The Secret Saddle_Anna Troy's Emancipation

by Dani Larsen

  "You be careful out there, Frank, you are not as young as you used to be."

  Frank put his hat back on and went out the door. He found Jude in the bunk house.

  "Where are the other ranch hands, Jude?"

  "I sent the two new guys out to round up the cattle in the back pasture. Gus and I had a little disagreement, and he got mad and quit. He left not too long ago."

  "Yes, Jude, I know. I saw him at the end of the road as I pulled in. He is all beat up, Jude. What is that all about?"

  "We just don't agree about a lot of things, and we decided that it was time to part ways. His address is there on his bunk where you can send his pay."

  "If that is true, Jude, then how come he told me he accused you of beating up that woman in town, and you got mad and beat him up?"

  "Well, I don't know why he accused me of such a thing. Why would I beat up any woman? You know I'm not that kind of guy, Frank. Gus just never has liked me."

  "Is there something going on that I don't know about, Jude? What is that woman to you? There is something I've been thinking about ever since I heard about this. That Pinkerton fella that has been hanging around is looking for the son of that woman. Is that you, Jude? Is Dolly your mother?"

  "What are you talking about, Frank? I didn't hurt that woman. And, she is not my mother."

  "Seems awfully funny to me that she would be beat up, and then Gus would get beat up today for accusing you. It seems you have a mighty bad temper. That makes me think that you are not telling me the truth. I'm going to head into town and talk about this with the sheriff. If I find out you had anything to do with beating up that woman, then you are going to be without a job. I can't have a man with a violent temper working for me. And, if I find out you are Dolly's son that means you are a murderer too. If you had anything to do with that you best be packing your things and getting on your way too."

  Frank picked up the paper off of Gus's bunk, put it in his pocket, then turned around and walked out of the bunkhouse. He went straight to his car and headed down the road toward La Grande.

  Jude was stunned. He felt cornered and didn't know what to do. He ran into the stable and quickly saddled his horse. He had to stop Frank, no matter what. It was just short of thirteen miles from Union to La Grande. If he cut across the property, instead of going by the road, he thought he could get to the Pyle Creek Bridge before Frank got there. It was about four and a half miles to the bridge by road, and he thought it was about three miles cutting across the adjoining properties. He got on his horse and rode like there was no tomorrow. He didn't know what he was going to do when he stopped him, but he knew he had to stop him somehow.

  Damn, he is going to ruin everything. I've got to keep working here for a few more months at least. I want to go find that saddle, but I can't do that until I've saved up some money for traveling. If I leave now, that Pinkerton man will figure out it's me that did those things, and he will not quit until he tracks me down. I've got to stop Frank from talking to anyone.

  Jude ran the horse as fast as he could go. It was the longest three miles of his life. The horse was panting by the time he reached the road. He went over to the bridge and stopped right in the middle of the entrance to the bridge where no one could see him. The road ran parallel to the creek and then made a ninety degree turn onto the bridge, which made it impossible to be seen from the road where Jude was. He could hear Frank's car coming down the road, within three minutes of his arrival. He pulled his gun out of its holster and made sure it was loaded. Just as Frank turned to cross the bridge, Jude pulled way back on the reins and shot his gun in the air until his frightened horse stood up on his hind legs right in front of the car. Then Jude took aim and shot directly at the windshield which shattered into little pieces. Frank was so startled, he turned the steering wheel to avoid the man who was shooting at him, and the car hit the bridge on the right, careened on its side, rolled over on the soft top, and landed on the edge of the creek.

  Jude got off his horse with his gun in his hand and crawled down the bank to the car. Frank was on his stomach not moving. The bottom half of his body was in the water, and his head was under the steering wheel, which lay on top of his head. Broken glass was strewn everywhere. Jude didn't know what to do. The smell of gasoline was strong as it flowed into the river. He thought Frank was dead, and he couldn't easily get over to him to see. He was also worried that the car would explode, so he climbed back up the embankment, got on his horse, and headed back to the ranch as fast as he could.

  When he got there, he rode quietly around the stable, went in and unsaddled the horse. He cooled him down and brushed him, so no one would know he'd been gone. The other hands were still out in the pasture. After he cleaned himself up and cooled down, he went over to the ranch house.

  Caroline answered the door.

  "Hi, Jude, what can I do for you?"

  "Hello, Mrs. Hempe. I just wanted to let you know that Gus won't be here for dinner. He up and quit on us this morning, something about his brother being sick and needing his help in Pendleton. He left a little while ago. Is Frank here? I was going to tell him about it?"

  "No, he's not, Jude. He just said he had to take care of something and took off. He said he'd be home for supper though. You can tell him then."

  "Okay, thank you, ma'am." Jude's heart was beating fast. He had to cover his tracks everywhere.

  "I've got a roast slow cooking on the stove. It'll be ready in about an hour."

  "That sounds good, ma'am. I'm looking forward to it."

  He went back to the bunkhouse and lay down on his bed. It felt like his heart was going to jump out of his chest. His mind was racing, as he tried to figure out what to do next. Should I get my things ready to leave on a second's notice? Or should I wait and see what happens? Obviously, Caroline didn't know anything. If Frank didn't tell anyone his suspicions, I'm okay. If I leave, it will look suspicious.

  The other cowhands came in from the range, and they all washed up and went over to the house for dinner.

  Caroline let them in. "I don't know where Frank is, or Sylvester either, they were both supposed to be here for dinner."

  Just then, they heard a wagon out in front. Caroline went to the door.

  "Ma, come quick! Pa is hurt bad. He had an accident over at the bridge. I was on my way home and found him. I went back to Ellen's place and got her father, and he helped me put him in the wagon, and he took my horse and went into town to get the doctor." Sylvester was talking fast, because he was so worried about his father.

  The ranch hands hurried out and lifted Frank from the wagon and carried him in the house.

  "Was he awake, Sylvester?" Jude asked, as the panic roiled up inside him.

  "No, he has been unconscious ever since I found him."

  Caroline ran into the house, to ready the bed for the men to put him in.

  "Frank, Frank! Oh no, my poor Frank!"

  She got a cold rag and put it on his head, but he was so pale that she was really worried.

  "You guys go on and eat, and Agnes, please clear off the table when you're done. I'll take care of those later. Sylvester, could you grab something quick to eat and ride over to St. Patrick's and get Father Andrew? We need him to come and pray over your pa."

  "Mrs. Hempe, why don't I go for the priest? Sylvester should stay here and be with you and his father. I'm not that hungry anyway. I'll eat something when I get back." Jude wasn't hungry at all, he felt sick and needed some time to think.

  "Thank you, Jude. That is most kind of you. I would appreciate that. Sylvester, please take care of things in here and bring the doctor right in when he gets here."

  "Of course, Ma. I'll be right in to help you too."

  The doctor and Mr. Price arrived an hour later, at almost the same time that Jude rode up with the priest. Frank was still unconscious and not moving. After a long examination, the doctor came out of the bedroom. All the ranch hands were still there, and everyone seemed very concerned.

&
nbsp; "I don't have much to tell you, Mrs. Hempe. He might make it, and he might not. He has a broken leg and a huge bump on his head. I can fix the leg, but we won't know what kind of damage there is to his head until, or if, he wakes up. Only time will tell if he will be all right. He could have brain damage. All you can do is tend to him and hope he wakes up. And, if he does, we can just pray he will be okay. I'm sorry, ma'am, I wish I could tell you more."

  "What can I do?"

  "Just be here for him. He could wake up at any time and be perfectly okay, or he could not ever wake up at all. You will have to try to get some liquids down him. Make sure you are sitting him up when you do. I left a syringe by the bed. Water, juice, whatever you can get down his throat. Hopefully, his throat muscles will automatically respond and take in the liquid. He can't live very long without sustenance. So let's hope he will wake up, no matter what state his brain is in, within the next ten days, otherwise he won't make it. I'm sorry, Caroline. I wish I had better news for you. I will come by and check on him, at least every other day, until something happens."

  "Okay, doctor. I'm at a loss of what to do for him."

  "Just try to keep him clean, and probably put some kind of a diaper on him for now. If you can get soup or broth down his throat, that would be good. You might want to make sure someone is with him all of the time, just in case he wakes up. Write to your children, and ask them to come and visit, as you could use some help, and well, it might be their only chance to say goodbye."

  Tears welled up in Caroline's eyes as he was speaking. Jude and Father Andrew were sitting with Mary, Agnes, Sylvester, and Stuart Price at the table, listening to her conversation with the doctor. Jude stood up.

  "Mrs. Hempe, I will be happy to spell you and sit with him, so you can get things done, like write letters to your family, or get your wash done."

  "Thank you, Jude, I might take you up on that, although we will need you to run the ranch until Frank is back on his feet again. Father, do you want to go in now?"

  "Yes, of course, Caroline. I hope it's okay if I give him the last rites. Since we really don't know much about his future after this accident, I thought it would be a good idea. That will take care of his soul, no matter what happens. I would appreciate it, if you would all join me by his bedside."

  Tears welled up again in Caroline's eyes. She was trying to think positive, and the priest's words brought her back to the reality of the situation.

  "Yes, Father, of course. Will you join us, Jude?"

  He didn't want to be there for the bedside service. Religion meant nothing to him. Jude didn't believe in anything. The only church service he'd ever attended was George and Anna's wedding, and he didn't understand a word of what the priest said, and he thought the whole thing was ridiculous. But he wanted to make sure Frank didn't wake up, and he didn't think it would look right if he left now.

  "Ma, you know I will help you anyway I can."

  "Of course, Sylvester, I know you will. Let's all join Father now. The one thing we can do for your father now is pray for his swift recovery."

  The doctor joined them too, and kept checking Frank's pulse during the service. Jude watched the priest put a ritual looking gold trimmed black cloth around his neck, which draped down his chest on both sides. Then he took out a little round vial that had oil in it and set it on the night stand with a small bottle of water. Jude watched what Sylvester did and followed along, folding his hands and bowing his head. He didn't know the words to the prayers, so he just said "Amen" with the others when each prayer was over. The priest anointed Frank with what he found out was Holy Water and oil, and he prayed for the unconscious man's soul, and then he led the rosary when the rites were over. Jude was so antsy he couldn't stand still, but he knew he had to play along. While everyone else was praying for Frank to heal and return to normal, he was praying that he would die and trying to figure out how quickly he could make an escape; if Frank woke up and accused him of trying to kill him.

  Forty five minutes later the priest was finished, and the doctor checked Frank over one last time, stating that there were no changes. The family left the room, but Caroline left the door open so she could keep an eye on her husband.

  After the doctor, Mr. Price, and Father Andrew left, Caroline sat down in the rocking chair and began to cry.

  "Do you want me to go sit with him now, Mrs. Hempe?"

  "No, Jude. Sylvester, or one of the girls, can sit with him tonight, while I get things organized. If you will please just make sure everything is running smoothly with the ranch, it would really be appreciated. But if you could come and help out every night, after supper, that would be wonderful. The girls often have their sewing or quilting groups to go to, and I don't want things to stray from the normal around here. I will let you know if I need you more often."

  "Of course, ma'am, I could spare an hour after lunch every day too, if that would help."

  "Yes, that would work out, as Agnes has school, and Mary and I are often busy with doing the wash, Jude. If you can work that in with your other work, it would be very much appreciated."

  Jude didn't want to leave, as he was afraid Frank would wake up and tell on him. He wanted to be there, when and if he woke up, because if he did and remembered what happened, Jude needed to make sure that no one was there, to see him end Frank's life once and for all. Jude didn't know what to do but stay close. He didn't want to draw attention to himself. He gathered all of his belongings and put them under his bunk. If Frank woke up and he wasn't there to end it, he wanted to be able to get out of town as quickly as possible.

  Chapter Seventeen

  "Jude's Predicament"

  Jude was filled with confusing emotions. Anger, hate, and fear filled his every moment. He was so angry that when he had finally gotten the job he wanted, as foreman of the ranch, he was on the verge of losing it. Anger at his mother for abandoning him as a child and making him beat her up that night, and anger at that damn Pinkerton man for continuing to pursue him. He was filled with hate at everyone he knew, especially Frank for accusing him and making him cause that accident, and especially for not dying when he was supposed to. Fear that Frank would wake up at any moment, and fear that he wouldn't get away if his crimes were discovered. Suddenly, he found himself working harder than he ever had before as he was trying to show Caroline that she needed him, and that he was capable of taking care of everything at the ranch. He had to hire another ranch hand to take Gus's place, and he put the other two ranch hands in charge of important jobs. Then he had to make sure they did those jobs right, while at the same time he had to make time to spend with Frank, as he wanted to be there if and when he woke up.

  Caroline sat by Frank's side most of the time, praying and wiping his brow. She fed him broth three times a day and any other liquids he could swallow. The girls helped out too, but she didn't want them to have to spend their young lives at a sick bed. She took a break to fix meals for Sylvester and the hands, and often just left the bedroom door open so she could see him.

  Jude watched him every afternoon for an hour, and for an hour after dinner, while Caroline cleaned up the kitchen, did the laundry, and wrote letters to Ida and George. The children came within the next two weeks after Frank's accident. They only stayed three or four days each, as they had homes, children, and ranches to take care of.

  George and Anna and the children arrived first, and Anna was a big help to Caroline, even though the children were always under foot. Caroline thought maybe the laughter of the children would wake him up. George helped on the ranch while he was there, but told his mother he had to get back to his own small ranch; as the Troy girls were up there taking care of his ranch while he was gone, and they needed to get back to helping their parents on their own ranch.

  Anna insisted on taking over Jude's time with Frank as leaving him alone with her father-in-law gave her a very uneasy feeling. When she tried to talk to George about it, he told her that his mother was very grateful for all the help Jude had been
giving her, and to please not mention it to Caroline. So she just prayed that Frank would return to normal and that she was wrong about Jude.

  Ida came over by herself from Walla Walla. She suggested to Caroline that if he didn't wake up, or wasn't himself when he did, that she sell the ranch and all their assets and move to Walla Walla to live with her family.

  "Ma, there is a really good hospital in Walla Walla that takes care of people with neurological problems. Ask the doctor about it. You could stay with us, until you figure out what you are going to do, and then you could buy a place in town close by. This ranch is just too big for you to take care of alone, and even if Pa comes back to full health, he is getting up there in age, and it's too much work for him and you. Think about it, Ma. You know we would love to have you there. I wouldn't worry so much if you were there."

  "That might be a good solution, Ida. I will just have to see how things go in the next few months. Can you check with that hospital, and let me know if they would be able to take him, if necessary?"

  "Yes, Ma, I will do that right away and send you a letter. I have to go back on Thursday, but I want to spend some time with Pa while I'm here."

  "Of course, Ida, maybe your sweet voice will wake him up."

  Mary and Agnes were always helpful, and they both spent a lot of time with their father, when they weren't doing chores or helping their mother. All of Frank's children adored him, as he had always been a kind and loving father.

  Sylvester brought in the firewood every day, built the fire, and helped his mother by carrying the laundry outside and hanging it for her when his sisters weren't able to help. His fiancée came over often to help the Hempe women with cooking, baking, and the cleaning.

  Anton came by almost every day to check on his brother. He loved his brother dearly, and he wanted to do everything he could to help him and his family. He told Caroline what had happened to Dolly and about his last conversation with Frank at the Saloon the day he had been hurt. She insisted on paying the doctor bills that Frank said he would pay, and sent more money for the woman, but she was too busy worrying about Frank to think about who might have beat her up, as was Anton.