Shannon looked down at her food now and resumed eating so she wouldn't have to talk about it.
The other women talked with her, asking her all kinds of questions about her life and why she was traveling with her husband while he was preforming his duty. Shannon couldn't explain.
"I brought her along, in case there were any accidents along the way. It's a long trip to Texas." Jesse saved the day with his explanation and opened the opportunity for the women to speak to him.
Even with Jesse speaking up for her, she found she had little in common with these women and thought better of voicing her opinion on anything. These women were very accomplished in quilt making, cooking, sewing, housekeeping and having an abundance of children. Another long table filled with children, caught her attention. The children were of all ages. At the end of the table were four or five women, feeding the babies. In truth, the children outnumbered the adults.
When the meal was over and she tried to help clean up, the women shook their head. "We will clean up. You are a guest."
She sensed an awkward moment with them, as they clearly didn't identify with her in any way. They obviously felt the same as she. They were a group unto themselves and preferred it that way, she supposed. Not that they were unfriendly, but they made her feel like a foreigner.
Walking away from them, she found Jesse staring out at the land on the huge veranda of the main house. Nathaniel wasn't with him, so she joined him, feeling out of place here.
Their farms were well organized and taken care of. The men were never idle, but always working.
Jesse looked at her when she walked over closer.
"They are a good people, but a little different, wouldn't you say?" She said softly, so no one else could hear.
"Very different, in many ways." His voice had lowered too.
"Nathaniel has three wives." Shannon reflected.
"Really, I didn't think that was legal." Jesse glanced at her.
"I don't think they regard the law in the matter. Not our laws at least. They seem to be a law unto themselves. Strangely enough, the women all get along though. There's no jealousy, no fighting, just living. It's rather peaceful, being around them. Yet their beliefs are so foreign to me. I'm sure they don't realize it, but they treat me as if they can barely tolerate me. I don't think they are used to seeing a female doctor. And I don't think they approve of it either. Strangely I feel the persecution here just as strongly as I did in Boston."
"You don't think you'd like this kind of living?" He smiled.
She blushed, "I don't think…it's for me. I've read about them extensively. The one thing about them is the polygamy. Perhaps if they could give that concept up, they might be tolerated by others much easier."
"Well, we are only passing through. And these are a relatively gentle people who want to farm and worship as they please. We'll be moving on soon."
"You have a lot of respect for others, don't you?"
"Look around you Shannon. These people keep their farms beautifully. Have you ever seen a beautiful farm before? These are, the land, it's so organized and clean. They are hard working, and generally peaceful, gotta respect that." Jesse sighed. "It takes a lot of work to keep it that way, they sure aren't lazy."
"You're right about that. I tried to help them with the dishes, but they refused, said I was a guest."
"Sorry they outcast you." Jesse sent a understanding glance her way.
After a long silence, Shannon laughed softly. "Jimmy John sure ate a lot. All of them did actually, there was so much food. The men are enjoying it here."
"Yeah, another reason to move on. I don't need them getting too comfortable. This isn't a pleasure trip. And the sooner it's over, the better." Jesse smiled and shook his head.
"Did you tie them up again?" She asked.
"I had to and I could see it didn't sit well with Nathaniel, but, they are prisoners. And…I didn't want Thornton lose too long among all these women."
"They haven't caused you much harm though." Shannon defended. "Except for trying to get away, they've not caused anyone any distress."
"Not unless you count the times I've chased them all over the territory. I don't aim to do that again. And that Thornton…there's something about him I really don't like. I can't put my finger on it yet, but it will come to me."
"It's kind of sad…taking them to prison, when you know they are going to hang, though, don't you think?"
"No ma'am, I don't." Jesse looked down, as though the comment had stung a bit. "They broke the law, several times; they killed innocent people to do it. And what good are laws if you don't uphold them?"
She thought about that for a long time. "I guess you are right. It's just well…we've gotten to know them a little."
"That's why a lawman can't get to know them. He has to distract himself and remain neutral in things like this. Or he can't do his job. And my job, is to bring them in. I aim to do just that."
"You haven't been so harsh on Darrel or Billy."
Jesse glanced at her, indulging her in her victory. "Due in large because of you. You seem to want to mother them. I agree, they aren't dangerous like the others. They're just kids, and I doubt they did any of the killings. As far as the robbery goes, they probably just held the horses for the others. Therefore, I don't look at them the same. After you've been a lawman for a while, you get to where you can pick the dangerous ones from the others. But don't under estimate them. Any of them."
"Is Jimmy John dangerous?"
"He's the leader, so yes, he is. Because they listen to him. But it's Thornton that crawls up my skin. I don't like him, or trust him. It's not for me to judge them, but it is my job to bring them to justice. It's funny in some ways. Jimmy John on the surface isn't a bad character, a little rough and unseemly, but not a bad fella, but Thornton he's got a mean nature, sinister in fact. The others, Elmer, he's old and probably tired of the outlawing ways. Wes, he's the quiet one, don't really know what I think of him. I try not to dwell on any of them. My job is to see that justice is served."
Shannon was quiet a long while.
"Two of the young girls had their eyes on Darrel and Billy. And of course, one of them sure was interested in you. Her name is Rachel I think, and she couldn't speak louder if she tried. Do you think you could adapt to their ways?" Shannon asked.
"No ma'am. If I wanted one, I could only handle one at a time. And I've got one…remember?" He suddenly glanced at her. "I don't claim to understand their religion, but I can tell you, it isn't for me. However, they are dedicated to it, and I will leave them to it. As far as the women go, I'm not here for that. We happened to fight off some Indians for them, they gave us a meal, that's all there is to it."
"And ours…is a temporary situation of course…" She added looking at him. "And you didn't come to Oregon to fetch a wife, either."
His glanced went over her, lazily now, and a smile curled his lips. She wished he wouldn’t smile like that; he was so darn handsome…
"Of course. So far this marriage hasn't been as bad as I thought it might…"
And then he got up and walked off.
Chapter Ten
"You're welcome to stay with us a while longer." Nathaniel offered as Jesse was packing up his horse to leave. Everyone was ready to go. They had given them a lot of food to take with them and Jesse thanked them for it.
One of the older women gave Jimmy John and his men some extra food to take along, and they were smiling at them. "Never have turned down a good meal, ma'am. We thank you." Jimmy John smiled at her.
But what Jesse noticed out of the corner of his eyes was how Thornton was looking at the women. Now he understood him, and he sorely wished he didn't. Thornton was dangerous, and he had to keep an eye on him from now on. There was a label for men like Thornton; Jesse hoped he didn't have to deal with him on that level.
"Better not, I need to get these men to Texas. It's been a long trip up here, and equally long getting back." Jesse explained. "But I thank you
for the hospitality."
Rachel the girl that seemed so interested in him came to stand beside Nathaniel. She said nothing, but her eyes spoke volumes. Jesse glanced at her a time or two, but there was no way to communicate his true feelings. She was pretty, but not for him. He'd been around girls that wanted more than he could give before, and this one definitely wanted more, Shannon had been right about that.
"You're welcome friend."
Jesse smiled sweetly as she stood beside Nathaniel. Her eyes searched his. He nodded and mounted up. "Thanks…"
They rode away from the furrowed fields. Jesse was very quiet.
Shannon couldn't help but wonder if they hadn't married, would he be back there. It weighed heavy on her mind.
"You sure you want to leave?" Shannon asked when Jesse was too silent.
"She was pretty, I'll admit that, but not for me." Jesse acknowledged. "And you were right, she was definitely flirting."
"If eyes could speak, hers would have. I suppose they aren't allowed to talk much about their feelings, but they sure learn early how to use their expressions."
"Are you going to torture me with that for the rest of the trip?" Jesse glanced at her with a sarcastic grin.
Shannon couldn't stop the chuckle within her.
"I'm sorry. I found it amusing, especially since she knew you were already married, and that you weren't Mormon. I shouldn't laugh, but she couldn't be quiet with those eyes. She was beautiful, so clean and pure. I never knew anyone who could talk with their eyes before. But anyone could see what she was about." Shannon giggled and joined Darrel once more when Jesse sped up his horse to a livelier trot.
"Do you enjoy riling him?" Darrel frowned at her.
Taken aback by Darrel's remark Shannon stopped laughing. "I'm sorry. I guess I never figured that he could regret this marriage as much as I could. I guess I'm beginning to feel guilty about it all. It certainly wasn't my fault, and I wanted him to know if he wanted that girl, he should have let her know."
"What makes you think he regrets the marriage?"
"Well it sure could hold him back in matters of the heart, don't you think. That girl was offering him a lot, a new kind of life. It had to be tempting for him. Naturally he'd probably have to put away his gun, and convert to Mormonism, but if he loved her…"
"If he wanted her, I got a feeling he could have had her. She was more than just another female, she was a Mormon. He'd have had to accept her religion too, and not many could do that. They got some strange notions about things."
"Bad notions?"
"No…not all of them at least, but they are strange."
Shannon was shocked that Darrel knew so much about these people. In some way he was better educated than a lot of men she knew. He'd lived a lot in his sixteen years and he was smart.
"You were around Mormons before?"
"Well yeah, I mean, they came to town once, down in Texas, just traveling through of course, but they weren't welcomed. And everyone discussed them regular until they left too. The man had five wives and announced it too. That was a big mistake, the town was ready to tar and feather them and send them on their way, but before they got around to it, the family moved on. It's a good thing too. I can't understand how they can be as bold as brass about something they know is against the law."
"Yes, I guess you are right about that. He'd have to take that into consideration too. They are a kind people, gentle even, or so they seem…"
"Most the time, but they know how to fight back too. They were in a lot of scrapes with a lot of different people, not just Indians, though. I saw them nearly tear a town apart once, because one of theirs was hurt." Darrel informed her.
"Yes, I've read about their struggles, and about how they came to this part of the country. Unlike some religious groups though, they fight for what they believe in. You have to respect that." Shannon shrugged.
"Yeah, I wouldn't want to tangle with them."
Shannon rode along quietly a moment. "I just don't understand why they take multiple wives. I mean, I realize that in the beginning they thought they were protecting and supporting a widow in their family, but to have so many for one man, it seems indecent to me."
"Not to mention that it's against the law in this country." Jesse slowed his horse.
"That's what most folks think about it." Darrel nodded.
"And they probably wouldn't have had any trouble at all with everyone else, if it hadn't been for the polygamy." Jesse added.
Shannon wondered just how much Darrel knew about these people. He didn't seem to like them.
"Well, I guess out here in this country they think they might change the law, or something." Shannon suggested.
Jesse heard them and slowed so he could say something.
"They're trying to do just that, setting up their own territory, running it themselves; they plan on passing laws to protect their way of life. But they will still face opposition. It's kind of like the Indians and the whites trying to change them. It won't work. They refuse to change. Oddly enough, the Indian and the Mormons have some things in common, and they still can't get along."
"I can sure understand why the Indians are mad at them." Darrel shook his head. "It is their land. I mean…they were here first. But then again, the Indians can be a murderous bunch too."
"Yeah, they were here first. And they resent being forced off their land. They fought hard for it, and going to a reservation is to them, giving up on their way of life. It's a hard thing to face." Jesse finished for them. "They resent being lied to by our government."
"Do you think that all people will learn to live in harmony some day?" Shannon asked.
"I doubt it. Even the bible says there will be wars and rumors of wars, so someone will always disagree on things and start something." Jesse answered her quickly.
"From all I've read, I have to admit, I'm scared to death of the Indians. Even though I sympathize with them over being pushed off their own lands. They scare me." Shannon admitted.
"They should…they take a lot of white women captive. And that's something to be afraid of." Jesse told her.
They rode for a long time and finally Shannon glanced behind her. It was as if their talking about the Indians had conjured them, but when she saw Indians behind them, she shrieked aloud.
"Oh my God," was all she could say.
Darrel glanced behind him and saw them.
Jesse turned in time to feel the whiz of an arrow.
"Get behind those rocks," He shouted.
Jimmy John rode for the rocks immediately, the others followed.
Darrel and Billy followed a moment later. Shannon was stunned into immobility. She sat there in her saddle, staring at them, frozen.
All she could do was stare.
Jesse winced when he saw her.
The young braves were closing in, and she found she couldn't move. She'd read about Indian scrimmages before. How they raped and kidnapped the women. Fear had not been a big part of her life, until now. Indians had murdered her own father and it had put a white-hot fear in her.
Jesse saw her and headed for her, but a buck came up behind her and grabbed her off her horse. She was riding in mid air, as she clung to the brave's arm around her. She wanted to scream, but nothing came out of her mouth. Pure fear raced up and down her spine as she figured she'd breathed her last.
She felt she might fall at any moment, but the Indian had her gripped with his arm. There was no way she would fall. Yet the wind blowing against her legs told her it was up to him if she lived.
Jesse aimed his rifle and hit the Indian, Shannon grappled for the reins as the Indian began sliding from the saddle. Shannon grabbed the saddle horn and lifted herself onto it, finally managing to stop the horse. Shaking with fright, she headed for the brush to cover her.
However, another Indian had spotted her and jumped on top of her sending her careening to the ground with a thud. Shannon tasted the dust in her mouth, but the look in the young braves eyes told her
it was time to fight. In the struggle, he managed to rip the back of her clothes, exposing her battered back. The scars were no longer important, as she wrestled aimlessly with the Indian. He held her with one hand and tore at her clothes with the other. She lunged herself at him, and he swatted her away as he continued at his quest.
She didn't mind dying so much, but she wouldn't be violated in this way. She plummeted his chest with her fists. He ducked. They rolled against the hard ground, sticks and rocks jabbing her naked back. She winced with pain.
When the Indian saw her back, he backed away, uttering something. Then he jumped down on her again and this time he was about to molest her when Jesse rode up to them.
Jesse jumped on the Indian, pushing him off of Shannon as they wrestled.
Dust flew, and they grunted and grumbled as they rolled repeatedly on the ground.
Shannon ran into the bushes, grabbing at what was left of her shirt to cover herself. She squatted in the bushes and cried with pure fear.
In seconds, Jesse was following behind her. "It's alright now…He fell on his own knife." He said comforting her as he caught up to her, but her back was to him and he saw the scars.
In her fright, she had forgotten to hide her back.
His mouth opened, but he didn't utter a word, he just took her in his arms and comforted her.
He held her close as she cried hysterically.
"I couldn't move." she cried aloud. "When I saw them, I just couldn't move. I'm sorry, I should have known better."
"I know," his lips touched her forehead.
His arms were protectively around her and cradling her there, he pulled away to look into her eyes.
"Oh God…you saw…" she cringed, as shame washed over her.
"I saw." He said simply, trying to pull her back into his arms.
She pulled out of his reach and as tears ran down her cheeks, she raised her chin high. "Would you happen to have a shirt I could borrow?"
"Sure," he answered, there was no pity in his eyes, only some strange form of concern.
He went to his saddlebag and pulled out a shirt. "I keep an extra in my bags, never know when you will need it."
Shotgun Bride (Book Six of the Brides of the West) Page 9
