Westbound Awakening

by Hildie McQueen

  It was evening now, and the sounds of laughter followed by a new livelier song made her wonder if perhaps, once the medication wore off, the captain would not be able to get enough rest. She frowned toward the doorway. Nothing could be done about it. This was a house where the nights were filled with activity and the days quieted while everyone slept.

  To allow some of the stuffiness out of the room, Mae opened the window. She leaned into the welcome cool breeze.

  A man and one of her girls passed outside the window, speaking and laughing. She shook her head and let out a resigned sigh. "It's going to be hard to ensure you get enough rest around here at night John."

  John grumbled in his sleep, seeming to agree with her, and she smiled toward the bed. Either her voice or the sound of his name when she said it brought out a reaction almost every time.

  3

  Like claws peeling his flesh away, pain seared up his leg. John gritted his teeth and stretched it, forcing the stiff limb to become accustomed to movement. Back and forth, he flexed first from the knee down and then from the hip, each movement becoming easier, smoother.

  For two weeks, he'd been holed up in the house, in the same room. Each time he attempted to venture out, either Miss Lady or Mae would catch him and shoo him back into the room and to bed. Too weak from the blinding pain shooting through his leg when he stood to resist and since the dizziness came when he tried to stand upright, he'd not had much choice but to comply.

  Today was a rare break. Upon awakening, the first thing he'd noticed was that the pain had lessoned considerably. Now after completing the exercises prescribed by Doctor Martin, he was in pain, but not unbearable.

  Sitting on a chair near the window, he'd spotted Miss Lady and Mae outside. They walked towards the road, and he made up his mind to seize the opportunity to move around, get out of the cramped room.

  His soldiers hadn't returned since they'd come two days earlier. He wasn't sure any of his regiment would anymore, not to see him anyway. During the last visit, they'd delivered his discharge papers, pay and belongings. Before leaving, they'd shook his hand and wished him well. One of the soldiers who'd been under his command shuffled his feet while the young man informed him the unit was about to be disbanded. Those who wished to continue in the military would be relocated to other posts.

  He eyed the small pile of items in the corner of the room. Time to move on McClain. He tested his weight on his healthy leg and pushed up from the chair with his arms to stand. The swaying of the room was only slight, which was comforting. With measured movements, he lowered his left leg until his foot rested flat on the floor.

  One step. The pain was bearable. He shifted and took a second step.

  It was slow progress, with the short distance from his room to the front room taking him much longer than he had expected. Without the evening crowds, the space seemed much bigger. He went to the large polished mahogany bar and leaned forward to study the lines of neatly lined clean glasses along the back wall. It smelled of tobacco and drink, yet it was a pleasant space.

  When John finally approached the bedroom, he heard female voices. Mae and Miss Lady had returned and were in the kitchen.

  The tone of Mae's voice caught his attention, so instead of returning to the room, John leaned against the wall and listened.

  "Miss Lady, why did you read the letter? I told you over and again I want nothing to do with the man." Although the words were spoken rapidly, Mae maintained her tone soft.

  Miss Lady huffed, and he could hear the older woman shuffling across the floor. "You're right Mae. He don't deserve a thing from you. You on the other hand, deserve much from him. You need to go west to Texas and see what your daddy has to offer. His letter says he wants to leave you his property. A large ranch. If nothing else, you can sell the ranch and come back with enough money to move away from here, start a new life. Maybe you can go north."

  "Where exactly would I go?" Mae's voice cracked, and John wondered if she was crying. "I can't go far enough in this state to escape someone knowing about my life here. Somewhere someone will recognize me. You know well and good my mother's family up north has made it abundantly clear I'm not welcome. I know you mean well Miss Lady, but please just let it go."

  "This is one thing I am not going to let go Mae." Miss Lady's tone was harsh. "You can be mad all you want, but I'm puttin' you on a stagecoach west if it's the last thing I do." Her next statement startled John. "Captain McClain, what are you doing out of bed?"

  Before he could take a step, both women rushed over and flanked him. Hands pushed up on his elbows urged him toward a chair in the kitchen.

  Mae kept her face turned away, as if hiding evidence of distress. Yet her words were clear, strong. "Of all the stubborn things John McClain, why didn't you call? One of us can bring you anything you need. Doctor Martin doesn't want you up until he returns and pronounces you well enough to be up and about. After his last visit, he said your leg is still too injured, slow to heal."

  "I can't abide staying in the room another day," John told them feeling childish when both women stood over him with balled hands on their hips. "I have to get moving so I can be on my way soon. Can't continue to abuse your hospitality and good care," he finished looking up at them with a scowl.

  The words seemed to placate them both, Miss Lady moved toward the stove. "Well, I can certainly understand how hard it's been for you to be shut inside the room all these days. Unfortunately you need the recovery time lest you fall sick again. Let me pour you some coffee Captain."

  Mae brushed past him, her soft floral fragrance a familiar scent now. "I'll go see about freshening your linens and getting the room aired out." She turned to look at Miss Lady. "I'll be in my room for a spell afterwards."

  "Our conversation is not over young lady," Miss Lady called after the retreating form. The older woman turned her attention to John. "I never thought I'd meet anyone more mule-headed person than my Mae, until you Captain McClain. Now what is your hurry to leave all about?"

  John accepted the coffee and looked over the top of his cup out the window. "My plans are to go out west Miss Lady." He wondered how much to tell. "I've got someone to look for in Texas. And the sooner I catch up to 'em, the better."

  She frowned, and nodded in understanding. "You're welcome to stay as long as you need Captain McClain. It's best not to hurry healin'. I know you have plans and such, but it ain't gonna do you any good to hurry to leave only to end up back in a sick bed."

  There was no arguing the point. "I do need to check on my horse. He's rather unruly, and it's hard for a stranger to tend to him."

  "You ain't goin' out there to the stables no time soon. Not until Doc says you can. James has a way with animals, and your mount’s been doing well enough." Miss Lady's tone left little room for argument. "‘Sides, I doubt you can make it halfway to the barn in your condition, much less makin' to go nowhere. Give it another few days Captain McClain. Whatever it is that needs to be done can wait."

  Miss Lady was right of course. Instead of a response, John sighed and stared out the window toward the barn.

  Three days later, John woke to the usually quite morning at the brothel. Everyone slept late in the place, and he was thankful for the respite from the laughter, music and smoke. He rolled to his back and stretched. Other than a slight tightness in his leg, there was no pain now. Glad for the reprieve from the aching, he lay in bed a few minutes longer enjoying the first morning without pain.

  Doctor Martin had grudgingly agreed he could venture out for short walks. The outdoors beckoned, and John got up. He took his time washing up and dressing, not wanting to push it and do any damage to the healing injury.

  Making his way toward the kitchen he hoped to avoid running into anyone. Not a morning person, he preferred solitude upon waking. Thankfully the room was empty.

  When he exited to the back porch, John inhaled the fresh air and stretched; it felt good to be outside. The crisp air filled his lungs lifting his spirits, a
nd his gaze followed a flock of birds flying in a precise formation across the pale blue sky. It was definitely a good way to begin the day. He would give it just another couple days and then leave, with or without Doctor Martin's approval. It was time.

  Although his leg was still newly healed, he couldn't afford to wait much longer to get on the road west to find the outlaw. If the man remained in Texas, he'd seek out the damned woman who was with him and get answers to the questions he'd planned to ask the day he'd been shot.

  John crossed the wide expanse from the house to the stables, his steps slow yet steady.

  The inside of the barn was dim when John entered it, looking to find his horse. The clean stables and pens along with the smell of fresh hay relieved some of the guilt over the animal being penned for so long. Like him, the animal preferred the outdoors. Fresh air, lack of walls and confinement were their lifeblood.

  Four stalls later, he still hadn’t found the horse. Had the soldiers taken him? No, it was not possible. He'd paid for the horse, ensured they'd signed the papers turning the animal over to him. The unruly beast would buck off and trample to death anyone who tried to ride him other than John.

  Alarmed now, he hurried out the back of the barn and held his hand over his eyes prepared to look to the horizon for a sign of the horse. Only a few feet from the back door, under the shade of an overhang, his beast pranced and preened while a blonde in plain brown skirts and a sturdy blouse brushed his mane. "There you go handsome sir. I appreciate you allowing me to ride you." The woman's hand caressed the content horse's nose. "Now how about you spend some time in the corral, since you seem to dislike the barn so much?"

  "Mae?" John could have bitten his tongue off for speaking out loud when she jumped and dropped the brush.

  The beauty turned to face him and lifted a brow, perfecting the look of total annoyance. "If Miss Lady finds you out here, she'll not be too happy."

  "I'm well enough that I can come see about my horse," John replied eyeing the animal nuzzling Mae's hand. The traitor of a horse no doubt had fallen under the spell of a striking female. Mae pushed him away. "Not now horse."

  "His name is Lasitor."

  Mae turned to his horse and grabbed the reins, pulling it toward the corral. "Come horse, you can get a tasty carrot once you do as you're told, unlike your owner who won't listen to a thing, even if it's good for him." Lasitor turned and eyed him as if agreeing with Mae and walked docile as a lamb, beside her.

  John followed the pair not sure what to do. If she were one of his men, he'd be hollering and demand she release the reins. Why didn't he do it now? Well she was a female, yet she was purposely taking the horse away.

  "I demand you drop those reins this instant woman and allow me some time with my horse. Shouldn't you be asleep or taking care of whatever things you do in the house?" No sooner did the harsh words leave his mouth than he knew he was about to see a side of the Madam he'd yet to imagine.

  Her skirts swirled around her ankles when she spun. Sparks brightened the green eyes tunneled into his, and her top lip twisted into a snarl. She practically threw the reins at Lasitor, who blinked when the leather flew across his muzzle. The horse obviously the smarter of the two males moved a few feet away into the corral and began to nibble on the grass.

  John remained planted, prepared for a hearty slap if not worse as he watched Mae stomp closer.

  "Now listen here Captain McClain. I don't expect much from you. I certainly don't want your gratitude or any type of compensation for keeping your sorry hide here. Unlike the horse, you have been nothing but an irritable, infuriating mule the entire time. I am nobody's woman. Don't you ever demand anything from me!"

  She blinked her eyes were shiny with angry tears. "Now if you would excuse me, I have better things to do than to waste my time and energy on the likes of you." With one last glare she went toward the house.

  Head hanging down, he could hear the bustling of her skirts become fainter.

  "I am nobody's woman." Her words sunk in. She looked on the verge of crying. Damn it, he would have preferred the slap.

  4

  By the time Mae made it inside the kitchen, she shook so hard, her teeth rattled. Never had she met a more infuriating person than John McClain. How could he stand there and order her about? Demand things? As if she were one of his men no less. His tone of superiority, the way he'd eluded to her work tore her in half. She had no illusions that anyone would ever treat her with respect. Even so, there was such a thing as human kindness wasn't there? With an angry swipe, she slid the back of her hand across her wet cheeks. The angry tears made her even angrier. She shouldn't let him affect her this way. Besides, she should be used to being treated in such a manner.

  At the sound of footsteps coming from the back porch, she gathered up her skirts to flee, only to the damn folds become tangled with a chair so that she was yanked backward. Tugging free, she ignored the tall shadow spilling over the room. "Miss Mae," John McClain cleared his throat. "Can I speak to you for a moment?"

  Since when did he call her 'Miss'? Mae stopped with her back to him. "No I don't have time with things needing to be done here in the house. I have much to do Captain McClain. You can speak to Miss Lady about anything you require when she returns in a bit from her walk." She went toward the hallway.

  "I apologize for speaking to you in the manner of which I did." The huskiness in his voice told he was not used to apologizing for anything. "I was out of line."

  Mae turned to face him and knew immediately it was a mistake when his concerned gray eyes pinned her. The sincerity in them shocked her, the depth of his gaze holding her prisoner. "Miss Mae, I am not ungrateful for what you and Miss Lady have done for me. I do understand both of you have done a great deal to help in my recovery. If I gave the impression of a foul mood," he paused when she arched a brow. "What I mean to say is that I was unhappy at being indoors for so long. I am not of a good temper in the mornings, but there is no excuse for my behavior. I should have minded my temper better. And I do plan to repay you for everything. I've never seen Lasitor so well behaved. He's been well taken care of, both of us have. Please accept my apology." Eyes locked on hers, he waited for an answer and she found it impossible to look away, her heartbeat quickened and her mouth became dry at his close scrutiny.

  He cleared his throat and it broke the spell.

  "Just let me be." Mae waved him off, angered at her feeble and lackluster sound of her words.

  "What is going on here?" Miss Lady came up behind John, and Mae fought the urge to flee. She wouldn't give John the satisfaction of knowing how much he affected her.

  Mae motioned to John. "Captain McClain was just apologizing for being a horse’s ass."

  "Mae Hawkins," Miss Lady admonished. "Mind your language." Miss Lady turned to the Captain. "I overheard some of it. From the sounds of it, you did right to apologize to Mae. She is to be treated with respect due a lady at all times and especially in this house." Properly chastised, John studied his boots.

  "Miss Lady," Mae protested only to hush when Miss Lady pinned her with an arched brow.

  John cleared his throat. "I do owe both you and Miss Mae an apology. I have not been a gentleman, and I apologize."

  "I accept your apology," Miss Lady told him and then turned to Mae. "And you child?"

  Mae raised flat eyes to him. "I'm not sure," she grumbled.

  Miss Lady looked to be somewhat mollified, and then she turned to John. "As I said, I overheard part of what you said, especially the part of you repaying us. It so happens I have an idea for the amount of repayment." Her eyes slid to Mae, and she knew in that instant Miss Lady was about to rope her into something she could not get out of.

  John looked between them with narrowed eyes, but he remained silent.

  Lips curving into a mischievous grin, Miss Lady took time to smooth her skirts and then wagged a finger at Mae. "You should accept his apology Mae."

  Her throat dry, Mae cleared it and nodded, looking
past the glowering captain's left shoulder. "I accept your apology John. As far as payment, there is no…"

  "No need to repay us with money," Miss Lady interrupted. "As I recall, you have plans to go west to take care of some situation or another. It would keep this old woman's mind at ease if you would agree to accompany Mae, as she has to go to see about things in Texas too."

  Old woman? Miss Lady sure knew how to wind a person around her little finger, and Mae could see John faltering to come up with a way out of having to escort her. Mae smirked at him from behind Miss Lady, goading him to come up with a good excuse to be away from the 'likes' of her. For a brief moment, he appeared to be at a loss for words.

  When John locked stares with her, Mae felt the first trickle of dread. Eyes twinkling, he slid his gaze away from her. Challenge accepted. "Miss Lady, it would be my pleasure to escort Miss Mae anywhere she needs to go." His eyes gleamed with amusement when they met her widened ones. "I'll deliver her safe and sound exactly where you tell me. I assure you she will be protected. You should not be worried about such a thing."

  No! This is not what was supposed to happen.

  "What dear?" Miss Lady's innocent expression turned to her. She'd spoken out loud. "Did you say no? Surely you understand this is the answer to my prayers. I've been praying to God to help find a way for you to safely go see about your father."

  "The stagecoach is safe enough," Mae gritted out. "Besides I am not prepared to travel as soon as I'm sure the Captain plans to leave. Didn't you tell me he plans to leave in a day or two?" She gave the smug man a pointed glare. "Besides, we don't have a covered wagon, and I cannot ride astride for days at a time. It's impossible. Thank you for your offer of assistance Captain McClain. I will go see about a stagecoach ticket in a day or two."

  The hateful man cocked his head to the side. "You make a valid point Miss Mae. Riding astride for such a long journey could prove tiring with my injured leg. Come to think of it, I need to take all my belongings as well, so I need a good-sized wagon. Heck, I've plenty of money saved, so I will purchase a small covered wagon. It could come in handy, as I will need a place to sleep and live out of once I arrive in Texas. It will be at least a couple of days by the time I get everything settled. Plenty of time to pack, wouldn't you say Miss Lady?"