Camp Camel: The Heart of Texas

by Eaton, Rosemary

  Jenny looked over at the stack of neck scarfs and picked out a white one and took her shawl off and told the storekeeper, “Meat and scarf for shawl.”

  The storekeepers grinned, “Alright.” He sliced off some ham and when he handed it to her Jenny took her shawl off and handed it over. The storekeeper smirked as he took in the scenery as the blouse draped down over her shoulders and the top of her breast were clearly in view, “You want something else, you just let me know Dearie. Maybe I’ll trade you for that blouse next.” Jenny looked around, but JC had disappeared. She looked at the storekeeper, “I be back for those. Must catch boy.” She called out quietly, “JC come eat. I have ham.”

  JC ran around the corner, “But I want sausage. Mommy fixes sausages!”

  Jenny went back to the storekeeper, “You trade ham for sausage?”

  The storekeeper shook his head, “Nope. Not without something else. My price just went up, That meat’s already cut off the hog.”

  Jenny grunted, “This game getting old. That boy can just eat your stinky cheese. My son never act like that.”

  Dallas looked a little shell shocked as he over heard Jenny’s comments about JC. Dallas looked quickly at what was happening over by the counter and considered reigning in the boy, then decided he was just the distraction he needed. Dallas told Bryan, “Not funny. I guess I could ask my Dad, but that means I’d have to leave her on the ranch. He probably give us one of the hired hand’s houses if I beg, but he’s not anything like she thinks.” Dallas considered the first words out of his mouth when he discovered his mother had left and the second ones when he had discovered what she took with her and what she left. If it hadn’t been for Bo’s mother convincing his stepfather to keep him as a companion for Bo, he might have been right there with MacLeod growing up at the Mission school. Dallas swallowed, “There’s got to be a better way. I need a plan and I need it quick.”

  Bryan said, “He’s a teacher. Couldn’t he get an exemption?” Bryan’s grabbed JC as he ran by and lifted him up by his pants and sat him back down telling him, “Take that outside. Take Auntie Jenny with you and eat some of that ham JC.”

  Dallas caught JC as he tried to dodge back the other way, “You heard Unc Bryan. Now be a good boy and go stretch your legs, but not far.” Dallas turned back to Bryan as he checked his pistols and sat a box of bullets for his rife on the counter and told the storekeeper, “I’ll just keep these on me.” Dallas took a quick look into the yard then resumed his talk with Bryan, “Little Rock’s going to fall. Odds are they would round her Paw up. I don’t think either the Parkers or the Calhouns would risk being too closely associated with him or Tommy after the pain the Phantom Ghosts have inflicted on Union pride. They’ll spend the rest of the war in the same hell hole Gage was in. No, I think they have to leave now while we can at least get them further south.”

  Bryan asked a little confused as he peeked out one of the windows. His eyes followed a flash of a gun barrel from the hill above the store, “The children or John and Tommy?”

  Dallas thought about that, “That’s it, Bryan you did it. That’s exactly what I need to do. We need replacements. I could do that. Especially if we could just settle this little misunderstanding quickly. Albert Pike out ranks Gage. He could over-ride those orders.”

  Bryan asked, “Who’s orders? You lost me.” Jenny walked back in looking for JC and the storekeeper handed her the packages to put into the wagon.

  Dallas said, “Why yours. You could go back with me. We still need doctors and the women trust you. I know I do. Who knows about this new yahoo from Camp Davis. Sure don’t need that young upstart helping deliver Lacy when we could have you.”

  Bryan tried to clarify, “Are you saying you want me to help delivery your next child or that the only way Jenny’s coming back is if we help Albert Pike with his problem? Sparrow Hawk wouldn’t be the little misunderstanding you mentioned?” Jenny turned as she heard Sparrow Hawk’s name.

  Dallas replied, “Both. That Comanche menace is more stubborn than Mr. Travis. We’ve got men trailing them and he’s changed directions. He’s not five miles from here and headed toward us. Why would he be coming if not for her?”

  Bryan asked, “You expect her to help kill the man? That’s what we’re talking about here? I’m not asking her to do that Dallas.”

  Dallas said, “There might not be a choice, but I guess that just depends on whether you really want to have any of those million children you promised her doesn’t it?”

  Bryan said, “Very funny. You put me in between a rock and a hard place and I had to find something she wanted more than dying after asking her about that trip.”

  Dallas grinned, “Well, there you go. She wants you badly and often. What’s the harm Bryan. Isn’t it time you delivered on that promise? Man up before she decides to find someone who will. You’re making her feel like she’s not wanted. She needs to be touched like she touched you.”

  Bryan was shaking his head, “This isn’t happening again Dallas. I’m not going to use her like that.”

  The storekeeper noticed Jenny bit her lip and her expression changed. It was like the very life in her left as she slowly picked up the packages and tried to balance the sack on top.

  Dallas sighed, “Then maybe you should just let him put her out of her misery.”

  The storekeeper could tell Jenny had more than she could handle as the bag with the milk and cornpone started to slide off the top and he came up quickly behind her and took the package in one hand and Jenny’s breast in the other as he made excuses, “Whoa there Nellie. You need a man to help you out Dearie? When my wife was alive, I carried her packages. You sort of remind me of her. Not a looker, but a real firebrand in the bed if you know what I mean.”

  Jenny looked down at where his hand was and smiled shyly, “I had five sons. Four lived, but last one died. He thinks I am too old for more, but maybe he change his mind.”

  The storekeeper replied, “So is that boy one of them? He sure is into everything.” The storekeeper moved his hand down to her backside and gave her a goose getting a good feel of her butt cheeks.

  Jenny looked for JC, he was out in the yard looking under the water trough. Jenny tried to break free of the grip he had around her waist and his hand started to creep down toward her crotch as the storekeeper put down the milk and cornpone and whispered, “You still want that sausage for the boy? You take care of me, and I’ll give you some of my special recipe brats for him. Your man will never know, I’m quick at my work. How about we just go behind the counter Dearie.”

  Jenny smiled, “You put these on counter and I show you a good time, but we must be quick. Boy get in trouble fast.”

  The storekeeper grinned, “Now that’s my type of woman. You sure you wouldn’t like me to offer to buy you from them. I could use a woman like you.” Jenny pushed his body back toward the counter. The storekeeper dropped his guard as he took the packages in his hands.

  Jenny took her hand and put his balls in a vice grip and looked him straight in the eyes, “I am quick too.” Jenny rubbed the point of her knife over his front side and dug into his fly while holding him to where he couldn’t move. Jenny grinned, “That free warning, but you touch me again, and I show you how I use my knife to cut your sausage. Jenny took the hatchet off the counter and threw it at the target on the wall and hit the bulls-eye as if to reinforce her message. Jenny picked up her packages and sack and hurried out and JC stopped as she called his name and took a package for Jenny and headed back to the wagon.

  Jenny took the goat’s milk and mixed it up with the cornpone and shared it with JC, “This better for both of us is it not?”

  JC nodded, “Better with sugar. Daddy puts sugar in his milk and cornbread. Are you going to kill Wasapi’s Father? Jake’s new father said he is coming here.”

  Jenny frowned, “Go quickly back into store and DO NOT STOP you understand? I must change before he sees me like this or we all die.”

  Bryan told Dallas, �
�Albert Pike can deal with Sparrow Hawk himself or if he shows up on my doorstep, he’s going to find us sober and ready for him.” Bryan checked his own pistols as he told Dallas, “You just need to find someone like Mrs. Tyler to help in Captain Richard’s home until Candace is a little older.”

  Dallas said, “Easier said than done.”

  Bryan asked, “Couldn’t you find one of those live in maid’s like Gage did?”

  Dallas replied, “Gage is marrying her. I’m pretty sure that’s why Mary Jane volunteered Bryan. So we can’t count on Jenny helping with Sparrow Hawk.” Dallas thought about his options, “That puts a little kink in the plans, but I guess there’s another way. Maybe you should stay in Delight and just keep them here. Little harder on Jenny, she’d have to stay out of sight and mute, but she seems to be getting along with JC just fine.” Bryan watched Jenny yelling out something toward JC as she ran like hell hath no fury toward the boy. Dallas stared directly at Bryan, “You know you love those kids as much as we do.”

  Jenny walked back in wearing her buckskin dress clutching JC’s hand but stopped short as the men’s voices started to rise.

  Bryan stared back, “They are not my children and their old man hates my guts. There is NO WAY he’d approve.” He wasn’t saying there was no way in hell he was bringing children into a house where he had to leave Jenny for any extended time. Peyote wasn’t the only drug a person could use to dull their pain. She was already showing signs that whiskey could be a problem for her too. Just one mention of his fears and Dallas might be the one sending her to that hospital in Atlanta or Houston for observation and treatment. If he put her in there, Bryan was confident she would never come out alive.

  Dallas countered, “She misses being a mother. If anyone was meant to be a Mom, it’s her.”

  Bryan said, “How do I explain it when he takes them back? You want me to make her go through this again, for a man who changed my life and not for the better. He could have stood up with me against the Calhouns and McRays of the world, but he didn’t. It cost my job and more and you know it.”

  Dallas said, “I’ve watched her with JC. She hasn’t got a mean bone in her body when it comes to kids. Even when the shakes had her in it’s grip Bryan. She’s put up with wearing that arm warmer of yours for him. For God sake, she risked her life for a complete stranger and she couldn’t even stand to see MacLeod die. She begged you to bring him back.”

  Bryan was glad he hadn’t see what just transpired in the yard and he certainly wasn’t telling Dallas his son almost got his first spanking and one that might have bruised him as badly as he bruised Jenny. Maybe she thought that was how every punishment should go. He would have to explain his actions before she hit a child too hard. Bryan shook his head, “That wasn’t really what you thought, but you’re right. She hasn’t got a mean bone.”

  Dallas replied, “So not Delight either. Well, then I guess you might as well take the wagon West and join Bo looking for those pearls. She’s still the best chance we have of finding the ship.” Dallas added, “I’ll take care of Sparrow Hawk here without either of you. You better leave now. So long Bryan.”

  Bryan looked at Dallas considering that Sparrow Hawk was coming from the very direction he’d be traveling. Maybe Dallas would take care of him, but not before he had Jenny. Bryan swallowed, “Jenny’s not stupid either. They’re only so many times a woman will forgive before she loses trust in anything you say Dallas. We back out on letting her search that field one more time, and there is not one of us she’ll trust again, not even me. She won’t get in that wagon and leave with me.” Bryan paused. “We’re just a bunch of White man scribbles waiting to break the next promise. That’s what Red Cedar taught her and damned your hide, he was right wasn’t he?”

  Dallas replied, “So now you want to go to Delight? Alright, I figure we probably saved enough time that we could put Candace, and Paulie out in that field near you. Jenny could watch Gracie and Harry. Captain Richardson and Tommy would see Jenny’s good with the children and Sparrow Hawk either does something foolish or decides to go back where he belongs. Checkmate. We’ve got him either way. It’s just a matter of who else is in the line of fire Bryan.”

  Bryan sighed, “I see. This smells more like Muenster than just a good Roquefort cheese.” Bryan said, “Amazing how quick the trip to California changed. Bo knows the way doesn’t he. That’s why he’s leaving Camp Verde and you’re going back. You put the blame on the one person Jenny won’t turn on no matter what the man does, Gage. If things go wrong, her brother was just trying to make sure she got to hunt her rocks. You’ve got to deal with Sparrow Hawk either here or in some isolated field where no one sees you kill them in cold blood but people you trust not to speak up. You intend to use Jenny as your bate. And just to make sure I go along with this, you put Lacy’s brothers and sisters in harm’s way if I don’t cooperate before we get to Delight.”

  Dallas looked offended. He pulled out a copy of Bryan’s orders and handed it to him. Dallas said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know until Gage said MacLeod confessed what he knew about all of us. Every last dark secret. I asked if Harry was her son once. I thought he might have been JC and Captain Richardson kept him as his own. But he wasn’t was he Bryan? Is he’s yours? That’s what Captain Richardson really has against you. He thinks you’re his father?”

  Bryan wasn’t answering that question one way or another. He had smelled the odor of well worn buckskin and JC’s clothes that hadn’t been changed in days. His lips pursed as he read his new orders from Colonel Travis. Gage was sending him north away from him and the ranch, but also out of Dallas’ command. As much as this stunk, it might be his best opportunity to keep Jenny out of the middle of the blood war Dallas now found himself in with Sparrow Hawk. Bryan read his new assignment, “Indian Agent for Western Arkansas? You’re saying Gage expects me to stay and work with Albert Pike while he gets to stay home with his new wife. He’s volunteered my medical services to Major Traywick? For how long?” Bryan spotted movement as JC shuffled his feet. He kept his eyes on Dallas as he tried to salvage what Jenny probably thought about both Dallas and him, “She’s not in the army, you can’t force her to take those kids.”

  Dallas heard JC ask Jenny to let go of his hand and she replied, “Ssh, play like mouse and stay quiet. Our future lies in their words. If my sons are near, we go for ride and you meet Wasapi and Peekwi like I promise. They will teach you how to tickle fish. You would like you’re own pony? Wasapi can sit a pony without a blanket, throw a knife, and help make fires without getting burned. I could teach you too. You look so much like Lark’s son. You could be brothers.”

  Bryan chuckled as he whispered to Dallas, “Stalemate, unless you want to see JC wearing war paint sitting in front of Sparrow Hawk. You ever give one of his wives Aah Haa Dallas? Where you in that teepee with Bo and Gage? Who died when that boy had your face instead of his? Your Daddy sure didn’t want that coming out did he? Dark secrets indeed. The three musketeers. Never that far apart.”

  Dallas thought about what Bryan said and chuckled then whispered back, “You wish, you’re just reading more into that that it deserves. She is high again. She’s got the pouch and you know what’s in it.” Dallas spoke up plainly, “It isn’t safe to leave Jenny by herself spouting off everything that comes into her head and this isn’t a desk job Bryan. Lacy and I will watch her. She can work for us while we work on getting her adjusted back into society and off peyote. Let her come back with us.”

  Jenny tried to cover her mouth but she had to cough. She turned her head away from JC. Both men turned. She was no longer wearing the desert blouse and skirt, but back into her buckskin dress with new stitches mending the tears. He had tied the neck scarf over her hair trying to hide how short it was.

  Dallas looked at Jenny, “And we’ll try to work on that. She needs to blend in better.”

  Jenny looked at Dallas confused, “Brother has no say over how I live my life or who I live with. You say Bryan and I are tog
ether forever.”

  Dallas looked at Jenny, “Maybe Gage doesn’t control you, but your brother can tell Bryan where he serves. Many families are left behind in war Jenny. You’ve been told this before remember? I didn’t mean for you to hear all this, but Lacy is so young and you could be a great help and it would keep you from being by yourself.”

  Jenny asked, “Hum, she wishes me in your home?”

  Dallas said, “No.” Dallas kept it simple, he wasn’t digging this hole any deeper than he was already in.

  Jenny said, “Is there no other way?” The storekeeper was starting to notice and pay attention to their conversations again. Then decided he need to secure his meat house and cellar and left.

  Bryan could see where this was going and he needed to do something quick before the situation became even worse as Dallas laid his trap to get Jenny’s help. Bryan said the first thing that came to his mind which happened to be the truth, “It’s Sparrow Hawk isn’t it? He’s the reason Gage is making me the Indian Agent?”

  Dallas watched Jenny as she squeezed JC’s hand even harder. Maybe she was about to run with his son. Dallas held his hand out toward JC, “JC come to Daddy.” The boy looked up at Jenny as she held on tight to his hand.

  Jenny asked Dallas, “Is this true? Gage sends Bryan because he knows Sparrow Hawk respects him for his courage. There is to be a new treaty? He will give Red Cedar shiny rocks we find for Wasapi and Peekwi? My sons WILL come live with me?”

  Dallas answered honestly, “No, Gage sends me and my men with Bryan because he knows I will kill him if he breaks the treaty. If the boys are with him, I will kill them too. You know this Jenny. You heard me tell Bryan this at your Dad’s ranch.”

  Jenny countered, “And if I let you use me as bate like you said? You would let me lead him back to where he needs to be and not kill anyone?”

  Dallas hesitated then took the bone offered as the three of them negotiated for the advantage as the stalemate had turned in a Mexican standoff taking place between Bryan, Jenny, and Dallas. Dallas wove his words, “Well, I guess we would try not to hurt the boys but you know Sparrow Hawk is not going to back down without a good reason. Bryan could try to make sure the boys were returned. After all they’re family, just like Lacy’s younger brothers and sisters are family.”