by Linda Ford
And no one to worry about but himself. He liked that. Back in Rocky Creek he was reminded of the futility of worrying about others. He’d asked around for details on Gordie’s death. No one had been charged with his death, even though it seemed likely he’d been murdered. The last person seen with him had been Vic. It was enough to convince Nate that Vic had something to do with Gordie’s death. Nate had worried when his friend had joined up with Vic. He’d tried to convince Gordie it wasn’t wise. Rather than continue to argue with his friend, he’d left. Every year when he visited, he’d sought out Gordie and tried again to persuade him to leave, to follow him to Eden Valley Ranch and get work.
Every year he’d failed and left. All his worry and concern had achieved nothing. Better to be free and easy. To move forward, not back, not even glance over his shoulder at what might have been.
The stage hit a hole in the trail and jolted from one side to the other. The occupants clutched at the leather handholds to keep from being tossed from their seats. Sure didn’t look comfortable to Nate. He’d sooner ride a horse any day.
He’d taught Louise to ride. Not that she’d never been on horseback before she moved to Rocky Creek, but she’d never ridden astride at full gallop across a field.
Ma had heard of it and scolded Nate royally. “She’s a young lady. Have some regard for her safety and reputation.”
It was a warning he meant to heed but Louise had ideas of her own and had continued to follow him and Gordie around, insisting she could do anything they did. Mostly she could.
No longer. She could barely waddle. Wouldn’t she pitch a fit if he pointed it out to her?
At least he was doing what he could to protect her reputation with this pretend marriage, and at the same time keep her safe from Vic.
He glanced around, studying every bush and boulder, looking for someone lurking after them. He saw no one. Had Vic given up on his quest to have Louise and Missy? And the baby? Nate’s jaw protested at how hard he clamped down on his teeth. Imagine selling a baby! The mere thought made his insides twist. Best for Vic if he stayed away.
But would Vic give up so easily? One part of Nate thought Vic would move on to easier prey, especially after Nate had tossed him into the street. But another part thought Vic didn’t like to admit defeat.
Nate rode around a rut dug in the trail by wagon wheels during a rain. The stage wasn’t able to miss it and lurched from side to side again.
Nate fell back and to the side. From his position, he could see Louise without her noticing unless she looked over her shoulder.
Her face was pinched and pale, her eyes closed, her mouth a thin line.
The ride had to be most uncomfortable in her condition. Maybe she was regretting this decision.
He kept his position as they continued, watching with growing concern. He might have lost his right to ask God for favors by vowing falsely, but somehow he knew that wasn’t true. How many talks had Bertie given back at the ranch as they gathered in the cookhouse for Sunday services? He’d said God never gave up on people. God, don’t give up on me. I know what I did was wrong, marrying with no intention of staying married. But I did it for Missy, Louise and her baby. I’m still concerned about them. Please help me get them safely to the ranch.
They came to the first way station to change horses.
The driver called, “Folks, time for a quick break, but be late getting aboard and be left behind.”
The threat of being left behind in this desolate place would make all of them hurry. There was only a crude barn, a set of corrals for the horses and a dugout home for the bewhiskered man who sauntered over to help with the animals.
Nate dismounted, led his horse to water, then made haste to help the ladies down.
Missy hurried to the well to drink her fill of water.
Nate pulled Louise’s hand around his elbow to rest on his arm. When she leaned heavily on him, he dipped his head to study her face. Was she gritting her teeth? “Are you okay?”
She nodded, then worked her jaw loose. “I need a drink and to stretch my legs.”
He filled a dipper and she gulped back three swallows, then stopped and handed the dipper back with a word of thanks. He again pulled her hand around his arm as they walked along the dusty path.
She stopped at the corner of the corrals and leaned on a post.
“You sure you’re okay? It’s not too late to change your mind.”
She turned on him, pierced him with a sharp look. “Are you suggesting I go back? And do what? Fight Vic? Do you really think I’d stand a chance against someone so despicable and sneaky?”
“I was only thinking of you. We’ve just been gone a few hours and you already look exhausted.”
She drew herself upright, no longer leaning on the post. All hint of tiredness had been erased from her demeanor. “I am only thinking of my baby.”
Their gazes held, hers full of fury and determination, his, he supposed, full of resignation. “Put that way, I guess you have no choice but to cowboy up.”
“Cowboy up?”
“Means you do what is hard instead of moaning about it.”
She nodded. “Exactly what I mean to do.”
He grinned. “Awfully good to see there is some spark left in you.”
She rumbled her lips. “I might lose my spark, but I’ll never lose my fight.” Her hands pressed to her stomach and he understood she would fight whatever enemy threatened her baby.
“You won’t fight alone.” Although she’d made it clear this was Gordie’s baby, he felt more than a little concern for the little one’s safety. “I’ll make sure all three of you get to Eden Valley Ranch.”
Her gaze burned a path through his thoughts as if she didn’t believe him. Didn’t trust him.
Why would she think that? He’d never done anything to give her reason to doubt his word. “You don’t trust me. Why?”
Her reply was cut off by the coach driver. “Folks, get aboard unless you want to stay here.”
Louise hurried back to the coach with Nate on her heels. He knew he wasn’t wrong in thinking she was grateful she didn’t get a chance to answer his question.
Chapter Five
Louise sat in the coach wishing it didn’t have to move. The constant swaying made her seasick. The jolting from side to side brought on spasms in her stomach muscles. But with a gentle bounce they were on their way once again. She hung on to the leather strap and tried to think of something besides her stomach.
Nate was right. She didn’t trust him. But what purpose would be served in admitting it? As to her reasons, they were too numerous and too convoluted to tell. Throughout her life she’d had no evidence she could trust anyone.
Not even God? her conscience accused her.
There were times she trusted Him. Like when she’d told Gordie they were going to have a baby. She’d been thrilled at the thought of another little Porter in the family. Gordie had seemed to enjoy the idea, too.
But then Gordie had been killed. It was hard to trust after that.
They jerked over another hole in the trail and she bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out a protest.
You don’t need to trust when everything is going according to your wishes. It’s when things are difficult and hard to understand, you need to trust.
She recalled hearing the words in a soft, gentle voice. Not Aunt Bea. They seldom talked about such things. It was Mrs. Porter who had said them. And Louise did her best to believe them. But there were days she wanted things to be easier. Then it would be easy to trust.
They swayed hard to the right and she could do little but think about keeping from crying out against the pain in her ribs.
“That young man is keeping a close eye on you,” the lady across from her said. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Miss Rowena Rolfe.”
Louise and Missy introduced themselves.
The three women looked toward the men awaiting their introductions.
The cowboy said
, “Sam.”
The other man grinned, revealing stubs of yellowed teeth. “Sparky George.”
No one asked if George was his first or last name, and after a minute he settled back.
Miss Rolfe continued, “I’m journeying to Fort Macleod to join my brother.” She leaned closer and whispered, “He tells me there are ten men to every marriageable woman.” She blushed and lowered her gaze.
The two men to her left slanted looks in her direction. The cowboy turned away quickly, but Sparky George studied Miss Rolfe several seconds.
Miss Rolfe looked out the window at Nate. “If that is a sample of what’s available, I believe my decision to go to Fort Macleod will be a wise one.”
Missy chuckled. “He’s married to her.” She jerked her thumb toward Louise, then pointedly nodded her head toward the men beside Miss Rolfe as if to suggest they might be available.
Miss Rolfe shrank into her corner, clearly not liking the possibilities one man in particular on this ride offered.
Missy grinned widely.
“How far are you going?” Miss Rolfe asked.
Seemed she had a need to pass the time with conversation, while all Louise wanted to do was close her eyes and pray for the day to end. Yes, she’d pray. Things couldn’t get much more difficult or hard to understand, so it seemed like a perfect time to start trusting God. I know I’ve not been faithful. I lied before the preacher and before You. I hope You can forgive me for that. But please, if You care about me at all, help me make it to Eden Valley Ranch. After a silent groan, she added, Help the baby to stay where he is until we get there.
She closed her eyes and rested her head on the back of her bench as Miss Rolfe and Missy continued to talk. All she had to do was survive another mile and after that another mile, another hour, and another stop to change horses until they stopped for the night. Then repeat it all the next day and the next until they reached their destination.
A day might as well have been a lifetime the way she felt at the moment.
At the next stop, Nate came toward her as she walked about trying to get the cramps out of her legs and back. Not wanting to talk to him, she turned and retraced her steps.
He followed. “Did you get water?”
She shook her head. Sparky stood by the pump and she wanted fresh air more than she needed water.
Nate trotted over, filled a dipper and brought it back to her.
She grabbed the handle and drank sparingly. There would be no stops along the way for a pregnant lady needing to empty her bladder.
“We’ll soon be at Fort Benton,” Nate said. “We’ll stop there for the night.”
“Good.”
“You’ll be okay?”
“I’m fine.” As fine as could be expected, but she’d spare him the details. Her discomfort was temporary. Getting to safety at the ranch was all that mattered.
She returned to her seat to endure the rest of the journey. She half dozed, lulled by the sway of the coach and the murmur of conversation around her.
“Louise.” Missy’s frantic whisper brought her fully alert. “Look.”
She followed the direction Missy pointed. From the trees rode two men with bandannas pulled up over their faces. She grabbed Missy’s hand. “Vic?” Not waiting for an answer, she jerked down the leather curtain. Missy did the same on her side.
Sparky leaned forward, saw the men and jerked the curtain down on his side. “Ma’am, pull down the curtain,” he ordered Miss Rolfe. She peeked out the window, let out a squeak and jerked the leather covering down.
Louise lifted a corner on her window to look for Nate. She couldn’t see him. Where had he gone? He was about to be tested on his promise to get her to safety.
One of the men rode to the side of the driver and leveled his gun on the man. “This is a holdup.”
Louise almost laughed. Did the robber think the driver might mistake him for someone wanting to get passage on the stage?
“Whoa. Whoa.” The stage jerked to a halt.
“Throw down the strongbox.”
There was a strongbox? Was there one on every stage? Louise had never had any need to know.
A metal box hit the ground beside her, the thud racing along her nerves.
“You passengers get out.”
Louise looked at Missy. If one of the men was Vic, could they expect to hide inside? Again she looked for Nate. Had the robbers found and shot him? Tears welled up behind her eyes but before she could explain them to herself the door yanked open and one of the robbers aimed his gun toward Miss Rolfe. “Out.”
She scrambled past him.
Sam was ordered out next. He took his time about climbing out until the robber hit him on the side of the head, then he hurried up.
“Old man, yer next.”
Sparky muttered under his breath and earned himself a smack on the side of the head, as well.
Louise gasped as blood oozed from the wound. Finally she could see that this man wasn’t Vic, but he was every bit as evil. She measured the distance from her foot to the hand that held the gun. But before she could put her thought into action and kick the gun away, the robber turned to Missy.
“Well, well, lookee what we got here. Sid, you ought to see this. Well, I guess you will.”
Sid! Not Vic! Louise could almost feel relief that his partner was not the man she feared. Except this pair was equally dangerous.
The gunman reached for Missy. She shrank back and kicked her feet, landing a blow to the man’s arm.
He laughed. “I like ’em with a little spit.”
Missy showed him a little spit all right. She spat right in his face.
He climbed the steps and grabbed her by the hair and yanked her out.
Louise held on to Missy’s arm until the man jerked them free of each other.
Louise swallowed back a cry. She would not show fear before these scoundrels. No matter what. Perhaps they’d leave her alone, given her condition.
Missy continued to fight the man, kicking and clawing, which only seemed to excite him further. Louise would not stay here while they bothered her sister-in-law. She couldn’t move fast, but that didn’t mean she had to sit idly by while Missy struggled. She edged forward, intending to jump on the man’s back when the opportunity presented itself.
“Anyone else in there?” the second robber asked.
“One more lady.”
“Get her out.”
The gunman pushed Missy to the ground and returned to the stage.
Louise was on her feet waiting for him, so when he returned, she kicked him in the face. The gun fell to his feet as he grabbed her and yanked her headfirst from the coach.
She landed on her hands and knees. Thank God. Thank God. If she’d landed on her belly…
The outlaw headed toward Louise.
She tried to scramble away.
“Leave her alone.” Appearing from the bushes, Nate sprang forward and punched the man in the nose. Blood spurted from beneath his bandanna and he fell to the dirt, clutching his nose.
The robber growled and Louise heard a gunshot ring out.
Right in front of her, Nate fell to the ground. His eyes were wide and it seemed he had stopped breathing.
Louise’s heart froze within her. Was Nate dead? She began to tremble and had to rein herself in from rushing to his side, but the man on horseback still wielded the gun. Had she been the cause of Nate’s death, and only one day into their journey?
Then she sucked in air and looked at his shoulder. A hole in his coat indicated where he’d been shot.
Despite the danger to herself, and still on her hands and knees, she crawled to his side. “Nate? Nate?”
Before she could determine whether he was alive or dead, she heard another blast of gunfire and a barked order. “Throw down your weapons.” She looked up and saw the driver holding a shotgun, aimed at the man on horseback.
With a curse, he threw his gun to the ground.
Sam gathered up both guns.
The driver threw down rope and the pair were soon trussed up.
She saw it all out of the corner of her eye while she knelt at Nate’s side. She looked down at him and realized for the first time that he was breathing. Only now did she think herself capable of drawing in a breath of her own.
“I’m okay,” he said. “The bullet only grazed me. When I saw them approaching, I took to the trees, hoping to waylay them. They got around me. I tried to get here sooner but didn’t want them to hear my approach.”
“Stop talking.” He’d been nearby all the time. The thought made her feel better. “You’re bleeding.” A dark stain had spread around the hole in his coat, and it was growing larger. “Let me look at it.” She started to unbutton his coat, but he grabbed her hands.
“Never mind me. You took a bad tumble. Are you okay?”
She looked into his eyes. Felt herself sinking into the concern she saw there. He brought his free hand up and cupped the side of her head.
“Are you hurt?” he asked.
He sounded as if he cared. As if it mattered to him. More than just keeping his promise to get her safely to the ranch. Her throat thickened. “I’m okay.” Realizing her thoughts were foolish and impossible, she turned back to his coat and worked on his buttons. “Let me look at that wound.”
He sat up, undid the buttons on his own, but let her pull the coat from his injured arm. She tore the shirt to expose the wound. “I’ll mend it for you later.”
She wiped the blood away with her white hankie, the one she’d been tempted to press to her nose all day. “You’re right. It’s only a graze. But I expect it hurts like all get out.”
“No cowboy cries over a flesh wound.” He pulled his coat back on and stood, reaching out to help her to her feet.
She hurt in places she hadn’t known existed, but she would not complain.
Sam grinned. “We’re a tough lot.”
She didn’t know if he meant her, but then he looked at her and she felt included.
“Let’s get this rig on the road again,” the driver called. “Put that pair on their horses. We’ll take them to Fort Benton.”
