Camp Camel: The Heart of Texas

by Eaton, Rosemary

  Bryan smiled, “Value is what it can do for you. Some things have no worth to anyone but you Jenny. This isn’t for me. You pick any you want.”

  Jenny touched each peace as Lacy held her breath. Jenny said, “Not pure gold, just plated and big like Friar wears.” She moved to the next chain, “Pretty, but not ruby stones, just garnets like blood, this is one a Sister might like.” Jenny didn’t touch the cross with the thorns, “This was mine, prick my finger and catch on every dress I wear. Remind you of his sacrifice every time I wear, but I have cuts enough to remind me.” She moved on to the ivory cross, “This very old, and for someone might have much value, but not of value to me. Easy to crack and break, only for showing off that you have it in case.” Next Jenny touched the large silver cross, “This cross for man, much silver, but Bryan not care to wear, and silver not that special.” The next cross of a mosaic of silver and stones, “This cross made of many jewels, but uncut. Not everyone appreciate, but it is very valuable if you take stones out and destroy it’s beauty.” Jenny touched the sea shells fondly, “This one gift made of items picked up by ocean. A gift of love done long ago, but it has no value for it was never worn.” Jenny looked at the stones and straight into MacLeod’s eyes, “These your white chief might care about if I took. I do not need that trouble and neither does Bryan. Men hung for less and blame Indians did they not.” Jenny looked down to the last one, “This one most valuable. Simple, made with care and details are very beautiful but not worth anything except to person who owned it and person who made it with love. Someone has taken good care of it over many years.” Jenny pointed with her damaged hand, “That one.”

  MacLeod turned the wooden cross over, there on the back were the words, ‘Father hear me’ scratched on the back. MacLeod asked again, “You sure? That’s not worth much unless you believe in miracles and second chances. All those years and this survived.”

  Jenny said softly, “You have my Mother’s beads and cross? You knew this special to me? I have wronged you. Forgive me. He has heard me when I gave up on him.”

  MacLeod smiled, “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” MacLeod waited for her reply then hinted, “Say Amen.”

  Jenny said, “A woman, I pray to woman.”

  Dallas asked, “MacLeod, how did you get these?”

  MacLeod replied, “Her Mother let me borrow them.”

  Jenny shook her head, “Many winters ago I leave this for Father or Mother to find. It is good to know your God heard me. I blamed myself, but I know now your God the Father gave me to him. It was meant to be.”

  Bryan took the well oiled leather and started to say something, then decided against it. Maybe not a miracle, but he could tell she didn’t care. Jenny smiled as she fingered the beads between her fingers, “Not necklace, rosary.” Jenny handed it back to MacLeod, “Give back to Mother. Tell her I understand why now she so upset with me.” MacLeod’s eye’s flinched. Jenny had touched a nerve. Jenny smiled and turned to Bryan, “It is truly a miracle is it not? I would not have you in my life.”

  Bryan glanced into her tear filled eyes as he took a hand and pushed up her shawl where he could see her better. Bryan chuckled, “Here, tie it like this at the back of your neck, and it drapes over your shoulders so I can see you better Jenny. Bryan gently kissed her forehead, “It’s going to be alright. Just remember that black-eyed susan didn’t lie.” Bryan sniffed smelling her breath, “Hum, well I guess you needed that as much as I did.” Bryan took her cup and said, “Enough of this for now.”

  MacLeod looked at Jenny, “I should have realized, it’s wasn’t yours was it?”

  Jenny sighed, “No, it was gift from boy to Mother. It was beautiful. Hand made not like fancy ones. It was special to her. I forgot to leave at home that day. You think she will forgive me?”

  MacLeod frowned, “Very stubborn woman you Mother.”

  Jenny sighed, “So, still not want to see me, just see if I remember what I did wrong. You tell her I remember always but it not haunt me anymore. She must find her own peace and so must you. It is not my forgiveness you seek brother.”

  MacLeod said, “I feel like you should pick another for yourself. It would make me feel better.”

  Jenny didn’t need to looked at any of them, “I do not need any of this. I will be glad when we leave it far behind. Bryan is my reward. He is enough.”

  MacLeod sighed, “I tried. You all saw I tried to make it up to her. She’s as unforgiving as her Dad and stubborn as her Mother.”

  Jenny said, “Maybe true, but maybe not. I have my reasons even if you do not see them. You are blinded by your own guilt. These not make my bones ache less.” Jenny gently stroked his fingers with her free fingers, “See nothing to worry over Some fingers bend. Some animals only have three. Some men too.” Jenny looked at her swollen pinky and said, “No worse than falling down hard on hand. Bryan fix. Bryan say it will heal with time.”

  Lacy took Jenny by the hand, “Let’s get your hair trimmed and let them get back to work.” Jenny sat on a hay bale and took off her shawl and looked down. Lacy was glad she wasn’t looking at her when the shawl came off. Lacy let out her own exclamation, “Lord have mercy, what was Gage thinking?”

  Bryan replied, “He wasn’t thinking at all, just reacting. Just a trim the ends so it will grow back more even Lacy.”

  Dallas had been generous when he said it reminded him of her own pixie haircut. Bryan had even up her mess and Lacy could tell why he hadn’t touched what was left of Jenny’s hair. The long braids were all gone. She barely had and inch of air in the longer places. Then there was the scar forming where both hair and skin had been taken off. Lacy noticed the cuts on her forehead, cheeks, and neck where it looked like someone had cut a piece of meat off a roasted leg or skewer or slices in her skin. What ever Mouse Dog had done to her was nothing compared to what was in front of her.

  Jenny said, “Gage not like bats. He cut as fast and close as he could to get them far away before they claw my eyes like dead man.” Jenny looked at her eyes, “It is bad. Saw in mirror last night. I look like mangy dog.”

  Lacy tried to reassure her, “It will grow back.” Lacy looked at the other scrapes on her skin, “I’m sorry Jenny. I shouldn’t stare, but those cuts, the bats didn’t do that did they?”

  Jenny said, “No, that was fortunate. Knife cuts better than bats dirty claws. You are better?”

  Lacy smiled, “Yes, more than better. I was with child before Mouse Dog. I felt the baby move.”

  Jenny smiled, “That is good. He will not think it is not his and you do not have to worry about face like Mouse Dog on son. Major have nice face.”

  Lacy blushed, “How did you do that with your hands? Dallas said it was very pleasant.”

  Jenny giggled, “It was not suppose to be pleasant. I needed to pee, he didn’t seem to ever need to stop. I try to encourage him to stop. I try to tickle his belly.” Jenny noticed she had caught the attention of Bryan and MacLeod as they tried to hear what was being said. Jenny added, “Like you tickle a fish in the stream.” She shrugged her shoulders, “He is ticklish there I guess.” Jenny’s eye’s twinkled as Lacy blushed.

  Bryan grinned from ear to ear. He had a pretty good idea what she meant when she said someone was being tickled.

  MacLeod eyes squinted looking at Bryan, “I suppose you’re ticklish too. She tickled all of you?”

  Bryan smirked, “Multiple times and gave me honey. Why you jealous?”

  MacLeod started to make a remark, then said, “No, one shouldn’t covet your neighbor’s wife.”

  Bryan chuckled, “That’s good. What about your Sister?”

  MacLeod had a wry expression on his face, “Why would I covet a Nun or Sister?”

  Bryan said, “You can keep the Nun, but don’t even think about cloistering your sister. She’s my wife which makes you my brother-in-law, God help us. I can’t keep calling you by you last name. I suppose you have a real first
name don’t you?” Gage walked in just in time to hear Bryan declare MacLeod Jenny’s brother. He started to turn and try to sneak out when Dallas caught him, “Where you going? This concerns you too Gage.”

  Jenny frowned, “His name is Thomas, doubting Thomas because he questions everything Bryan. Mother told me the boy who made this was named Thomas. It is one you made for her is it not?”

  MacLeod muttered, “Who told her? Did you let her read my file?”

  Bryan said, “Lucky guess? Was she right? Oh, yes, she was, wasn’t she. Do you prefer Tom, Tommy, or Thomas Aquinas?”

  MacLeod smiled, “You mock me teacher? Yes I know you were a teacher. It’s written on you as plain as the writing in a book of medicine and those belt stripes on her legs. Field doctor by necessity, not one who practiced at Mercy or other great institutions.”

  Lacy retorted, “He studied on the battle field under good doctors. Better than you MacLeod. You certainly didn’t ever serve a parish did you. Not a charitable bone in your body. Church Lawyer and prosecutor. Inquisitor, ring a bell?”

  Gage grimaced, “Really Dallas, I don’t think me being here will help. Just look at them going after each other. You can’t do this to me.”

  Dallas looked at Gage, “Oh yes I can. You could have given me some heads up and you let me get sucked right into the middle of this blind as a bat. You like bats don’t you Gage? You asked for help and he is who they’re sending back with you.”

  Jenny heard Gage, “Gage? You come quick. We have new brother.”

  MacLeod replied, “No you don’t. I’m not claiming you woman. Think what you want. I’m not related to some crazies. Your whole family is a bunch of loco weeds.”

  Gage frowned, “Now wait a minute MacLeod. Who says we’re claiming you are any relation to us anyway? There is no way we’re related to a sadistic Priest either.”

  Bryan said, “Lawyer, prosecutor, theologian, I bet he doesn’t even know how to perform a Mass. You don’t expect me to teach you do you?”

  Jenny said, “Brother, son of Mother. Not sure about Father.”

  Lacy grinned, “He’s a bastard? The high and mighty is a bastard and he’s calling us names?”

  Jenny said, “Brother like Mother. Not all these things. Thomas good name, even if he not know who to trust. Not his fault. Not live with parents.”

  MacLeod got up, “Well, that’s a new one. The squaw is the one on my side.”

  Jenny said, “Bryan, he like stones, we like stones. He like history, I like hearing history. Gage, Father not just have you to pick on now. He not banned. Thomas, you have family now. You Priest, bless gold and make it not a curse. Open up Falls, maybe water drain?”

  Gage’s eyes bugged out, “What? Did you forget the snakes? I bet it’s crawling with them.”

  Bryan laughed, “Sweet justice if you ask me. Too bad we can’t stay and watch.”

  Dallas addressed MacLeod, “You know I could have hung you for a traitor. I had you pegged for a Union sympathizer trying to stall until your friends from Indianola get here.”

  MacLeod said, “Now that’s the most sensible thing I’ve heard. Travers is definitely a Union sympathizer.”

  Dallas said, “I meant you MacLeod. “

  MacLeod said, “ME? I wasn’t counting on anything other than you turning her over to me. All those last minute changes had me concerned that I might have been in the middle of a bunch of rogue PEEUU agents and you were working with Anderson.”

  Bryan corrected him, “P I U, not PEEUU unless you’re talking about yourself. We don’t torture women.”

  MacLeod grinned, “But you do, you forced her to drink who knows what from who knows where. Jenny, I guess that means no more of that bitter coffee if you husband isn’t going to torture you any more.”

  Jenny laughed “That funny. brother make joke.”

  Bryan lips pursed, “Ha, Ha. Very funny MacLeod. “

  Jenny smiled, “You not taste it today? Something different. Make me feel like I can do anything. Nothing hurts.”

  Lacy snorted, “Really?” Lacy poured a cup and took a sip and choked, “Good God almighty.”

  Dallas frowned and took a cup, “HOLLY SHIT, what the Hell Bryan?”

  Bryan was eying Lacy wondering if she had added something like the night he came home to make him relax, then noticed Jenny trying to keep a grip on the table.

  Lacy shook her head, “Not me, I swear Bryan. It wasn’t spiked when I brought it.”

  Bryan took at Jenny by the waist, “Maybe I should get you in that wagon before you end up on your face, honey. You’re a little drunk.”

  Dallas noticed a flask in MacLeod’s pocket and sniffed, “Not holy water or wine. Seems our Priest likes Irish coffee. Let’s hope the bats think he’s as funny when he tries to get them to leave with incense.”

  Gage said, “We sort of opened the gates of Hell, You think you can help?”

  MacLeod chuckled, “Not an exorcist, but I think you might smoke them out. Can you swing a thuriber? I assume you were an alter boy at sometime in the past?”

  Gage looked at the Priest, “Hell no I wasn’t. After Jenny disappeared, Dad didn’t hold to going to Mass or letting me go.”

  MacLeod sighed, “Really? Well, you’re both going now if you want my help.”

  One side of Gage’s mouth curled up, “You are kidding me. I’m not some snot nosed boy you can push around MacLeod.”

  MacLeod said, “Really? Fine, be that way. Deal with them yourself or you and your Dad start going to Mass. That’s the price of my help.”

  Gage yelled out, “Jenny? You want to come see the ranch? We got lots of rocks you can look through and some new holes too.”

  Jenny tried to raise her hand and wave at Gage as Bryan laid a kiss on her lips sealing them and maneuvered her toward where Captain Tyler was holding the reigns of a packed, fully prepared covered wagon.” Bryan didn’t come up for air until they were across the yard and Captain Bowman had the larger doors unbolted and open for them to leave. Captain Tyler tipped his hat and quickly lifted Jenny up into the seat.

  Bryan climbed up and took the reigns, “Can’t, she’s banned remember?”

  Gage yelled out, “I’ll talk to Dad. Shoot, I’ll move him to the north side of the ranch. He can’t stay in the house anyway. He doesn’t need to know she’s even there. Bryan, she’s perfect for this. No hair for the bats to get caught up in.”

  MacLeod replied, “You could shave your head, then it would be shorter than hers. I’ll even do it for you Travis.”

  Gage backed up, “Nope. Not letting any Priest with a head full of hair shave mine off. I bet you’re not even a Priest MacLeod.”

  Dallas was enjoying the banter going back and forth. Then Lacy walked up and said, “You have to feed Brianna in the middle of the night for the next month if Bryan leaves them in his dust and goes to Delight.”

  Dallas’ lips curled, “You have to do what Jenny talked about every night for the next month if Gage convinces them to help.”

  Lacy said, “Deal.”

  Lacy called out, “Leave while you can Bryan. It’s a trick. They both want her to help. They got her drunk on purpose so she’d volunteer.”

  Dallas called out to Gage, “Gage, you’ll give your Dad a heart attack if you make him go receive mass from the man who helped break up his marriage!”

  Gage looked at Dallas, “What did you mean by that?”

  Dallas said, “I thought you knew.”

  Jenny asked, “Knew what?”

  Bryan replied, “You don’t want to know. Some things are best left unsaid. Once out, you can’t take them back. Let’s just leave before this gets messy.”

  Jenny looked at herself, “Already messy. You think I look like I not a mess?”

  Bryan said, “But you’re a beautiful mess. My mess. It’s going to get better Jenny.”

  Jenny looked at Bryan, “No, I think about that and not know what they say. That not better.”

  MacLeod looked at Dallas,
“Big fucking mouth on you Crockett!”

  Gage twitched, “Not a Priest. So, was Bryan right when he said, he out ranks you Dallas?”

  Bryan said, “MacLeod out ranks Gage and Dallas. You know what that means Jenny?”

  Jenny said, “He war chief, not Major.”

  Bryan nodded, “Yes he war chief and can make our lives a living hell if we stay.”

  Jenny called out, “Brother, you wish me to stay or go?”

  MacLeod grinned, “Stay of course Jenny. If for no other reason than to drive old man Travis to his grave and watch me break these two down to buck Privates.”

  Jenny’s brow went up, “That not nice.”

  Bryan said, “We’re going right? Please tell me we’re going before he puts you away in some mental hospital and me in a prisoner of war camp.”

  Jenny said, “I say good-bye to Gage first?”

  Bryan yelled out, “Gage, get your ass over here quick!”

  Dallas said, “He cost us the gold, don’t let him take this over or there will be nothing left of your ranch Gage.” Dallas looked at Gage, “Well, don’t just stand there. Remind him his parole could be at stake. Take one for the team Gage. Lie, beg, get measles so she can nurse you back to health. You remember how to do that don’t you?” Gage grinned, “I’ve had it. Can’t catch it again, but you could.”

  Lacy looked at Dallas, “Say what? You did that on purpose? You horny toad!”

  Dallas reached over and kissed Lacy, “But I’m your horny toad, and I still want you bad.”

  Gage ran over and looked at Bryan, “You’re right, he out ranks Dallas. Unless we get the gold before him, you’re parole is over. He’s going to hang you Travers.”

  Jenny said, “Not hang Bryan. No, that not fair! How we stop this?”

  Gage replied, “I’ll kill the bastard. He’s no brother of ours Jenny. He lied through his teeth if he told you that.”