Caleb

by Christine Sterling

  “Does she remember anything?” Caleb asked. He didn’t need to identify her.

  Doc shook his head. “No. She doesn’t remember anything up to the attack. Didn’t even recognize her son.”

  “Has he seen her?”

  “He went yesterday. I think her face frightened him. Took everything he had not to run. It is going to take a while for those bruises to go down.”

  Caleb had stopped by several times, but she was always asleep.

  “That’s probably why Hart’s having nightmares.” Caleb took a sip of his coffee. “I’ll visit her when I get back if she is up to visitors. I’d like to hear what happened from her lips.”

  “I’ll let her know.”

  “I’d prefer you don’t. I don’t want her thinking about what she is going to say. I’ll just stop by when I get back to camp.”

  “Where are you going today?”

  Caleb threw the coffee dregs into the sand and covered them with his foot. “I’ll head towards Pueblo. I want to see if we can find water along the way and I’ll put an order in at the mercantile for when we get there.”

  “Ride safely.”

  “I will.” Caleb picked up his plate and cup. He walked over to the large pot filled with warm water and placed the dishes in the water.

  Once Tot was done serving everyone, he would start doing the dishes and then pack up the chuckwagon to race ahead to the next spot. It was a hard job making three meals a day for hungry men, but Tot enjoyed his work. No matter how much he complained, Caleb knew that Tot was pleased he came on the trip.

  After filling his canteen, he climbed on Blaze and headed north in the dawn’s early light.

  Chapter 6

  It was nearly suppertime and Caleb had been riding for nearly ten hours. He needed to give Blaze a rest and get something to eat. He made it as far as Pueblo and put a supply order in at the mercantile for pick up two days later.

  He also sent telegrams back to the marshal in Texas and the Chapmans in Flat River. Finally, he stopped at the Sheriff’s office.

  The man didn’t know anything about outlaws in the area, and he hadn’t seen anyone come into town with a large group of horses they weren’t riding or putting on a train. He told Caleb he’d keep an eye out and to stop by when the cattle drive came through town.

  Caleb left and rode back to his men as quickly as possible.

  “Caleb! Caleb! Look!” Hart yelled to him as he approached the wagons. He stopped by the horse and held up an object for Caleb to see. The light reflected off it, blinding Caleb as Hart twisted the object between his small fingers.

  Caleb dismounted and walked around his horse to where the boy was standing with a grin on his face.

  “What’s that?”

  “I found it. All by myself.” Hart handed the object to Caleb.

  Caleb turned it over in his palm. “That’s an arrowhead.”

  “I know!” Hart said excitedly. “I’ve never seen an Indian arrowhead before. Slim said I could keep it. Do you think we’ll see an Indian while we are out here?”

  “I hope not. They aren’t too friendly in these parts.”

  “I can’t wait to show Momma.”

  Caleb gave him a smile. “I’m sure she’ll think it is just as exciting as you do.”

  Hart put the arrowhead in his pocket. “Can I help you with your horse?”

  Caleb placed Blaze’s reins in Hart’s little hands. Hart seemed so small next to the large horse. “Be careful. And don’t make any sudden movements. Horses don’t like that.”

  Hart’s face took on a serious air as he gently tugged on Blaze’s reins. The horse dug in, refusing to budge.

  “Come on Blaze,” Hart said, tugging again.

  Caleb watched as Hart pulled on the reins. Blaze would take a step forward and then refuse to move. When Hart gave the reins some slack, Blaze would take a step forward. Once the horse even tried to nibble on Hart’s hair.

  “He’s playing a game with you,” Caleb said. “Let the reins go slack and then just walk.” Hart loosened his grip on the reins and started walking backward. “Turn around and just walk.”

  Hart did as he was told. Blaze picked up his pace, and his large velvety lips reached out to touch Hart’s hair. Hart giggled and waved his hand in the air.

  “I need a hat,” he said, “so I can wave it in the air when Blaze does that.”

  “I’ll see if we can find you one.”

  Hart stopped. “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “I want to live on a ranch. Do you live on a ranch?”

  “I do. With my family.”

  “I lived on a ranch, but then Pa died. Vangie had to go away, and now Ma can’t take care of me.”

  Caleb walked in pace with Hart. “Who’s Vangie?”

  “She’s supposed to be my aunt.”

  “Supposed to be?”

  Hart nodded. “Supposed to be, but I don’t think she is.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “I heard her and Ma whispering at night after Pa died. I don’t know what they were talking about, but they would cry a lot. I pretended I didn’t hear it when I went to bed.” Hart dragged his boot through the sand. “Then one day she just disappeared. That was before we got a wagon and had to move.”

  “Do you know where you were going?”

  Hart brushed his bangs from his eyes. “Just north. Ma didn’t tell me. Said we were going to see kin. That’s all. She doesn’t tell me much.” Caleb walked in silence the last few feet to where the horses were tied off. “I’m going to go show Tot my arrowhead,” he said, handing the reins back to Caleb and running off towards the chuckwagon.

  Caleb shook his head. Hart was certainly an interesting little boy. He reminded Caleb of his brother Michael when they were young. Everything was an adventure to Mike. They would spend hours roaming the prairie and bring back their treasures for Marianne and Alice to fawn over. Mike was a gifted storyteller. He could spin a yarn from almost anything.

  Caleb saw those same traits in Hart, and it made him miss his brother even more. Caleb unbuckled the saddle from Blaze and pulled it off the horse. He didn’t have a brush, so he took some sand in his hand and rubbed it over Blaze’s hide to absorb the sweat.

  At least the sand had one good purpose.

  “Boss,” Slim said, walking over to Caleb. He had a plate in hand and was moving the contents around with a spoon.

  “What we chewing today?”

  “Beans. I think there might even be a little bit of the steak left over from this morning in there.”

  “Beans.” Caleb was at the point in the journey where he was sick of beans.

  “Tot said he had a few eggs left. Could probably fry you one.”

  “Those eggs have been sitting the back of the chuckwagon since we got on the trail. Unless they were water glassed, I wouldn’t want to touch them now. They are probably rotten and should be thrown to the coyotes.” Caleb noticed Slim moved a pile of scrambled eggs over to the far side of his plate. “Always look at what you chew, Slim. I’ll just have beans and be good with that.”

  “Did Hart show you his find?”

  Caleb stopped rubbing Blaze. “He did. Do you think it was recent, or had it been there for a while?”

  “Not quite sure.”

  “Tell the men to keep an eye out for Indians. I don’t want any trouble.”

  “Understood. Did you find water today?”

  “I found a damp riverbed. We’ll camp there tonight. I’ll have some of the men dig water for the cattle and horses. I’m hoping we should make it to Pueblo in two days. We’ll replenish supplies and fill the barrels.”

  Slim nodded. “I’ll go let the men know to be on the lookout for trouble.”

  “How did the dogs do today?”

  “Good. Hart is learning how to train them. They understand sit and stay. They don’t stay, but they understand it.” Slim chewed on his beans for a moment. “He’s a good kid.”

  “He is.”<
br />
  “Shame about his ma. I wonder what he’s going to do if she doesn’t recover.”

  “She’ll recover.”

  “I mean you can’t leave them at Pueblo. That Sheriff will send her to an asylum quicker than a rattlesnake can strike.”

  Caleb grabbed a fresh handful of sand and started rubbing Blaze again. “Isn’t my problem. I’m responsible for them while they are part of the cattle drive. Once they get to Pueblo, they aren’t my concern anymore.”

  “Would be a shame for that boy to grow up without a ma.”

  Caleb paused. “What are you getting at, Slim?”

  “Nothing, boss. Just thinking a boy like that could use a little Marmee in his life.”

  “I’ll make sure to get a message back to the Marshal in San Angelo. He can send someone for her.”

  “You be sure to do that, boss. And you can explain to Marmee how you left a mother and her son along the trail.

  Caleb watched Slim walk away, then he threw the sand down in anger. Rubbing his hand down his face, he thought about what Slim said.

  A boy like that could use a little Marmee in his life.

  Marmee certainly did make a difference in the lives of everyone she touched. But Caleb had decided that Mrs. Whitcomb and Hart would remain at Pueblo with the other passengers. They could catch a stage or a train to Kansas City, or wherever they were going.

  Caleb moved his saddle out of the sun, into the shade provided from the wagon and went to find something to eat. At the back of the chuckwagon was a wooden crate where Tot stored the plates, cups, and silverware.

  Caleb reached in the box and took a spoon and an enamel plate. Hooking a coffee cup on his finger he walked over to where Tot was slopping out beans.

  “Everyone eat?”

  “Shouldn’t make a difference. You gotta eat too.”

  “I want to make sure everyone else has eaten.”

  “You are too much like your Pa, Caleb. He was always worrying about his men.”

  “They are my responsibility. So has everyone had their share?”

  “Give me your plate, boy. Yes, they have.” Tot held the plate and put a large spoonful of beans on it. He waved the spoon in Caleb’s face. “You gotta take care of you too. I see you eating less than everyone else. You are getting skinny, boy.”

  “Well then give me two scoops, old man.” Caleb grinned.

  Tot filled Caleb’s cup, and Caleb went and joined the men under the shade of the canvas hanging between two wagons.

  He listened to the men talk back and forth, not listening to what they were saying. One pulled out a guitar and was softly strumming. When Caleb’s meal was done, he laid back in the sand, using his arm as a pillow. He put his plate and cup on his chest. He would take them to the wash pot shortly. There wasn’t a rush as Tot was setting up the next beans to soak for dinner.

  Caleb looked at the bright blue sky above him with the white clouds floating delicately on an unseen breeze. For a moment he imagined he was home. He felt his eyes grow heavy under the midday sun. Pulling his hat down over his face, he closed his eyes and was promptly asleep.

  It seemed like he had been asleep only minutes when he felt someone nudge his boot. He lifted his hat and opened one eye. Doc stood over him. Caleb noticed his plate and cup were missing. Tot must have taken them. He’d hear about it later, he was sure.

  “You awake?”

  “I am now.”

  “She’s awake.”

  Caleb nodded. “I’ll walk over in a minute.”

  Doc moved back towards the wagons where his patients were resting. Caleb rolled over on his knees and he felt the sand sink down in his boots. He shook out the sand and walked over to the two wagons that contained the injured people.

  The first wagon held the two men. The second contained the two women.

  Caleb walked to the first wagon and poked his head inside. “Just wanted to see how you were feeling?”

  Mr. Roberts was leaning up against one of the empty barrels. “Better. Still hurts.”

  “We’ll get you fixed up once we reach town. Where’s your family?”

  “Denver. We were going to Denver.”

  “I have family in Denver. Two sisters. We’ll get a telegram sent as soon as we arrive in Pueblo.” Caleb turned his attention to his scout. “You feeling better, Jimmy?”

  “I’m ready to get out of here and on a horse.”

  “Maybe you can ride tomorrow. Just rest one more day.”

  “I need to get out of this wagon.”

  “Tomorrow,” Caleb insisted as he tightened the string on the bonnet. He walked over to the second wagon and stepped inside the cramped space. Mrs. Miller was sleeping on one side. She had put herself as close to the sideboard as possible.

  Mrs. Whitcomb was laying on the other side. She was staring at the bows that were flexed over the wagon.

  “Ma’am?” Caleb said moving closer. Her face was covered in purple and yellow welts and the swelling had gone down somewhat around her eye and cheek. She was lucky she still had her vision. He tried to remember her as she was when he first saw her in San Angelo. She didn’t respond. “Ma’am?” Caleb said softly. He took off his hat and placed it on the floor.

  Eventually, she pressed her eyes closed, shutting them tightly. Caleb could see a single tear escape from the side of her eye. He saw her take a deep breath and then she opened her eyes, turning slightly to look at Caleb.

  “You’re the Trail Boss, aren’t you?” Caleb nodded. “The doctor told me.”

  “Can you see me alright?” He waved his hand in front of her eyes.

  She closed them again, holding them shut for a minute and then reopening it. “I can see you. It just hurts to focus on anything for long. I can look at the bows because they are far enough away.”

  “I need to ask you some questions about the men who attacked the wagon train.”

  “I don’t remember anything.”

  “Can you try?”

  She closed her eyes tightly once more and covered her face with her elbow. Caleb saw her shoulders shake. “I don’t remember.”

  “Do you know where you were going? Why you were with the wagon train?”

  “No,” she croaked out.

  “Can you look at me?” Caleb gently touched her elbow.

  She uncovered her face and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. She hesitantly looked at Caleb. He could see her trying to focus. “Can you move back?” Caleb moved back to the opening of the wagon. “I can see you better now.”

  “Do you remember your name? Your son?”

  “No. They brought a boy to see me earlier. Said he was my son.”

  “But you didn’t remember him?” She shook her head. “No.”

  “Do you remember your name?” Caleb asked. The woman didn’t respond. “Is your name Vangie?”

  He saw confusion in her face. Her forehead furrowed and she bit her lower lip. Finally, she looked at him. “Yes. Yes, my name is Vangie.”

  He felt a tap on his back. He turned and Doc was standing next to the wagon. “Her name is Lydia.”

  “How do you know that?” Caleb asked. Lydia was a pretty name. It suited her.

  “The ranch foreman told me. He worked for her husband. I wanted to see if I could get her to remember anything,” Doc whispered.

  Caleb nodded.

  “Your name isn’t Vangie. It’s Lydia.”

  “Lydia?”

  Caleb nodded. “We saw each other in San Angelo. Do you know who I am?”

  Her face broke into a smile as she looked at him.

  “Why yes,” she said. “You are my husband.”

  Chapter 7

  Caleb rode point for the herd. Hart was sitting in the saddle with him, holding Blaze’s reins.

  “How much longer?” Hart asked, shifting in the saddle.

  “Just a few hours.

  The animals could smell water as they started to fidget. They cried out in waves, picking up speed as they approached the Ark
ansas River just outside of Pueblo.

  “Do you think we can go swimming in the river?”

  “There are going to be a lot of animals there, so it probably won’t be safe.”

  Hart leaned down and patted Blaze on the neck. “I like your horse.”

  “He’s a good boy.”

  “Do you have lots of horses?”

  “We have the ranch horses. Then my brothers have a few. We are taking those back to Nebraska for them.”

  “Those were our horses,” Hart said, pointing to the string of horses Slim was guiding around the cattle. He saw Caleb and Hart and waved. Hart waved back.

  “Those are good horses. What about the cattle?”

  “Pa had a lot. Ma sold some of them after he died.”

  “I’m sorry about your Pa.” Caleb couldn’t imagine losing his father. “What did your Ma do?”

  “She planted a garden.”

  Caleb laughed. The woman had just lost her husband, had to sell her cattle and instead of getting married again, like some women, she planted a garden. That sounded like something Marmee would do. “My mother has a garden too.”

  “Does your ma grow turnips?”

  “I suppose she does. And beans, carrots, and corn.” Caleb missed Marmee’s home cooking.

  “I don’t like turnips. Ma grew a lot of them.”

  “I suppose if that is all you were eating, then I can understand why you don’t like them.”

  “I do like carrots.” Hart got quiet for a moment. “Taffy liked carrots.” He leaned down to pat the horse again. “Does Blaze like carrots?”

  “He does. And apples. And sugar cubes. He likes anything sweet.”

  “Can I feed him a carrot when we get to your home?”

  Caleb paused. He knew he needed to tread very carefully with his response.

  “Why do you think you’re coming to my home?”

  Hart twisted in the saddle once more. “Because you said I could be a cowboy. I can’t be a cowboy if I’m not at your ranch, silly.”

  Caleb exhaled a sigh of relief. He could address leaving everyone behind in Pueblo once they arrived.

  The landscape had changed, and they were no longer in just sand. Large rocks jutted from the ground and reached towards the sky, their plateaus glistening in the sun. There was more vegetation and Caleb could see animals scurrying as they approached. That was a good sign. Animals tended to live near water sources.