by S. C. Wilson
“The whole thing makes me sick to my stomach. Those poor girls—”
“Strange thing, she said you told her your mother was named Sarah, too. I thought you said it was Frieda?”
Jesse had been so upset by Sarah’s youth she hadn’t realized she’d made a huge slip of the tongue. She sputtered, “Um…I just said it…it was getting awkward.”
Abby cleared her throat. “You mean when she asked you to go upstairs?”
“Yes, exactly. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings by declining her offer. Didn’t know what to say, so I tried to lighten the conversation and it came out.”
“I can understand that. A lot of men would have rushed her up the stairs. You’re so different, such a caring person. That’s a rarity these days.”
I’m definitely not like most men. Jesse smiled inwardly at the thought. “Thanks for the compliment, but it’s only because I was lucky enough to have wonderful people in my life to look up to. I’m the person I am today because of them.” Jesse wanted to shift the conversation before something else slipped from her lips. “Are you ready to go? Did you pack some warm clothes?”
“I did.”
“Thick socks?”
“Just my stockings.”
Jesse knew first-hand how cold it gets up on the mountain at night, even in summer. “Those won’t do. Your feet will freeze in those…Felix sells socks. We can swing by and get you a pair. You’re going to need ‘em. Are you hungry?”
“Yeah.”
“Me, too. Let’s grab a bite at the Tin Plate before we go? It will be the last decent meal for a few days.”
Abby agreed.
They caught up on the last two days while they ate, and then headed to the trading post. They were met with the familiar sound of the jingling bell over the door as they entered.
“Hello, Jesse. Miss Abby.”
“Afternoon, Felix,” Jesse said.
“I just need a pair of socks,” Abby said, picking them up off the shelf.
“Anything else?” asked Felix.
“No, this will do it.” Abby placed the money on the counter.
Odd to see those two together, Felix thought as the pair left the store. It wasn’t because he thought they were an odd-looking couple. He was somewhat surprised Abby was with a man, any man, for that matter. It was a well-known fact around town she paid no mind to any fella. If anyone would know this, it was Felix. Men liked to talk when they came in. He had heard it all. Not one eligible bachelor in town had been lucky enough to spend time with her—Lord knows they’d all tried.
Back at the hotel, when Abby put her socks into her saddlebags, Jesse noticed two neatly folded up dresses lying inside. “You did bring pants, didn’t you?”
Abby looked at her like she had three heads. “Jesse, women don’t wear pants.”
“All you packed were dresses?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Doing the things that we’re gonna do…well, I don’t think wearing a dress will be too accommodating, that’s all.”
“Well, what am I supposed to wear, my unmentionables?”
Jesse chuckled as she imagined Abby cutting grass in her bloomers. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”
Edith knocked on the open door before entering. “Take this with you,” she said, handing Abby a burlap sack. “I made some food for your trip. Can’t expect you two to live on jerky and water, for goodness sake.”
“That is so sweet of you. Thank you,” Abby said, taking the bag by the drawstring.
“You two be careful out there and I’ll see you next month.”
“Thanks for everything,” Jesse said, smiling warmly.
Edith watched and waved as the pair rode away, delighted things seemed to be going their way.
Darkness had descended upon them by the time they reached the river’s edge. The moon was full in the sky and the silvery light easily lit the surface of the Devil’s Fork.
Abby’s voice rose slightly as she clutched tightly to the saddle-horn and turned to Jesse. “You can’t be serious! We aren’t crossing here, are we?”
“We are. Do you trust me?”
“Well,” Abby said, “I thought I did. Now, I think you might be crazy.”
“Just do what I say and everything will be fine. I promise.”
Abby had her doubts, but she had no choice. If she wanted to continue, she had to trust Jesse completely.
Jesse jumped down, removed her boots and socks, and stuffed them into the saddlebag. She helped Abby down from Titan and switched reins with her. “You hold onto Buck. I want to see how your horse reacts. We might have to take him back to Ely and leave him at the corral,” Jesse said.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine. He’s been in deep water before.”
“Deep and raging are two different things. I hope you’re right. I’ll see how he does. If I have any doubts, we are taking him back to town.”
Jesse led Titan down the embankment. Titan’s ears flickered as they approached the river. At the water’s edge, she stopped to gauge his response. Titan just stood there as she spoke quietly, gently stroking his neck and withers. All right, if he starts to panic I’m taking him back to Ely, she thought as she led him forward, placing his legs in the water. Jesse’s doubts about Titan soon vanished. He barely flinched when the strong current hit his legs.
Abby stared in disbelief, mouth slack, as a reassured Jesse made her way across. It was almost biblical. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she never would have believed it.
Jesse secured Titan to a tree branch on the opposite bank, and made her way back to Abby. “I’m glad that’s over. I wasn’t—”
“I can’t believe you did that,” Abby said, breathless. “How did you do that?”
“I’ve done this a few times. I’ll explain later. You ready?” Jesse asked, motioning for Abby to get on Buck.
Abby placed her hand on Jesse’s shoulder, for reassurance more than anything, before sliding her foot into the stirrup.
“Abs, are you sure you want to do this? I understand if you’re too scared. We can go back to Ely.”
Abby didn’t want Jesse to see how scared she was, nor did she want to miss her opportunity to go up the mountain. She took a deep breath and hoisted herself up in the saddle. “Ready when you are,” Abby said in the most confident tone she could muster. “What do I do?”
“You just sit there and I’ll take you across.”
Jesse grabbed Abby’s trembling hand and placed it around Buck’s reins atop the saddle horn. “You just hold on and don’t let go.”
“Oh, I’ll hold on. Don’t you worry about that, Jesse McGinnis.”
Jesse took slow and shuffling steps, taking more caution than ever before knowing Abby’s life was in her hands. In Jesse’s mind, the crossing seemed to take forever. In reality, it lasted only minutes. Once safely on Mount Perish, Jesse let out a long sigh of relief, feeling like she could breath again.
Abby couldn’t believe they had actually made it across. Over the years, she’d listened to the warnings, and had heard about the death toll associated with the river. She stared at the roaring water: dark, writhing, and alive. The river terrified her.
Jesse understood the fixation. She felt the same way when she crossed for the first time. “Abs, we need to get going,” she said, putting on her boots.
The sound of Jesse’s voice startled Abby, pulling her gaze away from the violent power of nature.
As they rode, Jesse explained the secret of the river crossing, Abby still in awe.
They soon bedded down for the night. Jesse and Abby huddled close, wrapped together under a deer hide for warmth. The sounds of crickets serenaded them to sleep; immeasurable points of light piercing the blanket of night sky overhead.
Up early the next morning, Jesse untied Edith’s burlap sack of food from the tree. She hung it the night before to keep it safe from unwanted critters and bears. She untied the drawstring. Inside were biscuits, a hunk of smoked ham, and a sack of co
ffee with a note tied to it. She unfolded the piece of paper and mouthed the words as she read.
Jesse,
Thank you for all your hard work.
Much appreciated.
Edith
She was moved by Edith’s kind gesture, and realized just how much the friendship meant to her.
Jesse spent the next three days showing Abby the important landmarks, including the trees with the special markings. The higher they rode, the more breathtaking the views. The scenery amazed Abby. The mountain was a different place seen up close than from afar.
Abby’s euphoria affected Jesse, and she was able to fully feel her own emotions once again. She took the time to appreciate the magnificence of their surroundings. Every evening, they watched the setting sun, sharing food and talking late into the night about their lives.
On day four, they came upon the large mountain lake. Its crystal-clear water was the most gorgeous hues of blue Abby had ever seen. They dismounted to let the horses drink and graze. They stood at the water's edge, looking out over the placid body of water, enjoying the beauty in silence.
Jesse reached down and picked up a flat stone. She rubbed her thumb across its smooth face before tossing it side-armed across the glassy surface. Seven times the stone skipped before sinking from sight. “This is my favorite place,” Jesse said, breaking the silence.
“I can see why.” Abby picked up her own stone. “It’s breathtaking.” She tossed the stone. It hit the water with a hard kerplunk and sank out of sight.
Jesse smiled, selected another stone, and handed it to Abby. Standing behind her, she placed her hand over Abby’s and mimicked the sidearm motion necessary to skip a rock. Abby gave it a toss. They smiled at each other when it skipped four times.
With the horses rested, they headed out. They were getting close now and both were anxious to reach the cabin.
As they came around the final bend, the cabin appeared out of nowhere. To Abby, it seemed to sprout up in a small clearing hidden in the pines. The trickling of a stream echoed off the trees. She was moved by the serenity of the place, and understood in an instant why Jesse loved it here. She inhaled deeply, breathing in the strong, pine scent. It took her a minute to realize what was so confusing to her senses. Gone was the overwhelming stench of too many men crammed into a tight space full of cigar smoke.
After securing the horses in the paddock, Jesse led Abby to the cabin. Abby stood inside the threshold as Jesse opened the shutters to allow in some light. Abby was able to see the cabin in its entirety. The hay stacked up against one wall caught her off guard, but everything else was as she expected—nice and organized—everything in its place.
Abby caught sight of the mantle straight ahead. She walked over to the fireplace and ran her fingers across the surface of the wood, amazed by the fine detail.
“Doing that passed a lot of time and kept me from going crazy,” Jesse said.
“This is the most beautiful mantel I have ever seen! I can’t believe you did that.” Smiling, Abby continued to look around, noticing the small carvings placed throughout the cabin. “Did you do all of these?”
“Just that one,” Jesse said, grimacing. She blushed from embarrassment as she pointed to the lopsided deer propped against a tin on the table.
Jesse was horrified when Abby picked it up to have a closer look. She blurted out, “I did that one years ago. It was my first. I should have chucked it in the fire a long time ago.”
Abby smiled inwardly. “It’s cute, but I can tell you have improved over the years. If this was your first, where are all the others you’ve done?”
“Never thought they were good enough to keep. Burned ‘em.”
“I bet they weren’t that bad.”
“They were awful compared to the ones my folks made,” Jesse said, swinging her finger out at Frieda and Nathaniel’s carvings.
Abby didn’t believe it. Someone without talent couldn’t make a mantel like that. Sensing Jesse’s discomfort, she placed the deer back on the table. It fell over as soon as she released her hand.
“I’ll fix it,” Jesse said. “Stupid thing can’t even stand upright.”
“It really isn’t that bad for your first one. I couldn’t make one half that good.” Wanting to change the subject for Jesse’s sake, Abby continued. “That must have been one huge bear,” she said, pointing at the wall above the bed.
Retrieving a tin off the shelf, Jesse removed the lid and dumped the bear claws on the table. “It was the biggest grizzly I have ever seen. Living up here can be deadly. You have to be careful. That’s why you have to always keep a gun with you.”
Motioning to the loft, Abby asked, “What’s up there?”
“That’s where I’m going to sleep while you’re here.”
The two tended to the horses and unpacked. After they had finished, Jesse reached for her rifle. “Will you start a fire? I’m going to go get us something to eat.”
“I will. A hot meal sounds wonderful.”
Jesse laid her pistol on the table. She secured the door behind her before heading into the woods.
The light from the fire played off Abby’s delicate features. Alone, she took in the cabin in the flickering flame. The bed caught her eye. A fantasy unfolded of the two of them together. The images were so vivid. In her mind, Jesse came back from hunting, bolted straight for her, and kissed her passionately. Without a word, Jesse picked her up and carried her to the bed. Slowly, Jesse began undressing her, kissing every inch of her newly exposed flesh before gently laying her back. Just as dream Jesse started to undress, the real Jesse opened the door. Abby was jolted back to reality.
Jesse had already skinned and cleaned a rabbit. She was surprised to find Abby more red-faced and sweaty than herself. “You look hot. Why don’t you have a seat out on the porch? I’ll take it from here,” said Jesse.
Abby said nothing, smiling as she took a seat on one of the old stump chairs out front. Jesse tossed the rabbit into a cast iron skillet and placed it on the grill suspended over the fire. She joined Abby outside, and gave her a quick tour before it got too dark.
The evening air was remarkably cool for June. Abby huddled in front of the fire as Jesse removed the iron skillet and doled out portions onto tin plates. Jesse had told her how serious the weather was up here, but actually feeling it made it real. The hot meat did little to fight the chill. If it were this cold in June, Abby wondered, how did a person survive a winter in this place?
“I’ll wash the dishes,” Jesse said, rising from the table. “I need to take them down to the stream. Gotta put the horses in the barn for the night, too.”
“Let me help you.” Abby gathered the plates and forks. “I’m ready when you are.”
“Abs, I got this. You don’t have to go.”
“I didn’t come up here so you could wait on me hand and foot. I want to contribute and be a part of your life. I’m going.”
At the stream, Abby held the pistol while Jesse washed the dishes. Jesse began, “The water feels pretty warm this—”
Something splashed loudly downstream. Abby lifted the pistol and aimed, the weapon much too close to Jesse’s head for her liking.
Jesse grabbed the barrel and pushed it away. “It was probably a fish jumping. Abby, you have to be careful where you point that thing. I thought you were going to shoot me,” Jesse said, her tone serious.
“I’m sorry. It scared me.”
“That’s all right. I can understand your fear. There are lots of things out here, so you always have to be aware. You did the right thing, just be mindful of where you point.”
“I will, and sorry I scared you.”
“No harm done. We’re awful far away from any help, so be careful while you’re here.” Jesse stacked plates and forks in the skillet, and they returned to the cabin and went inside.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m going to have to excuse myself. I have to go,” Jesse said, placing another log on the fire.
“
I was thinking the same thing.”
“Well, by all means, you go first. I’ll go with you if you’re scared.”
“I’ll be just fine, Jesse.” Abby picked the pistol up off the table on her way toward the door. She was scared to death. Feigning courage, she hurried to the outhouse and back as fast as she could.
“Do you want to take a bath?” Jesse asked when she got back.
Abby raised an eyebrow. “That would be wonderful. I’m sure I still have dust on me from Big Oak.”
“The water didn’t feel too cold tonight.”
Abby couldn’t believe it. Even if it were dark outside, she hoped to at least catch a glimpse of Jesse. “Ready when you are, Jesse.”
“Let’s go.” Jesse held the chamois and soap. “And grab my pistol, will ya?”
The warm glow of the moon lit their way. Jesse sat the soap and chamois on a rock close to the bank. “Give me the pistol. You go on in.”
“Why can’t we go together?”
“That wouldn’t be right. And no need to stand here and argue over it, so you just go on in. I’ll sit here and make sure you’re safe. I promise I won’t look.” Jesse sat down on a large boulder, and turned away.
Abby didn’t respond. She undressed and grabbed the soap. The water was much too cold for her liking, so she made quick work of it. She dried off with the soft piece of tanned hide and slipped into her clothes. “All right, Jesse. I’m finished. Your turn.” Her teeth started to chatter.
“Let me take you inside to get warm. No reason for you to freeze out here.”
“I’m fine. I can hold the gun while you bathe.” Her teeth clacked together harder this time.
“Abs, I do this all the time. I’m used to it. Let me get you inside before you catch your death out here.”
“All right.” Abby was too cold to stand and debate it. Once inside, Abby hustled to the fireplace, rubbing her shoulders and trying to get warm.
“I’ll be right back. Gun’s right there if you’d need it.” Jesse placed the pistol on the table. She grabbed her rifle, and closed the door behind her.
As soon as the door shut, Abby sprang into action. She had planned this all evening. Dashing over to the bed, she hurried out of her dress and into her nightgown. It was long and white, but thin enough to see through in the right light. If things went her way, she wouldn’t be sleeping in it tonight. Her feet were cold. She considered putting on the thick socks, but she didn’t think it would enhance the look she was going for.
