When they rode out of site, everyone gathered around Cole.
"What are you going to do?"
"We will catch the Banditos…" Perez resounded.
"I'm going to track them, find them, and kill them," Cole promised as he looked at the distraught crowd of people gathering about them. "I'm going to bring your money and things back if I can but I will bring the girls back, that much I can tell you now. Sam will take you through. He's as qualified as I am to lead this train. He knows the way as well as I do. He will pay the tolls on the Barlow road, so don't worry. You will get to the valley, and I will see you as soon as I can."
"You going alone?"
"No señora, he's not. I will go with señor Morgan." Perez announced.
"But you could be killed?" One woman shouted.
Mrs. Meriwether looked at the people. "Cole Morgan has more to lose than any of us, except maybe me. I trust him. I also trust Mr. Perez. He's a fine tracker and between the two of them. They will somehow make it because God himself goes with them. Go now…" She pleaded with tears running down her cheeks.
"Thank you, Mrs. Meriwether. I'll be back, I promise!" Cole shouted.
"Don't you want some of us to go with you?" His men asked.
"No…too many of us and they'll spot us. Perez and I know how to track without attracting attention. It's better this way. But I thank you for the offer. You men continue on, help the people get through. I don't know how long this will take, but I'll find you."
"Mrs. Em…we all love her too." One man added.
"Thank you…she'll be glad to hear it."
"My Beth…" Mrs. Meriwether clutched Cole's arm for a moment. "She doesn't know what she's doing. I swear she doesn't."
"We'll do our best," Cole assured her and kissed her forehead.
"Thank you, I know you will."
Cole and Perez gathered a few supplies and left.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Mike stared into Emily's face, a flash of amusement crossing his face. "Now, you got two choices honey, co-operate and cook us a meal, or I'll tie you up and let the men have a go at you. Your choice."
"I'll cook." She said flatly.
He snickered, "I figured you would."
"That's what you brought me for, isn't it?"
"That's right, I'd advise you to remember that." He warned.
They had ridden all day and half the night. Emily was tired. She wasn't used to it. She wondered how many days would be just like this one. Beth looked tired too. When they stopped, everyone was starved.
"You," He punched Beth in the back with his rifle. "Go help her."
Beth moved toward the campfire.
"What do you think they'll do to us?" She asked Emily.
"They brought me to cook, I'm not sure why they brought you." Emily looked at her.
"I am…." She smiled seductively at Angel. "That one hasn't taken his eyes off me. He's the one insisted I should come along. He's kind of cute. I think."
"Be careful, Beth."
One of the men showed Emily where all the food was and she made do with what they had. Again she mentally took note to thank Mrs. Meriwether for teaching her so much about making do. One of her best lessons had been how to make do when there was little to make do with.
Emily had to pull herself together. The long ride had worn her out and she wished she could rest. Beth seemed to be enjoying this adventure. She seemed to eye each man, as though weighing which one she wanted. As if she had a choice. Angel was the only man staring her down.
Could she be that desperate for a man? Or was she simply afraid of them, and thinking she would somehow best them?
That night they slept under the stars with only a blanket. Beth was nowhere to be seen. Emily shrugged, she couldn't be her keeper. Still, she was young and it was hard not to worry about her safety.
Emily feared for her. Even though Beth continued to flirt with them, she had no idea what these men were capable of. Emily wanted to warn her, but she knew it would do no good. Beth was in her element. She had the attention of all the wrong men again.
Emily closed her eyes and let all the sore places relax. She woke up later when Beth and Angel came back to camp.
She saw how dishelved Beth was, her clothes barely hanging on, her face, flushed from a shadow of a beard scraping it. It wasn't hard to figure out what had happened.
Next morning, she gazed at the sunrise for a moment and wondered if Cole was doing the same thing. Or was he praying for her again.
Emily's hands were untied and a man stood guard over her at all times as she cooked. The man that guarded her was young and smiled a lot at her. She noticed he had dirty blonde hair that was longer than most, and dark eyes that pierced. He kept one hand poised over his gun, a snide smile on his lips. They called him Howie. Emily wondered what his real name was.
Emily tried to ignore him as she made flapjacks and coffee that next morning. Beth joined her, her hair was mussed, her face looked whisker burned and she looked thoroughly ravished. She already didn't look like herself. Not the beauty from the train at least.
"Beth you've got to be careful…these men…"
"Are very rugged men, Emily. I know. But I like them."
Emily felt she couldn't reach Beth. She'd already made up her mind about these men and what she intended to do with them.
The minute the coffee was ready the men flocked around the fire. They helped themselves to her coffee and seemed very pleased with her cooking. The men dove into the food as though starved.
There was an assortment of men and most of them needed a haircut. One in particular stood out, other than Mike and that was a man they called Scar. The name fit, as he had a scar across his face that distinguished him from the others. He looked mean and wore a frown all the time. He was a tough one, Emily decided.
Mike was a rather handsome fella, but there was no doubt that he was the leader and that he wasn't easily persuaded.
Mike came up to her. "That was very tasty. I'm impressed, you really can cook. Where'd you learn?"
Emily sighed, "From her mother." She intimated Beth.
"Her mother? Then she can cook too?" Mike asked.
"I don't know. But her mother can."
"We'll just have to see about that, won't we?" Mike laughed. "How could we get so lucky. At least she's a little easier to get along with."
"She's a child."
"Yes, and you're a woman. That's why I'm not getting rid of you. That and the fact that you are the wagon master's wife. From the look in his eyes, he'd do just about anything to get you back."
"Of course he would. He's my husband."
"Oh, it's more than that. And I think you know it."
Emily watched as Mike came up to Beth. Beth flirted with him endlessly, but Emily knew he wasn't taken in.
"You don't seem to mind being kidnaped so much, how come?" Mike asked Beth.
She batted her eyes dramatically. She purposely posed herself so he got a good look at her.
"Well, it's not like I'm being mistreated…" she smiled seductively at him.
"Lookie here fellas, she likes being here with us." Mike laughed aloud.
The others snickered.
"What's your name honey?" Mike encouraged.
"Beth…" She answered quickly.
"Beth, I like that, short for Elizabeth?" He asked.
"No…just Beth…"
"Do you cook too, Beth?" Mike asked, pulling at her hair and teasing her.
"I can cook…but there're other things I like better." She smiled wickedly.
Mike grinned. "Is that a fact. We should talk about that sometime…" He walked off. "But on second thought, Angel already has a claim on your affections. But at least you aren't hostile like her. I'll give you credit for that."
Mike pointed to Emily.
Beth stared at him for among all the men, Mike was the best looking, and Beth seemed to like him. But Emily was almost sure that Mike wouldn't be tempted as quickly.
&
nbsp; Emily shook her head but didn't say a word. She hoped Beth wouldn't go too far with the flirting, it could put her in real danger. But then judging from the way her clothes were all wrinkled, she probably already had.
Emily wondered if Cole had followed them?
Now that she was separated from him, she wished she had said many things to her husband. It was too late, but she wished she had. She wasn't a fool, she knew they might decide to kill her at any time.
"Get your things together men, we're riding." Mike hollered as Emily cleaned up the dishes.
"Where are we going?" Emily asked him when he returned for more coffee.
"My Ma's place."
"Your parents?" Emily looked incredulous at him.
"That's right. Don't you think I could have a Ma?"
"I guess I never thought about it. Most outlaws I know about, their parents are dead and they got cheated by some big land owners or something that's why they went bad in the first place. But…your mother is alive?"
"My Pa's dead. Got killed in a hold up over in Rollins. Ma will feed us and we can relax once we are there. Don't get no ideas you can persuade her to let you go. She's meaner than the rest of us put together."
"Where does she live?" Emily asked.
"She lives on that big ole mountain up there. Where no one can find us. We'll be safe there." Mike glanced at the mountain in the distance.
"It's a beautiful mountain." Emily sighed.
"You might not think so after we climb it." Mike laughed. "It's pretty rough going."
Beth ambled up to Mike. "Can I ride with you?"
Mike studied her for a moment, then cast her a cute grin. "You could, but Angel might not like sharing you so soon. You better watch the men you share with, some don't want to share that easily. Angel's one of them. He'll tire of you sooner or later, and you can pick some other sucker."
She lifted her chin and shot him another seductive glance. "I'm willing to chance it."
"Yeah, I noticed. Makes me wonder what you are up to." Mike studied her. "You're a real puzzle honey. You aren't scared of what I might do to you?"
"I'm not afraid of you…but the one called Scar…maybe." She teased.
"Everyone's scared of him." Mike laughed.
"Even you?"
"That's right. A smart man knows when to be scared."
Emily knew Beth was getting in deeper than she should but short of making her angry, she decided to keep her mouth shut and watch. Mike seemed more intelligent than the others and from the look in his eyes, he knew what she wanted.
In a way, she was a distraction for Emily. The more Mike paid attention to Beth, the less he would worry about her. Still, in some small corner of her heart, Emily was afraid for Beth. Because Beth didn't have the good sense to be scared for her own life.
When they saddled up. Angel hauled Beth up in the saddle with him, she hung onto him and laid her head on his shoulder. He patted her hands and rode off.
In other circumstances, people might assume they were in love with each other, Emily thought to herself.
It worried Emily that they rode off before the others. But there was nothing she could do. She finished cleaning up and the young one called Sage told her to get ready to ride. Sage couldn't have been over sixteen, she wondered what he was doing with this crowd.
"Where are they going?" Emily asked him as she shot Angel and Beth a glance.
"To be alone," Sage snickered. "Angel really likes her."
"I see." Emily's forehead furrowed and she wished she could warn Beth. But it would do little good, Beth didn't like her. Besides, Emily was almost sure Beth was asking for everything she got.
"He won't hurt her, will he?"
"Angel wouldn't hurt a fly. But he…can get jealous." Sage warned.
Half an hour later, they came back, Beth's clothes were a mess, her hair was down and wild looking. She'd been thoroughly ravished by the looks of her. But she didn't seem upset. In fact, she raised her chin in defiance of Emily's glaring glance and hugged Angel tighter. He snickered as he looked at Emily.
"Easy honey, we gotta ride." He smiled.
"Alright boys, let's get to Ma's." Mike yelled at them.
The others complied.
Emily had her own horse that Mike had furnished for her and mounted without a word.
Emily was interested in meeting Mike's Ma. She wondered if she'd be meek and mild or a bit wild herself. From Mike's description, she wasn't meek, but he could just be trying to scare her. She wished she knew whether Cole had followed them.
She only hoped he didn't do anything foolish to try to rescue her.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Mike had been right. The trip up the mountain was treacherous and several times the horses slipped nearly toppling the horse and rider. Sage wasn't as experienced as the rest at traveling along the mountain curves, and he almost fell to his death a couple of times. They took it slow and easy from there on out. Angel had been the first to help Sage, and Emily made a note that maybe Angel did have more feelings than the others.
They camped another night and Emily did all the cooking, Beth was rarely around to help.
"Looks like your friend decided to join us, rather than fight us." Mike chuckled as he sampled her coffee. "Maybe you'll do the same once you get used to us. You might as well, you're going to be with us a long time."
Emily said nothing. What could she say?
"Whoa, you make a mean cup of coffee lady. Best I ever had. I wonder what other things you are good at."
"Not much I was an old maid up until recently," Emily informed him, hoping to discourage him.
"An old maid? That's hard to believe." He touched her hair. She didn't back up, or act scared. She stood her ground. "You got the prettiest hair I ever seen on a woman. And it curls natural like. My Ma always said a woman's hair was her 'crown and glory'. You married the wagon master? Did you love him?"
"Yes, I married him.."
"Were you in love with him?" Mike asked, waiting for her reaction to that question.
Emily felt uncomfortable. "Not at the time…" she admitted.
Mike studied her a minute then grinned. "You tell it straight don't you?"
"I try."
"I like that. Yes ma'am I like that a lot. It just sort of rolls out of your mouth, don't it."
"You want to tell me straight?" Emily asked him, putting her hands on her hips and glaring at him. "What do you intend doing with us."
"Us? Well…that's a fair question. I haven't thought about it that far yet. But…I'd say that Beth has sealed her fate. Angel don't take on many women. When he does he don't like letting go of them. But you…I'm just not sure. I do know I like your cooking and love your coffee. I'd hate to get rid of you, you could be a real asset. The other one, I don't really care. She's pretty much just a tramp. And tramps are easy to find. If Angel tires of her, we might have to get rid of her."
"She's young…She doesn't see what she's doing. Please don't call her that…"
"Yeah, but that's what she is. Got a lot to learn, and she's gonna learn it the hard way. I don’t see you trying to stop her."
"No…and you won't. I can't change her, she's turned that way. I guess some women are. Besides, she really doesn't like me."
Mike screwed up his face. "Not you, though. You are a wise one, aren't you."
"Got myself in a predicament, didn't I? Not too wise." Emily sighed.
"Why don't she like you?"
"She was after my husband for a while."
"Woe…" He nodded. "Well, we'll see. Maybe you'll mellow out. Come to accept us and your fate."
Emily nodded. "When hell freezes over."
Mike turned to look at her again. "You don't think that husband of yours will follow do you?"
"I don't know. I hope not."
"Don't you want to be rescued?" He asked coming closer.
"Not at the expense of another life, I don't."
"Brave too, I like that. Yes ma'am, there's a
lot to you. The more you talk, the more I like you. I may have to keep you for myself."
Emily didn't believe that for a moment. Mike wasn't the type of man that would take on a woman when he was busy with stealing. No, his first love was money and she knew it. Although she didn't understand it. Men that robbed rarely had a chance to enjoy their gains. They were constantly on the run. Not free to spend it.
And he wouldn't take her on, one way or another, of that she was sure.
He walked off smiling.
They had two meals a day, morning and night and it continued that way all the way up the mountain. She was so sore from climbing, but somehow she had to keep her mouth shut about it. Too much complaining could lead someone to do her in.
At night, they heard cougars screeching through the wooded area. A few wild animals seemed interested in her cooking too. But the men took care of that.
Beth came up to her on the third day. "You know they aren't that bad, once you get to know them. Maybe you should be a little friendlier. It might go easier on you."
"Like you are?" Emily questioned.
"Yeah, like me. Angel's already half in love with me. He doesn't take his eyes off me. I could do worse. He really cares about me. He'll take care of me."
"Are you that starved for affection?"
"You wouldn't understand. I'm the baby of my family, everyone else is married, having kids. So I've been treated like the black sheep of the family, and I've done nothing."
Emily so wanted to tell her she could do much better, but she knew it would do no good. Beth was so immature and so spoiling for a letdown.
"You've got to learn to accept what is. We aren't going anywhere. No one is going to rescue us. Now, you act friendly to them, they'll treat you right. But you act too snotty, they might just kill you."
"Who would cook for them then?" Emily argued.
"I could…"
"Really, I haven't seen you so much as make coffee."
"I know how…But coffee doesn't interest me. What's wrong, you jealous that they all want me?" Beth laughed. "That's got to be the problem. You are jealous. Angel is cute. But I wouldn't mind Mike either."
"Yeah, that's it Beth, I'm jealous of you. Isn't that what you've wanted all along from me. To be jealous of you? Open your eyes Beth…I don't wish to see anything happen to you. I know you won't believe this, but I care about you."
Brides of the West-Part One Page 58
