“Sarah.”
Ike took a deep breath and quickly stuffed himself back in his pants when he heard the sound of a female voice calling out.
“Sarah, you have to come see this.”
So your name is Sarah. As he watched, she looked downstream and smiled.
“What’s wrong, Rachel?” asked Sarah.
Another one of the family is a girl. Rachel came walking into view, although she looked more like a Robert. He could hear them plainly from where he crouched on the ground.
“The boys really caught some fish.”
Sarah laughed and dipped her head to remove the soap from her hair. “That’s great. I’ll be out to clean them up in a few minutes.”
“No need.” Rachel moved to stand beside Sarah’s clothes. “Daniel took your knife and he’s cleaning them up right now. Doing a good job, too. Reckon he’s done it a time or two before.” She picked up the towel and handed it to Sarah as she came out of the water. “How do you want to cook them?”
Sarah turned and pointed toward the bank. “You see that orange colored dirt? That’s clay, and there’s wild onions growing above it.” She tossed the towel aside and pulled on her pants. “We’ll bake them in clay on the coals when the fire dies down a little. We can add the wild onion for flavor, and I’ve got some salt in with our supplies. I can whip up a batch of biscuits and we’ll open a can of beans to go with it. We’ll have a regular feast to celebrate the first meal of our new life.”
“Sounds great! I’ll go pull what we need from the boxes.” Rachel ran off leaving Sarah to finish dressing.
Ike slowly started to back away, being as quiet as possible. When he was far enough, he stood and went back to his horse. “I’ll give them a little time and then I’ll join them for dinner.” She wouldn’t be able to turn him away. The code of the West kept anyone from turning away a traveler from your campsite, especially if he’s hungry and got no food of his own. “I’m going to find out why you’re hiding out, Miss Sarah. Whatever trouble you’re in, I’m going to make sure you stay safe.
* * * *
Sarah slid the biscuits to the heat and stirred the beans beginning to bubble in the pot. The scent of the baking fish was making her hungry.
“When we gonna be able to eat, Miss Sarah?” Jonathan used a stick to poke one of the balls of clay in the coals.
“Soon as the biscuits are done.” Sarah reached over and grabbed the stick from Jonathan’s hand. “I’ve told you more than once to stop playing around with our dinner.” Sarah looked at the children, gathered around the fire. Each one had a solid look of trust on his face. She had to do right by these children. She had to take care of them, keep them from harm. They needed something good in their lives.
Sarah used the stick to pull one of the clay containers out of the fire. She started to pry it open when she heard rustling in the bushes.
“Hello to the camp. I’m a lone traveler looking for a place to rest. Am I welcome at your fire?”
Sarah looked up and spotted a single man walking slowly toward their camp, leading a horse behind him. She jumped up and grabbed the rifle she’d loaded earlier. She raised it to her shoulder and leveled it toward the stranger. As he got closer, she got a good look at his face. “You!” It was Ike West, the man from the train. “What are you doing here? Why are you following us?” It was a good thing she’d taken time to put her hat back on, covering up her long hair.
“I’m not following you, Samuel, but apparently we’re traveling in the same direction. I’m heading to Big Springs to meet up with my brother, Abe. We’re buying a farm together.” He stopped several feet from Sarah. “I saw your campfire from the trail, and then smelled whatever it is you’re cooking. I was hoping you might be willing to share. I’m happy to pay for a meal, if you’ve enough to spare. It just seemed silly to build my own fire if you’d let me share yours.”
She looked him over carefully. He was dressed in brown trousers, a dark blue shirt, and leather vest. She didn’t see a gun on his person, but a rifle was in plain view on his saddle. She wanted to say no, but she couldn’t turn a body away without feeding him. She lowered the gun, and motioned for him to come forward. “You can come into the camp to eat, but you’ll have to bunk somewhere else.”
Ike nodded, and smiled. “That’s very wise of you, Samuel. I accept your offer, gladly.” He tied his horse to the back of Sarah’s wagon and glanced toward her mules. “Fine-looking animals.” He came closer and stared down at the fire. “What in tarnation smells so good?”
Jonathan jumped up and came closer to Ike. “It’s fish, mister.” He smiled up at Ike. “We caught ’em with a spear and Sar…um, Samuel figured out how to cook ’em with onions.”
Ike grinned. “Well, he sure did a good job. At least it smells like he did a good job. They’re making me powerful hungry.” He turned his gaze to Sarah. “Powerful hungry.”
Sarah felt herself blush and looked away. “I think everything’s ready.”
Ike took a step closer. “Samuel, you sure you have enough to share with me?”
“There’s plenty.” She bent down and opened up the first clay ball and scooped out the fish and onions onto one of their tin plates. She added a scoop of beans and a biscuit and handed the first plate to Rachel. She repeated this with Zeke, and then gave Daniel a plate with two helpings of everything. “Daniel, you share with Jonathan. We’ve only got five plates.”
“Okay, no problem.” Daniel put his arm around Jonathan and led him toward the far side of the fire.
She fixed Ike a plate and handed it to him. “I’m sorry I haven’t made any coffee, you’ll have to settle for water.” She picked up a cup and held it out to Rachel. “Would you fill this from the water barrel for Mr. West?” She turned her gaze to Ike. “The water’s fresh, just filled it this afternoon.”
Ike settled onto the ground and gave her a smile. “Much obliged, Samuel. This is a fine meal. I hadn’t expected to be eating so well on the trail.” He took a bite of the fish and groaned. “This is delicious.”
“It’s so tender!” Zeke smacked his lips loudly. All the children were making strange noises of pleasure as they shoveled food in their mouths.
“You say you caught this with a spear, boy?” asked Ike.
Daniel nodded before Jonathan could say anything. “Yes, sir,” he mumbled around a mouthful of beans. “It was easy. My Pa taught me.”
Ike watched Daniel for a moment. “Where is your Pa, boy?
Silence fell over the camp. Daniel looked away, and Sarah could see the tears welling in his eyes. She put an arm around his shoulder and looked at Ike. “His Pa died in an accident a few months ago.”
Ike lowered his eyes, and then gave the boy a compassionate look. “I’m sorry, son. I know how you feel. My own Pa died a couple of years back.”
Daniel looked at him with wide eyes. “Did he have an accident, too?”
Ike shook his head. “No, he was just old and got sick. I reckon it was just his time for the Lord to call him home.” Ike turned his attention to Sarah. “You know, something’s bothering me. I could have sworn you were traveling with three sisters and a brother when we met on the train.”
Sarah stared down at her plate, gripping so hard her knuckles were turning white. “Uh, no, you’re mistaken.” She laughed. “I seem to remember you were so tired you nodded off to sleep as soon as you sat down. Maybe you dreamed I had little sisters.”
Ike narrowed his eyes, and frowned. “Maybe. Do you mind if I ask what you’re heading to Big Springs for?”
Sarah shifted on the log she’d perched on. “What makes you think we’re headed to Big Springs?”
He shrugged. “It’s the closest town along this trail, and if you’re not heading there you’ll have a long ride ahead before you find anything else.”
“We’re hoping to find a small farm to buy. Just something big enough to live on and grow vegetables, maybe have a cow and chickens.”
“Most of the places there
are pretty big spreads, not small like what you’re describing. Can you afford such a place?”
Sarah practically saw red with his question. Does he think I can’t afford to buy a place? She looked down at his empty plate. “You’ve finished your dinner. It’s time for you to go.”
Ike hesitated for a moment and then smiled. “Thank you for the fine dinner.” He handed her the plate and the rose to his feet. “Have a safe trip, Samuel.” He tipped his hat and began to walk off. “I’m sure we’ll see each other again.”
Sarah watched him mount his horse and then ride off into the darkness.
“You shouldn’t have run him off.” Zeke tossed his plate down beside Sarah. “It’s getting darker now and he’s got to find a safe place to make camp.”
Jonathan joined Zeke by the fire. “We could have let him stay here with us.”
Sarah thought carefully before she spoke. “You have to understand we can’t afford to let people get too close. We have to be really careful what we say. Nobody can find out who I am, or who any of you are. By now, Miss Rivers knows I took my money and you kids, and she’s probably going to have the law looking for us. We all have to lay low until I know it’s safe, and that definitely means staying away from any well-meaning cowboys.”
Zeke sighed, kicking his foot in the dirt. “Okay, if that’s how it has to be. I sure don’t want to go back to the orphanage.”
Sarah hugged his thin body close against her side. “I’ll never let that happen, Zeke. That’s a promise.” She swiped a hand across her damp eyes and smiled. “You guys get your plates washed up and put them away. Then I want you to take those blankets in the wagon and make yourself a bed near the fire. Try to get some sleep. We’re leaving out of here at first light.”
The children rushed around carrying out her orders while Sarah carefully banked the fire, leaving it smoldering slightly. She watched them roll out their blanket beds in a circle around the comforting heat.
“Here’s your blanket, Sarah.” Rachel handed Sarah a gray, wool blanket.
“Thanks, Rachel.” She fixed her bed and lay down on her back. She couldn’t get thoughts of the handsome cowboy out of her mind. He asked too many questions. She’d have to make sure to stay out of his way once they got to Big Springs. She just knew he was going to be trouble.
“Sarah?”
“Yes, Zeke.”
“Are you doing your star wishing so we can have good things come our way?”
Sarah had told the children about her mother’s ritual of wishing on the stars each night. She’d always told Sarah that all the stars in the sky were children’s wishes just waiting to come true. Sarah had been making the same star wish her entire life. “Yes, Zeke, I’m wishing on those stars right now. You should make your own wishes on them. The more people that wish, the more likely the wish will come true.”
“You really believe the stars can make your wishes come true?” asked Zeke.
Sarah smiled, remembering her mother. “Absolutely! Sometimes it just takes time.” She turned over and faced the fire. “Get some sleep now. Daylight’ll be here before you know it.”
* * * *
Ike pulled his horse up outside the jail and breathed a sigh of relief. He’d ridden hard all night, wanting a chance to talk to his brother about Sarah and her band of children. He tied Blackie to the hitching post and climbed onto the boardwalk. Nothing in the town appeared to have changed in the four years he’d been gone.
He walked up to the door of the jail and walked in without knocking. Just as he suspected, his brother was laid back in a chair with his feet propped up on a heavily scarred desk. He laughed, when Abe jumped, sloshing the coffee from his cup all over his shirt.
“What the hell!” Abe’s gaze shot to the door and he scowled. “Well it took you long enough to bring your sorry ass home.” He put down the cup and wiped at the liquid soaking into his shirt. “What are you waiting for, get yourself on in here.”
Ike laughed, and closed the door. He looked around the dismal room. There was a small, potbellied stove in one corner with a blackened coffee pot sitting on the surface. He could feel the warmth from the stove all the way across the room. “Don’t tell me this town pays you to sit on your butt all day.”
Abe got up and came around the desk. He’d filled out since the last time Ike had seen him. “How’s Ma doing?
“She’s still grieving, but Uncle Ed is doing everything he can to keep her mind active. She took right well to living on his farm. Taking care of him seems to have given her a reason to keep living.” Ike laughed. “She’s already got him on a schedule for his meals, and dragging him to Sunday meetings.”
“Is she still mad I didn’t make it home for Pa’s funeral?”
Ike shook his head. “She never was mad, Abe. Sure, she was disappointed, but she understood. Hell, she was telling everybody that would listen about her son, the sheriff.”
“Did you get everything settled before you left?”
Ike took off his hat and threw it on the desk. “You do realize I’ve been gone from the farm for almost two years? She was good and settled before I left. The farm sold pretty quick, and I helped Uncle Ed get his crops in. The farm fetched enough to pay off all Pa’s bills and left a tidy little sum for Ma to fall back on.”
“Were you able to give Pa a decent funeral?”
Ike snorted. “His funeral was grand, just the way the old man would have wanted it.”
“Yeah, Pa was always the first one to don his Sunday suit and volunteer to say a few good words over the deceased.”
“Well, the whole town turned out to see him off. The preacher said some fine words, and then they had a huge luncheon. All the ladies in town cooked up something and put it all together. They left Ma and Uncle Ed with enough food they wouldn’t have to cook for the next month.”
Abe motioned toward the stove. “You want a cup of coffee?”
“No, but I’d love to get some breakfast. I haven’t eaten since supper last night.”
Abe paused, and moved to his chair behind the desk. “Ike, are you ready to hang up your guns and join me here in Big Springs?”
Ike raked his fingers through his hair. “Brother, I’m more than ready. I’m not sorry for the last couple of years because I’ve been able to put away quite a bit of money we can use to buy us some farmland.” He perched on the side of the desk. “I got to tell you though. It plum hurt my soul to bring in some of them fellers, and especially the ones I knew were going to get up close and personal with the business end of a rope.”
“Must’ve been a hard road for you.”
“The hardest were the ones that I just knew were innocent, but they didn’t have any way to prove it. It didn’t matter though. It wasn’t my job to find out if they were guilty or not, I was just supposed to bring them in. My last job let me know it was time for me to pack it in and come home.”
“What happened?”
“I was sent to bring in Ned Peters.”
“I remember the poster on him. He was wanted for murder, wasn’t he?”
“Yeah. I caught up with him and his family in Texas. Worst thing I ever did was have to take him away from his family.”
“He fight you?”
“No, he came peacefully. Told me that he’d do it again because the low-down scoundrel tried to take advantage of his young daughter.” He narrowed his eyes. “The girl was only fourteen years old, Abe, and she looked terrified of me. The little ones, both boys, grabbed me around the knees and begged me not to take their pa.” He sighed. “It was then I knew I had to quit.”
Abe looked at him long, and hard, and then chuckled. “You let him go, didn’t you?”
Ike turned his face away, and didn’t answer his brother’s question.
Abe walked around the table. “Why don’t we head over to the diner and get you some breakfast?”
“Sounds good.” He picked up his hat and put it on. “I need to talk to you about some trouble headed your way.”
> “What kind of trouble?”
“Come on and feed me, and I’ll tell you what I know.”
Chapter 3
“Sadie, this scruffy-looking scoundrel is my brother, Ike. Ike, this is Sadie. She owns the best diner in Big Springs.”
Ike smiled at the plump, gray-haired woman. “Pleased to meet you, Sadie.”
“Land’s sakes, he’s as good looking as you, Sheriff.” She smacked the towel she had in her hand on Abe’s arm. “You scalawag, I’ve got the only diner in town. I’ll get you some coffee while you make up your mind what you want.” She hurried off to a door in the back of the room.
“All right, what is this trouble that’s heading my way?”
“Here you go, boys. Fresh, hot coffee.” Sadie poured them each a steaming cup of black coffee. “Do you know what you want to eat?”
“Give us your special, Sadie. Eggs, bacon, potatoes, biscuits and gravy.”
Ike smiled at the friendly woman. “That sounds perfect to me, too.”
“Okay, I’ll be back in just a bit.” She walked off, humming under her breath.
Abe frowned and sat back, folding his arms across his chest. “Like I said, what trouble are you talking about?”
“There’s a family heading this way looking to buy a small farm.” He took a sip of the coffee. “They’re running from something. I’d stake my life on it.”
“Explain yourself.”
Ike spent several minutes telling Abe about meeting with Samuel and his family at the train station in St. Louis. “There seemed to be a difference of opinion at the hotel in Jefferson City on whether it was three girls and two boys, or five boys travelling together.”
Abe’s brow furrowed, and his lips pursed together as his head tilted to the side. “How can anybody confuse that?”
“I wasn’t sure myself. The blacksmith that sold them a wagon and mules told me they were heading to Big Springs so I decided to follow them. When I caught up with ’em, I saw the young man who’d introduced himself as Samuel Kees, another young man about the same age, and three young boys.”
Martine, Missy - Star Wishes (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 6
