To Honor and Cherish

by Kari Trumbo

  Jax held on with everything he was worth, wrapping one rein around each hand. There was no use trying to get the horse to stop, he was losing blood and energy the more he fought. The horse had been spooked and wouldn’t slow down until he’d gotten his own wits about him. After a number of minutes, the horse slowed. Jax saw a small stream, with barely enough flowing water to matter, and he knew what the horse had in mind, but with his arm throbbing he could do nothing about it. It trotted over to the stream and stopped with a jerk, throwing Jax right off over the horse’s head.

  His shoulder jerked before the reins came free of his hands and pain shot through his shoulder and into his arm. He was thankful on the trail it was easiest to ride without a bit so his horse’s mouth wasn’t hurt. Course, he wanted to curse his faithful mount right about now.

  Mac rode up behind him and saw Jax sitting in the water, knees bent, hunched over holding his shoulder. His horse near him but on the other side of the stream, enjoying a cool drink as if nothing were the matter at all. Mac crossed his arm over the pommel of his saddle and laughed so hard at the predicament Jax found himself in he had to lean forward in the saddle or risk falling off himself. Only after Mac dismounted and helped Jax did he realize he’d been shot.

  Back at the wagon, Jax told Gus and Mac what had happened.

  “I don’t know who it was, I didn’t see them.” Jax winced as Gus probed at the gouge in his shoulder.

  “That cow came tearing back to us without you, we wondered what had happened.” Gus focused on cleaning the wound.

  “I just hope it isn’t Larson, he don’t need any more cattle and I don’t want him on my tail.”

  “Well, I’m of a different opinion. If he’s following us, all the better. That means he’s not at Little Springs, watching Meg. Now, I got this all cleaned up and it looks to me like he just grazed you. You’re lucky. Someone out there is praying for you. If that had gone into your arm, well, don’t know what we would’ve done.”

  Jax nodded his agreement and sucked in sharply as Gus wound a bandage tight around the wound. He appreciated for the first time that Gus was with and had the know-how to bandage him up. He knew what was wrong and what to do about it. Meg had stocked them well with basic medical supplies because Gus had everything he needed from ointments to wrap for the shoulder and arm. Gus bandaged the entire shoulder and chest too tight to be comfortable, then bandaged the whole arm to his body because the horse had pulled his shoulder out of joint when he’d unseated Jax. The bandage limited Jax’s mobility quite a bit, but also reduced the additional damage riding would do.

  He couldn’t help but remember how much better it had been to be bandaged up by Meghan. She was gentle and while the wraps had been tight when she’d done it, he hadn’t been uncomfortable. Gus had been all business and he felt even more roughed up by Gus than by the horse.

  He looked like a dandy parade rider using only one arm, and he found riding any horse but his own difficult. His horse knew his body cues the best, all the others he rode wore him out. His injury slowed them down. He couldn’t ride like he wanted to and the already gruelingly slow pace was even slower now. He cursed to himself. Now, it’ll be even longer until I get home…When did I start thinking of the ranch as home? And do I even have that right anymore?

  He’d been worried about Meg ever since they’d left and now he was even more worried because it would take longer and Lars could be after him. He and all his men were on alert, looking for lone riders and careful of places people could hide in ambush.

  The group hadn’t gone near any towns. In fact, they were avoiding them so he couldn’t send word back to Meg to let her know how they were doing. Soon they would be rid of the cattle. Then he could send a message to the boss-lady. He wondered to himself if she thought about him half as much as he’d been thinking about her?

  ~~~

  September became cooler and soon it was October and still no word from Jax. Meg made the trip into town once a day. She worried about Jax, her father, and Pete. She couldn’t help but think about the dangers of the trail. The trip was long and potentially treacherous. A thought niggled at the back of her mind that something terrible had happened to the three men who meant everything in her life.

  Meg hadn’t seen any of the repercussions in town that Mark had promised. She hadn’t seen Mark or heard any rumors at all. Every time she ventured into town she expected it, but it never came. His parents seemed almost terrified of her though, and that bothered her.

  Meg came out to the kitchen to prepare her breakfast only to find Rose already at the stove like she used to be. Her back was to Meg and she was busy. She didn’t even notice when Meg came in the room. Meg was so happy to see Rose. Hurrying across the room, she opened her arms to give her a hug. She rounded the table and stopped short. Roses profile was much changed from just a month ago when Meg had seen her last. Her lower abdomen was rounded, protruding softly and it was obvious Rose was going to have a baby. Meg experienced that little stab of jealousy again. She should be exultant for her friend. Rose and Pete had been married such a long time and she’d never conceived. Now Rose was pregnant and her husband, her safety and support, was hundreds of miles away because of Meg.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” she whispered, the hurt plain in her voice.

  “Would it have made any difference?” she snapped, as frigid as Meg was hurt.

  “Yes! I could’ve found someone else. Father could’ve recommended someone. I would’ve found a way.” Meg gripped the table for support.

  “Then why didn’t you? I gave you the opportunity. I asked you if he had to go. You had the time to ask someone else. You chose not to. If Pete is injured or doesn’t come back, I’m leaving.” She refused to even look at Meg. Her movements were stiff and angry. “They are late and my fear and anger grows every single day. I’m alone over there. If something happens to me, I can’t send for help. I have no mother to rely on or other friends to help me. My one friend abandoned me and made work more important. Exactly like her husband did.” She sniffed. The jab hit home, Meg held back tears. Cruelty was uncharacteristic for the ever-solid Rose.

  “Rose, don’t you dare treat me that way. We talked about this before the men left. We both agreed Pete had to go. Please, stay here. I go to town almost every day now anyway. Please, let me watch out for you.” She reached her hand out to Rose, wanting so much to make this up to her friend. She prayed desperately they would hear from the group soon.

  Rose stepped away from her hand, “I don’t want to stay here with you. I don’t want to be near you right now. I can’t even control my anger with you anymore.”

  “Why are you here now then?” Meg asked, perplexed by her friends sudden turn to dramatics when she had always been so stable.

  “Why am I here?” she repeated, her voice taking on a high pitch. “I’m here to show you exactly what you’ve done. I’ve always been here for you. When your father cheated on your mother, I was here for you, protected you, and tried to make sure at least you would be left to love your poor father. Because, if I had to deal with your mother on a daily basis, I might do exactly what he did.”

  “My father…” Meg’s eyes were wide.

  “Your father cheated on your mother with a lady that managed the boarding house. She has since become ill and died. You have a half-sister.”

  Rose seemed to be enjoying the continual barrage of shock waves hitting Meg. She used them like weapons.

  “Didn’t you ever wonder why your father changed so much? Didn’t you ever wonder why your mom had her own separate room and sitting room? Didn’t it ever make you wonder why they stay together if they seem to hate each other so much?” Rose shook her head as if Meg were daft.

  “I have a…sister?”

  “Yes, I’m sure he was hoping for a boy to pass this ranch on to, but he didn’t get one. That was a great disappointment to him, to learn that Sophie had a girl.”

  “Sophie…”

  “Your father’s mistr
ess was Sophie. He hadn’t been looking to cheat. He was, and still usually is, a good man. He made a terrible mistake, and he was sorry. He tried to tell Charlotte how sorry he was. He tried for years. Margot is probably sixteen maybe seventeen. He didn’t wait until he got caught. He felt so guilty about it that he confessed to Charlotte and wanted reconciliation. She promised him he’d never get it.”

  “Rose, I’m sorry. I wish I’d taken to heart what you were asking me, I wish I’d understood,” she whispered. “I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me when you’re ready. I didn’t mean to hurt you or your baby.” Meg tried to change the subject. The new information about her family was overwhelmed her entirely.

  Without waiting for breakfast or for Rose to calm down, Meg left. She needed air. She needed to think. A sister. She had another sister. Someone who could lay claim to the ranch. She may soon reach age seventeen and even at that young age, she could marry. Meg had read over the ranch documents many times looking for a loophole, it said, ‘either of my daughters’ it didn’t specify them by name.

  Meg wondered how well her father knew Margot. Did he visit her in town? Did he pay her way? Had he made sure she lived somewhere safe after her mother passed? Too many unanswered questions. Her father needed to get back right away. Rose had said that her father had confessed, she wondered how many people knew about this and who she could find out more from.

  The trip seemed much faster with so much on her mind. Meg rode all the way into town without realizing that’s where the horse had been headed. She directed her horse to the Post and got the first good news of the day. A money order waited for her for the sale of the cattle. Along with the money she received a short note. It said: Slow going, injuries, home for Christmas. She wondered who’d been hurt and how badly, but it did no good to dwell on it. Anyone injured would slow them down and they were already behind schedule.

  Meg had hoped to investigate into her half-sister right away, but Rose would want this news as soon as possible. Even if she’d made Rose angry, she owed her that much. Meg took the money order to the bank and then rushed home to tell Rose the news.

  Knocking on Rose’s door, she listened, but got no response. She went around to the back of the house to look for Rose in the garden but could not find her. Getting back on her horse, she rode to her own home, hoping to find Rose still there.

  She put her horse in the corral with the others and came into the house, expecting to find her friend in the kitchen since she hadn’t been in any of her other usual places. Peeking into the kitchen, she found it vacant and quiet. Worry planted itself and spread its roots rapidly. What if something had happened to Rose after their talk this morning and she’d left, or maybe she merely didn’t answer her door?

  Meg looked out her kitchen window, trying to think of other ideas. Next to the stove, she saw a plate covered with a towel. She went over and lifted it up. Her stomach made a low grumble, reminding her she hadn’t eaten a thing that morning. There, on the plate were some thick flapjacks. Even if Rose had been angry, she’d still made sure Meg would eat something. It made her frown and sit back to think for a moment. Rose followed what the preacher had spoken of so many months before. Help others beyond the work you were required to do. Humble yourself and feed His sheep.

  Meg had told Rose she didn’t need to come cook and clean with only her in the house. Those were things Meg could easily do herself and with the raise in pay Pete received for going on the drive, Rose would not suffer financially. Meg had tried to be thoughtful, but had fallen flat. She hadn’t done what should’ve been and she had to make it right.

  Eating a few flapjacks, she rushed back out to get her horse. She reached the corral when she saw Rose walking up the lane toward her. Meg smiled and went to her friend.

  “Rose, I was so worried about you. I have word from the trail.” She waved the tiny note.

  “Was there a letter? Did Pete say anything?” It seemed as if Rose had all at once forgotten her anger and Meg smiled, running up to the friend she’d missed.

  “Not to me, it’s only a note with the money from the sale of the cattle. It said they were going slow, there were injuries, and they expect to be home by Christmas. Perhaps Pete sent a note just for you while they were in town? This was most likely from Jax or even my father. It wasn’t signed. Would you like to come into town with me to check?”

  Rose looked distant. “Injuries.” She focused on Meg with a contempt only a friendship of a lifetime could bear, “I warned you.” She turned on her heel and walked back toward her house.

  Meg’s heart ached to make it right, but if Rose wanted space, that was one thing she could give. If the injuries had been severe the note would have said they’d stopped, but it didn’t. At least the men were alive and well enough to keep moving. She couldn’t wait for them to get home. Now, what to do with the time until they get back? Find her sister, of course.

  Chapter Twelve

  Meg hitched her small, two-wheeled carriage and made her now daily trip to town. Her pulse raced and her thoughts slammed around in her head about her sister. Wanting to find her as soon as possible, she made a mental list of her stops. The post office had to be her first stop, then the mercantile. Perhaps after, she’d have the information she needed to discover where this would take her next. She wanted so much to have another friend, though the fear of losing her home tempered it.

  She’d been thinking about what the important things in life were after her argument with Rose, and had come to the conclusion the ranch had to be second. If she put those she loved first she would always be cared for and never be alone. The ranch, while wonderful, didn’t care.

  As Meg pulled into town she wondered yet again if Rose had gotten any letter from Pete. If she did, did her letter say more about what had happened to them? She’d been so angry, Meg hadn’t seen her since she walked away two days ago. She made her stop at the post but found no more news from the men. Without the cattle to keep them from towns they should have been able to send a few more letters. Sighing in frustration, she left the post and walked back outside, shading her eyes from the sun. Even with a bonnet, the day was so bright she squinted.

  The mercantile was only a few doors further down the street, past the saloon. Thermals radiated off the gravel streets of the small town and Meg fought the urge to fan herself in her stiff black dress. She hadn’t stepped foot inside the small store since Mark Scott had been run off her property. She had avoided the store after the incident in the barn. She certainly didn’t want to go in today, but Rose couldn’t do this and now she was in desperate need to refill portions of the larder. She clasped the door with a firm grip, took a deep breath, and opened it.

  The darkness closed in on her after the bright from outside and she blinked rapidly. She felt a moment of fear when she heard footsteps coming near her. Most of the windows let in only bits of light. Blocked by shelves of goods, every spare inch of space seemed to be used to display items for sale. Along the walls were jars of various canned foods, medications, and household essentials like flour and sugar. In the back corner, the frivolous section of the store boasted small toys, pads of white paper, expensive pencils, calling cards, and many other useful but unnecessary items. Groping at the shelf nearby to steady herself, she saw the older Mr. Scott come towards her. Her eyes adjusted just fast enough to see a moment of apprehension on his face. He nodded her direction then went back to his till. She picked up a few essentials and brought them up to him. Noticing younger Mark’s absence, she breathed a sigh of relief. Meg handed her list of larger items to Mr. Scott.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Connor.” He took the paper without looking at her. “Is this list for me?”

  “Yes, please. I can wait.” She placed the few small things she’d found on the counter. “I have a question for you.”

  “Yes, what do you need?” His voice constricted into a squeak.

  “I was wondering if you knew anyone named Sophie, who had a daughter named Margot?”
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br />   “Meg…I…I think you might be meddling where you shouldn’t. That’s a road to trouble for you and especially for your father. Don’t dishonor him by sticking your nose where it oughtn’t to be.”

  “Sir, she’s my sister, and her mother’s dead. We’re all she has left.” Meg tried to soften him a bit.

  “Do you think your mother would feel the same way?” he looked into her eyes, the first time he’d done so. His gaze bore into her and made her uncomfortable.

  Meg sighed. “My mother has shut many doors. I can’t control who she forgives and doesn’t. I can only try to do what I think is right. I’ll find out who and where she is. This is a small town.”

  “You would be surprised how tight-lipped this town can be.” His voice became rough and gravely. A shadow crept over his face. “You may be right, but I’m sorry, miss, you won’t find out from me.” His body became as rigid as his words. She wouldn’t get more help from him. “Can I wrap these for you?” He was all business now.

  “I don’t know where else to look. I had really hoped to you’d help me.” Meg looked down at the counter. She’d hoped to find her sister today. Mr. Scott wrapped her packages for travel and carried them out for her. He put them right behind her seat. His hands lingered on the packages and he still didn’t look at her.

  “I know you’re trying to do the right thing. That girl didn’t do anything wrong. She didn’t ask to be born in that situation, but think about your father and mother and how difficult it’s been for them. This would rip open old hurt, don’t you think?”

  “I think my parents never did what needed to be done for healing in the first place. Shunning someone, simply because it reminds you of a past sin, is wrong. Especially since that past sin, as you said, was no fault of her own. This is a small town and with or without your help, I will find her,” she repeated with more resolve than she felt.

  Mr. Scott shook his head and turned to go back to the store, then stopped and turned back to look over his shoulder.