
She looked at him intending to respond smartly until she saw the bandages at his shoulder and the sling supporting his arm. Guilt overwhelmed her and tears brimmed in her eyes.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered humbly.
“Ain’t no big deal. Ol’ Doc just dug it right out a there, slapped on a dressin’ and I’m ready for anythin’.”
“You better be. Looks like a feller named Dill might be showin’ up one day with the same intentions,” Matthew stated.
Malaina looked at him, sickened.
“Who?” Baker asked.
“Seems this ol’ boy that the undertaker just drug off has a brother who’s workin’ for this Collin feller, too. Ain’t that right, Malaina?”
Malaina nodded. “I’ve got to leave here!” she pleaded, looking from one brother to the other.
“You ain’t goin’ nowhere, darlin’,” Baker said, putting an arm around her shoulder. “You’re safer with us than anywhere on earth.”
“But you all aren’t,” she said bitterly.
“She keeps askin’ me to lend her money to go east. Hey, how come you always ask me, anyway, girl?” Jackson asked, suddenly curious. “Baker and Matthew...they got as much money as me.”
She cast her eyes down unable to answer at first.
“Well, it seems to me...she knows me and Matthew want her here no matter what. But you, Jackson…you see...you’re a grouchy ol’ bear and she figures you want rid of her. Ain’t that right, darlin’?”
But she really couldn’t answer. Maybe it was really because he was always the one coming to her rescue.
She scowled as a pounding headache started in her head, and lifting her skirts to climb into the buggy that they were all standing before now, she said, “Let’s just get back. I feel horrid.”
“Bill’s over at the blacksmith, Baker. He threw a shoe this mornin’. You think you could ride him home for me? I’m a little sore.”
Baker laughed. “I ain’t ridin’ that maniac of yours, Jack. We’ll tie him to the buggy and lead him home.”
Jackson and Matthew looked at each other and laughed.
“Not if you wanna actually get home, Baker. You know he won’t have none of that,” Matthew said. “Why’d you bring him to town for shoein’, Jackson? You usually do all the shoein’ at home.”
Jackson climbed into the buggy and let out a heavy breath as he settled himself. Malaina knew that the wound hurt him, no matter what he said.
“I threw the shoe on the way to town. Jerry Smithe came over a while after you all left. He said there was a dirty lookin’ ol’ thing in town askin’ about Malaina. I came to see what was goin’ on. Now, who’s ridin’ Bill home? I ain’t leavin’ him here.”
Malaina stood up and hopped down from the buggy. “Me,” she stated, walking toward the livery.
“Over my dead body!” Jackson shouted when he realized she was serious.
“Apparently so,” she said, looking at his wound.
“You don’t wanna ride Bill, Malaina. He’s meaner than a sat on yeller jacket!” Matthew warned.
They all thought she was kidding. She kept walking.
“Malaina,” Jackson called as he climbed down from the buggy. “Don’t be ignorant.” He caught up to her, grabbing her arm and spinning her around. She broke his grasp violently.
“I am not one of your horses in need of breaking, Mr. McCall!” She glared up at him and he returned it.
“I’m not so sure about that. And I can break anything,” he growled.
Her mouth dropped open at such a vulgar remark and she moved to slap him yet again. And, yet again, he caught her arm with his free hand.
“You are not ridin’, Bill. You can’t. He won’t have no part of it.”
She ripped her wrist from his grip. “You can break anythin and I can ride anything. You just don’t want anyone else to be able to ride him ‘cause it’ll detract from your superiority.”
His eyes narrowed at her. “Fine. Break your uppity little neck, girl.” And he turned and walked angrily away.
As she started for the livery again, she heard Matthew say, “You can’t let her ride him, Jack. He’ll throw her!”
She couldn’t hear Jackson’s response of, “No he won’t. He likes her.”
Bill was already saddled and ready to go. Malaina’s heart began pounding furiously, as if the pounding in her head wasn’t enough. Everyone stood stone still in the livery as she untied Bill and stood in front of him. What a sight she must be! Covered in Jackson McCall’s blood and standing here threatening to ride his stallion that everyone, including her, knew was a wild hair.
“Ma’am. Uh...that’s ol’ Bill...Mr. McCall’s horse. I don’t know if you wanna...” a man said approaching.
“Yes. I am aware of that, sir. I intend to ride him home being that Mr. McCall is injured on my account. And why does everyone here insist on calling every animal ‘old’ something-or-other,” she said irritatedly.
Bill snorted and stomped a hoof. She stroked his nose gently, standing close to his nostrils so that he could smell her.
“Now, Bill...you know me. You’re going to let me ride you home, aren’t you?”
The horse nodded strongly and stomped again.
Malaina talked to him gently and patted his neck for several more minutes. She felt very self-conscious with everyone gawking at her. Finally, she found the courage and tried mounting him. He moved away neighing the first two attempts, but on the third he only snorted and shook his head.
She eased herself into the saddle and when she had the reins in hand she pressed gently with her heels and he shot out of the livery.
“Bill!” she shouted. But he was already in a dead run through the middle of town. “Calm down. Calm down,” she told herself. And she pulled up hard on the reins with every muscle in her body just as she reached the buggy where the others sat waiting for her. The horse reared and came down hard, snorting and stomping the ground. A mother walking in front of the store pulled her small child against her and looked at the wild looking woman was before her.
“She’s on ol’ Bill!” she heard a man say from the saloon across the street.
And within moments Malaina looked around to see the entire town emerging from one building or another to look at the spectacle. Bill reared again and stomped around madly.
Baker, Matthew, and Mary looked at her with mouths hanging open and eyes as wide as saucers.
Jackson simply raised his eyebrows and said, “No need to wait for us.”
“I won’t!” she said angrily, and with a “Ya!” as signal to Bill, she rode off at a mad gallop through town and toward the McCall ranch.
CHAPTER NINE
Riding Bill was exhilarating! Even Malaina’s headache seemed cured. The sound of the saddle moving with the horse’s rhythmic run consoled her somehow. Bill was indeed a magnificent mount.
“Imagine,” she said out loud, “naming an animal like you...Bill!” After a time she slowed him. “You are something else, boy!”
She realized that for the first time today...and it had bee
n a long one...she felt like smiling. The sun was setting and it turned the sky all shades of purples, pinks and oranges. The sunsets were so beautiful in the west! She rode the rest of the way calmly, talking to Bill and trying to think more intently on the memories she had acquired earlier.
“So,” she said to the horse as she rode, “I’m from New Orleans, my name is Malaina...Malaina something...and some horrible man named Collin is looking for me. But I don’t know why. I can’t remember who he is, what he looks like or why he wants me. I can’t remember if I have parents, siblings, friends to help me, family. Oh Bill! What will I do?”
As the sun set she rode up to the barn at the McCall ranch. She unsaddled Bill, brushed him for a few minutes, gave him oats and water. Then taking a deep breath, headed for the house.
When she opened the screen door and stepped into the kitchen Maggie turned with a smile to greet her. “Oh, honey! I’m so glad you all are...” The smile left her face as she took in the sight of Malaina, dried blood in her hair, on her face, hands, and dress. Her hair was a mass of wind blown mess and she looked as if she needed a month of sleep.
Maggie turned and put her apron under the pump to wet it and then started wiping Malaina’s face. “There’s so much blood, Malaina...where are you hurt?” she asked, trying to appear calm, although her quivering voice betrayed her.
Malaina took her hands and smiled at her. “I’m fine, Mrs. McCall. I’m fine. There was some trouble in town...a man tried to take me with him. Jackson stopped him and was shot in the shoulder, but he’s fine and they’re all on their way home in the buggy just now.” She rambled it out as fast as she could, hoping the woman wouldn’t panic over the news of a wounded son.
Maggie stared blankly at her for some moments. Then she began wiping the dried blood from Malaina’s face once more and asked, “How did you get home?”
Malaina could tell that she was extremely upset so she talked calmly as if nothing whatsoever had happened. “I rode Bill. Jackson was a bit sore,” she smiled hopefully at the woman.
Maggie’s eyes bugged out like a mouse with its head caught in a trap. “Bill? You rode Bill home?” Then she chuckled. “Now quit your teasin’, doll. Who brung you home?”
Malaina smiled. “I rode Bill. He’s in the barn. I brushed him down. I think he likes me.”
Maggie smiled. “Well, I’ll be. What did Jackson have to say to that?”
Malaina began unbuttoning her blouse. “I suspect he wouldn’t have let me if he thought there was any danger,” she said with a delayed realization.
After she had bathed and put her clothes to soak, Malaina let Maggie brush her hair awhile as she told her the events of the afternoon. Maggie listened attentively until she was finished.
“My stars and garters, child! Who in the world are you?” she commented.
“I wish I knew, Mrs. McCall.” Then she turned her pleading eyes to the woman. “Please, I’ve got to leave here! Don’t you see? I’m putting you all in great danger!”
Mrs. McCall cupped the beauty’s face in her hands and smiled lovingly. “You’re ours now, precious. We won’t let you run away.”
“But, Jackson was shot today, Mrs. McCall! And I believe this Collin won’t stop until he finds me. You’ve got to help me leave,” she begged.
But her hopes were dashed when she heard Jackson’s voice from beyond the screen door. “Oh, now turn off them puppy-dog eyes, Malaina. You ain’t goin’ nowhere,” he said.
The others followed him in and Mrs. McCall went to inspect the wound. Malaina noticed immediately how tired Jackson appeared.
“I’ll drive Miss Mary home, Mama...and then milk the ones need milkin’. They oughta be bustin’ at the seams by now,” Matthew said as Mary followed him outside.
“I’ll go start milkin’ now,” Baker said, kissing his mother, winking at Malaina and leaving.
“I’m goin’ to bed, Mama,” Jackson said, standing. He began to sway and instinctively Malaina took his good arm and placed it around her shoulder. She was surprised when he didn’t resist, but leaned on her for support.
“You know, Mama...” he began, his words slurring together. “I feel a might dizzy.”
“He’s lost a lot of blood, judgin’ by what came home all over you, Malaina. Let’s put him to bed,” his mother sighed.
The two women helped him down the hall to Baker’s room where he had been sleeping since Malaina’s arrival. Malaina helped him to sit down on the bed and, since his arm was about her, sat with him.
“Ol’ Doc is right good at fixin’ ‘em up, but he never cleans very well. Stay with him, Malaina. We need soap and water,” Maggie said, hurrying out of the room.
When Malaina attempted to stand, she found that Jackson had his arm clamped tightly about her. She looked up into his face. He was frowning down at her. The heavy beads of perspiration appearing on his forehead worried her.
“Mr. McCall?” she asked tentatively.
He grimaced. “Jackson,” he corrected emphatically.
Malaina put a hand to his head and then cheek. He was feverish. “Lay down, Jackson. Do you hear me?” she said, pushing him back.
He still held her firmly and when he did finally relent and lay down, he took her with him.
“Let go, Jackson,” she said calmly, pushing against him. He was so strong, even in his present condition.
“You rode ol’ Bill, did you? He likes you. I can’t begin to wonder why. But he does. I wouldn’t have let you ride him otherwise,” he mumbled.
“Yes. Yes. Now let me go.”
“Ain’t you gonna thank me, Miss Malaina? I mean for savin’ you again? I think a proper thank you is in order.” He was grinning slyly.
She looked directly into his eyes. “Thank you, Jackson. Again.”
He closed his eyes and he smiled. “Now kiss me,” he said, his speech was even more slurred.
“What?” she gasped and as his arm released her he began to chuckle and she realized that he was fine. A little sore and feverish, but fine all the same.
Within seconds he was breathing slowly and she knew he was asleep. Maggie returned with a basin of warm water and rags.
“My poor baby,” she murmured as she began to bathe his face. Maggie looked over at Malaina who was deep in thought as she stared at the wounded man. “That’s enough, Malaina!” she demanded. “You’re staying right here! If he hadn’t of gotten shot it would’ve been somethin’ else. This isn’t your fault. I know that it was meant for us to find you. You’re ours now.” She smiled and cupped the girl’s cheek in her hand. “Now, help me clean him up. That doctor! Well, at least he patched him up anyway, huh.”
Maggie handed a washcloth to Malaina after she had rung it out. “See if you can get some of that dried blood off his chest. I’ll go tell Baker to start bringin’ in some clean water. We’re gonna need a lot more than a bowl full!” Maggie left the room and Malaina began dabbing at the blood.
She jumped when Jackson said, “I’m your knight in shinin’ armor, ain’t I, sugar?”
She thought he was still asleep. His eyes were still closed, but he wore a slight grin. “How many times have I saved your bacon now?” he asked. Malaina was very self-conscious about cleaning his bare torso now that she knew he was conscious.
“At least three by my count,” she answered, sounding remarkably calm. “All you’re lacking is a white horse, I’d say,” she finished.
He opened his eyes just a bit to look at her. “Dang mess, ain’t it?” he said with a note of irritation in his voice. “I’m so dang tired. Can’t seem to keep my eyes open much.”
“You need to rest. I don’t know why you’re even trying to stay awake.”
Malaina wished he’d go to sleep. It made her very uncomfortable to have him alert while she was bathing him.
He chuckled lowly. “I’m still waitin’ for my kiss.”
She rinsed the cloth in the basin, causing the water to go red.
“Stop teasing a
nd go to sleep, Jackson,” she ordered.
“I must a found another way of gettin’ yer dander up,” he mumbled. “Well, all right. I’ll just corner you out in the barn one day and collect the debt.” And with a final chuckle he fell asleep again.
Maggie returned and could tell Malaina was flustered. “What’s wrong, peach?” she asked.
“Your son is a flirt when he’s out of his head,” Malaina told her.
5
CHAPTER TEN
The family had discussed Malaina’s newfound memories that next evening. But everyone was a long way from solving the puzzle, and life returned to normal. Malaina had become close to Mary and was overjoyed as she watched a new type of friendship sprouting between her friend and Matthew.
Mary would often visit so that she and Malaina could work on their dresses for the Harvest Dance and would somehow end up talking with Matthew as he did the chores. Malaina never said a word about it to either one of them, but decided to wait until they chose to come to her. And so things went along.
One early evening about dusk, Maggie asked Malaina to run and get a hammer out of the barn. Malaina wrapped up in a shawl and headed out to do the errand.
The weather was cool and Malaina was unaccustomed to it. She found it hard to warm herself at times. She guessed it was because she’d always lived in a warm climate. She entered the barn and began rummaging through the toolbox for a hammer.
“Whatcha need?” Jackson asked from behind her. Malaina spun around startled.
“Don’t do that! You scared the life out of me,” she answered.
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